December 23
Our father in heaven, we reverence You with all our heart for another privilege to be in Your presence this day. Thank You for it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy. Thank You for Your mercy Lord. Welcome into our heart and make Your presence known to us.
Dearly beloved, Christmas is not just in the air but is here with us, how prepared are you? Sure your clothing, foods and drinks are ready but how ready are you spiritual to welcome your Lord Jesus Christ?
Celebration is good but we should ensure that the whole essence of it will not be missing. Let us not be like the people of old who knew that Christ will be born and the time He is to be born but they are carried away with the affairs of lives and Jesus came, lived His life and went back to His father but have no impart in their lives.
As we are expecting their birth of Christ, may we have our heart not the manger prepared for him.
“Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight!
. . . and everyone will see the salvation of God.”—Luke 3:4, 6
If we are to receive the powerful presence of God, we must prepare ourselves. John the Baptist was God’s messenger to help people prepare to receive the Savior of the world. John preached unwaveringly: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven at hand!” (Matt. 3:2). Those who heard John’s message and prepared their lives recognized Jesus when He came, and they left all to follow Him. This was especially true of the disciples, whose hearts God Himself prepared (Matt. 16:17). Preparation must precede God’s presence!
God’s instruction for preparation is specific: repentance! This involves a complete change of mind, heart, will, and behavior toward Him. He is Lord, and your life must be prepared to receive Him as your Lord. Anything less is inadequate. Some were obviously unprepared to follow Jesus and missed the opportunity (Luke 9:57–62). The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were largely unprepared for His arrival. They knew the Messiah was coming. They even knew where He would be born (Matt. 2:4–6). Yet when word came that the Savior had been born, they made no effort to join Him, preferring instead their religious ritual.
If you are unprepared, you, too, will miss the opportunity to experience Jesus. You may practice religion, but you will miss God. While others encounter the Lord personally in worship, your heart will remain unmoved. As others receive a fresh word from God, you will experience a painful silence. Religious activity can never substitute for a heart that is pure before Him. Purity comes only through repentance. Pray, as the Psalmist did, that God will examine your heart and reveal your need to repent of your sin (Ps. 139:23–24).
Repentance you may not do of your own will but by the help of the Holy Spirit, therefore let us pray for the presence of God in our lives, families, careers, businesses, ministries. He alone can do it but you must be willing to receive from Him for God is present help in times of need:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps. 46:1
A help that is not present when we need it is of small value. The anchor which is left at home is of no use to the seaman in the hour of storm; the money which he used to have is of no worth to the debtor when a writ is out against him. Very few earthly helps could be called “very present”: they are usually far in the seeking, far in the using, and farther still when once used. But as for the Lord our God, He is present when we seek Him, present when we need Him, and present when we have already enjoyed His aid.
He is more than “present,” He is very present. More present than the nearest friend can be, for He is in us in our trouble; more present than we are to ourselves, for sometimes we lack presence of mind. He is always present, effectually present, sympathetically present, altogether present. He is present now if this is a gloomy season. Let us rest ourselves upon Him. He is our refuge, let us hide in Him; He is our strength, let us array ourselves with Him; He is our help, let us lean upon Him; He is our very present help, let us repose in Him now. We need not have a moment’s care, or an instant’s fear. “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Sing this song along with me, it ministered to me and am sure you will be blessed as well
Lend me your ears, thus said the Lord.
Just know that my word will not return void.
Your time I sustain, there’s no need to fear
I’m restoring the years you’ve sown in tears,
restoring the years you’ve sown in tears”.
I am the author, the writer of time,
no matter how long, things will work out just fine.
Deposit this word, there’s no need to fear;
I’m restoring the years you’ve sown in tears,
restoring the years you’ve sown in tears.
Chorus
Lift up your hands,
recieve from the Lord.
Your broken spirit,
recieve from the Lord
Deposit this word, there’s no need to fear;
I’m restoring the years you’ve sown in tears,
restoring the years you’ve sown in tears.
I’m healing you.
I’m healing you,
healing you.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Evang Ifeoma Ohondu
