“For the wages of sin is death,  but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:23 KJV

During the Christmas Season, people naturally turn their attention to gifts. Now, there is nothing wrong with the giving and receiving of gifts. It is a way of expressing our love, appreciation, and care for one another. Those who enjoy giving gifts desire to give the “perfect gift” to that special person or persons. They want to give something that will be valued and treasured; something that when the gift is seen or used later they always remember the one who gave them that gift. But this season is not about the gifts we give to one another. Rather it is about the extravagant gift that God has given unto us!

This extravagant gift cannot be purchased or earned in any way (Eph. 2: 8-9). And its value cannot be realized until it is genuinely received. It is only when this gift is gratefully received that genuine transformation occurs. Some transformation occurs immediately (2 Cor. 5:17). Other transformation takes place over a lifetime of embracing, treasuring, and walking in the reality of this precious gift.

In Romans 8:32 the Word of God declares: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (KJV). When it came to us (all of us) God the Father spared no expense. He gave the most valuable possession that He had so that you and I could have eternal life, be a part of His Eternal Family, and live in His Eternal Kingdom.

With His gift, He lavished His incomprehensible love upon us! His gift is rich and extravagant! It is immeasurable! It is eternal! It never gets old. It never goes out of style. It never goes out of date. It never wears out. And it never becomes obsolete. We can never outgrow it and we cannot live without it. It is with us now and will be with us all throughout eternity. It is the perfect gift that ultimately makes us perfect in the sight of a Holy God! There is no other gift like it anywhere! It is indeed one of a kind!
And it should be treasured above all other gifts!

Rev. James W. Black

“And behold, thou shalt conceive in  thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.”

Luke 1:31 KJV

The angel Gabriel, who was sent by God,  announced to the Virgin Mary that she was going to have a son.  That son would be supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit.  And she was to call his name “Jesus”.  In Hebrew the name is Yeshua.   In Greek it is Iesous.  In English it is Jeshua.   We call it Joshua.  The name literally means  “Jehovah is Salvation.”  It is important to note that that name was common among the Jewish people. 

Today there is no other name that is more loved or hated than the Name of Jesus!  To those who have opened their hearts and experienced the saving and transforming power of Jesus in their life, that Name is precious!  It is cherished, honored, and loved.  It is only in that Name that we can receive salvation from our sin (Acts 4:12) and the wrath of God that our sin deserves (John 3:36).

But that Name is also hated by others.  They hate that Name because the very mention of that Name exposes their sin and the darkness in their hearts (John 3: 19-20).  That Name is increasingly attacked today in our culture. And the cost of honoring that Name will increase as we continue moving closer to the Lord’s return.   There are many saints of God around the world who have sacrificed their lives because of that Name!  But looking from the standpoint of eternity, all of them would say to us that it is worth it! 

There is power in the Name of Jesus to redeem from sin, to heal physically and emotionally, and to deliver from the powers of darkness!  So let us continue to lift up that Name both in word and in deed.  There is no name anywhere like the Name of Jesus! 

Rev. James W. Black

“And he said, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”

Exodus 33:14 KJV

We live in a hectic, fast-paced world.  And that pace seems to increase during the Christmas Season.  Mothers especially struggle to find time to get everything done during the  Holiday Season.  It can be overwhelming. 

 That is why it is important that we realize that God is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).  Which essentially means that God has no favorites. That means many things, but in this case, it does mean that God gives each person the same amount of time each day.  Everyone gets 24 hours a day.  No matter what part of the country or the world we live in each person gets the same amount of time each day.   Our tendency, especially as Americans,  is to  “fill up” every moment of every day.  Thus our “stress level” is amplified which affects every aspect of our lives.  The remedy for that is learning to enjoy God’s rest.

The “rest of God” begins with being conscious of God’s Presence in our lives as followers of Christ.  His Presence is with us constantly whether we “feel it” or not. 
The Hebrew word for “rest” in this passage is the word: “nuwach” which means “to settle down, give comfort to, to rest and to be quiet.” (Strongs #5117).  The Presence of God comforts us, reassures us, quiets us in the midst of a noisy, busy, and chaotic world, and fills us with His Peace on the inside.

The “rest of God” is a promise to each of God’s children.  Just as it was given to Moses and Israel in the wilderness, it is given to us in the wilderness of our lives today.  The “rest of God” is the revelation of the Person of  Christ,  who indwells us.  It is becoming conscious that He is with us each day and in each moment of our lives. The consciousness of His indwelling Presence gives us rest.  He encourages us.  He strengthens us.  He guides us and fills us with joy.  If we simply take some time to “be still” (Psalm 46:10) we will become conscious of Him.  And the consciousness of His Presence gives us rest, even in the midst of busy and tumultuous times. 

Rev. James W. Black