“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Gal. 6:9 NLT)

There’s an old story about a person who tried and failed many times to create a new lemon-lime-flavored drink. He called his first attempt 1 Up (it failed). And he called his second attempt 2 Up, and it too failed. And time and time again, he tried and failed, and finally, feeling completely defeated, he quit at 6 Up! He never knew how close he had come to success when he gave up. Although this story is obviously contrived, it does present a valid point. Many give up too soon. Thomas Edison, on the other hand, tried hundreds of times to find the right material that would work as a filament for the lightbulb, and he finally succeeded because he didn’t quit until he did. Another good example of perseverance was Babe Ruth, one of the best baseball players ever, who hit 714 home runs in his career, a record that stood for almost 40 years. But he also struck out 1,330 times. Among his many successes were twice as many failures, but he wasn’t defined by his failures but instead by his amazing successes. 

Therefore

As you end this year, do a personal survey of the successes you had this year and praise God for them. Also, as you see negative things that may have happened over the year, make a list of the good things you have learned from them. Finally, set your sights on the next year with a fresh determination to put God first in everything you do. 

“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (James 3:2 ESV)

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:31-33 ESV)

Continuing on from yesterday and our look at David’s Psalm 145 about endless praise we learn more about God’s character and why we should continuously offer up praises to Him.

The generous help and free gifts of God are always available to all his creatures.

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand;” (Psalms 145:13-16)

The Lord is near to all who call on Him

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” (Psalms 145:17-20)

Therefore

All creation, and in particular his people, should bring him unending praise.

“My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” (Psalm 145:21)

Continuing on in yesterday's Psalm 145, about unending praise, which was written by David, we learn even more about God’ character: He is gracious. Compassionate. Slow to anger. Rich in love. Good to all. And He has compassion on all He has made. These are more reasons to offer up daily praise to Him!

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalms 145:8-9)

 Therefore

Show your gratitude by praising him and telling others about Him.

 “All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generation. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” (Psalms 145:10-13)

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on God’s greatness and the many reasons to praise Him. David does this in Psalms 145, which is an acrostic poem of endless praise. He begins each verse with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet and provides an uplifting reminder of God's enduring faithfulness, mercy, and compassion. In the midst of life's tribulations, we can find solace in His majestic greatness and the knowledge that His love extends to all His creations. This psalm invites us to actively participate in a continual, daily chorus of praise, reminding us of the power of our individual and shared voices in celebrating His majesty.

“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” (145:1-3).

Therefore

Meditate on God’s greatness and proclaim it to others.

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” (Psalm 145-4-7)

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)

Such an exclusive statement made by Jesus may confuse, surprise, or even offend, but it is still true, nonetheless. The Bible teaches that there is no other way to salvation than through Jesus Christ!

Jesus said

Jesus spoke of Himself as the only way to heaven in several places besides John 14:6, at top. He presented Himself as the object of faith in Matthew 7:21–27. He said His words are life (John 6:63). He promised that those who believe in Him will have eternal life (John 3:14–15). He is the gate of the sheep (John 10:7); he is the door to salvation (John 10:9); the bread of life (John 6:35); and the resurrection (John 11:25). No one else can rightly claim those titles.

There is no other way!

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Therefore

“I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin.” (Acts 13:38–39) 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20 ESV)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7)

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thess 3:5)

Are you glad Christmas is over?

The day after Christmas, a pastor stopped into a big department store to purchase something he needed. He struck up a conversation with the manager who happened to be helping him, and he said, “Are you glad Christmas is over?” And the manager replied, “Well no, because it’s my job to remove every trace of Christmas in the entire store until the next holiday season, and that’s a daunting job.” The pastor said, “My job is the exact opposite: to keep Christmas strong in the hearts of my congregation for the entire year, and that too is a daunting job.”

Yes, it’s definitely hard for that pastor to keep Christmas in the hearts of his congregation once all the holiday reminders, such as decorated trees in every window, wreathes on doors, carols playing everywhere, and the colored lights on buildings suddenly disappear. Once gone, it all goes away quickly.

Remaining steadfast in Christ

I heard about a child who fell out of bed in the middle of the night. His parents asked him what happened. And he said sleepily, “I must have stayed too close to where I got in.” That’s a picture of what happens to a new believer who fails to grow. They will eventually become weak, lukewarm, and fall away if they don’t grow by surrounding themselves with the things that will move them forward and focus on Christ, like Bible study, spending time in prayer, attending a Christ-centered church, and fellowshipping with other Christians.

Therefore

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV) 

“For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” (Heb. 3:14)

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” (Isa. 9:6-7 ESV)

Therefore

Today, millions will awaken to find presents under their tree, ready to open. The perfect gift, however, came from above. And that is Jesus!

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)

“And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,” (Heb. 5:9h

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 ESV)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, which is Jesus. During the holiday season you see the word “JOY”everywhere, on Christmas cards, on decorations, and many other places. It’s a reminder of what the angel said to Mary, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” 

Therefore

During the holiday season remember to reflect the angel’s proclamation of joy to others, especially remember to encourage others with love and affection.

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (Phil. 2:1-2)

“For you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thess. 2:20)

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, which is Jesus.

Snow has become a part of Christmas traditions, you see it on cards and sing about it in carols.

Snow can represent purity

Snow isn’t mentioned in the Bible as being present at the Birth of Jesus. However, snow still can remind us of Jesus, His sinless birth and purity. He forgives our sins and makes us white as snow.  

Therefore

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isa. 1:18 ESV)