Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Today's Thought: Jesus is the only solution to the loneliness and brokenness of man.

Ruth Graham, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, recalled her bouts against loneliness, depression and the feeling of broken heart in the book In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart. It was an honest reflection on what had happened to her life, the sense of being lost in the fast flow of life having been married young, divorced, becoming a grandmother as her teenage daughter got pregnant, and all.

While we desire to become a blessing to others who are lonely, we should remember that we can't be with them all the time. We can't even fully realize the pain they are going through. We will never be enough to fill the large vacuum of pain in their hearts. More than that, we also have our pain within us that makes us reserved in feeling theirs. Only God can meet their needs during these lonely days.

One day Dr. G. Campbell Morgan visited an old woman who lived alone. Before he left, he read: I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Dr. Morgan commented that it was a great promise. But the old lady said: No, it is not a promise. It's reality.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Today's Thought: We should not give up in the middle of struggles for we know the reward is at the end of it.

Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom when Hitler mounted his attack during World War II. Churchill spoke to Londoners and encouraged them: Never give up! Never, never, never give up!

John White writes: It is the man or woman who gets up and fights again that is the true warrior . . . . Strengthen yourself with a powerful draught of the wine of Romans 8:1-4. Then get back into the fight before your muscles get stiff!

Endurance is importance in the task of obedience amidst ups and downs, losses and victories. It is trying again to fight sin. It is trying again to stand up. It is trying again to do something for the Lord. We must fight and try, fight again and try again. Let us not give up for we know God is working in us to accomplish His purpose.

Psalm 199:27

 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

Today's Thought: We read in the Bible all God wants us to follow, observe and do.

Solomon instructed in Ecclesiastes regarding the making of books without end. When one goes to the United States Library of Congress, one will be overwhelmed with 2.8 million volumes of books. But unlike other books, the Bible is different. It is given by inspiration of God and is the complete revelation of God to man. From its pages sprung the gift of salvation; it is a complete precept for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

There are so many things to learn about the Bible. There are numerology sets to learn; statistics that could immerse us into the scholarly knowledge of the Bible. Several people spent hours and days inspecting and reviewing the Bible.

But let us not forget that the Bible is a book to study. It is a book to know the will of God in our lives. It is not enough to study it, but we must meditate on it that we discover the perfect will of God in our lives. This is the best way to learn the knowledge and wisdom the Bible can give.

Colossians 2:7

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Today's Thought: We must be thankful for everything and anything God has given us.

Of all choices made in life, the option of being grateful or a grumbler makes the most impact in our lives. There are so many things in life that we should be grumbling and complaining about. But we do so, we will only see few blessings in our lives. But we start to be thankful, we will find treasures of blessings God has given us.

Paul reminds us that thankfulness is the result of being grounded and rooted in faith. It is impossible for Christians are not rooted to be grateful in everything and anything that comes their way. We are expected to walk by faith and not by sight for us to be thankful.

Our choice of grumbling makes us discontent. We will not be happy of the blessings God has given us for we will only think of what we don't have. Let us consider to thank God for we have and have faith in His provision for what we don't have.

Psalm 119:149

Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment.

Today's Thought: Listening is an expression of love.

There was a young pastor who had spent listening to the problems of church members throughout the day. One when we came home and asked his wife how was the day, she told her about the problem with the car, the repair of the appliance, and the earache of their son. The pastor immediately began to solve the problem, but her wife looked at her and said: I have done all of those things and you don't need to solve any problem, I just want you to be interested to listen.

We should be reminded that the Lord who loves us so much is a Lord who listens. He wants to take part in our everyday affair by listening to us. He wants to know the struggles we have with sin by listening to us. He wants to help us solve the difficulties we are in by listening to us. He is a God who loves and listening is part of His expression of love.

Listening helps to encourage other people. We can't solve their problems, but when we listen to what they say, we help them. But our God listens and solves problem. He is the greatest Comforter. Isn't it necessary and vital to unload everything to our God who loves and listens to us?