This week we’ve talked about the importance of knowing God’s Word as you step out in faith to reach your world. We learned that you don’t have to be a scholar to witness, but God’s word will give you a passion for the lost, power in your speech, joy in your life, and a standard to live by. The last thing I want to tell you about the Bible is that in reading it, and getting to know it well, you will find great blessing.

Psalm 1 says, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Reading the Bible is not a chore. It’s not something you are forced to do either. It’s something we are privileged to do- and it is a joy. If we meditate on God’s word often, we will be blessed. It’s not we might be blessed, the scriptures say we will be blessed.

And if the Bible says something will happen, you can count on it. I’ve found this to be true in my own life, and I know you will too. Read your Bible today, and as you’re blessed, go out and bless others.

Many people today attack the authority of God’s Word. They throw out certain passages they don’t understand, and question many others. Yet Jesus Himself recognized the Scriptures as God’s perfect Word. The Bible itself clearly states in 2nd Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is God-breathed.” So if you’ve recently led someone to faith in Jesus, it’s critical to establish the truth and authenticity of the Bible with them. Remind your new brother or sister in the Lord that the Bible is God’s authoritative word. Nothing in God’s Word is unimportant. Now, not all of truth in the Bible is immediately understandable. So if your friend is struggling to understand a passage, encourage them to pray about it, and talk to someone who can help them gain insight. Nothing that the Lord has said in the Bible should ever be treated irreverently or dismissed. By accepting the Bible as God’s Word, your friend will experience authority, power, and fellowship in their new relationship with God. Belief in the full authority of Scripture is vital to living an authentic, victorious Christian life! Only through such faith can your friend receive all that God has in store for them

Did you know that when Christ says “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” he’s actually talking about today? Yes, it was true 2,000 years ago. Jesus was walking on earth in a human body. But Jesus Christ is just as alive today, friends. We must never forget that! Yes, he died on the cross to forgive us all our sins. But, He rose from the dead. Death couldn’t hold him.

This Christmas, talk about a Christmas of light. Tell your family and friends about Jesus. A Christmas of light is a Christmas lived in the presence of Jesus Christ, who said “I am the light of the world.”

As you go through your holiday routine, tell people about what Jesus has done in your life. When you’re shopping for Christmas presents, let the cashier know that Jesus loves them. When you’re making Christmas dinner, tell your family what Jesus has done in your life.

Read Luke 2 with your children. Teach them the meaning of Christmas. Don’t let this Christmas come and go without focusing on Jesus Christ. During the Christmas season people may be more open to learn about Jesus. Right now is a great opportunity to tell other people what Jesus means to you.

These days, we use the word “hope” all the time. “I hope this year will be better than last year and I hope the market goes up and I hope my stocks do better.” Let’s “hope so.” But, real hope isn’t about hoping things will go better. The hope I’m talking about is reality - a living expectation - squarely based on God’s revealed promises.

When you open your heart to Christ, God actually comes into your life. That’s real! Suddenly, you know God for yourself. And it isn’t a religious thing. It isn’t just doing the proper thing on Sunday or Christmas or Easter. Now it’s a deep, personal relationship with the Living God. You become a child of God. Suddenly you have peace with God. You know you’re loved. You have the Holy Spirit. You’re a new person.

The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” And your hope keeps on growing as you get to know God more and more each day.

The miracle of Christmas is hope. Christ came to earth as a baby to bring us this hope. He died and rose again so we might have real hope, not just “hope so.” Who has God placed in your path who needs to hear of this hope? Pray, and ask the Lord for the opportunity to lovingly, respectfully, share His hope with your friends and family.