Have you ever heard of the song, “Blue Christmas?” Elvis Presley used to sing it. It’s about a man who is feeling down because his loved one is not with him on Christmas. He’s pretty depressed, really, and that’s how a lot of people feel during the holidays. They feel alone, afraid and uncared for.

Maybe you or someone you know is going through a “Blue Christmas.” Perhaps you have had a disappointment this year. A tornado… a flood? Maybe you’ve lost a job. Maybe a family member died or there’s something else that just didn’t turn out the way you had planned.

The truth is: We live in a sinful, fallen world. Things don’t always happen the way we expect. But the miracle of Christmas is hope because when Jesus Christ comes into our lives, hope comes alive. We have hope because God is with us. He is good and He will never leave us. Jesus comes to live in our hearts and transform us, giving us strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

If your friend is depressed, this Christmas invite her or him over for some hot cider. Encourage them with the promise found in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”

I recently had a conversation with an atheist who disagreed when I suggested that atheists are lonely people. He questioned me, saying, “How do you know this?” He had a good point. I cannot say that every atheist is empty in every area of life- of course not. But I do know that spiritually, every atheist is empty.

An atheist can be lonely because he is very much on his own if he doesn’t have a connection with His Creator. There is a certain lack of peace of mind and heart until you know where you came from and where you’re going. Your spirit is dead even though body and soul are functioning.

John Paul Sartre, the atheist French philosopher, said, “Man is alone, abandoned to his own destiny.” That’s an expression of a person who doesn’t know God- Sartre didn’t know God. But if you know God, you have a purpose! Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Who in your life is spiritually empty? Ask God to reveal someone to you today. Then, reach out to this person! Only Jesus can fill their void of loneliness. You and I know this to be true. And we know people who haven’t accepted this truth, don’t we.

Respect them in their unbelief, but encourage them to remain open to God’s prompting. Encourage them to read the Gospel of John in particular, and say, ’if you really want to know God, you will find Him very quickly.’

Are you feeling spiritually dry? Discouraged? Unmotivated? Have you had a recent failure, either a personal mistake, or the death of a dream? Does it seem like all your hopes and prayers of God using you have come to nothing?

The Lord says to you today, “Keep dreaming great dreams, and planning great plans to reach your world.” Jesus says in John 14:15, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

What an incredible promise of our potential to reach our world for Jesus Christ! When Jesus says He’s going to the Father, that means the Holy Spirit is coming to us! And it’s God’s Holy Spirit who indwells us. His Spirit gives us power to accomplish whatever evangelistic vision God has given us.

You and I have serve a God who says, “I know you’re discouraged, I know you feel dry, but keep dreaming great dreams and planning great plans, because the Holy Spirit will empower you to accomplish them!” God’s Spirit is the power and the anointing that we need to do great things for Jesus Christ

Many years ago my team and I were planning a huge festival in Mexico City. We were just weeks away from the event, and all the publicity was out. But then, out of nowhere, the government put a stop to the whole thing. They shut us down.

I was mortified with thoughts of failure, embarrassment, and wasted money. It was so appalling! I began to read the Gospel of John over and over saying, Lord, why is this happening? What are you trying to teach me? First, I saw that God was humbling me. I was getting too prideful. The Lord reminded me that if anything good happened, it would be from His Hand alone.

Then I came to this passage in John 14: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these…” The Lord also said to me, “By my Spirit, dream great dreams again, Luis. Plan great plans.” That was in October. By the next April we were in another stadium and we had the campaign. It was glorious!

Evangelism can be really discouraging. Maybe you feel all your dreams and plans have come to nothing. But don’t give up! Keep dreaming great dreams for the Lord! In His timing, they will happen in more amazing ways than you could ever imagine.