PURITY IN THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS

Preamble
One of the major themes often neglected in the story of the birth of Jesus is the purity of  Mary and the sanctity of Joseph's bed. We are challenged to encourage our daughters to live in purity and our sons to accept sexual abstinence as godly and commendable.

PURITY IS A PRODUCT OF FLEEING
The Reverend Marty O'Rourke, in an article entitled "Escaping Sexual Sin Before it's Too Late," gave the following recommendations when to flee from sexual temptation."When do you need to flee?·

When you find yourself thinking about a "friend, co-worker, ministry partner, counselee" and how much you enjoy being with this person -- FLEE!·

When you look forward to spending more time with this person and you make sure you look especially nice if you know you might see your "friend" that day -- FLEE!·

If you begin to fantasize about being with this person or knowingly start touching your "friend" in "innocent " ways -- FLEE!·

When you become more secretive about your interaction with your "friend" because people like your spouse might "misunderstand" your friendship -- FLEE!·

If you receive cards, e-mails or presents from this person that you would not want your spouse to see -- FLEE!·

When you find yourself comparing your spouse in an unfavorable way to your "friend"-- FLEE!·

If you start confiding in your "friend" about your marital problems -- FLEE!

Anytime we feel we must keep something secret, this would indicate that sin is crouching at our door.

If you are experiencing sexual attraction to someone - or experiencing some other kind of temptation over a few days - go to your spouse or someone you can trust in the Body of Christ. Bring the secret out into the light of day and ask for prayer and accountability." 

PERSONAL COMMITMENT
We each face temptations, but only Jesus can truly satisfy us. Today in prayer, pray that the Lord would lead you away from all temptation so that you may walk with Him. "If you're losing the battle against a persistent bad habit, an addiction, or a temptation, and you're stuck in a repeating cycle of good intention-failure-guilt, you will not get better on your own.

You need the help of other people. Rick Warren said "Some temptations are only overcome with the help of a partner who prays for you, encourages you, and holds you accountable." -  God's Word: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." – Matthew 6:13 

Let us pray for forgiveness of our past and the grace  not yield to temptation

(This reflection came from Devotional. Com by Peter Kennedy)

THE LIGHT HAS COME

GREAT LIGHT IN THE DARK WORLD

The Scripture contains records of foretelling of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many generations expected the coming of the Messiah. Prophet Isaiah spoke about the coming of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6-7 " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

   Indeed Jesus' birth was a joyful news to the whole world. The news of his birth is not an old tale. The reign of Jesus Christ is always fresh in the heart of believers who truly love and serve him. People from different tribes, cultures,and countries are responding to the good news that his birth brought to the whole world.
       The proclamation of his birth is not limited to a season, it is eternal. Jesus' birth caused us to experience redemption. We are redeemed from darkness unto his marvelous light. Isaiah stated that "the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned" ( Isaiah 9 : 2)
     There is no doubt Jesus is redeeming Souls on a daily basis. His birth is efficacious at all times. No matter how great one's sin may be, Jesus has the power to cleanse. It is stated in the Bible that he was given the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
   
       Jesus is lmmanuel. Our saviour has never left us alone. Though we are living in a dark world. Jesus is always present. He is the Light that shines in the darkness. " In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." ( John 1:4-5 KJV)

When anyone receives him, he will never walk in the darkness again.  He will shine forever.

Rev Mrs Kemi Babarinde
HOD, Religious Education
Baptist College of Theology,  Lagos.

BAPTIST DEVOTIONAL

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Monday, December 23
Luke 2: 21-24

PARENTS' COMMITMENT TO THE LAW

"Now when the days of her purification according to the laws of Moses were completed, they brought him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord." Luke 2: 22, NKJV

Jesus' parents observed all the biblical injunctions required for purification of Hebrew women after birth and presentation of newborn babies to the temple even with Christ. They were not overwhelmed by pride of the heavenly glory that surrounded them and their baby to disregard the laws.
Parents today must learn lessons from Jesus' parents by showing traits of sincerity and steadfastness to God's purpose of parenting.

With the sad state of moral decadence and worldliness in our society today, parents must re-commit themselves to scriptural laws by:
(i) Being exemplary in life and character (Matthew 5:16).
(ii) Teaching their children the wholistic injunctions of God (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).
(iii) Sacrificing their time and resources in training their children (Proverbs 22:6).
(iv) Putting premium in moulding children into godly standard for a better society (Malachi 2:15).

PASTORAL INSIGHT

THE JOY OF LONG AWAITED MIRACLE
Luke 1: 5ff.

OUR HISTORY
Everyone has a past,  an history- the story that can be told. Some aspects are pleasant,  others may not. Our past cannot be rewind and changed.  None of them can be erased. Alas! a miracle can overshadow the negative experiences. How?
      God spoke through Prophet Isaiah, "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.( Isaiah 43:18-19). God proves.that he cannot forget his own people. The story of the first Christmas contains the episode of God remembering to meet a need.

OUR NEEDS
God will usually not arise to no occasion nor meet his people without a point of need. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1). The story of Christmas presents a family that had a need.

  Luke wrote that "there was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.  And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years." (Luke 1:5-8). The story ended in and with joy, God gave them a son.

    OUR GOD REMEMBERS
We are tempted by human nature to feel neglected and forsaken. The God we serve will remember his word, his promises and his people. God asked, 
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." (Isaiah 49:15 KJV). An example is this, "And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb."(Genesis 30:22)

OUR CONVICTION
The story of the birth of Jesus will be incomplete without a mention of the manifestation of long..awaited miracle- the birth of John the Baptist. Are there long awaited miracles, waiting wombs and age-long reproach?  God will meet you.divinely.

Merry Christmas.

Rev Dr Kehinde Babarinde
Conference President

BAPTIST DEVOTIONAL

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Sunday, December 22
Luke 2:1-17

FOR ALL PEOPLE
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people." Luke 2:10, NIV

Have you noticed that every person that knew about the birth of Jesus was specially told? Joseph and Mary knew Jesus through angel Gabriel; Simeon, Anna, Elizabeth and Zechariah through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; the wise men through the star that led them; the shepherds through angelic visitation; John the Baptist through the instructions and descriptions of God Almighty; the apostles knew Jesus by God's leading, He chose them and revealed Himself to them. This is the season of singing and fellowshipping in the spirit of Christmas.

Two lessons from today's passage are:

(a) We cannot claim to know Christ if He has not been revealed to us by God.

(b) The dying world is waiting for you and me to introduce Christ to them.

After the shepherds received the message, they spread it. Having received Christ let us go and make Him known today.

Prayer Point: Pray that Jesus Christ will be revealed to many people through you this Christmas season.

BAPTIST DEVOTIONAL

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Saturday, December 21

Galatians 4:1-7

THE FULLNESS OF TIME

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law." Galatians 4:4, NIV

       Slavery is more of the state of the mind than a physical state. It is a perpetual state of ignorance and fear. In time past, slave masters would allow one or two slaves to attempt escape and when caught, such would be treated brutally and murdered in full view of the other slaves to serve as a deterrent to them.
      They are thus enslaved physically and psychologically; and, once the mind is captured, the strongest muscles would offer very little or no resistance.
Before the coming of Christ Jesus, we were slaves – body, soul and spirit – to the wisdom of this world. Every attempt of humankind to set him/herself free kept failing. Satan and sin held us bound and we could not shake them off no matter how much we tried.
     However, God sent His Son into our lives and afterwards He sent His Spirit into our hearts, as a guarantee of greater things. God did these so that we should no longer be slaves to sin and Satan. With Jesus, no one can enslave you again!

Prayer Point: Pray for total freedom from every form of slavery in which you may be.

THE JOY OF THE LORD

JESUS CHRIST BROUGHT JOY
      Jesus Christ is simply the Son of God, Saviour of the world, God Himself, one who came to reconcile man to God and ONE who came to restore the lost glory, dominion and power back to man.
       Joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is also something that is deep within and does not leave quickly and it's the second fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22)
      Who are the kingdom people - it is not just an appellation rather it is a designation. They are people elected and appointed for the purpose of the kingdom business.
      The birth of Jesus Christ (Lk 1:14) and His ascension (Lk 1:52) brought about great joy to the world (People). It can be experienced by those who have given their lives to Him as their Lord and Saviour

  JESUS CHRIST WILL BE THE JOY OF THE KINGDOM PEOPLE PROVIDED;

■THEY - Have FAITH in Him 
■BELIEVE in His word
■Have  RELATIONSHIP with Him
■UNDERSTAND and ■HOLD on to HIS PROMISES
■ LABOUR to be on MISSION for Him
■EXPECTING His second coming

Do you desire his joy in its fullness?  Do that which have been suggested above. God bless you.

Rev 'Tosin Olatunji
ModeratorNew Creature Baptist Association