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Bible Gleanings, devotions

Curing Callousness | Bible Gleanings – February 10-11, 2024

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I became accustomed to the twinging pain after a while. At first, my sensitive fingertips were sore and screaming for relief when I began picking on the guitar over thirteen years ago. Pressing down on the nickel strings, bending them for that twang sound, and sliding from fret to fret to look like Stevie Ray Vaughn made my cushy fingertips calloused. When it was all new, it stung so badly that playing the air guitar seemed preferable. But over time, calluses formed on my fingers, melting away all sensitivity to fingertip pain for good.

A callus on the fingertip may be helpful, but a callus growing on the heart and mind is eternally hazardous. For this reason, the word of God sounds the alarm on the destructiveness of callousness, which refers to a deadened sensitivity to sin. According to Paul, the minds of unbelievers are callous—insensitive to iniquity, torpid to transgression, and unresponsive to ungodliness (Eph. 4:19). In fact, the conscience of an unsaved person can even be cauterized or “seared” so that it is numb to evil and its everlasting repercussions (1 Tim. 4:2). And it is possible for even Christians to become calloused to crookedness, indifferent to impiety, lethargic toward lawlessness, and “dull of hearing” (Matt. 13:15; Heb. 5:11).

Calluses form gradually, too. Mine did not grow overnight, but through practicing and playing the guitar for over a decade—and likewise, our sensitivity to evil gradually lessens the more we play with it. We begin by accepting our sin, and telling ourselves, “Just sinning this once won’t hurt.” Then we progress to advocating our sin, thinking, “Well, my sin isn’t as bad as everyone else’s!” And soon enough, we move on to approval of our sin, saying, “This sin isn’t too bad after all.” And once we get to the point where sin no longer makes us blush (Jer. 6:15), we have become callous. 

How can you know if you have become callous? Think about your reactions to sin in your life and in the world. Do you gasp when you hear about the infanticide of abortion taking place in our country? Do profanities and graphic scenes on television make you sick to your spiritual stomach to the point where you turn it off? And when you fall into temptation, are you overcome with godly sorrow, or do you make excuses for it?

Thankfully, spiritual callousness can be cured by the salve of Christ’s healing grace and through repentance and renunciation of sins that cause calluses (Rev. 3:19). If calluses have formed on your heart and mind, let Jesus apply His balm to make you sensitive to sin again, and instead of repeating the evils that make you indifferent, repent of them. Moreover, deepen your knowledge of what is right from the Scripture. Knowing the word of God is the only way to know our wretchedness (Romans 7:13, 24). Have you become calloused?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

A Little Leaven | Bible Gleanings – February 3-4, 2024

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Sourdough is now the greatest thing since sliced bread. People from all walks of life are jumping on the bakery bandwagon, experimenting with different recipes and techniques to achieve the perfect loaf. This trend first swept the nation in 2020 because everyone was isolated in quarantine and store bought yeast was in short supply. Since baking sourdough requires a lot of time and very few ingredients (both of which everyone had), it was the perfect pandemic bread. And the sourdough trend is still in style today, causing some to question whether Jesus was telling the truth when He said that man does not live on bread alone!

However, although sourdough has been all the rage recently, it is not a recent invention; in fact, it predates sliced bread. The ancient world relied solely upon sourdough’s active ingredient—wild yeast produced by flour, water, and time. And this wild yeast was commonly known as “leaven.” Bakers in ancient days would retain a pinch of fermented dough or leaven from the previous week and add it to a new lump of dough to accelerate the fermentation process. The little sour fragment would morph with the new lump, so much so that it was impossible to separate the leaven from the lump. 

It is no surprise, then, that the Scripture likens sin to leaven, since it quickly spreads its sourness into the heart and life of anyone who kneads it. It only takes a little leaven of evil to corrupt your testimony, taint your mind, ruin your relationships, or destroy your church. Sin infiltrates insidiously and permeates progressively—and it doesn’t take much to sow irreparable damage. That is why Paul the apostle warned, “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened” (1 Cor. 5:6-7a; cf. Gal. 5:9).

Believers must be vigilant against evil, no matter how small and harmless it may seem. As Jesus cautioned, “Watch and beware of the leaven” (Matt. 16:6a). Additionally, we must cast out any leaven in our hearts and minds before it has the chance to fester and spread sour corruption to our lives. And if we find ourselves spoiled by sin’s influence, we must turn to Christ for cleansing. As the Puritan Thomas Adams (1583–1652) encouraged, “Our leaven hath soured us, but we are made sweet again by the all-perfuming blood of our blessed Savior.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Giving Your All | Bible Gleanings – January 27-28, 2024

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They couldn’t believe what they were seeing, but what they heard was even more unbelievable. The words of commendation stunned and silenced the whole crowd. They concluded that the woman had acted carelessly. She was wasting precious time and money, they thought. But the One whose estimation matters the most applauded her with six little words that speak volumes: “She has done what she could” (Mark 14:8a).

This was the humble woman, Mary, who poured an expensive alabaster flask of ointment upon the head of the Lord Jesus, while He ate dinner at the house of Simon the leper (Matt. 26:6-13; John 12:1-8). Bystanders angrily criticized her, saying, “Why was this ointment wasted like this? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor” (Mark 14:4-5a). Indeed, it seemed like she was pouring money down the drain, since the flask was worth more than three-hundred days’ wages. Nevertheless, Jesus was worth more to Mary than all the world’s silver or gold. And more importantly, Jesus didn’t think it was a waste—and He commended Mary for giving her very best to Him. 

And thus, Mary joined the hall of biblical heroes and heroines who gave their all to the Lord, whether it was much or little. She joined the ranks of ancient saints like the widow woman from Zarephath, who gave God her last fistful of flour and tablespoon of oil (1 Kings 17:8-16). She gave what she could, like the young lad who gave Jesus his sack lunch, so He could multiply it (John 6:6-14). She offered everything she had to Jesus, just as the “anonymous donor” in the Gospels gave Jesus a donkey for transportation and an upper room free of charge (Mark 11:3-6; 14:13-16). She gave her best to Christ, just like Nympha who donated her house to the Lord, and Barnabas who gave the proceeds of his fields to the church (Col. 4:15; Acts 4:36-37).

When you give your all to the Lord, whether it is great or small, it is always pleasing in His sight. And this is because the Lord values quality over quantity. He measures the sincerity and generosity of your heart, not the sum or size of your offerings. Even the smallest act of sacrifice is significant in His eyes, as it reflects your love for Him. He sees and knows, dear believer: “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 33:18; cf. Heb. 6:10). Will you join the ranks of faithful saints who gave their all to the Lord, no matter how great or small it was?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions, sermons

God Will Send His Ravens | Bible Gleanings – January 20-21, 2024

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A German boy and his mother were in a perilous predicament in the dead of winter. Their food and firewood were running out, leaving them famished and freezing. And suddenly, the woman’s son swiftly slung the door open, ushering in the suffocating cold air. “My son,” she gasped, “why are you opening the door on such a cold night?” The youngster, familiar with the biblical story of Elijah being miraculously fed by ravens, said with conviction, “Mother, it’s for the ravens.”

Do you remember that awe-inspiring account of God’s powerful provision? The Lord assured Elijah that He would meet his needs if he stepped out in faith to live in the wilderness east of the Jordan (1 Kings 17:2-4). The Lord promised that Elijah would drink from the brook and be fed by the ravens. And that’s precisely what occurred: “And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook” (1 Kings 17:6). The Lord of creation used winged birds to care for Elijah because he had taken refuge under His wings (Psalm 91:4). God rewarded Elijah’s firm faith with faithful provision. 

And the boy with childlike faith was likewise honored with miraculous provision. The mayor of the snowy village was walking around that frigid night to check on the residents, and he was shocked to see a little cottage with an open door. He went to investigate and the mother explained that they were waiting on God to send His ravens. The concerned mayor then remarked, “I will be your raven, both now and ever.” And he provided them with food and warmth.

Whether you are in dire straits like this German family or standing alone for the truth like Elijah, you can be certain that God will provide for you when you trust His word and remain faithful to it. When you devote yourself to the Lord—no matter how hard it may be—the ravens will always arrive on time. When you put the Lord first, He will meet your needs according to His riches in glory (Matt. 6:33; Phil. 4:19). The faithful are never forsaken. The holy are wholly cared for by the Lord.

And this is the trustworthy testimony of Scripture. As David exclaimed, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25). He also declared, “Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing” (Psalm 34:9-10). “For the LORD God is a sun and shield,” proclaimed another psalmist, “the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). Will you open the door with arms of faith to let the ravens in?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Stand in the Gap | Bible Gleanings – January 13-14, 2024

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The dark days of history have always been brightened by those who had the courage to wave the torch of truth. Societies slumbering on the bed of wrong have always been awakened by those with the backbone to sound the trumpet of truth. One such person was Rosa Parks, who defied the racial segregation of her day and time by refusing to give up her seat on the bus on December 1st of 1955. She was willing to stand for what was right and later famously said, “Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.”

Whether it was Rosa Parks on the bus, Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington, Patrick Henry in the colonies, the anonymous “tank man,” at Tiananmen Square, or Dietrich Bonhoeffer during the Holocaust, the world has always needed humble heroes who would stand for what was right—even if they stood alone. And in these evil days in which we find ourselves, God is looking for torch-bearers to shine light in the dark and trumpet-players to sound the truth to the deceived. He is looking for the faithful few and the righteous remnant who will go against the flow by believing, preaching, and living the truth. He is seeking out Elijahs who will stand for the truth in the face of evil. He is on the lookout for Daniels who will oppose idol worship at any cost.

Unfortunately, there are so few who will stand in the gap. As the Lord said in Ezekiel 22, “The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none” (Ezekiel 22:29-30, KJV). The truth is, it is easier to be a hermit-crab Christian. It is more convenient and comfortable to compromise, take a back seat, sit on the sidelines, and ride the fence.

Doing what is right is almost never easy or comfortable, and it will cost you popularity and approval. But you are not alone when you stand for what is right. The faithful few are out there, as God reminded the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:18). And more importantly, you’re never alone when you stand with the Lord and His truth. As the great Scottish reformer John Knox once said, “One with God is always the majority.”

So, will you speak up, stand up, and stand in the gap, even if no one else does?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Lord’s Discipline | Bible Gleanings – January 6-7, 2024

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An unpleasant tingling sensation swept over my body as the needle sank into my vein. It wasn’t a surprise, however, since the nurse had warned me, “Alright, you’re going to feel a slight prick, Mr. Bramlett.” Needles have never frightened me, but I have always appreciated a heads-up before the metal micro-rod pierces my skin. I was in the hospital, desperately requiring medicinal fluids, and the stinging of a needle was the only way to get them into my system. Pain was the price of gain, and there’s no doubt that I would have been worse off without the medicine I needed—even if it required a painful prickle.

And this is what happens to all of God’s children when they are lovingly disciplined by Him. His discipline is a painful prick of the conscience and a temporary sting to the soul that gives us the correction we need when we have sinned. The Lord administers the sanctifying medicine of His compassionate discipline when our sin-sick heart goes astray, and sometimes it hurts. As the writer of Hebrews said, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11). Believers do not face punishment from the Lord since there is “no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1), but wayward saints must endure His benevolent chastising, just a loving father disciplines his children for their good.

His discipline sometimes takes the form of heartache, inward regret, or bitter sorrow (Psalm 32:4). He may also use the loving rebuke of other believers to administer His chastisement (Matt. 18:15-20; Heb. 3:13). More often than not, the Father reprimands us as believers by letting the consequences of our sin run their course. Sometimes, His discipline may be very severe if we continue in sin without repentance (1 Cor. 11:29-30). And just as God chastised the Israelites through famine and drought, the Lord may see fit to upset and interrupt our lives in noticeable ways in order to arrest our attention and correct our course.

The good news is that God always administers such painful discipline because of His fatherly love for us, His children. “My son,” said Solomon of old, “do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Prov. 3:11-12). Moreover, as the writer of Hebrews confirmed, “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons” (Heb. 12:7-8). Even Jesus promised, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent” (Rev. 3:19).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Training for Godliness | Bible Gleanings – December 30-31, 2023

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It was unbearable. Experiencing agony like never before, I yearned for relief. Torture devices surrounded me and I didn’t think I was going to escape alive. And I kept asking myself, “Is this some kind of plot to get me killed?” Needless to say, my first time working out in a gym was unforgettable. 

To be clear, physical exercise is not entirely foreign to me, but it’s a different ballgame when you use machinery that is made to work every muscle in your body. Still, I wanted to get in shape instead of just being a shape, and I knew that physical fitness could only be achieved through regular and rigorous training. Being physically fit doesn’t happen accidentally—you have to put forth effort and stay with it. And this is exactly what Paul the apostle said about godliness in 1 Timothy 4:7b-8, “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 

Godliness is not something our sin-cursed bodies are accustomed to, and that is why believers must train for it. Walking the narrow road is strange to feet that have walked long on the wide road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). Cultivating a holy heart that loves the Lord is foreign to a heart that has only known love for sin (Jer. 17:9). Because of this, we will never stumble into godliness. We can only attain it through grace-empowered effort and spiritual discipline.

Moreover, training for godliness sometimes hurts. Strains and aches are inevitable for gym goers because they are stretching and strengthening their muscles. Likewise, living a holy life will sometimes be painful as we stretch and strengthen our spiritual muscles. Godliness is costly, and it requires cross-bearing and repentance of sins that our wicked heart cherishes (Luke 9:23). But take heart: such spiritual pain always results in gain, just as muscle soreness from exercise yields greater muscle strength.

Training for godliness must be as consistent as a physical workout regimen, too. We can never take a break from prayer, Bible study, fellowship with the saints, evangelism, and discipleship. Just as muscles shrink without being constantly worked, our spiritual muscles will likewise weaken if they aren’t used. The believer ought to make progress in the Christian life (Phil. 1:25; 1 Tim. 4:15), and progress requires that we keep moving and working.

Finally, training for godliness is much easier when you do so with other saints (Heb. 3:13; 10:25). I always work out with my wife, and she encourages me when I want to give up. And you will find the race of endurance easier to run when accompanied by fellow saints who can encourage, correct, and love you. Are you training for godliness? Are you “working out” your own salvation (Phil. 2:12)?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, christmas, devotions

Away in a Manger | Bible Gleanings – December 23-24, 2023

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The cries of a newborn were heard from an animal feeding trough in a little town called Bethlehem. God had come to earth as a baby, utterly dependent on the care of Mary and Joseph. The God who created the sun was wrapped in swaddling cloths to keep Him warm. The omnipresent God who cannot be confined by human temples was contained in the temple of a human child. The Lord exalted above the heavens was born as an infant and laid in a dirty and unsanitary manger: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

No doctors or nurses attended Him. He received no medical tests or vaccines. Furthermore, there was no aroma of gingerbread or apple cider in the air—only the stench of manure and the smell of birth. This was not a bright and starry night as depicted by Christmas cards and carols. The Lord Jesus entered the world in the most humiliating manner imaginable. 

Considering that Jesus is the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, [and] Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7), you might expect a more glorious and unforgettable entrance into the world. But instead of a breathtaking and royal arrival displayed to the whole world, Jesus was humbly born in the presence of only Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the company of dirty animals. No red carpet or triumphal band accompanied the arrival of the King of Kings. And this is the way God ordained it.

Jesus was demonstrating what kind of Savior He was from the moment He took His first breath. He had not come to overthrow the Romans. He would not dominate Israel’s opponents by consuming them with wrath from heaven. He would allow Himself to be consumed by wrath from heaven. And being born in the lowliest of places embodies His humility. The apostle Paul summed it up perfectly when he said:

“Though he [Jesus] was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).

And He did it for you. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

Bible Gleanings, christmas, devotions

A New Creation | Bible Gleanings – December 16-17, 2023

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Research shows that you like new things simply because they are new.  We all prefer new things, not because they are better or more improved, but because the neurons in our brain foster a sense of adventure and fascination when we perceive that something is fresh or new. We are more inclined to buy a seasonal Coke with Santa on the can rather than a regular old Coke. Our brain doesn’t care if it’s the same old product. If it’s in new packaging, the brain assumes it is actually brand new and says, “Hey, you have to get that!” 

Of course, this adds to the exhilaration of Christmas because most people will be giving and getting a lot of new stuff. The latest gadgets, trendiest toys, and most in-style clothes can be found beneath many Christmas trees throughout the world. But much more exhilarating is the truth that on Christmas Day, Jesus brought something new—something far more important than any physical gift: a new creation. 

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a lengthy and seemingly unnecessary genealogy. But, right from the first sentence, it is rich with theological meaning: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ” (Matthew 1:1a). In the first verse, “genealogy” can be translated as “genesis,” which simply means beginning. Matthew is therefore indicating that the coming of Jesus Christ inaugurates a new beginning. God created the world in the beginning, as recounted in the book of Genesis (Genesis 1:1). In the same way, Jesus came to create a new world—to undo the curse of sin and make all things new. 

 It all starts with you. Jesus came to earth to make you a new creation. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” You can be born again and become a new person because of His advent and atoning death. As it is exclaimed in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Jesus was “born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”

It ends when Christ returns in glory and judgment to set all things right, and usher in a new heaven and new earth to replace the old (cf. Revelation 21:1-4). That is why God said in Isaiah: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17).

Bible Gleanings, christmas, devotions

O, Christmas Tree | Bible Gleanings – December 9-10, 2023

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Christmas is the most decorative holiday of the year. Wreaths gently garnish the front door. Candles glisten in the foggy windows. Poinsettias and holly bedeck the dining room table. Garland adorns the stair rail. And the sleepy Christmas village sits on a blanket of artificial snow in the foyer.

However, the most essential and emblematic decoration is the evergreen that stands tall and proud in the living room: the Christmas tree. This lively pine graced with ornaments and lights is the centerpiece of decorating for Christmas. It is most often the first decoration erected during Christmastime, and most families put it up the day after Thanksgiving. Even Charlie Brown put up a tree for Christmas, although it was virtually a twig.

The Christmas tree is rich with history and theological significance, too. Thousands of years ago, evergreens like Christmas trees stood inside and outside homes during the winter, as people anticipated the return of greenery in spring. Pagans also erected evergreen trees believing that they would heal their sun god who fell ill during winter. Around the 16th century, Christians adopted the tradition as a Christmas emblem, likely symbolizing the gift of everlasting life Jesus brought by His advent. Evergreens, whose leaves remain green all year, came to represent the forever-lasting gift of eternal life that Jesus graciously gives to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. 

Eternal life has no expiration date. It is life that goes on without end, independent of time. It is the possession of fullness, satisfaction, contentment, and joy that begins in this life and continues in the next. And, according to Jesus’ own words, it comes as a gift to those who believe in Him for their salvation: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). Interestingly, if you possess everlasting life, you will one day be ushered to a heavenly land where the “tree of life” is in eternal bloom (Revelation 22:2). As you hang ornaments on your Christmas tree this year, remember the Christ who hung on a tree to grant you the right to “eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7b).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).