Daily Devotionals

Comment

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 14, 2010 at 7:16am

…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Well, have you opened yours yet? I’m talking about your Christmas gift from God! It’s what people have always wanted. For centuries people have searched for the fountain of youth, wondering if something somewhere can stop aging and give life anew. The search for immortality…has this been your quest?

Once we open God’s Christmas gift, our search is over. What is this incredible gift that satisfies our deepest longings? Eternal life. God gives it to us as a Christmas gift, totally free because it’s priceless.

If it weren’t a gift, who could buy it? How could anyone pay for a hundred billion eons of centuries in Paradise…in a new body that never aches…in a new world without sorrow, weeping, or death? Nobody could pay even one billionth of one percent of the value of this gift.

If you had received all the presents you ever dreamed of and even a thousandfold more, but you lay in your bed with your hands cold and your heart stopped, then it doesn’t matter what’s under the Christmas tree. But God’s gift is eternal life. It can’t be snatched away by death. But, of course, you have to open your gift, which you can do by trusting in Jesus for your salvation.

And unlike many gifts we buy for those we love, God’s Christmas gift has been paid for already. Despite the incredible expense of the gift, He hasn’t charged it—Jesus paid the full price once and for all. Upon that cross of agony, Christ endured in body and soul the wrath of God, which is the wages of sin. Christ paid the price, not with silver or gold or precious stones, but with His own blood.

If you have already opened your Christmas gift from God, then point someone else to the gift this Christmas. Someone near you might not know the true joy of Christmas, unwrapping material gifts while the most beautiful gift in all of heaven and earth lies unopened.

God loves us so much that He gave us His Son.

That’s why we give gifts to each other.

That’s why we celebrate Christmas.

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 10, 2010 at 7:11am

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12

“Why are there so many lights, Daddy?” Have you ever wondered the same thing at Christmas time, when you see hundreds of houses decked with colorful, twinkling lights? The question about the Christmas lights came on a dark December night from a four-year-old girl. Her father perceptively answered, “Because Jesus is the light of the world.”

Before the Light of the world came to earth, the world was very dark. The Golden Age of Greek philosophy had passed, and an intellectual barrenness had covered the landscape of the mind.

The faith in the gods had all but vanished completely, and skepticism had taken over the souls of many. The moral structure of society had collapsed everywhere, and humanity had sunk deep into the mire of depravity and vice.

When there was nothing but discouragement, disillusion and despair—when everything was the bleakest and darkest and grimmest—Jesus came.
By no mere coincidence does Christmas come in December. Christmas comes after the season when the dead leaves have flown across the ground with every gust of wind.

The babay Jesus did not arrive in the time of blooming flowers and balmy breezes. He did not arrive in the time of fields ripe for harvest. He arrived when frost lay sheeted over the earth. He came in the midst of a bleak and dark December under a glittering star.

This reminds us that Jesus came for those who feel frostbitten by life. He came for those who are snowed under. He came for those overwhelmed by the cold realities of life. He came to soothe and rock and cradle and kiss and lullaby a cold, hurt, crying world.

Christmas makes December beautiful and bright. Jesus makes His birthday a time of joy, miracles, and light. Ask Him to be your King. Thank Him today for the light He brings to the world at Christmas time, and for the light He brings daily to your life

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 9, 2010 at 7:22am

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18

Perhaps what was most interesting thing about Mary's story to Joseph was the visit of an angel. In all his years Joseph had never even heard of anyone speaking with an angel, let alone seeing one face to face. Angels don't make a habit out of visiting humans. Or do they?

I remember reading about a minister who thought that one of his congregation was an angel. His name was Dave, and he was a street person. Dave refused to stay in a shelter. When it got cold he would sit in the church.

One night during Christmas, the church held a Christmas party after the service. The people were in the back of the church having cookies and coffee, when out of the church rose a magnificent voice, singing, "O Holy Night." It was of professional quality. Everyone rushed into the church to see who was there. "It was Dave and God," said the minister.

The Bible says, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."

Maybe an angel will cross your path today.

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 8, 2010 at 7:31am

And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:28-29

Sometimes the title of a song says it all. In Mary’s case, that title might well be “Imagine My Surprise,” a tune by American folksinger Holly Near. Hardly a likely candidate to give birth to the promised Messiah, Mary was reportedly “perplexed” by the appearance of an angel, a messenger of God, announcing that her life was about to be radically changed.

No doubt Mary wondered how she, a poor unmarried girl, could be expected to handle such a role. She wasn’t exactly being asked, after all; she wasn’t given an opportunity to explain why she was thoroughly unsuited to the task. What the angel had conveyed was a fact, not an invitation.

Scripture tells us that Mary ultimately responded by accepting this call, saying, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” In the meantime, however, she was doubtful and confused. Was this how God showed his favor?

Mary has been admired for her openness and obedience to God, her pliability. These are virtues, but her experience illustrates an equally important truth about our encounters with the holy: Mary was “much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” In short, before sharing the angel’s message with anyone else, she admitted her doubts and reflected on what she was hearing. Mary didn’t automatically assume that this annunciation came from God, and she never pretended to have a special relationship with the Divine.

Beyond reminding us of the importance of discernment, Mary’s response also emphasizes the fact that God’s word to us is often unsettling, his vision of us often contrary to the way we see ourselves. This is what God knows you can become, the angel was announcing to Mary; this is who God created you to be.
O God, may I learn to recognize your voice and trust your call to be a Christ-bearer to your world.

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 7, 2010 at 7:15am

‘…the virgin shall conceive…’ Isaiah 7:14

Have you ever heard of a white crow? I sure haven’t seen one, but that doesn’t mean that one doesn’t or couldn’t exist.

Many people view the Virgin Birth as a white crow. They say that Jesus couldn’t possibly have been born of a virgin, just because that type of birth had never happened before and hasn’t happened since. But the Bible teaches that Jesus was conceived in a miraculous and supernatural manner; the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, conceiving within her Jesus Christ, making Him both God and human.

We can understand that unbelievers would attack and ridicule this doctrine. With no biblical knowledge, they can dismiss this assertion as mythical and not historical. But sometimes the attacks come from within the Church, and when this happens, we have a much more serious problem. In this case, wolves in sheep’s clothing attempt to deceive the masses.

What would happen to our faith if the Virgin Birth were a myth or hoax? What consequences must follow? To begin with, Jesus would have been an illegitimate child. If this were the case, then the angel lied to Mary when he said, “The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Mary would not be blessed among women, but rather unchaste and immoral, despised and outcast by her culture.

If Jesus had been born of humans, He Himself would have been only human, not divine. And without His divinity, He could never be our redeemer. He couldn’t save anyone. He would have no power to forgive sin, and Christianity would be a fraud. Even God Himself would be a liar, for He said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” Matthew 3:17.

The issue of the Virgin Birth is no fine point of theology; it lies at the very heart of our faith, because it asserts Jesus’ true nature. He is indeed the virgin-born Son of God!

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 6, 2010 at 7:26am

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5.44

There was a cartoon not long ago picturing three little boys coming to the manger scene bearing gifts. The first two boys brought traditional gifts representing the gold and frankincense. The third little boy, however, came to the baby Jesus with a very large box of disposable diapers! Mary could only have wished! Someone, though, in that cartoon had captured love made practical.

Christmas is that time of year when we try to say to our family and friends how much they mean to us. A gift may not be the best way. And certainly gifts are given with many motivations in mind. But for most of us there is more joy in giving than receiving. We need this opportunity to express our feelings in a concrete way.

Hopefully, though, our love is not a narrow and exclusive thing. Christmas usually causes us to be more thoughtful about the needs of people we don't even know. It causes us to be more mindful of the needs of those less fortunate.

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 4, 2010 at 9:50am

She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

It is likely that before you were born, your parents already had chosen a name for you. Perhaps you were named in honor of a family member or a trusted friend. Or maybe it was a name that simply sounded good to your parents.

In Bible times, a name often carried a message or proclaimed something about the person. The Lord Himself chose the name for Jesus. The name Jesus means “the Lord saves.” God explained, “For He will save His people from their sins.”

Jesus was not born just to be a great teacher, philosopher, or humanitarian. He was born to be much more than that. Jesus was born to be the Savior promised by God to solve the problem of sin.

Inscriptions on some ancient coins proclaim kings or Caesars to be saviors, but these leaders had no power or ability to save their people from their sins.

The baby Jesus was God in human flesh who had come to save His people from their sins. This is the Savior above all saviors, called by name to accomplish the great work of salvation for people of every name.

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 2, 2010 at 7:43am

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Advent and Christmas are times when our minds naturally move toward the hope of peace on earth, good will toward all people. That was part of the great messianic hope that Isaiah described hundreds of years before in chapter 11 verse 6, "And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."

There is a story, from World War I, about a very young Second Lieutenant who had been rushed through Officer's Candidate School because there was a shortage of officers. He had been sent to command a company immediately out of school. He not only was young, he looked young. He looked as if he had not even begun to shave. To make matters worse, he was commanding a company of veterans.

The first morning, he had them line up at attention. When he turned his back on them, from the rear of the ranks, someone shouted these words from Isaiah, "A little child shall lead them." The other soldiers muffled snickers as he turned smartly around and shouted, "Who said that?"

There was silence. He said, "The one who said that, take one step forward." Everyone in the company stepped forward one step. The young lieutenant knew he was licked and did nothing.

The next morning, however, on the barracks wall was a notice: "C" Company will report in full gear, this afternoon at 1300 hours, for a 25 mile hike. And a little child shall lead them...on a great big horse."

Every year, at this time, we rekindle our hope for peace. We look forward to that day when the wolf shall indeed lie down by the lamb, and a little child shall lead them.

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on December 1, 2010 at 7:16am

The rest of The Christmas Story from Doctor Luke, the second chapter:

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Comment by Bishop Christopher Cate on November 30, 2010 at 7:19am

The beginning of The Christmas Story from Doctor Luke, the first chapter:

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. "For with God nothing will be impossible."

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.”

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