God With Us

The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.”

– Matthew 1:23

Perfecting the incandescent lightbulb was no easy feat. 

Thomas Edison, the holder of 1,093 United States patents on technologies ranging from the phonograph to the alkaline battery, tested thousands of materials before finding one that wouldn’t burn out in seconds. In 1879, he solved the dilemma by placing a carbon filament in an airless bulb. And a few months later, Edison improved his design by using a bamboo-derived fiber that could last over 1,200 hours. 

Edison’s tireless quest for illumination is a bit like mankind’s never-ending search for meaning and fulfillment. It’s a spiritual hunger we all share, and it’s hard coded into our DNA. Many people respond through negative pursuits involving drugs, alcohol, compulsive spending, or questionable relationships. Others cope by becoming workaholics or escaping reality through social media, video games, or even travel. But once the thrill is gone, the emptiness returns.

What they really lack and long for is their Creator. And in a very real way, they have a God-shaped hole in their hearts. But the good news is that they CAN fill that dark void. That’s because a relationship with God is available to anyone who puts their faith in his son, Jesus. 

How is this possible? Jesus backed the Biblical claims of his being the so-called Immanuel (“God with us”) by fulfilling dozens of prophesies written centuries before his birth. He lived a perfect, sin-free life. And after his unjust execution on a cross to pay the penalty we all deserve for breaking God’s perfect law, he again fulfilled prophesy through his resurrection. The apostle Paul records that Jesus appeared to over 500 people in the days before his ascension to heaven. And many of them were still alive to confirm it at the time Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthians.

But regardless of all the evidence, the Savior still has plenty of naysayers. But don’t be too hard on modern-day skeptics. Even John the Baptist — the one Jesus called the greatest man ever born — had his doubts:

"Are you the one who was to come,” John instructed his followers to ask, “or should we expect someone else?"

Jesus answered: 

"Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do."

It took weeks of trial and error for Thomas Edison to finally discover a practical solution for electric lighting. But centuries earlier, John the Baptist had already found The Light. And so has every Believer today. It’s through faith in Jesus Christ that we can begin our relationship with Immanuel: the one who is truly God with us.

The Waiter Rule

“But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

– Jonah 2:9

Every so often, we come across one of those feel-good stories about a diner who leaves a huge gratuity for their server. For example, several years ago the media reported that a famous businessman had added $10,000 to his modest $82 meal tab.

“How you treat your waiter or waitress reveals a lot about your character,” he explained. “So don’t forget to leave a big tip.”

He called this principle his Waiter Rule, and it’s real food for thought with considerable biblical support. As Christ-followers, our faith grows as we reflect God’s ways for living in the world and changing it for his Kingdom. Gratitude and generosity are two of the character traits that we should demonstrate along the way. And that’s especially relevant since we in 21^st century America are extremely rich — at least when compared to other nations. According to World Poverty Statistics 2024, about 1.3 billion people (26% of the global population) experience moderate poverty, which is defined as living on between $1.90 and $3.20 per day.

That statistic should put our own financial situation — bleak or otherwise — into perspective. Millions of Americans may be unemployed, on welfare, or receiving food stamps. But we should be grateful that even that reflects incredible wealth against the backdrop of the crushing poverty found in sub-Saharan Africa, India, and even Brazil. So how are we “millionaires” to respond with our relative riches?

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment,” answers the apostle Paul. “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”

It’s a reminder that we can never out-give God with our money and resources. But we can positively impact our friends, neighbors, and strangers by being grateful for — and generous with — the riches God gives us. Let’s consider these two reasons behind this principle:

First, it brings joy to others. That’s because we’re thinking more about the recipient than ourselves. And second, it brings joy to God. That’s because he loves a cheerful giver, and we become more like him when we’re generous to others. As John 3:16 reminds us, our Creator happens to be the ultimate GIVER of the greatest gift of all:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 

Behind the Mask

"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You close the door for people to enter the kingdom of heaven. You yourselves don't enter, and you stop others who are trying to enter.”

– Matthew 23:13

Ancient Greece produced some of the world’s greatest poets and philosophers. Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates were some of their best-known thinkers, and their influence is still felt in classrooms today. But as much as they enjoyed debating new ideas and novelties, the Greeks also loved show business. Their playwrights — much like today’s Hollywood screenwriters — produced numerous comedies, tragedies, and dramas that were performed before thousands in vast open-air theaters.

It's interesting to note that the actors of that day often played multiple roles on stage. And rather than relying on elaborate makeup or costumes, they instead wore masks that conveyed exaggerated expressions. That’s the origin of the familiar happy-and-sad masks icon that has for centuries symbolized the theatric arts. And it’s through the actors’ practice of changing masks according to the scene that we gained the term two-faced, meaning hypocritical.

Speaking of hypocrisy, let’s now fast-forward to the 21st century. There are millions of people around the world who are considering Christianity and the followers of Jesus. They want to know if these so-called people of The Word actually live out what’s preached in church on Sundays … or if they’re just phonies who live out a lie the other six days of the week.

It’s a valid question that every Christ-follower must ponder. Although none of us are perfect and we all fall short of God’s high standards, we should strive for our words, thoughts, and deeds to genuinely reflect those of our Savior. After all, the Good Shepherd knows every sheep in his flock. And he also knows which of them has a faith-driven attitude of gratitude.

It’s in the first chapter of John’s gospel that we read about Christ’s introduction to Nathanael, one of his original disciples:

“Now here is a true man of Israel.” Jesus proclaimed. “There is no deceit in him!”

Nathanael was stunned to hear these words because he’d never met or even seen Jesus. But as the God-Man who lived among his creation, Christ knew everything about his soon-to-be follower — just as intimately as he knows the thoughts, motives, and hearts of you and me today. 

It’s a needed reminder that we all wear masks of one sort or another. And just as with Nathanael, he too can see what’s behind ours.

In God We Trust

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

– Colossians 3:1–2

In God We Trust. 

For 160 years, American coins — and later paper currency — have displayed this familiar motto. According to the U.S. Treasury, a Pennsylvania minister in 1861 recommended to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase that American coins should “recognize Almighty God in some form.” Chase agreed and instructed the director of the Philadelphia Mint to prepare an appropriate slogan: 

“No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense,” he wrote. “The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.”

How ironic is it that “Godless” money should cite such an important reminder about the real source of our security? But if we’re honest with ourselves, perhaps the motto should read: In GOLD We Trust. After all, when life gets tough, it’s only natural to rely on our money, riches, and possessions rather than the One who makes it possible to earn a living in the first place.

But here’s an inconvenient truth: Our bank accounts are no defense against life’s hard realities. Illnesses strike, relationships fail, and that which seemed solid turns to dust in our hands. What we desperately need is something — or Someone — who embodies rock-solid certainty and trust.

It’s in Matthew’s gospel that Jesus tells us about a foolish man who built a house on shifting sands. When a storm struck, the rains came and the winds blew with fury. It’s no surprise that the flimsy structure collapsed with a crash. But in comparison a wise man built his house on a foundation of solid rock. So, when the storm clouds of life boiled on the horizon, that house withstood even the heaviest downpour.

This leads to an essential question: Are you counting on your uncertain finances to save you when the realities of life happen? If so, it’s time to renew your mind and trust in God: The One who not only made you, but knew everything about you before you were born. 

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,” we read in Psalms, “who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”

In God We Trust is more than a motto printed on money. It’s rock-solid truth that we can take to the bank.

The Jealous Type

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

– James 4:2

Millions of Americans invest in their health by working out at the gym, eating organic food, and avoiding excess sugar and fat. Nevertheless, our nation has a heart condition. According to current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, now claiming over 680,000 lives each year. That’s more than cancer.

But heart disease is more than a physical infirmity — it’s also a debilitating and deadly spiritual condition. One variant is jealousy, and the Bible records several well-known cases. The first occurs within the opening chapters of Genesis between brothers Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was jealous that God preferred Abel’s offering over his own. And unable to control his bitterness and envy, he killed Abel, and then tried to mislead God about his crime. When his Creator asked about Abel’s whereabouts, the murderer responded, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 

It’s later in Genesis that we find another instance of jealousy and deception. This time it involves Joseph, the son of Jacob — the patriarch of the nation of Israel. Jacob doted on Joseph, and the boy’s older brothers resented it. Joseph also didn’t win their affection by telling them about his symbolic dreams, which suggested that they would one day bow down to him. What’s more, Jacob had presented Joseph with a special coat of many colors, which signified his son's prominence in his heart. So, one day when Joseph had ventured into the fields, his brothers spied him from afar and conspired to kill him. But after a change of heart, they opted to sell him into slavery.

The brothers’ horrendous deed led to years of heartbreak and struggle for Joseph and Jacob alike. But God used the siblings' jealousy as a vehicle for good, and Joseph was blessed and protected while in captivity. Joseph also gained favor in the eyes of Egypt’s pharaoh — so much so that he eventually became the second-most powerful man in that nation. When a famine spread across the region, he even used his God-given wisdom to rescue millions of people from starvation — including his brothers and father. And yes, the brothers DID eventually bow down to Joseph, just as his dreams had predicted.

“You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good,” Joseph explained, “so that it would come about as it is today, with many people’s lives being saved.”

Are you the jealous type? Rather than envying someone else’s accomplishments, possessions, or good fortune, the cure for jealousy — the so-called Green-Eyed Monster — is to adopt an attitude of gratitude for our own many blessings. With that in mind, let’s take the apostle Paul’s words from Romans 8:28 to heart:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose".