A well-known speaker uses the analogy of the jackhammer and hummingbird to describe two different approaches to life. For some, their purpose is always clear and their passion is to just drill a little deeper into that calling, similar to a worker with a jackhammer, rat-a-tat-tat. For others, it’s more like a hummingbird going from one flower to another, delighting in the novel and undiscovered.

And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.

Ezekiel 37:14

Whatever your perspective, to live with sustained passion requires an indispensable ingredient as Ezekiel, the biblical prophet, experienced. He had a vision – old dead bones scattered across the desert landscape. God told him the bones would live again. Then a mighty wind, the symbolic picture of the Spirit of God, moved through them and they got up and lived!

As the clock for 2015 winds down, how are you doing with “living your passion?” The question itself elicits groans from those struggling with burnout and disillusionment. If this is you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. If it’s not you, it is someone you know. Today, pray God will once again move, across America and through your life, with his revitalizing breath. His Spirit will bring passion and productivity to both.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 71:17-23

Caleb Kaltenbach was two when his parents divorced and entered the homosexual lifestyle. As a result, Caleb wanted nothing to do with Christianity or God. In high school, a friend invited him to a Bible study and he accepted with ulterior motives. “I thought I would pretend to be a Christian, learn about Christianity and dismantle their arguments,” said Caleb.

Who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age.

Galatians 1:4

Caleb went to the Bible study. He was confused and embarrassed when they asked him to read a verse from First Corinthians and instead he read from First Chronicles. But something amazing happened when Caleb began to read the Bible for himself. He fell in love with God! Later he met a Christian friend at a restaurant and during their conversation became a follower of Jesus. After attending a Christian college and seminary, Caleb now pastors a church – and both of his parents have given their lives to the Lord!

As you prepare for the New Year, remember to praise God for your salvation. Read His Word more and pursue opportunities to tell others about how you have been rescued by Jesus Christ. Pray that many people will come to know Him across America!

Recommended Reading: Romans 4:13-25

Celebrate!

Today, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ the Savior. Others join in with Santa Claus and materialism as the emphasis. Most celebrants take a day off, exchange gifts, and feast with family. However, Christians celebrate so much more than Jesus’ birthday. After all, Jesus didn’t stay as a baby in the manger.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I Thessalonians 5:18

As a boy, Jesus grew in favor with God and man. In His early thirties He began His ministry. He taught people about the Father. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He suffered and died to pay the debt of everyone’s sin, and rose from the dead. Before He ascended to Heaven He made a promise and a command. He promised to return (Matthew 24:30) and He commissioned the eleven to make new disciples (Matthew 28:16-20).

Celebrate out loud today and every day. Thank Him for all the good things He has given you. Let people know the reason for the hope that is in you. Pray for unbelievers in your life to become Christ’s disciples and that the gospel will be preached and received in this nation and the entire world. Merry Christmas!

Recommended Reading: Acts 1:6-11

America’s religious climate has changed in recent years. Turn on any news program and another report is being aired about someone being offended over a Christian praying in public. With all the controversy, some Christians may decide it’s not worth it to come under attack. But J. Sidlow Baxter said, “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.”

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

I Timothy 2:1

Knowing this, Christians should continue to pray – and today’s verse reinforces this directive. Matthew Henry’s commentary says of this verse, “The design of the Christian religion is to promote prayer; and the disciples of Christ must be praying people.”

Even though it may not be popular with society, spend some time here on Christmas Eve…and every day…praying for others. In fact, pray for everyone – especially those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. Intercede for the nation’s rulers and its citizens to once again embrace Christianity and prayer. Nothing could be more honoring to the true spirit of this season.

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 4:1-6

Thirty-eight years ago a 14-year-old girl chose to keep her child even though the pregnancy was the result of a gang rape. The birth was difficult, leaving this young, courageous woman in a hospital for days, many miles away from her mother. Four days after the child was born, Jim and Carol adopted the baby girl and named her Janie. She grew up to become a fabulous woman and a wonderful wife and mother of three boys, one of whom Janie and her husband adopted. Janie praises God for her life and for that remarkable 14-year-old girl.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.

Revelation 1:5

Over two thousand years ago, a young, courageous woman name Mary obeyed God despite challenging circumstances and gave birth to the Savior of the world. As a result, Jesus Christ came to Earth to save you from your sin and its consequences.

Amid all the festivities as you prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, remember to thank your Heavenly Father for His magnificent gift of salvation. Pray also that your friends, neighbors and leaders in your community and in America will discover the wonder of a relationship with Him.

Recommended Reading: Luke 1:39-56

If you’re searching for coincidence, lady luck, or twists of fate, you can buy a lottery ticket for two dollars. Tomorrow, you are almost guaranteed to be two dollars poorer. If you should beat the ridiculous odds and win, you’ve probably just purchased a lifetime of anguish. If you doubt this, just investigate the lives of the “winners” within a few short years down the road from the jackpot.

Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

But those who invest in serving God find the odds of success increase considerably. In fact, they are 100 percent! There simply are no “coincidences” in His perfect plans. Throughout history, God has placed people in just the right place at just the right time. Consider the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) or the Woman at the Well (John 4) In today’s scripture, a series of incredible “coincidences” lands Esther in the right place at the right time to save the entire Jewish race.

As you pray for America today, ask God to lead you to some lost, lonely people who find it hard to believe that God could love them – especially at Christmas time. You are here “for such a time as this.”

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 46:8-13

It was the day after Christmas in West Virginia. Temperatures were below freezing with snow on the ground. A puppy with only one eye and not yet weaned from her mother was dumped on the side of a country road. When a passing driver noticed this tiny form wriggling around in the snow, he stopped and scooped the puppy up into his hand. The warmth of the car and the kindness of her rescuer was certainly a gift from God for this little dog.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

Colossians 1:13

Soon a lady named Stacey saw the puppy on a pet adoption website. She and her husband travelled 18 hours to meet and adopt the dog – and they welcomed the one-eyed wonder into their home. She has brightened their lives ever since!

God reached out and came in person in order to scoop you up and rescue you from your sin. As you prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, remember today…and every day… to thank Him for the priceless gift of salvation. Pray that all of America’s leaders will embrace a relationship with Jesus this Christmas season.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 1:3-8

The night Jesus was born, angels lit up the sky singing their praises. Currently, we continue the praise by singing hymns, some of the same words the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).

And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord.

Ezra 3:11

With today’s news, you may wonder where the peace is. It certainly doesn’t seem like it’s on Earth. Jesus predicted that in the end times there would be “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). The peace the Bible talks about is a spiritual peace found in Christ. Jesus came to minister reconciliation between God and man. Paul exhorts believers not to worry, but pray with thanksgiving “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Do you have peace even during troubled times? Ask God to seal that peace in your heart through Christ. This year, sing Christmas carols with joy and thanksgiving. Pray for the spiritual peace of the people of this nation and the world – and look with renewed anticipation to the day when God will put all things right.

Recommended Reading: I Thessalonians 4:9-18

Billy Graham said, “To get nations back on their feet we must first get down on our knees.” He leads by example. He’s been on his knees praying for the United States for most of his life. In 2013, in a USA Today report he shared, “Our country’s in great need of a spiritual awakening. There have been times that I’ve wept as I’ve gone from city to city and I’ve seen how far people have wandered from God.”

Hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants.

Nehemiah 1:6

This is how Nehemiah must have felt about Israel in today’s verse when he prayed for God to help him get the nation of Israel back to being His “servants.” Nehemiah asked God to listen and confessed the people’s sins. God responded by not only helping him rebuild the wall, but by leading the Jews to once again obey His commands.

Today, stop to give thanks for the privilege and the power of prayer. Remember that you, like Nehemiah, can get on your knees on behalf of the nation’s leaders and people. There’s no better time to do this than during this blessed Christmas season.

Recommended Reading: Luke 18:1-8

Even in this season of giving and buying, you may remember Ian Usher, the Australian gentleman “selling his life” on eBay in 2008. Disillusioned after a failed marriage, he put everything he owned on the auction block in one package deal. Accepting a final bid of $309,292, Ian started over with the clothes on his back and a burning question on his mind. Today his life is rich, but not from that sale. He lives independently doing charity work and speaking around the world. He always asks others the question that changed his life. “What is it you are meant to do with your life anyway?” And then he gifts other with the encouragement to “take one out of the ordinary step in that direction today.”

We are…created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand.

Ephesians 2:10

Paul asks a similar question in the book of Ephesians and responded with today’s verse – if you are a believer in Christ, God already has a specific plan for you.

Today, you don’t have to start your life over to find a place of service in God’s kingdom. Just thank God for His amazing gifts and ask for the courage to do one out of the ordinary thing. That step may indeed change your life, the American landscape…and maybe even the world.

Recommended Reading: Jeremiah 1:5-10

Christmas is a time for guessing – shaking packages and surmising what might be inside. Based on the size, weight and “shake” of a package, speculations are made. Did your loved one pick up on the hints you offered?

To him was given…a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.

Daniel 7:14

Daniel, in the Old Testament, made predictions about what was to come, too. But Daniel’s foretelling wasn’t speculation – it was prophesy. Even though he lived 500 years before the birth of Christ, Daniel, through visions from God, shared details of the coming Messiah. Today’s passage tells how all nations will serve the King. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

As you open gifts with friends and family this Christmas season and guess what’s inside, stop and give thanks for the ultimate gift that didn’t require a guess – salvation through Jesus. Ask God to open the eyes of the people and leaders of this nation to the greatest gift of all.

Recommended Reading: Daniel 7:13-17

The boy who would grow up to become the Old Testament prophet Samuel was lying in his bed when he heard a commanding voice. Thinking it was Eli his father, he went to ask what was needed. Eli, somewhat befuddled, sent his son back to bed. This happened three times before Eli finally discerned that his son was hearing the voice of God. Eli had initially failed to recognize what was happening, Scripture says, because word from the Lord “was rare in those days.”

The word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

I Samuel 3:1

Perhaps the same can be said today. In America, assaults on Scripture, on biblical values, on public prayer, and on almost any reference to God whatsoever seem to dominate daily life. Even at Christmas time, more than a few people work feverishly each year to write God completely out of the celebration.

And yet He still speaks to you. Do you recognize His voice amid the din and the disorder? The word of the Lord may be rare…but it is clear and distinct for those who will listen. As you pray for your nation today, listen, wait, and say, as Samuel did, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”

Recommended Reading: I Samuel 3:1-11

A family was having breakfast at a popular restaurant in Yukon, Oklahoma. But when they prayed before their meal, they didn’t realize some kind strangers had noticed. When the family was ready to pay the bill, they found a pleasant surprise. Anonymous fellow diners left them a note that read: “Because you prayed, we paid. Continue to raise your sons in Christ. God bless.” The restaurant’s assistant manager said, “We see a lot of people paying it forward, buying for other people. Especially around holiday time, we see a lot of that. It always makes you feel better as a server to know that there are nice, kind people out there.”

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

John 1:14

When Jesus was born, God became a man. He was completely human and completely divine. People then could know the Lord fully because He became visible and tangible as He lived among them.

As a believer, you have the privilege and the responsibility to show Him to others through your words and your actions. So out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, show others the love of Jesus Christ. Perform an act of kindness to a stranger this holiday season. Pray that this kind of love becomes contagious throughout America!

Recommended Reading: I John 4:9-16

Many a parent has worked into the wee hours of the night on Christmas Eve putting together toys. Unfortunately, toy assemblage often results in hair pulling and teeth gritting. “Which piece goes in this hole?” and “Why are there left over screws?” are questions that could have been avoided if the instruction manual was used.

If you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules…then I will establish my word with you.

I Kings 6:12

God advised King Solomon to use the instruction manual in today’s passage. Solomon was preparing to build a house for God – perhaps the greatest built in history. Ever looked around at your circumstances and wondered what to do next? Follow God’s advice for Solomon and walk in his statutes.

Whether you are searching for a gift for a friend or trying to solve a problem at work, revisit your instruction manual, the Word of God, and then chat with the One who wrote it. Thank Him for salvation and ask Him to direct your steps. Pray for the people of this nation and its leaders to recognize the true meaning of the season this Christmas. Gratefully, it has nothing to do with toys or putting them together.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 119:105-112