Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8a ESV) The indoor hydroponic gardening system is a sight to behold! Last Christmas, that was the gift I joyfully presented to my wife. We both love it so much that indoor gardening has now become a part of our household. The machine comes with a built-in LED light above the planting area; however, we have placed it on a windowsill to occasionally harness the natural light from the sun. It is intriguing to watch the plants tilt towards the sun during the day or stand up straight towards the LED lights when turned on, and not utilizing the sun. Watching this phenomenon unravel right before our eyes presents a spiritual connotation that I would be remiss not to share. To use an analogy here, I believe we believers are the plants, God is the sun, and the LED light could be anything but God. In James 4:8a, scripture compels us to draw near to God, and he will draw near to us. Our very essence of life is found not in ourselves, but in God! Just as the plants derive their light and growth from the sun, we also need to harness our spiritual growth from our Creator. Apostle Paul made a profound statement in his speech to the men of Athens in Acts 17:22-33. He stated in verse 28, for in him we live and move and have our being. Understanding this as Christ followers is key in our faith journey, providing purpose and a divine perspective on our lives here on earth. We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14a) only when we draw our source of light from Jesus, who is The Light of the world (John 8:12). Apart from Jesus, we live in darkness and our growth is stunted. Life can be wonderful on earth, but not fully complete without Jesus. We are all created to crave the Creator, our Father; and only through a relationship with our Savior Jesus can the dark parts of our hearts brighten. As our indoor plants naturally tilt to the rays of the sun beaming on them, so must we, with clear conscience, incline our hearts to the brightness of our loving Father. This summer, when you feel the sun’s radiant heat and brightness, may you be reminded of the embodiment of all life, which is in Christ Jesus alone! By George Donkor  George and his wife, Christiana, are proud parents of Annajoy and Elijah. They love serving Jesus together and showing Him to the world around them.

Tucked in the story of Christ’s birth is an important truth about joy. 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.” (Luke 2:8-11) The shepherds hurriedly found Mary and Joseph and the baby. And 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... Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen (Luke 2:16-18,20). The shepherds were the first evangelists. They didn’t worry what people may or may not have thought about their position in society. They didn’t care how it sounded. They just told the exciting news far and wide. Joy does that. When we are filled with joy, we don’t care what people think of us or how we sound. We don’t mind if things are a little messy. The joy just spills out. Around us there are people who may never experience the abiding joy that Jesus offers. They are seeking joy, but they don’t know the Joy-Giver. Instead of sharing the Good News, we stay silent because we worry how we will sound or because their lives are messy. We keep the news to ourselves and, in doing so, we don’t experience joy to the fullest level possible. 1 John 1:3-4 explains how joy is magnified when we share eternal life through Jesus: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. The Good News is meant to be shared. It’s the BEST NEWS EVER! Sharing it with someone only makes our joy stronger. No wonder the shepherds glorified and praised God for everything they had seen and heard! The Christmas angels brought good tidings of great joy which is for all people. Make widely known what has been said to you about the Child. Make your joy complete. By LaRaine Rice

The colors of the Advent wreath connect the wonder of Christmas to the miracle of Easter. Purple colors were used by early Christians to commemorate the royalty of Christ during the weeks leading up to His crucifixion during Lent. Midway through Lent, they took a pause from fasting and remembered that there was great joy that would be celebrated due to the suffering of Christ. During this week, they feasted and utilized the color of pink or rose to commemorate the joy of Easter. When the Church began a shorter season of remembrance leading up to Christmas, they used the same colors of Lent. An advent features three colors of candles. Purple candles are used for the weeks of hope, love and peace; a pink candle represents joy is in the middle of advent; and the Christ candle placed in the center piece is white. One doesn’t need to know the history of Advent, however, to realize that there is something unique about joy that sets it apart from hope, love and peace. It just makes sense that joy is the lightest of all candles except the Christ candle. Take a minute to really, really define joy. Joy encompasses peace, hope and love. There is something uniquely pure about joy that when we experience it makes us lose our inhibitions and experience the life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10. Joy is light. Joy is life. There’s something about joy that is a shot of adrenaline to the soul. People long for joy. We can find temporary joy in certain special events. However, that joy doesn’t last. So, people pursue happiness and escape in an attempt to feel joy. The first time joy is mentioned in the New Testament, it is in reference to the birth of Jesus: The star which they (the Magi) had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy (Matthew 2:9-10). Jesus is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). Jesus is the bread of life that keeps us from being hungry (John 6:35). Jesus is the way, the truth, the life (John 14:6). It is Jesus who came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). The deep, abiding joy for which we long is found in Jesus. Look for the color of pink today and when you see it, think about the joy that Jesus brings. By LaRaine Rice

There are times when we just don’t feel joyful – times of difficulty, sadness, and hurt feelings. There are even times when we choose to hold on to pain, bitterness, or depression and wallow in it. It can be hard to choose joy. There are a lot of reasons for our inability to experience joy. Perhaps the main reason is this: Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus summarized it well when he said, “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). If you are struggling to choose joy, consider this advice from scripture: Put life in perspective : Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds (James 1:2). Our trials serve to bring us closer to God. Keeping perspective prevents mole hills from becoming mountains and turns mountains into mole hills. Keep your eyes on Jesus : Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2). A life focused on Jesus is ready and able to experience joy. Adjust your thinking : Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8). Surrender your thoughts to God. What you think about matters. Take care of your body : Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Too much sugar, not enough sleep or lack of exercise can rob you of your joy. Limit screen time : No verse in the Bible speaks directly to this truth; so, you can simply ask God to speak truth into your life on this topic. It can be isolating, addictive, create division, waste time, and distract us from more important things -- separating us from God and others. Confess your sin : If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). It’s hard to feel joy when your heart isn’t pure. The Good Shepherd came to give life, life to the full. Listen to His voice. Choose joy. By LaRaine Rice

The Hebrew language has seven words that we translate as “praise.” The most common word is “HALAL/ Hâlal” and is pronounced “haw-lal”. It means to be clear (of color), shine, rave, make a show, boast, be clamorously foolish, rave, and celebrate.* It is to celebrate with utter abandon. Think the last second, game-winning basketball shot in March. Think opening a letter to find out you have a full-ride scholarship or the new grandparent with ALLLLLL the pictures. Halal is to rave about God. Paul and the disciples were so filled with the spirit at times that people thought they were drunk (Acts 2:13-15 and Ephesians 5:18). Halal is to be foolishly clamorous like David: David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals. . . David was dancing before the Lord with all his might. . . As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal . . . watched from a window . . . and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:5,14,16). When Michal confronted David about looking foolish, he replied, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes” (2 Samuel 6:21-22). Halal is found throughout Psalms: Let heaven and earth praise (halal) him, the seas and all that move in them. (Psalm 69:34) Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise (halal); his greatness no one can fathom. (Psalm 145:3) Praise (halal) the Lord, you his servants; praise (halal) the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised (halal), both now and forevermore. (Psalm 113:1-2) Let everything that has breath, praise (halal) the LORD. (Psalm 150:6) Halal is cranking up the radio, letting joy “move” you and car-dancing with no care in the world about how you look. Halal is JOY! Child of God, you have been redeemed. Celebrate with Halal today.  By LaRaine Rice * Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible, Volume 2, 33.

Tucked at the end of the book of Ruth is the transaction between Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, and the other kinsman redeemer in order to determine who will redeem Ruth. It took place at the city gates and at the end of the transaction. . . Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “ Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife . . . Today you are witnesses !” (Ruth 4:9-10 CSB) Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “ We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.” (Ruth 4:11-12) After Ruth’s redemption, the people (witnesses) wished that the Lord would make her like the women who built the family of Israel. God did just that: Ruth was the great-grandmother of David and an ancestor of Christ. Ruth, who faithfully refused to leave Naomi and choose the God of the Jews over the god of her people, was redeemed. And as a result of her redemption, the Lord used her as part of His redemptive plan. With amazing hindsight, we can see the beauty of what happened that day in Bethlehem that led to another day in Bethlehem. Thousands of years later, we are witnesses to the redemption that “the offspring that the Lord gave” through Ruth, available to all who will seek out God over other “gods.”  Today, as you think on what took place in Ruth’s life and on the day of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, bear witness to those who don’t know of the redemption that is available to them. Share Ruth’s story. Share Christ’s story. Share your story. By LaRaine Rice

The sound of familiar voices comes from the record player. I smile knowing that my husband just put on my grandparents’ album for us to listen to. Many memories of their gospel group, The Joyful Messengers , flood my mind taking me back to a time when my sister and I would travel with our grandparents to different churches, where they would share their testimony through the songs they would sing and the lyrics they would write. Even though both of my grandmothers that were in the group have since gone to be with Jesus, their legacy of faith lives on in their children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. It’s a legacy for which I am so thankful – it brings to mind the words of 2 Timothy 1:5: I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. Due to Timothy’s mother and grandmother, he too knew Jesus and shared his faith with others. The influence they had on Timothy was life-changing for him and for those around him; and here we are today still telling his story. The godly influence that surrounded Timothy growing up is also mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:14-15: But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. You too may have had a Lois or Eunice in your life that shared the Gospel with you, and now you are sharing Jesus with others -- your children, grandchildren, friends, and coworkers. When we share our faith with those around us - especially our children and grandchildren – it has the power to change generations to come. Spreading the hope of the Gospel and planting those seeds can blossom into a beautiful garden of believers in the future. And friends, that is what can really change the world. This week share the hope of Jesus with someone in your life -- perhaps a little one God has entrusted to your care. You never know how much of an influence you can be and how sharing the Gospel with them can change their lives forever. By Lauren Hill  Lauren has been married to her high school sweetheart, Adam, for 12 years and they have two daughters, Story, and Violet. They attend the Georgetown campus where Lauren serves in children’s church.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3) For many of you, this is a very busy season of the year – the school year is ending and end-of-the year parties are on the calendar, graduations are coming up and there are gifts to give and celebrations to enjoy, several big weddings are also on the horizon which requires another batch of gifts and happy events, summer camps to schedule, kids’ sports teams to coach, a family vacation to plan – along with your “normal” life. Our calendars quickly fill with events and obligations we had forgotten, or perhaps didn’t even know we had. This can easily overwhelm and rob us of our peace. Many people thrive on the excitement, the social life, the filled-up-to-overflowing calendar, the running from one event to another. For others, this busy-ness saps their energy and robs them of joy and peace. For both groups of people, stress can come from unrealistic expectations, precarious relationships, or experiencing many of the “firsts” without a loved one. For those who struggle with finding peace in hectic times, it may seem like those who thrive on this busy- ness possess a super-power that the others missed out on. And then, even wondering why you don’t thrive like others during this season can bring its own stress. During any unusually busy season, we all have to guard against the little things that have a way of becoming bigger things and robbing us of our peace. The prophet Isaiah who identified the Messiah, amongst other titles, as the Prince of Peace tells us that the secret to lasting peace is to keep our mind stayed on Jesus. The apostle Paul tells us that His peace surpasses our understanding (Philippians 4:7).  If you find yourself stressed and in search of peace, take a few moments to anchor yourself in the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) to remember the peace He has left us (John 14:27), and to yield yourself to the work of His Spirit to bear the fruit of peace in your life (Galatians 5:22-23). If you encounter someone who is lacking peace, will you accept the challenge to extend to them the grace and peace that has been freely and abundantly shared with you by the Prince of Peace? Shalom. By Jesse Smith

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, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 ASV) In this familiar text, the prophet Isaiah identifies the coming Messiah as the Prince of Peace. I suspect that our familiarity with this passage leads us to read these words without taking time to consider their meaning. So, let’s take a few moments to consider what it means that He is the Prince of Peace. To say that Messiah is the Prince of Peace, is to identify him as the sovereign of the kingdom of peace. As the ruler of this kingdom, He is the source and ruler of peace. This is not a peace that simply represents the absence of conflict, or a run of good days, or prosperity, or any of the other ways that our culture might define peace. This is genuine, lasting peace. This is the peace of which Jesus spoke to His disciples on the night before his crucifixion: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid (John 14:27). He is this peace. So how, in the midst of a world of strife on every hand, can folks like you and me experience this peace? I think that answer is found in how Paul addressed the early church in his writing to the churches of his day. His greeting routinely includes the following or similar words: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2). You will find this same greeting in Galatians 1:3, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, and 2 Thessalonians 1:2. If the Apostle Paul felt it important to routinely include this in his greetings to the early churches, I would suggest that the words convey something important. Not only the words, but the order of the words conveys a great truth. The path to His peace is found in first experiencing His grace. There is simply no way to experience true and lasting peace outside of the grace found in the Prince of Peace. If you find yourself lacking peace, what about the Prince of Peace? He has done all that is required to redeem you and bring you true peace. By Jesse Smith