Daily Devotional

Thus Far the Lord Has Helped Us

12/26/23 – 01/01/24

Faithful in Our Wandering

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/28/23

As human beings, we are prone to forgetfulness—taking credit for the victory that God alone has won for us. But He is faithful to remind us anew of His work in our lives.

“Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’ve come.” How many of us have sung this line from the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” without knowing what an Ebenezer was, let alone how you could raise one?

In the Hebrew language, Ebenezer is a beautiful word made up of two individual words eben and hezer. Eben means “stone” and hezer means “help.” Put them together, and Ebenezer means “stone of help.” In 1 Samuel 7:12, this was an actual stone set up by Israel, but for us today an Ebenezer can be anything that serves to remind us of God’s faithfulness.

Later in the same hymn, we go on to sing: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” The reason we each need to raise our Ebenezer is because we—just like Israel—are susceptible to spiritual amnesia. We easily forget the source of our past victories, taking credit for what only God could have done. And that is why we need to do everything we can to help ourselves remember. We must raise our Ebenezer, or we will wander.

What is your Ebenezer? Even as you read this, God may be gently reminding you of His work in your life, forgotten long ago. Today is the day to remember His faithfulness to you.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for forgetting Your faithfulness to me. Help me raise my Ebenezer so that I remember Your love and care for me and that You are my fortress and my great reward. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands” (Psalm 119:10).

Thus Far the Lord Has Helped Us

12/26/23 – 01/01/24

Faithful in Your Story

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/27/23

Your personal testimony is the story of God’s faithfulness to you. This is your Ebenezer—and you must keep it ever before you.

As I look back on three decades of ministry, I see the Lord’s hand in so many ways. It would take me hours to tell you each testimony of His faithfulness. Therefore, I say with a grateful heart, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

If we each took the time to tell our stories, tracing God’s hand in our lives and in the lives of our families, churches, and marriages, we would all invariably say, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” One after another, we could each testify to God’s faithfulness. We could tell of finding purpose when we were rudderless, having relationships restored, experiencing healing amidst our brokenness, and receiving second chances.

My friend, your personal testimony of God’s faithfulness to you is your Ebenezer stone. Like the Israelites, God has called you to keep it ever before you and hold it high for the world to see. In every present crisis you may be facing, it is the Lord, and the Lord alone, who can help you overcome. He has done it before, and He will do it again.

How has God been faithful in your life? Take a moment now to remember all the ways He has personally helped you. Then, praise Him, allowing your soul to cry, “Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.”

Prayer: Lord, there is no question You have been faithful to me—most of all in leading me to Your Truth and saving me through Jesus Christ. Thank You. Help me to set up my own Ebenezer to remember what You have done and to declare to the world: You are love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 9:1).

Thus Far the Lord Has Helped Us

12/26/23 – 01/01/24

Faithful in History

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/26/23

The Lord has always led His forgetful people to repentance and victory. We are called today to remember His faithfulness.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see the people of Israel repeatedly wander from God. Though they are God’s chosen people, they forget all He has done for them. As a result, their affections turn to their idol of choice.

In 1 Samuel 4, the people of Israel are once again far from God—worshiping idols and suffering defeat by the Philistines. But God, in His faithfulness, raises up a godly leader to call them to return to their first love.

Samuel leads the people in corporate repentance, and the Lord delivers them from the hands of their enemies and makes them victorious (see 1 Samuel 7:2-12). Because of all God had done to save them, Samuel sets up an Ebenezer—a visible landmark that would forever remind Israel of the intervening power of God.

This stone was meant to remind all who looked upon it, “Thus far the LORD has helped us” (v. 12)—just as Israel’s story, written and preserved in Scripture, teaches and encourages us today (see Romans 15:4). Like the Israelites, we too must remember: Thus far the Lord has helped us. Thus far He has been faithful. Therefore, we must look to Him—not to our idol of choice—in our present trouble.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Help me to remember and rejoice in the ways You have worked in my life for my good. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us'” (1 Samuel 7:12).

Only One Star Speaks

12/19/23 – 12/25/23

Responding to His Call

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/25/23

Like the star that pointed the Wise Men to baby Jesus, there may be a star in your life that has been trying to point you to the King of kings. Perhaps your star is your spouse, parent, neighbor, or friend. They have prayed for you, and they have pointed the way. They have tried to lead you to the only one who can save you from eternal destruction. Be wise; follow the star that will lead you to the only true God. Out of His great love for us, God sent His Son to rescue us.

You may have hesitated to come to the Lord because you feel you have defied or simply ignored God in the past and may not be welcome. But God stands with outstretched arms to embrace you, fulfill you, and love you. Jesus became flesh and was born in Bethlehem so that you could call Him Father, live a life of fulfillment, and spend eternity with Him. Jesus said clearly that He is the only means of salvation from sin and the only way to reach God the Father. He is the only source of real peace that can fulfill all your dreams and calm the storms in your life.

Just as God called the Wise Men to come and meet the newborn King, He is calling us today. Have you bowed down before Him? Have you been willing to leave behind luxury and safety to seek Him at all costs?

Thank God in prayer today for the stars in your life—people or circumstances that are pointing you to Him. Tell Him how you need Him to calm the troubled waters in your life and that you need His hand to lead you home. Be wise and respond to God’s call—don’t delay.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the people You put in my life who have pointed me to You. Help me to seek Your face and to find true peace in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Only One Star Speaks

12/19/23 – 12/25/23

Shining Still

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/24/23

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away,” Christ tells us in Matthew 24:35. With these words, we have the assurance that every promise He has given us in His Word will come to pass. Just as He came for the first time at Christmas, He will come again. And now, as we live between these two comings of our Savior, we are called to be faithful to Him—even as the world sinks deeper into rebellion, sin, and darkness. We are to shine in the world until the Morning Star rises.

Believers are in Christ, united with Him. Therefore, if He is the light of the world, so are we—for we are one with Him (see Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12). By the power of the Holy Spirit, the influence of Christ is felt in the world through us, His faithful witnesses. We, as the church, are the light for the nations as we carry Christ in our hearts (see Isaiah 42:6; Ephesians 3:17, 5:8; Hebrews 3:6).

The call to be on mission for Christ is not an isolated calling to a select few. It is the calling of every Christian. Not all of us are called to cross cultures or country borders, but everyone is called to cross the street and build relationships with our non-believing neighbors.

How might God be guiding you to be a light in the world this Christmas season, drawing the lost to the Truth of His Son? It is through you that He desires to reach the world—your neighbors, coworkers, and non-believing family members. There is no plan B. God doesn’t need one, for He has promised us: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Christ is returning soon, and when He does, He will give the morning star to His faithful ones (see Revelation 2:28). There is a reward coming for your faithful service to Him. For when Christ promises to give the “morning star” to the faithful, He is promising to give us Himself. He will make us like Him, and we shall be with Him—sharing in His royal dominion over the remade cosmos. With this hope in our hearts, may we unite together as the church to beckon all to come and receive comfort and joy this Christmas season.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me to live according to Your will. Help me to be a light in my community this Christmas to share the hope of a life spent with You, the Morning Star. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

Only One Star Speaks

12/19/23 – 12/25/23

Follow the Star

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/23/23

Over 2000 years ago, on that first Christmas, Magi came from the East to worship Jesus. They entered Jerusalem asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).

Amazingly, these men who had every reason to stay in the comfort of their own country traveled through a trackless desert to respond to God’s leading. They braved hostile tribes and crossed broad rivers like the Tigris and Euphrates to be obedient to the call. They discerned the voice of God calling them in a new direction, so they followed. That is why they are called Wise Men.

What did the Wise Men do when they first heard about the star that could lead them to the King? They did not spend endless hours analyzing it, comparing it to other stars, or waiting for more evidence. They followed. Imagine how rewarding it must have been for these men to reach the end of their journey—hundreds of miles long—and find the Messiah. Matthew 2:10 tells us that their response was to bow down and worship. In that simple act, Jesus went from being the God of the Jews to being their God. He became King of their lives. The search was over—they had found ultimate salvation and fulfillment in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, I come before You with a heart of worship today. Fill my heart with the awe You gave the Wise Men as they beheld You, the Savior of the world, for the first time. Give me the courage to follow where You lead. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[T]hey saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11).

Only One Star Speaks

12/19/23 – 12/25/23

Signaling Salvation

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/22/23

Once the Wise Men discovered that prophecy dictated Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, they continued on their journey from Jerusalem, and suddenly, the star itself began to guide them along (see Matthew 2:9).

In that supernatural moment, they did not ignore the guidance of the star. They did not spend time doubting. They did not even just sit there and marvel at this wonder. They knew that something extraordinary was occurring and recognized that this star was a magnificent herald of someone infinitely greater. So they responded in faith and followed the star.

Just as God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, God had brought light to the minds of these Gentile Magi, that they might behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (see 2 Corinthians 4:6). As a result, they desired to have a relationship with God rather than waste their lives chasing the empty promises of their pagan culture. And when they saw Jesus, all the emptiness and anxiety they had ever felt disappeared. Their journey was over.

When the Magi recognized the star, the celestial announcement of the birth of the King of kings, they responded in faith. They interrupted their lives to worship Jesus. The question is: Have you? Perhaps you have been in His Kingdom for some time, but have you been living in the light? Have you been worshiping Christ with your whole heart? Are you trusting Him to lead you, guide you, comfort you, and walk with you daily?

Scripture tells us, “[T]here is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It also declares, “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17). The God who left the splendor of heaven to come to earth, who humbled Himself to become an embryo in a virgin’s womb, who lived in poverty, who died a gruesome death on the cross, and who was resurrected on the third day is asking you to put your faith in Him—and Him alone.

Just as the star of Bethlehem rose and guided the Magi to Christ, the Holy Spirit is drawing you to come and worship Christ this Christmas season. The joy that the Magi experienced when they found the Son can be yours if you come to Him today in repentance and faith.

Prayer: Father, You are the author of faith. I praise You for Your grace and mercy to me. May my faith grow and glorify You this Christmas as I reflect on the wonders of Your love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Only One Star Speaks

12/19/23 – 12/25/23

Fulfilling Prophecy

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/21/23

When God supernaturally empowered Daniel to reveal the mystery of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the astronomers or “Wise Men” at the time were astonished. They began to believe, along with their king, that the God of the Jews was the true God, marveling, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries” (Daniel 2:47).

Thus, they paid careful attention to the other prophecies of the Jewish people. Such prophecies revealed that a unique star would be associated with the rise of Israel’s King.

Read Matthew 2:1-12. For over four hundred years, generations of Magi searched the skies, looking for the sign of the coming King—the Deliverer whom God had promised His people. Then suddenly, there was light.

With a new light shining down on them, they knew that the time had come for them to worship the King. Confident in the strength of Daniel’s prophecy, they traveled to Jerusalem. When they arrived, they asked Herod and the chief priests where they might find this new King and learned of another prophecy: “But you, Bethlehem, . . . out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel” (v. 6).

The time of salvation had come, for Jesus had been born of a virgin in Bethlehem, out of the root of Jesse, from the line of David (see Isaiah 7:13-14, 11:1; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Micah 5:2-3). Messiah—Immanuel—was with us at last, ready to satisfy God’s promise to Abraham, securing blessing for all peoples through His redeeming blood (see Genesis 12:1-3).

Only one star has ever signified the fulfillment of so many prophecies, hundreds of years in the making. This dazzling light proclaimed the joy to which all the Scriptures point: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Astrology may claim to know our future, but only one star holds our future in His hands—the bright Morning Star, who will return to satisfy a final prophecy: “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).

Prayer: Father, thank You for the example of the Wise Men, who heeded Your power and looked for Your sign. May I also be wise and seek Your face like the Magi as I celebrate the advent of Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).

Only One Star Speaks

12/19/23 – 12/25/23

Bringing Light

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/20/23

Today, reliable reports show that approximately 90 percent of Americans know their astrological sign—in fact, more Americans know their astrological sign than their blood type. And 70 million Americans consult their horoscopes daily. A pseudo-science at best, astrology attempts to satisfy our sinful craving for control, guidance, and help. It claims to give us insight by observing the movements of the stars and planets, explaining aspects of our personality or predicting significant events in our lives. It maintains that the stars desire to speak to us.

But this is darkness. Sadly, it seems that more people listen to the stars in the sky than the one who aligned every star in its orbit, the one who calls each star by name.

Read Matthew 2:1-12.  Around the time that Christ was born, an unusual star was present in the night sky. In response to its rising, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (v. 2).

This mysterious star burned brightly at the birth of the Messiah because “[t]he true light that gives light to everyone” had come into the world—the one who “wraps himself in light as with a garment” had been born as a baby (John 1:9 and Psalm 104:2, respectively). The presence of this special light, this star announcing Christ’s birth, was no accident. It declared the advent of the divine.

Light is a symbol of both purity and holiness. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus proclaims, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (emphasis added). Jesus calls Himself a star, for as God incarnate, He emanates the most powerful light in the universe, and to announce His first coming, God flooded the night sky with light. God manifested His glory in the galaxies, using His creation to bear witness to the birth of the Morning Star. The light to the Gentiles had finally come (see Luke 2:32)!

On that first Christmas, a star spoke a message that continues to have eternal significance for every man, woman, and child. For through its light, it revealed who we truly are—sinners in darkness, in need of rescue.

This Christmas, may we listen to the message of the Morning Star and fervently intercede for the lost, that God would deliver many souls from the kingdom of darkness, bringing them forevermore into His marvelous light.

Prayer: Lord, I praise You—the light of the world. Thank You for Your grace that has brought me into the marvelous light of God. Use me this season to spread Your light to my family, friends, and neighbors. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light” (2 Samuel 22:29).

Only One Star Speaks

12/19/23 – 12/25/23

A Thoughtful Plan

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/19/23

Scientists have made new discoveries about God’s creative nature over the last few years that reveal the awesome power and expanse of His abilities and genius. They theorize that there is not just one universe but multiple universes. Venus is a mere 25 million miles away from the Earth, while Neptune is at least 2.7 billion miles away. Our sun is so large that 1.3 million Earths would be needed to fill it, yet it is only a medium-sized star.

The nearest galaxy to our Milky Way galaxy—the Canis Major dwarf galaxy—is 25,000 light years away, meaning that if you traveled at the speed of light (almost 3 million miles per second), you would reach it in 25,000 years. These universes and stellar wonders have always existed, but scientists are just now discovering many of them.

God, however, has always known of these wonders and their intricate balance because He created them and set them all in perfect motion. The billions of newly discovered stars and planets that lay hidden from scientists for centuries are not new to God. He has been waiting for science to catch up.

Isaiah 7:14 states, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” God inspired Isaiah to write these prophetic words 700 years before the birth of Christ. Just as He set the universes in motion, He set His plan for salvation in motion thousands of years before Mary and Joseph made their historic trip to Bethlehem.

Jesus’ glorious yet humble birth and all the events surrounding it were not random but a thoughtful plan that unfolded in perfect detail as prophesied. God wants us to understand that the baby in the manger was none other than God of very God.

Prayer: God, thank You for Your thoughtful plan to send Your Son to earth so that we might be saved. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

Inviting Others into Joy

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/18/23

This Christmas, let us not be consumed in our pursuit of the perfect gift. Instead, let us be consumed with the joy of inviting others to behold the wonder of God’s love.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

Since Christ’s ascension almost 2,000 years ago, God has chosen to touch hearts through us, His obedient children. Today, it is our great privilege and responsibility to tell others of the greatness of Christ’s love.

To be a tool in our Redeemer’s hand, we must be willing to get outside of our comfort zones and take up the ministry of reconciliation. We must make it our aim to be His ambassadors—speaking the Truth to a culture that is blind to the Good News of Christ.

Not so long ago, we too were blind—at enmity with God and burdened by the heavy yoke of sin—until somebody told us about Jesus. Now is the time for us to do the same for others. What a tragedy it would be if our loved ones never heard us speak of Christ and all that He has done for us. Let us joyfully proclaim the wonderful news that God came to transform us—His enemies!—into beloved sons and daughters.

Though sharing our faith can be daunting, Scripture exhorts us: It is by losing our lives that we find them and by giving that we receive. With Jesus’ help, let us pour out our lives in the service of God and others as we celebrate Jesus coming to us.

Prayer: Lord, give me boldness to speak about Your salvation when You bring opportunities for evangelism my way. I know You will give me the words to say if I will just be faithful to speak. Give me love for the lost and wisdom for my conversations. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

What Our Eyes Cannot See

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/17/23

Jesus came to open our spiritual eyes. When we walk by faith and not by sight, we’ll have the strength to weather any storm.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

Recently, I had a conversation with my neighbor who is not doing well physically. I asked him, “How are you?” and he answered, “Well, I’m just trying to prolong my life—one day at a time.”

I wanted to weep for him because I have already shared Christ with him, and he has not responded. He is just barely scraping by, living without real hope. I pray regularly that God opens his spiritual eyes.

Each day, we must trust in realities that are unseen—not looking to our bank accounts or our health or our earthly relationships for assurance but fixing our eyes on Jesus and remembering who we are in Him. Only by trusting in Christ can we have the hope, peace, and joy we need to face whatever this broken world throws our way. Only by trusting in Christ can we have peace knowing that our present troubles are truly “light and momentary” compared to the eternal glory that awaits us (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Are you trusting in the seen or in the unseen? Our lives are not measured by the physical, but by faith. Only those who understand this can live with joy, whether they receive little or much, sorrow or happiness, sickness or health, rejection or acceptance, hatred or love.

Prayer: Father, help me trust in You. You are sovereign; You are good; You are love. Thank You for giving me peace, hope, and joy in Jesus Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

Magnified in Weakness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/16/23

In the Christian life, admission of weakness leads us to true strength because we rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-10.

Jesus, God of very God, had an earthly mother so that we might have a heavenly Father. He made Himself human so that we might know everlasting life. And if we are to live for Him now, we must follow Him on the path of finding strength in weakness.

On this side of heaven, before Christ returns, it is only by learning to trust in what we cannot see that we can be truly strong. For when we trust in our own abilities, we are trusting in our flesh—which will ultimately fail us and can bear no lasting fruit.

Paul’s own weakness—his thorn in his flesh—tormented him, and he pleaded with the Lord three times to have it removed. But God was teaching Paul not to rely on himself but on God (see 2 Corinthians 1:9). Through it all, Paul realized that only by boasting in his weaknesses could Christ’s power rest upon him.

Christ came to save people who have come to the end of themselves—who are weary of trusting in their own strength. Where in your life do you currently feel weak? It is in this very area that He wants to magnify Himself. God is a good Father who is ready and willing to come to your aid. His grace is sufficient for you!

Prayer: Lord, every moment of the day I need You. And You are there. You will never leave me or forsake me. You are faithful and true. May I glorify You with every breath You give me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

The Indescribable Gift

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/15/23

It is only with spiritual hearts and minds that we can begin to comprehend what Christ’s birth began.

Read Romans 5:15 and 2 Corinthians 9:15.

This Christmas, every gift you receive will pale in comparison to the ultimate gift—salvation in Christ Jesus. This gift from God to the world, begun in human history at the birth of Jesus Christ, is truly incomprehensible.

I’ve read through the Bible every year for decades, but I still find myself speechless when it comes to trying to describe how wonderful salvation truly is. How can I do justice to the reality that a sinner like me can be forgiven? “[A]s far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). This promise, the message the angels declared to poor shepherds (see Luke 2:10-11), is enough to make me shout.

Christ Jesus came to earth to remove our filthy rags of self-righteousness, shame, and guilt. In their place, He clothes us in His perfect righteousness. And, as if that weren’t enough, He made it possible for all who believe in Him to be adopted into the family of God—enjoying all the privileges of being His sons and daughters.

Most startling of all, this great gift is granted not to God’s friends, but to His enemies (see Romans 5:8). This Christmas and every day, may we exclaim with the apostle Paul, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Prayer: Lord, what a wondrous love You displayed on that cross. Though I deserve Your wrath, You called me out of darkness and shower me with grace upon grace. May I live a life that honors You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (Romans 5:15).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

Humble Beginnings

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/14/23

As Christ’s followers, we will face hardship—but we can do so knowing that we are victorious in Him.

Read 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.

At the end of time, every eye will behold the fearful beauty of Christ. Every knee will bow before Him; every tongue will confess that He is Lord. But you would never expect this if you only judged Jesus by His beginnings in Bethlehem.

For believers on this side of heaven, this same principle holds true. In the eyes of the world, we may be regarded as “imposters; . . . unknown; . . . poor, . . . having nothing” (vv. 8-10). But in Truth, we are known by God, alive in Christ, always rejoicing, rich in spiritual blessings, and possessing everything.

Some of you may be puzzled by your current circumstances—just as it was bewildering for the King of kings to be born in squalor. You may be disappointed with what’s happening in your life, feeling perplexed, fearful, or despondent. But don’t make the mistake of judging the end by the beginning. Remember all that is yours in Christ.

Christian, God is not finished with you yet. He is still in the business of using “the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). So today, trust God with the trajectory of your life. Even now, He is working all things together for your good. Even now, He is transforming you “into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Prayer: Thank You that I am truly alive in You, Lord. I know You are at work in my life, renewing me day by day. May I submit to Your will and grow in godliness by the power of Your Spirit. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[K]nown, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:9-10).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

Only for a Time

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/13/23

As we celebrate Christ’s first coming, we must remember that He is our conquering King who will soon return to place all things under His feet.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-18.

Jesus was born a man so that we who love Him could become citizens of heaven. Though He was God, He laid aside the manifestation of His glory to come and identify with us—humbling Himself so that He could set us free from sin and make us new by the power of His Spirit.

This is what we celebrate at Christmas. Jesus was born as one of us to reconcile us to God and raise us to new life in Him (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-18). The King of kings was welcomed to earth by poor and humble shepherds so that we who believe in Him might be received by our infinite and matchless Father in heaven.

But as we celebrate the joyous occasion of Christ’s birth, we shouldn’t view Him today as the baby in a manger. Even now, Christ is reigning at the right hand of God. His time on earth as a suffering servant is complete—and He will soon return as a conquering King.

One day, Christ will come to finish His work and make all of creation fully and completely new—free from sin, death, and shame forever. From His humble birth to His obedient death, He won this for us. So, as we celebrate what He has done, let us fix our eyes on the hope of what He will soon do.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for making me new and giving me the promise of eternal life with You. I rejoice in the hope of Your return. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer” (2 Corinthians 5:16).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

True Power Through Trusting God

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/12/23

Jesus took on human weakness so that He could conquer the sin of the world. By doing so, He shows us that true power comes in trusting in and submitting to the Lord of all.

Read 2 Corinthians 8:9.

At the time of the birth of Jesus Christ, Caesar Augustus reigned supreme over the Roman Empire (see Luke 2:1-7). The lives of Caesar and Jesus at this point in history could not have been more different. Caesar was at the height of his power; Jesus was in the depths of helplessness. Caesar slept in a golden bed on fine linen sheets; Jesus lay in an animal’s feeding trough wrapped in rags.

Yet, even then, who was the one with the greater power? As a baby, Jesus was fully divine, “sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus willingly chose to descend from heaven and take on humanity so that He might die on a cross for our sin. He—who was infinitely richer than Caesar—became poor so that we, through His poverty, might become rich (see 2 Corinthians 8:9).

In the days of His earthly ministry, Jesus had nowhere to sleep so that sinners like us might become heirs with Him of the entire universe. Therefore, do not be so easily impressed by people who now enjoy earthly power, fame, money, and beauty, and do not be consumed with longing for these things. Remember: The road to greatness is through humility—and trusting your Lord will bring the greatest reward.

Prayer: Lord, help me to humble myself before You. By Your Spirit may I trust in Your promises and experience even today the majestic reward of a relationship with You, whatever my earthly circumstances. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“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 through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

A Seeming Contradiction

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/11/23

Christmas teaches us the paradoxical nature of the Christian faith. By accepting what we cannot fully comprehend, we declare that God is God and we are not.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-12.

As believers, we are given over to death so that Jesus’ perfect life might be revealed in our mortal bodies (see vv. 10-11). This seeming contradiction, or paradox, is just one we embrace to live in Christ.

Christianity is unlike any other religion because it is full of paradoxes like this, and each one takes faith to believe. To be a Christian in our scientific world, we must submit to the beautiful reality that God’s ways are above our own.

The Christian faith teaches us that we can see the unseen; that we conquer by yielding; that we find rest under a yoke; that we become great by humbling ourselves; that we are wise by being fools; that we are free by becoming servants; that we possess all things by having nothing; that we get by giving; that we are strong by being weak; that we triumph through surrender; that we fully live by dying to self.

God is God, and His ways are not our ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9). Each year, we celebrate this at Christmas. For what greater paradox could there be than the eternally divine taking on finite humanity? There is nothing more incomprehensible than the Creator taking on created form. The glorious, surprising, upside-down nature of the Kingdom of God is best expressed by a baby in a manger.

Prayer: Father, Your ways are not my ways, and I rejoice in that. Your ways are perfectly loving, all-wise, supremely just, and infinitely beautiful. Thank You for the wonderful, surprising gift of salvation—the gift of Yourself. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body” (2 Corinthians 4:11).

From the Throne to the Manger

12/10/23 – 12/18/23

The Paradoxes of Christmas

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/10/23

A paradox is an apparent contradiction that conceals a profound Truth—and the Bible is filled with paradoxes. We triumph by first surrendering to God. We find freedom in becoming Christ’s bondservants. We are made great by becoming little. We become wise by becoming fools for Christ’s sake. We can only truly live if we die to self.

Yet the greatest paradox in the entire Bible is found in the birth of Jesus Christ. During the time of Jesus’ birth, Caesar Augustus was the greatest ruler of the world. Yet even with all of his earthly authority and riches, Caesar was just a man. When God Himself came to earth, He was not the leader of the largest empire. He was born as a poor and obscure child in Bethlehem. The pagan man Caesar was at the height of power; the God-infant, Jesus, was in the depths of helplessness. Caesar was the wealthiest man on earth; Jesus was one of the poorest. Caesar slept in a Roman palace on a golden bed covered with fine linens; Jesus slept in a manger, bundled in swaddling clothes.

But none of the wealth or power that Caesar possessed compared to the glory and splendor that Jesus had left in heaven. Jesus endured a human, earthly birth so that everyone who follows Him can undergo a spiritual, heavenly birth. Jesus became a member of a human family so that those who love Him can become members of His heavenly family.

The infant Jesus was pursued by the ruthless and evil King Herod, who ordered the slaughter of all the boys two years old and younger in the Bethlehem area, hoping to end the threat of the one “born king of the Jews” (see Matthew 2:1-18). Yet the very baby that Herod hunted was born to destroy the root of all such evil: Satan.

We can learn from the paradoxes of Christmas: We should not judge things by appearances because God hid His greatest gift in a humble package.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for the paradoxes of the Christmas story. Thank You for all that You teach us through Your unusual ways. Thank You for the humble package that has changed my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, . . .” (Colossians 2:9).

MORE Than A Babe In A Manger

12/05/23 – 12/09/23

Jesus Is the Soon-Returning King

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/09/23

Read John 14:1-4.

In His first advent, Jesus bore the gravity of our sin upon the cross—betrayal, denial, and the just wrath of God in our place. But at His second advent, He will return robed with the splendor of His Father. In His first coming, He was lonely and rejected, but He will return with millions of faithful believers who have gone to be with Him. In His first advent, Jesus was a man of sorrows, but in His second coming, He will wipe away all our tears. In His first advent, His persecutors slapped Him across the face, but in His second advent, His enemies will be made His footstool. On that day, those who love Him and celebrate His appearing, who have diligently worked and waited for Him—they are going to be filled with unspeakable joy!

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Jesus is returning for His followers—and He wants us to be ready, as He said: “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13, KJV). He wants us to work diligently for His Kingdom until He returns. That means that every relationship we build, every service we offer, every decision we make, and every dollar we give is motivated by the desire to honor and glorify Christ. We do this best by focusing on our destination rather than our journey. By keeping heaven in view and Jesus’ return continually on our minds, we will avoid getting bogged down by the troubles of this world and remain diligent in the tasks He’s given us.

Consider Scripture’s exhortations to us as we wait for Christ’s return: “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming” (James 5:7); “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13). For, “. . . Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28).

Are you joyfully anticipating Jesus’ second advent, or does the thought of His return fill you with fear? You can place your hope in Him today—place your life in His hands—and begin focusing on the glorious destination He’s preparing for you even now.

Prayer: Father, may I dwell on my eternal destination so that I might serve You faithfully each day. May I be patient and alert, knowing that the delay of Your return springs from Your love and desire that all might come to know Your salvation offered through Jesus Christ. So help me to share that Truth boldly as I await Your return. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).

MORE Than A Babe In A Manger

12/05/23 – 12/09/23

Jesus Destroys the Devil’s Works

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/08/23

Read 1 John 3:7-10

There is a weighty, pivotal victory that we must not neglect as we celebrate the advent of Christ this season. Sadly, our society tells us there is little difference between the stories about Santa and the story of our Savior. The world says both are impossible—both are the stuff of make-believe. Such approaches to Biblical Truth have become all too common as our culture casts off its Biblical moorings. Our progressive, permissive culture encourages people to believe that what was once considered heresy is now a fad to be followed, that what the Bible calls sinful is simply a harmless lifestyle. Sadly, this deception is taking place even in many churches across the world. It is nothing less than the work of the devil. Thankfully, the Bible tells us, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).

Jesus came to make a wreck out of Satan’s power. The word destroy means “to dissolve or loosen completely.” In other words, when Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross in our place, and resurrected eternally to usher in the Kingdom of God, He smashed Satan’s grip to smithereens. He destroyed hatred with His love. He destroyed lawlessness with His righteousness. He destroyed the power of death with His resurrection.

You may wonder, If Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, then why does Satan continue to operate freely? As long as people are willing to entertain and obey the lies of Satan, he will have a hold over them. But Satan has no claim on a believer unless that believer hands him the keys to their life. But as we follow Jesus by the power of His Spirit, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under [our] feet” (Romans 16:20).

This Christmas, remember the victory of Christ’s coming. He has disarmed the devil, removed the fangs from the old serpent, and knocked out the teeth from the roaring lion. He has destroyed all the devil’s works: envy, lust, fear, anxiety, hatred, pride, and more. When Christ came, He secured for you a victorious life today and called you to anticipate His second coming, that wondrous day when He will return to cast Satan into the bottomless pit for eternity and usher in the new heaven and new earth (see Revelation 20:1-10, 21:1-5). What a reason to celebrate!

Prayer: Jesus, help me to remember and take hold of Your victory on my behalf as I walk through the trials and temptations of this life. I will look to Your return with joy and hope today because Your promises are sure and Your love is beyond comprehension. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).

MORE Than A Babe In A Manger

12/05/23 – 12/09/23

Jesus Seeks and Saves the Lost

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/07/23

Read Luke 19:1-10.

There is a word that’s central to the Christmas story that many don’t want to hear. That word is sin. But Scripture is clear: Jesus came to save us from sin (see Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 1 John 3:5; et al.).

Today our culture doesn’t want to talk about sin. But to give in to culture’s demands to ignore the word sin would be scandalous in light of what Scripture says. Sin is not a toy; it is a tyrant. It has the strength of death, and its power has not lessened in all of human history. That is why the ultimate deception is to deny the existence and power of sin.

Sin is real, and we are powerless to free ourselves from its grasp. But praise God He sent His Son on that first Christmas to bring us the only cure for sin: the righteousness of God transferred to us by the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross.

Every human being who has ever lived has been born with sin nature, with the inclination to be independent of their Creator. But only those who admit they are sinners and confess their need for a Savior will be rescued by Jesus. That is why the apostle John wrote, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). You see, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible declares there are two paths before us. We either choose God’s way or man’s way, the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of Satan. Every person on earth is either saved or lost; there is no in-between. Only those who confess their sin and accept the blood of Jesus Christ as their only plea will be eternally forgiven and enjoy a restored relationship with God forever.

Jesus came to earth to deliver us from sin, its power, and its punishment. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is our righteousness—the way home to the Father, the gate to eternal and abundant life (see 1 Corinthians 1:30; John 10:9, 14:6). He’s the greatest gift we could ever receive, and likewise, the most wonderful news we could ever share with a world in need of a Savior. So this Advent season, let’s rejoice in and proclaim the Good News that Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

Prayer: Father, thank You for delivering me from the power of sin. May my life bring You glory as You transform me day by day into Christ’s likeness. You are indeed mighty to save. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

MORE Than A Babe In A Manger

12/05/23 – 12/09/23

More Than a Babe in a Manger

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/06/23

Read Psalm 2:1-12 and 110:1-7.

Despite appearances, Jesus’ coming was hardly unscheduled—His was an arrival promised and planned since the beginning (see Genesis 3:15). Throughout the Old Testament, God continuously reminded His people that His Anointed One would come and save them from the curse of sin and death. His Son would reign and rule over all the nations of the earth forever. In particular, the Psalms contain many passages that prophesy about the coming Messiah—passages that the New Testament reveals are fulfilled in Jesus.

In Psalm 2, we read, “The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed” (v. 2). As Acts 4:25-28 declares, God’s anointed is Jesus, and the Truth of Psalm 2 is on full display today as people choose to set themselves up as their own kings, rejecting the idea that they are beholden to their Creator, King Jesus. They hate His teachings, and they strive to silence His followers because they believe that God’s moral absolutes are a chain around their necks. They want to be free to pursue the pleasure that their flesh demands, so they suppress the Truth and ignore Jesus’ offer of eternal, abundant life to all who will take refuge in Him (see Psalm 2:12).

Likewise, the New Testament is very clear that Jesus is the resurrected, ascended, glorified, soon-coming judge depicted in Psalm 110 (see Hebrews 7:11-28, Acts 2:29-36, Mark 12:35-37, et al.). He is reigning and ruling at the right hand of God the Father today. Jesus even applied this psalm to Himself in Matthew 22:41-46, indicating that, after He had paid for the wages of our sins on the cross, He would be enthroned in heaven. And this is where Jesus is right now. He is King over all, and every human being on the face of the earth will either know Jesus as Lord, Savior, and friend or become His footstool.

At Christmas we celebrate more than the babe in the manger. We worship the glorious, eternal King who reigns. Out of His infinite love, God sent His Son to earth two thousand years ago, and still He invites His enemies to believe in Jesus Christ and be saved. Let us pray that many who now shake their fists at heaven would have ears to hear the Gospel message, receive the Lord Jesus as King, and be transformed by the gift of His divine presence forever this Christmas.

Prayer: Lord, I praise You for Your wondrous love displayed in the gift of Your one and only Son. Thank You for the wonder of Christmas. Give me eyes to see ways I can share Your gift of salvation with those around me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:12).

MORE Than A Babe In A Manger

12/05/23 – 12/09/23

Celebrating Advent

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/05/23

The weeks leading up to Christmas Day are full of exciting preparation with gifts to buy, parties to plan, and decorations to display. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, we look forward to celebrating the advent of Christ—God entering our world as a man “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

However, the joy of the Christmas season can often be overshadowed by the brokenness of our families, the loss of loved ones, or even our own loneliness. In these instances, we are faced with the reality that many Biblical prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. Although Jesus defeated sin and death on the cross, Satan still “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We know this because sin and death are still ever present in our lives.

Our world’s abiding brokenness is precisely why Christmas should be a time for us to hope and prepare for Christ’s second coming, even as we celebrate His first. The fulfilled prophecies of Christ’s birth prove that the Biblical prophecies about His return will also one day be fulfilled.

In 2 Corinthians 5:16, Paul writes, “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.” At Christmas, it’s right for us to rejoice as we remember the baby in the manger. But Paul’s words remind us that we must no longer regard Christ as merely a helpless babe, for He is now and forever the risen and glorified Lord. And He will soon return to judge the world and complete His work of salvation and restoration.

As you celebrate in this Advent season, are you ready for the ultimate advent? The baby in the manger may not have come making demands, but the risen Lord of lords demands our all. The glorified Christ of Revelation is the one we will all meet on that great day when He returns to fulfill all of God’s promises and defeat Satan once and for all.

Prayer: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! May this Christmas be full of hope as I look forward to the fulfillment of Your precious promises. Any lack, any suffering, pales in the light of Your glorious hope, faithfulness, and future. Help me to serve You as I wait for Your ultimate advent. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[S]o Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28).

The Only Peace Worthy of the Name

12/01/23 – 12/04/23

Peace in Every Situation

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/04/23

Read Philippians 4:4-8.

It’s been more than two thousand years since an angel appeared to shepherds in a field outside of Bethlehem and proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). And yet, with each Christmas that comes, peace seems even more elusive than the previous year for those who have not encountered and embraced the true Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6-7).

There is, however, a peace in which much of the world puts its hope, but it’s a deceptive peace. It’s an imitation of true peace—a temporary respite—that comes when we try to tranquilize our true longings with material possessions or intoxication. But this phony peace only brings destruction and further enslavement to a pattern of behavior that has no power to fulfill our deepest longings. Any feeling of relief it provides is inevitably temporary.

Another false peace native to this world actually originates from violence and subjugation. This “peace” is the silence that comes when opponents are put down, enslaved, or otherwise defeated. It’s the sort of “peace” that comes when all one’s enemies have been conquered. Likewise, this false peace can occur when people remain silent in the face of evil. When people simply appease the wicked and allow them to continue to harm others in the name of “peace,” this is no true peace. These two forms of false peace are really two sides of the same coin—the same dark peace. The problem is tyrants are never satisfied and bullies do not respect weakness.

The only peace that lasts and infuses all aspects of life comes from above. It is a divine peace—and it is the peace Jesus brought to earth on that first Christmas all those years ago. It begins with having peace with God because, when a person has peace with God, then they can have peace of mind and peace of heart. With their conscience at peace, peace with others is possible, too.

When you receive Jesus, you receive His divine peace and the ability to apply it in your life by His Spirit at work in you. Just consider the power of this kind of peace: In the midst of a terrible storm, when the disciples were panicking, Jesus was sound asleep (see Mark 4:35-41). That is the peace that passes all understanding (see Philippians 4:7). It doesn’t make sense to the world, but that’s because it’s a peace from beyond this world—it’s a peace that flows from the sovereignty and love of your heavenly Father.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for coming down to bring us Your peace. May I see its fruit in my life as I rest in Your righteousness given to me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).