January 2
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“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”  (Matthew 24:44, NIV)

It is typical of God that He first gives us the answers before giving us the test.

In these final chapters of Matthew’s Gospel (chapters 24-25), Jesus is emphatic in His teaching about the nature of the kingdom of heaven; and He is equally emphatic in His teaching about the final judgment of God, and what is required of you and me.  You see, Jesus wants everyone to pass; but everyone must pass with his or her own work.  No cheating.

The key to successfully facing any crisis — whether financial, emotional, physical, or spiritual — is readiness.  The time to get ready is now.  The adage is never more true: “You cannot give what you do not have.”

Are you ready?  – Luther

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January 1
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New Year’s Day

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!  Amen.”  (Jude 1:24-25, NIV)

Jude’s benediction — his letter’s final words — are a fitting beginning to the new year.

There are things we’ve done in year’s past that we wish we hadn’t done; there are opportunities we’ve left unexplored, but we need not despair: It is Jesus alone Who is able to present us to the ultimate Judge “without fault and with great joy.”

None of us knows what this new year holds, but we need not despair: Through it all, and at the end of all; He is able to keep us from stumbling, both now and forevermore!  – Luther

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December 31
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“I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.  I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.”  (3 John 1:13-14, NIV)

John’s affection for his people (or as he refers to them: his “children”) is obvious in each of his three letters.  As a practical matter, John wrote when he must, but he wanted to visit — “face to face” — when he could.

Since the days of John, we’ve added option upon option to our communications menu: Snail mail, telegraph, telephone, e-mail, Skype/Facetime, text.  But, as John noted in today’s scripture, there is no substitute for physically “being there.”

In the coming New Year, consider who you need to visit, face to face.  Make the plan, and commit the time and the money for its success.  – Luther

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