Christmas is here whether you are ready or not. How is one supposed to prepare for Christmas anyway? As Christians, Christmas is not so much about what we do, like shopping, decorating, exchanging gifts, visiting family, caroling, and so on. Christmas is much more about stocktaking of our response to God’s gift of His Son for our salvation. Our sin problem was beyond human solution; only Jesus Christ’s love and death resolved our sin problem. When John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, came, he preached repentance to the people as the way to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. A heart transplant must take place as a first requirement; thereafter, we need a regular heart checkup, and the Christmas season is one of the times to do a heart checkup. Check your heart’s response to sin this Christmas and block all paths of sin; then, you will have a blessed Christmas. “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching … and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mat. 3:1-2).
Author: Rev. Sunday Bwanhot, ECWA USA DCC Chairman
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary to America serving with SIM/ECWA. He is an Economist by profession and has worked as a Statistician with Kaduna State Government. He later pioneered and managed the Challenge Press of ECWA in Jos before God’s call to pioneer the Prayer Ministry of ECWA in Jos, Nigeria. In 1993, God called him to Chicago as a missionary and has been serving there since 1995 to date. Currently, he pastors ECWA Chicago which he planted and serves as the Chairman of the ECWA USA District Church Council. Loves being a grandpa of 8 grandchildren and enjoys writing.
Christmas is here whether you are ready or not. How is one supposed to prepare for Christmas anyway? As Christians, Christmas is not so much about
Read MoreWhen we are thankful for what God has done for us, the world takes notice, as happened to the Israelites, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of
Read MoreA good farmer begins by preparing the land and planting the best seeds of whatever crops he wants to harvest. The Biblical saying that you reap what
Read More“I have nothing against God,” a brother declared. What a profound statement to make! Not many of us can sincerely repeat that statement from
Read More“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me!” (Mat. 14:30). The best security we have against
Read MoreService plus sacrifice equals leadership. A genuine Christian leader joyfully serves others no matter the cost and seeks no personal gain. He goes
Read More“… I am the Lord, who heals you” (Exo. 15:26). These days, when science and medicine have become the anchor of hope for many, divine
Read More“Wait for the Lord” (Ps. 27:14). Waiting is a tough discipline in our digital and instant world. We hurry to execute our plans and agendas
Read More‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35). As stewards of God’s manifold blessings, we are to serve as conduits and not
Read MoreEvery one of us has a scar on our body following an accidental or intentional bruising of the skin. These scars are reminders of past experiences we
Read MoreSolitude is an indispensable discipline for believers who want to remain Christ-centered and glorify God in their lives. Solitude is a lost art in
Read MoreWe know that God created all people, and He loves us so much that while we were sinners, He gave His Son to die for us. God is portrayed in the story
Read More“When you fast, …” (Mat. 6:16). Millions of people fast each day because they lack food. Thousands fast daily because their doctors order
Read More“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
Read MoreLove is a word that means different things to different people in different contexts. Generally, it is an affection for something that gives pleasure
Read Moreif you have never been let down at one time or another by a person or a situation you had hope in, which later turned negative, then you have been
Read MoreThe facts, first. Death was literarily nonexistent until the fall. Death is both spiritual and physical and separates us from God, our Creator. It
Read MoreWe ask questions, and everyone does that often because we do not know or understand something or want to challenge a particular situation. Generally,
Read MoreOur Church planned the mission trip to Belize from July 5-11, 2024. A few days before the trip, hurricane Beryl showed up. Both Belize and Houston,
Read MoreThere is no doubt that our political independence is worth celebrating every year. We have come a long way regarding self-determination and freedom
Read More“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mat. 26:41). The weakness of the
Read MoreJesus answered and said to him ”Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ”Most assuredly, I
Read MoreThe temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem was, as I term it, God’s residence here on earth. People went there to worship and pray. When Jesus
Read MoreWhat causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? (Jam. 4:1). The desires that lead us into
Read MoreObstacles! Obstacles!! Obstacles!!! We meet obstacles every day and in every sphere of our lives. No one, no family, and no nation is immune from
Read MoreHelp, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among
Read MoreBut just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy (1Pt. 1:15-16). Many Christians
Read MoreTwo personalities are interested in you, and each of them desperately wants you to serve them. The two personalities are God and Satan. God and Satan
Read MoreIndependence is a cherished value today. Kids want to do things without the interference of adults; adults, and even seniors do things and are
Read MoreWe humans can be funny and phony, and we will soon find out how. None of us chose our parents or decided which day of the week and time to be born.
Read MoreLaws are excellent if they do not apply to you. Many young people long for the day they go to college, or somewhere they are no longer under their
Read More“Be imitators of God … as dearly loved children and live a life of love …” (Eph. 5:1-2). God’s invitation to imitate Him is an
Read MoreMirrors are a great discovery and so vital that we have them in bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms, and most ladies carry them around in their
Read MoreChrist is risen indeed! But what does it mean to you? The good news of the resurrection was proclaimed to the disciples by the women who saw Him
Read MoreThe CROSS, where our redemption was paid, was in God’s heart even before the world’s foundation. “… the Lamb that was slain from
Read More“So He (the LORD) drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way to guard
Read MoreAs a result of the spiritual and physical death passed on to man because of the fall, we come into the world determined to live and not die. But no
Read MoreFor the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a). Sin is an enticement to enjoy a massive loan with an astronomically high interest rate and stiff
Read MoreIf you think you are a spiritual giant because you have been a Christian for many years, or degrees earned from seminaries, a position in the church,
Read MoreWhen God stopped the flow of the Jordan and the children of Israel crossed over the river on dry ground, they were commanded to pick up stones from
Read MoreMoses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. You
Read MoreHeaven, as described in Revelation 21:1-22:6, is irresistible, and the price is right – absolutely free – free to us but paid for by
Read MoreValentine’s Day is today, and perhaps you are sitting on the sidelines waiting to be shown love by your spouse or best friend. You will likely
Read MoreDuring His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ did so much good, including healing and feeding thousands, raising the dead, teaching, counseling, and
Read MoreT his happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3). Everything God created and all He allows or does not allow are
Read More“FOR THE VISION IS YET FOR AN APPOINTED TIME; BUT AT THE END IT WILL SPEAK, AND IT WILL NOT LIE, THOUGH IT TARRIES, WAIT FOR IT; BECAUSE IT
Read MoreDo you sometimes think that God is too busy and unable to get to your case as quickly as you want him to? You are not angry because you understand He
Read MoreVery truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds
Read MoreGod is awesome and very wise. He gave us only three time periods, Past, Present, and Future, and taught us how to live. The past, like 2023, has come
Read MoreBeing in a place where you look different from everyone else, different from what you are used to, and unable to communicate because of the language
Read MoreThe Christmas story, as told in Matthew 2:1-12 captures the meaning and purpose of Christmas and how to celebrate Christ the King appropriately.
Read MoreUndoubtedly, the Christmas season is a hectic time, and our schedules are tight, with no flexible room left. Mary willingly set aside her reputation
Read MoreChristmas is already here, ready or not. Stores have rolled out their Christmas wares and are already raking in millions of dollars. Vacations,
Read MoreHere are some of the ECWA Themes over the years ECWA Theme 2024 2023 For the Vision is Yet for an Appointed Time. Habakkuk 2:3 2023 Occupy till I
Read MoreWhen Enoch suddenly disappeared from the earth, the only information God volunteered to our inquiring minds is: “Enoch walked with God” (Gen.
Read MoreEXPOSITION OF ECWA ARTICLES OF FAITH AND PRACTICE “And God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the
Read MoreGive thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Thes. 5:18). This is Thanksgiving Week, and we redirect our
Read MoreECWA USA JULY 2024 CONFERENCE UPDATES HOTEL RESERVATIONS LOCATION: Home2 Suites Louisville Airport Expo. 3000 Crittenden drive, Louisville, KY 40209
Read MorePaul said, “I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus” (Gal. 6:17b). What about you? Most people have scars on their bodies following
Read MoreWe are concerned with our physical appearances today, and mirrors are hung everywhere to help us check ourselves. Over 90% of ladies carry mirrors in
Read More