Goodbye to 2005. We will never have it again. In fact, each moment spent here on earth will never pass our way again. Time is of the essence. Time is gold. Time waits for no man. We all have time constraints.

The Bible says that there is a time for everything:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8    NIV

1    There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

2    a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3    a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

4    a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and

       a time to refrain,

6    a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7    a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8     a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

The Bible also speaks of spending our time wisely. Furthermore, it speaks of the brevity of life here on earth. Telling us in effect to spend each day as if it were our last. In other words, we should not waste our time here on earth. We should live each day to the fullest with God. In Christ, we shall live a productive life like a fruitful tree; its fruit is for the benefit of others and not for itself. So shall we serve humankind with the kind of love that comes from God. We shall strive to make a difference in the lives of the people around us and consequently, the whole world.

Again, the Bible speaks of the brevity of time here on earth. But it also speaks of an eternal time with our Maker, if only our Maker is also our Lord and Savior. Eternity with the Lord is not just a “forever” time but a time where every bit of it is indescribably beautiful and awesome, for the Lord Himself is both Beautiful and Awesome.

Make Jesus the Lord of your life and your Savior as well, if you haven’t done so. Won't you ask Him to come into your heart? AND THE BEST TIME TO DO THAT IS RIGHT NOW!

Growing up and experiencing Christmas year after year in my hometown, Bani, I still remember the traditions that we used to do in our own home.

My sister Neomi would invite us to make our own Christmas tree complete with man-made "snow" made of, I believe, a concoction of gawgaw and suds of wheel soap. We would also put up multicolored lights around the tree and decorate our entire home with other beautiful ornaments that we could find. I remember those large red paper bells. I remember the many local festivities surrounding this season, also the bamboo cakes baked in a very special way in my aunt's backyard. As a child, I enjoy receiving gifts but as I try to recall now, I did not receive a lot of gifts or toys growing up. But the gifts that I received, I treasured them so much.  This is true when we have less in life, we place so much value in the things, even the little things that we have.

Growing up, Christmas celebrations were a lot of fun and festivities. It still is. Only these times, starting from the year 1991 (when I received Christ as my Lord and Savior and was born anew spiritually) that I have the clear understanding of the real meaning of Christmas - and that is, Christ (the Anointed), coming into the world to save us from our sins. Man loved darkness because of  the sinful nature inherited from (the fall of) Adam and Eve. But God so loved mankind that He sent His Son to save us from our perdition.

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON...

God is the greatest lover of mankind having given the greatest gift to the same. But it takes him more than to just give His Son. On that cross where Jesus was crucified to pay for our sins, God gave the Son up, for us all. In other words, Jesus by taking our sins became sin for us and God must punish sin, so the Son as sin became the object of God's wrath. There was indeed the cutting off or giving up or separation between God and His Son who became sin. Jesus, once the object of His Father's love became the object of God's wrath. Sin must be dealt with and that is, the bearer of all the sins of mankind, must experience death or the painful separation from the love and presence of God. Hence, Jesus said, "Father, Father, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus was given up for us all.

Receive the Greatest Gift of God today. Allow me to lead you to a prayer. Pray the following now:

Dear Jesus, I invite and receive you in my heart as my Master and my Savior. Please receive me into your kingdom. I confess that I am a sinner and ask forgiveness for all my sins. You have paid for my sins on that cross and you are now offering me eternal life simply by believing in you. I pray also to receive your Holy Spirit to dwell in me.  In Your Name I pray.  Amen.