The Word Points to the life-giver

Scripture leads us not to knowledge alone but to the living Christ 

John 5:39 - You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me

It’s All About Jesus

Today’s devotion is from the book of John chapter 5 verse 39. It says this, “You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me.” Jesus is talking to the religious leaders. He knew of their zeal for the scriptures and their desire to hold to the letter of the law. Jesus was trying to tell them they’re missing the whole point of the scriptures. The scriptures in fact point to Him and they could not see it. Are we like the religious leaders of old? Are we simply just reading the scriptures as an exercise and then just checking the box? Are we allowing the scriptures to guide us to be more like Jesus, the one the scriptures all point to. Knowing the scriptures/bible does not equal eternal life with Christ. Eternal life with Christ is found in a personal relationship

with Jesus and accepting Him in our hearts as Lord of our lives. We were created for fellowship with Him through communicating with Him in prayer and worship as well as listening to Him through His Word. Is Jesus on the throne of your heart and one you know intimately or just intellectually?

As we learned yesterday in our devotion in John 1:4 In Him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. We cannot earn or learn our way to salvation in Christ. Romans 10:9-10 says this, “that if you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” As we anticipate Christmas and the birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus, I ask you this question. Have you truly confessed the Lord Jesus in your heart and believe that God raised him from the dead, or do you just have knowledge of this?

Let’s pray,

Father God, thank you for your goodness and mercy and grace. Thank you for sending your son to this world to love us unto salvation. Father help us to not just know the scriptures but know the one who the scriptures point to, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this earth as a baby, living a sinless life and dying on the cross for our sins. Lord, it is our heart’s desire to honor you in reflecting Jesus to a world that is hurting. Help us to do this. We pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen

The Light of Life

In Christ, life and light are inseparable—darkness cannot overcome Him.

John 1:5 | “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it”

“Light the lamp, not the rat”

My all-time favorite Christmas story is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. I’ve seen just about all the film adaptations, Mickey’s version, the one starring Jim Carey as Ebenezer, even the old 1954 UK tv special (shoutout to Basil Rathbone for portraying the smoothest Jacob Marley ever). While these versions are all great in their own regard, they all pale in comparison the masterpiece that is the 1992 classic “The Muppet Christmas Carol”. Where else can you witness a disgruntled Scrooge played by Michael Caine acting against Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, experience 19th century London accompanied by Muppet antics, and be curated through it all by Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat?...Nowhere else, that’s where.

It was through these screen adaptations that I came to love the writing of Charles Dickens, while I’ve read most of his literary works, each Christmas season I always come back to A Christmas Carol. You know the story; a miserly old businessman, Ebenezer Scrooge, is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve each of which showing him the error of his stingy ways. Upon awakening on Christmas morning, Scrooge is relieved to discover there is still time to change his station and commits the remainder of his life to the spreading joy and benevolence.

While the arc of Ebenezer Scrooge is timeless, what is often missed in the story is Dickens use of light as a metaphorical motif for life. At the start, Scrooge’s home is dark and cold reflecting the darkness of his heart (“darkness was cheap, and Scrooge liked it”). As each of the spirits guide Scrooge into “the light” (each literally emanating some form of light) he begins change, to love, to lighten. On Christmas morning he throws open the curtains allowing the light of Christmas morning to flood into his typically dingy bedroom signifying a complete surrender to a new way of life. The light shines in the darkness, and Scrooge is forever changed exclaiming, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year”.

John 1:5 reveals the notion that In Christ, life and light are synonymous. He is the light that dispels the darkness of sin and ignorance. Scrooge did a 180 once he was awakened to the light. The joy and kindness that now illuminated his once dark countenance was infectious to all he encountered. Not only was he now changed, but the light shined through him unto others.

This Christmas, I pray that wherever you find yourself that the light of Christ will radiate through you, and if should you find yourself in a season of darkness, I pray The Holy Spirit will provide the resolution to throw open the curtain and let the light of Jesus fill you with new life.

God Bless Us, Everyone!

-Zak O’Day

The Creator Who Sustains Life

God, who gives breath to all people, upholds every heartbeat.

Isaiah 42:5 – “This is what God, the Lord, says – who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it.”

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. Isaiah reminds us that God is the One who made everything – the stars that twinkle at night, the sun that warms the day, the moon that lights the evening, and every person who walks on the earth. He is the One who breathed life into the world, and that same breath keeps us alive every single day. Every heartbeat, every breath, is a gift from Him.

Lawrence, one of our fourth graders in Naz KDZ, put it beautifully: “God cares about us so much that even if you’re nice or rude, God always loves you.” Isn’t that amazing? God’s love doesn’t depend on how perfect we are. He loves us because He made us, and He sent Jesus to show us that love in the most wonderful way – by coming to earth as a baby, living among us, and giving His life so we could live with Him forever.

When we accept Jesus- by believing in Him and asking Him to forgive our sins- we receive eternal life. That means we get to live with Him forever in Heaven. Christmas is more than presents and lights; it’s about celebrating the gift of life that never ends, given to us through Jesus.

Lawrence also shared his favorite tradition: setting up the Christmas tree. He loves building and decorating, adding ornaments all the way to the top where the star shines. He realized that being a Christian is a lot like decorating a tree. We start at the bottom, learning about God, and as we grow in faith, we keep building upward. At the very top is the star, reminding us of eternal life with God in Heaven.

This Advent season, as you see stars on trees or shining in the sky, remember that God is the One who gives breath to all people and upholds every heartbeat. He is the Creator who sustains life, and through Jesus, He gives us the most wonderful life of all- life with Him forever.

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. Isaiah reminds us that God is the One who made everything – the stars that twinkle at night, the sun that warms the day, the moon that lights the evening, and every person who walks on the earth. He is the One who breathed life into the world, and that same breath keeps us alive every single day. Every heartbeat, every breath, is a gift from Him.

Lawrence, one of our fourth graders in Naz KDZ, put it beautifully: “God cares about us so much that even if you’re nice or rude, God always loves you.” Isn’t that amazing? God’s love doesn’t depend on how perfect we are. He loves us because He made us, and He sent Jesus to show us that love in the most wonderful way – by coming to earth as a baby, living among us, and giving His life so we could live with Him forever.

When we accept Jesus- by believing in Him and asking Him to forgive our sins- we receive eternal life. That means we get to live with Him forever in Heaven. Christmas is more than presents and lights; it’s about celebrating the gift of life that never ends, given to us through Jesus.

Lawrence also shared his favorite tradition: setting up the Christmas tree. He loves building and decorating, adding ornaments all the way to the top where the star shines. He realized that being a Christian is a lot like decorating a tree. We start at the bottom, learning about God, and as we grow in faith, we keep building upward. At the very top is the star, reminding us of eternal life with God in Heaven.

This Advent season, as you see stars on trees or shining in the sky, remember that God is the One who gives breath to all people and upholds every heartbeat. He is the Creator who sustains life, and through Jesus, He gives us the most wonderful life of all- life with Him forever.

Christmas Tree Faith

As you decorate your tree this year, think about how each ornament can remind you of ways you grow in faith- prayer, kindness, forgiveness, worship, and love. Then, when you place the star on top, remember the eternal life we have with Jesus.

The Breath of Life

The same God who breathed life into Adam breathes new life into us through Christ.

Genesis 2:7 – “Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.”

As the Children’s Pastor at The Naz, I get the joy of watching wonder unfold in the eyes of our littlest ones every week. In Naz KDZ Early Childhood, we talk about how God made everything — the stars, the animals, the oceans — but what amazes our kids most is that God made them. And not just with His hands, but with His breath. Genesis 2:7 reminds us that God didn’t just form Adam from dust — He breathed His own life into him. That same breath is still moving today through Jesus Christ, giving us new life, hope, and joy.

This Advent season, we celebrate the arrival of Jesus — the One who came to breathe life into a weary world. During our time together, we sing songs, make crafts, and share stories that help children understand that God is with us and that His Spirit is alive in them. When we talk about Jesus coming as a baby, we also talk about how He came to bring peace, love, and purpose — even to the smallest hearts.

I’ve seen this truth come alive in the way our kids pray for each other, sing with boldness, and ask deep questions about God. Their faith reminds me that the breath of God isn’t just something that happened long ago — it’s happening now. Through Christ, we are made new. Through His Spirit, we are filled with life.

So this Advent, take a deep breath. Let it remind you that God is near. Let it fill you with wonder. And let it move you to share that breath of life with others — especially the youngest among us, who are already learning what it means to live a wonderful life in Jesus.

🌈 Craft Idea from Naz KDZ Early Childhood | “Breath of Life” Bubble Painting

Breathe in… and blow out beauty! ✨Mix a little paint with bubble solution, then let kids blow colorful bubbles onto paper to create fun, one-of-a-kind patterns. As the bubbles pop, talk about how our breath can make something beautiful — just like God’s breath gave life to us. 

The Word Who Gives Life

Life begins and finds meaning in Jesus, the eternal Word.

John 1:4 | In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.