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There are certain occupations where I think you need a particularly strong self image. For example, I would think a dentist needs a strong self image. I mean, he's a professional, he's helping people, but it's just hard to have so many people dreading what you do. Or in the world of sports, like a baseball umpire? Everybody thinks they can see better than the umpire can. You can tell because they keep yelling, "Hey, are you blind?" Because they don't agree with your call. Everybody thinks they have a higher IQ than you do. They keep commenting on the intelligence of an umpire negatively just because they don't agree with him.

But you couldn't have baseball without the umpires. I mean, can you imagine the players trying to agree on whether a guy was safe or out at second? That would end the game right there. Or how about letting the fans decide? Man, there would be chaos without the umpire. So, let's say there's a dramatic play at home plate. The winning run is sliding into home plate as the ball is thrown to the catcher, there's a cloud of dust, there are thousands of voices giving their opinion whether the runner was safe or not, but there's only one voice that matters. The umpire settles it.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Your Own Personal Umpire."

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Colossians 3:15 where God says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." Notice here it says that "the peace of Christ should rule in your hearts." Now, that word in the original language of the New Testament means to be the judge; the one who awards the prize. In essence, "Let the peace of Christ be the umpire in your heart."

In other words, the peace of God is your own personal umpire. As you make each day's choices, you need some way to decide what should be safe and what should be out. Well, that's the peace of Christ. You've got a lot of choices. You've got right or wrong choices, and some of them are not covered by a specific rule in the Bible. You've got to decide which way to go in a lot of situations; which option is the one God wants.

Well, the Bible says, "Let the peace of Christ decide." Let it be the umpire. Now, this peace comes as you continue to bring a choice to God. You come to Him with a blank piece of paper and you say, "God, you know what I'd like, but I'm not going to give you a contract to sign. This is my blank piece of paper. What do you want?" And as you pray it through, I think you'll find that one way you're supposed to go. One road feels right most of the time when you're praying about it when it's just you and Jesus - as you pray about it over and over again.

Now, I'm not talking about rushed prayer here. You've got to have time to let Him put His thoughts into your heart. But as you get off your knees and start to go through your day, the peace of Christ is going to be challenged by a lot of other voices - like the umpire and all those people in the stands. I mean as soon as you get with other people, God's will starts to seem a little less clear than it did when you were just with Him. There are all these other voices, but you've got to focus on the one voice that decides it.

How can you tune your peace meter so you can hear and receive the peace of Christ? Well, the next verse says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." So you need to have some increased time in God's Word. You need to memorize some verses. You need to read whenever you can, looking for a personal word from the Lord. The more you get full of God's Word, the more God has to work with in giving you His personal guidance. His peace and His Word always go together.

Human umpires? Well, they're right some of the time. God's umpire is right all the time. Why don't you offer your c

Read: Luke 2:4-18

“Mmm…I love candy canes! They’re my favorite Christmas treat,” Abbie said as she licked her sweet candy.

“They are yummy,” said Mom. “But what makes them my favorite Christmas candy is the story they tell.”

"Candy canes tell a story?” Abbie asked.

“Yes,” Mom said with a gleam of excitement in her eyes. “Flip your candy cane upside down. What letter do you see?”

“It’s the letter J,” Abbie replied.

“That’s right,” Mom said. “And at Christmas we remember the birth of…?”

“Jesus!” said Abbie. “The J stands for Jesus!”

“You got it. The candy cane reminds us of Jesus at Christmas, and it also reminds us of two special groups of people who came to visit Jesus after He was born. If you turn your candy cane upright again, what does it look like?”

“A shepherd’s staff!” Abbie exclaimed.

Mom nodded. “The staff reminds us of the shepherds who came to visit Jesus—and also that Jesus Himself is our Good Shepherd. And as you taste your candy cane, the sweet peppermint flavor tickles your tongue, which can be a reminder of the spices the wise men gave to Jesus.”

“This part of the story tastes good,” said Abbie, giving her candy cane another lick. “What do the colors mean?”

“The red represents the blood Jesus poured out for us when He died on the cross for our sins, and the white reminds us that when we trust Jesus as our Savior, He washes our sin away and makes us clean.”

“I never knew the candy cane told a story before!” Abbie said as she munched on a hard piece of her candy cane.

“Every part of the candy cane tells a story. Even the fact that the candy cane is hard points to Jesus being our solid rock.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! Would it be okay if I give some candy canes to my friends at school? I want to tell them the story of the candy cane too!”

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Mom replied. “Telling others the story of Jesus is one of the best gifts you can give your friends.”

“Yeah,” said Abbie. “And it tastes good too!”

–Rachel Vruggink

How about you? Do you have a friend you could tell the story of the candy cane? Telling others about Jesus’s birth and how He died on the cross for their sins and rose again is a wonderful story to share at Christmastime. The shepherds were so excited when they saw Jesus that they spread the good news! Who can you share the good news of Jesus with this Christmas?

Today's Key Verse: When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. Luke 2:17 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Share Jesus with others

God’s greatest desire for us is that we have an intimate relationship with Him.

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From her hospital bed, Marie Coble lit up when she saw the delivery driver whose help had likely saved her life. She’d fallen in her driveway and hit her head, causing a brain bleed. Seeing her injury, Raheem Cooper helped her while calling paramedics. Invited by family to visit her in the hospital, Raheem often brings sweet treats she enjoys to assist her recovery.

Their story brings to mind the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable is Jesus’ reply to an expert’s question on what he must do to inherit eternal life. Do “what is written in the law,” Jesus said (Luke 10:26), including “love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 27). But the expert persisted, asking, “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29).

Christ’s answer describes a man attacked by robbers, left half dead, and then ignored by two people—a priest and a Levite—who passed him by. “But a Samaritan . . . took pity on him” (v. 33), bandaged his wounds, and took care of him. Seeing the hurting man in need, the Samaritan’s help was active, urgent, and without bias—looking past race or creed to assist someone he could’ve ignored.

Thus, Jesus asked, which of these three was a neighbor to the man? “The one who had mercy on him,” the expert said. Said Jesus, “Go and do likewise” (v. 37). In Christ, we too can find the compassion to help a hurting person instead of passing by. It’s a lesson for all in sharing Jesus’ love.

Segment 1:

• A “Mary Did You Know?” vocal showdown turns into deep reflection on the incarnation.

• Singers compared on emotion and power, but the real awe lies in the miracle of God becoming man.

• Todd reminds us: Mary gave birth to God in flesh — fully divine, fully human — and that truth should floor us.

Segment 2:

• Christmas risks becoming routine—unless we intentionally reflect on its meaning: God’s love in the incarnation.

• Loving God is the highest command; Christmas should rekindle that love, not just holiday tradition.

• J.C. Ryle reminds us: real Christianity isn’t formality—it’s loving Christ with all your heart.

Segment 3:

• Children must be taught more than morals—they must be shown reasons to love Christ.

• J.C. Ryle: The #1 goal in parenting isn’t obedience—it’s nurturing love for Jesus.

• Convicting checklist: If you love Christ, you think of Him, talk of Him, and love His people.

Segment 4:

• Seven powerful reasons you’re secure in Christ from John 10: You’re claimed, called, known, led, gifted, secured, and glorified.

• You didn’t choose Jesus—He chose you, and no one can snatch you from His hand.

• Even doctrines like eternal hell become clear when glorified—you’ll rejoice in God’s perfect justice.

___

Thanks for listening!

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One of the most countercultural things you can do as a Christian is to invite someone over for dinner. Karen Ehman helps busy families find opportunities for hospitality in everyday life. She also talks about reaching people for Christ through other acts of kindness and service. She shares how effective it is to love those who are hard to love, even atheists, and how to be “family” to those who are lonely–widows and orphans–and to care for the sick. With personal stories, advice and wisdom, as well as biblical inspiration, Karen encourages us to step out of our comfort zone to bless others.

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Buy your copy of Jim Daly’s book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.

Learn how a family opened their home to needy people.

Learn how food brings people together.

Find out how a former lesbian was ministered to by a pastor and his wife.

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Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "How to Be Honest and Stay Married." Enjoy!

What does it mean to be "clothed with Christ"? In this message, Dr. John Neufeld explores how our spiritual nakedness—our sin and vulnerability—is covered by the righteousness of Jesus himself. Through baptism, believers publicly identify with Christ's death and resurrection, putting on His life as their own and becoming heirs of the promise God made to Abraham.

Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through the book of Galatians, this series traces God's plan from Abraham's promise through the giving of the Law to the arrival of Christ. Discover why the Law was never meant to save us but to diagnose our condition, how Jesus fulfilled what we could never accomplish, and how Christmas opened the door for all people to become sons and daughters of God.