Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

As we look forward to Christmas this year, I remind you that it is more than decorations, presents, and even family. Christmas is about God’s delight.

The Bible says, “God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” When we were still sinners, God chose to love us, and demonstrated that great love by Christ’s coming into the world.

Charles Spurgeon said, “God is wonderfully generous by nature; to give us His delight. His gifts are immeasurably precious and are given as freely as the light of the sun. …He gives grace abundantly, … the value of the blessings is doubled by the manner in which it is given.”

This Christmas, as we look to the manger, my prayer is that we will be reminded of the matchless love that God has for us. 

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

Like many stores across the country, the Walmart in Chesterfield, Virginia, hosted a “Shop with a Cop” where Police officers from several different departments go through the store with children so they can pick out toys for Christmas.

That was also the day Hector was doing his Christmas shopping. But his plan did not involve paying for the more than $1,400 worth of things he had picked up. Suffice it to say, Hector was easily apprehended when the more than 50 police officers surrounded him.

Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to grow in wisdom. But growing in wisdom is not going to come through wordly methods. Growth in wisdom is directly correlated to the relationship we have with the Lord. James said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” Wisdom is a gift from the Lord for those that will seek it.  

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

What is really important to you? If you had just 30 seconds to grab the most important items in your house before it was destroyed, what would those items be?

Your answer to those questions reveals what you consider to be a priority in your life.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught a genuine disciple makes His priorities the kingdom of God.

Although he had won two Super Bowls while coaching the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Landry knew what really mattered in life. He said, "The thrill of knowing Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me ... I think God has put me in a very special place, and He expects me to use it to His glory in everything I do ... whether coaching football or talking to the press, I'm always a Christian ... Christ is first, family second and football third."

When we make Christ our priority, all the other things in this world seem to fall into place.

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

Every great revival and movement of God begins with a spirit of humility. John the Baptist stated, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). It is this spirit of humility that God blesses. 

After three years in seminary, A young preacher was excited about preaching his first sermon in his home church. He walked boldly to the pulpit, his head high, radiating self-confidence.

Unfortunately, his message was a flop. He quickly ended the message, and walked dejectedly from the pulpit, his head down, his self-assurance gone.

Later, one of the godly elders whispered to the embarrassed young man, “If you had gone up to the pulpit the way you came down, you might have come down the way you went up.”

As the Psalmist said, “Not unto us, but unto thy name give glory” May we live this life with a desire to give all the Glory back to God!

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

As the cold, dark winter months settle in, our family often likes to play hide and seek in the dark. We will select someone to be “it” and they will count while the rest of us hide. Then, in the dark they wander through the house trying to find everyone in the family.

The Bible also records another family playing hide and seek. The very first family, Adam and Eve enjoyed spending time with God every day. But after Adam and Eve had sinned in the Garden, they tried to hide from God. But something they needed to know is that God is omniscient. He knew their location and what had happened. They couldn’t hide from God.

This simple reminder is that we cannot hide from God either. He knows all things and He sees all things. The Psalmist says “the eyes of the Lord are in every place.” That is why God calls us to confess our sins to Him and receive His forgiveness so that we don’t have to hide any longer.

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

When my children were small, our family would often go to Walmart together. When we arrived, I would often go one way, and my wife another. As we tried to reconnect, I would encourage my children to walk through the store and call out, “Momma, Momma!” It was mostly out of silly fun with the kids.

That act of seeking for a loved one is a beautiful illustration that God desires for us to seek Him as well. One of my favorite truths about God is that He invites us into His presence. Hebrews 4 says “Let us come boldly…” Because of what Christ has done, we don’t have to be afraid to approach God.

Then, He assures us that He too draws near to us in our prayer. Psalms 145 says that “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him…”

Like a child looking for their momma, God desires for us to earnestly seek His presence. Take time to pray and seek that time of closeness with God today.

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

Every Black Friday, people scour the adds to find the best deals on the products they love. People will awake early and stand in line for hours to take advantage of the opportunity to save money.

I remind you today that there is a greater deal than any store could ever offer. In a world of throw-away consumer products, empty friendships, and unfulfilled promises, God offers us a deal that is settled in heaven, and never fades away!

1 Peter 1 says that He has “begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ…, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away…”

Consider this deal, Christ Jesus came to earth, died on the cross, then rose again so that he could offer you and I an eternal home where God abides. While it costs us nothing, it cost Him everything.

Today, He invites you to accept His great offer of salvation.

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

Today, I want to wish you Happy Thanksgiving. This day has been set aside for our nation to remember the many blessings and provisions of God upon us and to give Him thanks.

Thanksgiving can be traced back to the 1621 harvest feast shared by the Plymouth colonists and the native people. Yet, thanksgiving has long been a part of God’s people.

David said, “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: Upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings…”

He said, “I WILL sing.” In other words, “No matter what, I choose to sing the praises of God.” Although the mountains are crumbling, although the world is shaking, he determined to praise.

Let us be willing to sing the praise of God no matter what because He is worthy of all praise.

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

As a junior at Mississippi State, Quarterback Will Rogers received extra attention in the fall of 22’ when he broke the pass completion records. Yet, he would later use this time in the spotlight to highlight the work of God in his life.

He said, “I feel that the good Lord is blessing me to be in the position that I’m in…I’m not in this position for my wants or my desires, but I’m in this position to serve Him and expand His kingdom.”

There are often days when we feel like a victor. Yet, the real glory for the victory doesn’t belong to me, my self-discipline, or self-reliance; rather all glory belongs to God!  

“Without Him, I could do nothing

Without Him, I'd surely fail

…

Without Him, life would be worthless

But with Jesus, thank God I'm saved!”

Let us give praise to the One that has done all things well!

Welcome to Daily Growth Point, I’m Pastor John Bingham.

During China’s Boxer Rebellion of 1900, soldiers captured a mission station, and in front of the gate placed a cross flat on the ground. Those inside were told if they would trample the cross, they would be freed. Those that refused would be shot.

Terribly frightened, the first seven students walked on the cross to their freedom. But the eighth student, a young girl, refused. After prayer at the cross, she walked carefully around it, and went out to face the firing squad. Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining ninety-two students followed her to the firing squad.

1 Peter was written to persecuted Christians in the first century. Although they had endured much, they were called upon to suffer patiently. When God calls us to go through the fire of testing, may it be with the spirit of those that have gone on before us. To cheerfully follow Christ to the end.