Not long ago I was introduced to a new term: the ministry of presence. A young couple in our church had begun a ministry to the homeless people they encounter on the streets of Chicago around where they live. It began simply by reaching out to one or two, talking to them, inviting them to church, providing Sunday lunch for them, and it grew to over 60 homeless people they served every weekend.

I love their story because it’s such a clear example of what Jesus would do. Jesus would see the needs on his doorstep, as Justin and Tara did, and he would start helping them in any way he could. In telling us their story, Justin said that he has come to understand what The Ministry of Presence means. He made it a habit to invite one of his homeless friends to run errands with him, when possible, which he did one day. As they made rounds that day, the homeless man said to him, “All my life I’ve been told I am worthless and no good, but I don’t believe that anymore.” Justin asked him why, and he said, “Because if I was worthless, you wouldn’t hang out with me.”

Justin’s willingness to simply be with this man gave him a new understanding of his worth as a person. Justin went on to say that what homeless people need more than anything else is not money or food, but it is a relationship—someone to simply be with them and care about them.

You know, that’s true of most of us, isn’t it? You and I need other people in our lives just to validate our worth. Can you imagine how you would feel if you believed that other people did not want to be with you? The ministry of presence is real—and it’s just what Jesus would do—what he did do when he was on earth. Think of the many stories in the Gospels where Jesus was just “hanging out” with people—some of whom were considered undesirable. There was Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene and the woman who anointed him with oil, to mention just a few.

This is one ministry you can embrace—the ministry of presence. You and I can simply choose to be present in the lives of people who need to know they are loved by us and by God. You don’t have to preach or teach or solve their problems; you just need to be there for them and then see what God will do through you.

For forty years now God has given me the unbelievable opportunity to talk to you by radio and encourage you to believe that God's Word is relevant to every need of your life. Quite frankly, no one is more surprised than I am to discover that our programs are now broadcast on over 400 stations and outlets across the nation and internationally. I never ever would have guessed that God could or would allow me such privileges.

You see, I really blew it big time. After being raised in a wonderful Christian home and accepting Jesus into my life at an early age, after a Christian education and good churches all my life, after much Bible teaching and knowledge, I chose to put God on the back seat of my life and do my own thing, as we say. And for ten long years I walked away from my commitment to the Lord and lived a life that brought no glory to God and damaged my testimony for Jesus.

So, as you listen to me, it should remind you that we serve the God of second chances. Sometimes I think maybe that's one major reason God has chosen to bless me with this ministry—to demonstrate that he is this gracious God of second chances. I am living proof that your life can be meaningful, exciting, and fulfilling, even though I made a thorough mess for a long time. God has miraculously salvaged me.

I want to encourage you to know that you serve the God of second chances. The Bible gives many stories of people who, like me, needed a second chance and God gave it to them. Let’s take a look at some of these people who were living in God's plan "B" for their lives, for I believe it will teach us anew never to underestimate the power of the God we serve and what he is able to do with any mess we can make, and never to give up on anyone else. No one is beyond the power of the grace of God.

Remember Rahab? Most any time her name is mentioned, her infamous title accompanies it: Rahab the Harlot! Well, we really should never refer to her with that title any longer because God gave her a second chance and brought her out of that sinful life and used her mightily. You'll find her story in Joshua 2.

Rahab went the way of a lot of women of her day. She had to earn a living and she chose the world's oldest profession. We aren't told too many details of her early life, but we know she lived this life of sin for many years. But through a series of events, she bargained for her life with the two spies from the people of God, hid them in her home in exchange for protection for her family, and survived the slaughter and destruction of her country.

Well, that's a good enough story as it is, but it doesn't end there. She marries one of those Israelites and becomes a foremother in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Her name is listed in Hebrews 11 as a great woman of faith. What a comeback! From a notorious harlot to the grandmother—many times removed—of Jesus Christ.

Maybe you have a past of which you are ashamed. Could it be that for many years you lived a life of sin and you feel dirty and tainted as a result? If so, I want you to think about Rahab today and remember that God gives second chances to people with sordid pasts.

You see, the enemy will try to hinder you and handicap you because of your past. He would have preferred that you never find forgiveness for that sin, but since you've done that already, at least he hopes to keep you mired in guilt and rotten memories.

But dear friend, if you've asked God to forgive you, that past is behind you, he remembers it no more, and he wants you to go forward, free from guilt, with a new slate and a second chance. He's the God of second chances; he's just as willing to give you a second chance as he was with Rahab—and with me. Let God take the guilt of your past, put it under his precious blood, and set you free to see what he can do with you. It's never too late, and nothing is too hard for the Lord.

One of my favorite people in the Bible is Peter. You know why?

You know, everybody needs encouragement and help at times, don't they? As I read 2 Corinthians 7, I realized that even the great Apostle Paul had his bad times when he needed other people. We read in verse 5 that Paul says: For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.

Doesn't that describe the way you feel at times? Conflicts without, fears within? But this is the spiritual giant, Paul, and it surprises us to realize he would have these same feelings. Well, we really need to remember that positions of prominence do not isolate anyone from being human. Paul was tired and fearful. He needed help.

Where did his help come from? He goes on to say, "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” He needed a friend at his side to comfort him, and so, Titus came along. We could say to Paul, "But wasn't it enough to have the Lord there?” And Paul would respond, "The Lord was there in the person of Titus. He comforted me by sending Titus."

Yes indeed, that's how the body of Christ should function. God wants to use us in each other's lives as messengers of comfort and encouragement, to pick each other up at those weary and frightened moments of our lives. God has given us each other for that purpose.

Paul goes on to say that he was comforted by the good report Titus brought to him of the concern for his welfare by his friends in Corinth. Paul needed to know that they cared, that they hadn't forgotten him, that they still loved him.

How often do we miss these opportunities to be God's comfort in the lives of others? How often do we need to be by a friend's side when they're experiencing dark days? Or send a message to them—by email, on the phone—just to say, I care.

Hallmark Cards has coined the phrase, "When you care enough to send the very best.” When we as Christians care enough about each other, we can send our very best, which is the comfort of God pouring through us to those who need it.

Is there someone in your life today that needs a Titus? Ask God to show you and allow him to use you as his agent of comfort and encouragement.

We are examining the people who tend to bring out the worst in us. One reason God allows those people in our lives is to help us see our hidden errors for the purpose of changing us. But the other side of this coin is to ask ourselves if we bring out the worst in others. That is not the kind of person I want to be, how about you? I want to be someone who brings out the best in others.

Now, think about it, does your presence in a situation tend to soothe matters, or do you often just make things worse? Jesus tells us we should be peacemakers, bringing peace into the small wars that go on between people every day. Do you do that? For instance, if there's an argument on your job between two other people, do you try to make peace in a helpful way?

Often, we can bring out the best in others by giving deserved compliments or recognition, focusing on the positive in them rather than the negative. So often others will improve their performance or their attitude if someone just gives them a little recognition or praise. You can bring out the best in others by commending them when you can.

In Proverbs 15, we see that a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. You can bring out the best in others by something as simple as a smile. You can help them cope better or feel better by the look on your face.

Proverbs 12:18 says reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. And Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a gentle answer turns away wrath. It's easy to see that the words you speak can either bring out the worst or best in people.

If you respond to someone with sharp and uncaring words, in a rushed or hasty manner, it can easily cause them to respond back to you in a poor way. But by choosing your words carefully, it's amazing how you can change that other person and bring out the best in them.

When you're dealing with someone who is angry or upset, your goal should be to bring out the best in that person, to help him or her calm down. You can do that by being empathetic and sympathetic: "I'm so sorry you've had a problem.” Or "I can certainly understand how you feel.” You can help to calm someone down by controlling the tone of your voice, keeping it calm and kind. You can bring out the best in this angry person sometimes by simply listening and caring about the problem. Those are little things that bring out the best in people.

Don't you think we could impact our world for Jesus Christ if we more and more became people who bring out the best in others? Ask God to make you that kind of Christian.

Have you ever said something like, "She just brings out the worst in me!"? It really is true certain people and certain circumstances seem to bring out the worst in us. Did you ever think that there might be a reason for that?

In Psalm 19:12, David wrote: Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Then he goes on to pray in verse 13: Keep your servant also from willful sins... We see David was dealing with two types of sin and error in his life: Ones hidden to him that he could not even see, and ones that were willful.

Of course, David's not the only one who has these two areas of sin in his life; we all do. We all understand the need to deal with the errors that are blatant; the ones we know about. But what about those hidden errors? Many times, these are things in our lives which never are changed because we just don't see them. "Who can discern his errors?" David asks. In other words, it's not easy to see them for yourself.

So, what does God do for us? He sends people into our lives that bring out the worst in us. Here's a person in your life that causes you to be angry every time that person is in your presence. It seems like you say something hateful or unkind to him or her all the time. The truth is no one is in your life by accident, and those people who bring out the worst in you are there to show you those hidden errors, so you are no longer blind to them.

Think about it: Who are the people that bring out the worst in you? Or perhaps it's a certain type of person that brings out the worst in you. Can you identify some of those people or types?

Inept and dense people bring out the worst in me. I tend to have very judgmental attitudes toward them. When I analyze that, I realize it's the sin of pride, thinking I'm better than someone else. Wow, those hidden errors! Underneath them we'll discover all kinds of wrong attitudes that need to be changed.

One of my regular prayers is to ask God to show me my hidden errors. It's a good prayer, so I encourage you to pray the same. And then every time you're around someone who brings out the worst in you, stop and realize God is answering your prayer and showing you your hidden errors, so that you can become more Christ-like.

I know that at this time of year many people are especially lonely. Psalm 68:6 says, "God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” I have found this verse to be exactly true in my life. As I have allowed God to make a home for me and to accept his presence as sufficient in my life, I have been set free from the awful heaviness of loneliness.

That verse says only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. When we refuse to allow God to be our cure for loneliness, when we continue to try to do it our way and fill the empty void with people and activities, we'll continue to find loneliness our companion. Your feelings of loneliness may be because you are still rebelling against God's answers. You don't like the idea of learning to let him fill up your empty time and change your lonely feelings. As long as you continue to rebel, you will continue to live in that parched land of loneliness.

There’s no doubt God created us for fellowship and companionship, and we need people in our lives, too. When Jesus was facing crucifixion, he took his three closest companions with him while he prayed. He needed God’s presence, and he needed their presence and support. The Apostle Paul spoke of his need to be with his companions and his encouragers.

If you are lonely because you don’t have a good friend or friends or they’re not nearby, I would remind you that you have to reach out to others and be a friend in order to have friends. Ask yourself what you could do for someone else to be their friend and to meet their need, instead of waiting for someone to be your friend. We reap what we sow—that’s a biblical principle. If you want friendships, sow friendships; become a friend to others.

Loneliness can be very crippling, and it is at epidemic levels these days, but you can take positive steps—by God’s grace—to overcome those depressing feelings of loneliness. Of course, the most important step to take is to spend time developing your relationship with Jesus through Bible study and prayer. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and believe me, he is capable of filling that lonely space inside of you.

Merry Christmas! Perhaps you’re gathering with family to open gifts and eat great food, or maybe it’s a quiet day for you. However, you are celebrating today, the team here at The Christian Working Woman is here to wish you a blessed day. We just want to send you words of joy, reminding us of the miracle we are celebrating today.

I’ll begin with this passage from Mary’s Magnificat, the amazing words she spoke as she visited her cousin Elizabeth. Here she is, a very young woman who will bear the Son of God, and she said:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name (Luke 1:46-49).

Here’s a familiar passage from the prophet Isaiah:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:5-7).

And the Apostle Paul said this:

Who, [Jesus Christ] being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11).

Remember—you are deeply loved by the Savior of the world who came to sacrifice himself for our sake.

Let me close with this reminder that what we are truly celebrating today is that Jesus is our salvation:

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Merry Christmas!

Did you realize that celebrating the birth of our Savior as we do began in the fourth century. There is no requirement in Scripture to celebrate Christmas, and yet it is one of the largest—if not the largest—holiday celebration for most people. Well, we’re going to talk about why we celebrate Christmas. The entire staff of The Christian Working Woman is with me now.

I am examining what it means to enjoy your forgiveness—to live in the incredible truth that when you confess and forsake your sins, God freely forgives and furthermore, he remembers them against you no more. They are removed from you as far as the East is from the West—and of course, the East and West can never meet.

In 1 John 2:12, we read: I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. Your forgiven sins have been forgiven for the honor of Jesus’ name. This is all done for God’s glory. Living in the joy of your forgiveness, testifying that God has forgiven you, enjoying your forgiveness is what God wants for his children—those who are born from above through faith in Jesus Christ.

I want to close with a quote from an article I read by Luke Roland:

The truth is, Christianity as a religion really has only one participant and that is Jesus. We are not participants, but recipients. We receive, and we receive the most amazing gift we could ever receive, which is forgiveness. This is why I believe it is important for us right now to understand our justification and to take our forgiveness very seriously, so we are not tossed around by a new false doctrine.

And that false doctrine is forgiveness is something you have to earn or work for. You have to pay for your sins, your mistakes, your wrong choices. And then of course, you can never enjoy your forgiveness, because you can never pay for it or earn it. So, it’s a catch 22. But Jesus has come to set you free from that bondage. As Galatians 5:1 tells us: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

My prayer today is you will begin now to enjoy your forgiveness and keep learning to do that. You do that by bringing every thought into captivity—those thoughts of guilt and regret—grabbing them and replacing them with the truth that you are forgiven. Truth sets you free.

Think about this: We know from Scripture the joy of the Lord is our strength. If someone or something takes your strength away, what happens? Well, not much.

Not long ago I went through a medical procedure that took my strength. I had to pretty much do nothing for a few days because my strength was gone. No doubt you have experienced the reality that without strength, you pretty much can’t do anything, right?

What do you think the enemy wants to steal from you? He knows when your spiritual strength is missing, you lose your ability to get things done for Jesus. You lose your joyful countenance, your joyful attitude—those things that testify to others about your faith. Therefore, if he can, he is going to steal your joy, because that is the source of your spiritual strength. And how does he do that?

Well, he has many ways of shooting that arrow that steals your joy. Honestly, it is one of his most effective weapons and one of his most subtle ones, because we often don’t see he is behind our loss of joy. We don’t recognize that flaming arrow he shoots at us.

And when you are living in regret, under a cloud of guilt from sins that have been confessed and forgiven, your joy is greatly diminished—stolen. And that debilitates you; it cripples you; it puts you on the sidelines; saps your spiritual strength and pretty soon you just want to quit. You feel unworthy and unlovable, and you’ve lost the joy of your salvation. The enemy is watching all this and patting himself on the back because that flaming arrow he shot got you, stole your joy, and kept you from enjoying God’s forgiveness.

So, if that describes where you are lately, I’m hoping your take-away today will be that you will, with God’s help, begin to enjoy your forgiveness. You will start to understand the enemy’s tactics to keep you in regret and realize it dishonors the one who has purchased your forgiveness, Jesus Christ. He has given you the gift of forgiveness, just as he said he would, but you are not living in the joy and the peace and the strength that is your birthright as a child of God.