Opportunities For Ministry, Christmas In A Different Lens & The Savior Born On Christmas Day

Tragedy and disasters around the world present sad opportunities for ministry in 2023.

The surprise terrorist attack Hamas launched on civilians in Israel on October 7 dominated world attention in the weeks and months since, and Send Relief has been working with believers in the region to bring hope and healing in the midst of war by providing bomb shelters for Israelis and resources for those who have been displaced since the war began.

February marked one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and as the war continued raging, Send Relief provided support for those who had been displaced by the fighting as partners in the surrounding nations ministered to refugees.

Two major earthquakes, the first in Turkey-Syria and the second in Morocco, spurred Send Relief international partners to begin meeting needs as tens of thousands of people were impacted. Nearly 60,000 people died following the February 6 quake that devastated Turkey and Syria. Nearly 3,000 perished in the September 8 earthquake in Morocco. Send Relief’s long-term response through local partners will continue to help survivors rebuild.

Learn how you can help at SendRelief.org
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Haylee Williams is viewing Christmas through a different lens. She’s just weeks away from giving birth to a baby as holiday plans move forward.

On Baptist Press she writes, “Sacrifice is required for new life. Just as we would choose to birth children despite the inevitable pain, both physical and emotional, that come from raising children, Christ chose to endure the wrath of God on the Cross out of love for both you and me. We don’t always know the outcome of our births, but we know the outcome of Jesus’ death. He has perfectly secured our futures. We cannot secure a certain future for our children and sometimes we lose them before we ever meet them and endure the pain of miscarriage without the bringing forth of life, but Jesus’ sacrifice means that death does not have the final say in the agony of loss, the emotional agony pain of which is far worse than the physical pains of birth.
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Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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In Luke 2, we encounter a woman named Anna. An elderly widow who lived a life of non-stop intercession she is identified as a “prophetess” (v. 36). Our interest in her prayer life is found in this brief description, “and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37). Anna was a full-time prayer warrior.

We know that Moses fasted on two occasions for 40 days (Deuteronomy 9:9-18). Elijah fasted for 40 days (1 Kings 19:8). Jesus fasted for 40 days (Matthew 4:1-11). Along with our Savior, these devoted men stand as heroes in the ministry of prayer. But no one in the Bible spent 60 years fasting and praying except the enigmatic prophetess, Anna.

The Lord heard her prayer and granted her request as the Savior of the world was born on Christmas day.