Light for Living began as a writing
ministry of Pastor Gary Click while pastoring the Calvary Baptist Church in
Clinton, IN. His articles were published in the local newspaper, The Daily
Clintonian. They were also distributed to email subscribers and several were
posted on this website.
Shortly after
assuming the pastorate of the Fremont Baptist Temple, Fremont, OH, he was
approached by Pastor James Lewis and chief operator, Brian Benedict about
providing a two thirty-minute Radio Programs for the weekend. (WHVT
90.5 fm) At this point, Pastor Click's writing ministry transformed into a
radio ministry.
Due to time constrains, the
weekly devotional gave way to the radio ministry. However, these devotionals are
still available online through the Light for Living Archives.
Pastor
Click is still active in writing bible studies, dramas and devotional articles
for other applications. We hope to make those resources available soon.
Among
greatest points in the history of the world we find the birth of Jesus Christ.
This is one of the most beloved stories of all time. Its nearly impossible to
walk through a store today and not find a nativity scene. Mankind is fascinated
with the concept of God in the form of a baby born into humble beginnings.
Indeed it is a beautiful story. Yet in the midst of this wonderful, historical
account we find a great contrast in the terror that filled the kingdom under
Herod the Great.
If you will read the second chapter of Matthew you will learn of his greatest
atrocity. However, let me give you a little background. Herod was a man very
jealous of power and deeply insecure. Herod's greatest desire was greatness
itself. Indeed, he had the ability to make a name for himself. He had undertaken
great building projects such as the rebuilding of Solomon's Temple and even
constructing an artificial mountain upon which he built a palace. Yet his
insecurity and love for power combined to make him a dangerous man.
When Herod was called to give an account to Caesar, he was afraid of loosing his
life. He left instructions with his uncle Joseph that if he were executed, his
wife and her mother should be killed. Herod managed to avoid the fate he feared.
For some reason, when his wife discovered his plan she was angry. Imagine that.
Eventually, Herod had both his uncle and his wife executed. His mother-in-law,
knowing that Herod's death was imminent, began making plans for Herod's two
sons, Alexander and Aristobulus to rule in his place. When Herod caught wind of
this he swiftly had her executed. Not long afterwards his two sons met the same
fate. Later, when Herod progressed in his illness, his oldest son, Antipitar
began to position himself for the throne. You guessed it. He did not live long
enough to see his father die.
Is it any surprise that Herod's insecurity was stirred when the wise men brought
news of the baby that was born King of the Jews. When Herod could not deceive
them into returning and reporting His location, Herod demanded that every baby
boy under the age of two be executed. As you know, Jesus was divinely protected
from this fate. Yet many mothers and fathers shed endless tears that night.
What was Herod's great mistake? Was it his insecurity? Was it his murderous
heart? Was it his attempt to kill the infant King? No. His great mistake began
with a simple rejection of Jesus Christ. Had Herod chosen to be sincere when he
said that he desired to worship the child, he could have had even his terrible
atrocities forgiven. Herod's great mistake was a failure to recognize and
worship Jesus for who He was.
You may be making this same mistake. You don't have to be a murderer to spend
eternity in hell. All you have to do is reject Jesus Christ. Within a year of
having all those children murdered Herod died his own painful and prolonged
death. But this was nothing compared to the eternity he is now experiencing.
Don't make that same mistake. Will you trust in Jesus today?
