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.
"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19.
Imagine how Mary must have felt that first Christmas evening. Her life had drastically changed in the last nine months. She had been visited by an angel, conceived a child in a very unusual way, made the long trip to Bethlehem for the census, had trouble finding a room and found herself delivering her Baby in a barn then laid Him to rest in a manger. After all this, shepherds made their way to the stable to worship the newborn King. They told an incredible story about the angels that had appeared to them in the night sky directing them to the Savior. When they were gone and the stable was silent Mary sat holding baby Jesus and pondered these things in her heart.
Sometimes I try to imagine what Mary must have been thinking. When I close my eyes and try to picture this scene, I can see Mary holding the infant Jesus in her arms with Joseph sitting there next to her. Perhaps Joseph takes his strong, callused hand and reaches over to little Jesus and places a finger in His hand. It seems that every baby's instinct is to grasp that finger and hold it tightly.
As this happens, I can envision Mary meditating on the Scriptures she had been taught as a child. As she notices how frail His tiny hands are does she think ahead to the cross? A tear must have streamed down her cheek as she thought about those small hands someday being nailed to a wooden cross. How does she know this? She was taught the Old Testament Scriptures. Surely she could remember the prophecy of Psalms 22 "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."
Her heart must have been broken as she considered Isaiah 53. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
As she looked ahead, her heart could not help but to be broken because of the suffering that awaited her little Baby. But her suffering must have been tempered with a certain amount of joy. Although she knew of His future pain, she also knew His purpose. He had come to be her Saviour. He would redeem her. "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." Luke 1:46,47.
Mary was the first to call Jesus her Saviour. Many have followed her example by trusting in Him. Will you accept Him as your Saviour?
