Greetings. Welcome to the Daily Article podcast. I'm Chris Elkins narrating today's article

written by Denison Forum co-founder and CEO, Dr. Jim Denison. This year will end on Sunday with the date

12, 31, 23. Without the slashes, the number is 1, 2, 3, 1, 2.3.

This sequence is rare.

The last time the year ended with the same number was a century ago in 1923.

The sequence also adds up to 12, which, according to the farmer's almanmanac is, quote, considered a master number that

means spiritual enlightenment. I'm not persuaded that the last day of this year holds much

numerical promise, but I do want to end my daily articles for 2023 by exploring the most

significant step you and I can take into spiritual enlightenment for the sake of our nation and our souls.

We've been focusing this week on the perennial relevance of Christmas.

The one who was born into our world in Bethlehem still lives in our world through us,

according to 1st Corinthians 12, as the Body of Christ.

He is continuing his earthly ministry through our bodies,

using our gifts and influence to advance his kingdom.

From John 1412, we know this is how we are doing, quote-unquote, greater things than he did. What he did in one body,

he can now do through billions of lives. But there's a catch. A carpenter can only use a hammer to the

degree that the hammer is usable. If it were to serve itself rather than its owner, refusing to yield to his will as it pursued its own,

its utility in fulfilling its created purpose would be thwarted.

To be usable by Jesus, we must be yielded to Jesus.

We know from Ephesians 5, verse 18, that we must submit every day to His Holy Spirit,

asking him to direct our minds and use our capacities for God's glory.

Then we walk through the day practicing the presence of Jesus as we pray, worship, think

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