The Pastor’s Blog
The Greatest Gift
December is here. The lights displays are up, the special holiday coffee flavors are out, we have been barraged by an endless cry to buy, buy, buy, and soon Christmas trees will be going up everywhere we turn. It’s easy to view all of these things as distractions to the true meaning of Christmas, the time that has been have set aside to remember the Incarnation, God coming among us through the birth of Jesus. But instead of dismissing all of the cultural trappings of Christmas as a distraction to the true meaning, may we be encouraged by what they remind us about the birth of Jesus.
The lights that we see remind us of the glory of God that shone around the angels in the night sky as they proclaimed the good news of the birth of Jesus. They also remind us that Jesus is the “Light of the World” and He calls us to let His light shine out of our lives for all the world to see. The constant cry to buy more and more gifts reminds us of the greatest gift of all, Jesus, God with us, our Savior and Lord, who out of love gave up the glory of heaven to bring us the gift of life.
The Christmas trees remind us of the wooden cross on which Jesus came to die to pay the price for the sin of the world, so that through faith in Him we may find peace with God, forgiveness, salvation and life. And all of the special flavors of the season remind us of Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”
As you experience the lights, trees, gifts, flavors, and even the advertisements of this season, take time to give God thanks for coming among us and offering to us the greatest gift in the world, the gift of eternal life.
In Christ,
Mark
Read more...
November 28 to December 3
Monday – Read John 8:12
What does Jesus call Himself here?
Why doesn’t the world recognize Jesus as the light?
What does this mean for you?
Tuesday – Read Matthew 5:14-16
How can we be “the light of the world?”
Why should we let our light shine?
How can you better shine the light of Jesus as you live for Him?
Wednesday – Read II Corinthians 10:3-5
We live in a spiritual battlefield, what weapons has God given us to fight with?
Why are these weapons so powerful?
Why is the battle won or lost in our minds?
What can you do to be on the winning side?
Thursday – Read John 17:6-10
This is Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, which includes us.
What encouragement do you find in this prayer?
How does it challenge you?
What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world?
How can we do that?
Friday – Read Hebrews 12:1-3
What sin do you need to throw off that continually entangles you?
Why does God call us to run with perseverance?
How can we know what our race is?
In whom do we find our hope and strength?
How is Jesus challenging you? How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Genesis 6:1-22
Read more...
November 21 to 25
Home Study
Monday – Read Acts 27:33-35.
Reflect upon the verse and list the things you are thankful for.
Tuesday – Read Romans 1:7-8
Reflect upon the verse and list the things you are thankful for.
Wednesday – Read 2 Cor 2:14
Reflect upon the verse and list the things you are thankful for.
Thursday – Read Romans 7:21-25
Reflect upon the verse and list the things you are thankful for.
Friday – Read Phil 1:3
Reflect upon the verse and list the things you are thankful for.
Read more...
November 14 to 19
Monday – Read Matthew
24:1-14
According to verse 14, what is our job while we await Jesus’ return?
How does this fit with Matthew 28:16-20?
What has Jesus equipped and called you to do to fulfill this task?
What can you be doing in the days ahead?
Tuesday – Read
Matthew 24:36-44
Who knows that day and time of Jesus’ return?
Why has God kept that information from us?
How should we live in the days God gives us?
What is Jesus saying to you? How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read
Matthew 24:45-50
What does this passage tell us about how Jesus would have us live in these days?
How does this passage challenge you?
How will you respond?
Thursday – Read I
Peter 5:6-9
Why can we humble ourselves before God and cast all of our anxiety upon Him?
How should we live? Why?
How can we resist the devil and live in victory?
What is Jesus saying to you? How will you respond?
Friday – Read II
Peter 3:1-13
What does this passage tell us about the times preceding Jesus’ return?
Why is God waiting?
How can we speed the coming of that day?
Who in your life needs to receive Jesus? What can you do?
Saturday – Read I
Thessalonians 5:18
Read more...