We spend the days before Christmas trying to buy gifts, even the perfect gift for the one we love the most.  Our concerns are centered around what kind of meal to serve for the family that usually has a long list of likes and don’t likes.  Hurrying to the store several times, we rush in and miss the opportunity to say hello to a neighbor or stranger.  I say it is time to, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10).

Christmas is about the One and Only Savior, Jesus Christ!  And, let’s be honest…Christmas is not about us.

Christmas is the amazing story of a baby born in a manger when there was no room for he and his family in the inn.  Jesus goes only to places that make room for Him.

Christmas tells us about the genuine response of simple shepherds to go and find the Christ.  We can always find Jesus, for He made Himself available to all of mankind.

Christmas shows a teenage girl’s submission to God’s plan, which would save the world from their sins.  Mary’s admission of obedience to the work of the Holy Spirit is the pinnacle of faith to the spoken Word of God.

Christmas reveals the hearts of Zacharias and Elizabeth as they walked faithfully in the plan of God for their lives.  We relate to them as they wonder about the instructions from the angel of God to fulfill their destiny.  By the way, each believer in Christ has a destiny.

All of these thoughts are found in the first three chapters of Matthew and Luke.  Each account tells of the marvelous plan God revealed to the world.  His plan was designed for you and me and all of humankind.  The world must know about Him, so we are called to share the Good News of Jesus to others.  Christmas is a prime opportunity to reach out in faith to the needs of others.  Matthew 1:21 (NKJV), “And she will bring forth a Son,  and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Be Blessed today!

In the world, the big news is ‘Star Wars,” the movie.  Fox 411 of Fox News reports that over the weekend this movie brought in $238 million dollars domestically and over $500 million worldwide.  Many, many people spent millions of dollars and hours to see a movie that will be forgotten in another generation.  A quote from this article says, “…the force is strong…”

Yesterday, Sunday, many, many people attended church services to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Faith Life Worship Center worshiped, prayed, preached the Word. FLWC also gave gifts to those attending and many who did not attend, as some took extra gifts to give to neighbors and strangers.  Here’s what the Word says about a STAR:  the New Testament account in Matthew 2:1-2 says, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His STAR in the East and have come to worship Him.'” (NKJV)

This STAR led the wise men to the Savior.  The Old Testament records in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God…”  They would find Him, verses 9-10, “When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the STAR which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.  When they saw the STAR, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”(NKJV)  These kings from the East were consumed by God’s glory as they saw baby Jesus.  The Word records they fell down and worshiped Him and they gave out of their treasures, gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The only investment one should make is in Jesus Christ.  While the world says, “the force is strong;” we say, “Jesus is our strength because He is strong in every way.”  While the world records success by box office receipts; we record success by the millions of souls who have trusted in Jesus as Savior.  Also, the box office receipts will soon wane and eventually stop.  The record of souls will never cease and the Good News will always be popular as believers will continue to share the Message of Jesus.  Over two thousand years of real adversity has never stopped the Gospel.

Please make this a memorable Christmas by sharing the Good News with family and strangers.  The greatest gift anyone can receive is eternal life through Jesus.  His gift of salvation has no price. It is free to all who will accept this truth and believe.

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Faith Life Worship Center

Psalm 50:14 (NKJV) – “Offer to God thanksgiving,….”

Psalm 95:2 (NKJV) – “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;….”

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV) – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV) – “…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,….”

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow.  Some people will work, others have a day off; some will stay home and watch the parade, football games and feast on a Thanksgiving meal.  I trust we all, in a day that can become extremely busy, will take some time to offer THANKSGIVING to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Of course, stating the obvious, we are THANKFUL for God, the Father, God, the Son and God, the Holy Ghost.  We must be THANKFUL for our salvation that brings to us His love, grace, mercy, provision, healing, power, goodness, promises, forgiveness, redemption, and wisdom.  And, we are THANKFUL for one another;  husbands and wives, children and grand-children, friends, those we work for and with, church family, and the many others God places in our path each day and week.

We must state THANKFULNESS for the United States of America, our military branches who protect our Nation, police men and women of all types, and all government leaders.  In 1620 the Pilgrims gave THANKS and said, “….in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and  furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.”

On this list today we must be THANKFUL for those who are faithful to preach and teach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ around the world.  Also, for the many, many churches and Christians who share the Gospel each week.  The Message of Salvation through Jesus Christ is all we have to win the world for God, but, “Oh, what a Message it is….”

Tomorrow in all of its busy times, please, let’s take time to bow our heads and offer to God, THANKSGIVING.

PASTOR JERRY