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A few weeks ago in the sermon I challenged you to
live out of your comfort zones at least one time to see what God might
have in store for you.
Joyfully, I have heard some successful
reports back concerning this experiment, so I encourage you to keep at
it!
In this
month’s
Desk
I’d like for us to think about receiving for a few moments as we live
into this new Advent season.
RECEIVE ...RECEIVE ...RECEIVE THE
CHRISTCHILD.
So oftentimes when the Advent/Christmas
season rolls around, we focus on giving so much that we forget about
receiving.
Receiving is a crucial component of our
faith; and, in fact, from our perspective, receiving comes before
giving.
GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
God gave Jesus Christ, and we receive Him
anew each Advent/Christmas season.
How we receive Christ determines the degree
in which we share Christ or give Christ to others.
And, of course, this is true all year round;
how we receive Jesus Christ in June determines how we will share Him
with others in June.
This “receiving” idea may require some “out of the
box” thinking because to receive something means we have to be able to
slow down enough to accept it into our lives.
To believe something also requires receiving
on our part.
So the questions become for us at this holy
time of year: Can we take the time to receive Jesus Christ into our
lives?
Can we slow down enough to recognize Jesus for who
he is?
Will we be able to humbly and joyfully receive
God’s Gift this Christmas?
And if so, will we be appreciative enough to
share Christ with others by giving?
RECEIVE...RECEIVE THE CHRISTCHILD INTO YOUR LIVES
WITH JOY AND THANKSGIVING.
AND THEN, GIVE HIM TO OTHERS!
I wish you all a meaningful Advent of preparation
and a joyous Christmas!
Let the bells ring out loudly and clearly
announcing to all that Christ is born!
In His Peace,
Pastor Bill
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