It's the thought that counts.
Greetings dear brethren in Christ,
As we come to the end of another year and look upon the world I am astonished, but not surprised, at how much has happened and how little has changed. It has been a year of natural catastrophes, war, rumors of wars, economic chaos, politics gone mad, nations going into bankruptcy, rulers and leaders raised up and brought low, plague and pestilence, famine, drought, the powers of sin and darkness seemingly 'winning' or making great advances in our own culture war.
A new president has been elected promising 'change' and 'hope' and millions are exultant at his victory, yet for many believers his ideas (and the ideas of those who pushed him into power) of change and hope seem fraught with danger. Momentous events but what has really changed in your life? In the areas of your life that truly matter?
Are you richer today in the things of God, or poorer? Are you still praying? Still giving a little? Still fellowshipping with other Christians?
Was Thanksgiving a true time of giving thanks? Has the world situation or the economy or politics really broken in upon your daily walk in Christ?
Has your love grown or grown cold? Even if some economic hardships have overtaken you, have they changed your relationship with God?
Though the world has changed a great deal in some places, most of us go on in our daily walk just the same as we always have. Oh sometimes we pray a little harder, till the particular need gets met, but that's about all. When the emergency is over we go back to our same old lukewarm walk.
I am convinced we must react to the events in our nation and around the world. Let the natural and man made catastrophes break into you sphere of comfort and convenience and affect you and your walk with Jesus. The world on this day, during this year, and the last few years has suffered and continues to confront events of Biblical proportions and we, as Christians, need to give them a Biblical response.
Not fear! Perfect love banishes fear. God loved us so much, that in His perfect love, He sent His Son to live and to die and to live again for us. This season, as we celebrate the birth of the 'One sent for us', is a season of hope not fear. A season of real hope. A season to remember that God didn't forget us and He hasn't forgotten us and His son will come again to take us home to be with Him forever. His perfect love, when believed and received, banishes all fear.
Rather than fear let our response be to love more. To love more than we have loved. To love because He first loved us. To love according to the model of His love on the Cross. To be constrained by His love to love more and more. Let us love Him so much that we'll actually spend extended time with Jesus in prayer. In reading His Word. Let us put our faith into loving action by telling others about this great love, in doing deeds of compassion and benevolence and generosity and kindness. Let's love our brethren nearby and those far away. Let's not shut up our hearts against those who have too little to eat.
It is our turn to love now in preparation for His return. As the world staggers toward the Day of God, as the people of the world turn away from God in droves, as the judgments of God multiply and increase, as birth pangs upon a pregnant woman, let us turn to our brethren with real practical loving action. Not afraid but expectant. Loving our brethren as Christ loves us.
Let the events in the world draw you closer to God. As you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. What a wonderful Christmas present.
Read the latest:
North America Report...
Africa Report...
India Report...
Haiti Report...
