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Reach Out

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV) John 3:16

Do you believe that Jesus Christ was sent to earth, to live and then die for you? to pay the price on the cross for your sins? And if you believe in Him you will spend eternity in Heaven. If you have a relationship with Him, you understand the reason we, as Christians, celebrate Christmas. But, who around you is still in the dark when it comes to God?

Jesus taught that our love is 2 dimensional. . . He said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself” (NIV Luke 10:27).

How are you doing with being a good neighbor? Do you know your neighbors’ names? the names and ages of their children? Do they have any pets? what are they? what are their names? What does the man and\or wife do for work? When was the last time you were in their home? When was the last time they were in your home? Unfortunately, alot of us know our neighbors only by what car they drive!

This Christmas take the initiative to be a friend. . . take them a plate of Christmas cookies or a small gift. . . have a neighborhood open house and get radical, just invite your neighbors. . . go carolling. . . offer to assist a neighbor with their outdoor decorations. And while you’re at it, talk WITH them (not to them)! Ask questions. Ask about their background, how they celebrate Christmas, and take the time to listen. Show them you care about them, that’s rare today. Give them hope by offering something relevant – point them to Jesus – be ready to relate the Gospel story in terms that they would understand. Don’t miss the opportunity! Share the true reason for the season!

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Christmas Faith: Mary

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In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (NIV) Luke 1:26-28

Have you ever wondered why God chose Mary? Of all the young Jewish girls, why was Mary singled out to be the mother of Jesus? From Luke 1:26-55 we learn that she found favor in God’s eyes, she was fearless, and she was full of faith.

FAVOR WITH GOD
. . . the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God (NIV Luke 1:30). She was highly honored, approved of by God. Mary was the type who “stood out.” She was a good Jew, obedient to God’s laws. And we know that she was a “worship-er” of God (Luke 1:46-55)

FEARLESS
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her (NIV Luke 1:35, 38). She was fearless, willing to accept the scorn of an accusatory society and an unbelieving nation (unmarried, pregnant women were stoned to death in that culture). She was fearless in following God!

FULL OF FAITH
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord (NIV Luke 1:45-46). Mary was full of faith, faith in the Mighty One who had done great things for her!

Would God say to you: “You have found favor in My eyes?” How have you been living a life that would be pleasing to God? What are you doing that would not find favor with God? Are you fearless? Willing to fearlessly and boldly do whatever God asks you to do? What is God asking you to do now that you are wavering due to fear? Are you full of faith? Are you familiar with the ways of God? Would others describe you as full of faith or just like everyone else? What do you need to do to increase your faith?

Will you be like Mary. . . fearlessly following God. . . seeking to live a life full of faith. . . and finding favor in God’s eyes? We pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas. . .one that is filled with joy and peace. . .one that is filled with an awe of His presence in your life. . . and one that is filled with favor from on High!

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Appearances or Reality?

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. . . an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (NIV) Matthew 1:20-21; 24

The appearance: Mary, who is pledged to be married to Joseph, is pregnant before their marriage.
The options: Joseph could confess that he is not the father and allow Mary to be condemned as an adultress and possibly face death. Or, he could lie and say he was the father.
The reality: Mary was pregnant in a unique and miraculous way – Jesus was virgin born, supernaturally conceived, fulfilling Isaiah 7:14.

The appearance: Mary and Joseph had a illegitimate child. Jesus would have been disqualified from normal worship in the synagogues.
The reality: Jesus is the One who was, who is, and who is to come. . . He alone is worthy of our worship!

Often appearances are the opposite of reality and thus require faith. Joseph demonstrated his faith by believing the reality of what God had said to him rather than believing in the appearance of the situation.

For us today, the appearance is that another holiday season has approached. We’ve been taught to say: “Happy Holidays”, not “Merry Christmas”. We plan to spend extra time and money buying gifts. We sing Christmas carols and feel good. But, the reality is that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life and thus was qualified to become the sin-bearer for the sins of men. Are you celebrating Christmas – are you living your life – according to appearances or reality?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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