Dear Church Family,
Can
you believe we are already into the last month of the year? Time does fly by
when you are having fun and working for the Lord is definitely fun. December is
the time of year that we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, so many have lost the focus on what this time of year is all
about. We have seen some evidences of that during the “Black Friday”
early bird shopping extravaganza. I find it rather alarming that some would act
like that to save maybe 50-75 percent on things that will more than likely find
its resting place in the back of our closets a month or two later! Is Christmas
really about stuff?
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where rust and moths destroys and where thieves break in and steal: but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matt 6:19-20) Jesus then goes on to talk about, in verses 21-32, that we should not worry about what we are going to eat or wear and the downfall of trying to serve both God and Money. Jesus gives us the way we should live our lives in verse 33; “But seek first His righteousness and His kingdom and all these things would be added to you."
I believe what Jesus is
referring to when he tells us to store up treasures in heaven is serving Him and
building relationships that last through eternity. We are not to be so
concerned about stuff that we loose sight of ministering to
people. In my opinion, most Christians want to serve, but many do not know how
to serve or where to serve. The problem might simply be in understanding how
God has gifted each of us and how He wants to use each of us to fulfill His
purpose here on earth. Everyone who has a relationship with Jesus Christ has at
least one spiritual gift to use to serve God with. We all have life experiences
and personalities to go along with our spiritual gifts and God wants us to use
those to glorify Him. So how do we figure out how to use these talents, gifts,
personalities, and life experiences to serve? Stay tuned to find out in the
January newsletter. I will explain exactly how we are going to explore and
understand where each of us can serve and how God has gifted you and me to
serve. But until then let us focus on the true meaning of Christmas and loving
those who God has and is going to place in our paths during the month of
December.
In His Love,
Bro. Jim
