December 11, 2022
Greetings and blessings to all of you. All of us like to give; some more than others. Some give their time, some give their money, some give loads of presents especially during the Holiday season. However, as maturing Christians we have learned what giving is. We have heard the passage about the three types of givers that the Bible describes in 2 Cor. 9:6-8. Are you the reluctant giver, or the “have to” giver or are you the cheerful giver? Our giving as a growing Christian should have a spiritual merit to it. Why? If nothing else “giving” makes you consider the people in the Bible who gave. They truly knew without a doubt that the Lord was their shepherd and He provides. At this Christmas season we think of Mary and out of her huge faith and total obedience she believed God. In our unbelievable situations that we have a hard time accepting… can we be obedient and trusting in our Lord and do as He say and not rely on our feelings? When the angel Gabriel said to her, “Do not be afraid Mary for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30). Mary was willing to carry Christ in her womb. And because she was not married, she gave her reputation (she could have been chastised and stoned for this [sin] in the eyes of that culture.) We think about Joseph. He gave up his reputation and dignity when Mary first told him about the pregnancy. He gave Mary his protection and provision when the Lord appeared to him in a dream and explain to him who the child was that Mary was carrying. Now let’s us consider the shepherds. When the angel announced the birth of Christ, they gave their time. They ran and told everyone what they heard and seen. Are we doing that? Finally, we know that God gave His only begotten Son to leave heaven so we can know Him and have salvation plus eternal life. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many. In Phil. 2:6-11 it says. “..Christ Jesus who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but made himself nothing taking form of a servant being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross.” We are neither God or Jesus, but we are being made into the image of Christ. We can learn to give in a unforgettable way. How? By submitting and yielding continually unto the Lord especially during suffering and persecution which is coming. Be ready for it!!!
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC