On behalf of Michele, Judah and me, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas! We trust that you enjoyed some great time with family and friends during the Thanksgiving Holiday season, and that you will continue to enjoy those moments of thankfulness continually through Christmas.
This year, there is much attention as to the spending habits of Americans regarding the Christmas season. Retailers have sparked new levels of creative campaigns for marketing their products and convincing you to purchase those items. It seems as if everyone has an agenda and motive, especially during this season. The Economists want to encourage focus on buying gifts. Their motivation is to stimulate the economy. The Banks encourage you to buy during this season as well, however their motivation is so that you will place those purchases on their credit cards so they can charge you interest, thus increasing their profit margins. Then, there are parents wanting to give their children the things they never had when they were growing up. Unfortunately, this is a vicious cycle causing us to be caught up in the world and the things of the world and overlook the greatest gift of all.
Last night, I watched the CMA Christmas special that aired on ABC. It was great to see some of the largest country music stars gather together for a time of celebrating the birth of Christ. I was particularly excited when the host asked Reba McIntire what Christmas meant to her. In quick response, Reba stated that not only was it a time to gather with friends and family, but it was the time when we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. Although I have been raised by Christian parents, and served in the ministry for almost 25 years, somehow that sounded strange to hear in today’s society, especially coming from a television network.
It may have sounded so strange simply because NBC aired a story on the internet yesterday about a Christian woman living in Pakistan who has been given a death sentence for insulting Mohammed. It is quite the drama. I have actually posted the video on my Facebook page so you can view it. It made me realize that in the political correctness of today’s society, we hear more about Muslim’s and their agenda for globalization, and we hear less about Jesus Christ. Yet, all of the world continues in their search for the greatest gift of all.
As I was reading my devotions this morning, I looked on the outside cover of my Bible. My son bought me a Bible cover last year for Christmas, and as I was looking and reflecting the scripture on the front cover caught my eye. It was a scripture so familiar that most Americans could probably quote it by heart- John 3:16.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
I know it is so rudimentary and familiar, yet it caught my eye in a different way today. I realized that God gave His only son for a unique purpose that no one else could accomplish. Now, before you begin tossing out my commentary, give me a moment to explain.
Jesus was not born so that a multitude of Angels would invade the earth and release a song from Heaven upon the Earth announcing the birth of Christ, (I may develop that into a sermon later.) Jesus was not born just to receive riches and treasures given by the Wisemen (another sermon as well.) He wasn’t even born to prove that He had great insight and wisdom to the scriptures, nor to amaze the Pharisees of that day. Simply stated, He was born to die.
It was in His death that He would take on the sins of the world and become the ultimate and final sacrifice required. He expanded that purpose into another dimension when He was raised from the dead and ascended into Heaven. In His resurrection, He gave us access to the Father allowing us the greatest gift of all- life eternal with Christ. Because He lives, we can live also.
My mind then shifted to you. Just like Jesus Christ, you were born with a unique lifetime assignment that we call “Purpose”. There is no one alive today who can accomplish your assignment. I cannot do what you are called to do, nor can you do what I am called to do. However, you and I working together can accomplish not only our individual purposes, but when we work together in unity and covenant; together we will accomplish the purpose of the King and His Kingdom! And therefore I pray that you not only discover your purpose, but that you accept your assignment that the Father has gifted you with.
In this season of giving, let us never forget the Greatest Gift of All, and that is Salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I pray that for you and your household.
Merry Christmas and we love you!
Keith Duncan His Call Ministries www.HisCall.org
Comentários