Non-Believers’ Beliefs

Atheist symbol at Daley Plaza

Atheist symbol at Daley Plaza

For years, Daley Plaza in Chicago has hosted privately maintained Christmas and Hanukkah displays. Now there is another worldview represented there. Among the nativity scene and the menorah is a giant letter “A”, representing atheists and agnostics.

I’m glad that those who don’t believe in God have found a way to celebrate the birth of his Son, aren’t you?

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”—John 1:11-12.

Happy Holiday!

And we know Who the holiday is for, don’t we?

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To Be Honest

Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan

Washington Redskins head football coach Mike Shanahan was talking with reporters after giving his reasons for sitting down quarterback Robert Griffin III for the rest of this season. He said, “I’m trying to be as honest as I can, and I don’t normally do that.”

It’s refreshing to hear such honesty about being dishonest…I think.

I suppose Shanahan meant that he wasn’t always as forthcoming as he could be with reporters. Coaches often withhold information and opinions when they think it could benefit their team to do so.

Christians should be very careful to speak truthfully at all times. Honesty is always the best policy.

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”—Ephesians 4:15.

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Worshipful Moments

communion in handsI know that we are supposed to live a lifestyle of worship. Still, it seems that there are moments in which we feel especially aware of the presence of God.

I had one of those moments a few years ago. It was just before Christmas. My wife and I were out of town for the weekend. The church where we decided to worship sang mostly Christmas songs that day. When it came time for communion, we kept on singing as we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. At just the moment I was preparing to put the bread in my mouth, we sang, “This, this is Christ the King…” I thought about how Jesus said, “This is my body” and “This is my blood”. I was overwhelmed with joy as I experienced such a wonderful moment of worship, meditating on the fact that Christ the King had died for me.

Later, I thought about how I might try to recreate that moment for myself and others in another church on another Sunday morning. However, I have come to the conclusion that that particular moment cannot be recreated. God only set a bush on fire for Moses once. Some moments were not meant to be repeated, therefore they are to be appreciated for what they are, and then entrusted to our memory banks.

However, there are other worshipful moments awaiting us; other experiences with God to be anticipated. It may come during a prayer, a sermon, a song, or a passage of Scripture. It may take place during the breaking of bread. It may occur when you are alone with God or when you are worshiping with other believers.

Look for those worshipful moments. Live them; enjoy them; praise God for them!

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”—Isaiah 55:6.

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Worshiping Jesus

magiThe Magi from the east came a long way to see Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). They followed God’s leading, and, when they came to an impasse, they asked questions about his whereabouts. Continuing on their way, they once again were guided by the star they had seen earlier. When they finally found Jesus, they were overjoyed. They bowed down and worshiped him, giving him expensive gifts. Then they began their long journey back home, satisfied with getting nothing in return for their efforts.

How does your journey to worship Jesus compare with that of the Magi?

Do you seek him diligently, not getting easily discouraged when you run into roadblocks?

Do you follow God’s leading, and ask for help from others when necessary?

When is the last time you truly felt overjoyed to simply be in the presence of Jesus?

Do you offer Jesus gifts (time, talent or treasure) of value?

Is worship your ultimate goal, or only a means of getting something in return?

These are questions to ponder as we seek to worship Jesus this Christmas season.

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Pressing On

runnerOur church has put together our own Christmas devotional booklet. There are 25 short devotions, one for each day from December 1 through Christmas Day. These devotions were written by our own church members.

It is interesting to see the different perspectives that are represented among our writers. Some have experienced terrible tragedy in their lives. Others have made bad choices that led them down the wrong path. Some have been greatly disappointed by someone they loved. Several have overcome unfortunate circumstances and unforeseen setbacks.

Through all of these writings runs a common theme—there is much joy to be experienced in living for the Lord, in trusting in him and worshiping him in spirit and in truth.

No matter what resides in your past, enjoy the present life that you live in Jesus, and look forward with glorious expectation to the wonderful future that he promises!

“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 3:13-14.

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Most Generous

collection plateSomeone recently compiled a list of the 20 most generous Americans. Some well-known billionaires made the list, which also included the amount of money they gave to charity and what percentage of their wealth that their gift represented.

While these people are to be commended for giving so much money away, many of them probably aren’t as generous as some of the people you worship with every Sunday.

Allow me to explain.

Jesus was watching some people put their offerings into the temple treasury. “…Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”—Mark 12:41-44.

Now that’s generosity!

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Better Decide!

deerMy wife and I were driving to the city today to do some Christmas shopping when a deer suddenly appeared on the highway ahead of us. We could not stop soon enough to avoid hitting her. She would have to get out of the way. She seemed undecided about which way she wanted to go. The deer seemed to know that she was in danger, but she had no idea that she had so little time to make up her mind and get to a safe place. She made a final, desperate lunge to avoid our car, but it was too late. Her indecision cost the deer her life.

Many people are like that deer. They know that the Lord will return someday. They also know that they are in danger because they aren’t ready to meet Jesus. Many will make the mistake of thinking they have more time to decide.

That’s why it’s best to decide to follow Jesus now!

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…”—2 Peter 3:10.

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Recognizing Greatness

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela died yesterday at the age of 95. The former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner is known the world over for promoting freedom and racial harmony. He will also be remembered for conducting himself with grace and a forgiving spirit.

Mandela was not always so appreciated. Leaders of his own country once considered him a threat, therefore he spent 27 years in prison. It wasn’t until his later years that his greatness was recognized.

In the same way, many people didn’t understand who Jesus really was. Some leaders saw him as a threat, so they had him falsely charged and then killed. However, many soon realized their mistake, and they proclaimed that this crucified and resurrected man really was the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

Do you acknowledge the greatness of Jesus?

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”—John 1:11-12.

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Too Shallow

Everglades rescue effort

Everglades rescue effort

Dozens of pilot whales found themselves in dangerously shallow water in Florida’s Everglades National Park yesterday. Rescuers tried to herd the whales back out to deeper water, but the creatures were not cooperating. At least 10 of the whales have died, and the rest are in danger of perishing because they ventured into water that was too shallow.

In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13), Jesus teaches that if the word of God takes root in a heart that is too shallow, it will not grow. It is up to us to cultivate a life of spiritual depth. We do this as we obey God’s word and to put it into practice in a life of worship and service. Those whose lives are too shallow are in danger of spiritual death.

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Bountiful Catch

fishermanA fisherman was not having any luck. The fish weren’t biting at all. He hadn’t caught a single one, and he was particularly frustrated because he had boasted to his wife that he was bringing home fish for their supper.

On the way home he stopped at a fish market, where he told the fellow behind the counter, “Throw me 6 of your biggest fish.” “Throw them to you?” the guy asked. “Yes, throw them to me, and I’m going to catch them! I may be a terrible fisherman, but I’m not a liar!”

The apostle John wasn’t lying when he wrote about a huge number of fish—153 big ones—that the disciples caught after Jesus gave them some fishing advice (John 21:1-14). This amazing catch may have made the disciples think back to when Jesus promised that he would turn them into fishers of men. It may have given them a preview of the amazing number of people who would respond to the message of the gospel. It may even renew our determination to win people to Jesus!

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