treasure of Christmas

Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

We have read those verses like every year and heard them talked about, seen them printed on greetings cards and much, much more. But have we taken in the value and truth they share. Sure we have.

Not at face value but so much deeper than that. Don’t let the festivities of the holiday and the fun of Christmas over shadow the impact of the Messiah sent.

This is not a Christmas time treasure. This is a life changing truth. This is not an ornament to marvel at while the light hits it just right. This is truth that will allow us to see the marvelous light God gives. This is not the trace of goodness that gets us out of school and off work for a few days. This is the trumpet of heaven shouting the greatness of our God that gives us eternal days with Him.

Do you get that? Please don’t miss this.

For centuries people have missed the eternal significance of Christmas and the gift of Christ. Some still miss it. They were looking for a king that looked like a king, not a servant who died as a criminal. They were looking for the change there world as we know it, not make the world as God intended it.

Make much of the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus is the son given. Jesus is the one whom all will and does rest in. Jesus is the wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.

Mark 6:34 NLT

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

It is the passion of our Father that sent His son to have compassion on people. The people like you and me. And there is the treasure of Christmas!

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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