Gifts You Won’t Find Under a Christmas Tree
On the morning of December 24 children from all over the world will jump out of bed, run as fast as they can to look under a decorated Christmas tree to see what gifts Santa has brought them for Christmas – a tradition that has gone on for more than 500 years!
Christmas really is about gifts, specifically about God’s greatest gift – His Son, Jesus Christ! ‘For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life!’ (John 3:16) In other words, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season!” Check out some of the most incredible life-changing gifts that you won’t find under any Christmas tree!
The Gift of Pardon ‘Therefore since we have been justified through faith!’ (Romans 5:1) God pronounces unrighteous sinners to be righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. God declares the guilty to be not guilty. A gift of grace received by faith! (Eph 2:8)
The Gift of Peace With God ‘Since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God!’ (Romans 5:1) The barrier of sin between us & God has been removed and we are now reconciled to God! Billy Graham said every person on earth is searching for peace with God. That search is fulfilled in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you!’ (John 14:27)
The Gift of God’s Spirit Before leaving earth Jesus said to his disciples, “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor (the Holy Spirit) to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of Truth and will teach you all things and remind you of my word!” Today truth is relative – it can be whatever people want it to be. Jesus said, ‘I am the Way to God, the Truth of God and the Life of God!’ God’s Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth!
The Gift of Freedom from Judgment Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. (Romans 5:9) That anger is the judgment of God that will be poured out on a Christ-rejecting world! The Bible says, There is no judgment hanging over the heads of those who belong to Christ Jesus! Think about it…
Our Date With Destiny
You’ve heard it said, “There are only two certainties in life…death & taxes!” Well, they’re not the only certainties but as you know, they are pretty certain!
What do you think of when you think of death? Some people seem kind of scared when they consider the reality of death and going into the presence of God!
- The truth is, most people should be!
Others aren’t worried at all because they believe death is the end of everything, or that they’ve lived good enough lives to get into heaven, and there is no such place as hell!
- Oh…do they have a surprise coming!
In the 6th chapter of the Book of Isaiah, the prophet has a magnificent vision of a glorious God seated on a throne. He is humbled by the guilt of his sin and realizes his unworthiness to be in the presence of God. God however, removes his guilt and forgives his sins!
One thing I know when it comes to meeting God…we don’t have to worry about it if we’re part of His family. Jesus said, “Don’t worry, trust me! In my Father’s house are many rooms and I am going to prepare a place for you and when everything is ready I will come back for you and you will always be with me!” (John 14)
Something else I know…death comes to all! No one escapes their date with destiny.
- The issue isn’t “will I die?” The issue is “when will I die?”
What if our time on earth is shorter than we think?
- “Are you ready to die?”
- If you haven’t prepared for the inevitable, why not?
Here’s one more thing I know: There is a heaven and there’s only one way to get there! Living a [good] life ain’t it! Doing more good things than bad things in this life won’t get you there! So how do we make it?
- There’s only one way to heaven!
Jesus said, ‘I Am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No one comes to the Father {enters heaven} except through me!’ (John 14:6) Check it out for yourself. (John 3:3) (Romans 6:23) (Ephesians 2:8,9)
Where Is God When You’re Hurting?
Have you ever tried to pray only to discover that it seems like God is light-years away, and not particularly interested in answering your prayers? Do you ever wonder why you’re getting the “silent treatment”? or where God is when you are hurting? If so, don’t worry – you’re normal! I think that most of us have experienced times like these – and I want you to know that it doesn’t mean:
[a] God has forgotten about you!
[b] You’re a bad person!
[c] God is punishing you!
It probably means that God is trying to teach you something important!
In the Old Testament a woman named Sarah was unable to conceive and in those days such women were looked down upon. Now, an old woman, she had given up hope! Wait! God had promised her husband Abraham that he would be a father. (Genesis 15:5) But, they would have to wait for that promise to be fulfilled, and like many of us, Sarah started to run out of patience! Feeling desperate, she took matters into her own hands, and following the custom of the day she offered her maidservant to her husband, and sure enough, the maidservant got pregnant! Hey, don’t blame Sarah! After all, doesn’t the Bible say, “God helps those who help themselves?” Sorry, it doesn’t! It does say ‘Wait patiently for the Lord!’ (Ps 37:7)
Sometimes it’s really hard to wait on God! Imprisoned in a Nazi death camp Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “God if this is the way you treat your friends, it’s no wonder you don’t have very many!” We don’t always realize that the times God is silent, he is actually helping us mature. (James 1:2) It’s not always easy to trust God!
Sometimes we go and get out in front of God! When we’re not sure what his plan is, we invent our own! That doesn’t always work out, and often ends in chaos! That’s why the Bible says ‘Seek his will in all you do and he will direct your paths!’ (Proverbs 3:6 NLT)
We don’t always understand what God is up to! That’s okay! His thoughts/ways are beyond us (Isaiah 55:8) But understand this…God always has a plan! “I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I don’t feel it. And I believe in God even when he is silent!” (Anon)
Something to think about….
Clothing Giveaway on October 29th!
On October 29th, the London Free Methodist Church will be hosting a giveaway of clothing for members of the community.
Everyone is welcome to attend at any time between 9:00am and 12:00pm on Saturday, October 29th.
Location: London Free Methodist Church – 402 Commissioners Road West, London, Ontario
He Is The New Wine
How many of you can still reach down and touch your toes? Can you bend over backwards? It’s called flexibility and it’s something [let’s say] we once possessed more of than we do today! That’s okay, while our bodies may not be quite as flexible as they once were, what about our minds? I think Jesus expects us to demonstrate a certain amount of flexibility in our thinking and in our attitudes because…
Jesus is always an agent of change!
In the 5th chapter of the Book of Luke, Jesus meets up with a man named Levi [better known as Matthew] and asks him to follow him – which Levi/Matthew does without hesitation. What’s interesting is…
- Levi is a despised Tax Collector
- Levi is so excited, he throws a party & invites Jesus as well as his not-so-holy Tax collector friends
Speaking of not-so-holy, some religious leaders show up & complain to Jesus asking, “Why do you eat & drink with scum like this?” Jesus answered, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do. I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not spend my time with those who think they are already good enough!’
Jesus was more concerned about “lost” people than he was about religious rules, and felt he needed to spend time with them!
- Shouldn’t we also be building relationships with those who aren’t religious?’
- Isn’t that being about our Father’s business..?
He shares with them a parable about wine & wineskins. In other words, he used word pictures to communicate! {he was good at that} What he was trying to say is that..
He Is The New Wine!
Religious people have been trying to fit Jesus into their molds for centuries! In Jesus day, people had their own views of what the Messiah should be like, but Jesus didn’t fit! Ultimately, they killed him for it! Do we try to fit Jesus into our little boxes? He won’t be defined by any of our traditions or rituals! He is fresh & new every day! So..
Let’s not be content with the old! Be open to new methods of communicating an old message!
We must remain flexible! Our world continues to change – we have to be willing to change with it [not our message, but perhaps our methods]
Let’s Stay Fresh! Don’t allow your relationship with Christ to become stale. Find ways to keep fresh. Pour new wine into new wineskins!
Think about it…
Crafts for Kids!
Crafts For Kids
Crafts, games, contests, stories and snacks
All Saturdays in November
2 to 4 p.m. – $ 3 per week
for children 5 to 15
SPECIAL EVENT – Sat. Nov. 26
Adult card making workshop
(2:00 to 4:00) – Cost is $5 per person
Everyone invited to participate in our 3rd annual crock pot luck dinner and competition at 4:30 on Nov. 26th
(there will be voting and prizes awarded for the winning crock pot dishes)
After dinner the Children will present a Christmas play – all children in attendance are invited to participate
London Free Methodist Church
402 Commissioners Road West, London
EVERYONE WELCOME
Call Cathy at 519-641-8526 to register
(advance registration required)
People Need The Lord!
Billy Joel in his hit song “Piano Man” reflects on the distressed people that come into his bar, and notes that it’s his job to help them “forget about life for awhile.” There are people all around us who are hurting, depressed, lonely, hungry – people with nothing to look forward to, without a sense of hope who would like to forget about life for awhile!
Do we, as Christ-followers have any responsibility to reach out to these people whether they be (a) a single mother trying to support her kids (b) a man addicted to porn on the internet (c) a young person struggling with self-esteem, (d) someone who just lost their job….or a variety of other issues. Whose responsibility is it to help these people? Read Isaiah 1:16 or Proverbs 31:8-9 or 1 John 3:17.
Too often the church simply passes by (ignores) the hurting souls of our cities, but to do so is to pass up an opportunity to show them the love of Christ. And this applies to those who are of every social strata of society. You don’t have to be down & out to be hurting, or lonely, or addicted, or to have no sense of self-worth, or to be without a sense of hope.
The 3rd chapter of the Book of Acts is a picture of what happens every day in cities and towns everywhere. A crippled beggar, carried to the temple square every day. I wonder if he just blended in and to those around became just part of the familiar scenery as most never even saw him, at least not as a human being with needs! He asked Peter for money, but he got something much better! Peter said, “I have no gold or silver, but I’ll give you what I have!” He too this man by the hand and he was totally healed on the spot! It’s an incredible story!
Peter & John were there hanging out with all the people. Is that where we as Christ-followers should be?
- They reacted to a need! Isn’t that what we ought to be doing?
- They gave what they had! And what did they have?
They had a living relationship with their God! They made time to be available for service, and on this occasion God used them as channels for a miracle!
People (like Martha) worry about many things, but one thing is needed! (Luke 9:41-42) As Steve Green writes, “People Need The Lord!”
Do You Have What It Takes..?
Do you want to be remembered when you leave this old earth? Does it matter to you what kind of legacy you leave? The point is, do you want to live a meaningful life?…a life of impact..? Are you interested in changing this world for the better? Is it important that you make an impact for Christ..? You can!
What does it take..?
You already are who you need to be to accomplish what God has planned for you – He has made you so. You don’t have to be somebody else – you don’t need anyone else’s personality, looks or gifts. You already have what you need! (2 Peter 1:3)
What does it take..?
It takes someone who is committed to knowing Him. Paul writes (Phil 3:10) ‘I want to know Him, to know the power of His resurrection!’
It takes someone who will be who God made them to be – someone totally dedicated to being like Him!
He has plans for you – wonderful plans – plans to give you hope and an incredible future. Paul says ‘We are God’s workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do!’ (Eph 2:10)
What does it take..?
It takes someone willing to live out daily the two greatest commandments ever given to man…Love God! Love your neighbor as yourself! If you really love God, demonstrate it by loving others! The proof (as they say) is in the pudding!
Are you ready to be used by God..? Your past failures, inabilities or insecurities are no challenge for God’s plan for you. The real challenge is your willingness! Are you willing to…
- Deny yourself and give yourself fully to God? Heb 12:1,2; Phil 4:13)
- Allow Him to live His life through you?
- Keep focused on Jesus and expect Him to work in your life?
Without Him, you can’t do a thing!
Think about it…
Back in the ‘60’s it was predicted that advances in technology would radically change how many hours a week people worked. The forecast called for the average worker to be putting in about 22 hours per week within 20 years. The problem would be to figure out what to do with all our excess time! Hmmm! Doesn’t seem to have worked out that way does it..? Actually, even with all the technology advances, people are working more hours (not less) and do you know anybody trying to figure out what to do with the excess time on their hands..? Me either!
Do you know how to experience rest? Sure, you can take a nap if you’re tired, or go on vacation to get a break! But let me ask you…
- Where do you find spiritual rest?
- How do you deal with the deeper issues of your life?
In a familiar Bible passage Jesus said, ‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble and you will find rest for your souls!’ (Matthew 11: 28-30)
‘Come to me!’ Jesus said. Why? Because there is only one place to find rest for our souls…and that is through a personal relationship with Jesus. Not in work, not in drugs, not in sex! People have an inner hunger/thirst that only God can satisfy. Jesus said ‘I am the bread of life; if any man is thirsty let him come to me and drink!’
‘Take my yoke!’ In Bible times that meant to submit oneself to a teacher/rabbi. We often see the word “yoke” as a negative – a set of rules & religion. Jesus is talking about the “yoke of relationship” which is a positive because it connects us to Him.
‘Learn from me!’ There is so much about life that we need to learn, and if you think you’ve learned it all, you’ve learned nothing! Who better to teach us than the author of life? It seems the older we get, the more entrenched we become in our ways and beliefs. But hey, we’re never too old to learn about love, forgiveness, peace! Throughout our lives we continually need to learn about how to nurture relationships – with each other, and with God! You know, you really can teach an old dog…if he’s willing to learn! The question is…are you?
Mistakes! All of us make them…
- Mistakes in judgment! Mistakes in actions! Mistakes in relationships!
- Big mistakes! Little mistakes! Stupid mistakes! Tragic mistakes!
Most people are willing to admit making mistakes, but not so willing to admit committing sin!
Is there a difference..? Absolutely!
A mistake is an error you make when you’re trying to do something right – like misspell a word on a test or put the wrong date on a cheque, or take the wrong exit off the freeway. Sin is when I know something is wrong and perhaps ignoring my conscience doing it anyway. It is a violation of a law outside of ourselves. There’s a story in the Bible (Luke 12) tells of a foolish man God called a fool!
He Cared Nothing For Others! The Bible says we should think of others as more important that ourselves. We are to care for them. ‘Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others!’ (1 Corinthians 10:24)
He Cared Nothing For The Giver Of Life! He was so focused on the abundance of his crops, he gave no thought to the One who provided the abundance. He ignored the fact that all good material, physical and spiritual things come from God! Some people think they get through this life by their own efforts. That isn’t so! ‘What makes you better than anyone else? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? If all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?’ (1 Corinthians 4:7)
He Cared Nothing For His Own Soul! “I don’t need anything, and I’m going to enjoy myself!” He’s so wrapped up in the comforts of this life, he doesn’t think about or make provision for the life to come. Life on this planet is short and for all of us it’s going to end, perhaps sooner than we think!
What can be worse than not making provision for the life to come..? Mistakes can often be corrected! Sins can be forgiven! Except for one! If you choose to live without God in this life, you also choose to live without Him in the next! That’s a choice you will regret for eternity!