Friday

“She gave thanks to the Lord,

and spoke of Him to all those

who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

~Luke 2:38, NKJV~

Thought for the Day: Christ at the center

A few years ago Fast Lane magazine conducted a survey to find out whose lives its readers would most like to emulate. Lt. Colonel Oliver North placed first. President Ronald Reagan placed second. Clint Eastwood was third. Fourth place was a tie between Lee Iacocca and Jesus Christ. That’s a sad commentary on our society!

I heard about a young woman who went into a Denver jewelry store and told the clerk she wanted to purchase a gold cross on a chain to wear around her neck. The clerk turned to the display case and asked, “Do you want a plain one, or one with a little man on it?”

We live in a world where Jesus ties for fourth place with Lee Iacocca and is referred to as a little man on a piece of jewelry. But, for Christians, Jesus Christ can be nothing less than the very center of our lives. Paul wrote:

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2)

Are we truly consumed with knowing Jesus Christ? Oh sure, we understand the necessity of the cross and the resurrection, we understand its connection with salvation and forgiveness from sin. But do we really recognize the importance of Jesus Christ continually in our lives?

Do we see Christ as the Lord of our lives, telling us what to do? Do we see Christ as the model of our lives, showing us how to do it? Do we see Christ as the power in our lives, giving us the ability to do it?

May Christ have his rightful place at the very center of our lives.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

In our modern world to technology, I’m including ways to learn how the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Internation Missions works in Central and South America.  I hope you enjoy there and share them.

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=9866&LanguageID=1709

As families get busy with all the secular events of Christmas, I hope you will still have time to learn more about the LMCO and how it introduces people around the world to Jesus.

FBC, Kentwood will have an emphasis on the LMCO Christmas morning.  I hope you find it in your heart to bring an offering that morning and that your offering for the LMCO is greater than your gift to any individual on your Christmas list!

Anna Lee