Thursday, December 3, 2009

Proclaiming CHRIST!

SCRIPTURE

Philippians 1:12-18a (NRSV)

Proclaiming Christ

I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.
Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.


DEVOTION

During this Advent Season, all Christians ought to feel joyful about the fact that Jesus is being proclaimed every day!

From the CHRISTmas carols that are playing on radio stations, to the CHRISTmas trees in public spaces, and the CHRISTmas opportunities to give to the Salvation Army and other non-for-profits doing good work, CHRIST is being celebrated everywhere we go 24/7/365.

Now, some will say that this is just commercialization of the good news message! Everybody is seeking to make a dime off of baby Jesus—and this may be so!

But, in the words of the Apostle Paul, “What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice!”

Now, does this commercialized proclamation let us Christians off the hook in the month of December? Of course not! Non-Christians can never do our work for us!

As Christians, we are commissioned to proclaim the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus at all times! We are to share His life and ministry with everyone who will listen!

What we offer is priceless. For instead of a commercialized, selfish, greedy, and stressful proclamation, we offer people “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people (Luke 2:10).”

As we notice family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors highly anxious in this most holy of seasons, we are given the opportunity to share the love, joy, and peace of Jesus, which will calm all of their fears!

Hallelujah!

Isn’t it an honor that we get to take this God-given chance to tell everyone we meet that JESUS is the reason for the season! After all, we can’t have CHRISTmas, without CHRIST, right?

As we share the good news that God’s Love sent Jesus into the world one Christmas morning to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life, we are extending to people the greatest gift of all time—RELATIONSHIP with God, through Jesus Christ!

Won’t you commit to sharing the good news with at least four people before CHRISTmas Day?

If so, please pray with me:

Holy One, this Advent Season is all about sharing the gift of your love. Please help me to remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas and to share it with everyone I meet. I am so glad that you gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share good news--and be good news--during this most holy season. I love you and I want to share our love with others. Today, I celebrate your birthday with joy in my heart and I look forward to your second coming with great anticipation. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!


ANNOUNCEMENT

If you are going to do any of your Christmas shopping on the web, I would like to invite you to access Amazon.com through this website. With every item that you purchase, you will be supporting the Good News Living ministry which brings the hope of Jesus Christ to 87 nations around the world! Please click the “Good News Living Christmas Store” link, at the top right-hand corner of the page, located just above my biography! Thank you!

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