One of the saddest statements in the Bible is, “You did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you” (Luke 19:44). The poet Whittier put it this way, “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, it might have been.” What is the greatest opportunity missed in human history? I believe it is described in John 1:11, “He came to that which was his own (his own people, Israelites), but his own did not receive him.” Luke describes this further in Luke 19:42, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Unfortunately, the gentile world has by and large done the same thing.
I recently read this statement, “Christianity is the day God came looking for us in person.” Matthew 1:22 says: “This took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us.’”
I trust you have received God’s loving gift, Jesus Christ, and will experience the peace and joy He alone can give you this Christmas. As you do, be sure to pass on to others this Good News. “We are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf : Be reconciled to God” (2nd Corinthians 5:20-21).
– I shared thoughts similar to the above at the Vesper service last Sunday, which went well. We also had a special musician to enhance our time together. The attendance was the best for this year. We’ve had almost 30 such services monthly since we started and the folk who attend seem to appreciate it. Thanks for praying.
– On my return flight from Chicago a couple of weeks ago I briefly shared a tract with a young lady sitting next to me. I found out she was a foreign student in Greensboro. I asked my daughter Tammi to call her. She had lunch with her and invited her to a Christmas service at our church this Saturday. She is a believer and comes from Equatorial Guinea in Africa. Pray for Macarena.
– Starting on January 1 my program in Portuguese will be released three times a day, Monday through Friday, over four stations in Brazil and podcast on the internet. Pray that this new audience will be touched by God.