PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN (DEVOTIONALS)

Preparing for Christmas

I am currently making plans to host my three adult children over the Christmas holidays. When they were all little and living at home, it used to be a simple process to get ready for Christmas. We would get their gifts sorted, decorate the house, and watch a few Christmas movies to get into the mood.

But as I look forward to hosting five independent adults who will all be sharing a three-bedroom apartment, I can see clearly that more preparation will be needed in order to make our celebrations a success. But even the preparations for their arrival brings me joy as I am excited about having them all under my roof one more time.

I wonder what you are doing to prepare for your celebration of God’s greatest gift?

Gift of Love

As you think about your own celebrations surrounding the birth of the Christ child, it is my hope that you will join with me as I reflect on the real meaning of Christmas. To start us out on this journey, I would like to point you to the amazing gift of love that has been shown to us through the work of Jesus Christ.

In the passage that follows, you will hear a great example of how God’s love has accomplished for us more than we could have possibly asked or imagined:

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”

Titus 3:3-8 NIV11

Verse 3

In verse three, we are reminded of some of what the Lord has saved us from in his work of saving redemption. Without Christ, we are lost in a state of rebellion and strife that leads to terrible outcomes in this life and in eternity.

Verse 4

Why has the Lord acted on your behalf through the gift of the Christ?

Because of his unending kindness and love.

Verse 5

The Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed us, not because we were worthy of his sacrifice, but because his love is greater than our sin.

Verses 5-7

We have been made into heirs of the kingdom of God by the work of the Holy Spirit. As the Lord works in us, we are made into his image and are completely enveloped into his new life.

Verse 8

It is good to remind yourself of these essential truths as often as you can. You should never tire of hearing the truth about who Christ has made you into thanks to his loving gift of mercy and salvation.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, today I want to stop and give you praise for the way you have redeemed me from my lost state of unfaithfulness to you. I admit freely that I have nothing to offer you in return but give you my love anyway. Thank you for choosing to love me, and to pour your Spirit and your eternal nature into me, even while I was a rebel and a sinner.

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH

“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

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