Bravely Onward!

Just recently I heard the following song "All Glory Be To Christ" sung by a Branson blue grass group named The Petersens (written by Kings Kaleidoscope). You can hear it at  https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ch-99N24fc4&feature=share . You can read the lyrics here (it goes to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne."):  Should nothing of our efforts stand No legacy survive Unless the Lord does raise the house In vain its builders strive To you who boast tomorrow's gain Tell me what is your life A mist that vanishes at dawn All glory be to Christ! All glory be to Christ our king! All glory be to Christ! His rule and reign will ever sing All glory be to Christ! His will be done His kingdom come On earth as is above Who is Himself our daily bread Praise Him the Lord of love Let living water satisfy The thirsty without price We'll take a cup of kindness yet All glory be to Christ! All glory be to Christ our king! All glory be to Christ! His rule and reign will ever sing

This weekend we give gifts to one another in honor of the birth of Christ our Savior. This is one of the most exciting parts of Christmas, especially for the kids. Last week, a little girl told me that she hopes to get a pony for Christmas and I know a little boy who wants a fiddle. We all like to receive meaningful and special gifts, however we must realize that no material gift can compare to the gift of Christ.  The richness of Christmas comes with understanding what we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. We receive pardon of our crimes toward God. We become adopted into God's family and become heirs to the inheritance of heaven. We also receive eternal life and the promise that we will be with God forever, enveloped by His goodness and glory. There are many other rich and substantial blessings we receive through Christ, the greatness of which we cannot fathom. Really, there is nothing under that tree that comes close to what we receive in Christ. It is also rich to consider

As Christians mature they become less focused on themselves and more concerned with others. This is the Christian way. This is at the core of Christ's teaching and life.  Jesus taught this: " Do to others as you would have them do to you ."   (Luke 6:31) " Love your neighbor as yourself ."  (Mark 12:31) Jesus demonstrated this:  "By this we know love, that He laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers ."  (1 John 3:16) Paul taught this:  "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor...Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality...Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another . " (Romans 12:10, 12, 13, 15, 16) It's a beautiful thing to watch believers grow in love and care for one another. God puts in our heart the desire to do this. He also provides the church as a context to practice caring for one anot