Dear Church,
“What would happen if we were not only concerned about keeping Christ in “CHRISTmas,” but what would happen if we lived to honor Christ on every day in the calendar?
I Peter 3:15 tells us to “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” Christ should be Lord not only at Christmas, but every calendar day!
Here are five ways you could keep Christ in your daily calendar:
1. Let God be God. We see from the first pages of Genesis that self-rule doesn’t work. Ask God if He is in His rightful place in your life. Look back over the last year and ask yourself, “Did I seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?” (Matthew 6:33) or did I pursue my wants and my way?
2. Live in unity and peace with people. It needs to start at home. Families, there is too much fighting, bickering, belittling and back talking going on in our homes. If we can’t apply biblical principles to our relationships with our immediate families and be successful we ought not to think the world will find any reason to want to join us. One of the big ways God manifests His presence in your life or lack thereof is in your relationships with people. Ephesians says 4:2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
3. Make servanthood a lifestyle. What we say we believe about Christ has to be backed up with how we live. Sure, a life of holiness will glorify Christ, but a life of selfishness, no matter how “spotless” it appears isn’t what God is asking of us and it won’t impress the world. John 12:25-26 tells us, “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
4. Be committed to attend church. Scripture commands us to gather together for worship. When you aren’t in our services, you miss out on something God intends for the Body of Believers here to experience. You also miss contributing what God intends for you to contribute in this place.
5. Give generously all year round. God has many reasons for instructing us to tithe which is the giving of ten percent of our income to the church. I believe one of those reasons is that it puts us into the habit of regular giving. Once you are in the habit of giving, it isn’t hard to give extra and to make it a routine and regular part of your life.
Blessings for an awesome 2014!
Pastor Melissa
