And, in case you haven’t notice, this is the Christmas holiday weekend. While we do not celebrate Christmas as a religious celebration, it is a great holiday used to spend time together as family. Nearly everyone gets time off from their jobs and other activities just to get to enjoy this special time. And, crazy as our world is right now, we all need this time just to get away, relax and enjoy some time together. And, this is something we all look forward to and with good reason. Because we love our families and look forward to spending time with them.
Now, with all this said, how much are you looking forward to the greatest holiday ever? I’m talking about that “final” holiday that will last for eternity. Is your desire equal to that of the apostle Paul? How much was Paul looking forward to, striving for that final day? “But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;” (Philippians 1:23). “We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:7-8). What we are talking about here is the opportunity to spend eternity with one’s real, true family, providing one is a true, faithful Christian. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,” (Ephesians 2:19). Notice, “God’s household” that is, God’s family. In heaven there won’t be husbands and wives, parents and children, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. We will all be brothers and sisters, children of God. In other words, all will be close-knit family in every way for eternity. What better eternal holiday could one have than that?
So, my brother, my sister, I pray that this is the real focus, the real goal of your life. Please do not let the things of this world take you away from God. Nothing in this world is more important that honoring and serving God. Are you honestly, truly seeking FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)?
ANNOUNCEMENT - Brethren, we have received a really nice gift from Robby Mosley (Cindy Sampson’s father). There is a box of books in the library room (rm. 2 on west side of auditorium). There are some really good topics covered in the books given to us. Feel free to go in an browse through them, take and read any you would like and then bring it back for others to read. And, there is a great variation of topics covered there for all ages. Thank you Robby for your gift!
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan