Our Alaska Division theme for this program year is "Better Together" focussing on unity, supporting one another, and operating the body of the church God desires. Here are some devotional thoughts for your own consideration or use as a call to worship in your Corps this Holy season. Just my thoughts from my scripture meditation. Please use, change, alter as you see fit and meditate on the Word today.
December 12
Today we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Advent and as Christmas morning draws closer and closer, we have all started thinking about the giving of gifts.
Everyone loves getting gifts, but my hope is that we also know the joy of giving gifts to others. At Christmas many of us will have given a gift that required us to spend time considering what was best for the recipient, what would they like, what could they really use, what would show that we really care for them?
In Romans 12 we read a passage about gift giving, but of our act of worship to live for our God, but also of our need to use the gifts God has given us to pass on to others around us.
Romans 12:1-10 says… 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Verse 13 tells us to share with the Lord’s people who are in need and to practice hospitality. . Practice hospitality. Verse 15 says to come along side others both to rejoice and mourn with them. Next (vs. 16 & 18) remind us to live in harmony and in peace with one another.
Throughout this passage we realize that our lives and the gifts God has given us are all in order that we might, in turn, live our lives unto the Lord as our act of worship, and also use our God given gifts to share with others. When someone finds the perfect gift for me I want to use it and share it with others around me. God Himself gave us His one and only Son, more than that His Son gave his life for us, even more we have His Holy Spirit and every good gift in life come from Him. Let’s make sure we leave no gift un-opened, un-used, or unappreciated. As an act of worship to your Lord and Savior, make sure you share your gifts with others this Christmas.
--- Live holy, preach Jesus!
--- Live holy, preach Jesus!
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