| December 21 Matthew 2:7-8 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” The plot is thickening as the anticipation of the coming savior, Jesus Christ, begins to attract a different audience. The magnitude of His birth is no longer just for worshipers. Now someone else is paying attention. Have you ever noticed that as soon as you’ve focused your heart on Jesus, how much interference comes your way? Herod the soon to be originator of a death decree for all male children under two years old is beginning his quest with a question and some encouragement. The question is where is the King Child? The encouragement is go search carefully for Him. The beginning of treachery is wrapped around a desire to worship. Even within the context of evil, God is sovereign. Herod has no desire to worship the newborn King, Jesus Christ. Instead he feels threatened by His arrival and he implements the treacherous plan to rid Jesus from the scene. Can I stop you for a moment because it’s so easy to be appalled at Herod’s actions to kill off the Savior under the guise of wanting to worship; however, how’s our heart when it comes to complete surrender to God? What are we harboring in our heart? Are we giving Him our secret struggles? Reflect Worship is a heart issue. The secrets of our heart are known by God even if they are not articulated by us. Let’s do the opposite and let nothing be in competition with our sincere worship to God. We will search carefully for Him knowing He is to be found. Pray God, Help us to yield ourselves completely to You in worship. Let’s come boldly to You knowing You are fully aware of our brokenness and let us trust You in the midst of our competing interests. We surrender. Amen.   |
We will continue to count down the days until the birth of the Christ Child together through these times of reflection back to what was happening in Bible times and, as we look ahead on our own lives and how we are preparing to celebrate this miracle and how to share His love with everyone we know. I hope you will join us daily, via this email to you or on my Kennedale News column each day at 10:00 am, as we spend a little time in God’s Word. Have a wonderful Advent. I miss you all and I ‘wish you a Merry Christmas! “I don’t know how, but I know Who!” Peace, Pastor Nelda We ask you to remember the church and it’s ministries and outreaches that are still going on, even in this time of COVID19. Feel free to use our online giving option below to donate your tithes and offerings. Thanks in advance. |
