Dear Faith Family,
Merry Christmas!
White Christmas came a little late in the Treasure Valley, but just in time to make the Humanitarian Bowl travel interesting.
We continue to thank God for the tremendous Christmas Day event at our church, there are a few pictures sprinkled through this devotion from our celebration of the Savior’s birth.
I pray you have a blessed continued Christmas season. I mean, with the Good News and all . . . or haven’t you heard?
You have heard. So, you’re in the ‘herd. I sometimes listen to Sports Talk Radio, one host on ESPN is Collin Cowherd. When he takes phone calls from the audience, that’s what he says, “You’re in the ‘herd.” Kinda corny, but it works for him . . . and for us in a way.
You, dear sister . . . dear brother, are in the herd. I think about those shepherds that night who were very busy compared to their normal every-day of keeping an eye on sheep eating grass. They talked with each other, they hurried, they found, they saw, they returned, they glorified, they praised God
“for all the things they had heard
and seen, which were just as they
had been told.” (Luke 2)
Well, you’re in the herd. In the glow of the recently celebrated Christmas star, re-examine what your Savior God did for you. Think of examples from your life where God has spoken to you, comforted your heart, called you to follow him, and blessed you in ways beyond measure.
The shepherds from Luke 2 took God at his word and praised him when everything was exactly as he had promised. Hasn’t he done the same for us? In this way, you are like one of the shepherds, with an awesome opportunity to praise God for all you have heard and seen—in Scripture through the eyes of faith as well as what God has done in your own life. You can hurry, see, tell, glorify and praise God for all you have heard and seen. You’re in the herd.
God bless you as you share your Christmas joy with others in the way you use your words and actions, all to give thanks and glory to the God who loved you so much, he sent his Son our Savior to claim us. Blessings as you do what the shepherds once did. You’re in the herd.
Prayer idea: Pray for those you know who don’t yet trust in the Savior. Ask God for opportunities to share your Christmas joy with them. Pray for boldness and God’s blessing on your witness.
Hey, Faith Family—this concludes the year in devotions 2009. You are all a blessing to me and my family! Have a blessed and safe New Year, filled with God’s richest blessings.
--Pastor Dan