Christ Is Everything
‘FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN’
O
THE
vercoming
SERIES
PHILIPPIANS 1:21.
For me, to live is Christ. Those words don’t work any other way. Try it: a) for me, to
live is money ... to die is to leave it all behind b) for me, to live is fame ... to die
is to be quickly forgotten c) for me, to live is power and infl uence ... to die is to be
replaced by others d) for me, to live is possessions
...to die is to depart empty-
handed. Somehow the words fall fl at, don’t they?
Thank you God for
When money’s your obsession, you can never get enough, and you live in constant
the sacrifice of your
fear of losing it. When fame’s your goal you become competitive and manipulative
son Jesus. Help me
lest others upstage you. That makes you insecure. When power and infl uence drive
appreciate the
you, you become self-serving and strong-willed. That makes you arrogant. When
magnitude of what He
possessions become your god, you become materialistic. That makes you greedy.
did on the cross, help
Whether you have or don’t have, are known or unknown, live or die - only Christ can
me to enter into an
satisfy!
understanding of His
And death? That only sweetens the pie. JB Philips writes, ‘Living to me simply
suffering for me, that I
means Christ, and if I should die, I merely gain more of Him.’ So what’s the bottom
might know the depth
line? It’s this: the secret of living is the same as the secret of joy; both revolve of His love. Lord I pray
around Christ. Don’t try to pursue happiness, just cultivate a Christ-centred, Christ- that I would know the
controlled life, and you’ll have more happiness than you know what to do with! majesty, power and
authority of Christ
Four Christmas Gifts
and would become a
beacon for others to
‘MAY GOD GIVE PEACE TO YOU...AND LOVE, WITH FAITH...MAY come to know Him, in
GOD’S GRACE ... BE UPON ALL WHO SINCERELY LOVE OUR LORD Jesus’ Name.
JESUS CHRIST’ PHILIPPIANS 6:23.
It’s easy to get caught up in the Christmas craziness of shopping, parties, gift
giving and family obligations. In fact, it’s exhausting just thinking about it all!
Imagine, however, that when you wakened on December 25 you found four gifts
you’d overlooked and tucked away under the tree.
You open the fi rst one, and you are fi lled with an awesome sense of peace you’ve
Lord in amongst the
never known before. You unwrap the second, and experience an overpowering love
busyness of any
for others - even those who’ve wronged you. You open the third, and you’re infused
season, I pray that
with a faith that enables you to trust God for anything - even things you previously
I never loose my
considered impossible. Finally, you unwrap the fourth gift, and receive such grace,
focus of you during
that you can handle criticism and hurt without retaliating. Sound far-fetched? Not
that time. I pray that
at all! These are the gifts Paul says God wants to give you.
I would be able to
Listen: ‘May God give peace to you ... and love, with faith ... May God’s grace ...
receive your peace,
be upon all who sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Ephesians 6:23 TLB). What
love and grace,
gifts! And you won’t have to return any of them: they’re guaranteed to last a
which will build
lifetime. Remember, God’s already given them to you - all you have to do is open
my faith to believe
for a miracle in the
the packages and start using them. It’s Christmas Day, the day that changed
middle of whatever
everything. Why don’t you take a moment and thank God for all His wonderful
circumstance life
gifts - especially for the gift of His Son. After all, without Him you’d have nothing to
throws toward me.
celebrate. Right?
13
page12-13.indd 1 27/7/09 09:47:05
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36