In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered… And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. LUKE 2:1-7 ESV
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ISAIAH 30:21 NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ… Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. COLOSSIANS 4:2-6 NIV
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me,I was sick and you looked after me,I was in prison and you came to visit me.”Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” MATTHEW 25: 34-40 NIV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. GALATIANS 5:16-17 ESV
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; PSALMS 37:21 NIV
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” LUKE 14:12-14 NIV
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 NLT
We’re having Christmas Eve services at every Sandals Church campus, bring your friends and family to join in the fun!
Times & locations at sandalschurch.com/Christmas
Take a few moments to become still. When you’re ready, reflect on a time when you were unexpectedly blessed by someone. Recall what happened and the season of life you were experiencing. Open up a conversation with God about how that blessing was significant and made an impact on you. What did it cause you to feel and think? Next, talk to God about how that blessing caused you to move in his direction. To what extent did that blessing impact your view of God and relationship with him, then? As you recall the blessing, how is it impacting your view of God and relationship with him now? Spend some time thanking God for his goodness to you through another’s blessing. In the coming week look for an opportunity to recount the story with others.