At Christmas, we celebrate the revelation of
God’s heart through the birth of His Son Jesus, who the Bible makes clear also
reveals our hearts.
God’s truth, love, mercy and grace shines through Jesus, even as Simeon also told Mary eight days after Jesus’ birth : "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed...” (NIV Luke 2:34)
Encouraging professing believers in Jesus to allow Him to search and reveal their hearts is a big part of our ministry in Uganda. We believe this is the essence of discipleship. The condition of our hearts reveals the depth of our relationship with the one born of a virgin who lived a sinless life and died as payment for our sins.
God’s truth, love, mercy and grace shines through Jesus, even as Simeon also told Mary eight days after Jesus’ birth : "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed...” (NIV Luke 2:34)
Encouraging professing believers in Jesus to allow Him to search and reveal their hearts is a big part of our ministry in Uganda. We believe this is the essence of discipleship. The condition of our hearts reveals the depth of our relationship with the one born of a virgin who lived a sinless life and died as payment for our sins.
As we disciple students, we work with groups of
15-20 in various sessions and one on one with individual students. Learning about the practical application of
living out the Gospel is key to having an abundant spiritual life. Do we
inquire of the Lord in all our decisions?
How do we lead others with a servant’s heart? How do we handle money and success and honor
God in all aspects? What are the basics of practical problem-solving and
planning? In all of these situations the condition of our hearts reflects our relationship with Jesus and how we live
our lives.
In our daily decisions, the challenge is to have
Jesus on the throne, rather than ourselves. Or, to put it another way, in our
decisions, are we saying “yes” to Jesus or “no” to Jesus?
Putting Jesus first places us in conflict with
all other world views. It is tough, but necessary, teaching that being a friend
of the world makes us an enemy of God (James 4:4). Simeon made it clear to Mary
and Joseph there is no neutral reaction to Jesus.
The great English pastor Charles Spurgeon said,
“Never does a man hear the gospel, but he either rises or falls under that
hearing.” Even if we have fallen, God’s grace allows us to repent in faith and
be risen. As we rejoice this Christmas,
let us reaffirm the birth of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our hearts even as we
also celebrate the baby in a manger.
Merry Christmas,
Mark and Margaret
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