Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

(Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word)

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,*
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
(John 1:1-5)  NLT

Reflection:

I was going through some boxes the other
day and I ran across some boxes that said,
"Christmas Stuff".  I opened the box and
there was the Nativity. Whenever I think
about Christ's birth, I am reminded that
little baby, Jesus, whose birth we
celebrate, was there when God first
created the world back in Genesis.
He was there when Noah built the ark.
He was there when Moses received the
ten commandments. He was there when
Job suffered and lost everything only
to emerge victorious in the end.
He was there. He was always there.
What's really is exciting for me is that
Jesus Christ is here right now.  As
He was there in the Old Testament,
in the beginning, and throughout history.
He is here now, for you and  for me.
Knowing all His work and sacrifice can
make a difference in our lives.

JUST OPEN THE DOOR AND LET HIM IN

In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where a family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and somber.

'I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news,' he said as he surveyed the worried faces. 'The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain transplant.
It's an experimental procedure, very risky, but it is the only hope. Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will have to pay for the BRAIN.'
The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a time, someone asked, 'How much will a brain cost?'

The doctor quickly responded, '$5,000 for a male brain; $200 for a female brain.'
The moment turned awkward.
Some of the men actually had to "try" to not smile, avoiding eye contact with the women.
A man unable to control his curiosity, finally blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask, 'Why is the male brain so much more than a female brain?'
The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and explained to the entire group, 'It's just standard pricing procedure. We have to price the female brains a lot lower because they've been used.'

FOR A SMART WOMAN WHO NEEDS A LAUGH AND TO ANY MAN WHOM YOU THINK CAN HANDLE IT!

How well are you doing at following Jesus' final instructions?

Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.
Mark 16:15 NLT

"'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Matthew 22:37-38 NLT

The real work

On October 20, 1968, a dramatic moment took place at the Mexico City Olympics. A few thousand spectators remained in the almost-dark Olympic Stadium awaiting one last runner.

Finally the wail of police sirens ripped the air. As all eyes turned to the gate, a lone runner wearing the colors of Tanzania staggered into the stadium. John Stephen Akhwari was the last contestant to finish the 26-mile contest. He had injured his leg in a fall and entered the track bloodied and crudely bandaged. While he hobbled the final, lonely lap, spectators rose and applauded him as if he had won.

After the race, someone asked him why he had refused to quit. "My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race," he replied simply. "They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it."

To help us achieve a strong finish in our race of faith, Jesus Christ promised that "Whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God."

You too can finish the race well by eagerly confessing Christ before others.

Adapted from Breakfast with Jesus by Greg Laurie (Tyndale House), pp 257-59