Come and Worship

Last night was a glorious evening as Restore Ministries presented it's largest evening of worship to Christ our King!  A vision that was birthed a year ago finally came into existence.  The body of Christ so beautifully came together to "Come and Worship" as we presented a musical & drama offering of "The Light of Christmas."  Approximately 400 worshippers met together with nothing but expectation in their heart!  A joyous occasion and one of which you will be hearing more about in another blog.  Today, please welcome a word from my Aunt Judy, who prays for us and this ministry faithfully. I am grateful for her servant heart, to help write this blog during our busy time of winding down from the event and getting everything packed up and put away.  Have a blessed Christmas, Sherry 

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"  Isn't this a glorious season?  We are blessed to have the privelege of celebrating the birth of the Son of God, our Saviour.  As I re-read once again the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, I was overtaken with emotions.  This familiar story, God's story, is so awesome and so amazing  it reads  fresh and new  time and time again.  This story, this truth, this entire Bible is for everyone. 

"I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. 
All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book." 
Abraham Lincoln

The Christmas story includes:  kings, governors, princes and prophets down to the lowliest shepherds.  Involved were chief priests and scribes, wise men, Caesar, an angel, a star and a multitude of heavenly hosts.  Oh what a night!  What a most Holy Night.  This story has been told for hundreds of years and has withstood  the test of time.  Five generations of my family  heard the preaching of the late John R. Rice who once said:  



 "You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face
 and tell Him you have received His Christmas gift."                                                                                         

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The Bible is so full of compelling insights into the birth, life, and death of Jesus.  This Christmas season we are reminded of his sinless life and the sacrifice He made for each of us.

"How many observe Christ's Birthday!  How few His precepts!"   
​ Benjamin Franklin

Gifts, the gift, which gift, the perfect gift?  How involved we can get and how much time we can spend  giving at Christmas.  It took me a long time to realize I could never give a gift that was truly worthy of the person receiving it.  I really tried and somehow always felt saddened.  The gift would always seem so insignificant although I had labored long in choosing what I thought to be the perfect one.   Gift giving is usually from a loving heart, therefore, the thoughtful gift is a good gift.  Vance Havner said it so well in this phrase:  
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    "Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man - His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God-when we present our bodies a living sacrifice."

This is the greatest gift we can offer to our Holy God , ourselves.  Just as we are and the whole of who we are.  To serve Him, to worship Him, and to live daily in the light of His presence will help us  to give to others the joy He has given to us

"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become Son's of  God."  C.S. Lewis

Let us worship the King of Kings today and everyday,  joyfully and willingly.  As the stars seem to shine brighter than any other time of the year let us look up and rejoice because we know their "Creator."  

"Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth.  Ye who sang creations story now proclaim Messiah's birth.  Come and worship, Come and worship, worship Christ the new born King."

Merry Christmas and many blessings to you and yours.

As we approach the New Year we will face surprises and questions and possibly fear;  so when that happens think on Joseph and Mary and the surprise they encountered and know how God, " Works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. 
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Celebrating the Birthday of a King,
In His Love,
Judy Ingle
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