Saturday, December 25, 2010 Christmas: Commemorating God’s Greatest Gift! by Robert Ricciardelli Christmas commemorates the greatest event in history, when the Incarnate of God was birthed into the world for the world. As we celebrate this day, the fullness of God’s Incarnate gift of life transforms us to live each day for Him and empowers us for eternal good. Christ birthed for the world is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, and giving are to be a... Read more

Lesson One: Never Overlook the Potential of the Ordinary “Despise not the day of small beginnings.” (Zechariah 4:10, NLT). God always does extraordinary things with ordinary stuff. Just look at what He made with dirt — YOU! How amazing is that? The Bible tells us that He made everything out of nothing. He is the CAN DO God. With Him nothing is impossible.  One day a young boy showed up at a crowded event to hear a traveling preached talk... Read more

Christmas commemorates the greatest event in history, when the Incarnate of God was birthed into the world for the world. As we celebrate this day, the fullness of God’s Incarnate gift of life transforms us to live each day for Him and empowers us for eternal good. Christ birthed for the world is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, and giving are to be a way of life. Thank God for the day our Savior was born. Read more

Jesus was not just a humble person who was birthed into humanity, but he was was preoccupied with the humble of the world. He became the divine lifter of humble hearts from sin, suffering, and insignificance. Through Him, all that received Him would receive new life, and become significant on earth and for all eternity. Today as we approach the celebration of His birth, He remains preoccupied with the humble of heart. Read more

Change in one’s life is not only desired but often needed in order to survive and thrive. The only lasting way for things to change is for people themselves to change. Godly changes not only promote health, wholeness, and peace, it also ignites an atmosphere for the miraculous to appear. God has given you Himself to transform your life in order to unleash His glory to the world. The best time for changing is now. Read more

Please don’t let the holidays get so cluttered that you miss the point of the celebration. Christmas is usually cluttered. We’re overbooked with parties, concerts, football games and shopping trips while our houses are jammed with decorations, out-of-town guests and way too much food. Then on Christmas morning, after the presents have been opened, we sweep up the crumpled giftwrap, tinsel, ribbons, bows, pine needles and boxes that are scattered everywhere. As much as I love the joy of this... Read more

The most critical need of the Church at this moment is a people that are free, bold, and immovable from God’s purposes. They will make no decisions out of fear, will not engage for self pleasure, and will not be influenced by the love of publicity or reputation. They are free from the compulsions that control others, and are servants who remain authentic to who they are regardless of the context or audience. Read more

     For those of us who grew up celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Christmas story can become too familiar. It easily slips from a story of awe to simple facts of history. We rattle off these events, such as Mary gave birth to Jesus and then the shepherds and wise men came to see him, with the same ease that we describe what we did last weekend. When you stop to really consider it, the story of Christmas is... Read more

The most critical need of the Church at this moment is a people that are free, bold, and immovable from God’s purposes. They will make no decisions out of fear, will not engage for self pleasure, and will not be influenced by the love of publicity or reputation. They are free from the compulsions that control others, and are servants who remain authentic to who they are regardless of the context or audience. Read more

Anything of spiritual value is not the result of individual accomplishments but birthed from communal life. All the knowledge and wisdom of God has come to us through the ages through prophets of God, Christ Himself, Saints who went before us, and from all who have played roles in the formation of our hearts. True spiritual knowledge belongs to the communion of God’s people and with all glory to God. Read more