Season's Greetings from Transformation Thurrock
To the Borough of Thurrock
May you enjoy a Blessed Christmas
and a Peaceful New Year
in the Hope of Jesus
in the love of Christ
from Transformation Thurrock
At the beginning God expressed himself.
That personal expression, that word, was with God,
and was God, and he existed with God from the beginning.
All creation took place through him,
and none took place without him.
In him appeared life and this life was the light of mankind.
The light still shines in the darkness
and the darkness has never put it out...
So the word of God became a human being
and lived among us.
John 1:1-5,14 (JB Phillips)
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Three reflections from this year's Evangelical Alliance / More Than Gold Advent Calendar with some adjustments for Thurrock*
Read: Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author (pioneer, leader, source) and perfecter (finisher) [beginning & end] of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Reflect: Jesus kept his eyes on his prize - us! So we can fix our eyes on our prize - Jesus! He’s the author, pioneer, source of our faith; it’s perfecter, finisher, completer. There at beginning and end! Cheered on by forerunners, we’re in a race already won, so we can - will - win. Team Jesus - together, we’re more than gold, for our community, our town, and our borough.
Pray: ‘Father, thank you for Jesus’ example. Keep my eyes fixed on him. Keep our eyes fixed on him. Turn eyes that they maybe fixed on him.’
Read: Acts 3:15
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
Reflect: A baby, life’s author, life’s source - Jesus, born to die. But without death, no resurrection! Some saw the supreme conundrum of history with their own eyes, but we see through eyes of faith. As witnesses of this fact, we carry more than gold. More Than Gold seeks to share this more-than-gold at 2012’s more-than-golden opportunity, and that includes the Torch coming to Thurrock on 6 July.
Pray: ‘Father, bless evangelistic opportunities that the Olympics and Paralympics offer for the borough, especially when the Torch comes.’
Read: Hebrews 2:10
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Reflect: Jesus, the Author of salvation. No other, just Jesus. Unique, only - and perfect. If he wasn’t perfect, he wouldn’t go near the imperfect to make them... perfect, more than gold, like him. That’s us! Christmas is another more-than-golden opportunity to share the Author’s salvation message. The Author with all authority in heaven and earth...
Pray: ‘Father, who do you need me to express the wonderful all-year-round / every-day / each-moment Good News of Christmas (and Easter) to?’
Action: Pray for the friends, family and people God leads you to influence throughout 2012.
Top picture: The Chelmer, Ulting Wick, 20.11.11
Bottom picture: Tim & Vera's Christmas Tree, Dec. 2011
* Original written by Tim, just in case you were worried.
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Tim Harrold, 24/12/2011 |
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