Seasons Greetings

Greg Ulmer
November 8th, 2008

This is a time of year where we give thanks and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we pray and think and act to make the Lord the focus of our celebration we have a responsibility. The season with all of it’s activities and stress, leaves many of us short on time and money and patience. This condition is even more pronounced this year given the current financial upheaval. People are wondering, what’s the next piece of bad news or how bad will things get before they get better, if they get better. Fear and anxiety about the present and the future are continuing to grow. Because of this we are presented with a tremendous opportunity.

As we go about the season’s activities, we must make time to bless those who otherwise would be in crisis, despair, and maybe even suicidal. Since we have invested wisely this year, now is the time for us to be a light in the world (2 Corinthians 4:6). Lets connect with people so they see our connection to God and our light will attract them. They will see our hope, love, peace and joy (Galatians 5:22) and wonder why are we so “together” and why aren’t we in a panic.

We know the burdens of the times are an opportunity for us to connect with and further develop a life of communing with God. Therefore we are to model of a life without worry. Mathew 6:25-27 tells us “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

As stewards of God’s blessings, we are not only responsible for the earth we are to be our brother’s keeper. Now is the time for generosity. We must choose to give because of what God has given us. Our actions are to model what a life of trusting in God looks like. We must allow God to work within us and use the talents He has given us. Our surrendering to God’s can and will become contagious.

So in this season and all seasons to come, Pray…

• Pray for understanding and wisdom on how you are to view and act throughout this financial crisis and the next crisis;


• Pray for God to use you according to His will;


• Pray for guidance as to how you and Grace Bible Fellowship can convert this economic downturn into a kingdom building opportunity;


• Pray that when people see us, they see God’s light in us (Acts 26:18) and not our human imperfections;


• Pray that they will then seek God and enjoy the fruit of the spirit.;

We have trust and faith in our Savior, so lets act on it, now (James 2:17).