From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage.ga@verizon.net>
Subject: Blessings To All
Date: Sunday, December 08, 2002 7:38 AM

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."
Colossians 3:2

December has arrived and the big rush to get things done before Christmas is
in full swing.  This time of busyness can be a distraction causing us to
look to the things of the world rather than keeping our eyes focused on the
things of God.  We are so involved with finding just the right gift for each
person on our list that we forget the greatest Gift of all, Jesus.  He is
the priceless gift to the world, given in a love that is beyond measure.
The gift that brings life and light to a world in darkness.

"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men."  John 1:4

"Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world;
he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light
of life.'"  John 8:12

"For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has
shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Christ.."  2 Corinthians 4:6

Though we Believers were formerly darkness, now by God's grace we are
'light in the Lord'.  As children of the light the greatest gift that we
can give family and friends is to tell of God's Gift to all mankind.  How?
By word, of course, but above all by our conduct.  Words mean nothing if
our actions do not correspond.  For this very reason many non believers
call Christians hypocrites (a hypocrite is a person whose actions belie
stated beliefs).  Even Jesus called the religious of His day hypocrites and
He gives a catalog of woes for such as those in Matthew 23:13 and onward.

But of the true Believer, called saints in the New Testament; an example
is Philippians 1:1 (there are others),
"Paul and Timothy, bond servants of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), to all the
saints (God's consecrated people) in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi...";
of these Jesus says in Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such
a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in
heaven."

The Good News of Christ is the greatest gift you can even give.  It is life
and light to whomever will receive!  Hallelujah!