Christmas brought us “Far More”

As Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem, they faced a world of uncertainty.  On a national level, power struggles, politics, and injustice dominated the public discourse.  On a personal level, family uncertainty, personal exhaustion, and life transitions likely crowded their thinking almost every day.  Does that sound familiar to what you may have experienced this week?

The good news is that Jesus entered our world – a fallen and broken world – to bring us hope and help.  In the silence of the night, a Savior was born who would change everything. In humility, he entered our world to save us.  Is the reality that Jesus entered your world impacting you today?  It should!

We’ve title our year-end Christmas campaign “Far More” based upon Ephesians 3:20-21.

[20] Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Joseph and Mary experienced “far more” than they ever imagined when they first got engaged.  Their faithfulness was used by God to impact the entire world.  Because of Christ, we all experience “Far More” this Christmas season.

Specifically, Paul’s confidence in his prayer for the Ephesians is that we can experience “far more” than we can even ask or think because of three amazing gifts that Jesus brings to us.

He gives us power – God offers to you “far more” power than you will ever need.  He can strengthen you to do all that He desires for you to do.  His strength can help you endure and His strength can help us move forward.  If you feel weak, please know that God might just have you where you can accomplish the most.  Joseph and Mary faced this same weakness, but God had a wonderful plan to change the world.

He gives us faith – God offers to you “far more” through His gift of faith to you.  Faith is a mystery, and the Christmas story reminds us that God gives us the faith to follow through.  We all face “faith moments” where we have a decision to trust God or trust another way.  Joseph and Mary had “far more” faith than most of us will ever have, but God promises to give us enough.  We just have to learn to act on the faith He has given to us.

He gives us love – God offers to you “far more” love than you can even comprehend.  He reminds us that His love is wider, longer, higher, and deeper than you could ever know.  Do you believe that about God this Christmas season?  When we truly believe that God loves us, it changes the way we respond to trials.  For many, it’s hard to believe that God loves you, or that He still loves you like He once did.  Don’t believe that lie!  God’s love for you is so much more, “far more” than you can even see.

As we wind down our year at BCC, we are so grateful that we have seen the strength, faith, and love of God bring joy and peace to so many of you this year.  It has been our joy to see restored relationships, personal victories, and newfound peace for many who we have been privileged to walk with, in 2019.  For others, life is still really hard as you wait for changes and continue working to establish new patterns and for others to see a better vision around you.  We all need to learn from Mary and Joseph that God is doing “Far More” than we ever can imagine our see.

From the staff of BCC, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and New Year as you receive the strength, faith, and love that are only found in Jesus.