Devotional Thoughts

Make Him Known by Griffin

The country of Panama is the most southern country of the Central American nations.  The country is slightly smaller than South Carolina.  The population of Panama is over 3.6 million people.  There are a lot of unskilled workers in Panama, which contributes to many people living in very poor conditions.

Most houses in Panama are made of concrete blocks with either tin or thatched roofs.   Because of poor living conditions, the Christmas holiday season is not a very joyous time for Panamanian children.

To make the holidays a time of happiness for some of these children, our church participates in Boxes of Joy for Panama.  Every year our church prepares Christmas gift boxes, and we want to make these be boxes of joy for the children who receive them.  We put small toys, personal care items, school supplies and candy in each box.  Each gift box also contains a teaching tract about Jesus and His church and the tract lists local congregations located in Panama.

This year I decided to fill a box myself.  I chose to fill a box for a boy 8 to 10 years old.  My dad and I went to Fred’s to buy my supplies for my box.  I put Slinkys, pencils, a flashlight and batteries, and small toys in my box.  I put a lot of Hot Wheels cars in it.  I brought the box to church and wrapped it myself on the Sunday afternoon we set aside for wrapping the boxes.

Jesus commanded that we make Him known.  Participating in filling a box with small items and a teaching tract gives the message of love to children in Panama.  It lets them know that we love Jesus and that we want to share our love of giving with them.  I hope if they are going to church, whoever gets my box will find one of the churches listed in the tract enclosed with my box.

In Acts Chapter 17 verses 23 and 24, Paul told the people in Athens who worshipped an unknown god that he knew who this God was.  He said, “… Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:  God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”  Every day the way I act and talk tells other people how much I love Jesus.  I need to always be looking for ways to tell people about Him.

By participating in the Christmas joy for children in Panama, this is one small way I am able to make Jesus known.

The next posts will be featuring excerpts from the speeches that will be presented at the Leadership Training for Christ convention. The theme is Make Him Known.

Make Him Known by Denson

While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy to come to him in Athens, he wandered around the city.  He observed that the city was full of idols, which were worshiped by the people.  He was very upset seeing how the people did not worship the true God.  He first went to the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles.  He also reasoned with people in the market place every day.

Certain philosophers took Paul to the leaders of Athens so he could be questioned about the strange things he was teaching.  They wanted to know what these things meant.  The Bible says that all the people in Athens and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time doing nothing but telling or hearing something new.  So Paul presented them with the good news of Christ.

He stood in the  midst of these city leaders and philosophers and began by saying he had observed that they were very religious in all respects.  He told them he had found an altar 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.'  Therefore, he told them they were worshiping in ignorance so he began to tell them about the God who made the world and everything in it.    

In studying Acts 17 verses 16 through 34, I realized God wants everyone to make Jesus known to people with whom we come in contact.  Because I am young and a student, the main way I can let others know about Jesus is the way I conduct myself.  I have to be creative and look for ways that I can make Jesus known, especially to people who don't know Jesus.

I like to talk to people so I invited friends to come to my church.  I invite my friends to attend our vacation Bible school.  I try to be a good example to my friends and family.  I participate in lots of activities at church.  It is my goal, like Paul's, to always make Jesus known wherever I go.

The next posts will be featuring excerpts from the speeches that will be presented at the Leadership Training for Christ convention. The theme is Make Him Known.

Make Him Known by Austin

My Poppy is a very special person.  Poppy is 73 years old and has been retired for 12 years.  He is very active playing golf and dedicated to helping people.  He is a handyman, and many people call him when they need something repaired.  Most of all he loves to teach people about Jesus.  He has had a very special opportunity to travel to Honduras and work with Christians there for several years.

He goes to Trujillo, Honduras, each year for two to three weeks to help people in this city.  He goes with his friend Jack and with 30 to 40 other volunteers whose purpose is to help others. 

He works with five little churches, a community organization, and the Trujillo Christian Children's School.  The school is sponsored by the West Metro church of Christ in Hiram, Georgia.  He and the volunteers go through the Christian school and make a list of all needed repairs.  They visit in people's homes and repair anything that is needed in that home.  

Trujillo is fortunate to have five strong churches.  When Paul preached in Athens, the people had an idol to an unknown god.  In Acts chapter 17 and verses 23-24, Paul told the people that God made the universe and He was the one they should worship.  He taught Jews and Gentiles.  He taught people where were devoted to nothing but pleasure.  He taught Stoics, who were people who were not affected by joy, grief, pleasure or pain.  In verses 22 through 34 Paul preached to the people and leaders in Athens and addressed their worship to an Unknown God.  He made Jesus known to this very mixed group of people.  People from all walks of life heard Paul as he made Jesus known to them.  In the same way Poppy and his friends make Jesus known in the city of Trujillo.

The Holidays

The holidays are not always merry.   Even in the best of circumstances, there may be difficulties and stress that challenge our joy.  For others, the holidays magnify pain and hurts.  Here are some reminders to offer help for the holidays as presented by Gary Bradley, Jr. in our Grief Recovery workshop.

1. Romans 8:31-32. The cross says everything God wants us to know about being for us.  

2. Luke 9:11.  Jesus spoke to them of the kingdom and healed those who needed healing.

3. Luke 22:41-42.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed.  We pray and ask God for what we want, but we trust God to give us what we need.

4. John 11:21 & 32.  Martha and Mary independently said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Be truthful about how bad it hurts and take it to the right source.