The Main Event - DevoMail with Skip Heitzig

Dear Connection Friend,

In December 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright sent a telegram to their family from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It said, "We actually flew 120 feet. We'll be home for Christmas." Their sister Katharine took it to the editor of the local newspaper. His response was interesting. "Oh, how nice," he said. "The boys will be home for Christmas." He missed the main event: Mankind had flown!

Much bigger news happened in a little town outside Jerusalem 1900 years earlier, but some people missed it.We find one of them in Luke 2. The innkeeper at Bethlehem missed the main event because he was too preoccupied with his business. Although there's always room available for a stranger in that part of the world, he showed no hospitality whatsoever. He sent Joseph and Mary to a stable. This shows the attitude of the world toward God. When it comes to spiritual things, and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, most people's response is that they're too busy. But if you're too busy for God, you are just too busy!

In Matthew 2 we find the second one who missed the main event, a paranoid politician. King Herod was fearful and perturbed when the magi came looking for a newborn "King of the Jews." This was Herod's title, and he didn't want any competition. He didn't want to lose control. There are people today who won't let God interfere with their personal kingdoms. God is fine as long as He doesn't invade their space. Like Herod, they claim to worship God, but it's really all about them.

And then there was a group of passive theologians. Herod asked the scribes and priests where Christ would be born, and they knew the exact place. I think that's amazing--not because of what they knew, but because of what they didn't do. Why didn't they go to Bethlehem? It was only five miles away! It's not enough to know the text or be able to analyze it or quote it. You have to respond in obedience. Do you have a passion for God, to know Him and have His peace? Or has this "church thing" become routine?So there was no room in the inn, no room in the court, no room in the religious system. No room for Jesus. How about you? Are you preoccupied with other things? Are you paranoid about losing your position as king of your own life? Or are you just passive and can't be bothered?

Don't miss the main event. Don't let distractions or pride or apathy keep you from Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God, the Savior, and the only one worthy of our worship. "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"

In His strong love,
Skip Heitzig

Above and Beyond

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' - Acts 20:35

There’s a philosophy in our culture that breeds mediocrity. Most people do only what is necessary to get by.

If there’s a job to be done, it’s done adequately. We tolerate people we work with, instead of actually taking an interest in them. And when it comes to really important matters, like our relationship with God, our spouse, our family and friends—some offer indifference instead of creativity and an eagerness to engage.

Our God is not a lack-luster God. Our God is overflowing with power and a desire to know you, to bless you, and to offer you his peace and hope for the future. But to receive that, you have to be willing to share what you have now with others. God’s design is that in order to get more, you have to give more. And once we understand that, our lives will be blessed and go above and beyond anything we’ve ever dreamed.

A Prayer for Today
Dear God, It’s so easy to become complacent and only do the bare minimum. Help me to live life with excitement and joy. Help me to put forth effort in helping others, building relationships, in being generous with my time and resources and in going the extra mile in everything that I do. In your Son’s name I pray, Amen.