God chose Mary to be a vessel to carry the greatest gift that this world has ever received; the gift of salvation. God has chosen each of us to be vessels in which to carry gifts as well. Just like Jesus was birthed out of Mary with a purpose and a plan, our God-given gifts are also birthed out of us with a purpose and plan as well. Everything about Jesus, the Son, pointed back to God, the Father, and likewise everything about our gifts should point back to Him as well. God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to save it. God thought enough of us to give us gifts that when used, would point towards Christ. What gift has God or is God birthing out of you? Are you using it? And if not, will you begin today? There are too many lost souls in need of encouragement, inspiration, peace, and power, that can come from God's gift through you? Imagine how much change could, would, will occur, when we all decide to use what God has given us. If you think that you don't have a gift to give everyone this Christmas, you're wrong. Ask God to reveal to you what it is; then receive it; then share it, and watch God move.

Be careful to look out for the next one.

Blessings in Christ Jesus,
Rev. Dr. Dennis E. Laffoon, Pastor
Bethel A.M.E. Church - Saginaw, Michigan
 

Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins.  He bore the sins of the entire world so that through Him, we might have eternal life.  It’s not that we are deserving of such an inheritance, as much as it is that God loved us that much to sacrifice His Son.  But what will we do with it (salvation that is)? At the point of receiving it, there is so much excitement, fervor and wonder. But then what happens?  Does our salvation become a sort of get out of hell free card or simply a marker to hold our place in heaven?  Or is it an opportunity to receive a wonderful legacy and share it with others?  Will it be the peculiarity of walking and talking differently?  Could it be the confidence of a healthy and growing relationship with God?  Shall it be the standard by which we live and encourage others to live?  We are heirs to the incredible inheritance of salvation though Jesus Christ but we must not underestimate its value for our lives now on earth or later in heaven.

Blessings in Christ Jesus,
Rev. Dr. Dennis E. Laffoon, Pastor
Bethel A.M.E. Church - Saginaw, Michigan

We are called to be shining lights in a dark world; to share the love of Christ through the filter of our experience.  Our experience is made up of various memories, which determine how meaningful it will be.  We tend to remember our first kiss, first car, graduation, promotions on our job, winning sports events, winter storms, and even outrageous department store sales.  But How many of remember a good sermon, or the move of the Holy Spirit, or a miracle of healing, or the first time you shared your personal testimony, or the moment you gave your life to Christ or got baptized?  These moments also make up our experience, but as Christians, we rely on the meaning of these memories to empower our witness.  But what if we can't remember certain milestones in faith?  It's a great question, with a great answer.  You create new memories that will be valuable to you, to add to your experience, expand your faith, encourage others within the Body of Christ, and ultimately strengthen your witness.

Blessings in Christ Jesus,
Rev. Dr. Dennis E. Laffoon, Pastor
Bethel A.M.E. Church - Saginaw, Michigan