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| Badu |
What kind of gifts will you receive this Christmas?
What kind of gifts will you give? And in particular, what do you give
that person who already has everything? They don’t really need another
tie or sweater; anyone like that on your list this year?
Can you imagine the dilemma those Magi faced 2000 years ago? What do you give someone whose birth has been announced by the stars? Think about it for a moment – what were the Magi hoping to communicate with their gifts? Some have suggested the gifts proclaim the identity of the child: gold for the King of Kings, frankincense for the Son of God, and myrrh for the sacrifice Jesus was to make, but was there something else going on here? The Magi traveled a long way for this moment. Was there something more behind their gifts?
Matthew 2:10 gives us a glimpse. The Magi were “overjoyed” (NIV) when the star led them to the place where Jesus was staying. They “…rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (NASB); Overjoyed, exceedingly great joy. We get the message, they were amped up. I think the gifts were more than just a royal care package, more than just identity markers for God's Son. The gifts were deep expressions of their overwhelming joy. The gifts were a declaration that Jesus was their real treasure. The gifts were a statement, perhaps a commitment that these wise men wanted to value Christ more than anything else.
As we enter into 2012, I want to present that same kind of gift to my King. I want to value Him more than anything else. And I desire that the nations might also discover Him as their boundless treasure, their unsurpassed joy. My heart beats with Psalm 96:3-4, “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods” (NIV).
So here is the question. How am I going to give my time, my talent and my treasure to Jesus in 2012? Taking that one step further, how can I be involved in bringing His message of hope and a future to the nations? Especially to those who are without a compelling, culturally relevant witness in their village, town or city?
Can you imagine the dilemma those Magi faced 2000 years ago? What do you give someone whose birth has been announced by the stars? Think about it for a moment – what were the Magi hoping to communicate with their gifts? Some have suggested the gifts proclaim the identity of the child: gold for the King of Kings, frankincense for the Son of God, and myrrh for the sacrifice Jesus was to make, but was there something else going on here? The Magi traveled a long way for this moment. Was there something more behind their gifts?
Matthew 2:10 gives us a glimpse. The Magi were “overjoyed” (NIV) when the star led them to the place where Jesus was staying. They “…rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (NASB); Overjoyed, exceedingly great joy. We get the message, they were amped up. I think the gifts were more than just a royal care package, more than just identity markers for God's Son. The gifts were deep expressions of their overwhelming joy. The gifts were a declaration that Jesus was their real treasure. The gifts were a statement, perhaps a commitment that these wise men wanted to value Christ more than anything else.
As we enter into 2012, I want to present that same kind of gift to my King. I want to value Him more than anything else. And I desire that the nations might also discover Him as their boundless treasure, their unsurpassed joy. My heart beats with Psalm 96:3-4, “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods” (NIV).
So here is the question. How am I going to give my time, my talent and my treasure to Jesus in 2012? Taking that one step further, how can I be involved in bringing His message of hope and a future to the nations? Especially to those who are without a compelling, culturally relevant witness in their village, town or city?
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Special Gift
Please prayerfully consider making a special gift to Asia International Mission’s general fund
so that we can start 2012 strong as we serve the "least of these"
around the world.
You can do that via credit card by clicking here, or by
mailing a check to AIM, P.O. Box 1597, Stillwater, OK 74076.
Thanks so much!
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Prayer Requests
Pray for the ministries: Orphanages, Pastors, Churches, Lepers,
and reaching the lost in India.
Pray for the funding of projects, and continued favor from
the Lord in the days to come.
Pray for the vision trip scheduled for next Spring.
That God would lead us in how we partner.
Pray for the Unreached Arunthathiyar of India
Population: 929,000
World Popl: 929,000
Main Language: Telugu
Main Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%
World Popl: 929,000
Main Language: Telugu
Main Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%
"Declare his glory among the nations" Psalm 96:3
Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry.
All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are used as designated
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