Waiting for Christmas | Are You Using the Blessings God Has Given You?
Dec 24, 2024
auto_awesome
Explore the fascinating idea of living with God's blessings like unused gift cards, encouraging proactive faith. Delve into the deeper meanings of Christmas beyond materialism, reflecting on joy and disappointment. Unpack the biblical story of Jesus' birth through the lens of Simeon and Mary, emphasizing divine timing and prophetic significance. Celebrate the welcoming of new believers into the faith and the importance of community support, creating a vibrant space for spiritual growth.
Pastor Greg Laurie emphasizes the necessity of actively utilizing God's blessings, much like claiming unused gift cards for their full potential.
The stories of Simeon and Anna exemplify the virtues of patience and hope during Advent, reminding us of the importance of waiting for divine promises.
Deep dives
The Impact of Ronald Reagan
A film titled 'Reagan' highlights the life and influence of Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, showcasing his deep Christian faith and how it shaped his leadership. Starring Dennis Quaid, the film aims to inspire viewers by illustrating Reagan's journey and the significant changes he brought to the world during his presidency. This cinematic portrayal serves not only as entertainment but also as a reminder of Reagan's legacy and the values he stood for. By encouraging viewers to connect with the film, there is an implied suggestion to reflect on the importance of faith in leadership.
Claiming God's Promises
The discussion centers around the idea that the promises of God are often left unclaimed, akin to unused gift cards. Pastor Greg Laurie emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing these promises in everyday life, as many people let them go unutilized despite their availability. With billions of dollars in unused gift cards representing potential, the parallel to God’s promises highlights how individuals may be neglecting the spiritual gifts afforded to them. Examples of specific promises, such as God's provision and presence, are presented as encouragement for believers to actively claim and rely on these assurances.
Waiting for Christmas: Simeon and Anna
The biblical figures Simeon and Anna are introduced as two holy individuals who exemplified patience by eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Messiah. Living during a time of oppression and turmoil, their faith was characterized by a steadfast belief that they would encounter the Savior before their passing. Their significant roles in the nativity story, arriving at the temple to meet Jesus shortly after His birth, serve to remind listeners of the deeper meanings surrounding Christmas and the fulfillment of God's promises. These characters illustrate the blessings that can come from waiting with hope and purpose in anticipation of divine promises.
Every once in a while, we hear a story of an elderly person who lived like a pauper right up until they passed away. And then shortly thereafter, it’s discovered they had millions of dollars stuffed in an old mattress. Everybody has the same question: why didn’t they put that money to use? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie asks the same question of the blessings God has given us. Are we saving them for a rainy day? We’ll get some good encouragement to put those blessings to use.
Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org
A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.