Christmas 2009 Outreach Resources from LHM

Help from Lutheran Hour Ministries is always available, especially this Christmas. Now available!

LHM Advent Devotions: For Seekers and the Churched

· For seekers: Who would have thought?

In Who would have thought? author Chuck Strohacker uses anecdotal stories, real-life situations, and personal observations to share the truth of God's love as revealed in Jesus Christ. His devotional style is somewhat non-traditional. Touching on family Christmas customs, lessons learned in the classroom, and his hobbies-to name but a few things-he casts light on the unparalleled marvel of God's mercy as shown in the birth of His Son two millennia ago in a tiny village just south of Jerusalem. "Who would have thought," Strohacker asks, "that God would open His mercy and grace not only to His chosen people, Israel, but to the Gentiles as well?" Indeed, who would have thought?

· For the churched: From Nazareth to Bethlehem - An Advent Journey

From Nazareth to Bethlehem boldly declares God's love and grace in the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, in a style that's familiar and time-honored. In these texts, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod International Center Chaplain Vern Gundermann chronicles a number of journeys. Beginning with Mary and Joseph's road trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, to the Messiah's birth there, to the family's flight to Egypt, to Jesus' ministry in Palestine-these devotions show a God on the move in the lives of men-both ancient and modern. As Gundermann writes, "He would be the Good Shepherd who would lay down His life for His sheep. For them. For us. For the whole world!" (This devotion is available for download in Spanish.)

· What Is Christmas? is a brand-new Project Connect booklet from Lutheran Hour Ministries written by Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Pastor Wayne Palmer. These pages convey how Christmas for some can be a difficult time of the year. For families working through hurt feelings, strained relationships-even the oncoming death of a loved one-Christmas can be a trying time.

Providing Scriptural narrative from the first Christmas, Palmer conveys how God has reconciled man to Himself through His Son and how His love gives us hope when re-establishing connections with family members. The best things about Christmas are often those impossible to put a price on-time spent together, renewed love, and the true joy the birth of our Savior brings.

Concluding the booklet, What is Christmas? asks the reader, "Where do you find yourself this Christmas?" Wherever that place might be, the reader is reminded that God's gift of love in Jesus Christ can heal every wound and repair every broken relationship.


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Overcoming Fear: Being Viewed as a Hypocrite by Someone Close

In the September edition of the Equipping Newsletter, we began a series called "Overcoming Fear." Each remaining month in 2009, we will address a specific fear that has deterred us from sharing our faith so we can overcome each obstacle. We want to jump these hurdles so we feel free to share rather than allowing fear to hinder our faith sharing.

Last month we addressed the fear of not knowing what to say. This month, we will work to overcome the fear that keeps many from sharing with a family member or close friend: The fear of being considered a hypocrite.

Family members and close friends have been around for a long period of time, meaning that - in addition to our strengths - they have observed our greatest moments of weakness. They've likely watched as we've crashed and burned, sometimes pulling loved ones down with us - including them.

For some Christians, they feel that their imperfection exhibited over the years disqualifies them from sharing about a perfect Jesus with their spectators. These past mistakes cause them to feel too ashamed to share. However, the beauty of evangelism is that it has nothing to do with us. Take you out of the equation.

When it comes to witnessing, do not focus on your past sins or fear what others will say who knew you then. In fact, get over yourself! Witnessing is not about you at all. Even when we share our personal testimony, the emphasis is not on our own goodness, but on the greatness of God. On your own, you are not good enough-no matter what. No one is. That is why we each need Christ-the only perfect one.

The message to communicate is not that you are perfect, but rather that God is. It is by His grace that Jesus died to save us from the horrible things we did in our past. In fact, our imperfect past is a testimony of God's faithfulness. He has shown us mercy as an example to all.

While in Damascus, Paul was looked down on for preaching the Gospel because of his former life: "Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, 'Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?' But Paul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 9:20-22).

Paul did not allow his past sins or the fear of what people thought of him hinder his witness. Instead, he increased in strength-God's strength. He leaned on God, recognizing that this was His kingdom work. And rather than become weak or give up, Paul confounded those who would belittle him or discredit his witness.

You are not disqualified from sharing with friends or family members because of past sins. In fact, God can use your testimony mightily to bring glory to His name. Remember to direct all of the praise and attention to Him. And, next time you begin to doubt your right to witness because of past sins, consider this: Even if you had been spared from this previous humiliation, evangelism would still not be about you!

The emphasis is on God's love and mercy. You have been used as an example of that. You are not perfect and neither are your friends or family members. When they see that, despite your imperfections, God has fully forgiven you, fully accepted you and that He fully loves you, they will want what you have been given!

When you remember "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast," your gaze will be shifted away from yourself and back onto God, making you more available and effective as His witness. Salvation is a gift from God - a work of the Holy Spirit in one's heart - which you can neither earn for yourself or persuade others to by your actions.

God has no doubt strategically placed your family members and friends in your life. Let go of your past -- He has. And, as you move forward, freely share the gift of salvation with your loved ones as you would share any other item you cherish.


Provided by Sarah Guldalian, Editor
Coordinator, Equipping to Share


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Thought of the Day

"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Romans 4:7



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Tips for Sharing

If while sharing, a frank friend or family member asks you, "How can you say you are a Christian? Remember when you..." and rattles off a less than shining moment in your past, try this easy, grace-filled response:

"I know! It just goes to show that, if God is so forgiving that He forgave even me of that, He will forgive anyone!"


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Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for purposely placing our family members and friends in our lives. Please help us let go of our sinful pasts, remembering You did long ago. We admit we have tried doing things our own way - even sharing our faith in You. We are sorry. We cannot do this in our own power. The strength we need comes only from You. May all the glory be given to You, God.

Help us set aside fear and insecurity. Please replace them with confidence found only in your consistent loving kindness and mercy. We ask You to break any obstacle that would impede us from sharing your message of salvation with those we love. Help us cling to you; because, as we do, we will have the power we need to share our faith regularly with boldness. Thank You for loving us and forgiving us. Thank You for allowing us to play a part in Your kingdom work. In Jesus' holy and precious Name we pray, Amen.


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Web Resources

For LHM's Advent Devotions 2009, go to
http://www.adventdevotions.com/.

To order or download What is Christmas?, visit http://www.lhm.org/projectconnect/popup.htm/.


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Next Issue

Overcoming the Fear of Causing Confrontation


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