YOU’RE ON THE STAGE!!! Remember those short and oh-so-sweet
Christmas plays that were a part of our early years at school? Whether we had a starring part that went as
smooth as silk – or just a few lines that we stuttered through … or a rousing
solo – or a few off-key notes sung along with the whole group of equally
tone-deaf kids, we were on the stage! We
were kind of there, whether we really wanted to be – or not! Some loved showing off their talents, while
others were hoping their stage-fright would drop them right through a trap-door
secretly concealed on the stage. AND NOW
WE’RE ON THE STAGE AGAIN !!! What
stage, you ask? Why, the world stage of
prophecy, dear ones! We are right in the
middle of the stage. We are living on
the stage! If you don’t think so, just
turn on the news. You will soon realize that
we are front and center stage! The thing
is … it will not do us any good to panic.
The good news is that we can help write the script for how things play
out by the faithfulness and frequency of our time spent in prayer before the
Throne of God! The prayers of God’s
people can turn the tide of a nation – even our world, if enough of us will get
over our stage-fright and embrace this present stage we are on. We can re-write
the script to bring it into alignment with the Director’s story-line, if we
will participate at the height of our commitment, giftedness, and devotion to
the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ!
The roles have been posted … no auditions are needed for this play. We will all be involved in some way – because
we are all a part of this world. The
exciting opportunity for embracing our role on this world stage is that our
performance will have a lasting effect for eternity … one way or the
other. We have a greater weight of responsibility
for an award-winning performance than any actor or actress that has ever graced
any stage to date. Lost souls hang in
the balance as they sit gripped in fear at what is blaring from every
microphone on this stage. New followers
of Christ are needing a strong, steady, confident child of God to help lead
them through their part of the script.
It’s going to take some pulling-up of the boot-strings, some pulling-out
of all stops, and casting out all fear.
Then we can step up boldly, and confidently proclaim the message that is
already written out for us in God’s Script!
We better be ready for the reviews, which will range all the way from
resounding accolades and acceptance from those watching us on stage … to us becoming
adept at ducking the trash and rejection that will be hurled our way! What matters to us is that we can be a part
of drawing people to Christ and helping them find the hope and peace that will
chase away their escalating fears! After
all, we know how the last line on the stage ends. A hint?
WE win … GOD wins!!! What more
satisfying closing act could there be when the curtain comes down?! A long time ago, there were SOME OTHER PEOPLE
ON ANOTHER STAGE. What did you think of
being on THAT STAGE, Mary and Joseph?
Things were happening fast, and suddenly you found your common-place
roles transformed center-stage and the world sat transfixed at the scene that
night in the stable under that incredible star!
What was it like for the two of you?
Did it feel like the paparazzi coming to stalk you and your new Baby …
or were the visits by all these people accompanied by order and reverence and
love, as they one by one fell to their knees in worship of this Christ-Child
divinely born to you, Mary? What a scene
it must have been – with the entire world watching, even before the days of global
media networks! What a scene it is now –
with God having placed us here at this time when the whole word can literally
watch live what is taking place at any given time - over unlimited networks. Hopefully we are doing what the Bible says
Mary did: “ … treasured up all these
things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke
2:19) What a treasure, indeed, for God
to have chosen US to be center stage at this point and time! May God’s plan be carried out in us and
through us, as He has said!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to those Jones’ we
love so much: Luke on his 2nd
birthday on the 11th, DJ and Melissa on their 13th
Anniversary on the 11th, Verla on her birthday on the 14th,
and Dylan on his 17th birthday on the 15th!!!
SUN, DEC 09: 10:00 A.M. –
PRAISE & WORSHIP/CHRISTMAS CAROLING to follow w/Chili and Cinnamon Rolls
back at church!
SUN, DEC 09: 10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly … the Christmas
stories are coming to life!
WED, DEC 12: 7:00 P.M. –
MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 905 El Dorado Street SE in
Owatonna/join us!
THU, DEC 13: 7:00 P.M. –
MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 165 24th Place NW in
Owatonna; come & learn!
FRI, DEC 15: 7:00
P.M. – LADIES NITE OUT w/cookie exchange (bring 2½ doz.) and card & small
gift for your Secret Angel!
SUN, DEC 16: 10:00 A.M. –
PRAISE & WORSHIP … ”The Amazing Emmanuel – Part 4 / KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Shirley, Max, Julia, Hazel, Deb,
Graff family & baby, Kay, Norman, Lafawn & Cherry in loss of loved one,
Johnny, our nation and its leaders, our military, those hungry and in need, Seykoras,
Lundstroms, and unspoken needs.
REMEMBER . . . The script on the stage: “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is
given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Joyfully Serving Christ . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
