Recently, I was privileged, as your Revolving Loan Fund Manager, to do a site visit with a BMA church that had requested a substantial loan from us to build a new worship facility. As part of the visit, Bro. Geraldson and I joined them for a morning worship service and it was such a joy to experience their enthusiasm for the greatness of God as revealed in the Scriptures. The pastor was passionate about expounding the Word of God to believers and calling sinners to repentance. Something he said during his sermon made me think about the mercies of God to give us what we don't deserve. He said, "[Believer], you have been loved and saved with an everlasting love before the foundations of the world. And based on that knowledge of the God who loves you and saved you like that and calls you out to be His people, now walk worthy of that love that is everlasting . . . I am in God's presence, and I remain in God's presence because of Jesus. Period."
The words of this pastor remind us of how much God has given us and of the great love with which He has loved us, even though we don't deserve it. As we enter this Christmas season, just think about the fact that the eternal, sovereign Lord of the universe clothed Himself in mortal flesh and revealed Himself to us in the person of Jesus. The angel of the Lord told Joseph, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Mt. 1:21). What a gift! What love! Peace was born and salvation came for all who will believe. Our hearts should be gripped with awe, wonder and worship this Christmas season, and all year long at the thought of this!