Hear! Hear! The End of the Year is Near!

It’s November 1 and this year is almost over! Including today, there are 61 days left in 2018. It’s hard to believe how quickly the days turn into weeks, morph into months, and fade into years.

For Sweet T and I, the beginning of November is marked by the ramping up of Operation Christmas Child and the upcoming National Collection Week. We also start to anticipate the fast-approaching family holidays and a season of thanksgiving and celebration.

18 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

We have seen God do incredible things since Sweet T and I started actively participating in Operation Christmas Child 10 years ago. We’ve made great friendships and established life-long relationships with people we would have never met otherwise. But God always has an abundant, multiplying plan. I’m continually amazed how the Lord takes our offering and expands it beyond measure.

In the course of co-laboring alongside wonderful OCC volunteers, Sweet T and I have affirmed first-hand that we can’t outgive God. Sweet T and I take to heart God’s command to go out and make disciples. On any given day, we actively seek opportunities to pour into other people’s lives, re-investing the grace and mercy God showered upon us into those amid our circle of influence who need it most. Operation Christmas Child is one spoke of our vibrant ministry wheel that proclaims the gospel to a hungry, hurting world.

15 And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15 (ESV)

Every individual in the world needs the gospel. The gospel brings restoration to a world in desperate need of redemption. Every corner of the world hungers for the healing the gospel brings to people near and far. Through Operation Christmas Child, millions of children in 100+ countries receive a simple prayer-filled, love-packed shoebox that carries with it the promise of eternal life. These special gifts, delivered in Jesus’ name, have a far-reaching impact. Along the way, these shoebox gifts are a blessing to everyone involved in the process of getting the box into the hands of a child.

National Collection Week is November 12-19 this year. We’re looking forward to seeing God at work!

Blessings,

The Devotional Guy™