My Saturday Evening Post | Operation Christmas Child & Advent

First, I pray you and yours had a magnificent time celebrating Thanksgiving this year. I know that our family enjoyed spending time together even though not everyone could be there to join in the celebrations. For many people, the holidays are a difficult time because they are alone. We pray for those of you who were separated from loved ones this year, whatever the reason may be.

We’ve had a superb time at the Dallas Processing Center for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Starting this past Monday, as Sweet T and the team closed out a mind-blowing National Collection Week, I began serving at the Dallas PC as their chaplain for the PM shift. In a few short days, I’ve met hundreds of people, prayed with dozens more, and made new friends who share the love of Jesus and for the ministry of Operation Christmas Child. It’s been a super-spectacular first week of processing at the brand new facility in Coppell, Texas.

Sunday marks the beginning of Advent. The word advent means “arrival” or “appearing or coming into place.” For Christians, this marks a season of celebrating the First Advent of Christ (the Incarnation) while looking forward to the Second Advent of Christ (Jesus’ return). It is a time for believers to prepare their hearts for Christmas and the pending return of Jesus Christ, our Messiah.

During one of the devotions I shared with the OCC team this week, I was reminded of the promise of Jesus’ return. In 1 Peter 5:7, the Apostle wrote, “The end of all things is at hand.” Peter goes on to tell us how we should live out our testimony in light of Christ’s pending return. My late friend Mark would always remind his friends to guard our witness closely. God has given each of us grace. If we have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior then we can fully enjoy the gift of grace God has showered on us. This, in turn, influences how we think, what we say, and how we do things. As Christians, you and I are called to do everything in a manner that glorifies God through Jesus Christ. That’s definitely something to meditate on as we enter this Advent season.

I have been blessed beyond measure this past week seeing God at work through His people. As a chaplain with Marketplace Chaplains and Samaritan’s Purse, I get to witness the Lord actively working in the lives of others each and every day. I’m thankful for that as I reflect back on the thanksgiving spirit we celebrated on Thursday. I’m grateful for the privilege and honor of serving others who need to be encouraged by the love of Jesus as they share the love of Christ with a world desperately in need of the Good News of Christ.

Remember: God is good all the time and all the time God is good! No matter what.

To experience life the way God intended, you and I must receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. This gift from God is available to all who ask. Will you personally receive the gift of eternal life so that you can experience the total forgiveness from your sins that come through believing in the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

As always, thanks for reading. For nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37)

Blessings,

The Devotional Guy™

ABOUT: The Devotional Guy™ is a writing ministry of Chaplain Rainer Bantau, a Swiss-born, German kid who grew up in East Texas and today ministers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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