As for us, we always thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation, a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and by your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

There are three words that all parents dread to hear at Christmas: “Batteries not included.” Many people may think that Christmas ends when all the presents are opened, but parents know that Christmas goes on until all the toys have been assembled, all the wrapping paper is cleaned up, and all the thank you notes are written. In some ways, Christmas doesn’t end when the gifts are unwrapped it begins!

Our life in Christ is the same way. The excitement of coming to Christ is a joyous time, but the Christian life really just begins there. God then begins the process of making us into the men and women He wants us to be – the people our souls desire to become. We don’t just become Christians when we come to faith in Christ, we begin becoming Christians.

Isn’t it great to know that our life in Christ is just beginning!

How to plug into continuing growth in Christ: Look at your life today in Christ. Have you changed since you first came to Christ? Thank God for continuing to grow in you the faith you need.

For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

On my tree growing up, there was an angel with lopsided wings. It wasn’t made that way. It became that way when I broke it. I can’t remember what happened. Maybe I was playing with a ball or maybe I was wrestling with my brother, but somehow the angel fell from the tree and broke. I tried to hide it, but mom found it. I told her I was sorry and waited for my punishment, but it never came. Instead, she got some glue, pieced it together, and hung it back on the tree. That angel was a reminder to me of what forgiveness is about.

As tough as it may seem, what God wants is to offer us forgiveness. He wants us to bring him the shattered remains of our lives and let Him put them back together. We just need to come to Him and give Him our lives and He will make them new again.

How to plug into God’s forgiveness: Trust in God. Don’t be afraid to admit to God that you have failed at running your own life. Spend time in prayer seeking God’s forgiveness for your sins, and place your life in His hands that He can restore you to the life He’s always wanted for you.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

I love to make candy at Christmas time. I take recipes that have been passed down from my grandmother to make classic hand-dipped chocolates that are always a hit with everyone who tries them. I’ve made rich opera creams, smooth peppermint fondants, all types of fudge, and even homemade marshmallows (a personal favorite!). But there is one candy that I haven’t even tried to make – divinity. Why? The recipe says, “Make ONLY on a cold, dry day.” In Texas, those are very few and far between.

There are some things that require that the conditions be just right. The problem is that many times we can’t control those conditions. It would be just as impossible for me to create the conditions in my heart for spiritual growth as it would be to control the weather to make divinity! Luckily, the same God who controls the weather can also work on the condition of our hearts. And He wants to make our hearts pure so that we can grow in faith. All we need to do is ask and trust that He will respond.

How to plug into God’s transforming power: Ask! Open your heart to God and ask Him to make the changes necessary for you to grow deeper in your relationship with Him.

Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Christmas gift exchanges are always fun, particularly “White Elephant” gift exchanges. If you haven’t been a part of one, the basic premise is that a person either opens a gift or “steals” one that already is opened. It always is fun to see the good gifts exchanging hands over and over again, despite continued efforts to hide the gift from sight. No matter how much someone tries to conceal, people always remember where the good gifts are.

It’s no use hiding gifts. Gifts are supposed to be shared, that’s the nature of a gift. God has given each of us special gifts, and He wants us to share them in the church. Not everyone has the same gifts, nor should we, but God has given us all the gifts together that we need to do His will. Together we have what it takes to be the church that God calls us to be, if we are each willing to share the gifts God has given us.

How to plug into using God’s gifts: Look at your life and what God has given you. What are your passions? Find a way to use your unique abilities to bless others with the love of Christ.