Christmas Blessings
The Christmas message I shared this year on December 1st was titled GIFTS. We like receiving gifts because a gift does not cost the person receiving, however, it costs the person giving it. The greatest gift that God gave to everyone is salvation through Jesus Christ, Saviour & Lord. It is the Gift that keeps on giving. When we have received Jesus as our Saviour, we can introduce Him to someone who has not yet received this precious gift.
The wise men gave gifts to the Lord. Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh. Gifts of value and significance, fit for the King. Many items in the tabernacle were overlaid with gold. Frankincense was used as one of the ingredients that was crushed to make the holy incense which was offered to God in the temple.
The fragrant smoke rising heavenward was symbolic of the prayers, worship, and thanksgiving of the people and the priests, an offering made unto God.
Myrrh was used in the holy anointing oil and for Jesus’ burial. The woman who broke the alabaster jar anointed the feet of Jesus with fragrant oil.
What gift can we give Jesus this Christmas as we celebrate His birth, the birth of our King? We can celebrate Him by giving our lives fully to Him, following Him to fulfil our life purpose in and through Him. By using the gifts and talents He has blessed us with, to bless others and to be an effective witness to bring people to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 2:14 & 15
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
Be blessed and have a wonderful Christmas!
With joy,
Rochelle Soza
Founder
Sound of the Lord Mission
December 21st Outreach in Whalley
Cris, Erma and I went out on street ministry in Whalley on December 21st. It was a cold dreary and wet day as it was raining but we were excited to go out and share the Gospel. The Lord always warms our hearts as we head out no matter whether it is raining, snowing, or the sun is shining.We gave care packs to over 30 people. Toques, socks, knitted scarves, gloves and other necessities plus soup and buns, chili, turkey bacon sandwiches, bananas, mandarins, coffee and hot chocolate. The Gospel of John was included in each care pack.
1 Corinthians 3:6 & 7
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.We met so many people who were grateful to receive the care packs especially the hot chocolate and coffee on a cold day.
I have to admit that I was saddened to see one group of people sitting on the ground surrounded by mud. You will see 2 pictures below of Cris and myself giving care packs to one of them so that he could give to the others who were seated on the wet ground, further away. As he saw me approaching, he walked towards me and the first words he said after thanking, was “be careful, it is very slippery”. How do you say “Merry Christmas” to someone living in such a situation? There was nothing merry there. BUT when we go, Jesus goes with us and His love and compassion ministers to the people we meet, through the power of the Holy Spirit. That is joy, great joy that only Jesus can give regardless of the surroundings.
It is written in Scripture that the angel’s announcement was to shepherds in a field. Could probably have been muddy there too, but the glory of the Lord shone around them. What is the application to you and me from this profound Scripture? Whatever situation you are facing today, the glory of the Lord can and will shine on you. Keep your mind on Jesus.
Luke 2:8 – 118 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget the people around us who may not even realise it is Christmas time. God’s love is unconditional and is freely given. Let us also love in deed and not by word only.
As always, we are grateful for all our donors. Every outreach we do is possible because of your generosity. May the Lord bless you and keep you and your families in His presence and may His face shine upon you and give you peace.
We thank God for 2024 as we release this year into history in a few days. We remember 2024, that through challenging times and great, wonderful times, God has been, is, and always will be faithful and strong on our behalf to live the overcoming life.
Christmas Blessings!
Rochelle on behalf of,
Sound of the Lord Mission
Ministry Team
We would love to pray for & with you!
Prayer requests can be emailed to
soundofthelordmission@gmail.com
Redeem the time and maintain a strong prayer life. Stay Blessed!
Rochelle Soza
Founder, Sound of the Lord Mission