Good morning, How are your Christmas plans coming? Hopefully better than those at our house. Months ago we coordinated with family members from across the country for a Christmas gathering. We’ve been anticipating and arranging for it ever since. But now, at least some of those plans are unraveling as the days count down to Christmas. _ It’s not that surprising. No doubt you have had similar experiences. The plans we make are hardly ironclad. No matter how carefully we make them, they can fall apart in a moment. It makes us realize how little control we have over our lives. James reminds us, “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow...Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:14-15). The uncertainty of our plans would be terrifying if it were not for the absolute certainty of God’s plans. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11). What an amazing promise! It takes all the pressure off us and our plans. We don’t always know what is good for us, especially in the big picture of eternity. Left to ourselves, we would make a mess of everything. But the Lord loves us too much to let that happen, and so before time began He made plans to rescue us from sin and death and give us the priceless gift of heaven. When God plans, it is as good as done. Nothing can stand in the way of His plan coming together. “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Gal. 4:4-5). Rather than stressing over our uncertain plans, let’s relax and rejoice in God’s perfect plan: promised, fulfilled, and given to us as a free gift in His Son born in Bethlehem. In Jesus’ name, Pastor Tomorrow’s services are at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve rehearsal for the children is at 9:15 a.m. The adult Bible class will meet in the activity room at 9:30 a.m. The children and others involved in the Christmas Eve program will be served lunch after second service. Following lunch, the children will rehearse once more and exchange gifts. Professor gifts: Please remember our professors at ILC in your Christmas prayers. They faithfully serve the Lord and our church body in teaching the next generation of Christian teachers, pastors, and lay people. We would like to show our appreciation to them with a monetary gift from the congregation. To date, there have been only a few donations. Tomorrow is the last opportunity. Put gifts in the collection plate and label them: “ILC Prof. gift.”
