An Unassumed Entrance

Christmas is a special time. The celebration captures the hearts and minds of more people than any other time of the year. The message has such broad, sweeping appeal that it transcends mere hope of the moment and speaks to the hopes and dreams of all people of all times. At the center of the celebration and message is the greatest gift; God become man in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

When a gift of great worth is given, its wrap and presentation typically resembles that same value. This was not so with the birth of Christ. In every way, the event of his birth was the antithesis to his worth, value, power, and importance for all humanity. But that is exactly as God the Father planned in revealing himself through his entrance into humanity, unassuming in every way.

Unassumed Entrance
The way God revealed himself was simply unacceptable to some. Those who claimed to anticipate the coming of the promised Messiah were not looking in this direction for the entry of their king. The way Jesus was born was unexpected by most. The vast majority of people were much too consumed with life to care or even notice this obscure birth. Jesus’ birth is unthinkable by modern-day standards for royal or high-ranking officials. It has been said that for the President of the United States to leave the property of the White House requires over 800 people to plan, organize, and orchestrate. Jesus didn’t even get a small-town radio personality to blare his name over a poor sound system to a stadium of locals.

Jesus’ birth was unassuming in every detail. Mary and Joseph were poor. She a peasant virgin and he a manual laborer who held a socio-economic status far below most accepted norms of society in that day, much less by today’s standards. The details that surrounded the birth are unimpressive to say the least. Royalty was not the standard for planning this birth. It didn’t even beckon upon the basic necessities for human rights, being relegated rather to a cave reserved for livestock. This is surely not befitting the hopes and dreams of an expectant mom for where she will first cradle and nurse her newborn baby. The only people that the birth site was fitting for were some of the first guests, shepherds fresh from the fields. At least the smell of livestock was maybe not as offensive to them. Finally, this babe would be from an unknown village that would continue this unassuming theme throughout his life until the time of his earthly ministry. Nazareth was most noted for its lack of couth, culture, and moral character. Unmentioned in the Old Testament, it would become known only by its attachment to Jesus.

Proclamation of Good News
Unassumed entrance stands as an understatement for how God chose to reveal himself to the world. Most would agree that this is an accurate description of his status once upon the earth in human form. But that Jesus was born into poverty is really only significant by earthly standards. The greatest humility displayed in Jesus’ birth is that God became man. No amount of royal planning could have adequately prepared to rightly celebrate the entrance of God. God become man is the inconceivable yet fully-revealed truth proclaimed in Jesus Christ.

This good news is the irony of ironies. God, who is infinite in glory, power, and wisdom, who has no nature of need for humility but is fully worthy in every way, willingly and freely humbled himself to become the Savior for a sinner like me. And I, who by nature and being, am finite in every measure of life, even in the reality of my own understanding though maybe concealed by my outward appearance or persona, struggle to cease trusting in self and release control over life to receive what God has already done for me. The obvious question would seem to be, “Can I do enough to please God so he will accept me?” The real question is, “Can I release the pre-conceived visions of grandeur and glory for my life and the pretenses of sin that blind and deceive me to trust and receive the good news of this God-Man?” Every part of my nature fights against the goodness of every part of God’s gift and plan for me. But though my nature opposes God’s goodness, my heart and soul desperately long for the hope, peace, and joy that he proclaims.

God’s promise in Jesus Christ is the salvation for my soul! In Christ, God proclaims good news to the poor, liberty to the captives and the oppressed, sight to the blind, and the favor of the Lord. He has met every need for both now and all eternity in Jesus Christ. He ransoms from eternal damnation and rescues from hell. He renews my spirit to know and love him. He reconciles to my Father and redeems my life. The good news of Christmas is that God has made complete provision for salvation in Jesus Christ.

Invitation to Eternal Life
Many great gifts have been passed over because the wrapped presentation did not seem to reflect a gift of great value. Life teaches, even in small ways, that the gift cannot be measured by the wrapping or the presentation. But God’s gift is not like the world’s at all. The power of God’s gift is in its presentation as well. When God humbled himself, he modeled the means by which we must come to him, not in measuring up, but rather in bowing down. There is no one who is exempt from this invitation, except those who continue to perceive themselves to be above or beyond need for God. His invitation unto eternal life remains for now but will not remain forever. When the invitation is heard is the time it is to be received. Today, as you hear his invitation, do not harden your heart. Bow before him, repent of your sin, and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. Receive the gift of eternal life in the way God has revealed it, in humility. Experience the full power of the gift as only God can give it, for all eternity beginning today. May Jesus consume your life and may his birth be the good news of new birth in your life. I pray this Christmas season will reveal God’s gift of greatest worth for your life. I pray you will receive and worship Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

The Humility of the Gospel in Christmas, Part III

The power of the nativity is the power of the gospel. It fully represents not just the coming of Christ but the full picture of the good news that is Christ. Today we’ll consider three observations in the nativity story. Listen to The Humility of the Gospel in Christ, Part III now…

Senkbiles Arrive Safely in Cape Town; Now Setting Up Home and Shop

LifePoint received this note from JD and Michele Senkbile, who are doing work with Acts 29 in Africa. We have brought the Senkbiles on as impact partners in 2009 and look forward to hearing more about their work. Here is their note:

Hello All!
We have finally arrived at our destination in Cape Town and have spent the last four days getting over jetlag and soaking up some of this gorgeous sun. Of course, it hasn’t been all fun and games–much of our time has also been spent trying to open a bank account, looking for a car, and learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road again.

We are blessed to have Michele’s parents in town, who have allowed us to ‘dump’ on them since arriving, filling their rooms with our luggage, clothing, and books that have arrived along with us. Cohen is loving every minute of getting to know his South African grandparents a little better and has made his first trip to the beach this weekend.

We have much to be thankful for already:

• Three boxes of books, which we shipped about three weeks ago, were here when we arrived in Cape Town–quite a miracle!
• Opening our bank account proved to be less stressful than anticipated and we are now able to purchase items and pay bills.
• Cohen continues to adjust well to a new schedule and has been sleeping through the night. In fact, he decided to cut two incisors yesterday–he must not have thought we had enough going on already!
• JD has already met with a potential church planter here in Cape Town and continues to receive emails and network with others who are involved and interested in the work of church planting here in South Africa.
• We think we may have found a car that we are able to purchase.

If you think of us this next week, here are a few things for which you can be praying:

• This next week, we will aggressively continue the hunt for a place to live. We would very much like to be set up with a home before JD leaves for Uganda on January 12 and before baby #2 arrives on February 24th.
• JD has a fair amount of preparation to do in order to be ready for three upcoming Acts 29 bootcamps in January and February (Uganda, Johannesburg and Cape Town). Please pray that amidst all the running around and setting up a home and life in Cape Town, that he will be able to devote the time that he needs to study.

We thank each of you for your role in us getting over to Cape Town; we feel blessed by the support that we have from each of you, as we figure out life in a new country.

More updates to come,
JD and Michele

Hauquitzes Send Holiday Greetings from France

Dear LifePoint,
Store shelves stocked with clothes, toys, and tools to buy, decorations atop many homes, streets packed with people, churches lighting advent candles, and the crisp winter air remind us of yet another American Christmas. These are just a few of the things that we remember from Christmases past as we rest in France this Christmas, continuing in our effort to learn French.

There are many things that we will miss this Christmas, away from friends and family, but in the grander scale we rejoice. The Lord has been revealing to us something amazing. Just months ago we knew that we would be spending this Christmas away from home, but in Cameroon, not France. Yet here we are, about to celebrate the birth of Christ in France, a country filled with people who consider themselves to be atheists. At one point in time 50% of the people in France called themselves Christians, and yet it was a time filled with incredible persecution. Now only 2% of the nation claim to follow Christ.

Just recently, we were able to take a trip to Annecy, a nearby city, to experience a new French city and practice our French. On the train ride back we had the opportunity to try and share our faith, in French, with a young lady on the train. She shared with us that she does not believe in God at all. To which we asked why, only to hear that she doesn’t believe because her parents didn’t. The atheistic beliefs of France became all the more real as we talked to her and our hearts ached for her to know God and experience his love.

As our family prepares for Christmas, the celebration of Christ’s birth, we have been reading through the beginning of each of the gospels. In Matthew 1:20-21, it says: “An angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from
the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” As we read verses like these our hearts fill with joy. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to earth to bring life. What a glorious truth! We cannot change the heart of the woman on that train, nor can we change the hearts of any man or woman in France, Cameroon, or any other part of the world. But Jesus can! He came for that exact purpose, to rescue his people from their sin.

Our greatest desire is to see lives eternally changed by the message of Jesus Christ. Through partnering with us, you are not only impacting lives in France now, but in Cameroon to come. From France to around the world, we long to impact lives with the message of Jesus Christ. Your partnership through prayer and giving is making an eternal impact on lives all over the world. You are helping to win students for Christ, build them up in their faith, and send them out to do the same. Thank you!

We want you to know how grateful to the Lord we are for you. With the economic uncertainty that has affected so many people, we are reminded of your sacrificial gifts for our ministry. Whether we are sitting in class, buying groceries, or contacting the ministry in Cameroon, we know we can do this because of your generosity. Thank you so much for your vital partnership in eternally impacting students’ lives and millions of lives through them. You are helping change the world. Have a Merry Christmas!

In Christ,
Craig and Bryn Hauquitz

City on a Hill December Update

What an incredible fall for LifePoint Church! The Lord continues to bless and move among his people in mighty ways. Fall 2008 will be known as a strategic marker in vision and development of LifePoint Church. I don’t know that I have ever personally worked longer, harder, or more comprehensively for a season in the church. While preparations were made before 2008, our labor began in the spring to prepare for our City on a Hill campaign. This has been a defining season in uniting our people around vision, praying unto the Lord and seeking his will, trusting in the Lord as he leads, and following the Lord in his plan.

The initial steps toward the re-location of LifePoint is underway. In November, we interviewed and selected a general contractor to lead the project. Larry Snyder Construction Company was chosen to lead the project, and they will work alongside Bob Stockdale and his team at Creative Ink Architects to design a building that maximizes our facility based on budget and ministry requirements. This work will take the remainder of this year and into early 2009. Once the “footprint” of the building is established, plans can be finalized and dirt work to prepare the site can begin. Due to the nature of our land, this could be a large project. It has been speculated that there may be rock on our land. <insert pastoral sarcastic tone /> The first clue was the big rock sticking out of the front.

Once excavation is complete, construction can begin. Construction is projected to begin mid-February. The projected timeline for construction is about nine months. This means that we could be moving into our new facility by December 2009. WOW! What has seemed like forever away now seems to be incredibly close! Obviously there are many unknown variables that can influence this timeline.

We will continue to do periodic updates as new information becomes available. Stay connected to www.lifepointozark.com for more info. In the meantime, prayer for these projects points:

• General Contractor: Pray for favor on their behalf as they coordinate the project among hundreds of people.
• Architects: Pray for the plans as they continue to draw a building that maximizes space for mission.
• Weather: Winter in Missouri. Need I say more?
• Budget and Finances: Pray that in this process LifePoint is able to get a premium facility for ministry and mission that represents faithful stewardship unto the glory of God!

For today, let us continue to pray and seek the Lord in all ways. Let us labor for the gospel as the Lord gives us favor with people and influence for his kingdom purpose. Love your neighbor and share the love of Christ with them. Pray that God will continue to pour out his blessings on LifePoint in the days to come. This is certainly not the most stable of times to be engaging in a project of this nature. But among the circumstances of uncertainty God is orchestrating the plan of his will for his glory. Nothing could be more solid. Encourage one another with the grace and love of Jesus!

The Humility of the Gospel in Christmas, Part II

Humility is the first lesson of the gospel, and in the life of Joseph we see why God chose him to Christ’s earthly father. As we study Joseph and his humility, there are four questions to help us live gospel humility. Listen now…

The Humility of the Gospel in Christmas, Part I

In these weeks leading up to Christmas, yes, we’ll look at the characters of the nativity, but we’ll largely focus on expanding our perspective and studying what God was doing by bringing his son to earth so he may save his people from their sins. Listen now…

Families and Seniors Still in Need of “Adoption” This Christmas

Least of These has received applications from 400 families and seniors who need assistance this Christmas, and we still have over 150 that need to be adopted by families or small groups throughout the community. Each family or senior has provided a “wish list” for Christmas, which can be faxed or mailed to small group coordinators. Gifts and/or donations can be given directly to our families and seniors or may be dropped off at Least of These no later than December 15.

We’re also accepting donations for the Christmas season. We most need gift cards to Walmart, winter coats for children, and gift cards to Battlefield Mall.

If you can help, please call Least of These at 724-2500.

Hauquitzes Build Friendships & Ministry in France

LifePoint’s impact partners Craig and Bryn Hauquitz sent us their November newsletter this week to update us on life in France. Craig and Bryn are at language school in Albertville until next year when they will return to Cameroon, Africa, with Campus Crusade for Christ. This month, the Hauquitzes are attending school and building relationships through sports and service. They also celebrated Keenan’s first birthday! To read their entire newsletter, download the PDF. You can also catch up with by reading their blog at www.thewitzonline.com. Here are their most recent blog posts:

• Thanksgiving in France
• Fun in the Snow!
• Keenan’s Birthday
• Still Warm
• In Awe of God’s Power

Impact Partner Sunshine Loveland Begins Work at Women’s Restoration House

This week, LifePoint received the latest newsletter from Sunshine Loveland, one of LPC’s impact partners who works for Christ for the City International in Costa Rica. In October, Sunshine continued her work at the Women’s Restoration House in San Jose and went on a mission trip to San Carlos with Instituto de Lengua Espanola (her language school). You can read more on Sunshine’s work by downloading this newsletter (PDF) or by reading her blog at www.sunshineloveland.com. Here are her latest posts:

• The Dance of Raindrops
• The Normal Things of Life
• Earthquake!
• Lesson of the Waves
• Sweet Women

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