In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father King David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:26-33
Merry Christmas… “His kingdom will never end.”
As I sit here at my desk, I keep reading this story over and over again. Could this really be true? Maybe you need to read it again yourself. In pure human understanding it really seems almost impossible. Who could have thought of such a story? Who could have such power to carry out such a story? An angel named Gabriel? A virgin named Mary? And an amazing proclamation, “The Lord is with you!” And then it hit me: when God is with you, nothing is impossible. No wonder Mary was greatly troubled—her life was about to change forever. And then it hit me again: when Jesus enters our lives, our lives will change forever.
At the very core of this story there is a very simple and profound message—love! For God so loved the world that he gave us His one and only Son. That Son has a name, the message was clear: Mary, don’t get this one wrong! “Mary, you are to give Him the name Jesus.” For there is no other name given to men by which we must be saved. Could there be a greater gift than this? NOPE! Mary found favor with God, and if Jesus His son is your Lord and Savior, you too will walk in the favor of God. As we prepare to celebrate His birth, there is nothing more we really need than Him! His love, His grace, His peace, His hope, and His promise: a promise for the ages, “That He will never leave us nor forsake us.”
As I look to end this story, I am reminded of the words the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, “His kingdom will never end.” Merry Christmas!
It is an amazing sight to see each week: the men lining up for dinner, and then a night to be challenged to be authentic men!
Authentic Manhood: Larimer County Jail and Work Release
Have you ever asked God this question: “What in the world am I doing and how did I get here?” That has crossed my mind a couple times in the past few weeks. As I look back over the years when I started Empty Tomb Ministries, I now realize I made a major mistake (wink). I took out a piece of paper and wrote these words, “Lord I’m Willing,” and then I drew a line. I told God I trusted Him and gave Him the authority to fill that line with His will for this ministry. A quick word of advice: don’t do that unless you are ready and serious, for God could send you around the world, and even send you to minister to those in jail! And that is exactly what He has done!
One of our weekly outreaches is to the men in the Larimer County Jail work release program. Each Sunday night we gather at Vintage Church, which is located within walking distance of the work release building. We meet from 6-8 p.m. and serve them dinner, worship, have prayer, and a time to build relationships with other men. Last year, when Jeff Monson, Marty Hutcheson, and I started this program, we were hoping to get 12 men. Last Sunday night we had 80 men! We have now built up a group of 15 men who serve as part of our volunteers and leadership team. They are men who have been in work release, as well as other men who have this call on their lives to serve and help others. Each week we are amazed at what God does in all of our hearts. One of our Sundays we had a judge from Larimer County come and visit. He saw men that he had at one time sentenced to jail or prison. It was one powerful night to watch them embrace in tears and see the healing power of Jesus at work. I think we are just scratching the surface of all that God has planned for this ministry. Would you please keep us in your prayers as we minister on the front lines? Each week we have the privilege to hear the powerful redeeming stories of what Jesus has done in the hearts of these men.
I would like to leave you with this final thought: When you get to that place of total surrender and you say to the Author of Life, “I am willing,” be prepared for Him to use your gifts and talents for His Kingdom. You were created for a purpose and you have a destiny that awaits you… go for it!
Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” Matthew 7:21
Our 2018 pastor’s conference was held on the shore of Lake Kivu in Boneza, Rwanda. We found ourselves on the shore talking about building on the rock and not on the sand. Two hours later we left the shore never the same again!
Going Back to Rwanda February 2019
Last March Greg Yancey and I had the honor of being invited to Rwanda by John Gasangwa and Arise Rwanda Ministries. Their mission is to positively transform the people of Boneza out of extreme poverty by focusing on sustainable vocational education, clean and safe water systems, pastoral care, and community and economic development. It was an amazing journey, and one I won’t soon forget. We spent our time in the city of Boneza on the shores of Lake Kivu with a population of about 26,000 people. Arise Rwanda is doing an incredible work there! They have started Kivu Hills Academy, a school that will soon be approaching 350 students. In a community of such poverty, this school on the hill is a beacon of light. I have loved the times I have been able to speak to the students and challenge them in their faith.
Two main goals of our trip was for me to lead a pastor’s conference and then be a part of a weekend outreach and crusade hosted by the school for the whole community of Boneza. I am so thankful for all that God did in the hearts of the pastors. The Holy Spirit was present in full power as He led our time and touched all of our hearts. To see all these pastors crossing denominational lines in a place where that has never happened before is truly amazing. To God be the glory! Something very powerful is taking place in the city and I am humbled and honored to be joined with these pastors. The weekend outreach of praise, worship and the word of God was attended by 6,000 people. We were all in awe of what God was doing as His name was lifted up and glorified. Don’t be surprised what God will do with you when you tell Him you are willing!
Finally, I want to thank all of you who prayed and supported me on this journey. Your love and support has helped make all of this possible. And now we prepare for our next trip in February 2019. Once again we will hold a pastors conference and trust the Holy Spirit to take us to a new level of leadership and partnership. Please pray that our time together will serve as a time to equip these leaders as they lead the city of Boneza. We will minister to the youth, speak in the churches, and cast vision for a major outreach later in the fall where they expect 10,000 people in attendance. I will be sending a letter out in January with a list of possible ways you can help support what God is doing in Boneza, Rwanda. I look forward to our partnership!
After the conference we were able to present the pastors with their certificates of completion. It is a great blessing and honor for them to receive this certificate.
You are a gift from God!
Since it is Christmas time and we are all thinking about blessing others with special gifts, I want to remind you that you are this amazing gift from Heaven, created by God in your mother’s womb. You are not some after-thought; you were formed and sent to earth with a destiny written in Heaven. God your creator has placed you here on earth to be used by Him for His glory, to be His hands, feet, eyes, and voice. I pray that you would shine like the stars in the universe. You are that special; that important! Don’t be afraid to let others open you and enjoy who you are and the amazing gifts that God has placed in your heart. Thank you for being you and for helping make this earth a better place to be. You are God’s gift to a lost and dying world! May He empower you and fill you with His passion and grace. May you experience His divine appointments in your life each and every day. And may you find yourself in the coming year saying to your Father in Heaven, “Lord, I’m willing!”