H. Jackson Brown, Jr. once wrote, “Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness.” Paul said love is the greatest of faith, hope, and love. We are told that love can cover a multitude of sins. And how many relationships are reconciled by forgiving - 70 times 7! But the power of prayer is also unbounded!

The meaning of Christmas... it is all about love! Jesus told this story we call "The Good Samaritan" to shake us a bit... making the 'good guys' bad and the 'bad guy' good. Eternal life is not just about what we believe, but how we put that belief into action... "You go, and do likewise."

When you sort out the story, reading carefully what has been passed down, are you aware that the little baby, born of a virgin, teenage mother in a stinky, lowly stable would be the King of all kings, Lord of the universe? As you prepare for his return are you making sure that you will be wheat and not darnel... weeds that will be gathered to be burned? A sorting will take place!

In the parables Jesus said that there would be a long delay before the Master's return. It has been a long time! So, what are you doing with the resources that have been entrusted to you? What will you hear: "Well done" or "Depart from me, I do not know you"?

What if Christ chose to return today - at a time least expected - as we are thinking in terms of His first coming (advent)? Are you prepared? Are you ready, or will you be caught without oil?

Are you anxious? Worried about how you will meet your daily needs? Are you satisfied with what you have and thankful for how God has blessed you? Or our you hungry for more and determined to hold on to all that you have? Do you trust God to provide or are you hoarding?

The Sower is the same and the seed is the same! The only difference that can account for the difference in the harvest is the receptivity of the soil to the seed. How have you made sure your heart and mind are prepared to receive the seed, that is, the Word of God?

When God's Word says 'covers' it means that we don't go around revealing others' sins! We are trying hard to show how we can give preference to others and not do any harm, so we also want to help 'cover' a multitude of sins -- which is not sweeping them under the rug.

As the church, we were given a new command by Jesus - "Love one another as I have loved you." What does that look like? In this first message by Brent he shows how it means that we are to 'prefer' others over ourselves, the Kingdom of God over the kingdoms of this world... Where are you?

In making sure we are keeping the love command, we can do much by making sure we do no harm.