Christians are known as, “people of the Book.” Spiritual growth involves studying the Bible, but the Bible isn’t just for reading; it is meant to be acted upon. Because we’re not called to just be students of the word, but apprentices of the author. Someone has said that, if you don’t read your Bible, you’re no better off than a person who can’t read. Similarly, if what you are learning isn’t being acted on, you’re no better off than the person who isn’t learning anything at all.

Our hectic schedules are so full that activities compete for time. Often the important is crowded out by the urgent. Spending time with God and other believers is critically important to our spiritual development. But for many Christians those two activities get the leftover time instead of being priority time commitments. A true disciple spends time with God and other believers.

Dr. Sam Long is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Ministry at Great Lakes Christian College (GLCC). He earned his Bachelor of Religious Education degree from GLCC, a Master of Divinity degree from Emmanuel Christian Seminary and his Ph.D. from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has taught at GLCC since 2017.

We are extravagantly generous with our time, our talent and our treasure. We never look more like Jesus than when we are giving. A generous person doesn’t ask, “What is required?” or “What can I spare?” or “What can I afford?” A generous person asks, “What will it take?”

The church is not about me, what I want, my comfort, or my preferences. Because lost people matter to God, we engage people who are far from God, intentionally investing in the next generation.

We do life together, intentionally building relationships that shape us into the image of Jesus Christ. We do this because we believe that we experience greater transformation in circles than we do in rows.

The grace God shows us is reflected in our relationships with others. But ask most “outsiders” about the church and the most common response is, “judgmental and hypocritical.” We ought to be known for truth and grace.

Jesus is the beginning and end. Revealed in His word, God invites each of us into His story and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, enables us to bear witness to that story and invite others to enter into it.

This Christmas we experienced the joy of giving. We gave gifts to our family and friends. We participated in the secret Santa at work. But the biggest gift we gave was the gift of ourselves. That’s what made Christmas in Lansing special this year. It doesn’t have to stop. Giving thanks for Jesus – God’s indescribable gift – we can continue to be generous all year long.

Nicodemus met Jesus on a dark night. I’d like to think it was in early winter, the darkest night of the year. John must have reflected on that exchange when he wrote in his first letter about the love God demonstrated. Real love isn’t talked-about love; its lived-out love.