JESUS IS EVERYTHING

 

 

Dear Beachside Family and Friends,

 

Shopping is at its' peak this time of year, and many of us are finalizing our Christmas lists. For husbands brave enough to buy their wives clothing, there is always an additional item or two that needs to be added to create the perfect outfit. I have never hesitated to purchase clothing for my wife, because I know her sizes and preferences. It seems that it's not the dress, skirt, or blouse that makes the outfit. It is the accessories!

 

I have been successful choosing clothes my wife likes, or even adores, but accessories are the most challenging part of the selection. It can be a time consuming task to choose the right belt, necklace, bracelet, or earrings to complete an appropriate ensemble. Choosing accessories can become such an intensive process that it is easy to forget that the clothes themselves are the main event, not the add-ons.

 

Men's accessories are much less complex, but one can spend hours finding  the just the right tie to complement that new suit. Accessories are necessary items, but are they the most important things about what we wear? Very large and successful companies are devoted to the production and sale of accessories, and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on them each year. Without clothes to accessorize, these companies would all go bankrupt. Accessories exist for clothing, not clothing for accessories.

 

If we left our homes wearing only accessories, we would be exposed and unprotected from adverse weather. We would also be subject to the ridicule of our friends, neighbors, and coworkers. We probably don't know anyone who would willingly leave their house  without clothes, wearing only jewelry or a tie, but there are many who walk through life spiritually unclothed. They are naked and exposed to the vagaries of life and the attacks of Satan and his cohorts because of an unfortunate choice: They consider God and His Word to be just accessories in their lives. 

 

If we go to church on Sunday, enjoy the music and a bite-size message, and then largely forget about God and His Word the rest of the week, then they are merely accessories in our lives. Success in the Christian life cannot be attained in this manner, for God expects much more of us. He desires a relationship that is committed, full-time, and seven days a week. Paul wrote "Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, CLOTHE YOURSELF with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. (Romans 13:13-14) We should wear our relationship with God and His Word every day, not considering them accessories, but the MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN OUR LIVES!

 

Jesus did not put on flesh, die on the cross, and rise from the dead to be a once a week accessory to the other things in our lives. Our families, businesses, friends and community service are important, but should be secondary to God and His Word. God never considered us as mere afterthoughts or accessories in His plan, but "But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. (Galatians 4:4-5) He gave his very best Gift to us so that we could have an eternal relationship with Him and experience His blessings every day. God will never see us as once a week accessories. We should be just as  committed to Him as He is to us, wearing our JESUS CLOTHES EVERY DAY! Merry Christmas!

 

 

Pastor Ramon

 

Occasionally we have people who wish to give to this ministry who are not able to attend our services.  To make it easier for people to do so we now can accept tithes and offerings via your debit card.  Simply click the link at the bottom of this message and you will be taken to a safe and secure Paypal link that will assist you.  Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU for your generous support!