[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Here's one for Diver Dave, not sure what's happening here:

051214-N-1577S-001 Pacific Ocean (Dec. 14, 2005) - Electronics Technician 2nd Class David Tynes, and Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class John Garcia conduct top side pilot checks before the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) dives off the coast of southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy F. Sosa (RELEASED)

051215-N-2103B-002 Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 15, 2005) – The guided missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) breaks away from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) after a replenishment at sea operation. Eisenhower is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting routine operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Christopher Molinari (RELEASED)

051214-N-4565G-001 Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 14, 2005) - The conventionally-powered aircraft carrier USS John F Kennedy (CV 67) returns home to Mayport, Fla. after completing carrier qualifications at sea. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tommy Gilligan (RELEASED)

051214-N-0490C-001 Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 14, 2005) - A RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launches off the port side of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), during an exercise designed to demonstrate the ship’s self-defense combat system. The RIM-116 RAM is designed as an all-weather, high-firepower, low-cost, self-defense system against anti-ship cruise missiles and other asymmetric threats. Eisenhower is underway conducting routine operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Second Class Miguel A. Contreras (RELEASED)

[The Mayor]

December 17, 2005

Unopened Gifts

Read:
John 14:12-31

I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. —John 14:16

Bible In One Year: 2 Peter 1-3

Can you imagine a child on Christmas morning leaving his presents unopened? Yet, millions of people are doing something like that by ignoring or rejecting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Everyone has a gift with a tag that reads: TO: (your name) FROM: God. But it can be opened only by repentance and faith.

God hasn't given us just one gift, however. He singled out a second gift-giving occasion. At Christmastime, we celebrate God's gift of His Son to the world. But on the Day of Pentecost, He and His Son together gave to believers another gift—the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 16:7).

Again, imagine a child at Christmas who opens just one package but leaves all the others tightly wrapped. Today the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, yet we often fail to make full use of all that He has given to us. If we ask Him, the Holy Spirit will lead us into a better understanding of God's Word, give us the assurance of God's care and keeping power, and transform us into Christ's likeness.

This Christmas, let's consider the significance of the Holy Spirit's coming and ask the Lord to help us experience all of His benefits more fully.

Don't leave any of God's gifts unopened. —Dennis De Haan

Let the fullness of Your Spirit
Fall upon us here this hour;
How we need a new anointing
Of the Holy Ghost and power. —Jarvis

The Father gave us the Spirit to make us like His Son.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Can I Be Filled With The Holy Spirit?