Merry Christmas and the Goodness of God

Dear Bridge Family,

Merry Christmas!  May we be in awe and wonder that God came near to dwell among us.  May we reflect with family and friends about the goodness and greatness of God.  He came to rescue us from sin and death and restore us to right relationship with Him and others. 

This rescue, this restoration is not a one and done type of thing.  We need continual rescue, continual restoration every moment of every day. 

One thing Jesus rescues us from is a wrong view of God.  A.W. Tozer said “what comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”  It is possible to know a lot about God but miss the very heart of God.

How does our Heavenly Father feel about us?  Few places in Scripture answer this question better than the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  Charles Dickens said, “It is the finest short story ever written.” 

So – the day after Christmas we will gather to worship the Lord and look closely at this well known, but sometimes forgotten parable.  We will receive hope as we encounter a loving Father who runs to us, embraces us, places a robe on our back, the family ring on our finger, shoes on our feet and celebrates our Homecoming. 

We will also sing the song Reckless Love.  I invite you to listen to it and study the words that describe God’s pursuit of us.

Reckless Love (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
But You have been so, so kind to me

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

See you Sunday,

Steven