How to begin a new path today.

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Why Believe:Home for the Holidays   CURRENT TV SERIES God is With Us.

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the wise men] departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:12 We don’t know what happened to these wise men. They exit the biblical story as quickly as they entered it. We can suppose they came to saving faith and lived out the rest of their days as followers of Jesus. That’s my persuasion, but the story just doesn’t tell us. But here’s the truth: What the wise men saw in the stars and in Bethlehem prompted worship of the Lord Jesus. And I believe that’s where their truth journey led them and their lives were never the same again. I think the light was turned on in their lives and they became new creations. When you encounter the truth of Christ, you will be transformed. Your life will take on a new direction. These magi went home another way – I think that means both geographically and spiritually. New life in Christ takes on a whole new direction, a way of spiritual transformation. I don’t believe in accidents. It wasn’t an accident these men came to meet young Jesus and it’s not an accident you’re reading these words today. I want to tell you that wherever you are, you can become a different person right now. The truth of Christ is a truth that sets you free. And if you’ll trust in Him today, your life will begin a brand new path! Trust in the work of Christ today for forgiveness of your sins and begin a new path in life!   CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Christmas is For All People   The Spirit of Christmas Is Generosity By Rick Warren — Dec 18, 2015 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV) During this Christmas season, you’ll hear one word more than any other. It’s not “merry,” “tree,” “Santa,” or even — unfortunately — “Jesus.” It’s “gift.” Starting on Black Friday (and sometimes even before then), we begin a month-long dash to find the right gift for everyone on our list. The word “gift” consumes us for a month. Many people think that gift giving at Christmas was started by the Wise Men when they brought gifts to the baby Jesus. But it was God who gave the first Christmas gift. God so loved that he gave. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). On the first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift of all — he gave his Son. He gave his Son to die on the cross so you can have your past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in Heaven. Jesus is the original Christmas gift. We only give because God gave to us first. Christmas is about generosity. It’s not just about compassion. The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of generosity. Acts 15:11 says it like this: “We are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us” (MSG). If it weren’t for God’s generosity, we would have nothing. The air we breathe is a gift of God’s generosity. The blood coursing through our veins is a gift of God’s generosity. The fact that our hearts are beating is a gift of God’s generosity. Every good thing in your life — including your life — is a gift of God’s generosity. But God’s greatest act of generosity came on the very first Christmas when he gave us Jesus. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over: How do you respond to knowing that God gave the first Christmas gift? What are some gifts from God not mentioned in the devotional today that you are grateful for? What can you do this Christmas to better remember God’s gifts to you?