1 Thessalonians 3:12 - "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." (NIV)

In the season of Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men, I wish the blessings of love on all of you. This week we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and God set the ultimate example to all of us by sending His one and only Son to die for our sins. It is a demonstrations of God's deep and unfaltering love for us.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us all be that same demonstration of God's love to those around us. Let us show the world what love is, not just this week, but every week. Find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have wronged us. Pray for blessings on those we don't really like all that much. Open our hearts and minds to those with whom we don't agree. Let us all be examples of how God's love surpasses hate, bigotry, close-mindedness, abuse, and more.

The founder of Oral Roberts University and the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association passed away today from pneumonia at the age of 91. In 1958 he founded the Abundant Life Prayer Group which currently receives calls 24 hours a day to request prayers for those in need. He wrote over 130 books.

Oral Roberts was a strong evangelist who began what is now known as the "prosperity gospel." This theology puts forth the notion that praying and giving Christians will be rewarded with health, wealth, and happiness. He was part of what we know as the "Religious Right," but did not necessarily get overly involved in politics. He chose a path of televangelism for which most people know him today.

His wife, Evelyn, died in 2005. He is survived by his daughter, Roberta Potts, and his son, Richard Roberts. This past year Oral Roberts addressed the Oklahoma State Senate, making a statement that should resonate with every Christian, "I'm 91 years of age, and I'll soon be going home to my heavenly father. I look forward to that with great peace and joy, leaving behind my legacy to bless the people."

Hebrews 2:18 - "Because He himself suffered when he was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted."" (NIV)

Where do you turn when you face those things that tempt you? The thing is, Jesus faced as great, and greater, temptations than we can ever imagine. In a season where we celebrate His birth, we can also celebrate the things He gives to us.

Sometimes people ask how we can rely on Jesus when we cannot see him. Yet through discipline and prayer we learn that Jesus gave us Himself to help. God provides us the tools like friends and family to overcome temptations. Jesus is there in those moments to provide us with the strength to walk away from the temptations that we know are bad for us. We can rely on Him when things get tough.

Not all of us have a chance to hide inside our heated homes under the covers of our comfy beds when the temperatures start dipping low. This week 16 people died in the Midwest from the terrible winter storms that hit, and more harsh winter weather is expected to follow.

In these times, we can often get caught up in finding our own comfort. Yet there are so many people out there looking for shelter and warmth on these frigid nights. Let's offer up our prayers to everyone in these cold times.

Also, let's try and take our help beyond just prayers by taking a little action. Find a shelter to drop off old coats and blankets. A lot of us have much more than we need, and this time of year those warm items run scarce. Take your prayers and make them real for someone in your neighborhood.