2021 Worship Guide

2021 Worship Guide LINCOLN DAILY NEWS December 1, 2021 Page 5 a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. - Luke 1:39-40 Mary did not have all her questions answered or all her fears erased. But there is something really mature and amazing about her response – “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” - Luke 1:38 The doubt is still there, the questions remain. But Mary trusted and stepped forward. In 1822 a young woman named Charlotte Elliott was visiting some friends in the west end of London when she met a preacher named Cesar Malan. He asked her if she was a Christian, and she said she didn’t want to talk about it. He said, “I did not mean to offend you, but I want you to know that Jesus wants to save you.” Several weeks later they met again and Miss Elliott told him that she wanted to come to Christ, but didn’t know how. Mr. Malan said, “Just come to Him as you are.” Taking Malan’s advice, Elliott wrote her thoughts down in a poem: Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. But it was the third verse that really showed her heart (and ours). Just as I am, though tossed about, with many a conflict, many a doubt. Fightings within and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. This holiday season, what would it look like for your doubt to encounter Christmas? May you find assurance in the Father’s presence. May you know His deep passion for you. May His promises guard your heart and mind. May His power give you strength for the day ahead. And if doubt is not a part of your journey in the part, may you be one of God’s people in the life of another. Merry Christmas. Tracy Thomas, Director of Alumni Relations Lincoln Christian University