Relentless Love
Bec and Asa sat down with Pastor Phil Ayres to chat about God’s relentless love and why it is an important subject during Christmas time.
“Followers of Christ reflect the example and the love that we have experienced through God’s personal love towards us,” Pastor Phil began.
“Nothing can stop God’s love. It’s like a tidal wave, like a tsunami of his person and presence towards us that is available,” he said.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38
Christmas Connection
The story of Jesus’ birth leads us to that initial love, he is talking about.
“God himself came in the form of a little baby,” he said. “The first present wasn’t gift wrapped. It was a baby, God incarnated.”
Presence over Presents
The greatest gift we could ever receive is Christ with us, his personal presence in our world, our trials and through the messes we find ourselves in, encouraged Pastor Phil.
“Christ gave the opportunity to know his love personally.”
Emmanuel: God with Us
“When you receive something from someone, you receive something in the moment,” he began.
“When you receive that person to stay with you, it means that the strength, the help, the ability, the capacity of that person abides with you, and it actually changes your life. It’s not just an encounter in a moment, but it’s a personal relationship that lasts a lifetime.”
The Miracle of Christmas
“Christmas is about a transformation of a human life, and that started with God Himself coming in a personal form, a deep commitment of God Himself becoming a human being,” he said.
Heart Posture to Receive
Pastor Phil brought up the scripture in Revelation that talks about the invitation Jesus offers to all who have their hearts postured toward him.
“I used to think, before I knew Christ, that somehow it was all built on my performance, the way that I lived,” he continued. “When I started to seek God, it wasn’t about my performance, it was about my willingness and openness.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelations 3:20
A Willing Heart
“So it’s not something you have to do in terms of achievement, but simply a posture of your heart of receiving.”
“I’m just a normal human being like the rest of us,” he concluded. “It’s that power that gives strength to keep growing and keep changing.”
Check out the full chat with Pastor Phil Ayres below.