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Jack Hayford
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly
great joy.” - Matthew
2:10
Have
you noticed how people designate the star that shone with splendor at
Christmas?
It is
called “the star of Bethlehem” not “the Jesus star,” “the Christmas star,” “the
Judean star,” or some other name.
This
light, which beamed earthward from astronomical distances beyond our planet, is
named for a dusty little village without distinction, except … except that
Jesus was born there!
Would
you let that become a Christmas gift thought to you, a thought that may keep on
giving, if you allow it to.
It is
another pointer to the ways that God has of dignifying, enabling, and advancing
His grace upon each of us who are walking with Jesus!
Just as
you would find Bethlehem a profitable business center today, because Christ was
born there, so God is willing to ordain fruitfulness for us in whom Jesus
lives.
The Bethlehem star has ignited His glory over you, loved one, “Arise, shine; for … the glory of the Lord
is risen upon you!” (Isaiah 60:1)
Scripture Reference: Matthew
Jack Hayford knows
the awesome power of God firsthand. When he was a baby, he was gripped by a
life-threatening illness. But as a result of the earnest prayers of friends and
family, he was miraculously healed. The doctors had no other explanation except
that the grace of God snatched him back from the brink of death. Several years
later, Jack was struck down again by sickness. This time it was polio. The
church elders anointed him and prayed for his recovery. God heard their
petitions and granted a second miracle. These two extraordinary events ignited
in Jack's heart a passion for God and convinced him that the Holy Spirit is
alive and active in the contemporary church. "Contrary to our
preconceptions, God is not economical with healings and miracles. Such wondrous
works are frequently attending the proclamation of truth in Jesus' name,"
asserts Pastor Jack.
Jack Hayford serves as Chancellor of The Kings University
(formerly The King's College and Seminary) in Los Angeles and Dallas, which he
founded in 1997. From 2004 to 2009, he also served as President of The
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. He is probably best known,
however, as "Pastor Jack," founding pastor of The Church On The Way
in Van Nuys, California, where he served as senior pastor for more than three
decades. A prolific and best-selling writer, Pastor Hayford is the author (or
co-author) of more than fifty books and has composed 500 hymns and choruses,
including the internationally known and widely recorded "Majesty."
He is an acknowledged "bridge-builder," helping to
forge healthy bonds among all segments of the Body of Christ. He is recognized
for his balance in preaching the Word, avoiding extremes while not diluting or
compromising the demands of truth. Pastor Jack's heart to bring unity across
all denominational and racial boundaries has given him an open door to minister
in all kinds of settings
Dr. Hayford and his wife, Anna, have four children, eleven
grandchildren, and a growing number of great-grandchildren.
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