Advent Devotional 2013

O COME LET US ADORE HIM

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church

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“The way you live into your giftedness is an expression of your worship. Come let us adore Him with our words, our thoughts, and our actions.�

Pastor Jack Peebles

July 2013

I began thinking about writing this devotional in July when Pastor Jack taught on the invitation to worship. Our worship is not to be limited to a day or a style of music, but rather is to be present in all the moments of our lives.

Everything we do, should be done as an act of worship.

May we pursue habits that lead us into such a lifestyle. My prayer is that we are transformed, during this Christmas season, by the regular adoration and worship of our King.

Janet Krieger

2013 (New Living Testament , The Message and NIV Bible versions used.)

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Prayer Conversations With Our Father “When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 How much of our lives does God have? How much of our lives do we allow God to be involved in? Do we think about and talk to God only at certain times of the day?

Many people think that God is someone to talk to when they need or want something. Or they think God is someone to talk to first thing in the morning and then don’t think about Him the rest of the day.

The reality is God desires to be the central part of our life all day, every day. He wants to be part of a very personal relationship with us.

Prayer is the simple act of talking with God. When we pray we spiritually stand before the very throne of our Heavenly Father. God desires we pray to Him because He loves us; we were created to fellowship with Him. Consider the feeling of loving someone so much you cannot wait until you can talk with them again. Think about how often during the day your thoughts turn toward that person you love. That is how God feels about us.

How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, You are still with me! Psalm 139:17-18 Our Father in Heaven loves us and wants us to talk with Him. We don’t have to wait for our quiet time or for a specific need to arise. We can talk with God at any moment. The reasons to pray are endless. Prayer is sharing with our loving Father those things of our heart, our thoughts, emotions, requests, needs, cares, anxieties, and worries. Prayer is talking about our hopes and desires and offering praises and thanksgiving. Prayer is simply sharing our lives with Him. We can talk with God throughout the day because He is present in every aspect of our lives. Our God is everywhere and in every situation. We can speak to Him knowing He is present. We can communicate with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit about every detail of our day. We are God’s children and have the privilege of speaking directly and intimately with Him. Don’t make prayer complicated. Talk with God throughout every day as if you are having a conversation with a friend. He is King of creation, but He is also our caring and loving Father.

Keep on praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Worship our God by sharing your life with Him. This Christmas season take the everyday things you do and let them be reminders for you to pray. Talk to God when you take a shower, wait in line for that espresso, drive to work, prepare dinner, wrap Christmas gifts or shovel snow off the driveway. Let your everyday life become a conversation with God. He is present and wants to hear from you.

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Prayer Intimacy With Him And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Yes, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to Me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’”

Jeremiah 33:3 But God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. Job 33:14 Our God is looking for us. He has made the first move, calling us by name and our response should be to position ourselves in His presence. The victory we experience in our faith journey will come from an intimate knowledge of and relationship with God. We develop intimacy with God our Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit through prayer. And, while we should engage in a spirit of prayer throughout our day, we must also pursue regular time alone with God to nurture a deep abiding relationship.

We come to know God in a very real and personal way, through time spent in prayer and meditation. Our relationship with and love for God grows as we spend time with Him. It is a time when we turn down the noise of our lives and open the eyes and ears of our heart to listen. We can begin to find this time alone with God by asking Him to help us identify five minutes every day where we can turn off the demands of our life and simply sit. Acknowledge to God that you are here just to be with Him. Ask Him to bless this time together and then be still. Release all the thoughts that come into your mind trusting Him to fill you with “marvelous and wonderful things.” In the beginning you may not feel that you have experienced anything at all, but be faithful to these intimate moments with our Father and trust that His Holy Spirit is speaking into your heart and mind.

When you have finished, invite God to join you in the rest of your day. Be confident He will continue to speak to you through other people, creation, circumstances, dreams and Scripture. The more time we spend in conversation with our Father and listening to Him the greater will be our awareness of His presence in every moment of our lives.

Prayer is a conversation in which we have the privilege of both speaking and listening. To deepen your relationship with God schedule five minutes each day when you can meet Him in a time of meditative prayer. Seek out His presence. Ask the Spirit of our risen Lord to fall afresh on you. Worship God in the stillness of listening as He calls your name.

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Obedience The Blessing Of Obeying God “I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. When you obey Me, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father and remain in His love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:9-11 We choose to obey God and we do so out of our love for Him and our trust that He is a good Father who desires only the best for us; He promises our obedience will bring great joy. Being obedient to God is not simply keeping the commands He has given us but it is about maintaining a heart focused on Him. Obedience is the mark of a heart thankful for the grace we have received. It is a heart that seeks to love God above anything else. “If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15 Obedience is the giving over of our will to Him; it is complete commitment to the One who loves us unconditionally.

And how can we be sure that we belong to Him? By obeying His commandments. If someone says, “I belong to God” but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and does not live in the truth. But those who obey God's Word really do love Him. That is the way to know whether or not we live in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did. 1 John 2:3-6 Obedience is the knowledge of God’s Word and the practice of discernment and wisdom as we make decisions guided

by His truths. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law -- the law that sets you free -- and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 Obedience is honoring God with our bodies by using the gifts and talents He has given us and recognizing and caring for our bodies as the holy sanctuary of His Spirit. And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice -- the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask? Romans 12:1 Obedience is preparing for our eternal future with Him by choosing to serve Him in this life. Now if you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to Me. Exodus 19:5 The best decision we can make is to obey God completely. We can have confidence that He will always provide the grace, power and ability we require to accomplish what He asks. And, as we choose obedience we will receive His sustaining and unending peace, power and joy.

Consider the specific places in your life where God is calling you to obedience. It may be praying with a co-worker or, inviting someone into your home for a meal. Perhaps it is calling someone you have wounded or who has wounded you and asking or offering forgiveness. Or it could be an infinite number of other acts of obedience that God is asking you to do. This Christmas season worship God by choosing to obey and receive the gift of His peace and joy.

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Obedience Hearing and Doing And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. James 1:22 But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law -- the law that sets you free -- and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit - but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. “But if you just use My words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” Matthew 7:24-27 (MSG) It is good to study the Word of God in a Bible class, to talk about what the Word requires of us, and to memorize Scripture, but what is much harder is to live out the Word of God in our day to day lives. We deceive ourselves when we read the Bible or hear the Word taught and do not follow it. Daily bible reading and regular church attendance are not the main things that Jesus has called us to do. Rather it is hearing the Word of God and then obeying by putting it to practical use.

Hearing the Word of God is about our individual spiritual growth and maturity. Doing the Word of God is about our personal ministry and how we act in our homes, the workplace, the grocery store and all the places we have been planted. If we focus on hearing His Word, but fail to pursue the mission of living that Word out in our day to day lives, we lack the impact Jesus calls us to have in this world. If we focus on the ministry but fail to remain in relationship with God through prayer and study of His Word we lack His power.

Hearing and doing the Word of God must be inseparable in our lives. We must be people who hear, read and rest in the Scriptures. We must be people who view the world through all the possibilities of the Kingdom and are transformed by His grace, peace and love. And, we must be people who recognize that our every day lives are the richest mission field. We must be people who regularly listen to the voice of our Father and proceed to do the very things that Jesus did . . . Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the Kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. Matthew 10:6-8 (MSG) Spend time with our Father. Pray for the insight of the Holy Spirit to make plain the ways of His Kingdom during this Christmas holiday. Meditate on His Word, pray and then go out to do the things Jesus did. Volunteer at Madison House or the Mission. Adopt a child from the Angel Tree.

Visit an elderly shut in and share Christmas with a card, baked goods and your time.

Generously tip a wait person who provided excellent service; offer a blessing through a word of encouragement. Worship God by looking in the places you are today, for the lives you can touch with the Living Spirit of our God.

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Obedience Tithing Make an offering of ten percent, a tithe, of all the produce which grows in your fields year after year. Bring this into the presence of God, your God, at the place He designates for worship and there eat the tithe from your grain, wine, and oil and the firstborn from your herds and flocks. In this way you will learn to live in deep reverence before God, your God, as long as you live. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let Me prove it to you!” Malachi 3:10 Obedience to the law of the Old Testament required a regular tithe defined as ten percent of income, crops, land, or flocks. Obedience under the grace of the new covenant provides the privilege of worshipping God with all of our life. It is an obedience nurtured from love and adoration and results in praise and worship that includes tithing our entire life to God. The reality is what we typically give to God is the scraps and leftovers of our lives. We “fit in” time spent with Him, rather than establishing it as a priority; We find it burdensome to serve His Kingdom given all the scheduled busyness of our days. We are too tired to share our talents, but rather simply want to receive. We give our treasures only when we have “extra.”

The obedience of tithing has very little to do with finances and everything to do with our lives. We must begin to be obedient to giving all of our life as an offering to God. We must choose to give the very best that we have to our Father. We must live a life in which giving is our first choice. We must trust that our God will not only meet our needs but open the very windows of heaven to supernaturally increase and prosper us with physical and spiritual blessings.

He has promised this and dares us to let Him prove it to us! Like the woman obedient to share what she thought was her last meal, in our own obedience we will find God’s promise of blessing to be fulfilled.

As he (Elijah) came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, “Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink.” As she went to get it, he called out, “And while you're at it, would you bring me something to eat?” She said, “I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don't have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we'll die.” Elijah said to her, “Don't worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you've said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what's left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel: “The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought.”

She went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said - daily food for her and her family.

The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty: God's promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it! 1 Kings 17:10-16 What in your life, can you choose today, to offer to the Lord? Spend time considering and conversing with our King. What are the talents and treasures you can share with His Body, the church, and in ministry to our community? Write down a commitment of your worshipful obedience to God. Decide today to tithe your life.

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Fellowship With Jesus God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9 We have been invited into fellowship with Jesus. It is His desire to be included in our day, every day.

We have been called into a relationship in which we are aware of His presence and engage in ongoing conversation with Him. We have been invited to sit at His feet and refresh and renew our lives. When we choose to fellowship with Jesus we receive what cannot be taken from us . . . the things that matter most in life, the things that are eternal.

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what He taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it -- and I won't take it away from her." Luke 10: 38:42 We entered into relationship with Jesus, by faith, when we confessed our sinfulness and accepted Him as Savior.

That relationship was the beginning of our spiritual journey. The fellowship that follows is our experience of Jesus.

Fellowship with Jesus moves us from living for ourselves to living for others, learning from Him what is worth caring about. We can fellowship with Him concerning things big and small. We can listen to what He has to say through Scripture and prayer. The desire of Jesus is to be our guide in every part of our life. We must take time to fellowship with Jesus. We must remember to pause and sit at His feet. Committing our heart and days to Jesus allows Him to continue His good work within us. Each day we have the opportunity to walk with Jesus, opening our hearts and minds to His Word, His way. As we identify our life with Christ we become changed. It is our fellowship with our Savior that gives us the strength to stand against the temptations of this world. The fellowship of our soul with Him allows the impartation of His love and grace, His authority and power. It is daily fellowship with Jesus that preserves and renews our identity as God’s child and our joy in the Holy Spirit.

He is waiting patiently for us. He will always provide every thing we need. Today, choose to fellowship with Him. Choose to include Him in your day. Share, pray, meditate, talk to Him. Today, really know what it means to be called into fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord.

This week enjoy coffee with Jesus. Let Him speak to you through His Word. Listen. Simply enjoy the time of fellowship. It may be quiet and peaceful. You may find yourself with a new awareness and agreement with His Word. You may find that He is teaching and revealing something to you; write your thoughts in a journal or in the Notes of your smart phone. You may not feel anything, but know . . . that Jesus is present. He is enjoying your worship.

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Fellowship With The Holy Spirit May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 But when the Father sends the Counselor as My representative -- and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit -- He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. John 14:26 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting His own ideas; He will be telling you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring Me glory by revealing to you whatever He receives from Me. All that the Father has is Mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever He receives from Me. John 16:13-15 Jesus counseled that the Holy Spirit would become our counselor, teacher and guide in this life. His knowledge is infinitely greater than ours. The Holy Spirit knows the very secrets of Heaven; He has access to the heart of our Father so that whatever is spoken in the throne room of Heaven the Holy Spirit hears and communicates to us. The very presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives empowers us to live supernaturally, walking in a manner worthy of living as a child of God. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 Our fellowship with the Holy Spirit is about opening the most intimate parts of ourselves to His influence and leading.

As we pursue the fellowship of the Spirit His character traits become predominant in us and we will grow into all that God intended.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray.

But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Romans 8:26 Perhaps our most intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit is through prayer.

He communicates our prayers to God even when we cannot find the words to express our joys, sorrows, pain, and weakness. He knows and prays the will of the Father on our behalf. The Holy Spirit is communicating all the time and we can practice attending to His voice. He will call us by name, comfort us, guide us and teach us. Enjoy His company. Spend time with those who are filled to overflowing with the Spirit. Invite Him to give you the discipline and power to be obedient to Scripture. Express your love in words and song.

Worship by inviting the Holy Spirit to come. Find a quiet place, put on softly playing worship music. Wait for Him. As you soak in His presence, He will reveal Himself to you. He will bring healing, He will give knowledge, He will speak to you through His Word, through songs, and through visions or pictures that you can see in your mind’s eye. You will fall more and more in love with Jesus. You will receive more of His passion and love. You will become so full of Him, you cannot help but overflow and leak onto those around you!

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Fellowship With God I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be My people. Leviticus 26:12 . . . And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy will be complete. This is the message He has given us to announce to you: God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:3-10 How do we as believers remain in the light and in fellowship with God? How do we avoid the darkness that breaks the communion we have with our Father? It is in recognizing the deception of sin that hardens our hearts and disrupts our determination to walk with our Lord. It is in acknowledging that we are out of step with God and have lost the intimacy our Creator desires. It is in confession that we recognize God’s faithfulness to us and are able to be cleansed from the sin that breaks our fellowship. Our confession of sin restores our right relationship.

The Greek word for confession is ‘homologeo’ and means “to say the same thing, to be in agreement, to admit, to acknowledge.” It is so much more than simply saying we are sorry. In the act of confession we are agreeing with God about sin. In confession we name our sins before God and agree with Him they are unacceptable in His holy sight. Without that agreement we simply turn our backs to God and turn off His light in our lives. Confession reconciles us with Him and positions us to live in His divine grace.

Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be - you get a fresh start, your slate's wiped clean. Count yourself lucky - God holds nothing against you and you're holding nothing back from Him. When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up. Then I let it all out; I said, “I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God.” Suddenly the pressure was gone - my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. These things add up.

Every one of us needs to pray; when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts we'll be on high ground, untouched. Psalm 32:1-6 We believe our faith is not a religion but a personal relationship with a living God. Jesus died, His blood was shed, so that we could have an intimate and ongoing relationship with God. We are to pursue allowing God to speak into our lives. We are to hear His voice. Today ask His Holy Spirit to point out the places of sin and darkness within. We can be honest before our God. He knows us, everything we think, everything we have done. We can agree with Him about those things and places in which we have been disobedient. And, in His forgiveness He will give us a freedom from guilt, shame and condemnation. Our confession will allow us to enter into real worship with God and fellowship with other believers.

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Fellowship With Believers What good fellowship we enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God. Psalm 55:14 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2 An intentional fellowship with other believers is spoken of multiple times in the New Testament and is the model of how the church is to live in relationship to one another. It is our fellowship with other believers that makes a church more than a congregation, but rather the living breathing Body of Christ. Our fellowship is to be much more than socializing in the Garden Room or sharing a meal around a table. It is a relationship based on our being joined with other believers as the family of God. Joined together in the Body of Christ, we become dependent upon one another for our spiritual growth and health. Our fellowship is a coming together to do and talk about the things of God. Fellowship is praying together, serving together, giving together and sharing all of life with one another. The more we grow in our relationship with God the more we will long to be in the presence of His people. . . . But if we walk in the light, God Himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another . . .

1 John 1:7 Scripture teaches there is both a vertical and horizontal aspect to fellowship, or “up and in” as Pastor Jack has taught. Christians must have the up relationship with our Father and an in relationship with other believers. It is not possible to love God and not spend time in fellowship with each other. Time spent with each other becomes the practice field for the love we are called to demonstrate to the world.

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-2 Fellowship, participating in the life of the church, is an act of obedience to God. Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Hebrews 13:17 Fellowship, in the church, is a God designed system of accountability to disciple and protect us.

“For where two or three gather together because they are Mine, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 There is a supernatural multiplication of faith when believers come together to agree in prayer. Fellowship is our privilege and blessing whether it occurs in church, a Bible study, a small group or among our family.

What opportunities for fellowship do you have in your life? When you spend time with believers, is there a mix of fun and a deeper purpose? Do you have a group of friends with whom you share life and who will graciously come alongside you and help you back up when you fall? Do you have a group with whom you regularly pray? Are there others who will join you in walking out your faith in service to our church and community? Choose to worship God in the fellowship of His family.

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Testimony Sharing Our Faith Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has saved you from your enemies. Psalm 107:2 “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.” Daniel 4:2 “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about Me everywhere -- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 “We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. 1 Peter 3:15 Sharing our faith with others can be daunting, but God calls us to go into all the world and share His Good News.

The most genuine way to share our faith is with our testimony, what we have personally experienced in our spiritual journey. When we share our testimony with others we communicate what we have seen and heard, what has happened in our lives because of our relationship with God, through Jesus, and the power and authority the Holy Spirit brings. When God does something we should not be silent! We are called to talk about, to proclaim all that He has done. We are called to speak to the world of His love and power. People may disagree with a particular position or teaching of the church but it is much more difficult to argue against the truth of a personal encounter with God. The Scriptures tell us we are to welcome the opportunity to share the Good News of our salvation, the love of our Father and miraculous signs and wonders He performs on our behalf. We can pray that our everyday encounters become Divine appointments, scheduled by our Creator, to allow us to share our faith with others.

Pray throughout your day that you realize the mission field of your workplace, grocery store, favorite restaurant and other places that God has provided. Don’t downplay the importance of your faith but rather, if it fits naturally into a conversation, talk about its importance in your life. Practice being attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and “... don't worry about what you'll say. When the time comes, say what's on your heart - the Holy Spirit will make His witness in and through you.”

Mark 13:11 God continues to revise our testimony. He is regularly creating new stories of His love, power and authority in our lives. Write your testimony down, this will give you the time to consider your life before Christ, the experience of your salvation, and the daily difference knowing Christ makes in your life. It is your story told to worship the God who loves you enough to have sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sins. Your story does not need to be dramatic or sensational to be used by God; it simply needs to be a love story from you, a child of the King. Live your testimony by worshiping God with your life.

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Service The Least of These Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was Me - you did it to Me.' “Then He will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on His left, and say, “Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because I was hungry and you gave Me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, I was homeless and you gave Me no bed, I was shivering and you gave Me no clothes, sick and in prison, and you never visited.” “Then those 'goats' are going to say, “Master, what are You talking about? When did we ever see You hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?” “He will answer them, “I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was Me - you failed to do it to Me.” Matthew 25:40-45 “If you love Me, show it by doing what I've told you.” John 14:15 Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds. James 2:26 God’s Word expresses what is on His heart; He does not ask us to do what He would not do. Our example of service is Jesus who descended from the throne room to model for us compassion and love for all people. Jesus spent time with people we would consider unappealing . . . Jesus hung out with the poor, the outcast, the lonely, sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors, women caught in adultery, lepers, cheats, thieves, drunkards, idolaters, and murderers; the unclean. He talked with them, ate with them, touched them and genuinely cared for them. His expectation is that we will do the same.

What if we were to view every person we encounter as embodying the very presence of Christ. Would we be changed? How much kinder would we be? How much more welcoming? How much more would we genuinely care about their hardships, difficulties, and physical needs?

If we follow the model of our Lord we will walk toward the least of these, extend a hand of welcome, listen, encourage, fulfill an immediate need. If we choose to provide a meal at Madison House, Union Gospel Mission or to a single mother, speak words of affirmation, or simply sit and listen it will be our expression of the love of God to one who is not used to receiving such gifts.

The great sacrificial love of God moved Him to send His Son, so that as we believe in Him, we are raised up to spend eternity in His presence. Our heart’s response should be that we no longer live for ourselves, but for Him. Our God is intimate and present. Do people see the love of God radiating from within us . . . or do they see barriers between us and those who are different. Can people see that we are followers of King Jesus; does our life look like His? We worship and celebrate God who chooses to keep company with “the least of these.” Consider where your life journey this week will cross paths with “the least of these.” How will you imitate the ministry of Jesus when your paths cross?

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Service The Church God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you.

Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to Him forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:10 Our love for Christ is accompanied by a love for His body, the Church. Serving the church is our opportunity to reflect God’s love to our Christian family. A believer’s service in the church not only glorifies God but builds up the church body. When all the parts of the Body are engaged in service to each other the church is made healthy and grows.

There may be seasons when we are tempted to attend church on Sunday, sit in a pew and wait with expectancy to be served. While there are absolutely times when we should be the recipients of allowing others the opportunity to serve us, our own love for this Body of Christ should prompt us to have hearts that desire to give in return. Jesus taught that it need not be a sacrifice to give our attention, time, physical presence and resources to support the church but rather a gift that yields blessings upon us.

“If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving -- large or small -- it will be used to measure what is given back to you.” Luke 6:38 When we join in the life of the Body of Christ with love and service a true bond of fellowship is created. We love each other because we are loved

by God. We serve each other because that is the model of our Lord. We see a need in the church and we are moved to meet it because that is what Jesus calls us to do.

Consider which ministries of our church function without the service of volunteers? Hmmmm . . . Were we as a congregation to decide to do nothing to support the life of the church . . . we would eventually and effectively shut its doors.

Spend time in prayer asking God where He would desire that you join in the work of His church.

Review the list of service opportunities in the back of this devotional. Worship God by choosing a place where you can serve and benefit your family of faith in love. Make a commitment to begin that service and then . . . expect to receive a full measure of joy and blessing!

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Knowing Bible Study Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who My Father is. From now on you know Him and have seen Him!" Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Philip, don't you even yet know who I am, even after all the time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see Him?” John 14:6-9 And this is the way to have eternal life -- to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth.

John 17:3 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 How do you view God? What do you know of His character? Do you know the passions of His heart? What is His mission? How does God work in your life and in our world? Your view of God shapes everything about you.

It is through knowing Jesus that we come to intimately know God. God has chosen to reveal Himself through Jesus and through His Word, the Bible. The Bible is the book written by God about Himself. By studying His Words we learn of the character of God, His plan for us, His children, and His great plan in history.

We transform from knowing about God to knowing Him when we spend time studying His Word, conversing with Him in prayer and experiencing His presence in our lives. It is as we develop those habits of Bible study, prayer and practicing the presence of God in our everyday lives that we grow a deep personal relationship with Him as our Father.

When we study God’s Word we have the opportunity to surrender not only our lives, but the details of each day to Him. We learn how He desires to direct our journey. Studying God’s Word becomes a shield of protection that gives us wisdom and understanding. We learn to know God’s truth versus the voice of culture or the lies of satan. When we study Scripture we enter into a rest and refuge that prepares us for the storms of life. What we know of God comes first and foremost from His Word. Our prayers should be grounded in Scripture and become the application of the Word of God to our own life circumstances. Our worship becomes our response to the God we have fallen in love with as we have studied His Word.

Spending time daily with God in His Word is a way to worship Him. What we spend our time on is an indication of what we hold dear. When we spend time with God, we demonstrate that we love Him and that He is worthy of our attention and of praise.

As you begin the new year spend time meeting with God in periods of meditation. Choose one Psalm each day to read aloud. Your heart and home will be filled with words proclaiming His character and glory. Use the guide at the end of this devotion to study the character of God expressed in the Psalms.

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Knowing The Evidence Of Creation For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities -- His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. Romans 1:19-20 Consider how God expresses Himself in snow. As snow begins to fall there is a peacefulness that accompanies it. Gently falling snow quiets and brings a hush to the sounds of life. This atmosphere of silence that falls upon the earth invites us to pause and think about the things of God. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 Snow is a picture of the goodness of God. The beautiful untouched white blanket of snow covering trees, roofs, cars and streets symbolizes purity and innocence. The white freshness of new fallen snow serves as a reminder of the freedom from sin we receive when we repent and give our lives to Jesus.

“Come now, let us argue this out,” says the LORD. “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.” Isaiah 1:18 The beauty of snow transforms even the simplest of landscapes into a winter wonderland. It is an opportunity for us to admire our God who created not only the pleasure of snow but also its worth as it melts and fills our lakes and streams with water to sustain us. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.” Isaiah 55:10 Singer songwriter Audrey Assad has written a beautiful song called ‘Winter Snow’...

“Could’ve come like a mighty storm with all the strength of a hurricane. You could’ve come like a forest fire with the power of Heaven in Your flame. But You came like a winter snow—quiet and soft and slow—falling from the sky in the night to the earth below. The lyrics suggest the exquisite love of our Father for us, His children.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them.

“Don't be afraid!” He said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2: 6-11 God gives us so many reminders of His love and care in the beauty of His creation.

Every day is worthy of our devotion to and worship of our King. Bundle up and take a walk outside. Consider the message God has expressed in a snowfall. Ponder the miracle of Jesus’ birth in the beauty of a snowflake.

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Thankfulness Thanking God For The Good Things In Our Life Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 Let us come before Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing Him psalms of praise. For the LORD is a great God, the great King above all gods. Psalm 95:2-3 Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. Psalm 100:4 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Thanksgiving is not a once a year occurrence for the believer but rather our lives should reflect daily thanksgiving to God. Our Father’s blessings are immeasurable and it should be our habit to pause and thank God for the daily blessings He provides. Jesus modeled a life full of thanksgiving.

Feeding the 5,000 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God's blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, He kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples to give to the people. Luke 9:16 Before raising Lazarus from the dead Jesus thanked God in anticipation of the answered prayer. So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing Me.” John 11:41 Sharing the Last Supper Jesus thanked God for the bread and wine. Then He took a cup of wine, and when He had given thanks for it, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” Then He took a loaf of bread; and when He had thanked God for it, He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is My body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:17-19 Scripture also tells us our thanksgiving becomes a protection against sin in our lives.

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes -- these are not for you.

Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. Ephesians 5:3-4 When we regularly practice the habit of being thankful worries and fears are replaced with the peace of God, an experience of joy in our journey and courage to pursue Kingdom living.

Ultimately our thanksgiving glorifies our God who is faithful to love us eternally and fill our lives to overflowing with His blessings.

Worship God today by making a list of things for which to thank Him. Consider the blessings and answers to prayers you have received over the past year. Consider the places you have been aware of God working in your life this week. Spend time giving thanks, singing His praise, blessing His name.

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Surrender Believing Nothing Is Impossible With God God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman!

The Lord is with you! “ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don't be frightened, Mary,” the angel told her, “for God has decided to bless you! You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end!" Mary asked the angel, “But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin." The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God. What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true.” Luke 1:26-38 Mary’s response to this angelic announcement is an example of surrendering in faith to the limitless possibilities of our Father. Mary responded believing nothing was impossible with God. Mary responded and humanity received the miraculous.

God continues to do miracles in and through His people, the church. God answers prayers, provides physical, spiritual and emotional healing, and supplies material and financial needs. God works miracles through the supernatural and through people themselves. Our faith is founded on the truth that a virgin became pregnant and gave birth by the power of the Holy Spirit; for this there is no logical explanation. I choose to think that unexplainable “coincidences” in my life and the lives of my family and friends are the present day touch of the Holy Spirit ministering to us. We must acknowledge that nothing is impossible with God and then surrender to follow Him, accepting His direction in our lives. We must acknowledge the greatness of God and the “impossibilities” He can accomplish. We must surrender to the Father and not depend solely on our own will power, strength, or intelligence.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Matthew 19:26 God is able to do anything and everything; there is nothing too difficult for Him. What are the seeming impossibilities in your life, in your marriage, with your children and family members or friends?

Pray against giving in to the worry, fear and doubt that are of this world. Worship God by acknowledging He is more powerful than any circumstance of this life. Thank God that nothing is beyond His attention or too difficult for Him. Respond as Mary did by surrendering in faith to His limitless possibilities.

Close your eyes and simply listen to Father God. What is He asking you to trust Him in or through? Spend a few moments in prayer over this.

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Discipleship Learning To Live Like Jesus And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him and reflect His glory even more. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Follow God's example in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave Himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to Him. Ephesians 5:1-2 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did. 1 John 2:6 The Holy Spirit working within us transforms us into the image of Jesus. It is not our effort that changes our behavior but His power. God began the work within us at creation, creating us in His own image, and then sent Jesus to complete it. When we accepted Christ as our Savior we were justified or made right with God. We are now in the life long process of sanctification or being made Christ like. And, when we pass into eternity and join our King we will be glorified. We are works in progress!

Each one of us is called by God to grow to become more and more like Jesus. It is through discipleship that this occurs.

The Greek word for disciple is mathētēs and literally means learner. Jesus modeled discipleship with the 12 men He called to join Him at the beginning of His ministry. Becoming Jesus’ disciple meant being intimately connected with Him to learn His ways. The disciples stayed with Jesus about three and a half years. They walked and talked with Him, shared meals with Him, learned how to do ministry at His side and then went out to do the same themselves.

As disciples, or students of Jesus, our aim is to learn to be like Him. Jesus begins His work within us through the Holy Spirit, as we are, but calls us to grow up in spiritual maturity. Being His disciple is about committing to a lifestyle of learning and growing. Being Christ’s disciple moves beyond believing in Him to becoming like Him. Being a disciple of Jesus is learning to walk a Kingdom lifestyle on this earth. It is in our day to day living that we have opportunities to become more and more Christ like. A growing maturing faith is one that models the actions of Jesus. When presented with hunger He fed people. In the presence of sickness He ministered with physical healing. When confronted with death He raised life back up into being. This was the normal lifestyle of Jesus and His disciples.

Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be My follower you must love Me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters -- yes, more than your own life.

Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple. And you cannot be My disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. But don't begin until you count the cost . . . no one can become My disciple without giving up everything for Me.” Luke 14:26-28, 33 Jesus is asking us to commit everything. It is in our homes, our jobs, among our friends and in all the places we live our lives that we can choose to learn to live like Jesus. Study His Word. Walk a Kingdom lifestyle. Love others and meet their spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

Is your faith journey one that has moved beyond believing in Jesus to the pursuit of becoming like Him? Worship God with the lifestyle of a disciple.

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Courage Walking By Faith “Be strong and courageous, for you will lead My people to possess all the land I swore to give their ancestors.

Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. I command you -- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:6-9 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My spokesman to the world.” “O Sovereign LORD,” “I said, “I can't speak for You! I'm too young!” “Don't say that,” the LORD replied, “for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Then the LORD touched my mouth and said, “See, I have put my words in your mouth!” Jeremiah 1:5-9 Faith yields courage. Courage is the belief in what our Father says regardless of what the circumstances of our life are.

Courage is looking beyond our own abilities, successes and failures to trust in Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit.

Courage is the persistent pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. God does not ask us to live courageously; He has commanded it.

God spoke to Jeremiah to send him out, but Jeremiah immediately came up with an excuse to not obey. God’s response was to reassure Jeremiah to not be afraid and to call him into obedience. At some point during our faith journey we will be called by God to step out of our comfort zone. Our call may not be dangerous or life threatening.

Our call may however; be uncomfortable, questioned by family and friends or even create a sense of fear within us. It is our faith in the goodness of God that will allow us to shut out the voice of satan who seeks to discourage us and to find in God the courage to do His work.

As He did for Joshua and Jeremiah God continues to direct His people to go and be leaders and representative of the Kingdom to this world. When you hear God tell you to go, walk in faith and go! Ask God what He desires you share and then ask for the courage to do so. Are you called to give your testimony? Are you asked to speak words of encouragement into another? Consider all the people God places in your realm of influence each day. Who do you have the opportunity to bless in your home, workplace, grocery store or gym? Where can you take the opportunity to pray with someone?

We were made to be courageous.

We were made to lead the way.

We could be the generation, That finally breaks the chains.

We were made to be courageous.

These lyrics from the song Courageous by Casting Crowns remind us we have been given, by our heavenly Father, all the courage we need each day to stand up in faith and make a difference in this world. Has God spoken to you and told you to do something? What is holding you back from obeying Him? What are your fears about going forward in a place that God has told you to go? As Jeremiah did, confess your fears to the Father who loves you. Worship God by living a courageous life of faith.

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Honor Creating A Culture Of Honor Honor your father and mother, as the LORD your God commanded you. Deuteronomy 5:16 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. Hebrews 13:4 Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. 1 Peter 2:17 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created everything, and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11 Honor is defined as holding something or someone in high esteem, respect and value; to treat as precious. We were created first and foremost to honor God and then to honor one another. We are to put others first and share the love of Christ into their lives. While our culture teaches us to honor those who have earned the privilege, God calls us to honor everyone we meet by treating them with dignity and worth. There is no better way for us to develop the character of Christ than to practice expressing an attitude of honor for people. Honoring each other is made simpler when we recognize that every life has meaning and significance; every life is a creation of our Father. An individual’s significance may not be readily apparent to us but no life is ever insignificant to God. Operating in a culture of honor is the intentional blessing and building up of others. Honor is a decision to give another a position of high value and worth in our life. Honor chooses to speak words of kindness and grace.

Honor chooses to grant respect. Honor chooses to not judge, criticize, compare or act selfishly. Honor is His love in action.

“If . . . wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary—the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday may recognize in you . . . the face of God.” (from Wonder by RJ Palacio) Every time we interact with someone, with anyone and everyone, we should choose to express honor. Our honor of another is not dependent upon their behavior, possessions, accomplishments or what we think they deserve.

Ultimately it is our King we are imitating and honoring and His promise to us is . . . And if they follow Me, the Father will honor them John 12:26 When was the last time we intentionally honored someone? When did we last thank someone, write a letter of appreciation, respectfully acknowledge another, serve someone or perform a act of kindness?

Worship God by challenging yourself to think of ways to honor to someone—anyone—today and each day.

As we give honor we will also receive honor.

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Affirmation Speaking Life May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Proverbs 12:18 Kind words are like honey -- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24 Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose. Proverbs 18:21 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. Colossians 4:6 Words are important. At creation God spoke the very Heavens and earth into being establishing words as creative and carrying the power of life and death. Our words are important. We can speak words that move the spiritual realm. We can speak words that encourage and build another up or we can speak words that destroy. Simply greeting someone becomes an affirmation of their worth. The reality is that every word spoken has the power to either encourage a dream or destroy it, to restore hope or to cause its loss, to bring healing or injury, to bring joy or sadness, to be a blessing or a curse.

We can intentionally transform the words we speak to be life giving. We can regularly speak words of affirmation.

Listen to God through His scripture and in listening prayer. Speak His words into another’s life.

Be an encourager. Speak a word of encouragement to someone every day.

Bless every one and every situation you possibly can.

Express thankfulness by telling someone how much you appreciate them.

Write a personal note expressing appreciation for someone or identifying the Christ like quality you see in their life.

Seek out someone to simply say hello and shake their hand.

Say “I thank God for you.”

Share a “good morning” or “have a great day” with someone.

Praise someone for the effort and accomplishment they have put forth.

Speak a kind word.

The reality is most of the words people encounter in a day are negative, unkind, and life draining. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to share the love with which God embraces us, with others. What would happen in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and even our congregation if people regularly heard genuine words of affirmation?

• • • • • • • • • •

Worship God by speaking words of life. Who can you affirm today? How will you do it? At the end of today are people changed by your influence in their lives?

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Confidence Miracles Come In Cans “There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen.” Mark 9:23 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 I have learned the secret of living in every situation . . . For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:12-13 There are seasons in our lives when we encounter great demands, pressures and expectations that seem impossible to manage. The reality is, we often try, and fail, when we depend upon our own abilities to handle the circumstances of life. We are simply not strong enough, smart enough and cannot work hard enough. Scripture teaches us there is however; a better way, grounded in the power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens us. We “can” do all that we need to do when we activate the Word of God in our lives by standing on its promises. It is the strength of Christ, His grace and power that becomes the source of our confidence and success. Do you believe that you can do everything through Christ? Do you know that you have been equipped for all things by the power of His Holy Spirit dwelling within you?

It is significant that Paul expressed he had “learned” the secret of living in all situations. Paul is not saying he is resigned to not getting what he wants, but rather he is willing to let God have control, grow and work through him in the midst of his circumstances. We can also learn. We can choose to claim, in faith, the promise of Jesus that “anything can happen.” We can choose to allow God to raise up in us a deeper faith. We can choose to access the power of God in every situation that confronts us, every circumstance in our midst, every choice and decision we must make by filtering it through His Word. Our gain would be that we can do all things through Christ.

Consider your life today and those parts of it you have not given over to the care of our Father. Claim His promise that He can accomplish all things through the power of His Holy Spirit working deeply and gently within us. Worship God by giving Him every circumstance of your life . . . your health, your family, your work, every decision you must make.

Do you believe you can do whatever you need to do in life?

What is the challenge in the midst of your life today? How do you need to be strengthened by our Lord? Confess your weakness to Him. Ask Him to strengthen you today. He will do it!

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Thoughts Think On Purpose We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Philippians 4:8 Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. Colossians 3:2 Every success and victory we achieve begins with purposeful thinking; our thoughts are powerful. Given the importance of how we think, our thought life becomes the place where satan tries to attack and gain ground, with lies and deceit. The apostle Paul teaches us to guard against this by having the image of Christ, the truth of Scripture and the vision of heaven fill our minds. This doesn’t just happen, but rather is a purposeful decision to believe, think and hear in an excellent and worthy manner.

We think on purpose when we fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable and right: Those who believe Him discover that God is true. John 3:33 Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when He comes to judge the world. 1 Peter 2:12 When people do what is right, it is because they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 1 John 3:7 We think on purpose when we think about things that are pure, lovely and admirable: But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure. 1 John 3:2-3 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. Psalm 84:1-2 And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 We think on purpose when we fill our thoughts with praise: So we praise God for the wonderful kindness He has poured out on us because we belong to His dearly loved Son. Ephesians 1:6 The Spirit is God's guarantee that He will give us everything He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. Ephesians 1:14 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation -- those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ -- for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:11 “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny” (Reader’s Digest /unknown date).

Worship God by purposefully thinking about Him!

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Ponder Storing Up The Treasure of Jesus And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:8-19 ...but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. Luke 2:19 Mary held as precious the words spoken about her son, our Lord. She carefully considered and focused her thoughts so as to understand what she had been told. It is likely that many times during Jesus’ ministry Mary would return to the memory of the moment of His birth. The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of God’s promise worked out through her life. The treasure of her memories allowed Mary to acknowledge God’s power and grace when her faith was challenged as she saw her child hanging on the cross. Mary’s memories, stored deep within her heart, allowed her to remember that God is in control, that He had a plan and was working it out even though she could not possibly understand it.

God provides each of us a treasure of memories of His faithfulness, His presence, His goodness in our lives. Like Mary, we should think often about the encounters we have with Jesus, the words He speaks into our lives, and the prayers He answers. Our collection of the treasures of Jesus will enable us to stand strong with faith and hope during the times we cannot make sense of the struggles in our lives, when we feel uncertain about what our future holds. It is then we can think on every sign of His presence, every outpouring of His goodness and grace. It is then we can ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of the Significance of all our answered prayers and we can talk with God about all the ways He has gone before us.

Think of the wonderful works He has done, the miracles and the judgments He handed down... Psalm 105:5 Remember the world of wonders He has made, His miracles, and the verdicts He's rendered... Psalm 105:5 Consider your treasure box of answered prayers. Take time to reflect on God’s work in your life. Think about God’s goodness to you. Treasure those times in your life when you have seen Him and worship God by pondering on them.

Let this become your Good News.

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Love We Love So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples. John 13:34-35 This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 1 John 3:11 We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both. 1 John 4:21 I love my children! I love chocolate! I love my family! I love the Seahawks! Love . . . We use the word to express the deepest of relationships and then again in the most trivial ways. We define love as “a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person” or as “a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend" These definitions describe our emotions and feelings but real love is much more. The love Jesus commands us to express is to be our highest calling. The love Jesus commands is to be unconditional and self-sacrificing and it is to be the mark of our being a Christian. Our model of love is Jesus’ love for us. Jesus expressed His love for people with compassion for their suffering, with His presence and with His enjoyment of life lived with them. He told them He loved them, He blessed them and He showed His love by serving and touching them.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God -- for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 Love begins and ends with God. God’s character is love and everything He does is good and done in perfect love.

Because we have been created in His image we are able to love; we are full of good! Our ability to love others is a supernatural experience that comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our love for others is so much more than a feeling; it is a lifestyle, a choice we make daily.

We can choose to express love for others in many ways. Perhaps it is offering your place in a store check out line to a mother with a cart full of groceries and a tired child, simply sitting alongside someone who has received unsettling news, shaking the hand of a new acquaintance and inviting them to join you for coffee, offering a blessing to the waitress who has served you, or celebrating the success and achievement of someone with whom you work. Small acts of kindness done with no expectation of return are examples of Christian love. Loving others is about giving to them respect, mercy and meeting their needs. It is about loving selflessly.

What is the quality of your love towards other people? Have you taken seriously the command to love others or have you treated it as a suggestion? How well are you loving those around you?

How often do you allow yourself to be interrupted by someone in need? Do your actions mark you as a follower of Jesus?

Worship God by loving others in appreciation of His great love for you. Ask God to open your eyes, your ears and your heart to someone you can love today. Live to love. Share with your family or friends how you chose to love.

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Love God So Loved The World For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't.

Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.

Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 37-39 This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

1 John 4:10 God so loved the world that He gave . . . and He gave His best. At Christmas we celebrate the best gift of all, salvation given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. God gave as an expression of His absolute love for us. The baby born at Bethlehem was God made man. He didn’t stop being God. He was no less God. Jesus was not created in Bethlehem.

He came down to earth. He began to be man. And, the wonder of the Christmas story is not that this baby was born to humble parents, but that this baby was God arriving to live among men, arriving to take away the penalty of sin.

The baby in the manger was God. The One to whom the wise men were led by the Bethlehem star was the very One who made every star. The spirit of Christmas is told in the first chapter of John. Jesus set aside all His glory as God. He left behind all His heavenly delights so that He could bring the gift of God’s grace to mankind. The spirit of Christmas is seen in Jesus not just telling us about our Father God but by demonstrating every attribute of God in the way He lived each day of His life.

This is what salvation is. It is a changed heart and a changed life. This is the good news, this is the gospel. And, this is what Christmas means. Jesus did not come to simply give us a beautiful manger scene. He did not come to give us a Christmas Eve service once a year. He came to be our Savior. He came to give us salvation, to begin right where we are to change us. We need ourselves to be changed, and that change can only occur in a relationship with the living God. Today can be the first day of a new you. Have you made a commitment to God or someone else in your life that you’ve neglected? Have you been caught up with wrong desires, turned away from spending time with God? Have you let go of the passionate love our Father deserves? Today, right now, you can declare a time for change and start again. Make one decision that will get you started living the new you.

As you celebrate the amazing miracle of Jesus’ birth, recommit to a life lived in passionate love with the Father. In the midst of gift-giving this Christmas, save the best gift for the One who gave His best gift to you. Promise this year to give yourself — heart, soul, mind, and strength — to God every day. Make Christmas last all year long as you worship God by giving to Him the very best of yourself.

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THE CHARACTER OF GOD IN THE PSALMS God is our Salvation. God is our stronghold and fortress.

January 1: Psalm 3 January 21st: Psalm 144 January 2: Psalm 17 January 22nd: Psalm 94

January 3: Psalm 18 God is our chosen portion and cup.

January 23rd: Psalm 16 January 4: Psalm 25 God is our Rock.

God is our King.

January 24th: Psalm 62 January 5: Psalm 5

January 25th: Psalm 19 January 6: Psalm 10 God is our help.

January 7: Psalm 24 January 26th: Psalm 22 He is our God who blesses the righteous.

God is our Shepherd.

January 8: Psalm 112 January 27th: Psalm 23

January 9: Psalm 1 God is the Almighty.

January 28th: Psalm 46 He is our God who hears our cries.

January 10: Psalm 6 God is good and upright.

January 29th: Psalm 25 God is our hope.

January 11: Psalm 7 God is our refuge.

January 30th: Psalm 130 January 12: Psalm 11 God is holy.

January 13: Psalm 146 January 31st: Psalm 99 God is judge.

January 14: Psalm 82 January 15:

Psalm 75

God is our shield.

January 16: Psalm 28 January 17:

Psalm 33

God is the Most High.

January 18: Psalm 47 January 19:

Psalm 91

January 20:

Psalm 21

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VOLUNTEER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT GRACE OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SUNDAY TECH TEAM VOLUNTEERS Help with the sound, media and TV ministry for Sunday worship. Training is provided; for more information, please contact Debbie Kent at 248-7940 x109 or Debbie.Kent@fpcyakima.com.

YOUTH GROUP DINNER Provide a meal for the weekly youth group kids - Wednesdays at 6:00pm in the church gym. Kitchen clean up weekly before and after dinner. Contact: Jeff Murray, 248-7940 x 123.

CONNECTION CENTER (CC) Welcome people at the Connection Center Sunday in the Garden Room. Help with event sign-ups, sales of various books or CDs, answer questions, offer direction, and welcome new visitors. Contact Doug Cairns.

GREETERS / COOKIES & PUNCH Sunday mornings- greet church family before each church service and welcome them to worship. Set out cookies and punch between each church service in the Garden Room. Contact: Dave Whiteside.

SECURITY Walk grounds, greet people, offer direction if needed, keep open eyes for unwanted behavior on church property.

During large church events. Contact: Harold Cook USHERS Greet people as they enter Sanctuary, hand them a church bulletin. Help collect offering. Contact: Scott Henyan CARENET CALLERS Make 10 phone calls a month to families in our church offering prayer or answering questions about activities at the church. A great way to love on our congregation! Contact: Cindy Carter or Carolyn Mason MADISON HOUSE Various opportunities to serve and share the love of Jesus to Yakima children at the Madison House on 4th Street. See volunteer card at CC. Contact: Jocelyn Larsen, 248-7940 x 205.

TEMPLE CHOIR Love to sing? Join the Temple Choir on Sundays at the 11:00 service. Contact: Lyndi Peacock, 248-7940.

PRAYER MINISTRY Many opportunities and a variety of ways to pray for and with others. Contact: Sharon Trick.

KIDZONE TEACHERS Every Sunday over 80 children come to our church for Sunday School. We love our teachers. Opportunities in preschool through 5th grade ages. Contact: Susie Woodin, 248-7940 x 110.

TRAILSEEKERS Young boys and girls come to Grace of Christ each Monday for the Trailseeker program. Need small group leaders and drivers. Contact: John Stolzenbach.

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ADDITIONAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITY CONTACT POINTS Service Ministry Team (Missions): Larry Allen.

Discipleship Ministry Team - Adult Education Committee: Tyler Van Horn Contemporary Worship Band: Jason Cavanaugh Grounds and Maintenance: Maurice Peugh.

Deep Cleaning Kitchen: Maurice Peugh.

Clothing Exchange (fall and spring): Alex Rule.

Ghormley - 2nd Saturday Cleanup Crew: Mark Washam.

Parenting Class (greeters, table hosts, prayer partners): Shan Trick.

Cookie Bakers for Sunday mornings: Ericka Clark.

Mops/Moppettes Child Care: Monnie Miller.

Childcare (Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays): Monnie Miller.

Recycling Coordinator: Ericka Clark.

Newsletter - Proof reading: Curt Rosenkranz

Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church 9 South 8th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902 (509) 248-7940 — www.fpcyakima.com

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