ONE MORE THING . . .

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One More Thing . . .

 

Tis The Season

The Christmas time can be exhausting. There’s always one more gift to buy; there’s always one more decoration to put up—there’s always one more thing to make it just right. Just when we think we’re done, we remember someone else on the list and off we go to shop. We’re attending or hosting parties. We’re attending school plays and church choir events. There’s always something more to do. There’s always something that we need to add that will make the season more perfect than last year.

Read Luke 12:30.

  • Who runs after “such things”? Who truly knows what we need?

Read 2 Peter 1:2.

  • What two things is Peter pointing us toward? How do we get them?

 

A Holiday Party

In Luke 10:38 and John 12:1 we read a short story about Jesus attending a dinner party hosted by his close friends Mary and Martha. Martha is busy preparing and serving the dinner for their guests while Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet. In her frustration, Martha approaches Jesus to complain that Mary is making her do all the work. Jesus’ response is the opposite of what she had hoped for. In fact, Jesus tells her that what Mary is doing is more important.
Here’s the difference that made all the difference: Martha felt Jesus wasn’t showing enough appreciation for what she had done for him. Mary felt that she wasn’t showing enough appreciation for what Jesus did for her.

Read Luke 10:38–42.

  • Describe the trap of busyness Martha was in. Are you ever in that trap trying to do just one more thing?
  • How did Jesus respond? What does He mean when He says, “it will not be taken away from her [Mary]”?

 

Challenge

Our culture has wrongfully taught us the Martha principle. We, especially in the US, believe that for man, all things are possible. We are the masters of our own fate and the captains of our own ships. If we just work long enough and hard enough, we’ll be successful. If we can just find that one thing that will make it right, we’ll win.

Consequently, the idea that we need the grace of God in order to have peace and a secure eternity just seems wrong.
The good news is that we don’t have to buy into that thinking. Grace is a gift from God and it’s present in Jesus Christ for everyone because God is a gracious God. There’s nothing we can do to earn God’s grace. Nothing. We just need to receive His gift. Jesus didn’t die on a cross so we could sit in pews and have religion—he came to save us for eternity by the gift of His grace.

Read Acts 15:11.

  • What is the eternal gift of God’s grace?

Read Romans 5:15–20.

  • Take a close look at what Adam did and what Christ did.

What is the most wonderful affect of Christ’s free gift?
Do you have open hands that allow you to claim His gift today?

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  • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

    Welcome to the Conversation. We’re glad you’re here! Please take some time to go through the devotion over there on the left hand side. Afterward, share your insights with us. We’d love to build community as we grow in our faith together.

    524 days ago2 Replies

    • Kirk Stevens

      in reply to Josh (Social Media Pastor)

      You asked how my wife & I are doing Christmas differently this year. We had discussions with the family and decided to cut back to almost nothing, but we are giving money to “Feed the Children”, The Robison Foundation, and yes, NorthRidge Church. I asked all my children and their spouse to come over early Christmas morning and I will create a banquet breakfast, then later we we will enjoy a turkey feast. This Christmas will be about people and family, not about gifts. The kids, sorry children, were very happy to do this because it meant a lot less visits to the crowded malls. We decided to buy presents for the under 10 year old crowd but everyone else will get one, if they were good all year, ha, ha. Past Christmas’ we would fill the room with presents and everyone would try to out do the others, in regards to the number of presents they would bring. This year my wife and I will be pledging a special gift to Christ for all He has done for us. This will become an annual tradition.
      You also asked about the symbolism in the Jonah story; I felt the great fish was very symbolic, depending on how one looks at it. Basically, I look at it as the way God protected Jonah from drowning. But, as Brad was talking my mind wondered, just a little bit mind you, and I got a vision of this larger-than-life fish (symbolizing the fed. govt.) swallowing up all the unemployed people, the struggling businesses, etc. to protect them from the economic crises. I thought of it as a bad thing because I don’t support big government, that is why I said it is backwards from the story of Jonah, I can’t always control where my mind might wonder. Symbolically, it was as though God was cupping his hands around Jonah to protect him and to send him in the right direction.

      520 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Josh (Social Media Pastor)

      These are great suggestions Kirk. Thank you.

      519 days ago

  • Ronald Ponkey

    I am very disappointed that we live in a society which bans Christmas Nativity scenes. This is a time of celebrating the conception of our Savior and yet to walk outside you would never know what season it really is. …I left COSTCO yesterday and all I saw was people buying, buying, buying and I asked myself “Do they know what they are celebrating?”

    It is a shame our society does not have the “stamina or guts” to stand up to anyone who demands we tear down a Nativity scene…..We should have Nativity scenes all over reminding us of how special this season is…instead we see lots of images and persons dressed in a red outfit with a white beard….and this is what we are teaching our children. I went to Laurel Mall and again no Nativity scene…just lots of anxious kids lined up to see Santa Clause.

    I would not cheat children of enjoying the fantasy of Christmas, Elves and of course Santa…but alas we have allowed ourselves to be bullied by Political and Legal Anti God bullies…SHAME ON OUR COUNTRY…As for me…there is a Manger Nativity scene in my studio office where I meet with clients….I continually commit each day to trying to develop a closer relationship with the Lord…and this season is special to me…but it does hurt to drive around and see no signs of what this season is all about….It is forbidden to even say Merry Christmas at 12 Oaks by sales people to customers…SHAME ON US FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN….IF I AM SAD THEN I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW GOD FEELS as we go to Christmas Services but put on a different mask in public because some anti God bureaucrat says we cannot show a expression of the conception of Christ….

    They say you cannot mix Politics with Religion… society has successfully deleted God from the governing of our country and look what a mess our country is in….As for me…I love the Lord and will not hesitate to try to outwardly live a Christian Life…I can only hope someday America will stand up and say we will display Nativity scenes anywhere we want….you have a problem with that then LEAVE OUR COUNTRY…THE AIRLINE TICKET IS ON ME….MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS.

    524 days ago2 Replies

    • Kirk Stevens

      in reply to Ronald Ponkey

      We have to look at people like the quarterback for the Denver Bronco’s Tim Tebow. He’s not ashamed to show his faith to the world. I live in Livonia and I haven’t noticed any Christmas decorations on any of the government buildings, but in Dearborn the high schools have their football practice at night because Muslims aren’t allowed to practice until sundown during one of their holidays, I believe it is during Ramadan. The high school is government owned. Anyway, I don’t like getting political in “The Conversation” it isn’t the right forum for that, but, we are a Christian nation and we must protect and defend that.

      523 days ago

    • JimH

      in reply to Ronald Ponkey

      With all your comments about what is going on “out there” I wonder how Jesus is doing “in there” in your heart? It seems the parable where Jesus points out the splinter in the other person’s eye, and the huge log in your own eye… fits… So much hate and disgust in your words. What you posted is quite ugly, actually… not uplifting, not edifying… just saying….

      521 days ago

  • Michele McGovern

    So good…… so important every day, but particularly now.

    I wonder if Martha wasn’t as concerned about receiving praise for her hard work, but wished to sit at Jesus’ feet as Mary was? Not seeing past the tasks to be done, resentment set in. And we all know how it goes downhill from there.

    Thinking of her in this way reminds me that it always goes back to my focus. Where, exactly, is the very iris of my eye at this moment in time?

    My family of 7 is the epitome of doling out more chores than I could possibly ever keep up with. Talk about a skewed focus, at times. Possible resentment? I like to gloss over the fact that I’m an expert. But I’ve learned enough by now that I control my eyes, my focus. I choose whether to allow a task to outshine a game with my kids. Does my laundry cloud my view of my quiet time with God? How in the world I’ve let grocery shopping come before visiting my elderly relatives is beyond me. And on it goes….

    I love that Martha wanted to be sure everyone was fed and comfortable. A good hostess is a gift, to be sure. However, she seemed to have missed the point that Jesus was not there to receive, but to give. He had a huge mission and knew it quite well. She stumbled on her way to learn it. But I like to think that, afterward, she was first to remind everyone around her to stop what they were doing………. and Focus.

    524 days ago2 Replies

    • Sue Hanstad

      in reply to Michele McGovern

      Michele, I totally agree, it does come down to the question of , what are you focused on?

      523 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Michele McGovern

      Well put. Nothing wrong with being a host/hostess. But we must see what is important when it is in front of us.

      520 days ago

  • Kirk Stevens

    According to the “Oldest First” above, I guess I should go first (ha, ha)
    Brad’s talk this weekend seemed symbolic. It feels like the big fish is the Federal Government swallowing each of us one-by-one. I don’t want to get political, but it seems the whole world is hurting except for a few pockets of people here & there. As Brad was talking this weekend I kept picturing this huge fish swallowing up everyone. I realize that that picture is backwards from the real meaning of Jonah, but I think most of us feel like we are running in quicksand, getting no where really fast.
    This Christmas our family is putting far more emphasis on the real meaning of Christmas and putting aside much of the shopping we have done in the past. There are too many hurting folks out there for us to be worried about setting new retail sales records.
    Jonah was written almost 3,000 years ago, isn’t it amazing how relevant it can still be. Brad mentioned how one bad decision can affect the lives of so many others. He described how Jonah was running from God and all the people on the ship were caught up in the storm that Jonah caused. I guess it works in the reverse as well, one kind act can affect so many other people. It is like the snowball affect, an act of kindness can be contagious & perpetual.

    523 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Kirk Stevens

      I didn’t get the same political symbolism that you described. But I do affirm that there are people in this area and others that are struggling right now physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I would love to know what steps your family is taking with your above stated refocus this year to reach out to the disenfranchised and hurting. Maybe I can get a few ideas from you!

      520 days ago

  • Sue Hanstad

    Now that Christmas is just days away, I feel the pressure to buy making sure family and friends know that I’m thinking of them and care for them. How ridiculous is that!
    I think back to my parents at Christmas, they would request for all of us kids to find someone in need and give to them instead of buying a gift for them. At the time I thought it was a nice gesture, but didn’t fully get it. Now that I am older and have eyes that see those in need, I understand what they were trying to teach us. I spent this morning down at Hutzel Hospital with some amazing women from NorthRidge who spend countless hours knitting and crocheting for the hospital. I think there are numerous stories that need to be shared to encourage each of us.
    Christ loves and pursues us while we were yet sinners,and all the while still rejecting him. Now that I have accepted His free gift of salvation, and call myself a follower of Jesus, I want to love others with Christ love. Yes it will include gifts for friends and family, but my focus isn’t just that it’s love.

    523 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderBill Holbrook (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Sue Hanstad

      That’s awesome Sue!

      521 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Sue Hanstad

      I am SO doing that with Ethan when he’s old enough. LOVE the idea.

      520 days ago

  • Kirk Stevens

    It is the Christmas season and this time of year many more people think about God than any other season, I would suppose. With all the talk, the music, the decorations it feels like God is all around us. I would be nice if we celebrated Him everyday. I don’t mean individually, but like a choir, like during the Christmas season.
    I have talked to my wife, and my adult children, about gifts this year. All of them said that they really aren’t in need of anything and they will have to think really hard about what they would want for Christmas, unless I was willing to by them a new car, or a house, there was nothing they needed. We sat down in the family room and attempted to make lists of things we would like, I didn’t realize how difficult that would be. My oldest son, 40 years old, wrote down (3) books he would like. I asked him, if he wanted these books why doesn’t he already have them. He said he hasn’t had the chance to run up to the book store. While I was discussing this with him my daughter, 33 years old, was thumbing through catalogs circling jewelry she liked. I couldn’t help but feel how ridiculous all this was. There are people all over the world with needs, not wants, as we sit for hours trying to find something we don’t already have, and we probably don’t already have it because we don’t really want it, otherwise we would have bought it for ourselves. So, as it goes, on December 26th the stores will be full again with people returning their gifts and searching the shelves for something to replace it. Now that I am in the fall equinox of my life I realize I hunger for family, friends and a great meal on Christmas Day, not more stuff. It is very pleasant to receive a gift from someone, it doesn’t have to be something you need, just a reminder that they care.
    On my last birthday my daughter bought me one of those singing cards with my favorite song on it, she was so excited that she called me and asked that I open it while she was on the phone, it was a great time, we laughed as I opened the card probably 50 times, one of the best presents I ever received ($4.00). She said she was sorry that that was all she got me, but, she said, I knew you would like it. She knew I would like it, wow, she was correct. I started to wonder, how many people know what I like, or care what I like? That made her very special, and I told her that. Sounds like a Hallmark commercial doesn’t it?
    Anyone can go to the mall, by a bunch of stuff and hand it out on Christmas Day. They become the hero of the day. Look at all the gifts so-and-so bought us, what is it, why did he/she get me this, he/she knows I hate these things,etc. The best gift one can give is a gift that shows you care, really care.
    Last year my wife and I gave Bibles to many people as gifts. We didn’t give them to believers, why would they need one? But, most of the people we gave them to, even though they didn’t necessarily believe, they cherished the book of life. Did they read it? I don’t know, but they have one now and it is their choice. We aren’t the type of people that jam this stuff down people’s throats, we gave them an explanation and just said that we thought that they should have one on their bookshelf to balance out their collection of Dan Brown novels. We suggested it was like a dictionary , while they read Dan Brown they can refer to the Bible to check the facts.
    My daughter-in-law asked me, prior to the Bible gift, why is the world so screwed up, I suggested that she read Ecclesiastes, “everything is meaningless under the sun”. I didn’t treat her like I was trying to convert her, I just said; read it, and tell me what you think. I assume she read it because now she has a fish on her mini van. Giving a Bible as a gift is difficult because people roll their eyes thinking; here we go, brace yourself for a sermon. You must to give it with an open mind, let them control the conversation once they open it, don’t tell them they need it, or that it is for their own good. Just suggest that you thought that they would enjoy having one to round out their book collection.

    523 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderBill Holbrook (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Kirk Stevens

      Thanks for sharing Kirk!

      521 days ago

  • JimH

    I was thinking “The Conversation” was an extension and continuance conversation of/about the weekend’s talk (??) — Perhaps I missed something? Maybe I’m in the wrong place???

    522 days ago2 Replies

    • Kirk Stevens

      in reply to JimH

      No, you are not in the wrong place. This forum is, like you said, supposed to be about last weekends talk. I, for one, apologize for getting off the subject. It is easy to do and we don’t want it to turn into a general chat room. However, maybe we need a chat room more than we need to discuss the talk.

      522 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to JimH

      Hi Jim, I can understand your confusion. The Conversation is a place to not only look at the weekend’s talk but also go further with the devotion to the left. Sometimes things can get a little off topic but our goal is spiritual growth through dialogue.

      521 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderBill Holbrook (Student Ministries)

    “Grace is a gift from God and it’s present in Jesus Christ for everyone because God is a gracious God. There’s nothing we can do to earn God’s grace. Nothing.”

    This thought and the corresponding verses in the Bible are so important to me! This idea that Grace is free and I cannot earn it strips me of my ability to work hard enough or do enough to gain God’s favor. It puts me in a posture of coming to Christ out of our relationship and not out of duty or religion…especially this time of year when everything seems to be focused on what we can cook, buy, wrap, decorate, and plan.

    I am saved by God’s grace…not my works. As I rest in this season of the Gift of Christmas it is good to know that I earned none of it but He provides all that I need!

    521 days ago

  • Schel Heydenburg

    I so needed to be reminded that I need to CHILL…. that my tab has been paid. It is so easy to get caught up in everything going on daily, not just during the Christmas season. I never mean to turn my back on God or make Him unimportant, but there are times I do. I am so grateful to our Savior for His Grace and Mercy as I know I haven’t done nearly what I should. So grateful it is not up to me! Praise Him!

    521 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Schel Heydenburg

      Schel, I appreciate your transparency and inspiring outlook. I think your struggle can resonate with many of us.

      520 days ago

  • JimH

    OK, well to get this back on topic… the talk was about Jonah and the great fish. I gotta say it hit me hard. As a musician and somebody that knows I should be playing for Him, it seems whatever direction my path has led ended me up inside the belly of a great big fish at the current time. I can “get it” about being in the belly with fresh sushi floating around, haha. That’s me. Its like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel (or at the opening of the fish’s mouth, but can’t seem to get there. Its in Go’d time I suppose. I know I am supposed to be ministering to God’s people with my music… but here I sit inside the fish…..

    521 days ago2 Replies

    • Kirk Stevens

      in reply to JimH

      Who, or what, is keeping you inside the fish? I am sure you are giving him indigestion, let him spit you out.
      The fish was created by God to protect Jonah, and to send him in the right direction. Maybe you are waiting for the fish to reach the shore before he can spit you out. Maybe if he spits you out now you will end up drowning.
      Music, the universal language, is quite a way to reach people, all cultures, all over the world, listen to music. You have quite a gift, keep it up, there can never be too many musicians. Sometimes I think God is just waiting for us to mature before he sends us out into the world to fulfill His purpose. We are anxious to get going while God says “No, you aren’t quite ready yet”.

      521 days ago

    • JimH

      in reply to JimH

      Something I realized recently… when Jesus called the original 12, they pretty much started following him that day, but they didn’t start their ministering that same day, or the next week, or even a month later. He prepared them and they walked with him for three full years before his ascension to heaven and the start of the books of Acts when 11 of those original 12 began ministering as the new church (Judas Iscariot not being one of them any more…). So (in effect, sort of kind of), those 11 men sat inside a type of the big fish, under God’s guidance and under his protection for 3 years getting ready to be used of God. When we first get saved, we tend to want to share what we found with the entire world… but I think there is a perfecting season where we learn deeper things about the scriptures, where God can use us in a more extensive way. I think that right now I am in this type of a stage.

      519 days ago

  • Ronald Ponkey

    Jim H…you are way out of line in your rebuttal…My point was and is it is sad that we have allowed people and organizations to take away from the Birth of Christ…not up lifting your say…you bet….not uplifting at all…as far as the splinter in someone else’s eye…I don’t know where you are coming from….THIS IS CHRISTMAS….THE BIRTH OF CHRIST….NOT THE BIRTH OF SANTA CLAUSE….AND THIS IS AMERICA….WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISPLAY NATIVITY SCENES….ok Jim….gee wizz….

    521 days ago1 Reply

    • Kirk Stevens

      in reply to Ronald Ponkey

      Hey Ron, I find it very frustrating as well. Like that judge in Texas that banned the word “Amen” at the graduation ceremony. I mentioned earlier that, I live in Livonia and there are no Christmas decorations on any government properties. This is the first year this has happened. Christmas is a federal holiday, it is the law. Congress gets time off, with pay, for Christmas, I don’t believe they get time off for Ramadan. They celebrate Christmas but they aren’t allowed to show it. Anyone that denies that we are a Christian nation has their head in the sand.
      Christianity is the only religion that accepts all other religions. That is why America is the way it is, a melting pot. Only Christians go out into the world to help the poor, the needy, the starving. Have you ever seen a Muslim missionary group offering to help Christians or Jews with their hardships? Or, how about a group of Budists offering to give blood, or send care packages to Haiti? We, Christians, want to help God’s people whoever and wherever they are.
      We need to recognize this and be proud of who we are, even though, at times, we feel Satan is winning, we know what the outcome will be. If this is, in fact, the end times, it will only get worse, Jesus warned us. if you are ashamed of our nation now, just wait. I can envision a day when the feds close all churches, or, at the least, start taxing them and eventually put them out of business. It will get worse, but we have to know this and protect ourselves so we don’t become like them, the Antichrist,
      That is why I favor this forum, it allows Christians to connect regardless of what we discuss. This forum may have been designed to discuss the last talk, but I believe it was introduced in order to get Christians connecting with one another. I think that is far more important than the subject matter.

      521 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

    Ron and Jim. It sounds like both of you have no problem sharing your view points and I’m very grateful that you have chosen to engage the conversation. However, I need both of you to help me keep this environment from turning negative or confrontational. Everyone is entitled to their view point here and it would be better for someone to post something you disagree with than to be afraid to post due to fear of being criticized. Let’s agree to stay on topic and, if we disagree, to do so with dignity, honor, and mutual respect.

    521 days ago2 Replies

    • Kirk Stevens

      in reply to Josh (Social Media Pastor)

      Good morning Josh, I agree that we should try to stay on the subject, but people are getting angry, and frustrated, they need to open up and connect with other Christians no matter what the subject. We need to pull together during these trying times, or we will drift apart. Satan is dancing right now, claiming he is winning, of course he isn’t, but we have to encourage each other so we stay focused.
      I will engage in any conversation that will keep Christians communicating, but we need to keep contributors of this forum to keep their feet on the ground and to stay focused. If we allow this forum to stay too much on the lighter side, it will just sound like blah, blah, blah, all over again. We need to help each other grow in our faith and sometimes that takes some very blunt, to the point, discussions even if they veer from the subject somewhat. Opinions are good if they are directed in a positive way, as you said so eloquently.
      Do you agree, or am I wrong, please let me know.

      520 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Josh (Social Media Pastor)

      I want to encourage the group to focus there attention toward action steps that display the love of Jesus and bring God’s Kingdom into this world in ever more visible ways. There are a ton of things we *could* discuss here from political standings to world events. But this forum is really meant to focus on how God is shaping us as a result of the truth shared over the weekend and in the devotion.

      Political discussions online in a venue like this lead to little more than anger and frustration; not Kingdom and Compassion. That’s why as a church we are apolitical and choose instead to focus on that which is clearly revealed through scripture.. Does that make sense?

      519 days ago

  • Ronald Ponkey

    Right on Kirk, you hit it right on the nickel….Yes these are the END TIMES…and yes it will only get worse..I enjoyed the sermon about .Jonah and the Whale. The whole point of that story is to honor God and serve him as He directs. That is what this season is all about. Christians are dedicated to serving the Lord and the less fortunate. I enjoyed putting money in the Red Pot yesterday in Northville while many peoples just passed it by….I enjoyed giving a Afro American elderly Handicap women who had no money to get to the Bank $20 gas in her broken down Van. This is the season of the birth of my or our Savior…and I will bless and celebrate this wonderful time.
    I have a Nativity scene in my office conference room…let some Association tell me that is mixing business with my spiritual beliefs…I will gladly as a NRA member show him my Second Amendment Rights too…
    I probably did go off subject as Jim H so kindly pointed out but I am $$##@ mad and I want to see Americans get back to the good old days….Nativity scenes, Christmas Carrol’s and lots of AMENS….as I said this is the birth of our Savior not Santa Clause…. God Bless your Kirk for speaking out…wish there were more Americans like you….it does no good to warm a bench every Saturday or Sunday at Northridge or any church for that matter and then go out in public and be bullied by a bunch of yahoo’s…..GOD BLESS AMERICA…..AND MY RIGHT TO WORSHIP AND CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF MY SAVIOR IN PUBLIC, IN PRIVATE,DISPLAYS AND ALL…

    521 days ago1 Reply

    • Kirk Stevens

      in reply to Ronald Ponkey

      I remember reading about the incident at the gas station. I have forwarded that story on to others. That is what we all should be doing. I had a similar incident, however, I don’t want to compete, so I will remain happy with yours.

      520 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

    The other day my wife and I were eating at a restaurant and, before we sat down we ran into a couple people we knew and exchanged pleasantries. Well, they left before we finished eating and when it came time for the bill the waitress shared with us that the bill had been paid.

    How cool is that?! It is such a great feeling when somebody else picks up the tab. However, it wasn’t but a moment before I began to ask my wife, “do you think they tipped the waitress too? Should we? I don’t want to stiff her. Maybe I should call them and see if they tipped as well?

    My wife brought things back into perspective by helping me realize that it didn’t matter if they did or not. We were now in a position to be generous to her because our tab had been taken care of.

    I’m thankful for this life lesson. We can too quickly lose sight of God’s generosity toward us when faced with an opportunity to pay it forward. May I approach this Christmas season in full recognition and appreciation of the gift Christ gave me and base my generosity off Him.

    520 days ago

  • CathyM

    This morning as part of my devotions, I read a verse that has come to mean a lot to me, a verse I try to live by each day. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

    Over 2000 years ago a tiny baby was born into this world. He was born that He might come to revolutionize this world, but He didn’t do it the way the Israelites expected it, He did it in a much different way, person by person, heart by heart. God is more interested in what is going on inside of our hearts than outside on the street. It is when He can work in the heart of one man or one woman that He can take that individual and all them to revolutionize their own worlds. It is when we share the story of what God has done for us, when we allow others to see our changed lives that a great impact can be made on our world. It is my prayer that God would revolutionize each and every one of our lives. Jesus came to pray the price so that we could pay it forward.

    My friends may you be simply blessed beyond your wildest expectations this Christmas. Merry Christmas.

    Cathy
    By the way, just over a year ago I started to blog and the other day I wrote on my views of Christmas. If you care to check it out you can find it at http://cathy-anewseason.blogspot.com/2011/12/so-what-is-christmas-about-anyway.html

    520 days ago

  • Sue Hanstad

    The story of Jonah also reminds me of David. These are both men who loved God, but their choices/attitudes kept getting them in trouble. We have to continually keep God at the center of our focus, and asking Him for wisdom in the opportuinities we have.
    May you all have a very Christ-centered Christmas as we celebrate our King.

    519 days ago