Sarah Update below
What's your story for how God has used you with the Christmas Giving Challenge? How have you blessed another and how have you been blessed back. Be ready to share those stories. (Write them down if you need to and we can read them)
Good Morning Thankful In The Storm, Persevering In Faith, Resting In God Friends! Hmmm, is that you? Are you able to choose joy and trust God with what He has allowed you to endure. Are you able to see His hand upon you and carrying you through whatever He has allowed? Are you able to refocus to Him and understand and receive with thanksgiving whatever has come your way? And the opposite too...are you able to focus on and praise God for the good things as well and allow Him to use you to bring joy to others?
Any holiday can ne tough on some of those around us, maybe even ourselves as we remember some loss or endure a hardship. But we can learn to move through this season by choosing joy that comes from trusting God and receiving whatever with thanksgiving and focus on Him and His plans. Last week during vacation, our anniversary was on that very rainy Wednesday. We were driving from Alexandria VA to Gettysburg area in sometimes torrential rain. We could have grumbled but we were able to thank God that the rain came on a travel day, He led us on a less traveled path, there were no accidents and that it wasn't a crippling snow and ice storm as we traveled through the always tough DC/Baltimore traffic. Then I started to get sick on Thus and gave it to Karen by Sat. But what a blessing to be able to just be forced to be still, rest and heal when we got home. God knew we needed some rest before the craziness of the Holidays really kicked in and PTL we were able to get most of our Christmas shopping done during our vacation as well. And we got a new grandson Sat evening.
Now this may seem like some minor things compared to what you are enduring right now. But remember nothing is too big or too small for God nor beyond His reach. He is with you always, working all things together for good, and does allow things for a reason and maybe season to lead to His best. Are you able to quickly refocus on Him and His plans and receive with thanksgiving whatever He has allowed and look for the joy that comes from knowing it is for His good purposes. Yes, easy to say when we are not in the thick of it, but, a good reminder to be prepared to shift our focus and trust more quickly when the hard times come. God is for you and He loves you and nothing can separate you from Him or His love unless you allow it to lead you away. Maybe you need some help right now or God is bringing someone to mind to help. Do something about that!
Below are my devotionals for today that really thread through these thoughts and remind us that God is always good and trustworthy. he is with us always and sometimes His best for us leads us through some dark valleys and hard places. Choose to trust Him always and seek His help to choose joy. May He be with you in this season and strengthen you for the journey and may His love and presence overwhelm you today. Dare I say, Rejoice? I'm praying for you and we are here if you need a friend to walk with. Shalom!
Chuck Swindoll
Sarah Young
TWFYT
Joyce Meyer
ODB
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“I’ve got to declare an emergency. My pilot’s deceased.” Doug White nervously uttered those words to the control tower monitoring his flight. Minutes after takeoff, the pilot of the private plane Doug’s family had chartered suddenly passed away. Doug stepped into the cockpit with just three-month’s training in flying less sophisticated aircraft. He then carefully listened to controllers at a local airport who talked him through landing the plane. Later, Doug said, “[They] saved my family from an almost certain fiery death.”
We have one who alone can help us navigate the challenges in life. Moses, speaking to the Israelites, said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you . . . . You must listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15). This promise pointed to a succession of prophets God provided for His people, but it also spoke of the Messiah. Both Peter and Stephen would later state that this ultimate prophet was Jesus (Acts 3:19-22; 7:37, 51-56). He alone came to tell us the loving and wise instructions of God (Deuteronomy 18:18).
During Christ’s life, God the Father said, “This is my Son . . . . Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7). To live wisely and avoid crashing and burning in this life, let’s listen to Jesus as He speaks through the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. Listening to Him makes all the difference.
By Tom Felten
REFLECT & PRAY
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Why is it sometimes challenging to hear Christ’s voice in this world? How can you better follow His wise and loving words today?
Dear Jesus, please help me hear and obey Your voice.
For further study, read Unknown Caller: Recognizing Jesus and the Kingdom.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Two months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites assembled at the foot of Mount Sinai to receive God’s laws (Exodus 19:16-25). Trembling in fear after God revealed Himself in thunder, lightning, billowing smoke, and a violent shaking of the whole mountain (vv. 16-18), the Israelites asked Him not to speak to them directly, but through Moses, lest they be destroyed by His holiness (20:18-19). Forty years later, Moses prophesied that God would provide a prophet—a mediator who would make known to them God’s words (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). God commanded His people not to imitate the detestable occultic practices of the pagan nations; specifically, not to consult with sorcerers, diviners, witches, spiritists, and mediums (vv. 9-14). They were to listen only to the “prophet like [Moses]” (v. 15) that God would send. This prophet would be far greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6). Jesus, the “new Moses,” is the sole mediator between God and humanity (Acts 3:22-23; 1 Timothy 2:5).
K. T. Sim |
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Charles Stanley
UR: BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS
Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. . . . Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light. - John 12:35-36 (NIV)
I love the lights this time of year as I drive through neighborhood streets, sit in the glow of a Christmas tree, and walk through my town’s multi-colored display. However, these beautiful light displays require work. At our house, light strands always malfunction. This year we struggled to find a working strand to weave through an unlit section of our garland.
While staring at the dark section of garland, I was reminded that though we may be connected to the same power through our relationship with Christ, we do not all enter the Christmas season with bright spirits. The same decorations that bring me joy and comfort can trigger painful memories for others. I remember Christmases marked by grief: the death of a loved one, a job ending, and even the loss of a pregnancy. Having endured those challenging years, I know not everyone experiences the delights of the holidays.
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n John 12:36, Jesus urges his disciples to connect with him so they can become children of the light, shining his light in the world. We are called to reach out to those with heavy hearts through hugs, prayers, and acts of kindness, weaving God’s light through their lives.
Today's Prayer
Dear Jesus, as we celebrate your birth, may we focus on your love, hope, and purpose. Bring your light to those who need comfort and strength. Amen.
Sarah Update
Good evening, everyone, it was a beautiful day today!!
Yay God Neen and my heat is back up and working properly.
I am going to refresh your memory of some of the prayer request shared at worship this past week, on Dec 15.
Larry Paul is home from the hospital after spending 4 days in the ICU.
His final diagnosis was an unstable angina and not a heart attack. He needs to watch his diet, and will be meeting with the cardiologist next week to discuss his next step.
Dean Marks' mother fell and was taken to the hospital. She has 3 fractures and a lump on the back of her head.
Mark Heninger is asking for prayer for the family - his sister - in - law passed away Sunday, suddenly. Please keep the family in your prayers during this difficult time.
We have several on our list/in our church family that is going through some treatments, therapy, Chemo, etc: Diane Huber (may need another surgery after Christmas),
David (Mike Lacise's father) starting up chemo treatments
Houston has completed his treatments for now. They are waiting for his body to heal and then more testing.
He is very thankful to be through the treatments for now and thankful for the prayers for complete healing.
Larry - friend of Harry and Dean, is going through his 2nd round of chemo. His spirits are high and he is doing well
Ken Ritter - (Sandy Ritter's husband) has another series of injections in his back on Tuesday. Dec 18th.
Darlene Geiger is asking for prayer for her granddaughter, who has her feet casted, trying to stretch her tends so she doesn't walk on her tip toes. If this procedure is not successful, she may need surgery
Josie is asking for prayer for some family members that are going through therapies, and recovering from surgery.
Continue to prayer for Sunday brunch and Lori and her crew as they prep for the meal.
Have a great rest of your week, everyone!!
Blessings,
Sarah
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