Christ

 The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve.

But we didn't get to have a Christmas eve service this year because of a travel ban in our county. We did, however,  have service on Christmas Day!  Which I find wonderful!

So we combined a bit of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! With the advent, scripture and special music from the evening before and the songs for Christmas Day! 

📖 “For unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”   Luke 2:11   CHRIST IS OUR HOPE

LIGHT THE 1^st  PURPLE CANDLE

 📖 "Glory to God in the highest, PEACE on earth, good will toward men” Luke 2:14 

CHRIST IS OUR PEACE                 

LIGHT THE 2^nd PURPLE CANDLE

📖 “Behold, I bring you good news of a great JOY which will come to all the people…” Luke2:10   CHRIST IS OUR JOY

LIGHT THE PINK CANDLE

 📖 But God demonstrates His own LOVE for us in this:  While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 

CHRIST IS LOVE

LIGHT THE LAST  PURPLE CANDLE

Jesus Christ is all of these. He is the Greatest Gift, He makes all the other gifts possible, tonight we light the Christ Candle

LIGHT THE LARGE WHITE CANDLE

📖  ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.                             1 John 4:9-12 

Prayer

📖 Romans 15:13 “ May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

 We thank you God, for your gift of Jesus Christ to the whole world.  We thank you that His coming makes HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE possible for every person in every nation. Encourage us to do our part to bring goodwill, and peace to our families, our churches and our neighborhoods and the world. Amen

What has been eveident to me through out all the Christmas season services is LOVE. Christ's love for each of us, enough to be born to this earth and to die on a cross for our sins.

Why do we celebrate Christmas....because Jesus love me!  because Jesus Loves ___________(insert your name!)  

We have HOPE because Jesus loves ______________!

We have PEACE because Jesus loves ______________!

We have JOY because Jesus loves ________________!

We can LOVE because Jesus loves _________________!

If we accept that gift of Love we will be so full of His love that it will overflow and we can give it away!

🎵 Give This Christmas Away

🙏My prayer is that you are so filled with Christ's love that you were able to give it away over and over this holiday season!❤️🎄

LOVE 4th Sunday of Advent

 

We light this candle to represent LOVE.  God loved us so much he sent his only Son and Christ loved us enough to come to earth and lay down is life so that all people can be saved.  Throughout the year we may love others as Christ loves us.

 

                        LIGHT THE Last PURPLE CANDLE

📖 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him   John 3:16-17  

 

PRAYER

  Our Lord God and gracious Father, we thank You for Your Son and the gift He was and is to all of us.  “Lord in You our hearts rejoice, for we trust in Your holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” (from Psalm 21-22)

 

📖 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.   God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.   We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:7-19

AMEN?!

🎵 God So Loved

JOY 3rd Sunday of Advent

 

LIGHT THE FIRST Purple CANDLE,  “Jesus is our HOPE”

                        LIGHT THE SECOND PURPLE CoANDLE “Jesus is our PEACE

📖  Luke 2:9-11   

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord

LIGHT THE PINK CANDLE

“We light this candle to represent JOY.        

📖 John 15:10-11

¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

                                   

Prayer is from Psalm 28:7
📖 “Lord you are our strength and shield; our hearts trust in you, and we are helped. Our hearts leap for JOY and we give thanks to you in song.” Lord may our joy be complete this season and throughout the year as we love others in the same way you love us.

🎵 Feels Like Joy. Micah Tyler

PEACE 2nd Sunday of Advent

 

Peace 

                        LIGHT THE FIRST PURPLE CANDLE,  Jesus Christ is our HOPE

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,  and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this           Isaiah 9:6-7

 

LIGHT THE   SECOND PURPLE CANDLE

We light this candle to represent PEACE.   

 Ephesians 2:13-18

 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

                         PRAYER (is from John 14:27)

Jesus said "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  Lord thank You for Your peace that is available to all, I pray that those here today take comfort in Your peace.   Amen

HOPE 1st Sunday of Advent

Even though it is still November, it is the first Sunday of 

Advent.

 noun

a coming into place, view, or being; arrival:the advent of the holiday season.

Usually Advent . the coming of Christ into the world.

Advent, the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.  (Advent Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com)

As I have done every year, I share with you what we do for church advent each Sunday.   Last year I did something different that I had been inspired to do.  This year I am back to the traditional, more simple advent.   I encourage you to find your own advent candles and/or wreath.

LIGHT THE FIRST PURPLE CANDLE

  “This candle represents HOPE.

 

                        Matthew 1:20-23

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,  And whose hope is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7-8

           

                        Prayer

Heavenly Father we thank you for the hope that we have in You.  You were, are and will be forever the HOPE of the world! May all who are here place their hope in You and You alone. Amen

 🎵 Hope For Everyone Matt Maher

Challenge

This morning as I headed into my prayer time I decided to challenge myself this week.... 

The challenge is thankfulness...being mindful of my words ...that in my conversations with God I utter nothing but gratitude and thankfulness.

And maybe that will even spill over to all those I  come in contact with!  

And so I challenge you to do the same!

Before words come out our mouth, they are born in our hearts.

📖 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

So we need to have a grateful heart.

📖 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:15-16

I would suggest before words come out of the mouth....review them in your mind first....do they sound as if I am grateful? Thankful?

🙏My prayer is that for the week we can all be mindful and then thankful❤️

               Thanksgiving Day

                                    Tracey Thompson       ©TJT 2010

Thanksgiving is a time to gather those we love close by

We laugh and eat and celebrate and even enjoy some pie

We eat until our bellies are full, we work, and rest and play

But do we stop and give pause on Thanksgiving day?

To reflect on all the blessings that are showered from above

Gifts from our Lord and Savior, who lavishes us with love

Will we stop to think as we dress ourselves that morn,

 that we have choices of what to wear, what color or how warm?

As we bathe and shower and brush our teeth so clean

Should we pause and be grateful for the gift of simple hygiene?

As we prepare the food, with extra portions to spare

Will we take the time and thank the Lord that we have enough to share?

 As we smile across the table from family and loved ones so dear

Should we stop and say ”Thank you, Lord,  for all those gathered here”?

 As stories and memories are shared, even some with tears

Will we give thanks for those who touched our lives over the passing years?

 God has blessed us so with much, our cups to overflowing,

 if we only take the time and find what is most important in knowing

 that God’s love, and grace and mercy is there for us each day

 and we must share it with others we meet along the way.

Thank you God and Father

For loving us so

That you sent your Son

So Salvation we could know

🎵 Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

Static

I was listening to a Christian radio station and really getting into the praise music....just getting my worship on...and it turns to static! Aaarrrggg!!! 

You want to, and maybe even do, grumble, complain, the raised hand becomes a raised fist! Ok...maybe a bit dramatic,

BUT it got me thinking!

Like in our relationship with our Lord, we can think we are really worshipping, feeling it and all of sudden...static!

But just like when you are in your car...the radio station or tower hasn't moved...you have.

In our walk with the Lord, if there is a lot of static, He hasn't moved, we have!

📖 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Though all we may hear is static, the music is still playing. 

We may have traveled into an area that could have things that cause interference.

Places that may almost completely block the signal or we have gotten too far from the source so that all we hear is the static, not what is actually there and intended

And what is the first thing we tend to do when we encounter static....just like when we are in our car....grumble and complain...."Where was God when I needed Him?" "Why are things so hard for me?!" "Why can't I just get the things I want in life?!"

But all that does is increase the static.

📖 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:13-15

We have to remove the things that cause interference and get ourselves to a place where we can clearly hear.

📖  He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 11:15 (NKJV)

We need to make sure we are traveling on roads that keep us in proximity to our source of life

We need to be near to God.

📖 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

🙏My prayer for you is that when you hit some static in your travels with Him, you are slow to grumble, quick to recognize the things causing interference and head away from them and can get back to full on worship!❤

Royalty

 As our children are growing up...we call the little girls princesses....there is all kinds of merchandise out there displaying the word.

Sometimes we even use it tounge-in-cheek or in humor or even sarcastically...."Doesn't SHE think SHE is a princess?!"

But isn't that what we are?!?!  Royalty! And not just little girls, but boys and big people too!!

If we have accepted the King of kings as our savior!!!

📖 God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 1 Timothy 6:15b

📖  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."Romans 10:9-13

We are a new creation!

📖 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

📖 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light 1 Peter 2:9

He is a Prince 

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

and we now join with Him in His inheritance.

📖 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17

As with any royalty there are rights and privileges correct!?

📖 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

📖 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:20

More importantly duties. 

Think about cultures and countries in history that operate as a monarchy; with kings, queens as their leaders; if they are humble and believe they are in that position to serve the people...they are far more effective than someone who tries to lead with entitlement and pride and power.

The late Queen Elizabeth was an excellent example of humbling serving.

But the best example is Christ Himself

📖   In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

We, as heirs of Christ, are here to humbly serve any and all he puts in our path. Not to feel superior or better than anyone.

📖 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

🙏My prayer for you today is that you consider yourself royalty!  Heirs in Christ's kingdom!  ❤

As we go into election day tomorrow,  we should keep Christ's example in mind as we seek leaders who are humble servants of the people.

A Win-Win

📖 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. Philippians 1:18-26

This was part of the scripture passage used in yesterday's message.

I read it over several times...it seemed, to me, to speak volumes. Especially after last week's post, Beauty in the Dying II.

First of all let me say that in verses 22-23, I believe Paul's "choice" isn't in whether he lives or dies, but in which he would prefer, which would be more desirable. 

See, at that moment he was in prison, and as I have said before, not our prison. Dark, dank holes, no sanitation, little or no light. He was in chains, had been beaten. For all he knew he was going to be executed or there until he died. He did not know his fate.  

BUT what he was saying is....it didn't matter; because whether alive or dead it was all for God's purpose and glory!  

He concluded that he was going to survive that particular time because his work with the people of Philippi was not finished, it would be for their "progress and joy in the faith".

I have seen several people at the end of their life...in pain, severe pain, knowing there wasn't much available to make it go away. We wonder "why?" But in their suffering God was able to use them for our "progress and joy in the faith". I pray I didn't let it go wasted, that I saw Christ, I saw what God intended for me in it.

That their suffering was not in vain.

📖 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

We may feel or actually be at the end of our life. We may feel beat down, chained and imprisoned in our circumstances. Can we see them like Paul? Opportunity? To shine for Christ, to share the gospel! That living gives us more opportunities to serve Him! But in dying we are with Him!   Couldn't that be called a win win?!

Paul believed that in suffering it drew him closer to Christ because he was sharing in the suffering Jesus endured while on this earth.

📖 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. Colossians 1:24

But knew he could never match the depth of what Christ suffered on his behalf, on our behalf!

I pray that any "suffering" I endure I choose to see it as Paul did;

📖 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying; 

If we died with him, we will also live with him. 

if we endure, we will also reign with him. 

If we disown him, he will also disown us; 

if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:8-13

🙏My prayer is that no matter how dire your circumstances are right now, you can find Christ and His hope and peace knowing you are in it for His glory!❤

📖 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Beauty in the Dying II

 

Where to start...even though this is a repeat of a blog I wrote back on October 23, 2019 (funny, exactly 3 years ago). Since then, when I am surrounded by all the gorgeous autumn color, I always think about that "beauty in the dying" concept....but especially this fall, this year....my colorful, bright, beautiful Aunt Linda's life was coming to an end. 

How perfectly appropriate she die in October when the foliage all around was so absolutely stunning and filled with the vibrant orange she loved so much!

Though she knew her time here was quickly fading, she lived, loved and laughed to the fullest. 

She made sure each one around her felt loved, just as she had always done. She proclaimed her assurance in her God and her faith....Beauty in the dying as she was living....a Hallelujah!

The following is the 2019 blog, unedited, just as I posted it:

Working on last week's blog...getting the song Better Than A Hallelujah video correct...I wondered if the pictures were the right ones for the song?...appropriate to convey what I was feeling when I listened?

And then it struck me....the absolutely gorgeous fall colors that we have been experiencing, the beautiful scenery....is actually the result of the foliage on the trees dying!  And then I thought ...those pictures are perfect for that song!
"Beautiful the mess were are..."
Because in our brokenness and mess...God can be and is glorified!
We are all dying....we were not meant to live on this earth forever.
📖  As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; Romans 3:10
📖 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

He brings life even in the dying....because the life He brings isn't a life lived in our earthly bodies forever, it is an eternal life for our souls in His presence.
So no matter what physical age we are or what circumstances we find ourselves ...we are all dying....but in that...shouldn't we live it out beautifully!?

📖But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.  It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.  All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  2 Corinthians 4:7-15

"Even in our misery....God just hears a melody"

📖 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Shouldn't our lives be a "hallelujah" to our Creator?!
📖 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

We need to let "the honest cries of our broken hearts" become Hallelujahs in our Lord's ears....and let our limitless and boundless God give us joy in our limitations!
God gave us today!  For His purpose!  I pray you find that purpose today!  Even if it is just to lift a thank you; for the scenery around you, for the day before you, for the people around you, for the breath you are taking....
come on!  You have MORE Hallelujahs, I am sure of it!

Better Than a Hallelujah Amy Grant