:) and SOBER in 2015!

Isn’t it great to know the Lord and not need chemistry to blur your reality!   

Nehemiah 8:10  “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” 

Ephesians 5:15-21 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Whatever 2014 has been, and wherever 2015 goes, Jesus promised us, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

NEED MORE REASON TO WORSHIP?

"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." Revelation 4:11
Just think about it.  We have the amazing privilege of recognizing and relating to the CREATOR of everything!  The following illustration can help drive home the inestimably amazing situation God has honored and blessed us with in knowing Him.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ASSISTANT?

Tim Keller, a pastor in Manhattan, New York, said that in 1970 a Sunday school teacher changed his life with a simple illustration.

The teacher said, “Let’s assume the distance between the earth and the sun (92 million miles) was reduced to the thickness of this sheet of paper. If that is the case, then the distance between the earth and the nearest star would be a stack of papers 70 feet high. And the diameter of the galaxy would be a stack of papers 310 miles high.” 

Then Keller’s teacher added, “The galaxy is just a speck of dust in the universe, yet Jesus holds the universe together by the word of his power.” 

Finally, the teacher asked her students, “Now, is this the kind of person you ask into your life to be your assistant?” (Timothy Keller, from the sermon The Gospel and Your Self) 

No! You ask Him to be in charge. Why would we in our puny strength want to run the show when we know Someone who has unlimited power? Let HIM run the show! Let God run your life. Then you will be able to enjoy it a whole lot more.

Our Christmas Present is Returning!

“…so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him,” Hebrews 9:28 

Sure sounds good to me!!!  I’m ready!!!

Seeing is Believing???

In a “seeing is believing culture”, where more and more--even seeing is not believing because of all the creations and distortions technology provides, the idea of believing in an ancient historical person and banking one’s whole life on His identity and teaching seems farther than many want to fetch.

Jesus told him (Thomas), “Is it because you’ve seen me that you have believed? How blessed are those who have never seen me and yet have believed!” John 20:29

Nevertheless, Jesus’ words to Thomas apply to the millions who have lived since then, and Peter’s words to his contemporaries who had not personally seen Jesus are certainly affirmed by the millions who have lived since then who have opened themselves to the Spirit of God through placing their faith in Christ Jesus.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. And even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,” 1 Peter 1:8

And Christ’s words of promised blessing to all who would hunger and thirst for what is right and true are still good today, and countless people all over the world are experiencing it.

How blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because it is they who will be satisfied! Matthew 5:6

We began talking Sunday, November 30, about loving God.  Since God is love, and made the first huge move toward us, the discussion inevitably begins with considering God’s audacious demonstration of love toward human rebels by paying the full price for our ransom and adoption.  When that kind of love is acknowledged it is hard to resist.  

And when we receive His love, it not only fills—but overflows our human heart.  That’s His plan—to flood the earth with His boundless, unconditional, soul-satisfying love.  Are you taking it in?  Are you letting it pour out?  Like a reservoir, the more we pour out, the more we can take in.  Ask God to show you more about how to experience His love and share it with others.  It’s the best blessing a human can have, and it’s God’s plan for each of us!  Let's not miss out!