New Year's Resolutions

"Yes, you and I need to be committed to change, but not in a way that hopes for a big event of transformation, but in a way that finds joy in and is faithful to a day-by-day, step-by-step process of insight, confession, repentance and faith. And in those little moments we commit ourselves to remember the words of Paul in Romans 8:32  'He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us, how will he not also with him freely give us all things.'" 
Quoted from http://www.paultrippministries.com/new-years-resolutions

In 2013, let's focus on Biblical thinking and not superficial change.

How to Prepare for Sunday's sermon

Taken from Listen Up (click HERE to find out more about this book)

1.  Look up next Sunday's Bible passage and read it at home during the week.
2. Pray for Pastor Duke in the middle of the week.
3. Pray often for yourself, that, by His Spirit, God will grow in you a heartfelt expectation that God Himself will speak to you as His word is preached.
4. If you can, try not to come to the sermon exhausted, but to come rested and ready to pay close attention.
5. Deliberately prepare your mind and heart before the sermon and say to yourself:  "This is when God speaks to me."  Pray again:  "Lord, speak to me.  I am listening."

Did you notice 3 out of the 5 tips involve prayer?

The Ultimate Gift/Goal

From the Gospel Primer.

A great reminder at Christmas as we think about gifts.  God's ultimate gift to us is Himself.

A great reminder at the end of the and the beginning of a new year. Why do I do the things I do?

The Ultimate Prize

In the New Testament, the gospel is several times referred to as “the gospel of God.”  Such an expression should be understood in the fullest sense possible.

The gospel is called “the gospel of God,” not simply because it is from God, nor merely because it is accomplished through God, but also because ultimately it leads me to God, who is Himself its greatest prize.

Indeed, what makes the gospel such great news is God, who brings me to Himself and then gives Himself so freely to me through Jesus Christ.  The essence of eternal life is not found in having my sins forgiven, in possessing a mansion in heaven, or in having streets of gold on which to walk forever.

Rather, the essence of eternal life is intimately knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.  Everything else that God gives to me in the gospel serves merely to bring me to Himself so that this great end might be achieved.  Christ died for the forgiveness of my sins so that I might be brought “to God.”  Christ is preparing a place for me in heaven so that He might receive me “to [Him] self” and have me forever with Him where He is. And yes, there is a great street of gold in heaven, but is there any doubt where the street leads?  Unquestionably, it leads straight to the throne of God Himself, as do all of God’s gifts to me in the gospel.

As I meditate on the gospel each day, I find my thoughts inevitably traveling from the gifts I’ve received to the Giver of those gifts; and the more my thoughts are directed to Him, the more I experience the essence of eternal life.  The “gospel of God” is from God, comes through God, and leads me to God; and it is in Him that my soul finds its truest joy and rest.

Consider these verses:

Romans 5:5.  “. . . the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  

John 14:21.  “. . . he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

John 17:3.  “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

1 Peter 3:18.  “For Christ also died for sins once for all . . . in order that He might bring us to God . . ..”

John 14.  “(2) In My Father’s house are many dwelling places . . . .  I go to prepare a place for you.  (3) If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receceive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

Revelation.  “(21:21) And the street of the city was pure gold . . . .  (22:1) Then he showed me a river of the water of life . . . coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, (2) in the middle of the street of it.”

Romans 11:36.  “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory.  Amen.”

Psalm 16:11.  “You will make known to me the path of life;  In Your presence is fullness of joy;  In your right hand there are pleasures forever.”  

Psalm 42.  “(1) As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.  (2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;  When shall I come and appear before God?”  Psalm 37:4.  “Delight yourself in the Lord;  and he will give you the desires of your heart.” 

Psalm 73.  “(25) Whom have I in heaven but You?  And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.  (26) . . . God is my portion forever.  (28) . . . as for me, the nearness of my God is my good . . . .”

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Here are the lyrics to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

Pastor Duke referred to this song two weeks ago and this past week we sang it.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

The Hand of God

I want to be a part of something that can only be explained by the hand of God!  
David Platt from www.multiplymovement.com/sanfrancisco

Think about how this should impact what we pray, think and do!

The Great Commission:
Matthew 28:18-20.
 ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

A COMMAND FROM GOD to be done in & through the POWER OF GOD.

Praying after the benefit concert

The Christmas Benefit Concert is over but we can still be praying for
  the Daughter Project (http://www.thedaughterproject.org/)
  those who heard the truth of the gospel at the concert

Parents check out http://ekidzministry.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-daughter-project-christmas-benefit.html for some resources to talk with your children about human trafficking.