CHRISTMAS 2011
PART TWO
DEFINITION:
The celebration of the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the Inn. Luke 2:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
As we prepare our hearts for tomorrow (Christmas Eve) and Sunday (Christmas) we want to share with you several of the most unusual events involved in the coming into this world by Jesus Christ the Messiah (Shiloh).
We talked yesterday about the miraculous timing of the taxation in the land. Another significant circumstance was the location that God chose for our Saviors place of birth. He was born in a smelly stable. He was laid in a manger which is a feeding trough for animals. This is certainly not the kind of place that anyone, even in their wildest imagination, would expect to be the place of birth for the Christ-child, the promised Messiah, and the very Son of God. His birth is covered in the scriptures in one simple verse but there is so much that could be said about the humble circumstances of His birth and birth place.
He was neglected and turned away by men from the very beginning of His life. There was no room for them in the inn but if someone had cared, room could have been made for Mary and Joseph. Jesus was born in poverty. If Mary and Joseph had the money they could have bought a room for the night, but they were too poor.
Jesus was born in obscurity and loneliness. The birth took place away from people, all alone. Note that the scripture says that Mary wrapped the Babe in swaddling clothes. No one was near her to help. There was no hospital, no doctor, no family or friends. They were under the stars of heaven in a smelly stable, really the lowest imaginable place someone could be born.
Another unusual event was the appearance of an angel to the shepherds. In the eyes of many an angel would never appear to a shepherd. Shepherds would seldom be seen or heard praising and worshipping God. Their reputation was lowly at best and religious people snubbed them and ignored them. They were despised because they were unable to attend services and keep the ceremonial laws of washing and cleansing. Their flocks demanded all their time and they were just too busy. Yet God gave His first message of the birth of the Messiah to the common shepherds, those looked upon as sinners.
And then there were the Angels. What a spectacular event it must have been to see THE HEAVENLY HOST --- ten thousand times ten thousand --- singing GLORY TO GOD! The angels did two things. They sang for Glory to be lifted to God and they cried out for peace and good will toward all men. The alienation and separation, restlessness and fear, struggles and divisiveness caused by sin needed to be solved. And the Angels were singing that now there was true hope for peace and joy in the world. The MESSIAH, THE PRINCE OF PEACE HAS COME!!
It is our prayer that this Christmas 2011 will be a most blessed Christmas for you and yours. Make Christmas special in your home by worshiping the Messiah that God sent to this world to pay the penalty of our sins. We are excited because we are looking toward that day when we will meet Him in the air and spend all eternity with Him. Make sure you are prepared to join us.
LEARNING:
Memorize these verses today if you have not already:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER:
Help me to recognize that the unique events concerning the birth of Jesus were part of God’s divine plan to bring mercy and forgiveness to sinners like me so that I may know Jesus as my personal Savior. May this Christmas have a special blessed meaning for me and my family.
December 25, 2011
Christmas 2011 Part One: December 22, 2011
CHRISTMAS 2011
PART ONE
DEFINITION:
The celebration of the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were some unusual events that happened in the world when Jesus was born. These events had a dramatic effect on history.
Way back in the book of Genesis Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (the Messiah) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
When Jesus was born this prophecy was being fulfilled. The scepter of rule had departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Cyrenius was governor of Syria and Judea was part of the province of Syria. Herod was now King of Judea. So you see that a foreign, alien power, now ruled over Judea.
With the birth of Jesus, the prophecy of The Messiah coming was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Shiloh) and His coming into the world not only fulfilled prophecy but was surrounded by the most unusual events.
One of these unusual events was the unexpected taxation. It had been prophesied that Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem and this scripture had to be fulfilled. Joseph and Mary lived in Galilee and as the scripture says, “Mary was now great with child.” The taxation happened just at the right time and in the right way. Every one needed to return to the city of his family ancestry to register and pay his taxes. God was controlling these events so that all things worked so that He might fulfill His promise to send the Savior into the world.
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David so the taxation forced Joseph to take Mary and to go to Bethlehem. The city of Bethlehem was prophesied to be the city of the Messiah’s birth. The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture. Without the taxation decree Joseph and Mary would certainly have not had any reason to make such a long difficult journey of more than 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, especially with a baby on the verge of being born.
The Scribes understood where Jesus the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:5-6). The common people understood where Jesus was to be born (John 7:42).
Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem because it was prophesied that the Messiah was to be the Son of David. David had been born in Bethlehem therefore it was necessary for Jesus the Son of David to be born there. The “Son of David” was the most common Messianic title used to refer to Jesus in His day. And finally the scripture prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
How can we not only be amazed but also have our hearts blessed when we consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of Salvation for us? Caesar Augustus could never have imagined that he played a role in fulfilling prophecy concerning Christ our Messiah.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this Christmas week is found in Luke 2:14-15.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER
Help me today to realize the significance of how God prepared the world for the birth of Jesus. Thank You that I serve a miracle working God and may this Christmas season be a time of miracles in my life as well as in the lives of my family.
PART ONE
DEFINITION:
The celebration of the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were some unusual events that happened in the world when Jesus was born. These events had a dramatic effect on history.
Way back in the book of Genesis Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (the Messiah) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
When Jesus was born this prophecy was being fulfilled. The scepter of rule had departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Cyrenius was governor of Syria and Judea was part of the province of Syria. Herod was now King of Judea. So you see that a foreign, alien power, now ruled over Judea.
With the birth of Jesus, the prophecy of The Messiah coming was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Shiloh) and His coming into the world not only fulfilled prophecy but was surrounded by the most unusual events.
One of these unusual events was the unexpected taxation. It had been prophesied that Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem and this scripture had to be fulfilled. Joseph and Mary lived in Galilee and as the scripture says, “Mary was now great with child.” The taxation happened just at the right time and in the right way. Every one needed to return to the city of his family ancestry to register and pay his taxes. God was controlling these events so that all things worked so that He might fulfill His promise to send the Savior into the world.
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David so the taxation forced Joseph to take Mary and to go to Bethlehem. The city of Bethlehem was prophesied to be the city of the Messiah’s birth. The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture. Without the taxation decree Joseph and Mary would certainly have not had any reason to make such a long difficult journey of more than 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, especially with a baby on the verge of being born.
The Scribes understood where Jesus the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:5-6). The common people understood where Jesus was to be born (John 7:42).
Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem because it was prophesied that the Messiah was to be the Son of David. David had been born in Bethlehem therefore it was necessary for Jesus the Son of David to be born there. The “Son of David” was the most common Messianic title used to refer to Jesus in His day. And finally the scripture prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
How can we not only be amazed but also have our hearts blessed when we consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of Salvation for us? Caesar Augustus could never have imagined that he played a role in fulfilling prophecy concerning Christ our Messiah.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this Christmas week is found in Luke 2:14-15.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER
Help me today to realize the significance of how God prepared the world for the birth of Jesus. Thank You that I serve a miracle working God and may this Christmas season be a time of miracles in my life as well as in the lives of my family.
Think: December 21, 2011
THINK
DEFINITION:
Form a mental concept of; hold as a belief or opinion; exercise the mind; to employ one’s mind rationally in evaluating a situation.
SCRIPTURE:
For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are often asked how to develop a Godly attitude in our daily living. Much of our actions and our desires are controlled by the way we think. Our thoughts motivate us to do the things we do. Many people we talk to have an inferior feeling due to fear that has come from sin in their life and they have a constant fear and want to overcome this fear.
Following are a few principles that if they become part of your daily thinking they will motivate a change in your attitude from fear to faith. Allowing these principles to guide your daily thought process will soon help you to develop a positive Godly mental attitude.
Here are eight constructive suggestions that you can think about daily and apply then to your life as necessary.
• Today I will think like a dynamic servant of God because as the scripture says (above), I am what I think.
• I am not always what I think I am; I am what I think.
• I am not what I eat; I am what I think.
• Clothes do not make the man or woman; thinking makes the man or woman.
• I will keep my thought processes active and open to the voice of God.
• God did not call me to a life of failure, but to a life of success.
• I cannot fail as long as I do His will. I will allow Him to work in and through me today, motivating my every thought.
• Because my God is a great God, I will think with confidence on every issue that comes my way knowing that my thoughts never can be greater than my God’s.
Make your commitment today to think like a dynamic servant of God. A dynamic servant of God thinks by faith and not with or by fear. You think by choice. You can think good or you can think evil. It is your choice but remember you cannot have it both ways, by thinking good and evil at the same time. We really have two ways to think, the righteous way or the unrighteous way.
In Isaiah 55:8-9 it reads: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” When you really want to work at your thinking process remember to keep your thought process, your thinking, focused on the Word of God and open to the voice of God. Learn to listen for God’s voice.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week helps to prepare us for Christmas and is found in Luke 2:13-14.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER:
Help me to consistently work on my “thought process” and allow You to mold me into a vessel that can be used by You. Help me to keep my heart open to Your voice and may I learn to listen to what You have for me and apply it to my life.
DEFINITION:
Form a mental concept of; hold as a belief or opinion; exercise the mind; to employ one’s mind rationally in evaluating a situation.
SCRIPTURE:
For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are often asked how to develop a Godly attitude in our daily living. Much of our actions and our desires are controlled by the way we think. Our thoughts motivate us to do the things we do. Many people we talk to have an inferior feeling due to fear that has come from sin in their life and they have a constant fear and want to overcome this fear.
Following are a few principles that if they become part of your daily thinking they will motivate a change in your attitude from fear to faith. Allowing these principles to guide your daily thought process will soon help you to develop a positive Godly mental attitude.
Here are eight constructive suggestions that you can think about daily and apply then to your life as necessary.
• Today I will think like a dynamic servant of God because as the scripture says (above), I am what I think.
• I am not always what I think I am; I am what I think.
• I am not what I eat; I am what I think.
• Clothes do not make the man or woman; thinking makes the man or woman.
• I will keep my thought processes active and open to the voice of God.
• God did not call me to a life of failure, but to a life of success.
• I cannot fail as long as I do His will. I will allow Him to work in and through me today, motivating my every thought.
• Because my God is a great God, I will think with confidence on every issue that comes my way knowing that my thoughts never can be greater than my God’s.
Make your commitment today to think like a dynamic servant of God. A dynamic servant of God thinks by faith and not with or by fear. You think by choice. You can think good or you can think evil. It is your choice but remember you cannot have it both ways, by thinking good and evil at the same time. We really have two ways to think, the righteous way or the unrighteous way.
In Isaiah 55:8-9 it reads: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” When you really want to work at your thinking process remember to keep your thought process, your thinking, focused on the Word of God and open to the voice of God. Learn to listen for God’s voice.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week helps to prepare us for Christmas and is found in Luke 2:13-14.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER:
Help me to consistently work on my “thought process” and allow You to mold me into a vessel that can be used by You. Help me to keep my heart open to Your voice and may I learn to listen to what You have for me and apply it to my life.
Conscience: December 20, 2011
CONSCIENCE
DEFINITION:
One’s moral sense of right or wrong.
SCRIPTURE:
This charge I commit to you – having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. I Timothy 1:18-20.
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. I Timothy 1: 5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God gave everyone a conscience. It is an inner sense which is like a radar system meant to send warnings when a behavior or decision might be harmful. This alarm system that God has given us allows people to clearly distinguish what is morally right and morally wrong, especially as it applies to one’s own life.
Any action that is morally wrong will prick our conscience and produce an inner feeling of guilt and shame. If one ignores his or her conscience he or she does it at their own peril. Continually ignoring one’s conscience hardens a person’s heart and they become numb to guilt or shame. Many non-believers just say, “let your conscience be your guide” but can they really trust their conscience?
In a believer the conscience is a tool of the Holy Spirit. He programs our conscience with principles from God’s Word so we can respond quickly. It is important to note that this alarm system we have serves as just a warning. How we respond is up to us. Either we ignore the warning or we stop to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say about the situation we are facing. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s principles so we can make wise decisions about the warning bell that is ringing in our conscience.
The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy (I Timothy 1:19) that, “having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.” Paul was very concerned about some in the church who had rejected their good conscience and as a result they had shipwrecked their lives. A good conscience steers us through the rocks and reefs of sin and error and keeps us on the right course. Hymanaeus and Alexander were two of those who had rejected their good consciences and as a result not only shipwrecked their own faith but were teaching false doctrine leading others on the wrong course.
Paul had to remove them from the fellowship of the church because they were being led by Satan. This is a danger we must all keep alert to daily. When our conscience warns us that we are doing wrong we must reject our sinful actions and let our God-given conscience steer us back on course. In other words when something appears on the radar system of a believer that speaks of disobedience toward God, we have to reject that action. If we do not the detection system becomes impaired and will not work right. If we do not listen and respond by doing what we know is right in God’s sight, soon the alarm in our life will go completely silent.
It is important for believers to remember that God has given us the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and offer guidance to us as we make decisions. But we must be careful not to harbor sin in our lives because sin will interfere with the way our morality sensor functions. A trustworthy conscience is programmed with scriptural teaching so when sinful thoughts or choices come our way it will deliver a sharp warning.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week helps to prepare us for Christmas and is found in Luke 2:13-14.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER:
Help me to be alert so that when my spiritual alarm goes off that I will be quick to draw back and reject any unwise choices that I face. Help me to realize that my conscience is not designed to be my guide but it is a tool of the Holy Spirit dealing within me. Help me to be submissive to the Holy Spirit so I can conform to the likeness of Christ.
DEFINITION:
One’s moral sense of right or wrong.
SCRIPTURE:
This charge I commit to you – having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. I Timothy 1:18-20.
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. I Timothy 1: 5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God gave everyone a conscience. It is an inner sense which is like a radar system meant to send warnings when a behavior or decision might be harmful. This alarm system that God has given us allows people to clearly distinguish what is morally right and morally wrong, especially as it applies to one’s own life.
Any action that is morally wrong will prick our conscience and produce an inner feeling of guilt and shame. If one ignores his or her conscience he or she does it at their own peril. Continually ignoring one’s conscience hardens a person’s heart and they become numb to guilt or shame. Many non-believers just say, “let your conscience be your guide” but can they really trust their conscience?
In a believer the conscience is a tool of the Holy Spirit. He programs our conscience with principles from God’s Word so we can respond quickly. It is important to note that this alarm system we have serves as just a warning. How we respond is up to us. Either we ignore the warning or we stop to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say about the situation we are facing. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s principles so we can make wise decisions about the warning bell that is ringing in our conscience.
The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy (I Timothy 1:19) that, “having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.” Paul was very concerned about some in the church who had rejected their good conscience and as a result they had shipwrecked their lives. A good conscience steers us through the rocks and reefs of sin and error and keeps us on the right course. Hymanaeus and Alexander were two of those who had rejected their good consciences and as a result not only shipwrecked their own faith but were teaching false doctrine leading others on the wrong course.
Paul had to remove them from the fellowship of the church because they were being led by Satan. This is a danger we must all keep alert to daily. When our conscience warns us that we are doing wrong we must reject our sinful actions and let our God-given conscience steer us back on course. In other words when something appears on the radar system of a believer that speaks of disobedience toward God, we have to reject that action. If we do not the detection system becomes impaired and will not work right. If we do not listen and respond by doing what we know is right in God’s sight, soon the alarm in our life will go completely silent.
It is important for believers to remember that God has given us the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and offer guidance to us as we make decisions. But we must be careful not to harbor sin in our lives because sin will interfere with the way our morality sensor functions. A trustworthy conscience is programmed with scriptural teaching so when sinful thoughts or choices come our way it will deliver a sharp warning.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week helps to prepare us for Christmas and is found in Luke 2:13-14.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER:
Help me to be alert so that when my spiritual alarm goes off that I will be quick to draw back and reject any unwise choices that I face. Help me to realize that my conscience is not designed to be my guide but it is a tool of the Holy Spirit dealing within me. Help me to be submissive to the Holy Spirit so I can conform to the likeness of Christ.
Disaster: December 19, 2011
DISASTER
DEFINITION:
A great misfortune, a catastrophe; a calamitous event occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage or hardship.
SCRIPTURE:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When a disaster strikes many people respond with what they feel are legitimate questions. They include: Why does the Lord let such things happen? Couldn’t God have stopped this? Doesn’t God care? The magnitude of disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis and floods cause death and destruction and our thoughts change from day to day activities to concerns about surviving and wanting explanations for the suffering that results.
Non-believers in our Lord have a most difficult time answering these questions because they have no relationship with God, thus they feel hopeless and alone. They have no frame of reference for understanding God.
Believers in the Lord have the Bible to guide them as they wrestle through the issues they face. Coming to the proper conclusions on issues will depend on one’s knowledge of the Bible and the depth of one’s relationship with God.
We must not allow disasters to cause us to doubt God. When a disaster happens we want to ask, “How could God allow this to happen?” Isaiah reminds us that we cannot know the mind of God. God does not think as we think and His way is not our way. Isaiah assures us, however, that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are better than our ways.
Many believers have a tendency to design a box in their mind that the Lord will fit into. But if He does not fit into that box we get upset, confused and even angry at God.
We may not know why disasters occur but we have several Biblical truths that we know with absolute certainty that will allow us to trust God in even the greatest times of our suffering.
We know that God is in control. “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19. Nothing in heaven or earth is outside of His control, rule or authority. We can always trust in His goodness and mercy.
The Lord loves people and wants them to be saved. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. God cares for us, even when we cannot feel it or even will not accept it.
God ordains or permits events for His good purpose. All though we cannot comprehend what God is doing, in every incident, every disaster is a wakeup call for humanity. God is alerting us to repent. Catastrophes open our ears to hear from God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:13-14. These verses will help us prepare for Christmas.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER:
Thank You that You are in full control and working out every detail of our world’s issues according to Your good purpose. Help my heart to always be filled with hope no matter how difficult my crises.
DEFINITION:
A great misfortune, a catastrophe; a calamitous event occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage or hardship.
SCRIPTURE:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When a disaster strikes many people respond with what they feel are legitimate questions. They include: Why does the Lord let such things happen? Couldn’t God have stopped this? Doesn’t God care? The magnitude of disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis and floods cause death and destruction and our thoughts change from day to day activities to concerns about surviving and wanting explanations for the suffering that results.
Non-believers in our Lord have a most difficult time answering these questions because they have no relationship with God, thus they feel hopeless and alone. They have no frame of reference for understanding God.
Believers in the Lord have the Bible to guide them as they wrestle through the issues they face. Coming to the proper conclusions on issues will depend on one’s knowledge of the Bible and the depth of one’s relationship with God.
We must not allow disasters to cause us to doubt God. When a disaster happens we want to ask, “How could God allow this to happen?” Isaiah reminds us that we cannot know the mind of God. God does not think as we think and His way is not our way. Isaiah assures us, however, that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are better than our ways.
Many believers have a tendency to design a box in their mind that the Lord will fit into. But if He does not fit into that box we get upset, confused and even angry at God.
We may not know why disasters occur but we have several Biblical truths that we know with absolute certainty that will allow us to trust God in even the greatest times of our suffering.
We know that God is in control. “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19. Nothing in heaven or earth is outside of His control, rule or authority. We can always trust in His goodness and mercy.
The Lord loves people and wants them to be saved. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. God cares for us, even when we cannot feel it or even will not accept it.
God ordains or permits events for His good purpose. All though we cannot comprehend what God is doing, in every incident, every disaster is a wakeup call for humanity. God is alerting us to repent. Catastrophes open our ears to hear from God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:13-14. These verses will help us prepare for Christmas.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
PRAYER:
Thank You that You are in full control and working out every detail of our world’s issues according to Your good purpose. Help my heart to always be filled with hope no matter how difficult my crises.
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