Spirit of Salvation - "Amazing Expressions of Love"

08/10/2024

AUGUST 10 2024

AUGUST 10 2022

"City of the Living God" 🦋

📜: Hebrews 12:18--29

Hebrews 12:18--29 summarizes the lessons given through chapters 11 and 12. Those living under new covenant have the advantage of looking to Christ, rather than to the law. The Old Testament has given us ominous signs, dire messages, fire, and sacrifice; it involves material things in a material world. God presented Himself as an unapproachable, symbolic of His holiness.

The New Covenant offers something better, something beyond rituals and earthly needs. Also symbolically, Christ gives us an ability to approach God which the old covenant could not grant. While prior things can be changed and destroyed, the destiny offered to believers in Christ cannot. That is "the kingdom cannot be shaken," and our worship for God ought to reflect reverence as a result.

02/26/2023

UNIT III. God's Call and Its Responsibilities

AN IMPORTANT ROLE

📜: 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

NIV

LIVING, PRAISING STONES (1 Peter 2:1--5)

THEREFORE, RID, yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, the living Stone---rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him---
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

As living stones, why is it essential for us to connect with other believers?

LIGHT, PRECIOUS STONES (1 Peter 5:6--10)

6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
7 Now to you who believe, this is a precious stone. But to those who believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"
8 and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that make them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message---which is also what they were destined for.
9 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.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

God has called His people to declare His praises. What are some legitimate ways that believers can praise God both individually and publicly with other believers?

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

Consider your salvation testimony. Regardless of your personal background (what you have or haven't done), you were born a sinner in desperate need of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. You may not have dramatic story of coming from a life of cre or illicit sin, but if you are truly saved you have a story to tell---a testimony of eternal hope and security you now have Christ.

• YOUR WORLD! 🦋

Many individuals want to impact the world by becoming a social-media influencer or a famous athlete or celebrity, but in time, fame diminishes, athletes lose their ability, and celebrities lose their star quality. There is a most lasting way to influence the world: by sharing your faith and winning at least one soul for the kingdom. You will never know how significant the impact of your witness to just one person can be.

• CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

God, Your blessed name is precious on Earth. We are grateful to You for the gift of Your grace and the redemption of our souls. Because of who You are and what You have done for us we glory and rejoice in Your presence. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

02/19/2023

UNIT III. God's Call and Its Responsibilities

THE RICH and the POOR

📜: JAMES 2:1--12

KEY VERSE: Listen, my brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
___James 2:5

NIV

BE CAREFUL (James 2:1--4)

MY BROTHERS and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.
3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet,"
4 have you discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

• WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What practices in the church encourage division?

BE COURTEOUS (James 2:5--8)

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in faith and to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they the ones who are dragging you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in the Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing what is right.

• WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Often acts of favoritism are not just one's personal opinion, issue, or bias. How can we battle favoritism?

BE CAUTIOUS---HEAR (James 2:9--12)

9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 For he who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." If you do not commit adultery but commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

James's warning against favoritism is an expression of God's love for all people and a affirmation of the worth of every living soul. There are no superstars or celebrities in God's house; God is the main attraction. The church should be a warm, welcoming place where believers from every social rank and background may gather to worship God and experience the love of God through others.

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

Are you aware of your own personal biases or prejudices? Everyone may have th but that doesn't make them okay with God. People tend to show preference to that which is familiar, and show discomfort or dishonor to what is different or unfamiliar to them. Examine your own heart carefully and confess with a prayer partner your tendencies to show favoritism. Pray that God will help you recognize the sin of such attitudes and lay them aside.

• CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Father, show us our sin and the error of our actions and secret thoughts. Our highest desire is to please You, especially in what we do in Your name. Teach and lead us into more meaningful expressions of love for others.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

02/12/2023

UNIT III. God's Call and Its Responsibilities

TRUST AND ENCOURAGEMENT

📜: 2 Timothy 1:3--14

KEY VERSE: What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
___2 Timothy 1:13

NIV

REMEMBER THE CALL/WORK (2 Timothy 1:3--6)

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I, am persuaded, now lives in you also.
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which you through the laying on of my hands.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Name some ways that you can "fan the flame" and stir up the gift that God has given you. Be as specific as possible. Your sharing might help someone else.

WORK THE CALL---DO (2 Timothy 1:7--10)

7 For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the of God.
9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
10 but it has now been revealed the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What are the trials and sufferings faced by the modern-day believers? What are some of the specific fears that discourage people from the living God?

EMBRACE THE CALL (2 Timothy 1:11--14)

11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and I convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you---guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Which person in life has had the greatest impact in motivating you to follow God?

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

We all have a holy calling directly from God His glory. He has a plan and purpose for each of our lives. We must submit to it. Embracing the beauty of God's plan in your life doesn't require you to create a plan, only to submit to the one that God already designed for you. Place your trust in God and let Him guide you to it.

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

Have you fully embraced God's calling on your life? Doing so requires a clear understanding of what God has called you to do. Understand that God has called and gifted believers to do more than preached the Gospel. Some teach, some organize, some help, some evangelize, some sing---but all serve. Most callings are supportive in nature; none are any less holy and needed than another.

• YOUR WORLD! 🦋

One of the greatest problems in the world is the failure of those whom God has called to rise and complete the task to which God has called them. Some are unwilling because of their anger toward God or someone else. Others are too lazy or timid. And many are still debating whether to make a total commitment to God. Alone, you cannot change the whole world, but you can make a difference in the lives of many by stirring up your gifts and touching lives, one person at a time.

• CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Lord, we thank You for the holy calling with which You have called us. We trust Your guidance through the Holy Spirit and surrender to Your work in us. Use us as You see fit.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

02/05/2023

UNIT III. God's Call and Its Responsibilities

WISDOM and FOOLISHNESS 🦋

📜: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18--31

KEY VERSE: God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things---and the things that are not---to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
___1 Corinthians 1:28--29

NIV

BY FOOLISHNESS (1 Corinthians 1:18--21)

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is is the philosopher of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Think about your own conversion story. What moved you to finally accept the Gospel? What did it take to win you to the kingdom?

BY FAITH (1 Corinthians 1:22--25, KJV)

22 For the Jews required a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Share a faithful experience that God empowered you to overcome. What earthly wisdoms had failed?

BY FRAILTY (1 Corinthians 1:26--31, NIV)

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things---and the things that are not---to nullify the things that are,
29 so that no one may boast before him.
30 It is because of him that you are in Jesus Christ, who has become for us wisdom from God---that us, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boast boast in the Lord."

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Reflect on the limitations of your own ability and the fact that, regardless of what you have done and what you do not have, God still saved you for His glory. Who are the most likely candidates to relate to your personal testimony of salvation?

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

God's grace is so amazing that it continues to puzzle those who think they are qualified to analyze and comprehend God. For generations, people have tried in vain to create their own plans and pathways to salvation based on what seems reasonable in their own minds. Salvation begins and ends with God's love, grace, and wisdom. No living soul, past or present, has ever imagined a better plan of salvation than the one God has already given through Jesus Christ.

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

God chose to save you. In so doing, He has also chosen to use you and your testimony for His glory. Reflecting on what God did for you through Jesus Christ should impact your daily life---your spiritual devotion, actions, giving, and service in His name. Does it?

• YOUR WORLD! 🦋

God reaches people through people. The world will not know of God's grace unless the people of God share it. From today forward, reembrace your personal testimony and share it freely in person or on social media. Someone needs to hear it.

• A CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Father, we thank You for Your amazing grace. You consider us despite every weakness and human limitation we may possess. Somehow you find ways to use us to give us dignity and purpose and bring You glory and honor. For this we thank You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

01/29/2023

JANUARY 29 2023

01/29/2023

UNIT II. God's Promises

PROMISES of RESTORATION and GLADNESS

📜: JOEL 2:21--27

KEY VERSE: "You will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.
___Joel 2:27

NIV

REJOICE (Joel 21--23)

21 Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things!
22 Do not be afraid, you wild animals, for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; fig trees and the vine yield their riches.
23 Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

WHAT DO YOU THLORD?

The last few years have been rough. Many people are still recovering. How can we engage and encourage others to rejoice in the Lord?

RECEIVE (Joel 2:24--27)

24 The threshing floor will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten---the great locusts and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarms---my great army that I have sent among you.
26 "You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.
27 "Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed."

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Can you recall a low season in your spiritual life from which God allowed you to bounce back?

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

God's mercy never fails. He always has a plan of redemption to restore us back to Him. We should always be mindful and grateful for the grace of God that covers and restores us, and the gifts of God that keep us satisfied and refreshed. God judges sin but, thankfully, His "anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Let us rejoice in His mercy!

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

Are you fully convinced that God can and will do whatever He had promised? Which promises from the Word has most encouraging to you? Keep on trusting God; He never fails.

• YOUR WORLD! 🦋

As you consider others in the world, you may be tempted to judge or think poorly of them for the things they have done. The next time you are disgusted or disappointed by someone else, recall the times when God spared you the public shame or consequences of your secret failures. Repent and rejoice.

• CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Dear Lord, we worship You and praise Your holy name. Thank You for Your unfailing promises and for the abiding assurance of Your great mercies toward us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

01/22/2023

UNIT II. God's Promises

LIVING RIGHT OVER EMPTY RITUALS

ISAIAH 58:6--10

KEY VERSE: "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."
___Isaiah 58:10

NIV

SOW AS STATED (Isaiah 58:6--7)

6 "Is not this kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7 "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter---when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What do we do as a church community that could be viewed as a vain practice? Why? Can the practice be enhanced to sow greater seeds for the Lord?

REAP THE REWARDS (Isaiah 58:8--10)

8 "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 "Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 "and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."


WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Who are the victims of injustice in your community? God regards standing up or speaking out on their behalf as an act of spiritual worship. What practical steps can you take as an individual or group to meet their needs?

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

Every church has its honored traditions and rituals. There is nothing wrong with practicing in spiritual traditions if they do not depart from God's priorities. Programs, annual days, and special events should be secondary to a focus on biblical teaching, preaching, and activities that directly promote spiritual maturity and righteous living. God is concerned with ministry that serves the needs of people and glorifies Him.

• A CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Dear Lord, may we grow in understanding what it takes to honor Your name. Help us to avoid the entanglement of being busy with things that do not matter and to focus on the heart of true spirituality---loving You and loving others. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

01/15/2023

UNIT II. God's Promises

NOT BY OUR OWN DEVICES

ISAIAH 43:3--8a, 17

KEY VERSE: This is what the LORD says---your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
___Isaiah 48:17

NIV

DELIBERATE (Isaiah 48:3--5)

3 "I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.
4 "For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze.
5 "Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, 'My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.'"

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Why do you think it offended God when His own people give credit to themselves, coincidence, or someone else for the things He has done?

DIVINE (Isaiah 48:6--8a, 17)

6 "You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? From now on I will tell of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.
7 "They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, 'Yes, I knew of them.'
8 "You have neither heard nor understood; from of old your ears have not been opened."
. . . .

17 This is what the LORD says----your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Share one example of the ways in which believers in Christ have suffered because of their refusal to obey the Word of God.

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

Every child of God has access to the blessing of divine guidance. God's Holy Spirit is available to guide us as we navigate through life's many ups and downs. Let us not grow comfortable with God's provision and protection that we become arrogant and presumptuous in our behavior and thoughts toward God. Only the one true God who created heaven and earth can give us the power, might, and wisdom to live in victory and peace.

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

Personally reflect on your tendencies or habits that could potentially lead to a prideful position in your walk with God. Commit these areas to prayer, then seek and submit to God's guidance.

• YOUR WORLD! 🦋

Tomorrow is a U. S. federal holiday---Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Consider the role of the church in resisting injustice during the Civil Rights Movement. Share your thoughts on the fact that sometimes God's plan for His people may fall outside the box of expectations or previous experiences.

• CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Father, we acknowledge Your wisdom and foresight. Forgive us as we fall short of Your will, and teach us to demonstrate our trust in You with faithful obedience. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

01/08/2023

UNIT II. God's Promises

FEAR NOT!

📜: ISAIAH 43:1--4, 10--12

KEY VERSE: Now this is what the LORD says---he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
___Isaiah 43:1

NIV

GOD'S LOVE EXTENDED (Isaiah 43:1--3)

BUT NOW, this is what the LORD says---he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead."

GOD'S LOVE EXPLAINED (Isaiah 43:4, 10--12)

4 "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life."
. . . .

10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.

11 "I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.

12 "I have revealed and saved and proclaimed---I, am not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God."

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

Because of His grace, God still calls His people to a bright future with Him despite their shortcomings. As His witnesses, we are to testify of His goodness and might with our words, our works, and our worship. Reflect on your personal experience with God's grace so that you will continue in faithfulness, and so someone may see and understand the reason for why you worship Him.

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

At some point in life, everyone has been uncomfortable or hesitant to share their testimony of what God has done in his or her life. What is it that hinders you? List those hindrances and begin to pray that God will use you as a more effective witness of His grace and glory.

• CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Lord, without question, You have been better to us than we deserve. Empower us to be more faithful and effective witnesses of Your goodness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

01/01/2023

UNIT II. God's Promises

PROMISES AND CONSEQUENCES 🦋

📜: 2 Chronicles 7:12--22

KEY VERSE: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
___2 Chronicles 7:14

NIV

THE ASSURANCE (2 Chronicles 7:12--16)

12 the LORD appeared to him at night and said: "I have heard your prayer and have chose this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or commanded locusts to devour the land and send a plague among my people,
14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
15 "Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place
16 "I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."

THE ALERT (2 Chronicles 7:17--22)

17 "As for you, if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws,
18 "I will establish your royal throne, as I covevanted with David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.'
19 "But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them,
20 "then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples.
21 "This temple will become a heap of rubble. And all who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?"
22 "People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them---that is why he brought all this disaster on them.'"

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

Today is New Year's Day. As you resolve to eat better, exercise more, and spend less, do not neglect the priority of growing closer to God. Do not set an unattainable goal; simply make up your mind to do the things that please God, one step and one day at a time. Make 2023 your year of renewed commitment and service to God.

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

Examine your life and spiritual witness. Have you become too comfortable with the spiritual contradictions (e.g., secret sin, ungodly habits, dishonesty, foul conversation, etc.) that may cause God (and others) to doubt your commitment to Him? Have you drifted off course from the passion you once had for serving God? Pray for the strength and desire to walk away from whatever (or whomever) is leading you away from what is right.

• YOUR WORLD! 🦋

God held Solomon and the people spiritually accountable for the nation's future. What do you imagine are God's thoughts or concerns about the spiritual condition of the church, the nation, and the world?

• CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Dear Lord, please send a revival. Stir our hearts and souls and give us a deeper desire for the things that please You. Let us not be satisfied or content with doing less than we are able to do for Your glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

12/25/2022

UNIT I. God Prepears the Way

OPEN TO BEING CHOSEN

📜: Luke 1:46--55

KEY VERSE: Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
___Luke 1:46--47

NIV

MY SPIRIT REJOICES (Luke 1:46--50)

46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord
47 "and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 "for has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 "for the Mighty One has done great things for me---holy is his name.
50 "His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generations to generations.

HIS STRENGTH REMAINS (Luke 1:51--55)

51 "He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53 "He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
54 "He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
55 "to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors."

• A CLOSING THOUGHT 🦋

Praising God is more than a task reserved for certain people in the church (e.g., the choir, the praise team, the pastor, etc.). Praise is the responsibility of everyone who has been blessed by God. Whether public or private, your praise should be instant, personal, and heartfelt. The very thought of God's goodness should move you to rejoice and offer grateful praise for what God has done for you and others. If God has blessed you (and He has), you have a song to sing. Do not allow anyone to hinder or discourage you from praising God.

• YOUR LIFE 🦋

It takes spiritual maturity to praise God for things that don't seem like blessings. As you look back over your year, pause and thank God for unlikely blessings---the closed doors that led to new pathways, the pain that led to a life-saving diagnosis, the pink slip that led to a promotions, the rejection that led to peace of mind, the bad news that led to good news, and other blessings in disguise.

• YOUR WORLD! 🦋

The lives of most followers of Christ are constantly connecting and intersecting with unbelievers (e g., at work, at school, in the community, etc.). When good things happen to you, do you save your testimony to share with other believers, or do you openly acknowledge God's goodness no matter who is listening? Let your light shine by being intentional about telling others what God has done for you.

• CLOSING PRAYER 🦋

Lord, You know everything about us---all our shortcomings and secret thoughts---and still You love and bless us beyond what we deserve. We lift our hearts in gratitude to You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.