Notes of Faith December 24, 2022

Notes of Faith December 24, 2022

Son of the Most High

When Gabriel announced to Mary that she would have a son, the angel invoked a promise that had echoed throughout the Old Testament. Her son would be called the Son of the Most High and would reign on the throne of His father, David. Those familiar with the Law and the Prophets, including Mary herself, would have quickly begun to connect the prophetic dots.

God had picked David, a young shepherd boy, from among an entire family of brothers and made him the ruler over Israel. God promised to make David’s name great. In addition, God promised that after David died, God would raise up one of his offspring to establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:8-16).

During his life, as David faced enemies and conspiracy, he sang songs of praise to God for protecting him as God’s anointed (Psalm 2:1-12) and for establishing his line for as long as the heavens endure (Psalm 89:19-29). David intoned a psalm of praise that contained a phrase that Jesus later quoted to confound his critics: “The Lord says to My lord…” (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:44). Another psalm affirmed that God, to His promise to David about the duration of his throne, had sworn an oath that could not be revoked (Psalm 132:11-12).

No word from God will ever fail.

The prophet Isaiah continued to prophesy the fulfillment of God’s promise to David. He wrote that to his people a child would be born, a son would be given and the government would be on his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6-7). Isaiah also affirmed that a shoot would come up from the stump of Jesse, David’s father, and from its roots, a Branch (referring to Jesus) would bear fruit (Isaiah 11:1-15).

In time, God’s plan became clear: He would fulfill this promise through His Son, Jesus.

When the angel appeared to Mary, God provided the ultimate update on God’s plan to keep His promise.

The Baby in Mary’s womb, conceived by the Holy Spirit though Mary was a virgin, is God’s Son who would reign eternally (Luke 1:31-33). As a capstone to the astounding declarations, the angel reminded Mary that no word from God would ever fail (Luke 1:37).

The intricate history of God’s initial promise realized so fully at Jesus’ first coming increases confidence that the rest of God’s promises will be fulfilled at Jesus’ second coming and after that, into eternity.

Excerpted from The Jesus Bible, copyright Zondervan.

Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophesies with His first coming! He will fulfill many, many more with His second coming…it is a sure hope and promise fulfilled of salvation, redemption, and eternal life with the Giver of life! Believe, worship, and wait patiently for the timing of the Lord for His return in glory! He is coming, quickly. May it be soon.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 23, 2022

Notes of Faith December 23, 2022

The Promise of a Grace Gift

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. — Ephesians 2:8

Gift giving and gift receiving are important parts of our own experiences. When birthdays and anniversaries roll around each year, we engage in this traditional pastime. The Bible teaches that when it comes time for gifts, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The Lord should know. After all, He has given us our greatest gift:

The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23

All the Bible writers were careful to describe eternal life as a free gift and not something that could be earned or deserved. To a Samaritan woman at a well, Jesus declared, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (John 4:10). Peter called for repentance on the Day of Pentecost with the promise to his hearers that, “you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). James added, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). And Paul summed it all up, saying, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

In the Bible promise of this chapter, Paul made plain that a gift has three characteristics. A gift is costly. It costs the giver something to give it. A gift is conditional. It is of no use unless it is received by the one to whom it is intended. And a gift is calculated. Behind the giving of a gift is the desire to benefit and bless the recipient.

Gifts are costly

When we give a gift, it costs us something to do so. But no gift ever cost as much as God’s gift of eternal life. Paul, in our promise, said, “By grace you have been saved,” making plain that the origin of our salvation is found in Him and not in us or any of our human efforts. Salvation is God’s work, provided by His grace, and is not offered in response to any good thing we may have done. It is provided to us wholly because of His grace.

Grace is God’s unmerited and underserved favor toward us. It came at a great price. The Father did not send Jesus to die on the cross to provide the gift of our salvation for us because we kept begging and pleading with Him to do so. It was by His grace alone. Grace can be defined as getting what we don’t deserve. No wonder we call it “amazing.” God’s gift to us came at a high cost, the sacrificial and substitutionary death of His only Son on the cross. Gifts cost us something.

Thanks be the God for His indescribable gift.

Gifts are conditional

What good is a gift you pick out and purchase for someone if they refuse to receive it? Listen to our promise; this gift is received “through faith.” That is it. The gift of God’s grace is conditional on our transferring our faith to Christ alone for our salvation. These words make me want to shout this verse: “Through faith... not of yourselves... the gift of God!” The following verse attests that it is not of works “lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). Our faith is the channel through which salvation flows from God to us. It is through faith.

Paul’s repetition of the truth that salvation is “not of ourselves” and “not of works” brings emphasis to his point that it is the “gift of God.” In some other faiths, people do extreme things — even give their lives — in feeble attempts to please their gods and be ushered into Heaven. But it is “by grace... through faith... not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” God is offering His free gift of eternal life to any and all who will simply believe by faith in Christ alone.

What should amaze us is that although God is offering by His grace this free gift, we still have to encourage and exhort people to receive it. Salvation is God’s work (by grace) in God’s way (through faith). Gift giving is costly. But it is also conditional.

Gifts are calculated

Why do you and I give gifts to those we love? It is because we calculate the fact that it will benefit and bless the one who receives it. Otherwise, why bother? It is the same with God’s gift to us. He gives us salvation to benefit us and to bless us. Paul continued with this promise to say, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

When you receive God’s gift of eternal life through faith, you become a new creation, “created in Christ Jesus.” You become His “workmanship.” We derive our English word poem from a transliteration of this Greek word. You are God’s own creation, His own work of art. He so fashioned and formed you that no one else has your specific DNA. You are unique and indescribably valuable to Him.

Think about this the next time you sit around your Christmas tree with your extended family, exchanging gifts. Don’t watch the face of the one opening the gift. Catch a glimpse of the joy on the face of the giver as he or she watches the one they love open the gift. And so it is with God. His gift to us was costly. It is conditional. And it is calculated — to benefit and bless you. Claim this promise — and receive it gladly — through faith.

A promise and a prayer

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

— 2 Corinthians 5:17

Lord, what more can be said than to join Paul in saying, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift”? What a benefit — what a blessing to know You, whom to know is life, not just abundant but eternal. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Excerpted from The Promise Code by O. S. Hawkins, copyright Dr. O. S. Hawins.

Who keeps promises like Almighty God? There is none like Him. The gift of salvation by the grace of God through believing faith in Jesus (this faith also being a gift of God!) is hard to understand. It is God’s promise of reconciliation between Himself and mankind through the offering of His Son Jesus to atone for our sin and redeem us back to a righteous, pure, and holy relationship with God that Adam and Eve had before sin entered the world. How could anyone turn down such a gift? Yet we press on, proclaiming the truth of Jesus, why He came to earth to live, die, and rise from the grave! Let us be filled with the sure hope of God’s grace and promises that are always fulfilled. Believing in Jesus brings all of the promises of God to completion. Receive the free gift, believe and be saved and also receive the gift of eternal life with Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 22, 2022

Notes of Faith December 22, 2022

Expectant

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

Experts say that babies in utero are impacted by the atmosphere of their parents’ home and the attitude of their parents. If God had chosen you to carry the infant Jesus into the world, would your home life and the attitude of your heart have nurtured in the holy child such traits as kindness, gentleness, patience, and trust in God? Would God have chosen you for such an important assignment? The answer is, He has…

Isaiah wrote the well-known words above more than seven hundred years before Christ was born. God’s chosen people had been waiting for the promised Messiah for a lot longer than they had anticipated. Finally the wait was over. God chose a human being named Mary to bring Him into the world. And God has chosen you and me to carry the truth and the love of this Christ child into the rest of the world.

Lord Jesus, may the atmosphere of my life and the attitude of my heart make my life a place where You want to be and a place where people can meet You. Amen.

Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

— John 1:29 NKJV

Those people will never be hungry again, and they will never be thirsty again. The sun will not hurt them, and no heat will burn them, because the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. — Revelation 7:16-17 NCV

I love decorating the house with nativity scenes at Christmastime. In each one, young Mary tends to her Newborn while her faithful husband stands guard. Wise men and shepherds stand in awe. And often near the Christ child is a little lamb. Jesus is known as the Lamb of God, and the symbolism is not lost on us.

Throughout the Old Testament, the people of Israel sacrificed lambs as sin offerings. John the Baptist was direct in drawing the comparison. When he saw Jesus coming toward him, he said,

Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

— John 1:29 NKJV

Then on the cross Jesus was the perfect sacrifice — the perfect once-and-for-all sin offering — that removed our sins as far as the east is from the west.

This Christmas, when you spend time in front of a nativity, may you be filled with peace and awe as you behold the Lamb of God.

I stand in awe before the manger as my soul whispers, “Behold, the Lamb.” Amen.

Excerpted from 365 Devotions for Peace by Cheri Cowell, copyright Zondervan.

God with us! The promise to believers of the Holy Spirit living within them! This relationship with God is too much for a human mind to comprehend! But, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever would believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life! Abundant life and eternal life are in Jesus!

Believe and truly live!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 21, 2022

Notes of Faith December 21, 2022

Mary, God’s Humble Servant

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name. — Luke 1:46–49 NKJV

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. — Philippians 2:5–6 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:6–7 NIV

Devotional

RABBI JASON

God chose perhaps His most unlikely vessel to set into motion the salvation of mankind: a teenage girl named Mary. Mary thought she was waiting for a wedding to a carpenter named Joseph, but something came to her that was far different — an improbable event she never would have dreamed of. A holy interruption. Much about Mary and her relationship with God is revealed when we read about her response to the angel when she was told she would give birth to the promised Messiah (see Luke 1:26–38). Mary showed tremendous humility of heart — the same humble quality we find in Yeshua (see Philippians 2:6–11).

A characteristic of humility is receiving. Probably understanding some, though not all, of the misunderstanding and scorn that would surely come, Mary embraced God’s new vision for her life without complaining or sarcasm. First Peter 5:5 tells us that

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. — NKJV

You want God’s grace? Become humble. Mary was humble in spirit.

Being willing to decrease so that others can increase is the essence of humility (see John 3:30). It’s important to note, however, that I’m not talking about self-abasing. A truly humble person is secure and confident in God’s love. They know who they are.

Genuine humility is not thinking less of ourselves. It’s thinking of ourselves less.

It also takes humility for us to be completely transparent before others, allowing them to speak into our lives, encourage us, sharpen us if needed, and help us in our own journeys. Notice that when the angel ended his time with Mary, he said,

Nothing will be impossible with God. — Luke 1:37 TLV

Genuine humility is not thinking less of ourselves. It’s thinking of ourselves less.

Mary needed to be transparent to receive that word and then live by it. She responded by humbly worshiping and magnifying the Lord (see verses 46–55).

Think of what obedience meant to this young girl. She needed to confront Joseph and risk a divorce. She had to face her neighbors, whose imaginations must have run wild. She had to confront her parents and Joseph’s parents. But through all this confrontation and gossip, she was able to cling to the angel’s promise to her and to Joseph’s loyalty to her after his own angelic visit (see Matthew 1:18–25).

I find it interesting that Mary obeyed without hesitation. Obedience was her delight. Looking back at the times God has called me to do something, I have to ask, Did I react like Mary?

Not all the time. There were moments of hesitation. I wonder what blessings from God I lost. Today, we often regard obedience as a weakness. Mary’s example should correct our thinking. In Scripture, we can almost see that His will became her will. She willingly yielded to what God wanted for her instead of fighting for her self-defined life direction.

As in Mary’s experience, faith and humility together will lead us to God’s favor. To walk in our divine assignments and sing our unique songs, we will need to seek God’s presence, understanding that He is the source of favor to open the doors that only He can open — doors that no man can shut. Humility is knowing that you are in God’s control and, when the situation calls for it, having the bold faith to do what God has asked you to do.

Respond

How can following Mary’s example of humility transform your relationship with God?

What has God asked you to do for Him? How have you responded in the past?

Where in your life do you need bold faith to do what God has asked you to do?

Excerpted with permission from the 10-Day devotional from The God of the Way by Kathie Lee Gifford and Rabbi Jason Sobel.

There is no one more humble than the Son of God…to leave the glory of heaven and take on the flesh of man, live a perfect sinless life and then give that life that man might be reconciled to God for all who would believe in Him. Jesus is the image of humility to imitate. Give thanks to God and follow the humility of the Son through the power of the Holy Spirit within you!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 20, 2022

Notes of Faith December 20, 2022

God’s Great Gifts

Thanks be to God for His gift that is too wonderful for words.

— 2 Corinthians 9:15

Why did He do it? A shack would have sufficed, but He gave us a mansion. Did He have to give the birds a song and the mountains a peak? Was He required to put stripes on the zebra and the hump on the camel?

Why wrap creation in such splendor? Why go to such trouble to give such gifts?

Why do you? You do the same. I’ve seen you searching for a gift. I’ve seen you stalking the malls and walking the aisles. I’m not talking about the obligatory gifts. I’m talking about that extra-special person and that extra-special gift. Why do you do it? You do it so the heart will stop. You do it so the jaw will drop. You do it to hear those words of disbelief “You did this for me?”

That’s why you do it. And that is why God did it. Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, “Do you like it? I did it just for you.”

~ The Great House of God

Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious One in a human womb.

The Promise Remains

Joseph was the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus. Jesus is called the Christ. — Matthew 1:16

Seems like the only common bond between [Jesus’ ancestors] was a promise. A promise from Heaven that God would use them to send His Son.

Why did God use these people? Didn’t have to. Could have just laid the Savior on a doorstep. Would have been simpler that way. And why does God tell us their stories?

Simple. He wants us to know that when the world goes wild, He stays calm.

Want proof? Read the last name on the list [of Jesus’ lineage]. In spite of all the crooked halos and tasteless gambols of His people, the last name on the list is the first one promised — Jesus.

No more names are listed. No more are needed. As if God is announcing to a doubting world, “See, I did it. Just like I said I would.”

~ When God Whispers Your Name

God Became a Man

He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant. — Philippians 2:7

It all happened in a most remarkable moment… a moment like no other.

God became a man. Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious One in a human womb.

The Omnipotent, in one instant, became flesh and blood. The One who was larger than the universe became a microscopic embryo. And He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.

God had come near.

~ God Came Near

Excerpted from Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado.

These are short excerpts from great books by Max Lucado. I have nearly all of his books and love the easy reading and spiritual thoughts that he brings in every story. The Great House of God, When God Whispers Your Name, and God Came Near are spectacular gifts of God through the writings of Max Lucado. If you are interested, borrow mine or purchase your own or take a look at the many others he has written. I recommend them all for a spiritual uplift and challenge.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 19, 2022

Notes of Faith December 19, 2022

The Birth of Jesus

Fulfilling our longing for redemption, Jesus, God the Son, was born a man.

TODAY’S READING: MATTHEW 1

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. — Matthew 1:18

Our culture seems fascinated with discovering our ancestry — what country we’re from and what our family’s story is. In Jewish times, this was incredibly important as well because people gained certain rights and status based on the tribe into which they were born.

This is why Matthew opens his Gospel with a genealogy and the story of Jesus’ birth. Matthew’s entire message unfolds to show us why Jesus is the one true King and Messiah. Matthew reminds us 16 times that Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies. King David’s bloodline brought us both Joseph and Mary. The prophecy from Isaiah 9:6–7 foretold the Messiah would come from the house of David.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

John 1:14

1. Why do you think Matthew would choose to start with the genealogy of Jesus?

Matthew then told the story of Jesus’ birth. It was time for the prophesied Son of God to make His grand entrance into this world. By the power of God, the Holy Spirit, the One who is fully God and fully man, confined Himself in the womb of a virgin named Mary. This amazing miracle fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14.

2. Read Isaiah 7:14. Jesus’ name is Immanuel which means “God with us.” What does this mean for you that Jesus’ name is Immanuel, God with you?

With the birth of Jesus, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). God’s children needed redeeming. God, the Father, sent God the Son, Jesus, as the vessel for that redemption. Through that redemption, God provided a way for His children to fulfill the longings we’ve been exploring so far throughout our study — both the longings they could identify and those they could not. For it was, as it still is, God’s desire for His children to fulfill their longings in Jesus alone, not the things of this world.

~ Hannah Schindler

Excerpted with permission from 40 Days Through the Bible by Lysa TerKeurst and the Proverbs 31 Team.

If you have believed in and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you are a child of God! There is no greater family. You are positioned eternally in Christ to receive the glory that God has prepared for you. Those that miss the opportunity to be adopted into the family of God miss this glory of God. Pray for those you come across this time of year who do not know the reason for the season, the indescribable gift of God that is Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 18, 2022

Notes of Faith December 18, 2022

The Best of You This Christmas

The holiday season is here. Like me, your focus is likely shifting to all of the needs and expectations around you. You can quickly fall into painful patterns of pleasing everybody else — only to find yourself exhausted and running on empty.

That’s why I want to invite you to pause, take a deep breath, and check in with yourself:

What do you want from this Advent season?

What needs are you dying to have met?

What convictions are you aching to protect?

What step can you take toward honoring a limit?

What or who will bring out the best of you?

Whenever I talk to people about the importance of focusing on what they need and want, I get pushback like this:

“But . . . isn’t that selfish?”

“Didn’t Jesus teach us to deny ourselves?”

“Isn’t it good to be selfless?”

My answer is this: there is a big difference between selfhood and selfishness. Furthermore, being selfless is not always the right choice.

Here is one way to illustrate the differences:

SELFISHNESS

It's all about me.

SELFHOOD

It's about you and me.

SELFLESSNESS

It's all about you.

Jesus was no doormat.

Selfhood is rooted in the idea that you were made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). You bear the image of God inside your soul. You are God’s handiwork, created to do good in this world (Ephesians 2:10).

Uncovering a deep sense of yourself doesn’t just “happen.” And it’s anything but superficial. In fact, a healthy sense of self is something you develop, with care and intention, in partnership with God’s Spirit. Selfhood starts by facing yourself honestly. It includes acknowledging what’s hard and celebrating the gifts you’ve been given.

Selfhood is necessary to make wise decisions, show up with integrity, and create the rhythms you need to stay healthy — especially during the holiday season. It’s not being selfish, and it’s also not being a doormat. It’s an understanding that in any relationship, two people have perspectives that matter, and you are one of those people.

In fact, developing a sense of self is the most foundational step to setting healthy boundaries with other people. Without selfhood, your decisions are driven by guilt and fear. You take the path of least resistance or work overtime to please everyone else. You prioritize the expectations of other people instead of honoring your own authentic wants and needs.

You don’t show up as the best of who you are.

You don’t live out of the best of who God created you to be.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus gave us an amazing example of selfhood during His short time on earth. In fact, Jesus’ strong sense of self empowered Him to sustain healthy boundaries. He demonstrated a clear pattern of letting His yes be yes and His no be no (Matthew 5:37), whether He was taking time for Himself or spending it with other people.

When you live from a strong sense of self, your yes and your no become strong, clear, and powerful.

Consider some of the following examples:

Jesus said yes to asking for help (Mark 14:32–34).

Jesus said yes to choosing friends carefully (Luke 6:12–16).

Jesus said yes to honoring His emotions (John 11:35; Mark 3:5; Luke 22:44).

Jesus said yes to developing His potential (Luke 2:46).

Jesus said yes to sticking to His convictions (Luke 4:1–13).

As a result of the foundational ways in which Jesus claimed His identity, talents, and purpose, He was also able to say no when it was needed. Here are a few examples.

Jesus said no to being “on” all the time (Matthew 14:23–24).

Jesus said no to pleasing and performing (Mark 15:1–5).

Jesus said no to toxic behavior (Matthew 23:13–36; Luke 11:37–54).

Jesus said no to manipulation (Matthew 4:1–11).

Jesus said no to bullies and abusers (Matthew 18:6; John 8:1–11).

As you can see from His example, Jesus was no doormat. When Jesus said to “deny yourself” (Matthew 16:24–26), He understood the difference between denying your selfishness and denying your selfhood — your God-given, image-bearing self, which is your soul made to shine who God is through your life.

If these words resonate with you, can I encourage you to get curious this holiday season:

What are some ways you have learned to stay hidden? What are some messages you have picked up, such as:

“It’s better to stay small.”

“I shouldn’t feel angry or sad.”

“I should never think of myself.”

What is a new message God might be inviting you to consider instead?

What if walking with Jesus this Christmas means to learn how to say yes to reclaiming your God-given light?

Adapted from Chapter 1 of The Best of You, by Dr. Alison Cook.

Enjoy the most spectacular time of year being the you God created you to be, a reflection of His image to all who interact with you. What a blessing to be a blessing to God who gave everything to have a relationship with you!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 17, 2022

Notes of Faith December 17, 2022

Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him

Topic: Christmas

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

They saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. —Matthew 2:11

If you saw your very best friend in the school hallway, would you walk right by without saying a word — even if you were in a hurry to get somewhere? Chances are, you wouldn’t. You’d stop for just a moment and say hi or at least smile and wave as you went past. Somehow you’d make a connection. If you had a little more time, you’d hang out with your friend for a while, and the two of you would enjoy just being together. That’s important for a relationship between friends.

It’s also important for your relationship with Jesus. He knows that you have a lot going on, and He understands that you can’t always spend a lot of time with Him. But He wants to make a connection with you each day — not just on Sundays and holidays such as Christmas but all year long!

Today’s devotion is based on Matthew 2:11, which says, “They saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him.” The devotion is called “Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him.”

“Steven, you’re here!” said Mrs. Anderson. “Hurry and get dressed.” On Christmas Eve Mrs. Anderson was directing the live nativity scene at the Christian school Steven attended.

“Sorry I’m late,” Steven said, rushing to put on his shepherd’s robe. “I had to run errands with my mom before she dropped me off.” He grabbed his staff, ran outside, and took his place next to the stable. Joseph, Mary, and the angels were already in position. So were the animals. People started arriving to see the display. Steven tried to look worshipful, but he was flustered. Besides, he was cold, and the sheep kept biting his robe. Steven sighed. He’d thought this would be fun. And meaningful, like being at the first Christmas. After all, he really did love Jesus.

The angels began to sing. Staring at the manger, Steven started thinking about everything Jesus meant to him. Soon he truly was worshiping his Lord and Savior.

Everyone’s busy nowadays — even kids! Take a moment every day to worship Jesus, no matter how busy you are. He is God’s Son, who came to save the world. He deserves to be praised. You can celebrate Jesus’ birth all year long by coming to Him daily and giving Him your love.

Come, let us bow down in worship.

Words to Treasure

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord. — Psalm 95:6

1. What are some reasons why people fail to connect with and worship Jesus every day, however briefly — even if they really want to and know it’s very important?

2. What could you do to make sure you connect with Jesus for at least a little while each day? Spend some time brainstorming to come up with a list.

Are there some things in your life — some possessions or activities, perhaps — that might be getting in the way of your relationship with Jesus? Have you ever thought about getting rid of one or more of these in order to give yourself time to connect with Jesus and worship Him for a little while each day?

3. Why is practicing a spiritual discipline — like reading your Bible every morning, praying at the same time every evening, or keeping a journal about your spiritual journey — a good way to maintain your relationship with Jesus? Do you practice any spiritual disciplines like that? If you do, how do they help you connect with Jesus?

4. What is the one thing that will destroy your desire to connect with Jesus each day, and what can you do about it?

Answer: Sin will always interfere with your relationship with Jesus. But if you confess it and repent of it, you’ll rediscover your passion to draw near to Jesus and worship Him.

Consider spending some time playing a game or doing an exercise to help children memorize the “Words to Treasure” Scripture verse.

Material taken from the NIV Adventure Bible Book of Devotions.

I remember, treasure and still have my bedtime bible story book. Children learn and remember the truths of Scripture and can apply them growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and come to Him in faith at a very young age. May we be an influence in their lives, giving them such gifts, reading to them, and testifying how Jesus has changed our life, that they might believe! May God give you great wisdom in the gifts you give this Christmas.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 16, 2022

Notes of Faith December 16, 2022

The Day When Hope Was Born

The tree is trimmed and decorated and glowing with lights. The gifts are wrapped and tied with bows and arranged carefully beneath. The stockings are hung by the fire and bulging with trinkets and surprises and sweet delicacies. The table is set and waiting for a great feast to be laid out upon it. Christmas has come again — again with all its joys, with all its pleasures, with all its precious traditions.

But look again, look more carefully, look and see that there are fewer gifts than there were in years past. There is one less stocking than there was before. The table has been set with one less place. When the family gathers to celebrate this year, there will be one member who will not be gathering with the rest, one person who will not be home for Christmas, one person who will be sorely missed.

This will be the reality for so many families this season, so many families who have had to bid farewell to one of their own. And never do those losses stand out so starkly, never do they cut so deep, never do they cause so much pain as during the holidays, as during times of celebration. For holidays are about gathering with the ones we love, spending time with the ones God has given us, observing the season together.

This will be the reality for my family this Christmas, for just a couple of years ago, the Lord saw fit to call one of us to himself. My son Nick was seemingly healthy and well, thriving in life and preparing himself for marriage and pastoral ministry, when he very suddenly collapsed and died and was gone. Christmas has never been the same. Christmas never will be the same, never can be the same, for our little fellowship has been shattered, our little family has suffered a grievous loss, our little home circle has been broken.

My mind sometimes drifts back to the evening we learned the news that broke our hearts and changed our lives. My mind sometimes drifts back to the thought that flashed through it in that moment when my entire world was rocked: God knows what it is to have a son and God knows what it is to lose a son. And this thought reminds me today that even though Christmas is the day when the pain of my loss is particularly sharp, it is also the day when my hope is particularly strong. For

without Christmas I would be despondent, but because of Christmas, I have the greatest of all hopes.

Christ had to be born for us.

The wonder of the Christian faith, the miracle that we celebrate every Christmas, is that God became man. The Son of God who had existed from all eternity, the God who had been present at the creation of the world, the God who holds together all things by the word of His power, took on flesh and was born as a weak, helpless, crying baby. He grew up surrounded by the chaos and sin of this world, He proclaimed the glorious message God had given Him, and at the end of it all, He was crucified and died. The Father witnessed the death of His beloved Son.

But that is not the whole story, of course, for death could not hold Him! Death could not keep back the One who lived a sinless life and died an atoning death. He left the tomb and ascended to Heaven and now prepares a place for each of us who have loved Him and believed in His name and received His forgiveness.

In order to save us, Christ had to die for us. And in order to die for us, Christ had to live for us. And in order to live for us, Christ had to be born for us.

It is at Christmas that we tell the beginning of the story of His incarnation, at Christmas that we celebrate His birth, at Christmas that we mark the dawning of hope. For when Christ was born on Christmas morning, hope was born with Him — the hope that our loved ones are not lost forever, but merely separated for us from a time, the hope that though we may grieve for a while, sorrow will at last give way to a joy beyond all we’ve known or even imagined. Our hope and our confidence is rooted and grounded in this day.

I wish Nick could be in our home this year to celebrate Christmas with us. But I know God has called him to a different home, a higher home, what I know to be a better home. And if Nick is experiencing nothing but happiness, as I truly believe he is, why would I spend the day in nothing but sadness? Why should I mourn as he rejoices? And so as we gather to celebrate Christmas, we’ll pause for at least a time to turn our hearts away from this home and instead fix them on the home above, the home where there is a much greater celebration, the home where Nick dwells with his Savior. We will fix our hearts on the time when all our tears will be dried and the time when the circle that has been broken will be fully and finally restored. And then we will return to celebrating the wonder of that baby in a manger, for this is the day when He was born — the day when hope was born.

Written for Devotionals Daily by Tim Challies, author of Seasons of Sorrow.

When you come to understand true spiritual hope, it is something that is sure yet still future. God’s promises never fail. And the hope that is found in Jesus is sure from eternity past to eternity future. Place your hope in Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 15, 2022

Notes of Faith December 15, 2022

Breath as Prayer: Christmas!

They say it's “the most wonderful time of the year,” but it sure can sometimes feel more like the most stressful time of the year. For all its wonder and joy, the holiday season can be the most anxiety-ridden season of the year. Unrealistic expectations, overwhelming demands, overflowing calendars, and increased social obligations can lead to all kinds of increased stress and anxiety.

If you struggle with anxiety through the holidays, you’re not alone.

The pressure to try to do everything, to plan the “perfect” Christmas and implement all the traditions, not to mention traveling to visit family, meeting year-end deadlines at work, the financial burdens of shopping for everyone on your list, along with all the cooking and cleaning and wrapping and decorating…. whew! Just typing out that list is raising my anxiety already!

But what would happen if we let go of all the to-do's and the lists and the expectations this Christmas?

What if we chose to enter this season with only one goal: to rest in the presence of God and let His peace fill our hearts?

After all, this is the season of Advent. It’s a time of anticipation, a season of expectant waiting for the coming of our Savior. Advent invites us to slow down and believe that there's more to Christmas than the loud noise of the holidays, more than the hustle and bustle of the crowds, more than the pressure to produce and perform and perfect.

Advent is a season of hope, peace, love, and joy.

The truth is, there's nothing you have to buy, nothing you have to do to make this a good Christmas. Christmas is already good because our good God has already given us the greatest gift the world has ever known: Jesus.

So how can we intentionally seek peace this Christmas? How can we ease the anxiety and the stress and the pressure that so often fills these days and instead learn to simply rest and wait in Christ, and breathe in His love and goodness through the season?

Plan ahead for peace. Pull out a calendar and be proactive. List all the things you know you will have to do: events to attend, shopping, baking, travel, etc. Identify what brings you joy and what brings you stress. If possible, eliminate things that bring you unnecessary anxiety. At the same time, be intentional about planning things you know will bring you peace and joy. Be sure to leave plenty of white space in your days. Plan for rest, for time outside, for prayer and quiet time with God.

Set good boundaries with realistic expectations. Know your limitations. You don’t have to do all the things. Let yourself off the hook and learn to say no. If you can’t say no, plan time around the stressful things for some self-compassion and down time. Simplify. Don’t spend money you don’t have. You can’t buy peace with a carload of gifts and a wallet full of debt. Slow down the pace. Take a deep breath. This season is not an emergency. There is no race to Christmas day.

Anxiety doesn’t have to be your enemy this Christmas.

Give yourself grace. Anxiety and depression can be especially hard at the holidays. Be gentle with yourself. It’s ok if you’re not feeling in the “holiday spirit.” There can be pressure at the holidays to be happy and social, but it’s really ok if you’re not. You may be walking through deep hurt or loss this season. Be kind to yourself and gentle with the feelings you are processing. Remember: Jesus entered this world in the middle of the mess and muck of a lowly stable to meet you right where you are, in the middle of whatever hard things you’re going through. He came to be your Savior, and He invites you to give Him your burdens and let Him give you rest.

Take time to breathe and pray. Want a practical and powerful tool to help ease your anxiety while drawing your heart closer to Christ? I invite you to try the centuries-old Christian practice called breath prayer: a simple but deeply meaningful spiritual practice that combines deep breathing with prayers of meditation on God’s Word.

Made of just two lines from a verse of Scripture, breath prayers are prayed to the rhythm of your breath. You inhale slowly and deeply as you pray the first line of the prayer, then exhale slowly and fully as you pray the second line, repeating the prayer as many times as you’d like.

The slow, deep breathing is scientifically shown to help calm the physical symptoms of anxiety, while prayer turns your mind toward Christ and the truth in His Word.

I’ve personally found breath prayer to be an amazing tool to not only help manage my anxiety but also to strengthen my faith. It has helped me change the way I respond to feelings of anxiety. Instead of spiraling into overwhelm and panic, when I begin to feel anxious, I simply slow down for a few minutes and take time to breathe and pray a short breath prayer. As I do this, I can feel my anxiety begin to ease and my soul finds renewed strength as I focus on a truth that is greater than the overwhelming feelings of my anxiety.

You can give it a try with this simple prayer from 1 Peter 5:7:

Inhale: I give You my worries and cares,

Exhale: for You care about me.

Repeat this prayer a few times, breathing slowly to the rhythm of God’s Word.

Anxiety doesn’t have to be your enemy this Christmas.

There may be hard and stressful days, but you don’t have to spiral out of control when anxiety builds. You can change the way you respond to your anxiety and use it as an opportunity to slow down and turn your heart toward Christ. When you do this regularly, you may just find that you are able to experience a deep and abiding peace as your soul draws closer to the One who split the veil between heaven and earth to be wrapped in infant skin so He could be near you and rescue you and give you real hope and true peace.

So, when you begin to feel overwhelmed or stressed this Christmas, simply slow down, breathe deep, and try praying a breath prayer. Better yet, try beginning every day with a few quiet minutes of breath prayer. Before the stress piles on, invite Christ to meet you right where you are as you turn your mind toward the truth in His Word and give your worries to Him.

He is Immanuel.

God is WITH us.

You can breathe deep this Christmas season and know:

You are safe and held and loved.

You don’t have to worry. You don’t have to stress.

Jesus is here.

Written for Devotionals Daily by Jennifer Tucker, author of Breath as Prayer.

This is the air I breathe

Your holy presence living in me!

Pastor Dale