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Have you ever brought something home from the store, only to set the instructions aside because you thought you knew how to put it together? Imagine if we did that with God's instructions for our lives. When we follow the guidance He's given us, we open ourselves to the blessings and abundance He promises.
Often in life, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the daily struggles and challenges, unable to see the bigger picture—much like not being able to see the forest through the trees. However, this message will remind us of the profound truth that when we place our trust in God, He has a divine plan for each of us. Be uplifted as we explore how to find and embrace God's purpose and plan for our lives. Let this be a time of renewal and reassurance in His unfailing love and divine wisdom.
We're reminded of God's unwavering faithfulness, like a garment that envelops us, like a parent’s teaching that guides us with love and compassion. God’s steadfast faithfulness guides us in every moment, anchoring us in peace.
This Sunday is the start to the Advent season, a time to contemplate and remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is through Him that we have hope. What an incredible gift! Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
It’s essential that our prayers be controlled by the word of God. When our prayer life is soaked in the word of God not only are our prayers renewed and fresh, our mind is renewed as well. And when our minds are renewed by the word of God our lives are renewed by the Spirit of God.
As fellow Christians we’re not supposed to wait to see what happens, we are to be what does happen. The tomb is empty, we’ve been told the good news that Jesus is alive and yet, we’re walking away. Until we come in direct contact with Jesus and have a conversation with Him do we truly recognize who He is through the Word of God and ultimately we have communion with Him. But it doesn’t end there. We are to be lit on fire with a passion so great that His story continues in and through our lives.
As we have journeyed these last weeks through discovering our dream and keeping focused on the things God has planned for us to do, you may have found that your role has changed, your desires have changed, and your assignments from God have changed. They have moved from your desires to what God desires for you. But there is one thing God fully desires is that we all finish well. Getting to the last lap of a race is not the same thing as completing it! The Bible has a lot to say about perseverance in order to cross the finish line.
The first church knew that love meant sacrifice. They used their time, talents, and treasures to make sure that everyone’s needs were met in their congregation. They shared what they had, and because of their love, no one among them was needy. They relied on godliness to make them content. The generosity of the church in meeting all the needs among them allowed the apostles to preach with great power. The actions of the church, their willingness to give of themselves bore witness to the change that Jesus could bring to a life.
We must meet together with other Christians. The church helps each of us to grow up into a mature Christian. Together we grow in works of service, encouragement, unity of faith, and love. Encouraging each other and taking down the fences between us helps us survive through love and good deeds that light up in a dark and desperate world.
Living the Christian life as a follower of Jesus is not any ordinary life. We are called to a higher standard. We are called out to be separate from the world to be peculiar people. Different in a good way to shine our lights so brightly to season the world with salt so that they can taste the difference of life being in union with Christ. Join us this week as we come together to discover what it means to live a higher standard.
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