Visions and dreams are certainly not common experiences. But when God *does* speak, we had better listen!
Month: December 2018
Day 20 – Acts of Kindness for December
Today’s Act of Kindness: Give the gift of love to a relative. Give them a call and have a nice chat.
Today’s Bible Reading: Matthew 2:19-23
Today’s Family Activity: Go on a drive to look at Christmas lights. Play Christmas music on the radio or CD player. (Bring bells. Jingle your bells for the best displays.)
Mary: Blessed
The miraculous pregnancy of a young virgin in a dirt-poor town teaches us how God blesses.
Day 19 – Acts of Kindness for December
Today’s Act of Kindness –Bring food to your local food shelf.
Today’s Bible Reading – Matthew 2:13-18
Today’s Family Activity – Go sledding or ice skating or roller skating if you are in a warmer climate. Have hot cocoa to warm up!
Elizabeth’s Story
Mary and Elizabeth welcomed the promise that the Holy Spirit would fill their lives. Their example shows that when we allow the Spirit of God to guide and direct our lives, amazing things happen!
Day 18 – Acts of Kindness for December
Today’s Act of Kindness – Donate blankets and seasonal clothing to a local shelter.
Today’s Bible Reading – Luke 2:41-51
Today’s Family Activity – Make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing “Happy Birthday” on Christmas Day.
Day 17 – Acts of Kindness for December
Today’s Act of Kindness: Share the Reason for the Season. Greet people at work, school, shopping and everywhere.
Today’s Bible Reading:Luke 2:36-40
Today’s Family Activity: Do some fun Christmas activities. Click here.
Immanuel
Isaiah’s prophecy that “a virgin will conceive” is amazing, controversial, and absolutely gracious when we consider the historical context in which God spoke it.
Day 16 – Acts of Kindness for December
Today’s Act of Kindness: Show someone how much you care by simply listening.
Today’s Bible Reading: Luke 2:21-35
Today’s Family Activity: String popcorn and cranberries or make paper chain garland for the Christmas tree.
8 BOLD Ideas for Christmas
– by Pastor Philip Bickel
“I’m dreaming of a BOLD Christmas, Not like the ones I used to know.”
Bold isn’t just a font style or a coffee choice. Bold is how God will make you when you invite Him to bring Christ more fully into your Christmas.
For example, you can—
1. PERSONALIZE GREETINGS. Ask the Lord: “To whom should I send a card, email, or text?” Even if you start with a generic Season’s Greetings card, ask the Lord how to personalize it with comments and Bible verses that point to the hope Jesus Christ brings.
2. DECORATE YOURSELF —not just your house. Ask the Lord to help you find a pin, T-shirt, jewelry, or any wearable item that will spark faith conversations with friends and strangers.
3. COOK OR BAKE UP A CALM. Prepare your favorite Christmas recipe and give it to someone who doesn’t know Christ, perhaps someone from a different ethnic heritage or religion.
4. PRAY FEARLESSLY. Each day ask the Lord: “Give me 20/20 vision to see anyone who is hurting. Give me 20/20 faith to engage them in conversation and ask permission to pray for them.” Then pray boldly for God to do miracles! (Acts 4:29-31)
5. FESS UP. Family holiday gatherings can be tense, even explosive. Pray: “Father, show me where I’ve caused family strife. Jesus, thank You for dying for these sins too. Holy Spirit, grant me gumption to confess my failures to those I have harmed, even if it’s the entire clan!” Your humble honesty will ignite a heat wave that will melt the ice — even glaciers of generational guilt and gossip!
6. PARTY HEARTILY. Heed Jesus’ words in Luke 14:12-14 by sharing Christmas with those in need. Jesus promises your boldness will be blessed.
7. TEAM UP. If any option above seems overwhelming, ask the Lord to lead you to people who are also dreaming of a BOLD Christmas, rather than the ho-hum. Share the adventure.
8. HAVE FUN! To avoid frantic preparations and hostess hangovers, step into every task with this confidence: “I, the Lord, will richly bless every bold step You take. They are not presumptuous or impetuous, they are the good and greater things I have prepared for you and I to do together. (2 Peter 1:3; Eph. 2:10; & John 14:12). So, as we do them together, relax, rejoice, and be restored.”
Come January, you’ll be singing:
“I’m rejoicing in a BOLD Christmas, Far beyond all expectations.” (Eph. 3:20)
Join us ONLINE for a special Christmas Eve Worship & Hymn Sing, No crowds, no traffic, no packing up the kids, no going out in the cold, just the comfort of your own home. Our Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship & Hymn Sing is LIVE on December 24th at 4:30pm (CT). Or it can be viewed anytime after that ON DEMAND at your convenience.
Awake Us Now 