January 5th, 2024
Friday, January 5th
Holidays in Rear View
By: Pastor Todd
Ok, we are full blown into the new year for sure. With the holidays in rear view, I am reflecting on Mary- wondering how she felt when the last shepherd left, the camels of the Magi have disappeared from view, and the glow of a sky full of angels has long since faded? Was it then she looked into the face of her little boy and said, “Ah, Immanuel. God is still with me.”
The wonderful news is that Christmas doesn’t mark the end of something, but only the beginning. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The term “made his dwelling” means literally to pitch a tent. There is a world of difference in showing up at a campsite to visit without a tent compared to pitching your tent. When you pitch your tent- you’re staying. Jesus didn’t just show up the first Christmas to parade around for us and disappear again. He came to stay.
And when he left, he sent the Holy Spirit. So yes, it is goodbye to the holidays, but never goodbye to the Holy Spirit. He was in you yesterday, is here as you are reading this, and has no plans to leave anytime in 2024. And that is as comforting as it gets.
Holidays in Rear View
By: Pastor Todd
Ok, we are full blown into the new year for sure. With the holidays in rear view, I am reflecting on Mary- wondering how she felt when the last shepherd left, the camels of the Magi have disappeared from view, and the glow of a sky full of angels has long since faded? Was it then she looked into the face of her little boy and said, “Ah, Immanuel. God is still with me.”
The wonderful news is that Christmas doesn’t mark the end of something, but only the beginning. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The term “made his dwelling” means literally to pitch a tent. There is a world of difference in showing up at a campsite to visit without a tent compared to pitching your tent. When you pitch your tent- you’re staying. Jesus didn’t just show up the first Christmas to parade around for us and disappear again. He came to stay.
And when he left, he sent the Holy Spirit. So yes, it is goodbye to the holidays, but never goodbye to the Holy Spirit. He was in you yesterday, is here as you are reading this, and has no plans to leave anytime in 2024. And that is as comforting as it gets.
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2024
January
New Year, Fresh StartA Good Plan for the New YearCall on MeHope Has a NameHolidays in Rear ViewHolinessHow to Have our Mind TransformedNew Year, New YouA Pattern of RenewalVictory in JesusFear Knot? Fear Not.Seek the LORDBetterWhere to Place your TrustRadical GraceGenerosity God's WayThe Poor and NeedyThe Open Hand ConceptA Need that Burdens your HeartHow's Your Heart?Who Are You?Testing in the Wilderness
February
CallingDon't HideWhere You AreJust the Two of UsInvesting in the Kingdom of GodThe Golden RuleAgainst the GrainUnexplainable JoyThe Power of God's WordFollow MeThe God of the ImpossibleOut on a LimbWe All Face ItTrue JusticeGatherGood SoilDon't Put God in a BoxBe BraveCulture CheckFeed His Sheep. Love His People.Jesus Revealed
March
Jesus in His GloryNot QuantityHow Much God Loves ChildrenWhere Two or Three are GatheredLike Little ChildrenFocusAmazing GraceBeing Confronted By JesusKingdom FruitWedding AttireCome with a Hungry HeartLive and Lead Like HimTough LoveBe on your GuardKeep WatchTalentsSlow DownBeing Led by the SpiritKingdom WatchThey Are Us. We Are Them.Jesus Gave His All For UsHe is Risen, Indeed
April
The Most Important Question Ever AskedExchanging Death for a Better LifeThe Space BetweenHe's got the KeysI want to know HimJoy of the LordNeverthelessFullness of JoyFavorites"Try it, you'll like it."He Created MeHe Chose to Die for MeGod's Love for UsAn Eternal LoveNothing will SeparateThe Salt ShakerThe Word Brings HopeMeditate on God's WordA Well Lit PathEverything Wears Out
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