Welcome New Year - Focus (Worship and Prayer)

Welcome New Year - Focus (Worship and Prayer)

Worship and Prayer

I invite you to spend a moment in worship and prayer as we enter the new year.  Feel free to engage in this study as you would. 

Readings for New Year's Eve 2013-  Revised Common Lectionary Year A

      Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

      Psalm 8

      Revelation 21:1-6a

      Matthew 25:31-46

In Christ all things are made new.

Gather together your thoughts and prayers for the coming new year.  In this new year turn your focus on Jesus Christ.  May the peace of Christ be with you.

Prayer of Confession and Forgiveness.

The Bible says that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  But if we openly confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Repent (turn to God), Believe, Focus and be Saved.

Repeat this Prayer:

Most merciful God,

I confess that I am captive to sin and cannot free myself.

I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,

by what I have done

and by what I have left undone.

I have not loved You with my whole heart;

I have not loved my neighbors as myself.

For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ,

have mercy on me.

Forgive me, renew me, and lead me,

so that I may delight in your will

and walk in Your ways,

to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

Gather Us In

Eternal God, you have placed us in a world of space and time, and through the events of our lives you bless us with your love. Grant that in the new year we may know your presence, see your love at work, and live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever—the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (ELW prayer of the day).

Lord Have Mercy

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Taste and See

1There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

9What do workers gain from their toil? 10I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Psalm 8

1Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

2Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

3When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

5You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

6You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

7all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

8the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

9Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Revelation 21:1-6a

Burn for You

1Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

A New Hallelujah

Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

The Gospel according to St. Matthew 25:31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Hallelujah

 Open song with this link  right click to open in new tab: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hafBqusc3gc

We have to remember that God’s timing is perfect.  We may not always be prepared.  Or we may want things to happen faster according to our plans or our timing.  We need to keep the focus on God’s will.  He has the plan for us and we need to keep our eyes on Him.  We cannot improve upon creation’s story.  When we keep our focus on His plans we will be the sheep on the right side and will be prepared to live eternal.  Make 2014 a line in the sand with your life and return your focus on Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is for all time and for all people.

Creed

We ask for your healing Spirit among those who are afflicted or in pain.  Bring help and healing to those who are broken in body or spirit.

We ask for fathers to tell their sons that they are loved.

God we ask that Your Spirit is with those who feel alone and abandoned in this Christmas season.

Look with mercy, Gracious God, upon people everywhere who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions.

Holy Holy Holy

Father we pray as Jesus taught us to pray and boldly say…

The Lord’s Prayer

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the Word and I shall be healed.

Holy Spirit

Your Presence Is Heaven

Let the Holy Spirit fill you to overflowing.  Gracious God, I pray to you tonight that you would move your Holy Spirit throughout our nation and stir renewal, return, and revival among those who have chosen to turn away from you.  Let them know that you alone are God and that through your son they are redeemed.

Love Take me Over

May God Bless you, and keep you, and make His face shine upon you.

God’s Not Dead

Foundation and Success

Foundation and Success

Lead Like Jesus had an interesting post this morning on their Twitter feed:

“As successes mount, we attract more attention from the enemy, not less. Be prepared by making God's Word ur foundation.”

As we move through careers or leadership positions and have failures we will often ask God why He is putting us in situations that end in failure.  Or we will blame the failures on the enemy.  We question because we have heard statements like God moves us from glory to glory.  Why would He let us suffer in failure?  And if we are there too long some many even lose faith.

On the other side when we have success in careers or leadership positions we may start offering prayers of thanksgiving to God for the successes.  But if we are unsure of our identity in Christ we may begin moving from a foundation in Christ to believing that our success is from ourselves. 

I’ve been there… I think many of us have been.  When I lost a job I looked right at the face of the enemy.  I questioned why God would allow me to go through this again.  When I forget that God is working and I turn from Him I open a door for the enemy to attack and pull me further from God.

So when we do have success we get comfortable in saying God abandoned me before so this success has nothing to do with God and everything to do with me and me alone.  We shift our focus from Him to our self and our flesh.  But so much of the help self-help industry supports this “me” first culture and that success and fulfillment is from what we do.  The culture says you are the only person you can count on.  When we continue to give praise to the self and the flesh for success we open more doors for the enemy to attack us.  This becomes an empty place over time and a lonely place.

1 Kings 8: 12-61 reminds us that we know the source of our success and remember at all times to give God the credit and have Him as the foundation of success. 

Read 1 Kings 8: 12-61 here: http://bible.com/111/1ki.8.12-61.niv

This section of 1 Kings describes the temple just built.  His payer reminds Israel of what the temple is and Who it is for.

John Maxwell sums it up this way…. After completing the temple to house the Ark of the Covenant he offers prayers reminding Israel that this Holy place is committed to God.  Although Solomon engaged the building of the temple and demanded that this temple was to be magnificent and exact, he knew and recognized that the glory belonged to God and to God alone.  All leaders must recognize that success appears by the blessing of God. 

Success is not by what we do.  Keep your focus on God.  Pray for guidance and to hear the will of God.  Each step is placed before us to continue to shape His creation.  Jesus is the only One who can change us and move us from glory to glory.  Recognize and praise Him for your success.

Witness and Defend

Witness and Defend

For me my faith was always a rather private matter.  In high school and college until I got married I my faith was asleep; hibernating.  I considered myself Christian.  I was born, baptized Roman Catholic.  In CCD I learned the prayers, learned parts of the liturgy, did first confession and first communion.  Although teen life took precedence and I was not confirmed.  After meeting and marrying my wife, we settled on an Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) congregation in the city we were living in.  My faith was awakened from its slumber.

We became very involved in the life of the church.  I even served as a Bible study leader and my wife was a worship assistant.  Although I was involved at levels deeper than at any other time in my life one area that I struggled with continued to be witnessing my faith to other people.  Also working in higher education (an area that can regularly be considered anti-Christian) and sharing my faith with others or being “too open” about being an active and practicing Christian would not have been well received by colleagues.  (At least this is the perception I held).  So I kept that portion of my life compartmentalized.

In August my family and I made a move to Farmville, Virginia.  I took a new position with Longwood University.  The nearest ELCA congregation is almost an hour away.  Since involvement for our family in a church is important we knew we needed a local church and it is also important for our church to be within our community.  We found New Life Church and have enjoyed every minute of our new found church family.  Coming to New Life has made the transition to Farmville far smoother.

Something else that this transition has done has shown me how to start sharing my faith and why I believe that Jesus Christ is the truth and the way.

15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3: 15-16 (NIV).

The first part was there… I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and Lord.  But the other I hesitated on… being ready and able to share my faith with others.  I always worried about having the right words to say.  I also worried about the other person feeling as if I was pushing my faith on him/her.  In October I had the opportunity to attend an Encounter retreat.  After that retreat my prayer life has been ramped up and I feel more prepared to share why I have a strong belief in Christ as my savior and Lord.  I am also coming to learn that it may take several conversations with someone before he/she is ready to realize that a relationship with Christ is needed.

This blog and my other social media outlets also serve as a space to share my faith.  Sites like facebook and twitter provide an opportunity to open discussions with others about the place of faith in their lives.  My blog offers a space when I can chronicle my faithwalk and how my faith influences me as a professional and leader.

Life

For this post I am bringing together several songs around the theme of life in Scripture.  Please listen and if you would like and are moved offer prayers as you listen.

1 John 5: 20

20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Jesus is Life… Stephen Curtis Chapman

1 John 5: 3-5

3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Overcomer… Mandisa

Our God is a living and awesome God.  He is as active today with creation as He was at the beginning.  He desires relationship with humanity.  Let today be your revival.

God’s Not Dead… Newsboys

Victory

Victory

In these 12 Days of Christmas I have started a study on keeping a focus on God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  God allows each of us to share in His victory.  When we believe in Jesus Christ we can overcome the worldliness that continuously confronts us. 

The New Standard Revised Version of the Bible calls this section “Faith Conquers the World”.  Love is active.  To love God is to obey God.

1 John 5: 1-12

1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

6This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Through a focus on Jesus we receive a new birth and get a lighter load.  It is not a burden to keep His commandments.  They make our lives simpler not more difficult.  God’s laws are designed to guide our lives and not to make us feel guilty.  Not following God’s will can make our lives feel empty.  God’s chosen people will gain a victorious faith and will overcome the world.  God’s people will gain confirmation through witness to Jesus and will receive new life in Christ (John Maxwell).  Loving and obeying God leads to a life of joy, purpose, and meaning.

I've Got the Victory... Yolanda Adams 

Success is Not Quick

Success is Not Quick

We've all heard the cliché that he sold his soul to the devil.  Although can we all be solid in our determination to follow Jesus Christ and have a deep personal relationship with Him?  We've seen example after example of people who are sell outs, act without integrity, or throw colleagues under the bus to protect themselves even when they are clearly at fault.

Turn on the news today and there is almost always a story of someone who was willing to give up everything important to them for a quick gain.  We each may even know someone personally that is willing to give it all up for the appearance of success.  It’s easy to give in to the world’s definition of success and fame.  You might be willing to sacrifice something small… maybe just a couple of dollars.  You think that is okay.  It’s worth the risk.  You justify it to yourself.  But the lure of fame and success can become as addictive as a drug.  You can get wrapped into the cycle. 

Remember…

Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Matthew 16:26 (NIV)

26What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

We may see instant gratification in a sense of gaining worldly success… but over the long haul, over time this is met with an overall sense of emptiness.  We are being asked to consider what temptations would allow us to lose our life.  Verse 26 is asking each of us to reflect on our priorities and how we make decisions on those priorities.

Lose My Soul... Toby Mac

I Will Not Be Moved... Natalie Grant

Be Not of the World

Be Not of the World

Christmas has become an interesting holiday.  For many it is about the best sales and how many gifts can be given.  Christmas trees loaded up with the biggest and the best.  For business it is clearly about bumping up the sales number bottom line.  There is no denying the fact that most people today see Christmas as a secular time of gift giving.   

Today I saw a news story about an art sculpture installation of a Christmas tree made entirely of stuffed plastic bags from area stores.  The world has us believing that the holiday is about plain and simple consumerism.  As parents we count gifts and their values making sure that each child has an equal amount.  We even do this with our spouse; feeling bad and horrible if our spouse happen to buy us one more gift than we bought her.  I found myself in this space this season.  This is being of the world.  Counting success by the world’s definition and not His.

Romans 12:2 reminds us…

2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

On this Christmas day we need to continue to keep our minds set on Christ and his purpose.  Christmas is about God sending His Son, Jesus, to be with us and to be our savior.  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." –Luke 2:1.  Christ is the perfect gift we all need to accept this Christmas.  Jesus laid aside His glory to become a human and to take the judgment we deserve.  Christ did not come to initiate a spending spree on gifts. 

Christmas is not just a day, but a season – a 12-day season lasting from Dec. 25 to Jan. 5 — during which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Each of these next 12 days of Christmas I challenge you to meditate on the gift you have received in Christ.  Take time to renew your mind about the greatest gift of all… Jesus Christ came to pay the price for our sin and decided separation from Him.  Study the Word and listen for and discern the will of God.  At this time it is important to be not of things that are worldly.  We need His presence today and not worldly presents.

Merry Christmas

On this Christmas Eve it is right to read the story of Christ's birth.Luke 2: 1 - 20...The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to their own town to register.4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.  

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit : Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Christmas is a time for gifts.  People run around trying to find the best deal, the best sale, the latest and greatest.  Each year news stories run about what the hottest toy is for kids.  Commercials run about the perfect gift you need for your significant other.  Many people cave into the secular idea of consumerism and that Christmas is really tied to the pagan celebration of the winter solstice.  They easily forget that Jesus should be the center of the celebration.   In all the craziness and the store clerks saying, “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” we lose the reason we celebrate this holiday “Holy Day”.

Jesus' birth at Christmas (Emmanuel: God with us) brought several gifts to humanity...

God gives his Son as the gift of salvation to humanity.

The birth of the Messiah is foretold.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The birth of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is fulfilled and humanity is sent a savior.

In Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Luke 1: 31-33 (NIV)

31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.

Luke 2: 10 – 12 (NIV)

10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The gift of a relationship with Jesus Christ is there for each of us.  All we need to do is to engage this relationship and call upon Jesus.

Jesus brings the gift of God’s grace to His people.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) speaks to this gift from God.  8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

This saving through faith is an unconditional gift that all we need to do as the children of God is to accept this gift.  The Holy Spirit grants us salvation freely based only on God’s love for us.

Peace be with you.  The gift of God’s peace is given in John 14:27 (NIV).

27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The gift of purpose is revealed in Jeremiah 29:11.

11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The gift of God’s Holy Spirit is one that I do not remember hearing much about in Church at Christmastime.  I heard all about it at Pentecost, but not so much else except for the Holy Spirit coming to Mary to conceive Jesus.

Matthew 1: 20 (NIV)

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 1: 35 (NIV)

35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

In addition to Mary there are a couple of other places where the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to believers of Jesus Christ.

John 20:22 (NIV)

22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…”

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Acts 2: 1-4 (NIV)

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 8: 15-17 (NIV)

15When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:5-6(NIV)

5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God and cannot be won, bought, or achieved through deeds or works.

Acts 8: 18-20 (NIV)

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

Pope John Paul II said that the marvels of Pentecost have not ceased.  This is the new Pentecost.  The move of the Spirit today is leading an awakening of slumbering faith, changing lives, and engaging a passion to make Jesus Christ known to the world (Peter Herbeck).  Humanity needs to receive the Holy Spirit now more than any other time.  We need the palpable experience of an encounter with God that is through the Holy Spirit.

This past October I attended an “Encounter with God” weekend offered through our Church.  This encounter with God was a spiritual reawakening for me.  It was a starting point where I began to feel led by the Holy Spirit to explore my faith in ways I had never done or been able to before.  I felt God’s presence stir in me a spiritual revival.  My study has become deeper, my prayer life has been multiplied, and I hear God’s voice calling to me.

The gift of a Baptism in the Holy Spirit is one that every believer should pray to receive.  I regularly include receiving the Holy Spirit in my prayers that my hands are to do God’s work.  The gift of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Luke 24:49.  Jesus’ disciples are led by the Spirit in every aspect of their lives.  John Maxwell writes that leaders (believers) must be empowered before they can empower.  Whenever someone is filled with the Holy Spirit something happens.  Empowered leaders express, reflect, and convey God’s power, by which they empower others.  The mystery of Jesus Christ is revealed through the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit permits humanity to respond to what God fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit comes in power, and when received and obeyed will lead to a transformed life in Christ (Peter Herbeck).

Love Take Me Over

Make Room in Your Inn for Him

Make Room in Your Inn for Him

O Come O come Emmanuel

As today is the 4^th Sunday in Advent and we approach Christmas and the coming of the Lord it is right to prepare a space for Christ in our hearts.  A savior needed, a savior sent.  A call to belong. Will we repent?  Will you accept Christ?  If you have never graciously received the gift that Christ came to give I pray that you will choose to accept it today.

The prophets spoke of the coming of the Messiah, the Christ, to save the world.  Jesus’ birth is foretold.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah promises the coming of the Prince of Peace and offers a description of the Messiah.

The birth is fulfilled.  The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes that Jesus fulfills prophecy.  Both God’s promises to Israel and their history with God are treated as prophecy.  Prophecy interprets the story of Jesus.  The fulfillment transforms what the prophecies mean.  Matthew is written primarily to a Jewish audience with many references that Jesus Christ is for all people.

Matthew 1: 18 – 23

18This 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. 19Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

As Joseph and Mary came into Bethlehem they were turned away at each door they tried.  Each door was closed to them.  There was no room for Him in the Inn. We have God coming to meet us in a world filled with sin, suffering, and death.  Yet so many people turned Him away.  

Today we still find many who have no room for Him in many Inns.  Today as much as ever we need to call to God to be with us, Emmanuel.  With this Christmas holiday take time to bring Jesus Christ into your heart and let Him give you eternal life.

Prayer:

Shepherd of Israel,

may Jesus, Emmanuel and son of Mary,

be more than just a dream in our hearts.

With the apostles, prophets, and saints,

save us, restore us,

and lead us in the way of grace and peace,

that we may bear your promise into the world. Amen.

Worship and Prayer

Worship and Prayer

Psalm 141 (NIV)

1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;

hear me when I call to you.

2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;

may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Tonight I invite you to enjoy great worship music and prayer.  I've tried to include lyric videos so that you may sing along if you want.  Please enjoy as you worship God this evening.

May the peace of Christ be with you.

Prayer of Confession and Forgiveness.

The Bible says that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  But if we openly confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Repent (turn to God), Believe, and be Saved.

Repeat this Prayer:

Most merciful God,

I confess that I am captive to sin and cannot free myself.

I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,

by what I have done

and by what I have left undone.

I have not loved you with my whole heart;

I have not loved my neighbors as myself.

For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ,

have mercy on me.

Forgive me, renew me, and lead me,

so that I may delight in your will

and walk in Your ways,

to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

Jesus was born so that he could die to give us life.

Gracious God, I pray to you tonight that you would move your Holy Spirit throughout our nation and stir renewal, return, and revival among those who have chosen to turn away from you.  Let them know that you alone are God and that through your son they are redeemed.

We ask for your wisdom and guidance for leaders that they do Your will and glorify you. That Your love overwhelms us.

Holy and Immortal God, give us all the diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for You.  Grant us the mind to meditate upon Your word.  

We ask for your healing Spirit among those who are afflicted or in pain.  Bring help and healing to those who are broken in body or spirit.

We ask for fathers to tell their sons that they are loved.

God we ask that Your Spirit is with those who feel alone and abandoned in this Christmas season.

Look with mercy, Gracious God, upon people everywhere who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions.

Give us the words to spread Your word.  To talk about You.

May God Bless you, and keep you, and make His face shine upon you.