PrayerLife

As we begin a new year it is important to realize taht we live in an environment of constant spiritual warfare. Prayer is one of our primary weapons in standing against Satan's schemes. Join with me as we seek God's power and presence in our spiritual battle.

God's counsel to Joshua at the beginning of a new season of his life is perfect counsel for us as we begin the New Year.

What areas of your life do you know God wants to change? Let's pray for a New Years re-formation.

God invites us to pray for the blessing of our city. As our city prospers, freedom for the gospel to advance is increased. Let's pray for the blessing of our city.

Nothing is more satisfying than walking in the purpose for which we were created. Let's invite God to guide us in fulfilling our purpose in the New Year.

Everyone is talking about and considering New Years resolutions ... everything from losing weight to learning a language. Let's invite God to move in our lives with a fresh Spirit of personal renewal.

As we approach the New Year this prayer from Psalm 90 is a timely reminder to live our lives with a biblical perspective.

jThere is no greater gift we can give to the members of our family than to intercede in their behalf before the throne of Alimighty God.

Merry Christmas! Take a moment with me today to be refreshed by this Christmas blessing.

We are told that Mary treasured all the events of the Christmas story and pondered them in her heart. She valued teh unfolding of the story of redemption and she thought deeply about their meaning. This Christmas, let's follow Mary's example as we treasure and ponder the story of Christmas.

The wise men (Magi) found the infant Jesus and we are told that they worshipped him and presented him with gifts. This Christmas, let us not only express our adoration through worship, but also by giving our lives in service to the King of Kings.

Mary, Elizabeth, the Wise Men, shepherds and angels all had the same response to the miracle of Christmas ... Worship! This Christmas, let's allow the beauty, mystery and wonder of the Christmas story move us to worship Jesus.

In Luke 2 we find the angelic announcement of God's plan to Mary. The beauty, simplicity, and wonder of this encounter is heart stirring. Join with me in prayer and then take some time to read Luke chapter 2.

One of the most powerful themes of the Christmas story is God's honoring of the lowly. It wasn't politicians, celebrities, and dignitaries that God favored. It was the least, the lost, and the lowest to who God revealed teh coming of the Savior!

Recently we took our grandchildren on a drive through a neighborhood that was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights. At Christmas, we want our homes to be lighthouses for the gospel. Join me as we pray that when people enter our homes they will encounter the presence of Jesus.

Having served as a Pastor for nearly four decades, I can personally attest that the holidays can sometimes be a season of stress and weariness. Join with me as we intercede on behalf of the men and women who seek to enhance our experience of Christmas in our Church family.

Christmas Carols and Hymns lift our spirit and contain wonderful truths for us to celebrate. Join with me today as I share a favorite song that was traditionally sung at the Church where I grew up. The song is "Ring The Bells."

Mary and Elizabeth. Through these two women came John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, and Jesus ... God in the flesh, the Savior. Two miraculous pregnancies, two earth changing offspring. The details of the Christmas story should move our hearts to worship and wonder.

The word for "Angel" in the New Testament is "angelos" and it means "messenger." The Christmas story is full of these messengers. When Joseph considered severing his relationship with Mary, heart-broken over her pregnancy, an angel gave him a message that would change his life, and ours, forever.

The Angel Gabriel is an extraordinary spirit-being. When Zacharias questions Gabriel's announcement that Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptizer, Gabriel responds by declaring, "I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God." Can you imagine a more holy and privileged place of service? You and I, as children of God, are more blessed and privileged than the Angel Gabriel.

Every day we hear of senseless acts of violence, the hostilities of war, growing political tensions and social unrest. What we witness in the physical realm is an expression of warfare in the spiritual realm. We share a common reality with the society that existed in the days of Christ's birth ... an increasing opposition to the coming King.

The wise men in the Christmas story had hearts and spirits that were sensitive to the prompting of God. They remind us that, even today, we are to look for Him diligently and worship Him.

The holiday season is the perfect time to express the love of Jesus in your workplace. Whether through acts of kindness, a message written in a card, or taking advantage of those special moments to pray for a co-worker, let's seek to bless our workplace this Christmas.

We frequently forget that we are constantly engaged in spiritual warfare. The Christmas story reminds us that Satan will not hesitate to do the most ruthless thing in pursuit of his goals. Herod ordered that all the infant males 2 and younger were to be slaughtered to prevent the arrival of the coming king. Satan's plans failed then, and they will fail now.

Joseph knew the divine nature of Mary's pregnancy and the prophecies concerning the child that would be born. Certainly during the months leading up to Jesus' birth and in the years he watched Jesus grow ... Joseph prayed for his family. He prayed for health, protection, and blessing. He would have prayed for the very things you and I pray for our family.