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Good morning, Father.

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM.

I am God’s child. ( John 1:12)

I am Christ ‘s friend. ( John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord. (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God).     (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ.      (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth.   (Matt. 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation.  (Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of heaven.  I am significant.  (Phil. 3 :20)

I am free from any charge against me.    (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Cor. 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit.     (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.     (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God.    (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God.     (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good.    (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.     ( John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence.   (Eph.  3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Phil. 4:13 )

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.      (John 15: 1-5)

I am God’s temple. (1 Cor. 3: 16)   I am complete in Christ.        (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3).  I have been justified. (Romans 5:1)

I am God’s co-worker. (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1) I am God’s workmanship. (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God’s child. (Eph. 1:5)

I belong to God.

Do you know

Who you are?

Merry Christmas, Christ is born!

In the power of Jesus’ name, Amen.

Good morning, Father.

There are several Christmas songs on the radio that sing about joy. So, I have to ponder, what is joy? The world’s view of joy is that of an emotion, produced by external circumstances. Biblical joy is produced internally by the Holy Spirit. It is a sure knowledge of truth.

Roy Lesson writes:

The JOY of Christmas is JESUS

Jesus Christ is . . .

 The message of all that God has to say to us
The fullness of all that God has to give us
The essence of all that God wants us to be.

Jesus, the word of God incarnated
The image of God revealed
The fullness of God imparted
The glory of God reflected
The grace of God extended
The power of God demonstrated
The heart of God expressed
The love of God manifested
The salvation of God provided

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

In the power of Jesus’ name, Amen.

Good morning, Father.

When I put out the Nativity set in my home and remove each piece, I can’t help but wonder at this odd assemblage of people. I have to wonder, what kind of relationship with God did they have to merit such a prominent roll in His story?

First, let’s take out Baby Jesus and place Him in the manger in a stable. Stables, being dark and dirty, remind us of the kind of place the Messiah has come. A stable is not the kind of place you would expect the Savior, Christ, and Lord to be born.

Next to Jesus, I’ll place His mother, Mary. Although a young girl when she was told of God’s plan for her life, she responded with faith, obedience, and praise.

Then there is Joseph, Mary’s husband. We remember that he was a righteous man. His faith, being stronger than his circumstances, led to obedience to what was revealed to him.

In the corner of the stable, I place the shepherds. They were open to God’s message of hope, readily heard the angels’ Good News, and immediately responded as they set out to find the Babe.

I put the Magi (the wise men) outside the stable. They followed the star and didn’t reach Jesus until at least two years after His birth. The Magi were overjoyed to find Jesus with his mother, Mary. Upon arrival they bowed, worshiped Jesus, and gifted Him with treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Again this year, I have placed a figurine of a girl in the stable. She represents me. I have to ask myself, how do I respond to God’s interruptions in my life? If my life is connected to Him, I, too, will respond out of faith and obedience and with praise. Being in partnership with God for His redemption purposes is a precious gift to bring Jesus. “O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ The Lord.”

“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”   (Jeremiah 10:23)

In the power of Jesus’ name, Amen.

Good morning, Father.

How exciting it is to retell the Christmas story to the children I encounter at Brentwood Baptist Church. Many will already know the story, but as I look into the eyes of each child may I see what You see. Help me to share each week the specific teaching aim. Open the eyes of the children I encounter to see Your faithfulness. Reveal the pattern of Your ways as each person is introduced in the telling of “The Greatest Story Ever Told”. May each child understand that You are always with her/him and to not be afraid because of Your faithfulness.

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  (Lamentations 3:23)

In the power of Jesus’ name, Amen.

Good morning, Father.

May I be mindful to say thank you to You for the many blessings you have bestowed on me and my family. As I am around others during this season, may I always have courage to share my faith through my words and actions. Infuse the spirit of the children I teach with courage so he/she will always stand up for You and Your word, and for what is right. Remind them, Father, that You are always with them.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

In the power of Jesus’ name, Amen.