But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sonship because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son to our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So, you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7 Adoption! This process to become a family really is a special way. After adopting 5 children, to me, it is saying, “We choose you, no matter what.” It’s a…
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Advent: Day Ten
In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. Luke 2:1-3 . Proverbs 4:12 promises that “when you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” God’s love ties us forward on the path He has ordained. Joseph and Mary were not planning on a trip to Bethlehem; however, God orchestrated circumstances in their lives to fulfill the prophecies of the Messiah. God can make these promises to us because His…
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Advent: Day Eight
This 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. Because 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. But 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.” Matthew…
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Advent: Day Four
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. Luke 1:31-33 Where do you put your hope in? People, animals, things? We were made to be connected to God. When we grow in God, we can have an unshakable belief in God. We are created to trust God as a provider, healer, and comforter. However, life happens, and this world sabotages our hope in…
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Lives Unburdened
But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 28: 28-30 What do these two passages say? What do we learn about God and Jesus from these passages? Living a life for Christ is all about relationships. When we look…
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Gathering In Small Groups
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord…
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Together In Worship
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, Acts 2:46 Let’s start by also reading Hebrews 10:24-25 and Psalm 95: 1-3. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful…
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Spending Time With God
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35 Read the following passages and then answer the following questions. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Psalm 119: 103-105, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a…
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Prioritizing The Kingdom
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15 Read Matthew 24:14; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 11:15; Luke 12:31-32 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood, you ransomed people for God from every…
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Facing Opposition
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Acts 5:41 Read the following passages. Matthew 5:10-12, 44; John 15:18-25; Acts 5:41 What are these passages saying? What do we learn about God and Jesus? According to these verses, what should our attitude be if we suffer or face difficulty as Christians? How are we to respond to God and those who oppose us? Matthew 5:10-12 says this ” “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds…