We had a great time celebrating our 80th Anniversary on Sunday. If you missed the video presentation with photos from our history and
Beryl Nicholson's testimony, you can click here to view it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6-BTkY3XfE
*For copyright reasons, I had to replace the song from the video. This is the original song: "Thank You, Lord" by Dennis Jernigan click here>>
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Prepare Him Room.
This past weekend, Chrissy and I had friends visit from Brockville. When you have someone visit, you prepare for their arrival. We made sure our guest room was ready, the house was clean and put together. We didn't want anything to be a distraction from having a great visit. Have you ever had important guests drop over and you were unprepared? Perhaps you didn't really have time for a visit, or you were embarrassed by the messy house? Even if you're not a planner, you know that things go better if you have a little preparation.
The Bible says that John the Baptist came to "prepare the way of the Lord" (Mark 1:1-4). Are you preparing room for Jesus this Christmas? If you don't plan on His arrival, you may find yourself unprepared. You may not have time or you find your life out-of-order and messy. Of course, we know that Jesus has come and is with us today, but He wants to do something fresh and new in our lives and in our church this Christmas. Are you preparing room for Him? Are you being intentional about including Him in your Christmas preparations?
"Oh, our hearts, as busy as Bethlehem. Hear Him knock, don't say there's no room in the inn...Prepare Him room, prepare Him room. Let the King of Glory enter in." ("Prepare Him Room" by Sovereign Grace Music)
One way to prepare is to purposely read the Christmas story. Click here to view many devotional plans that can help.
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What does "Advent" Mean?
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. In our tradition, we haven't always celebrated it, but it has been commemorated by many Christians for centuries. The word "advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus" which comes from the Greek word "parousia" which refers to the second coming of Christ (ie. Matthew 24:27, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:19).
We light a candle on each Sunday leading up to Christmas, ending with the center candle; representing Christ; being lit on Christmas Eve. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation. We remember how the Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah.
Today, it is a time of heart preparation as we reflect on the meaning of Christ's birth in our lives. It is also a reminder that Christ will return for His bride, the Church. I'm reminded of these lyrics, written from the virgin Mary's perspective; "Make my heart ready for Christmas. Help me prepare for the blessing to come.
Lord you know I'm so unworthy so show me what to do. Make my heart ready for You." I think that sums up what "Advent" means to me. -Jason
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Sunday Recap
Key Verse from Sunday:
Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. -Matthew 16:18, NLT
Scripture:
Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus said, "I Will build my church"
1. He Has.
We are part of something incredible. The living body of Christ on this earth.
2. He Is.
God is building His church today. Open your spiritual eyes to see His movement in our city.
3. He Will.
God used a flawed person like Peter to build His church. Surely He can use you and I!
Question for Reflection
Are you an active part of Christ's body, the church?
I welcome your comments.
Merry Christmas!
-Jason
Beryl Nicholson's testimony, you can click here to view it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6-BTkY3XfE
*For copyright reasons, I had to replace the song from the video. This is the original song: "Thank You, Lord" by Dennis Jernigan click here>>
--
Prepare Him Room.
This past weekend, Chrissy and I had friends visit from Brockville. When you have someone visit, you prepare for their arrival. We made sure our guest room was ready, the house was clean and put together. We didn't want anything to be a distraction from having a great visit. Have you ever had important guests drop over and you were unprepared? Perhaps you didn't really have time for a visit, or you were embarrassed by the messy house? Even if you're not a planner, you know that things go better if you have a little preparation.
The Bible says that John the Baptist came to "prepare the way of the Lord" (Mark 1:1-4). Are you preparing room for Jesus this Christmas? If you don't plan on His arrival, you may find yourself unprepared. You may not have time or you find your life out-of-order and messy. Of course, we know that Jesus has come and is with us today, but He wants to do something fresh and new in our lives and in our church this Christmas. Are you preparing room for Him? Are you being intentional about including Him in your Christmas preparations?
"Oh, our hearts, as busy as Bethlehem. Hear Him knock, don't say there's no room in the inn...Prepare Him room, prepare Him room. Let the King of Glory enter in." ("Prepare Him Room" by Sovereign Grace Music)
One way to prepare is to purposely read the Christmas story. Click here to view many devotional plans that can help.
--
What does "Advent" Mean?
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. In our tradition, we haven't always celebrated it, but it has been commemorated by many Christians for centuries. The word "advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus" which comes from the Greek word "parousia" which refers to the second coming of Christ (ie. Matthew 24:27, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:19).
We light a candle on each Sunday leading up to Christmas, ending with the center candle; representing Christ; being lit on Christmas Eve. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation. We remember how the Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah.
Today, it is a time of heart preparation as we reflect on the meaning of Christ's birth in our lives. It is also a reminder that Christ will return for His bride, the Church. I'm reminded of these lyrics, written from the virgin Mary's perspective; "Make my heart ready for Christmas. Help me prepare for the blessing to come.
Lord you know I'm so unworthy so show me what to do. Make my heart ready for You." I think that sums up what "Advent" means to me. -Jason
--
Sunday Recap
Key Verse from Sunday:
Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. -Matthew 16:18, NLT
Scripture:
Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus said, "I Will build my church"
1. He Has.
We are part of something incredible. The living body of Christ on this earth.
2. He Is.
God is building His church today. Open your spiritual eyes to see His movement in our city.
3. He Will.
God used a flawed person like Peter to build His church. Surely He can use you and I!
Question for Reflection
Are you an active part of Christ's body, the church?
I welcome your comments.
Merry Christmas!
-Jason
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