BLESSED AMONG WOMEN

What really blesses the lives of moms and grandmas?  Let's consider the woman who has been called "blessed among women."  One of the things that made Mary the mother of Jesus an extraordinary woman was her humility that caused her to graciously and happily accept God's plan for her to be the mother of the long-awaited Messiah even though this would mean public condemnation.  How dominate is this quality in our lives?  How willing are we to truly follow God's will when it isn't easy or comfortable?  How blessed are we?

Ladies, don't miss this coming Thursday morning as we look at the life of Mary in our study of extraordinary women of the Bible.  Of all of the women we are studying in this series, this is one that I want you to particularly have a part in; what a perfect time to look in detail at the life of one of the most significant characters in the Christmas story.  Please plan to be with us this coming Thursday morning at 9:30 to be encouraged by the life of Mary.  Amanda will be watching our little ones.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

The first Christmas didn't include Christmas trees, or Christmas shopping, or Christmas cards, or
Christmas parties.  Oh no, it was very different from many of our associations with Christmas. You can experience a bit of what the first Christmas might have been like this Saturday or Sunday evening at Discovery Baptist. What a great way to help us engage a bit more with the first Christmas and deepen the spiritual richness of the season.

Luke 2:10-12And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

ARE WE THANKFUL ABOUT EVERYTHING?

A really big table is set at our house at Thanksgiving time.  We celebrated with the Suko side of the family this past Saturday with 32 (including 12 children) at our house for turkey and all the fixings.  I particularly love this time of year because of the emphasis on giving thanks that is bound to bring joy to the truly grateful soul.

In our increasingly secular society have we lost sight of honestly being thankful to God for everything.  We sort out prosperity and health as things we give thanks for.  But in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 it says to " ...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We must never forget that God is totally in control of everything and He allows easy times and hard times all for our benefit and His glory.  Actually, even though we would never ask God for difficulties, we know that those are the times we seek His face the most and rely on Him the more deeply.  And so, these are really the best of times--the times we need to be the most thankful.  For sure in eternity the hard days of the past will shine the brightest as God's goodness to us.

Let's enjoy this Thanksgiving being thankful about everything.