CALM IN THE MIDST OF CRAZINESS

With the craziness this time of year can bring into our lives what a beautiful pause arrives with a calm candlelight Christmas Eve service to contemplate that amazing day over 2000 years ago when Immanuel arrived in Bethlehem with the express purpose of just a few years later dying for our selfish ways. This is the real heart of joy and peace for the Season, but, also for our lives. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.

Think about these amazing words—“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:20-23)

OUR HELP: THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

One of the most impressive and encouraging verses in the Psalms declares, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 “What we need is help, - help powerful, efficient, constant, we need a very present help in trouble. What a mercy that we have it in our God. Our hope is in Jehovah, for our help comes from him. Help is on the road, and will not fail to reach us in due time, for he who sends it to us was never known to be too late. Jehovah who created all things is equal to every emergency; heaven and earth are at the disposal of him who made them, therefore let us be very joyful in our infinite helper. He will sooner destroy heaven and earth than permit his people to be destroyed, and the perpetual hills themselves shall bow rather than he shall fail whose ways are everlasting. We are bound to look beyond heaven and earth to him who made them both. It is vain to trust the creatures; it is wise to trust the Creator.” —Wise words from Spurgeon Consider the incredible Resource we have available to help us in every situation of life and be blessed!

Tomorrow morning will be our last Ladies Bible Study for 2018. I hope you can be with us for an encouraging time in the Psalms. Also, we will take a thank-you offering for our dear babysitters.

Be sure you are signed up at discoverybaptist.org for the ladies Christmas dinner (Joyful Jingle) this coming Saturday evening at 5:30. Daughters are also welcome. It will be a memorable and delightful time.

THE BLESSING OF LOVING AND LIVING GOD'S WORDS

With the death of George H.W. Bush this past week some interesting facts about his life have impressed me. When we think of the great accomplishments of this man what most likely would come to mind would be his presidency, vice presidency, or war hero status. But, he did not see his life defined that way. He said his greatest accomplishment was marrying his wife Barbara (they were married 73 years) and his proudest achievement was that his children still wanted to come home to see him. Now although both of these blessings truly come from the hand of God, I particularly like his focus in life. For him family stood out as superior to any great title he may have been granted.

How refreshing I find this news in a day where individual accomplishment and selfish ambition destroy the family units God designed to be a joy. In fact the Bible is full of specific directives concerning family life, not for the purpose of miserable restrictions, but rather so that we would live rich lives with deep relationships.

I am thankful to be studying Psalm 119 this week for Ladies Bible Study. This Psalm presents the wonder of God’s Word particularly as it gives clear direction for our lives. “Oh that we would desire and obey that direction. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” (Psalms 119:15)

Don’t forget the Joyful Jingle ladies Christmas dinner coming up on December 15th at 5:30. Would you like to help out with providing dishes for a table of 8? Invite a friend or two and register on the church website so that we can be prepared for you.