“A Prayer For Guidance From An Unchanging God”

A Daily Prayer

Father, we are so very thankful for all the blessings we enjoyed over the past year of 2016. There were many opportunities for rejoicing and plenty of opportunities for trusting. Your mercies are renewed daily and Your provision is experienced in our lives each moment of every day. We seek You for guidance in the new year and growth in our daily Christian walk. Though we cannot know the future we can have assurance of Your faithfulness because You are a God that does not change. Every promise You’ve made is true as we have seen in the Biblical records. This gives us reason to trust You for the dawning of a new year where we will once again experience Your guiding presence in our daily lives. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Amen.
For this message, photos, links to music and other resources see our website.

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Special…

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Official: Nigerian church that collapsed, killing 160, had many faults

church history review

The state governor has ordered the arrest of the chief engineer.

CHR Comment: The building collapsed while the bishop was being installed. Allegations of corruption are the basis of the investigation.

Source: Official: Nigerian church that collapsed, killing 160, had many faults

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Pope celebrates his birthday with the homeless

church history review

Pope Francis celebrated an active if low-key 80th birthday on Saturday, sharing breakfast with eight homeless people before celebrating Mass with cardinals as greetings flowed in from around the world.

Source: Pope celebrates his birthday with the homeless

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President Barack Obama Ranked by Gallup Poll as Most Admired Man of 2016

3 Things to Pray to Deepen Your Understanding of the Gospel

A disciple's study

Ephesians 1:3-14 mentions glorious gospel truths in a way that sometimes feels too good to be true—at least for me. The passage opens by praising the Triune God for every spiritual blessing we have in Christ (v3) before unpacking some of these glorious blessings.

God the Father chose me to be adopted into His family? And He did this before time began?!? He lavished His love upon me by sending His Son to die for me to redeem me from my sins and become the bridge over the chasm of sin that separated man from God? And God sends the Holy Spirit as the down payment of a glorious inheritance that awaits those “in Christ” in heaven?

Continue: http://www.kevinhalloran.net/3-things-to-pray-to-deepen-your-understanding-of-the-gospel/

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Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, The Conclusion

Glimpses of Great Joy: The King of Kings and Lord of Lords

A disciple's study

With his one good arm the decaying man hoisted himself up from his slumber.

“O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant…” the humble choir sang.

A sparkle now seemed to fall upon his eyes. This dying man was looking upon a victory march. Perhaps his own.

Continue: https://www.gospelproject.com/2016/12/21/glimpses-of-great-joy-the-king-of-kings-and-lord-of-lords/

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“A Prayer For Christmas”

A Daily Prayer

Father, the angels’ announcement to the shepherds is the same announcement heralded in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls who choose to accept Christ as their Lord, “A Savior has been born to you.” We set Him apart in our hearts from the common, ordinary things of life, for He is the Master of not only the universe, but He chooses to reign in our lives. We’re so grateful for His completed mission on earth where He was rocked in a holy cradle, ridiculed on a hostile cross and restored through His Heavenly coronation. “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!” dwell in our hearts we pray.  Amen.

For this message, photos, links to music and other resources see our website.

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Special Year-end Financial Appeal: We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year. We realize there…

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God’s Indescribable Gift

A disciple's study

by John Piper

If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:10–11)

How do we practically receive reconciliation and exult in God? One answer is do it through Jesus Christ. Which means, at least in part, make the portrait of Jesus in the Bible — the work and the words of Jesus portrayed in the New Testament — the essential content of your exultation over God. Exultation without the content of Christ does not honor Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 4:4–6, Paul describes conversion two ways. In verse 4, he says it is seeing “the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” And…

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Will You Receive the Promised Gift?

Let's Walk Together in God's Promises

In the beginning, God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden. They enjoyed the intimate presence of God until one day, they chose to eat the fruit of one forbidden tree. After they ate the fruit, they heard God walking in the Garden and calling them. They hid from God’s presence. They were ashamed of their nakedness.

I’ve been ashamed … words I wish I could take back, thoughts I shouldn’t have entertained, actions I took that hurt others. I’ve wanted to withdraw and hide.

Yet, God did not want Adam and Eve to hide from Him. He caused them to confess what they did. Then He explained the consequences of their actions: cursed ground, hard labor, pain in childbirth, discord between themselves, dismissal from the Garden of Eden, eventual death, and separation from the presence of God.

But God was gracious. God covered…

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