December 20 - 25, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


We would like to thank Pastor Rick for authoring The Daily Compass this week.


Monday December 20, 2010
Remember The Food
Read John 4; Isaiah 55:1-2; Matthew 5:6

We hope you enjoyed the Christmas play Sunday. We wanted to make it fun for the family but like Uncle Rick I hope you thought about the things that make Christmas special to you. I think it was perfect that the play took place at a diner having a Christmas meal. When I think about Christmas one of the things I think about is food, of course I think about food on any occasion. Jesus was into food too. We have recorded in the bible the wedding feast in Canaan of Galilee, the feeding of the 4,000, the 5,000, eating at Zacchaeus’ house, the banquet at Matthew’s house, Jesus eating at the Pharisees house, and of course the Lord’s Supper. I think it is interesting that Jesus was born in Bethlehem which means the house of bread. He said He was the bread that came down from heaven. We have all been created to hunger after certain things but God wants to satisfy that hunger with something more than food. God wants to fill that emptiness in us with His Word, His Spirit and His purpose for our lives. He wants us to be satisfied with more than good food but a satisfied soul. I pray that this Christmas God would give you a hunger for God and the good things He gives to satisfy your hunger. May you enjoy the things that really satisfy. Like the woman at the well ask Jesus to give you that gift that will satisfy what you hunger and thirst for. We serve the Word of God every Sunday. Come and join us this next year and find satisfaction for your hungry soul.


Tuesday December 21, 2010
Remember the Gifts
Read Luke 11:11-13; James 1:17; Romans 8:32

Like Uncle Rick we are reminded about giving and receiving gifts. All of us like Uncle Rick can remember that special gift that we wanted. God has created inside of each of us a desire to receive reward, to receive gifts. We have a God given desire for things in our lives but most of the time we desire gifts that only give us temporary pleasure. God has given us a gift that will keep on giving every day of our lives. This gift has the ability to give us every other good gift we could ever really want. This gift is his Spirit, the presence of God who is the great giver. Like we love to see our children get those special gifts that give them pleasure, God wants to give us gifts that please us. He knows exactly what we are searching for and what it takes to satisfy us. We not only have a need to receive gifts but a desire to please others by giving. There is nothing that satisfies our heart like giving a child that special gift they are longing for. This Christmas remember to receive God’s gift and be a cheerful giver to others. Enjoy the gifts.


Wednesday December 22, 2010
Remember Christmas is about Family
Read Luke 15:11-32; Hebrews 10:22-25

Uncle Rick said the most important thing to him was love, family and being together on Christmas. All of us have a desire to be with others because our creator made us that way. Christmas is a time when family and friends gather to gather to share and celebrate. Christmas is about families and family gatherings. God’s purpose for creating us was to make us a part of His Family. It’s so sad to see people who spend Christmas alone. God wants His family to come together often to celebrate and enjoy the pleasure of being home with their father and His children. Christmas is a time to remember to gather with your family and to come and be a part of the gathering of the family of God. Is there someone in your family that needs to be restored invite them back to be a part of the family again? Do you know someone that will spend Christmas alone? Invite them to spend Christmas with you. We invite you to be a part of our church family. We gather and celebrate every week. Come join us. It will not be Christmas without you.


Thursday December 23, 2010
Remember Christmas is about the birth of a Child
Read Luke 2:1-20; John 3:1-18

Uncle Rick remembered the re-enactment of the nativity scene. Christmas is really about children. It is the story of the birth of a child. Jesus said you have to become as a little child to enter the Kingdom of God. A child is helpless, trusting, loving and exploring and discovering life. They are in wonder over the world around them. They are having fun and enjoying life and trusting those around them to take care of them and provide for them. We need to become childlike again and trust God to provide and take care of us as we enjoy life. Christmas is about the birth of the Christ Child. God came as a child to people just like us. We need to become like a child and have faith in God to bring a new birth in us that will give us the joy and wonder of Christmas in our hearts. Invite this child into your heart this Christmas. Enjoy this Christmas with a child.


Friday December 24, 2010
Remember Christmas is about Singing
Read Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:67-69; Luke 2:13-14; Luke 2:29-31

Uncle Rick wanted to hear caroling. Christmas is all about sights and sounds. There is something about a song that opens up our heart and changes our mood. We are created with the ability to hear and verbalize our feelings. The Song carries the message we are hearing to our hearts. Maybe that’s why we have Songs in the Christmas story. God wants the joy of his message to get to our heart so we can celebrate it with Him and it becomes a part of us. Luke records four Christmas songs in the first 2 chapters of his book. Read them and as you do let the message God was saying get in your heart. Luke 1:46-55 – Mary’s Song; Luke 1:67-69 -- Zechariah’s song; Luke 2:13-14 – The Angel’s song; Luke 2:29-31 – Simeon’s song. Let’s take time to sing this Christmas.


Weekender December 25, 2010
Remember Christmas is about Joy
Read Luke 1:14, 44, And 58, 2:10: John 15:9-13

Like Uncle Rick, we get so busy at Christmas we forget to enjoy it. The one who started Christmas wants us to take time and enjoy it. Don’t be so busy preparing the food that you forget to enjoy it. Don’t get so carried away with the gifts that you forget to enjoy the giver. Don’t worry over the details of Christmas so much that you forget to laugh, have fun and enjoy Christmas like a child again. Don’t get gloomy but be joyful and help other’s enjoy this season that is all about joy. Nehemiah’s words to God’s people are still true for us at Christmas today.

Nehemiah 8:10
And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.