Christmas can mean different things to different people.
– to the lonely person, it can be a reminder of what they don’t have…family, friends and meaningful relationships.
– to people who are facing their first Christmas without a loved one, either thru divorce or a death.
– to the person who has just been laid off or is in a difficult financial situation.
– for most people, it’s just a feel good time of year when people are more loving.
– for believers in Jesus, it’s a time of celebration. That God so loved us that He sent us a Messiah in a most unexpected way.
– a combination of 2 or 3 of the above things.
Which of the above seasons are you in this year? When the Israelites were in Babylon during their captivity, what was God’s message to them? Jeremiah 29:1-14 says God told them “to build houses and settle down, plant gardens and eat…” In other words, God was telling them not to rush thru the season of life that they were in. Verse 14 says to seek the peace and prosperity of this season. Ultimately, God has good plans for us as it says in verses 11-14.
Right now, you may be in a desert place. But the desert is one place where God can speak to you. Isaiah 58:11 says, “And the Lord will continuously guide you , and satisfy your desire in a scorched place…” Luke 5:16 says Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. Jesus spent a lot of time in remote places seeking His Father’s guidance…Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12 & Mark 1:35.
A desert is no fun place to be and you don’t want to live there. But it can be a time of intimacy with God, a learning place and a place of strengthening your relationship to God.
So, embrace the desert if this is the season you’re in. Learn from it and know that it will soon end. Make it a productive time. Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
http:bsssb-llc.com
"Emmanuel(Wonderful Counselor)" a song written by Jordan & Mark Biel and recorded by Amanda Ownby Stacey makes Canadian radio !!!
Christmas Songs Radio also featured Amanda on their website and Facebook page. This song was also featured in the video "Unconditional Love ( A Christmas Story)".
Visit the Christmas Songs Radio website here... https://christmassongsradio.com/2021/12/02/new-song-by-amanda-ownby-stacey/?fbclid=IwAR2ozrCw72oDpRqk-lMem8d7QAhkZt-xqTGH8n8LNhQfOdoGDL41XG6qiZU
Their Facebook page.... https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasSongsRadio/
"Unconditional Love ( A Christmas Story)".... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzOW5GqqXTk
Keep up with Amanda & her new single here...Hearnow
Her new single can be purchased here ...Dreamin' Out Loud Ent. Store
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
My name is Jacqueline Jones, and I am a first-time Christian independent author of A-Z CHRISTmas Coloring and Activity Book About the Marvelous Birth of Jesus Christ – published through BookBaby.com - (ISBN: 9781098344092).
I was compelled to write my book to teach children about the real meaning of the blessed season. After all, once we get past the lights, the tinsel and the toys, the real reason for the season is Jesus!
A-Z CHRISTmas Coloring and Activity Book About the Marvelous Birth of Jesus Christ – because it keeps Christ in Christmas! It is a one-of-a-kind children’s book that shares the amazing story of Jesus’ birth in a fun, hands-on, and age-appropriate way. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) to “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” In honoring God’s word, this book teaches kids about the real meaning of Christmas and helps them develop a new or renewed appreciation for the blessed occasion of our Savior’s divine birth through scripturally-based, A-to-Z themed coloring and activity pages which include hidden pictures, connect the dots, matching, word searches and more!
Two full pages for each letter give children time and space to absorb new knowledge while having fun! With each page, kids will grow and learn through:
To read more and order your copy today, visit my website at https://www.divinebeginnings.com/products/a-z-christmas-coloring-book to see a visual and read more. Upon request, I’m happy to provide a hard copy for visual review.
May God continue to richly bless you and keep you!
Sincerely,
Jacqueline D. Jones
Founder and CEO, Divine Beginnings,LLC
An online boutique for Christian-themed clothing, accessories, and keepsakes for children
jacqueline@divinebeginnings.com
301-970-9773
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Matthew 1:18-25 - Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 2:1-12 - Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,...
Matthew 2:11 - And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
January 1, 2016
Pochotitan
Children’s
Christmas
Project…
100 Children left with a smile!
Huichol Pastors Gathering at Fishinmissionadventures.com was a huge success. It poured down rain and several pastors were not able to get there but the ones that did were blessed and excited to know Mike is planning another get away in Feb!
Mike and Chayo finished the walkway from the Directors office to the basketball court. Lots of work and it was so worth it! GREAT JOB BOYS!
As we look at the new calendar with its blank pages…we are excited to see what God has in store for us in 2016! Those pages won’t stay blank for long! We are already inking in a team and several other things! There are possible BIG changes coming. (More on that next month!) We are usually gearing up for our trip North in the spring by now but that is in limbo at the moment. Need your prayers!! Well our year is starting out busy which can only mean that we will be busy all year! J
If you would like to come and help us with God’s work here…HERE IS YOUR INVITE! COME, ready for work and play! We’d love to have you!
Until next month… KEEP C.O.O.L.
Mike and Becky
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
