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Worship Ministry - January 2024

Names of God: Restorer

It’s the new year! A new year comes with new goals, new desires, and new resolutions. Having goals and aspirations is good for us and gives us focus as we start a new year.
However, as we reflect on our spiritual lives, I would encourage us all not to rely on our ability! It’s easy to tell ourselves “I’m going to read more scripture,” “I’m going to pray more,” or “I’m going to sin less,” and forget that we need God’s help. We forget that we need God’s strength and His guidance.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” - John 21:15

As Jesus was going through His toughest trial, being arrested, beaten and crucified, Peter was running away and denying that he even knew Christ. Talk about failing God! When the time came for him to stand up and confess allegiance to Jesus, Peter chosehimself and self-preservation. Peter chose fear over faithfulness.

As Jesus reveals Himself to the disciples, in John 15, He takes time to ask Peter “Do you love me?” Jesus could have scolded him in front of the other followers, or torn Peter down for his unfaithfulness. Instead, Jesus asked Peter to commit to loving Him. 

Henry Blackaby writes:
“As you begin a new year, you may be painfully aware that you have failed your Lord in many ways. Perhaps you were not faithful. Perhaps you disobeyed His word to you. Perhaps you denied Him by the way you lived. Jesus will take you aside, as He did Peter. He will not berate you. He will not humiliate you. He will ask you to examine your love for Him. He asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” If your answer, like Peter’s, is “Yes, Lord,” He will reaffirm His will for you. If you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15) Jesus does not need your resolutions, your recommitments, or your promises to try harder this year. If your resolve to obey God last year did not help you to be faithful, it will not make you successful this year. Jesus asks for your love. If you truly love Him, your service for Him in the new year will be of the quality that He desires.”

So as you begin this new year, make those goals, dream big dreams, but most importantly love God! Love Him “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” (Luke 10:27)

Love you and mean it!

Worship Ministry - December 2023

Names of God: Giver

God gives His Son
It’s Christmas time! A wonderful and stressful time of year, when we are all busy with gatherings and filled with worry about what gifts to give our loved ones. It is also that time of year when you are reminded about the “true” reason to celebrate and the great gift that was Jesus Christ! Even though this message can become routine and mundane year after year, this truth is why we rejoice. The remembrance that Jesus Christ came to earth, in the form of man, to save us from our sins should cause us to celebrate.

Giver
We see time and time again, throughout scripture, God giving His people what they need. Whether it was guiding them through the desert, giving strength to the weak, or food to the hungry, God provided and was the sustainer of life. Be encouraged by the Word of God:

• God gives life:
• Job 33:4 - The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
• John 3:36 - For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
• God gives wisdom:
• James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and
  without reproach, and it will be given to him.
• Psalm 119:169 - Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word.
• God gives rest:
• 1 Samuel 17:47 - Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands.
• Deuteronomy 23:14 - For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you.

• God gives Jesus:
• John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
  perish but have everlasting life.

• Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

As we give this holiday season, to the ones we love and to those in need, I hope that we will reflect all the abundance of gifts God has poured on us. Go before Him with thankful hearts, knowing that He has made a way for eternal life through Jesus Christ, the greatest gift.

Love you and mean it!

Lyric of the Month
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing

Isaiah 7:14 ESV
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.