The Point of Christmas (Ryan Whitaker Smith)

 When the angel visits Joseph to tell him that the unborn child carried by Mary is not the product of an illicit romance but rather the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, one crucial detail of this revelation is in the stated purpose of this miracle. The angel even tells Joseph what the baby’s name should be! The child will be called Jesus, a derivation of Joshua, which means “God saves.” 

This is why the Son of God becomes incarnate—to save sinners. 

This is the whole point of Christianity, and thus the whole point of Christmas. Jesus did not come primarily to set a good example, though he certainly did that. And he did not come to give us solid ethics teaching, though he did that too. He didn’t even come primarily to perform signs and wonders, though he undoubtedly did many. 

The primary reason for the incarnation was that God might justify sinners through Christ’s sinless life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection.

Life Group Christmas Party 2023

 

TREATING GOD LIKE A VENDING MACHINE

It’s tempting for us to love the lavish things the Giver so generously blesses us with more than we love him. When we do this, we turn God into nothing more than a vending machine. We put in a couple of prayer coins and press the “amen” button with the expectation that God will give us what we have set our hearts on.

 In this way prayer, which seems to be our most direct Godward act, can actually be idolatrous. If the thing that draws us into prayer is not a love for God and a surrender to his will (“your kingdom come, your will be done”), but rather is dominated by requests for the delivery of things that have captured our hearts, then what seems like an act of worship of the Creator is really an act of worshiping the creation.

 Rather than seeking the Giver for the gifts that he can provide, seek the Giver himself. I love how David pens it in Psalm 27:4:

 “One thing have I asked of the Lord,

    that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

    and to inquire in his temple.”

THINGS TO ADD TO OUR FAITH

In Second Peter 1:5-9, Peter addresses his readers who are already believers and encourages them to add certain virtues to their faith. These virtues serve as important steps in their spiritual growth and development. Let's look at each step in more detail:

(1) Add goodness to faith (1:5): Peter emphasizes that true faith goes beyond mere intellectual belief or affirmation. It should be accompanied by genuine goodness, which involves transparent trust and ready obedience. This means that believers should actively pursue acts of kindness and righteousness, rather than being passive in their faith.

(2) Add knowledge to goodness (1:5): While some knowledge is necessary for faith, Peter urges believers to go beyond the basics. He encourages them to deepen their understanding of God's Word and His ways. A growing knowledge of God's truth is stabilizing and motivating, equipping believers to live in accordance with His will.

(3) Add self-control to knowledge (1:6): Knowledge alone can lead to pride and lack of transformation. However, when self-control is added to knowledge, it counteracts these negative tendencies. Self-control, a fruit of the Spirit, enables believers to resist temptations, make wise choices, and live a disciplined life.

(4) Add perseverance to self-control (1:6): It is not enough to exercise self-control in isolated moments or favorable circumstances. Perseverance is needed to maintain self-control over the long haul. It requires enduring through challenges, remaining steadfast in faith, and continually refining self-control to shine brightly.

(5) Add godliness to perseverance (1:6): Peter warns against a perseverance that is solely based on human willpower. True perseverance is rooted in godliness, which means being centered on God and His ways. It involves a genuine religious devotion that transforms mere determination into a godly character.

(6) Add brotherly kindness to godliness (1:7): Peter acknowledges the danger of becoming self-righteous and unforgiving when practicing self-control, perseverance, and godliness. To counteract this, he urges believers to cultivate brotherly kindness. This involves treating others with love, compassion, and humility, fostering unity and harmony within the community of believers.

(7) Add love to brotherly kindness (1:7): Above all, Peter encourages believers to add love to brotherly kindness. Love is the highest virtue and reflects the character of Jesus Himself. When love is present, believers mirror the love of Christ and demonstrate His transformative power in their lives.

These seven steps are not to be taken lightly. Peter emphasizes the importance of diligently pursuing these virtues. He reminds believers that their pursuit of these qualities is motivated by the great and precious promises of God, which allow them to participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world. By incorporating these virtues into their lives, believers can experience the fullness of their relationship with Christ and avoid being ineffective and unproductive in their knowledge of Him.

Revised from (Source: Carson, D. A. (1998). For the love of God: a daily companion for discovering the riches of God's Word. Vol. 1, p. 359. Crossway Books.)

NOVEMBER 2023 DAILY PRAYER CALNEDAR (NAVIGATORS)

BEING THANKFUL 

When was the last time you focused your prayer on being thankful? Often, prayer becomes a one-way conversation to God with a list of our needs. This resource is all about praying from a heart of gratitude.

At the beginning of your day or at the end of your day, start the habit of thanking God for your blessings and praying these verses out loud. Invite a friend or your family to join you for 30 days of thankful prayers.

Then, continue to foster a thankful heart and way of life. Create a gratitude journal—adding specific praise verses and prayers that are personal to your own life.

Day 1

Father, thank you for your love for me (John 3:16).

Day 2

Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice and for the gift of salvation for me (Philippians 2:6-8).

Day 3

Father, thank you for both your mercy and your grace for my life (Hebrews 4:15-16).

Day 4

Father, thank you for your Word and the ways you communicate through Scripture to guide my life (2 Timothy 3:16).

Day 5

Holy Spirit, thank you for living in me and being a guide and comforter (John 14:16-17; 16:13).

Day 6

Father, thank you that you are always with me (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Day 7

Father, thank you for creating me and knowing me even when I was in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14).

Day 8

Father, thank you for every breath you give me (Isaiah 42:5).

Day 9

Father, thank you for the ways you change my heart.  Help me to abide in you all of my days (Ezekiel 36:26).

Day 10

Jesus, thank you for coming to offer abundant life for all who know you (John 10:10).

Day 11

Father, thank you that I may have eternal life in Jesus Christ (John 3:15).

Day 12

Abba, thank you for the oceans, mountains, fields, deserts, and all the amazing landscapes you created for our enjoyment (Isaiah 40:12).

Day 13

God, thank you for your light—for the sunrises, sunsets, and the moon and the stars that add light to darkness (Genesis 1:14-19).

Day 14

God, thank you the animals you created—from the largest whale to even the smallest goldfish (Genesis 1:21).

Day 15

Father, thank you for how I notice your beauty in the people around me through their smiles, laughter, and the unique ways you created them (Genesis 1:27).

Day 16

Father, thank you for my family and for those friends I call family—may we love each other well (John 15:12-13).

Day 17

Father, thank you for adopting me into your spiritual family (Romans 8:14-17).

Day 18

Father, thank you for the fellowship of believers and what we share together in you (Acts 2:42-47).

Day 19

Father, thank you for marriage and the ways this relationship reflects Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:21-33).

Day 20 

God, thank you for the gift of children and the way they remind me how to approach you (Matthew 19:14).

Day 21

Lord, thank you for any strangers I might meet today, who could well turn out to be blessings directly from you (Hebrews 13:2).

Day 22

Father, thank you for the work you give me to do so that I may honor you (Colossians 3:23).

Day 23

Lord, thank you for the plans and purposes you have for me (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Day 24

Jesus, thank you that in you I’m a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Day 25

God, thank you for being sovereign so that I can trust in your work in my life  (Psalm 71:5).

Day 26

Lord, thank you for the truth and the foundation you laid through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Day 27

Jesus, thank you for your peace that surpasses all understanding (John 14:27).

Day 28

Father, thank you for guiding me to have a greater faith (Hebrews 11:1).

Day 29

Father, thank you for the hope you give me in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Day 30

Father, thank you for infusing me with your love, so others may know your love (John 13:34-35).

Prayer: God you are so good. Thank you for being my Father, God in Heaven whom I love and want to follow all of my days. Amen.

31 Day Scripture Reading Plan on Love

  

The Significance of Love 31 Days

 

The Preeminence of Love

Day 1    The Greatest of These (1 Cor 13:13)

Day 2    Loving Faith (Gal 5:6)

Day 3    The Fruit of Love (Gal 5:22)

Day 4    Rooted in Love (Eph 3:17)

Day 5    The Dimensions of Love (Eph 3:18)

Day 6    Full of Love (Eph 4:16)

Day 7    A Life Full of Love (Eph 5:2)

Day 8    Love Given by the Holy Spirit (Col 1:8)

Day 9    Clothe Yourselves in Love (Col 3:14)

Day 10  Protected by Love (1 Thess 5:8)

Day 11  Pursue Love (1 Tim 6:11)

Day 12  God is Love (1 Jn 4:16)

 

The Example of Jesus

Day 13  Unchangeable Love (Jn 13:1)

Day 14  Divine Love (Jn 15:9)

Day 15  Self-Sacrificing Love (Jn 15:13)

Day 16  Inseparable Love (Rom 8:35,37)

Day 17  Constraining Love (2 Cor 5:14; Gal 2:20; Eph 5:2)

Day 18  Manifested by His Death (1 Jn 3:16) 

 

How We Love Each Other

Day 19  Impartial in Love (Dt 10:19)

Day 20  Unselfish in Love (Mt 22:39)

Day 21  Proof of Discipleship (Jn 13:35)

Day 22  Christ’s Standard (Jn 15:12)

Day 23  Sincere Love (Rom 12:9, 13:9)

Day 24  Abounding Love (1 Thess 3:12; Heb 13:1; Jas 2:8)

Day 25  Fervent Love (1 Pet 1:22; 1 Jn 4:7)

 

The Prohibition of Hatred

Day 26  A Hateful Heart (Lev 19:17)

Day 27  Stirring Up Quarrels (Pro 10:12)

Day 28  Spoils the Meal (Pro 15:17)

Day 29  Still Living in Darkness (1 Jn 2:9)

Day 30  A Murdering Heart (1 Jn 3:15)

Day 31  A Lying Heart (1 Jn 4:20)

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Life Group Schedule 2023-24