Volume 2023: Edition 21
Food for thought: Why So Serious?
Hello everyone, and welcome back. We would like to thank you for your patience with the inconsistency of our posts this year as we try to create a scheduled flow. We will be trying to gradually add onto our posts so we hope you will continue to learn and grow with God's word with us.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
(John 3:17)
This month we are celebrating the Christmas season. Buying gifts for one another, decorating our yards and homes, baking goods for family and friends, sending out Christmas cards, having Christmas parties, and even sitting down enjoying a Christmas movie or Christmas music with family and friends. All In the Christmas spirit.
In all the fun and festivities of Christmas I sit and ponder how many truly believe that Christmas is about our Lord who came to us in the flesh as a baby and grew to be a man who saved the world?
Why so serious you may think? Why can’t I just enjoy the Christmas season and the events around it? Why can’t I just write about a joyful story, an inspiring story of holiday cheer? Because once my life was changed, I knew what I needed to do. I needed to stop letting the world lead my life and let the one who was born to save my soul lead the way.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “ He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.”
(Matthew 10:39-40)
Life is short as we all know. Any second, our lives can change For the good or for the bad. This world is a fallen world and we have to do our part to encourage one another, to support each other, and to remind each other what’s at stake. God loves us so much that He gave us His son to bear our sin, and He waits at our door always, all we have to do is let Him in.
“Many are asking, “who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
(Psalm 4:6-8)
We are all blessed. We need to be thankful for all the little things, the big things, and everything in between. In the moments we get to share this Christmas with family, friends, and even strangers we need to share God’s love. Put Him in everything you do, let him shine in your life and see the wonders He will do.
So why so serious? Because this life we are given isn’t free, Jesus paid for each one of us and it is on us to hear and see His love; and share it with one another.
“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
(Genesis 1:27)
As we all enjoy this Christmas remember the blessings given to each of us daily. Remember the price that was paid for us to even enjoy a single moment. Be kind to one another, even though this month is statistically the most stressful month for the majority of people who celebrate Christmas; due to the stress we add with buying gifts, planning events, setting up displays and trying to make everything perfect for our loved ones.
Give yourself to our Lord God, don’t wait. Don’t let the world consume you and let it guide your ways and harden your heart from God. Your life is His. There is a heaven and a Hell. There is a choice to be made now, not later; that’s why we should all be so serious.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
(Mark 12:30-31)
We are grateful to have you with us as readers, church members, and interested guests and we are always open to any suggestions and volunteers for our website, newsletter, and future activities. We hope to see you at our Sunday services and stay tuned for our coming newsletters and updates at church, at bible study, on Facebook, on the Wix-App, and on the website!
Upcoming Events:
Special Prayers:
Pray for Israel and Our Country that the lord guides our leaders and gives strength and protection to His people.
Pray for Gloria and Monica and their family for God's guidance and strength
Pray for Anita Diarte and the Diarte Family for the passing of Chuck Diarte to God's welcoming arms.
Pray for Elizabeth Archuleta's Family that God has brought Lisa Home to His Heavenly Kingdom.
Pray for the Bibles we are sending to Kenyan Children and Youth that the lord provides a way for them to be sent .
Pray for our Newsletter that we can continue to write through the Holy Spirit
Pray for our Pastor and our church that we may be blessed to continue to grow and share the word of God
Weekly Devotional: Set Yourself Apart
"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."
(Psalm 27:4)
Take time to be holy. This does not mean being goody-goody; it means setting yourself apart for sacred use. That is what the quiet moments in God's presence will accomplish within you. As you focus your mind and heart on Christ, you are being transformed; re-created into the one He designed you to be. This process requires blocks of time set aside for communion with the Lord.
The benefits of this practice are limitless. Emotional and physical healing are enhanced by soaking in the Light of Christ's presence. You will experiece a closeness to Him that strengthens your faith and fills you with Peace. You open yourself up to receive the many blessings that He has prepared for you. You become a cleansed temple or His Holy Spirit, who is able to do in and through you immeasurably more than you ask or imagine. These are just some of the many benefits of being still and setting yourself apart from the world to sit in the presence of God.
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"
(1 Corinthians 6:19)
Young, S. (2n.d.). Jesus calling: Enjoying peace in his presence: Devotions for every day of the year. Integrity Publishers.
Verse of the Week:
"Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple."
(Psalm 65:4 )
Questions?
For any questions or suggestions regarding our newsletter please email berthoudfoursquarechurch@gmail.com or call (970)405-3053
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