CathyChung

How do you make New Year’s resolutions? Is God part of the process? Let’s turn these goals into answered prayers.

Are you worn down and tired? Jesus says “Come to me and I will give you rest.” He isn’t offering a day to sleep late, but rest for your soul. Inner rest. Will you come?

Why did God choose the lowly shepherds as the first to see the baby Jesus? They were the only ones to receive an angelic birth announcement. What can we learn from God’s choice?

Let’s consider Joseph. He had dreams for the future before God chose Mary as the mother of Jesus. What did Joseph give up by obeying God?

Consider Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. God is doing a great work through her pregnancy and her character. Her response to Mary is noteworthy.

The traditional Christmas story begins when Mary becomes pregnant. But the actual story begins 6 months earlier when John the Baptist’s birth is foretold. John will prepare the way for Jesus the King.

Following Jesus is a continuous activity, not a one time event. As we grow roots in Him and build lives based on His teachings, our faith grows strong. We encounter God’s Truth in action and the outcome is positive. Continuing to follow leads to thankfulness.

Our true characters burst forth under stress. God transforms us as we learn to follow His ways. We find joy under stress as His commands make the path clear.

What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit? It means we’re loved so deeply that we’re worth dying for. As if that isn’t enough, the Holy Spirit partners with us in doing life together.

We are God’s masterpiece, both individually and as a community of believers. The church is God’s ongoing 24/7 project to reshape the world to resemble His beautiful kingdom. The church is not a location or time of worship but a diverse community of believers living in unity.