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SERMON NOTES:PRAYERREQUESTS

DECEMBER 19, 2010

Y Pray for Gary Wassams sisterNancy who was laid off lastThursday.

Y Pray for the co-workers of GinaIrlbeck who are suffering fromhealth problems.

Y Pray for Tony Amato, the son offriends of Paul & Amy, who isgoing through a very rough time.

Y Pray for Donna Hurst who issuffering from medical problemsand depression.

Y Pray for people who dont have aplace to go this Christmas.

Y Pray for Gary Wassam as helooks for a job.

Y Pray for understanding, peace,acceptance and love for the Tsefamily. (on-going)

Y Pray for Bill Fink as he looks for ajob.

Y Pray for Stephen Muhia as hestruggles with finances.

Y Continue to pray for Kevin andNancy for their health andrecovery.

Y Continue to pray for Bill Finksdad who is struggling with hishealth.

Y Pray for continued courage onDwight Zvoraks recovery fromalcoholism.

DEVOTIONFor the second week in a row we aregoing to reflect on the birth story ofJesus. As I shared last week we haveprobably read or hear the Christmasstory hundreds of time. But eventhough we know this story well, thereare many more treasures for us for us tolearn from the story.

Like last week each day Ive tried to lifeup a different piece of the birth story ofJesus. I pray that our heart will be filledeven more with the love of God becauseweve studied this story at a deep level.

Thanks to everyone who has E-mailedme comments about this devotion.Keep them coming atpastor@colpres.org.

Enjoy!!

Monday, December 27Read Luke 2:1-20

It is very significant that the firstannouncement of Jesus birth came tothe shepherds. The power of this realitycannot be underestimated.

God didnt choose to announce the birthof Jesus to the political or religiousleaders of Jesus time. Instead the lowlyshepherds were the first people who

discovered that Jesus had been born.

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2 3 4Being a shepherd was quite amonotonous task. Sheep and goatsrequired constant care since they werepractically defenseless animals.

Announcing Jesus birth to theshepherds says quite a lot about God. If

Jesus was born today, theannouncement would probably not bemade to the great political or religiousleaders of our day; instead it wouldprobably be made to a tribe in Africa, oran inner-city group home, or perhapsprisoners in Siberia.

As you pray today, reflect upon this ideathat the shepherds were the first peopleto be told about Jesus birth. What doesthis teach you about God? How does

this influence the way you think aboutGod? Spend some time praising Godthat God chose to announce first thebirth of Jesus to the shepherds.

Tuesday, December 28Read Matthew 1:18-25

The virgin birth has been a doctrine thathas divided Christians into opposingcamps. Some people have made thebelief an fundamental of Christianitymeaning that if a person doesnt believe

in the virgin birth that person is not aChristian.

I (Pastor Paul) have never found litmustests to be especially helpful. Theycreate a divide between people thatneed not exist.

If you believe in the virgin birth, takesome time to reflect on these questions.Can a person not believe in the virginbirth and be a Christian? Can a person

not believe in the virgin birth andparticipate with me at Chain of Lakes.

If you dont believe in the virgin birth,take some time to reflect on thesequestions. Is it possible for the virginbirth to take place? If God wanted tohave a woman bear a child without herexperiencing sexual intimacy, could thishappen?

Today as you pray, pray that the virginbirth wont divide people who areChristians. Instead pray that people offaith can participate in healthydisagreement about an issue that hascaused painful divide. Pray that we atChain of Lakes can be a place the avoidslitmus tests and is faithful to the biblicalteachings.

Wednesday, December 29

Read Luke 2:1-20In verse 13 we read that suddenly amultitude of the heavenly host waspraising God. The heavenly host isknown as the host of heaven or thearmy of God. They are known as theangels who attend to and worship Godin heaven. The heavenly host isdifferent than what happened when theangel of the Lord appeared before theshepherds.

Today as you pray imagine what itlooked like for the heavenly host topraise God. Reflect on the sound, thecolor, the beauty, and the power of themoment. This was a moment whenheaven literally came down into theearth. Wow!!!

Thursday, December 30Read Matthew 1:18-25

Dreams are one way that Godcommunicates to humans. In the

Scriptures God communicated to peoplethrough dreams. God told the wise mennot to return to Herod, Matthew 2:12.Pilates wife warned Pilate to have

nothing to do with Jesus because of adream she had, Matthew 27:19. Godcommunicated the divine intentions toJacob in a dreamGenesis 28:10-17.Joseph, was elevated to a great positionof power in Egypt because of his abilityto interpret dreamsGenesis 37.

As with any divine communication, itsimportant to share our dreams with atrusted friend or a group of people.They can help us discern what God isteaching us.

Today as you pray, remember somepowerful dreams that youveexperienced. Lift them up inthanksgiving. What message from Godcan you learn from these dreams?

Friday, December 31Read Luke 2:1-20

In verse 19 we read that Mary treasuredthe words of the shepherds andpondered them in her heart. This was aglorious moment for Mary. Rememberall that she had experienced!! She hadbeen visited by the angel, Gabriel, whotold her she would become pregnant bythe Holy Spirit; she could have beenkilled for being pregnant while she was

not married; she left her home andspent three months with her cousin,Elizabeth; she had to travel fromNazareth to Bethlehem; she had justdelivered a baby in less than ideal oreven sanitary conditions; now theshepherds came to her to confirm withher that this baby truly was the Messiah.

This moment was a one of joy andpower for Mary. Mary would eventuallywatch this baby grow up and be killed

on a cross. But at this moment shetreasured the words of the shepherdsand pondered everything that hadhappened to her.

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We Protestants dont view Mary with ashigh regard as we should. Because ofour anti-Catholic tradition we are carefulnot to venerate or worship Mary.However these anti-Catholic views haveleft us with a smaller faith. Mary truly is

a role model for us. We do ourselves apowerful service if we study Mary. Wecan learn how to grow in faith by herexample.

Today as you pray, give thanks to Godfor Mary. Ponder the examples of faiththat she gives to us. What qualities ofMary would you like to emulate in yourown life?

Saturday, January 1

Read Matthew 1:18-25Happy New Year!! Many of us makeNew Years Resolutions. Think aboutmaking a faith resolution this year. Howwould you like to grow in your faith thisyear? What steps can you take tobecoming the person God desires foryou to be? How can you use your giftsto help Chain of Lakes live into thePurpose and Values that God has givento us.

If you have some time today, reflect onthese questions. Offer them up to Godin prayer. The start of a new year cannot only jump start our life, it can jumpstart our faith!!