Kingdom Resolutions

As followers of Jesus, we continually examine the rhythms of our lives and make adjustments so that we are living as good ambassadors of his Kingdom.  As you think about changes you want to see in your life this year, take time to run them through the Salt and Light filter of Matthew 5.  

 THE FLAVOR OF THE KINGDOM

“You are the SALT of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 

You can’t see flavor. It’s a quality that you can’t necessarily put your finger on but when you taste it you know right away if it’s good or bad. Your life has a flavor. It comes across in your attitude, your words, your gossip, your questions, where you take conversations, how you treat people, what you say about people when they are not around, etc.  All of that stuff adds up to your own individual flavor profile. And that flavor is hard to fake. The best way to bring the true flavor of the Kingdom to your neighborhood is for you to spend time with the King so that he can change you from the inside out.  

 THE GLOW OF THE KINGDOM

“You are the LIGHT of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Can you imagine living in a world with no light?  That would mean a lot of stubbed toes…and worse.    The actions of your life give off a glow.  Things like selfishness and greed and isolation are from the dark side.  Kingdom behaviors like hospitality, sharing and generosity bring light.  They show people what life in the Kingdom with Jesus really looks like.  

 Here are two questions for you to ponder as you plan the start of the New Year: 

  1.  What flavor will my life add to the neighborhood this month?
  2.  What glow will my actions give off in the neighborhood this month?

Kick these questions around for a little while.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you two specific steps to take in January to help you live as Salt and Light in your neighborhood.  Looking forward to a great 2023 with you,

O’ Little Town of Bethlehem

DAY 25

Read and/or sing “praise to our God the King”
together, celebrating our Lord and Savior’s birth!

O’ Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

Day 20 | Tim Ward

Day 20 | Tim Ward
John 1: 14-16

John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then, in John
1:14 we read that the Word was made flesh. Literally, God
became flesh – Jesus. He is not some great prophet or
teacher that taught the ways of God…Jesus is God.

The words “dwelt among us” translates to “pitching a tent.”
My family loves to tent camp. When I think of my many
years of camping with family and friends, I think of intimate
times around the campfire, being in creation, relaxing, and
stripping away the things of the world. When I think that
God – Jesus – came to pitch His tent next to mine and share
life with me; it brings me great comfort.

He didn’t come to lord over us, condemn us or set some
unattainable goal for life, but He came to dwell with you
and me. He came to sit by the campfire, share life, and to
take us away from the distractions of this world. He came
full of grace and truth. The real truth…not some twisted
fabricated truth that tickles our ears. He came with a truth
that sets you free.

Think about Jesus and the woman at the well. He sat with
her in an intimate place like sitting next to you at the
fireside. He loved that woman enough to call out her sin,
love on her and set her free. He loves you that much, and
he wants to sit by the fireside with you and chat. Take some
time to hear His truth, and listen to what He has to say.

Surprise

Day 10 | Eileen Steele
Luke 1: 26-33

Surprise

Everyone is familiar with surprises. Sometimes they are
good, sometimes not as good, and sometimes they are just
that surprising. Mary received the ultimate surprise, and it
impacted the entire world. We know Mary’s surprise was
Jesus, the promised and long-awaited Messiah; the Savior

of all mankind. Many years after the initial surprise,
Ephesians 2:14 (ASV) says, “For He is our peace, who made both
one, and broke down the middle wall of partition,”

We are all surprised at something sometime in our lives, but
we can be assured that God is never surprised by what
happens. Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) “For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

During this advent season, how can “surprises” to you bring
glory to the Lord?

September Soul Care

We’re calling this ‘Soul Care September’ but, it doesn’t matter when you’re reading this. Whenever you’re going through a season of exhaustion, or you just feel constantly drained, look to Him who restores all things. Be intentional, putting your hope in He who is faithful, and He will be faithful to you. 

Here are three means of grace that God can use to restore your weary soul over the next 30 days if you will let him. 

1. Adjust Your Rhythm Of Life

It is easy to drift into hectic routines that leave no space for God.   Rewrite your daily schedule and make adjustments for this month that will give you more unhurried time with Jesus in solitude and the Scriptures. Don’t make excuses.  Cut out those time wasters.  Remember what Jesus told us in Matthew 16: ‘What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?’  

2. Begin A New Prayer Practice

Implement a new aspect to your prayer life that will strengthen your soul on a daily basis.  Instead of doing all the talking, take a full five minutes to be quiet and listen and let God minister to you.  Romans 8 tells us, The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…when we don’t know what God wants us to pray for the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. The Father knows your heart and knows what the Spirit is saying.  The Spirit is pleading for you in harmony with God’s own will.’

3. Confess A Sin

Confession is good for the soul. Read Psalm 32.  It says something like this, ‘When I kept silent about my sin my bones wasted away and my strength was sapped.  But when I acknowledged my sin to God, he forgave me.  Now my heart is singing!’   Take a few minutes each evening as you prepare for sleep to let God search your heart.  He will bring to mind an attitude, action, or inaction from the day that was not pleasing to Him.  Confess it and be surprised by how good you sleep!