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What About This New Year???

What About This New Year???

Are you going to have a fresh start this year???  You want to so much, but will you?  Count on Jesus to help you.  Each morning before you get out of bed, ask Jesus to guide your day by His Holy Spirit and that He might be glorified in all that you do. The word glorified in the Bible verse; Psalm 29:2 says; “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name: Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”  When it comes down to it, nothing else matters but to give Him glory and not ourselves. 

Oh, that’s not easy.  So, what am I to do?   

Start each day with Jesus (before you get out of bed).  Ask Him to help you.  Matt.7:7; Jesus said,   “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.  Sometimes, we forget that we can ask the Lord.  He knows best, but we can ask.  Read our hand book, the Bible, and the devotionals we have at church are excellent daily books to get started.

 Take Jesus along as your friend and prayer partner.  There is always something going on at the store, on the TV or at your job.  Wednesday night Bible study is a chance to study the Word with others.  Other social outings provide opportunities to be a “light” for the Lord.  Remember to always ask Jesus to provide times for you to share your faith in Him – not for your glory but for His glory.

Well, this is a New Year.  Have fun as the year transpires.  It’s good to know that Jesus is with us “through it all.”  Remember the Holy Spirit is in you when you accepted Christ as your Savior.  He’s there as you visit with friends, watch TV, and in your secret thoughts.  Our Father loves us, forgives us and desires our fellowship.  Cherish His Glory as number one!  

*** If you are not sure that you know Jesus Christ personally, understand that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son (Jesus) to die on the cross for your sins and mine that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Ask Jesus into your heart today.

*All scripture is NIV

Cms st petrie

“Silent Night”

“Silent Night”

There was a little church, St. Nicholas, in Obendorf, Austria preparing for a Christmas Eve service.  The Assistant Priest, Joseph Mohr, sat down to practice the organ and not a sound would come from the instrument.  What could he do?  The organ would not play on that all important night of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Joseph knelt and prayed for inspiration from the Lord.

Not too long before, Mohr had visited a family with a newborn child and been inspired to write a poem with six stanzas entitled “Silent Night.”  He thought of this poem and then of his friend, Franz Gruber, a school teacher and guitarist at the church.  The priest went to Gruber’s home above the school with the poem in hand and explained the problem with the organ.  “Can you write music for the poem and play the guitar for the service tonight? “ Mohr asked Gruber?  The teacher smiled and assured the priest that he could.

Before the Midnight Service, the choir learned the words and the melody.  Franz Gruber played the guitar.  Every heart was blessed by the words musically expressing the story of Christ’s birth.  The less heard fifth verse continued full of grace:

                   Silent Night, Holy Night

                     Already long ago planned for us,

                    When the Lord frees from wrath

                    Since the beginning of ancient times

                    A salvation promised for the whole world.

                    A salvation promised for the whole world.

This stanza expresses the finished work of Christmas.  Jesus was born, he lived and taught us and died on the cross to save us from our sins – freed us from Satan’s wrath.  Then He arose from the grave as the victorious son of God to fulfill the Father’s purpose to redeem each one of us personally – the promised salvation for the world. 

~CMS

Today

Just stop and think. This moment will never come
again. Do we realize how important our days are?
Oh, we say, “My days are not of any importance.”
The Bible says, “Hebrews 3: 13 (NIV), “But encourage
one another daily as long as it is called “today,” so
that none of you may be hardened by sin’s
deceitfulness. “Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) says, “Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Another verse about today from Jesus’
words from the cross to the thief stated, “Truly I tell
you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke
23:43 NIV).

So, today is significant. You don’t have to be doing
something profound, but keep your hearts and minds
on the Lord Jesus. You may say, ” I can’t do that
while I am working on a job in a plant or some
business project.” Ask the Lord to help you, because
He is a part of everything we do in this world.

Try it.

Yes you will not always remember, but keep
practicing His presence and you will be surprised at
His part in your “today” activities.

Thank you, Jesus, for reminding each of us that you
are with us every day! Amen

cms / St. Petrie

Widening Prayer Horizons

October 2021     

1 Timothy 2: 1-2 , I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Recently, I heard of a prayer group that prayed for certain African countries every month.  I am sure that Christ has put a country or more on your heart or individuals in that land to pray for.  With the wars, disasters, disease and killings occurring over there, it is hard to not to be somewhat detached and not feel the horrible emotion and suffering. 

Jesus knows our hearts and He gives us Bible verses to help us along the way.  2 Chronicles 7: 14 is one you will remember.  If my people, who are called by name, will humble and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  Pray that every day and you will soon have it memorized!

Perhaps, praying with a friend about another country or a certain situation and praying with your spouse is the answer for you.  “When we pray in humility, turn from wickedness, and seek God, He hears us.”1

1Lawrence Darmani, Daily Bread, July 4, 2016

cms, St. Petrie