Do you ever do anything that takes guts?  Do you ever push yourself out of your comfort zone? Is there any time in the recent past you had to reach way down deep and forsake all for something larger than yourself?

This last Sunday night, we were reminded by a great friend, Dorothy B., that it takes guts to do some things.  She was referring to my friend Evan Johnson. .  Evan is going to Africa on a long term mission trip.  In a testimony time, Dorothy, reminded Evan that it takes faith and guts or courage to forsake all to go on mission. Evans blog - here

I am proud of Evan and his journey, join me in praying for him and for the gospel to be spread in Uganda. 

I am also motivated by Evans "guts'.  It makes me want to evaluate and change my life so it requires more "guts."   I want to do things that are challenging, I want my story to make a difference not only for me but so others are impacted.  Thanks Evan for the example you have set.  May God bless your journey.

This Advent Season, may God bless you and keep you.  I will add the reading each week as we celebrate the Coming of Christ.  Come to our services each week to celebrate with us.  Glory to God in the Highest!

Reading 1: Joy

The first candle we light symbolizes Joy.  Our Joy comes in the reality of salvation, Our Joy comes in the act telling others and the joy that exists because God has provided salvation to the nations.

Our Scripture this week comes from the Prophet Isaiah.

In that day you will say: I will praise you O Lord. Although you were angry with me, you anger has turned away and you have comforted me.  Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With Joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim  that his name is exalted.  Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for Joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. (Isaiah 12:1-6)

Just as Isaiah looked forward to that day, we anticipate the salvation that is offered to sinners.  We have joy in knowing there is hope for the nations and hope for us.  Our joy is not centered in circumstances or gifts.  Our Joy is in the Lord Jesus. 

Next week we will celebrate Thanksgiving.  Our church will work together to give over 400 hot meals that day, I can't wait to see that happen again.  We have such great people who put all that together.  Im just glad to be a small part of that process.  Praise the Lord for generous, sacrificial people. 

At our home we will eat together, maybe watch some football and definitely relax a little with people we love.  We come again this year with a deep thankfulness for our families and our blessings of life.

A question that has come to me is what is our response to God?  What does thankfulness make us do.  Is it just a feeling or does true thanksgiving move us to action.  How can I put enought words together to tell and infinite, almighty God thanks?  I guess I could just look up to the heavens and tip my hat and say thank you.  I am not sure that is enough.

Psalm 95 offers an invitation.  An invitation to come and worship, to sing and bow and give God our time, energy, attention and ourselves.  We come with thanksgiving for who God is and what he has done and what he will do.  This Sunday, I will preach from this great Psalm and we will be challenged with our Response to God and reminded about who He is.  So come with thankgiving but also come ready to bow to the KING!

Overcoming the challenges is a difficult subject.  As I look back at the obtacles and troubles that God has allowed me to go through I ask myself a question.....How did I get through those things? 

In the midst of trouble it often seems like we cannot make it out.  The pressure, the worry the hurt and the disallusionment of life seems to push us down and make us doubt. That is reality.  In that reality often our faith is shaken.  When our faith is shaken it seems as if everything is off.  It is hard to find joy and peace.  We become inpatient and angry.  We try to make sense of things that will never make sense. 

So how did I make it through?  I dont know if I can totally describe the exact things I did but one thing I know; I made it through.  God sent people, God sent teaching, God sent correction, God sent vision, God showed his grace. God showed his mercy.  God called me to himself. God asked that I trust him, God asked that I believe, He asked that I love him and others, God asked that in the midst of the worst circumstances in my life, I have faith.  Because faith is the victory, that overcomes the world. 

I am no hero, there is nothing about me that anyone should aspire to other than I am an example of overcoming.  Just like you.  So let  us be a people that believe, love and trust.  Let us be more than conquerors.  The world will bring trouble..........But WE WILL OVERCOME!