please God

Apart from the Holy Spirit,

it's impossible to please God.

"The mind of sinful man is death,

but the mind controlled by the Spirit

is life and peace;

the sinful mind is hostile to God.

It does not submit to God's law,

nor can it do so.

Those controlled by the sinful nature

cannot please God."

Romans 8:6-8 NIV

one day

One day... peace.

"Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness from that time on

and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9:7 NIV

a miracle

Jesus' virgin birth was more than a miracle.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

the Christ

Mankind marveled at the baby,

but crucified the Christ.

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this:

God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified,

both Lord and Christ."

Acts 2:36 NIV

do you?

I believe!

"For God so loved the world that he gave

his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him

shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16 NIV

good news

This Savior was born for you,

individually personally specifically you.

That's the good news.

"Today in the town of David

a Savior has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11 NIV

Christmas

The Creator came to save the created--

God with us, Immanuel.

Wrapped in love, His name is Jesus.

God is with us. All is well.

"The virgin will be with child

and will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel"

--which means, "God with us."

Matthew 1:23 NIV

the list #2

December To-Do List

# 2

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,

set your hearts on things above,

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things above,

not on earthly things."

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

Jesus lives

Jesus lives for you.

Then Jesus came to them and said,

"All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them

to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always,

to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

for you.

Jesus died for you.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought up peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed."

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

died

Jesus died...

"Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted."

Isaiah 53:4 NIV

Jesus

Jesus...

"He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces,

he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

Isaiah 53:3 NIV

the arrival

The stage was set,

the world made ready...

and then Jesus arrived.

"But when the time had fully come,

God sent his Son."

Galatians 4:4a NIV

the list

December To-Do List

#1

"Be still, and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10 NIV

I believe

Belief always brings blessing.

"Blessed is she who has believed

that what the Lord has said to her

will be accomplished!"

Luke 1:45 NIV

pray

Pray. It pleases God.

"I urge, then, first of all,

that requests, prayers, intercession

and thanksgiving be made for everyone.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

who wants all men to be saved

and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4 NIV

ill?

Not feeling so well?

That might be a good thing.

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy

who need a doctor, but the sick.

I have not come to call the righteous,

but sinners to repentance."

Luke 5:31-32 NIV

ancestry and kings

Without proper ancestry there is no King.

"Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old

when he began his ministry. He was the son,

so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli...

the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,

the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,

the son of Kenan, the son of Enosh,

the son of Seth, the son of Adam,

the son of God."

Luke 3:23, 37-38 NIV

habits and prayer

Experts say it takes 21 days, or 30-40 repetitions,

to make or break a habit.

"Three times a day (Daniel) got down on his knees

and prayed, giving thanks to his God,

just as he had done before."

Daniel 6:10b NIV

Dad's house

Don't you just love it when all of your kids

gather at your house?

God does too!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!"

1 John 3:1 NIV

faith and feelings

It's more than a feeling.

"You see that (Abraham's) faith and his actions

were working together, and his faith

was made complete by what he did.

And the scripture was fulfilled that says,

'Abraham believed God, and it was credited

to him as righteousness,'

and he was called God's friend."

James 2:22-23 NIV

not too late

If you're reading this, it's not too late.

"Seek the Lord while he may be found;

call on him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way

and the evil man his thoughts.

Let him turn to the Lord,

and he will have mercy on him,

and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

Isaiah 55:6-7 NIV

just another book

The Bible isn't just another book

to help you live a full life.

Although, it will do that.

"For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword,

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

joints and marrow;

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

peace?

Got peace?

"Great peace have they who love your law,

and nothing can make them stumble."

Psalm 119:165 NIV

gifts

God gave you a gift.

Go ahead. Use it.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received

to serve others, faithfully administering

God's grace in its various forms."

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

simple

Simple minded? Not a problem.

"The unfolding of your words gives light;

it gives understanding to the simple."

Psalm 119:130 NIV

history

God reveals and then accomplishes history.

"I make known the end from the beginning,

from ancient times, what is still to come.

I say: My purpose will stand,

and I will do all that I please.

From the east I summon a bird of prey;

from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.

What I have said, that will I bring about;

what I have planned, that will I do."

Isaiah 46:10-11 NIV

faith and sight

Faith now. Sight later.

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,

even as I am fully known."

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

no textbook

God doesn't need to prove Himself.

That's why the Bible doesn't read like a textbook.

"In the beginning God created

the heavens and the earth.

God saw all that he had made,

and it was very good.

And there was evening,

and there was morning--

the sixth day."

Genesis 1:1, 31 NIV