Bible Study - Matthew 1

Read Matthew 1

Jesus was born 42 generations after Abraham. Who waited 20 years for God to fulfill his promise of a legitimate son. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Over and over again we see God working in places that we feel abandoned. God never let go of the promise he gave Abraham, and because of that, Abraham's great great... great grandson was the husband of Jesus Christ's mother!! Imagine what great things God has planned for your future, and your family, if only you listen to Him, and hold onto His promises!  The prospects are innumerable!

God is Always With You

Last August, I decided not to play volleyball(something that I have been doing for my whole life), so that I could focus on missions, school and track. I had been really disappointed all Summer that I was unable to attend any open gyms with the team. After the fact, I realized that my not being there was the opportunity the other girls needed to develop the needed skills to take over my position.

"And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

In September, I got a concussion. Since just a few weeks ago I have been able to start competing, and getting back into life. Through this process, I have learned so much! One of the biggest things I have learned is that God is ALWAYS there, even when you can't see Him. There were so many times that I just wanted to give up. But God would put someone or something in my life to remind me not to. To remind me that I can be the person I know God has called me to be. To remind me that this is only a setback, and that I will get through, and be so much stronger than before.

God is always with you, working towards your better future. It's hard not to know what is happening. It's hard to feel like you will never be whole again. But when you hold onto the promises God has given you, you know that you will exceed any previous, or outside expectation that was thrust upon you.

"'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.'" - Jeremiah 29:11

The Greatest Event in History

"What was the ultimate goal of Jesus' -the son of God- crucifixion?"

This questioned was asked in my church service today, and received many common, yet true, answers; for our sin, so that we can have eternal life, etc. You get the idea. But none of these were the ultimate goal, the ultimate goal, was so we can have a relationship with God.

^{Matthew 27:50-51}

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Mark 15:37-38 

³⁷ With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

³⁸ The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Luke 23:45b-46

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was what separated the presence of God from the people, it was many inches thick, separating the people of this world from God. When the curtain was torn, the spirit of God was released to the people. That we can have a relationship with Him, that we can speak freely with Him, and He with us. Without this relationship with Him, we will not be able to enter into the eternity that He wants for us.

^{Matthew 7: 21-23}

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

If I know about Jesus, but do not know him, I have nothing. Jesus has risen from the dead that we may have a relationship with him, that we might know him. Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship. A relationship that Jesus paid for with his precious blood. A relationship that we do not deserve. Nor a relationship that we can earn by good works, or looks. 

Take some time to honor the man who gave it all for (your name here).

Remember Why You Are Here

I want to encourage each of you to find time through out your day to just spend time with God. Whether it's listening to worship music, praying, reading your bible, listening to sermons, etc. God just wants to be with you. Your best friends aren't the people that you have never met, or that you never spend time with, they are the people that you spend lots of time with. You learn about each other, and watch the other grow, and you see what they go through, and stand by their side through it.

Each of us has a unique and specific reason for being here today, no matter where on earth or what day of what year it is. God had crafted you, his masterpiece...

^{Ephesians 2:10}

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

..., and placed you precisely where you are, to do the good things that He has planned. God doesn't want us to go through our life looking for the next person who comes along who makes us feel loved, because that love is only temporary. God wants you to see that he is here, waiting for you to see Him. That He has a plan for our lives, but we have to be willing to rest in his supernatural love. God is the I Am, He is everything that you are longing to find, and He is right here waiting for you to turn around and fall into His arms of love.

So as you go about your day, remember why you are here, and rest in the Lord.

He'll take care of the rest.

Worship - You Make Me Brave

Bible Study - Acts 28

Read Acts 28

When storms come, and you feel like God is no where to be seen, just remember that He has a master plan and you are one of the pieces to the puzzle. He has places for you to go, things for you to do and people for you to meet. Things, places, and people that you can never imagine seeing. If you would listen to God in obedience, you would see these things.
Because Paul listened to God, and had faith in Him, many people were healed.
as I look back on Acts I see the love of God, and that even when I am unaware, He is with me. He is working on something so much bigger than I can ever imagine, and I love it!

Worship - You're Beautiful

Bible Study - Acts 27

Read Acts 27

Again we see God working for Paul through the storm, literally.
What situation in your life right now, do you feel like God has left you, and nothing good is going to come? Take that situation and apply Paul's situation in the storm to it.
Paul knew, and stood on what God had promised him. That, is how they made it through the storm. And that, is how you will make it through yours.