In the story of the healing of the disabled man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-9, we see Jesus show us various obstacles to faith, warning us about ways we miss the life Jesus brings. First, we can miss life by ignoring Jesus, and, second, we miss life by saying no to Jesus's Invitation.

In the story of the healing of the official's son (John 4:43-54), Jesus will show us “The Nature of Life-Giving Faith,” and four ways this kind of faith develops in our hearts. 1st) Life-Giving Faith starts with thinking, 2nd) Life-Giving Faith Moves from Knowledge to Trust, 3rd) Life-Giving Faith Grows through Trials and Tribulations, and 4th) Life-Giving Faith Brings You to a Life-Giving Person.

In the second part of the story of the woman at the well in John 4:25-42, Jesus shows us three actions we too can take to reap an ongoing Harvest of Joy in our lives. 1st) Harvesting Joy starts with letting God embrace us through our failures. 2nd) Harvesting Joy comes through living for God's will and work. 3rd) Harvesting Joy comes through sharing the good news of Jesus with others.

In the story of the woman at the well (John 4:1-29), Jesus gives us "The Spiritual Secret to Finding Lasting Satisfaction." It is Found By 1st) Personally Meeting with the One Who Can Give It and 2nd) Drinking (or Worshipping) Continually from the Right Source.

In the example of John the Baptist (John 3:22-36), we see how being spiritually humble can give us unshakable joy, even in the face of struggles by showing us three key ingredients to unshakable joy. 1st) Unshakable joy comes through receiving everything as from God (including our losses). 2nd) Unshakable joy comes through living for God's increase (not for our increase). 3rd) Unshakable joy comes through trusting in God's words (not in our words).

In the story of Jesus cleansing the temple, we will see how Jesus has come to put our hearts, particularly our anger and our worship, in order. 1st) Jesus wants to put our view of anger in order. 2nd) Jesus wants to put the way we are angry in order. 3rd) Jesus wants to put the way we worship in order.

How is God revealing himself to you and how is your heart responding to him in this season of your life? 1st) How is God revealing himself in this season of yoru life? 2nd) How is your heart responding to God's work in this season of your life?

In the sign of Jesus’ miracle at the wedding in Cana, Jesus shows how we who follow him can receive God’s best in this new year. 1st) God's best will come if we persistently follow Jesus in faith and obedience. 2nd) God's best will come if we rejoice in the coming wedding feast of Jesus.

By looking at the story of Habakkuk, and by comparing it with the story of Christmas, we are going to see that the secret to finding God’s peace this Christmas is living today by faith in Jesus the prince of peace.

This Christmas, don’t miss receiving and resting in the most important gift you could have in Jesus, the lamb of God, given for you. 1st) Jesus, the lamb of God, invites you to receive the gift of his perfect life. 2nd) Jesus, the lamb of God, invites you to receive the gift of freedom from the power of suffering and death.