Pastor Micah shared a New Years Day message entitled "A Renewed Strength in 2023." By looking at the words of Isaiah the prophet in Isaiah 40:28-31 we're reminded that God not only can, but He will renew your strength as you wait upon the Lord. Here are the 3 main points Pastor Micah pulled out of this passage for us to consider as we step into 2023 and believe God for even greater things this year:

1. The Lord is the everlasting God and Creator to the ends of the Earth
2. Hope = Waiting
3. God remembers His promises to His people, and He will renew and restore you!

Bottom Line: No matter what 2022 was like for you, know that as you hope in the Lord He can renew your strength in 2023 and beyond!

Pastor Micah concluded our Christmas series "The Cast of Christmas" at our Christmas Eve Service. This week we focus on the final cast member of the Christmas story, Us. The question is how will we respond to the Christmas story and the coming of the Messiah? God reached out to us, and displayed His amazing unconditional love by sending His One and Only Son to this Earth to make a way for us to come back into relationship with Him. Jesus was the only one who could wash away the sins of this world. We looked at how every cast member in the Christmas story responded to the arrival of the Messiah Jesus Christ. No the big question, how will you respond?

Pastor Micah continued with our current series, "The Cast of Christmas" by looking at the Magi (the Wise Men) and their response to the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In Matthew 2:1-12 we read about the Magi's response to the birth of the Messiah, but we also learn about how King Herod and the religious leaders responded to Jesus' birth. All 3 responded in different ways, and we can learn from each of them:

1. The Magi responded with worship & adoration.
2. The Religious Leaders understood what the prophecy foretold of the coming Messiah, but did not other than point out He was to be born in Bethlehem. The religious leaders were more interested in knowing about Jesus than actually getting to know Jesus.
3. King Herod responded to the birth of the Messiah as a threat to his power as the King. He wanted to preserve his place of power and eliminate the newborn King, Jesus Christ. 

Bottom Line: Once the Magi encounter Jesus Christ their lives were forever changed as they responded with worship and adoration. Our lives should also be forever changed as a result of knowing Jesus Christ personally. May we also respond in worship and adoration!

Pastors Micah & Laura Reed shared during our annual Christmas family service! For this week's cast member we focused on the Shepherds who help remind us of the Hope & Joy that came to Earth through Jesus as the first and greatest Christmas present ever! Our Kids also performed a couple Christmas songs which you can watch on our church website (www.chisholmag.com) or on our YouTube Page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkQ1J-ujldOZF3xcDUCF6CA)

Life can be hard, but we know the secret the shepherds held. The Savior has come! In Him, we are saved. In Him, we win. The amazing thing is, no matter what happens, that can never be taken away from us. Jesus tells us in John 8: 36 that “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 

So, let’s live like we’re saved. Let’s live like we’re loved. Let’s live like we’re free. Every moment is a chance to sing and live our praises to our amazing King. Every moment is a chance to rejoice. Every moment is an opportunity to be filled with and to overflow with joy. Let your strength arise. Let your hope arise. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 

Missionaries Phil & Denise Reed who serve in Ukraine shared a powerful update with us this week. They shared about their experience in Ukraine leading up to and through the first week of the Russian invasion into Ukraine. Phil also shared a powerful message about overcoming the giant of disobedience. 

Here are a few keys to take away from looking at King Saul's disobedience in 1 Samuel 15:

• Partial obedience is really DISOBEDIENCE
• Delayed obedience is really DISOBEDIENCE
• Lying does not coverup our DISOBEDIENCE
• Casting blame does not excuse our DISOBEDIENCE
• DISOBEDIENCE brings a curse that affects others
• DISOBEDIENCE is sin

Here are a few keys to take away from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:

• Complete OBEDIENCE to God honors Him
• Honesty about our OBEDIENCE to God helps others learn of Him
• OBEDIENCE before God is most important
• OBEDIENCE is my responsibility
• OBEDIENCE brings a blessing that affects others

Pastor Micah completed a mini series this week looking at the prayer of Agur from Proverbs chapter 30. Agur is a lesser know prophet who shares a powerful prayer with us that has the ability to transform your life if you pray in the same way. His prayer focuses on finding balance and contentment in your life! A few things Pastor Micah pointed out as we dissected the prayer of Agur in Proverbs 30:7-9:

1. Discerning Truth
2. Finding Balance (Moderation)
3. Contentment Leads to Empowerment

Trusting God leads to a clear vision of your purpose and the strength to achieve it.

Bottom Line: When we find God's "sweet spot" in our lives, we can truly find rest, peace, and purpose. 

Pastor Micah started a new mini series this week looking at the prayer of Agur from Proverbs chapter 30. Agur is a lesser know prophet who shares a powerful prayer with us that has the ability to transform your life if you pray in the same way. His prayer focuses on finding balance and contentment in your life!

Missionary Brandon Powell joined us this week to share a challenging message with us about how Jesus is worthy! Brandon and his family serve overseas in Thailand. It was so great to hear a number of amazing testimonies that the Powells have experienced personally in their family, and also through the ministry they're doing in Thailand. 

Brandon shared about how Jesus modeled obedience and sacrifice throughout His whole life. Jesus is:

1. Worthy of your Obedience
2. Worthy of your Sacrifice

Bottom Line: Daily we're called to surrender, sacrifice, and walk in obedience with the Lord.

Pastor Micah shared about how God's heartbeat is a call to missions and evangelism to reach the world! It was evident from the opening chapters of Genesis all the way through the book of Revelation. Pastor Micah focused on three foundational truths to help us understand the heartbeat of God:

1. A Compassionate God
2. A Compelling Message
3. A Commissioned People

Bottom Line: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again on the third day, having completed by himself all that was necessary to redeem mankind.

Pastor Micah preached about how the love of God impacts our ability to love others by look at John's teaching in 1 John 4:7-18. 

Bottom Line: Love from God should foster in us a love for people.