The search is on! (Mt. 2:1-2)

The shepherds were unlikely visitors in The Christmas Story. How similar are we to these shepherds? Today we hear from various members of Cornerstone's recent dental mission trip to Guatemala. They share stories of hope, resilience, and miracles.

Small towns remember. 

Bethlehem’s memory. (Gen. 48:7; Ruth 1:1-2; Judges 12:8-10; 1 Sam. 16:1; 1 Chron. 11:26) 

Bethlehem’s hope! (Micah 5:2)

Bethlehem in New Testament times. (Lk. 2:1-7) 

Follow King Jesus, not King Herod. (Phil. 2:5-11) 

God is not impressed by a person’s image.  God looks at the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7)  

God keeps His promises. (Micah 5:2; Lk. 2:6-7) 

Next Step: 

The biblical Christmas story is not a short story!  (Gen. 1:1-4) 

Prophets:  People chosen by God to speak God’s truth.

The Prophet Isaiah:  A great light from God will come! (Isaiah 9:2)    

John the Baptist:  The great light from God is here! (Luke 1:78-79)                                              

Jesus is the light! (John 8:12; Psalm 119:105)

Jesus brings us into his light! (Eph. 5:8) 

Are you in darkness or the light? What’s your next step? 

Daily Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, I renounce the darkness and affirm that you are the light of the world!  Thank you that you give me the light that leads to real life – eternal life.  Show me ways I can shine your light on people you’ve placed in my life.  Amen. 

God’s children win!  (1 John 5:1-5)

The testimony about Jesus.  (1 John 5:6-12)

John’s wrote so we can be assured of eternal life!  (1 John 5:13-15)

God’s children move away from sin.  (1 John 5:16-19)

We find our home in Jesus Christ.  (1 John 5:20) 

A plea for faithful worship.  (1 John 5:21) 

Daily Prayer: 

Jesus, I trust you.  I believe you are the Son of God who died for my sin, and rose again to defeat the power of sin, death, and the devil.   I find my true home in you.  I trust your love for me.  Amen. 

What love looks like.  (1 John 3:11-24) 

Discerning false prophets.  (1 John 3:4:1-6)

We learn from God how to love!  (1 John 4:7-20) 

Next Steps: 

God is light!  (1 John 1:5) 

God’s light cleanses and forgives.  (1 John 1:9) 

God’s children live in the light!  (1 John 2:6) 

To live in the light is to live in love.  (1 John 2:7-8) 

We love the light, not the “world”.  (1 John 2:16) 

Warning about “anti-christs”.  (1 John 2:21-22) 

Living as children of God.  (1 John 

Next Steps: 

Jesus as God.  (1 John 1:1; John 1:14)

Fake Jesus, Part-time Jesus, Real Jesus. 

How we know Jesus.  (1 John 1:1) 

Jesus is eternal life.  (1 John 1:2; John 5:39) 

The fellowship of Jesus.  (1 John 1:3) 

The joy Jesus brings!   (1 John 1:4) 

“The good life is to know Jesus.”  (Eldon Cornelius) 

Next Steps: 

What’s your goal for your kids?

Christ-confidence.  (Joshua 1:9)

Realistic expectations.  (John 16:33)

Stubborn hope.  (Isaiah 43:1-3)

I changed what I pray for my kids:  Jesus, give my kids what they need to face the challenges that will come their way.

Next Step:

Commit to being who we want our kids to become.