Covenant Church at Creekside | Weekly Inspiration for Christian Living

We are training for Godliness for our own spiritual benefit. To be Godly, we must know God—we can't be like Him if we don't know Him. How do we know God? Through immersing ourselves in His word and through prayer.

2022 annual theme debut—RELEASED based on John 15:16-17—an answer to the yearning for purpose for our lives. We are saved and sent. Saved by Grace through Faith AND you are sent into the world to produce fruit. Before you even knew Him, Jesus chose you to be sent into the world to bear fruit—to have lasting impact. He believes in you, that you have exactly what it takes to perform what He asks of you, namely to carry His power into the world. Connected to the Vine. Saved and Sent.

God sent and sacrificed His son to rescue us, to save us, to revive our dry bones. We can have hope that our spiritual hearts can be brought back to life through knowing Jesus and experiencing his presence.

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Words matter. We've watched as Mary has moved from doubt/fear to obedience to the Lord. Mary has displayed obedience that has led to surrender but not the overwhelming belief that will sustain her. But it is in this declaration, this proclamation spoken over Mary by Elizabeth that Mary is finally moved from humble obedience to ownership and the sustaining beauty of her overwhelming belief. The blessing of belief is the removal of a bent knee to authority and replacement with something of security. No longer because you have to, but because you get to. There is a God that so deeply loves you and is worthy of your belief. He is forever faithful and makes good on his promises. The pinnacle of His promises was purposefully positioned in a manger and was called the Prince of Peace. And even though sticks and stones and thorns and throws tried to devour Him. And defeat Him. Death’s distress did not have the final say. Our salvation was sufficiently sealed because Jesus made a way.

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Mary's response to the angel Gabriel is troubled wonder...doubt...fear. So what is the lynchpin that moves her from her doubt to her decision? Some will tell you that doubt is bad, that it's a sin. However, doubt is a part of our journey of faith—that is our faith is made stronger through the process of naming our doubts to God. Will you confess your doubts and allow God's force (power, might, efficacy, ability, energy) to overshadow you?

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What was the last movie or book character you related to? Mary's story is like that... a story and character we can ALL relate to. Mary is chosen to bring Christ into the world. She received the message from the angel "You are highly favored" but she doesn't feel favored. She feels scared. God knows Mary and His message through the angel Gabriel is personal. He calls her by name—biblically speaking, a rare thing. "Mary, Do not be afraid." It's a personal message that she in that moment most needed to hear. We are also chosen as Mary was, to bring Christ into the world. Do we shrink from that calling in fear? Sometimes. But as we hear through Mary's story God has a very personal message for us—"Do not be afraid." Whatever fear rises up in us there is an equally powerful and personal message from God. Do not fear, but be BOLD in your call for the Lord.

The first message in the Advent series is "Revival is Here." Payton Ruddock takes us through Mary's visit from the angel Gabriel. Mary, the quintessential underdog is given the message, "you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” But the message is to all of us as we enter this season of Advent. "You who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Prepare your hearts, get into the game. God's story has begun... the underdog will prevail.