In our current scriptural context, Jesus is teaching on the subject, on the spiritual habit and practice of prayer in the life of a disciple. Today, we look closely at verse 9, as we consider the Father to Whom we pray.

Oswald Chambers, in his excellent book, Prayer: A Holy Occupation, writes: “The job of every Christian is to pray.” Yet, for too many Christ-followers, their experience in prayer is weak, inept, difficult, and often viewed as a laborious chore. Innocent ignorance has caused many of us to place prayer as a low priority item in our lives. Today, we discover the essence of praying to be heard.

Suppose for a moment that the Lord Jesus Christ was bodily, physically present in the worship service this morning. Suppose at the conclusion of the worship service today, Jesus was called upon to dismiss us in prayer. What do you suppose Jesus would pray? What would Jesus pray for Field Street Baptist Church as we begin a new calendar year?

Christmas is about God’s fulfillment of His promise to send the Messiah/Servant who would deliver His people from their sins. This fulfillment of a promise sets into motion the fulfillment of multiple promises.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will

call him Immanuel”— which means, “God with us.” -NIV

Sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, we fail to make room for Jesus as did the people in Bethlehem on the first Christmas.

In this specific text of Scripture, John takes his readers a bit deeper into the reality of love as God intends it to be expressed in our lives as followers of Jesus. And, consistent with God’s faithful character, He establishes and personifies the ultimate example of the highest expression of love, agape love.

Throughout this particular section of 1 John, the author is intending to sharpen the distinction and contrast between FALSE and TRUE believers. John accomplishes this intention by identifying three key thoughts in this focal text.

My Thanksgiving List

It is one thing to be happy. It is another thing to have joy in your life. Many times we face circumstances that try to steal our joy - death, a financial crises, family and marital problems. In the midst of these circumstancs, how do you maintain your joy? The entire book of Philippians is about joy: Joy i Suffering, Joy in Serving, Joy in Believing and Joy in Giving.