We can learn much from Nehemiah as we look to the coming year. When Nehemiah heard that the remnant in the Jerusalem area was in great trouble and shame, that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire; he turned to God in prayer. We see in him an example to follow:

First, we see in him a compassion for those in need (4). As soon as he received news of the bad conditions, he sat down and wept and mourned for days. He continued fasting and praying before the God.

Second, we see a confidence in God’s character (5). He addresses God as: “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments..."

Third, we see contrition or repentance as well as confession of sins (6b-7):

Nehemiah confessed the sins of the nation of Israel. In his confession, he included himself and his family.

Fourth, we see a commitment to God’s Word (8). He reminds God of his commitment to His people in His Word: ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments ...I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’

Finally, we see his call for specific prayer (9-11).

His prayer over time led Nehemiah to ask God for success when he would seek the assistance of the King Artaxerxes as he moved from prayer to action to be used by God.....

As we begin the new year, I want us as a congregation to turn to God in prayer as we face the unknown of the year of 2012. We don't know what we face, but God does. Just as Nehemiah turned to God in prayer and fasting, we, too, need to Him, confident in His character and committed to His Word.

We can learn much from Nehemiah as we look to the coming year. When Nehemiah heard that the remnant in the Jerusalem area was in great trouble and shame, that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire; he turned to God in prayer. We see in him an example to follow:

First, we see in him a compassion for those in need (4). As soon as he received news of the bad conditions, he sat down and wept and mourned for days. He continued fasting and praying before the God.

Second, we see a confidence in God’s character (5). He addresses God as: “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments..."

Third, we see contrition or repentance as well as confession of sins (6b-7):

Nehemiah confessed the sins of the nation of Israel. In his confession, he included himself and his family.

Fourth, we see a commitment to God’s Word (8). He reminds God of his commitment to His people in His Word: ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments ...I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’

Finally, we see his call for specific prayer (9-11).

His prayer over time led Nehemiah to ask God for success when he would seek the assistance of the King Artaxerxes as he moved from prayer to action to be used by God.....

As we begin the new year, I want us as a congregation to turn to God in prayer as we face the unknown of the year of 2012. We don't know what we face, but God does. Just as Nehemiah turned to God in prayer and fasting, we, too, need to Him, confident in His character and committed to His Word.

The truly wonderful life is the life found in Jesus Christ.

The truly wonderful life is the life found in Jesus Christ.

The birth of Christ brought division wherever He went throughout his life. We see that in Matthew’s story of three different groups and their reaction to the Christ child:

A. The Magi: They made great sacrifice traveling far at great expense to worship the Child born King of the Jews. They presented Him with expensive gifts.

B. The Chief Priests and Scribes: They knew Scripture and were able to tell Herod what he needed to know about where He was to be born. They, however, did not seek to find the Child and to worship Him.

C. King Herod the Great: He was threatened by this Child who was born “the King of the Jews.”

Each of us needs to consider what our response has been to Christ and his birth! Do we worship Him like the Magi? ... Are we apathetic like the Chief Priests and Scribes were initially? ... Are our hearts hard toward Him?

The birth of Christ brought division wherever He went throughout his life. We see that in Matthew’s story of three different groups and their reaction to the Christ child:

A. The Magi: They made great sacrifice traveling far at great expense to worship the Child born King of the Jews. They presented Him with expensive gifts.

B. The Chief Priests and Scribes: They knew Scripture and were able to tell Herod what he needed to know about where He was to be born. They, however, did not seek to find the Child and to worship Him.

C. King Herod the Great: He was threatened by this Child who was born “the King of the Jews.”

Each of us needs to consider what our response has been to Christ and his birth! Do we worship Him like the Magi? ... Are we apathetic like the Chief Priests and Scribes were initially? ... Are our hearts hard toward Him?

Our desire is to move beyond the big screen and unpack the true meaning of Christmas. The Christmas story is about something far greater than little Ralphie’s Red Ryder BB Gun...but about the birth of Jesus. He came to "save His people from their sins."

Our desire is to move beyond the big screen and unpack the true meaning of Christmas. The Christmas story is about something far greater than little Ralphie’s Red Ryder BB Gun...but about the birth of Jesus. He came to "save His people from their sins."

This December, we will “Move Beyond the Big Screen” and unpack the true message of Christmas redeeming it from the twist and turns that have marred and mishandled what is at the heart of the Christmas story…the first 6 letters of the word “Christmas”…C-H-R-I-S-T…it is CHRIST!

This December, we will “Move Beyond the Big Screen” and unpack the true message of Christmas redeeming it from the twist and turns that have marred and mishandled what is at the heart of the Christmas story…the first 6 letters of the word “Christmas”…C-H-R-I-S-T…it is CHRIST!