Mark 1:35;  Matthew 4:1-4   Do you like going to meetings?  How many of you have jobs that require them?   - As a follower of Jesus the most important meeting of your day is ____________________.   - Jesus demonstrates the importance of meeting with God.  Mark 1:35            "And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there."             - A quiet time is a set-aside part of your day where you meet with God.             - Your quiet time (meeting) with God sets the tone for the day.   - Jesus reveals why it is essential to meet with God.  Matthew 4:1-4. (Deut. 8:3)         - It is essential for you to eat bread (food) to live.  (Physically)       - It is essential for you to read God's Word to live.  (Spiritually)     - A daily quiet time with God involves:            - Praying with God.  Talking to Him and listening to Him.          - Reading God's Word.            - Writing down what He reveals to you.          - Obeying what He tells you to do for the day.          - Sharing it with others throughout the day.     We are on Day 5 of 2025 with 360 more days ahead.                 I want to challenge you to make 2025 the year where you meet with God daily.                 If you accept this challenge, your life will never be the same.

He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease   John 3:22-30; 4:1.  Matthew 11:2-6;  Matthew 14:1-13   Have you ever met someone who thought the world centers around them?   - John's disciples thought everything centered around John.  John 3:22-26.            - They wanted to hold onto their positions or roles of authority.          - Issues of control, power, envy, and comparison.   - John teaches that everything centers around Jesus.  John 3:27-29            - No one has anything unless it has been granted from God.          - John realized his own ministry had been given by God.          - John humbly understood his role.          - John never claimed to be the Messiah.          - John is Preparing the Way for the King.          - John understood his role and he did it and his joy is full.   - John's last testimony:  He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease.  John 3:30            - Story of how John's life ended:  Matthew 11:2-6;  Matthew 14:1-13     Do you see yourself as one who is Preparing the Way for the King?                  Can you say with John this Christmas:                  Jesus must increase, but I must decrease.

The Baptism of Jesus:  Why was Jesus baptized?   Matthew 3:13-17;  John 1:29-34;  2 Corinthians 5:21   Have you ever experienced being baptized?  If so, what is your story?  If not, why?   - John's baptism was a baptism of repentance.  Matthew 3:11   - So, why is Jesus getting baptized?  Matthew 3:13-15;  2 Corinthians 5:21   - The Holy Spirit of God anoints Jesus after He is baptized.  Matthew 3:16;  John 1:29-34   - God, the Father, blesses Jesus after His baptism.  Matthew 3:17   So what is your baptism story?

Matthew 11:11;  Luke 1:80;  Matthew 3:1-11   Who is the greatest person to ever live?   "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!"  Matthew 11:11   1.  John - The Man:  Matthew 3:1,4   2.  John - His Message:  Matthew 3:2   3.  John - His Ministry:  Matthew 3:5-6   So what about you and me?  Have you repented and been baptized?   "Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he - John."  Matthew 11:11

Isaiah 40:3;  Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6;  Matthew 11:9-10, 13-15;  Luke 1   How do you prepare when you have someone special coming?   The backstory of John:            It was told John would prepare the way:  Isaiah 40:3,  Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6.           Jesus explained to His disciples who would prepare the way:  Matthew 11:9-10, 113-15          The miraculous birth of John.  Luke 1                   - Do you believe in God when He speaks to you?  Do you take Him at His Word?                   - Have you experienced being filled with the Holy Spirit?  Do you know what it is like?   How do you prepare when you have someone special coming?                Are you prepared for the coming of the King?                Are you preparing the way?  Sharing the Good News about JESUS, the KING

Prov. 4:23

What you allow - HABITS, LIFESTYLE, R’SHIPS - to influence you, DIRECTLY impacts your heart.

If you want to change your life, change your habits. If you want to change your habits, GOD must CHANGE YOUR HEART.

Since 2010, God has shown His faithfulness to Gratis Church through countless acts of generosity. From a $100,000 gift to purchase land, to donated labor, materials, and expertise, individuals, families, businesses, and churches have stepped in to meet every need. Each contribution, from building systems to furnishings, reflects God’s provision and the selfless hearts of His people.

Reflection: How generous has God been to you? How can you reflect that generosity back to His Church?

All glory to God!

Revelation 19:17-21;  20:1-10   Isaiah 65:17-25. 11:1, 6-10   - What is the Millennial Kingdom?   - It is the future reign of Jesus Christ on earth as He sits on David’s throne in Jerusalem.     - When will the Millennial Kingdom take place?   - It will take place after the Second Coming of Jesus.  Revelation 19:11-21     - Who will be in the Millennial Kingdom?   - Only believers will enter the kingdom - followers of Jesus.   - Believers with glorified bodies (Those raptured - church, Tribulation martyrs; and Old Testament Saints)   - Believers with earthly, natural bodies (Believing Jews & Believing Gentiles from many nations)     - What will happen during the Millennial Kingdom?   Revelation 20:1-6   - Satan will be bound for 1000 years in prison.  Revelation 20:1-3 - Jesus will sit on David’s throne in Jerusalem and will rule and reign.  Isaiah 9:7 - Tribulation believers who have been martyred will rise from the dead and will reign with Jesus for 1000 years.  Revelation 20:4 - It will be paradise regained on earth.  Love, joy, and peace.  Isaiah 65:17-25;  Isaiah 11:1, 6-10     - How will the Millennial Kingdom end?  Revelation 20:7-10   - After 1000 years, Satan will be released from prison. - Satan will deceive the nations - many - multitude. - Satan will gather them for war against the saints and Jesus in Jerusalem. - God will send fire down from heaven and devour them. - Satan is thrown in the lake of fire to be there forever.     - Great White Throne Judgment:  Revelation 20:11-14     - NEW HEAVEN - NEW EARTH - NEW JERUSALEM:  Revelation 21       Are you prepared for the END TIMES?   #PreparednotSacred

The Seven-Year Tribulation is a time when God will discipline Israel and judge unbelievers. Scripture confirms two truths: God is in control, and His Word is true.

Key Prophetic Events

• Daniel 9:24-27 and Matthew 24:15, 21-22 describe the Tribulation, divided into two halves. The “abomination of desolation” marks the start of the Great Tribulation.
• Revelation 5 reveals Jesus as the only one worthy to bring judgment, which unfolds through the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls.

Judgments

1. Seals (Revelation 6): Antichrist's rise, global war, famine, mass death, and natural disasters.
2. Trumpets (Revelation 8-9): Earth’s destruction, poisoned waters, demonic torment, and immense loss of life.
3. Bowls (Revelation 16): Painful sores, all water turning to blood, scorching heat, darkness, and the final earthquake.

Response: Remember God is sovereign. Live holy, expectant lives, and urgently share Jesus' love, knowing these events will happen.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;  1 Corinthians 15:51-52;  Revelation 19:11-16   - What is the Rapture?  1 Thess. 4:17   - to be caught up = rapto, which means to seize, to carry off   1.   At the Rapture: the Church (Believers) will meet Jesus in the air.  1 Thess. 4:17       At the Second Coming:  Jesus will return with His Church (Believers) to the earth.  Revelation 19:14     2.   The Rapture occurs before the 7-Year Tribulation.  1 Thess. 5:9.  Revelation 3:10   The Second Coming of Jesus occurs at the end of the 7-Year Tribulation.  Revelation 6-19     3. The Rapture is an act of deliverance for believers from the wrath (judgment) of God.  1 Thess. 4:13-17;  5:9   The Second Coming of Jesus is an act of judgment on all unbelievers.  Revelation 19:11-16     4.  The Rapture of the Church will be done unexpectedly and instantly.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52.  1 Thess. 5:2   The Second Coming of Jesus will be visible to all.  Revelation 1:7.  Matthew 24:29-30     5.   The Rapture of the Church could happen at any moment.   The Second Coming of Jesus will occur after many other end-time events take place.     So what does this mean for me?   Be Prepared - Not Scared   Live each day ready to meet Jesus.   Tell loved ones and friends who are not prepared.