What is God's plans for my life? Jeremiah 29:11-14 teaches us that God's plans for us are good! When we seek God, He listens to us and He will get us to where we need to be. As you seek God, be willing to surrender and remember what story you're in. Let's be a people who play the role that God calls each of us to play in His story!

Be encouraged, knowing that as we fast and pray, if we seek God, we are going to find him! In Luke 11, Jesus teaches us how to seek God in prayer. Luke 11:9 says, "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Seek God with boldness and persistence and in His generosity, He will answer! God will give the Holy Spirit to those who seek Him, and the Holy Spirit will provide wisdom in the midst of our circumstances!

At the beginning of a new year, we are often focused on the things that we would like to see happen within the year, and we feel the need to busy ourselves with goals, plans, and resolutions. But, if we don’t stop to hear from the Lord and catch what He is saying and doing, we will prepare in vain. Matthew 6 tells us, "But seek first his kingdom and his

righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Start off this new year, remembering that you are valuable to God, God already knows everything you need, and that in seeking Him first everything that you need will be met!

We often think that when God calls us to be on mission with Him, His expectation of us is in an unreachable or unattainable place, and we feel the pressure of having to be perfect all the time. When we allow this kind of fear and shame to creep into our minds it keeps us from going deeper in our relationship with God. But the Bible encourages us, showing us that Jesus died on the cross for our humanity! As we make resolutions, let's remember that we are free from perfectionism! His call is today, exactly as you are, where you are, and the only prerequisite is that you say YES to His invitation. Jesus is already in your boat, and He is excited to show you all that He has planned for you!

The original songs of Christmas including Simeon's song in Luke 2:22-35, provide great encouragement and hope to us in this holiday season. God has plans for your life, and Jesus is the light of revelation for all nations! Jesus will be the glory of God's people, and our response to him will determine whether we rise or we fall. Let's be a people who live a life that share in the Glory of God!

According to popular Christmas songs, the holiday season is supposed to be "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," but for many, it can be a dreaded and painful season marked by loss, loneliness, fear and despair. But the original songs of Christmas, including Zechariah's song in Luke 1:68-79, provide incredible hope to those even in the most difficult circumstances. Be encouraged this Christmas season! God sees you and remembers His promise and plan for you, and He wants to rescue you and enable you to serve Him without fear! God wants to bring salvation and forgiveness and He will guide your feet into the path of peace!

What many people don’t know is that before Jesus was 8 days old, there were already four Christmas songs written. In this sermon learn more about Mary's Song in Luke 1! As we celebrate Christmas today, we often sing songs like "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night" that don't grasp the true agenda of Jesus. The nativity story is more than just a story about baby Jesus sleeping in a crib, it's the reality of God entering our world to deal with injustice! This Christmas season, let's wish people a Merry Christmas but let's also tell them who our Jesus is!

Hear a powerful word from the son of a martyr! Joseph Hovsepian talks about the impact persecution and his father, Haik Hovsepian's, martyrdom has played on his life. Joseph owns and runs a production studio that is the leading creator and sender of Christian content to Iran and Turkey!

To donate or contribute to Hovsepian Ministries cheack out the following link!

www.hovsepian.com

Last Sunday, we talked about being grounded in hope even when so many of our questions remain unanswered. God will always fulfill His promises and work out His plans, and He will be present with us in our struggles until then! God doesn't promise us a life without hardship, but He promises His presence in the process. Be encouraged and have hope, the glory comes after the struggle!

God is always listening and speaking to us. The Bible teaches us that God never ceases to hear and speak and it offers us a variety of voices and experiences that show us how He does that. Engaging the Bible opens up our hearts to the voice of God in ways we sometimes don't expect.