It’s funny to see how some kids respond when they open their gifts and it’s not what they have asked for or expected.  Some become extremely happy or extremely disappointed.  I have heard kids pray at school that they get everything they want for Christmas.  Usually when we pray, we would like God to intervene on our behalf.   To help us, guide us or give us something we need.

There are so many means of communications; people use all kinds of devices to communicate with others, radio, phone, letters, symbols, text, face to face communication.  Communication is a very important thing; a relationship would not thrive if there is not good communication.  With all the technological gadgets and developments, we have today, you can communicate with someone across the globe; Seeing soldiers wish Merry Christmas to their families via a phone or computer camera.  Nevertheless, nothing replaces face to face interaction; to see the person in front of you is priceless.

When a church closes its doors or no longer functions as a beacon of light for Jesus; it makes me wonder upon which foundation was such church built.  When Jesus said he would build his church, he also made the promise that it will transcend time, not even the forces of evil will overpower it. The church began with the preaching of the apostles and prophets, as Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

One of the first things we teach children is to say thank you when someone does something nice for them. “What do you say?” Say thank you.  To be grateful does not come naturally to little kids; It doesn’t come natural to a lot of people who think they are entitled to things.  Very soon they take for granted the source from which they got what they have.  How often we go through life and forget to show gratitude to others; how about gratitude to God?

Every house or building begin with a foundation; they are as strong as their foundation. The Bible tells us that Jesus promised to build his church and that the gates of Hell would not overcome it.  Matt.16:18. The church belongs to Jesus because he is his architect, engineer, designer.  It was his idea to build it.   Have you ever wondered how Jesus began to build his church?  What did he do to build it?

“Life is like an elevator a lot of ups and downs; people pushing your buttons and getting jerked around.”  We all have experienced the ups and downs of life.  The mountain top experiences and the valley.  We get discouraged and hopeless when things don’t go as we anticipated.  It is during those times that we may feel like giving up; you may be ready to throw the towel.  If that is you today, I have a word from the LORD that will help you deal with depressing and discouragement in life.

Go and tell this people: "'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Isa.6:9 This phrase tells us of a disease that was common before the time of Jesus, during his time and even in our time.  It’s called “spiritual blindness.”  it can affect anyone.  It is predominantly seeing in those who don’t believe in God; however, there have been reported cases of this disease found in churches throughout the world.

Very often we think that having a blessed week means that things went well with us, no one got sick in the family; bills were paid on time.  No conflict with anyone in the family and so forth.  We tend to think of blessing only when things are ok with us.  Some think that if you experience trials or hardship in life, then God is not blessing you.  What if I told you that at times it is through those trials that you get to experience the biggest blessings?

Everyone goes through difficult times in life.  Some of you may be going through tough times right now.  You may be in the middle of the storm seeking hope and it appears that hope is truly far away.  We know that going through difficulties in this life is just a matter of time.  We will all experience hardship.  The question is not will trouble times come to you?  But rather, how do you respond when they come? We can learn how to respond by looking at how this king responded to a situation that had him against the wall.  He felt helpless, just like many of us may feel at times.

You’ve probably seen the slogan “World peace” People dream about this concept of peace, which for them it means, not conflict or wars between nations and people.  People have been pursuing peace for thousands of years, but their peace is based on circumstances.  If there is no war, I will have peace; if people would like me, I will be a peace….If I could get that job, I will have peace… (circumstantial)  I will like to tell you about a peace that is not dependent on the circumstance or situation you may be experiencing today.