"In the Beginning . . . . God"

 Genesis 1:1

Some foundational truths of our faith & guidance for the New Year-2014

What the Bible teaches us about creation:

1. There was a Beginning

2. God is Eternal

3. God brings meaning out of Chaos

4. God is the Source of Creation

APPLICATIONS:

1. If God is at the Head of the Universe, He should be at the Head of Our lives. If God did indeed create the world, it means He is our superior. He is owed our devotion and respect. If He is the Designer, then He knows how things work the best and so His instructions are far superior to the opinions of men. This means we should use Him as our reference point. He is the one we should measure our lives by.

Many of us go into the New Year with goals for lots of things weight loss, exercise, finances, overcoming various vices ,business…But . . . what goals do we have for strengthening our spiritual life? How deliberate are we in building our spiritual life? You can work as hard as you want... and be as diligent as you want... but if you "don't sharpen your ax" you will drift away from God. It is surprising how many good and innocent things can impede our spiritual growth. It could be our love for reading, or gardening, the Internet, sports, our jobs and even our family.

In the beginning . . . . .God!  Put God first this year.

Mary’s Christmas: Mary, Mission & Miracle

Luke 1:26-38  

The Christmas Season is one of the most joyous times of the year.

However, it can also be one of the most stressful times of the year.

Mary’s  Background of the story:

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy,

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,

There’s a perfect timing, instruments & place for all of us.

The Most Important Decision of your life

Luke 12:49-59  

⁴⁹ “I have come to set the world on fire,

                   and I wish it were already burning!

 The reference to fire suggest judgment. Jesus’ coming is like a fire. You can ignore it and you will perish or You can get on the right side of it and it will purify the dross out of your life. You have to deal with it or it will consume you!

⁵⁰ I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me,

                   and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.