It Feels Like Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol.
One More Sleep, Leona Lewis. Lyrics
Calling To Say, Serena Ryder. Lyrics
It's Beginning To look A Lot Like Christmas, James Glaab
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, James Glaab
Where Are You Christmas?, Faith Hill.
Skating,Vince Guaraldi.
Lectionary September, 2, 2012
This week's reading is very simple, but it is very exciting to me, because it answers the question- how do we ever get to become the example of Jesus in our lives on Earth from where we are now? How do we ever get to be like Him and do the things He did? How could we ever love as He?
What God wants is very simple. Do good and what is right to each other, be a loving person, a helpful and good neighbour and all God's blessings will come to you. We all want great miracles, signs and wonders! Fantastic, spectacular things happening! Lots of noise and excitement!!
But what did God do? God came down to Earth born as a helpless baby, grew up as an average middle class man who just loved people, taught in the synagogue, and helped the poor. Miracles came out of that and as we live our lives in a loving way, miracles can come out of our lives too. Having Jesus live an ordinary life in a loving way prepared Him and the people around Him for His ministry. Not only did Jesus heal the sick and feed the hungry miraculously, He taught us how to live and usher in His Kingdom just through loving each other. God is love and wherever there is love, God is there.
Scripture verses:
Psalm 15
Who may spend time in God's presence?
Those who speak truth with sincere hearts and refuse to slander others or harm them in anyway.
Psalm 45: 1-2, 6-9
From verse 6, 7: Your throne O God endures forever, your royal power is expressed in justice. You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefor God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
Chain References for Psalm 15:
Zechariah 8:16 The Lord's love for mankind is passionate and strong! The Lord wishes to live in everyone's hearts. As we allow God to live in our hearts, we will be called faithful for the Holy spirit will make us so. Then we will enjoy all the benefits of that.
God will make our cities safe to live in. God will be faithful and just to us. God will plant seeds of peace and prosperity among us. We will enjoy abundance. We ourselves will be a source of blessing. People from all over the world will come to us asking for a blessing from God. "And they will say, " Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you."
To gain all this, you must continue pursuing God and doing good to others. Pursue in every situation what is right to do. Be truthful to each other. Never tell anything false that would hurt anyone. Love truth and peace and God will turn your times of mourning into festivals of joy and celebration.
Ephesians 4: 25, 26a
Tell your neighbour the truth because we belong to each other and don't let anger cause you to sin.
Psalm 34: 12-14.
Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies! turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.
Leviticus 19:13-18
Be respectful and fair to all no matter if they are poor or challenged in some way. Don't try to benefit yourself at the expense of others.
Exodus 23: 1-3.
Don't be swayed by the majority. Don't disrespect the poor.
Chain References for Psalm 45: 6,7.
Psalm33: 4,5
For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything He does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and His unfailing love fills the Earth.
Psalm 21:6 The joy above all other joy is the joy of being in the presence of God. We have the same joy that has been given to Jesus!
We have been given the joy of knowing that we are forgiven and loved, the joy of knowing that we will live with God forever, the joy of knowing that we will be protected in perfect peace forever!
That's cause for celebration everyday and what better way to do that than by helping others in need. That is what Jesus showed us: to love one another for if you do that, you fulfill the whole law because when you are helping others, you won't do anything to hurt them. As you are helping others, you are getting to know them, your love for them grows and because you are investing your time in them, you care what happens to them.
Jesus did this himself by waiting on God for the help of the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged by His example to do the same. The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with God's love and inspires us what to do to help others. It's the Holy Spirit that empowers us to do God's will. If you can't hear the Holy Spirit for what ever reason, then return to love, do something out of love, for love is the basis of everything good! Where there is love, there is God!
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