Take-Home PM Devotional 12/24/23

LOOKING TO 2024 – REFLECTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

REACHING OUR POTENTIAL IN 2024

            As we close the door on 2023 and begin 2024, how can we improve our spiritual lives in the future?  As we seek our fullest potential, we should understand what Jesus called “abundant life”.  Jesus wants to convey a life of spiritual blessings with gifts that overflow into our lives.  He laid out His purpose for us in John 10:10.  “I have come that you may have life and that life more abundantly.”  He gives life unlike anything we could have ever enjoyed without Him.

            We should be thankful for such a blessing.  Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world, he that follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.”  Only He can give you a life better than the world offers.  As you wake to a new year, do so with your eyes opened to His way of thinking.  Tonight, we will reflect on the spiritual blessings God has given us.  Next Sunday night, we will consider some expectations for ourselves in 2024.  We pray this time of devotion will benefit everyone who takes part.

SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS-A YEAR OF BLESSINGS

What Has God Done for Us in 2023?

Song Selection- What the Lord Has Done in Me

Song with Lyrics (click the link): youtu.be/nJDgKrl2gDg

GOD GAVE THE GIFT OF HIS LOVE.  (Colossians 1:9-14) 
How did you display His love in 2023?
 
GOD GAVE A YEAR TO SOW THE SEED. (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)
Where did you “plant the seed” of the gospel in 2023?
 
GOD GRANTED A YEAR OF DISCIPLESHIP. (Acts 2:38-47) 
In what ways did you grow closer to Jesus in 2023?

In considering these points, if you found deficiencies, how will you commit to improving them in 2024?


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New 2024 Bible Reading Plan- Jan. Sign Up

Read together through the YouVersion Bible App: https://bit.ly/3RSSKpR 

We hope you fill join us to be and remain “Rooted in Christ” this year. Each month of 2024, there will be a new themed Bible reading. Each day you will read 1 chapter, after which you can share your reflections with others on the plan through the YouVersion Bible App.

January’s theme is A New Beginning. Use the link above to sign up and invite others to join us, starting January 1!

Paper copies are available at the church building and linked here.

 


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Growth Groups- 9/24/23

Our second Growth Group meeting is tonight! 

Helpful Resources:
  • Leader/Study Guide (Go to Session 2): https://reader.rightnowmedia.org/5/160672
  • Lesson 2 Participant Guide is here
  • More info at https://www.christiscentral.org/growth-groups/
  • Reading for tonight: James 1:13-18
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.1.13-18.ESV

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First 23-24 Growth Group Meeting Tonight

Growth Groups begin tonight! 

Important Info:
  • All groups will start at 5, unless your leader has told you otherwise.
  • Leader/Study Guide: https://reader.rightnowmedia.org/5/160672
  • Lesson 1 Participant Guide is here
  • Attendance form for Co-Leader is here
  • More info at https://www.christiscentral.org/growth-groups/
  • All members have been requested to read James 1:1-12:
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.1.1-12.ESV

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Bloom Ladies Service Project

This Wednesday the Bloom Ladies will be getting together to clean the Farris’s home that they will be renting. Please meet at the Annex at 10 am if you would like to help. 


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Welcome the Farris Family!

May be an image of text that says 'Central Church of Christ welcomes its new full-time minister, James Farris His first day is Sunday August 27th.'


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The Book of James- A Preview Devotional

This Fall/Winter our Growth Groups will be studying The Book of James. We are getting excited to start our third year of Growth Groups on September 10th, and we hope that you are getting excited too! Below is a short preview of our study of James, with some questions for you and your family to enjoy time discussing together.

The book of James was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, from Jerusalem, to Jewish Christians living outside of Palestine, around 40-60 AD. These are people like us, trying to live out in the world and be a follower of Christ, who need encouragement and wisdom to follow Him. Thus, James is a very practical book, almost like a manual for everyday Christian living, giving it the nickname “the Proverbs of the New Testament.”

Below is a preview of some questions James helps us answer. Please take some time to discuss with your family and friends how you would answer them, and take a look at what James has to say. 

  1. How do you react when being a Christian gets hard? (1:1-18)

  2. How do you react to temptation? Do you blame God for allowing the temptation? (1:13-18)

  3. What is the difference between calling yourself a Christian and being a Christian? (2:14-26)

  4. Why do negative words seem to have a greater impact on people than positive ones? (3:1-12)

  5. How is the wisdom of the world different from the wisdom of God? (3:13-18)

  6. How have you seen the power of prayer work in your life? (5:13-20)

 
If you haven’t signed up for Growth Groups yet, there is still time! You can sign up by turning in one of the fliers located in the church foyer, or on the church website at

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Growth Group Preview and Sign-Ups for Fall/Winter 23-24

Sign-up for Growth Groups here: https://forms.gle/cXGYJZtUJvczRBc9A 
Deadline to sign-up is August 27.
 
FALL WINTER 2023/24 – “The Book of James”
To get access to RightNowMedia CLICK HERE
JAMES TRAILER VIDEO: RightNow Media
 
Online Leader Guide: Leader Guide
 
Meeting #1: September 10, 2023
Focus Scripture: James 1:1-12
Participant GuideSession 1 Group Handout    
 
Meeting #2: September 24, 2023
Focus Scripture: James 1:13-18
Participant Guide: Session 2 Group Handout
 
Meeting #3: October 8, 2023
Focus Scripture: James 1:19-27
Participant Guide: Session 3 Group Handout
 
Meeting #4: October 22, 2023
Focus Scripture: James 2:1-13
Participant Guide: Session 4 Group Handout
 
Meeting #5: November 5, 2023
Focus Scripture: James 2:14-26
Participant Guide: Session 5 Group Handout
 
Meeting #6: November 19, 2023
Focus Scripture: James 3:1-12
Participant Guide:  Session 6 Group Handout
 
Meeting #7: December 10, 2023
Focus Scripture: James 3:13-18
Participant Guide: Session 7 Group Handout
 
Meeting #8: January 14, 2024
Focus Scripture: James 4:1-12
Participant Guide: Session 8 Group Handout
 
Meeting #9: January 28, 2024
Focus Scripture: James 4:13-17
Participant Guide: Session 9 Group Handout
 
Meeting #10: February 11, 2024
Focus Scripture: James 5:1-6
Participant Guide: Session 10 Group Handout
 
Meeting #11: February 25, 2024
Focus Scripture: James 5:7-12
Participant Guide: Session 11 Group Handout
 
Meeting #12: March 10, 2024
Focus Scripture: James 5:13-20
Participant Guide: Session 12 Group Handout

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Morning Breakfast with James Farris

We are excited to have James Farris and his family with us this weekend. James is interviewing for our minister position.
 
Tomorrow morning at 8:30 am, we will have a Meet and Greet with James. Coffee and donuts will be provided. Also, we will have a church, eat, church service, so bring your dishes!
See you all tomorrow morning!

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Father’s Day Devotional

Father’s Day: Put a New Twist on an Old Tradition

This year also consider all your Heavenly Father has done for you.

by Rachel Lovingood

The idea for Father’s Day began when a woman heard a Mother’s Day sermon and decided that she didn’t want all that her dad had done for her to go unrecognized. When you think about Father’s Day, what comes to your mind? Can you relate to this woman who was concerned about taking her father for granted?

Honoring fathers is important. After all, the Bible commands us to honor them; but, this year, think of Father’s Day with a new twist. Take some time to consider all your Heavenly Father has done for you and how you might be taking Him for granted.

God is Our Model Father

God Almighty is your Heavenly Father, and He is the perfect example of what it means to be a dad. Looking at each of the letters that make up the word “father,” consider some of the characteristics that set Him apart and provide a model for our human dads.

F   Forgiveness is a huge part of your relationship with your Father. He is willing and able to forgive you of any sin you commit if you will only ask Him. It’s comforting to know that nothing you do is ever so bad that God won’t forgive you (Romans 8:38-39; 1 John 1:9). Now, that’s unconditional acceptance.

A   He is active in your life all the time. God is always at work around you. Ask God to show you what He is doing. You will be amazed at all that is going on. More important, the invitation is open for you to get involved with Him. You never have to wait for your turn to be active with God (John 5:17).

T   Time for you. While humans get too busy to do this or that, God always has time for you. Whenever you feel lonely, struggle with a problem, want to share a thought, or need to deal with a concern, He is there for you. You can’t find a time in your day when He is too busy to talk or listen to you (Jeremiah 33:3).

H   The heart of the matter is that God knows your heart, and He loves you anyway. Proverbs tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things. Some people may not want to be in your life if you make mistakes. God wants to be with you anytime, and He alone is able to change your heart to be all you were created to be (1 John 4:9-10,19).

E   Everywhere sums up God’s place in your life. If you’re a Christian, there is nowhere you can go where He isn’t with you. It can be encouraging to realize that when you are in a tough place in your life, He is right there with you. Whether other people are there or not, God is by your side (Romans 8:35-39).

R   Rest and Read. These are two areas where most people could use a little work. Rest is important to you because it’s easy to become so busy that you don’t take time with the Lord. He wants you to set aside daily time to rest in Him and to read His Word. The Bible is His letter to His children. The best way to get to know your Father is to spend quality time resting and reading all about Him in His Word (John 14:21; Psalm 46:10).

All these attributes of God’s character make Him who He is. If you have been blessed with an earthly dad who has a lot in common with our Heavenly Father, be grateful. If you have missed out on a relationship with an earthly dad, be thankful that God is there for you and wants to meet the needs in your life. Let God know how much He means to you.
 

Link to Original Article: https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/marriage-men-fathers-day-a-new-twist-on-an-old-day 


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