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  • Recommendations to Get the Most from “CATCH THE WAVE: 90 Days to a New Experience with Christ”

    1. Read your Devotional and answer questions at an “appointed” time with God each day.
      2. Let God show you places you should change or repent in your life.
        3. Take notes on each sermon.
          4. Be active in at least 2 small groups for the 90 Days. (Sunday School is a small group. Ask the staff or the Ministry Help Desk about other groups.)
            5. Use the 90 days to identify your spiritual gifts, interests, and talents.
              6. Commit yourself to the ministry that is best for you.
                7. Celebrate the life that God wants for you.

  • SUNDAY MORNING SERMON SERIES: “Catch the Wave”

      Introduction June 14 - “Catch the Wave”
        Week 1 June 21 - “Secure in God’s Grace”
          Week 2 June 28 - “Wanting Something More” 2 Kings 2:9
            Week 3 July 5 - “Discovering a Deeper Spiritual Life”
              Week 4 July 12 - “Discovering the Joy of Ministry”
                Week 5 July 19 - JERRY RANKIN, IMB PRESIDENT
                  Week 6 July 26 - “Recognizing the Importance of Rest and Renewal”
                    Week 7 Aug. 2 - “Deeper Truths – Holiness”
                      Week 8 Aug. 9 - “Deeper Truths – Spiritual Power”
                        Week 9 August 16 - “Deeper Truths – Called and Commissioned”
                          Week 10 Aug. 23 - HOMECOMNG
                            Week 11 Aug. 30 - “Sacrificial Service – Helping & Empowering Others”
                              Week 12 Sept 6 - “Riding the Wave”
                                Sept 13 – REVIVAL - RAY HAYES

  • Goals for Growing As a Christian

    To grow in the Christian life, we should:

    1. Read the Bible daily and memorize Scripture

    2. Pray for “extended” times daily

    3. Sacrificially turn from sin

    4. Be consistent in Worship and Sunday School

    5. Be a faithful Steward of what you have

    6. Learn about and try new ministries

    7. Tell others about Jesus and your church

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Saturday, Dec. 1 — 25 Days

Posted on December 1, 2007 by rayengland

It is early Saturday morning.  As I approach my devotions, I am reminded that there are 25 days until we celebrate Christmas.  In the next three and a half weeks there has to be shopping, decorating, and cooking to add to the normal activities of life.

When we do a countdown until Christmas, we should remember that we are counting down to the “celebrated” date of Jesus’ birth.  We cannot be exactly sure about when Jesus was born.  For several reasons December 25 came to be the celebrated date.

There are four Gospels and 27 total books in the New Testament.  Only two of the four Gospels and none of the other 23 books refer to Jesus’ birth story.  John, in all of his writings, refers to the “only begotten” son of God.  Paul speaks of the “incarnation” in Philippians 2.  The fact that the son of God came and lived among us seems to be more important to most of the New Testament writers.

So where is the importance of the Christmas Story as found in Matthew and Luke?  First of all, the story gives us a true account of the events of Jesus’ birth.  Secondly, the story clarifies the theological claims about Jesus.  Thirdly, the story gives us a “living symbol” to use in our faith building.  Fourthly, the story is God’s gift to us of the emotion of His heart.  We will examine these four points over the next 25 days.

My prayer this morning for each of you is that you might celebrate the season.  Remember the saying, “Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON!”  May our celebrations be rooted in the reason.

Filed under: Christian life, Discipleship, Faith, Worship | Tagged: , ,

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