Thank you for expressing God's love in such a thoughtful way.Your kindness meant more than you know.God Bless You All.

FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR

Where You Are Matters!

God's plan for your life always involves your gifts, His timing, and being in the right place. But three things can keep that from happening: fear of failing, unwillingness to leave your comfort zone, and being swayed by the opinions of others. There came a point where, in order to enter the Promised Land, God said to Israel, 'You have been wandering around... long enough; turn..'(Deuteronomy 2:3 NIV) When you reach this point it's crucial that you say yes to God and be willing to step out in faith.

During a famine God said to the prophet Elijah: ' ''Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there." So he did what the Lord had told him... and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook' (1 Kings 17:3-6 NIV). God's plan for your life is always connected to a place. Jesus '... had to go through Samaria' (John 4:4 NIV). Why? To meet a woman who was destined to reach that city with the gospel. You can't just go where you like, God will honour you when you're where He wants you to be. God has promised to bless you, but sometimes He has to reposition you in order to receive His blessing. It was when Ruth moved to Bethlehem that she met Boaz and married him. It was when Bartimaeus went to where Jesus was that he received his sight. Where you are matters!

There's Hope For You

No matter where you are at this moment, if you haven't found God's plan for your life - stop what you're doing and start looking for it! There's nothing in your past or your present that He can't use. Maybe you've veered off course - we all have at one time or another. Read the stories of those God used and you'll discover that 'blowing it' isn't unusual. It's actually part of the learning curve.

When we come into this world kicking and screaming, none of us know exactly what we're supposed to do with our lives. That's okay. Just start where you are right now. When God puts your life on track, He begins by giving you a sense of hope. Only God-given hope will sustain you through the tough times.

Maybe you're wondering, "Am I ever going to get to where I'm supposed to be?" If that's how you feel today, read these words spoken by God to a group of people who'd spent their last 70 years in Babylonian slavery as a result of having done things the wrong way: "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed... I'll turn things around for you" (Jeremiah 29:11-14 TM). And those words are from God's mouth to your ear!

HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!!!!

Christmas Is About - Christ

He was born in the humblest of settings, yet heaven above was filled with the songs of angels. His birthplace was a cattle shed, yet a star brought the rich and noble from thousands of miles away to worship Him. His birth was contrary to the laws of life and His death was contrary to the laws of death, yet no miracle is greater than His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection and His teachings. He had no cornfields or fisheries, yet He spread a table for 5,000 and had bread and fish to spare. He never stood on expensive carpeting, yet He walked on the waters and they supported Him. His crucifixion was the crime of crimes, yet from God's perspective no less a price could have made possible our redemption. When He died, few mourned His passing, yet God hung a black cape over the sun. Those who crucified Him did not tremble at what they'd done, yet the earth shook under them. Sin never touched Him. Corruption could not get hold of His body. The soil that was reddened with His blood could not claim His dust. For over three years He preached the gospel. He wrote no book, He had no headquarters and He built no organisation. Yet two thousand years later He's the central figure of human history, the perpetual theme of all preaching, the pivot around which the ages revolve, and the only redeemer of the human race. At this season of celebration and gift-giving, let's join the wise men who '... fell down and worshipped him... '(Matthew 2:11NKJV)

Let's remember, Christmas is about - Christ!