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northpointefl

Nov 30
40

Day 5 – December 1

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Day 5 – December 1

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 ESV

Joseph found himself in quite a bind!  He and his betrothed bride were in their customary waiting period before marriage when Mary was discovered to be pregnant.  Joseph knew that he wasn’t the father of this child and the temptation would have been to expose her condition to the community and clear his name.  Being a “just man”, he instead decides to separate from Mary quietly, keeping her from public shame.  In his mind, this was the best, most compassionate solution to Joseph’s problem.

However, it turned out that Joseph’s “problem” was actually God’s plan.  Joseph wasn’t facing this challenge alone.  God understood his situation and the underlying fear and hurt that he was feeling.  God saw Joseph.  In addition to this encouragement, God further reveals that he is entrusting Joseph with a big responsibility:  to be a father to this special child.  To name him and protect him.  Turns out this isn’t a “problem” for Joseph, it’s an honor and a blessing.

What a difference a little perspective can make in how we view the challenges we face in this life.  What if those things which seem like “problems” and out of our control are actually “opportunities” and part of God’s plan?

Father, it is such an encouragement to me to know that you are fully in control.  So often in this life, I find myself facing challenges that I didn’t ask for.  Under my own strength, it’s easy to look for ways to ignore them or to give up.  Oh, that I may trust in You more during periods of uncertainty!  I can trust in Your plans without knowing all of their details.  Amen.

Written by: Pastor Jason Mecum

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 30
32

Day 4 – November 30

By | Prepare 2022, Women's Ministry | 2 Comments

Day 4 – November 30

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.”  [Luke 1:30-32 NLT]

Apart from the obvious fear that Mary must have felt from her unexpected visitor, how amazing it must have been for her to hear those words from the angel…”you have found favor with God!”  Wow!  I think it is every child’s desire, whether young or old, to hear their parent’s  affirmations like “Good job!” or “Way to Go!”  And to be honest when my days on earth are done, just the thought of hearing Jesus say to me “Well done, good and faithful servant” reduces me to tears!  God could have chosen any way He wanted to deliver His Son to earth, yet He chose His humble servant, Mary, who was human and, therefore, not perfect.  Yet God knew her heart, saw her faithfulness in the day-to-day things, and knew that with the high honor of being the mother of Jesus would also come great pain.  She would later witness her Son’s rejection, torture, and death on a cross.  Yet He chose her to deliver His hope to this lost and dying world, Jesus!  God knew Mary was not only courageous, but fully devoted to Him.  This was clearly demonstrated in Mary’s humble response to God’s calling in the verses that followed this passage which was so beautiful:  “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.”  

Heavenly Father, I am thankful for examples in the Bible like Mary who demonstrate great faith, trust, and obedience as they answer Your calling for their life.  I am encouraged to know that You choose ordinary, imperfect people to do Your extraordinary will.  Help me to remain faithful in my pursuit of a deeper relationship with You and make me more attuned to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit so that I may promptly and confidently submit to Your will.  This Christmas season, please help me to not be so distracted by the “shiny trappings” of this world that I miss Your plan or purpose for this humble servant.  I pray for opportunities as well as the courage to share the TRUE HOPE and the reason to celebrate this season…the birth of our Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.   Amen.

Written by:  Pam Bos

 

 

 

 

Nov 29
21

Day 3 – November 29

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Day 3 – November 29

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 ESV

What? A child born to a virgin?  God with us?  You simply cannot make this up.  The plot of God’s providence is so incredible, so beautiful, and so perfect.  And the bonus?    The Israelites had only the rescue from Egypt and the Red Sea crossing as evidence.  We have over 300 prophecies fulfilled, and the entire life and ministry of Jesus as evidence.

His second coming is imminent.  You can count on it.  Make room. 

Father, we are face down in awe of Your providence and plan of redemption. We thank You for sending us Your only begotten Son. He was without sin, and yet went to the cross so that we would be counted as righteous in Your presence. This is love.  As we prepare to celebrate His birth in a Bethlehem stable,  we give You all the honor and the glory.  Even so, come Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Written by: Ken Philip

 

 

 

Nov 28
13

Day 2 – November 28

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Day 2 – November 28 

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 ESV

Have you ever been to a waterpark and had a chance to ride, or seen someone who has gotten on, one of those water slides with the vanishing floor platform? I have ridden that slide. It is pretty intense as you stand there waiting on the floor of the slide pod to be removed from under your feet at any moment. It is both exciting and terrifying, all at the same time. 

Today’s verse reminds us that the Lord says , “…shall not be removed…” This verse gives us HOPE for today, tomorrow and beyond. That the steadfast love and peace shall be a firm foundation for us to stand upon. The Lord is our foundation of HOPE.

Father, thank you for giving me hope for everyday.  I am in need of a firm foundation to stand on today. I thank you Jesus for giving steadfast love and a covenant of peace shall not be removed.  Amen.

Written by: Pastor Lance Courtney

 

 

Nov 22
36

Day 1 – November 27

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Day 1 – November 27 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called  Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6  NKJV

Perhaps the most well known of the Old Testament Messianic prophecies, here is the promise of the first coming of Jesus Christ given 700 years before His actual birth.   We wait now for Christ’s imminent return. For His second coming.  While we wait in certain hope, God the Father invites us to His Son’s birthday party. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birthday, let us make room for Him in our hearts.  It is the only sensible answer to God’s invitation.

Father, we thank You for sending Your son to save us from ourselves.  We accept this Christmas gift in humility.  And we make room for You in our hearts.  Come on in.  We pray this in the name of the Wonderful Counselor, Your Son Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Written by: Ken Philip

 

Aug 16
0

Day 1 – September 12

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Day 1 – September 12

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2 ESV

There is no better place to start this journey.   The Holy Spirit was present then.   And He is with each of us today.

Each new beginning in our lives brings anticipation, refreshment, promise and even trepidation.  It could be a new relationship, a new job, a new school year or a new project.  However, as in the creation narrative in Genesis each beginning is shaped by God with purpose and life lessons to learn.

Today is the beginning of a special project for our Church family.  In twenty-one days we’ll begin a continuous reading of the Bible.  Each of us has a role to play.

Heavenly Father, I pray that our entire Church community comes along on this journey with me.  Let the Spirit guide me to step out and into the part that You want me to fill, be it reader, safety, host volunteer or prayer warrior.  Lord, hover over our Church and this project.  Amen. 

Written by Bev Carbert

 

May 05
7

Keep Looking Up

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“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.”
Psalm 19:1

One Minute Message

One kid asked the other, “Which is closer, Florida or the Moon? the second answered: “Duh! The Moon! You can’t see Florida from here!”

We can laugh, not unkindly, at a childlike understanding of the universe since we know that kids have so much yet to learn. But if you ponder the vastness of the universe and the endless mysteries it contains, it is easy to realize that we all have a childlike understanding of the cosmos. Do you marvel, jaw agape, when you see a painted sky during an Autumn sunset? Do you cry out with excitement when you catch a shooting star in the periphery of your vision? Do you stare at the tiny hands of a newborn child with awe at the intricacy and perfect frailty of the human body? Or, have you lost the wonder?

God’s desire is that we would never lose the wonder of his creation. He created the heavens in fact to proclaim his glory; he hung the sun, moon, and stars in their orbits to display his craftsmanship. Never lose the wonder! Did you know that you too are his craftsmanship? That’s right! And the God who made you wants to have a personal relationship with you. Yep, the King of the Universe wants to talk to you.

To know how to meet the King and begin a relationship with him, check out the resources below. And remember, God is real; His word is true; and that has the power to change YOUR life!

Nov 05
6

You’re going to help us, right?

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“Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (NIV)
2 Chronicles 20:12

One Minute Message

This verse is from a passage in the Bible in the book of Chronicles which tells of a pivotal victory over the enemies of the children of God. In past battles they had won hard fought battles, but here they were outmatched and outnumbered by their enemies. We see the children of God pray for God’s help, trust in his word, and worship him. As a result, they watch thankfully as the God of heaven’s armies destroys their enemies. Through this dependence on God, the children of God realized a victory they would not have been capable of on their own.

Did you know that God never changes? That means that the God who fought the battles for his children in the 9th Century BC, as we read above, still fights battles for his children today. That means that whenever we are outmatched, outclassed, and outnumbered, we can call upon a God who is for us and not against us; that is, if we have been given the right to be called children of God. Are you a child of God?

To know what it means to be a ‘child of God,’ check out the resources below. And remember, God is real; His word is true; and that has the power to change YOUR life!

Nov 03
5

God’s Phone Number

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 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great
and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:3

One Minute Message

This was a promise to the Prophet of God, Jeremiah, but it has wider implications for
God’s people today. The children of God have a promise that if they call to God, he will answer! That’s remarkable! The God of the universe, the one who created the heavens and the earth, the one who designed and named you and me, not only promises to answer our call, but urges his people to call! He wants to hear from his children.

It doesn’t stop with that amazing detail either, though almighty God answering our call would be enough for most of us. No, he says that he will tell of great and unsearchable things that his children do not know. That means that things that are considered outside of the realm of human searching, God will reveal to his children. ‘Who you gonna call? You can’t go wrong calling upon the name of God.

To know what it means to be a ‘child of God,’ check out the resources below. And
remember, God is real; His word is true; and it has the power to change YOUR life!