The connect devotional is a great way to stay connected spiritually to what our community is learning about God right now. It is in step with the current sermon series, studying the scripture through the lens of life application.
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[While the CD Team enjoys a Christmas break, please enjoy these devotionals from December 2020 based on scripture readings and Christmas carols.] "Silent Night" and John 1:1-18 If you had to pick "the best" of all the Christmas carols, "Silent Night" would certainly be at or near the top of the list. This week we wrap up this week by listening to this beloved carol and ...
Keep Reading[While the CD Team enjoys a Christmas break, please enjoy these devotionals from December 2020 based on scripture readings and Christmas carols.] Now the dwelling of God is with men. (Rev. 21:3) No more let sins and sorrows flow,/Nor thorns infest the ground./ He comes to make His blessings known/Far as the curse is found. ("Joy to the World," Isaac Watts, 1719) Jesus...
Keep Reading[While the CD Team enjoys a Christmas break, please enjoy these devotionals from December 2020 based on scripture readings and Christmas carols.] Mild He lays His glory by "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," Charles Wesley I imagine Charles Wesley was moved to write "Mild He lays His glory by" by Paul's observation that Jesus voluntarily set aside his status as God to becom...
Keep Reading[While the CD Team enjoys a Christmas break, please enjoy these devotionals from December 2020 based on scripture readings and Christmas carols.] "O Holy Night" Matthew 11:28 I should have kept a tally of how many times I listened to "O Holy Night" in preparation for this week's Connect Devotional. I listened to various artists sing it in many different styles; I list...
Keep Reading[While the CD Team enjoys a Christmas break, please enjoy these devotionals from December 2020 based on scripture readings and Christmas carols. Covid even makes an appearance in our devotional for today.] O come, O come, Emmanuel, / And ransom captive Israel / That mourns in lonely exile here/Until the Son of God appear. / Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to the...
Keep ReadingOf the greatness of his government and peacethere will be no end. He will reign on David's throneand over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousnessfrom that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almightywill accomplish this (Isaiah 9:7). What if Christmas is actually the beginning of a glorious victory celebration? What if we're celebr...
Keep ReadingFor to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). As I look around my living room, my house is decked out with festive Christmas decorations: A tree, nativity scene, garland, and beautiful lights. The music and movies create ...
Keep ReadingFor to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the governmentwill be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God, EverlastingFather,Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). "Ask your neighbor what their favorite Christmas song is," instructed the worship leader this past Sunday during our greeting time. I turned to the gentleman behind me and asked h...
Keep ReadingOf the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:7 ESV) At the beginning of this month, I ventured to eastern Tennessee with my senior class for a w...
Keep ReadingFor unto us a child is born, To us a son is given And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) In our current sermon series, Pastor Alex has pointedly reminded us that if we're focusing on the what of Christmas instead of the Who, then we're not only missing the point, we're also setting ourselves up for a J...
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