Let’s Try This Again

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.   Isaiah 40:29-31

Let’s Try This Again 

It is December 31st and tomorrow the new year will be here.  A new year is marked by new goals, determination, resolutions… and starting over.  This past year may have been tough, and it may have not played out exactly like you thought it would, but with the new year comes a new opportunity for a great comeback.  You may be down and out now, but God can take your story and turn it around.  

Because your life will be different than what you expected it does not mean it’s over. The rest of your life can be the best of your life. Regardless of your season or your status, you can begin today with the benefit of past experience and the power of purpose.

This is not strictly a midlife thing, or crisis. Age has no relevance to our halftime since we don’t know how long our lives will be. Many of the men and women in the Bible who were used by God were called to their greatest work after they had already been through half of their life or more.  Whether it is halfway through your life or not, sometimes it is just time to regroup. 

The start of a new year is a great time to take a long look at our lives.  The promise of a clean slate, starting over, reconstruction.  Salvage.  How can we take the broken life we’ve been living and salvage what is there?  We can’t, but God can.  Save. How can we save what is not totally destroyed?  We can’t, but God can.  Savior.  The Savior is the only hope for the salvage of our broken lives.  You can you start off the new year in a better place than you are now by committing it all to God.  Commit the old, the broken, the hopeless parts of your life and the unseen road ahead too. 

I hope you feel the grace and love of your Savior as you reflect on the past 12 months.  I hope you feel the blessing of His love in the beautiful blessings of the past 12 months.  I hope you remember His sacrifice for you so that you can feel blessed and loved today.  Go into the new year with new hope and peace.  Resolve to meet Jesus’ expectations for you this year.  Focus on Him and make your relationship with Him the number 1 priority for you this year.  

Scripture to Claim:

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.  1 Peter 2:21

Priorities

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."  They immediately left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him .Mark 1:16-20

Peter, Andrew, James and John were by vocation fishermen as this was their regular business.  The day Jesus came calling they were busy with the ordinary things that kept them in business . . . casting or caring for their nets.  It was what they were comfortable with.  I doubt they ever dreamed of leaving the family business.  

But when Jesus came calling to be the leader of their lives, all of a sudden, their business was not as important.  They dropped and left their nets behind them to follow Jesus.  Following Jesus became their avocation that led them out of their comfort zone.  

Priorities

Peter and Andrew ceased to cast their nets and began following Jesus.  James and John not only left their nets but also had to sever some family ties to follow Jesus.  He called to them to "come after" and they "went after Him."  They left their jobs, their friends, their homes, their comfort zones. 

Comfort zones are those places we like to reside in because they offer us the ease of tradition and the easy ordinary means and methods of doing things.  We become comfortable casting and caring for the nets of our everyday lives.  But just like in the lives of Peter, James, John and Andrew, Jesus comes walking by and calls to us to follow Him to lead us out of the all too familiar comfort zones of our lives.  He longs to lead us beyond our own lives.  He longs for you and me to follow Him as our Leader.  He knows that as long as we are “comfortable”, we are not growing.  

Can you identify where Jesus has led you that is beyond your “comfort zone”?  Maybe there are some places and people in your life in which He wishes to use you in a specific way to meet their needs.  Possibly, you do not feel comfortabledoing that in your own power.  You are not alone, neither were the disciples.

There is one common denominator in all of those who followed Jesus; they sacrificed something important in their lives.  They altered their priorities.  Each of them had to make the decision to leave something and come after Him.  Why would it be any different for us?    

Jesus is not asking all of us to leave everything, walk out on families and jobs, etc.  But He is asking us to change our priorities to make Him the King of our hearts and the Lord of our lives.  What comfort zone do you need to step out of this new year? What do you need to lay down at His feet?  We cannot have our lives changed unless we are willing to make the changes.  We cannot truly follow Him until He is the priority of our lives.  Do you need to change your priorities for this new year?  Maybe we need to make a list of priorities instead of a new year’s resolution.  The only resolution you need is to make Jesus Christ number one in your life.  Only then will we be willing to step out on faith, leave behind what needs to be, and follow Him.  

Scripture to Claim:

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.  1 Peter 2:21

Following Jesus

As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Mark 1:16-18

As we look toward a new year it is a good time to review our commitment to Christ. Jesus gave the call to His disciples to “Follow Me.”

Hey kids let's play "follow the leader!" Okay everybody wave their right hand just like I am doing. Now shake your left leg and foot like I am doing. Okay who wants to be the leader? Nope, I've decided that I still want to be the leader. Everybody walk in circles like me. Now everybody wave both arms in the air. Isn't this fun? Okay, who wants to be the leader now? Never mind, I've decided I like being the leader. 

Are we playing games when it comes to following Jesus? Let's face it.  We'd rather be leaders than followers.  ILL: S. I. McMillen, in his book "None of These Diseases," tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?"  Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst.  To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders.  We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower."  

We send our youth off to conferences, clubs and colleges in hopes they will come back leaders. Leadership books are big sellers in the secular and religious bookstores to hopeful readers in hopes of improving their leadership skills.  Today even pastors, preachers and other called staff of the church are often considered for call or hire on the bases of how well they are able to lead a church into mega growth, rather than how disciplined they are to following Jesus. 

We forget that it was a small band of followers of Jesus Christ who turned the known living world of their day right side up (without Jesus we are upside down!).  The church today may not need more leaders but followers that are accessible and usable to God.  True leadership rises from the ranks of those who know how to follow and who never forget to keep following Jesus.  

"Keep looking in the road ahead and make sure Christ is there. Make sure He is walking in front of you. Keep walking with Him and then look over your shoulder and you'll find there is someone following you because you are following Christ."- Joseph Stowell  

One thing we need to bear in mind and heart is that leadership is at best temporary, whereas being a follower is a life time call.  This week we will examine what following Jesus does to our lives.

When we become a follower of Jesus He will take us . . .  

To places we have never been before. 
To people we have never gone to before. 
For reasons we have never gone before.  

Jesus is giving the same call to you and me that He to His Disciples.  The start of a new year is always a good time to re-evaluate our lives. Have you answered the call of Jesus to Follow Him?  Are you following completely?  Now is a great time to make the commitment to Him to follow Him whole heartedly – with your whole life. 

Scripture to Claim:Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

Post Manger Stress Syndrome

Post Manger Stress Syndrome (submitted by Kerry Patton)

"The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”  Luke 2:20 NAS

Now What?

I can’t help but wonder…What kind of post manger let down might Joseph and Mary have experienced?  The birth of the Messiah is now past, and it must have been all an enormous build up.  From the Angel appearing to Mary, and later Joseph, to the journey to Bethlehem to be counted in the census, to the birth itself, and the arrival of the shepherds to kneel and worship their newborn baby.  WOW, what a journey!

So, now it’s a day or two later.  The angelic hosts have returned to heaven, the shepherds have made their way back to their flocks, and the owner of the manger needs his space back for horses, sheep, and cattle.  Now Joseph and Mary have a very needful newborn child that must be cared for…and at some point, they must make a six-mile trip from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, so Jesus can be presented at the Temple on the eighth day.  

They have seven days to get there, so there is no real rush, but to keep things in perspective, Mary gave birth…YESTERDAY…and they have no means of transportation other than their own feet, and the donkey she rode there on.  Then there is the baby - Those swaddling clothes now need frequent changing, and I imagine they had to stop the donkey periodically, so the baby could nurse.  This was a bit of a big deal…and it must have been an ordeal.  I’ve been a new parent four times, and while you learn a lot along the way, even for a veteran parent, those stretches of sleeplessness, cholic, or diaper rash, can be very difficult…and lonesome for a couple.  The Bible account is silent on these matters, however in my imagination, this could have been a very hard time for Mary and Joseph.

For many of us, the days following Christmas can be very difficult.  The bills of the new year begin to arrive, and the bank account may not yet have recovered from our pre-Christmas shopping.  Perhaps everyone leaves, and we find ourselves suddenly all alone again.  Friends and family move back into their own routines, and a sense of belonging and purpose may feel fleeting.  Memories of lost loved ones, or broken relationships may bring about grief and sadness. Depression, anxiety, loneliness…these are not uncommon emotions for us to wrestle with following “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Recognize the potential for the post-holiday blues to occur and become intentional about heading them off. Here are some ideas that may help:

1. Reach Out.  If you feel loneliness or isolation setting in, seek out relationships through your faith family, community friends, or other social venues.  Volunteering your time may be uplifting and foster new relationships. Be open with friends and family about your need for connection in this season so they can become intentional about connecting with you too.  If you don’t have a church class fellowship connection, this is an excellent time to make one.  Call the church office if you would like assistance in choosing.

2. Make Plans.  Fifteenth century poet Geoffrey Chaucer is credited by some with the phrase: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”  What he actually wrote was: “Doothsomme goode dedes that the devel, which is oureenemy, ne fynde yow nat unocupied." Tale of Melibee.  Nevertheless, find things to do.  It is the unoccupied mind that often becomes fixated on the sadness of a current situation.  Get up and do something, go somewhere if you are able.  Don’t just shut down and allow emotion to overtake you.

3. Get Help if needed.  Listen, if you are loading up a bag with goods and see that it might break, you double bag or move to a stronger container.  If your mind or spirit is burdened or overloaded with emotion or trouble, get some help!  Talk to someone.  Myself and our other Pastoral Care ministers are here to serve you with situations just like this.  Here is my phone number if you need me: 817-480-2002.  Or call the church at 817-599-8612.

Prayer

Oh Lord Jesus, we know that you understand how hard life can be.  You struggled to the point of sweating drops of blood!  Help us then Savior, should we begin to fall into despair, loneliness, loss, or fear as we adjust back into normal life now that the holidays are over.  Work within us the will to press through and reach out, to connect with your Spirit, and with our friends and family.  And help us to be aware of others who struggle deeply during times like these.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Merry Christmas

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 

Matthew 1:21

Merry Christmas from the staff of North Side Baptist Church

12 Days of Christmas

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord.    Psalm 45:1

People often think of The Twelve Days of Christmas as the days preceding the festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year that last for days beginning December 25 and lasting until January 6 - the Day of Epiphany - when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the light of the world and recalls the journey of the Magi. From 1558 until 1829 people in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly.  

During this era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without risk of persecution. The song has two levels of interpretation: "the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church."

Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality.

·     The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.

·     The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

·     Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

·     The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

·     The five gold rings recall the torah (Law) the first five books of the Old Testament.

·     The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

·     Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.

·     The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

·     Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5).

·     The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

·     Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

·     Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

This is the HIDDEN meaning of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and the secret behind the song.  Hope you find this as  "New/Old Meaning" to the season.

Mary, Mother of Jesus, Bondslave of God

Submitted by Lara Cook
And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.  Luke 1:38

Mary was just a teenage girl when the angel appeared to her and told her that she would be the mother of Jesus, even though she was not married and had never been with a man.  I can’t imagine that happening to me or one of my daughters.  My daughter played Mary in the Christmas production the year she was 15, which is thought to be about how old Mary was when the angel appeared to her.  I just kept thinking about her as a mother at that age, and in such a scary situation. Mary had many different responses to the message the angel gave her.  

She was perplexed- But she was very perplexed at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. v 29.  Mary was a little confused in the beginning.  She is looking at this angel wondering “What on earth is happening?”  The angel tells her not to be afraid and continues with his announcement.  He gave her a lot of information about what would be happening in her life.  She handled it pretty well I think.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. 

She was inquisitive - Mary said to the angel,“How can this be, since I am a virgin?” v 34.  Mary does what anyone in her shoes would surely do…she asks how can this possibly happen?  She is likely thinking, “You must have the wrong person!”  The angel answers all her questions:

The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36“And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37“For nothing will be impossible with God.”  

She was willing- And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.  So, Mary has just been told that she will give birth to a child and raise this child so that God’s plan could be fulfilled.  This is not her child, but it is.  She will not conceive this child in love with her husband.  In fact, she doesn’t know what will happen when her fiancé finds out. She could be stoned or publicly disgraced.  But she still is willing.  She tells the angel that she is the servant of the Lord and ready to be used according to His will.

Mary was willing to give up her whole life for God’s plan to be fulfilled. This was a long-term gig.  She was going to give birth to and raise the Son of God.  Mothers know better than anyone, this was going to take her whole life.  Would you be so quick if the angel of the Lord appeared to you and asked you to give up your whole life for God’s plan to be fulfilled? And it might mean you lose all your friends, or the person you love.  What a sold-out faith Mary had!  The angel of the Lord might not have appeared in front of you, but you have already been asked by the Lord to give up your life for Him.  Are you willing to be a bondslave to God?  

Scripture to Claim:For He has looked on the humble estate of Hisservant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.  Luke 1:48

Christmas Greenery

Some material taken fromShe Reads Truth Advent 2016

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and that life is in His Son. 
1 John 5:11

So many of the traditions we have at Christmastime are tied to symbolism.  Some you may know about, but others you may not be aware of.  Christmas greenery is one that I was unfamiliar with. 

Mistletoe–This magical little stem of greenery with white berries is usually used to steal a kiss from someone. But mistletoe is also used as an ancient symbol of God’s resurrection power.  Mistletoe is a tough little plant.  It grows by latching onto other trees.  So, the tenacity of the mistletoe caused second century Christians to use the plant to remind them of God’s power to bring life from death.  

Holly– Another traditional holiday greenery that you see a lot of during the Christmas season is holly.  Holly has bright red berries in the late fall that add beautiful color to the Christmas decorations.  Holly has been around as a Christmas decoration since the middle ages and has been mentioned in Christmas hymns and poetry since at least the 18^thcentury.  The red berries are symbolic of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Some also see holly as a symbol for the crown of thorns that Jesus wore due to its prickly leaves, again, making the holly the shed blood of Jesus.  The cross, the sacrifice, 

Pine – Evergreen– Evergreens symbolize growth and vitality.  Evergreens stay green all year long, even in the dead of winter.  Just as the branches of the pine tree remain green long after the frost comes, we can look forward to our coming life in Christ in the seasons of winter in our lives. The smell of pine is so distinctive. I love to have a real pine wreath or swag in my house at Christmas.  The fragrant branches rouse the Christmas spirit and remind us of the blessings of the season.  

Ivy- Ivy is an evergreen vine.  Like pine, it remains green all through every season.  Ivy is a climbing vine, so it must hold tight to survive, which symbolizes our need to cling to God’s promises.  

The Christmas Wreath– The circular shape of wreaths, with no beginning or end, symbolize the eternal nature of God.  God, and everything about Him, is unending.  His unending grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, and the list could go on.  He has no beginning and no end.  He never runs out or comes to the end of any of His attributes.  Because of this, we have the hope of eternal life.  He is, in every way, eternal.

Let the decorations around you this Christmas remind you of the real reason we celebrate – Jesus and all His eternal love, power, and His blood shed for us so we can have eternal life.

Scripture to Claim:
 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  2 Corinthians 9:15 

The Word became Flesh

Submitted by Van Houser

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.John 1:14 NASB

The Word became Flesh

When we have an emotion, a thought or an idea that we need to communicate, we use what are called “words”.  Wordsconvey our desires and our dreams.  They also convey our heart and priorities.  We use words every day and yet fail to realize that they create worlds.  The words we speak become the very surroundings that we exist in.  The Psalmist proclaimed that “death and life are in the power of the tongue”. Genesis states that it was by words that the world was created.

God desired to reveal His heart for mankind; He wanted us to know His love.  He also wished for us to understand His desire to redeem us from the consequences of our sin and separation from Him.  But all the words of heaven could not communicate fully with man.  God needed a “word” from heaven that man could understand.

Christmas is all about God’s love and plan.  It is the revelation in flesh of His desire for us. John 1:1 speaks of Jesus as “the word” which was in existence in the beginning, and John 1:14 shares that “the word became flesh and dwelt among us.”  Jesus is the “word” that existed before the foundation of the world.  Jesus is the one who threw open the door of eternity and came into our world of time to share the heart of the Father.

This is what Christmas is all about.  The angels said to the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  A Savior…from what?  Who is it that needs one?  According to the angel it is “for all the people”.  

People who truly know God, know that He is holy and requires His people to be holy.  The very word “holy” means separated from or other than.  Without holiness, no one can find fellowship with God.  People who know God, and know themselves, realize that they are sinners and therefore separated from God.  All our attempts at being good can never attain “holy” because we are already flawed from sin.  Today’s righteousness will not counteract yesterday’s sin.  So where does that leave us?  We are separated from God.  Not only that, we are hopeless in our own power to find fellowship and eternal life in God.  

Mankind needed a “word” from God and “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”so that we could be delivered from our sin!  It is precisely to this hopelessness that the angel brought the “good news”… “a savior is born!”  Hope is alive!  Joy is restored!  Peace with God and man is possible!  All because “God so loved the world that He sent His only son.” 

Scripture to Claim:

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, evento those who believe in His name,John 1:12 NASB

Share the Gifts

Submitted by Lara Cook

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

During the Christmas season we hear many of the same words used every year - words like, hope peace, joy, and love.  Those are special gifts brought to us through that tiny baby laid in a manger, but there are many other gifts that came from the manger that first Christmas as well. Some of the other gifts of the manger are mercy, grace, acceptance, and forgiveness.

The Gift of Mercy– Mercy – compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.  God has every right and power togive us the punishment we deserve, but because of the gift of God given through Jesus’ birth, we have been delivered from that judgement.  We are all sinners and will never become righteous people. But because of Jesus, and our acceptance of Him, He has provided a way for our sins to be forgiven.  Grace and Mercy are shown to us for nothing in exchange but acceptance of Jesus as our Savior.  

The Gift of Grace–Grace – the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.  The free and unmerited favor of God– there are no more beautiful words ever spoken to a sinner.  When Jesus came, He brought grace, and enough for everyone, for their whole lives.  In fact, He brought enough grace for us to have plenty and more to pass on. God has grace on us when we don’t deserve it.  He can do that because Jesus was born, and died, to pay the debt for us, bringing the grace of God to us.  

The Gift of Acceptance– Tiny baby in a manger – the Savior of the world – the wholeworld.  No matter how broken and wrecked, no matter how sinful and low, He came for you.  All are welcome. All are loved the same.  All get an audience with this King.  All are given the same gifts - Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, Salvation, Eternal Life, and plenty to give away as well.  

The Gift of Forgiveness– The birth of Jesus, His life on earth, and His death on the cross, made forgiveness of our sins possible.  He paid the debt for us on the cross so that we could be debt free. When we accept the greatest gift of the manger – Jesus, we are given forgiveness of sins, which makes it possible to have a relationship with Him and with others.  The forgiveness of our sins then leads to salvation and eternal life.  

Share the Gifts-These gifts that we receive from the manger are not gifts for us to keep to ourselves.  Take the gifts given and pass them on. We have been given mercy and grace when we are so undeserving.  We have been accepted and forgiven.  Who do you need to give some mercy and grace to?  Look around you – bring the outsider in and give them the gift of acceptance. And then, forgiveness…is there someone you need to forgive?  

Come to the manger this Christmas.  Look into His face and inhale the holiness of this season.  The absolute sacredness of this time of year is there for you to find it. It is more than decorations and a tree. It is the baby in the manger. Take in the beautiful gifts that the manger offers.  Then go and give as you have been given.  

Scripture to Claim: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display Him immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:15-17

God’s Second Greatest Christmas Gift

1 John 4:9-10

Christmas is a highly emotional time with high expectations sometimes beyond what we will experience. Family gatherings can bring up some past hurts that need to be dealt with. Families that deal with their past will have a better future, but it won’t happen without forgiveness.

It is the ChristCandle that brings God’s second greatest gift of forgiveness.

Jesus was born so that we could experience restorationwith God AND man.

I. You Can’t Avoidthe Family Pastat Christmas 

“Forgivenessis giving up the possibility of a better past.”

Full-grown unforgiveness is called “Bitterness”. Hebrews 12:15

Be “grace-ful” with your familythis Christmas.

II. You Can Experience Forgiveness  

The Dimensionsof Forgiveness  

·       ForgivenessNEEDED

·       ForgivenessGRANTED

·       ForgivenessRECEIVED

·       ForgivenessREPEATED

Forgiveness is NOT…

·       Ignoringthe offense

·       Forgetting

·       Trustingthe offender

·       Removingconsequences

·       Healingemotionally instantly

·       Restoringrelationship fully

·       Releasingpower

·       Waitingfor an apology  

III. You Can Create a PositiveFamily Futurethis Christmas  Colossians 3:13 NLT

The ability to forgive is found at the Crossof Jesus.  

Steps to BeginForgiveness

1. Ask God to revealto you those you hold resentmenttoward

2. Bring the list to Jesus

3. Releasethem and pray God’s blessingfor them
and Get Right with God!