Tag: bible

Birthdays and New Year are good days for a fresh start and new dreams.

Have you made any plans for 2024 yet? Any resolutions or goals? None of us know what the new year will bring, but we can still set goals and make plans with the knowledge that we do have. Only God truly knows what tomorrow will bring. As we trust Him with our tomorrows, ask Him to direct our steps and give Him our plans; then we can truly rest knowing that whatever happens, God is with us.

I enjoy dreaming, making resolutions and planning for the future although I don’t really know which direction to go or what the future may bring. I often make a list at the beginning of the year of things I hope to accomplish. I include everything from professional goals to household chores that I hope to get done. I also have long term goals of how I want my life to count such as I want others to know that I found God’s grace too amazing to keep it to myself and I want my family to always work together and know they are loved.

I have set goals for years and now I am realizing that while goals are vitally important in our growth and accomplishments, what is even more important is our character or integrity – how we live our lives as we accomplish those goals and how we treat the people around us. For that reason, the last few years, amidst the list of goals and resolutions, half of which I probably won’t keep, I try to pick an inspiring word or saying to live by for the year. One year my word was JOY! I tried to incorporate joy into what I did and how I treated others even in difficult situations. Another year my word was THANKSGIVING! That year I found that gratitude, giving thanks in the good and the bad of life, can truly change your attitude. Other words I have chosen over the years are GRACE, HOPE, LOVE, FAITH. I haven’t decided what word I’m going to choose this year, I may revisit JOY or FAMILY or PURPOSE. Whatever I choose, I’m looking to God for help in living out His purpose and plan for my life. I’m looking to God for guidance in following His plans in everything I do and say.

Setting goals, personal, professional, and relationally can be difficult. I struggle with priorities. It seems easy until a day unravels and the unexpected happens. My priorities are #1. my relationship with God, #2. my family and #3. Work and relationships with others. Sounds easy right? Yet, how do I live those priorities out? What about those times when I have a busy week and I have a work deadline and an opportunity to spend time with my family too? What now? What should come first? I try to juggle by staying up late or getting up early to work before family is up and about, yet even then, I fall behind in my work and feel frustrated with myself. Now what? I pray, “Lord help! Lord, order my day because to be honest, I’m not very good at it.” Yes, I do set goals, long term, yearly, weekly and daily goals; yet I am realizing more and more the need for seeking guidance daily as I reset my priorities.

Thankfully, God is always there. He reminds me that loving Him and loving others are the most important things I will ever do. When I do that, then everything else will fall into place. If I have to let go of one of my goals in the process, that’s okay because taking time to love always takes precedence.

Good luck with your New Year’s goals this year. I hope you accomplish at least one of those goals and I hope that you grow in the process. My prayer is that we all find ourselves written into God’s story as we love and serve Him and others.

Parent Prayer

Father God,
I need your guidance as I look towards this New Year. I have opportunities before me that I would like to take advantage of and yet I know that my time is limited and I don’t want to jeopardize my time with my family and others. Please guide me in these decisions. I want to write another book and promote the book that I have written as well as be able to keep up with rising living costs, yet my house needs some work and well and I am retirement age and really want to spend more time with my grandkids. Pleases help me to make wise choices. I pray for my kids and grandkids too. Guide their choices everyday as they also balance work, family and personal goals. I know it’s not easy and I know they need your help everyday. Help us to follow your leading every day. Thank you for guiding us. Amen

My Goals/Resolutions For This Year

#1. Love God more and more.
#2. Make time for some adventures with my family.
#3. Write and publish another book.
#4. Set up my office.
#5. Live generously and with more love towards family and others.
#6. Renew my commitment to exercise.
#7. Word for the year – Purpose.

Kid’s Section

STORY REFERENCE: Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born, wise men came to see Him. “Look at the beautiful BIG star in the sky!” a wise man said. (Hold up a star if you have one.) The wise men knew the star was special.

“Let’s follow the star!” they said. They followed the star for a long, long time. Finally the star led them to Bethlehem and to Jesus. They were very excited to see the star. (Jump up and down and point to the star.) They were happy to see Jesus.

They knelt down and worshiped Jesus. They gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Frankincense and myrrh smell very good like perfume.

After the wise men saw Jesus, they went back home.The wise men followed the star because they wanted to worship Jesus and give Him gifts. 

You can give Jesus a gift too. What can you give Jesus? You can give Him yourself, your love. Let’s say, “I love you!” to Jesus and thank Him for coming to earth. “Jesus, I love you. Thank you for coming to earth to be my friend.” Now let’s say thank you to God too. “Thank you God for sending your Son, Jesus.”

PRAYER:

Dear God,

Thank you for Jesus your best gift. Jesus, thank you for coming to earth. I want to give you my best. I will give you my love. I love you. Amen



MEMORIZE: Luke 2:11 NIRV – (Open hands as though holding a book.)
… a Savior – (Cross arms and then swing outwards.)

Has been born – (Rock a baby.)

To you. – (Extend hands outward.)
He is Christ the Lord – (Point upwards.)

KNOW: The wise men came to worship and give gifts.
TALK ABOUT: Gifts! God gave His best, Jesus.
ASK: Who loves you? God loves me.
AND DO: I can give God my best; I can give Him myself.

FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK:

• Weather permitting, look at the stars at night. The wise men followed a star to worship Jesus. Play a simple game of follow the leader ending with reading the story of the wise men.
  
  • Draw thank you notes with your child for the gifts that they received. Remember to give thanks to Jesus too. Use plenty of star stickers on your thank you notes.