DAILY REFLECTIONS
Day 1 – Everything Belongs to God
Psa 24:1 (CEV)
The earth and everything on it belong to the Lord. The world and its people belong to him.
Lev 27:30 (CEV)
Ten percent of everything you harvest is holy and belongs to me, whether it grows in your fields or on your fruit trees.
Make a list of 10 Blessings you are truly thankful for and express your gratitude to God for them.
Day 2 – Trust in God
Psalm 121
1 I look to the hills! Where will I find help?
2 It will come from the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth.
3 The Lord is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble.
4 The protector of Israel doesn’t doze or ever get drowsy.
5 The Lord is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun.
6 You won’t be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night.
7 The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers.
8 The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go.
Name 3 ways that you trust God with your life.
What area of your life do you need to increase your trust in God? Talk to God about it.
Day 3 – Jesus Words
John 3:16 - 17 (CEV)
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!
Matt 10:39 (CEV)
If you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it.
God is incredibly generous and Jesus wants us to imitate God.
Name three areas where it is easy for you to be generous.
What do you need to do to increase your generosity?
Day 4 – Pray for the Leaders of our church.
Heb 13:7 - 17 (CEV)
7 Don’t forget about your leaders who taught you God’s message. Remember what kind of lives they lived and try to have faith like theirs. 8Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever…17Obey your leaders and do what they say. They are watching over you, and they must answer to God. So don’t make them sad as they do their work. Make them happy. Otherwise, they won’t be able to help you at all.
Staff: Ask God to help and support our Staff: Lee Rutz, Rosalie Harris, Gina Applegate, Mike Claman and Pastors Kim Blakley Rea and Greg Lombard Rea.
Officers: Ask God to help and support our church officers: Dave Janssen, Sheelah Stoddard, Beth Haines, Scott and Brenda Siemsen, Loretta Owens, Bev Smith, Harold Lear, Garland Asman, Connie Carlson, Floyd Stoddard, Larry and Fran Coates, Bill Sanderson, Jerry Pedersen, Jr, Eloise Lynch, Bob Koch, Bobby Koch, Barb Janssen, Pamela Graf, Ginny Bevan, Steve Sammons, Suzanne Myers, Lucille Sanderson
Teachers: Pray for our Teachers and LIFE Group Leaders: George Aden, Phyllis Miles, Bobby Koch, Loretta Owens, Floyd Stoddard, Gena Koch, Larry/Fran Coates, Sherry/Steve Sammons, Darcy Leech, Daniel Leech, Diann Heath, Audra Morris, Dianna Pedersen, Renee Atwill, Connie Carlson, Denise Catania, Darcy Kelly, Pamela Graf, and Kim and Greg Rea.
Day 5 – THE ISAIAH VISION
Isaiah 65: 20-23 (17-23)
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind… No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. (NRSV)
The Isaiah Vision is a concrete and clear objective. It specifies that:
- Children do not die;
- Old people live in dignity;
- That those who build houses live in them;
- And those who plant vineyards eat the fruit.
Say a prayer for children whose lives or health are threatened, and/or those who are orphaned.
Say a prayer for older folks who are not treated with the dignity that they deserve.
Say a prayer for those who work hard but still cannot provide their families with the basics or food and shelter.
Day 6 – Serve the World in Love
Isaiah 65: 20-23
No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
The Isaiah Vision is one way that we can SERVE THE WORLD IN LOVE next year.
It says that the God we believe in is One who:
- Protects children,
- Empowers the elderly,
- And walks with working men and women.
We are called to do the same.
List three people that you believe that First Christian Church could help.
What kind of help do these people need?
What can the people of First Christian Church do for them?
Pray for those people now.
Day 7 – Prepare to Give
2 Corinthians 9:1 - 9 (CEV) 1I don’t need to write you about the money you plan to give for God’s people. 2I know how eager you are to give. And I have proudly told the Lord’s followers in Macedonia that you people in Achaia have been ready for a whole year. 5So I have decided to ask Titus and the others to spend some time with you before I arrive. This way they can arrange to collect the money you have promised. Then you will have the chance to give because you want to, and not because you feel forced to. 6Remember this saying, “A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest.” Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. 8God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others.
1. Examine the Table of gifts that we need to carry out the ministries of Jesus Christ at First Christian Church next year.
2. Today, examine the Percentage Giving Chart. Find what percentage of your income God is calling you to give next year.
3. Take a few moments to prayerfully fill out your Faith Promise Card. Keep the right side for your records. Bring the left side to church on Sunday November 23rd.
