Week #95 Why is Santa Second?

Got this off of the I AM SECOND website...here is the link if you want to read it straight off over there Why is Santa Second? Hope you all like it and Merry Christmas!

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The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need. By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate life.

1821 brought some new elements with publication of the first lithographed book in America, the Children's Friend. This "Sante Claus" arrived from the North in a sleigh with a flying reindeer. The jolly elf image received another big boost in 1823, from a poem destined to become immensely popular, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," now better known as "The Night Before Christmas."

The poem generally has been attributed to Clement Clark Moore however, a case has been made that Henry Livingston actually penned it in 1807 or 1808. No matter who wrote it, the poem has had enormous influence on the Americanization of St. Nicholas.

It's been a long journey from the Fourth Century Bishop of Myra, St. Nicholas, who showed his devotion to God in extraordinary kindness and generosity to those in need, to America's jolly Santa Claus, whose largesse often supplies luxuries to the affluent. However, he is still Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, whose caring surprises continue to model true giving and faithfulness.

For indeed, St. Nicholas, lover of the poor and patron saint of children, is a model of how Christians are meant to live. A bishop, Nicholas put Jesus Christ at the center of his life, his ministry, his entire existence.

(Excerpted from www.stnicholascenter.org)

Week #85 it starts with ONE (week 3)

Acts 3 - "It Starts With One" Small Group DVD from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

Once the early church received the Holy Spirit, everything changed. This week we will look at what it means to listen to and respond to the Holy Spirit.
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+READ Acts 3:1-10

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Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!

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What did the lame man ask of Peter and John? What did they give him instead?

How can we tell when the Holy Spirit is prompting us to act?



+READ Acts 3:11-16

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11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Peter Preaches in the Temple

12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!

16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

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Share about any Holy Spirit miracles you’ve witnessed, big or small.

Where do you currently need a Holy Spirit type of faith?

How can you make yourself available for God to use in supernatural ways?

Week #83 it starts with ONE (Week 1)

It Starts With One Series Promo from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

The goal of this week is to understand the mission Jesus left for the Church and what this looks like for us today.

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+READ Acts 1:1-11
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1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

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Summarize the events that occur in this passage.

How do you imagine the disciples were thinking and feeling after these events?

Do you ever relate to this in your own relationship with God?


+READ Acts 1:8 & Matt. 28:19-20
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8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8


19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matt. 28:19-20

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What mission did Jesus leave with his disciples?

What is your reaction when you hear what Jesus said is the mission for His Church? Are you excited? Fearful? Why?

Would someone observing your life know that this is your mission? Why or why not?


Challenge for the Week:

What is one thing you can do this week to obey Jesus’ final command to his disciples?

Week #77 I Need a Job...

These days, there are a lot of people saying, "I need a job." There are some who simply can't find a job and there are a lot of us that have jobs but want new ones. While thinking about this, I began thinking about my talents and my interests and how many people have jobs where they are unable to use their God given talents the way they should be and how many people are working jobs that they have no interest in. Too many of us have simply taken jobs for paychecks and not gone after jobs that we were called to do.

Obviously in today's world, we have to work and we have to make money some way to survive. The world's economy today does not help matters much when it comes to being picky about the type of job you have either. Bare with me as I try to throw some Jesus on the points I'm trying to make...

One of the toughest questions you can ask someone is...What do you want to do with your life? With all the different career options out there, how do you narrow down your search? To start off, you have to take a look at the things you are good at. Maybe you are good with numbers or maybe you have a special bond with kids. It will be very hard to find a job that will allow you to use all of your talents and abilities, but through prayer and some soul searching, hopefully you will be able to find a career that you will be good at and a career that you will enjoy doing.

I know things don't always work out this way (personal experience). Sometimes you have to take a job out of necessity. When this happens you have to trust that God will make use of your time at that job and will allow you to use the skills you acquire there in your future. We have to remember that God is not into wasting His time or ours. Our lives here are too short. He has a purpose for each of us and we have to trust that He knows what is best for us and will help get us where He wants us. He just asks that we do the best that we can with the jobs that He gives us and He will do the rest.

So Potiphar arrested Joseph and put him into the prison....But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. The Lord caused the prison warden to like Joseph. The prison warden chose Joseph to take care of all the prisoners. He was responsible for whatever was done in the prison. The warden paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's care. This was because the Lord was with Joseph. The Lord made Joseph successful in everything he did.

Genesis 39:20-23

Week #63 Give Me Your Eyes - Brandon Heath

Check out the video and take a look at the lyrics in Brandon Heath's song: Give Me Your Eyes. I truly think this song relays an inspiring message and will hopefully make all of us evaluate how we see others.

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere,
Why have I never cared?

Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Chorus

I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along

Chorus (x2)

Week #30 What is True Success?

We all want good things. We want to have decent cars, nice clothes, a high paying job, a nice house, and our own personal chef. These are things I think we can all agree on. But does having these things mean our lives are successful? How does God view true success?

It is natural to want to be successful. Nobody wants to be a failure (I used to, but not anymore). When thinking about success, it is important for us to be sure that we have God's perspective on success. I doubt very many of us view success the same way God does. True success is not how much money we may make, how famous we may become, or how much we may accomplish over a lifetime. True success is obeying God and His commands. If we are obedient to God, we will accomplish all that He wants us to accomplish, and that is enough.

In Jeremiah 45:2-5, God tells Baruch not to seek out great things for himself, but to simply do what the Lord told him and the Lord would take care of him. If we are obedient to God, He will take care of us and we will be successful wherever He leads us. We may not be successful as the world would define success, but we will be successful in God's eyes...which is what truly matters. We endure our greatest successes when we allow God to carry out His plans through us.

God created each one of us for a purpose. We are all blessed with certain skills and talents. He wants us to make use of the skills and opportunities He provides us with. If we listen and obey God, we will be successful.

Week #21 Be Passionate About Your Christian Life!

Is it okay to celebrate the Christian life and be enthusiastic about my faith? I always thought my faith was all so serious.

READ: Philippians 3:7-12; Psalm 103:2; Isaiah 49:13
The word passion means to have an intense desire towards something or someone. This can apply to many areas of our lives, but it should apply especially to our spiritual life. Sadly, this isn't always the case. We are passionate about our jobs, money, sports, and our possessions. But what about God? Where does He rank on our list of things we are passionate about? Is He even on the list?

As believers, we should passionately seek to know God. In order to be passionate about someone, you have to get to know them. Today, many Christians "know" Christ in a superficial way. We know that He is the world's Savior, that He was the virgin-born Son of God, and that He died on the cross (accepting death in our place) and rose after three days to sit at the right hand of God. Those are the facts that we all know (even non-Christians "know" these things), but just knowing these will not bring lasting satisfaction. We want to know Who is this Jesus that willingly died and why did He give His life? To find these answers we have to seek an intimate relationship with Christ and gain a true knowledge of Christ.

The Lord wants us to be passionate about our relationship with Him. In order for our relationships with Him to grow, we have to read our Bibles, pray with Him, and walk in His light. Jesus wants us to serve Him enthusiastically, joyfully, and with a great sense of delight. We should celebrate because God has given us the biggest reason to celebrate...He has rescued us from the consequences of sin and He promises us the wonders of eternity!

Celebrate and enjoy every moment of life! Be passionate about the gift God has given you, the many blessings He provides each and every day, and the chance He has given each of us to have an intimate relationship with Him! Our passion and enthusiasm will be infectious!

Week #7 Resolutions

I know this is a day or two late, but I thought we could talk about New Year's resolutions and starting off 2008 the right way...God's Way. Everyone is making New Year's resolutions, but few people actually end up keeping them. Most people end up breaking their resolutions a few months after making them.

When thinking about your goals and resolutions for the new year, think about what life goals will bring you closer to God. The type of goals you set should help you develop a better relationship with God. This means focusing on God and on his direction for your life, not on seeking only pleasure or great things for yourself. The Bible says that Enoch had a great relationship with God for 365 years (Genesis 5:23-24)! Why not walk with God for the next 365 days?

Instead of making a long list of things you hope to do this year, try focusing on the one thing that really matters...a daily resolution to be more like Jesus. While on earth, Jesus loved, served, and gave glory to God. We should always be looking for ways to improve our relationship with God and help us to walk with God. If we decide to live this way, we will find that every day brings about a new adventure. For this year, decide to strive to be more like Jesus by loving and serving God and others, and by bringing glory to God in the way that you live.

Check out these versus:
Mark 10:45
1 Corinthians 14:1
2 Corinthians 5:9
James 4:4
Joshua 22:5