Luke 2:11-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. This week let us spend time focusing on all that Christ is, and all that He does for us. Jesus is the reason for our joy, the payment for our sins, and our hope for heaven. Let’s keep our hearts and minds focused on what matters! Merry Christmas Pastor Tony Note to our out-of-town friends: Twice a year we reach out to our out-of-town friends to ask them to consider helping us financially. If the Lord leads you to help before the year's end it would be very much appreciated. You can give on our website www.stillwatersbaptist.org on the giving link or via mail. Thank you.

Hebrews 3: 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. The people of God were on the verge of a great victory and blessing. After hundreds of years in Egypt they were days away from entering the promised land. The only thing standing in their way was unbelief. The result was that they missed out on the rest they could have had and instead spent 40 years in the wilderness. Are we in danger of the same today? How close are we to the blessings and will of God yet our unbelief is stopping us? Faith that is based on the truth of God's word, not self-centered foolishness, should be the heart's desire of all of us! Today let us trust God to keep His promises. Then may we step out by faith to embrace His revealed will with confident obedience,

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. While there are a number of ways we can know God’s will, the verse for today gives us two. God gives us the desire to do His will (“both to will”) and He makes it possible (“to do”). When God leads us our desires and opportunities are brought into line with His will. Today let us examine the desires within us, asking if they are of the Lord! Then let us examine the opportunities before us today which would allow us to fulfill His will. Then may we jump into His will with confidence and commitment!

II Corinthians 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. Honesty has been called the outward sign of an inward good. Let me suggest a working definition: “Honesty is the choice to do what is right without any deceit or double meaning”. We are reminded today that we are called upon to be honest before God and to be seen as honest before man. Today let us first start by asking ourselves the question, “Am I being honest with God in all I am and do?”. If we have started to play the part of the hypocrite we know God is not fooled. So let’s make things right with Him today. Second let us ask the question, “How does my life look to others?” Are we taking the extra steps that will make sure that the truthfulness of our honesty will not be questioned? How things look does matter! While we cannot control what other people think or say about us we can always be honest before God and man!