Exodus 2:3-4 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. Pharaoh had ordered that all the new born Jewish males to be killed. The parents of Moses did all they could to keep him alive. When they could not protect him any longer they made the ark and waited to see what God was going to do. We have all faced times when we had a legitimate outcome we desired but could not produce. These are times when we must wait to see what God will do. If God has called you to such a time this week, learn from the family of Moses. Take all the appropriate steps for as long as you can and then wait. God in His time and by His means will both reveal and accomplish His will.

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Abram’s life had not been easy or predictable. Much like our lives are on a daily basis. And in this one verse God gives two truths that both Abram needed and we cannot do without. First, that God is our shield. And second, that He is our reward. Today let us turn from our fear and anxiety and trust God to ward off any and every force that would stand between us and God’s will. At the same time may we choose to be satisfied with God alone. Not just for all that He does for us, but simply for who He is! As we embark on the first week of the New Year we need both the confidence and comfort this verse gives. Let’s take it with us during every day and within every step of 2016! Happy New Year Pastor Tony Note: I want to thank all of our friends from out of town that so kindly helped with our 2015 Christmas offering. It was a great success and God kindly met our goal. Please continue to pray for, and when you can, support the work here at Still Waters.

I Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Our walk with God should impact our walk with others. We are called upon to honor (value as individuals), to love others within the body of Christ, and to respect those in positions of authority. Each challenge is rooted in a right view of God. As we come to the end of the year let us examine the ways we are or are not following the challenges in this verse. Then let us commit to living out the truth every day and in every way during 2016! Happy New Year!

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!