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!

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Do you have an overinflated opinion of yourself, or are you controlled by self-loathing? Both extremes are common and for a host of reasons understandable. And for a Christian they are both wrong and dangerous. God has gifted each of us with his unique design (Psalm 139) and in our verse today He has given us just the right amount of spiritual strength to accomplish His will. Today let each of us give thanks to God for our unique make-up and gifts. At the same time let us apply ourselves to the life God has given us and not be consumed with the life He has given to others. This Thanksgiving week let’s rejoice not only in all what God is doing around us, but what He is doing in and through us!

Acts 21:14 And when he (Paul) would not be persuaded, we (Paul’s Christian friends) ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. Paul was on his way to Jerusalem and his friends were confident that if he did go he would be placed in bondage. Yet Paul clearly understood that God’s will for his life was to make the journey. When it became clear to Paul’s friends that the will of God was at work, they stopped trying to fight it. While we should be grateful to have friends, and seek to be a godly friend, we must never overstep our boundaries. The truth of God’s will always trumps the thoughts of our friends. If God is leading you down a path that others are not comfortable with then follow Paul’s example. Let your friends know that while you appreciate their concern, the will of God is the safest place for every believer to be at every moment of their lives!

Luke 4:8 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” Life is filled with all kinds of responsibilities and obligations. In the midst of the all the motion we can very easily loss focus. While there are many people we are responsible to throughout our daily life, we ultimately play to an audience of ONE! Every action and choice either to do or not to do something should be done as an act of service to God. Today let us live with the confidence and conviction that we are serving God within all our choices and throughout all our choices!