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Scrooge needed to be visited by 3 Ghosts to get him back in the Christmas mood. A Ghost from his past, his present, and his future all brought a different message. Sunday, we talked about reflected on the past, present, and future in order to regain the joy in our relationship with Christ. When I am having a spiritually low moment, I find that it is helpful to look in the past and remind myself what God has done for me. I forget the great things that he's done and the miracles that he has performed in my life. Just remembering the fact that Christ died for me because he loved me starts to bring joy to my troubled day. When I look to the present, I remember that God is not far off for me to talk to. I strive to be a disciplined pray-er. When you are not experiencing the joy in your relationship with Christ, I would encourage you all to stop and take a few minutes to pray to God. Let him know how you are feeling and welcome his instruction in your life. Lastly, I am reminded of the great joy that awaits us when we see Christ face to face. Knowing that God has written my name in the boook of life brings me joy and reminds me of what is important each day, to seek his face and enjoy him as I bring glory to his name. Don't forget the things that God has done in your life, don't forget that He is not far off today - we can seek him now; and don't forget that God will be faithful to his promises for you. He will provide for you and give you opportunities to grow. Make sure you take them. I hope you all experience the good news of great joy that we celebrate this Christmas. Merry Christmas! PETE

Not too often will any of us walk out of the house without looking into a mirror. I catch others glancing at storefront windows as they walk by and fixing their shirt collars and their hair. It's funny to see how we are constantly evaluating our outer appearance. Why should it be any different than how we evaluate our inner appearance? As followers of Christ, we need to get in the habit of reflecting on our heart and seeing if their is any thought, any desire, any habit that does not conform to the image of Christ. If there is, then we need to get it out. We need to welcome and invite God's Word to convict us in areas of pride, hatred, and other sin. God knows our thoughts even if we don't tell him. If we hear his voice today, don't wait until tomorrow to respond. There are going to be times when we don't want to look into our hearts and confront the sin so it is in these times that we need accountability. We need good friends to feel free to hold a mirror to our hearts and show us where we are walking away from God. Afterall, we would always want to know if we had a piece of food stuck in our teeth - how much more should we want to know about a blemish on our hearts. Reflection is so important because it gets ourselves in the habit of hearing God's Word and responding in obedience. Accountability is important because we don't always want to respond. Check out these verses: James 1:22-25; Hebrews 3:7-4:13 - PETE

"I bring you good news of great Joy...today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord!" This is what the Angels told some shepherds who where in a field the night Jesus was born. (Luke 2) They brought a message that would bring great Joy to all that understood; it was the message of the Gospel. Has someone ever broken a promise to you? I know that it doesn't make you want to trust that person again. God wants us to have a child-like faith towards his promises. Think about it, when you were 5 years old, you probably always believed what your parents told you: You even believed in Santa Claus! God has promised to save his children and He provided the way in Jesus Christ. That is why reflecting on the Gospel should bring Joy to our lives every day. We remember that God is faithful not only in saving us, but in replenishing us every day. So how do we respond? Let's take the encouragement foun in Hebrews 10:22-23 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." I hope that we all remember and reflect on the promised Gospel that has been given to us from a God. Pete