December's Coming

So December is upon us, and there are so many things rolling around in people's heads. Thanksgiving is over, but that only means that Christmas is coming. While Christmas is coming, we also have holiday concerts, company Christmas parties, trips to the mall, Christmas light tours, family get-togethers, frustration on the roads, inclement weather, and of course, a new year to look forward to all at the same time. I admit, I am a scrooge. Christmas is not something I really enjoy. I enjoy being able to light a fire in the fireplace without burning up, I appreciate the good food and time off work, but I just don't get into the Christmas Spirit.

Maybe that is why I appreciate the sermon series our church is in right now, Advent Conspiracy. The purpose of the series is to get back to worshiping Christ in the midst of this time of self-absorbed, stuff-worshiping, crazy consumerist tendencies. It was a miracle when Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit, and it was a miracle for the God of the universe to be an embryo. It was a miracle for the Creator of ALL things to be weaned and to learn to walk and talk. How did a celebration of these miracles come to the chaos we make of it today? That could be an argument that goes for hours, but in the end, it really doesn't matter. What matters is that we continue running the race set out for us, even in December.

Following Christ doesn't stop because the rest of the world is in a frenzy. In fact, there is more of a need for His disciples during this time than any other. During Advent Conspiracy, we are called to Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. Honestly, these are all things we are called to do all the time, but there is a need to emphasize it in December because of the influence the world has on us. Oh, if only we could be the ones influencing the world! Isn't that what God has called us to do? So this December, please join in the conspiracy of worshiping our Lord in word and deed, being the hands and feet of Jesus that the world so desperately needs. Be different. Be a difference. Be a Christ-follower.

Ezra 9-10

Below are the video, small group lesson, and daily devotionals for Ezra 9 & 10. Also, I attached a timeline of the book of Ezra to last week's post. This week we will discuss confession, which has so many implications for the Christian life. We will also discuss repentance, which is what we hope confession leads to. Hoepfully your group will have time at the end of the lesson to play a fun game to recap the book of Ezra and end on a light note. Enjoy!




The small group lesson is here: Ezra 9-10

The daily devotional is here: Ezra 9-10 Daily Devos

Ezra 7-8

Below are the video, lesson, and daily devotionals fro Ezra 7 & 8. I have also included a timeline of the book of Ezra as many have mentioned that this would help them. Hopefully this week we will gain an understanding of a few of the spiritual disciplines and why we do them. As you study this week, try to think about what you are doing and why you are doing it when you pray, read God's Word, and any other spiritual discipline you do. Don't forget to organize your group to study, fast, and pray together over the next week.



Here is the lesson: Ezra 7-8

Here is the daily devotional: Ezra 7-8 Daily Devos

The timeline is here: Ezra Timeline