Luke 1:39-45 (context - the beginning of the story of the birth of Jesus)
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
What a scene - 2 expectant women sharing the Joy of the Lord- 2 children, each a gift from God. Both Sent with Purpose. One, to point the way, the other was The Way.
John 1: 6-14 NIV
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
I was challenged by the Pastor's message this week - Do I live my life with purpose? Do I share and celebrate the Christmas Season with Purpose? Do I point the way?OR - do I follow the "p.c." way in enjoying the "Happy Holidays" and just share social greetings, safely and humbly.
John the Baptist was born with purpose - to point the way to the Messiah. To give a life changing message to the people. John the Baptist was sent as a Witness to the people.
He was a part of the Christmas story that I really hadn't given much thought to, yet he is exactly what we are about at Park Free Celebrate Recovery. Seeking to point the way to people with a Life changing message, a Christ Centered Program, that will bring them out of the darkness and into the Light!
We have Purpose - Celebrate Recovery is a Christ centered 12 step program for those who are ready to embark on a journey of real and lasting change.
Jeremiah spoke to God's people in the midst of exile, words that can apply to many of us today, as we seek the Lord and His strength on our Recovery:
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.
Jeremiah 29: 11-13 NIV
Are you ready for a Life with Purpose?
Join us this Thursday as we CELEBRATE RECOVERY!
We will be meeting UPSTAIRS this week, in the Tree House Ministry facilities, as there are other celebration going on at Park Free
.
Starting at 6PM, we will join in a little PIZZA POTLUCK - We'll provide the Pizza, you can bring anything else you'd like to share - Pop, cookies, snacks, or come and just share your Heart! We'd love to have you celebrate with us!
We'll start our Anniversary Celebration at 6:30 ( our normal meeting time ) and enjoy some worship time and opportunities to celebrate and share what God has been doing in our lives and our recovery!
Finally, at 7:30, we'll break into our small groups (men in one room, women in another) to continue sharing in a more personal setting, encouraging and uplifting one another.
It's a GREAT way to start a New Year!
Revelation 21:5-7;
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
(Please note that due to changes in staffing, Park Free CR does NOT have child care available during our 2015 meeting
times, at this point. We are working to resolve this and regret the inconvenience.)
