Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Angels Rejoicing! Kids Church for December 21


Merry Christmas! I hope you're enjoying your Christmas break!


Last Sunday we looked at angels worshipping God...and NOT wanting to be worshipped by others.


Revelation 19:9,10 tells about John meeting with an angel, and the angel told him NOT to worship him, but to worship Jesus!


We know that angels rejoice and worship Jesus. Read these Luke 2:8-16 to learn more about angels rejoicing at that first Christmas.


Someday, we will all be with the angels worshipping God together. That's going to be awesome! Read about it in Revelation 5:11-13 and Revelation 7:9-11.


During this Christmas season, take some time to REJOICE along with the angels! Worship Jesus and tell him you love him during these special days.


Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Angels Ministering - December 14

I'm writing to you from a computer at a hotel in Fairmont, Minnesota! Sunday afternoon, right after services, I jumped in my van and drove to Sherburne, Minnesota to do the first night of "Home for the Holidays" at a theater.

After the program, I planned to drive back to Willmar, but the weather was terrible. I decided to stay at a hotel at Fairmont--which was only 11 miles away. Well, it took an HOUR to drive to Fairmont. The wind was blowing, the snow was whipping, and I could hardly see! I must say that I was praying along the way!

It made me think once again about my friend, Mel Erickson, and how his wife was on an icy road, and God helped her car stay on the road. It may have been an angel! Because there are times that God sends angels to help us.

On Sunday we talked about how Daniel was helped by an angel. Hagar and Ishmael were helped by an angel. In Matthew 4 we are told about Jesus temptation. Take a moment to read that you and you'll see that angels were sent to minister to Jesus at the end of that trial.

If you bundle up really well, you could go outside today and make a "snow angel!"

God bless you. I need to get on the road and try to make it back to Willmar!

See you soon!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Angels - Messengers and Mighty Warriors

Merry Christmas!

Often, pictures of angels at Christmas show angels looking like little babies or like beautiful young ladies. These are cute, and often very pretty, but the Bible describes angels as different than that.

Angels are real spiritual beings that God created. The Bible talks about angels 268 different times!

You may read about angels in the Old Testament and the New Testament and find that usually they looked like men! Read Luke 1:1-38. This tells about an angel that comes and gives messages to different people. One of the people was Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The word "angel" in greek actually means "messenger." In the Bible, God often sent messages through angels.

Also, we know that angels are strong and mighty warriors! Some carry flaming swords (Genesis 3:23,24). Psalm 91:9-11 says that God sends his angels to help protect us.

God sent angels to protect Elisha. They road in chariots of fire! Read this incredible happening in 2 Kings 6:8-23.

We can be thankful for these co-workers in God's Kingdom. We do not pray to angels, for they only obey God. We can trust God and know that He will send help...sometimes it may even be an angel!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Agents In Motion - Helping Others


Last Sunday we learned from the example of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. Take some time and read it today!


We know that Jesus told this story to help people understand more about loving and helping others. Sometimes even people who are mean and unkind need us to show them love.


2 Corinthians 9:7,8 states, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."


How many times did the word "all" appear in those verses?


As we give cheerfully to help take care of others, God will provide ALL that we need. We don't need to worry about ourselves if we are helping take care of others.


Do you remember the three things that Johnny Rodgers said we could give to help people in this world? He said: Give your ____________. Give your ___________. Give your ________. (See answers below)


So, can you give these things to each other in your family? ...or do you keep all of them for yourself?


Can you give these things to help others in the Willmar area?


At this Christmas season...think of one way that you can give in each of these areas.


Do you remember what they are now? They are:


Give your ...time.

Give your ...money.

Give your ...prayer.


In the next 10 minutes, how about doing one of these things in order to help someone else. Get up and help someone by giving of your time. Go to your room and pray for someone that needs your help. Look at your money and see if there is an offering you may give to help someone else during this holiday season.


That's what it means to "connect faith and life."