Wessel family- Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

It's kind of overwhelming when we consider the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. The kids ask so many thought provoking questions like "Why would anyone want to kill babies?" as they listen to the story of King Herod. "How long ago was Jesus born and how come some people don't believe He is real? Santa is harder to believe than Jesus !" Good questions and thoughts! I know this.... He was born of a virgin as prophecy foretold, he lived a human life among us who wrote of the accounts and He died an awful death at our hands and because of that I have life.... I have purpose and meaning and I will live the rest of my life in gratefulness for the great things he has done for us.

Good news of great joy......Christ is born and I live.

Gina - Exodus 4:10-12

Moses said to the Lord, "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:10-12 NIV)

Moses was very insecure and had doubt that God could use him. I love how God reminds him that he made him and that he will help him.

How many times in our lives to we think that we are not the "right person" for the task and yet there we are right smack dab in the middle of it.

Let's lean hard into our faith in a powerful God who says to us this morning..."now go!"

Devin - Proverbs 4:1-7

Proverbs 4:1-7 Awesome scripture to hear your son read. Learning what wisdom is and how to get wisdom. Learning from your father. Dev's favorite part : "take hold of my words with all of your heart, take hold of my commands and you will live"

Livia - Proverbs 11:2

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2 NIV)

Livia's thoughts: Pride is when you think awesome of yourself and that no one can know anything better than you. Humility is being comfortable with how God made you and putting others before yourself.

I want wisdom over disgrace. I want to learn God's ways and make decisions that matter. When I get prideful I will actually make people think poorly of me and my God.

Let's be like Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-11!

Kadin - Colossians 1:9-12

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:9-12 NIV)

Kadin says "This is my prayer today. "

Enough said.

Gina - Jesus!

Just overwhelmed with His love this morning. We shared testimonies of God's faithfulness today. Hearing my husbands heart, so tender and pure is more than I can take! I read the prayer by John Wesley this morning that says :" I am no longer my own, but thine put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, o glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit thou art mine, and I am thine.....so be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. "

My heart is full of passion for Him!

Tim - Phillipians 3:8

Who is the most successful person you know? What are the most valuable things in this world?
(some answers: Oprah, bill gates, daddy, king David , houses, money, gold, people. )

People like Tim Tebow who proclaim "my lord and savior Jesus Christ"...are great examples of giving glory to God with our lives.

I consider everything a loss compared to knowing Jesus. You can have everything but once you have Christ nothing is more valuable. Nothing.

We must give God glory with our lives.

He is the most valuable thing we have.