References:Genesis 32:24-30 - God’s mighty works (conspicuous favor)Judges 13 - Luke 1:5-202 Samuel 12:24-25What’s in a name?David & JedidiahAbsolom & SolomonIsaiah 9:6: שַׂר־שָׁלוֹם - śār-šalôm (Prince of Peace)Exodus 20:7Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:23Immanuel & Emmanuel = God with usJoshua 5:13-15“What do you want your servant to do? … And Joshua did as he was told.”

References:St Nicholas Day - Dec 5 / 6Who was St Nicholas? Why talk about him?Consider our Preparation thoughts.Gaudete Sunday - Philippians 4:4-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24Joy is Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23“The Jesus Principle” - Philippians 2:3-4 JOY is an acronym for livingJesusOthersYourselfAdvent is getting serious now.

References:The Second week of Advent reminds us of the need to prepare for prophecy to be fulfilledJohn the Baptist - Mark 1:1-8; John 1:6-8Witness = μάρτυς (martys) - Testimony = μαρτυρία (martyria)John the Elder (the Apostle) Revelation 19:10Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”The preparation of humility and sacrificial love living

References:The season leading up to Christmas is AdventThe first week of Advent points us to Christ’s second coming.Revelation 22:201 Corinthians 16:22μαράνα θά (marana tha - come, Lord) Isaiah 55 and the power of God’s Word for future fulfillment55:11Isaiah 7:10-161 Peter 1:10-12The Kingdom come in it’s fullnessAlready, but not yetPrayer and expectationAmen! Come, Lord Jesus

References:Another praise song from back in the 80s.All hail, king Jesus! all hail, Emmanuel! King of kings, Lord of lords, bright Morning Star.Philippians 2:1-11The Jesus Principle: Phil 2:3&41 Timothy 6:15Of God the Fatherὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν βασιλευόντων καὶ κύριος τῶν κυριευόντωνThe King of the kinging and Lord of the lordingRevelation 19:6-16Of JesusΒασιλεὺς βασιλέων καὶ κύριος κυρίωνKing of kings and Lord of lordsChrist the King Sunday coming up - last Sunday in the Church year calendarFollowed by the first Sunday of the Church calendar, Advent 1 where we begin our journey to the celebration of the Incarnation by remembering Jesus’ prophetic promise, “I am coming, soon.” 

References:Psalm 100  תּוֹדָה toda - thanksgiving in worship1 Corinthians 11:23-24εὐχαριστέω - (eucharisteō)to be grateful, feel thankfulgive thanksColossians 4:21 Thessalonians 5:16-18Philippians 4:4-7

Bible references:Matthew 22:34-40Hebrews 10:19-25 - Let’s look at the 4 lettucesVs. 22 - let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.Leviticus 16 - The Day of AtonementHigh Priest - once a year, Matthew 13:36 - imagine the disciples’ access to Jesus.What if you could have direct access to: ________Take Me In - Worship Song

Bible references:Luke 22:31-32Hebrews 11:11 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13Ephesians 6:16-171 Thessalonians 5:81 Peter 1:6-7Luke 22:32

References:Work / Rest challengeWhat hobbies, recreation and social media rob us of.AI, algorithms and intermittent reinforcementEcclesiastes 7:9 NLT, ESV, KJVExodus 20:8-11Keep Sabbath holyGod rested ( נוּחַ - nûaḥ - καταπαύω - katapauō)Ex 23:12 - connection between Sabbath and rest(שַׁבָּת - šabāṯ  &  שָׁבַת - šāḇaṯ )   Ex 17:8-13 - when Moses rested the enemy took the advantageProverbs 14:33Wisdom is enshrined (rests,  in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.Hebrews 4:1-13

Bible references:Hebrews 10:19-25 - The four let-us-es: we’ll take the third one fourth.V 24 - “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”Other translations “provoke” (KJV), “stir up” (ESV), “how inventive we can be in encouraging” (MSG). The word in Greek is παροξυσμός (paroxysmos). Where we get paroxyism.A sudden outburst of coughing, a sudden fit of laughter, etc.Paul’s life in a bad way: Acts 15:36-41Paul’s life in a good way: Acts 17:16-34Paul’s writing connecting love with not the bad way: 1 Corinthians 13:5