Online Ministry for the Week 11/21 - 11/27 2016

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.

DAILY READING

• Monday (November 21, 2016): Psalm 117; Jeremiah 30:1-17; Revelation 21:5-27 OR Psalm 24; Jeremiah 46:18-28; Revelation 21:5-27
• Tuesday (November 22, 2016): Psalm 117; Jeremiah 30:18-24; Revelation 22:8-21 OR Psalm 24; Isaiah 33:17-22; Revelation 22:8-21
• Wednesday (November 23, 2016): Psalm 117; Jeremiah 31:1-6; Luke 1:1-4 OR Psalm 24; Isaiah 60:8-16; Luke 1:1-4 

• Thanksgiving Day, USA, November 24, 2016

• Thursday (November 24, 2016): Psalm 122; Daniel 9:15-19; James 4:1-10
• Friday (November 25, 2016): Psalm 122; Genesis 6:1-10; Hebrews 11:1-7
• Saturday (November 26, 2016): Psalm 122; Genesis 6:11-22; Matthew 24:1-22

• First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2016 

ABUNDANT HEALTH

Food Makeover

You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NCV)

Most Americans spend more time watching cooking on television than actually cooking. We think that it is difficult and time consuming, but that’s a myth. Cooking simple, healthy meals is easy to learn and will transform your health. In fact, health starts in the kitchen. What’s in your kitchen?

It is time to take an honest look behind the cupboard doors. Dump the processed foods, white menaces (white flour and sugar), and anything with unhealthy additives. Then add all the good stuff: healthy fats, nuts, veggies, fruits, whole grains, beans, peas, seeds, spices, herbs, etc. When you stock what’s good for you, you set yourself up for healthy eating and cooking habits.

—The Daniel Plan Team

—The Daniel Plan brief excerpt from The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life by Rick Warren, DMin; Daniel Amen, MD; & Mark Hyman, MD (Zondervan). © 2013 by The Daniel Plan. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

NIV DAILY

The Harvest of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:6–10)

These verses have often been interpreted as Scriptural promises that if we give to God, God will automatically give back to us wealth and health and many other blessings. Such teaching encourages us to give to God in order to get from God.

Experience teaches us, however, that many generous people live with ongoing financial pressures. As they continue to give sacrificially, God provides for their daily needs, but he doesn’t always give them abundant wealth. Note also that the Bible doesn’t teach us to give in order to get. The Bible says that we get in order to give. This reverse perspective makes all the difference. God blesses us so that we can give to others.

Instead of trying to manipulate God to nurture our selfish expectations, our giving should come as a response to God’s blessing upon us.

Putting It into Practice

How has God blessed you? Think not only of financial resources but also of other blessings and talents he has given you. How could you “plant” these blessings and cultivate a greater harvest for the Lord?

Taken from NIV Spiritual Renewal©2014 HarperCollins Christian Publishing

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Dear God, you are the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are grateful that you freely bring salvation to those who are far away and those who are near. You call each of us to put on the armor of light, to live as faithful disciples of Christ wherever you send us. May our students become examples of piety and learning. Help us to nurture all students in our congregation, even as we, too, continue to grow in knowledge and faith. We dedicate our offerings in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Romans 13:11-14)