What God Has Taught Us in 2013

What God Has Taught Us In

Each day, read one person’s 2013 testimony.  Answer the reflection question or leave a message for the person that wrote that day on our Padlet wall.

	A Verse That Has Been Especially Meaningful This Year	What God Has Been Teaching Me in 2013	A Song That Has Meant a Lot to Me	Reflection Question
Monday, December 23 Jessie	Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,     and he will make your paths straight.	Keeping me on the straight path and not worrying over the future. Living in the here and now and knowing he is God!	Build Your Kingdom Here	How have you submitted to God’s path for you this year? Click here to answer the question or to leave a message for Jessie.
Tuesday, December 24 Madison	Jeremiah 29:11 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.	He has showed me that no matter how many times I mess up He still loves me the same and whatever I go through He will be beside me the whole way. And I've learned to be more bold in my faith at school.  Also, led me to lead 2nd-3rd grade girls.:)	Oceans	What is an example of a bold act of faith you have done this year? Click here to answer the question or to leave a message for Madison.
Wednesday, December 25 Dee	John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.	This year God has taught me the importance of those you surround yourself with. God has blessed my life with new friends that will help lead me closer to Christ. They will offer me biblical advice when in need. They will pray for me and my family with sincerity.	Keep Your Head Up	What kind of people do you want to surround yourself with in 2014? Are you that kind of friend to others? Click here to answer the question or leave a message for Dee.
Thursday, December 26 Kayla	John 3:30 He must increase, I must decrease.	This year, God really showed me how his presence is what is most important in life am that his love is never failing and never ending- he was by my side during the hardest time and made me feel love when I needed it most. I have learned and physically experienced that by having him as the center of makes everything else fall into place as they should- and this may not be what I wanted or in my timing, though. I have also, in the past few weeks seen God move me to places I want to be in order to fully honor Him and minister to others.	Oceans	Have you followed God’s direction for your life even when it was uncomfortable?  Give an example. Click here to answer the question or to leave a message for Kayla.
Friday, December 27 Micaela	Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.	God helps us in every way possible to man. He has especially helped me and my family so much with everything. God has blessed us with our health, environment, and so much more. A few years ago, my family's health was rocky especially with my grandmother and he kept us and her in his hands and made her better. He has also blessed us with a new and better house and environment. God grants us the privilege to witness to him and be in His presence and just get to experience life with him and I am eternally grateful. I would be absolutely no where without him. God's love will never run out on anybody and it is reassuring to know that.	One Thing Remains	What blessings have you experienced in 2013? Click here to answer or leave a message for Micaela.
Saturday, December 28 Kyna	Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I.  Send me!”	The reason this verse and song have been so important to me this year is related to the way God has been working in my life.  My prayer this year has been that God would help me see where he wants me and to be willing to say “Here I am, send me!” when he wants me to do something.  Through this I have grown closer to him, prayed more about decisions, and felt His guidance in my life more.	Help Me Find It	Are you willing to let God send you ANYWHERE he wants you in 2014?  How can you prepare your heart for that? Click here to answer the question or leave a message for Kyna.
Sunday, December 29 Camryn	Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.	God has really been teaching me to be patient. I have had to deal with so much drama lately and God has just kept me positive.	You’ll Come	How has your attitude affected the way you responded to difficult situations this year? Click here to answer the question or leave a message for Camryn.
Monday, December 30 Mara	Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.	This verse has been really relevant this year.  (I found it when my boyfriend and I broke up and I just really needed something to get me through it.)  I have had to learn to let go and let God take over.   God’s bee moving in me through the way he has taken away my boundaries and I’m not afraid to stand up to people or show my faith anymore.  I am bolder now.	How He Loves Give Me Faith	Have you let worry over something distract you from the joy God intends for you this year?  Are you ready to let go of that in 2014? Click here to answer the question or to leave a message for Mara.
Tuesday, December 31 Brittany	Jeremiah 29:11 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.	God has really been trying to teach me to ignore what everyone says about me because he created me how he wanted and I’m perfect the way I am.	Moved by Mercy	Where do you get your self worth from?  Who do you believe when it comes to defining yourself? Click here to answer the question or to leave a message for Brittany.
Wednesday, January 1 Miranda	Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.	Over and over this past year, I have been blown away by the crazy, amazing way that God has answered a prayer.  Even in situations that looked hopeless, He has shown up in some unbelievable way that I could not have imagined. This has been a year of exceedingly and abundantly more!!!  I am so thankful that God is not limited by my imagination or faith!  I can’t wait to see what He will do in 2014!	Never Once	What is an example of a time this year that God answered a prayer in a way that you could not have even imagined? Click here to answer the question or to leave a message for Miranda.

Coming Soon...

Coming Soon....
"What God Has Done in 2013"

Please send Miranda the follow by Sunday...
-A verse that has meant a lot this year.
-A short description of what God has been teaching you this year.
-Your favorite worship song of the year.

In the mean time this week, read the scripture that you chose for this year. Pray over it each day. Make sure you've listened completely to what God is teaching you there. Click here to post or read what others are posting.

December 12th-18th

Welcome to Confident in This!  This week, let's really consider the true meaning of some of the words that we hear all the time around Christmas!

Enduring Question:  We use a lot of words related to Christmas, but do we really think about what they mean to us as Christians?

Thursday Word: Noel-We borrow the word Noel from the French, who use the word the same as Christmas or the Christmas season in English. However, it is originally from the Latin word natalis, meaning birth, or in this case, the birth of Christ.

Thursday Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Thursday Things to Consider: Do you make Christmas all about the birth of Christ or is Noel just a word you sing in a song?  Click here to post your thoughts!

Friday Word: Nativity-the process or circumstances of being born

Friday Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Friday Things to Consider: NO PLACE FOR THEM IN THE INN!!!!   REALLY??????  He is our Savior!  Do you think they would have made a place for him if they had known He was the Son of God? You know who he is.  Do you make room for him, put Him as your top priority, not just at Christmas, but all the time?  Click here to post your thoughts!

Saturday Word: Immanuel-Messiah, which means a person who is expected to save people from a very bad situation

Saturday Scripture: Isaiah 7:14 ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Saturday Things to Consider: Jesus was born to save people from a very bad situation.  You are one of those people.  Do you think of your sin and the consequences of your sin as being “very bad situations?”  If not, maybe you should consider that Jesus was born, Immanuel, to save you from exactly that. Click here to post your thoughts!

Sunday Word: tidings news or information

Sunday Scripture: Luke 2:10 ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”

Sunday Things to Consider: The angel was announcing something of utmost importance to the shepherds, the birth of Jesus.  What good tidings does this announcement bring to you today?  Click here to post your thoughts!

Monday Word: Peace-a state of tranquility or quiet

Monday Scripture: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Monday Things to Consider: In this crazy world, in what do you find peace, friends, family, money, job, your salvation?  Click here to post your thoughts!

Tuesday Word: Gift-something that is given to another person without compensation

Tuesday Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15 ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Tuesday Things to Consider: At this time of year, it is so easy to get distracted by all of the glimmer and shine that are associated with Christmas or caught up in the gifts you will be receiving.  Have you stopped to think about the incredibly overwhelming gift God gave you when he took this little baby we celebrate at Christmas and allowed him to be hung on a cross for you?  He did it with the knowledge that there would never be a way for you to “pay Him back.” It was given as grace and forgiveness for your sins.  How will you share this beautiful, irreplaceable, beyond compare gift with people this Christmas season and throughout the year to come?  Click here to post your thoughts! 

December 5th-11th

Welcome to Confident in This!  This week, Pastor Chris started a sermon series called “Come Let Us Adore” which was based on the Christmas hymn “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.”  Inspired by that, this weeks blog will focus on another Christmas song, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and the scripture each verse is referencing.

Focus Song- Hark the Herald Angels Sing: Click to Listen!

Enduring Question- What do the words of this song really mean?

	Song Lyrics	Scripture	Things to Consider…
Thursday	Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!	But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10)	Many times Zac has talked about the meaning of joy and the difference between it and happiness. Do you allow the good news of Christ bring you joy?  Click here to answer.
Friday	Peace on earth and mercy mild	“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)	Are you consumed with the world or are you focused on Christ and filled with his peace? Click here to answer.
Saturday	God and sinners reconciled"	All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)	Have you praised God for his gift? He does not hold our wrong-doings against us. Instead, his sinless son died for us. Click here to answer.
Sunday	Joyful, all ye nations rise	The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (Revelation 21:24)	Our nation struggles to walk in the light. Are you being the light others need to see to be a change in our world? Click here to answer.
Monday	Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem"	“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)	Think about how God chose a simple setting and a simple girl to fulfill His big plan. What big plans does God have for you? Click here to answer.
Tuesday	Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"	And asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)	How will you worship Our God today? Click here to answer.
Wednesday	About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.  While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.  There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”  At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him.  As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.  Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told! (Luke 2:1-20)		Praise God for the greatest Christmas gift. Keep the story of Jesus' birth on your mind as the busyness and worldly traditions of Christmas continue. Click here to post a comment.

November 28th-December 4

Welcome to Confident in This!  This week begins the busy, exciting, sometimes stressful countdown towards Christmas.  The next month will pass in a blur of sweet treats, final exams, decked halls, and crowded shopping malls.  Before we get sucked too far in, let’s take this week to refocus our hearts on the One whose birthday we celebrate this Christmas season!

 

Focus Verse: Matthew 16:15

“But what about you,” he asked.  “Who do you say that I am?”

Essential Question:  Who is Jesus?

	Daily Scripture	Things to Consider... (These tasks are just suggestions.  You are welcome to also post comments, prayer requests, pics, and links to songs as usual!)
Thursday	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	Consider each of these names.  Which one is closest to the way that you think of Jesus?  Which one is hardest for you to comprehend?  Click here to post your answer.
Friday	The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23	It is believed that Mary was about your age (15ish) when she had Jesus.  Have you ever faced something so huge that holding on to “Immanuel” was your only hope?  Click here to post your answer.
Saturday	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. John 1:14	Look at “The Message” version of this verse.  What do you picture in your head when you read this?  Click here to post your answer.
Sunday	For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9	What kind of richness are we talking about here?  How have you felt this richness in your life?  Click here to post your answer.
Monday	She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21	Imagine you are Joseph hearing this… that your son will save people from their sins.  How would you be picturing Jesus in your head at this moment?  (Remember, this is ALL he knew about Jesus at this point.)  Click here to post your answer.
Tuesday	For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23	What do we deserve?  What did we get?  How did it come?  Click here to post your answers.
Wednesday	“Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45	Mary believed that God was working in an unbelievable situation!  Do you truly trust that God will accomplish his plans for you?  Click here to post your answer.