The Noticer Project - From New York Times Bestselling Author Andy Andrews

The Noticer Project - From New York Times Bestselling Author Andy Andrews

Made by God

I had the chance to watch the most famous reindeer of them all this holiday season - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Rudolph reminds us of God love for us. We are no accident to God. He knew about us long before we were born. We are unique. God made us to look different. He did not want us to look the same. He made us for Himself. We may not like the color of our hair, height, size or the way we look. But whenever we complain about the way we are made, we are really saying, "We don't like God decisions. God has a specific plan for us all, something that only we can accomplish. God made us the way we are on purpose. God would not have us any other way.  

God don't want us to wallow in self-pity because we may not have the same gifts and talents like someone else. God have made us with specific desires and talents. We are good at certain things. God want us to use our gifts just like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer used his red glowing nose to guide Santa's sleigh through the worst winter storm in history. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer saved Christmas. We cannot guide a sleigh and save Christmas like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, but we can guide people to Christ with our special gifts and talents.    Daily Reading: Isaiah 45: 9-11  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Know Jesus Know Peace

We can get busy this time of the year trying to find the perfect gift for that special person on our list. Let us not forget that the perfect gift is God's Son, Jesus.  " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

If you want to know God the Father, then get to Know Jesus. Read about His life in the Bible, see what He is like. Jesus is the bridge to God. 

If you desire real peace in your life, then believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son. Let Him come into your heart, into your life, lay down your heavy burdens at His feet and be forever made new through His Perfect Gift to you.

Recommended Movie-   The Perfect Gift DVD

What faith-based movies are you and your family watching this holiday season?

What faith-based movies would you recommend?

Starting a Family Movie Night

• Choose A Night - Get serious about scheduling a date when all of the family can join in - and be consistent.
• Build Up A Supply of Movies - Dust off those old movies that have been in the closet for years. Your local Christian store can be a great resource for faith-based and family friendly movies. 
• Keep It Fresh - Be careful not to get stuck in the same routine. While the date and time of Family Movie Night can and should be consistent, be sure to add a little variety to keep things fresh and exciting.  Involve the children in preparing for the evening. Assign someone to help with the snacks, bake some brownies, make root-beer floats.  Have fun! Relate the snacks to the theme of the movie. 

Synopsis - Birdie and Bogey

Synopsis - Birdie and Bogey

Praise is Power

You may have had an awful day today, but the secret weapon for when things get tough - is to Thank God! If you will begin to thank Him no matter what is happening in your life, then you will soon feel better about life. Thanking God sometimes is not as easy as it sounds, especially when things are difficult. When things are difficult that is exactly when we need to thank Him the most!

When things are tough, - your family and friends hurt your feelings, people don't understand you, thank God. Sit down and make a list of all the good things God have done for you. Start with life itself. Every breath you take is a gift from God. Thank Him for being born - it's a miracle. After thanking God for life, you can begin to thank Him for the world, colors, animals, music, humor, water......

Finally, think back on your life and thank God for the things He have done for you personally - like showing you how much He love you. Once you count all your blessings, then will you be able to put your current situation into perspective. You will see that life is not so bad, even if you had a awful day.

His mercies never come to an end; they are new EVERY MORNING ; great is they faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Chip Ingram- Balance & Perspective

RECOMMENDED BOOK - God: As He Longs for You to See Him

Come As You Are

You don't have to dress up in your Sunday best every time you want to talk to God. You don't have to be cheerful and smiley. God is with you for the long haul, he want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. God is big and He can take it.

If your heart is breaking, if you are feeling weighed down, don't keep it to yourself. Just take it to Him. You don't even have to have anything written down. Take every single concern to Him. Pray them out loud one by one as they come to your mind. Cry! Yell! God is listening. Get down on your face. Whatever you are feeling, share it with Him. He shares your pain, and He will take them away from you, and replace them with hope. He will hold you close and comfort you. He will give you hope for a brighter future. Don't hold anything back. God is there for you.

I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. For I am overwhelmed. PSALM 142:2-3 NLT

Recommended Book- Come as You Are: An Open Invitation from the Heart of God

Come Closer

If you feel that God is far away from you, then don't wait for Him to find you. Start Praying! Cry out to Him! Seek Him! Take time out of your day to sit still and listen for Him. God is there, but sometimes there are things that cloud our hearts and minds and make it difficult for us to hear Him. Press through all the thoughts that call for your attention and focus on God. For every step you take toward God, He will take two steps toward you. God is waiting for you to search for Him. If you look for Him with your whole heart, you will always find Him.

Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you. James 4:8

Recommended Book - Closer Than Your Skin: Unwrapping the Mystery of Intimacy with God

Talk It Out

God want you to come boldly to Him with confidence and trust. You don't need to be afraid of Him. Even if you have done wrong, there's nothing you can tell him that will make Him love you less. God is a God of mercy and grace. You can get rid of your troubles if you confess and bring them all to Him. Goodness and forgiveness starts with Him. God is never too busy for you. He care about each one of us. God want us to trust him more, and fear Him less. 

Let use therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Read more From the Pulpit....

Book- Grace for You by John MacArthur

You Are Special

God have made you with a very specific desires and talents. You are good at certain things. If you don't think you are make a list of the things you enjoy doing or you consider yourself good at. God want you to use your gifts, enjoy your interests, to grow into the person he made you to be. If you don't know who you are, just keep talking to Him every day. He will lead you. You don't have to figure out the way all by yourself, the good news is God is there to guide you. Just keep trusting Him, and he will do the rest.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.

psalm 138:8 NIV

To explore more on this subject, see the feature article What's My Purpose in Life? 

Recommended Book to Read Redefining Life: Purpose: My Purpose