Happy New Year!

It’s interesting from the show of hands on Sunday, and the number of stories shared with me following the sermon that many of us have the experiences mis-locating are children, even if only for a short while.  It seems that in the few years that our children are in our care, it’s not unusual to have this happen at least once.  As I stated Sunday, those must have been 3 long days and sleepless nights for Joseph and Mary.  Yet God always knew where Jesus was and despite the misunderstanding, Jesus was right where he was supposed to be…in his Father’s house, about his Father’s business.

The thought of mis-locating a child prompts strong emotions in each of us, but what about the idea of mis-locating Jesus in our own lives, today?  I’m talking from a priority standpoint.  Are you missing Jesus this Christmas?  Have you lost him?  I’m not referencing the idea of losing our salvation, but is it your custom to spend time with him?  Just like Mary and Joseph, we should know where to find him. You still find him in his Father’s house or about his Father’s business.  I’m hopeful that you will take some time this week to interact with the “Mission Briefing” and reflect on this Year of Living Dangerously.  Think about your customs, practices, or habits (ethos) as well as some ways in which you would like to grow in the New Year. 

It is pretty clear from the whole council of God in scripture that he cares about our growth.  Here are some scriptures that support this:

The importance of the Word of God: (Ps. 19:7-14; 119 [whole psalm]; Acts 20:32; Rom. 16:25-26; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Heb. 13:9; Jas. 1:21-22; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 2:2-4)

The importance of being in our Father’s House in regular worship:  Psalm 73:17; Rom. 14-15; 1 Cor. 12-14; Eph. 4:1-16; Heb. 10:23-25)

The importance of prayer:  Matt. 7:24-27; Mark 4:21-25

Perhaps you can reflect on these scriptures as you contemplate areas in which you should grow this coming year.  

-Pastor Kurt