Climbing Higher~ 3rd week of Advent

2 Sam. 7:1-11, 16: Prophecy to David that God would establish his house & line. 

Luke 1:47-55: Mary's song of praise to God. 

or Ps. 89:1-4,19-26: God's covenant with David & his throne.

Rom. 16:25-27:The mystery of Christ reveled.

Luke 1:26-38:Angel of God came to Mary to get her permission to have her be the Mother of Jesus.

God made a promise to King David that he would establish his house & line to include the Messiah (2 Sam. 7:1-11,16; Ps. 89:1-4,19-26). When the time was right for God to fulfill his promise to King David, he choice a young lady to be his son's Mother. then he sent an angel to go and get permission from her (Luke 1:26-27). After wards Mary went to see a cousin who was pregnant with John the Baptist. When her cousin Elisabeth saw her she spoke encouraging words to her about being the Mother of the son of God. Mary felt free to sing a song of praise to God and all that was in her heart (Luke 47-55). Because of men like Paul, we now now the mystery of Jesus & can be saved (Rom. 16:25-27).

Challenge of the week:

As the mystery of Christmas and Christ coming to the world is reveled to us this week. Let us be like Mary and lift our voices in praise to God for his great gift of Jesus & salvation through him. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So how did singing praises help bring you closer to God? How has it brought more meaning to Christmas for you?

Climbing Higher~ 2ed week of Advent

Is. 61:1-4,8-11:  Speaks of how God would send someone who will turn their mourning into joy.

Ps. 126: Song thanking God for taking them out of slavery where they had mourned.

or Luke 1:47-56:Mary's song of joy to God for through her son, Jesus, salvation would come to mankind.

1 Thess. 5:16-24: Paul tell the Thessalonians to  always rejoice,always pray, always give thanks to God for this would please God.

John 1:6-8, 19-28:John the Baptist came to tell of the coming of Jesus who would save people from the darkness and bring them into light. When he was asked if he was the Christ. He told him that he was not the Christ, but the one who was to come to prepare the way for the Christ.

When Isaiah was speaking to the people they were slaves. He told them that he was sent to bring them hope & joy in the mist of their mourning. But he was also prophesying of the one who would also be bringing hope in the future (Is. 61:1-4,8-11). In Psalms 126, we read the song that was given to God's people to sing remembering that God had giving them joy when he took them out of slavery. We read Mary's song of joy that prophecies of how her son would bring salvation to the people (Luke 1:47-56).

Then in John, we read how John the Baptist answers the spiritual leaders when they ask if he was the Christ. He tells him that he is not. But that he is the one who was going before the Christ to prepare hearts for his coming. You see, in Bible times, when a king was going to come into a town or city. Someone came in front of him telling the people to get to ready, for the king is coming. John was doing that for Jesus (John 1:6-8,19-28). Only John was telling to get their hearts ready for Jesus' message.

Challenge of the week:
This week as we prepare our hearts for Christmas, let us listen to what Paul tells us to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. Rejoice always. Always pray. Give thanks for all things. Let us practice that this week.

Accomplishment of the week:
So how did you do? How did it help bring you closer to God?

Climbing Higher~ 1st week of Advent

Is. 40:1-11: A song of comfort that prophecies of John the Baptist & Jesus' coming.

Ps. 85:1-2,8-13: speaks of God's salvation.

2 Pet. 3:8-15a: Speaks of God's patience before judgment. 

Mark 1:1-8: Speaks of the prophecy of John the baptist & how he fulfilled it. 

While God's people were captives because of their sins, Isiah comfort the people by prophesying of the salvation that was coming (Is. 40:1-11).  We see the fulfillment of that prophecy in Mark 1:1-8.  The people sang songs of salvation for many years like the one in Psalms 85.  Peter encouraged God people of God's patience by giving them a lot of time before he judged them (2 Pet. 3:8-15a). We see that God has been patient with his people for generations. But we should be careful to not push him too far. For we can see that he has been known to punish his people from time to time for now following him. 

Challenge of the week:

In this season of preparing our hearts for Christmas let us go to God and get right with him. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So do you have all things right between you and God now?

Digging Deeper~ Thanksgiving Day (USA) Sorry forgot this day

Deut. 8:7-16:When you are in the land the Lord give you & all is growing, and multiplying well, remember the Lord your God and thank him for giving it to you.

Ps. 65:A song of God's goodness in all that he has made.

2 Cor. 9:6-15:Paul tells the Corinthians that what we will sow what we will reap. Then he goes on to tell them to be cheerful givers to the Lord, since it will bring thanksgiving to God through those that receive it. 

Luke 17:11-19:Jesus heals 10 lepers and one returned to glorify God for the healing.

Challengge of the day:

These verses gives us reason to sow unto the Lord, as well as giving us many reasons we should give thanks to God. Today, we should read these verses, think on ways we could sow, then take the time to thank God for all that he has blessed us with. 

Accomplishment of the day:

How did the verses move you to thank God? What did you thank God for?

Climbing Higher! The beginning

Greetings!

This is the last book in a 3 book sceries that I have been writing. Each was done using the Methodist Christian calendar. The first 2 books were Steps of Faith, & Digging Deeper. You can find the first 2 books on this blog. This book is called, "Climbing Higher". It is my prayer that you will use this book to help you as you climb spiritually higher towards God & heaven. It also could be used as a tool for teachers & preacher to use as a starting point when preparing a lesson or sermon. Feel free to do so.

Blessings!

Toni Whitacre~Kratochvil

Digging Deeper~ the end

This ends the book, "Digging Deeper". I pray that this book helped you to grow and get closer to God.

Blessings!
Toni Whitacre-Kratochvil

Digging Deeper~ 25th week after Pentecost (last week after Pentecost)

Ez. 34:11-16,20-24:Instructions to the Israelites on what to celebrate & how to do so. these were celebrations that  thanked God. 

Ps. 100:A song praising & thanking God

Eph. 1:15-23:Paul gives thanks to God because of the gift Jesus gave us us, & for the Ephesians Salvation & good works in responds to that gift.

Mat. 25:31-46: Christians being judged for what they did not do for the least of these.

As I write this, we here in USA is getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. On that day, we are to stop and thank God for all the great gifts God has given us all year long. No matter where we live, we should take some times away from our lives to stop and thank God for all his gifts including salvation.

Challenge of the week:

Take some time out this week to thanks God for all the gifts that he has given you.

Accomplishment of the week:

What did you thank God for? How did that help you to be more thankful then you were before?