We are being blessed by a little mild weather in the Chicago land area. During this Christmas season I ask that everyone check on friends, neighbors and love ones and make sure they are okay and have everything they need. Just stay warm and show the love of Christ to others.
Today’s Prayer
Most gracious heavenly Father, help us to slow down in preparing for Christmas. Often we find ourselves running over our own shadow when hurry, stress, and overload are gaining on us. Remind us that Christmas should bring joy; help us to be joyful! Christmas should be a time of love; help us to be loving! Christmas should be a time of thanksgiving and hope. We need to count our blessings, for no matter what our present circumstances are, we have blessings that others do not have. And because of the significance of Jesus’ birth, Your gift to us, we can have hope! This Christmas season, let our joy, our love, our thanksgiving, and our hope reflect You, so that others may better understand the real meaning of Christmas and want to know You. In Jesus’ wonderful name we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Seven I Ams
In John’s Gospel
I am the Door
John 10:6-9
Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
To enter by I am the Way
John 14:6
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
To walk in I am the Bread
John 6:47
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.
To feed upon I am the Shepherd
John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
To guide I am the Light
John 8:12
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
To follow I am the True Vine
John 15:1-4
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
To abide in I am the Resurrection
John 6:26-27
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
Quote of the Day
Divine love is perfect peace and joy, it is a freedom from all disquiet, it is all content and happiness; and makes everything to rejoice in itself. Love is the Christ of God; wherever it comes, it comes as the blessing and happiness of every natural life, a redeemer from all evil, a fulfiller of all righteousness, and a peace of God, which passeth all understanding. Through all the universe of things, nothing is uneasy, unsatisfied, or restless, but because it is not governed by love, or because its nature has not reached or attained the full birth of the spirit of love. For when that is done, every hunger is satisfied, and all complaining, murmuring, accusing, resenting, revenging, and striving, are as totally suppressed and overcome, as the coldness, thickness, and horror of darkness are suppressed and overcome by the breaking forth of the light.
William Law
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY
James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.