January 7 Daily Bible Reading

By John Mark Caton - Sr. Pastor at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church

As you read the chapter below, think about these questions:

• What did I learn from the passage that I didn’t know before?
• What did the passage mean to those first century readers?
• What does it mean to me?
• What verse really stuck out to me?
• What changes do I need to make in my life?
• What verse gives me comfort or wisdom in my trials and difficulties?
• What is God’s will for my life?
• Is there a verse I would like to memorize?

Romans 2

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

The Jews and the Law

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[b]
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 2:6 Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12
2. Romans 2:24 Isaiah 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek. 36:20,22
3. Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a

January 6 Daily Bible Reading

Romans 1:

New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,[d] that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[e] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[f]

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for imagesmade to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 1:3 Or who according to the flesh
2. Romans 1:4 Or was declared with power to be the Son of God
3. Romans 1:5 Or that is
4. Romans 1:13 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 7:1, 4; 8:12, 29; 10:1; 11:25; 12:1; 15:14, 30; 16:14, 17.
5. Romans 1:17 Or is from faith to faith
6. Romans 1:17 Hab. 2:4

Here are a few questions that will help you when you read this passage:

• What did I learn from the passage that I didn’t know before?
• What did the passage mean to those first century readers?
• What does it mean to me?
• What verse really stuck out to me?
• What changes do I need to make in my life?
• What verse gives me comfort or wisdom in my trials and difficulties?
• What is God’s will for my life?
• Is there a verse I would like to memorize?
•  
• by John Mark Caton

Advent

From Janet Denison - One of the best explanations of the Advent I have read this Christmas.

Tuesday, December 17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning
John 1:1-2

Most of us think of Christmas as a celebration of the day Christ was born. While that is true, it is not the complete truth. The word advent means "coming" or "arrival." You might have family scheduled to arrive for the Christmas holiday. You know your loved ones exist, but they aren't present with you - as a seeable, touchable reality. Soon, they will arrive and you will see them, face to face.

According to the Apostle John, Jesus didn't begin his existence on Christmas Day - that day marks his arrival in human form to dwell on earth. Christmas morning as Mary held her son, she held her Creator as well.

The "Word" is Jesus. The Word, or Logos, means the revealer and interpreter of the hidden person of God. Just as an idea is expressed and made known through words, God is expressed and knowable through Jesus. Jesus had always been with God and he had always been God. Christmas Day is when God made himself visible to the world. And God wanted us to know him, as a tiny, newborn infant.

The God of the Universe could have presented himself to the world any way he chose. He chose to become a baby, born to a peasant couple in a stable. Jesus is not a "character" of the Christmas story; he authored the Christmas story to reveal his character.

As you experience the Advent season, consider the way God chose to reveal himself to the world. Jesus "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:7). The humility of Christmas was God's idea and Jesus was the "Word" God used to communicate that idea with the world. We don't just celebrate the birth of Christ, we celebrate the fact that God stepped into the world with humility, and made himself "knowable."

To read more devotionals this Advent by clicking and downloading the following
http://www.denisonforum.org/books/549-advent-devotional

Merry Christmas - Keith

O Come All Ye Faithful

As we continue to walk through December together in worship I wanted to focus on this week’s song “O Come All Ye Faithful”.  This song was was written in 1743, originally written in Latin by John Francis Wade, a Roman Catholic layman.  To support himself during the difficult times, Wade would hand copy musical scores, which became a true art form during this time period.  While working, he penned the words to this traditional Christmas Carol we sing today, “O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord”

To adore. What does that mean?  The best picture I can think of is when I held my first child, McKinley, for the very first time.  Tears filled my eyes as I held her, rocked her and spoke ever so gently to her.  I simply adored her.  She captured my heart and all I wanted to do was look into her eyes and tell her how much I loved her.

Matthew 2:11 says this, “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

The wise men traveled from all over the area to see the Christ child; to fall on their knees and worship him - to adore Christ the Lord.  Even today, wise men still seek Christ.

Will you seek Christ this Christmas?  Will you adore Christ the Lord and gaze into his eyes and worship Him as Savior and Lord?  That is my prayer for you today as you hear my voice.  Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas

Watch video below:
http://vimeo.com/81780454

Adore Him

Merry Christmas everyone.  

It is my favorite time of the year!  As a music guy, the lights and the sounds of Christmas resound EVERYWHERE!  The radio stations are laced with Christmas Carols and songs of the season, as well as watching our favorite Christmas shows on TV, like the classic “Elf” or It’s a Wonderful Life”.  There is nothing like grabbing a bowl of hot tortilla soup, or a nice tall cup of hot chocolate.  The Christmas Tree is set up and the decorations adorn our homes.  And what about the gifts and presents, the shopping and the lines in the malls.  It is a picture of absolute controlled chaos, right?  What are you going to get the kids this year for Christmas?  Where are you traveling over the break?  What parties are you going to attend?

Are you tired already...and it is just the first week of December?

So here is my encouragement to you today - Stop, pause and take a big breath.  As crazy, fun, exciting, draining and stressful this season can be, let me remind us all that Christmas is truly not about one single thing I have mentioned so far.  I strongly believe that the stuff surrounding Christmas can become more of a distraction from the true meaning of Christmas.  So pause and remember the true meaning of Christmas as you enter this month of December.  

What is the True meaning of Christmas?  Look in the word - CHRIST

“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

This weekend in worship we are singing “Adore Him”, a song that captures the heart of the Christ in Christmas.  As you pause and take a breath today, I invite you to worship Christ and adore Him as Christ the Lord.  See you this weekend in worship.  

Merry Christmas

Watch and listen to this amazing song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUCD-GXObac

Build Your Kingdom Here, We Pray

This is a special weekend in the life of our local church - Cottonwood Creek.  We are truly transforming the 4 walls of our church into a mission field where we are serving and reaching the least of these on our campus.  We are packing dry food goods that will feed villages in the Dominican Republic.  We are sorting seeds to allow farmers to plant crops to make a living to feed their families.  We are sending shoe boxes through Operation Christmas Child across the world to reach children who will experience the hands and feet of Jesus through a small gift of love.  We are also learning about an opportunity we have as a church to reach one of the darkest cities in our nation.

Here is the deal - God is on the move and He is building His kingdom, and we have an opportunity to be a part of it this weekend!

How is God moving and growing His kingdom?  THROUGH JESUS CHRIST & THE CHURCH! (2 Samuel 7:12-14)

God is establishing His church to transform lives.  God is raising up a generation that is on mission to reach the least of these, (Matthew 25:39-41) the hurting, suffering, orphaned and widowed.  God is in control and is doing a work in the church. (Job 37:14-16)

Our response to God today?  We are singing a song that accurately speaks to the purpose of this weekend, this Missions Month, and to sharing Jesus with our friends, nation and the world.  Listen to these words…

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here

We pray

So, now is the time for you to lay down your life before God, pray to Him and allow His kingdom to rule in your life!  If you do this, Your life will be transformed forever!  

Join us this weekend at The Gift.

Watch this video on the song "Build Your Kingdom" by Rend Collective Experiment
http://worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=1894414

Christ is Able

What are the limitations that you place on God? He is a great and mighty God, but so many times we confine him to a box, thinking that He could never meet you at your point of need.  Why do we do that?  A great question to ponder as we focus on our song of the week “Christ is Able”.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul reminds the church that God can break through any limitations we have in life, by placing our hope, faith and trust in Christ alone.  Listen to these great words…(Eph. 3:20-21)

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This song is a great reminder that He is able to do all these things and more. Most importantly, it is a reminder that our God is still able to save! (Romans 5:8) May we never forget that simple fact.  If our God can save us, then he can break through any limitation we are facing in life.  We are all in need of a Savior in our life. (Romans 3:23)  We have all gone astray and need to be directed back to Christ.  We are all worn down, beaten up and are hopeless without the knowledge that..

"He is able. He is able. Christ is able still to save.

Come ye sinners poor and needy, sing to Him our song of praise."

Come to Christ today.  Lay your limitations, your broken life and your hopelessness down and trust Christ - for He is able to meet you today.

Tommy Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ehp5GenCp8