Disciples Discussion Den

A New Life in a New Year This time of year, many of us take time to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. Sometimes we say we will lose weight, exercise more, spend more time with family, give up bad habits, and so forth. I would like to do all those things and more.  But as I look over previous years, I find that resolutions are hard to keep, and I often give up too soon. The problem is, I try to do things in my own strength and my own wisdom instead of in the strength and wisdom that God provides. As we go into this new year, let us pray for God's strength and read the scriptures to gain God's wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart,     and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,     and he will make straight your paths. Today I want to look at promises and principles from the Bible to help us: Learn from the past; Live in the present; Long for the future; 1. Learn From the Past We

The Shepherds and the Angels People often ask "what is the true meaning of Christmas?" In a classic Christmas special called "Charlie Brown Christmas", Linus answered the question by reading the following Scripture from Luke 2:8-20 8 And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest,  and on earth peace among those with whom he is