I hope you are all enjoying a little more relaxed schedule in your homes over the holidays. I'm sorry to hear several of you have sickness in your family. We missed you on Sunday!

This week's lesson (#58) was about God's holiness. We read about the death of Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6. Even though Uzzah is just trying to help prevent the ark from falling, he is a sinner touching what is made holy according to God's presence. In reading this account, we are taught what it is to have a holy fear of God.

We can also rejoice in the work of Jesus, who by His death, removed the sin and guilt of all those that trust Him, so that we may come freely into the presence of God without fear of death. Now our fear is centered on ever turning our backs on God, ever treating Him as common, ever rejecting His Son, Jesus Christ.

New Year Plan

With the coming of the new year, I would encourage you to spend some time thinking about how you are going to make use of the means of grace God has given you for fortifying your faith in Him. Do you have a plan to read your Bible in 2014? Here are some options. How about your prayer life? I found A Praying Life by Paul Miller very helpful.

Hiding God's Word

I would also encourage you to have a plan to store God's word in your heart and mind each day. For me, I've been most motivated to memorize scripture when I've done it together with others. So this year, we are encouraging the whole church to join Promise Kingdom in memorizing a new Scripture passage each week. You can read my short article in the January Oakbridge. Please consider coming alongside your children and memorizing the weekly verses with them, not only for their good, but for yours!

Our memory passage for this week is Isaiah 41:10. You can find it at the bottom of each page of our website. This verse has ministered to my fearful heart so many times! I pray God may use it to comfort your soul, or use you to minister it to others this week.

Have a blessed New Year!

Pastor Jonathan