3-D Nativity Scene for a Church Sanctuary

January Day 3

MUSTARD SEED FAITH

Daily Devotional Bible Study

By Kathy Price

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Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:20 (Living)

(The disciples were not able to cast out a demon from a boy and asked Jesus why) “Because of your little faith, Jesus told them,

For if you had faith even as small as a tiny mustard seed you could say to this mountain “move” and it would go far away. Nothing would be impossible!

On Day One I asked you to honestly evaluate your amount of faith. Our scripture told us that our value was in how much faith God had given us. In other words, God will give us as much faith as we are ready to take on. Even a mustard seed faith can be very powerful, according to Jesus. Jesus is trustworthy, so we can believe His words.

The seeds in you that started you growing and finally beginning your faith-journey were very small. Even smaller than mustard seed! When a mustard tree is grown it stands 10 to 12 feet tall!

Your faith grows when you water it with the Word of God and let the light of Jesus’ son-shine soak into your very roots. Finally, you must exercise that faith by following Jesus when He tells you what it is that He wants you to do.

What is it that Jesus wants you to do today for His glory?

Prayer

Father, thank you for helping my “seed- faith” to grow. It is gratifying to know that even Jesus’ disciples were lacking in faith, and that I only have to have a small amount in order to do great things. Obedience is the Key. Help my faith to grow, Oh Lord, and forgive me when I sin against You by not doing what You want me to do. Show me what it is that You want me to do today for Your glory and give me the faith and trust to do it in full obedience to You. In Jesus name, Amen

FAITH IS TRUST

Daily Devotional Bible Study

By Kathy Price

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Scripture Reading: Romans 3:21-23

“But now God has shown us a different way to heaven! Not by being good

enough by trying to keep God’s laws, but by a new way.

Now God says He will accept and acquit us (declare us “not guilty”) if we trust Jesus to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like. Yes, all have sinned and all fall short of God’s glorious ideal, yet God declares us “not guilty” of offending Him if we trust in Jesus, who in His kindness freely takes away our sins. (Living version)

Our Faith Footprint asks the question: “Are we worthy enough to touch Jesus?” Truly, we are not, but even so, God has arranged it for us so that we can reach out and touch Him by trusting – our faith has healed us. Every person who has ever trusted in Christ’s ability to heal and cleanse them from their “sin-sickness” has been satisfied that He is “trust-worthy”.

Before you trusted Him to save you, you must have discovered something about Jesus that made you begin to trust Him. You must have been given some knowledge about His power and goodness. You must have read it in His Word, or were given the understanding through teaching or preaching. There is a scripture that tells us: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” There was a seed that was planted into your heart in some way. Think back to when you first began your faith journey. Who were those “soul-gardeners” in your life?

How about sending them a card of thanks today?

Prayer

Father, I praise You for all of the seeds thatwere planted by others, to bring about my trusting in Jesus. Please bless those in a special way today who had a part in the planting. I thank you for Your precious gifts to all of us who are so unworthy on our own, but only worthy through Jesus, and in His dear name I pray, Amen.

MEASURE YOUR FAITH

Daily Bible Devotion

By Kathy Price

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Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-3

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God…what is good and acceptable and perfect. As God’s messenger, I give each of you God’s warning! Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.”(Living version)

Happy New Year! The beginning of another year. This is the first day of the rest of your life! This is a good time to take stock of your life and evaluate your progress on your journey with the Lord. This is a new beginning, either because it is a new year and you have just started this devotional or because you are starting this as a Bible Study.

In the scripture above, we read that we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what the will of God is. To renew your mind you are to remember your vows to God, to remember all of the things that have brought you to where you are now, and to refresh yourself…thanking God for all of the blessings He has bestowed and asking Him for His will to be manifested in your life.

At this time, you need to think about your “Faith Walk”. Evaluate yourself, prayerfully. Are you growing? Are you learning? Are you “practicing your faith…and exercising those “faith muscles”? In the above scripture it is very important to notice that there is a “warning” from God.

“Be honest in your estimate of yourself”. How much faith God has given you = your real value. Have you used His gift wisely?

Present yourself before the Lord as a living sacrifice, giving yourself to Him fully, realizing that to do so is your spiritual act of worship (NIV) and your reasonable service (NKJ).

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for bringing me through this past year safely and blessing me with so many blessings. Thank you for Your gift of faith, especially, which has seen me through all of those times of doubt and fear. I give You all of myself, to be used of You in whatever way You see fit. Show me the way You would have me to go, and “Not my will but Thine be done.” In Jesus name, Amen

 Kansas KU Jay-Hawk

He was thrilled with the ending results.

Mural was commissioned /personal request for a young boy’s bedroom.This picture was taken so that you could see the true size and KU colors of his room.

Conferance Theme: In All Things New

Lunar Moth Background was created for Church of the Brethren 2009 District Conference held at McPherson College, McPherson KS.

The Lunar Moth could be attached to various locations on the leaf foam backboard by extended rods on attached to the moth’s backside. The moth started towards the bottom and moved to the top as the conference progressed.

Theme: May Your JOY Be Complete

JOY was created for Church of the Brethren 2008 District Conference held at McPherson College, McPherson KS.

The flame was taken from their Annual Conference theme logo representing the Holy Spirit. When they invited me to design the center piece, all I could think of was to be held high with love and pure joy. As to who was being lifted and who was doing the lifting… that’s for the imagination to interpret as the spirit leads..