The Most Excellent Way

The Christian Solution for Addictions: JESUS!

A Season of Longing ...

2014 Advent Devotional

An Attitude of Gratitude

Thank You, Jesus!

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We Are Thankful For You!

We give thanks to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you,

since we heard of your faith
in Christ Jesus

and of your love for all the saints;

because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,

of which you heard before in the

word of the truth of the gospel, ...

~Colossians 1:3-5

xxx

"A Season of Longing for His Appearing"

As each Thanksgiving Day approaches, plans for Christmas gift giving begins, with the accompanying stress. Each year we struggle to discover just the right gift for each of our 30 adult children and grandchildren. I'm exhausted thinking about all the shopping, wrapping ... and the cost.

How can we express our love to each one during this special season? Maybe a gift card, or a greeting card with a check enclosed (how much?), or a book (have they read it?), a scarf (color?), a sweater (size?) ... O my! Christmas shouldn't be so stressful.

I do love Christmas! Reflecting on "the reason for the season" brings much peace and joy. And I even enjoy the commercialization of the holiday ... cheerful decorations, baking goodies, holiday crafting, the Christmas music, and, of course, the super sales. All in all, I enjoy the break in the routine from the rest of the year. O, but I'm eager to put away the decorations on New Year's Day ... enough is enough!

Lord, what can we give our precious family and friends that has real meaning and value? Of course, give them our favorite thing ... the Word of God! They are all Believers, and they just might be blessed with a way to focus on "the reason for the season" day by day ... beginning on Sunday, November 30.

So my Christmas "crafted" gift is an Advent Devotional. As I formatted the pages for the booklet, I was blessed by the personal reflections and prayers, carol lyrics and daily scripture readings. Surely they will be blessed as well. And, of course, our Father will be blessed with the time they spend with Him focusing on His precious Gift. We hope you will be blessed also!

Advent Devotional ~ Christmas 2014

Give Thanks!

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

2 Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3 Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

~Psalm 100:1-5

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An Attitude of Gratitude

"Thanksgiving" is the aspect of praise that gives thanks to God for what He does for us. Ideally, thanksgiving should spring from a grateful heart; but it is required of all believers, regardless of our initial attitude.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We should be grateful to God for all things.

... giving thanks always for all things to God the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ...

~ Ephesians 5:20

And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

~ Colossians 3:17

We give thanks especially for His work of salvation and sanctification.

We give thanks to God always for you all,

making mention of you in our prayers,

3remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and

patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

in the sight of our God and Father,

4knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

5For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power,

and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, ...

~ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5a

We ought also to thank God in anticipation of His answering our prayers ...

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:6-7

... because we know that His answers will always be in accordance with His perfect will for our lives.

And we know that all things work together for good to those

who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

29For whom He foreknew,

He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,

that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called;

whom He called, these He also justified;

and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

31What then shall we say to these things?

If God is for us, who can be against us?

~ Romans 8:28-31

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Write a Thank You note to Jesus

to bless Him and encourage others.

TMEW will publish your note on

a new website page under Testimonies in January, 2015.

What are you thankful for?

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The Most Excellent Way Christian Fellowship

19361 Brookhurst St ~ S161, Huntington Beach, CA 92646 | 800-548-8854

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