The Light of Jesus Through You Full Force!!

Are you feeling the stress of all that you have to do with just five days leading up to Christmas? Does it seem a little out-of-control, like life is just happening to you?

Remember what a teenage girl was going through a week before giving birth to her first baby. Not only did Mary’s back ache from carrying 8 pounds of continuously shifting and squirming life inside of her, but she had to ride a burro from Nazareth to Bethlehem (that’s 80 miles!!! And not long after Jesus was born they had to travel 200 more miles to Egypt because the government wanted to kill all young boys!!!) Undoubtedly, she was also stressing over the normal uncertainties of being a momma for the first time (even Mary was human, you know!). The first labor pains brought an even greater urgency to the turmoil:

“We’re homeless! Where are we going to stay?”

“Will my baby be healthy?”

“Will I be a good momma?”

“My son is going to save the world…wait…what?!”

“What did I say yes to?”

“What’s going on, God?”

In spite of all Mary’s questions, concerns and uncertainties, she was still carrying the son of God who would be the brightest light this dark world he was entering had ever seen. No matter what she was feeling, the truth remained. The light was coming full force!

You may feel out of control, discouraged or even depressed at circumstances that appear to be happening to you. Just as Mary was never a victim of very stressful circumstances, let me assure you that you are no victim. You are still carrying the brightest light the world has ever seen, “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27)

If you don’t “get it all done” before Christmas, that’s okay. Everything that’s most important in your life, Jesus already did for you. Jesus was born to bring “joy to the world!” He died to leave His “Peace on earth.” He lives inside of you to be the brightest light this world has ever seen. No matter what you are going through, the truth remains. The light of Jesus through you is being released everywhere you go—full force!

Practical Ways to Love Yourself - by Leif Hetland

Leif brings the tangible presence of Papa God's love everywhere He goes. He oozes love!

Here is a message from Leif giving some very practical ways to love yourself:

Hello friends and family,

The habit of a loving heart is a daily practice that is helping me to Love my Life Away!  In the school of love, learning the language of love is the only language that blind eyes see and deaf ears hear.  Loving God and Loving people became me as I re-discovered kingdom love.  My greatest problem and challenge has been to love myself the way that the Father loves me.  I'm sure many of you face this challenge as well.  We often take care of business and neglect ourselves!  Here are some steps to help you take care of you!

1.  Develop habits that refresh you physically!
The hard work of REST is needed to be all God wants for us.  Rest is our weapon of warfare.
BALANCED DIET and EXERCISE - However that looks for you.

2.  Develop habits that re-charge you emotionally!
SOLITUDE and SOAKING re-charges my emotional battery.  DRIVING, SWIMMING, WALKING in nature, also charges my battery.  FELLOWSHIP and FUN - being with family and friends laughing makes me feel good!

3.  Develop habits that renew you spiritually!
Being ALONE with my heavenly Father in prayer, the WORD, a book or listening to music are great ways to renew.  I am sitting with Jack Taylor, my spiritual Papa who is turning 80 years old.  He is still hungry for the manifest Presence of God.

4.  Spiritual treasure hunt.
Take time to find a stranger to bless and be a blessing to.

Putting these steps into practice will help move along your assignment of loving yourself and will change not just you, but those around you.

When you feel tired or empty, how do you recharge? What is fun to you?  What is beautiful to you?

LET LOVE BE YOUR HIGHEST GOAL! - ( I Corinthians 14:1, NLT)

Much Love,
Leif Hetland

Leif travels the world releasing the Baptism of the Father's Love to walk in our true identity as sons and daughters!  This is one weekend you do not want to miss!

Friday, Dec. 13th, 7 pm
Saturday, Dec. 14th, 2 pm & 6 pm
In our new location: 3410 Cornerstone Court, Pleasanton, CA 94566

The weekend is free.  We will take love offerings to bless Leif.  Childcare is only available on Saturday night.

A Thrill of Hope, the weary world rejoices!

Last Saturday Pastor Brent brought an encouraging word about Hope Restored and he used scenes from It's a Wonderful Life to illustrate how hope changes our perspective even before circumstances have changed (listen here: http://blazingfire.podbean.com/2013/12/03/brent-lokker-hope-survives-11-30-13/)

Several people asked for the translation he came up with for Romans 5:2-5. First, the English Standard Version with brief descriptions for the various Greek words in parenthesis:

Through Christ we have also obtained access (admission)
by faith (agreement with God)
into this grace (God’s action on your behalf)
in which we stand, and we rejoice (massive boasting)
in hope of the glory of God.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings (trials),
knowing that suffering produces endurance (hanging in there under pressure),
and endurance produces character (the quality of being approved as a result of test and trials), and character produces hope (giddy, childlike expectation of good),
and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Here is Brent Lokker's Translation--BLT ;)

Through what Jesus has done for us, God has given us free admission into His favor as we agree with God that He is super-abundantly good. All that leaves room for is to boast BIG time in the astounding character of our awesome God and the wonder of knowing He’s making us just like Himself!

I can keep my joy in the midst of hard times because I’m certain that Papa is training me to hang in there under pressure while He gives me His affirmation and a childlike heart to expect
His good to come. Therefore, going through hard times is never shameful but a springboard to experience more intimacy with the Holy Spirit who walks with me and to revel in the love of my Father who is working all things out for my good.

Christ is in you, the hope of glory! Who can you offer hope to? Every day you’re alive, look for at least one...