Fast Food Fast Guide

1. No one needs to be forced to become hungry or thirsty. We were created to long for the things that keep us alive. Try to remember a time when you or someone you know longed for something so strongly that all other desires were forgotten. Describe how that felt.
2. In Philippians 3:8, Paul describes his life's pursuit of knowing God. How does he describe the effect that pursuit had on the rest of life?
3. Try to think of others who could be described as pursuers of God, either from the Bible or from your personal experience. What stands out in their lives that would make you describe them in such a way?
4. David describes his heart in Ps 42:1-2a. "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." What are the thirsts that drive your life?
5. In Acts 13:22, God himself is said to have described David as "a man after my own heart." What would becoming a person "after God's own heart" look like in your life?

Scripture Focus: Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Quote: How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers. Everything is made to center upon the initial act of "accepting" Christ (a term, incidentally, which is not found in the Bible) and we are not expected thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our souls. We have been snared in the coils of a spurious logic which insists that if we have found Him, we need no more seek Him...

In the midst of this great chill there are some, I rejoice to acknowledge, who will not be content with shallow logic. They will admit the force of the argument, and then turn away with tears to hunt some lonely place and pray, "O God, show me Thy Glory." They want to taste, to touch with their hearts, to see with their inner eyes the wonder that is God. (from A.W. Tozer, "The Pursuit of God")

Prayer:
Lord, unmask the futility of pursuing anything other than you.
"Find rest, my soul, in God alone." Ps. 62:1

For further reading:
The Pursuit of God, by A.W.Tozer (1957, Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications)
FREE ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE by clicking here.

A. W. Tozer was a rare breed in his day, and would have been even more so today. A God-taught man, Tozer learned early in life, the key to spiritual knowledge --- an open Bible, before bended knees. His book focuses on a loving and soul-satisfying God as revealed to the Christian with a heart, hungry to know Him.

5th CANDLE - (white) "CHRIST CANDLE"

The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! (John 1:29 and John 3:1-8)

Merry Christmas everyone.
-Durand for the staff at CreativeWorks

Christmas Song for All Year 'Round

I wonder if this Christmas, they'll begin to understand
The Jesus that they celebrate is much more than a man
But the way the world is I don't see how people can deny
The only way to save us was for Jesus Christ to die

(Chorus)
And I know, that if St. Nicholas were here he would agree
That Jesus gave the greatest gift of all to you and me
They led him to the slaughter on a hill called Calvary
And mankind was forgiven when they nailed him to the tree

But most of all the children, they're the ones I hope will learn
That Jesus is our Savior and he's going to return
And Christmas isn't just a day, and all days aren't the same
Perhaps they'll think about the word and see it spells his name

(Chorus)
And I know, that if St. Nicholas were here he would agree
That Jesus gave the greatest gift of all to you and me
They led him to the slaughter on a hill called Calvary
And mankind was forgiven, mankind was forgiven
We were all forgiven when they nailed him to the tree

So merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas,
Oooh, oooh....

I wonder if this Christmas, they'll begin to understand...

Words and Music by Randy Stonehill ©1976 King of Hearts Publishing
(ps. Randy's currently playing this song on his myspace. Enjoy!)

4th CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF LOVE"

Read John 3:16-17 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again."

The more familiar something is the less we tend to value it. The message of John 3:16 has become the wallpaper in our lives instead of the masterpiece displayed in us and through us.

1. God's love was given unselfishly. Have you ever given something of great worth away because of love? What must it have for God to deny his right to keep his only son on our behalf?
2. God's love has been given unconditionally. God's word is painfully clear about us. We are undeserving of God's love. Hebrews 8:6-13 holds some astounding promises. We won't just know about God, we'll know him firsthand. We'll know his greatness as we understand our smallness. We'll know his forgiveness as we recognize our sinfulness. What have you learned about yourself and about God's unconditional love in these areas?
3. God's love is unequalled by any one or any thing else. What does it mean for you to be completely forgiven and loved by someone who understands you so completely?
4. God's love has been given without limit. Life can seem as temporary as the candle burning away. How does knowing that God's love for you is permanent encourage you to invest in your love for Him?

3rd CANDLE- (pink) "CANDLE OF JOY"

Read Luke 2:10-11"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

1. Joy is a perfect response to provision. Think of times in your life when you were in need. When those needs were met can you describe how you felt and why?
2. The angels announcement says that their good news brings great joy for all people. Describe the impact in your life of knowing you have a saviour.
3. In Philippians 4:12 the apostle Paul says "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." How do you think he arrived at that place in his life?
4. Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Make a list of how God has met your needs this year and rejoice.

2nd CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF PEACE"

Read Romans 5:1 "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1. The Bible describes Eph 2:15 speaks of a separation, a barrier or emnity between man and God. Can you describe how that manifested itself in your own life?
2. How does being at odds with God effect our ability to love and receive love from God?
3. How does being justified by faith make things right between us and God, freeing us to love God and receive his love?
4. What are some of the benefits of having peace with God you appreciate most?

1st CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF HOPE"

Read Ps. 33:18 "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love"

1. When did you place your hope in God's unfailing love? What stands out most about your life before that time?
2. Describe how hopelessness effects our ability to love God.
3. How has God's unfailing love provided hope for you?
4. The passage says God watches over us who fear him. Tell him what that means to you.

(I'm using this questions as a guide as part of my personal worship, using the advent wreath and candles as a reminder throughout the month. Perhaps you'll find that useful for your celebration as well. Merry Christmas. NDR)

Scripture Focus: 1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Quote: So how do I come to love God with more of my heart? I wonder whether part of it involves what C.S. Lewis refers to in Mere Christianity as a slow, gradual turning of the self toward God by doing right things both when we feel like it and, more importantly perhaps, when we do not. (from the blog "Letters from Babylon")

Prayer:
O to grace how great a debtor, daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.
-Robert Robinson

For further reading:
Loving God, by Chuck Colson ( ©1987, 1996 Zondervan, Grand Rapids)
Chuck Colson is a great story teller, and he gives many gripping illustrations of what it means to love God in our everyday lives.