All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. (1 Peter 1:24-25, quoting Isaiah 40:7-8)
 
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Sola Scriptura
 
In the final sermon on the five pillars of the Protestant Reformation, Pastor Dave spoke of the reformers’ high view of the value and truth of Scripture. Before the Lord, examine the strength of your own persuasion. How much time do I spend reading and meditating on the word of God? To what extent does it shape my thinking and affect how I live?
 
Pray for the pastors and elders of our church, asking the Lord to help them submit to the authority of Scripture as they lead and to listen to the Holy Spirit as they seek to understand and apply Scripture to the life of our church.
 
Think of a time you have worshipped with believers whose language, culture, or worship style was different from yours. Did you catch a glimpse of heaven, experiencing the thrill of deep unity with people outside your usual circles? Praise God that His truth transcends external differences among His people.
 
Pray that we at Calvary and our fellow believers everywhere can truly live by this motto:  In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity. When we judge and look down on others, we are operating out of our sinful human nature. But when we can distinguish preferences from the essentials and treat others with kindness, as beloved brothers and sisters, we display the truth of the gospel before a watching world and bring glory to God.
 
Calvary Family
 
I heard from Bob and Rose Palfenier, our retired missionaries, last week. They had heard about the wildfires in southern California and were very concerned about our well-being. They also wanted to thank us for the monetary Christmas gift we sent and for the support Calvary has given them since 1957. They praise God for His faithfulness to them, expressed through us.
 
Karen Marvel experienced a trip to the ER a week ago because of her multiple health problems. Her husband, Roger, is her primary care giver, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to care properly for her. Pray for improved health and mobility for Karen and for access to care-giving help for Roger.

Pray for our missionaries Lynette and Jim Hatcher as they depart Orange County on Thursday. They will spend Christmas with their son and daughter-in-law in Baltimore and then head home to Vienna after a 6-month stay in the U.S.
 
Some of you long-time Calvary members may remember Esther Turrell. Esther, who suffered from congestive heart failure, passed away last Friday. She had been living with a niece in Texas. Shirley Maher, who shared this news, wrote, “My heart is sad, but happy at the same time.  Esther was a dear friend and was ready whenever He was ready for her.” Ask the Lord to comfort Esther’s family and friends. 
 
Lift up Calvary’s Christmas Eve service. May it be a time and space for nonbelievers to meet the Messiah and for all of us to dwell on the immensity of the Father’s gift to us. Also be praying for Shannon, our new associate pastor, as he prepares to preach at Calvary for the first time on December 31.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea

P.S The prayer blog will be on a holiday hiatus for two weeks. Check your inbox next year on Jan. 8.