It can be hard to say "thank you" at times. At other times, it's not hard to say, but we just don't remember to say it. The apostle Paul writes, "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Is that asking too much? How is that even possible? This week, in our Bible Study and our Worship Services, we begin a special series called "364 Days of Thanksgiving." As we dig into God's Word we discover that Christian living is thankful living, and we have much for which to be thankful.
January 6 may seem like any other day. There are no special store hours, no day off work or school (unless it is because of the weather), no special plans for most families. But January 6 marks one of the six major festivals in the Christian church year, the festival of Epiphany. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. Epiphany celebrates his revelation as the Savior of all people (Some even call it the "Gentile Christmas."). For us, most of whom have no Jewish ancestry, this is cause for great celebration. Epiphany assures us the Jesus is our Savior!
The Old Testament law required baby boys to be circumcised and named by their parents on the eighth day of their life. The parents of the baby born in Bethlehem, whose birth we celebrated last week, fulfilled the law and gave him his name on the eighth day of his life. On January 1, the eighth day of Christmas, we celebrate the name given to that baby--Jesus--and all that it means for us. Start off the new year in God's house, celebrating this name that makes a difference every day of the year.
For centuries, Christians have prayed a series of prayers during the final seven days of Advent known as the "Great O Antiphons." Each one heightens our anticipation of the coming of our Savior, as it focuses on a different name given to Christ in the prophecies of the Old Testament and the fulfillment of those prophecies in the New Testament. We turn our attention to those beautiful prophecies and prayers, as we look forward to his coming, singing, "Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel!"
When infants and toddlers want something, they want it right now! As we grow up, do we really grow much more patient? As we think about Christ's return, we look forward to it so much that it can be hard to be patient. And when we face suffering and persecution, we may struggle with questions and doubts about God's love and his timing. But this week, we hear again Jesus' promise to come and are led to patient trust while we wait.
For centuries, the Lord had fallen silent. No prophets appeared in Israel for about 400 years. Meanwhile, Israel had lost all prominence on the world scene, becoming a conquered prize of one empire after another. Had the Lord turned his back on his chosen nation? Had the Lord forgotten or taken back his promise made to Abraham and his descendant? But then, everything changed.
A new church year begins this Sunday with the season of Advent, which means "coming." While we don't know when Christ is coming again, we know that he is coming. His coming shapes our thoughts and our lives, because he comes with judgment on the unbelieving world and grace for his people. Because of his coming, we are filled with hope, with love, and with light. With eager and joyful anticipation we say, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Showered with blessings (in good times and in bad), we have so many reasons to praise the LORD. The psalm writer helps us find even more reasons and shows us the kind of praise that is pleasing to our generous God.
On Christ the King Sunday, we have the opportunity to gather around his throne and see how Jesus is unlike any other king who ever has been or ever will be. We celebrate his awesome reign as king in every age and season of life on earth and in the eternal age to come in heaven. And we look forward to the day when we will see Christ the King with our own eyes!
It's been called the most beautiful piece of music ever written. Legend says that King George II of England was so moved by its opening strains that he rose to his feet and to this day, crowds of people still rise to their feet every time they hear it. Legend also says that Georg Fredrich Handel himself had a vision of heaven that prompted him to compose "The Hallelujah Chorus." But as sublime and transcendent as Handel’s work is, it will pale in comparison to the real Hallelujah Chorus. In Revelation 19, we get a glimpse behind the doors of heaven to encourage us while we live on the other side of those doors on earth.
Those in our world who allow the possibility of a day of judgment at the end of the world often approach it like the Christmas song that warns children, "You'd better watch out…Santa Claus is coming to town." As long as you aren't too naughty, you'll be okay. But Judgment Day is no idle threat. The wrath of a holy and just God should terrify even the "nicest" of people. And yet, the Christian's attitude toward Judgment Day is not terror but anticipation. That's because the Christian clings to the verdict that was already pronounced at the cross and empty tomb of our Savior: "Not Guilty!" That verdict not only prepares us for death and judgment; it also motivates every moment we live in anticipation of that day.
499 years ago, Martin Luther posted 95 statements for discussion that God used not only to bring about needed reformation within the church, but also to change the world in profound ways. But what Luther did was really nothing new. He simply held up and held out the beautiful gospel--the good news of salvation by grace through faith. That message continues to change the world--one heart at a time--still today.
James knew Jesus like few other people in the world have. They grew up together. But it wasn't until after Jesus died and rose again that James really knew his brother. And when he did, what a difference it made! We join James on that journey from doubt to faith, from skepticism to certainty, from death to life.
Martin Luther once said, "A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all." This paradox makes Christians utterly unique. Like Jesus, our Savior, we don't use our freedom to serve ourselves but to serve others. Join us this Sunday to be served by your Savior, that you might be empowered and equipped to serve others.
So many families and homes are "broken" these days that, as a society, we hardly call them "broken" anymore. And the problem is only getting worse. The reality is that, in comparison to God's perfect design for the family, every family is broken. The only solution is to stop and look at the beautiful blueprints of God's design, blueprints made even more beautiful, when they are stained with the crimson blood of our Savior.
The church can be a fragile thing. That's because it is made up of people who bring with them such varied backgrounds and experiences, strengths and weaknesses, ideas and opinions. How the devil loves to take advantage of our differences to divide us and try to destroy God's Church! It's a wonder that our church or any other survives! We are here only because the same Savior who calls us his body and himself the head uses his Word to unite us and to equip us to serve him together.
The Olympic Games wrapped up a few weeks ago. The Paralympic Games conclude this Sunday. Athletes from around the world have been competing to be called the greatest. Whether we are athletes or not, don’t we all throw ourselves into that competition for greatness? But often, we go about it all wrong.
Stand on a street corner and ask people who Jesus is, and you'll hear a wide variety of ideas and opinions. It can be pretty eye-opening to know what the world thinks of Jesus. But the more important question is, what do you think of Jesus? Who do you say Jesus is? And are you ready to follow him, no matter the cost?
Unbelief mocks and says that if God did all things well and is the source of all good because he is good, then he shouldn't allow misery and need in the first place. But especially in need and suffering God does all things well; that truth is the center of our quiet confidence. It is the reason for his hope based on the promises of God and earned for us by the work of Christ and its eternal consequence for us.
My sinful nature hates the Bible. The Bible convicts me of being a lawbreaker and condemns me for living for myself instead of for God and for others. There are so many things my sinful nature would change, deny, ignore, or add to God's Word, if it could. But by faith, I know that God has not given his Word to hurt me but to bless me--in fact, to bless me in ways that I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams! And because I treasure those blessings and love the God who wants to give them to me, I use his Word carefully and eagerly!
The world tries to distract us with so many things--worries and hardships, joys and pleasures. The world trains us to focus on what we can see with our eyes and hold with our hands. But what our eyes can see can so easily disappoint us. What our hands can hold so quickly crumbles. Faith takes an entirely different approach, ignoring the distractions and focusing on unseen things that are far better than the world can offer.
Do you ever find your life full and empty at the same time? We have so many things to do and enjoy, but not all of them truly satisfy. Not all of them bring real meaning, purpose, and joy to our lives. It's easy to fill up on the junk food of life and miss out on the good stuff. This Sunday, our God will spread a feast for us that he promises will satisfy our deepest needs and longings. Come and enjoy!
You've seen the bumper stickers or the social media memes: "I'd rather be..." And the rest of it describes something that the person really enjoys or about which they are passionate. "I'd rather be fishing." "I'd rather be in Florida." "I'd rather be home by now." We all have moments like that, moments when we can think of something else we would prefer to be doing, someplace else where we would rather be. The prophet Elijah can relate. He reached a point when he was ready to just give up. Nothing seemed to be going right, so why keep going? Whether you are on top of the world, dragging bottom, or somewhere in between right now, God's has a message for you in his care and encouragement for his prophet.
You've seen the bumper stickers or the social media memes: "I'd rather be..." And the rest of it describes something that the person really enjoys or about which they are passionate. "I'd rather be fishing." "I'd rather be in Florida." "I'd rather be home by now." We all have moments like that, moments when we can think of something else we would prefer to be doing, someplace else where we would rather be. The prophet Elijah can relate. He reached a point when he was ready to just give up. Nothing seemed to be going right, so why keep going? Whether you are on top of the world, dragging bottom, or somewhere in between right now, God's has a message for you in his care and encouragement for his prophet.
"He gave them bread from heaven to eat." Imagine what that must have been like - food that just appears every day to give you the strength you need to live and serve the Lord another day! How could you not receive it with pure joy? But a look at our own hearts reveals that we don't always receive God's gifts with grateful joy, especially when we are asked to endure trials. What an awesome God we have, then, who not only continues to provide for our bodies, but feeds our souls as well! Come and be fed!
Again and again in Scripture, we see God do the unexpected and seemingly impossible. His generosity and mercy are most clearly on display when God's people are in their most desperate hour of need. God sees your need before you recognize it, and he meets your needs in better ways that you could ever imagine.
We all need a break from time to time. If we put everything we have into everything we do, soon there won't be much of us left, especially as live in a world frustrated by the effects of sin. Even if we don't give everything we have, we can still feel run down and worn out physically, emotionally, mentally and/or spiritually. Jesus knows what it's like. He got tired too. And he offers us just what our weary souls and bodies need - rest. Accept your Savior's invitation, and find the rest he knows you need.
