Like Us…But Different (Luke 2:39-52)
We have very little knowledge of what Jesus was like as a child. Some have tried to come up with descriptions, but they are speculative at best. Luke gives us one story and several descriptions of the young Jesus. We also discover that in many ways he was just like us in his growth and development; all the way to being obedient to his parents. Yet he was different in that he understood there was a higher call on his life.
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- Jan 10, 2021Like Us…But Different (Luke 2:39-52)
Like Us…But Different (Luke 2:39-52)We have very little knowledge of what Jesus was like as a child. Some have tried to come up with descriptions, but they are speculative at best. Luke gives us one story and several descriptions of the young Jesus. We also discover that in many ways he was just like us in his growth and development; all the way to being obedient to his parents. Yet he was different in that he understood there was a higher call on his life.
- Jan 3, 2021God’s Faithful Plan (Luke 1:57-80)
God’s Faithful Plan (Luke 1:57-80)
What would be the first words out of your mouth if you had been rendered speechless for almost a year? We encounter just such a person in Luke 1. Zechariah the priest was rendered speechless until his son John would be born. When his ability to speak returned it was a shock to everyone. But what he said was truly inspired and gave all a glimpse of the plan of God that had been unfolding for centuries. - Dec 27, 2020God Knows (Luke 1:1-25)
God Knows (Luke 1:1-25)
After a year of canceled plans, dashed hopes, and diminished dreams, upon whom can we
rely? We know we can rely on God. And yet we sometimes wonder; does God
really know who I am or even where I am? The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth
give us some answers - Dec 20, 2020Finding Love in Our Differences – 1 John 4:7-21
Finding Love in Our Differences – 1 John 4:7-21
Love that is truly love is a unifying force. When we really love someone we are able to see their best qualities and we are able to accept their differences. When we truly love someone we initiate acts of kindness, we don’t count the cost in helping them, we are safe in the relationship, and we look for ways to bridge our gaps. God is love. God so loved that He sent His Son. The real Christmas story is about love. - Dec 13, 2020Finding Joy in our Discouragements (Luke 1)
Finding Joy in our Discouragements (Luke 1)
Joy is not a word that we have heard uttered much over the past year. And yet in the midst of difficulties and struggles those who follow Jesus can have a sense of joy. In our passages today we meet two very familiar women. Each with much to be concerned about, but each aware that God had chosen them to participate in His plan in a very special way. In what should have been a time of discouragement they found joy and so can we. - Dec 6, 2020Peace in the Middle of Our Struggles (Luke 2:8-20)
Peace in the Middle of Our Struggles (Luke 2:8-20)
We see it all around. The word peace appears on cards, in Christmas displays, and even in store displays during this season. We all want peace. We desire peace. The angels declared God’s peace to those who were favored by God. But what does that mean? How can one have peace with God? We will learn what the shepherds learned 2000 years ago. Peace is a person. Jesus is the source of peace. - Nov 29, 2020Hope in Uncertain Times: Luke 2:22-38
Hope in Uncertain Times: Luke 2:22-38
Hope. It is often a word we use as a synonym for “wish.” But hope in the Bible is not used as a wish, it is a certainty that is yet to be fully realized. Hope in the Bible is based on God’s promises. We will see two individuals today who lived in hope day in and day out and were not disappointed. They saw with their own eyes what God had promised. Their story and their hope can encourage us. Howington. Released: 2020. - Nov 22, 2020A Lament When One is Down – Psalm 142
A Lament When One is Down – Psalm 142
A cave is typically dark, damp, and lonely. For most people caves are intriguing from a distance. People also face “caves” in life. We at times find ourselves in dark, lonely places in our soul. David did. We find a poignant cry to God in Psalm 142 that apparently was uttered when David was in the cave. We find a reminder that in our darkest moments, the hope that God is there can be enough. - Nov 15, 2020Psalm 94 – A Community Lament over Injustice
Psalm 94 – A Community Lament over Injustice
God is a God of justice. God expects his people to be people of justice. In this community lament the psalmist cries out to God for the way the rich and powerful are treating the powerless in the community. What is most disturbing is that the tone of the psalm points to the fact that the oppressors are actually part of the larger community of the nation. The call is for God to exact his righteous judgment against oppression of the weak. - Nov 8, 2020Lament over one’s own sin – Psalm 51
Lament over one’s own sin – Psalm 51
Sometimes we exercise the prayer language of lament when we have suffered a personal loss. But what about when we have caused the pain and the loss due to our own sin. Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of lament due to his own sinful acts. When sin empties us, God in his grace still hears us. - Nov 1, 2020Lament – Crying out to God: Psalm 13
Lament – Crying out to God: Psalm 13
No matter who you are, or how strong you believe your faith to be, you have no doubt asked God questions like: “Where are you?” “How can you not see what I am going through?” “Why do you not act more quickly?” These are the questions of Lament. God has given us Lament as a prayer language to put words to our grief and struggles. - Oct 25, 2020Jude: Stay Strong
Jude: Stay Strong
Often times we emphasize the content of one’s teaching and we will warn against false teaching or a false narrative. The book of Jude is also a warning to folks to beware of false teachers. But his approach does not delve into the specific nature of the teaching. Instead he focuses on the character and behaviors of false teachers. The readers in the First Century as well and you and I today are warned to beware of those who use God’s grace as an excuse to be selfish and sinful. - Oct 18, 20203 John: Walk the Walk
3 John: Walk the Walk
God expects us to not just claim to follow him, but that we actually do so. Our actions should support our claims. Another word for it is to be authentic. In this brief letter we are introduced to three men. Two are authentic, they walk the walk and the description of them is refreshing. The third is a man who is all about himself. We can learn much from this brief letter about what it means to be people who walk the walk in following Jesus. - Oct 11, 20202 John: Stay Grounded
2 John: Stay Grounded
How do you know? How can you tell if what someone believes “squares” with what you understand the Bible to teach? In this brief letter, we discover a core reality of our faith that will help us make wise decisions regarding what others teach. One thing that we see in all of John’s writings in the Bible is an emphasis on the love of Christ and how our obedience to his teaching is our best expression of our love for Jesus. - Oct 4, 2020Philemon: Useless to Useful
Philemon: Useless to Useful
Philemon is the most personal letter of the entire New Testament. It is also a very difficult letter in that it deals with a run away slave and for us in the 21st century that brings up a host of emotions. As we look at this letter we will see the compassion of the Apostle Paul and an appeal to Philemon to show unprecedented grace and mercy to one who has wronged him and his household. Forgiveness, compassion, and restoration are among the themes we will see in this letter.