Reaching the Lost. Discipling the Saved. Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.

Author: Scott Heitshusen (Page 50 of 105)

BAPTISM: Renewal

You were washed clean, you were made holy to God, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:11b [CEB]

Baptism. It’s important, but why? What is it? Why did God give us this gift and command? What are it’s benefits?

Today we look at part 1 of our mini-series on Baptism and answer those and other important questions on this important topic.

Join us!

Scriptures

  • Acts 2:38-39
  • 1 Corinthians 6:11

A New Normal

The prophecy of this Child’s birth is fulfilled.

The shepherds are gone. Perhaps life is returning to some kind of normalcy.

But it’s still not “normal.”

How can it be?

Jesus is not a “normal” child. This is not a “normal” family. Perhaps this “new normal” is all there is to look forward to.

Or is it?
What do we do in the “letdown” after Christmas? Is it a disappointment? Mundane? “Normal?”
How can it be?

The fact that Jesus came changed everything – for the better! There is a “new normal” but it is to be celebrated – every day!

Scriptures

  • Luke 2:22-40

What Now?

Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.

Luke 2:15b

As if there wasn’t enough going on, now, as a community-ostracized, pregnant young woman, we have to make a prolonged trip with thousands of others to another city with what seems minimal support!

If God is going to ask so much of someone, why would He allow such struggles?

We may wonder that, too.

But God doesn’t promise we won’t have struggles. In fact, the opposite is true.

Jesus says that in this life we are guaranteed to have struggles, but to take heart, because He has overcome them and is with us through them!

That’s enough!

Always.

Scriptures

  • Luke 2:1-7
  • John 16:33

I Need a Break!

Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.

Luke 2:15b

I often wonder about the order of things here.

Did Mary go to visit Elizabeth before telling Joseph or after?

Did she do it to hide? Build up her courage to face Joseph and the community?

In any event, it would be welcome to get out of her town and visit someone who would encourage and help her through this difficult time.

Somewhere she could go to process and get a break from everything happening.

Sometimes we all need that!

But really, Jesus is the One through whom we find our true rest – for all time!

Scriptures

  • Luke 1:39-45
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