Category: Community (Page 1 of 96)

I find the Gospel text for today to be humorous as an outsider and terrifying as a parent.

But beyond the implications for Mary and Joseph at the time, there are several things we can take from the lesson.

• Jesus is the Son of God and desires to be in His House.
• Jesus values learning the Word (even though He is The Word [we won’t get into that pickle of thought!]) and being in said House with others.

It started me thinking about setting some good habits for the New Year.

From the example this reading and other places Scripture gives us, I would humbly suggest making a commitment to the following:

1. STUDY & WORSHIP: like Jesus, be in the Father’s House as much as possible, surrounding yourself with other believers to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Word and in worship to God.
2. READ: make a commitment to reading the Scripture daily. Use a Scripture app; set a daily reminder; make a daily habit to read without constraints or agendas, even if you don’t understand everything you read. Let the Holy Spirit enter, teach, and draw out from you.
3. PRAY: too often we think of prayer as the last resort instead of the constant resort. Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17), meaning that it should be a natural part of our everyday lives. Commit to chatting with the Lord throughout the day every day. You will find it will make a world of difference, not just in your life but in the lives of others and even of our world. (See also James 5:16b).

It’s a new year with old challenges. But God is a God who has victory over all challenges and is with us through them.

We don’t do this just so we are “better Christians” (though we should certainly strive to be or best). We do this because we are amazed at the Gift the Lord has given to us through Jesus; His birth, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension and want to respond by study and worship, buy reading His Word daily, and by praying continually. We seek to do this out of a loving, humble, response in gratitude, not compulsion, fear, or obligation.

The Lord Jesus has come, and He has given us everything – including an example. May we seek this year to live and follow that example in Joy and thanksgiving.

Thank You, Lord, for showing us what a joy and blessing it is to be in Your House and in Your Word, by reading, studying, and praying with You as our heart. Send us Your Spirit so that we may daily and continually draw closer to You, grow in our faith, and be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ Name do we pray. Amen.”

Scriptures

• Luke 2:40-52
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14-25
• Psalm 119:97-104

Post-Christmas funk!

The time right after all the Christmas fun and festivities; gifts, family, food, and time-off is over. The mountaintop and been scaled; now back to the valleys of life!

In our texts today we discuss a horrific event just a few years into the birth of Jesus – His family fleeing to Egypt and the slaughter of male children two and under in the region of Bethlehem.

It is hard to fathom the pain and anguish!

Wasn’t the coming of Jesus supposed to bring forth “joy for all people?!” Wasn’t it to usher in blessings instead of curses like these? Wasn’t He to being life instead of death?

We ask questions like this now, too.

If we are believers in the King of kings and Lord of lords, why is life such a mess? Why am I such a mess?

Of course we know the answer: although Jesus conquered sin, death, and the Devil, they are still in this world and with us until Jesus returns. Although they are still enemies, they are defeated, but still inflict as much pain and anguish as they can.

Rather than focus on the pain and suffering, we focus on the Savior who is victorious over them and confidently cry “Abba! Father!” to the Almighty who hears and loves us. When bogged down in the cesspool and sin, we are attached to the One who saves and sanctifies.

Let us enter the valleys of life as we scaled the mountaintop of Christmas – with joy and confidence, knowing who we worship – the newborn King!

“Lord Jesus, thank You for coming humbly to us, born in the flesh save us from ours. Help us to remember to look to You, not just in the joy of Christmas, but also as the Victor in the valleys! In Your precious name, Jesus. Amen!”

Scriptures

• Galatians 4:4-7
• Jeremiah 31:15-17
• Matthew 2:13-23
• Psalm 111