LifeBridge Community Church

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

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Fulfilled Righteousness

January 11, 2026 /

When tasked for items or even in life, there are often dueling philosophies:

  1. do your best and
  2. do the bare minimum.

We know we should strive to do our best and go “above and beyond” when we can, but often we are too beat, lazy, uninterested enough to do anything beyond the bare minimum.

But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Matthew 3:15ab

In school we all know the folks (not saying I was one of them, even if I was) who spent a fair amount of time figuring out what the minimum grade I could get on something and still get the grade I wanted in the class. Had I spent less time doing the math for the grade instead of studying math for the class, I would have done better overall – and probably felt better about the result.

We are Called to believe in Jesus for forgiveness, for life, and for salvation. We are Called to follow Him and His ways; to live in obedience and using the gifts He has blessed us with. We are Called to live as best we can because we rejoice in the Gift of Salvation He has given us, not the minimum because we are already saved and we can just “ride life through.”

Jesus gave us the example: He was perfect and did not need to be baptized. Yet He did so, “to fulfill all righteousness.”

The goal isn’t just to be saved, but also to live as His saved!

One of the implications is that we do not go on living a life of sin “that grace may abound” (Romans 6:1). We are not to live in the sin that once held us, but let the life we live, “live to God” (Romans 6:10).

Instead of a mindset that says, “God has saved me through Jesus and has done everything, so all is good and I don’t ever need to worry” (a true statement), we should be living in the joyful reality that “God has saved me through faith in Jesus and has done everything, empowering me with the Holy Spirit to do all things to God and for others!”

We have been saved; fully and completely!

Respond to that free Gift by doing your best and living for God!

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for saving us and fulfilling all righteousness! Grant us a grateful and generous heart that responds to this gift by living our fullest to You and for others by the power of the Holy Spirit. And let us do so with the best of intentions and to the best of the abilities You have given us. In Your precious name. Amen.”

WE HAD NO POWER TODAY, SO NO RECORDING! Our apologies.

Scriptures

  • Romans 6:1-11
  • Matthew 3:13-17

Study & Worship. Read. Pray.

January 4, 2026 /

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.

And [Jesus] said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

Luke 2:49

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

Joy to the World?!

December 28, 2025 /

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!

A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.

Matthew 2:18

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

CHRISTMAS EVE – “A Light that Leads Us Home

December 24, 2025 /

Tonight is the culmination of our series, “Coming Home for Christmas.” It all comes down to this. To HIM; born for us!

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

May the Lord bless your celebration of the birth of the Savior, Jesus: our Light Who leads us to our everlasting Home!

A Home Unbroken

December 21, 2025 /

Family is phenominal!

Family is frustrating!

A part of every big holiday seasons like Christmas is the gathering of family. It is one of the main things people are most axious about – positively and negatively.

I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

Isaiah 44:22

With loved ones come intimacy and irritation; jockularity and judgement; love and loathing; valuation and vexation.

Often the season itself is overshadowed by the familial dynamics at play – even to the point of perhaps minimizing or avoiding the gathering altogether.

Sin affects relationships and this is felt more with those we are closest to than anyone else.

This goes all the way back to the Fall in the Garden. The loving, intimate relationship we had with God (and Adam and Eve to each other) was perfect and a blessing in every way. Nothing was difficult. Nothing was hurtful. Nothing was dysfunctional.

A sin broke our relationship with God and mars all our relationships with each other.

But God wasn’t content with that. He doesn’t want a Home or relatiojnship that is broken. So He sent Jesus to obliderate oppresion; rule in righteousness; comfort the crushed; save from sins; redeem relationships; bridge the broken; love the lost; heal the Home.

Christmas is a time to celebrate that in the Chirst Child of Jesus, our relationship with God and others are restored and we have a heavenly Home to look forward to where there will never be brokenness again.

That is something to look forward to!

Thank You, Lord!

“Eternal God, you promise a new heaven and a new earth where all your children will be gathered as one. Heal our divisions, reconcile our brokenness, and fill us with the hope of your everlasting kingdom. Keep us steadfast in faith until the day when we worship before you in perfect unity and joy. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”

Scriptures

  • Isaiah 66:18-23

No Place Like Home

December 14, 2025 /

We all know “The Wizard of Oz” phrase that Dorothy uses when she clicks her ruby-shoed-heels together, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.”

I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

Isaiah 44:22

Home is where the heart is. It’s where we are comfortable; familiar; at ease. When something is comfy we think of it also as “homey.”

This is probably reflected more during the Christmas season than any other time in songs like “There’s no place like home for the holidays” and “I’ll be home for Christmas.”

But for the Christian, “Home” is often misunderstood. Our home isn’t here. Our Home is with our Lord and other believers in the New Creation.

Isaiah gives us a glimpse of this in Isaiah 55:1-5.

When we long for home, we should be longing for our heavenly Home. We should be looking forward to our Father’s House, which has many rooms which Jesus is preparing for us (John 14:2-3).

And we get to picture and long for this Home because of what Jesus – the child-King coming for us – on the cross and through the empty tomb.

Looking to Him, we see our Home.

There is no place like it!

Thank you, Lord!

“Gracious God, you invite the thirsty to drink and the hungry to be filled without cost. Teach us to turn from empty pursuits and to delight in the rich food of your grace. Keep us secure in your covenant love, that we may both rejoice in your feast and share it with those who hunger. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”

Scriptures

  • Isaiah 55:1-5

Far From Home

December 7, 2025 /

For most, home is a place of comfort. A place of sanctuary. A place where you can be yourself. Home is the place where you wake up in the morning, the place where you live, the place you get to retreat to after work. It’s where you group with family. It’s where life – joyous and messy – happens.

I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

Isaiah 44:22

Leaving home can be tough. Leaving for school, or work, or even vacation can be difficult. This is especially true when leaving when leaving either is because you must go somewhere you don’t want, or to do something that is difficult, or perhaps isn’t even by choice.

Isaiah was letting Israel know that they would be leaving their home – their Promised Land – and be taken into exile because of their rebellion and sin. They would have to leave the safety, the security, and the comfort of their home and life because they choose (constantly) to worship other gods, live other ways, and follow other paths than God’s.

This, of course, wasn’t entirely new. We see that this pattern happened in other places in Scripture as well – all the way back to Adam and Eve, who had to leave their home in the Garden of Eden because of their rebellion and sin.

But there is another One – promised back to Adam and Eve, prophesied in Isaiah, and fulfilled in Jesus – who would leave His heavenly Home willingly to cover our rebellions and sins, so that we could be with Him in His Home forever!

Our rebellions and sin meant exile for us from God and our home. Jesus exited His throne and home to save us from our sin and open His home to us forever.

Amazing!

“Lord Jesus Christ, You left Your throne in glory to enter our exile, so that we might be welcomed home to the Father. Keep us from seeking refuge in the false shelters of this world, and anchor our hearts in You, the shoot from Jesse’s stump and the King of all kings. For You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”

Scriptures

  • Isaiah 11:1-10
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Phone / Email

(979) 885-7270 [Church]
(713) 965-6761 [Pastor Scott Heitshusen’s Cell]

info@lifebridgesealy.com

Location // Mail

2162 FM 2187 Rd (location)
P.O. Box 934 (mail)
Sealy, TX 77474

Connecting People to Jesus by:
Reaching the Lost.
Discipling the Saved.
Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.

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