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Happy New Year! As we look forward to 2021 it’s important that we take some time to focus on this powerful truth: “For God so loved the world”. 2020 taught us things in our world can change in a hurry. We are not guaranteed anything. But John 3:16 speaks into the craziness and uncertainty of life a message that we all need to hear today…YOU ARE LOVED! What does that love look like and what does it mean for you and me?
The Christmas story is filled with unexpected works of God. Our joy in this season may be magnified if we jettison our prefabricated expectations of who God is and of how He should do things. “I will never leave you or abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5, CSB). “They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:16-18, CSB). “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—whom should I dread? (Psalm 27:1, CSB).
Jesus really is the “reason for the season” because He came to this world. The treasure of Christmas is found in why Jesus said He came.
Have you worried lately? Chances are, if you are human, the answer is yes. We worry about all kinds of things: job, family, finances, school, health, safety…and the list goes on and on. Worry seems like it is just a normal part of life. But God clearly tells us not to worry. Why? And more importantly, how? How do we not worry when we feel we have so much to worry about?
Calendars and agendas can fill up fast. We have a lot to do and not a lot of time to get it all done. How are we going to fit it all in? Busyness is a problem that most American families deal with. Even in this crazy year it still feels like we don’t have enough time to get it all done. So how do we unclutter our lives of the mess of busyness?
Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult. The constant refrains on radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost. The anguish of the death of a loved one can make us feel alone in the midst of the celebration and joy. We need space and time to acknowledge our sadness; we need to know that we are not alone. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us. We want to invite you to a special holiday service designed for those for whom the holidays might be difficult. If you have undergone a difficult loss, transition, or life change, the church cares about you and invites you to a special time of worship and reading of God's Word.
We’re talking about “Uncluttered” this December. There are things that are a mess in our hearts – burdens and weights we carry around with us that we need to clear out. Sunday we’re talking about forgiveness.
On this Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we focus on hope in times of waiting. The Bible is filled with the question – How long? – How long until the Messiah comes. How long until God brings His justice to a sinful world? How long until our prayers are answered? How long until our hopes are realized? Waiting is the hardest work of hope.
Being a follower of Jesus means living a life of faith. For faith to be strengthened, faith must be tested. But for many of us, we would rather not go through a test. We’re fine…”thanks, but no thanks!” Too often, the very thing that is meant to strengthen us leads us to take our eyes off of God and to focus on ourselves. What happens when we lose sight of God?
It’s easy to walk through life discouraged. We look at all the things that are going on around us and wish things could be different. There is something in all of us that tells us “this is not right”. As followers of Christ, we must remember that this reality will not be for eternity. We have to keep our eyes forward. We are future people.