Daily Word of God - 1 Peter 1:3-9

1 Peter 1:3-9 New International Version (NIV)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Christmas Day - Noon Scripture Reading

Matthew 1:18-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement[a] quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,[b] for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,[c]
    which means ‘God is with us.’”

Footnotes:

1. 1:19 Greek to divorce her.
2. 1:21 Jesus means “The Lord saves.”
3. 1:23 Isa 7:14; 8:8, 10 (Greek version).

Mid-Week Message - Miracle of Miracles

"...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."  Luke 2:7  (NIV)  

Christmas has come and it is the official time set aside to celebrate the coming of the Son of God, whose name was called Immanuel, which means "God With Us." He was the first Christmas present  and the only one that will endure forever.  No matter what possessions we gain here on earth, nothing will ever be greater than Almighty God coming in human form to live among us and ultimately die in our place so that we might have forgiveness for our sins and life eternal with Him in Heaven. 

Each year as I gaze at the empty space beneath the tree after the gifts are opened, I think that the tree looks lonely somehow.  Then I think about the manger that held our newborn King and how lonely it must have been when the stay in Bethlehem was over.  For awhile it was graced with the warmth of His tiny body.  Infant cries and gurgles filled the stable with the precious reminder that our Savior was present.  As Joseph guarded and Mary pondered, the Miracle of Miracles drew breath and began experiencing life as we experience life so that He could intercede for us before the Father for eternity.  

Thirty-three years later, another tree sat lonely atop Golgotha.  This one was stained with His blood and marked by His sweat.  Here He was crucified.  Here He took our punishment upon Himself, held in place, not by nails, but by the greatest love that will ever exist.  After His death He was carried to a tomb that belonged to another, His body wrapped in cloth once again and sealed within, to fulfill His promise to rise on the third day.  Once again He walked among us, this time after defeating death itself.  Oh, glory of glories!  

As you and your family observe this day, please spend some time remembering and honoring Jesus.  Without Him, we would have nothing to celebrate. From our home to yours come prayers that your day will be blessed with His presence.  I stand gratefully His grace.  

Daily Word of God - 1 Chronicles 16:31-36

1 Chronicles 16:31-36 New International Version (NIV)

31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
    let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees of the forest sing,
    let them sing for joy before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.

34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
    gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
    and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.

Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

Christmas Day - Morning Scripture Reading

John 1:1-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word

 In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a]
    and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.[b]

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist,[c] 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human[d] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[e] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Footnotes:

1. 1:3-4 Or and nothing that was created was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything.
2. 1:5 Or and the darkness has not understood it.
3. 1:6 Greek a man named John.
4. 1:14a Greek became flesh.
5. 1:14b Or grace and truth; also in 1:17.

Christmas Eve Message - Salvation

This past weekend I ventured out to watch the crowds that waited patiently for the last-minute deals and mark-downs. I went out early in the morning to see how many would be braving the elements to buy their last gifts. As those individuals filled the stores that I visited, each had one thing in mind. They all wanted to find and buy the perfect gift for someone. I observed many of them picking up shirts and holding them up to make sure they would fit. Others looked for specific colors and styles. Once again, each person looked and shopped with a singular mission in mind, find that perfect gift.

On Christmas Day, children and adults alike will wake and head to the Christmas tree. Under its branches and twinkling lights, there will be presents. Each wrapped and ready for the big event. Some will start their Christmas dinners while the children pick up presents and shake them, each hoping that they got what they wanted. Even the adults will be doing the same thing. Each wanting that perfect gift that they had been hinting for during the prior months leading up to this moment. Yes. Christmas has finally arrived for each home.

While we open our gifts and prepare for the big feast, we somehow forget about the one gift that isn’t under the Christmas tree. It is sometimes overlooked or pushed out of mind. It sits quietly and waits for those who are truly looking for that one perfect gift. It is the gift of salvation that came into our dark, sinful world in the form of a baby. This baby would grow up and become the Savior of the world and provide redemption in one selfless act of dying on a cross for our sins.

That child would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. He would be given the name of “Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us”. Later in his life and his ministry, a young man, Peter, would stand up and declare in a loud voice, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

It is through this one gift, given by God the Father, that we receive the greatest of all gifts. There isn’t a gift that is more perfect or pure. It is the gift of salvation. This gift provided a way back to the Father and allowed us to be made right by God.

Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, writes in chapter five, “And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

The essential part of this gift for us is that we, after being made right with God through His Son, Christ Jesus, are now Christ’s ambassadors who must share this gift not only on Christmas but also all year long. This gift continues to be given to those who have and those who have not. The gift is perfect no matter what time or occasion it is shared. It never goes out of style, breaks, needs batteries or requires any assembly. It remains perfect for as long as we live and beyond. You couldn’t ask for a better gift. 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The gift that we receive is freely given to us. All we have to do is accept it and enjoy it for eternity. It is through Christ Jesus that we are reconciled and made holy by our Heavenly Father. 

In chapter ten of the Book of Hebrews, the author writes, “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”

So, while you and your family celebrate the magic of the season, I ask that you and those you love take a moment to remember the small child who came into this world to love and save it from sin and the punishment of death. Over the course of the next year, I ask that you give this gift to others. When you do, you can stand firm in His grace.

On behalf of our ministry, we wish all a very Merry Christmas and thank you for your support.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Daily Word of God - John 3:16

John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Daily Word of God - Ezekiel 34:15-16

Ezekiel 34:15-16 New International Version (NIV)

15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

Daily Word of God - Ephesians 4:32

Ephesians 4:32 New International Version (NIV)

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Daily Word of God - Isaiah 26:7

Isaiah 26:7 New International Version (NIV)

7 The path of the righteous is level;
    you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Evening Scripture Reading

Matthew 1:18-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement[a] quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,[b] for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,[c]
    which means ‘God is with us.’”

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Footnotes:

1. 1:19 Greek to divorce her.
2. 1:21 Jesus means “The Lord saves.”
3. 1:23 Isa 7:14; 8:8, 10 (Greek version).

Daily Word of God - Ecclesiastes 9:12

Ecclesiastes 9:12 New International Version (NIV)

12 Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come:

As fish are caught in a cruel net,
    or birds are taken in a snare,
so people are trapped by evil times
    that fall unexpectedly upon them.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Adulation

We all, or most all, know the story of Jesus’ birth. We know that Mary, who was with child, and Joseph made a journey to Bethlehem. Upon arriving in this little town, Mary and Joseph found shelter in a stable. During the course of the night, a small child’s cry could be heard piercing the silence. Angels heralded the birth of the Messiah and told shepherds of this special birth. Later, in the story, a star guided three wisemen to the King of Kings. Both shepherd and king alike came to behold their newborn king and do one thing, show their adulation for him. In short, both came to bow down and worship him.

No matter whether they were prince or pauper, they came to give themselves to this one small child. Although he was born in the simplest of conditions, it did not matter to him. In the twenty-second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus declares, “But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.”

Jesus came into this world in the lowest of all possible stations. He came as a child of a poor family. His princely estate was an animal stable and his cradle was a food trough. Yet, all who truly knew him came to bow before him. The lowest to the highest who knew him came as equals to worship him.

As he lived his life, Jesus became the servant to all and took the lowest places. In chapter nine of Luke’s gospel, Jesus replied to someone who said that he wanted to follow Jesus, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

The reason I remind you of this story is not because of the season, but the very fact of why Jesus came into the world in such a low station and how he lived his life. Jesus did not come into this world as a prince destined for an earthly throne. He did not live with a silver spoon in his mouth nor did he grow a ministry receiving donations that allowed him to travel in style. 

John writes in the third chapter of his gospel, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Jesus did not come into this world to build an earthly kingdom or serve as a king. He came to save the world from its sin and provide a way back to the Father. He showed those who thirsted for the living water the way to that water. Jesus showed those who hungered for the daily bread the way to it.

In probably one of the most memorable passages of the Bible, Jesus, in chapter fourteen of the Gospel of John, says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

It is only through the life of Jesus who came into this world without fanfare that we are saved by the grace of the Father. He was born to give rest to all those who come to him. He gave of himself freely and became a servant. As we bow down and humble ourselves before him, let us remember his example. We are here to serve those who thirst and hunger spiritually. It is only through our selfless example and imitating the life of Christ Jesus in all that we do and say that the light that came into this dark world can shine in our lives.

Paul, in the second chapter of his epistle to the Philippians, writes, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, in the fifth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, told those listening, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Christmas is celebrated with lights. Those lights twinkle and illuminate. Think of your life as one of those little lights. Remember the children’s song, “This Little Light of Mine”. Let your life and light shine to all and lead those who walk in darkness to the “light of the world” that came to save and not to condemn. Jesus left his throne from on high and entered this world to serve all and to be the way to the Father. Live your life in accordance to the will of God and in keeping with the example of Jesus. Humble yourself and give all glory and praise to the Father.

As we approach the joyous day that we celebrate as the birth of Jesus, let us always remember that he came into the world for all, rich and poor, saint and sinner. All come to bow before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All come to worship him and to know that he came into the world to provide us a way to the Father so that we can stand firm in His grace.  

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Daily Word of God - John 14:6-7

John 14:6-7 New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Footnotes:

1. John 14:7 Some manuscripts If you really knew me, you would know

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Morning Scripture Reading

Isaiah 7:10-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Sign of Immanuel

10 Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.[a]”

12 But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? 14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin[b] will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). 15 By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt[c] and honey. 16 For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.

Footnotes:

1. 7:11 Hebrew as deep as Sheol.
2. 7:14 Or young woman.
3. 7:15 Or curds; also in 7:22.