Blog: December 2021

The ending of a year makes us think about the passing of time.  And God wants us to be good stewards of the time he gives us.  Now “stewardship” has connotations of money and material resources.  But the bigger biblical picture is that we’re stewards of everything we have—our time, talent, and treasure.  It’s all from God; what do we have that we didn’t receive? (1 Corinthians 4:7). So as 2022 steps up, consider “time”:  as the clock ticks, as earth revolves, how are we investing our God-given hours and days?  Do we “spend” time to gain ...

Friends, Plan now to dig into God's Word daily in 2022 (and 2023!).  And the key word is "plan"--if you just meander into the new year and "see what happens," distraction will win out and you'll end up malnourished from a lack of spiritual food.  Remember, as Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).  Scripture is our soul food--we need it to live! Click here for the 2-Year Bible Reading Plan.  (See also this page for more options when it comes to the systematic ...

God’s people were finally free. After 430 years of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites—now numbering 600,000 men plus their families—were on their way out with Moses as their leader. God had promised to give them a new land: “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 3:17). What did sudden freedom feel like? Did the Israelites feel strong and courageous? Did they feel nervous and vulnerable? Regardless of their thoughts and emotions, one thing was certain: God was with them. We see in the story of Exodus 13–15 that God directed His people, ...

At Christmas we celebrate the appearing of the Son of God—the advent, the coming of Messiah into our world and our lives.  And so, it’s important to study those New Testament passages that speak plainly about why Jesus came—the “I have come” texts. Like Luke 19:10, Christ came “to seek and save the lost.”  And John 10:10, “that you might have life and have it abundantly.”  And Mark 10:45, he came “to give his life as a ransom for many.” Plus 1 Timothy 1:15, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”  The Son of God “became flesh ...

On Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, we’ll include baptism in our worship services (8:30 and 11:00 a.m.).  Adults, teens, or older children who have not been baptized as an expression of faith in Jesus can sign up for a baptism class on at 10:00 a.m. in Room 008 (downstairs) on Jan. 16 or 23 (click here to email the church office and sign up for either session-- children to be accompanied by parents).

Friends, As we step into the new year, let's come before the Lord in prayer for our church--for the church family, our leaders, our ministries, and our impact in the local community and beyond.  Below is a daily prayer guide for January 2022.  "Let us pray." Jesus says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). Praise God for the gift of 2022.  Praise Him that he will love you, guide you, and strengthen you for each day of the year.  Praise him for the opportunities ...

Friends, I want to share a reflection I wrote last year—a journey of Christmas wonder to help us look beyond all the hectic goings-on of today, and get a glimpse into heaven.  Here it is: During Advent I love to revisit classic, even ancient, Christmas music.  Like “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”  This ponderous fourth century carol portrays the incarna­tion from heaven’s point of view:  the Son of God departs from heavenly majesty, plunging down, down, down into our lost world.  Verse three imagines the myriads of angels watching in ...

Just think what we know about the baby born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago—about who he was (and is), and what God intended to accomplish through his Son’s entrance into human life: The angel told Joseph that Mary’s baby was “Emmanuel,” i.e., “God with us” (Matt 1:23, quoting Isa 7:14; in Isa 9:6 the child is called “Mighty God”). This divine child would “save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21; and see Mark 10:45, he came to give his life as a ransom for many).  Wise men from the east sought the newborn king “to worship him” (Matt 2:2, ...