Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 3:16 (NLT).

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

This verse from John’s first letter mirrors the words of Jesus in John 3:16. There we hear His statement “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” This is sacrificial love, Jesus caring more about us than Himself, and it is the example for how we are to love others.

Later in John 13:35 we read “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus tells us that caring for others is the way to show our love for Him. If we don’t love one another, we don’t truly love God.

We are called to be part of the work of God’s kingdom by demonstrating this love in what we say and do. Jesus taught us this so we could bring others to know Him in their lives. May we be strong in the Lord, bringing the Good News to everyone.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to be the sacrifice for our sin. Forgive us and make us new in Your love, that we can help make the world new as well. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Chronicles 16:34 (ESV).

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

This verse appears at least two other places, in Psalm 107 and Psalm 136. The story here in Chronicles details King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel and the thanks and worship they offer to God for its return. David may have used their praise from that event as part of these two psalms.

This passage reminds us that God is the very definition of good and we offer thanks for all His blessings to us. It tells us “His steadfast love endures forever!” This means He will always be ready to receive us back when we come to Him in repentance.

We have tried to do things on our own, usually with a poor result. We need to ask forgiveness and invite Him into our hearts to help us with our everyday lives, not just when we face a crisis. God wants to be part of everything we do, guiding us out of our sin and shame and into His everlasting kingdom.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times that our pride leads us away from what You would have us do. Forgive us, strengthen us and send us to joyfully share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 40:11 (ESV).

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Shepherds were not highly valued as members of society due to the rough nature of their work and their close association with animals. They were considered ritually unclean and were often physically dirty. However, in line with God’s plan that Jesus came for all people, they are the first invited to come to the manger to see the newborn king (Luke 2:8-20).

David, the shepherd God chose to lead His people, wrote many Psalms but probably the best known begins “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). This speaks not only to God’s shepherd-like protection over us, but also His tender love and care for us. Isaiah continues this theme in today’s verse.

God is willing to do the dirty work of saving us from ourselves. He sent Jesus to be our Good Shepherd, to lead us out of the sin into which we have fallen. When we try to do it ourselves, we are like lost sheep. When we repent and ask forgiveness, we can be part of His flock eternally.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Your Son to save us. Bless us to be energetic in our mission to seek the last, the least and the lost with Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 60:2-3 (NRSV).

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

The Book of Isaiah has many references to the coming of the Messiah. One of the clearest is found in Isaiah 9:6 where we read “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The coming of Jesus brings the light of God’s love to all people.

In John’s Gospel we hear “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:3-5). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14).

When Isaiah writes “nations shall come to your light” he is talking about living out the example we are given and sharing the Good News. The phrase “they’ll know we are Christians by our love” is more than a line from an old hymn, it is a command from Jesus Himself that we love one another and reflect His light.

Heavenly Father, You sent us Your Son that we might see what a life in You is about. Help us to share the blessing of a connection to You with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NRSV).

For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all —this was attested at the right time.

Paul reminds us “there is one God”, perhaps a reference to the Shema, the Hebrew prayer that begins “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” (Deuteronomy 6:4). He teaches that the one God made one way for us to be saved, through His one and only Son, Jesus. We also read that Jesus came as a human to save us through His obedience.

Prior to these verses Paul explained that God reaches out to all people because of His love: “This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). He wants us to understand so we can choose for ourselves and be reconnected to Him.

Timothy was a strong believer, so why was it necessary for Paul to remind him? We all need reminding, we all need to keep God’s truth first and foremost. So many things compete for our attention or intentionally distract us from our primary mission – to love God, love neighbor and make disciples.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for us to be saved through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to share this blessing with all Your children everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV).

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

The prophet Ezekiel spoke to the children of Israel during their Babylonian captivity. He told them of the sins that had led to this, but also offered them (and us!) a hope for the future. Most well known is the story of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37), where God shows how He can make us new by raising dead bones to life again.

God promises “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” This is His way of changing us so that we are able to choose Him for ourselves, not forcing us to bow down. All must make the decision for themselves.

Elsewhere we read “Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). This is another example of His plan for all His children, not just a select few. It is a reminder of the blessing at Creation and the Covenant with Abraham, that all people will come to know the Lord through the work of His people.

Heavenly Father, thank You for never giving up on us, no matter how far we have fallen. Bless us to rise from dry existence to productive lives of sharing Your love and Your word with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV).

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

This letter has been attributed to the Apostle Paul, but scholars have some reservations about its origin. Paul’s ministry was focused on the Gentiles, but he always associated with everyone. Who wrote it is not the essential matter; its teachings are consistent with those of Paul as received from Christ.

In Genesis 2:2-3 we read that God rested after His work of creation, not because He can be tired, but as an example to us. We are mortal and in need of physical and spiritual rest in order to function well, or at all! When we neglect either of these, we harm ourselves and our relationship with God.

In Revelation 14:13 we read “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”” In the opening and closing of scripture we are told of God’s rest and the need for it now and its promised blessing for us in eternity.

Loving Lord, in Your wisdom You gave us the example for work and rest that we could be productive, but never weary in the mission You have given us. Bless us to be energetic disciples, bringing the Good News to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Daniel 12:3 (ESV).

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Daniel is an Old Testament vision of the saving of God’s people that has several references pointing to the Messiah and the coming of God’s kingdom. It sent a message of hope during a dark time in Israel’s history and shows us today the lesson of faithfulness. Scholars call this apocalyptic literature due to its references to the end times.

This passage occurs in the later chapters and details the vision given to Daniel of Heaven, much like the Book of Revelation recorded by John in the New Testament. While there are differences in the language and description, the love and awe they inspire in us is the same. Are either of these what it really looks like? We won’t know until we see for ourselves, but these are images we can try to understand.

We are told to be wise, learning the way God would have us go. It makes reference to living a good life through this, and the outreach we are called to make to everyone as His children. God has always been with us and wants only the best for us. Let us share His love and presence with the world.

Gracious God, we are grateful for all the gifts You have given to use for the good of Your children. Help us to grow and share our faith, that all may know You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 14:6 (NRSV).

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 13 -17 is sometimes called the Farewell Discourse, a series of final teachings from Jesus to His disciples. In that time and culture, it was customary for a patriarch or teacher to address those closest to them as they prepared to die. Jesus has spoken to them about what is to happen, but most did not understand or rejected the idea. Now they begin to see what Jesus will do for us, but they are still confounded by the circumstances.

In John 14:6 Jesus states plainly what He has taught all along: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is what infuriated the religious leaders, the idea that everyone could come to God freely with no need for their “professional” intercession. Jesus is the ultimate Intercessor for all of humanity.

Jesus teaches us that we are all God’s children, worthy of love and salvation when we repent and claim Him as Lord. We are invited to a personal relationship with God through Jesus. There is no other way for us to be forgiven.

Heavenly Father, forgive us our disobedient pride, thinking there is some other way to be saved from our sins that we can accomplish. Only the blood of Christ can wash us clean and redeem us for You. Bless us to share Your love and care, telling the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is James 3:13 (NRSV).

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7 tells us “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Our problem is that we often strive to be wise in the ways of the world, not wise in the ways of the Word! James offers us a challenge, “show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.

Paul writes “Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). It reminds us that we don’t live a life of faith in a vacuum – others see how we demonstrate the Gospel in action.

James is known for his focus on our works, and the faith that drives them. We can’t work to be saved, nothing we do will accomplish that. However, after repenting and accepting Jesus as our Savior, we can work to show others the joy of salvation.

Loving Lord, forgive us for thinking we can do anything apart from You. Bless us to be wise in our faith and share the love You brought us with everyone. Amen.