Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture this morning is Luke 1:35 (ESV).

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Mary had legitimate and intelligent questions to ask when the angel Gabriel came to tell her she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Gabriel gives her an answer we can perhaps understand as humans, but what follows is an amazing statement of faith: Mary replies “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). God doesn’t force anyone, we have to choose to accept His love and the responsibility that goes with it. May we all be attentive to His word and ready to answer the call to share our faith with the world.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to save us from our sin. Thank You for Your love and care. Bless us to go in Your name to tell everyone the Good News of salvation. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

This passage reminds us of the source of strength and encouragement all around us, a “cloud of witnesses” for guidance and support. While we are the grateful recipients of this gift, we are also part of that cloud ourselves, responsible to God and each other to follow the path Jesus has shown us. We must be aware that our actions affect people not only as they occur, but also in the example they give. How do others view our behavior as Christ’s representatives? It is important to remember that we are watched by the world to see how followers of Jesus react to success and failure. May we be good examples in all situations!

Gracious God, You have given us models of faith to emulate. Help us to be the kingdom workers You call us to be, sharing the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV).

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Paul uses the terms gentleness and patience he has referenced elsewhere as fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). He adds humility from Philippians 2:3 to describe the way we are to treat each other, especially in the midst of disagreement. We are to do this in order to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called”, Christ’s Great Commission to “make disciples of all people” (Matthew 28:19-20). When the Holy Spirit came to be among us, we were equipped to carry out the kingdom work Jesus has for us. If we are distracted from this mission, we become ineffective disciples. Paul says we need to keep our focus on what we are here for – to share God’s love everywhere.

Gracious God, help us to be the gentle, patient and humble servants You have called us to be, sharing Your word in the bond of peace with our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 1:11-13 (ESV).

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

In this passage John tells us our right to be known as the children of God is not a matter of ethnicity or nationality, but solely on believing in Jesus and following the way He has shown us. God chose the nation of Israel as His people, and led them in love. Through Christ we are all invited to be part of His kingdom. Belief in Jesus as God’s Son sent to redeem us is the only way to be saved. No human action of our own or others can accomplish this. When we believe, we have “the right to become children of God”, but also a responsibility to care for one another and ensure the Good News is spread everywhere.

Gracious God, thank You for Your love given to us through the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Bless us to continue the mission He left us, to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 10:17 (ESV).

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Paul reminds us of the call Jesus has placed on our lives in His command to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). In order to do this we must share the Gospel with all people because “faith comes from hearing.” Notice there is no restriction on who or where we are to share the Good News, the guidance is everywhere with everyone! While God chose a people for Himself as an example to others, His love and forgiveness is available to all who put their faith in Jesus as our Savior. No man made political boundaries or natural obstacles can impede the word of God. We are God’s representatives in sharing the message of His love to all the earth.

Loving Lord, You sent Your Son to save us from our sin that we could be reconnected to you. Bless us to be eager bearers of Your word to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is James 5:8-9 (ESV).

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

James gives us encouragement to remain patient for the Lord’s return, which could come at any time. In Mark 13:32 Jesus tells us “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” After His resurrection He tells His disciples “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). It’s not about knowing when, but being ready at all times to greet the Lord on His return. Andy Griffith is said to have put it this way: “We’re not the planning committee, we’re the welcoming committee.” Accepting the sacrifice Christ made for us and living every day for Him is the way to be prepared for His coming.

Gracious God, You made a way for us to be redeemed through Your Son. Bless us to be dedicated disciples, sharing Your love with the world, ready to rejoice with all creation when He returns for us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 10:10-11 (ESV).

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus uses the example of a shepherd and his flock to explain our relationship to Him. Perhaps He doesn’t mean to describe us badly, but it is sadly accurate. Sheep will follow their own desires, sometimes into danger. We are unfortunately similar. Jesus came to save us from the separation that occurs when we go our own way, and show us the path to forgiveness and salvation. He is the ultimate Good Shepherd, laying down His life for the sin of the world. He calls us to be His flock, but unlike simple sheep we are blessed to share the joy we have found in Him.

Loving Lord, You came that we might have life and have it abundantly. Thank You for making a way for us to be redeemed. May we bring the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalm 85:1-2 (ESV).

Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah

This Psalm remembers God’s goodness to us all. He forgives and restores us when we come in repentance. That’s the choice we make in accepting His love through Christ’s sacrifice for us. Rather than dwelling on the wrong we have done, Jesus says He has work for us, right here, right now. This is the way God forgives, not asking for years of kneeling penitence but by sending us to share the love we have been given. We see this in the Gospel accounts of people who were often vehemently opposed to what Jesus taught who later became disciples. Through His saving grace our sin has been covered. John 3:16 tells us that “whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” and that promise is the source of our hope.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have chosen our own way rather than the path to eternal life You offer us. Forgive us and strengthen us to be the kingdom workers You intend, sent into the world to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 7:14 (ESV).

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

There are many Old Testament verses that point to the coming of the Messiah. Daniel, Micah, Zecharia, and Isaiah all contain references to Jesus as the fulfilment of these prophecies. It is God’s promise to a people who have lost their way and desperately need a course correction. Christ came to be our Savior but also our guide, an example to follow. The promise of God being with us in the person of Jesus and now through the presence of the Holy Spirit confirms His offer of salvation for all. We have been given a responsibility to carry on the work Jesus began, to tell everyone “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Loving Lord, we are so grateful for Your presence to comfort and guide us. Bless us to be energetic in our discipleship, sharing Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Jeremiah 33:14 (ESV).

Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

Jeremiah wrote to warn the people of the consequences of their unfaithful lives. God was about to allow Babylon to destroy Jerusalem due to their failure to honor Him and each other. However, the prophet tells them that even in their sin, God still loves them and wants them to turn to Him, accepting the salvation He offers. Jeremiah reminds them (and us) of God’s promise which can never fail. God made a covenant with the people as He led them out of slavery in Egypt. The people forgot His promise and their responsibility to worship only Him and care for one another. However, God never forgets and even in our disobedience we are never beyond the reach of His love. We can return to Him in repentance and be saved through the New Covenant offered to all through the coming of Jesus.

Gracious God, even when we fall into sin, You are there for us. Forgive us and bless us to go in Your name to tell the world what You have done for us. Amen.