I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3

According to a song of the season, this is the “most wonderful time of the year”; yet for many it is filled with both joy and sadness.  The Christmas season brings up memories of years past and long-gone family members.  The hustle and bustle can become a burden rather than a fun adventure.  Planning, prepping, baking, shopping and wrapping sometimes becomes a chore and then some crooner is telling you to “be of good cheer”.  Yet maybe you are not.  Maybe in the midst of the joy and fun, you find yourself sad.

That is okay.

It is okay to feel the holiday sadness, the loss, even feeling alone while surrounded by many.  It is okay to sometimes not feel the “holly jolly”.  And it is okay to take this to God, for he will hear your cry.

Many churches have a “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night” service.  If you can, take advantage of one.  Perhaps you have a favorite holiday tradition that brings you meaning, if so, allow it to comfort you.  Or maybe you need a little quiet place, away from the noise, the lights, even the excitement.  Find that place, listen to your needs, trust in your God for he will put a new song in your mouth.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:76-79

These words of Zechariah the Priest are a part of his prayer, giving praise to God for a child, for the special role of his child, and for the fulfillment of the promise – for the Kingdom is at hand.

Zechariah tenderly speaks to his newborn son John about John’s call in life – to call people to repentance and announce the coming of the Messiah.

On one hand it sounds like an incredible ministry for John, yet on the other, it is very similar to our own.  Each of us are called to announce the Messiah, to spread the good news of Jesus in any way we can.

The Advent and Christmas seasons give us plenty of times and ways to spread the message; are you prepared to do so?

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 14

Typical of the prophetic word, Isaiah’s words have a dual meaning – one for the immediate situation, and one for the future.  In this passage, it is associated with a young woman named Mary, who is called to one of the most important ministries ever, becoming the mother of Jesus.

Jesus, the Messiah, is also called Immanuel, or God with us.  This is one of the key factors in our salvation, our life with God.  God is not “up there” watching over us like a disappointed, angry celestial being, rather God walks with us.  God has walked this earth as Jesus, going through life’s ups and downs, having friends, feeling loss, being tempted, getting into arguments and still pointing us towards the Kingdom of Heaven.

As you journey through this Advent season remember this: God is with you, each step of the way.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. Psalm 66:1-2

What is your praise to God?  For what are you thankful?  As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it is truly time to take a moment and think about all the things for which you are thankful.

Then, after considering all you are thankful for, what is your response?  What is the joyful noise you will make?  The psalmist calls us to make a joyful noise, to sing God’s glory; how will you do this?  How will you make known your joy to God’s blessings?

As you enter into this Thanksgiving week, remember to think about all of God’s blessings, and how you will tell your story.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ²And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them; ⁴he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-8

If you are attending the bible study on Revelations, this is a spoiler alert:  God wins.  This was the promise through the Prophet Isaiah; this is the promise through John of Patmos.  God will re-create the heavens and the earth; God will create all things new and there will be no more pain.

This sounds great, but what about today?  What about the hardships “I” am enduring today, you may ask.

I get it.  We are all going through lots of difficulties.  For some it might be job related, for others health, others family and relationships.  For some, it is all of these things and more.  We know people who are hungry, who are hurting, who are lost, who are in need.  How does this scripture help them? 

It is a promise of hope, that thing will improve, yet in order for people to believe this, others must step up.  Each of us, no matter what our situations, must help those around us so they, too, know the promises of God.  Maybe we cannot solve their problem, but we can help.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹³Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20

It is the ultimate question, who is Jesus to you?  We all know the Sunday school answer, but the true answer lies deep within our souls:  Who do you say Jesus is?

As you travel through this week, seeing the news, hearing both bad and good, ask yourself the question “who is Jesus and how would he respond?”.  Wrestle with this.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹⁰When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the LORD with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; ¹¹and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:10-11

The exile was over and the people were returning to Jerusalem.  The building campaign had begun and the foundation of the temple was laid.  All of a sudden trumpets and cymbals cried out, as did the people, giving thanks for God had restored them, God kept the promise.

Perhaps you are still in your “exile”, or the situation does not look good, but look to these scriptures of Thanksgiving, for they tell us that God does restore, God does rebuild, God does recreate, and your time of restoration is near.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and his steadfast love endures forever.  Amen.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

⁶They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ⁷When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; ⁸so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. ⁹During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. Acts 16:6-10

Have you ever been prevented from going somewhere or doing something?  Have you had a time when something just did not work out, and you ended up doing something else, something far more important?  Something Godly?

Sometimes we make plans and God interrupts them with a mission – we are sent somewhere else, or given a different job to do.  Paul had a plan, but it kept getting thwarted until he had a vision sending him to Macedonia.  Paul has experienced this, and we may have as well.  Often God is calling us to do something where we are, and preventing us from moving on, or God is calling us elsewhere – so our plans for “here” are not working.  In all ways, we need to pray and be open to the Spirit so we know what God is calling us to do.

As you journey through this week, ask the Spirit to guide you and see where you are sent.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ²He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ ⁶And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.  Luke 10:1-6

Did you notice something about this passage?  Jesus sent out seventy “others”.  Not Peter, James, John or the other twelve.  Not a name among them, but seventy of His followers.  He sends them, they go and as the passage continues, great things happen.

Names are very important in the bible.  If a name is mentioned, there is a reason.  Sometimes it is to show connections (family genealogies), or “pedigree” (Paul naming his teacher).  Sometimes names define the person (Thomas Didymus – the Twin).  In this case not having names means more, at least to me.

These unnamed followers are sent with a mission just as each of us are sent with a mission.  No names mean no exclusions – we are all sent out to be laborers for the harvest.  We are all sent to spread God’s love.

In this week’s journeys, be one of the seventy, spread peace and light.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Throughout the psalm, we are reminded that God is with us, God guides us and God provides for us.  If we accept that, if we truly believe that than, even when things are going wrong for us, we are blessed for goodness and mercy follow us. 

It does not matter if other people have issues with you, God offers you blessings, guidance, restoration and peace.  Believe this, claim this and live this.

Peace,

Pastor Bill