Wonder of wonders: if you have a relationship with God through Christ, you know this One who is great, Son of the Most High, sitting on the throne (Luke 1:32-33). Today, while you may discouraged about a great many things, take comfort in this reality: you know Him and He knows you. Rest in Him.
Advent Week 1 – Hope
I loved using this prayer on hope from Austin Stone to open up week 1 of Advent:
LORD JESUS, OUR ONLY HOPE,
We have wandered and rebelled,
and we have walked away. Forgive us, Lord!
Forgive us for a hope misplaced—
for seeking a judge,
for crying out for an earthly king,
for running to idols, golden and gleaming—
when all the while, You alone could save us.
And we praise You, Jesus, our promised Redeemer, for You came!
Yours was a humble beginning:
A poor couple traveled to Bethlehem,
only to find no room at the inn,
for the Son of Man would have no place to lay His head.
“Glory to God,” the angels cried out,
a great star shone overhead,
shepherds and kings journeyed to see You,
a swaddled newborn, lying in a manger.
Hope wrapped in flesh, You dwelt among us,
the Spirit of the Lord resting firmly upon You,
bringing wisdom and understanding,
counsel and might,
knowledge and a fear of the Lord.
You judged with righteousness,
demonstrated faithfulness,
offered us forgiveness,
and stood in our place when the wrath of God poured down.
You died and rose again,
Son of the Most High,
and You are returning to reign.
So we hope once more, crying out to you, our Savior: Jesus, come quickly!
Defeater of Death, Victorious King,
seated at the right hand of God,
You plead and pray for your people,
who are no longer separated from the Father,
for You, Jesus, are the way!
Return again,
making right every wrong,
wiping away every tear,
and healing every wound.
Return again, Precious Savior and Righteous King,
not through the womb of a virgin,
but on a white horse, sword in hand,
this time not as a babe,
but as our Conquering King.
Keep our hope secure in You until the end of our days, Lord.
And in this season when the things of this world can blur our vision and steal true joy,
stir in us an undeniable anticipation.
As we celebrate that You came,
cause us to cry out for Your coming.
Oh, that we may have our request and that You would fulfill our hope.
In Jesus’ precious and holy name,
Amen.
Weekend Recap – Resurrection Realities
My 11/27/16AM sermon, Resurrection Realities from John 20:1-18, is now online. The narrative of this passage is Jesus rising from the dead. Peter and John learn that He has risen and run to the tomb to check things out. They examine the evidence and respond by believing. Jesus then interacts with Mary Magdalene, addresses her doubts, and sends her with a mission to tell the others that He’s alive. The sermon got at the reality of the resurrection and how it compels us to engage in mission.
I hope it encourages you.
Gospel Friday – Blessed in Christ
All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing we could possibly dream of in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
You’re blessed today, as a believer, with things like:
- having your sin erased
- having God’s wrath towards you removed
- being declared righteous
- being born again
- being made holy
- destined for glory
- being made right with God
- having abiding life in the here and now
- being redeemed with precious blood
- being raised from death
So, thank God for these amazing blessings and walk tall today because of who you are In Christ.
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving. While this day will have all kinds of fun with family, friends, football, and food, don’t forget to give thanks to the Lord. I’ve enjoyed using a Gratitude Guide that I wrote for Crestview this season. I hope it encourages you to give thanks to the Lord. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Weekend Preview – Jesus Rose From the Dead and Sent Us Out
This coming Sunday, we’ll continue making our way through the Gospel of John, settling in John 20:1-18. The narrative breaks into Peter and John’s footrace to the empty tomb and then Jesus talking to Mary Magdalene. To put it simply: when Jesus rose from the dead, this good news was meant to be shared. John believed these things as an eyewitness. Mary was sent with the news. I hope you’ll join us at Crestview this Sunday, 11/27, 10:15AM to help us celebrate our Risen King.
Isaiah 12
Recently, we encouraged our church to memorize Isaiah 12. There’s so much in this chapter related to God, us, gratitude, and His praise going global eternally. There are many things to love about this chapter. Here it is. I hope it encourages you this Thanksgiving Week:
[1] You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
[2] “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
[3] With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
[4] And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
[5] “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.
[6] Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
(Isaiah 12 ESV)
Weekend Recap – Jesus’s Death
We enjoyed an amazing Sunday at Crestview yesterday celebrating Jesus’s death and having a Thanksgiving service together. In the morning, I preached from John 19:16b-42 on Jesus’s Death. Jesus prepared to die, triumphed through death, and did actually die. This is something we are to respond to by believing. And, for those of us who do believe, there is great comfort for us in His love while dying. He also, in actually dying, further qualified Himself as our faithful High Priest by facing death for us.
In the evening, we gathered together for our church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner. This special gathering is always a highlight of our church year.
Gospel Friday – Sanctified
There’s amazing good news for those who are in Christ Jesus:
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, [31] so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
(1 Corinthians 1:30-31)
In Christ Jesus, then, you have become righteous, sanctified, and redeemed. Thank Him and praise Him for this reality in you today. Download the Gratitude Guide to continue nurturing gratitude this week.
Weekend Preview – Jesus Triumphs In Death
This Sunday at Crestview Bible Church, 10:15AM, we continue our journey through John’s Gospel, focusing in on John 19:16b-42. This passage focuses in on the final moment of Jesus in His crucifixion. To put it simply, Jesus Triumphed in Death. I hope you’ll come and join to hear about how Jesus’ death is good news.
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