Archives: Messages

…,“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 English Standard Version (ESV)

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16 The Message (MSG)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:10-18 New International Version (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, the whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17 (NIV)

 

186,282 miles per second: Speed of light in a vacuum

PHF: Pretty Honkin Fast

“Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always gotten there first, 
and is waiting for it.” – Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

Proverbs 4:19 English Standard Version (ESV)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light 
was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, 
and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, 
the first day.

Genesis 1:3-5 (ESV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 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 1:1-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Word became flesh and blood, 
and moved into the neighborhood. 
We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from 
start to finish.

John 1:14 The Message (MSG)

What came into existence [that night] was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. 
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.

John 1:4-5 (MSG)

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one 
condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”  
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have 
the light of life.”

John 8:10-12 (ESV)

 

Joy- a feeling of great happiness

Happiness- The feeling of pleasure and enjoyment because of your life, situation, etc.

Christian joy is more a state of being than an emotion; it is the result of choice. 
Joy is the fruit of a right relationship 
with God; it is not something we can create by our own efforts.

-Sarah Koontz, What Is Christian Joy?, October 13, 2020, livingbydesign.org

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23a 
New Living Translation (NLT)

Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the
word and in the world.

-Jon Piper, How Do You Define Joy?, July 25, 2015, desiringgod. org

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

Acts 16:25-28 
New International Version (NIV)

The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household 
were baptized.

Acts 16: 34 (NIV)

Although joy can naturally arise from happy circumstances, there are many reasons for Christians to rejoice, even when life is full of suffering and difficulty.  We rejoice because God has delivered us from sin.
We rejoice because God is good, and right, and just.
We rejoice because God invites us to be 
in His family.

-Sarah Koontz

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place 
for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock 
by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared 
to them, and the glory of the Lord shone 
around them, and they were filled with 
great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, 
for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, 
who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:6-11 
English Standard Version (ESV)

Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years.

Judges 8:28 New International Version (NIV)

Shalom- In harmony with God and one another; Whole, complete, tranquil, 
prosperous, safe.

The fallen world we live in, with its violence, heartache, pain, and death are very visible results of the shalom that was lost so very long ago.

Jason Soroski, What Does Shalom Mean & Why Is It Important?,
Crosswalk.com, March 3, 2021

eirēnē – harmony, tranquility, safety, welfare, health, lack of strife, reconciliation in a relationship, as in “peace with God.”

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government 
and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 
Do not let your hearts be troubled 
and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (NIV)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, 
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn 
from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden 
is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign 
to you: You will find a baby wrapped 
in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, 
praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those 
on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:10-14 (NIV)

Where is it in your life you need the PEACE of Christmas?

 

 

First this: God created the Heavens 
and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, 
a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above 
the watery abyss.

Genesis 1:1-2 The Message (MSG)

God spoke: “Light!”
    And light appeared.
God saw that light was good
    and separated light from dark.
God named the light Day,
    he named the dark Night.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day One.

Genesis 1:3-5 (MSG)

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Psalm 130 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom
for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 
He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:18-21 (NIV)

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 7:14 (NIV)

The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
 just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
They will be fuel for the fire.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice
from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the
Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!

Isaiah 9:2-7 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT)

Hope is associated with an anticipation of
something or an aspiration toward something,
but a distinction needs to be made. Cultural hope is merely an optimistic desire that something will be fulfilled.
This hope is not a guaranteed hope because it is subject to changeable people and changeable circumstances.
Christian hope, on the other hand,
is an optimistic assurance that
something will be fulfilled. This hope is a
guaranteed hope because it is anchored in Jesus Christ,
the unchanging Son of God, and every unchanging promise found in His Word. Cultural hope leaves us adrift on the seas of life, tossed about by waves of circumstance. Christian hope serves as the anchor for our souls, holding us steady in uncertain times.

Cultural Hope vs. Christian Hope:
Which One is Guaranteed Hope? -June Hunt

Cultural Hope
is hoping to get what we want

Christian Hope
is the assurance that Jesus will give us what we need to deal with what we’re given