Matthew 3:1-17 John the Baptist asks a key question that we don’t always ask. We should, but we don’t. Why are you coming to be baptized?Who warned us to flee the wrath that is coming? Are we being baptized just to flee wrath, or do we repent? And what brings Jesus to be baptized? John has it right when he essentially asks…
Matthew 2:1-23 You may know about the Magi. You may know the trivia (were there 3?) or you may know the jokes (it took 2 years and they brought impractical gifts because they were wise men). They come to see the child, they visit the palace, and are warned in a dream to go home by another way. Nevertheless, Herod is…
Granger Odum – Revelation 21
Psalm 96:7-10, Luke 2:1-20
Isaiah 42:1-9,Matthew 1:18-25 Isaiah is perhaps the ancient version of the 5 pounds of ads that show up in the paper on Thanksgiving, or the wave of advertising emails that show up the week of Thanksgiving. They are all there telling us to get ready for what is coming. They hype us up, they build up the anticipation. Imagine, if you will,…
Saturday, December 15 FRONT ROW SAINTS Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. — Matthew 5:5 I was once senior pastor of a church that had a longstanding Bible study for special-needs adults. Its faithful teacher, Helen, was nicknamed “Sunshine” by its members, a recognition of her radiant compassion. During worship, the class sat together in the front pews.…
Friday, December 14 PASSION PLAY … the mystery … hidden throughout the ages and generations … has now been revealed to his saints. — Colossians 1:26 … from generation to generation. — Luke 1:50 Mary had a prophetic premonition that her role in God’s passion play would reverberate for generations. As we celebrate seasons like Advent, we also have a chance to…
Thursday, December 13 REVERENCE, NOT FEAR … let all the ends of the earth revere him. — Psalm 67:7 His mercy is for those who fear him … — Luke 1:50 The Hebrew word yare’ and the Greek word phobeo are consistently translated as “to fear.” A more nuanced rendering would be “to revere.” As we celebrate the Advent of Christ’s amazing…
Tis the Christmas season. We call the weeks before Christmas Advent though. Christmas runs for twelve days after Christmas. By the time Christmas gets here we are exhausted. Ready for it all to be over. This year, slow down and look for ways to really celebrate Advent. Advent is the season to anticipate the”coming” of our savior, Jesus. Join us for the…
Wednesday, December 12 HOLINESS SURROUNDS US Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. — Psalm 108:5 … and holy is his name. — Luke 1:49 Mary’s song has so many powerful levels of meaning, but it is ultimately an act of worship, ascribing glory to the Holy One of Israel. We live in…