The true meaning of Christmas is this: our world is poisoned by a darkness that rests in the heart of every human. Wars wage and hate spreads. The future is tainted with an uncertain and looming terror. None can escape. Death is imminent.

And into this darkness came a light: the Creator of the universe in human form, born to give His life to destroy the darkness and to cleanse the hearts of all those who call out to Him. Hope is rekindled. We will not face the future alone. Oh death, where is your sting? Jesus Christ -- Emmanuel, God with us -- has come to save the world.

It is a truth that warms and keeps my heart alive in a world that grows ever colder. It sounds like a fairytale, yet it is far more powerful than that --it is real. I pray it will be real to you all this holiday season. Merry Christmas!

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

Matthew 13:22 [NKJV]

[22]Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

NL143 Gospel as Salvation

Romans 1:1-17Matthew 9:10-13 Call to WorshipGod you call us to one anotherYou call us togetherGod your Gospel is for allCome let us celebrate Good News and Praise God today Call to Confession: God calls everyone to confess, for everyone is invited to find comfort in God. Let us know that nothing is too big or small for God to hold. Prayer of Confession: God I confess that I do not always long…

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Daily Devotional: Romans 1:7-17

Daily Devotional: Romans 1:7-17

Paul addresses his letter to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints. He does not address it to all those who love God or who are currently in a church group. So, later, when he mentions that he wants to come to them to preach the gospel and see evangelistic fruit among them (v. 13), we see Paul’s theology come out. Those who come to love God are first beloved of God—even before…

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Romans 1:16 (NKJV) - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Verse of the Day - Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 💚

Never be ashamed of your faith in Christ Jesus 👑

I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

What breath is to the body, You are to my soul. So how could I deny the air I breathe?

My husband and I went to see The Fellowship of the Ring in theaters yesterday. We could only make it to one of the rerelease showings so we picked that film because 1) it is my husband’s favorite and 2) I never saw FOTR in theaters back in 2001 (the first time I saw it was on my parent’s ancient PC because it was the only DVD player we had at the time).

I was afraid that seeing FOTR again would feel trite. I’ve seen it approximately a bazillion times over the past 20 years and I have the entire thing practically memorized word for word, song for song, visual for visual.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Seeing FOTR on the big screen was like visiting with a dear and cherished old friend that I had grown up with. FOTR is more than a film – it is a moment in time. Back in 2002, on the cusp of adolescence, it awakened something in my 13 year old brain akin to new consciousness. So true is the quote by C. S. Lewis:

Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron; here is a book that will break your heart.

The Lord of the Rings helped me to understand that there is hope beyond shadow, faith beyond doubt, and friendships that are as strong as steel. In our world, an ever darkening place (and all the darker it seemed in my teenage years), such truths remind me of the greatest truth. My hope, a hope beyond this world, my hope in Christ my Maker.

Thank you, old friend. Thank you for reminding me of a truth I so often forget.

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

2 Corinthians 4:18

[18]while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2023 JANUARY 26 Thursday

"So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God."

~ 2 Timothy 1:8

We live in challenging times: The unsaved world is shaming Christians for believing what God teaches (John 15:18-19). And some professing Christians are falling away because they honor culture more than God (Acts 20:30; 1 John 2:19). Romans 1:16-32 is an important passage of Scripture for all times in history. But it's especially relevant today as the unsaved world celebrates sins...

Romans 1:16 (NKJV) - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

ASHAMED.

Romans 1:16.

“For I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes for the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

“Not ashamed.” Why would we be? Because its message is exclusive: there is only one way to God. Today, the gospel is interpreted as bigoted, narrow, judgmental, and intolerant. Not popular, not acceptable.

However, being ashamed of the gospel has consequences: Jesus will be ashamed of us when he comes in his glory. Luke 9:26. 

This week, introspect…what are our true feelings about the gospel?

Pastor Robin.