I've had an Epiphany!

As stewards, we have the responsibility to be knowledgeable and wise. In order to be effective in our stewardship, we need to seek God’s wisdom. “For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). God’s Word illustrates the poor consequences that result when we think and act foolishly. For example, in Matthew 6:26-27, we read of the man who built his house on the sand, and, when the rain came, the house came crashing down. Wisdom teaches us to build our houses on solid ground. Yet another example of not acting with wisdom is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five virgins did not remember to bring enough oil so they missed the wedding celebration. By not thinking ahead, they missed the festivities. Jesus condemned these people for their lack of preparedness.  Jesus uses the Parable of the Rich Fool to point out more foolishness. In this parable, Jesus tells us about a successful farmer who built bigger barns for the purpos...

Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." When there is a personal or national tragedy, like the school shootings in Newtown or a child dies of leukemia, this phrase is often expressed, “My thoughts and prayers go out to you.” Perhaps some people say that phrase because they are truly empathetic and want to convey their feelings. Perhaps some people get flustered when faced with a tragedy and don’t know what else to say. If you wa...

Artwork: The Lamb on His Throne Artist: Melanie Schuette This is a glimpse into the Lamb on His throne that will be in one of our End Times paintings in October. Worship Theme: This Lamb would take away the sins of the world and bring both Israel and the Gentile nations into the kingdom of God . The hearts that see this Savior in faith cannot help but take news of this salvation to the ends of the earth. Old Testament:   Isaiah 49:1-7 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. 3 He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel , in whom I will display my splendor." 4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and ...

John 1:14-18 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. A few weeks ago we heard the Christmas story from Joseph’s point of view through Matthew. On Christmas Eve we heard the Christmas story from Mary’s point of view through Luke. Today we hear the Christmas story from eternity’s point of view through John. When we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ we usually think about the story of the first Christmas passed down t...

This was the children's devotion for this past Sunday.  John bore witness about Him and cried out, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because He was before me'" (John 1:15 ). How many of you have begun putting away your Christmas decorations? It's been another long Christmas season and you may be ready to put away the decorations for another year. But before you pack up the manger scene, first stop and take a long look at that baby. [Go up to the altar and take the baby Jesus to show to the children.] Who is this baby? What is so special about Him? What is so special is that this baby looks like any other baby boy. But He is so much more! He is also true God. But unless you were shepherds or Wise Men, you would have passed by this Child without giving Him a second glance. John the Baptist would have been different. Point to John on the painting. We just read this verse in our Gospel lesson: John bore witness ...

Artwork: The Baptism of Jesus Artist: Melanie Schuette Worship Theme: Jesus appears as the Christ, the Anointed One. The titles “Christ” and “Messiah” both mean “The Anointed One,” and they describe how God prepared Jesus for his mission. Since the days of Othniel (Judges 3:10 ), the Spirit of the Lord empowered God’s heroes to do his saving work. At his baptism, God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power and declared this son of Mary to be the Son of God—the one anointed to be the Savior of mankind. Old Testament:   Isaiah 42:1-7 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the ...

Today, January 6, is the Christian feast day known as Epiphany. Epiphany is a Greek word meaning “appearance” or “revealing” The purpose of the feast is to celebrate the revelation of the Incarnation – God taking on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. The observance of Epiphany originated in the East. The Epiphany celebrated a number of Christ’s “revealings” – His birth, the Magi’s visit, Jesus’ childhood, His baptism in the Jordan River and His first miracle at the wedding in Cana. In the earliest centuries it was known as the Feast of the Manifestation, the Theophany, and the Festival of Light. The Epiphany Festival has been observed in the Eastern Christian Church as early as the second or third centuries. In the East, the Epiphany is second only to Easter in importance. Today, we Christians in the Western Church generally celebrate only the visit of the Magi on January 6. We then celebrate the naming of Jesus, His visit to the temple as a 12-year-old boy, His b...