I've had an Epiphany!

James 3:13–18   13 Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good way of living show that he does things in wise humility. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie, contrary to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is worldly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 In fact, where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and every bad practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then also peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who practice peace. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All who do his precepts have good understanding. (Ps 111:10, EHV) Two weeks ago, my mom suffered a stroke. All three of us children left our job and family responsibilities and gathered at the Aurora Hospital in Grafton. My sister, Brenda, left her Al...

Worship Theme: Sinners sin. We all sin. But we cannot excuse our sin because we act like others. Sin requires radical surgery. Jesus says: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off” (Mark 9:43). The good news is that Jesus was “cut off” from his own Father through his death on the cross, in order to reunite us with God and with one another. As his servants we are the “salt” of the earth, standing out as we show allegiance to Jesus and the gospel. Old Testament: Numbers 11:16, 24-29    16 So the Lord said to Moses, “Gather seventy men from the elders of Israel for me, men whom you know to be elders and officers for the people. Take them to the Tent of Meeting and make them stand there with you.” 24 Moses went out and told the people the Lord ’s words. He gathered seventy men from the elders of the people and had them stand all around the tent. 25 The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him. He took from the Spirit that was on Moses and put it on the seven...

Title: Christ teacheth humility Artist: Robert Scott Lauder Worship Theme: True greatness is a paradox.  It grows out of seeing ourselves as small and God as great.  Such greatness has its center in love—both God’s great love for us in Christ and our love for our neighbor.  Such love leads to genuine, humble service. Old Testament: Numbers 12:1–15    Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman). 2 They said, “Has the Lord really spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” The Lord heard this. 3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) 4 Right then the Lord spoke suddenly to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!” The three of them came out. 5 The Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance to the tent. He called Aaron and Miriam, and they both ca...

1 Peter 4:12–19 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery trial that is happening among you to test you, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead rejoice whenever you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted in connection with the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or as a meddler. 16 But if you suffer for being a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God in connection with this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. Now if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, where will the ungodly sinner end up? 19 So let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to their faithful Creator while doing w...

Worship Theme: There are two kinds of preachers.  One pushes worldly glory.  The other pushes the ugly cross where Christ was crucified for us, alone in the darkness.  The former touts worldly success.  The latter knows that those who speak God’s truth will always make enemies.  “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” the Bible says.  So men who preach God’s full truth are bound to experience failure and disappointment.  Following our suffering Savior, though, Christians even sing, “Go, then earthly fame and treasure.  Come disaster, scorn and pain.”  We even pray to God, “In your service, pain is pleasure.  In your favor, loss is gain.” Old Testament: Jeremiah 38:1-13 Shephatiah son of Mattah, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah had told the people when he said, 2 “This is what the Lord says. Whoever remains in this city wil...