Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).
Have you ever gone church shopping? What sort of things were you looking for in a new congregation? Be careful not to ignore the hard things God may be trying to tell you.
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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:16–17).
Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions? Have you resolved to exercise more? Eat more healthy food? Adjust your behavior or attitude? Spend less (or give more)? Get better organized? Here is God’s Word for you.
New Year, New You? (Colossians 3:16–17)
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The people walking in darkness have seen a great light … (Isaiah 9:2a).
As Christmas time approaches in the northern hemisphere the days get darker. The short hours of sunlight remind us that the year is drawing to a close. The lights in our homes go on earlier, and we spend less time outdoors than we did only a month ago.
We may notice, too, another kind of darkness — the darkness of families who struggle to make ends meet, who mourn for a loved one, who suffer serious illness, who weep in despair. This is the kind of darkness Jesus came to shatter. He came as the Light Who replaces the darkness of soul with hope, comfort, encouragement, and strength.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, God's people bring His light to a sin-darkened, pain-filled world. The Gospel's Good News gives hope to the hopeless. With His great light in us, we can reflect His light to all who live in darkness.
Lord Jesus, light my life with the light of Your Word and the brightness of faith in You. Amen.
Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 16/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:13–14).
Despite our insecurities, God tells us we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” God made me [you, us] wonderful. You were knit/created by a God, the same God who created the world.
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fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
Providing care for a loved one, whether an infant, a child, a teenager, a spouse, a parent, a grandparent, or a sibling can be a challenge. Without encouragement, a caregiver can become disheartened. How can we continue to let the light of Jesus’ love shine through us.
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I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
I lay in bed, tossing and turning. I checked the weather report; it didn’t look good for driving. Deciding whether to proceed with daily plans can be daunting.
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As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today (Genesis 50:20).
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