Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
The last few weeks, we've been talking about the different kinds of peace that are afforded to us in the Advent of Jesus. With the arrival of our Savior, the angels declared:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
God gets glory, and we get peace! First, we get Peace With God. Second, we get Peace Within.
Today, let's talk about the last kind of peace we're given: Peace With Others.
Ephesians 2:16 says, "Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death." NLT
Here's the thing: the further we are from God, the more our relationships with others are messed up. If you want to strengthen your relationship with others -- like your spouse or your kids or friends and family visiting this Christmas -- strengthen your relationship with God. It'll pull you together.
But what if the other person won't cooperate? What if you are doing your absolute best to mend the relationship, or to play nice, or seek reconciliation, but the other person just won't do their part? The Bible gives an answer to that:
Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Do your best. As much as you possibly can. And even if the others won't do the same, you can sleep well, knowing that God is pleased with your effort to do all that you can do.
The only way to have lasting peace with others is to be united as children of God. This Christmas, as we sing and talk about peace on Earth, know that God wants to give you real and lasting peace in each of these three areas: with Him, within, and with others.
Peace isn't an unattainable dream. It's a free gift from God!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wasn't the Kid's Christmas Play awesome??
It was the perfect night: 45 minutes of wall-to-wall action, singing, funny lines, and just about the cutest kids in the world singing their hearts out about Jesus. All followed by some of the best home-made desserts and cookies I've ever stuffed my face with.
It was the perfect church gathering: 45 minutes long, I barely spoke at all, everyone was happy. Someone asked me why we don't have ALL of our Sunday services like that? Ha! Not a bad idea...
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This Sunday, I'll conclude our series on the Advent: God and Sinners Reconciled.
We've been going through Colossians 1, and taking a close look at how Paul responded to a local church that had heard and received the Gospel. He was proud of them! And excited to see the fruit that they were bearing.
And he concluded his first chapter by reminding this church that the Jesus they are serving is not merely another religious figure. We'll look closely at verses 15-23, where Paul declares emphatically: He is supreme! And He's the ONLY one who can reconcile us to the Father, and that is exactly what He did in Christmas.
Join us this Sunday for Part 3 - Jesus, Our Reconciler.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
The last few weeks, we've been talking about the different kinds of peace that are afforded to us in the Advent of Jesus. With the arrival of our Savior, the angels declared:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
God gets glory, and we get peace! First, we get Peace With God. Second, we get Peace Within.
Today, let's talk about the last kind of peace we're given: Peace With Others.
Ephesians 2:16 says, "Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death." NLT
Here's the thing: the further we are from God, the more our relationships with others are messed up. If you want to strengthen your relationship with others -- like your spouse or your kids or friends and family visiting this Christmas -- strengthen your relationship with God. It'll pull you together.
But what if the other person won't cooperate? What if you are doing your absolute best to mend the relationship, or to play nice, or seek reconciliation, but the other person just won't do their part? The Bible gives an answer to that:
Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Do your best. As much as you possibly can. And even if the others won't do the same, you can sleep well, knowing that God is pleased with your effort to do all that you can do.
The only way to have lasting peace with others is to be united as children of God. This Christmas, as we sing and talk about peace on Earth, know that God wants to give you real and lasting peace in each of these three areas: with Him, within, and with others.
Peace isn't an unattainable dream. It's a free gift from God!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wasn't the Kid's Christmas Play awesome??
It was the perfect night: 45 minutes of wall-to-wall action, singing, funny lines, and just about the cutest kids in the world singing their hearts out about Jesus. All followed by some of the best home-made desserts and cookies I've ever stuffed my face with.
It was the perfect church gathering: 45 minutes long, I barely spoke at all, everyone was happy. Someone asked me why we don't have ALL of our Sunday services like that? Ha! Not a bad idea...
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This Sunday, I'll conclude our series on the Advent: God and Sinners Reconciled.
We've been going through Colossians 1, and taking a close look at how Paul responded to a local church that had heard and received the Gospel. He was proud of them! And excited to see the fruit that they were bearing.
And he concluded his first chapter by reminding this church that the Jesus they are serving is not merely another religious figure. We'll look closely at verses 15-23, where Paul declares emphatically: He is supreme! And He's the ONLY one who can reconcile us to the Father, and that is exactly what He did in Christmas.
Join us this Sunday for Part 3 - Jesus, Our Reconciler.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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