Increased Expectations!

SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 10:10-18 (NRSV)
New priest, new sacrifice once for all

And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
"This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds,"
he also adds,

"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.




DEVOTION

"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." --- GOD

Hallelujah! What wonderful good news!

In this Advent Season which can feel so busy, stressful, and anxious, there is wonderful good news for all of us who have chosen to place all of our hope in Jesus.

We are invited to be at peace because Jesus has offered himself as a once for all time sacrifice for our sin!

On December 25th, we will gather to celebrate Jesus’ birthday! It is my prayer that it is the most wonderful party imaginable in homes all over the world.

As we eat cake, sing “Happy Birthday," go caroling, read scripture, pray and attend church on that day, we will be remembering to keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to honor my best friend on His birthday!

God has “put God’s law in our hearts and written it on our minds.” We don’t have to lose our religion or our minds in these final days of Advent.

We don’t have to choose to be stressed out and anxious about every little thing. We can lower our expectations in regard to getting all of the shopping done and increase our expectation that the Holy Spirit’s love, joy, and peace will be enough on CHRISTmas morn, as we remember that JESUS is the reason for the season.

Peace be with you friends of God!


Let us pray:

Eternal and Everlasting God, I am looking forward to celebrating Jesus’ birthday on December 25th. Please help me to give Jesus the birthday party that he deserves in my body, mind, and spirit as I cultivate a spirit of worship in my home for myself and for my family. We love you and we want to put you first on your very special day. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.



THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

The Love Gift

If you would like to hear Pastor Yolanda preaching this sermon, please click the link above.



SCRIPTURE

Third Sunday of Advent

Luke 3:7-18 (NRSV)
One more powerful is coming

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

 

SERMON


Today is the third Sunday in the Christian liturgical season called “Advent.” Advent is the start of the Church year and it begins four Sundays prior to Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. It is a season of waiting, hoping, expecting, and repenting as Christians remember the first coming of Jesus on Christmas morn in a manger and look forward to the second coming of Jesus from the clouds and in great glory!

In the past, I have understood Advent as a season of waiting, hoping, and expecting, but I did not realize that Advent was also so supposed to be a season of repentance.

It seems counterintuitive that a season filled with the jolly laughter and cheer of children and adults alike would also be a time for reflection, repentance, and change.

Yet, I suppose that it does make sense that part of preparing to meet our king would be to make sure that when He arrives we would be ready to meet Him!

In today’s Bible passage the people are in a season of Advent, though they know it not. For reasons that they probably could not even explain to themselves, they are driven out into the wilderness to listen to John preach, repent, and then be baptized.

In this CHRISTmas season 2009, I believe that God is still calling us to repentance. It seems that CHRISTmas brings out the worst in many of us as we engage in the sins of anger, greed, laziness, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony to name just a few!

In the face of the sinfulness of his day, John said, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

These words may feel harsh, but they were a much needed wake-up call then and now. After all, let’s keep it real during this holy-day season.

Although our economy has just begun to pull itself back from the brink of utter destruction, many of us have thrown caution to the wind and pulled out our credit cards ready to shop until we drop.

As we do, we become angry because we can’t find a parking space, greedy to have more than we can afford, prideful and anxious as we worry about whether our co-worker will spend more on us, than we spend on them, lustful for toys, jewelry, and other gifts that we do not need, envious of the haul under other people’s trees, gluttonous as we feed our stress with holiday food, and then lazy as we sit on the couch contemplating how we are going to pay for the bills we’ve racked up in December.

Lord have mercy on us all!

We have lost and/or forgotten the true meaning of CHRISTmas! It is time for us to “go down to the river and pray” in the same way that John’s followers did—bringing their sin and shame to God, seeking forgiveness, and repenting in truth.

When I was a little girl my Mama told me that “to repent” means to turn around and go the other way!

When John’s followers came down to the river they asked, “What must we do?” And John’s answer was simple. He said, in effect, turn around and go the other way.

He said if you have two coats and plenty of food--please share with others. If you’ve been robbing and stealing from others, stop immediately. If you’ve been accepting bribes or blackmailing others, be satisfied with what you have and do this no more!

Now in 2009 some of this advice may not feel pertinent, but the lesson at the heart of it truly is, for we must remember that CHRISTmas is about God abundantly sharing love, joy, peace, mercy, grace, and forgiveness with the whole wide world!

As we remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas, we too will be compelled to repent of our sin, turn around and go the other way, and share love and care with those in need of it!

It is so sad to me that so many of us live with so much worry, fear, anxiety, and stress during this holy season. Instead of anticipating the great JOY of celebrating Jesus’ birthday on December 25th, many people look forward to guilt and shame because they cannot make every dream of their children come true.

I believe that God is saying to us today, “Be at peace, children!” I can hear the words of the angel as it heralded Jesus’ birth.

The angel said, “Do not be afraid, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.”

Hallelujah!

Do not be afraid…CHRISTmas is supposed to be a day of great joy and peace for all people! And it can be, my friends, when we make up our minds to turn our backs on the anger, greed, laziness, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony that so many of us have been cultivating and instead water the seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

As we wrap the gifts of the fruit of the spirit and put them under the spiritual tree of our hearts, we will find that we are able to relax, knowing and affirming that JESUS is the reason for the season!

In this holy day season we must trust that John’s words are true. He said that Jesus would come with “his winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Praise God!

Aren’t you glad that Jesus comes ready and willing to burn away the chaff and sin of our lives when we come to him in true repentance?

John the Baptizer said “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Glory to God in the Highest!

I get so happy-glad every time I think about the fact that Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with fire!

For when we are filled up with the Spirit and with the Light of Jesus, it is easy to seek forgiveness, turn away from our sin, and live into the fruit of the spirit! When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we are compelled to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned, care for the widows and orphans, do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God! When we are full of the Holy Spirit CHRISTmas becomes less about what we are going to get and more about what we can give to others!

As we meditate on John’s “River Prophesy,” we realize that it surely came to pass, didn’t it?

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born into the humblest of circumstances. On that first birthday, I’m sure he didn’t look like much; after all he was wrapped in cloth and laying in a manger. But, looks can be deceiving for that simple gift, turned out to be the greatest gift the world had ever known--because it was wrapped in so much love!

That Love Gift grew into a god-man who fed the hungry, healed the sick, and raised the dead. One would think that a gift that extravagant wouldn’t have anything else inside, but it did. For one Friday afternoon Love gave Himself to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life and on Sunday morning, Love was resurrected from the dead with all power in His hands!

Isn’t that a great gift! The greatest gift of all has already been given. We have only to receive it with JOY and then pass it on to others.

We don’t need to worry about what to give others this CHRISTmas; just give them JESUS. He’s enough…

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen…



INVITATION

There may be someone who is listening today, who has been anxious, worried, and fearful this holy day season and is ready to put all of their hope in Jesus this year. If that is you, won’t you pray with me today?

Dear God, thank you for the Love Gift named Jesus. I believe that you gave him to die on the cross and rise on the third day to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. I admit to you that I have sinned and fallen short of your glory. Please have mercy on me and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share your Love with others. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.



SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

The Lord Has Done Great Things!

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 126 (NRSV)
Prayer for restoration

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.



DEVOTION

When I was growing up, one of the things I loved most about worship was “testimony time!”
When we did this, a Christian would stand up and give glory to God by sharing with the church family how God had blessed their lives.

I was taught that giving your testimony in church—or elsewhere—should not be a form of bragging, but rather a means of encouraging others to trust in God.

I have heard countless testimonies all around the country and every time I hear a believer praising God for a miraculous deliverance, I get happy-glad inside.

In my tradition we have an expression that explains my giddiness. We say, “If God did it for me, God can surely do it for you!”

In today’s Bible passage the psalmist says, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.”

Hallelujah!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been up and I’ve been down, but God has never left me, forsaken me, or abandoned me to my sin.

Every time I have ever imagined that I was truly sunk, God has always been there to throw me a lifeline of love, mercy, and grace.

I believe that there is someone in each of our lives who needs to hear our testimonies! Each of us has a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor who needs to know that God loves them so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

In this CHRISTmas season, we have the perfect opportunity to share the good news about Jesus! As we see our neighbors trimming their trees, stringing the lights, and hanging the holly, we can humbly and graciously remind them of the true meaning of CHRISTmas!

Advent means “to wait.”

We are waiting on the celebration of Jesus’ birthday on December 25th and we are waiting for Jesus’ sure return in glory on the day of God’s choosing.

But, dear friends, let us make our waiting active and not passive! We can actively wait by fasting, praying, reading scripture, testifying, and serving others in this holy season.

As we love people into the arms of Jesus, we will find that our time spent waiting, has been put to good use!

Lord, use us as instruments of your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

Lost in the Wilderness

SCRIPTURE

Second Sunday of Advent

Luke 3:1-6 (NRSV)
Prepare the way of the Lord

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "



DEVOTION

In today’s scripture passage we encounter Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, proclaiming the good news that Jesus is coming!

I love Isaiah’s words about John. He said that John would be “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of Lord!”

On this side of the cross, some people have the mistaken notion that we no longer need to proclaim the coming of Jesus! Since Jesus has already come into the world and died on an old rugged cross, some folks feel like the deed is done and there is no additional need for “prophets” to carry good news messages!

This could not be further from the truth my friends! It is still the case that people are facing “wilderness” experiences. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in the wilderness a time or two.

When folks are in the wilderness, they are weighed down by the trials and tribulations of this life. They wander about in circles, trying to find a straight path, but cannot find one. They wander deep into the valley of death and depression and expect to be stuck there forever!

But, we have good news that is for all people—He is Christ the Lord!

It is Jesus’ desire to be invited into the hearts of our friends, co-workers, neighbors, and colleagues who are lost in the wilderness of life.

This is why, as Christians, in 2009, we are still called to be voices crying out in the wilderness; we are commissioned to be light along the path so that our loved ones and neighbors can follow it into the very heart of Jesus.

As we go, we have the honor of declaring, “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "

Oh Hallelujah!

Isn’t it awesome good news that we get to proclaim the salvation of our God?!

One CHRISTmas morning, God sent Jesus into the world where he ultimately grew into a god-man, who by his love and sacrifice, died on the cross, saved us from our sin, and gifted us with eternal life.

As a result, none of us needs to stay lost in the wilderness. Jesus is beckoning us home and inviting us—as Christians—to help him call lost people in from the cold of sin, death, and the grave and into the warmth of God’s love, joy, and peace this holy-day season.

This Advent, I want to invite us to open up our eyes and to be on the look-out for people who are lost in the wilderness and to lead them home…

Will you proclaim God’s good news this—and every—month? The Kingdom of Love is counting on you!


Please pray with me:

My Lord! It is so awesome that I get to be a proclaimer of the Good News Message! It is wonderful that you have entrusted such a special task to me. Please help me to be faithful as I carry your love, joy, and peace to those who are lost in the wilderness of life. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.




THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

Proclaiming CHRIST!

SCRIPTURE

Philippians 1:12-18a (NRSV)

Proclaiming Christ

I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.
Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.

DEVOTION

During this Advent Season, all Christians ought to feel joyful about the fact that Jesus is being proclaimed every day!

From the CHRISTmas carols that are playing on radio stations, to the CHRISTmas trees in public spaces, and the CHRISTmas opportunities to give to the Salvation Army and other non-for-profits doing good work, CHRIST is being celebrated everywhere we go 24/7/365.

Now, some will say that this is just commercialization of the good news message! Everybody is seeking to make a dime off of baby Jesus—and this may be so!

But, in the words of the Apostle Paul, “What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice!”

Now, does this commercialized proclamation let us Christians off the hook in the month of December? Of course not! Non-Christians can never do our work for us!

As Christians, we are commissioned to proclaim the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus at all times! We are to share His life and ministry with everyone who will listen!

What we offer is priceless. For instead of a commercialized, selfish, greedy, and stressful proclamation, we offer people “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people (Luke 2:10).”

As we notice family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors highly anxious in this most holy of seasons, we are given the opportunity to share the love, joy, and peace of Jesus, which will calm all of their fears!

Hallelujah!

Isn’t it an honor that we get to take this God-given chance to tell everyone we meet that JESUS is the reason for the season! After all, we can’t have CHRISTmas, without CHRIST, right?

As we share the good news that God’s Love sent Jesus into the world one Christmas morning to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life, we are extending to people the greatest gift of all time—RELATIONSHIP with God, through Jesus Christ!

Won’t you commit to sharing the good news with at least four people before CHRISTmas Day?

If so, please pray with me:

Holy One, this Advent Season is all about sharing the gift of your love. Please help me to remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas and to share it with everyone I meet. I am so glad that you gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share good news--and be good news--during this most holy season. I love you and I want to share our love with others. Today, I celebrate your birthday with joy in my heart and I look forward to your second coming with great anticipation. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

ANNOUNCEMENT

If you are going to do any of your Christmas shopping on the web, I would like to invite you to access Amazon.com through this website. With every item that you purchase, you will be supporting the Good News Living ministry which brings the hope of Jesus Christ to 87 nations around the world! Please click the “Good News Living Christmas Store” link, at the top right-hand corner of the page, located just above my biography! Thank you!