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In the anticipation of Jesus' promised return, we navigate a delicate balance between living with the wisdom of readiness and potentially slipping into complacency. As we remain in this "stay tuned" period, the call to prepare ourselves spiritually resonates, urging us to stay vigilant and steadfast in our faith.
Our journey as Christians through the ups and downs of life can be as grueling as hiking a tall mountain. But when we rely on the help and support of Jesus, we know that he will carry us through ever scenario we may encounter. Over time, we too, come to realize that God is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work wihtin us. We can persevere because of him.
Embrace the profound difference between the world's clamor to "be who you want to be" and God's resounding declaration that "you are Mine, a chosen, holy people." Who we are centers around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—our ultimate gift of redemption. As we come together to celebrate Holy Communion, let us remember that God calls us His own, and it's in this divine truth that we find our purpose and identity.
As Christians, we’re not simply called to put our faith in Christ Jesus at a moment in time, we’re called to perseverance. Knowing and believing that Jesus came to take all of our griefs, sorrows, shame, and guilt upon himself is why we can persevere with joy. We can proclaim, “Blessing, and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever” because of what He has done.
In biblical days, an armor-bearer was one who actually carried the shield and armor of his leader as he went into battle, often acting as his personal assistant. The term itself originally meant to figuratively or literally lift up, support, or simply help. The basic attitude of a Modern Day Armor-Bearer is one of servanthood. We are called to lift each other up, to support one another, to encourage, equip, and strengthen each other for the fight of faith. Therefore, it's no surprise the general functions of an armor-bearer: attend to, minister to, care for, help, be of use, assist, benefit, promote, support, make easy for, nourish and encourage are found in the formal definition of "serve”. We all need an armor-bearer as we walk the Christian walk.
The Wisemen long ago were guided to the house where Jesus was in order to worship the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the light of the world. Let’s think about that Light. Light cannot be anything other than what it is. It's bright; it dispels darkness; it enables people to see what they are doing. If we look at the moon it glows, but it doesn’t glow because it has a light, it glows because the sun’s light is reflected by it upon the earth. When we follow Jesus, the Light of the world, we are to reflect His light in the world.
We can rejoice knowing that it is through the righteousness of Christ and our faith in Him that we are redeemed people of God. We find out this week it takes perseverance in faith to stay on track, to set our eyes on the goal of knowing Christ. There will be some who come along our pathway and try to lead us off the mark set before us. Let us remember we are people who are growing in their knowledge of Christ and growing in our understanding of just how powerful God is. It is in His strength we find the assurance to stand firm, to press on, to journey toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
What are your thoughts about suffering? We tend to stay away from it, we try to remove ourselves from it, yet it is through trials and suffering that we still can have the mindset of an opportunity to bring the Gospel— maybe to someone who is suffering more than us. No, no one likes suffering but as Jesus taught us, there will be trials in this world, but He has overcome the world.
Often times we ask God, “How Long, O Lord.” And He is asking us to remain patient for His time, for His will to be done. We do not know how long, but we do know the One in whose hands we can place our today, tomorrow, and future. Join us for worship.
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