Last Saturday afternoon I followed the instructions of the GPS and found my way to Okabena, MN. This afternoon, we follow the direction of the word of God and are introduced to the Promised Savior by Isaiah.  He tells us his purpose in coming and what He will do.  In our second lesson we are reminded that this message was once hidden in the mind of God but has now been declassified for us in the Scriptures by the Spirit. Finally, this message will culminate in our seeing Jesus as the ladder, the one way to heaven.

We are sinners who live in a sinful world.   We are also forgiven sinners cleansed in the blood of Jesus.  We are aware that God knows all things and has separated us from sin and dedicated us to God.  We seek above all to follow Jesus.

For all that we think we know…we don’t know much. But we do know that as God delivered the infant Moses for a future purpose…He has delivered us for a reason. We don’t know the future…but we know Him who holds the future. We know that death has no power over us because Christ has power over death.

A Christmas Promise from an Unbeliever?

The Law and the Gospel are both teachings from God intended to have two different effects on sinful human beings. The Law of God demands perfection and is intended to humble us and to create fear. The Good News of the Savior Jesus is intended to chase that fear and give peace and joy.

God offers all people forgiveness for sins…but not to those who are not sorry for their sins against God (Contrition) or who do not trust in the Savior, Jesus Christ (Penitence). God calls upon every sinner to confess their sins, to sorrow over them and make every effort to avoid them. He also promises pardon to all those who trust in His Son. We see that in our Scripture Lessons this Sunday.

This Sunday we look back on Jesus’ Coming and Birth when we light the Bethlehem Candle. In our Scripture Lessons we look forward to His Coming in Glory! Join us!

There is so much deception in this world.  Fear not, God has equipped us to deal with it.  He has promised to deliver us and has in His Son.  He has given us His Word so that we are not deceived. He has given us every reason to offer praise and thanksgiving.

There are no little things.

Our Bible Lessons each have something to do with patience. 

The Prophet Malachi – the last OT Prophet – reveals that even God’s patience has limits.  Judgment is Coming. When persecuted we should pray for patience and thank the LORD that we are counted worthy to suffer for Him. God’s patience ran out for those who rejected the Savior when He came…the evidence is in the fact that not one stone remains upon another.