A New Beginning

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Happy New Year!  Whenever we start a new year it feels as if we have walked through a door, entering into a new place and leaving behind an old familiar one.  New beginnings are exciting for they give us a chance to start afresh, to regain hope, and look forward to what is to come.  They also provide an opportunity to leave behind hurts, trouble and missed opportunities, those things we would soon like to forget.

God is a god of new beginnings.  In Jesus Christ we are given the opportunity to become a new person and leave behind the person we no longer want to be.  We have the opportunity to make changes for the better, to love more, judge less, to be more forgiving and less critical, to enjoy life and not let worry sap away our happiness, to use our words to build up instead of tear down and to think more of others than ourselves.  In Christ we have been given a second chance, a fresh hope, a new beginning!

What are you going to do with this new beginning in 2012?

Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving me a new beginning.  Open my eye to see what I need to change in my life to live as a new creation in Christ.  Help me to become more like Jesus.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  As you think about New Year’s resolutions, try to think of one change you can make in your life in 2012 to become more like Christ.             

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Happy Birthday Jesus!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

It is always a miracle when a child is born.  There is great celebration around the birth of a baby.  And that celebration continues throughout the life of the child with the celebration of birthdays.  I mention this, because today is my birthday.  I am looking forward to celebrating with my family that day soooooo many years ago when I was born.

There is also another birthday that we will be celebrating in a few days.  It is a birth that was a greater miracle and much more important than mine.  It is the birthday of the child that is spoken of in Isaiah.  It is the birthday of our King!  As Christians we will celebrate that day when we were given God’s Son as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.  I am looking forward to that celebration too!!!

Prayer:  Thank you God for sending us your Son to be our King.  Thank you for Christmas to help us remember and celebrate that wonderful gift!  Amen.

Faith Tip:  We invite you to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Grace on Christmas Eve at 6:00PM and/or Christmas morning at 10:00AM.

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Do Not Be Afraid

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” – Luke 2:10

In the Christmas story there are four recorded angelic appearances.  The first angelic visit is to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist.  The following visits are to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus.  It is interesting to note that in all four announcements the angel says, “Do not be afraid.”

Fear is an ever constant emotion in this world of sin.  We live in fear of losing a job, being alone, losing a loved one, disappointment, rejection, embarrassment, shame, separation, illness, sorrow, dying, an the list goes on and on.  That is why God sent us his son Jesus Christ, so that we would no longer need to live in fear.  The good news that the angels announced is that we do not need to be afraid.  Jesus Christ was given to us as our Lord and Savior to conquer our fears so that we can live in great joy.  And as the angel said this is not just for a few, but this is good news for all people.  So this Christmas, throw away your fears and accept the good news of great joy in Jesus Christ!

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for coming to conquer my fears.  Help me not to be afraid but to fully trust in you and find joy and contentment in the good news of Jesus.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  What fears are you holding onto today?  Remember the angels command, “Do not be afraid” and find ways to live instead in the joy of Jesus Christ.   

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

The Love of Christmas

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. – 1 John 4:9

The foundation of Christmas is love.  We gather with family and friends because of love.  We fight the crowds at the mall to buy a Christmas present because of love.  We spent hours baking, cooking, cleaning and preparing because of love.  We give to those in need because of love.  We gather for candlelight services to worship and praise the Lord because of love.  Without love there would be no Christmas.

It is because of God’s great love for us that we celebrate Christmas.  God showed us his love by sending his one and only Son into the world as a little infant born in a cattle stall.  What a wonderful gift!  This Christmas season let us share God’s wonderful love with others.

Prayer:  Thank you Father for your love for me and showing your love by sending me the most wonderful gift in Jesus Christ.  Help me to remember your love for me and share that love with those around me.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Don’t let the busyness of the Christmas season overwhelm you, instead find ways to share God’s love with others today.

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

The Light of Jesus

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. – Isaiah 9:2

Yesterday, around mid-afternoon, a large bank of dark clouds covered the sky.  I mentioned to my daughter how dark it was for the middle of the day.  However, the darkness did not last.  Before long the clouds had gone away and bright sunlight had broken through the darkness.  Here in western Michigan any amount of sun is a welcomed sight in the midst of what is usually a dark and dreary winter.  Imagine what it would be like to live in a land of darkness without any light.

Because of our sins we do live in the midst of darkness.  Our life is covered with a dreary, cold darkness.  However, we no longer have to live in the midst of the darkness of sin, because God has given us a “great light” in Jesus Christ.   That is the good news that we celebrate on Christmas; the wonderful gift of the light of Jesus.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for the light of Jesus that shines in my life.  May His light always shine in my heart and break through the darkness of sin.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Are you struggling with the darkness of sin in your life?  If so let the light of Jesus shine in your heart and celebrate that Jesus light dawned for all on Christmas.

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

God's Extravagant Work in You

I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! – Ephesians 1:17-19 The Message

In interviewing a client yesterday, it was such a joy to listen and watch them express the work God has done in them. They feel so confident that they are going in the right direction of God’s calling even though they don’t know exactly how it will all turn out. To know the challenges they have experienced over the last couple of years and to see them now smiling, laughing and just feeling positive about their future is such a blessing. They are trust God with their all.

God has a perfect plan for all of us. Some of that plan will be played out today. As we come closer to God seeking him, he is faithful in revealing our next step in the plan. As we obediently follow him, we will experience his lavish work in our lives and know it is from him. This will give us more reason to praise and worship him and the endless energy to do it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you for the wonderful works you do in my life and the lives around me. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that enables me to see with open eyes your work more clearly and give you the praise you so deserve. Amen

Faith Tip: Seek God today in prayer and in his Word. There’s a message for you today. Pray for enlightenment and be ready to receive.

 

Written by Kathy Bruins

Joy to the World

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. – John 1:1-4

I saw on the news this morning a report on medical breakthroughs that will possibly extend our life on earth by reversing the aging effects on our bodies. While I think this is interesting, I wonder if people who fight to live so long have missed the message of eternal life. I can’t help to think once a person is in the presence of Jesus that they wonder why they fought so hard to keep from this moment. The Scriptures tell us that everything is perfect in heaven and we get to live there for eternity. No more tears, no more hurts, no more political phone calls … sorry, to those who enjoy receiving them.

Our joy comes from knowing the fact that we are God’s and we will be with him forever. There is a place being prepared especially for us. That’s how special we are to Jesus. The fellowship there will be grand.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the provision of eternal life you made for me. I have joy knowing that I will be with you forever, and nothing can take that away from me. I pray that I share this joy with others so that we can fellowship together for eternity. Amen

Faith Tip: Focus today on the gift of eternal life and wonder about what that will be like. The gift started with a little baby in the stable.

 

Written by Kathy Bruins