Joy to the World

In Everything Give Thanks

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Most of us know that we need to be thankful in every situation. But maybe we try and fail sometimes because we forget that thankfulness that is only once piece of a big puzzle. Finding where it will fit in our lives includes reading what comes before the well known verse in Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Wow! That all sounds like a pretty tall order in 2020 as some of us are wondering if they’ll even let us sit down at the table with our own families. But God never intended to simply leave off a few instructions for us to do and then leave town. No Jesus is right here with us and we can begin rejoicing when we remember that he came. Then we can pray because He gave us His Holy Spirit who is teaching us how to pray every day. And now we can give thanks because no matter what…Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so!!

I hope you like the video for this coming week. I break into the Christmas carol bin for Joy to the World. How Great Thou Art seemed appropriate as we remember God’s goodness even in what seems a horrible year and Jesus Loves Me is always my own go-to song whenever I am facing confusing or difficult times. I know He is always by my side and that no matter how old I get, I am still His child!! Be blessed. Have a great week-end everybody!

Joy to the World!

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Matthew 18:1

It seems when the disciples asked Jesus this question that they missed the point of all of His teaching. Today we might think we have made some great progress since those days, but in fact we still push the question of who is “the Greatest” in our attitudes and actions. We want to succeed,impress, outdo, and in general, garner for ourselves praise. We strive by every conceivable plan to be the first, the best and the greatest because we are not sure of our value.

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-3

When Jesus called a little child it tells me that children were on hand wherever He was. They felt comfortable, accepted and yes, valued in His presence. They knew that there was nothing special they needed to do to become more important to Him. A little one in fact has nothing much to offer. They cannot provide for their own needs, cannot defend themselves and are not at all in control. They sleep, they cry, they eat and leave the rest to us! But walk into any room with a tiny baby in your arms and hands will reach out, eyes will focus and it will seem that time stops.

Nancys phone photos May 2013 372

No matter what great successes this little baby finds, there will be no more treasured photograph in her mothers collection than this day when she lay quietly in her brother’s arms effortlessly giving us all joy. Those moments in some small way remind us of one Bethlehem evening when Mary held Jesus in her arms and the shepherds came.

Joy to the World

The Lord has come

Let earth receive her King! (The greatest of all!)