Jesus Has Overcome the World

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

Happy New Year's Eve!

Last night I made gumbo in the new Dutch oven Kirk got me for Christmas.

And bread using the proof baskets Marianna sent me.

I am blessed.

Tonight we'll have two other couples join us for dinner.

To welcome in the new year together.

Praising God for good food, great friends, and wonderful family. 

Praising God for Jesus, who has overcome the world.

Come To Me

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 

Jesus asks us to come to Him to get our rest.

Especially those of us who are weak and burdened.

And weary.

When we turn our weakness over to Jesus, He is ready to rejuvenate us with His power and love.

He uplifts us with His strong arms.

And carries us through all our troubles and doubts.

He surrounds us with His peace.

I Will Come Back and Take You With Me

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." — John 14:3  

Jesus died and came alive again.

He then left to sit at the right. hand of God the Father in heaven.

Now He reigns there today.

And He prepares a place for us.

But He also promises to return.

And to take us to be with Him in heaven one day.

What a glorious promise.

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" — John 14:1-2 

Sunrise Over Baker Golf Course

God commands us not to worry.

And not to trouble ourselves with the cares of this world.

That's easier said than done. 

God's house has enough room for each of us.

And Jesus has gone before to prepare a place for us there.

Praise the Lord!

A Child Is Born

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 

On Christmas Eve Sunday we went to our church services - twice!

It was a great way to celebrate Christmas Eve.

With worship and song and candlelight.

And we had Kirk's family over for potato soup — which they cooked and brought over!

Delicious!

Today we had my brothers over for Christmas Day for ham.

And Steve made some delicious potatoes, which we finished off completely.

Plus he brought twice-baked potatoes for us to have later this week.

Wonderful days with family.

We are blessed.

Celebrate Christmas!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” — Luke 2:13-14 

Today is Christmas!

We'll gather with family.

And celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

On earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared to the shepherds. 

They were praising God.

Saying, "GLory to God in the highest."

"And on earth peace to those on whom Go'ds favor rests.

A Savior Has Been Born to You

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  — Luke 2:11-12 

It's now Christmas Eve.

Today we attend two services to celebrate our Savior's birth.

The Messiah, our Lord.

Born as a baby, lying in a manger.

The King of love, my Shepherd and Lord.

A Savior Has Been Born to You

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. — Luke 2:10-11 

The angel told the shepherds not to be afraid.

The good news he proclaimed was joyful.

And it would bring joy to all people.

Our Savior was born in the town of David.

And He is the Messiah, the Lord, the anointed one.

Born for me!

To pay the price for my sin.

With His ultimate sacrifice.

Shepherds Living Out in the Fields Heard About Jesus

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. — Luke 2:8-9 

The shepherds were amazed that night.

They were just doing their job, watching their sheep.

Until an angel of the Lord surprised them.

And the glory of the Lord shone around them,

They were some of the first people to hear the news of Jesus' birth,

And they celebrated!

Worshipping God's Son Jesus.

A Prophet of the Most High

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven. — Luke 1:26-28

John the Baptist went ahead of Jesus to prepare the way for Him to come.

He was a prophet of the Most High.

He came baptizing people, calling on them to repent of their sins.

Sharing with them the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

Thanks to God's tender mercy and grace.

 

Praise Be to the Lord

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), — Luke 1:67-68 

God has come to us as a baby.

Praise be to our Lord!

He has redeemed us with the blood of His Son, Jesus.

He had opened the door of salvation to us.

Just as He promised through His prophets long ago.

At that time, people were skeptical, just as they are today.

But God always keeps His promises, and He fulfilled this one in His only Son.

She Will Give Birth to a Son

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” — Matthew. 1:20-21 

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream.

Telling him to take Mary as his wife.

And promising that she would give birth to son, born of the Holy Spirit.

The baby's name would be Jesus.

Because He will save His poeple from their sins.

And we are grateful.

We owe Him our lives.

My Soul Glorifies the Lord

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. — Luke 1:46-47, 49

When Mary visited Elizabeth, she greeted her.

At that, the baby leaped in Elizabeth's womb.

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then Mary sang this song of praise to God.

Thanking Him for His goodness.

And glorifying the Lord.

Out of You Will Come a Ruler

For this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” — Matthew 2:5-6  

The prophet Isaiah promised long ago that a ruler would come.

Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, will be the place where He will be born.

And Bethlehem will call out a ruler of Judah.

One who will shepherd His people Israel.

And who will save us from our sins.

The Messiah Was to Be Born in Bethlehem

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied.’” — Matthew 2:4

When Herod heard about Jesus' brith, he was worried.

There was another king in town, infringing on his territory.

So he called together and priests and teachers to find out where Jesus was to be born.

They told him that He would be born in Bethlehem.

The Messiah would be born in Judea.

He would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace.

God Sent His Son, Born of a Woman

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. — Galatians 4:4-5

God sent His Son, Jesus to be born as a Baby.

The timing was according to His plan — when the time had fully come.

Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate.

And was crucified, dead and buried to redeem us from our sin.

The third day He rose again from the grave.

Redeeming those of us under the law.

That we might be adopted as sons and daughters of the Lord God.

Call Him Immanuel

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. — Isaiah 7:14 

God gave us a sign that His Son would be born.

The prophets foretold it long before it happened.

The wise men saw the star in the East.

The angels told the shepherds.

And Anna and Simeon waited in the temple to see Jesus, our Lord.

Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.

What a Savior!

Jesus Is the Life

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." — John 14:6 

When Pilate asked "What is truth?" Jesus had a ready answer.

Jesus assures us that He is the way to eternal life.

He is also God and therefore the ultimate truth.

And He is life everlasting.

Our living water.

He refills and refreshes us when we are parched and dry.

No one comes to God the Father except through Jesus, His Son.

God Will Raise Up a Prophet

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. — Deuteronomy 18:15

The Lord raised up many prophets in the past.

And all their prophecies pointed toward the coming of Jesus.

Since that was God's plan from the beginning.

To sacrifice His only Son for me.

The best Christmas present ever!

And completely undeserved.

You Are the Branches

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." — John 15:5-8 

We are the branches attached to Jesus.

He gives us our sustenance.

He provides us with living water.

Everything we need to survive comes from Him.

Jesus is the vine.

If I remain in Him and He remains in me, I will bear much fruit.

Even when I feel dried up and tired.

When I drift apart from Him, I can do nothing.

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." — John  10:14-16

Jesus is our good shepherd.

He knows us as His sheep.

And We, His sheep, know His voice.

Just as the Father knows Jesus and He knows Hi Father.

And Jesus laid down His life for us.

Even though we didn't deserve it.

The Gate for the Sheep

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. — John 10:7, 9-10

Do you think Jesus had to say this again because His followers weren't listening?

That happens to me at times.

I have to read a Scripture passage several times because I get distracted and lose focus.

But Jesus has patience with us and repeats the Word again, helping us understand.

Explaining the parables to His disciples who didn't get them.

And to me, when I'm not getting them either.

When we wander off, He brings us back into the fold.

And He opens the gate for us, His sheep, to enter eternal life.

Jesus said, "I Am the Light of the World"

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” — John 8:12 

Jesus spoke to the people many times.

And in many different places.

From the mountains to the beaches to the dusty roads.

How cool it would have been to have been there in person to hear His Words.

He told us that He is the light of the world.

Whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness.

They will have the light of life.

Amazing. So grateful.

Jesus Is the Bread of Life

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." — John 6:35 

Jesus declared that He is the bread of life.

Whoever comes to Him will never go hungry.

He satisfies our longing and fills us with living water and living bread.

Jesus is our sustenance.

He gives us everything we need.

And much more.

God Has Spoken to Us by His Son

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. — Hebrews 1:1-2

We had such a fun weekend with friends visiting wineries and meeting the families running them.

Here we are at Barr Winery.

A great recommendation, and a beautiful day.

We are so thankful to God for blessing us with this time.

But of course, His best gift is His Son, our Savior Jesus.

God has spoken to us through Jesus.

Whom God appointed to be heir of all things.

And through Jesus God also made the universe.

Give Praise to the Lord

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. — 1 Chronicles 16:8 

Give praise to the Lord throughout the day.

Proclaim His name to everyone.

Make known among the nations what He has done.

For us and for others.

The Lord is great and mighty.

We are thankful for all He has done.

The Day of the lord WIll Come Like a Thief

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives. — 2 Peter 3:10-11 

One day God will come like a theif.

The heavens will disappear with a roar.

The elements will be destroyed by fire.

The earth will be laid bare.

Everything will be destroyed in this way.

You ought to live holy and godly lives.

In the Beginning Was the Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. — John 1:1-2, 14 

God created the world in the beginning.

And He was the Word.

Jesus, the Word, was God.

And He was with God in the beginning.

Jesus is our Word of Life.

This week we traveled to Paso Robles.

This is Fratelli vineyards.

God provided us with a beautiful time to connect with friends old and new.

Strengthened in the Faith

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. — Colossians 2:6-7 

This past weekend, we put up our Christmas tree.

A reminder that we are about to celebrate Advent, the coming of Jesus' birth.

God asks us to continue to live our lives in Him.

Rooted and build up in Jesus.

Strengthened in the faith as the Bible teaches.

And as our parents and Sunday school teachers taught us.

Overflowing with thankfulness for Jesus' sacrifice.

Let Us Be Thankful

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. — Hebrews 12:28 

God's kingdom is one that cannot be shaken.

Therefore, we are thankful.

We love and serve God with reverence.

And so we worship God with awe.

We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

And we are praising God for His mercy and love.

Giving Thanks to God the Father Through Jesus

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. — Colossians 3:17

This is a tough one.

Giving thanks in whatever I do.

And doing everything in the name of Jesus.

Being thankful in all of my words just doesn't come naturally.

And doing every deed in the name of the Lord Jesus takes more than I usually give.

But I thank God through Jesus for giving me His Word.

And for guiding me each day.

And for not giving up on me.

The Lord Is Good and His Love Endures Forever

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. — Psalm 100:5  

God is good to us, way beyond anything we deserve.

He brings trials and blessings our way.

And He holds our hands to help us through whatever comes our way.

His love endures forever.

His faithfulness continues to all generations.

Praise the Lord!

Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. — Psalm 100:5 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day with family and friends.

A time to give thanks to God for His love and care for us.

Our friends brought a cheese board and homemade bread.

And the flowers our neighbors sent us were beautiful.

It was a perfect day to eat outside.

And when the sun went down and it got cold, Kirk, lit the firepit.

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. — 1 Chronicles 16:34

Give thanks to the God of God; His love lasts forever.

And He has given us everything we have.

He is our Creator.

And our Provider.

Our Healer.

Today we give thanks as a country for our great God.

In Christ You have Been Enriched

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. — 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

There are certain people who I remember to thank God for each day - Kirk, Abby.

And for our beautiful creation - the world God has created for us.

There are other things I forget to thank Him for.

But He still provides everything I need and then some.

We are blessed beyond measure.

Come, Let Us Sing for Joy

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. — Psalm 95:1-2

Let us sing with joy to the Lord. 

And shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Come before God with thanksgiving.

And praise Him with music and with songs of joy.

He is our God, and we will praise Him!

The One and Only Son is Himself God

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[a] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. — John 1:18

We have never seen God.

Only Jesus has seen His Father.

And Jesus has made Him known to us.

After all, Jesus is the one and only Son.

He is himself God.

Blessed Is the One Whose Delight Is in the Law of the Lord

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. — Psalm 1:1-2

Here's a photo from our Thanksgiving dinner from last year.

This year we'll have some new faces around our table.

As we welcome some friends of our family.

And friends of friends.

We are thankful for the blessings we've been given.

And for the law of the Lord.

Help me to meditate on it day and night.

Your Word Is a Light on My Path

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. — Psalm 119:105 

God's Word teaches me how to live.

It shines a light on the path I walk each day.

So I can see the way more clearly.

It acts like a lamp for my feet.

Our neighbors brought us these beautiful flowers yesterday.

They were a gift to thank Kirk for watching over their house while they were out of town.

How thoughtful!

We are thankful for those acts of kindness.

Pray to Your Father

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. — Matthew 6:6 

God calls us to pray in secret.

Not to be obtrusive with our prayers.

Not to expect an earthly reward.

Yet the Lord knows what I'm going to ask well before I form the words.

And He knows what I need most, even when I can't see clearly.

Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayers and for giving me more than I can ask or imagine.

Live As God's Slaves

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. — 2 Peter 2:15-16

Yesterday we had a mom/daughter day at Mama Mia.

What a fun show!

Thry even offered a signature cocktail.

So of course, we each had to try. one.

It is God's will that by doing good we should silence ignorant and foolish people. 

God commands us not to use our freedom as a cover-up for evil.

But to live as God's slaves.

We Have Not Stopped Praying for You

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. — Colossians 1:9

We continually pray for each other.

And we ask God dto fill us up with His Holy Spirit.

And with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Giving us the understanding that the Spirit gives.

Do Not Love the World

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.  1 John 2:15-16

God created the world to be holy.

But all have sinned tha fall short of His glory.

As ar result, everything in the world now comes from the viewpoint of sin.

Lust of the eyes, pride of life, lust of the flesh - all come from the sin of the world.

So God commands us not to love the things of the world.

Instead, to love God and His son, Jesus. 

God has Made Us Competent as Ministers

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. — 2 Corinthians 3:6

God has made us ministers of a new covenant.

His covenant with mankind.

With His Holy Spisrit.

Which gives us life.

Life everlasting through Jesus.

Here's a rendition of the ark of the covenant.

A reminder to us of God's love and promises.

 

Marvelous Ways

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ — Job 37:5-6 

God's voice thunders and roars.

He speaks to us in marvelous ways.

And He does great things that we can't beging to understand.

He tells the snow when to fall on teh ground.

God tells the rain when to shower and when to downpour.

He is mighty and majestic.

Choose for Yourselves Whom You Will Serve

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15 

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Everyone else will need to choose who they will serve.

And whether they decide to serve the gods of other lands.

Or the one true God.

Bring Unity to All Things in Heaven and Earth

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. — Ephesians 1:9-10 

God made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure.

He purposed this in Christ.

To bring unity to all things in heaven.

And to all things on earth under Christ.

Yesterday my colleagues decorated my desk for my birthday.

And they gave me chocolates and a book I had looked at ordering for myself.

Nothing like celebrating all week long!

I am blessed.

Prayers and Thanksgiving for All People

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2

God calls us to pray for all people.

Even those who hate us and want war instead of peace.

Thank you, Lord, for each person.

Everyone is valuable and precious in your sight.

We ask for your intercession that wars may cease and conflicts may end.

So your peace will cover the world.

And so all will live in godliness and holiness.

Worshiping you as Lord and King.

He Has Made Us Competent

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. — 2 Corinthians 3:6 

God has welcomed us into His ministry.

As ministers of a new covenant.

Not of the letter of the law, but of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives us life.

And encourages us to share that new life with others.

The Eyes of Your Heart May Be Enlightened

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. — Ephesians 1:18 

Paul prayed that our hearts would be enlightened.

That we may know the hope to which Jesus calls us.

And the riches of His glorious inheritance.

The inheritance God gives us in His holy people.

We are in the process of calling a new pastor to lead our church.

That God would use that person to guide our congregation to know the hope of Jesus.

And to hear His calling for our lives.