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.

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.

Blessed Are You

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. — Matthew 5:11-12 

Paul wrote to the Philippians to warn them to stand strong against opposition.

And to continue to preach the gospel in spite of the world's reaction.

Jesus said something similar in Matthew.

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you.

Our friends serving in other countries deal with persecution.

I haven't experienced it much here.

God calls us to rejoice and be glad.

Great is our reward in heaven.

Do To Others What You Would Have Them Do To You

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. — Matthew 7:12 

In everything, God asks us to think of others.

It's often easier to think of myself first.

And when I do, I forgot to think about those around me.

But God commands me to be thoughtful about my actions.

To treat people as I'd like to be treated.

And to obey His law and His prophets.

Even when it may not be convenient.

And especially when it's not easy.

God Has Redeemed His People

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 1:68-70

Praise be to the Lord!

He has come to us in the form of His Son, Jesus.

Redeeming us through the blood of Christ's sacrifice.

God has raised up a horn of salvation for us.

He promised this long ago through the prophets.

Out of the house of David, Jesus has come. Our Messiah!

We sing His praises.

Jesus, Our Savior

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 1:69-70

God has raised up a horn of salvation.

Jesus was born to save us from sin.

He is our Lord,

Just as God promised through His holy prophets long ago.

Christ. is born.

And we rejoice.

God Has Raised up a Horn of Salvation for Us

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 1:69-70

Today we plan to visit the Hotel Del Coronado to see their Christmas tree.

They also have an ice skating rink where we can watch the skaters on the beach.

Our friends Charlie and Jan had an open house at their home last weekend.

Years ago, they renewed their vows at the Hotel Del.

We were blessed to be able to attend both events.

Here we are at the Hotel Del 3 years ago.

Just a few months later, I would have no hair as I went through chemo.

But it's now back in full!

God has raised up a horn of salvation for us.

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

God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets in various ways.

He has spoken to us through His Word, the Bible.

And He has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus.

Jesus our Savior is God's heir and our salvation.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created the universe.

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry

And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; — Ephesians 4:11-12

For the past few months, I've been meeting every other week with a mom from our congregation.

She is joining our church and met with our elders yesterday to confirm that she wants to follow Jesus.

She mentioned how blessed she's been by our times together.

And I've felt the same.

God has brought us together to pray for each other and to share our burdens and blessings.

We are both cancer survivors, and we often feel nervous about what that means for our futures.

She went through chemo 10 years ago. 

Mine was two years ago.

We have both learned to trust in God and put our lives in His hands.

We are still learning to be anxious about nothing.

In three weeks, her youngest son will be baptized.

Thank you, Lord!

God Spoke

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

God speaks to us through His Word in Scripture.

 

And through His prophets.

 

And even in His creation.

He speaks to us through His Son, Jesus.

God appointed Him heir of all things.

Our God, the Trinity, made the universe.

Blessed Are You

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. — Matthew 5:11-12

I have not known persecution as some of my missionary friends have.

They are on the frontlines of the battle ground.

In other countries, freedom of religion is not a right.

We are blessed to live in a country where it is not only our right, but it is protected.

Thank you, Lord!

Please place a hedge of protection around the missionaries who in countries where they are persecuted for their religious beliefs.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.