Happy New Year! It always amazes me how quickly one year comes to an end and another one takes its place. It’s a never ending cycle. A few days ago, I was reading in the Bible (the book of Revelation). What really stood out to me was that when Jesus comes to make all things new, it will be the end of the “out with the old and in with the new” mentality we’ve all come to know in this life.
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The week after Christmas can sometimes be difficult. Post-Christmas blues are real and are a very depressing time in many people’s lives.
All the planning and pre-Christmas hype has come and gone. The tree is totally dried out, and the decorations are just not as charming as when we first put them up. Most of us have eaten more than we should have, spent too much money, and used up our vacation time. Are we really expected to just pick up where we left off and live real life again? It’s somewhat of a helpless feeling isn’t it?
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“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
With Christmas less than a week away, I’ve been contemplating eternal matters. I’d like to share two different stories with you. They’re both true. They are similar stories, but have different endings. Both accounts involve funerals. One involved someone I’ve never met, the other one was a dear friend.
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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)
Christmas is just days away. It’s supposed to be a time of celebration and joy — a time of peace. In the world we live in, however, the joy of Christmas can be hard to imagine. We live in the midst of church shootings, mass murders, suicide bombers, social unrest, and threats of nuclear war.
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Christmas — what an amazing time of the year!
Not only do we celebrate the fact that the God of the Universe chose to enter His creation (Immanuel means “God with us!”), but the New Testament presents an equally mind blowing fact. Jesus was fully man. Can you imagine that?
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Christmas — the most wonderful time of the year!
When I think of Christmas, there are so many wonderful and exciting things that come to my mind I don’t even know where to begin. A few of my favorite things are: picking out the perfect tree, hanging up the Christmas lights, and sipping hot chocolate (with extra marshmallows) while Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby sing in the background.
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“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” — Psalm 100:1-2 (ESV)
This weekend, I had the privilege of helping lead three, separate worship services at The Rock Church. I was reminded this morning, while reading my Bible, that singing and entering into God’s presence with music is a command from the Lord.
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Recently, some of The Rock pastors went to a regional pastor’s conference in Denver. At the end of a session on outreach, the speaker challenged us to go for a walk with a buddy, discuss what we learned, and look for a Gospel opportunity.
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“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” — Hebrews 1:2 (NIV84)
The universe is HUGE. It’s way bigger than we can visualize. To even try and imagine how big it is, place a penny in front of you. If our sun was the size of that penny, the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, would be 350 miles away. For us in Salt Lake City, that would take us all the way to Las Vegas (as the crow flies)!
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“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” — Romans 5:3-5a NLT
A great many things in this life can leave us feeling hopeless and disappointed. People, institutions, and other life circumstances can easily seem to betray our hope. We can even have the thought, “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” What a disappointing thought to have. Whether these offenses are intentional or unintentional, they can send us reeling. What are we to do with this disappointment?
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton