Casas Church

How do we experience a God who is invisible to us? We know that God loves us, but we might not feel it with all that is happening in our lives. There are two ways that God shows His love: God makes Himself visible by manifesting Himself in Jesus and God makes Himself visible by manifesting Himself in us. As stated in 1 John 4:12 - we are the ones who can show God’s love for us by loving one another.

If what you’re being taught isn’t moving you to be centered in Christ and living out love then it’s not God. Keep testing what you hear against what John teaches us in 1 John 4 and keep testing it. It’s ok to wonder and ask questions when it comes to building your spiritual life. Everything God does flows from love and that’s how you know it’s God. If that’s not what you’re experiencing then maybe it’s time to renovate your spiritual life and test your foundation against who God is and what Jesus lives out in scripture. 

There’s a theme running through scripture about how God remembers certain things and forgets others. This is asked of all of us too. Remembering includes holding on to the larger story of what God is doing. And forgetting, or letting go, includes stepping into the new thing God is doing. As we begin 2025, how do we end this year well and enter the new year embracing how God might use us as part of His larger story? 

We often talk about the love God has for us and the love of Jesus we can share with others. However, we might forget that God actually likes us! In Genesis, God declares creation - including us - very good. He created us and wants to have a relationship with us. In Isaiah 43:25 He doesn’t say, “I will blot out your sin for your sake.” He declares, “I will blot out your sin for my sake.” He forgives our sins and remembers them no more because He wants a relationship with us. As we move forward in our spiritual life, it’s better to build a foundation on that knowledge rather than attempting to earn anything from God. We can’t earn His approval and we don’t have to worry about losing it either. He gives it freely. 

As we change our focus from what we see in the mirror to the people around us, we'll begin to recognize that there are people who need to experience God's heart and His love and we are the ones who can do that! This is what the song “Little Drummer Boy” can teach us. God can use whoever we are and whatever we have for His purpose. We all have something to offer that can benefit the world around us in beautiful and amazing ways. 

When we sing "O Holy Night," we are reminded that people are of great value to God, there is always hope on the horizon, and Jesus is good news for everyone! In the story of Jesus's birth, we are reminded that God is constantly seeking to love us and set us free, which is good news indeed. If we don’t embrace the good news for ourselves, as described in Mark 1:14, we can get in the way of the good news for others. Let it be a blessing to us and everyone this season that there is hope because Jesus can carry the weight of it all. 

Outward Facing means finding a way to intentionally do good and to keep doing good in multiple different ways. In Galatians 6:9, Paul encourages the early church to “not become weary in doing good.” Sometimes, it takes time to see the benefit of all we’re trying to do for others. We have to trust that God is at work in the good and unique things we are doing in this world and trust His timing, just as a farmer trusts that there will be a time of harvest.

Thanks for being with us this morning! At Casas, it doesn't matter what your story is, your background, or the stage of life you're in - you are valued and accepted just as you are. We believe everyone has value and purpose and is loved by God. We're glad you're here!