The tongue is one of our mightiest foes. With it we bless God and with it we curse those made in the likeness of God. Bible Text James 1:26

John the Baptist came to bear witness about the light. He himself was not the light, but he bore witness to the light, that all might believe through his testimony.

It may seem surprising, but we experience communion with Christ through confession. First, because we honor Christ and his work of atonement. Second, by having our hearts are endeared to him for the forgiveness and righteousness he grants us.

In John's introduction he tells us who Jesus is. He is the Word, he was with God, he was God, he was the agent of creation, he is life, and he is light.

To guilty sinners, God's mercy is the particular manifestation of goodness that stirs our hearts to praise.

John tells us the purpose of his Gospel: that the signs would lead us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so we may experience life.

God is reconciling all things in heaven and on earth through Christ. One practical implication for his children is that they should be committed to being reconciled to anyone who may have an offense against them.

This psalm speaks of experiencing the blessed life. We see the offer of the blessed life, the steps to the blessed life, the fruit of the blessed life, and the alternative to the blessed life.

Presenting of new Deacon

Profit for the Soul