Jesus gives us a parable about an unjust judge and a persistent widow intended to spur us on to pray always and not lose heart. We learn that prayer is an act of faith, and what we believe about God will determine how consistently and persistently we pray.

Jesus teaches us that the kingdom is here and the kingdom is coming. As he describes what the kingdom is like now and how it will come in the future, we are called to faithfulness while we wait.

Jesus teaches us that the kingdom is here and the kingdom is coming. As he describes what the kingdom is like now and how it will come in the future, we are called to faithfulness while we wait.

On this Christmas Sunday, we considered 5 ways to meditate on the coming of Jesus at Christmas time:

- Take time to ponder the beauty of the incarnation.

- Stare into the darkness of the world Jesus enters.

– Be reminded that nothing is impossible with God.

– Let Christmas be unsatisfying.

- Let Christmas be a call to worship and praise.

On this Christmas Sunday, we considered 5 ways to meditate on the coming of Jesus at Christmas time:

- Take time to ponder the beauty of the incarnation.

- Stare into the darkness of the world Jesus enters.

– Be reminded that nothing is impossible with God.

– Let Christmas be unsatisfying.

- Let Christmas be a call to worship and praise.

In Luke 17, 11-19, Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one returns to thank him. The return of the one, a Samaritan, and the failure of the other nine to give thanks helps us not only see the nature of true gratitude, but also of saving faith.

In Luke 17, 11-19, Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one returns to thank him. The return of the one, a Samaritan, and the failure of the other nine to give thanks helps us not only see the nature of true gratitude, but also of saving faith.

Jesus describes what it looks like to live with one another as members of his kingdom - how our our holiness has to do with the entire community, our forgiveness is a reflection of him, our power comes from faith, and our status is that of an unworthy servant.

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus helps us to see that death reveals true riches and the truly rich - it reveals the coming great reversal, the necessity of compassion in the now, and the hardness of the unbelieving heart.

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus helps us to see that death reveals true riches and the truly rich - it reveals the coming great reversal, the necessity of compassion in the now, and the hardness of the unbelieving heart.