Joy!Cast

Scripture Focus: Luke 4:1-13

When we are moved from those places and passages that are comfortable we find ourselves in wilderness. We seldom travel this road of our own choosing. It comes when things in our life break down or unexpected forces take over. It comes when the road before us seems unclear and we diverge from the original path.

There are two paths in the wilderness. One is a self reliant path. You look for strength within you and with all of your wisdom and cunning try to find a way out. You seek for the easy way, the path of least resistance and find yourself covering the same ground again and again. Fear grows. Defensiveness grows. Physical forcefulness grows. But exhaustion leads to despair as you move deeper into wilderness with no hope.

The other path looks always for resources outside you. It is the path that recognizes weakness and knows that the wilderness cannot be conquered alone. You look for wisdom beyond yourself. You know that the tests you face are temporary. You look for strength from the depths of faith and rely on promises given by the one who faced the deepest challenges of the wilderness.

To Know: We are weak and need God's help.

To Feel: Hope that God is present and your guide.

To Do: Look for strength from the depths of faith and rely on promises of God

Scripture Focus: Joel 2:12-13, 15-17

The road most traveled is the road of recognition and self-glory. We want to receive credit for a job well done. We feel like we must offer lavish praise upon people in order to receive their best. We know also that when recognition is not available we can avoid doing the right thing. We become discouraged when no one notices our good work and feel unappreciated to the point of giving up.

The less traveled road is the road of humility that does what is right when no one is looking. We trust that our treasures are in heaven and thrive in pleasing God as we serve our neighbor. On this road we practice our faith without a fanfare knowing that the immediate reward comes in having a life worth living; a life of God given identity and purpose.

To Know: We will never receive accolades enough to fill the empty places in our lives.

To Feel: The good and faithful things we do are received by the God who loves us.

To Do: Engage authentically in the marks of discipleship.

Scripture Focus: Luke 9:28-36

The transfiguration of Jesus marks a turning point. We get to see the identity of Jesus in context with Moses and Elijah during a mystical moment, but when this event ends he walks with his disciples down the mountain and into life on the flatlands. They are now walking to Jerusalem and the cross.

Jesus is committed to his purpose of redemption and through all of the days ahead will unfold that purpose before his disciples. He will teach, heal, send his apostles as witnesses of the kingdom, pray, suffer, die and rise. His disciples become prepared for their ministry and their memories will serve as the message of Jesus' love for humankind.

We are disciples of Jesus who walk on the flat lands. It is real life and Jesus wants us to face life with a confident faith. It takes our commitment to grow the strength of our faith. Worship, prayer, scripture reading, Christ-centered relationships, giving and serving are at the heart of building a LIFE worship living. Pursue that LIFE…Love God and show him through your commitment to weekly worship and daily Bible reading and prayer. Impact others through giving and serving. Find time for fellowship and stay engaged to an authentic life.

Scripture Focus: Mark 2:1-12

Imagine the scene...a huge crowd gathered around Jesus, making it impossible to get anywhere near him...the room and surrounding area completely full of people wanting either his healing touch, to hear him preach, or simply to be in his presence. You can almost feel the crush of the crowd. And then some men, determined to help their friend, get creative about how they are going to get him close to Jesus. Not only do they fight the crowd, carrying a cumbersome load, but they, when met with difficulty, refuse to give up. All for the sake of their friend who so desperately needs their help.

Are there people in your life who would do that for you? Maybe they already have. Are you a friend like that? What about to those you don't know? Are you one who goes the extra mile for people in need? Do you see the incredible need to connect with others in faith, both to share and receive.

Sometimes it's easier to turn the other way and pretend we don't need others; but we were created by God to be in community. In community we are nurtured for growth and given support to become the person God wants us to be. We are not created to do it alone. We are also called to be in community so that we can give to those who need our witness and help. The life of faith is meant to be done in community. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another." Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

Scripture Focus: Luke 5:1-11

Jesus is clear about the purpose of his disciples. They will fish for people. It is our calling. The net we cast is the Word of God that reaches the eyes and ears of people. It is important that we grow to maturity in our faith life so that we see beyond our needs (catching fish to simply sustain our own lives), to the needs of the other's body and soul.

Jesus is also clear that we will not fish for people on the side of the boat that we think should be fished, but where he directs us. We impact others in many ways not the least of which is to put our resources where Jesus tells us to put them into an effort to reach the people of around us.

Giving is a response to Jesus' call to fish. All that we are and all that we have is being asked of us to reach others. We give (money, time, talents) in response to the one who gives us purpose. We give generously because of the one who has generously given us our lives and everything that sustains us (full nets). We give because it is a vital part of fulfilling our purposes as Jesus' fishers.

Scripture Focus: Luke 4:14-21

The first thing Jesus does after his trial in the wilderness was to go to the temple to worship and there he read the scripture. Jesus reveals himself as the one that the prophet spoke of in Isaiah 61. We learn that his words are powerful and that he teaches with authority, even for those who don't know him.

First things for followers of Jesus are worship, scripture reading and prayer. Last week I focused on worship. On this day we will focus on the practice of reading scripture and praying�habits that build a real faith for real life. Through the reading of scripture we know God more fully. Prayer gives us a way of speaking to God and makes us more aware of God's presence and power.

Scripture Focus: John 2:1-11

John 2:1-11 is part of a larger section in the Gospel of John that has come to be known as "The Book of Signs." It runs from the middle of chapter 1 all the way through the end of chapter 12 and is full of interactions between Jesus and groups and individuals that all point to the bigger, wider, grander coming of the Kingdom of God. The last verse in this section--verse 11--adds even more intensity to the story as the wedding at Cana begins both Jesus' public ministry in general and his demonstration of miraculous signs in particular. "Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."

Jesus' signs reveal his glory. We will use the idea of signs to think about our identity as followers of Jesus. As Jesus becomes known by what he does in these signs, our identity is made known in what we do. Our actions are also signs that reveal who we are.

We will begin to unfold the adult discipleship theme described by the acronym L.I.F.E.

• Love God (Worship, Scripture Reading, Prayer)
• Impact Others (Give, Serve)
• Find time for Fellowship (Relationships)
• Engage Authentically (Commitment)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

We begin a new year with expectation. We think about what has happened in our past and we hope for change. We wonder what will unfold before us. The people in the reading from Luke had the same feelings. What unfolded before them is God's love in the person of Jesus.

Jesus' identity is revealed through John's prophetic words and then by a voice from heaven. He comes with power to judge (fire). It sounds threatening, and yet we discover that his judgment is filled with mercy and love. It is that judgment that shapes us and gives us identity.

In our baptism that judgment is made known. Like Jesus, we are assured that we are known fully, treasured deeply, loved completely. We are identified with Christ in baptism. God comes to us and says to us, "You are my child, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Leftovers - whether you love them or throw them away - they are a part of our daily lives! The same is true for Christmas. Our culture would have us believe everything is done and over with once December 25th passes and all the presents are opened. But after all the rush of December, there are Christmas leftovers... What are they?

What remains after Christmas Day? As Christians we need to realize there are some significant gifts which remain with us and the most important one is the baby who will grow to be our Savior. Will we lose Him as we throw away the wrappings and bows? Will He be boxed away with all the decorations? Will he be relegated to the back, lower shelf of the refrigerator until some future day?

This weekend as we look to the wise men and their gifts - the late-comers to the Christmas party - we will see the magnificence of the gifts left for us even after Christmas is "over"