In life, we eagerly seek deliverance from any bad situation. Sometimes it comes, often it does not. When the stakes are low, we can learn to get by. However, there is a shared experience we all desperately need deliverance from, our sin and its destruction! This Advent season, we remember that God has chosen to deliver us by sending a newborn King. As we remember His first arrival, we also eagerly anticipate His second coming. We are thankful that this King is also our Just Deliverer. Let us worship this King!

It can take a considerable amount of time to build the life we want. Fittingly, it can be difficult not to do everything we can to hold on to it. Yet, like most things in life, the harder we try to hold onto it, the more likely we are to see what we have ruined. Thankfully, what we have is not really ours at all, but rather a gift from our abundant God of mercy. Since He is the giver, we can be free in our giving, knowing that: "Our God of abundance enables us to give abundantly".

The Apostle Paul spent a lot of his ministry collecting funds for believers who were in need. Even when one Church was going strong, he still took the time to encourage others to give. For him, giving was the only response to knowing and trusting in the Lord who had already given everything. We, too, are blessed to know that the more we know the giver, the more we are to grow in giving, and that God uses this for the advancement of His kingdom here on earth. So, let's serve Him by giving for Him today!

"Why does the Church talk about money so much?" If God is the creator, and He can do anything, why does He talk so much about the importance of generosity in the Bible? In writing to the Church in Corinth, Paul helps us to understand that God uses our generosity to create thanksgiving, both in our hearts and also in the hearts of others. He encourages us to give, because our earthly giving produces heavenly thanksgiving! Cheerful hearts can change the world for Him!

All Saints' Day is a bittersweet day. As a community, we remember the faithful lives of those who have received their eternal reward. But for those of us left behind, it can also be a painful day. We celebrate the promise of restoration gifted to us by Christ, but we can't help but also wonder, "When, Lord?" Thankfully, we are blessed by God with the image of our victory parade in heaven, confessing "Salvation belongs to Him". Today, we celebrate, anticipate, and give thanks for the example of our beloved saints.

"If you knew you were going to die tonight, how confident are you that you would be in heaven?” This age old question still causes much doubt. In his earlier days, Martin Luther struggled with the surety of his salvation, always wondering if he had done enough. Thankfully, because of Christ, he learned to live confidently knowing that he was saved by faith and not by his works, and that this was a free gift from God. Do you live with this same comfort? Does your neighbor?

*There were a few audio glitches in the recording*If your name was a good depiction of your character, what would it be? Would it be Joy or Grace, or would it be a little more real, like Broken, Vengeful, or Selfish? Jacob had lived out his namesake, “the supplanter”, often taking matters into his own hands. After encountering God, he is given a new name, “Israel”, or “God Prevails”. Now he could live out his new namesake, trusting in God. Because of Christ, we also have a new name, “redeemed,” and we can go forward trusting in this new identity!

Have you ever felt like an outcast? Like there was some stain in your life that separated you from everyone else? What would you do to get rid of that stain? Thankfully, God hears our cry for mercy, and His grace knows no bounds. Because of him, we are made clean and given a new perspective on Grace! Because of this, we can respond with thanksgiving. Thankfully, Jesus is proof that God’s grace has no bounds in place!

Has fear ever stopped you from doing something bold? It can be easy to let our current surroundings dictate the sharing of our faith. Paul, while awaiting execution, encourages Timothy to remember that God has given him a spirit of power, not one of fear. We are blessed with the same spirit, and we can dare to be bold, even in difficult times. Where has God called you to take a step forward in your life, equipped with such bold, fearless faith? Because of Jesus, in times of hostility, God calls us to faith, not fear!

Today, Senior Pastor Lane Reuter leads us in worship. He will be preaching on “The Rich Man and Lazarus” from Luke 16. Jesus makes it clear that when it comes to eternity, there are only two destinations. One is filled with feasting and celebration, the other is marked by pain and torment. Which future will be yours? Because of Jesus, all are invited to the feast. I pray you may know this truth, and that you will freely share this invitation with those you see throughout this week!