RENEW

The 4 Cups

The writings that make up the Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament are among the most influential writings in Western history. But where did the Old Testament come from and why should we care about anything that it has to say?

God knew all along that nothing we could ever do would restore us to what he had planned for us when he created us. We all have to come to the realisation that we are nothing without Him. We all need God’s grace.

The Hebrew day starts at nightfall, and continues throughout the night and following day, until the next night.

Jesus often pointed to the “beginning” (Genesis), the Law of Moses (first five books) and the prophets (Jeremiah through Malachi) to reveal God’s plan for mankind and clues to recognize the Savior. For the Jews of his time, understanding the Old Testament was key to discovering that Jesus is their promised Messiah.

The ever-deepening union of each Christian with God is not a magical or automatic process. While Christ has destroyed the powers of sin, death, and evil once and for all, this victory must be appropriated by each person in cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

King Josiah had a humble and tender heart. He loved to listen to and obey the Lord. He served the Lord by listening to the Word of God and by celebrating the Passover, which pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you serving the Lord by trusting in and obeying the Lord Jesus Christ?

Christmas Eve 2024

If we think of salvation as a one-time deal, a transaction with God, the ways that the Bible speaks of salvation won’t make very much sense—like the story of Zacchaeus.

He repented, in the true biblical sense of the Greek word metanoia—a change of heart that is evidenced in a change in how a person lives.

Zacchaeus’s salvation is his committing to a change in life—from greed and dishonesty to generosity and justice.

Sacred time is a way to honour God, to be more deeply discipled into the life of Christ, and to participate in the rich tradition of the Church.