St. John's Lutheran Church Red Bud

Our Lord, born to set us free.

God shook the heavens and earth to come and save you, preparing you for when He comes again.

God's understanding must supplant ours. We look at King Ahaz of Isaiah 7 and Joseph in Matthew 1 to see the difference. Joseph receives God's Word - beyond our comprehension - but believes and obeys.

What is it that brings us joy this season? Not our circumstances but rather God's promises fulfilled. So even if we're in a circumstance we don't like (like John the Baptist in prison) we can still have joy in the birth of our Savior

It's the end of the Church year and we look to the end of the world.

Just as we prepare for Christmas so also we should continually prepare for Judgement Day, even though we don't know the date.

What does the hope of the resurrection mean for us in our lives now? How does it impact our daily life?

What does it mean that we are all saints NOW? How does that impact our lives today?

The Reformation was not about change, but about returning to the Gospel and seeing how that impacts our lives from re-birth to eternal life.

Jesus commands us to not give up praying for the Lord will answer. Does this mean we just need to keep banging on the door of heaven to get whatever we want? Of course not, God is not a genie to grant our heart's desire, rather He knows what is best for us and wants us to hold Him to His promises, to not give up waiting on His answer, to trust in Him.