The connect devotional is a great way to stay connected spiritually to what our community is learning about God right now. It is in step with the current sermon series, studying the scripture through the lens of life application.
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"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him." (Matthew 2: 10-11) Every Christmas, we celebrate the joy of Jesus. But at the first Christmas, King Herod stepped in to steal that joy. Like the magi, we might be challenged by a Herod this season. A Herod can be anything w...
Keep Reading"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him."Matthew 2:3 I was recently asked about my favorite Christmas movie. I've got a few, but one that's always in the top three is "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." What, may you ask, do the Grinch and King Herod have to do with each other? First, they both tried to steal Christmas, but only one was succ...
Keep Reading"Herod was furious, and gave orders to kill When the magi saw the star, they were overjoyed. When they saw the child with his mother Mary, they bowed down and worshiped him and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."(Matthew 2:16, 11) When God does something, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Depends on where you're sitting, what you're trying to p...
Keep ReadingAbraham begat Isaac, Isaac begat Jacob Azor begat Zadok, Zadok begat Akim, Akin begat Eliud (Matthew 1:2, 14). Have you ever known anyone who had Matthew 1:1-17 (the "begats") as a "life verse"? Me, neither. And this passage sure is a strange way to kick off a series titled Unspeakable Joy! Matthew's three sets of "fourteen generations": after the first few verses, most...
Keep Reading"Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah." (Matthew 1: 17) 'Tis the season! Holiday catalogs and advertisements bombard us daily. Awesomely decorated houses, amazing holiday cookies, and the perfect present dominate my mail, television, email, and web browser...
Keep ReadingMatthew 1:1-17 This is the genealogy of Jessica, writer of Connect Devotionals. Nancy was the mother of Gladys, who was small but known for her ferocity. Gladys was the mother of Viva, the hardworking farm wife who was known for her cooking. Viva was the mother of Joanne, the wise, who stubbornly defends those she loves. Joanne is the mother of Jessica, the tall, di...
Keep Reading"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."Matthew 1:1 Before moving here three years ago, I'd never been in a church which recognized or celebrated Advent. But now I cannot imagine entering the Christmas season without my morning devotional time spent in a candle's glow from my Advent wreath. Advent doesn't start until Sunday, but l...
Keep Reading"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham "(Matthew 1:1) Welcome! It's a new season and a new sermon series, Unspeakable Joy. As we enter these weeks of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas, we want to explore what joy is, where it "comes from," how to live in it. A genealogy could be a good place to start. We're late...
Keep Reading"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10: 15) I believe running makes the world a better place. In a world where the siren song of technology is demanding that we spend more time sitting with our phones, in front of computers, or checking our online status, championing the outdoors is hard. Suggesting that going outside, getting sweaty, and st...
Keep ReadingScripture reassures us, "No one who trusts God like thisheart and soulwill ever regret it."(Romans 10:11 MSG) True or false: "Life always goes better with Jesus." When understood to mean the absence of problems or endless health, wealth, success, and happiness? The above is always false. When understood to mean a life that serves the good of our neighbors and communities...
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