Good morning everyone:
Did you open your eyes this morning thinking, “This is going to be one great day! I’m going to accomplish everything on my to-do list and still have plenty of time to relax and have fun with friends. I can hardly wait to get started!”
Maybe not. In fact the older you are, the more likely you are not to think this way. And why? What gets in the way of such positive thinking? Many would say, “Reality.” We learn from experience that things don’t always go the way we would like them to. Plans fall through. Ideas prove to be misguided. Unforeseen circumstances get in the way.
But when you get bogged down with pessimism, listen again to what the apostle Paul has to say. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). Humanly speaking, Paul’s “reality” was nothing to celebrate. His work as Christ’s ambassador put him constantly in harm’s way. Years of hardships took their toll on his body. Many wanted him dead. Still, none of that dimmed his optimism. Why should it? His sins had been paid for. He was a child of God. The Lord was always beside him to ensure that all things worked for his eternal blessing.
We can live with the same confidence. Our status as children of God is certain. Our sins have been washed away in the water of baptism. Christ’s righteousness is ours by faith. God encourages: “So do not fear, for I am with you…I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10).
Then why shouldn’t this be a great day? The Lord who adopted us into His family has given us another day of grace to use in following and serving Him and living in love toward all those around us. Expect great things. You won’t be disappointed.
The sermon text for tomorrow (Rev. 21:1-6) leads us not only to anticipate great blessings here, but to look forward to “new” things to come in the heavenly home Jesus has prepared for His Church.
The Junior Choir will sing at the beginning of second service.
Voters, please plan to stay for the quarterly meeting following second service. Along with reports and updates, there are a number of matters to consider, such as adopting a budget for the new fiscal year and discussing the future of our kindergarten program and whether to continue calling for a halftime teacher. Non-voters are also welcome to sit in and observe.
See you tomorrow,
Pastor
