Comfort through ... Love

A Valentine's cake declares a lover's sentiments.

Love is many things. Romance sung about in love songs, and exchanged when you feel in love with someone. It is physical intimacy. Care of parent for their child. Kindness of help for neighbors in need.

“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us.” (Luke 1:78)

So we hear in the song of Zechariah about the God’s love that brings us comfort when we are forsaken, despairing, afraid.

Think of a lover tenderly wiping the tears off her grieving face. Think of a mother, grabbing her sobbing child in a hug. Think of a skilled nurse treating the sore burn wounds of a forest fire victim in the ICU.

The good news is: We may be captive to the darkness of bullying, death of loved ones, or tragedies out of our control. But love brings light into our situations. Do you need comfort? God loves you.

Jesus says to you: The dawn from on high has come to show you the light of God’s love. Feel the tender compassion of your God. It changes you and your world as Zechariah sang in anticipation.

Comments

Give Praise

Church vocal and bell choir in worship leads the assembled congregation to give God praise. Throughout the Bible, God and humans have used music to communicate with each other and about God’s greatness. Word In the Old testament, King David instructed the worship leaders of Israel to praise God for the kind and powerful help they received: “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. ” (2 Chronicles 16:7-9) The songbook of the Bible encourages creativity and diversity for giving glory to God with a new song. In one of its poetic hymns we are told that it is not only fitting but pleasing to God to join all creation “... with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!” (Psalm 98:6) And the early church saw spiritual songs as an expression of their new life in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote to believ

In Touch with Jesus

The Matrix movies explored religious themes like alternate realities or salvation through a sacrificial hero. I like watching movies that entertain me, and touch on religious themes. For example Star Wars, the Matrix, or Gravity because I like Science Fiction, and also because they explore the reality of the supernatural while entertaining me. Do you remember the TV show “Touched by an Angel”? According to the late author Phyllis Tickle, it brought religion to TV and made faith accessible to a wider audience. It also showed that there is a desire for getting in touch with the divine in our lives. Word People flocked to Jesus to hear him and touch him. They came to hear him, and touch him to access his power that healed people. Getting in touch with Jesus shows us and connects us with the God’s goodness, possibility of life in harmony, and way to be blessed. Jesus declared that life with God transcends even adversity: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom

Power of Faith

Your faith doesn't need to be huge like a mountain. Faith the size of a tiny seed can accomplish great things. What are our excuses? We need more faith like the apostles? Or we don’t speak well like Moses? Or are too young like Samuel? Or are too old like Abram and Sarah? Faith might be able to move mountains, but only if you are committed to put it into action. Word The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (v. 5) Oh, says Jesus, if you just had faith the side of a mustard seed, you could instruct a tree to uproot itself and plant itself in the sea. No, Jesus tells his followers, what they need is not more faith but the right attitude and purpose. He wants them to be messengers and servants. Connection Is it possible that too many people stop with faith confession and don’t take the next step of faith action? Can we call ourselves Christian without acting like Christ? Instead of only understanding or knowing God, you and I are called to work for God.

Weekly Word

Search This Blog