Category Archives: Stuff I’ve Been Writing

Songs for Sunday, December 1, 2024 @ Christ Community Church

Sunday’s coming, and I’m excited!

Tomorrow, we kick of the Advent season at Christ Community. The first week is all about hope. We’ll be singing Christmas songs and lighting the first Advent candle, but it’s about more than that — hope is about and found in Jesus!

The hope that comes from Jesus is not a vague, hypothetical wish but a confident expectation based on the promises of God. Advent draws our attention to God’s faithfulness, seen in His fulfillment of the prophecies surrounding Jesus’s first coming AND His promise that Jesus will return!

Isaiah 7:14 declares, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Centuries before Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem, God promised our redemption through His Son Jesus.

Romans 15:12-13 reminds us that hope isn’t limited to just Israel — or us — but extends to all peoples and nations: “The root of Jesse will come, even He who arises to rule the Gentiles; in Him will the Gentiles hope. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” If you’re reading this, it is likely that you are one of the Gentiles. Paul wrote this letter to the church at Rome longer ago than Isaiah was before Jesus’s birth, and we can hope in it just the same! That’s good news, especially since we find out that this hope is not based on our feelings but on the Holy Spirit’s power within us!

So, we wait. We wait with expectation. We hope.

Lamentations 3:26 gives us a good picture of this: “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Well, Israel had centuries of silence, centuries without a prophet with a thus-saith-the-Lord, until the silence was broken by the cry of an infant — by the literal and divine Word of God (John 1:1-14)! We don’t have to wait in silence, though, waiting for a Word because we HAVE THE WORD FULLY — in Jesus and in His written Word! And it is in His Word — in Him — that we find hope as we wait for His promised return, trials and troubles and worldly sorrow notwithstanding because God’s hope has been poured out on us in love by the Holy Spirit to carry us through (Romans 5:1-5)!

Tomorrow, at Christ Community, we are going to sing a version of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” that has quickly become one of my favorite songs — not just at Christmas but of all time. This song captures the heart of Advent and calls us to reflect on the longing that Israel had for Jesus and see how our anticipation of Jesus’s return should be.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel!
Shall by His Word our darkness dispel!

O Come, Thou King of nations bring
An end to all our suffering
Bid every pain and sorrow cease
And reign now as our Prince of Peace!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel!

Rejoice! Emmanuel (God with us) has come and is coming again! Rejoice!

We can hope in Him because He has promised, and “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23)!

Won’t you gather with us as we read from God’s Word, sing from God’s Word, and hear John open and preach from God’s Word tomorrow?

Here are our Scriptures & songs:

  • Scripture | John 1:1-5 —

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

  • Scripture | John 1:9-14 —

9The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Good News of Great Joy | December 2 — “Glory in the Highest”

Luke 2 invites us to glorify God for His mercy in sending Jesus. Whether through the angelic announcement, the worship of Simeon and Anna, or the wonder of the shepherds, Christ’s birth is a moment of praise, joy, and transformation. Let us respond by teaching His truth, treasuring His promises, and telling of His glory this Advent season.

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

📖 Revelation 3:7–13We’re back!After a few months off, The King is Coming returns in 2026 with one of the most encouraging letters in Revelation — Jesus’s message to the faithful church in Philadelphia. In a world filled with opposition and weakness, Jesus opens a door no one can shut.In this episode, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison explore:✔️ Jesus’s identity as the Holy One, the True One — God Himself✔️ What the “key of David” means and how Jesus alone opens and shuts✔️ The debated phrase “I will keep you from the hour of trial” — and how to read it biblically✔️ Why “little power” doesn’t disqualify faithfulness✔️ How being kept through the trial glorifies Christ’s strength in us✔️ What it means to be a pillar in God’s presence foreverThis church had no rebuke — only encouragement. And Jesus’s call still stands today: “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” (Revelation 3:11, ESV)🔗 Missed earlier episodes in the series? You can click here to catch up and listen from the beginning.✍️ If you’d like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
  1. "Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming)
  2. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Love" (Advent 2025)
  3. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Peace (Advent 2025)

The Birth of Jesus: God’s Plan Unfolds (2:1-20)[1]

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Jesus Presented in the Temple: A Light for the Nations (2:21-40)[2]

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus: Growing in Wisdom and Grace (2:41-52)[3]

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

[1] God fulfilled His promise through the birth of Jesus (vv. 1-7). Even Caesar Augustus’s decree served God’s purpose, ensuring that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem, as prophesied (Micah 5:2). Shepherds, were the first to hear the angel’s announcement of “good news of great joy” (v. 10). Their response—hurrying to see Jesus and sharing the news—teaches us to proclaim God’s glory boldly.

[2] Mary and Joseph faithfully obeyed God’s law by presenting Jesus at the temple (vv. 21-24). Two devout individuals, Simeon and Anna, recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. Simeon declared that Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (v. 32). Simeon’s prophecy reminds us that following Christ may bring division but leads to ultimate hope and peace. Anna’s lifelong worship encourages us to remain faithful, praising God for His mercy.

[3] At age twelve, Jesus amazed the teachers in the temple with His understanding of God’s Word (vv. 46-47). When His parents found Him, He revealed His identity and purpose by saying, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (v. 49). Jesus also modeled humility, returning to Nazareth in submission to His earthly parents (v. 51). His growth in “wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (v. 52) sets a perfect example for young believers.

Good News of Great Joy | December 1 — “The Dawn of Salvation”

Luke 1 sets the stage for the arrival of Jesus, showing God’s faithfulness to His promises. The angelic announcements and prophetic songs highlight God’s plan to bring salvation to His people through Christ. During Advent, we can join Mary and Zechariah in praising God for His mercy and preparing our hearts to receive the light of Christ.

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

📖 Revelation 3:7–13We’re back!After a few months off, The King is Coming returns in 2026 with one of the most encouraging letters in Revelation — Jesus’s message to the faithful church in Philadelphia. In a world filled with opposition and weakness, Jesus opens a door no one can shut.In this episode, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison explore:✔️ Jesus’s identity as the Holy One, the True One — God Himself✔️ What the “key of David” means and how Jesus alone opens and shuts✔️ The debated phrase “I will keep you from the hour of trial” — and how to read it biblically✔️ Why “little power” doesn’t disqualify faithfulness✔️ How being kept through the trial glorifies Christ’s strength in us✔️ What it means to be a pillar in God’s presence foreverThis church had no rebuke — only encouragement. And Jesus’s call still stands today: “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” (Revelation 3:11, ESV)🔗 Missed earlier episodes in the series? You can click here to catch up and listen from the beginning.✍️ If you’d like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
  1. "Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming)
  2. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Love" (Advent 2025)
  3. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Peace (Advent 2025)

Introduction and Angelic Announcements (1:1-25)[1]

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold (1:26-38)[2]

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth and the Magnificat (1:39-56)[3]

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

The Birth of John the Baptist (1:57-80)[4]

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

[1] Luke begins his Gospel by explaining his purpose: to provide an orderly account so that readers may have certainty about Jesus (vv. 1-4). The narrative opens with the angel Gabriel announcing to Zechariah that he and his wife, Elizabeth, will have a son, John (the Baptist). John will prepare the way for the Lord, turning hearts back to God and fulfilling prophecy (vv. 16-17). Zechariah’s doubt leads to his temporary muteness as a sign of God’s power (v. 20).

[2] Gabriel appears to Mary, a young virgin in Nazareth, announcing that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Gabriel declares that Jesus will reign forever on David’s throne (vv. 32-33). Mary humbly accepts her role in God’s plan, saying, “Let it be to me according to your word” (v. 38).

[3] Mary visits Elizabeth, and the baby John leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses Mary for her faith. In response, Mary sings what is known as the Magnificat, praising God for His mercy, justice, and faithfulness to His promises (vv. 46-55) and echoing themes from Old Testament scriptures.

[4] John is born, and at his naming ceremony, Zechariah’s speech is restored. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah praises God in what is known as the Benedictus, proclaiming that John will prepare the way for the Messiah and shine light on those in darkness (vv. 76-79). Luke concludes the chapter by noting that John grew strong in spirit and lived in the wilderness until his public ministry began.

Good News of Great Joy: Advent Readings from the Gospel of Luke

I believe that Luke’s words to Theophilus in the beginning of his gospel sum up what we are trying to do with this resource – to present to you “a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word have delivered to us” (Luke 1:1-2). There are twenty-four chapters in Luke’s narrative, and between December 1st and 24th (Christmas Eve), we have time to look at the full account of Jesus’s life.

We want to give you the opportunity to look at the whole Story of Jesus – not just the divine swaddled baby in the manger, but the young boy who taught the teachers in the temple, the man who served rather than being served, and the Savior who died and rose again “in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Luke addressed his gospel to Theophilus, a name combining the words Theos (God) and philos (love) to mean “lover of God”. Some speculate whether or not Theophilus was an individual or just Luke’s name for those who love God, but it is my hope that whether or not you begin this journey through Luke’s gospel a lover of God, you will find yourself on Christmas day enamored and enraptured in love, “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

Won’t you join us?

Below, you can find audio for each day’s reading as well as brief commentary if needed for understanding, or you can download a pdf of the entire reading guide here:

Good News of Great JoyDownload

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

📖 Revelation 3:7–13We’re back!After a few months off, The King is Coming returns in 2026 with one of the most encouraging letters in Revelation — Jesus’s message to the faithful church in Philadelphia. In a world filled with opposition and weakness, Jesus opens a door no one can shut.In this episode, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison explore:✔️ Jesus’s identity as the Holy One, the True One — God Himself✔️ What the “key of David” means and how Jesus alone opens and shuts✔️ The debated phrase “I will keep you from the hour of trial” — and how to read it biblically✔️ Why “little power” doesn’t disqualify faithfulness✔️ How being kept through the trial glorifies Christ’s strength in us✔️ What it means to be a pillar in God’s presence foreverThis church had no rebuke — only encouragement. And Jesus’s call still stands today: “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” (Revelation 3:11, ESV)🔗 Missed earlier episodes in the series? You can click here to catch up and listen from the beginning.✍️ If you’d like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
  1. "Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming)
  2. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Love" (Advent 2025)
  3. Christ Has Come: The Promised King & His Gift of Peace (Advent 2025)

I’m Thankful to Jesus for Being My Advocate — Gratitude & Hope Challenge | November 22

I’m thankful to Jesus for being my Advocate!

I touched on the subject of Jesus as our Advocate in the last entry in the #DailyWisdomChallenge, so I guess this has been on my mind and heart for a few weeks now.

Sin brings guilt, shame, and condemnation. our enemy, Satan, is quick to accuse us, pointing out our failures and declaring us unworthy before God (Revelation 12:10). But in 1 John 2:1-2, we are reminded of the incredible hope we have in Jesus as our Advocate. An advocate is someone who pleads on behalf of another, and Jesus does this perfectly for us. When we sin, He intercedes for us before the Father — not by minimizing our sin but by pointing to His finished work on the cross!

Jesus is described as “the righteous”, the One who lived a sinless life and was perfectly obedient to the Father. Because of His righteousness, He could offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. John tells us that Jesus is the “propitiation for our sins” — a wrath-bearing atonement. On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the punish our sins deserved, fully satisfying God’s justice and turning away His righteous wrath (Romans 3:25-26). His blood covers us, and through Him, we are forgiven and cleansed (1 John 1:7).

Now, when God looks at us, He sees us through the righteousness of His Son. Jesus speaks on our behalf, declaring that our debt has been paid in full and that we belong to Him. Because of Jesus, God does not deal with us according to our sin but according to His grace and mercy (Psalm 103:10-12).

Today, I am thankful that I don’t have to stand before God in my own strength or righteousness. When I fail, Jesus is my Advocate, reminding me that my sin has been dealt with once and for all.

If you are in Christ, this is true for you, too. Let this truth silence the voice of guilt and shame — the voice of our accuser, and fill your heart with gratitude to the Savior who stood in our place.

If you are not in Christ, understand that you stand before God as judge and represent yourself. There’s more than enough evidence of our sin to convict. Turn your life over to Jesus, confess Him as Lord and put your trust in Him. He will save all who call on Him (Romans 10:9-10, 13)!

That’s good news!

All through the month of November, our Christ Community Church family is focusing on what we are thankful for and expressing our thanks to our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

This, like the #DailyWisdomChallenge we went through in October, is a challenge from our pastor John Goldwater — the #GRATITUDEandHOPEchallenge — where we have the opportunity to post Bible passages that move us to thanksgiving or in which we find hope. May this lead you to be grateful and find your hope in Jesus!

I’m Thankful Evil Meant Against Me Can Be Turned for Good — Gratitude & Hope Challenge | November 21

I’m thankful evil meant against me can be turned for good!

Joseph’s story is one of God’s sovereign grace working through even the darkest circumstances. As a young man, Joseph was betrayed by his brothers who sold him into slavery out of jealousy (Genesis 37:28). He was taken to Egypt where he endured years of hardship, including false accusations and imprisonment (Genesis 39:20). Yet, through it all, God was with him, blessing him with favor and wisdom.

This is not a health, wealth, prosperity gospel sort of story. Joseph was a slave and a prisoner through all of this blessing. No, this is God blessing Joseph despite the circumstances his brothers and Potiphar’s wife put him in. Over time, because of God blessing, Joseph rose to a position of great power in Egypt, ultimately saving countless lives — including his own family — by preparing for a severe famine (Genesis 41:39-41, 45:5-7).

When Joseph’s brothers feared his vengeance after their father’s death, Joseph responded with mercy and a profound trust in God’s purposes. He acknowledged the evil intent behind their actions but pointed to God’s greater plan: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” What his brothers intended for harm, God used to save lives and fulfill His promises.

This truth reminds us that God is sovereign over every situation. Even when others act with malice, God can take what is meant for evil and use it to accomplish His good purposes (Romans 8:28). Joseph’s story points us to the ultimate example of this: Jesus. The cross, intended as a tool of destruction, death, and shame, was the means of salvation for all who trust in Him (Acts 2:23-24).

Today, I’m thankful for a God who is always at work, even in the most painful and unjust situations. He is faithful to bring good from what seems hopeless. How might God be using the challenges in your life to accomplish His purposes, both for your good and His glory?

Trust Him. He’s got a plan for your life (and your troubles)!

Lord, thank you for taking care of us even when others mean us harm. Thank you for the example of Your working in Joseph’s life and the reminder You gave us in Your Word of Your faithfulness. Help us to see that this is not a story of how to get blessed but a means for us to give You glory with our lives. Help us to be like Joseph and look to You in times of hardship and then respond to those who did us wrong like Joseph did — like You did on the cross when You asked the Father to forgive them. Amen.

All through the month of November, our Christ Community Church family is focusing on what we are thankful for and expressing our thanks to our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

This, like the #DailyWisdomChallenge we went through in October, is a challenge from our pastor John Goldwater — the #GRATITUDEandHOPEchallenge — where we have the opportunity to post Bible passages that move us to thanksgiving or in which we find hope. May this lead you to be grateful and find your hope in Jesus!

I’m Thankful for the Father of Mercies and the God of All Comfort — Gratitude & Hope Challenge | November 20

I’m thankful for the Father of Mercies and the God of All Comfort!

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul invited the church at Corinth (and us today) to praise God for who He is — the source of mercy and comfort. God, in His great love, shows compassion to us in our pain and suffering. He doesn’t stand far off or push us away but instead draws near, meeting us in our affliction with His presence, peace, and sustaining grace. Whether we face sorrow or loss, trials or tribulations, we can cling to the promise that the “God of all comfort” is with us, strengthening and reminding us that we are never alone.

But God’s comfort doesn’t end with only Him comforting us. Paul emphasized here that as we receive mercy and comfort from the Lord, we are called to extend it to others. God often works through His people, the Church, to show His love and care to those in need. When we have experienced God’s mercy, we are uniquely equipped to share it with others and minister to them. Our struggles and the comfort we received become tools in His hands, allowing us to walk alongside those who are hurting, offering hope and encouragement.

As His Church, we are His hands and feet, bringing His comfort and gospel to a broken and lost world. This is a beautiful picture of God’s redemption, even in the midst of our suffering. He uses the suffering and trials we experience to shape us, sanctify us, draw us closer to Him, and equip us to serve others for His glory.

Today, I am thankful for the mercy and comfort God has shown me, and I’m challenged to share that same mercy and comfort with those around me.

How can you reflect the heart of the “Father of Mercies” in someone’s life today? Consider those around you who are hurting and mourning as we enter the holiday season. Not everyone is ready or willing to be holly and jolly because or real hurts and hangups in their lives. Think of how Jesus has brought you through your own hurts and hangups and extend His love to others in the midst of theirs.

Lord, I thank you for being the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. Thank You for never leaving me alone when all the world has and adopting me into your family. There is nothing like the comfort of a loving Father, and I thank You for allowing your people to reflect that love and comfort to others. Help us to notice those who need to be comforted by You. Amen.

All through the month of November, our Christ Community Church family is focusing on what we are thankful for and expressing our thanks to our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

This, like the #DailyWisdomChallenge we went through in October, is a challenge from our pastor John Goldwater — the #GRATITUDEandHOPEchallenge — where we have the opportunity to post Bible passages that move us to thanksgiving or in which we find hope. May this lead you to be grateful and find your hope in Jesus!

I’m Thankful for Salvation in Christ Alone by Grace Alone through Faith Alone — Gratitude & Hope Challenge | November 19

I’m thankful for salvation in Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone!

What makes grace so amazing? It’s that God saves us not because of who we are or what we’ve done but because of who He is. In our sin, we are spiritually dead, unable to save ourselves. But God, rich in His mercy and overflowing with His love, makes us alive through Jesus. Salvation is not something we can earn; it is a gift of God’s grace that must be received through faith in Jesus (alone).

This means that our works, our goodness, or even our religious or church activities cannot save us. No one can ever be good enough to meet God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:10, 23) but Jesus (1 John 2:1-2). He lived the sinless life we couldn’t live, died the death we deserved on the cross, and rose again to offer us new life. When we trust in Jesus — put our faith in Him believing that He is enough and that He died and rose again, we are forgiven, made alive, and welcomed into God’s family through adoption (John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10).

Faith is not about trying harder to fix ourselves but about turning to Jesus and trusting Him fully.

Grace means that God does what we cannot do. Jesus makes the dead alive, the lost found, and the broken whole. That’s good news!

Today, if you’ve not experienced this grace, I invite you to put your faith and trust in Jesus. if you’ve already trusted in Christ, let your heart overflow with thankfulness for the gift that you did not earn but He gave freely — salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone!

This is why I’m thankful, and this is why I have hope. What about you?

All through the month of November, our Christ Community Church family is focusing on what we are thankful for and expressing our thanks to our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

This, like the #DailyWisdomChallenge we went through in October, is a challenge from our pastor John Goldwater — the #GRATITUDEandHOPEchallenge — where we have the opportunity to post Bible passages that move us to thanksgiving or in which we find hope. May this lead you to be grateful and find your hope in Jesus!

I’m Thankful for the Blessed Hope of My Redeemer — Gratitude & Hope Challenge | November 18

I’m thankful for the blessed hope of my Redeemer.

I love that phrase that Paul uses to describe the second coming of Christ in Titus 2:13: “blessed hope”. It is unique and very clearly and carefully describes what those who are in Christ have in Him and how they are able to live in this world with the expectation of Him coming again.

First, to see why I am so thankful, we need to know what Paul meant by “hope”. That word in the original language meant being able to desire something good and expect to obtain it. This is different from the way the word “hope” is used in modern English where it operates closer to a wish. My school kiddos might say something like, “I hope I make a good grade on this test”, but if they stay up until the middle of the night on their phone, fall asleep in the middle of the test, and/or zone out while reading passages, their will fail it. They hoped or wished, maybe merely even wanted, to make a good grade, but there was no real expectation or reason to expect doing well.

Biblical hope is different from that, and primarily because it is not left up to us but left up to Jesus. We can desire His coming and expect to experience it because He has already come, meaning we can trust He will again. We can desire His coming and expect to experience it because He is “our great God and Savior” with the strength and wherewithal to make anything happen. In fact, everything that exists has happened because of Him. His track record is proven and proof.

Second, that word “blessed” adds a whole other level to “hope”. The word translated “blessed” here is the same word that we see in the beatitudes at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12). People have been tempted to translate that word as happy, but happy in English has the connotation of good luck because hap- refers to circumstances. Think about the difference between happy and joyful. Happiness is fleeting and changes based on, well, circumstances. This word “blessed” is not circumstantial but Christ-produced. It is marked by God’s favor and that fullness/satisfaction that comes His Spirit within us.

Blessed hope, then, is the expectation of Jesus, our Redeemer, coming again that has been produced in our heart by God Himself. Blessed hope is saturated in the favor of God because it is a grace-gift to know that the One who redeemed us, purchased us by paying our sin debt with His blood on the cross, is coming to take possession of us. Blessed hope satisfies even in the not yet of life now because God’s very Spirit is already with us now, giving us more than a hypothetical happenstance because of His sure ever-presence.

I know that is a long and nerdy way of saying this, but “blessed hope” is really something else and only exists through Jesus. This world is constantly changing and getting worse the farther we get from the Fall, and if we’re not careful, we can fall into despondency and despair. We need the Holy Spirit reminder that this world is not all there is. We need to be able to trust in something and know that everything will be good eventually. But looking at the world gives us none of that, and the hypothetical hopes fail and hurt us.

We need something better than this world. We need something out of this world. We need Jesus. He’s coming. Our “blessed hope” is coming. And we are waiting for His appearance.

Lord, thank You for being our blessed hope and giving us reason to hope for the future. Thank You for being the God we can trust and know that Your promises will come to pass. Help us to be the people You are redeeming us to be. Help us to live as Your people. Help us to live in the expectation that Your coming will be soon. Amen.

All through the month of November, our Christ Community Church family is focusing on what we are thankful for and expressing our thanks to our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

This, like the #DailyWisdomChallenge we went through in October, is a challenge from our pastor John Goldwater — the #GRATITUDEandHOPEchallenge — where we have the opportunity to post Bible passages that move us to thanksgiving or in which we find hope. May this lead you to be grateful and find your hope in Jesus!

I’m Thankful for the Ministry of the Word of God — Gratitude & Hope Challenge | November 17

I’m thankful for the ministry of the Word of God!

As I sit here and see the way I worded that statement, it makes it sound like I’m thankful for ministry — like preaching ministry. I am, but that is not what I am talking about. What I’m saying here is that I am thankful for the way the Word of God ministers TO us and THROUGH us — for the way the Spirit of God moves through His Word.

Colossians 3:16 is a passage that I think about multiple times a week as I am planning worship services and/or preparing to preach. This verse comes at the end of the section of Colossians where Paul has just taught that we are to take off the old self, putting to death the sins that plague our lives, and putting on the new self “which is being renewed after the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10).

Colossians 3:16 flows out of that new life in Christ as much as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love do. Letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly is part of that new life because God uses His Word to teach us how to live and correct sin, to teach us what to believe and correct heresy, to equip us for His work or rebuke our deviations from His plan for us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This shows that the place of the Word is more than a 15 minute devotion in the morning or at night and a couple hours on Sunday mornings. It is meant to be integral to the lives of the individual members of Christ’s church and the substance of the gathering when the members come together as a local church.

In those gatherings, the Word informs our faith and practice. That’s good news! Too often folks try to twist and turn the Word to make it work for them, but God has given us everything we need to know about Him and how to live in His Word. For example, in Colossians 3:16 alone, we find the substance of what we are to sing and in what mind and heart-set we should sing it. I’m thankful for that because this means we give God what He wants and do not have to wonder whether what we are doing fits that plan.

Furthermore, “the Word” is the term John uses to describe Jesus in John 1:1-14. It does, of course, refer to the written Word, the Scriptures, and to the words of Christ recorded in the gospels, but to John, the Word was/is God. That’s good news for us, too, because we are not being led by some dusty old religious book but instead by the “living and active” Word of God (Hebrews 4:12) — by God Himself by extension.

I’m thankful for the Word of God because I know that I am hearing from Him when I read or listen to it (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12). I’m thankful because I am not at the mercy of some religious official leading me one way or the other because God Himself is leading me — literally speaking to me — through His Word by His Spirit (John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13). I’m thankful because God Himself has promised in His Word that He is our teacher (John 14:26, Psalm 32:8). No other religious words, no other religion, works like that. No other God is so powerful and insightful, yet personal and inviting (Isaiah 40:13-14, Psalm 145:18-19).

Lord, thank You for Your written Word. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us through it. Thank You for being the Word and making sure we know how to be saved. Thank You for teaching, correcting, training, and rebuking us. Thank You for ministering to us Yourself and telling us what You want from us and how You want us to interact with You and each other. Amen.

All through the month of November, our Christ Community Church family is focusing on what we are thankful for and expressing our thanks to our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

This, like the #DailyWisdomChallenge we went through in October, is a challenge from our pastor John Goldwater — the #GRATITUDEandHOPEchallenge — where we have the opportunity to post Bible passages that move us to thanksgiving or in which we find hope. May this lead you to be grateful and find your hope in Jesus!