Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt…for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. (Matthew 2)

Merry Christmas. What does 2020 hold for you? New Year's resolutions? Gym membership? New diet? A budget?

Christians suffer. In every age of this sin-filled world. All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3)

Jesus is born and Herod wants Christ dead. The shadow of the Cross is looming. Joseph flees to Egypt. Christ’s CROSS will wait until Good Friday’s Tree.

Jesus MUST go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Matthew 16)

Herod is in a rage that he has been fooled. He will not allow another king to threaten his kingdom. The soldiers are given the order to swing the sword. Herod had killed all the male children in Bethlehem…all who were two years old or under. (Matthew 2)

The Herods of this world are filled with rage against Christ. They continue to make war against Christ’s Church. The soldiers are sent out marching to bring death. Today it looks like a (Planned Parenthood) clinic that brings death to little babies. I will require a reckoning for the life of man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. (Genesis 9)

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6)

Christians suffer for standing for LIFE. Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31) The little baby in the womb cannot speak. There is a silent cry for help.

Christians stand for life. I came that they may have LIFE and have it abundantly. (John 10)

What will 2020 be for you? God's Word preached into your ears and hearts bringing life everlasting. The LIFE giving Waters of Holy Baptism. Christians filled with confidence. This NEW YEAR – the Lord has gifts that REIGN ETERANAL FOR YOU TO LIVE IN BY FAITH.

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11)

Christians filled with LIFE in Christ. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5)