17 “See, I will create
    new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
    nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
    in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
    and its people a joy.          Isaiah 65:17-18
 
Our reading from today for the prophet tells of what was – upset, living in darkness and sin – will be a thing of the past , and the “new heavens and new earth” will help to put the past sorrows in the past – not renewed and remembered. This, of course, is part of the prophesy of the coming Messiah !!
 
Let us pray together – Holy and Loving God – It is indeed through Your amazing love that we have been able to leave the dark world we humans lived in, leave it behind forever to live in the light of Jesus, the Anointed One. It is through His sacrifice that death from sin is vanquished, forever , Hallelujah !! It is through The Lamb of God we pray …..  Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake,
    and remembers your sins no more.              Isaiah 43:25
 
In Today’s reading, it is important to note that God is not saying He has a memory problem ( “remembering your sins no more”). It is more of the case that this is reassuring talk from God, reminding His people that He is The LORD God, The Holy One of Israel , and they should take comfort in what He has done, and will continue to do , that their previous sins will not be used against them, ever.
 
Let us pray please – Loving and Giving God – we thank you that You in our lives every day, that You will never forsake us, and never abandon us. Through Your prophets, You brought comfort to Your people Israel. These beautiful words continue to bring that to us a swell. You are our God, and we are Your people. Hallelujah !!  May Your Name always be praised !!  It is through Jesus, our Savior, we pray …….Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie
​

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!        2 Corinthians 5:17
 
This morning’s reading says a simple but profound thing :  if someone accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they are a new creation, there is a new being within them. The old self, the one that lived in darkness is gone. This new self, this new direction of living, is one we need to continue to live in and follow and be examples for others that they too can become new in Christ !
 
Let us pray please – Gracious and Giving One, Lord of all creation : pray for us all that we can stay strong in our faith at all times ; even when things may appear bleak and hopeless , we know that there is Light and hope in You !!  With You – Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer – in our lives, nothing is impossible !   We pray all in Jesus’ Name …… Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie
 

18 “Forget the former things;   do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness  and streams in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,21     the people I formed for myself
    that they may proclaim my praise.            Isaiah 43:18-21
 
Merry Christmas !!!!   This OT reading today from the prophet tells how Israel was reminded to not dwell on the past ( their deliverance from tyranny and slavery at the hands of the Egyptians and the Babylonians), but God will bring a deliverance far greater and broader than what anyone could imagine – this was the foretelling of The Messiah , The Anointed One , and His victory over sin and death !!  
 
Let us pray together – Creating and loving God – Just as You delivered your chosen ones from the hands of their oppressors , we all have been saved by this new creation – the shackles and chains of sin and certain death have been overcome, once and for all, by the redeeming blood of Jesus. We are a grateful people , dear Lord. Thank you that you love us all so much !!!    It is indeed in Jesus’ Name we pray.   Amen. 

Yours in Christ, Rollie

7 David said to Solomon, “My son, I had planned to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. 
 11 Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you. 12 Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, so that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God. 
 14 With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone too I have provided. To these you must add more. 15 You have an abundance of workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of artisans without number, skilled in working 16 gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you.”           1 Chronicles 22:7,11-12, and 14-16
 
In this reading for today, David is setting up his son Solomon for the task that is ahead – to build a temple for LORD God of Israel. David was not asking him to do this – this was sacred charge placed on Solomon to get the job done. David told Solomon to keep his faith strong and obey God no matter what – if Solomon did that, then God would take care of any enemies that might come along. David saw to it that Solomon had the resources needed to build this temple. It was not only important for Solomon to succeed, it is imperative that he succeed !!
 
Let us pray please :Lord God , Jehovah, we give You praise and glory, as the men and women of old did. You are The Guide, The Protector, The Light shining for us to follow. Help us LORD, to be more steadfast with You, to not let our faith in You slip away. Help us to be a more obedient people, for You are all-knowing and all powerful. Praise You, in Jesus’ name…..Amen
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie
​

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
10 Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. 13 Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”   26 “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. There it will remain as a witness against you. 27 For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am still alive and with you, how much more will you rebel after I die! 28 Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officials, so that I can speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to testify against them. 29 For I know that after my death you are sure to become utterly corrupt and to turn from the way I have commanded you. In days to come, disaster will fall on you because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord and arouse his anger by what your hands have made.”       Deuteronomy 31: 6, 10-13, 26-29
 
Moses reminds all those assembled that God is faithful, and will continue to be faithful forever, that He will always be there to guide, to lead, and to protect them. Then he instructs them to keep true to the Law given by God, and to be sure that the Law is read on a regular basis, so that both old and the young ones growing know it, understand it and stay strong in it. Moses then makes a prediction that things will change once he passes, and he warns them not to “arouse His anger…..”
 
Let us pray : Holy and Loving God , we ask for strength during these challenging and fearful times. May the promises in Your word bring us comfort when we are fearful of the days and weeks ahead. Help us, LORD, to stay steadfast in our faith ; You are Jehovah, The Lord of all creation, and You will never leave us or abandon us. It is us who fail You, and turn to other things. Forgive us , Dear God, continue to be the shining beacon of light for us now, and forever. Praise Jesus !!    Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie 

t11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”      Luke 14:11
43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”        Mark 10:43
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.      Matthew 20:16
 
The compilation of readings for today have a common theme running through them : that being the need for those who follow Jesus need to understand that they must not think selfishly concerning their thoughts, words and actions ; rather, they must be humble, contrite and desiring to serve rather than sitting back and being served. For this is precisely the way that Jesus lived – as a servant to all.
 
Let us pray please :  Lord God, we humans tend to think of ourselves first before others. We know this needs to change ; we need to serve, help and love others before ourselves. This is the proper way to live – a life of serving rather than being served , a life of humility rather than selfishness. To that end, help us please to be better at this, our God. We pray all this in our Savior’s Name…….Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie