First Presbyterian Church Of Baton Rouge

Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. She received them deeply. She contemplated them. She let them flow into her life. Luke 2: 15-20

When the shepherds heard the angels sing, they left their flocks and ran to Bethlehem. They had to see this child. They had to partake of him through worship. How can you hold back from saying, “Give me the kingdom! Make me acceptable in the Beloved! Bring the peace of being his. Give it to me! Glory to God in the highest!” Luke 2: 8-15

The meek, humble boy is the King of the Universe! Luke 2: 1-7

Jesus prays for the unity of his church. He yearns for us to know our oneness in him. But not just so we can be happy and harmonious, enjoying freedom from strife. The unity of the church is essential to the mission of the church. Jesus prays that we “may be perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me.” The world comes to know Jesus as it beholds the oneness of the church. We strive to stay in connection to fellow believers not only for personal peace, but for the sake of the gospel’s effectiveness in the world. Loving each other is an essential part of our mission to the world who does not yet know Christ. John 17: 20-26

Country of Origin: The Triune God. Occupation: Ambassador for heaven. Purpose of Visit: the salvation of the world. John 17: 13-19.

We are the cherished gift that the Father gave the Son. We are the redeemed, ransomed, restored gift that the Son gives back to his Father. We are the gift God gives to God to adorn his glory: a redeemed people that bears witness to the universe that God is love. John 17: 6-11

Eternal life is knowing the one true God through his Son Jesus Christ. This is not just knowing about God. It is relating to God as our Father through the saving gift of his Son Jesus. This is forever life in which relationship deepens into eternity. There is eternal life nowhere else. John 17: 1-5

Outside circumstances put a pressure inside that awakens the anxieties that everything is going to fall apart. Indeed, a rational case can be made that things will indeed get worse, in the world and in our lives. You will have tribulation. The inner pressure has been replaced with peace. In Christ, there is peace. Because he has overcome the world. He has the victory. In Christ all is well. And all shall be well. And I am in Christ. I am in his victory. Christ is alive and you and I are alive. No matter what, it is a good day. Be of good cheer dear ones. Christ Jesus has overcome the world. In him there is peace.

Have you ever wondered why you believe in God? What makes you feel, deep in your heart, that God is there, that he loves you, that he has made you his child? Why, in the midst of a world of doubt do you, of all people, know that Jesus is Lord? What is the source of the comfort you feel even during the worst times? The answer from the Scriptures to all these questions is the Holy Spirit.

There is something about those from Jesus that is both attractive and repugnant to those who are tired and broken from relying on their own resources.

For Jesus is still giving himself to us. He is still making something glorious out of the suffering and pain of this life. He is still enduring with us in the agony of love that waits for us to come round to his truth. Faith in this love of Jesus is what gives us the courage to go forth and love in the same way. As Paul said so succinctly, “I die daily” (I Cor. 15: 31). We have in Christ Jesus the strength to die to ourselves in love for others moment by moment, decision by decision, doing so in the sure and certain hope of resurrection to new life. John 15: 9-18

Living from Christ is the only way to live for Christ.