Good News
Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:17
Do you like roller coasters? I love them. I can’t get enough of them; the more hoops, twists, and turns, the better. I enjoy moving so fast that the world becomes one big blur. Bring it! I find riding roller coasters to be rather therapeutic. Riding a roller coaster is a great way to stimulate anti-stress (happy) hormones in the brain; I’m pretty sure my doctor would prescribe roller coaster rides for me as an antidepressant. Super-fast twists, turns, and loops can work wonders for a stressful life. But what about when our world feels like we’re riding a non-stop roller coaster?
The world today often feels like that and let’s face it; we want to get off this out-of-control ride as soon as possible. Not so therapeutic. We try everything under the sun to figure out how to best deal with it. We entertain ourselves with movies, television, and music. Go out to a nice dinner. Visit a friend or family. Take a hot bath. There are many ways we try to reduce the level of stress on the roller coaster ride we call America. It’s not easy with all the noise and confusion. Much like a roller coaster ride, you only hear the screams of others.
All this stress can lead to anxiety and anxiety can be overwhelming. The catch phrase, “Keep calm and carry on,” is posted everywhere, but the words seem to fizzle out as quickly as we read them. The Bible has a word for that. “Listen.”
Sometimes listening to God’s voice is hard, especially when today is crazy and tomorrow looks worse. The apostle Paul wrote, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ,” (Rom 10:17). Is your faith falling and your stress soaring? In your despair have you been turning to God or away from God? If God’s Word no longer holds your attention maybe you need something more. Maybe you need the full package that God provides right here at Immanuel. It’s here that God gives you His Word and Sacraments—His means of grace—the tangible to strengthen your faith. The prophet Jeremiah says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts” (Jer 15:16).
All Scripture (God’s Word) points to Christ. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14). Jesus, the Word made flesh, comes to your rescue. In Him, God has spoken His final Word. It’s the most justifying, hopeful, victorious, and enduring Word ever. Jesus came to carry our sins to the cross, bear our burdens on His shoulders, defeat sin and Satan, and then live to tell us about it. With a Word like this, we can say goodbye to stress. We keep calm and listen on! I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday. Come listen to more of God’s Word at our Advent Midweek Services beginning November 30th at 7pm.
In the Fellowship and Love of Christ,
Pastor Steve Deombeleg
Informer
