Can We Do It? "To live above with those we love, oh, how that will be glory. To live below with those we know, now that's another story.” Think about all those relationships you have, not just your “valentine”, but your family, all of your family, your neighbor (both literally and the way Jesus wants us to think), even those you have trouble with. How Can we live up to God’s standard for how we relate to all of those people? Do we even know what God’s standard is?

We can never finish the things we never start. Sometimes, we spend so much time thinking about how to start something that we never actually start it. In this message we look at how Moses had a few excuses when God told him to go back to Egypt and free the Israelites. But for every excuse, God will always be with us and equip us when we step out in faith. Questions: - What do you want the end of your life to look like? - How will you do what you can to get started this week? - What’s something mundane in your everyday life—like Moses’ staff—that you’ll allow God to use mightily this year? - How will you experience Jesus’ presence “with you” this week? Action: - Decide today to “know who you’re with.” Invite the Holy Spirit to embolden you with His presence daily. - Stop worrying about “mile marker 20” - just start with step one and trust God with the journey. Visit RedeemerbytheSea.org/Online-Worship for more information!

"Life After Christmas." Luke 2:22-40 - Jesus Presented in the Temple Simeon's Song: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” - Luke 22:29-32

Jesus promised to give the Holy Spirit to His disciples after He returned to His Father.  That promise is fulfilled at Pentecost.  Acts Chapter 2 records this amazing one-time experience that took place in Jerusalem 50 days after Jesus celebrated the Passover with His Disciples. And yet, each of the members of Christ’s Body, the Church, receives the Holy Spirit even today through faith and baptism.  What does it mean to be “Spirit-filled” and how does the indwelling of the Holy Spirit affect us as individuals, and as a church? My Next Step(s): - I will not resist the Holy Spirit in my life, but rather seek to hear His voice and follow His leading. - I will witness boldly about what Christ has done for me. - I will discover my Spiritual Gift(s) and use it/them for the common good. - I will live a Spirit-filled, holy life, set apart and dedicated to God’s glory.

The prophet Habakkuk protests God's seeming inaction in the face of injustice and violence: the wicked thrive at the expense of the righteous. Habakkuk listens and God responds: "The righteous shall live by faith."  The gift of faith by which we receive through God's Word and the Holy Spirit is to be lived one day at a time and is something to be practiced, not taken for granted. We are each a mysterious combination of our families, teachers, friends, and experiences. Paul invites us to fan into flame the gifts of God we receive through the people in our lives. Not all gifts feel like blessings. Some are the traumas and losses we inevitably undergo. Even so, we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control. Jesus invites us to let forgiveness, faith, and service become our daily habit. By following in Jesus’ way, we are empowered to freely share that love with every person we meet.  

Dealing with family members during the holidays can be stressful! Joseph was very stressed as he tried to figure out what to do with his fiancée who just informed him that she was expecting a child … not his. Rather than immediately responding to Mary in anger, he carefully considered what to do. When family members frustrate you, do you carefully consider your response?