Worship The Lord This Morning

We have quite a bit of snow on the ground at our home this morning, many of the roads are covered with a thin sheet of ice, the temperatures are in the low 20's this morning, and many folks are asking whether we will still meet for worship today.

The answer is yes. Yes, we will still meet at the church for worship. Yes, although there is snow and ice on the ground, we will still worship The God that created the snow and the ice. Yes, we will still worship, because God is still worthy to be worshiped. I understand the families and individuals that are unable to - or fearful to - get out in the cold weather. I sympathize with the elderly who risk a fall or an accident on the slick surface. And I sympathize with the individuals who risk getting ill in the frigid temperatures. Yet God still deserves and still desires our worship.

So - wherever you are and whatever your situation - worship The Lord this morning. Worship Him through your prayer - words spoken to Him this morning. Worship Him through your song - played, sung, spoken, or otherwise. Worship Him through your reading - open His Word for your life today. Worship Him through your commitment - stating your promise to serve Him. Worship Him through your life - loving Him by serving others in His name.

This morning, as we gather at our church we will open to Isaiah 61 to discuss the joy of Christmas.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

Jesus came down from Heavenly Glory to be born in a manger. Jesus lived a life of poverty to serve the weak and the weary. Jesus died a death of cruelty to save us from the curse of sin. Jesus' life on earth brings us joy, peace, love, salvation, and hope.

This morning, whether you gather at your home church or gather in your own home, worship the Lord and focus on what He came to bring to you. Luke 2 gives us the message of the great joy that Jesus brought to earth the night that He was born. Notice that this was a message of GREAT JOY that was for ALL PEOPLE, but don't miss that this GREAT JOY has come TO YOU.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."