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How do you define your hope? Hope, for believers, radiates from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our beacon in the darkest of times. In His sacrifice for our sins, we find the eternal promise of redemption and the unwavering assurance that light will always conquer darkness.
In the anticipation of Jesus' promised return, we navigate a delicate balance between living with the wisdom of readiness and potentially slipping into complacency. As we remain in this "stay tuned" period, the call to prepare ourselves spiritually resonates, urging us to stay vigilant and steadfast in our faith.
Our journey as Christians through the ups and downs of life can be as grueling as hiking a tall mountain. But when we rely on the help and support of Jesus, we know that he will carry us through ever scenario we may encounter. Over time, we too, come to realize that God is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work wihtin us. We can persevere because of him.
Have you ever been to a retreat or a training program where they had you do the trust fall? The trust fall is where you trust that when you fall backward the people behind you will catch you. It is hard to put ourselves completely into the hands of others, no matter what the situation is or who the people are. We like to be in control. But the Christian faith is fundamentally based on our reliance on another, Jesus, for our fiuture and our entire lives and our salvation.
The word love is most associated with romantic feelings, but what has to be remembered in the season of Lent when we focus on Jesus is that we are talking about agape love— sacrificial love that gives completely for another, a love that never lets go or changes. Lent becomes a time when as we draw closer to Christ and closer to one another in a love that lasts forever.
Anytime the word Hope is mentioned in a Christian context, it must always be mentioned that we do not mean here some kind of wishful thinking or chance possibility. When we say Hope is Christian circles, we mean a sure and solid confidence and joyous reality on the horizon. There is nothing tentative about it. It is part of who we are as God’s children.
Answer this question: “On what does your heart dwell?” Is it family and friends? Career or vocation? How about home and cars? Join us this week as we dive into the profound truth that our hearts gravitate towards what we treasure most, uncovering the path to aligning our desires with what God desires. Maybe it’s time for a heart alignment.
Join us as we explore the urgency embedded in Jesus' command to make disciples and teach obedience, as this message challenges us to contemplate whether we view it as a compelling directive or merely an optional choice – prompting us to reflect on the true essence of discipleship and proactive engagement in spreading the teachings of Christ.
Sanctity of Life Sunday. It’s a day of reflection and advocacy, emphasizes the profound value of human life. As the cornerstone of this observance, the poignant words echo: "The Bible teaches us that in His eyes all innocent human life is to be protected.”
The journey to Jesus takes us through a journey to the cross. Laying down our all to pick up and be transformed into the likeness of Christ— His character, His love, His forgiveness, His joy.
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WORSHIP GATHERINGS:
Sundays at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. 835 Riverside Avenue Torrington, CT 06790 See our regathering info here PHONE (860) 482-4705 OFFICE EMAIL secretary@firstcong.com |