Burning but not burning out: There's a fine line between the two, isn't there? You pour yourself into your job, sport, or some hobby so fully because it fills you. You get energy from it. But if you're not filled, the time comes when you burn out. In Acts 2, Jesus keeps a promise to fill his church with energy, the Spirit. He's still doing that for you. The Spirit's work of filling you with purpose, grace, and gifts is the difference between burning out and burning for a lifetime. We’re glad you’re here because the Spirit promises to do that work through the Good News of Jesus. Let him light you up and keep you burning.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 2:1-13 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
What do you do while you're waiting? Delete old messages? YouTube? Tap your fingers? Nobody likes waiting, but we all do it. And some do it better than others. (Did you really honk the horn while waiting in the car . . . in the garage? Really?) Last week we began our worship series on the Book of Acts. Jesus inspires us with his commission to go and be his witnesses. But then he says, “Wait.” Today, learn what earlier followers of Jesus did when they waited. We’re all waiting for something. What separates us is what we do while we’re waiting.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 1:12-26 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
Every book of the Bible is about Jesus. Although some Bibles title the fifth book of the New Testament "The Acts of the Apostles," it's still about Jesus. Today we begin our study of that book, Acts. We're not going to study it as just scholars, but we're going to study it also as soldiers. Scholars and soldiers tend to be the ones who study history the most. Scholars tend to look at what people used to do; soldiers tend to look for what remains to be done. One is for information, the other is for mission. We will study the Book of Acts for both. Pick up your copy of the Acts Study Booklet before worship today. It's a way for us to consider a recent translation, the English Heritage Version, and a place for us to write notes, questions, prayers, etc. Like the grace of God, it's yours to keep. Also like the grace of God, it's free because someone else paid for it. If you’re a guest, this booklet is our gift to you, too.
We've rounded the corner on the shortest day of the year. Our days are finally getting longer; we have a bit more light each and every day. Jesus' arrival announced the good news of God's grace wasn't just for those of Jewish descent, but for all people. Today we learn from the Magi of what it is to stand in awe of Christ, the Light to the gentiles.
To receive 250-word devotions on Matthew 2 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
On the last day of the year, countless memories flood our minds—some we treasure and some we repress; some memories we’re glad to hold on to and others we’re glad to get rid of. Through all, we remember and hold to Christ. His unchanging grace and presence has sustained us in the past and will define our future. He is the Lord of history and he is the Lord of our future. He is the One we worship tonight.