Rev. Richard Smith December 15, 2022 Isaiah 35 3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come…he will come to save you.’ During Advent we typically sing Come, O come, Emmanuel. Some of the words of that …
Rev. Richard Smith December 12, 2022 Isaiah 12:1-2 In that day you will say: ‘I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.’ At the heart of this Advent season and the …
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Rev. Richard Smith December 5, 2022 Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. One of the normative hymns we sing at the beginning of Advent is Charles Wesley’s hymn Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus In that wonderful …
December 1, 2022 Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. As noted on Monday, we entered the season of Advent on November 27. Among its offerings to us, Advent is a time during which we prepare ourselves …
November 28, 2022 Psalm 130:1 Ouf of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! This verse from Psalm 130 is part of one of those psalms known as lament. These Biblical writings reveal the emotional and spiritual struggle of the writer as he faces his particular crisis or great challenge. …
Rev. Richard P. Smith November 21, 2022 Psalm 100:4-5 4 Enter the Lord’s gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. The Old and New Testaments are filled with references to the spiritual virtue of gratitude, …
Rev. Richard Smith Ephesians 3:20 Words Of Paul Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us… Well, once the Apple organization works things out with the Chinese production timetable, the new iPhone 14 will be available for …
October 31 Rev. Richard P. Smith James 4:1 (The Message) Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves James says here that most personal conflicts come from …
October 27, 2022 Rev. Richard P. Smith James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless if this: t0 look after orphans and widows in their distress…. In this passage we find Jesus’ brother emphasizing the place of compassion, empathy, and kindness in our daily walk. You and I might get our …
October 24, 2022 Rev. Richard P. Smith James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James, the brother of Jesus and the author of this New Testament book, wrote that managing our “tongues” is an essential part of …