PONDER: JESUS is the Light of the World The people who are now living in darkness have seen a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light has shined on them. Matthew 4:16 (quoting Isaiah 9:1, 2) This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates
welcome Welcome to a brand new year. 365 possibilities to walk in the Jesus way. God calls us into his presence calls us to be together calls to wait with and for him calls us to serve & bless others – those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who have not yet responded to God’s grace OCC is meeting on-line – that’s right here; we are also meeting
The Christ Candle We give thanks for the light of hope—unrelenting and inexplicable. Our hope in Christ shines on. We give thanks for the light of peace—strong and unafraid. The peace of Christ lights our way. We give thanks for the light of joy—persistent and unpredictable. The joy of Christ strengthens our lives. We give thanks for the light of love—burning bright and holy. The love of Christ comforts and
Spiritual Growth happens because of the work of the Spirit and our entering into spiritual practices. The following reading plan will take you through the New Testament by early May. This plan does not have readings scheduled for Saturday & Sunday – this gives you an opportunity to catch up if you missed a day or 2. I find it works best having a specific time each day to read.
PONDER: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD From the Beginning to the End, the Triune One brings, bears and embodies Light: When God made the world, He said “Let there be light!” Genesis 1:3, 14-17; Psalm 136:7 God, you shine like a very bright light. You are more majestic than mountains full of wild animals. Psalm 76:4 Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from
PONDER: GLORY! And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. ~John 1:14 The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. ~John 1:14 MSG
PONDER: GRACE AND TRUTH And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace
PONDER: REDEMPTION And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was
PONDER: TEMPLE PEOPLE After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn
PONDER: THE LIFE-LIGHT The people walking in darkness have seen a great light: On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. ~Isaiah. 9:2 The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they
