2020 Worship Guide

2020 Worship Guide LINCOLN DAILY NEWS December 2, 2020 Page 21 was filled with loss and wreckage. But God let them know that the story wasn’t over! “The End” was not going to appear on the screen until He had His say and accomplished His way. God was going to intervene and make things right. This was a promise. This was His Good News. This was meant to change their outlook and give them hope. And that promise is for you today, too, dear friend. Even if everything is going all wrong, God is at work for you right now to make things right. You may not see it all come together today. You may not feel wonderful tomorrow. But God is at work! Remember this season is all about God’s plan - His real plan to save you and me from pain, hopelessness, sin, and sadness. This season is about God sending His One and Only beloved Son to be born in human flesh, walk in the footsteps of your pain, suffer for your sin and win victory over death, darkness, hurt, and hopelessness. In the midst of real pain Jeremiah spoke of God’s plan hundreds of years before Jesus was even born in Bethlehem. Jeremiah says, “This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” God’s plan in Jesus Christ makes life right again. Through His love, mercy, and friendship, God gives us a gift of hope. The Apostle Paul said it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” In Jesus, God took all that was wrong and made our lives right again. This is real hope to face today, tomorrow, and forever. Jesus is telling us all, in Him, you’re going to be okay. Even as you face your biggest challenges, you’re going to be okay. God’s plan of real love, real forgiveness, and real hope can be yours today through Christ Jesus. Look to Christ this Christmas season, through all the festivities and even the sorrows, for He is your hope. And take a look around, even in your struggles, and see if there are any General Waverlys in your life. There may be people at the brink of hopelessness, but you have what they need. You have the answer to their struggles. Let the hope of Jesus Christ hold you as you face the challenges in your life and the challenging days ahead! Let the hope of Christ hold you as you make your way through the stores and the traffic and your neighborhood. And, don’t hold this hope just for yourself - share Him with those who really need it this time of year.