Say So

 

October 10, 2025

Psalm 107:1-9

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

Some years ago, I bought a worship recording titled Give Thanks. In the middle of one medley came a simple song that stayed with me:

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
I’m redeemed, I’m redeemed, praise the Lord.”

Those words come straight from Psalm 107, a psalm that tells the story of God’s people — how He rescues, restores, and invites them to give thanks. It’s a song of God’s faithfulness and of the people's gratitude in response.

Psalm 107 begins:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so—
those He redeemed from trouble.”

Throughout the psalm, a pattern repeats: “They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.” Over and over, God’s people find themselves lost, afraid, or burdened — and every time, God moves toward them in mercy.

That’s who God is. God’s nature is goodness itself. He hears our cries, steps toward us with compassion, and delivers us with steadfast love.

Psalm 107 also teaches us something about gratitude. True thanksgiving isn’t rooted in our circumstances, but in the unchanging character of God. When life is uncertain, we can still say, “Lord, You have been good before; You are good now.”

Even when we fail, He remains faithful. Scripture reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) He does not abandon His promises or His people.

And ultimately, Psalm 107 shows us that God is our Redeemer. He breaks chains, calms storms, forgives sins, and restores hope.

So, let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Tell their story. Give thanks to the God whose love endures forever.

So today's Psalm says, If God has made a way — say so. If God has opened doors — say so. If He’s been a friend when you were lonely — say so. If He’s held your family together, provided for you, or given you peace — say so. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.

So let us thank the Lord for His steadfast love 

and for His wonderful works among humankind.

Let us praise Him in the congregation of His people.
And let us — the redeemed of the Lord — say so.

Some good thoughts for us as we begin the Thanksgiving Weekend don't you think? Let’s tell our stories, give thanks for His faithfulness, and celebrate the God who redeems, restores, and remains with us always.
Amen.

The Life Everlasting

 The Life Everlasting

October 9, 2025

John 14:1–3

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Revelation 21:1–5

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

1 John 5:11–13 

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.



Today, as we conclude our reflections on the Apostles' Creed with the words, “I believe in the life everlasting,” we’re not just wishing for a happy ending. We’re affirming our trust in God’s unwavering promise: that death doesn’t have the final word, love has prevailed, and our future is safe in His presence.

Every heart longs for a place of belonging, where love is constant, peace is unbroken, and joy never ends. Jesus understood that longing when He spoke to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. Their world was about to fall apart, yet He said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me… I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1–3)

These words offer more than comfort; they convey a promise. Jesus is not only preparing a place for us, but He is also preparing us for that place. Heaven is not an escape from life but its ultimate fulfillment, the completion of God’s redemptive plan. Through faith, He is shaping us to dwell with Him forever.

When we read John’s vision in Revelation 21 it shows us the promise fulfilled: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.” You see, the story that began in Eden, (Genesis 3) where God walked with humanity, ends, or rather begins anew, with God once again living among His people. All sorrow, death, and pain have vanished. Everything once broken is now restored. Every tear is gently wiped away by the loving hand of the One who cares for us deeply.

But how can we be sure this hope belongs to us? 1 John 5 answers: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” Eternal life isn’t something we earn or wait to qualify for; it’s a present reality for everyone who places their trust in Jesus. Having the Son means having life, both now and for eternity. It’s the confidence that our future home is secure because our lives are firmly rooted in Him.

So when your heart feels restless, when the world feels uncertain or painful, remember this: Jesus has gone ahead of us. He is preparing a place where all that is good and holy will last forever, a home with God, where every longing will finally be met. And even now, as we walk by faith, His Spirit whispers the same promise: You already belong. Our hope is not in our performance but in His promise.

From beginning to end, the Apostles’ Creed tells the story of salvation, of a God who creates, redeems, sustains, and restores.
To say “I believe” is not simply to recite doctrine; it is to step into this living story, to trust the Father who made us, the Son who saves us, and the Spirit who empowers us.

And it ends, this Creed does, not with finality, but with promise: “I believe in the life everlasting. Amen.” (Just a little reminder that word "Amen" does not mean "the End", no it means, "this is sure to be!" So go back and read the Creed and when you get to that last word say out loud "this is sure to be!" 

Let's Pray

God, we give thanks for the gift of everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Fill us with hope that transcends this life, joy that no circumstance can diminish, and faith that perseveres to the end. Guide us to live as people of eternity, anchored in Your love today and yearning for the day we will see You face to face. Amen.

The Resurrection of the Body

 

October 8, 2025

1 Corinthians 15:20–23

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

1 Corinthians 15:42–44

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;
43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:51–57

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20–21

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Death does not have the last word! That is what we say with the confession “I believe in the resurrection of the body.”  We affirm something breathtaking:  Christianity does not teach escape from the body but redemption of the body. God’s plan for salvation is not just about souls floating in heaven; it’s about the renewal of all creation and the raising of our very selves, body and soul, into eternal life.

Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15 resonate with unwavering confidence: 

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Those two words — “firstfruits” and “indeed”, anchor our hope. The resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a beautiful story or a comforting symbol. It’s the beginning of a new reality. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead has already begun its work in us. His resurrection is not only proof that death doesn’t win; it’s also the preview of what’s to come for all who belong to Him.

Notice Paul contrasts the weakness of our current bodies with the glory of our resurrection bodies:

“It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.”

What is Paul suggesting? I believe he is declaring that every ache, limitation, and loss we face in this life reminds us that we are still waiting for full redemption. Our earthly bodies are like seeds, fragile and ordinary, but when Christ returns, they will burst forth into something imperishable, glorious, and Spirit-filled. As some have put it, "what is planted in the soil of mortality will bloom into eternal life."

That’s why Paul can mock death:

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

You see, the Gospel tells us that the cross has removed the sting of sin, and the resurrection has stripped death of its power. Christ’s victory isn’t merely something we observe from a distance; it’s something we actively participate in. As Paul reminds the Philippians,

“Our citizenship is in heaven… [and Christ] will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Christian hope isn’t about escaping this world, it’s about transformation. It focuses on the renewal of everything, including ourselves. One day, the same Jesus who rose in power will make us completely alive, whole, and shining with His glory. That is the New Testament promise. 

If you have stood at a graveside, you will have witnessed this truth come alive. Perhaps you have seen a Pastor, or even family members of a deceased loved one, allow a handful of soil to slip through their fingers, making a cross on the exposed casket, and it is then that Paul’s gardening metaphor feels literal. 

A seed goes into the ground, and we wait. It looks like the end, but it’s not. Every Christian funeral is, in a sense, a sowing. As Paul says, “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.” (1 Corinthians 15:36). In Christ, every grave becomes a garden! Resurrection follows death for those in Christ.

Pastor and writer Tim Keller, shortly before his own passing, said,

“If Jesus Christ was actually raised from the dead, if He really got up, walked out, was seen by hundreds of people, then you know what? Everything is going to be all right.”

That’s resurrection faith — quiet, confident, unshakable.

Lets Pray

Risen Lord, we give thanks that death has been conquered and that through Your life, we too shall live. We are grateful for the promise of resurrection—that our frail and mortal bodies will one day be raised in glory and power. Grant us hope in times of grief, strength in moments of weakness, and purpose in our daily endeavors. Guide us to live as resurrection people, embodying Your life, love, and victory until the day You restore all things. Amen.

The Forgiveness of Sins

October 7, 2025

Psalm 103:8–12 

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Luke 7:36–50

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.
38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

 

1 John 1:8–9


8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

When we say, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins,” we are declaring something deeply personal and profoundly hopeful. This is not just an idea, it is the heart of the gospel. Which is the story of God’s forgiving love and grace. 

Few things reveal God’s heart more clearly than His willingness to forgive. The Psalmist proclaims, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love… as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:8, 12). Those words are not abstract poetry, they are a lived reality for anyone who comes to God with a repentant heart.

We see that reality embodied in Luke 7, where a woman with a broken past enters the home of a respected Pharisee. She carries with her a costly jar of perfume, but more importantly, a heart full of tears. While others judge her, Jesus receives her. Her tears of repentance become an act of worship. Jesus’ words to her—“Your sins are forgiven… your faith has saved you; go in peace”—reveal the depth of God’s mercy.

Forgiveness and love are inseparable. When we truly understand what God has done for us, we cannot help but respond with gratitude, humility, and compassion toward others.

The apostle John echoes this truth: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves… but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” (1 John 1:8–9). Confession isn’t about wallowing in guilt, beating ourselves up, it’s about stepping into freedom. God’s forgiveness doesn’t just cancel our debt; it restores our relationship with Him.

In a world quick to label and slow to forgive, the story of Jesus and the woman reminds us that grace is not earned—it’s received. We are invited to lay down our shame at His feet and to rise in peace, just as she did.

To believe in the forgiveness of sins is to live daily in that grace, to stop carrying what God has already taken away. 

 
Let's Pray

Gracious God, thank You for the incredible gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Your grace is greater than our sin, and in Christ, we find true freedom. Help us to live as people who are genuinely free, free from shame, fear, and resentment, and free to extend forgiveness to others just as You have forgiven us. Let our lives shine with the joy of redemption, spreading the message of Your mercy to a broken world. Amen.

God’s Beautiful Family

 

October 6, 2025

Ephesians 2:19–22


19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

 
1 Corinthians 12:12–14

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

 
Hebrews 10:23–25 

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

When we confess, “I believe in the holy catholic Church,” we are talking about the universal body of Christ, the community of all believers everywhere, all traditions and denominations, in every generation. The word “catholic” here means “universal.” It reminds us that God’s Church is far bigger than any one congregation, language, or culture. Across continents and centuries, we are one people, bound together by one Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Ephesians 4:5).

The Church is considered holy because it belongs to a holy God. It’s not holy because its members are flawless, I believe we all know the Church has its imperfections, but because God has set it apart for His purposes. The Church serves as the vessel through which the gospel is lived out, shared, and represented in the world.

The phrase “the communion of saints” beautifully describes the fellowship among believers. The term “communion” originates from the Greek word "koinonia", signifying deep, shared participation. It represents the life believers share in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Being part of the communion of saints means never being alone, as we support one another, pray for each other, and collectively reflect God’s love to the world.

In a society of isolation and division, this confession is truly countercultural. To believe in the communion of saints is to say, “I can’t follow Jesus by myself.” The Spirit unites us not just to Christ, but to one another. The Church is a living temple built together by God Himself (Ephesians 2:21–22).

The Bible tells us that each of us is a stone in God’s living temple (1 Peter 2:5). Alone, we may feel small and unremarkable, but together, God is building something magnificent.

Let's Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the head of the Church, and by Your Spirit You have joined us into one body. Thank You for the gift of belonging, to You and to Your people around the world. Help us to live out the communion of saints with love, humility, and faithfulness. Use Your Church as a light in the world, and make us one, even as You and the Father are one. Amen.

I Believe in the Holy Spirit

October 3, 2025

John 14:16–17, 26


16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Acts 1:8 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.



Romans 8:9–11

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.


When we say, “I believe in the Holy Spirit,” we are not simply reciting a phrase about an undefined force or spiritual energy. The Holy Spirit is not an “it," the Holy Spirit is fully God and everlasting with the Father and the Son. The Spirit is the very presence of God, dwelling both with us and within us.

Jesus called the Spirit in John 14:16, "paraclete" which means Comforter, Counselor, Advocate. You see, the Spirit makes Jesus real to us, taking the truths of Christ’s life, death, resurrection and ascension, and applying them to our hearts. Through the Spirit's activity we are made aware of sin, brought to faith, and assured of our adoption as God’s children (Romans 8:15–16).

The Spirit is God’s empowering presence. In Acts 1:8 Jesus promised, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” The Spirit fills ordinary believers with extraordinary boldness. The Holy Spirit enables us to love when it’s costly, forgive when it feels impossible, and serve when it’s inconvenient.

The Spirit is our Guide. The Spirit sheds revelation light on Scripture, directs our paths, and transforms us into the image of Christ. To “believe in the Holy Spirit” is to trust that we are never abandoned, never powerless, never without direction, for the Spirit of God lives in us.


Think of electricity running through a house. Without it, everything stays dark and lifeless, lamps don’t shine, appliances don’t work, and nothing moves. But when the power flows, everything comes to life with purpose. The Holy Spirit is like that power, not mechanical or impersonal, but the living energy of God, bringing light, strength, and guidance to our lives.

A simple prayer like “Holy Spirit, fill me today. Guide my steps, strengthen my heart, and use me to reflect Christ," might be a good opening practice each day.


Let's Pray

Come, Holy Spirit. Fill us  with Your power. Comfort us in our weakness, guide us in truth, and propel us into Your mission. Make us people of love, courage, and faith, for the glory of Christ. Amen.

 

Comfort in JUDGEMENT

October 2, 2025

Matthew 25:31–32, 34, 41 

 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him… Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’ … Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”

2 Timothy 4:1

 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge…”

_________________

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

the Maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

                                                      He descended to the dead.

( or into hell.)

On the third day He rose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God the Father;

from which he will come to judge the living and the dead.

_________________

The Creed reminds us of the Bible's teaching that history is not an endless cycle, nor is life random. It is moving toward a goal: the return of Jesus Christ. He who ascended to heaven will come again.

Judgement! What do think of when you hear that word? Let's face it for many, the idea of judgment can be frightening and intimidating.  However, for Christians, it serves as both a caution and a comfort. This is because the Judge is Jesus, the same Jesus who sacrificed Himself for us, rose from the dead for us, and a we have noted this week, this Jesus continually intercedes to the Father on our behalf. Jesus judgment is is holy, just, and deeply grounded in His love.

Judgment understood this way, signifies that evil will not prevail in the end. In a world marked by violence, injustice, and oppression, there is a deep yearning for a Judge who will restore order and righteousness. The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns, He will deliver ultimate justice, expose every wrong, bring hidden deeds to light, and wipe away every tear.

At the same time, this judgment is personal. The Creed’s phrase “the living and the dead” reminds us that no one is outside His scope. However, please hear this, the truth revealed here, is not meant to drive us into despair, but to call us to readiness. 

Remember, the Judge is also our Advocate (1 John 2:1). On that day, our hope is not in our own record but in Christ’s righteousness. The verdict or ruling for those in Jesus is already secure, as Romans 8:1 tells us there is “No condemnation” for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

What confidence this is for believers. We do not dread the day of judgment, because the Judge is our Savior. In Him, we can face that day with joy.

Let's Pray

Jesus our Merciful Savior,

Teach us to live ready, with holy lives and hopeful hearts. Strengthen the weary with the promise of Your justice, and comfort the fearful with the assurance of Your grace. May we long for the day when You will come to make all things new. In Your name we pray, Amen