Resurrection UMC Hastings

Mistakes happen. But ever feel like every day seems like a clone of the one before, where you are doomed to repeat the same old mistakes? Here’s some good news: The past doesn’t define us in God’s eyes.

We often view prayer as an impersonal, cosmic Amazon order –“Give us what we want, when we want it, with free shipping.” But the Lord’s prayer is quite the opposite. It’s a relationship-based talk with God. Big difference.

Our view of what’s fair is often a strict “tit for tat”…an “eye for an eye” kind of justice, usually colored with a lot of self-interest. God looks at fairness through the lenses of mercy, a much healthier perspective. See why.

We often make choices based on outward appearances and superficial characteristics. God looks at the inside – at the heart –and judges by those things that really matter.

After visiting the baby Jesus, the wise men were warned to go home by another way…a new road trip. Now that we’ve taken the journey to Christmas, do we follow our same old pathways or listen to God for some new routes?

God works for good in all things, but that doesn’t mean everything is good. For example, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, i.e. good news for mankind. But also bad news since King Herod wants him dead, no matter what the cost.

It was baby-birthing time as Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. No cushy room was to be had, though; instead, a lowly manger. And the Savior of the world was born. When there is no room, God finds a way.

The plain, ordinary town of Nazareth. We trek here and take note of the surprising places and people God uses to bring about the miracle of Christmas.

God is on the move as joy breaks in at a place not mentioned in the Bible to accompany our long, wayward journey to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.

Part of living is to trust that God is at work, even in the waiting, and that, when we might least expect it, God shows up in our lives.

Our Advent message series covers the strange journey to Bethlehem via an unexpected route. In the end, it all worked out, because it’s where Christmas began. But it started in Rome. Find out why God chose places we’d never dream of to bring about the miracle of Jesus.

We wrap up our “Predicting A Winner” message series with the final key for living a victorious life: Creating “practices” of goodness. Make hospitality (and the other keys from this series) your default setting.

There are two keys to living a victorious life that don’t need any lengthy theological interpretation. They just need to be put into practice.

What’s the encouraging word for the believer who feels despair? We’re not talking about election results here. No  just day-to-day living. (Guest speaker, Bill Robertson.)

Want to get even with someone who’s wronged you? It’s easy: Forgive them and let God merit out justice. Yeah, so “easy”…

We all have some gifts from Christ to be used for the common good. So use what you got in order to experience a winning life in Christ.

Think there’s a typo in the title? Nope. But it’s got you wondering. This message is about dealing with life’s realities and possibilities, seeking truth, taking Godly action, and trusting the Lord with the outcomes. Guest speaker: Duane Sarazin

Ever try to make someone love you or make someone kind and considerate who isn’t? Doesn’t happen, because on our own we can’t actually make peace happen. But, you can be a peacemaker.

The fourth key to a victorious life is to really love others and not fake it—where you don’t have to hide your true self because you truly do love others, showing devotion and honor. It’s a life free of hypocrisy.

The third key to a victorious life is to maintain your enthusiasm, energy, and passion for Christ. It’s a combination of hope, patience, and faith that are all needed in the quest to emerge as a winner.

The second key to a victorious life in Christ is to take a clear, honest look at ourselves. Reality check: The world doesn’t revolve around us and we are not nearly as important as we may/usually think we are.

We’re not here to predict the outcome of the U.S. presidential race. But we are here to win the race of life. There are 10 keys that not only predict the likelihood of having a victorious life, they practically guarantee it. Here's the first key to winning the race.

What better way to wrap up a message series than with an all-time favorite dessert, apple pie. But there’s more to the apple in the bible than meets the eye.

(Translation: Dandelion Leaves in Oil.) While dandelions are a tasty weed, oil is the duct tape of the bible– with a plethora of uses–including anointing with oil. Later, God uses the Holy Spirit in its place to anoint Jesus. And the rest is (our) history.

The fig tree is referred to often in the bible, usually as a sign of blessing and goodness. But fig trees that don’t produce fruit get the ax. And Jesus applies this illustration to our present lives. The good news on is it’s not over until it’s over!