He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me

These words, penned by Charles Wesley, remind us of the glorious truth that God is at work in us to finish the work of Salvation that He began in us. What does that mean, though?

Mike Tyson once famously quipped, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
 
In our text from Sunday’s sermon, John the Baptist had been punched in the mouth, figuratively speaking. He’d been unjustly imprisoned for speaking out against the sin of Herod Antipas. While under arrest, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah.

Many people have either a legalistic or licentious relationship to God.
 
The legalist believes that he must give God a good performance to be accepted.
 
The licentious is glad that God loves to forgive, because he loves sinning.
 
The truth however is not somewhere in-between. One does not counter legalism by sprinkling in some lawlessness. Conversely, licentiousness is not remedied by a good dose of law-keeping.

Pastor Toby encourages you with the words and music of "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today"

Verse 1
Christ the Lord is risen today alleluia
Sons of men and angels say alleluia
Raise your joys and triumphs high alleluia
Sing ye heavens and earth reply alleluia

Verse 2
Lives again our glorious King alleluia
Where O death is now thy sting alleluia
Dying once He all doth save alleluia
Where thy victory O grave alleluia

Verse 3
Love's redeeming work is done alleluia
Fought the fight the battle won alleluia
Death in vain forbids Him rise alleluia
Christ hath opened paradise alleluia

Verse 4
Soar we now where Christ has led alleluia
Following our exalted Head alleluia
Made like Him like Him we rise alleluia
Ours the cross the grave the skies alleluia

Charles Wesley | Samuel Arnold
© Public Domain

Question:  What is our only hope in life and death?
Answer: That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ. [1]

Many times, I have used these words from the New City Catechism to try to calm down an ill-tempered child. Lately, however, I’ve had to remind myself of this truth. My efforts on both fronts, sadly, haven’t always been successful. Like Chris mentioned in his sermon, I have also experienced the stages of concern, sadness, and anger over the trial that has come to our collective doorstep. I’ve found myself depressed as everything that was “normal” has now been kicked out from under me. I’m sure you’ve felt the same way, to one degree or another. No matter how this trial has affected you, there’s no doubt that it has. So, what is our anchor point for weathering this storm? What or who will help us maintain our buoyancy as the waves batter our ships.

It's Friday afternoon and I'm making last-minute preparations for our worship service on Sunday. We won't see you on Sunday, which is very sad, but we hope you'll see us via Livestream.

I wanted to send you this quick note to give you some music to encourage your heart.