mySundaySermons

2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Imagine gathering your water from a well, in the middle of town, carrying your water home and making enough trips, waiting in line for others, until you had the water for the day.

Imagine gathering water from a well for a family you served, from a well in the middle of town, carrying the water that others would drink, making enough trips, waiting in live for others, until you had their water for the day.

Imagine gather water from a well for a family you served 800 miles from a home your parents were taken away from, gathering water for the children of the parents who took your parents from their home.

Imagine the day, you found joy in gathering water that God provides, when you are back home.

Imagine the day, that you would go to God for living Water, and find more than drink, you would find – salvation, wholeness, joy and rest together..

— or

Imagine the night you stayed up all night watching your investment of sheep rest, worried that wild animals or thieves might take them if you slept.

Imagine that night you stayed up all night watching someone else’s investment of sheep rest, worried that you would have nothing if you lost this job and you worried about the wild animals and thieves might take the sheep or hurt you or both.

Imagine that night you had all the sheep calmed down and all were rested and the sky filled with light and hills rumbled with the voice and trumpets of God’s angels, and God’s messengers spoke directly to you, telling you that God’s messiah and SAVIOR was born for the you and the whole world, in the little city of Bethlehem.

–or

Imagine the day you came to church and hear some Bible story about some people long ago, but you only heard the words as your mind wondered about your worries, responsibilities, or curiosity about someone seated near you.

Imagine the day you came to worship and you listen to words from the Bible and you heard the story and reflected upon its meaning and you tucked it away for future references as one of interest at some future time.

Imaging the day you come to worship and you hear the voice of God speaking to your heart through the words that were first spoken so long ago, but they bring hope and assurance that God is with you, and will be with you through it all, right through the end… and will be on the other side when we get there too. BUT today, the words bring joy and life to your own heart.

Isaiah, the prophet: calls the people to have faith, and know comforts…

God has not forgotten us. God has not left us.

Even in times of crisis or exile,

Even now.

n Hear is the Good News:

Is your spirit thirsty for more? Draw out some living water.

Is your life filled with fear, failure, fatigue or faithlessness. Go to God’s well.

Do you know someone whose heart/mind are weary, flooded, or drowning?

Jump into the well of Salvation. God will meet you there.

.. As Christmas draws near: We have a well of Hope and Joy to share:

The angels appeared to shepherds, first: Isaiah speaks2 outcast, faithless, weary..

Have Joy: Find what you don’t already have/know – in God’s saving grace:

By reaching out to someone: you are bringing them to the well of salvation:

HOPE, JOY, TRUST, WHOLENESS, RELATIONSHIP, and Grace