At Christmas, we usually focus on the story of Mary’s miraculous baby. But there is another miraculous birth story as well – that of Mary’s elderly relative Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. Pastor Ryan talks about how the two of them came together for mutual support in this tumultuous time.
It’s a crushing, despairing feeling to know we have done something to hurt another person. And so freeing to know that God forgives us. But we also really want to know that the person we hurt has forgiven us. Similarly, if someone has hurt us, they need to know our forgiveness. Giving that forgiveness is part of our honest worship of God.
“The Freedom of Forgiveness” by Pastor Ryan Emmons
We think of confession as something frightening, to be avoided if possible. But in David’s psalm 32, it’s more uncomfortable to keep our sins hidden. Confessing our sins to God brings a new and joyful relationship with Him. In fact, he recommends that “all the godly” confess their sins. And then he recommends that we do something else.
The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and it grow in us through the presence and working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. It is not a collection of fruits, but rather part of one larger fruit, like the segments of an orange rather than a bunch of grapes. Pastor Ryan gives a deep dive into these segments in this series from the winter of 2025.
“Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Argyle Road Baptist Church 