Searching for Christ

Searching for Christ

Matthew 2.9-11
9After they had heard the king, they[the magi] went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Everyone is searching for something this Christmas season. For some it is an endless bounty of gifts, parties, and pleasure for themselves. For most(at least in our country), however, it is about celebrating the birth of Christ, being with family and friends, and experiencing a time of joyful rest and peace. Nevertheless, everyone is searching for something on Christmas.

This searching was present even on the very dawn of Christmas itself. The magi in Saint Matthew's account of Christ's birth followed “the star they had seen in the east” until “it stopped over the place where the child[Jesus] was.” That's what it's all about, beloved—we ought to be searching for Christ this Christmas. My pastor's sermons the past few weeks have been prefixed with the title, “Follow the Star that Illuminates Our ...” Why do we follow the star? Because it will bring us to the Savior. That is who we should search for.

This Christmas, may you and your family search for Christ, and may you find Him in the fullest manner available to Man. Search for Jesus, and you will have found the true meaning of Christmas. Amen.

Merry Christmas!

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich

Jesus Means Joy

Jesus Means Joy

Luke 2.10-14

10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Joy to the world! the Lord is come

–Isaac Watts

Christmas represents a time of joy to Christians. It is the season that we celebrate not simply the birth of Christ, but the redemption that came by His birth. The Christmas stories reveal that this was a time of immense glory, thanksgiving, and joy to God. The angels brought the shepherds “good news of great joy.” This news is welcomed by “a great company of the heavenly host [appearing] with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'” Few events in history have been recorded as being so special that they erupt in an angelic host of voices praising God. Christmas time is one of them. Christmas is a time of joy for all beings, both human and angelic.

Obviously, we ought to fill our spirits with special joy around Christmas. Our lives should always be full of joy, but on Christmas we should remember a special reason for a special kind of joy—the entrance of our Savior into the world. We must resist all the pressures of complaint, gossip, holiday depression, and anger. Instead, we should be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

How is your joy this Christmas season? Are you wrapped up in all the wrappings of Christmas presents? Are you nervous and anxious and frustrated at the overwhelming schedules of all the Christmas parties to attend, gifts to buy, and stockings to hang by the chimney with care? If so, ask Jesus to fill you with a special sort of joy this season. Just as the angels proclaimed with joy the glory of Christ's coming, so should we this Christmas season. Amen.

With love in Christ,


Austin Aldrich

Why Do You Fear?

Why Do You Fear?

Luke 2.8-12

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Everyone has something they are afraid of. Robbery, murder, a terminal illness, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job. We live in a world of fear. Fear is a natural response to the sinful world in which we live. Fear is nothing new; billions of people are experiencing it every day, and have experienced since the Fall. We see an example of fear in the Christmas story. We read that “[a]n angel of the Lord appeared to [shepards living out in the fields nearby].” When “the glory of the Lord shone around them,” the shepards “were terrified.” We do not know what the angels looked like or what it was that made them so frightening to behold, but we do know the shepherds were afraid, and they were afraid for no good reason.

That is the thing about fear—it is often a useless emotional response. Many of us are afraid of things we cannot control, and which it will do us no good to fear. We cannot simply wish away our problems with fear. The Father tells us that we “did not receive a spirit that makes [us] a slave again to fear, but [we] received the Spirit of sonship [and cry] 'Abba, Father'” (Rom. 8.15). The Lord commands us away from fear because that is not the Spirit we were given as Christians. We are to look to God as our heavenly father, since we have “received the Spirit of sonship.” We cry out, “Abba, Father”--Daddy, Daddy!

When we fear, we miss out on being a part of the opportunities God has planned for His kingdom. If only the shepards hadn't been so afraid, perhaps they would have enjoyed the moment of revelation even more. Similarly, if only we would cast aside our fears, imagine the incredible things God could do. If only we had boldness in us! Imagine how God's Kingdom could work in the lives of a dying world!

What is it you are holding onto today? What are you afraid of? Whatever it is, take it to the Lord. Say, “Lord, I don't want this fear anymore; take it away in the name of Jesus.” Allow the foundation of the Lord to be your rock and shelter—your mighty fortress, safe and secure. After all, “[i]f God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8.28). Amen.



With love in Christ,




Austin Aldrich

A Message of Hope

A Message of Hope

Luke 2.8-12

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The message of Christmas has always been a message of hope. It is a time when we recall how the world received a Savior come to ransom us from sin. The story here in Luke 2 of the shepherds receiving the news of Christ's entry from an angel reminds us of that hope.

You see, like the shepherds, the message of Christmas often comes to a surprise to us. We are met by God's presence through “the glory of the Lord [shining] around [us].” “Good news of great joy” fills us when we consider the story of Christmas. Why are we filled? It is because “in the town of David a Savior has been born to [us]” who is “Christ the Lord.” A Savior! The Savior! By Him men are ransomed from sin. It is not merely the fact that God came to earth, but that God ransomed us through His coming. Such an event demands celebration. That is why we celebrate Christmas—it is a message of hope!

How can we spread that hope to others? The most obvious way is sharing the good news of the gospel. People all around the world are suffering, longing for a Savior just as the shepherds and those living in Christ's day were. Nothing has changed, other than the fact that the redemption has occurred. Jesus has come down and paid for our sins. When others learn of this, they too can experience a message of hope.

We can also spread the message of hope in our giving. We always say “Christmas is about giving.” That is certainly a major aspect of Christmas. There are billions of needy people in this world: people without food, clothing, shelter, love, or,most importantly, a Savior. We need to donate whatever God calls us to donate to help them. Whether that is money, time, gifts, or prayer, we need to help bring the message of hope to the hopeless. To the sick and needy. To the poor and homeless. To the brokenhearted and alone. To those void of the Gospel. May we bring hope to a world devoid of hope.

I pray, beloved, that you will experience the message of hope this Christmas season. I pray that we can all do something to further this message. Let's help make a Christmas the world will see and take note, so that they may receive Christ. Amen.

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich

God of Action

God of Action
Psalm 118.21-25

21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.

What sort of God do we serve? The Scripture teaches us we serve a God of action. All throughout history God has been intervening in the affairs of humanity to accomplish His divine and perfect purposes. Countless men and women of old have proclaimed the works of the Lord—works too vast to be counted. The Psalms are full of songs of praises for God's accomplishments. We do well to study all that the Lord has done and is doing throughout history, both in the lives of individuals and the overall destiny of mankind as a collective.

The Psalmist proclaims thanksgiving to the Lord because “[He] answered [him].” The Lord's actions made Him “[his] salvation.” From this verse we acknowledge that the Lord is a God who acts. He saves His children in the midst of all their troubles. The Psalmist explains that everyday is a “day the LORD has made.” This means that every day is a creation of God—this is His day. Because of this, we know God's plans are already planned out. Today's events are not unknown to our God, and He has already acted to ensure the redemption of His children.

As children of God, beloved, we must realize each day that our God is acting in our world today. In the midst of the seemingly godless, chaotic world we live, there is a God who is orchestrating order out of chaos. The choruses are shaky, the verses out of tune, but the hidden notes of destiny are being played perfectly to reveal a heavenly song that shall be glorious on the final day.

I hope you realize God is acting in your life, beloved. God loves you so much, and He is acting on your behalf. You must simply trust Him and obey Him. Whatever your struggles are today, proclaim the goodness and confidence of Christ Jesus. Remember that He is in control—He is acting to accomplish His perfect, holy will. If you are not a part of that will, come to Him today. Say, “Lord, I want to be a part of Your will. Mould me and make me into Your perfect image.” Amen.

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich

Redeeming Love

Redeeming Love
Psalm 116.1-9
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!" 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

How great is God's redeeming love! As Christ's followers, we have been redeemed by Jesus from sin and will now inherit eternal life. But this is something we do not often enough stop and consider. God has redeemed us, beloved, from sin and from our struggles each day. The Psalmist so well emphasizes the redemption of the Lord in Psalm 116. I encourage you to read the entire chapter to see a wonderful testament to the Lord's redeeming love.

What does redeeming love look like? The Psalmist says that the Lord "heard [his] voice" and his "cry for mercy." The Lord "turned his ear to [him]." The first thing we notice about redeeming love is that involves a person in desperate need for deliverance. The Psalmist was certainly in need, for "the cords of death entangled [him], the anguish of the grave came upon [him]" and he "was overcome by trouble and sorrow." I'm sure we've all experienced trouble and sorrow. We have all been so disheartened and so depressed that we felt as if our world were collapsing on us.

What are we to do in such situations? We do as the Psalmist does: we "[call] on the name of the LORD." When we are in trouble, beloved, we are to call on Jesus' name. Whether that be spiritual temptation, the trials of life, or physical or emotional ailments, we know that we can call upon the Lord for His redeeming love. We should shout "O LORD, save me!"

And what is the response? It is the response of a wonderful God--redemption. The Lord "[hears] our voice" and our "cry for mercy." He "[turns] his ear to [us]." Stop and consider this, beloved. The God of the universe--the powerful Creator of the universe and the stars and the molecules and the intricate structures that make up your body--is listening to YOU! And He is holding out His hand, waiting to redeem you from whatever it is in your life that needs redeeming. It is salvation for the sinner, hope for the hopeless, love for the loveless, and stability for the broken. By Him we can "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." By Him we have hope and redemption!

I pray that you will find redemption today. Turn to the Lord, beloved, and allow Him to fill your life with joy and purpose. Don't make yourself miserable by attempting to solve problems on your own--turn to the Lord for His mighty, redeeming hand and his mighty, redeeming love! Amen!

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich

“Watch Your Words”

“Watch Your Words”

James 3.3-12

3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

The Bible has a great deal to say about guarding our words. Watching what we say is one of the most difficult and yet crucial aspects of our walk with Christ. This is something the Church does not teach enough, and it is blatantly obvious. This is harsh, I realize, but necessary. Every day I encounter dozens of Christians who do not keep a tight reign on their tongue. Curse words, gossip, hurtful words against a brother, complaining, bitterness, and all sorts of evil spew out of the mouths of God's children. It is completely unacceptable and in violation of the sort of gentleness and love to which Christ has called us. It is a subject we must address seriously and directly.

This is not a new phenomena. James addresses it in James 3, and this was over 2000 years ago. He begins by stating that there are all sorts of thing man has learned to tame—various animals and ships. They are all controlled by a “very small rudder[s]” or “bits.” The tongue, also, is small just like these things, and it controls the entire body. Unfortunately, the tongue “is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” This means that one wrong move with the tongue can set to fire an entire forest--“consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”

We all have seen what devastation has been caused by our careless words, and yet we continue to engage in carelessness. Why? The reason is that we do not obey the old adage: “think before you speak.” I have been guilty plenty of times of saying something I knew would get me into trouble because I did not allow the Holy Spirit to test my words. Speaking without thinking is like drinking muddy water without a filter—our words will come out raw, unsanitary, and bitter.

The solution, then, is to get the correct filter. The most obvious filter is the Holy Spirit. Every time we must comment on something, we need to say it first in our heads. Would Christ Himself say it? Is it going to build others up or tear others down? God's word is very clear that we must “not let any unwholesome talk come out of [our] mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4.29). Will our words instruct, create, improve, and most importantly glorify God? Or are they designed to merely demonstrate to others the pain or rage we are experiencing internally? Think about it.

I do not know where your tongue stands today. If you have no issue with this, then pray that the Lord will help you to continue speaking wholesome and truthful words. For most of us, though, we need to work on keeping our tongues pure. We need to use the filter of the Holy Spirit. If you need that filter, come and ask God, who, as James says, “gives to all liberally and without reproach” (James 1.5b). Control your tongue so that it may only speak words that bring glory to God! Let us “[b]e very careful, then, how [we] live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5.15-16). Amen.

With love in Christ,


Austin Aldrich