News
Stronger Together
Stronger Together Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your…
The Power Of Prayer
The Power Of Prayer 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him. Prayer isn’t about making selfish requests of God for our current desires; it’s about realigning our will to His. When we desire the things that God desires, we start praying…
Don’t Growl Be Grateful
Don’t Growl Be Grateful Many of us will soon be sitting around a table with our families sharing with each other what we are thankful for in our lives. For some this will be easy, but others will find this impossible because their joy tank is empty. John 16:24 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Focusing on what has gone wrong or what could go…
Your Pain Doesn’t Need To Become Your Identity
Your Pain Doesn’t Need To Become Your Identity Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. If you hold onto your pain, you will become quick-tempered, and resentment will poison your mind and you will become gifted at wounding others. Then you will be part of the madness that wounds others to survive. Wounds that are picked at never heal, but wounds that are tended to by Christ’s love become scars that remind us…
Why Church? (Series)
Why Church? (Series) Is it really that important to be a part of a local church? Can’t I just have a personal faith and that’s enough? We jokingly call these Christians, “Bedside Baptists” when I was growing up. I did my best growing up to always be sick on Sunday mornings. Sometimes my mom would buy it but usually I would end up having to with my mom and my brothers. Before I received Jesus I didn’t like going to…
Dont Settle For Isolation And Loneliness
Don’t Settle For Isolation And Loneliness 2 Timothy 4:16-18 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be…
Leverage Used At Our Expense
Leverage Used At Our Expense Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. What are the negative emotions that regularly leave you exposed to Satan’s attacks? Anxiety, fear, guilt, lust, or anger. If he can just find a foothold into your life, he will exploit it in every way possible and then heap guilt on you, so you beat yourself up. The enemy…
Are You On The Right Path?
What is it that causes you to get a little stuck in life, unable to make decisions and weighed down by stress? Indecision can cause anxiety and frustration so it’s important to have clarity of thought as we are moving forward on the right path that God has for us, but that requires that we trust Him more than we trust ourselves. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.…
Preparing To Launch (Series)
Preparing To Launch (Series) (The Upper Room Discourse) When a parent has that last week before they take their daughter or son to university, they are so full of emotion and love. They have conversations that help their teenager prepare for the challenges ahead. They also know that all their experiences together, both good and bad, have been a training ground for a successful launch. Jesus has spent the last three years with the disciples preparing them to become church…
The Wake of Anger Behind You
The Wake of Anger Behind YouLook behind you. Is there a wake of broken relationships that keeps growing? Is there anyone who has experienced your rage and is still fighting to move on? How has anger impacted your family? How has anger impacted your co-workers, and friends? Proverbs 14:29 People with understanding control their anger, but a hot temper shows great foolishness. When we lose our temper, everyone around us gets hurt. Parents might be able to make their children…
Seven Different Ways Of Worship
Seven Different Ways Of Worship Revelation 2-3 John was the only one of the disciples who was not martyred for his faith. Instead, he was exiled to the barren island of Patmos. During this time the Lord spoke to him in a vision about future prophecies and specific messages for the seven churches in Asia Minor. These churches were given serious corrections and they were also encouraged to continue growing in truth and love. All seven churches are located in…
Will We Honor God Or People?
Will We Honor God Or People?We are surrounded by people trying to appear to be something they are not. Honesty and integrity stand out because there is so much hypocrisy in our culture today. Authenticity is what God is asking of us and not just with each other but also with Him.Do we desire God’s approval more than the approval of people? Hypocrisy is an old acting term that means pretending to be what you’re not. So often we want…
Preparing For Victory
Preparing For Victory1 Peter 5:8-98 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like aroaring lion looking for someone to devour.9 Resist him, standing firm inthe faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout theworld is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.The best way to be successful in not giving into temptation is preparingbeforehand for victory. If you’re struggling with alcohol, ministering topeople in a bar is not you’re calling. If gossip is an…
Spiritual Warfare: Love Is A Battlefield
A spiritual battle is taking place all around us. This battle is unlike any other.There are no tanks or battleships, guns or spears to be seen, but it hasclaimed more victims than all other battlefields before. In this series we willbe looking at the weapons of our spiritual warfare, pulling down thestrongholds of our enemy, and experiencing freedom by bringing ourthoughts are under the protection and direction of Christ our Lord. Join us as we dive into 2 Corinthians 10…
When We Feel Overwhelmed At Work
When We Feel Overwhelmed At WorkWhat do you do when problems at work seem overwhelming? Sometimes the stress of work can cause us to feel like the walls are closing in on us. Are we doomed to gritting our teeth and pretending to smile? How did the apostle Paul handle this stress when he was on his missionary journeys? 2 Corinthians 1:8-118 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the…
Comfort Is Not The Goal
Comfort Is Not The GoalHow has God given you abundant life, even if it’s not an easy life? John 10:10bI have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. What does it mean to live life to the fullest? Does it mean healthy,financially successful, and powerful, or does it mean something muchgreater than these temporary goals. We all want to live a meaningful life butwe can’t do that if we miss the purpose of life. People…