Contentment
What do social acceptance, relational friendships, empathy for those less fortunate and marital bliss all have in common? They are areas where we want to enjoy contentment. Another area on this list in Hebrews 13:1-6 has to do with how we handle money. It can be a resource or a snare. We will see how in this two-week mini-series “Cravings.”
God’s Heart for the Home
We are grateful this week for our mothers. What is the greatest thing you remember about your early years with your mom? Most moms are the anchor for home. This week we want to celebrate and reinforce the most important descriptions on God’s heart of our homes.
Freedom
What is freedom to you? One person has said that “Freedom is not the ability to do what you want but rather the desire and ability to do what we should.” We will take a journey this weekend in exploring freedom as God intended it for all of us. Do a word study on the word freedom to prepare.
I Don’t Understand
What is freedom to you? One person has said that “Freedom is not the ability to do what you want but rather the desire and ability to do what we should.” We will take a journey this weekend in exploring freedom as God intended it for all of us. Do a word study on the word freedom to prepare.
I’ve Just Seen Jesus
The resurrection of Jesus brings us life! And that is what we are celebrating this Easter Sunday. The crest-fallen become courageous. Dead people come alive. Killers become confessors. And those who were confused become convinced. All because they have seen and heard for themselves.
See Me!
As we walk through Holy Week, our theme is “Seen and Heard.” John, the beloved disciple, says we are passing on what we have seen and heard and experienced about Jesus. Saints throughout history have done the same. And today we stand in that same stream. In our desperation to be seen and heard, let’s see how that can be fulfilled as we see and hear Jesus.
The Place of Prayer
How do we go about the task of making disciples among our families, our neighbors, our acquaintances? When Jesus sent out the twelve on their first mission, He gave them a pattern to follow that we can adapt for our mission today. It involves some simple, clear steps that empower us to know where to invest our energies and what to do when people are not open.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
We close out our series “Unleashed” by looking at two necessary parts of the process: gifts complimenting and sharpening each other, and encouragement building us up when challenges come. In the midst of a basketball game, I made a move, and a lone, strong voice acknowledged it and encouraged me to make the layup (which I did not always do!).
Quiet Leadership
Most every successful writer, athlete, or entertainer will cite one or two people who were catalytic in launching their careers. In family histories, most of us have “moments” that were impactful or family members who did something to inspire or encourage us. In the journey of faith, each of us has the power and potential of being that person for someone else.
Kernels
A parent pulls their child out of the path of an out-of-control car, saving the child but losing their life. Nothing is ever said about it. A close friend has information that would save the life of their friend, but they remain silent. A person receives the greatest gift they could ever receive but says nothing. What is wrong with these pictures? It would be almost impossible to remain silent in these scenarios. And it is impossible for us to remain silent if we truly have seen and heard Jesus.
The Heart of the Spirit
Recently, I viewed a post where the speaker they heard “brought the heat.” He was talking about inspiration. But what Jesus did in sending the Spirit was far more. Flames came, but this heat isn’t periodic, or a one and done. This is sustaining fire. We will see how as we continue our “Unleashed” series.
The Movement Begins
The early church was powerful in word and deed. Why? Not because of organization or systems or methods. Power comes from somewhere else. Really from Someone else! We will see how Jesus began the movement that changed all of history. And it is still happening today.
Snapshot: Where We Are
Before we trace the Spirit-empowered movement, we are going to take time to get a snapshot of where we are as a church right now. God has been answering our prayers and we want to take time to thank Him and to discuss the metrics of success in ministry today.
Christmas Day Family Devotional
A short devotional to use at home with your family as you celebrate Christmas Day.
Telling About the Gift
It is unexpected to get an angelic visit. It is unexpected to find a baby in a barn, laying in a feeding trough. It is unexpected when you are at the bottom of the social ladder to get an invitation to a royal birth. But that is how God rolls. We can find His Son in the unexpected.
Rewarding Expectation
It's amazing what you can learn if you hang around a place for a time and just listen. Opinions, gossip, ideas, predictions. In a world that was filled with the anticipation of a Messiah coming, what do you think you might have heard if you were hanging around the Temple, the religious center, all the time? We will trace the story of one such person, Anna. She was old but her heart was young and hungry.
Expecting Comfort
Most of us suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out). We hear about good things that happen for or to other people and wonder why they experience those things, but we haven’t yet. What if there was a way to position ourselves to receive those kinds of opportunities? There is, and we will find the secret as we continue our series “Expecting Jesus in the Unexpected” this weekend.
Series of Choices
Life is a series of choices. And the cumulative effect of every smaller, wise choice is a big outcome. Such is our story this week. One man makes the choice to adopt his orphaned cousin. He mentors her, guides her, encourages her. He acts justly and righteously. And the impact? God’s people are spared, and their influence broadened.
Leading from a Second Chair
Leadership does not always mean being in the top position. There is such a thing as leading from the second chair. It means recognizing God’s call on someone else’s life to be in a position we feel we should rightfully have. Are we willing to sacrifice a temporary position for an eternal purpose?