In our times of need, God is present. God responds. Even after disobedience, God hears us. My husband and I have three children. A two-year-old, 13-month-old and 6-mont . . .
Read MoreServing is essential to building community. Community is essential to spreading the Gospel. The Gospel is essential to us all. “Everybody can be great...because anybod . . .
Read MoreNot only can we have confidence in what He has already done and the hope of what He will do but we know this resurrected life is ours now, TODAY! Are you feeling discour . . .
Read MoreLife challenges us but we’re never alone. I may not be literally swept away by water or flames, but we claim the truths found in Isaiah “Do not fear..." Reluctantly, . . .
Read MoreIn your autobiography, is the impact Christ has on you a passing paragraph or is the hope He brings the substance of your story? How would you start your autobiography? . . .
Read MoreAsking God for wisdom can be both enlightening and a bit scary because with wisdom comes understanding, and understanding can lead to action. Most of us know that when G . . .
Read MoreMy favorite Christmas movie of all-time has always been, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I love everything about it – the storyline, the characters, the second chances. . . .
Read MoreIn the same way it only took a few words from the serpent for Eve to take the fruit, it only takes a little nudge from the world or a whisper from the evil one to make u . . .
Read MoreIt is one thing to have features that resemble God and it is another thing entirely to BE like Him. In order to be like someone, you must know them. Whenever I meet peop . . .
Read MoreCan I encourage you to reach out to someone this week who is struggling? ... reach out and offer the hope of Jesus. I’m a fan of a good bumper sticker. I like the clev . . .
Read MoreWhen we consider the gift we have received so undeservedly, it changes us, it humbles us, it reminds us of our desperate need. One of the most quoted verses in the Bible . . .
Read More“I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” 1 Corinthians 15:5 . . .
Read MoreWhat if we overlook faults, respond with gentleness, rejoice when those around us receive good news, set our comforts aside to pursue their good? I recently attended a w . . .
Read MoreOur positive response to an organized environment reflects the image of God in us. Order creates beauty, peace, and allows us to focus. How have you felt when you’v . . .
Read MoreThe purpose of our lives isn’t to see how much we can get away with and still be Christians; rather, it is to glorify God. While the Israelites were in the wilderness, . . .
Read MoreThey became selfless and were relentless in the mission Jesus left them to fulfill. Paul had a way of staying laser-focused on the goal of advancing the Gospel at all tim . . .
Read MoreYour knowledge and opinion are less important than the faith and hearts of others. By the grace of God, I don’t have any major food allergies. If you saw me in junior . . .
Read MoreAs we head into a new decade of Right Here Right Now, I am more confident than ever that God is calling us, his church, to lead the way in love, compassion, and service i . . .
Read MoreWe are supposed to be holding our Christian brothers and sisters up to the standards of God because we are living under the same commands. Do you know what I love? Movie . . .
Read MoreWe roll up our sleeves and build with quality materials, we build on Christ and Christ crucified for us. I Corinthians chapter 3 reminds me of the children’s fairy tale . . .
Read MoreThe Spirit is our teacher, counselor, advocate, and before you begin to think he isn’t active in your life, remember that if you have begun to believe in God at all, it . . .
Read MoreWhat hasn’t changed though is God continuing to use our 23 partners to change the world. What also hasn’t changed is your generosity. Usually, this spot in the blog . . .
Read MoreConfidence and faith in our God, our shepherd, can only lead us to a place of peace and comfort. In these days of uncertainty and division, it is easy to feel like lost s . . .
Read MoreOur emotions, our questions, our wrestling in his presence demonstrates our faith and belief that He is in control and that He can actually do something about the situati . . .
Read MoreWhat if our words were indicative of how we are wielding wisdom? Wisdom. It almost has an ancient ring to it. It’s as if wisdom is harkening unto us, but we have lost t . . .
Read MoreWisdom is something we grow in, so to cherish it is to keep it in our minds and continue to grow in with the ultimate goal being transformation. My guess is that we all h . . .
Read MorePursuing wisdom in wealth means relinquishing our desire to control and...trusting the One who holds all wisdom. Wealth. This was my unfiltered first thought—"well I do . . .
Read MoreLet us fight for justice, for peace, and for unity together in the shelter of our Father. Our war is not against each other, our war is against the kingdom of this world . . .
Read MoreGod promises to sustain us and satisfy us so that we no longer desire the wickedness of our old lives and instead crave the goodness of the fruit that God can produce in . . .
Read MoreWe are to walk with those who are hurting so that they know they are not alone. I don’t know about you, but my heart has been heavy the past few months with all of th . . .
Read MoreOne thing is certain, God has no lack of resources. He has a family of believers on earth with gifts to share and hearts that desire to help. It isn’t hard to identify . . .
Read MoreThere is a remedy for suffering people – it is the comfort that comes from God and His Holy Spirit to see us through the suffering. It’s a standing joke in our family . . .
Read MoreThe next time you start feeling plain and worthless, remember your true worth is found in Jesus Christ. You may have heard a quote by Kate Angell that simply says “Oute . . .
Read MoreWe make deliberate choices to continue pursuing personal holiness, pleading to God to make us more loving. Have you ever read Acts 14:19-23? I recommend you take some tim . . .
Read MoreJust as my house and my possessions say something about me, what do I, God’s temple and His treasured possession, say about Him? We all have possessions. I have possess . . .
Read MoreIt may require hard and time-consuming work upfront but that alone is not enough, we must continually walk toward holiness. One of the things my husband and I love to d . . .
Read MoreWe won’t always be found in our circumstances but we will always be found in our Christ. I wasn’t a child who lacked adventure. In turn, I wasn’t a child who lacked . . .
Read MoreHe has called us to suffer and in that suffering, we will know Jesus more deeply. We are currently living in a world of uncertainty like most of us have never known. It . . .
Read MoreHow many times could I have shared the Gospel with someone and just felt like it was too hopeless. Don’t overlook those in need! Who are those that are in need? Those w . . .
Read MoreHe wants our obedience because we love him, not because we want his resources. I ask a lot of questions. Always have. Sometimes I ask them out loud and sometimes I just p . . .
Read MoreWe all know how good compassion makes us feel and how compassionate responses to others can build relationships. Compassion is a universal language that builds bridges an . . .
Read MoreSeeing people’s lives being changed through the preaching and teaching of the gospel excites me. The year 2000 was one of the most exciting years of my life. It was the . . .
Read MoreClose relationships are essential. We need those who are looking out for us and we need to be looking out for others. Throughout the New Testament, the message that we ne . . .
Read MoreI should give my very best version of myself each and every day, in order that I may glorify Jesus. Wiping a snotty nose, cleaning up yogurt that was splattered across th . . .
Read Morewhen he knew and trusted that the Lord would come for him because he had “put to death” all the things in his life that were earthly. Horatio Spafford displayed his u . . .
Read MoreWe tend to put a lot of thought and money into making sure we are clothed in a specific way. But do we put the same amount of effort in making sure we are clothed with Ch . . .
Read MoreYou and I were once completely separated from God in our sins. We belonged to another kingdom, a rebel kingdom. But God died for all us rebels to bring us out of darkness . . .
Read MoreNo one really likes being called out in their sins, wrongdoings, or poor judgement. Paul was imprisoned in Rome at the time he wrote his letter to the Colossians, and had . . .
Read MoreThe metaphors of God’s mercy and love for us are endless. Metaphors are figures of speech (word pictures) in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to . . .
Read MoreJoy should not just be a warm feeling felt throughout the holiday season, but a continual action of the hope inside us. Christmas is now over. The presents have all been . . .
Read MoreThis week we have the opportunity to remember the great lengths our Redeemer went to demonstrate His love for us who did not deserve it. Christmas came a week early for u . . .
Read MoreEvery job has that one thing you don’t want to do but have to. I wake up. I hit snooze. I wake up again. I shower, brush my teeth, and fix my hair. Thanks to a scolding . . .
Read MoreAdvent is a season of slowness for this weary world. Growing up, I associated “Advent” primarily with cardboard calendars full of chocolate and partridges in pear tre . . .
Read MoreI am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled. This summer I started the process of building a house. Toward the beginning of this process I sat down with t . . .
Read MoreThe main course on that menu is none other than the Holy Spirit. Halloween 2019 was the first time my son really got into the whole concept of trick-or-treating. Quite ho . . .
Read MoreWe may share in His sufferings, but we will also share in His resurrection! As I read Philippians 3:7-11, it made me reflect on the gains and losses I’ve had in my life . . .
Read MoreI had been away from my daughter for a couple of hours and I was dying to be back with her, while this mama was soaking in the only 120 minutes she would get with her bab . . .
Read MoreGod has woven our stories to include the places we find ourselves in, carrying out the jobs we do, with the people we claim, yet our calling is set apart. I was talking w . . .
Read MoreThe biggest mistake we make in our strategy is to fight the battle alone. I recently watched the movie Hacksaw Ridge for the first time. It is a true story about Desmond . . .
Read MoreThe Spirit is our teacher, counselor, advocate, and before you begin to think he isn’t active in your life, remember that if you have begun to believe in God at all, it . . .
Read MoreThe Holy Spirit is personal and present! Our Advocate truly is a gift that makes a daily difference in our lives. Before Reginald Heber died in 1826 he wrote the words to . . .
Read MoreA look at how we spend our money indicates that to which we’re willing to give our lives. To give money to another person or cause is to give your life to them. Generos . . .
Read MoreIn order to fully learn how to do something, each of us has to position ourselves in a way to be paying attention to the instructor but also taking the time to watch for . . .
Read MoreThere have been times I’ve sat in the spiritual blackness and panicked, wondering if I’d ever see the light to lead me way back to the sunlight, to easier times. Ps . . .
Read MoreWhen we turn inward to solve our problems, we lose sight of what we have available to us in the body of Christ. Have you ever experienced loneliness? I am not talking a . . .
Read MoreDid you know that nearly 70% of students raised in the Church leave for at least a year of their college years? Do you own your faith? Why are you a part of the church yo . . .
Read MoreThe only way we can rightly love others is by first believing, and living out of, God’s love for us. I really like movies. I like going to the movie theater, watching a . . .
Read MoreIt is too easy to fall back into my old habits of relying on my own strength or trying to find joy in things from this world. When I was growing up, there were multiple . . .
Read MoreJesus is not done with Peter. He never gives up on him. Just like He never gives up on us. Have you ever noticed how God will remind us of things? Maybe it is to call som . . .
Read MoreOnly by the power of Jesus can we be released from our tomb and our stones be rolled away. I recently attended MOVE, a Christ in Youth High School conference. The speaker . . .
Read MoreJesus knew that in order to save us, you and me, that his death was necessary. Did you ever see the movie “The Prestige”? If not, stop whatever you are doing and go w . . .
Read MoreThe reason I have such a hard time facing the reality of the crucifixion is that I have a hard time facing the reality of my sin. The details of the crucifixion account a . . .
Read MoreToday you and I have the opportunity either for the first time or as a continual act of obedience to receive Jesus. You may have heard it said that people who say yes to . . .
Read MoreWhen we fight for what we’re for, the impact is incredible. When we fight for good, it inevitably also conquers what is evil. It seems like everyone these days is anti- . . .
Read MoreI look at this account of Jesus’ life with thankfulness of how faithful our God is... Sometimes I find myself reading Scripture and wondering about some stories and acc . . .
Read MoreHe himself experienced this human weakness that he can help us in ours. Matthew 26:36-46 is a chilling scene in a garden that shows Jesus alone. He was surrounded by his . . .
Read MoreAllow prayer to remind you of and instill in you the truth of Gospel. Use prayer to speak truth to yourself (and anyone listening) just as much as you use it to ask for G . . .
Read MoreWhen we all jump into work together, it’s amazing what can be accomplished. In July 2016, Mike Gebes saw a neighbor’s field on fire and rushed to help, but the Milesv . . .
Read MoreThrough loving God, we will also love others. One cannot be done without the other. They go hand-in-hand. My favorite story in the Bible is the story of Joseph. He was so . . .
Read MoreThere’s a responsibility here isn’t there? You and I have a responsibility in this relationship. We are to remain in him. What exactly does that mean? It means we rem . . .
Read MoreTheir ultimate spiritual success was a result of God’s work, not human achievement. Raising children can be rewarding and exciting as well as challenging and sometimes . . .
Read MoreThese people weren’t different. They were just like everyone else. They were just broken in a more public way. It was a cold and dark Saturday morning, 5:30 am, Decembe . . .
Read MoreAlthough Jesus knew what Peter would do, he still washed his feet, for he knew his true and loving heart. Peter had a heart for Jesus. It’s springtime. Open-toed shoes . . .
Read MoreIn the midst of His suffering and in the midst of my childlike behavior, He offers me a seat at the table. I grew up in a blended family with 5 kids. However, there was a . . .
Read MoreI am amazed at the grace offered to me in my forgetfulness. We are a forgetful people; we have been since God brought us out of Egypt through Moses. The faithfulness has . . .
Read MoreWe all have a choice, we can either betray Him or honor Him with our actions. How easy it is for me to focus on Judas Iscariot and his betrayal plans of Jesus in these sc . . .
Read MoreThe size of the problem of trafficking is overwhelming. It is immense and complicated and right under our noses. Conservative estimates say that of the 2 million childre . . .
Read MoreJesus is telling us that we need to live always looking forward to the coming of the Lord while being faithful in our day to day life. I was born and raised in a small to . . .
Read MoreNothing I could offer this Creator of All would ever be enough to give him all the glory and honor he deserves, and so, he deserves the very best that I can give, the ver . . .
Read MoreTheir ideas about who the Messiah would be were garbage compared to who the Messiah actually was. The year I was born, the greatest movie in sports history debuted: The S . . .
Read MoreWe have limped blindly into impossible situations and seen God’s miraculous provision and blessing. "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'GO from your country and your kindred . . .
Read MoreWith humility I need to approach each day, each opportunity and each encounter with God’s Word with an attitude, “What do you want me to learn this time?” In the mo . . .
Read MoreFulfil your responsibilities and prioritize your devotion to God. The Passion Week of Christ is filled with political and spiritual pressure on Jesus. In our text for thi . . .
Read MoreAm I preparing myself for the final celebration while loving and caring for those around me? How many event invitations have you skipped, not paid attention too, or for w . . .
Read MoreLet us not forget that the Lord is listening to our small whispers. He hears us in our meekest voice in the midst of all the chaos going on around us. If you were to spen . . .
Read MoreBy whose authority am I living my life, my own or my Lord and Savior? And is everyone welcome and invited in? I often wonder, what is my purpose? Sometimes it is a short . . .
Read MoreJesus humbly approaches every day in the same way he humbly approached Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. There is something that happens during the playoffs in all sports. The a . . .
Read MoreMary wasn’t trying to create a special one-on-one moment with Jesus... Mary was letting everyone know, this man, this Jesus, is worthy of everything we have. Can you pi . . .
Read MoreWhen I am in a difficult season in life, I find myself in survival mode. How can I survive today? ... Then Jesus steps into the picture. Some of my very favorite stories . . .
Read MoreHe began to show me that choosing comfort over proclaiming his name would be a shame. Acts 26:17-18 says, "I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from . . .
Read MoreAs we turn our attention to a new year and perhaps set goals for ourselves, what would it look like if the goals we set were internal rather than external? Every time I r . . .
Read MoreWhatever it is that God has asked for you to wait, wait well. Have you ever waited for something that seemed like forever? I remember when I was a young boy. We were plan . . .
Read MoreJesus invites us into a relationship that isn’t about the lists. His invitation is to a life that is less about doing and more about just being with Him. I am a list ma . . .
Read MoreThe simple fact that God Himself would become fully human to reach us is mind-boggling! As we consider His generosity towards us, how is your own heart stirred to give? A . . .
Read MoreThe Kingdom of God is not fair because when Jesus died the death we deserve and gave us life that we don’t deserve – it wasn’t fair, but it was Gospel. Growing up w . . .
Read MoreGod desires us to align our hearts with His as we pray daily, as a child who feels comfortable with his father, trusting His provision and perfect response to our daily n . . .
Read MoreJesus may be physically gone from earth but we don’t have to wait for the coming of the Kingdom. It’s already here. The Kingdom never left. Advent is less than two we . . .
Read MoreOpportunities to love people are inconveniently everywhere. Don’t miss out those opportunities. Get in the ditches with people. I believe you just might find Jesus ther . . .
Read MoreIf we are faithful with a little, we don’t usually need a lot. Ultimately, everything we have is His, and our purpose is to use what the Father gives us to glorify Him. . . .
Read MoreThe length of your absence will not affect His excitement. When you arrive, He will rejoice that his lost sheep is finally home. Working with kids I tend to find myself p . . .
Read MoreIf you really look at what your “self” offers in terms of goodness, asking us to die to ourselves is actually a rescue mission. It’s a prison break. If I’m being . . .
Read MoreThe fact that the servant was sent to persuade everyone to come indicated that the offer of salvation would be extended to all! The Sabbath day has come and Jesus is one . . .
Read MoreChrist the good shepherd, without doubt, chose to get close to His sheep. He took on flesh and became Emmanuel – God with us. One of my favorite camp memories is from m . . .
Read MoreWhat matters is true faith and love for Jesus. He is the narrow door and putting our full trust in Him is the “effort” he is speaking of. Jesus was always pressing on . . .
Read MoreJesus works in His own time and He is doing pretty good so far, so trust Him. Don’t you hate that feeling of waiting for big news when you know its coming? The anticipa . . .
Read MoreDon’t get so caught up in the details that you miss the relationship. Whether that be with the important people in our lives, or with Jesus Himself. My favorite season . . .
Read MoreThe architect and builder of the church is God and His design is revealed throughout all of Scripture. In Scripture, we can see God seeking man, and not man seeking . . .
Read MoreThe life-altering thing is that Jesus, the man who taught us how to come before the Father in this way, would sacrifice his blood in order that the door would be open . . .
Read MoreJust like the disciples, Jesus is calling us to go out into the world and preach His message of Hope and Good News! You have been equipped! Now go! “Your son has a blee . . .
Read MoreThis week I’m choosing to spend a little less time focused on my to-do list and a little more time practicing gratitude. Please take a moment to read Luke 17:11-19 from . . .
Read MoreListen for that God-breathed whisper as you recall the final words of the One who came and changed everything, "Therefore go and make disciples..." Have you ever felt ins . . .
Read MoreWe all need to open our eyes and see who Jesus is and the life he offers. Only he can restore and reveal our vision. Blind. This word has one main definition that we are . . .
Read MoreUnderstanding Jesus is not always easy but it is essential as we strive to be more like him. Being misunderstood is one of the most frustrating events in the life of my k . . .
Read MoreThe words that Jesus spoke are hard truths, bringing fear to many people that day, as they should still for us today if we do not know Him as Lord and Savior. Parents of . . .
Read MoreIt is only through that light of Jesus that our lives can truly be made free. For my eighth-grade graduation party, I had a dozen or so friends come over to party like on . . .
Read MoreAngie and I moved to Taiwan nearly 20 years ago in July 1999 and can confirm the accuracy of this information from Operation World: “A decline in numbers of missionarie . . .
Read MoreWhere are your questions about Jesus leading you? Have you ever been in a position you didn’t want to talk so you avoided eye contact? Maybe it was in a classroom? You . . .
Read MoreAs we live in this temporary tent of a body, let’s choose to remember that his methods and his message are what bring true freedom. My husband and I lived in a little t . . .
Read MoreMay we be known as people who forgive, no matter what the offense. The parable in Matthew 18 shows us how God’s love and mercy change us. In this passage, Jesus is tell . . .
Read More“How did you go up the mountain and survive?” It was during a youth conference in 2005 that Amit Agarwal gave his life to Christ. After answering the call to ministry . . .
Read MoreHow am I humbling myself as an obedient child of God and welcoming everyone as if I am welcoming Jesus Himself? Do I want to be the greatest? The passages that we are loo . . .
Read MoreFor those of us who are following Jesus in this world, we don’t need to fight every single battle. Sadly, there have been too many stories of late about prominent figur . . .
Read MoreWhat if the key is not the amount of faith we have in Jesus but rather the direction our faith points us—either towards Jesus or towards ourselves? Powerlessness might . . .
Read MoreSo whatever our occupation, if we want to be fruitful, we must be on board with Him. Connections are vital. Missing the connection can leave you blank-faced after the . . .
Read MoreOur trust for the Father must be more than our preconceived notions or expectations about what we believe should happen. First and foremost I would like to encourage you . . .
Read MoreSo why do we continue to ask for signs? How many more can we look at before truth is realized? How good are you with directions? Me? I’m terrible. I have used everythin . . .
Read MoreWhat Jesus wants from us first and foremost is our trust; is our faith. April 4, 1993. Although it was 25 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday. I was nine years . . .
Read MoreWe have all been damaged and broken by sin. Will you place yourself at his feet and ask him to heal you? In Matthew 15 we find Jesus near the Sea of Galilee. It’s at th . . .
Read MoreEach month we will be featuring a blog post from our Mission of the Month. The month of April we are focused on Good News Production International and the work they do to . . .
Read MoreThey saw him as a means to their satisfaction, instead of the source of it. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry is living with his Aunt’s family. He lamen . . .
Read MoreMy guess is that if we took a moment and looked back on our lives we would see something bigger than ourselves. We would see the Healer. We would see the Protector. We wo . . .
Read MoreGod has given us an opportunity to be the good news solution to this bad news story in our community. We have a bad news story in our community: foster care. This system, . . .
Read MoreIn Peter’s moment of weakness, he cried out to Jesus. In Peter’s moment of weakness, Jesus “reached out his hand and caught him.” May 22, 2011- An EF5 multiple-vo . . .
Read MoreStories help overcome discouragement and will provide a lot of opportunities for encouragement too. My son really enjoys his coffee. He can go on for hours talking about . . .
Read MoreNot one gift is better than the other, but all are made to work together for the good of the Lord. Every single one of us has been gifted with something special. Some of . . .
Read MoreGod continues to remind me that what I predict should happen is always subject to His will. Have you noticed how difficult it is to predict the weather for southwest Miss . . .
Read MoreHave you ever, like me, prayed this prayer: “Jesus, I know you CAN heal, but I’m not convinced that you even WANT to.” Every Monday we hold our weekly staff meeting . . .
Read MoreJesus is calling us to get a little dirty – not just physically dirty but to engage in the mess of life through each individual story. I don’t know about you but I ge . . .
Read MoreAfter I share my story of how God has changed me, I’m reminded that God’s way is better. Take a moment to read Mark 5:1-20. When I read the gospels about Jesus’ lif . . .
Read MoreHaving a Savior that the wind and waves obey should always trump fear and worry. I don’t know how many times in my life I have told Jesus that He is in control and that . . .
Read MoreI can’t imagine ever regretting being in full, focused pursuit of Him. From experience, I know that putting my hand to the plow and not looking back is hard. We look ba . . .
Read MoreLight, no matter how small, has a natural ability to focus our attention. As I read through John 1, my eyes and my mind are constantly drawn to the symbolism of Jesus be . . .
Read MoreChristmas may not always look like the perfect day we imagine in our minds, but ... we can have hope and joy in the midst of crazy. In Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-28 th . . .
Read MoreContinue to ask that God do a work in your heart (soil); that you may have a heart of good soil that produces a harvest that brings glory to God the Father. Who does not . . .
Read MoreWhat does it really matter if we “do” or “don’t” if we have forgotten our why? “But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabb . . .
Read MoreThe only thing that can change that is repentance, not good works. Jesus is teaching the crowds with new challenging ideas when some present told him about Galileans whos . . .
Read More“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks the . . .
Read MoreI’m praying for God to focus my treasure and my heart on Kingdom things so that He may be more glorified in me and I may be more satisfied in Him. In Luke 12, Jesus tel . . .
Read MoreTell your story of how Jesus changed you and is still changing you, and then tell them how that can be their reality too. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, . . .
Read MoreWe deserved punishment and yet we have instead received the title of Sons and Daughters of the living God. This is news worth sharing. Recently, my family was at . . .
Read MoreWe have to fill our heart and mind with something other than ourselves if we want to be able to bring God glory. Right on the heels of Luke 11, where Jesus is accu . . .
Read MoreHe really does love us that much...way too much to leave us the way we are. “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Inste . . .
Read More…For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. – Jesus of Nazareth Imagine one of your best buddies told you that your m . . .
Read MoreThese leaders had not only actively worked against Jesus by engaging him in public debate, but they had also actively worked against the Holy Spirit by silencing him in t . . .
Read MoreThe anointing of Jesus by the sinful woman is a real, uncomfortable, beautiful, messy, meaningful, awkward, and heartfelt exchange of love in a much grander love story. . . .
Read MoreThe hope of the gospel is trust in the promises of God. On Sunday, Mark taught from Luke 7:18-35, asking what do we do when we are “Faithfully Disappointed?” What d . . .
Read MoreGod has torn down the veil that separates us from Him. It was a sacrifice beyond measure. Luke 7: 11-16 "Now it happened, as He went into a city called Nain; and many of . . .
Read MoreJesus isn’t watching from afar waiting for us to mess up so he can say “I told you so.” He freely showers his love and mercy onto us because he knows it’s exactly . . .
Read MoreMay we meet people where they are and invite them into a journey of the Gospel with us. My daughter is turning three in October and it has been such a privilege to be her . . .
Read MoreIf my treasure is found in things of this world, then my treasure isn’t Jesus. Take a moment to read Matthew 6:19-24. As I read the passage, one word kept coming to my . . .
Read MoreGod as our Father desires a relationship with us where we want to communicate with Him. Most people, no matter what background or belief system, have heard the Lord’s P . . .
Read MoreIdentity is important to us as people. We want to know who we are and what our priorities are. But we also want other people to know that too. We seek labels to help othe . . .
Read MoreTrue righteousness is doing good things because of God’s glory, not for our own. Matthew 6:1-18 teaches us a lot. It is packed with theology and practical tips for livi . . .
Read MorePeople had thought it was only about the rules and law and using your head to make a good decision, but Jesus flips it and says that it is what’s in our hearts that ma . . .
Read MoreScripture speaks of the power of the tongue and the damage or the healing that it can do. In a time when we can’t turn around without hearing about people in authority . . .
Read MoreTemporary pleasure comes at a price and is never as fulfilling as it leads us to believe. God’s rewards are worth waiting for. For over a decade Christ’s Church has p . . .
Read MoreWe learn forgiveness and reconciliation through the God that gave us that himself – Jesus. Stephen Covey tells a story of a time he was on a subway in New York. He stat . . .
Read MoreThe salt is a symbol of the covenant with God and how God penetrates, preserves, and aids in our life. Do you worship and meditate with a song? I do! I do not play well o . . .
Read MoreLife with Jesus is hard, but it is simple. So, here we are in the Gospel according to Luke chapter six verses seventeen through twenty-six. Jesus has just invited twelve . . .
Read MoreGod will meet us in our brokenness. Have you ever been called a loser? Perhaps it was a jeer from the schoolyard bully. Maybe it was just the thing you feared being label . . .
Read MoreImagine. A king decided to leave his place of authority, his glorious and regal castle, to walk with those who live in the dirt and the filth. Thumbing through his wardro . . .
Read MoreGod wants us to do good every day, not just on certain days. I remember being a kid and having rules that my parents made my siblings and I obey. We had to eat all our ve . . .
Read MoreDiscipleship is not about our excellence as followers. It’s about the excellence of the one we follow. November 18, 1978. Cult leader Jim Warren Jones led 909 of his fo . . .
Read MoreLive your life in a way that shines Christ so brightly that it cannot be ignored! One of my absolute favorite things to do is watch a good ole’ crime TV show. I could s . . .
Read MoreDon't miss out on the real activity of God amongst his people. In John 5:1-9, Jesus is in Jerusalem for the holiday. John doesn't specifically tell us which holiday it is . . .
Read MoreI think Jesus sees us when we are in a stale state of living, and he knows there’s a way to rejuvenate us to a more productive state, but we tend to think we deserve to . . .
Read MoreAre we willing to do the unconventional in our pursuit of Jesus? In Mark 2:1-12, Mark records a fantastic story of a paralyzed man being lowered through the roof of a hom . . .
Read MoreWhen the encouraging cards cease to come, I still have a gift that will never be taken away. Many of us have experienced it. The loss of someone we loved dearly. Sometime . . .
Read MoreWhile the authority of Jesus carries with it the threat of losing your life, it simultaneously carries with it the promise to save it. In Mark 1:21-38, Jesus and his disc . . .
Read MoreIt just didn’t make sense that things weren’t working out exactly how we had anticipated. Four years ago this week, my husband and I realized that God was leading us . . .
Read MoreLook at what God has done over the last week, month, lifetime. You know how it goes. You see someone every day of your life. Maybe it’s your child, your spouse, your co . . .
Read MoreDear friend, your story is not being written in vain. "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." These words to the old hymn . . .
Read MoreHe has an incredible way of redeeming our stories. This is an amazing historical story of Jesus at a well in Samaria, approaching and loving an outcast Samaritan woman wh . . .
Read MoreJesus pursues you with His grace and sits with you in your struggle. “I’m good…no, really…I’m good.” How many times have you uttered that phrase and deep with . . .
Read MoreWhen Jesus talks about heaven, he speaks of the place from which he has come. I believe with growing confidence that Jesus speaks. I think he talks to people. I think he . . .
Read MoreEven though the light will expose my sin, the truth gives me hope! The first Bible verse that I remember being able to quote was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world th . . .
Read MoreHe is jealous for us, and won't let anyone stand in His way. I remember as a kid hearing the story of John 2, when Jesus came into the temple and used a whip to drive out . . .
Read MoreJesus turning water into wine doesn’t just reveal His identity, it also reveals mine. I have always wondered why Jesus turned water into wine as his first miracle. In c . . .
Read MoreSomething began yesterday that is altering reality forever. The word ‘find' has its meaning in discovering something that was previously absent. Our minds typically go . . .
Read MoreBe so immersed in God's Word so that we cannot help but to use the truth to resist those temptations. Temptation looks differently for each of us. A New York cartoonist i . . .
Read MoreThey are compelled to care for others because they have changed the way they think about things. Christ’s Church has had the honor for the last couple decades to partne . . .
Read MoreSome days I have more faith in my doctor, in the factory workers at Honda and the engineers at Apple than I do in Jesus. There are plenty of things in my life that I trus . . .
Read MoreNot only is Joseph a man who holds on to truth and what is right, he also is a man of grace. It is so easy for us to look at the shortcomings of those we read about in th . . .
Read MoreIn every relationship there is responsibility. Think about, for one moment, if you will, your closest relationship. Maybe that is your relationship with your mom or dad. . . .
Read MoreShe knew that her future in the eyes of man only held rejection...but Mary also knew her future in the will of God held freedom. I think that Christmas music shouldn't be . . .
Read MoreThe path definitely wasn't what I expected, yet God was still faithful. As far back as I can remember, God placed the calling of Children's Ministry on my heart. I love t . . .
Read MoreThere is room for all of us under Jesus. There is no story, sin or past so great that the blood of Christ can't redeem it. Above my desk in my office sits a 66-year-old B . . .
Read MoreWe are going to add a new layer of color every time we study his life until we have pure white light. Who is Jesus? The Gospels tell the official story of Jesus, and our . . .
Read MoreThe plans are His. I must simply surrender to His leading and be open to how He can use me. I’m writing this blog from Osaka, Japan. A small group of supporters from . . .
Read MoreI think this is why God decided the Bible should be full of stories. The problem with pain is that we can't see the end of the story from the middle. If we could, then no . . .
Read MoreWhen I don't want to forgive someone else, the last thing I look at is my own sin. Forgiveness is hard. It's one of the hardest things to do in life. I'd like to think it . . .
Read MoreMy way was everyone else's normal, His way was our new normal. I have grown up in the church. My parents signed me up for EVERY church event. Though I am so grateful for . . .
Read MoreSurely he would oblige us and complete this process in our timing. Shouldn't our faith be rewarded? Three and a half years ago, my husband and I began the process to adop . . .
Read MoreThe early church did a few things very well and it worked. Acts is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I enjoy reading and learning from the disciples as they were beg . . .
Read MoreIt is my goal for this process to lead me to live a Real Life of Justice, as reflected in my spending. I intentionally waited until after hearing the sermon on Real Life . . .
Read MoreWe can start enjoying the reality of what God has given us today. The purpose of James writing this letter is to unravel what an authentic life of faith looks like. If f . . .
Read MoreCould it be that God is asking us to draw nearer to Him and let Him change our hearts? Words matter. We are told that over and over again. Scripture addresses this in Jam . . .
Read MoreThe Spirit works through people who actively want to be apart of the kingdom. It is so much easier to talk about something than to actually do it. And I think we spend mo . . .
Read MoreJesus further reveals himself to Thomas, lovingly inviting him into faith. I loved Mark's sermon on James 1. I am constantly in need of God's wisdom and I don't know abou . . .
Read MoreWe are all actors in the story of bringing the Gospel to hurting people. In Acts 8 Paul was persecuting the church, and the church of Jerusalem was scattered throughout J . . .
Read MoreHe has not left you alone, and through him you can overcome this world. It’s the 12th century BC. For 10 years the Greeks have laid siege to the great city of Troy. It . . .
Read MoreGrace is an essential ingredient in our lives, but unfortunately, one that our society does not give readily. Have you ever made a mistake that you tremendously regret bu . . .
Read MoreIt doesn't matter how you encourage others; it only matters that you do encourage others. I recently took the 5 Love Languages test and discovered that my primary love la . . .
Read MoreGod not only used Paul, but choose him and groomed him. I took an accounting class in high school, and it just made sense. So in college I majored in accounting and beg . . .
Read MoreNo life is too bad to be redeemed or too boring to make a difference. Never underestimate the power of words. After class one day in my sophomore year of college, my room . . .
Read MoreLuke’s account of Stephen is absolutely the most amazing and wondrous way to be remembered. When someone dies we often remember them as being a bit more wonderful than . . .
Read MoreWhen you are a talker like me, learning to listen becomes the struggle. I am an external processor. I need to be able to talk through decisions, even if it means talking . . .
Read MoreWe are a bunch of broken people who have the opportunity to have a relationship with the one and only holy God. Throughout my high school years, my family hosted foreign . . .
Read MoreWe point our fingers and shake our fists at God in an effort to bring some kind of closure and peace to our broken hearts. I'm not a very patient or forgiving person. In . . .
Read MoreIn order to avoid distorting this beautiful aspect of God’s creation, we must talk about it. We live in an increasingly sexualized world. Whereas sexual content once ha . . .
Read MoreMy actions may be personal, but they are never private. There are times in my life where the busyness of the day just slips away and I don’t “have time” to read the . . .
Read MorePlay looks different to every person, but it is a time to have joy in what God has given us. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." . . .
Read MoreThose moments of rest with God give me peace and contentment. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the des . . .
Read MoreAnts are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer. Solomon said, “Go watch the ant…” (Proverbs 6:6). King Solomon never saw the movi . . .
Read MoreThe ‘single' life, then, is fulfilled by knowing, engaging, and enjoying God. Singleness, in regards to romantic relationships, is a word that carries with it a lot of . . .
Read MoreWhether it seems like a big or small "mess up," remind yourself that God is the Great Redeemer and all this is really His yoke to carry, not yours. The Theology of Parent . . .
Read MoreIn the same way that sin puts a strain on our relationship with God, sin can fill marriage with struggle and challenge. I had the opportunity of writing about what a cove . . .
Read MoreIn the midst of unbearable suffering we can say "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit", knowing that the father's hands are the safest place we can be. "I'm sorry, . . .
Read MoreWe see the early churches putting righteousness before worldly things. It might be easy to skip over the long list of names that Paul lists in Romans 16 and wonder why Pa . . .
Read MoreWhile we may have differences of opinion...the final goal is always the same - build the Kingdom. I grew up Baptist - the son of a music minster, turned youth minister, t . . .
Read MoreJesus tells His disciples to have faith, which is really telling them to remember who He is, so they remember who they are. My friend and I were talking the other day abo . . .
Read MoreAs long as there is still air in our lungs, we still have the opportunity to respond to the good news of Jesus. Still Hope for Anyone - The Plan and the People (Romans 9- . . .
Read MoreThe daily grind is still here. But when viewed through an eternal filter, the perspective changes. "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not . . .
Read MoreIn the midst of this earthly battle with my flesh, I will never be alone. "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I . . .
Read MoreHe is rebuilding us so that He can make Himself at home within us. In the 1700's, Augustus M. Toplady wrote the hymn Rock of Ages. Even though these lyrics are over 300 y . . .
Read MoreIntimacy and relationship with God are not to be taken lightly. Why do I keep trying to save myself? Why do I continue to attempt to blaze my own trail? Why do I insist o . . .
Read MoreDo I want to be this way because the love of Jesus compels me to then love others, or because it makes me feel like a hero? I'd like to think that I don't ever look upon . . .
Read MoreI can't start any New Year without reflecting on the transforming power of God's faithfulness. Sadly, I know from my own experience, that by now almost all of our New Yea . . .
Read MoreWe've all chosen to replace God. I am so thankful to be studying the book of Romans as a church. This book has spoken deeply to my heart over the years – teaching me ab . . .
Read MoreOur job is simply to live each day encouraging other believers in their faith and preaching the gospel to everyone around us. This Advent season at Christ’s Church we h . . .
Read MoreIf we want to know what God looks like, we must look at the Son. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. In Him all things were crea . . .
Read MoreWhen God says that he will move, you can believe that it will become reality. My family enjoys the Christmas season, when we remember the incredible birth story of Jesu . . .
Read MoreThe experience of joy is more profound having known sorrow. The 20th-century German scholar Claus Westermann once wrote, "God created the world in such a way that light . . .
Read MoreI want to surround myself with God, which is what happens when I read the Psalms. They force me to look again at the things I believe in but don't always see. For . . .
Read MoreI have become a little homesick. Not homesick to go back to my childhood but homesick for Heaven. Psalm 84: 1-2 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My so . . .
Read MoreContentment in every situation comes from a relationship with Christ that comes from daily communing with God in and through His word, prayer and worship so that yo . . .
Read MoreHe has made himself available to be known. We need to draw ourselves to him. The heart is a precious thing. As much as I hate to admit it, I am someone driven by the he . . .
Read MoreWhen we read David's prayer of confession, we don't just see his story, we see our own. Psalm 51 is a prayer of confession. What makes this Psalm so interesting is that . . .
Read MoreMy story is one of acknowledgment that my God was always there in the darkness. We all come from many different places, situations and circumstances. Many may be able t . . .
Read MoreThe God that created you has also ordained moments of service and ministry for you. This past Sunday we had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Ajai Lall about the work of . . .
Read MoreBe thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. My vision is bad. I have to wear glasses to drive, to watch TV, to go to a concert or a movie, or even to enjoy a nice sunset. But . . .
Read MoreWe shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that God wants to work through us. As I write this morning I’m sitting in my new office looking out the window at the thick fo . . .
Read MoreThe greatest teachers any of us have are teachers who not only tell us the truth, but who live out that truth, casting a vision of God’s goodness. As we read the wo . . .
Read MoreHe wants all of us and we need only Him. I am so thankful for God’s clarity. For some issues in today’s world, we are still navigating what God's word says. There are . . .
Read MoreCovenant is a hinge word, a binding word, a word that will change your life forever. Going to church has always been a part of my life. It is just what my family did, . . .
Read MoreSimplicity isn’t about not having much or getting rid of things. Simplicity is about living with singular focus. Throughout the book of Hebrews the author makes a c . . .
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