Being a Christ follower, at its core, is all about the relationship we have with Him. In the same way we build our relationships with others through time and communication, it is important to strengthen our relationship with Jesus by communicating frequently with Him. It is through a vibrant and healthy prayer life and the…
I noticed that when my 9-month-old granddaughter wants to hide from me, she doesn’t actually hide. Instead, she covers her eyes with her hands. She hasn’t learned that closing her eyes doesn’t make anything disappear. The truth is still there, though we may want to “see things differently.” Many in our world make a similar…
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?Matthew 6:27 Oh, no! Something’s coming. What now?? Doesn’t it always feel like something is causing us worry and concern? Maybe it’s financial or work-related or health-related or something bad or the 3point internet is messed up again! And…
As I prepare my sermon each week, I spend time in prayer and wrestling with what God is saying to me and what I believe He wants me to say to you. Often, this leads to a lot of material. Since I am immersed in the text, the points seem obvious to me. However, I…
Steve and I just experienced a wonderful trip to Poland to worship with Mirek and his church. We have supported Mirek since our church began and have watched him grow from an itinerant preacher to a minister of over 800! It was amazing to see what God was doing in the life of his church…
Tina Turner once sang, “What’s love got to do with it?” I would counter that love has everything to do with it. As we continue to study the Book of James, he mentions the royal law (James 2:8). This law, he goes on to explain, is to love our neighbors as ourselves. In fact, he…
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31 What do you do to stay in shape? For me, I try to hit the gym every day. I find it interesting that…
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet…
James begins his letter with the statement, “Count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds.” Not if we meet them but rather when we meet them. He says that if we remain steadfast we will receive the crown of life. In our text from yesterday, James points out that God is not…
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 Growing up I loved reading. One of my favorite genres was spy novels. I read all of the James Bond novels.…