When I was a kid I developed a love of reading. I was into the Doc Savage series, sci-fi, fantasy, and then read many books by Alistair MacLean, Tolkien, and others. Of course in high school there was a lot of required readings – especially the classics, that kept my nose buried. But as I…
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10 When Paul wrote these words, he meant the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve—are good things. And, of course, he meant the works are good for…
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10 God gives us natural talents and spiritual gifts and hearts with unique passions. God also shapes us through trials and circumstances in our every day lives. When we are using our…
I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, Jesus. In the 1990’s Matt Redmans’ pastor, Mike Pilavachi, asked, “When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?” He then removed the sound system and the band from the service because their…
I believe; help my unbelief—Mark 9:24 Have you really thought about what you believe about God? Some givens (I think): We know He is Omnipotent – all powerful. He created everything (Genesis 1; Colossians 1:16). We know He is Omniscient – he sees everything and knows everything and can do anything (Isaiah 55:9; Hebrews 4:13;…
My Father is glorified by this; that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. John 15:8 In order to be like Jesus and become a person of no excuses, we need to know Him. He is Lord and Savior and should be the focal point of our lives. In John 15, Jesus…
How would you complete this sentence: A person who believes everything about Jesus and follows Him will speak in a way that is _______? We are coming to the end of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. This Sunday we will look at Paul’s encouragement for them to “walk in wisdom” and to be ready to…
If we aren’t careful, it’s possible to make an idol out of our comfort. The Bible tells us to carry our cross for Christ daily. That means we are guilty of the crime of being His, committed to Him – no matter the cost. It is to be so identified with Jesus that when they…
Following Jesus isn’t just about abundant life, but how we are being transformed daily through spiritual maturity to be more like Jesus. By God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit, we are supplied with whatever we lack to get us where God wants us to be. In the book of Titus, Paul reminds…
5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.1 John 2:5-6 Tony Evans says, “Obedience rooted in love is the requirement for ongoing, developing, ever-deepening, fellowship with the Lord.” When we walk in His…