Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

New Testament

When What We Think Is Not Reality

Today’s scripture demands a pause and a pondering. We likely are familiar with the Lord’s interaction with the church at Laodicea. As we read His letter to them, He is bringing the most serious of spiritual charges against them; a lukewarm heart. Such a heart is defined as a spirit of indifference toward Him and spiritual things. The seriousness and subtlety of this condition is one doesn’t have to be living in outward gross sin to be in it.

Jesus: The Christian’s Contentment

Colossians 3:11 – Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. THEME OF THE DAY: JESUS: THE CHRISTIAN’S CONTENTMENT. Have we recently taken time and pondered all the rich blessings we receive from God by being Christians? The list is long. It would be a good exercise to periodically…

Watching And Wise Or Asleep And Foolish

Matthew 25:1-13 – “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom…

Our Lord’s Instruction on Prayer Part 6

In this sixth part of our Lord’s instruction on prayer, Pastor Jim outlines the implications of the third petition to God, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. This petition is explored in 3 ways: what is the definition of the will of God, how is the will of God done in heaven, and what are examples of His will for us on earth. Throughout the message, Pastor Jim explains the nuances between God’s absolute will (He is sovereign) and his revealed will (the part we understand and must follow). We assume responsibility of carrying out his will when we pray “Your will be done”, falling under obedience to his revealed will.

The Privileges Of Being A Christian

2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! THEME OF THE DAY: THE PRIVILEGES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN. Today’s scripture immediately draws our hearts and minds to the gift of God in His Son, the Lord Jesus. In this gift from the Father, we are blessed with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). We also receive precious promises (2…

Seeing Life As It Really Is

Ephesians 6:10-18 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,…