Peacemakers
Have you noticed how uncivil our culture has become? People can be just flat out rude. Polite manners seem to be a thing of the past. Especially when it comes to the news media; whatever is the most divisive gets the most press and therefore fills the hearts and minds of the people - that is, us and our neighbors! More and more people are ready for an argument. But what about Christians? How do we respond when provoked? What does Jesus mean when he says, "Blessed are the peacemakers ..." (Matthew 5:9). Does that mean peace at all costs? Does that mean not caring? Just how do we make peace? For that, we must look to Christ Himself.
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- May 22, 2016PeacemakersPeacemakersHave you noticed how uncivil our culture has become? People can be just flat out rude. Polite manners seem to be a thing of the past. Especially when it comes to the news media; whatever is the most divisive gets the most press and therefore fills the hearts and minds of the people - that is, us and our neighbors! More and more people are ready for an argument. But what about Christians? How do we respond when provoked? What does Jesus mean when he says, "Blessed are the peacemakers ..."(Matthew 5:9). Does that mean peace at all costs? Does that mean not caring? Just how do we make peace? For that, we must look to Christ Himself.
- May 15, 2016Pure in HeartPure in Heart
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8) The first thing we learn from this beatitude is that Jesus is concerned with our heart. It is not enough to clean up our act on the outside. The aim of Jesus Christ is not to reform the manners of society, but to change the hearts of sinners like us. Considering the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us at Pentecost, we can see how Go
d intends to change us from the inside out. - May 8, 2016Hunger and Thirst for RighteousnessHunger and Thirst for Righteousness“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
(Matthew 5:6, ESV) This one short verse of Scripture brings to us an incredible message of hope, and a message that should spark a deep sense of joy in all of us who are believers and those who may be seeking Christ. Satisfaction is available, but only through Christ.
- May 1, 2016Heaven Breaking ThroughHeaven Breaking Through
Many Christians view the gospel message as being little more than the minimal entrance requirements for heaven. They miss out on the “living life on earth in the presence of God” portion of the gospel that Jesus says is available right now. To what extent have you missed out on the fullness of life with God in the here and now? Don’t wait till you die to start living in the presence of God. - Apr 24, 2016God Wants a Relationship with YouGod Wants a Relationship with You
There is no one-size-fits-all way to draw close to God. God created you, knows you, and wants to have a relationship with you that is unlike his relationship with any other being. The miracle of the Incarnation is that God came to earth as one of us in order to connect with us. But an even greater miracle is that after Jesus ascended into heaven, he continues to be connected to His people through the Holy Spirit!
- Apr 17, 2016Listening to the Voice of GodListening to the Voice of GodThe voices we listen to and the thoughts we allow to occupy our minds eventually shape who we become and what we do. If our goal is debauchery and depravity, we don’t have to do much—just avoid God, avoid Scripture, and avoid godly people. If our goal is a mediocre spiritual life, we can just occasionally focus on God’s Word, and the rest of the time focus on whatever else is out there. But if our goal is to have a mind that is the dwelling place of God, we need to fill it with what God says, and meditate on His Word.
- Apr 10, 2016Partnering with God TodayPartnering with God Today
Spending the day with God does not necessarily involve doing different activities than you already do. It involves learning to do what you already do in a different way—doing it with God. It means acknowledging your dependence on God, telling him about your concerns, and inviting Him to share each moment of the day with you.
- Apr 3, 2016Where is God in My World?Where is God in My World?
Do you sometimes wish that God would show Himself more plainly? He can seem to hide somewhere between the clouds and the pages of the Bible. Wouldn’t it be nice if God showed up the way that He did for the Disciples of Jesus and the nation of Israel? When there seems to be so much wickedness at work in our world today, you may be tempted to believe that God has “left the building.” Don’t. Jesus has promised never to leave nor forsake you … why start doubting Him now? - Mar 27, 2016God’s Great Desire for PeopleGod’s Great Desire for PeopleAccording to 1 Corinthians 15, more than 500 people saw Jesus after his resurrection. Some believed, some didn’t. Paul said “He appeared also to me.” Have you had a personal experience with the Lord? Would you like to? You can. Jesus encourages you with the same words he said to Thomas,“Stop doubting and believe.” The resurrection of Jesus is just an interesting story or an historical detail until you put your faith in Christ. The promise: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Faith in Jesus and in his resurrection has an eternal impact! Jesus himself put it this way, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) Our prayer is that if you are not yet a believer, today begins a new step of faith for you, and if you are already a believer that you will be strengthened and encouraged in faith. Thanks for joining us. Please come back again and again. There’s more Good News!
- Mar 24, 2016Maundy Thursday – BloodbathMaundy Thursday – Bloodbath
The name for this day comes from the Latin word "mandatum," meaning "commandment." It refers to the two commandments our Lord gave to His disciples on this day. The first is, "Love one another;” the second is, "Do this in remembrance of Me." Our service today is part-one of what the early Church observed as "the triduum," a three-day remembrance of the events of our Lord's suffering, death, and resurrection. - Mar 20, 2016His Triumphal EntranceHis Triumphal Entrance
“Hosanna” means “save us now!” Jesus received great praise as he entered into Jerusalem and the people shouted, "Hosanna. Save us, and do it now!" But that day was also the beginning of the end for our Lord, an end that will culminate in the most humiliating of deaths: by crucifixion. Yet we can rejoice, not for a palm parade, but for the truth that after his death, resurrection and ascension, God exalted his obedient and humble Son to the highest place where he receives all glory as King of kings and Lord of lords, having won for us the forgiveness of sins!
- Mar 13, 2016Is There No Justice?Is There No Justice?
Travesties and miscarriages of justice are all around us. Christ suffered the greatest injustice of all: stricken for our transgressions, He was cut off from the land of the living. Through Him, God has accomplished His own plan of justice: our justification by grace alone.
- Feb 28, 2016Stray SheepStray Sheep
We all like sheep have gone astray. We were lost and vulnerable to the wolf. (Some still are.) The Good Shepherd became a sheep and laid down His life to bring us back into the fold of salvation.
- Feb 14, 2016Appearances Can Be DeceivingAppearances Can Be DeceivingJudged by outward appearances, the crucified Christ held no attraction. But He took upon Himself the ugliness of our sin, that we might be gloriously clothed in His righteousness before God. (Our Suffering Savior, p. 145)
- Feb 10, 2016Who Has Believed?Who Has Believed?We ponder how Christ overcame unbelief and skepticism and powerfully rescued all humanity. He is the arm of the Lord, strong to save! (Our Suffering Savior, 145). A Christian custom on Ash Wednesday is to receive a mark of the cross made with ashes upon the forehead. Ashes are a symbol of repentance and of our mortality, especially as we hear the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
