Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

When God Leads His Church

When God Leads His ChurchExodus 11-15 Reading through that lens led me to observe some steps by Israel that we may very well see in our church when we decide to get serious about letting go of our agendas, and letting God lead us in His; and where that begins is in the leadership… Throughout history, one observes that when a need in God’s people arises, God raises up a human instrument to perform His will.  When honest biographies are written, it’s clear that all of these men and women…

LEARNING TO LAMENT

LEARNING TO LAMENTLamentations 3.16-24 1 Thessalonians 4.13 “But we do not want you to … grieve as others do who have no hope.” (esv) Acts 8.2 “Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.” vv. 17-18 “… my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, ‘My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD.’” (esv) LAMENT IS IMPORTANT … WHEN OUR Anguish IS Insistent                     vv. 19-20 “Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall!  My soul continually remembers it…

 GETTING A FRESH START

 GETTING A FRESH STARTNew Year’s Message 2024John 21.15-22 JESUS’ FRESH START CHANGES HOW WE SEE … PAST: FACE OUR Failures Honestly Proverbs 9.7–8 “Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse … [but] reprove a wise man, and he will love you.”(esv) v. 9 “When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place …” (esv)   v. 17 “Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’” (esv)               Luke 22.32 “But I have prayed for you … And when you have turned back, strengthen your…

Leaving a Legacy of Faith

Leave a Legacy of FaithJoshua 14 I only have 2 main points today, and the first is as simple as the second, that is… Caleb was exceptional only because his faith was wholly in His God It is right that we should love this episode in Israel’s life and 85-year-old Caleb’s bold desire to lead out in this new phase of the conquest.  But hear me, you younger men and women of our church – if you want to be this kind…

Are You Standing Firm?

Are you standing firm?Ephesians 6:10-18 1 ENDGAME – WHAT TO DO 2 ENEMY – WHY IT’S DIFFICULT 3 EQUIPMENT – HOW TO DO IT Theme sentence: If our ENDGAME is to stand firm, our ENEMY is trying to knock us down, we need the EQUIPMENT if we’re going to stand firm. PRAY: SLOWLY: Holy and Powerful God, we long for you to speak to us. We are listening, expecting you to speak to us. Spirit of God, Explain your Word…

Miss A Miracle

Miss A Miracle1 Samuel 1-3August 6, 2023 CAPTURE: A while back we had a storm that knocked some branches down. Our power at the house went out. I’m sure you’ve experienced a power outage before. When it happens you check to see what is causing it.  So I did what anyone would do – I called a friend who knew stuff about stuff and how to fix things. He advised me to turn off the main on the breaker. Later…

“God, I’ve got a question: Why…?”

“God, I’ve got a question: Why…?” Habakkuk As your true heart is more deeply revealed to yourself, and you struggle to align yourself with God’s heart, it leads you further away from being an enemy of God, and further towards life as a child of God who lives by faith. A faith-filled Christ-follower will bow the knee not just before God’s power, but also before His love and goodness. At its core, fear is overcome by the firm conviction in…

JESUS’ MISSION AND OUR MISSION

JESUS’ MISSION AND OUR MISSION Matthew 4.23-25 New Year’s Day 2023 Acts 1.3 “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (esv) OUR MISSION IS TO BE A PEOPLE WHO KNOW … THE Truth OF God v. 23a “Now Jesus began … teaching in their synagogues …” (csb) THE Gospel OF THE Kingdom v. 23a “Now Jesus began … preaching the good news…

PUTTING THE PROPER PRICE ON PRAYER

PUTTING THE PROPER PRICE ON PRAYERJohn 14.11-17 vv. 13–14 “Whatever you ask in my name … If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (esv) OUR PRAYERS ARE PRECIOUS BECAUSE … Relational PRAYERS ARE Rare  The Man Born Blind: John 9.31 “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.”  Isaiah 59.1-2 “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that…

Life Lessons from the Womb

Life Lessons from the WombLuke 1:39-45Jared Marshall- Marsha’s Place Executive Director Three Truths to Embrace:  The Goodness of Every Life in the Womb Psalm 127:3 – “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward…” The Personhood of Every Child in the Womb Luke 1:15 – “…and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” The Full Deity and Humanity of Jesus Christ in the Womb Luke 1:43 –…