UnworthinessLuke 5:1-11One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the wate…

Receiving a VisitationActs 10:1-8, 33-36, 44In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. One afternoon about three oclock, he had a vision in which he saw an ange…

Three Musts For Every ChurchActs 2:42-47All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and sha…

A Season of ThanksgivingPhilippians 4:4-9Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, w…

The Rumble In The Jungle Of Our SoulsRomans 7:14-25So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows t…

Raising Our CompassionLuke 14:14-24Then at the resurrection of the righeous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you. Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!" Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out …

It's Time To Draw CloserPsalm 51:7-12Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me - now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your …

Some Things to Hold On ToHebrews 4:14-16So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There w…

It's TimeIsaiah 55:1-11Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink - even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk - it's all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay or food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Come to me with your ears wide…

A Truth We Can Be Confident InDivine Authorship2 Timothy 3:16Matthew 24:35The Meticulous Copying ProcessThe Manuscript Evidence4 Factors Working Against ForgeryThe Disciples and the disciples of the disciples still being aroundOriginal manuscripts being around for at least 300 yearsThe fast spread of the gospel beyond the Roman Empire and the multi…

By Christopher Grant

Being the Church God Called Us To BeRomans 12:6-18In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be…

The Invitation of PeacePhilippians 4:4-9Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, wh…

The Call to Comfort PeopleIsaiah 40:1-5"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins." "Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting, 'Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight…

Come and DineJohn 21:1-17Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were thereSimon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, Im going fishing. Well come, too, they all said. So the…

Pastor Jennifer Mitchell

By Christopher Grant

Now That I Am A ChristianColossians 2:6-9And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don't let anyone capture you with empty phil…

The More of JesusMatthew 14:13-21As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowd heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassions on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, "…

How Important is PrayerJames 5:13-18Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make…

Prepare the Way for the Lord's ComingMatthew 3:1-11In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lords…

Trusting in the LordPsalm 121:1-8I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as yo…

A Fresh Look at CompassionPhilippians 2:1-11Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Dont be …

How to Get Out of the Dog House1 Peter 3:8-12Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Dont repay evil for evil. Dont retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called y…

The Heresies of HellEveryone goes to heaven because Jesus paid for everyone's sins (aka "Christian" Universalism)Everyone goes to heaven eventually. Hellfire is purifyng not punishing (aka Ultimate Reconciliation)Why does a loving God send people to hell for all eternity?People aren't sent to hell, they choose to go there.People want out of hell bu…

Facing Spiritual ForcesEphesians 6:10-20A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of Gods armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this …

Why Some Christians TitheMalachi 3:10-12"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord of heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, …

Why Choose JesusJohn 20:1-18Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, They have taken the Lords body out of the tomb, and we dont know where they have put …

Lessons From the Life of St. PatrickSlaveryJohn 8:31-36 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, 'You will be …

The Lord Is My HelperHebrews 13:1-6Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Gi…

Wanting MoreActs 2:17-21, 37-41"In the last days," God says, "I will pour out my Spirit unto all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants-men and women alike-and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the h…

Pastor Bode Akindele

Rejection & AcceptanceJesus UnderstandsIsaiah 53:2-3 There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. John 1:10-11 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even …

Urgent TimesRomans 13:8-14Owe nothing to anyoneexcept for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of Gods law. For the commandments say, You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet. Theseand other such commandmentsare summed up in this one comman…

The Trial of TemptationLuke 22:31-33, 39-46"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you."Then, a…

Focusing on the Last DaysMatthew 24:3-14Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? Jesus told them, Dont let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, I am the Messiah. They will deceive man…

The Christmas Story: More Profound Than You KnowLuke 1:26-35In the sixth month of Elizabeths pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with yo…