Jesus doesn't want his followers to stand on the shoreline of faith - dipping our toes in the water. We are to heed his Word and invitation to head out into the deep waters of faith and let down our nets for a catch. See what happens when we let him in the boat.
Read MoreWe all make excuses for what we don't want to do. We're afraid. We feel insufficient...insecure. But, what if it is GOD who is commanding you to do something for him? And make no mistake - he IS! But he is with us and that makes all the difference.
Read MoreThere is nothing better than to be used by the LORD. Take the time to discover your spiritual gift(s)! In Christ, you can be a manifestation of the Spirit to the world!
Read MoreThe baptism of Jesus is one of the most incredible events ever. And much more is happening than we may realize. The voice of the Lord is powerful. It's time we started listening to him.
Read MoreHow might the story of the wise men following the star to the place where Jesus was inspire us to also commit and persevere in the coming year? Why is this important?
Read MoreHow can the Christmas story help us understand that God meets us and carries us through the disrupting and chaotic times of our lives?
Read MoreBecause Jesus is the "Prince of Peace", we CAN have total peace in him -- NOT the absence of conflict, pain or trouble... but peace...the peace of Christ that "passes all understanding" that gives us an amazing assurance that it is WELL with my soul.
Read MoreBecause Jesus is the complete and total embodiment of joy, we can also have joy in him through the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Read MoreAs Philippians 2 says, [Jesus] emptied himself, took the form of a servant and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! This is what God did - he chose to be BORN! And why did he do it? Out of LOVE for you and me.
Read MoreAre you struggling just to hang onto hope? Welcome to Advent - the season of hope.
Read MoreIn a culture filled with lies and deception, we have the Truth - Jesus Christ!
Read MoreEven in times of fear - when we think the world is crashing down or coming to an end, we Christians have hope. We have the hope of the resurrection and the hope of heaven. We've been told these things in advance so that we would not fear.
Read MoreThis week we continue our sermon theme on Gratitude and look to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Listen to his plea and prayer for us and be encouraged!
Read MoreGratitude ... it's a choice we have to make every day. It's not easy but Jesus has given us the weapon of war - LOVE.
Read MoreBartimaeus was a poor, blind man — but he could see Jesus better than anyone following him at the time. He knew WHO to cry out to for mercy—Jesus! Sometimes we are blind spiritually and even blinded by our own pain and darkness. May we, in our daily lives, learn the cry of Bartimaeus and experience God’s loving mercy and grace that is found in Jesus.
Read MoreJesus again has to pull his disciples aside after James and John ask to be his right and left hand men in "his glory" in Jerusalem! They, once again, didn't get it. But, let's face it. We don't either most times.
Read MoreJesus looks on the heart. And just as in the story of the young, rich man—he sees who or WHAT is ruling it. With this man, Jesus knew that it was his wealth and possessions that ruled in God’s rightful place and so he asked him to surrender it. He didn’t…and missed out on the greatest gift… the gift of following Jesus and being in his presence. The young man went away sad. Wealth and possessions do not satisfy, nor do they give salvation. Only Jesus does. So, who or what is keeping YOU from experiencing all that God has for you?
Read MoreOne of the most important characteristics of God is his abundant mercy. Listen as Bishop David Bryan unpacks it for us from out of Mark's gospel.
Read MoreJesus' disciple, John, freaked out when he saw a man casting out a demon in Jesus' name that wasn't a part of their group! To which Jesus said, "Don't stop him! Whoever is not against us is FOR us!!" So many times, we get in a fuss when we see another church or group having success instead of celebrating that God is doing something awesome in the world! If our focus is solely on Jesus and not ourselves, why would we NOT celebrate!? Listen as we unpack this very important lesson from Jesus to us.
Read MoreWe can go to church all our lives--holding to the traditions of men, and yet not really know or surrender to King Jesus. We sometimes get so stuck in our tradition that we totally forget that God is after our whole heart and expects us to live as such in the world.
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