On the heels of informing His men of His coming crucifixion and their need to follow Him there, the Messiah takes up the mission of encouraging His men. They've no reason to fear or doubt, and God the Father will cameo the scene to assure them.
You can't blame the...read >>
"His ways are not our ways." The Scripture is full of stories that marvel us about God. Just about the time we think we have Him boxed in and figured out, He does the unexpected. In holiness & righteousness He governs all things as He baffles the best...read >>
What defines you? It's really simple, and the same for all of us: the pursuit of whatever satisfies us, whatever brings us happiness and joy. So, what defines you?
In our passage today, Jesus calls His followers to their cross. A Roman cross was the most horrific...read >>
Are you stricken with sin? When you look upon your life, your past, your present... do you feel stuck in your situation?
Well, friend, there is hope... real hope. Though you & others may have labeled you irreparable, Jesus has not. He has the authority &...read >>
These are some of the most frightening verses in the Scripture.
Yet should they be? Does our Lord mean to threaten, or to love, to warn, to redeem, to protect? If ignorantly headed down the pathway to hell, wouldn't you wan to know? He certainly wants us to...read >>
Who is the Light of the world? Well, if you're a Christian you know the answer: Jesus! "I Am the Light of the world." -Jn 8.12
Few if any Christians would argue that. And aren't we thankful for it! Well Christian, did you realize that in our passage...read >>
How thick is your skin? How thick is your sin?
"I must decrease that Christ may increase." John's words befit all of God's children. We're born so bent on our own situation. But our faithful God loves us, and will, therefore, see us through to fix our...read >>
It's devastatingly true that, despite our human condition of sin, so few humans have even heard of it; and, if they do, they're quick to dismiss it as "a religious crutch for the ignorant who lack the mental capacity to come to grips with the harsh reality of...read >>
bondage, death, fall, free will, freedom, Gospel, human condition, love, power of the air, prince of light, ruler of world, satan, satanic, sin, slavery It's a bitter sweet day. We've arrived at the end of our study in Genesis. Today we bury a couple of patriarchs. These men were tools in the hands of God to work His will, bless His people, and glorify His name. It is the end of Genesis, the end of The...read >>
"As a dog returns to its vomit, so does a fool to his folly." -Pv26.11
Any idea what that means? Of course you do! How many times have we buried the hatchet, only to leave that handle sticking so we can grab it back again when we "need" it? O...read >>
A dear friend once said, "We live in a microwave culture with a crock-pot God."
It's so right & good for us to search for the Lord, to hunger & thirst for greater nearness. But, what when if don't find it? Or worse, what if the concert-high wears...read >>
The first couple of sections of this chapter read like Abraham's obituary. God's plan to continue His covenant faithfulness is shifting from Abraham to his son, Isaac.
Various other details about Abraham's life are introduced here, including the addition of another...read >>
NOTE: audio improves at minute seven
[The following sermon was preached by Brother Logan Cauthen, based on Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3.]
In Matthew 7 Jesus tells us of a group of people who confess him as Lord, are involved in ministry...read >>
Ever had God's plans not line up with your own? Perhaps it was a life-altering event, like the loss of a family member as happens to Abraham in today's passage. It certainly isn't without its tension. God made promises, but now the patriarch's family members are...read >>
This genealogy is different. Chapter 10's is a segmented-genealogy: to tell of all the different families were connected (or not). Chapter 5's is a linear-genealogy, like the one in this passage. But there is still one emphatic difference between those two. Genesis...read >>
Ever tried shining a flashlight in the day time? Doesn't do much good, does it?
Made in the likeness & image of God, the Lord shines on His children like little mirrors in order that they may experience the joy of having and reflect His Light.
For now, in this...read >>
Why are we surprised by sin? What other alternative is there for a human race who has willingly rebelled from Life?
This week's school shooting in Newtown is a fresh reminder of the reality of our broken world.
Despite any of our efforts to undo, it's impossible....read >>
1 Corinthians 15.50-58, banish, blood, Connecticut, death, faith, leaf, life, mercy, mercy, Newtown, pain, Romans 8.18-25, sin How do God's commandments strike you? Do they elicit frustration or faithfulness? gritted teeth or grateful obedience?
The way we hear & feel about God's instruction tells a lot of our perception about Him, our confidence in Him, and our worship of Him.
We...read >>
Almost everything we believe is based on the testimony, the authority of another.
John the Witness has written his Gospel that we might believe. He has written of his life experience with Jesus, that we might have life in Jesus' name.
Honestly, do you have life in...read >>
Has sin run so deep, does it have you so guilty you rightly know that you absolutely do NOT deserve forgiveness?
I can't even forgive myself, how could a holy God forgive me?
What if you could be absolutely assured of forgiveness and peace? That's what we all need.read >>
cross, death, faith, Father, forgiveness, John 19.28-30, Luke 23.46, peace, Psalm 69.21, Son, stronger, wine God has been telling the story of His Son, our Savior, from the foundation of the world: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We are set free from sin and death, from satan and ourselves, from our Father's just wrath... all by the blood of...read >>
