PUT IT ON

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians …

YOU FEED THEM

Whenever people gather, you always have to think about food.  It was no different in Jesus’ day.  Wherever he went, crowds would come to hear his life changing words, often for days at a time.  Luke recounts how Jesus had previously given the twelve authority and power over demons and disease, and sent them out to …

THE ROCK THAT WILL NOT FAIL

Have you have ever stood at edge of the ocean, and noticed how quickly the ground underneath you shifts? You may feel steady for a moment, but soon you are mired in the sand, and the longer you stay there, the more unbalanced you become.   Jesus told a parable of a man who built his …

A Sacrifice of Praise

Have you ever been walking through something hard, something that tested you to the core? Maybe the last thing you felt like doing was going to church, being with others, or singing songs with your heavy heart. These are the times when praise is a sacrifice.  Sometimes praise comes from a heart full of joy …

The What and the Why

Most of us know the verse well, Romans 8:28,  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.” While that verse can stand alone, the next verse brings its truth into sharper focus.  Verse 29 says, “For those whom  foreknew …

How We Build

How We Build As this year comes to a close, I am thinking about building.  In 1 Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul says he has laid a foundation, which is Christ.  He says, “Let each one take care how he builds upon it.  For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is …

A New Way

Tom Holland’s book, “Dominion,” is a deep and gritty depiction of the Roman occupied world into which Jesus came.  It was a world where pride, human achievement, and status were prized, and humility would have been viewed with disdain.  In this world the Romans, in order to maintain a firm grip on any uprisings against them and …

Morning Prayer

Lord, your faithfulness is to a thousand generations (Deut. 7:9)You have loved us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)Your mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)You are near to the broken-heartedAnd save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18)You give strength to your peopleAnd bless your people with peace (Psalm 29:11) Therefore, we willEnter …