What does it mean to encourage someone? When you consider the word, it means to put courage IN to someone. As we live our lives as brothers and sisters in Christ, the Word calls us to put courage IN to each other’s lives. Join us to discover how you can IN-courage your brothers and sisters by pointing them to the return of Jesus Christ.
As you prepare your Thanksgiving feast, we invite you to join us for another feast – a feast of grace. This feast is known as Communion and The Lord’s Supper. It is also known as the Eucharist which means, “Thanksgiving.” Not only do we give thanks now, but the Lord Jesus comes to us in this feast, “until He comes.” Join us to celebrate the Eucharist and give thanks for the grace given to you through Jesus Christ.
Christians are often criticized as being too heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. Meaning, we’re so focused on the end of the world that we’re not concerned about today. The Word of God paints a much different picture of how the Lord calls us to live for the world now! Join us as the Word of God asks us, “what sort of people ought we to be in lives of holiness and godliness?”
“I hope is doesn’t rain.” “I hope I get the job.” The blessed hope, which is yours on account of Jesus, is more than a wish – it’s a promise. Join us as the Word of God equips us to live in confident anticipation of Christ’s return.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” The Apostle Paul encourages followers of Jesus to live their lives filled with joy. Why? Not because everything is going well or because we need to think positively. We have joy in spite of our circumstances because “the Lord is at hand.”
The only hope for ourselves is to give up hope in ourselves. The Preacher comes to the end of Ecclesiastes not by exhorting people to work harder and do better to earn God’s favor and forgiveness. The end of Ecclesiastes is not a demand of the Law which you can accomplish, but a Gospel invitation knowing you cannot accomplish what the Law demands. Like the disciples asked, “What must we do to be doing the works of God? Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
In many ways, “A Mighty Fortress” is the anthem of the Reformation. When Martin Luther wrote the lyrics he looked to Psalm 46 for inspiration. How might the words, “Be still and know that I am God,” comfort us today?
There are times in our lives when we feel ten feet tall and bullet proof. We think we have the world by the tail, but then something comes from out of nowhere to remind us that we are dust and to dust we will return. Striving after the wind is no respecter of age or stage in life. The young foolishly believe they can accomplish significance and the old worry that significance will slip through their fingers. Regardless of your place in life, the Word of God points us to our Creator for identity, security, and significance. Join us as the Word of God takes a painful but necessary look at our lives to reveal why we do the things we do and call us to find significance in the God who makes all things new.
We are all natural born control freaks. It has been said that the root of control is fear. We fear that life will not work out for us, and as a result, we pursue things that are a sure things and the safe bet. These pursuits are veiled and vain attempts to control life, but if life teaches us anything it teaches us that we are out of control. Ecclesiastes 10:8-9 says, “He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.” This world is filled with danger and uncertainty. Even for the Christian we must remember Ecclesiastes 9:1, “Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor.” So, what do we do? Join us as the Word of God takes a painful but necessary look at our lives to reveal why we do the things we do and call us to find significance in the God who makes all things new.
How does Sunday morning impact Monday through Saturday? Does worship impact and influence the rest of your life or is gathering in the house of God for worship separate? Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Before we set out on all of our vain pursuits, Ecclesiastes reminds us to “guard our steps,” which begins with the fear of the Lord. What does this look like in real life? Join us as the Word of God takes a painful but necessary look at our lives to reveal why we do the things we do and call us to find significance in the God who makes all things new.