Posts with the category “from-our-ministers”

Have you ever felt like your life stagnated, like you were stuck in a deep rut with no way out? Aimlessness is not only frustrating, but it goes against the fundamental nature of our existence. We are not meant to live devoid of purpose. Indeed, each of us has been created with a destiny in mind—a destiny designed by God, who fills our lives with meaning and direction.At the heart of understanding...  Read More

The culmination of God’s plan is not for our glory but His. Salvation glorifies God's gracious nature, from selecting holy and blameless people to their adoption as sons and daughters. God wants to manifest the richness of His grace, inviting you into a story that ultimately leads to His praise.  Read More

To find oneself in Christ is to unlock a destiny set in motion before the stars hung in the sky. It's an invitation to a life transformed, a heart renewed, and a spirit awakened to God's eternal love.  Read More

Jesus came to bring life in its most abundant form. Do we believe in Jesus, who claims to be the resurrection and the life? Will we reach out to Him in faith?   Read More

Psalm 1 challenges us to evaluate the quality of our walk with God and avoid the perils of spiritual complacency. It implores us to deepen our understanding of Him, cultivate an awe of His presence, and experience His work in our lives. Here, we find a portrait of a blessed life intertwined with God.But how does one cultivate such a life?Psalm 1:1-2: Examining Our SurroundingsThe things we see and...  Read More

The climax of our hope, however, is anchored in the glorious return of Jesus, vividly described in 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17. His second coming, marked by celestial fanfare and divine majesty, promises the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the transformation of the living believers, ensuring our eternal presence with the Lord in the heavens.  Read More

Life is busy. And because it is, it is astonishing how easily we become entangled in the temporary, often relegating the eternal to a secondary status. In 2 Peter 3:10, Peter reminds us that everything we know and accumulate will ultimately burn up. This begs the question: do we truly live as if we believe this? Matthew 6:19-21 challenges us to adopt a godly, eternal perspective, urging us to stor...  Read More

Never forget you operate from the position of victory, 1 Corinthians 15.57. This is the foundation upon which you build our efforts. Our endeavors in the Lord are meaningful and not in vain. Thus, serve the Lord with fervor, engaging your emotions and will, and fully commit to the path laid out for you.  Read More

The weight of glory, as described in 2 Corinthians 5.1-5, is the promise of a new, imperishable body—an eternal dwelling that surpasses our current mortal state. Paul's longing to be with Christ underscores the ultimate hope that awaits believers, whether in life or death.  Read More

Regardless of the storms that may loom on the horizon, we can stand firm in hope, bringing glory to God.   Read More

While emotion may undoubtedly be involved, the most essential characteristics of this love are someone’s dedication and commitment. It is a love of action. It is a love of purpose and self-sacrifice. It is a whole-being response.  Read More

if you sometimes wrestle with doubts about your salvation or feel burdened by the weight of past mistakes, cling to the promise of Romans 8.1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Read More

So why do bad things happen to good people? Drawing from biblical examples like Hezekiah, Job, and Paul, we discover the multifaceted purposes of trials - testing faith, weaning from worldly attachments, heightening heavenly hope, and revealing God's compassion in misery. These tribulations are opportunities to develop spiritual strength for greater usefulness in God's plan, Acts 20:24, Romans 5:3–4, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Psalm 63:3, and James 1:2.  Read More

When contemplating the broader aspects of our lives, we should see the workings of God's providence in many areas. We should give thanks, focusing on the positive and the good that has emerged rather than dwelling on weaknesses or challenges. The joy we feel for all that God has done is a testament to the transformative power of His providence and the depth of our gratitude.  Read More

With every temptation, God promises a way out, as per 1 Corinthians 10:13. This exit is not always immediate or effortless, but it involves enduring through the challenge. To "bear it" means to get under something and carry it through. The way out is not a detour but a passage through the test itself.  Read More

Philippians 1.6 holds a wonderful message of assurance and hope. In this passage, we find Paul's unwavering confidence in God's ongoing work in the lives of believers. As we step into the new year, let's delve into the significance of God's work from inception to completion, the vital role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, and the enduring hope that sustains us in our spiritual life.  Read More

God secured your hope through the cross. It is His work. It is by grace and gift of His righteousness, made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Read More

On Sunday, we will focus on God's greatest desire: to be in a relationship with us. This desire was so profound that He sent His Son to live among us and become our atonement for sin.   Read More

Properly managing the tension between grace and faith, belief and obedience, things that define the Christian experience, must be handled with great care and wisdom.  Read More

The Bible goes beyond depicting God as a distant, authoritative figure. It reveals a God who engages intimately with His creation. In John 3:16, Jesus encapsulates the essence of God's love, saying, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The nature of God, as revealed in the Bible, encompasses love, mercy, and grace. God's love is not conditional but extends to all of humanity. In Romans 5:8 Paul proclaims this truth, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."   Read More

The call to obedience is also a call to trust. By following God's commands, Joshua demonstrates his faith that the pathway God laid out is indeed the path to victory. It's a trust that God's way, though it may be fraught with challenges, is ultimately the way of triumph.  Read More

God wants to meet our deepest need for salvation, love, and acceptance. No matter how far we stray, the path back to God is always open, illuminated by His word, and marked by His unconditional love and forgiveness.  Read More

Fruitfulness is the ultimate point of having good soil. It is the evidence of the divine life within us. This fruit can be seen in our attitude, righteous behavior, and soul-winning efforts. The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is through bearing fruit in every good work that we display our faith in action.  Read More

Counting the cost of discipleship is essential, as Luke 14:26-27 and Luke 14:33 emphasize. Pressure, as mentioned in Matthew 13.21, comes into play when life events force us to make choices. The depth of our faith will significantly impact the outcomes of these choices. Pressure isn't entirely negative, as James 1:2-4 and James 1:12 illustrate. Testing our faith can lead to endurance, maturity, and a crown of life.  Read More

The parable of the Sower, drawing parallels between the types of soil and the condition of our hearts. It is the perfect complement to Paul’s teachings in Colossians. Just as seeds need the right conditions to grow, our heart requires self-examination and humility. By understanding this parable, we can cultivate hearts that are receptive to God's Word, allowing gratitude to take root and flourish.  Read More

Remember, if God is concerned with birds, flowers, and grass, Matthew 6.25-34, He most certainly is concerned about you. He is so concerned about you that He knows the number of hairs on your head, Matthew 10.20.   Read More

We need to remember that people often make their first impression of a congregation by the quality of the online content that is put out. It has to be professional, modern, and fresh. Didn’t Paul communicate this principle in Colossians 3.23? We need a high standard of excellence in our online outreach, because ultimately, we are representing the Lord.  Read More

We’ll focus on two main things in this lesson. First, we’ll learn how the word contains power … the power to save. Over and over again the words of both Testaments testify to its life changing power to bring salvation and help with personal transformation. Jesus said the one who hears His word and believes in Him will be saved, John 5.24. The Law of the Lord is perfect. It restores the soul. The scriptures have power because they are inspired, 2 Timothy 3.16a.  Read More

A good connection to the church matters little if I am not where I need to be in my relationship with Christ. A strong relationship with Christ equals a strong relationship with the church as the two things go hand in hand. Likewise, a poor relationship with Christ equals a detached reality with the church. The claim so many are making today that I can have Christ without the church is blatantly false and leads to utter spiritual ruin. You cannot have Christ and not be a part of the church.  Read More

For it is in this devout adherence to God's Word that we find their true north, a compass guiding them toward eternal approval. In the end, the reward for such faithfulness is not just the fleeting praises of man, but the eternal commendation from Christ Himself, beckoning the faithful home with the words, Well done, good and faithful servant, Matthew 25.21.  Read More

Where in the world would you find a religion that boasts of such a God? A deity who not only retrieves the lost but also rejoices in their recovery? A God who then welcomes them into eternal communion, deriving joy from their return? This is our God Our Savior. Our Revealer. Our guiding light. Our loving Father.  Read More

The church at Antioch, with its growth, outreach, worship, inclusion, discipleship, and service, is a beacon for churches all over. It beckons us to mold ourselves in its likeness, making Jesus the cornerstone, reaching out selflessly, and being catalysts for divine transformation in the world.  Read More

In the Parable of the Lost Sheep a shepherd, from among the humblest of society, loses one sheep out of a hundred, he leaves the ninety-nine and tirelessly searches for the lost one. Once found, he joyfully carries the sheep back home. This shepherd's dedication is seen in Jesus, our seeking Savior, who carries us through life's rough patches, always eager to bring us back into the fold.  Read More

Contrary to what we most often hear, this parable centers not on humanity but on God. This is a depiction of a God whose grace, love, and mercy are unbounded, who is indiscriminate in where His seeds—His messages of love and hope—fall. God's perspective doesn’t segregate the world into good or bad soil. Every heart, every condition, is worthy of His love.   Read More

Children need to be taught respect and obedience and they need to be disciplined for disobedience and disrespect. All of this is in the context of a home that is under the control of parents who continually make the dominating influence of that home the word of God. A home where a biblical worldview is stressed … life viewed through the eyes of Scripture.  Read More

What does it mean to be of "one heart and one soul"? It's not just about practicing the same doctrines or simply avoiding conflict. While the absence of disagreement is vital, true unity goes beyond surface-level peace, which can sometimes be mistaken for apathy or stagnation. A genuinely unified church vibrantly moves forward, embodying a collective spirit and purpose.  Read More

God's love not only saves broken people but also utilizes them to accomplish His purposes. By doing so, He demonstrates that true power lies in Him, not in human strength.   Read More

Sin disrupts all aspects of our lives, but in Christ, we are united as one family, supporting and caring for each other. Regardless of our individual journeys, we find solace in being connected through our faith in Christ. As we move forward, let us embrace God's plan for our lives, find healing in His love, and trust in His faithfulness.  Read More

a husband is encouraged to love his wife completely, as he loves himself. This oneness is underlined in Ephesians 5:31. The last verse in the chapter calls for husbands to out-serve their wife and lead in a way that aligns with God's calling for husbands. It underscores the need to prioritize the marriage covenant, for God himself is highly invested in it.  Read More

Our study and reflection on these principles will equip us to stand as beacons of unity in a divided world. Just as Jesus prayed for the unity of believers, may we, too, be one, reflecting the love and unity found in the Father and the Son, so that the world may witness the transformative power of our faith.  Read More