Mathew 5:13 Teaching about Salt and Light 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot … Continue reading You Are Salt & Light
Where We Belong
Think back to a time when you were passionate about pursuing something—a job, a cause, or even a relationship. Once you finally attained the object of your desire, was it everything you imagined? Or did it lose its luster over time, perhaps even becoming a problem in your life? That’s what happens when our focus … Continue reading Where We Belong
SEEK GOD FIRST
Matt. 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. How dependent are you upon God? Stop and really think about it for a moment. As Christians, we like to think that we rely fully on Him, and on Sunday mornings we might even—with all … Continue reading SEEK GOD FIRST
Gratitude in the Storms of Life
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 Jesus told us that we would have hardships (John 16:33), and He was right, wasn’t He? As unpleasant as trials are, there’s still reason for giving thanks. Yesterday, we looked at three provisions believers can count on during adversity: God’s presence, a pathway through the trouble, and potential to grow. Today, let’s … Continue reading Gratitude in the Storms of Life
The Blessing of Grace
Ephesians 2:4-10 Why did God save you? Was it because of His love for you, His mercy for your helpless condition, His desire to rescue you from hell, or His providential choice? All of these answers—along with many others—are correct. But do you know what God’s ultimate reason for salvation is? According to today’s passage, … Continue reading The Blessing of Grace
Protecting Our Future
Genesis 25:19-34 Many people give little thought to the long-term consequences of their choices. As a result, they can sacrifice future blessings for the sake of present pleasures. But this is nothing new; we see it in the very first book of the Old Testament. Swayed by his immediate needs and desires, Esau failed to … Continue reading Protecting Our Future
The Father’s Resources
Luke 11:1-13 When you were a child, where did you go when you needed a snack, a bike repair, comfort for a skinned knee, or a referee for a dispute with a sibling? More than likely, you sought out your mom or dad or a trusted guardian, because God gave them the responsibility of caring … Continue reading The Father’s Resources
Run With Endurance
Hebrews 12:1-3 Athletic contests were popular in New Testament times, so it makes sense that the writer of Hebrews likened the Christian life to a race. Following Christ isn’t a short sprint but a marathon with many obstacles, hardships, and unexpected turns. To encourage us on the course we’re running, God has given us a … Continue reading Run With Endurance
Dead Men Walking
Ephesians 2:1-5, Made Alive with Christ! Zombie movies are science fiction, but did you know that, spiritually speaking, there actually are dead men and women walking around on earth? They look like everyone else, but deep down inside, their spirit is dead. Truth be known, everyone begins life as a spiritual “zombie.” Human beings are … Continue reading Dead Men Walking
Evaluating Your Faith
Mark 11:20-24 It’s a good idea to pause every now and then to evaluate our spiritual development. Although we will experience different phases of faith throughout life, our goal should be to continue growing. Which phase sounds like you? Hesitant faith is characterized by struggling to believe God: We hope He’ll answer our prayer, but we’re … Continue reading Evaluating Your Faith