Fan the Flame II Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, As Paul opens this letter, he pours his heart out about how much he loves his “dear son” in the faith, Timothy. In verse 5 Paul makes reference to Timothy’s “sincere” faith that he received from the example of his godly mother and grandmother. Paul focuses Timothy on remembering what has been given to him - a...
Read MoreSeize Opportunities to Serve God Ephesians 5:15-16 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Paul has been building up steam in the book of Ephesians - laying down foundational truths about our new life in Christ throughout the first three chapters of the book. At the beginning of chapter 4, he urges us to “walk in a manner worthy” of these truths he has laid out. Chapters 4-6 contain some of...
Read MoreSeeking Things Above Colossians 3:1-4 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. This past week we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many...
Read MoreWalking with Jesus through the Holy (Passion) Week This coming week is designated as the “Passion” week. It is the week prior to the celebration of Easter, a time we focus on the events of Christ’s final week leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection. The importance of this week is to deepen our relationship with Christ by remembering the great sacrifice He made on our behalf. One stumbling block to many believers, children and youth especially, is not viewing...
Read MorePraying Scripture Colossians 1:9-12 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and...
Read MoreThe Lord’s Prayer This year we are focusing on two of our greatest privileges as children of God: prayer and evangelism. We must learn how to be people of prayer! Many people struggle with prayer and need a starting point to begin. You are not the first person to wonder, “How should I pray?” The disciples asked Jesus the same question in Luke 11. In verse 1 a disciple asks Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” It is not a shameful thing to say, “I’m not...
Read MoreWalk Slowly through the Crowd Matthew 9:36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. I once heard a friend, Matt Williams, teach the concept of “walking slowly through the crowd.” He quoted Matthew 9, and he challenged us to think as Jesus did about people – not only in special situations, but when around crowds of peoples in daily life. Here is an excerpt from Matt’s book: As we...
Read MoreRomans Road This year our church is focusing on evangelism. Typically, our first fear in sharing the gospel is being unsure if we know how to do it right. This is an understandable fear! We are afraid that we might lead someone the wrong way, say the wrong thing, or not be able to answer a person’s questions. We must first remember where fear comes from – it stems from Satan and our sinful flesh, not from God. “God has not given us a spirit of fear” (2 Tim. 1:7)...
Read MorePrepare to Be Uncomfortable Philippians 1:12-14 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Paul begins this passage with the phrase “what has happened to me has really served to...
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