God’s grace removes your burden
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 15 GOD’S GRACE REMOVES YOUR BURDEN “…And [God] made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that […]
Repentance comes from hope
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Mark 1 REPENTANCE COMES FROM HOPE Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Good News.” (Mark 1:15) When you think of repentance, do […]
Jesus has a faith that’s just for you
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Matthew 3 JESUS HAS A FAITH THAT’S JUST FOR YOU Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father,” for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. (Matthew 3:9) Your family doesn’t have to define you. No […]
Jesus is your faithful forgiver
Scripture Notes on 1 John 1 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) If you betray someone you love, you will discover that a barrier begins to grow between you. There may be no retribution on their […]
God’s promises are on their way
Scripture Notes on 2 Peter 3 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) Sometimes it can seem as if our prayers go unanswered. Sometimes it can seem as if God […]
A Prayer for Independence Day
July 4th, 2003 O Lord, our country is sick. In so many ways our nation is dying. Those we trusted to lead us have lied. Those we looked to for guidance have betrayed. Selfishness has triumphed over service. Greed has won over goodness. Instead of holding sacred the public trust, so many of our leaders […]
Why Should I Confess My Sins to Other People?
As a pastor, I often get questions of a more theological nature. Thursdays are the day I like to post some on the blog. Enjoy! —Pastor Phillip The other day I got a text message from a friend: “I’m reading James 5:16, which says, ‘Confess your sins to each other so that you may be […]
Progress in the Kingdom Looks a Lot Like Retreat
Do you ever feel like your walk with Christ is “three steps forward, two steps back?” Relax, it’s normal. The journey of discipleship is not a linear progression like the building of a tower. It is a cyclical journey like the growth of a tree. (Read more about towers and trees here.) The process progresses […]
Graphic Repentance
Repentance is not the same thing as beating yourself up. When you hear the word “repentance” or “repent”, what comes to mind? How does it make you feel? Sometimes in church world, that word gets used to describe feeling so bad about doing wrong that you try really hard to do right instead. The Bible […]
