November 26, 2015
A good word for the season. Be “hospitable” (Literally in the Greek, “lover of strangers”). And do it without “grumbling” (murmuring, complaining, the opposite of gratitude). Put them together and you have: THANKS + GIVING. Be ‘giving’ towards everyone, especially strangers and do it with a ‘thankful’ heart. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
November 22, 2015
What are these “things” which angels seek to understand? Aren’t they the same “things” that the Old Testament prophets sought to know? The apostle Peter said that these “things” are the very facts of the gospel of Christ which were seen and heard by the apostles and preached to us who believe. The Spirit revealed the day of Christ to the prophets, yet even though they longed to see it for themselves, they came to understand that they were given a message about a future hope. Jesus described how these prophets must have felt when He spoke of how Abraham “rejoiced” to see the day of Christ’s coming (John 8:56). We now live on the other side of the “things” which the prophets and angels desired to see. The day of Christ’s salvation has already come. And we are the recipients of these “things.” Yet the angels, even though they witnessed the day of Christ, still “desire to look into” it. For they stand outside the work of redemption, in that it was not for them, but for humanity. They stare in wonder at this salvation which is so full of glory and beautiful mystery that the Son of God would endure such “things” to save us.
November 26, 2014
Don’t be like the antelope that wandered from the herd only to be eaten by a lion. Stay alert and stay together! Don’t be tempted to isolate yourself in times of trouble. The Church is the body of Christ and we need each other. Begin your week worshiping together and gather during the week in one another’s homes, devoting yourselves to the Word, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer. Stay with the “herd” and stand firm together against the evil one.
November 25, 2014
Do you seek to be of “one mind,” unified with your fellow believers? Or do you constantly need to “speak your mind,” letting others know what displeases you? Seeking to be of one mind does not mean that you have no opinion, but it does mean that you seek to understand the other with an attitude of sympathy, love, tenderheartedness, and humility. This attitude leads to oneness for it actually cares about unity in the body and mutual understanding. Living together in this way will not eliminate conflict, but it will lead to handling conflict rightly, so that unity is increased, rather than broken. What is your goal? Is it to have your own way? Or is it to keep the family of believers unified in following Jesus?
November 24, 2014
When the oneness of our marital relationship is hindered, so is our prayer life. When husbands mistreat their wives (or vice versa) it affects their spiritual life as well. This should not surprise us for God has made us relational beings. And as such, a stone of disunity cast in one relationship, troubles the waters in another. Be reconciled to one another and live together in harmony, and watch your prayer life come alive again.
November 23, 2014
The Church is not a place, but a people. We have not built it, we are being built into it. While God builds the Church, we are to be the Church. For we are all “holy priests,” offering worship to God through meditation of Christ, the Cornerstone and Great High Priest.
April 20, 2014 | 1 Peter 1:3-5 |
Pastor Gary Combs speaks on how we can know the living hope the apostle Peter spoke of in his first epistle. This living hope has three aspects. It is based on the resurrection of Christ. It finds its present nature is encouraged by the reservation that Christ has made for us in heaven and its object is Christ’s return. This is the living hope we are reminded of at Easter.
November 25, 2013
Be prepared to answer others with the gospel of Christ as the reason for your hope this season. When they ask why you are so joyful and thankful, reply that it’s because of Christ in you, the hope of glory. When our lives are in alignment with the gospel we believe, when our submission matches our confession, people become curious about the reason. And remember, it’s good news, so answer gently and with respect.
November 23, 2013
This beautiful verse describes our place in the Father’s heart as His people. Take special note that we are “his own possession.” In other words, He made us for Himself. We are His. And we belong to HIm in order to “proclaim the excellencies” of Christ, the One who brought us out of “darkness into marvelous light.” Augustine reflected on this saying, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee.”
November 22, 2013
What we invest in our 401Ks for retirement does not have guaranteed returns. But what we invest in the Kingdom is guaranteed by God. More than that, when we trust Jesus for salvation, we ourselves are “being guarded” by God’s power until His return. As C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”