119 results found

Do you use S.O.A.P daily?

September 12, 2014 | Christ, disciple, discipleship, Gary Combs, God, habits, jesus, prayer, quiet time, solitude, spiritual disciplines

“Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV). “Daily.” There’s something about daily habits. What we do every day eventually adds up to weeks, months, years, and even a lifetime. Daily habits, while seemingly small

The need to belong

August 22, 2014 | belonging, Christ, connecting, Gary Combs, God, guatemala, jesus, Uganda

“Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian” (Ephesians 2:19 TLB). Belonging was formally recognized as one of the most profound human needs by American psychologist, Abraham Maslow. In a 1943

Taking time to celebrate

August 15, 2014 | celebrate, celebration, Christ, Gary Combs, God, God's Son, guatemala, jesus, WCC, worship

“It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:32 ESV). In the parable of the prodigal son, the older brother complains to his father about the party that’s being planned to celebrate the return of his younger brother. His killjoy spirit

Let the children come

July 18, 2014 | children, church, Gary Combs, God, jesus, kids, KidzFest, WCC

“But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God’” (Luke 18:16 ESV). We met this past Tuesday to debrief our KidzFest event. The results were amazing. God is really blessing our church. He is trusting us with young families and their children.

Raising better than good kids

July 11, 2014 | children, Christ, Gary Combs, God, jesus, kids, KidzFest, parenting, WCC

“Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring.” (Malachi 2:15 ESV). We have been working hard every night this week on WCC’s outreach event called “KidzFest 2014: Fire Island.” We decorated the whole church in an island theme. We wrote songs and

Thankful for gospel partnerships

July 3, 2014 | Gary Combs, God, gospel, jesus, joy, Kisoro, missions, partnership, thanks, Uganda

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus

Surrendering to Yesu

June 27, 2014 | Christ, Gary Combs, God, jesus, Kisoro, Moses, surrender, surrendering your will, Uganda, will

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42 ESV). Today began with dark rooms and cold showers as the electricity was knocked out yesterday by a storm that left our hotel without power for nearly a day. It also began with much activity because many of

Come over to Uganda

June 6, 2014 | Africa, Christ, Gary Combs, God, help, jesus, missions, prayer, Uganda

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” (Acts 16:9 ESV). We’re leaving for Uganda tomorrow. Robin and I are joining several WCCers and members from other churches to respond to Ugandan Pastor George Mbonye’s call to

Have you learned the secret of contentment?

May 30, 2014 | Christ, contentment, Gary Combs, God, jesus, joy, peace, stress, worry

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him

The sincere faith of my mother and grandmother

May 9, 2014 | Christ, faith, Gary Combs, God, grandmother, jesus, mother, mother's day, mothers, sincere faith

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV). The church of my youth had annual revival services. We would often have an evangelist come and share how God had miraculously saved