Advent 3: Joy
10 Bible Verses about Joy I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 NLT [Jesus] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. – John 15:11 NIV Be always joyful. – I Thess. 5:16 BSB And you became…
God Is With Us
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18–19 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a…
Advent 1: HOPE
In Our World, Hope Is A Big Deal! “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” -Martin Luther Hope Is A Big Deal In The Kingdom Of Heaven! Hope is bigger than hoping for Heaven when you die, and that is no small hope! Jesus offers us hope—a promise of the coming light to conquer the darkness. (Mark 13) We are to live with a sense of expectancy and readiness, knowing that Heaven’s Gift will be…
The Fruit Of Love: Part 2
Gal 5v22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (KJV) The Fruit Of The Spirit 1. Fruit of the Spirit are Spiritual – not developed out of human effort but in obedience to Holy Spirit. 2. The Fruit are also for every believer to enjoy – that are not the same as gifts and offices. We should walk in all the fruit but may not…
The Fruit of Love: Part 1
The Fruit Of Love Part 1 Gal 5 v22,23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV) The Fruit of The Spirit. John 15 v1,2,5,8; Galatians 5 v22-23 The Truth About Fruit Fruit of the SPIRIT – NOT called the fruit of “trying really hard to be good people.” The FRUIT of the Spirit are not the GIFTS AND OFFICES of the Holy Spirit. Believers…
Hostile Part 6: Ready To Stand
The Story of Dudley Ting “Let us all stand up for Jesus.” “Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone, The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own; Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer, Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.” 2 Timothy: Paul’s Last Letter To Timid Timothy “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and…
Hostile Part 5: Kingdom Builders
Thriving In A Hostile World Joseph encountered tests many of us can identify with: betrayal, sexual temptation, the waiting game and the lure of power. It showed how God’s gift of character and courage can help us to thrive, be a blessing and live with excellence. Daniel and his friends showed us that while God may not always deliver us from the threat of hostility, he may deliver us and bring us through it. Esther showed us that even if…
Hostile Part 4: Nehemiah – The Hidden Key To Leverage
One of the most challenging things in life is to get people or things to do what you want them to do. Even God has had his frustrations with getting humans to listen to Him. Jesus experienced discouragement and sadness over the resistance of people to receive His love and direction. (Luke 19 v41-44) Even if situations seem broken beyond repair, no situation is broken beyond the power of prayer! You Can Make A Change, Because That’s What Nehemiah Did.…
Hostile Part 3: Esther: For Such A Time As This
Holy Moments In A Hostile World. God orchestrates his work in our lives through a series of moments. Esther’s Holy Moment (*Our scripture narrative today is from the book of Esther.) Have you ever intersected with a truly wicked person? “Do not think that because you are in the kings’ house that you alone will of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,…
Part 2: Daniel & Friends – Deadly Hostility.
Deadly Hostility. While God may not always deliver us from the threat of hostility, he may deliver you and will bring you through it. Taking A Stand Requires Trusting God For Boldness And Wisdom. (See Daniel Chapter 1) Daniel offered Ashpenaz a brilliant compromise – The Daniel Diet Plan! Do you ever think to ask the Holy Spirit for creative ideas when you face a hostile situation? Taking A Stand Can Influence Hostile People To Believe In God. (See Daniel…