Church Blog (Page 28)

DEVOTIONS HOME [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.” – 1 Corinthians 5:11[/perfectpullquote] Where to begin? Exodus 32 describes events after God saved the people of Israel from the Egyptians in a miraculous way. He also provided for…

DEVOTIONS HOME God’s Provisions Scripture Reading: Exodus 16 I don’t know about you, but there are certain times of the year that I look forward to. And what it all seems to center around is the gathering of people. One such time used to be Christmas Day where my siblings would all gather with their families. Coming from a large family, that gathering would be around 35-40 people. Those were special times but looking back on it, that was a…

DEVOTIONS HOME [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. Hebrews 11:29[/perfectpullquote] The account of Moses leading the people of Israel through the Red Sea is one of the most iconic moments in all of scripture. The hand of God in this incredible story gives us insight into God’s amazing power and how He protected his people.…

DEVOTIONS HOME We like to be in control, it’s part of our nature. We tend to plan out the direction we would like to see our lives going; which isn’t inherently bad. For example, if you want to be a doctor you need to make decisions your freshman year of college that will help prepare you to reach your goal. The problem we face is not in the planning. It’s about whether or not we are willing to give up…

DEVOTIONS HOME Don’t Desert the Deserts in Life! [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later” (Hebrews 3:5).[/perfectpullquote] Have you ever felt like you were in a desert? Maybe a boring job, bad relationship, or just feeling broken down? The life of Moses, whose real career started when he was 80, shows how God can use us even when…

DEVOTIONS HOME How to be THANKFUL when the future seems uncertain…… We are in a time in our country where the present as well as the future seems very uncertain. We are struggling with what is taking place in states all around our country and wondering how and when it will end. We have an especially important election coming up that will determine what direction is taken for our country in the future. We are all facing uncertain times in…

DEVOTIONS HOME How to Be Thankful When Tragedy Strikes (James 1) [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“ Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4[/perfectpullquote] How can you be thankful when tragedy strikes? Think of a tragedy that you have…

DEVOTIONS HOME BEING THANKFUL THROUGH GRIEF DEFINITION OF THE WORD ‘GRIEF’. “Grief is the acute pain that accompanies loss. Because it is a reflection of what we love, it can feel all-encompassing. Grief is not limited to the loss of people, but when it follows the loss of a loved one, it may be compounded by feelings of guilt and confusion, especially if the relationship was a difficult one.” (Psychology Today) STAGES OF ‘GRIEF’. In my preparation for writing this…

DEVOTIONS HOME How to Be Thankful When You Are Broke Whenever I hear a missionary who has served abroad whether full time or short term speak these are the words I hear when they return, and they are almost always the same, “They (the people they are serving) have so much less than we do but they are happier than we are.” It’s shocking in American society to see those who have little be content. Whether consciously or subconsciously our…

DEVOTIONS HOME Everyone at all Times Hallel, All You! [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 118:1, 29).[/perfectpullquote] Psalm 118 is one of the “Hallel Psalms,” songs of praise sung during Israel’s feasts. Feasts were joyous times, and joy puts us in the mood for gratitude. Psalm 118 is quoted 11 times in the New Testament, more than any other psalm, so it…