Two messages were given on the Lord’s Day that mutually reinforced each other: the first walks us through the Samaritan’s godly response of mercy to his neighbor in need (Luke 10), while the second emphasized the theme throughout Scripture that the Lord desires our merciful obedience and love above any sacrifice we might bring. As Keith Green put it years ago, “To obey is better than sacrifice / I want hearts of fire, not your prayers of ice.”
The troubling relationships portrayed in the first chapter of 1 Samuel among Hannah, her husband, and his other wife Peninnah can show us the harm that comes when we are insensitive to our brothers’ and sisters’ sorrow. It is truly comforting to know that the Lord is always near to the brokenhearted.
The story of Mephibosheth reveals a lot about how amazing the grace of God. This message is from the first of our First-Sunday Family Hours, in which we hope to keep everyone together during the Sunday School hour. So enjoy the lively participation from our Sunday School children!
While visiting South Florida from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, Brother Joe Deviny shared this challenging message on what it means to say that all believers are a part of a “holy priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:5).
Sometimes we forget to give God thanks even for the blessings in our lives. But how much more challenging it is to thank God in the midst of our most trying circumstances! These two messages share several scriptural calls to God-honoring gratitude as well as discussing some obstacles we might have to giving thanks.
As we enter the new year, Brother Viv John encourages us to feed on the Lamb and on the Bread by considering the Passover feast and the Lord’s feeding of the 5000 as a challenge to find all our sustenance in Christ.
The first person and the last person to touch the body of Christ were both named Joseph. As we consider the sacrificial generosity of both of these men, along with their namesake from the book of Genesis, we can be more inspired to seek opportunities to give up our own comfort, reputation, and positions of blessing, bearing shame for the sake of the other. In this way, we become more like the Lord Jesus, a true Son of Joseph.
Examining the story of Joseph’s brothers, we can see that envy is a powerful, secret enemy to the believer. Though we may not see its effects for a long time, when it crops up envy can have damaging results for our relationships. Two of our local brothers share on the power of envy to limit a believer’s ability to fulfill his or her God-given vision.
As we pass through this advent season, the anointing of a young King David by the older, experienced Samuel offers several lessons for our encouragement. After considering connections to Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy of the Branch springing from Jesse’s stump, this message presents three lessons for older hearers followed by three further thoughts for younger ones.
Brother Colbert Martin shared reflections from the Gospel of John on the love of the Lord Jesus and His teachings on eternal life and worship that is truly offered in spirit and in truth.
Psalm 19 presents a beautiful poem in praise of the Word of God in its searching quality. Just as the sun pierces through the shadows to illuminate all parts of the globe, the Word is indiscriminate in its penetrating power … if we will only submit to it.
We enjoyed the weekend with Brother Nabil Ageeb, who was visiting the area with his wife. Our brother brought encouraging messages from the Gospel of John, 1 Corinthians, and elsewhere in Scripture. These messages were delivered in Arabic with English translation helpfully provided by Brother Ben Solomon. Enjoy!
The Lord Jesus is worthy of our worship and praise because of both who He is and what He has done in creation and redemption. Brother Ruell Clarke shares some thoughts from John 1, Colossians 1, and Revelation 4 & 5 on the worthiness of the Lord.
In both Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message and Hannah’s response to the birth of her son Samuel, we see unbounded praise to a great and faithful God who is always true to His promises. In these two songs, God’s character and priorities are on full display.
We need the encouragement of Ephesians 5 like never before. May we all pray that we are filled with the Spirit, day by day, that we might live to the glory of God.
What is it that makes believers different from others in the world? 1 Thessalonians 2 shows us three images of what the believer should look like to the world, drawing the eyes of outsiders to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we are called to be known by our love, believers need to strive to become better at resolving conflicts as they arise, whether in our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, or our assemblies. We can draw several lessons from Israel’s avoidance of a possible civil war in Joshua 22 as the western tribes confronted the problem, communicated openly, and extended grace to those they suspected of wrongdoing.
The Book of James has been called the Proverbs of the New Testament, and it shows us how the “perfect” or “mature” man or woman can respond in various circumstances. In Chapter Four, we see particular instruction on submitting our desires to the will of God and understanding the role of judgment in the life of the believer.
During a visit on his way to the Orlando Conference, Brother Glen Balsinger from Oregon shared a message from the book of Malachi, considering the many questions and answers given by the people in response to the Lord’s call on their lives. May we be inspired to be like those who “Met often and spoke together” about the Lord and His things.
As He did for Daniel and his three young friends, as well as for the baby Moses and his parents, God will make a way where there seems to be no way. As we reflect on these stories from the past of God’s faithfulness, we can be more and more assured that He will work in our present difficulties in unexpected ways.