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.
We often are blessed as we meditate on the saving grace of God. But how often do we consider this grace—revealed fully in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ—as a training ground for our spiritual lives? Paul tells Titus that the grace of God has appeared, “training us …” What lessons do we gain as we sit under the teaching of God’s matchless grace?
We have a calling as believers to strengthen one another, to build one another up, to encourage one another. But how can we do this if we don’t know one another? Let’s pursue deeper knowledge of our brothers and sisters so we can fulfill the desire of the Lord that we love one another as He has loved us.
Brother Jasper Barnett shared these thoughts on 1 Corinthians 11 about the practice of breaking bread, its significance, and our responsibilities concerning this important part of our Lord’s Day worship.
Brother Richard Ledgister shared this message on the Lord Jesus's description of Himself as meek and lowly. May we aspire to be more like Him in these beautiful qualities!
On Lord's Day, August 12th, Brother Laurel Smalling shared this call from the prophecy of Isaiah to awake from our slumber. Several times in the latter chapters of Isaiah, we hear the command to awake and hearken to the voice of the Lord.
On the Lord's Day, August 5th, Brother Colbert Martin from Fort Lauderdale shared a message from John 3, recounting the Lord Jesus's nighttime conversation with the religious leader, Nicodemus.
Brother Jim Auld spoke with passion this past Lord's Day as he took us to the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4. Just as she was able to experience peace in the midst of the most trying circumstances by taking them to the man of God, we too can say in our hearts "all will be well" as we lean on the breast of our Lord Jesus.
Luke Harriman reminded us today of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Using this contrast, the Lord brings out the temptations we all face to have an improper attitude toward God, ourselves, and others. The answer, in a word, is humility.