The Pain of the Empty Seat

“As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation – a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.” 2Continue reading “The Pain of the Empty Seat”

The Gospel

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2 NLT) One of the most beneficial aspects of the eternal Word of God becoming man is that He made the God of heaven visible. Paul wrote in 2 CorinthiansContinue reading “The Gospel”

How Much Does Your Love Cost?

“Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings. You feed them from the abundance of Your own house, letting them drink from YourContinue reading “How Much Does Your Love Cost?”

Living With Eager Expectation

“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as HeContinue reading “Living With Eager Expectation”

God’s Intention

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share theContinue reading “God’s Intention”

Problems?

“During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem. But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:5-7 NLT) In theContinue reading “Problems?”

Peace and Purity

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT) The role of the local church is clearly defined in Scripture,Continue reading “Peace and Purity”

The Ones We Love

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40Continue reading “The Ones We Love”

Leaders Are Learners!

“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me more than I want burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6 NLT) In Matthew 9:9 the Bible says: “As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow Me and be My disciple,’ Jesus saidContinue reading “Leaders Are Learners!”

Are You Living Forgiven?

“He replied, ‘You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: “When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turnContinue reading “Are You Living Forgiven?”