The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Good Shepherd)
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-7 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep...
New Moment Resolutions: Why New Year’s Resolutions are Irrelevant
NOTE: Originally posted on thepracticalCHRISTian.net The New Year is a time of renewal reminiscent of the fresh starts each school year brought when we were children. Starting fresh is intoxicating to those of us encumbered with a litany of bad habits and regrets we would like to leave behind. Overwhelmingly those who resolve to leave baggage behind each new year fail. Most can make it a...
Gratitude Unlocks the Fullness of Life
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie
Bible Class: The Lord’s Prayer-Daily Bread?
Bible class audio for December 12, 2010 “Daily Bread?” Bible class audio for December 5, 2010 “The Lord’s Prayer” Outline and Notes: 1. Father. The first mention of God as our father is by Jesus in this sermon…something he reinforces in his teaching on prayer. The hearers had only known God as the God of the people at large with Abraham as their father. We...
Bible Class: The Blessings of Christ Part 2
Before you begin this study read Matthew 18:21-35 Servants who have approached the master with a poor spirit, acknowledging how broken and unrighteous we are without him and mourning over the sins we have committed, will have the master bring them into his kingdom and comfort us. Only in this state can we with meekness bring our power under his control and crave the righteousness which he has...
Sermon Audio: Nicodemus
[audio:] Nicodemus When: Sometime after he cleared the temple Who: Ruler on the Jewish ruling council (71 members tasked the elite) V1 “As under the Greek rulers the Jews were allowed a large measure of self-government, many points of civil and religious administration fell to the lot of the high priests and the gerousía to settle. “ “Teacher of Israel” v10 Only the...
Bible Class: Defining the Kingdom of Heaven (God)
Bible Class Audio May 23, 2010 “Kingdom of God (Part 2) Bible Class Audio May 16, 2010 “Kingdom of God (Part 1) “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 (TNIV) 1. A Central Theme of Jesus Teachings The Kingdom of heaven is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus throughout his ministry. It’s difficult to gain the...
Starting at Zero
The GREAT thing is we are only at zero in terms of possessions. We are blessed beyond description in so many other ways. We still have treasures in heaven by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Our family has never been closer and each are stronger. We live in the greatest community in the world. I work for an organization dedicated to service to others. Starting at zero gives us the unique...