Best Summer Yet: Freedom Freedom begins when we respond to God’s call to love and obey. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. -- John 8:36 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. -- Galatians 5:1 We are free to love. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. -- Galatians 5:1 The pharisees asked, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he sai...
Jul 02, 2023
To develop a rhythm of proclaiming Jesus in your life, you must be convinced that it is God’s way of saving the lost. 1. You must be convinced of the promise of proclaiming Jesus. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:13 2. You must be convinced of necessity of proclaiming Jesus. “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?...
Jun 25, 2023
Having your best summer yet will depend on your willingness to worship God with an undivided heart. “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:8-9 1. Authentic worship requires a proper view of God. What Does Honoring God Look Like? Honoring God is ascribing glory to Him. “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O famili...
Jun 18, 2023
The key to having your best summer yet is to develop a healthy rhythm of prayer and praise in your life. “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” — Psalm 95:1-2 “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and...
Jun 11, 2023
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is ...
Jun 04, 2023
Things on empty don’t work. “Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” — Proverbs 2:11 (NLT) “The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” — Mark 6:30–32 1. Rest is essential for your spiritual vitality. “ ‘Come away b...
May 28, 2023
“Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. “ — Proverbs 2:11 (NLT) “Decision making is easy when your values are clear.” – Roy Disney Decision #1 Submit to the plans of God. “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.’ ” — Joshua 1:1-2 “Commit to the...
May 21, 2023
“Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” — Proverbs 2:11 (NLT) “The driver on the highway is safe not when he knows how to read the signs, but when he obeys them.” — A.W. Tower “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live t...
May 14, 2023
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in...
May 07, 2023
Our generosity grows with our grasp of the gospel. 1. Think of others before yourself. “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.” — Philippians 4:10 2. Learn to be satisfied in Christ. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned t...
Apr 30, 2023
Choose today, and every day, to stay connected to Jesus. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” —John 15:1 “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” —John 15:2-3 What’s the Gardner Doing? He’s removing branches that aren’t fruitful. “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the...
Apr 23, 2023
“Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you….” — Proverbs 2:11 (ESV) “Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” — Proverbs 2:11 (NLT) “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…” — Ephesians 4:1 “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and lengt...
Apr 16, 2023
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:10 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” — 2 Timothy 3:12 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:10 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my n...
Apr 02, 2023
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” — Matthew 5:9 Peace is not found in the absence of conflict; it’s found in the presence of Christ. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” — Psalm 4:8 A peacemaker is a fighter who seeks to bring peace. “God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through...
Mar 26, 2023
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” — Psalm 86:11 Being pure in heart is to be like Jesus. “There are none righteous, no, not one…” — Romans 10:10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked/sick; who can understand it?” — Jeremiah 17:9 “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?” — Psalm 24:3 “He who has clean ha...
Mar 19, 2023
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” — Matthew 5:7 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 Mercy is compassion in action. Mercy is compassion in action…but it’s directed toward the guilty. In the process of trying to hurt others, you are only hurting you. 1. We remember God’s mercy toward us. 2. We remember mercy is not the goal, Jesus is. “Pray...
Mar 12, 2023
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” — Matthew 5:6 “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” — Ecclesiastes 1:18 “…much study is a weariness of the flesh.” — Ecclesiastes 12:12 “And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and t...
Mar 05, 2023
Week 1 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (v. 3) Week 2 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (v. 4) Today “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (v. 5) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:28–29 Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is strength under control...
Feb 26, 2023
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. — Matthew 5:3 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. — Matthew 5:4 1. We should mourn the sins of others. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. — Psalm 119:136 2. We should mourn the sins of self. We make much of grace, yet we make little of sin. Misconceptions About Pain and Suffering that Lead to Mourning: 1. We believe good people shouldn’t suffer/mourn. Some were tortured, re...
Feb 12, 2023
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in hea...
Feb 05, 2023
What does it look like to live life on mission? 1. A life on mission is aware of divine appointments. “Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria.” — John 4:1-4 Jesus’ primary ministry isn’t baptism; it’s gospel-advancement through gospel-proclamation. We miss out on divine appointm...
Jan 29, 2023
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” — Philippians 2:1-2 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours i...
Jan 22, 2023
Life change happens best in meaningful relationships. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” — Luke 12:32-34 1. Generosity begins with trusting God. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your F...
Jan 15, 2023
Living together in gospel-centered community requires commitment. 1. We must be committed to Jesus and his people (vs. 1–2) “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:1-2 Building gospel-centered community that lasts takes time and commitment. 2. We must be committed partners in the gospel (vs. 3–8) “I thank my God in all ...
Jan 08, 2023
Life change happens best in meaningful relationships. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.“ — 2 Corinthians 5:17 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” — 2 Corinthians 5:18 1. We belong to God. “You once were not a people, and now you are the people of God.” — 1 Peter 2:10 Our new identity is found in Christ. To grow stronger in your walk with God: - Yo...
Jan 01, 2023
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6 We See The Christmas Story in These Four Names of Jesus: 1. Wonderful Counselor 2. Mighty God 3. Everlasting Father 4. Prince of Peace
Dec 18, 2022
Our greatest need is the gift of God’s grace! “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found favor in the ey...
Dec 11, 2022
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and we have come to worship him.’” — Matthew 2:1-2 1. Who are the wise men? “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem…” — Matthew 2:1 “There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the ...
Dec 04, 2022
Celebrating 32 years of ministry at Eagle's Landing.
Nov 06, 2022
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. — Matthew 1:1
Oct 30, 2022
