April 26, 2021
Comfort Food
When Jesus and his followers gathered together in Jerusalem to share the Last Supper, they were tired, anxious, weary, and afraid. They definitely needed some “comfort food”!
Series: Communion Meditations
April 19, 2021
Stories
By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .
April 12, 2021
Where Is Our Hope?
Where is our hope? Do we fear life's ugly circumstances will become our grave? We need to build our hope on what God promised through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross
April 5, 2021
Jesus, As He Really Is
When you see Jesus face-to-face, “as he really is,” what will be your declaration of worship?
March 29, 2021
Seeds to Be Planted
We don’t have to fear death any more than a seed needs to fear being planted.
March 22, 2021
Watched, Scoffed, and Mocked
Luke mentioned three groups of skeptical witnesses to Jesus execution. None in those three groups of people understood that Jesus chose to die willingly. Nor did they imagine they could be freed from their lethal bondage because of his sacrifice.
March 15, 2021
Abel’s Blood
In Hebrews 11, Abel was listed as one of the giants of faith because of what he gave to God. In the very next chapter, the writer again mentioned Abel, when he said that Jesus’ sprinkled blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
March 8, 2021
The Gift of Grace
Have you ever taken God’s grace for granted? Have we forgotten that grace does not begin in us?
March 1, 2021
Aroma of Christ
Consider that Jesus' sacrifice was on a cross, which smelled like blood and grime and torture and the bile of humiliation. And yet it was fragrant to God.
February 22, 2021
Sinners Saved by Grace
By Stuart Powell As a child, did you ever try to hide from your parents after a disobedient act? Did you seek sanctuary somewhere in your house? Was it even a good hiding place? Such a foolish reaction stretches back to the beginning of sin on earth. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them
February 15, 2021
Attitude
By Scott Franks In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with Godsomething to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8). In other words, God submitted himself to us! Christ died because it was necessary for us to live. Christ’s incomprehensible journey from the glory of Heaven to
February 8, 2021
Being a Christian
What does it mean to be a Christian? How are we different from nonbelievers? What distinguishes the people who follow Jesus from those who ignore or neglect him? We might think the difference is most clearly evident when comparing our Sunday activities. On the first day of the week, Christians gather to study what’s written in the Bible. We seek Scripture’s insights into living moral lives and overcoming temptations. We focus much effort on identifying sins that threaten our faith and corrupt our communities. We see the regular gathering of disciples as vital expressions of encouragement and fellowship among Christians.
February 1, 2021
Immortality
By Randy Ballinger Striving for immortality sometimes results in strange ideas. As an example, “transhumanism” is a philosophical movement that advocates using technology to modify and enhance the human condition, expand human capacities, and extend human life. To its proponents, the desired end is immortality, potentially outside the human body, as one’s intellect is transferred from the biological brain to a computer. Immortality is possible, but not by means of artificial engineering or far-fetched faith in technology based on human ego. Instead, it is all about Jesus dying in our place so that we may live forever. The Lord’s table
January 25, 2021
The Third Day
By Stuart Powell There are two days that define every person’s life. The first is the day of conception, when a new life is sparked and another image bearer begins their journey to meet God. That day harkens back to the highlight of God’s creative efforts. The second day is when physical death fulfills the curse that accompanied sin’s impact on every human. These two days have defined too many people throughout history, but these limits are not what God desired for humanity. In his infinite love, God prepared a third day that is available to every person. The third
January 18, 2021
The Power of Blood
By Randy Ballinger During the pandemic, blood donation centers have sought out individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Apparently, the antibody-rich blood plasma these individuals donate possibly can save the lives of those critically ill with the virus. The lone purpose for blood is to sustain life. Donating blood brings healing. There is power in the blood. God personified blood in rebuking Cain after Abel’s murder: “Your brother’s blood cries out to me” (Genesis 4:10). After the flood, God instructed Noah, “Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood” (Genesis 9:4, New American Standard Bible,
January 11, 2021
The Death of Evil
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.
January 4, 2021
Vaccine
By Stuart Powell In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, humanity began a quest for a one-word treasure: vaccine. The entire world sought an antidote that would trigger each human body to build a defense against the ravages of the novel coronavirus. The journey has involved dozens of pharmaceutical companies plowing through billions of dollars to fund untold hours of research by thousands of scientists. The search for a vaccine was fueled by the desire to destroy the curse of this virus and restore life to relationships severed by the virus’s spread. We know life is not meant to
December 29, 2020
New Year—New Jerusalem?
By Michael C. Mack Here’s some good news: 2020 is over! We can all breathe a sigh of relief . . . maybe. We can look at 2020’s problems in the rearview mirror . . . maybe. This year, 2021, will be much better; no more diseases, death, destruction, or political disarray . . . well, probably not. But our all-powerful God is still on his throne . . . definitely! The fact is, we don’t know what will come in 2021, which is why, as Christ followers, we trust God with whatever will happen. We remember that Jesus is
December 21, 2020
God’s Ways
By Stuart Powell Have you ever thought you were the last to hear about something important? Why is that? Do you lack influence or political connections? Is your opinion not valued because of your lowly social status? Do you live in the wrong neighborhood? If the emptiness of your life is exposed by these questions, you are in good company. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the
December 14, 2020
Week 4: The Angels
By Stuart Powell Note: This is the final installment of a four-week series of Communion meditations in which we consider essential features to the story of the birth of God’s Son. This week we focus on the angels. Angels appeared six separate times in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth and early childhood (Matthew 1:20-21; 2:13, 19-20; Luke 1:11-20, 26-38; 2:9-15). Luke tells us the angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah and Mary. No names were mentioned in the other four visits. Most times a single angel appeared, which is how the encounter with the shepherds began. Yet after the message
