Reading to Approach the Week 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and set your hope fully upon the grace that is being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” This is the time of year when we have to prepare ourselves to stand in the full grace of God. Advent is a season of intentional readiness and becoming more worthy of God's grace by casting off temptation, vanity, and distraction so we can be fully present before the Lord. And when our nation...
9 months ago • 7 min read
Reading to Approach the Week 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” Death is not the end for those who belong to Christ. It is a doorway. Just as Jesus rose from the grave, we have the opportunity to be raised with Him. This is not a theory...
10 months ago • 8 min read
Reading to Approach the Week James 4:6–10 “But he gives more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” Pride distorts everything. It makes us think we are the center of the story, even in our faith. We start measuring our goodness by comparison, speaking about God more...
10 months ago • 6 min read
Reading to Approach the Week Philippians 3:7–9 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on...
11 months ago • 7 min read
Quotes to Approach the Week St Augustine “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” St Thomas Aquinas “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” These words capture the heart of this week’s message. Faith is not pretending to comprehend God’s plan but surrendering our need to. It’s reacting with courage and trust when the path is unclear, and doing our best to live each day in a...
11 months ago • 6 min read
Reading to Approach the Week Ephesians 6:10-13 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in...
12 months ago • 8 min read
Reading to Approach the Week Sirach 2:1-5 "My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be hasty in time of calamity. Cleave to Him and do not depart, that you may be honored at the end of your life. Accept whatever is brought upon you, and in changes that humble you be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation." When we choose to follow Christ, we should not be surprised...
about 1 year ago • 7 min read
Reading to Approach the Week 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed." Jesus told us He came to set fire to the earth. A fire of light that breaks into the darkness of the world. That fire is not cozy or comfortable. It exposes sin, challenges falsehood, and...
about 1 year ago • 7 min read
Reading to Approach the Week Romans 12:9–13 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Paul is just awesome. This is one of my favorite passages I’ve read in the last few months. If someone...
about 1 year ago • 9 min read