“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way…And now abide faith, hope, love these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:13 As Pastor Todd taught us this past Sunday: Love Changes the Game. We are known by a lot of things and for a lot of reasons. We seek to be known for a lot of things and a lot of reasons. Each day that we walk out our doors we have some sort of goal and plan for the day. It may be simply to get through the day or it may be to accomplish some specific task or purpose. The apostle Paul encouraged pursuing much in our walks with God, but the highest pursuit and the most excellent way was love. Love does ind
“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4 Jesus had taken notice of the empty boats earlier (v2) and then He listened to Simon explain to Him that they worked all night and yet had caught nothing (v5). Yet Jesus still asked Simon (Peter) to drop the net and try yet again no matter how tired, weary or frustrated he was. God knows when we have fallen short, when we have failed, when we have fallen down wounded, when we are broken inside and when we have sinned against Him. Yet He will ask us to try again. Why? Why use those of us that have clearly lacked in the past, have failed, fallen and are hurting? Why? It
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” Colossians 4:2-4 We have all been part of those conversations in which we know we are only hearing a part of the story or only half of the story. It is not just difficult, but sometimes impossible to make decisions when we only know part of the story. The apostle Paul who wrote the words that are now captured in the letter to the believers in Colosse desperately wanted the whole truth, beauty, love, grace and power of who Jesus Ch
Wednesday, August 3, 2016 “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” Mark 2:20 Have you ever had one of those days or seasons in life in which it feels like you are totally overwhelmed with responsibilities and that there is no one that can even begin to help you? Those seasons of life can leave you feeling void of any joy, alone and lost. What would you give to have others come along side of you in order to help you, encourage you and be your joy during this time? Now imagine a community that does not have a vibrant church that powerfully and joyfully proclaims the life giving, life changing and joy filled gospel of C