God-breathed - Series 3
God-breathed 52: Back to the Garden
December 31, 2023
A courtroom, a hospital and a graveyard are all places that confront us with human corruption, brokenness and mortality. These things are easy for us to recognize in others, but it can be terrifying when we see them in ourselves. Thankfully, Jesus came into the world to be our Savior! With the forgiveness and new life as a child of God that he gives us, we can look forward, even in the midst of dark and discouraging times, to the day when Jesus will return to make us and all things right. (Based on Revelation 22:1-13.)
God-breathed 51: The Joy Set Before Us
December 24, 2023
In times of suffering, sorrow, loss, or regret, it can seem like there is no possibility of joy in the future. But Jesus came into the world to change everything for us. Instead of despair, shame and death, we have life, forgiveness and salvation in Jesus. And the future looks bright for Jesus will come again one day to make us and all things right. Therefore, even in our deepest valleys of darkness, we have joy for God is with us. (Based on Rev. 7:9-17.)
God-breathed 50: Sunday School Christmas Program
December 17, 2023
It is difficult to listen to the news these days. There are so many reports that cause us to be worried, sad, discouraged and even frightened. Today, the children of our church want to share the best news ever. They will tell us the story of Jesus' birth, when the Saviour of the world came to save us. This is the true meaning of Christmas that gives hope in a challenging world.
God-breathed 49: Peace Through God's Love
December 10, 2023
When conflict is personal, establishing peace is easier said than done. That’s because peace always comes at a cost and we are not usually willing to lose in a conflict so that others can gain. Thankfully, Jesus came and paid the cost for us to have peace with God. With that peace at the center of our lives, we then seek to live in peace with those around us. Love is what brings peace. (Based on 1 John 3:11-24.)
God-breathed 48: Hope for Today and Forever
December 3, 2023
When things are bad and getting worse, we can wonder why God is taking so long to straighten things out, especially when others say we are foolish for having any hope in God. God views time differently than we do, yet he is at work in all time, even now, orchestrating events according to his divine plan which will lead to the glorious new heaven and earth. We know how the story will end. Therefore we have hope. (Based on 2 Peter 3:1-13.)
God-breathed 47: The Living Lumber of God's House
November 26, 2023
Go to any major sporting event and you will see people that identify with their team. They cheer, shout encouragement and perhaps even wear their team’s jersey. All with the hope of being on the winning side. But what does it look like to be on the winning side of life? Though rejected by people 2,000 years ago and today, Jesus won the victory for humanity that changes everything. With him as the captain of our life, we are on his winning team and we represent him to the world as we greatly bless others in his name. (Based on 1 Peter 2:4-10.)
God-breathed 46: The Promise of Home
November 19, 2023
Faith is often thought of as believing that what we want to happen will happen. But the “Hall of Fame of Faith” in Hebrews chapter 11 paints a far different picture of faith. Faith is believing in God’s promises for the future and aligning our actions with those promises, even if those promises are not fulfilled in our own lifetime. How do we know we can trust God’s promises? Because God is faithful. (Based on Hebrews 11:1-16.)
God-breathed 45: The Faithful Builder
November 12, 2023
A builder is known by the greatness of the buildings they create. As profound as a beautiful bricks and mortar building can be, gathering and giving life to a redeemed and restored community of humans is infinitely better. That’s what Jesus is doing. Therefore, we can bring our broken hearts and lives to him and know that he will make us part of the great human “building” he is creating. (Based on Hebrews 3:1-14.)
God-breathed 44: Transformed by Grace
November 5, 2023
The idea that we have to earn the good things of life is hard wired into human nature. But it won’t save us from the destiny of destruction our sin sick soul is leading us toward. Any attempts at repairing our life are insufficient. We need a totally new life, and that’s exactly what Jesus has given us as a completely free gift. Therefore, we live for what is good because we already have been given a good life. (Based on Titus 3:1-11.)
God-breathed 43: Fan the Flames
October 29, 2023
Insecurity makes us tentative. It is hard to be strong when our weakness is so evident. But Jesus has joined his life to our and, in our weakness, we have his strength. Faith is what connects us to Jesus and helps us to live in his strength. Therefore, with God’s help, we fan the flames of the faith that has been given to us. (Based on 2 Timothy 1:1-14.)
God-breathed 42: Hope in the Night
October 22, 2023
When the hope we have for a better life is being ground down to nothing by persecution or life-stealing circumstances, it’s time to re-examine our foundation for hope. A hope foundation built on the things of this world will never last. But a foundation built on Jesus’ promise to return and restore us and all things will give us the hope we need to endure until those better days come. (Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.)
God-breathed 41: Raised with Christ
October 15, 2023
We tend to become what we focus on. Broken as we are, we humans tend to focus on the baser aspects of life in this world thinking that they will satisfy the appetites of our heart, but they never do. Thankfully, Jesus came into this world to redeem us lost and broken souls and give us a greater life with him that will last forever. Therefore, we direct our focus toward heavenly things, the things of Jesus, for he is our source of life. (Based on Colossians 3:1-17.)
God-breathed 40: United in Humility
October 8, 2023
One of the important ways to grow into becoming the kind of person we want to be is by choosing a mentor and patterning our life after theirs. We are making such choices whenever we click on “Like,” “Follow,” or “Subscribe.” But are we being thoughtful and intentional about who we allow to influence us and the depth of influence that we give to them? Will following them lead us into the life that we want to live? Jesus is both the ideal human and our Savior and he will lead us into a life that will be far greater and grander than anything we could ask for or imagine. (Based on Philippians 1:27-2:11).
God-breathed 39: Walking in the Spirit
October 1, 2023
There is a lot of emphasis on rule-based living these days. While having some basic rules for our life can be helpful, for we all need some structure in our lives, it is important for us to remember that the rules are not our life, and neither is living without any rules. What we really need for fruitful living is to be enlivened, empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit. Our best life is lived with the Holy Spirit. (Based on Galatians 5:13-26.)
God-breathed 38: God is on the Move!
September 24, 2023
God is on the move. He is always on the move! Can you see what He is doing around you? Did you know that the Holy Spirit is working all the time as He continues to work in your life and mine. He is working on all those people in your sphere of influence. Can you see Him working and how He equips you to be His mentor to others as He is working in their lives? Are you ready? God is on the Move, in Isaiah's time, with St Paul in prison, in Africa today and here in Canada, at Walnut Grove. Come and join me as we put on the eyes of faith to see where He is working today.