Visit, Encourage and Strengthen

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are…” And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. —Acts 15:36, 41 When Paul begins his second missionary journey, it is...

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Seeing Jesus

"Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.  So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” —John 12:20-21 Pastors and church leaders often feel pressure to live up to some level of artificial expectations. After years...

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Who Are You?

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might...

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Good News You Can Believe

Bob Dylan once wrote, “The times, they are a changin’.” The rapid pace of change and information is staggering for us today. The television screen has more than just the talking head delivering the news. There are rows of information scrolling across the bottom and even the sides of the...

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Christmas Lists or Christmas Listening

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 Advent and Christmas...

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All According to Plan

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). The first strokes of brush of the painter on the canvas are just as important...

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Lord, Teach Us to Number Our Days

As the calendar turns to December and the liturgical calendar turns to Advent, the lives of families of all shapes and sizes become increasingly busy. From midweek services to athletic practices and games to Christmas concerts, programs, and parties. If there is one activity that both the Scriptures and research...

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The Church’s Mission and the End Times

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 The end of the church year always directs the vision of the saints towards Jesus’ return in glory. With our eyes cast towards...

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Thanksgiving: More Than a Day

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 The familiar words of Psalm 136 have become a frequent refrain at kitchen tables for generations. Thanksgiving is more than just a day of the year. It is also more than just a...

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