Missional
Read: Matthew 28:16-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. (v. 19) As our world changes, we find great comfort in the unchanging truth of God’s Word and his care of the church through all things. As this text says, he is with us always, even to the end of the age (v. 20). […]
Prepared to Praise
Read: Psalm 100 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! (v. 4) Imagine you’ve been given a meeting with your favorite celebrity or someone you’ve always admired. You have an opportunity to be in the presence of this person; both to speak to and hear from that person. But when the day […]
Gracious
Read: Ephesians 4:25-32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (v. 32) When I did youth ministry, we often played a game where players had to avoid being touched while running in a restricted area. Inevitably, the kids would run into each other while trying to avoid […]
Obedient
Read: James 1:19-27 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only . . . (v. 22) Some say that obedience is the repression of the human will. Scripture describes it much differently, including Jesus’ statement in John 14:21 that obeying him is the ultimate expression of love. Here, obedience is described in two […]
Outward-focused
Read: Philippians 2:1-11 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (v. 3) There are a variety of reasons people “choose” a church, and I’ve heard a lot of them. Whatever it is, the reason people come often becomes the reason they leave. When our basis for […]
Generous
Read: Proverbs 11:23-31 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (v. 25) Reality check: Every breath we breathe comes from God. Our lives belong to God (“you were bought with a price”; 1 Corinthians 6:20). The church we love is Christ’s body and bride. In short, “The earth […]
Praying
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 Pray without ceasing. (v. 17) “Well, I guess I can at least pray for you.” I’ve heard these words many times when one is trying to help another, only to find that there is little that can physically be done for that person. The sentiment is nice but reflects the idea […]
Connected
Read: Hebrews 10:19-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. (v. 24) In an episode of NBC’s hit series The Office, Dwight was challenged to do something for a co-worker needing a favor in the best interests of their team. He responded: “We’re no more a team […]
Willing to Try
Read: Numbers 13:1-3, 17-33 Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it. (v. 30) The story of the spies is so applicable to today. The new land God was leading his people to was beautiful, abundant, and rich. It was also filled with trials, trouble, and […]