In looking at the text for this week, I have been reminded that while we are reading the living and active Word of God, we are also reading ancient history. We are peering into events that took place nearly 2000 years ago. Sometimes God, in His sovereignty, has decided that we don’t need all of the details or precise chronology for His Word to do its work. The Lord promises in Isaiah 55:11: “[My Word, which goes forth from My mouth] will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Lord, be true to Your Word this week, and speak it straight to our hearts, accomplishing what You desire. May it succeed in the matter for which You have sent it.

In looking at the text for this week, I have been reminded that while we are reading the living and active Word of God, we are also reading ancient history. We are peering into events that took place nearly 2000 years ago. Sometimes God, in His sovereignty, has decided that we don’t need all of the details or precise chronology for His Word to do its work. The Lord promises in Isaiah 55:11: “[My Word, which goes forth from My mouth] will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Lord, be true to Your Word this week, and speak it straight to our hearts, accomplishing what You desire. May it succeed in the matter for which You have sent it.

Christ offers something of incomparable worth. In fact, one might say that the call of discipleship is a call to leave one's life, worldview, hopes, and expectations behind to pursue something greater. Christ bids us to come and die but also, at the same point, he offers us something worth living for.

Session report on new mission as well as reports from theology, history, external & internal committees.

God's Word has a lot to say about who leads His body and what sort of character traits and integrity is required for various offices. Let's glean from His Word today to receive wisdom and insight.

At the end of this first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps through the cities they’d visited to strengthen the souls of the disciples there and to encourage them to continue in the faith (Acts 14:22). I don’t know about you, but that sounds so good to me. Who couldn’t use a little soul-strengthening encouragement? Sometimes we find encouragement directly from the Lord, alone with Him. Sometimes His Spirit infuses strength directly into our weary or troubled hearts. But sometimes we need another to be the hands and feet of Christ, the tangible presence of Him in our midst. Let’s pray this week that our fellowship would be one in which we remember to strengthen and encourage one another. Let’s be eager to give. Let’s be hungry to receive.

At the end of this first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps through the cities they’d visited to strengthen the souls of the disciples there and to encourage them to continue in the faith (Acts 14:22). I don’t know about you, but that sounds so good to me. Who couldn’t use a little soul-strengthening encouragement? Sometimes we find encouragement directly from the Lord, alone with Him. Sometimes His Spirit infuses strength directly into our weary or troubled hearts. But sometimes we need another to be the hands and feet of Christ, the tangible presence of Him in our midst. Let’s pray this week that our fellowship would be one in which we remember to strengthen and encourage one another. Let’s be eager to give. Let’s be hungry to receive.

God's Word sets for us a high bar when we come to the role of leaders in the church (i.e. elder, deacon, pastor, etc). Yet, we all would acknowledge that we are sinners saved by grace and that we all have fallen short of God's glory. So, how do you reconcile these things?

The King has arrived on earth and it looks quite different than would be expected. Not a single nation has come to bow before him. Not a single kingdom has submitted to his rule. And yet, even though his Kingdom appears to have insignificant beginnings, it will soon change the world.

Jesus continues teaching in parables and instructs his disciples in the Father's plan for the Son's return. One day Christ will return to fix the brokenness of this present world and make it new. For some this will lead to judgment. But the children of God are not destined for fire but for the Kingdom of their Father.