Many voices call to us to take paths and make choices that lead us in the wrong direction. However, there is one voice that calls us to a place of forgiveness and a position in Christ - it is God's voice calling us home!The parable of the Father's love for the wasteful and the prideful sons illustrates a love that can bring you from where you are to where He is!The secuction of a distant country - offering independence and indulgence.The seriousness of a destructive condition - no family, no friends, no food, no future.The surrender to a divine call - change direction, find compassion, and experience the celebration.Are you ready to come home?

1 Peter 4:10-11Peter has instructed followers of Christ to "pray with clear mind" in a world that is filled with confusion, to "love deeply" in a love cold atmosphere, and to "offer hospitality" in a selfsih culture. His last instruction is to "serve each other" with our spiritual gifts.We are to display divine favor individually for the benefit of the entire body.We are to demonstrate divine function personally for the purpose of building up the church body for the glory of God through Christ.What is your gift?How can you plug in?

1 Peter 4:9Jesus said that before His coming, people would live self-indulgent, self-centered lives in an environment of unkindness to others, just as in the days of Noah before the flood. In the environment of materialism and unkindness, Peter instructs followers of Christ to be hospitable to each other.Hospitality is practical kindness.Hospitality provides comfort and kindness in a chaotic and unkind culture.Hospitality promotes connection and change for the kingdom of God.In what ways can you offer hospitality?To whom will you offer hospitality?

1 Peter 4:8Jesus told His disciples that when the coming of His kingdom was near, that people would become cold hearted toward each other because of a growing evil atmosphere (Matt 24:12). Peter instructs followers of Christ to love one another!We must work to love each other for warmth in a cold world.Life is a battlefield and we are the target! Love each other.We should let love work to provide acceptace, forgiveness, and restoration in a painful world.They will know we are christians by our love!

1 Peter 4:7-11Peter believed the return of Christ was imminent in his lifetime. Even more, we should anticipate our Savior & King's return any day. We now have a 28 year old dictator ruling over North Korea. We have an egomaniac ruling Iran. We have terrorism operating in the Middle East and throughout the world. The economy is weak worldwide and the moral atmosphere in our time could be compared to the time of Noah before the flood.What if we were the last generation of Christians on earth before the end? How should we live? Over the next few weeks, we will be talking about 4 essentials to be lived out here at FBC Lindale.The first is prayer.We need to commit ourselves to the priority of prayer.We must consecrate ourselves for the purpose of prayer.We can experience conquest through the power of prayer."A prayerful person is a fearful weapon in the hands of a Holy God." - Robert Murray McCheyne

Matthew provides an interesting insight into the family tree of Jesus. This is the original Christmas tree. This is a tree that reveals and reflects incredible grace and love!Once person stands out as such an illustration of grace - Rahab.Rahad has a place in the tree for all to know and see.Rahab has a part in the eternal plan and purpose of God.

Micah 5:1-5At the beginning of November, retailers were promoting that Christmas is coming. All with the purpose to reach our wallet. The prophet Micah told us Christmas was coming with the purpose of reaching our heart!The specific announcement: Jesus would be born in a time of national distress in the little town of Bethlehem.The perconal application: Jesus is our everlasting shepherd, our eternal security, and our enduring serenity.

2 Timothy 1:8-10In preparation for Thanksgiving, Pastor Tim shares the gratitude that all believers should show for the gift of grace.

2 Timothy 2:8-10The key to coming out of the various crises of life is FOCUS. We must focus on what really matters! Paul encourages Timothy with 2 principles that will always make a difference.Focus on Jesus, our living Lord, who guarantees eternal life & reward.Focus on the power of the Gospel that can't be contained.

2 Timothy 1:13-18In a time of crisis and challenge, the temptation is to pull back. Paul is encouraging followers of Christ to lean in and move forward.