The word 'sheep' makes us sheepish when it comes to today's society? So what does it mean that Jesus calls us the sheep of his pasture and calls Himself the "Good Shepherd?" It means that He, the Shepherd, is willing to die for His sheep...He just wants us to follow Him.

"I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." - John 10:14

Where do you feel the most vulnerable today? Cry out to Him.

GO DEEPER: John 10:1-18

"For we live by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7

We have our first experience with Christ, and we remember the feelings...but too often we rely on our feelings rather than trusting the words of God. The Bible is alive, but sometimes trusting leaves us feeling alone in the process. Cry out to Him!

How are feelings both good and bad when it comes to your spiritual life?

GO DEEPER: Romans 8:31-39

Sunday Sermon from December 19, 2021 based in Genesis 49.

When we look to the Old Testament and examine the history of Israel, where do we see Jesus? Do we look for Him? Would we know Him if we see Him? 

We must see Him in the History to know Him throughout. Every scripture points to Him!

Happy New Year.

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." - 1 John 2:1

It is a case of why do I do the things I used to do...why can I not seem to put them aside. Learning takes time. Be patient. Keep the faith.

GO DEEPER: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." - 2 Corinthians 13:14

While our faith is monotheistic, we serve a God who is One, but also Three...

We could spend our lives, trying (in vain) to understand the mystery of God...or we can just believe.

GO DEEPER: Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; Mark 12:29; 1 Corinthians 8:6

Imagine taking a big exam that you haven't even had a class for...but imagine that you are overcome by the "spirit" of a great expert in the field...

While not a perfect analogy, this is what happens in our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit is made available to us to tackle the tests of this life.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you of all things and remind you of everything I have said to you." - Jesus (John 14:26)

GO DEEPER: John 14:15-26

Sometimes we miss what the Bible teaches because we get caught into cliché statements that tend to offer "good vibes" but not much theological basis. The Bible teaches us that we are only children of God when we believe in Christ and follow Him...so, we may not be as the old statement says, "all God's children." That is a title that is reserved for those who believe on Christ! 

"To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12

GO DEEPER: John 3:1-8; Romans 8:14-17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Who doesn't love new stuff? We love that new car, new home, new technology or toys, and the list goes on and on. We absolutely love to get things new...and yet, we fail to see that our salvation is just like getting those new items! He has made us new...the old has gone! Welcome the new!

GO DEEPER: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Most religious systems hold you to rules, but leave you questioning, essentially leaving you to think "good luck!" But Christianity shifts our focus to Christ, His sacrifice and redemption, and focuses us on what He did for us!

"[God] saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." - Titus 3:5

GO DEEPER: Galatians 2:15-21

Sunday Sermon based in Genesis 47 from December 12, 2021. 

We were created to work. Adam was given a job. The calling on our lives is to work for the Lord. It hasn't changed since the beginning...what has changed is that sin divided us from God. We have been instructed to not be idle...

Idleness is a sin, and one that will lead us into other sins, but how do we avoid it...we keep our minds on God!