God's Word is clear. The work that He has begun in believers, He is faithful to complete it. Not by our strength, our power or our abilities, but God and God's alone. This should give us enormous confidence in God, assurance of our salvation and patience with others as we continue to grow in our spiritual walk to being transformed into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Discernment is the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong- the act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgement. God has provided us with three critical tools for developing our discernment~ God's Spirit; God's Word and God's People. Believers are instructed to honor the Spirit, obey God's Word and test everything.

In chapter 5 of the book of Mark, we find a fascinating account of a woman who had suffered a serious infirmity for 12 years. Nothing she could do helped. She was cut off from her family, her community. She literally had nothing. That is until she met a man named Jesus. And just by touching the hem of His garment, she was healed. Her faith stunned Jesus. He commended her for her faith and welcomed her into the family of God. If there is some obstacle that seems insurmountable in your life, turn to Jesus today. He has promised to make a way!

In his message for Easter Sunday, 2015, Dr. Brian Kinlaw reviews Mark 5:1-20. In discussing how Jesus set the man free who was possessed by a legion of demonic spirits, he reminds us that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected on the third day to free all who would believe from their sins…once and for all! If you believe, you have been set free. And THAT is good news!!

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul calls us to adopt three keystone attitudes or habits that have the power to trickle down into every area of your life and have a positive influence: Rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in everything.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15, Paul provides three clear instructions to believers in our interactions with one another and the world around us to maximize our potential and influence our world while we can...

1 Thessalonians 5:2 states "the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night". If believers are to share in that glorious day, we have to do everything in our power to stay focused, vigilant and ready. In this message, Dr. Brian Kinlaw reviews 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and points out three important things for believers: our identity, our duty and our destiny. The question then becomes….are you ready?

Scripture reminds us that though we may grieve the loss of our loved ones, that we do not grieve as those with no hope. If our loved ones die in Christ, God grants us reassurance us that we will see them again, that on the day of Christ's second coming, we will be reunited with our loved ones in Christ. But we must choose Christ before it's too late. If we die without knowing Him as our Lord and Savior, there is no hope to give.

In message 8 of our "Stand Firm" sermon series, Dr. Brian Kinlaw reviews 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 and discusses the topic of brotherly love. Looking at the passages, we see three key items for our consideration: a call to love, the commands of love and the cause for love.

Scripture is clear; God's will is for believers to abstain from all sexual immorality. God has not called us to impurity but to sanctification. And when we fail do this, we are not rejecting man or man's teaching, but in effect are rejecting God.