Exodus 20:3, 1 Kings 18:16-21

Elijah challenges the people to stop wavering and choose who they will follow, either the Lord or Baal. They cannot serve both. The Lord desires worshippers who will worship Him only. What other “gods'' cause us to waver? What other things are we holding on to that compromise our devotion to Jesus?

1 Corinthians 12:12-21

As TFRC kicks off its 2023-24 ministry year, Pastor Chuck Swoboda takes a moment to call us back to involvement. No matter our gifting, the Body of Christ has a place for us.

Exodus 7:15-21

The Nile turning to blood was a statement against the Egyptians for the atrocities they committed against the Hebrew babies recorded in Exodus 1. Covering up our sin will always come back to haunt us. Jesus’ blood was not meant to cover up our sin, but to acknowledge and forgive our sin. Confession and repentance brings our sin out into the open which always leads to forgiveness (1 John 1:9-10)

John 21:1-11

Jesus would appear for a third time after his resurrection, but his disciples would not recognize him initially. He would need to jolt their memory of him and remind them of their purpose. Sometimes we find ourselves trying to do things on our own and forget that we are supposed to follow the direction of Jesus to live out our calling and haul in a big catch. In God’s mercy, he continually gives us opportunities to be reminded to trust, rely, and follow him.

Jonah 1

Jonah was disillusioned because he didn’t believe God was a God of justice. God was gracious and merciful, but Jonah wanted him to stand up for what was right and punish the Ninevites for their evil. He was so disillusioned by God that he didn’t want anything to do with Him or anything else. But his running away led him down a path where he was willing to give up his life rather than live with a God who doesn’t do what he thinks is right. Even so, when Jonah went as low as he could go, God was there with him.

Matthew 17:24-27

In this passage Jesus is confronted on whether or not he pays the temple tax. Jesus responds by telling Peter to catch a fish with money in its mouth to pay for the tax. Through the experience, Jesus would display his divinity and teach a valuable lesson on humility to his disciples. Jesus’ kingdom is bigger than any kingdom here on earth, yet he still paid a tax he didn't deserve to pay to not cause any offense. He would humbly submit in a way that still highlighted his authority. As we live our lives for Jesus how can we live humbly, in a way that doesn't cause any offense, yet still honors and glorifies God and his word or authority?

1 Kings 12:25-33

King Jeroboam, the first king of Israel, was afraid to allow people to go back to Jerusalem to worship because he didn’t want them to turn away from his rule. So he instituted his own places of worship, which led the nation of Israel to a constant state of worshiping other gods. As Jesus points out to the Samaritan woman, Who and how (In spirit and truth) we worship matters.

2 Kings 23:19-25

King Josiah is best known as the boy king, becoming king at 8 years old. During his reign, the book of the law was found, and Josiah led a spiritual revival in the land. The basis for the revival was the Word of God, remembering what God has done, and recommitting to the covenant.

2 Chronicles 20:31-37

King Jehosephat was known as a good king of Judah, but he was not perfect. Although he was a king that had his heart set on God, his kingdom and family didn't fully follow suit. What was it that created the repercussions of his reign, and are we living in a way that could be creating repercussions for ourselves down the line and for the ones we love?

1 Kings 21:4-15

King Ahab is a good example of “Bad company corrupts good character” (or makes bad character worse). Ahab was reckless when he married Jezebel who led him to establish Baal worship in Israel. In the story of Naboth’s vineyard, Jezebel leads the way for Ahab to kill Naboth to take his vineyard. Ahab serves as a reminder that we need to be careful who/what we allow to have influence in our lives.