The Text Messages

"He must increase, but I (we) must decrease."

Just as John the Baptist, testified of Jesus Christ and then stepped back when Jesus' ministry rose to prominance in Israel, every servant of the Lord has but one purpose - to point the way toward Jesus and then get out of His way.

Join us in studying this pivitol narrative as John stepped back and Jesus came into the light today on The Text Messages. This is my final message and charge to my beloved church family at FBC Westhoff...

Some songs are seasonal.

Radio stations make a point of compartmentalizing songs into not only genres but seasons - some are summer songs and some are more given to fall and winter. Wouldn't it be odd to hear for instance Frosty the Snow man while you lying on your hammock on a hot July day?

Some songs, on the other hand can be sung all year long; like Joy to the World.

Just now I heard what amounted to a needle dragging across a vinyl record album...as you said to yourself - "Joy to the World is timeless?"

Yes it is - Isaac Watts' rendition of Psalm 98 celebrates the timeless aspect of advent and looks forward to the second coming of the Lord.

Not only that but is joy something a world full of people needs or seeks only once a year? Isn't it, along with peace, hope and grace something people long for and need all year long?

Joy to the world is the theme of this weeks message on The Text Messages - check it out...

The centrality of Christ shouldn't be something we take to heart during a season which celebrated His advent and incarnation but sadly for some people it is the only time we consider it and then only in terms of keeping Christ in Christmas; but the preeminant Christ is to always be central to His church as a whole and to believers individually.

Consider that point as we study the supremacy of Christ today on The Text Messages...

 

Count your blessings! That is the point of the hymn by the same name - count the blessings of the Lord in your life. The fact is that if we would obey that simple exhortation, we would never have time to complain.

But, we do complain and in our complaining we forget how blessed we really are; today's reflection on Psalm 65:1-13 is meant to bring us back to a heart of praise.

Join us as we study Psalm 65 on The Text Messages...

In the narrative found only in Luke’s gospel which we’re reviewing this morning we read of the two sisters of Lazarus.

Mary and Martha are often contrasted as types of believers – on the one hand is team Martha – these are the dutiful workers, always in the kitchen or nursery or wherever else they may be needed; they might be pastors, teachers, missionaries – these are the workers. On the other hand, is team Mary – these are the devoted worshippers of the Lord hands and hearts always lifted to the Lord in worship, praise and prayer.

What we need as believers is to strike a balance between work and worship. Join us today to learn more...

(Due to tech difficulties, today's lesson is read only)

 

Can a person "inherit" eternal life?

A certain scholar asked the Lord that monumental question in (Luke 10:25-37) - "What can I DO to inherit eternal life?"

Consider the Lord's answer to this important question as we study the section known to most as The Parable of the Good Samaritian only because people have made more about the illustration Jesus used to answer the lawyers question than they have of the question asked and the Lord's answer.

Consider the point of the parable in today's sermon on The Text Messages...

Do Christians have a responsibility and a duty to participate in the political process of electing officials in our representative form of government?

Let me ask the question differently, "Does salt have to be salty both on the grocery store shelf and on my fries? Does light have to be light everywhere?

The answer to those questions is the answer to my first, even so, many Christians are divided on the subject.

Consider the American Christian's civic responsibility today on The Text Messages...

Is one saved by what he or she does or by faith?

If by faith, what part do works play; if by works who can truly do enough good to merit eternal life from God?

The righteousness of God is not (as one man has said) something to attain to as if it were a prize, reward or something owed; rather, it is the provision of God.

Join us today as we consider the pursuit of righteousness, the purpose of the Law of God and His intention for both giving His Law and sending His Son - today, in The Text Messages.

 

After hearing Paul say, "I have learned in all things to be content"  and when they understand what he meant by "all things" was that both in good times and bad; during periods of humble circumstances and in times of superabounding plenty; in times of hunger and also times of great fullness - he was at peace withing himself and with his God, many people will ask, "What is contentment and how can I have some?"

Join with the congregation of FBC Westhoff  to learn the answer to that question and others as together we learn about the sufficiency of Christ and the peace of mind associated with fully trusting in the Lord; today on The Text Messages.

Genuine faith - disingenuous faith.

Living faith  -dead faith.

The faith which comes from God is a faith which produces both transformation and works in the person who not only possesses it but is possessed by it.

Join us as we consider living faith today in The Text  Messages...