We must choose who we will be loyal to. Fully Submit to the God of love or cower under the fear and ternary of men. The choice is ours and is a choice we all must make. Just as the very first church leaders and disciples had to choose what side they were on, we also need to make that decision today. Joshua declared, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15b). This was his choice as a leader of His home. So, will we stand up, speak out, and live courageously for our God or not?

So many today are becoming afraid to speak up for their faith, bowing to the pressure of countless ungodly ideologies. These are not the days for timid Christians. Be strong. Be brave. Be heard. Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. (Matthew 10:32–34) We are called to battle for our King and will be wounded but never destroyed.

Nowhere in the scriptures does it say following God will be easy. Yet we do know it will be worth it! Paul declares, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18). Paul also tells His son in the faith, Timothy, as the torch of leadership is being passed from the first to seconded generation, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12–13) So when things are difficult, uncomfortable, or even life or death, will you and I stand up and speak out or cower in the dark?

Referances:

Matthew 13:57b–58

Hebrews 2:1-4

John 14:12

Matthew 10:28

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Join us as we start going through Ephesians 4!

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A. W. Pink said, "We cannot know God's will if we are ignorant of His word." That is so true! There is no way for us to know what God asks of us if we do not know what He has planned in the scriptures. Even as diligent students, we can forget, be distracted, or lose focus on what must take precedence in this life. This life goes by quickly. So, occasionally, we can all use a reminder about what is essential. Unfortunately, it often takes tragic loss, sickness, and pain as the catalyst to a much-needed wake-up call and reset.

But there is another way for us not to lose focus. Embrace the daily reminders we find in our faithful devotion and study of the Word, Yes, we will hear, read, and meditate on the same thing repeatedly; that is not bad. It is how good habits are formed.

The Apostle Peter figured we need to be reminded, too. He lost focus and received some redirection from Paul. (See Galatians 2:11-14) Peter goes on to write, "For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you..." (2 Pe 1:12–13) Therefore, when in community worship and bible study, do not check out but rather lean into what you think you know.

God is using His Word for His purpose in your life’s every moment. (See Isaiah 55:11) We may need a reminder to refresh our souls and redirect our paths today. The Psalmist writes, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105) God illuminates where we are now and where we must go for God's glory. So do not neglect the simple things. Embrace their truth and application to our daily lives. A conversation about salvation and baptism should refresh and encourage our souls, never bore our spirits.

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Join us as we continue to go through Romans 12!

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Have you ever been with a group of "friends" that got you into hot water simply because we were there? Yeah? Most of us have, yet many of us could see evil coming a mile away and still chose to throw our lot in with the cool kids anyway. Why? We all seek to be part of a community. But Paul says, "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) We must be careful who we seek to hang out with and make part of our close personal community. They can lead us closer to God, those are the best kind, or they can tear us down.

God even clarifies in the commandment, “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute." (Exodus 23:1–3) Mob mentality is no excuse for immorality, theft, or violence, just to name a few. My dad used to ask, "If everyone were jumping off the cliff, you would be a great fool to join them?"

But times may come when those close to us can lose their way and seek to pull us into their sin or destructive ways. Remember, Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." God's ways lead to life; our ways lead to death and destruction. So, choose wisely. Choose to obey God, for it is good and right to God, not men!

References:

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Ephesians 4:29–30

Joshua 7:21

Titus 2:9-10

Ephesians 6:10-11

1 Peter 5:8-9a

James 4:7

James 1:13–15

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Matthew 6:24

Numbers 32:23

Hebrews 4:13

James 5:16

Matthew 6:14–15

Ephesians 1:7

Deuteronomy 6:16–17

Matthew 4:7

Galatians 6:6–10

Revelation 21:27

Revelation 22:14–15

1 Corinthians 6:9–10

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Come join us as we start to go through Romans 12!

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What should the New Testament Church be like? I know we could never answer that question in one teaching, but there are a few things I know for sure. We are to be His special people who love God with unrelenting passion and live with sacrificial love towards one another, so much so that the world sees Jesus in us. That testimony of love will open the doors to tell others about the hope in our Jesus alone. (John 13:34-35) Love must be seen, or it is not love.

Peter says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9–10) You and I are His representatives in this realm.

This is one of the reasons we talk about our church community culture often. We must be reminded. Why? Because our culture is how we think, speak, and act based on what we believe to be true. If we are reminded often, we will not forget who we are supposed to be as the people of God. This may be why Paul writes, "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe." (Philippians 3:1)

When we do forget, it is called culture drift. Cultural drift in the church context can be slow changes over time, resulting in something unhealthy or nefarious rising to the surface. For example, Jesus told the church leader in Ephesus, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4–5) May the Word of God remind our hearts who we are in Him and who we are to be to each other.

References:

1 Peter 2:9–10

Philippians 3:1

Revelation 2:4–5

John 17:20–23

James 3:13–16

1 Corinthians 3:1–4

Psalm 133:1

John 13:34–35

James 1:17

Philippians 2:1–4

James 2:14–18

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Come join Pastor Ty and Pastor Dave as they discuss what in the world going on!

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Why would we not tell someone about our beautiful relationship with God? How they can experience the love, grace, and forgiveness of God. Have you ever had an opportunity to tell someone about the love of God? Did you do it or back away in fear? Maybe you did not know what to say. Most of us, if we are being honest, have been on both sides of that answer. 

It is really because we do not know what to say. The problem of biblical ignorance is at an all-time high, and so many today cannot articulate, much less define, the gospel of the kingdom. This is a massive problem in our world and church today. However, the more significant concern is that we are afraid to say what we know about the Holy God, the reality of sin, the hope of salvation, and final judgment.

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16) Again he says, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mathew 28:18-20)

In the context of Acts, the disciples have been indued with power from on high as God the Holy Spirit has filled them to do the things Jesus has commanded. (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1ff) But when things started to get dicey, they went back and asked for help again; as they asked for boldness, they were filled afresh for the task set before them. Have you prayed for the filling of the Holy Spirit to be a witness for Jesus? Have you prayed for boldness with the message of hope to the hopeless?

References:

1 Peter 1:20-21

2 Timothy 3:16

Ephesians 6:12

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