The birth of a giraffe is amazing to see! First, the newborn calf drops ten feet to the ground at birth. Then, his mama kicks him. Hard! Somehow, the calf knows what this means and tries to stand. But those stilts-for-legs rarely work on the first try.

The birth of a giraffe is amazing to see! First, the newborn calf drops ten feet to the ground at birth. Then, his mama kicks him. Hard! Somehow, the calf knows what this means and tries to stand…Then, bam! Mama kicks him off his feet! Her baby must learn how to rise and get moving right away or predators will pick him off.”

Bam! A second kick sends the calf flying and stumbling. This cycle of kick, try, and fall repeats until the infant giraffe finds its wobbly balance. Then, bam! Mama kicks him off his feet! Her baby must learn how to rise and get moving right away or predators will pick him off.

I’ve got some things in common with a baby giraffe. I’ve been knocked off my feet, kicked while I was down, kicked by the people I expected kindness from. Can you relate?

Joseph certainly can. His life was interrupted by jealous and evil people, cruel injustice, and harsh hardship. Yet, his God-centered response offers an example of trusting God on a road full of potholes. How we can learn from him how to handle less challenging circumstances in our own lives and still keep a God-trusting posture enabling us to know confidently, “Won’t He do it!”

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History is full of major shifts caused by small interruptions which unleashed a series of consequences no one could have imagined.

The Bible has many stories whose outcomes were dramatically transformed by an unavoidable turn of events, divine appointments, or God’s calling. Abraham’s day started out like any other, with everyday routines running their course. Then, God interrupted. How Abraham responded would put in play a series of outcomes that were bigger than he could have ever dreamed. How we can learn from him how to handle less challenging circumstances in our own lives?”

The Bible has many stories whose outcomes were dramatically transformed by an unavoidable turn of events, divine appointments, or God’s calling. Abraham’s day started out like any other, with everyday routines running their course. Then, God interrupted. How Abraham responded would put in play a series of outcomes that were bigger than he could have ever dreamed. How we can learn from him how to handle less challenging circumstances in our own lives.

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Many of us have seen footage of the person walking the city streets or perhaps in the stadium adorned with a sign saying: “The end is near.” Catastrophic events and seasons of dramatic change always seem to increase speculation that we are living in the last days. Our world has certainly experienced our share of these types of events in the last few years, but a 2022 survey of U.S. citizens revealed some interesting insights about the end times.

Many of us have seen footage of the person walking the city streets or perhaps in the stadium adorned with a sign saying: “The end is near.” …In all, 76% of Black Christians believe that we are living in the end times.”

39% of adults said we are living in the end times, while 58% do not. 29% of non-Christians believe we are in the last days and 92% of Protestant Christians believe that Jesus will return. Pew Research Center conducted an additional study which revealed that the percentage among the Black community is much higher than other ethnic groups. In all, 76% of Black Christians believe that we are living in the end times and this is matched by 68% of all African Americans believing the same.

Of course, Jesus did promise His disciples and all those who follow Him that He will return for His bride one day and take her home. He did not give the date, but He did give a description of what that day will be like.

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“What’s the one thing?” That’s the beginning of many questions asked of those who are successful or at the top of their given profession. Whether it’s in business, marriage, athletic performance, or just general success and happiness. The question usually gets asked something like this:

“What’s the one thing you did, know, or feel that got you to where you are?”

“What’s the one thing I need to do, know, or feel to get me to where you are?”

“What’s the most important piece of advice you’ve been given or can give to someone who wants to be successful?”

“What’s the one thing you did, know, or feel that got you to where you are?”

Sometimes the answers are a treasure, while others could be trash, depending upon the person’s values and worldview.

Jesus was asked that “one thing” question. An expert in the Old Testament law witnessed Jesus verbally sparring with religious leaders. Impressed with how Jesus handled His accusers and their questions, the expert had to know something for himself. He approached Jesus and asked, “Which command is the most important of all?” (Mark 12:28). Jesus perceived his sincerity and gave the man a clear, concise answer. Their interaction has fascinated preachers, philosophers, princes, and even paupers since it occurred.

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Gift giving and gift getting can be tricky, if not outright difficult. As a parent, we search for the perfect gift for our children. They unwrap it and in just a few short minutes we discover they enjoy playing with the box more than the toy!

Do you remember your favorite gift you received as a child? For me, it was a pair of ice skates. It meant I graduated from standing to the side, sliding on the ice in my boots, pretending to be in the game. Now I was able to play with the older kids on the frozen neighborhood pond.

Do you remember your favorite gift you received as a child? For me, it was a pair of ice skates. Scripture says that all of heaven rejoices when a person receives the greatest gift that God has ever given (Luke 15:7)”

What about the best gift you ever gave to someone? Do you remember the look on his or her face and the joy in your heart when he or she unwrapped it? Scripture says that all of heaven rejoices when a person receives the greatest gift that God has ever given (Luke 15:7). Let’s explore the GOAT of all gifts, the one that changes everything.

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What do the following people have in common: F. Lee Bailey, Richard “Alex” Murdaugh, Edward Snowden, Benedict Arnold, Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Tim Donaghy, Donald Sterling, and Ben Affleck?

The quick answer is, in one way or another, they are all controversial figures. This list includes lawyers, political figures, athletes, an NBA owner, a referee, a military hero, and even an actor. So, what do these individuals have in common beyond being controversial?

They have all, in one way or another, violated societal trust in ways that led to lifetime bans for their actions. The lawyers were disbarred for unethical practice, the athletes for gambling, the political and military figures for treason, and, yes, Ben Affleck received a lifetime ban from certain casinos for card counting while playing blackjack. Perhaps society may one day change its opinion and forgive them.

What sin could be so horrible that God would not forgive it?”

Not so with the sin Jesus described in the passage we’ll study today. Jesus addressed an astounded crowd, who had just witnessed Him miraculously cleanse a demon-possessed man. This dramatic event led to a broader conversation about sin, and one particular sin that would spark theological debate for centuries to come. What sin could be so horrible that God would not forgive it?

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Do-it- yourself, DIY. It saves you money, gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment, and is also a great learning opportunity. Sometimes it’s a
great idea and the best way to accomplish a task or complete a project. There are other times when DIY just won’t work. Certain jobs need a specific professional, and DIY won’t cut it.

Do-it- yourself, DIY. It saves you money, gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment, and is also a great learning opportunity… There are other times when DIY just won’t work. Certain jobs need a specific professional, and DIY won’t cut it.”

In the passage we will be studying, there are some friends who had an issue that was not a DIY project. They wanted healing for a paralyzed friend. As much as they helped him, carried him, and maybe even tried to coach him to walk, it wasn’t happening. In fact, what ailed their friend was greater than what they could see. Their friend needed a special one-of-a-kind professional. His name was Jesus. Only Jesus had the cure to what ailed their friend, but seeing Jesus wouldn’t be as easy as they thought.

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Names are important. It’s rare you see boys named Judas or hear Jezebel tossed around for possible girl names. Instead, names are chosen to inspire. Some of us inherit surnames attached to great legacies. My grandfather and father brought respect and honor to my last name through the lives they lived. More than a few times I was referred to as so and so’s grandson or son. Just before leaving college, my dad told me to never forget who I was and whose name I carry.

Sometimes we don’t find much attachment to our given name and are most comfortable with a nickname. Whether provided by family or friends, a good nickname is often associated with an intimately shared experience.”

Sometimes we don’t find much attachment to our given name and are most comfortable with a nickname. Whether provided by family or friends, a good nickname is often associated with an intimately shared experience. This is what happens to the Messiah within Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a coming “Servant.” We now know that Servant by the name of Jesus. His mission was to represent God and His name accurately by bringing God honor and glory. Let’s discover how Isaiah said Jesus would do this.

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Have you every scrolled through social media and been embarrassed by what you saw another Christian post? Maybe you saw the head of the usher board at a concert in a compromising position. You may have read a church leader’s post ranting and full of malice and gossip. Paul encourages men and women to live out sound teaching and Christian living. Paul writes that our works should be done with integrity (Titus 2). This means that when we look around, we should see fellow believers display integrity, consistently in every area of their lives.

Integrity is not an option—it is required in every aspect of life. Integrity comes from the same root word for integer: a whole and complete number. A person of integrity is one person; he is the same through and through.”

For the follower of Christ, integrity is not an option—it is required in every aspect of life. Integrity comes from the same root word for integer: a whole and complete number. A person of integrity is one person; he is the same through and through.

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Have you ever heard of a church mortgage burning? A Chicago publication named Quinn Chapel AME as Chicago’s oldest black church. In the spring of 2024, the 180-year old church celebrated paying their mortgage with a mortgage burning ceremony. The previous year the church had air conditioning for the first time in the building’s 131-year history.

Black churches seek to serve their communities and it takes the generosity of others to provide resources and space to serve. A local newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin told the story of another black church seeking to pay off its mortgage. The church had served the community for over 100 years and never owned their building.

God’s abundant grace moves us toward a generous lifestyle.”

Every year, churches close their doors for a variety of reasons. Finances are often a contributing factor. Generosity towards the local church is a topic that continues to need to be addressed. In our study we’ll see how God’s abundant grace moves us toward a generous lifestyle.

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