Devotional: ‘A Savior Who Cares’ pt 4

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.  After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:22-27 NLT)

Devotional: ‘A Savior Who Cares’ pt 3

Matthew 14 contains one of the great miracles in all the Bible. Jesus used a boy’s lunch to feed a multitude of people. That the Lord could do this is amazing. That He would do this is admirable. That He chose to do so on a day when He and His disciples were hurting, is absurd.

Devotional: ‘A Savior Who Cares’ pt 2

John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus and someone the Lord greatly valued. Jesus said of him, “of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.” (Lk 7:28 NLT) Therefore, when the Lord heard of John’s tragic death, He gathered His disciples and sought a place where they could be alone.

Devotional: ‘A Savior Who Cares’ pt 1

Last Sunday was my turn to teach the teen guys’ SS class. Our lesson was on – ‘Jesus Feeding the 5,000′, found in Matthew 14.

We all know the story of how Jesus used a boy’s lunch to feed a great multitude. Scripture says that there were 5,000 men, plus their wives and children. Feeding that many people with only five loaves of bread and two small fishes was quite a miracle to say the least. Yet the story also contains some other important truths that are often overlooked.

Sunday Sermon: ‘State of the Church 2010′

Today’s message is for the member of Twin Oaks, as well as those visiting, but seriously considering someday joining. Today I am going to preach what I call my annual – ‘State of the Church Message’. Obviously this is kind of a take-off from the president’s State of the Union Address; however I doubt very seriously that they will be discussing this message on Meet the Press or the evening news. I do hope to share some things with you that will inform, encourage and inspire you.

Devotional: ‘Something As Silly As a Cell Phone’

Why do we worry? Quite simply because we have problems. When we receive bad news about our health, how can we not be tempted to worry? When the economy is weak and there is the threat that we might lose our livelihood, how can we keep a tinge of fear from flowing through our bodies? When we lose our cell phone and wonder where it is at, how can we not panic thinking that someone might find it and run up a million dollar bill by calling to China?

Devotional: ‘Sowing and Reaping’

‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ (Hosea 10:12 NLT)

God often takes the blame for things that are not His fault. Though He is all-powerful and may do whatever He desires, much of what He does is His response to our actions. The Bible says – ‘…for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.’ (Gal 6:7 NKJV)

Devotional: ‘What We Think We Are’

Someone has said, ‘We are not what we think we are. What we think – we are.’ In other words, the thoughts we allow ourselves to think, reveals who we are. In addition, the thoughts we allow ourselves to think, determines who we are. The Bible says – “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Pr 23:7)

Devotional: ‘The Secret to Answered Prayer’

What is the secret to having our prayers answered? Is it the words we use or the intensity by which we lift up our voice? What will cause God to hear and to answer? Jesus said -

“… when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Mt 6:6 NLT)

Jesus tells us that there is great power in private prayer. That is not to say that we should never pray in public, but that prayer made in private often produces greater results. Why is that so?

Sunday Sermon: ‘Great Is the Mystery of Godliness’

This morning I want to talk with you about what scripture calls – ‘The Mystery of Godliness.’ The word ‘mystery’ may sound like a strange word to find in the Bible, yet it’s used numerous times in the New Testament and almost always in regards to Christ and His church. The word ‘mystery’ as it is used in the NT refers to a truth that was once hidden and how revealed. In today’s passage of scripture we see Paul referring to what he calls ‘the mystery of godliness.’