THE LOVE OF GOD

The unconditional love of God unites Christ-followers while also manifesting His characteristics through the fruit of the Spirit so believers and unbelievers alike can witness it.  In his sermon this past Sunday, Pastor Harry described it as agape love.   John Ortberg captures the different kinds of love in his book, Love Beyond Reason.  He says…

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FAITH IS ACTIVE

Pastor Mark referenced Hebrews 11:1 this past Sunday: (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Having faith is not only internally passive to one’s life. The conviction mentioned here creates actions which manifest the presence of faith.  Believing and applying the Word of God changes your…

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AN ALIGNMENT OF INTERESTS

Various traditions describe the holy grail as an object with miraculous healing power, sometimes providing eternal youth or sustenance in infinite abundance. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the holy grail as any elusive object or goal of great significance may be perceived as a “holy grail” by those seeking such. The search for this object throughout…

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LIVING WISELY THROUGH KINDNESS

This past Saturday, Jeanean and I were having a conversation about social media andhow sometimes those replying to other people’s posts are a bit harsh. As Christfollowers, we should be gracious with our words, using the opportunity for Christ’skindness to shine through, especially in a public or even virtually public setting, so thatothers might see…

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SELF-CONTROL IS BOTH FRUIT AND DISCIPLINE

We must practice Spiritual disciplines to be like Christ. 1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV) As obedientchildren, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who calledyou is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I amholy.”Jesus implies that we…

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A PATIENCE CHALLENGE

Submitting to God’s will and living our lives accordingly, which in turn produces the fruits of the Spirit, is the life that God intends for us.  Pastor Mark kicked off our next eight weeks of study around the fruits of the Spirit noted in Galatians 5:22-23 this past Sunday, using the fruit of patience as…

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POLITICS AND JOY

These are two words that do not seem to go together AT ALL. In this election year, many of us rather feel more like Habakkuk: “How long, Lord, must I call for help,    but you do not listen?Or cry out to you, “Violence!”    but you do not save? Why do you make me…

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THE DISCIPLINE OF JOY

Living with joy should be a discipline we seek to employ in our everyday lives, just as is praying and meditating on Scripture.  God has enabled us, through Christ, to live this way.  In Nehemiah 8:10 the prophet says the joy of the Lord is our strength.  In his book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted,…

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SHARING IS CARING

There is sometimes confusion in Christian circles when we talk about “fruit.” You may hear the term applied to pastors whose churches are growing. People may say that they are bearing “fruit.” But Galatians 5:22 makes it clear that the fruits we are to bear are of the Spirit, and that they are love, joy,…

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