Posts with the tag “church”

Healthy community does not happen by accident. Ask yourself an honest question today: are you stirring the people around you toward love and good works, or just occupying space near them?  Read More

God's family looks nothing like a room full of people who all think alike. Your differences are not the obstacle to unity. They may be the point of it.  Read More

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:28It is easy to love people who are like us. When we share the same background, hobbies, political views, or socioeconomic status, connection comes naturally. We speak the same "language," both literally and metaphorically. However, the biblical call to...  Read More

"Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." – Matthew 5:42 When Jesus talked about generosity, He didn’t put a cap on it. He didn’t say to give only when it’s convenient or comfortable. He simply said to give. And what He’s pointing to is more than a one-time act. It’s a mindset. It’s a way of life rooted in the belief that everything we have come...  Read More

“He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” - Colossians 1:18-20 Every church bu...  Read More

“Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” - Colossians 3:16 A lot of people think they can have a healthy walk with God while ignoring the very thing He gave them to build it, His Word. You’ll hear things like, “I love God, but I’m not really into chur...  Read More

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 There will be days when you want to quit. When the things God has called you to do feel too heavy. When you feel like the progress is too slow, the results are too small, and the weight is too much. In moments like that, you have to remember your “why.” Why did you say yes to God in the fir...  Read More

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 Every vision from God starts with a burden. But not just a general one. A personal one. The kind of burden that settles deep in your heart and refuses to leave. The kind that keeps you up at night and stirs something inside you when you drive past certa...  Read More

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will act." - Psalm 37:5 When God gives vision, He rarely shows you the full picture. He gives a burden. He stirs your heart. And He invites you to take one step of faith. That’s all it takes. One yes at a time. Sometimes, saying yes to God feels small. A quiet prayer. A conversation. An idea you cannot shake. Other times, it feels costly. You give...  Read More

"And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." - Acts 11:26 The word “Christian” gets thrown around a lot, especially here in America. To some, being a Christian is just part of their family story. They grew up going to church, raised by Christian parents, and maybe even believe they've been a Christian their entire life because that’s the environment they were raised in. But here’s ...  Read More

"Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." - Matthew 24:44 As we discussed yesterday, we love the idea of status. Whether it’s in life, in church, or even in something as simple as airline boarding, people like knowing where they rank. But when it comes to eternity, there is no ranking system. There’s no first class or economy, no front row or ba...  Read More

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.'" - Revelation 2:18 When Jesus is called "The Son of God," it’s not just a title. It’s a declaration of His divine nature and His unique relationship with God the Father. This title speaks to the heart of the Christian faith: Jesus is not mer...  Read More

"In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength." - Revelation 1:16 In Revelation, we read that Jesus holds the seven stars in His right hand. At first glance, this image might seem strange, but it carries a powerful message about Jesus' control and authority over His church.  The seven stars represent ...  Read More

"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near." – Revelation 1:3 If you’ve ever read through Revelation and found yourself wondering, “Why is this book so full of signs and symbols?” You’re not alone. It can be difficult to understand, and it’s a valid question to ask. But the answer is actua...  Read More

"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'" - Luke 2:10   In the business of this season, it’s easy to lose sight of what Christmas is all about. But Christmas is really about one beautiful thing: a God who loved you so deeply that He sent His one and only Son so that you could have real, lasting joy. On the night Jesus ...  Read More

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” - Matthew 25:40  On his first Sunday at a church of 10,000, a pastor decided to dress as a homeless man. His aim was to see how the congregation would respond to someone who appeared to be in need.  As he walked around the church’s perimeter, only three people out...  Read More

"The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth." - 2 Timothy 2:24-25    Power can be dangerous when it’s out of control. Whether it’s at work, home, school, or in your community, you hold some level of influence and a...  Read More

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15-16    In His letter to the church at Laodicea, Jesus declares, “I am the originator of God’s creation.” This doesn't mean Jesus was God’s first creation. Instead, it proclaims that through Him, all thin...  Read More

“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” - Revelation 3:11   Jesus promises His church, "I am coming soon." Other translations say, "I am coming quickly," which captures the essence of the original Greek word used here. This word refers to the speed of His return, not the timing. It’s where we get our English word “tachometer,” which measures the rapidity o...  Read More

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6    Jesus has the power to open and close doors in your life that no one else can. He says, "I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name" (Revelation 3:8). This message...  Read More

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” - Revelation 2:4-5a    Have you ever considered what leads to the death of a church? It’s not always external factors like persecution or financial struggles. Often, the cause is much closer to home. The church in Sardis died be...  Read More

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.’” - Revelation 3:1   Are you alive today? Truly alive? Over the last few days, we have looked at Jesus’ letter to Sardis, in which He acknowledges their reputation. On the surface, this church seemed vi...  Read More

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.’” - Revelation 3:1    As we continue to look at the letters, Jesus begins His letter to the church in Sardis by identifying Himself as the One who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. Thi...  Read More

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” - Revelation 2:7   Have you ever wondered what Jesus would say if He wrote you a personal letter? What would He commend you for, and where might He call you out? As we reflect on Jesus’ messages to the seven churches, let’s turn ...  Read More

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: "The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead." - Revelation 3:1   I can't help but wonder if Jesus wrote us a letter, what would He say? Would He compliment us for our faithfulness, or would He call out areas where we've grown complacent? This is so...  Read More

"But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess..." - Revelation 2:20   In Revelation 2:20, Jesus addresses the church at Thyatira with a serious critique—they had become known as the TOLERANT Church. While tolerance in itself is often seen as a virtue, Jesus condemns their tolerance of false teachings and practices that contradict His Word. Specifica...  Read More

"Yet you are holding on to my name and did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death among you, where Satan lives." - Revelation 2:13   In Revelation 2:13, Jesus extends a powerful compliment to the church at Pergamum. Despite living in a place described as “where Satan’s throne is,” they held on to His name and did not deny their faith. This ...  Read More

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2   Romans 8:1-2 brings us an important truth: it is through the promises of God and the message of salvation that we are liberated from the chains of sin. This echoes the message in Hebrews 4:12, which describes the...  Read More

"For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword…" - Hebrews 4:12   Jesus writes a letter to the church at Pergamum through His messenger John, saying, “Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: Thus says the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword”  (Revelation 2:12).  This message is directed to the pastor of the church, and it highlights an important as...  Read More

“I know your affliction and poverty—yet you are rich!” - Revelation 2:9   Following Jesus isn’t always easy—it comes with pressures to conform, compromise, and even abandon our faith. The early Christians in Smyrna faced intense opposition. They were pressured to renounce their beliefs, conform to the world’s standards, and return to their old way of life. Yet, amidst these challenges, Jesus reass...  Read More

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” - Revelation 2:11   In today’s church environment, it’s easy to get caught up in programs, traditions, and meetings—important elements in their own right, but not substitutes for the transformative power of God. Jesus’s message to the persecuted church in Smyrna reminds us of what truly matters: the power of God at w...  Read More

“I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victo...  Read More

“But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.” - Revelation 2:4   We have spent the last few days discussing the church in Ephesus, a church that was once devoted to love. John, the ‘beloved disciple,’ was their pastor. Thirty years before John wrote his Revelation on the island of Patmos, Paul commended this church in his letter to the Ephesians, saying he had heard ...  Read More

“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.” - Revelation 2:2   In the letter to the church at Ephesus, Jesus acknowledges their unwavering commitment to the truth. This was a church that held a deep passion for sound doctrine. They opened their B...  Read More

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” - Revelation 2:4   As we dive into Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Revelation, one striking aspect stands out: Jesus doesn’t just praise these churches or merely criticize them. Instead, He offers a balanced perspective, pointing out both their strengths and their weaknesses. This approach is something we can lear...  Read More

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” - Revelation 1:19   In the book of Revelation, we find letters addressed to seven literal churches. These messages aren't just for those churches; they reveal seven types of church members, too. As we dive into these letters over the next few days, let’s set the stage by understanding a bit more about the author, J...  Read More

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs t...  Read More

"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem..." - Isaiah 40:1    In Isaiah 40:1, God's command to comfort His people resounds with urgency and insistence. He doesn't merely suggest or recommend; He emphatically declares, "Comfort, comfort my people." This double imperative underscores the gravity of His expectation for us to stand with and comfort His chosen people, I...  Read More

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7 In the early days of the Church, believers exemplified a remarkable lifestyle of generosity. Acts 4:32 recounts, “Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his posse...  Read More

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42 In the tapestry of devotion, Acts 2:42 paints a vivid picture of the early believers’ commitment to the essential elements of faith: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. As we explore the profound concept of devotion, let us unr...  Read More