Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 That’s why we ourselves are bragging about you in God’s churches. We tell about your endurance and faithfulness in all the harassments and trouble that you have put up with. This shows that God’s judgment is right, and that you will be considered worthy of God’s kingdom for which you are suffering. Thought for the Day: A while back, I heard a sermon based
Scripture: 2nd Thessalonians 1:3 Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you. This is only right because your faithfulness is growing by leaps and bounds, and the love that all of you have for each other is increasing. Thought for the Day: There are two descriptors – “leaps and bounds” (Huperauxano = to increase exceedingly) and “increasing” (Pleonazo = to increase in abundance) used in this
GUEST WRITER: Dr. Joel Plaag Scripture: Isaiah 2:4 They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Thought for the Day: I’d been practicing for a while – months – on the arrangement of Lasst Uns Erfreuen, which we know as “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” in the 11:00 service. Page one says “PLAY in Eb,” though written in another key. Page
Scripture: Galatians 6:10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith. Thought for the Day: Two nights ago, we went to bed a bit later than usual because we needed to pick-up Zach from the church. He and the other youth had just returned quite late from their Mission Trip, and as we
Scripture: Mark 1:5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to John, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Thought for the Day: John the Baptist was a very interesting character, but there was something about him and his message that connected with the people. I picture people from all different background streaming to
Scripture: Mark 1:4 John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Thought for the Day: In some translations, the wording makes it sound as if the forgiveness of sin is entirely dependent upon the baptism. People read as if the Gospel writer was saying, “I will
Scripture: Luke 2:21-24 When eight days had passed, Jesus’ parents circumcised him and gave him the name Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived. When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ( It’s written in the Law of the Lord,
Scripture: Colossians 2:12 …when you were buried with Christ in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. Thought for the Day: One of my favorite characters from our denominational history is a guy named “Raccoon” John Smith. From what I have read, I imagine him to be quite the character. Alexander Campbell said that Smith
Scripture: Mark 10:45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Thought for the Day: In recent weeks, I have seen a lot of pictures on Facebook that tell the stories of church youth mission trips. A lot of my friends are ministers, and they post pictures of groups packing up or doing work
Scripture: 1st Peter 3:18b Christ was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit… Thought for the Day: Yesterday was an interesting day at Cypress Creek Christian Church. Quite often I find that my sermon comes off (or maybe I should say ‘comes out’) very differently depending on the service. Some might think that the sermon would get progressively better, but that’s not always