Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 9:12-13 (the Message) Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through
Scripture: Leviticus 4:1 The LORD spoke to Moses, Thought for the Day: Five words in this single verse. That’s all there is. For many, such a verse would be viewed as nothing more than a path taken to what is really important. In fact, I am probably guilty of doing the skip over on more than one occasion. We are looking for something important, something we assume we
Scripture: James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. Thought for the Day: One of the great poetic voices of our times was Maya Angelou. She wrote, “Hate – it has caused a lot of the problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet.” Just today, I have witnessed
Scripture: Psalm 5:7-8 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house, I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. Thought for the Day: I was visiting Paula in the hospital yesterday (she went home later in the afternoon following her knee replacement
Scripture: Psalm 31:9-10 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away. Thought for the Day: I think most people can look back over their lives and find a time when
Scripture: Mark 9:50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Thought for the Day: Kirby Gould is a friend of mine, and she also works for the Christian Church Foundation. She recently wrote on Facebook: Today I leave for Falmouth, Jamaica, for my second time to participate with a
Scripture: 1st Peter 4:10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Thought for the Day: When Donna and I were married, we received many wonderful gifts from friends and family. Among those gifts were two apparent regiftings. For those who do not know the term, we received as a gift an item someone else had
Scripture: Matthew 25:39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ Thought for the Day: Today in worship, we are focusing on our ministry to those who are incarcerated. Cypress Creek Christian Church has, for many years, focused its passion and compassion on those who are in jail or prison. This has been done specifically through the ARK Program that helps
Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-11 So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs. Thought for the Day: Henry Rollins is one of those interesting characters who has done just
Scripture: 2nd John 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love. Thought for the Day: Recently, I overheard some children talking about what they wanted for Christmas. They often spoke in terms of being unable to live without the items they desired. As you can imagine, these items were big-ticket toys and