ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 14, 2020Scripture: Philippians 4:13I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Thought for the Day: These are familiar words to many Christians, and they make many appearances in Facebook memes and Tweets. This is understandable in light of the positive feel they exude. As you can imagine, some people have borrowed these words to add a religious blessing to all kinds of nonsense. They
You may have heard that Cypress Creek has a phone number for anyone who would like to listen to the sermon or one of the weekly devotionals (for anyone who might not have access to a computer). To give you a little taste of what is available, here is the audio devotional for this week. You can listen, and then maybe share the phone number with someone who
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 12, 2020Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 11, 2020Prayer for the Week: Steadfast God – Inspiration of Faithful Souls – our voices are many, though dispersed in homes, apartments and living centers throughout our community. Our voices do not join together as they once did in songs of praise and hymns of admiration, yet there is nothing stopping us from offering words of praise and admiration even if our solo voice is not
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 10, 2020Scripture: Acts 18:1-3After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together—by trade they were
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 9, 2020Scripture: Acts 17:34But some of them joined Paul and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Thought for the Day: When Paul preached in Athens on Mars Hill, his words were being scrutinized by philosophers and the great minds of Greece. This was the place to be, and though many mocked and ridiculed Paul, there were some
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 8, 2020Scripture: Acts 16:15When Lydia and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us. Thought for the Day: For those who remember, the story of Lydia was the first sermon I preached when I returned from Greece last summer. One of the most impactful
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 7, 2020Scripture: Acts 12:15“You’ve lost your mind!” they responded. Thought for the Day: This was part of my studies yesterday, focusing specifically on the story of a servant named Rhoda who, in her excitement, left Peter standing outside the locked gate of the home where many of the followers of Jesus were meeting. Peter had been in prison, but the Spirit moved in a powerful way
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 6, 2020Scripture: Acts 9:36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas). Her life overflowed with good works and compassionate acts on behalf of those in need. Thought for the Day: Joppa was a city along the Mediterranean coast, approximately 50 miles away from Jerusalem. It’s interesting that Joppa is mentioned in the story of Jonah, the port city where he
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 5, 2020Scripture: Acts 1:14…all [the disciples] were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. Thought for the Day: I often overlook this verse in the Book of Acts. There is a tendency to focus on the Ascension of Jesus (earlier in chapter 1) and then jump to the Day of Pentecost (chapter 2). Can