Always Pray and Never Give Up
“…always pray and not give up.“ (Luke 18:1, NIV) In our sermon series, Action Heroes, we will meet the Shunnamite woman in 2 Kings 4 this week. Give it a quick read – it’s a great story and she’s a real firecracker. [Spoiler Alert!] Her son dies and she wants Elisha to resurrect him…so she […]
Bullets and Bears
“From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. “Go on up, you baldhead!” they said. “Go on up, you baldhead!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the […]
No, not Him!
“…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20, NIV) We all know that famous line from Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. The father receives the son back, […]
Under the Broom Tree
“He [Elijah] came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.” (1 Kings 19:4-5, NIV) Elijah was let down, run down, and […]
Faith and Reason
“Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”“ (1 Kings 18:38-39, NIV) These verses come from […]
Only Wounded Soldiers can Serve
“In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.” […]
Calling All Heroes
“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking […]
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin….” (Zechariah 4:10, NLT) Quick! Answer this riddle: Three frogs are sitting on a lily pad. One decides to jump off. How many frogs remain on the lily pad? If you said three, you’re right. Deciding to jump off and actually […]
I Believe…
“…I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24, NIV) Do you sometimes feel like this is your life verse? Me, too! The last few weeks at New Life we’ve been talking about reasons to believe in Christmas. First and foremost is the fact that God loves you. The idea that “God so loved […]
I Believe in the Goodness of God
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.“ (Luke 2:10, NIV) Sunday I shared that I believe in Christmas because I believe in the love of God. Another reason I believe: I believe in the goodness of God. […]
Believe
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.“ (Mark 1:1, NIV) That’s how Mark begins his Gospel. No genealogy, no manger, no shepherds or wise men. Where Matthew and Luke build up to that conclusion – that Jesus is the Son of God – Mark puts it out there in the […]
25 Years and Counting
“[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.“ (1 Corinthians 13:7, NKJV) The other day, Christine and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. TWENTY-FIVE. Can’t believe it’s been that long…can’t believe we are that old! So many friends congratulated us and said very kind things about our marriage. Thank you. […]
