August 21 - Paul
Paul: A Model of Christian Leadership
As we worked through the Apostle Paul's letter to Philemon this past Sunday, Pastor Don emphasized to us that Paul's personal message to his brother in Christ models the best kind of Christian leadership through the principles of partnership, motivation, and empowerment.
August 14 - Psalm 145
The Power of Awe
What inspires you to react in awe?
Maybe it's feasting your eyes upon a natural wonder like the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls or Mount Shasta. Or maybe it's crossing the Golden Gate Bridge or standing on the observation deck of the Empire State Building. Or perhaps it's something so commonplace — yet utterly unique in each instance — as witnessing the birth of a child.
August 7 - Nehemiah 13
No Compromise
As we concluded our study of the book of Nehemiah this past Sunday, Pastor Scott shared with us what he often contemplates when he sees the aftermath of car accidents: "That could be me; I've got to be careful on the road."
It's not an uncommon thought for folks possessing wisdom, and for Christians driving down the highways of life, we should be giving ourselves similar splashes of cold water in the face, as all of us have the tendency to "drift" across the lane markers God has created for us in order that we may keep heading in the right direction.
July 31 - Nehemiah 11 & 12
Comfort vs Fruitfulness
Who doesn't enjoy comfort? Let's face facts. It's FUN to be comfortable — particularly if you've been through the wringer of work or school and are pining away for that light at the end of the tunnel, and then once you reach it ... ahhhhh. Blissful comfort! But there can be a downside to seeking after comfort.
July 24 - Nehemiah 10:31-39
Managing Finances & Rest
The passage focuses on the people's need to partake in Sabbath rest and to give faithfully through tithes and offerings. We, of course, endeavor to do the same but very often those tasks are easier talked about than actually done! After all, so often we default to "my time is my own" and "my money is my own" mindsets.
July 17 - Nehemiah 10:30
Finding a Mate
Next to beginning an eternal relationship with God here on earth, Finding a Mate is the most important decision a Christian can ever make — and Pastor Scott led us through the Lord's plan for making that happen.
July 10 - Nehemiah 10:28 & 29
Spiritual Adulting
If you're a teenager or young adult, you have plenty of life yet to be lived, and you can set a course now that's on track with God which will bring about wonderful results over the years. But if you're older and haven't always been on track with the Lord, you might be thinking, "I've blown it. What's the point of trying to live in God's ways now?"
JulY 3 - Nehemiah 9
Entering the Holy of Holies
Nehemiah 9 contains the longest prayer in the Bible. Pastor Scott summed up the 38 verses with three truths about the Lord: He's in control, he's good, he cares. Then, as we got into the narrative of the chapter, God's incomparable love and truly unbelievable patience began flowing like a faucet until it blasted down upon us to overflowing. When you learn about God’s posture towards us, you come away inspired and encouraged.
June 26 - Nehemiah 8:13-18
RESET!
We all need to reset ourselves as we make our way through life. We live in an imperfect world and walk around in imperfect bodies containing imperfect minds and hearts — all corrupted by sin. The result, Pastor Scott said, is addiction, anxiety, and a host of other hindrances to our spiritual progress. So, as we run our race toward the prize of Christ, we need to reset ourselves — to recalibrate our direction, to reconsider our priorities, to revise our strategies ... or at the very least repent of things weighing us down and holding us back.
June 19 - Nehemiah 8:1-12
Time for a Fresh Start
Do you have regrets? If so, what are they? Are you bummed because you didn't have all the "fun" you could've had to this point in life? Do you regret not working toward that job that would have rewarded you with a lot more money?
And if you regret not living for Christ as much as you could have to this point, stop right there — because Pastor Scott shared some incredible news with us, the central theme of Sunday's message: God is in the business of giving us a fresh start!
June 12 - Nehemiah 7
Solidify Your Spiritual Gains
Not only is Nehemiah's story a unique look at the character of God, but also it shows us how we all can successfully transition from one important spiritual task to the next. And we do that by SOLIDIFYING the things God has taught us, and then PRAYING that the Lord will guide us to what he has for us next.
June 5 - Nehemiah 6
Don't Take the Bait!
Many of us personally know or at least have run into people Pastor Scott described on Sunday as "instigators." The very word sends all kinds of images to our brains, doesn't it? They're people of chaos; they bring tension into our homes, our neighborhoods, our offices — and sadly into churches as well.
May 29 - Nehemiah 5
This Makes Me Angry!
This past Sunday, as we delved into chapter 5 of Nehemiah, we looked at what Pastor Scott called "another side of anger." It's the kind of anger that reacts strongly to injustices around us — the kind of anger, when properly harnessed, that can lead to meaningful change and that helps others and pleases God, too.
May 22 - Nehemiah 4
Oh No! I'm Becoming Mean! Help Me!
Our sermon addressed the issue of meanness that might grow in our own hearts at times as well as the difficult challenge we face when we must live or work with people who are mean.
Pastor Scott weaved the tension-filled continuation of the Jerusalem wall rebuilding — filled with opposition from Israel's enemies and the Jewish people's struggle and resolve to trust in God's power — with how we as believers must contend with and battle obstacles and evil in our own lives.
May 15 - Nehemiah 3
Join God in His Work
Our Sunday study featured one unmistakable element. Names. A lot of them.
While biblical texts containing a preponderance of names might seem mundane to some, such passages demonstrate that God not only is deeply interested and fascinated with each person who has ever lived and ever will live but also with the tiniest details of each person's life.
And that means ... you!
May 8 - Nehemiah 2:9-20
Let Us Rise Up & Build
Choosing to become a Christian does NOT mean acquiring a problem-free life. Far from it. However, being a believer in Jesus DOES mean that we have the biggest, most powerful problem-solving source available to us...
May 1 - Nehemiah 1:1-2:9
Spiritual Maturity is Missional
As we embarked on our journey into the Old Testament book of Nehemiah on Sunday... we see right away in chapter 1 that God was doing something big in Nehemiah's heart...
