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Honestly, I have really pondered, "Be kind" and, "The church has been quiet way too long," a lot lately. Can we do both at the same time? YES!! Just because we stand up for what we believe and “shout out” what Christ has done for us, this doesn’t mean that we must attack or protest or cause a controversy while doing it. God calls us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16) BUT He also calls us to be kind and compassionate (Ephesians 4:32).
Keep ReadingSo I encourage you to pray for your children’s health and safety, but pray that you (and your children) will trust the Lord with their health and safety. Pray that they will learn to seek Christ as their refuge in the storms of life (because storms will come…we are promised that). Pray that they seek His strength when the enemy’s arrows are flying. The Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one.
Keep ReadingIt is so comforting to know that no matter what you are experiencing, God knows your name and sees you. He wants you to know that His eye is on you and will keep you through the decision you need to make or whatever you are facing.
Keep ReadingOur only weapon to fight back against the attacks of the enemy is the Word of God. Have you taken up your sword today?
Keep ReadingKeep practicing what we have learned, what we know to be true, because of the confidence we have in God's word, knowing from whom it came. Let us keep reminding ourselves and each other of the faithfulness of God, and of the reliability of His word and His promises.
Keep ReadingIt does not give us a reason to live on “cheap grace” – and do whatever we want but it gives us reason to celebrate that even though we do stumble in the day to day – we don’t stumble away from God – and this my friends should give all of us a hope and desire to worship and to rest in HIS glory, majesty, power and authority because the price has been paid. We can live in HIS freedom.
Keep ReadingAre there idols in our own lives that we need to rid ourselves of? May we then remember this: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2
Keep ReadingJust like bank tellers know counterfeit money by constantly handling real money, Christians can spot misunderstandings and misapplications of God’s word by continually “handling” God’s word. Of course we must correctly handle God’s word when we practice, but just reading God’s word over and over will keep our hearts trained towards truth.
Keep ReadingBeware the “Summer Slide!” No, this doesn’t refer to a scorching hot ride at the park. The Summer Slide is the loss of academic skills and knowledge that students experience during their annual break from the school routine. Christians can also experience the Summer Slide on a spiritual level.
Keep ReadingWe must "strengthen what remains," which is to say that there is, in fact, something remaining aside from death: our hope in Jesus Christ. Through this hope we can do the works set out for us to glorify our Father in Heaven.
Keep ReadingMar 15
2023
Sunday, Dale’s Sermon really gave us some things to think about. Do we serve for our own glory or are we serving because of our awe and respect for God? Or am I happy sitting on “my bench” keeping that spot warm while others around me are doing all the work?
Mar 1
2023
However, many times I found myself not wanting to become a "shameless disturbance" (vs 8) to God. Especially when it came to issues or circumstances that I thought I could certainly handle myself.
Feb 22
2023
Imagine your heart is like fertile soil. Things grow really easily in fertile soil. This is why the writer of Proverbs encourages us to keep wisdom (a.k.a. God’s truth) growing in the soil of our heart.
Feb 15
2023
Every morning, the first thing I do before getting out of bed is put on my glasses. They clarify my blurred vision and bring my world into focus. Otherwise I’d be fumbling around, squinting to see what is around me, and stumbling into obstacles.
Feb 8
2023
What are some of the benefits of being part of a church? I think any of us at Maranatha could spend a long time answering this question with a multitude of responses. One thing in particular that I wanted to focus on and encourage us all in, is solidarity.
Feb 1
2023
Do we get ahead of God? Are we waiting for God’s timing, or are we causing ourselves more heartache and grief than is necessary? God’s timing is perfect, and he keeps his promises!!
Jan 25
2023
However, we are reminded in the book of Esther that God is still seated on the throne. As He provided divine guidance and protective foresight for His people then, He is still doing so now in our world, in our country, and in our lives.
Jan 18
2023
Depending on your experience, those two words may give you a full body shiver. Isn’t the weekend supposed to be a break from school? Isn’t school supposed to be for children? God has designed us to learn together in community. Notice Paul says in this Colossians passage, “we admonish and teach” so that “we present everyone perfect in Christ”. Yes, we follow Christ as individuals, but becoming perfect in Christ is also a group assignment.
Jan 11
2023
Times of crisis serve as a wake-up call. They are God’s way of reminding us of our own humanity, that our time is limited and we need to be prepared.
Jan 4
2023
In our home, we teach our children to P.R.A.Y. Praise. Repent. Ask. Yield. All of these require a level of humility in placing God above ourselves, admitting our faults, coming to Him with our wants and needs, and yielding to His will over ours. Possibly the most demanding of our pride, however, is repentance. It is hard to admit our shortcomings, but so vitally important. When we fail to repent, even of small things, it can rob us of all peace.
