The Bible - The Cherished Word of God

Why study the Bible? As Christians, we study the Bible for many reasons, including learning about who God is, who we are and our purpose for life. The Bible is divine revelation, God's Word to us. 2 Timothy 3:16 from the Message says, "Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another, showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way."

If you don't have a regular time of Bibl...

Ephesians - Our Identity in Christ

The book of Ephesians contains only six chapters, 155 verses, and will take you about 20 minutes to read. Yet in this little book you will find divine beauty and power. In a world where people search for identity, this letter focuses on who we are in Christ and how we are now to live in the light of this new identity. Ephesians offers some practical answers to basic questions about the Christian life.

Take time and read through this book in one sitting!

...

National Say Something Nice Day - June 1st

There's an adage that says that people may not remember what you do, but they'll certainly remember how you made them feel, and at no time is that more true than on National Say Something Nice Day. This holiday is about lifting your co-workers, family members, acquaintances, even foes, with genuine kind words, being a "lifter," and seeing how much healthier and happier you feel in the process. What words of life and hope can you speak on behalf of Jesu...

Vacation with God

I love the summer for many reasons - lots of sunshine, more time with our kids, time swimming in our pool and vacation! It's important to take time for rest and relaxation. Yet taking time away from our regular routine does not mean taking time away from God. God should infiltrate every part of our lives, no matter what we are doing or where we are.

In her article The Importance of Taking God on Vacation, Denise Oliveri says this,

"We ...

Unsung Heroes of the Bible - Ananias

Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them worldly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whose lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is possible when ordinary people remain faithful to an extra-ordinary God. These men and women are faithful...

Unsung Heroes of the Bible - Josiah

Josiah 2 Kings 22: 1-23:3

Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them worldly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whose lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is p...

Unsung Heroes of the Bible - Tabitha (AKA Dorcas)

Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them worldly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whose lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is possible when ordinary people remain faithful to an extra-ordinary God. These men and women are faithful...

Empathy

As I prepare monthly to share something with you, I try to make the topic something relevant. As I see so many people hurting, I also see so much separation between people. Do we take time to walk in another's shoes? That leads me to think about empathy, which is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Pastor Rick Warren on his blog says this:

"Empathy is so important because it meets two of our deepest needs: the fun...

Unsung Heroes of the Bible - The Servant Girl of Naaman's Wife

Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them worldly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whose lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is possible when ordinary people remain faithful to an extra-ordinary God. These men and women are faithful...

Unsung Heroes of the Bible - Deborah

Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them worldly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whoe lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is possible when ordinary people remain faithful to an extra-ordinary God. Despite what the world tells us, ...

Unsung Heroes of the Bible - Balaam & the Talking Donkey

Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them worldly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whose lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls  of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is possible when ordinary people remain faithful to an extra-ordinary God. These men and women named ...

Unsung Heroes of the Bible - Shiphrah and Puah

Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them wordly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whose lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is possible when ordinary people remain faithful to an extra-ordinary God. These men and women named and unn...

God says, "I Will Always Love You"

Plan to join us this Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. or go to our FB page to link to Youtube live on Sunday mornings or anytime on our website redoakpresbyterianchurch.com

I hope you have enjoyed reading our Lent devotional He Fights for You; Promises for Everyday Battles written by Max Lucado. 

Questions to Ponder:

1. This Lent we have spent our time studying the everyd...

Holy Week

As I write this newsletter, I am preparing for Holy Week. Although Easter is one of my favorite times of the year, the long look at the cross during Holy Week can be hard. Why do we need to spend time thinking about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the cross?

I read a Billy Graham devotional that speaks of the truth of the cross. Rev. Graham says,

"Good Friday celebrates the day our Lord died for our sins on the cross. I have often sat by the hour an...

God says, "I Will Never Leave You"

This Lent we are spending our time studying the everyday promises of God. In these challenging times, where it seems every week or so something else happens that has never happened before, we need security and stability. We need the promises of God, promises that we can cling to when life is hard and lonely and scary.

Questions to Ponder:

1. Read Matthew 28: 16-20 How do the eleven respond to Jesus when they see him on the mountain? How does...