Daniel 2

Named after its writer, Daniel's book is a product of his time in Babylon as a Jewish exile from Israel. While still a young man, Daniel travelled to Babylon with a group of young Israelite men whom the conquering power felt could be of use in service.

Daniel's faithful service to the Lord in a land and culture not his own makes him unique among almost all the people of Scripture - Daniel stands as one of the only major figures in the Bible to produce a completely positive

Daniel 1

In the book of Daniel, we are going to encounter our hero Daniel living in a society much like our own. The world wants God's people to conform to its standards and follow its practices. Daniel stands strong. Why? Because Daniel's God is the Sovereign God who rules the world. God is sovereign over the big things like international powers and God is sovereign over small things like the apparently insignificant lives of teenagers. God is sovereign over history and God is sov

Sermon Series - Daniel

One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of Daniel. What a guy Daniel was! He dared to be different. As Warren Wiersbe said, "Instead of bending and blending like a reed, he stood like a mighty oak, rooted in the Lord and defying the storms of change that raged about him."

In the book of Daniel, we are going to encounter our hero Daniel living in a society much like our own. The world wants God's people to conform to its standards and follow its practies. Daniel st

Refresh

When we draw near to God, our minds are refreshed and our strength

renewed. - Unknown

"A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9

"I will refresh the weary and satisy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

"Silence is refreshment for the soul." -  Wynonna Judd

"Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." - Proverbs 11:25b

"It is God who fills us up. He is the One who refreshes our soul...He alone

satisfies." - Will Graham

Ephesians - Our Identity in Christ Relationships in Christ

Having given detailed instruction to the Ephesian believeres on what it means to be one in Christ, now Paul focuses on three crucial relationships that will test his readers' understanding of the concepts he has set before them. This passage contains the word "submit" which is often off putting to many people. The word "submit" means to accept or yield to a superior force. When has God put up a yield sign in your life?

Reread Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Questions to Ponder:

1. Is the

Sermon Prep

Preaching is one of my favorite pastor responsibilities. I love to dig deeply into God's Word, praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me what to say to you.

Did you know that church members can do their own form of sermon preparation? That's why we weekly mail out questions that go along with the sermons.

Thom Rainer says, "But what if church members prepared for each sermon they heard? What if they believed their roles as recipients of the Word are also crucially importan

Ephesians - Our Identity in Christ - The Walk of New Persons

In Ephesians, we dive in deep to discover the true meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, into what Paul calls "the incalculable riches of the Messiah" (3:8)

In our text for this week, Paul is laying it all out - specific things we've got to do or not do in our Christian walk. This isn't about rules, rather this is about our response to God's grace. We want to walk, deliberately and intentionally following Jesus Christ, doing all God requires us to do. Why? Because the Holy

Ephesians - Our Identity in Christ - The Church: United in Christ

Ephesians shows us that the church, the body of Christ, is central to God's eternal purposes. Through the church, God has chosen to make known His multifaceted wisdom. (3:10)

Questions to Ponder:

1. Why is unity important to a local church?

2. What are some ways that a church can promote unity among its members?

3. Paul has designated the believers' standing before Christ in the previous section of his letter. He now reveals how the believers should be living in light of this

Ephesians - Our Identity in Christ - Mystery Revealed

Are you feeling tired, discouraged, beat up, lonely or confused, then welcome to Ephesians! Read this book to see again and again God's grace for us! This week read Ephesians chapter 3 in a different translation. Check out biblegateway.com - this site has many different translations.

Questions to Ponder:

1. Paul likely wrote this letter while under house arrest in Rome, but he states that he is a "prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles" (verse 1). Why do you think Paul wo

Ephesians - Our Identity in Christ Before and After- Real Life in Jesus

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.

Questions to Ponder:

1. Why is it often so easy to take God's blessings in our lives for granted?

2. Of all the things Paul could pray for the Ephesians, he's p

Hello Summer

Glory be to God...

for clear blue skies and sunny days

for fresh green grass and leafy trees

for vivid purple flowers and well-tended gardens

for fluffy white clouds and gentle breezes

for bright red buses and busy streets

Glory be to God...

for people stepping out with sandaled feet

for children playing games with delighted squeals

for picnics and street parties

for street traders and market stalls

for long days and short nights

for open-topped buses and open-necked shirts.

Glory be t

God's Promises

In the passing of my mother, I am once again reminded of all the promises God makes to us about the abundant life here and the eternal life to come in heaven.

The first question about heaven is how do we get there? Whether we like it or not, the Bible is clear ~ everyone makes a choice about where they go after death: heaven or hell. Again and again, the Bible tells us heaven is the place for all those who believe and follow Jesus Christ. In heaven, we will see our Lord and

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.

Key themes:

* We have many spiritual blessings through Christ.

*  Each belie

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 Bible reading and prayer, I'd like t

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!

Key themes:

* We have