Genesis 24 A loving father “Abraham lived to be a very old man. The Lord blessed him and everything he did. Abraham’s oldest servant was in charge of everything he owned. Abraham called that servant to him and said, “Put your hand under my leg. Now I want you to make a promise to me. Promise to me before the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that …

“Sarah, too, had faith, and because of this she was able to become a mother in spite of her old age, for she realized that God, who gave her his promise, would certainly do what he said. And so a whole nation came from Abraham, who was too old to have even one child—a nation with so many millions of people that, like the stars of the sky and the sa…

Luke 3:23-38, Matthew 1:1-17 The making of a good story Premise Plot Character Prose Theme The Story Of Adam And Eve Is The Story Of Humanity “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it;…

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and e…

“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the res…

Pursuing humility means Not having too much confidence in the flesh “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by…

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient t…

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blamele…

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as …

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far m…

“Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation…

“We believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting Amen.” “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 NIV “…to live is Christ…” “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John… Read More »Living for that Final Day…

“We believe…In Christ’s holy Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins.” How to live with God’s people “In Christ’s holy Church…” “I will build My Church…” Matthew 16:18 The universal church The local church His Church is a family “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by… Read More »Living with God’s People…

We believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. We believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third… Read More »Living Life by the Holy Spirit…

“We believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead.On the third day He rose again. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at… Read More »Living Life in the Son…

We believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. We believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under ontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third… Read More »Living with God as our Father…

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 NASB “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—… Read More »Living Out What We Believe…

“It was at this time that the disciples came to Jesus with the question, “Who is really greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to his side and set him on his feet in the middle of them all. “Believe me,” he said, “unless you change your whole outlook and become… Read More »Questioning our Perspective…

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your… Read More »Questioning our Works…

“One of the scribes came up and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and… Read More »Questioning…

“Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. And… Read More »Questi…

“As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were… Read More »Questionin…

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,… Read More »Questioning our Answers…

“Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came up… Read More »Questioning our Fea…

“In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus summoned His disciples and said to them, “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me for three days already and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes,… Read More »Questioning Your Assumptions…

“The Pharisees gathered round Jesus, together with some legal experts from Jerusalem. They saw that some of his disciples were eating their food with unclean (that is, unwashed) hands. (The Pharisees, you see—and indeed all the Jews—don’t eat unless they first carefully wash their hands. This is to maintain the tradition of the elders. When they co…

National divisions Political divisions Ideological divisions Racial divisions Relational divisions Theological divisions How To Live In A Divided World “I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in me because of their teaching. Father, I pray that all who believe in me can be one. You are in me and… Read More »The Cure…

“One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.” Proverbs 16:32 NASB Three Stages Of Anger Basic Anger “When you are angry, don’t let that anger make you sin,” and don’t stay angry all day.” Ephesians 4:26 ERV “Good sense makes one… Read More »The Cure for Anger…

“I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that he may hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.” Psalm 77:1-2 NRSV “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your… Read More »The Cure for Sadness…

“O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever.” Psalm 131:1-3 NASB 95 How …

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness…So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them…Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone…’” Genesis 1:26a, 27 and 2:18 NASB 2. The result of sin is… Read More »The Cure for Loneliness…

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV If I Am Feeling Empty, I Need To “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why… Read More »The Cure for Emptiness…

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT How To Stand Up To The Bully Called Fear (1 Samuel 17) “On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” 1 Samuel 17:11 NIV 1. Find out… Read More »The Cure for Fear…

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for… Read More »The Cure for Worry…

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.Blessed be …

Pastor Kim Skattum “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV “But God, being rich in merc…

“This is the third time that I am coming to you. On the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter shall be confirmed. I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as… Read More »The Promise of Assurance…

“Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a… Read More »The Promise of Weakness…

“I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from… Read More »The Promise …

To Live As A Victor I Need To “Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!” 2 Corinthians 10:1 NASB “I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I intend to be courageous against some,… Read More »The Promise of Vi…

Biblical Generosity Is Not Just A Command – It Is A Promise “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and… Read More »The Promise of Generosity…

“Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. I’m not saying… Read More »The Promise of Tea…

“Blessed is a person who finds wisdom, And one who obtains understanding.” Proverbs 3:13 NASB Wisdom is knowledge with understanding. Wisdom is interpreting life from God’s perspective. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; All those who follow His commandments have a good understanding; His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10 NASB “T…

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf. Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known… Read More »The Promise of Reconciliati…

2 Corinthians 4 How Can I Pursue The Promise Of Glory Without Losing My Soul? “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We… Read More »…

“And it came about, when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him. So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses,… Read More »The Promise of Freedom…

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIVتوسط Novation Church

Pastor George Morrison Hope’s Answer (“We had hoped…”) “That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.… Read More »Hope for a …

“How lovely are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2 AMP “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no… Read More »Home For Christmas…

“Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23 NASB “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes… Read Mo…