Our hope

1 Thes 4:13-14

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.


Whenever a loved one passes, it brings about an opportunity to witness to those friends and family who do not know the Lord. These words written by the Apostle Paul give us hope that we will be with Jesus when we die and will return with Jesus when He returns to earth.This is great news and we should be ready to let anyone know whenever we have the opportunity. Remember what Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15 : "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 

Would you open the door?

Revelation 3:20:


'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 


Hearing Jesus' voice and opening the door is not always easy. We know that if we open that door, there may be things we do not to be seen. So instead, we keep the door closed and ignore the voice. 


What is it we are afraid of hearing? Is there a pet sin in out life that we're afraid we'll have to give up? Are we afraid of what people will think if we invite Jesus in? Is there something in our past we don't want exposed?

Sovereignty and Stewardship

We had a great discussion the other night at small group about the power of prayer and God's sovereignty. The discussion went along the lines of "If God is sovereign, sees all, and knows the outcome of all things, will praying change the outcome?"

Phillipians 4:6 - 7 tells us:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 Thes 5:16-18 further expounds:
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

As Christians, our connection to God is through prayer. We are told to pray continually with thanksgiving and to present our requests to God. But if the outcome is already known, why bring our requests to God? After all, if He already knows the outcome why bother? The short answer is because we are told to do so. If God commands His followers to do something, we are to obediently comply.

Amazing video from a woman of faith

This is amazing. This woman's husband was murdered by four people who answered an ad posted on Criagslist. The people showed up under the pretense of buying a ring. They tied up the family and ended up killing her husband.

Watch the video, what happens next is absolutely incredible.

Taming your tongue

James 3:1-12

1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many ways If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.

8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?

12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

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So quickly we will say a harsh word or participate in gossip without ever thinking about the consequences. It never ceases to amaze me how someone who will gossip about everyone will suddenly become indignant when they find out they are the subject of the latest gossip.

In this book, James, the half brother of Jesus, goes to great lengths to warn us of the damage that can be caused by the tongue. Although being small it can cause great damage like a small fire can burn down an entire forest, or can be used to define who we are like a small rudder can direct an entire ship.

As you go about your day, before engaging in conversation, ask yourself if this is a conversation you should be in. Is what I'm saying going to build up or tear down? Am I going to use my words as a blessing or a curse?