The good news of Christ
Father, make your blessing increase in our midst, as in the multiplication of bread and fish, not for material gain, but for spiritual progress. Make your presence reach everyone as we share our joy.
Reassure us of your goodness, as we, in the family of faith, share our burdens with one another. Continue reading “Make your presence reach everyone”
By John Henson, Dibrill congregation, McMinnville TN
By Ron Thomas, Highway congregation, Sullivan IL
1. The message of the preacher, 2 Timothy 4.1-5
2. The purpose of his preaching, Colossians 1.24-29
3. The exemplar of the preacher, Acts 18.1-6
Heavenly Father, work in me to create a clean heart, pure thoughts, a sanctified life devoted to you.
Strengthen my will to make it conform to you, to help me choose always what is right and good, to be determined in the face of opposition.
Give me compassion toward my brothers and sisters in Christ. Broaden my love so that it includes all people. Let our doors be as wide as your arms to welcome others into the your house.
Make me into the image of Christ, with his truth at hand, his love always reaching out, his mission ever within the heart.
Our Father in Heaven, your name is above all names. Your glory outshines all others. Let your name be often upon our lips in reverence and respect, but never lightly nor frivolously.
May the reign of Jesus come to more and more lives. Let this world know that you rule as Sovereign. Help us speak so that many might be placed under your benevolent care.
Father, we want to do your will and are committed as your people to fulfilling it. Give us strength to obey your commands. Give us power to convert others, that they too might give up their stubborn wills in order to submit to you. Continue reading “Your name is above all names”
By John Gaines, Antioch congregation, Snead AL
Winston Moseley died a few days ago. Few people would recognize his name. The 81-year-old man spent the last 52 years of his life in prison. In 1964, Moseley stabbed to death a young woman named Kitty Genovese in a brutal, gruesome killing.
What got people’s attention was the fact that there were 38 witnesses who watched Kitty’s murder, and no one did anything to help her even though she was screaming, “Help me!” It was only after she was dead that anyone bothered to call the police.
One of the witnesses later told law enforcement authorities, “I didn’t want to get involved.” (Washington Post, April 5, 2016).
This updates an illustration about apathy or indifference that some of us who have preached for a while may have used before.
Thank you, Creator of man’s free will, for our freedom. May we never take it lightly. May we never misuse it. May we employ it for the salvation and edification of many.
Give me wisdom, Lord, that I may always choose what is good and sound and spiritual. May my choices always reflect your holiness and goodness. Continue reading “Freedom, wisdom, ways, love”
By Ron Thomas, Highway church, Sullivan IL
1 Peter 2:4-10
A. It is not made up of any material substance (2:5)
B. The Holy Spirit lives in Christians (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
C. The Holy Spirit guides it (1 Corinthians 3:16)
D. The sacrifices are spiritual in nature (cf. Hebrews 13:15) Continue reading “God’s spiritual house”
God who cares for the smallest detail of creation, thank you for the many improvements to life that we enjoy in our world. How much prosperity so many of us enjoy! What a privilege to live in these days of convenience and increasing options.
We are grateful that poverty has decreased in the world, but we are aware that many still lack basic necessities of life. Continue reading “Grateful for improvements to life, increase the fear of you”
You, O Lord, are source and center,
Let me in your portals enter;
Walk with me the straight and narrow,
Watch with care your smallest sparrow.
You, O God, are shield and savior,
Rock and tower, loving neighbor;
Life and blessing yours forever,
Faithfulness our long endeavor. Continue reading “Source and Center”