Peace In Aiken

In our second Lent devotion, we see the sacrifice of the Savior take shape. And he starts by sacrificing his will.

It's a done deal! Your citizenship is in heaven. No one can take that away from you. So why does Paul issue such a dire warning about walking in opposition to the cross? Because he knows better than anyone what type of distractions the world might throw at us so that we would give our citizenship away.

Our midweek devotion is taken from our Sunday passion reading, Luke 22:1-38.

Salvation can't be a joint effort. Why? 2 reasons: 1. Our enemy is too strong. 2. We aren't strong enough. So God takes the battle for our eternity into his hands. In this sermon, we use the story of David and Goliath to see how God intervenes, not to battle WITH us against evil, but to battle FOR us against evil.

When David sinned, did he realize what he had done? We're not sure. What we do know is that God sent a prophet to the king in order to call him to repentance. This is how far God will go to bring his children back. How far has he gone in your life. As we begin Lent, we contemplate the sin that brought Jesus from heaven to carry out our salvation. In this time of reflection we're reminded that no m...

Where is God's glory found in our lives. You may see it partially revealed as you see his grace unfold in your lives. But if you want to see his glory on full display, if you want to see glory face to face, look at your Savior. On Transfiguration Sunday, we are reminded that the love of God has been completely revealed in Jesus!

How do you deal with people who treat you badly? The world would tell you to have nothing to do with them. The world might even tell you to get back at or get even with them. That's the way of the world. But that's not how the family of believers works. Instead, Jesus teaches us the family business of love by showing us first hand what compassion and mercy looks like. He showed it to you... now we...

When you go through struggles, do you attribute them to God? Maybe we ask God why he's doing this to us. Maybe it feels like the struggles of life are outside of his control. As we read 2 Corinthians 12, we see that our struggles are in God's control. In fact, our struggles need not be seen as a bad thing at all. Instead, they can be used by God to draw us closer to him!

Are you qualified to talk about Jesus? For so many, they feel inadequate to speak about the graces of Jesus. But in our reading, Jesus recruits fishermen to do this important job. As he does so, he shows us what he sees as the most necessary qualification: knowing his grace for sinners. Because you, like the disciples, know the grace Jesus granted to you, you are qualified and called to speak abou...

In modern Christianity, a "relationship with God" is a hot button topic. It seems like every church uses this phrase in their marketing. What are we to make of it? It's safe to say that Scripture is a book about the restoration of our relationship with God. But the relationship created between us and God isn't on OUR terms. It's on HIS. While this might not be a popular view of that relationship,...

Does Jesus ever short change us? Absolutely not! Even when it feels as if the blessings we are given aren't all that we had hoped for, we are reminded that everything Jesus does, he does to the best of his divine ability. Therefore, everything you have... it's God's best!

When the world demands an answer, are you ready to give one? "Who are you?" Vocations, sins, descriptions flood our minds. When it comes down to giving an answer that can fully define you, we start at the baptismal font. This is where God tells you who you are.

God can bring salvation to the ends of the earth. And he chooses to use us. You get to be a light in this dark world... and you are certainly prepared to do it.

What relationship do you have to obedience to God? In this small insight into the early life of Jesus, we find our motivation to obey God. See as he lives not just as the template for obedience, but as the sacrifice of obedience in our place.

What does it mean that "God is with us?" In our every day lives, it is us living according to the promise Jesus made to his disciples: "I will be with you always to the very end of the age." But in the manger, God shows what Emmanuel truly means. It means having more than a teacher, protector, or friend. It means having a Savior who is truly God and man so that he might save human beings.

Joseph had a mess on his hands. Not a mess created by sin... but a mess nonetheless. He had his imperfect plan to make the best of a bad situation. This is when the Lord comes to him and lets him know that he is actually right in the middle of His own plan. This is how the Lord approaches the mess that is our sin. See his perfect gift!

Mary's Song is one for the ages. It is this beautiful song by a godly young woman who knows that the Lord was in the middle of working something extraordinary through her and for her people. She regards herself as humble. We are humbled regularly in our lives. This Christmas, allow Mary's Song to be your song.

John the Baptist calls the crowds to repentance. They receive a baptism, hear their sins forgiven in the comings Savior... but now what? How do they go forward? What should they do when they leave the Jordan. John gives direction to the crowds: "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." The message is clear! Live lives of joy knowing that your sins are fully and freely forgiven.

Will you prepare for Jesus like your in-laws are coming over or like the plumber is on his way?

When Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised that he would return again. Today, in our message, we examine what it is the believer is called to do in fulfillment of Jesus command: STAY AWAKE!

NOT GUILTY! The verdict from our God, the righteous judge comes down. He's talking about you. He has declared you not guilty even though you know you were. For anyone else sitting at the throne of God waiting to be judged, this would be terrifying. But, because you know the verdict has been predetermined, you're okay. The question for us to consider: Why is the verdict predetermined?

How can I be generous if I don't have much? It's a good question. If you look around at your life and you don't see too many blessings, it would be difficult to be generous. But when you find yourself contemplating the lavish blessings of forgiveness and the promise of eternal life, you realize that you actually do have quite a bit. In that way, we can be extraordinarily generous with those around...

Our expectations of this world always seem to be to high. We want our lives to look a certain way, but because of sin, they always seem to fall short. What do we do about that? We could try to better our lives here on earth... but I think we all know how that is going to go: temporary relief until dissatisfaction raises its head again. How about a new approach? Instead of trying to make this life...

Is it worth it to take a stand? You ask yourself that question at various moments throughout life. How do we approach those moments when the situation is black and white? God's Word speaks his grace to us... and we take our stand.

What rights would you give up for the gospel? It seems like a weird question. As a Christian, it seems as if we wouldn't HAVE to give up anything. Guess what... you're right. You don't HAVE to give up anything. You make sacrifices because of Jesus' sacrifice for you. He gave you everything, so you don't need anything from anyone. That's freedom!