Fir Road Christian Church

Peter writes about our living hope.

Though we sing about a silent night that ushers in Christs Birth, we read in Revelation that in the spiritual realm the night was anything but silent.

Christmas Carols hold a special place in our hearts and minds during the Christmas season.  This week we look at the story behind Joy To The World to discover its deeper meaning and how we can have Joy even in the challenges of this season.

 In chapter 12, Nehemiah leads the Israelites on a march of joyful praise and worship to the temple, along the way we learn the purpose of worship through their approach to worship.

Nehemiah leads the Israelites in the signing of a covenant to God to live holy lives, and give Him their best.

God is amazing.  When we pray to him humbly - admit our failures and repent of our sins, he shows us his compassion, mercy and grace time and again.  In Nehemiah chapter 9, we see God’s amazing love extend to the repentant nation of Israel.  

Nehemiah and the rest of Israel are challenged by the reading of God’s Word, it sparks a revival.  If you want to experience a spiritual revival too, make a commitment to read God’s word.

In Nehemiah chapter 2 we learn how he took time to rest and pray before his investigation, getting cooperation, and showing the determination to push forward with the project despite opposition.

Who is someone that God would put someone in your life that is 'Far from Him, but close to you." or someone that 'Is hurting that you can help".  Our challenge was to B.L.E.S.S. your neighbors. (Begin to Pray, Listen to them, Eat with them, Serve Them, Share God love and Story with them)

Self-control is a crucial trait for Christians to develop in their lives. As followers of Christ, we are called to live a life that reflects the values and character of our Savior. This gift is the ability to control one’s thoughts, actions, and emotions. We as Christians need to develop it if we want to live a life that is pleasing to God. 

This weeks message focuses on the Fruit of the Spirit, Faithfulness.  We are reminded that people are faithful to those they trust.  And we were encouraged and challenged to be as Faithful to God as Moses was as we live out of lives guided by the Holy Spirit.

This week we learned how God is a patient with us because of his love for us and his desire to have everyone come to salvation.  It should be our desire extend that patience to others.

In a world that longs for peace, where is it to be found? As followers of Christ, our lives should be ruled by peace—but that is often not the case.

Instead of pursuing the Happiness the world has to offer we should be pursuing the Joy God offers through the Holy Spirit. 

Our missionary Gregory Ohrenberg, representing Pioneer Bible Translators from Vanuatu delivers an insightful message about the process he went through to translate the passage on baptism from Romans 6.  

Tom Nutt from GNPI brought our message for our missions emphasis month on the topic of Others.  A great reminder that we can experience J.O.Y. when we put Jesus and Others before ourselves.  Good News Productions International has used that philosophy to teach people around the world about Jesus.

VERYTHING IN SCRIPTURE POINTS TO JESUS -  AND BECAUSE OF THAT EVERYTHING IN OUR LIVES SHOULD POINT TO JESUS AND THAT SHOULD FIND WAYS THAT OUR WOLRD TO POINTS TO JESUS TOO

This week we look at the final level of Transforming Discipleship.  The challenge Jesus leaves his followers three imperatives : Go, Baptize, Teach.  All things we are challenged to continue to do today as Disciple Makers.

In Mark 8 Jesus, in what is one of the most challenging steps in discipleship, asks his disciples to advance to the next level (four) of following him, to deny themselves and take up their crosses. 

When Jesus called his disciples they put their lives into the hands of a skilled master everything changed for them as they EXPERIENCED A  Transformational Discipleship process like nothing ever experienced before.

This week our Youth Minister Nathan Elston takes a closer look at the Shema.

IN THE SECOND LEVEL OF TRANSFORMING DISCIPLESHIP JESUS USED THE “COME AND FOLLOW ME”  METHOD TO REACH PEOPLE. He called people Ready to observe AND IMITATE who JESUS WAS. 

Jesus used different levels of disciples making. Today we look atN THE FIRST : THE “COME AND SEE” METHOD.  USED TO REACH SEEKERS HUNGRY TO FIND OUT WHO JESUS was AND ANSWERING THE QUESTION:  IS JESUS REALLY THE LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH.

One day a year we are reminded that following the darkness of Good Friday is Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is a day of reminder for us that there is hope that can be found in the darkness.

God has chosen the church to be part of something amazing.  The growth of his kingdom through us. As a church we have the opportunity to create something better together. A place where we are intentionally grafting people into the loving relationships that God desires, so that we can contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom.