Messages from the Word of God

Scripture texts are Deuteronomy 6.1-9 and 1John 4.7-21 from the subject, “The Greatest of All Time.” God is the greatest of all time manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. And because God is love, Love is the greatest of all time. So next time you hear a discussion about the GOAT, please remember God and love are the greatest of all time. I.To know the GOAT is to love the GOAT (vv7-8) II.The GO...

Scripture texts are 2Chronicles 1.7-13 and Matthew 6.25-34 from the thought, “Seek the LORD First.” There are four Sundays during the Advent season leading up to Christmas. Our theme for this week is hope. I invite all of us to quiet our hearts and minds during this hectic and commercialized season. Let us embrace the Christian tradition and put our focus on the reason for the season, Immanuel, Go...

Scripture texts are 1Chronicles 16.7-13 and Colossians 3.12-17 from the thought, “Be Grateful.” The Thanksgiving season is upon us in the United States. We have so much in which to be thankful. But sadly, we are a country that focuses more on what divides us instead of what unites us. As Christians, we must set the example. It is up to us to show the world how to live. Let us use this season as a...

Scripture texts are Psalm 95.1-11 and Hebrews 3.7-19 from the thought, “Reasons to be Thankful.” If David is the Psalmist, I can understand why he uses this terminology. He had many enemies who rose up against him, but he depended on the Rock of his salvation. And because God is who He is, David exhorts the people to worship with a spirit of thanksgiving. I.We ought to be thankful because we serve...

Scripture texts are Joshua 24.14-22 and Luke 22.14-30 from the thought “Keep Your Head in the Game.” Holy Communion is being united with Jesus and sharing in the commemoration of what He did for you and me. We commemorate by remembering what He has done. We celebrate what He is doing by examining ourselves daily. We anticipate what He will do by deepening our relationship with Him and each other e...

Scripture texts are Genesis 29.16-30 and Romans 8.28-39 from the thought, “Lovingly Waiting.” God wants us to lovingly wait on Him as He fulfills His promises to us. God’s word will not return to Him void. It will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. Can you lovingly wait on God for the answer to your prayers? Can I lovingly wait on God for the breakthrough I’ve been praying and petitioni...

The Scripture texts are Isaiah 55.1-13 and Matthew 11.20-30 from the thought, “Peacefully Waiting.” It is good to pray to God, “Your will, Your way, and Your timing.” Admittedly, some of us are okay with His will. We are fine with His way. Where many of us get tripped up is with the notion of His timing. Waiting on God still means we must do. We must act. But we do and act in God’s timing. What ca...

Scripture texts are Daniel 10.10-14 and Eph 6.10-18 from the thought "Actively Waiting." Actively waiting on God does not mean we sit and do nothing. We continue to pray, trust God, and believe He will answer in His timing. We continue to do our part and trust God to do His part. So how do we actively wait? 1. Trust that God hears us when we humble ourselves before Him. Prov 16:18 Pride goes befor...

Scripture texts are Psalm 27.7-14 and 2Peter 3.8-13 from the subject “Faithfully Waiting.” While none of us likes to wait, realize our character is developed during the wait. The Psalmist gives us four tips to help us. I. We can faithfully wait when we have confidence in God. (vv1-3) II. We can faithfully wait when we long to be with God. (vv4-6) III. We can faithfully wait when we recall our past...

Scripture texts are Genesis 18.1-8 and Hebrews 13.1-6. Our subject is "God Requires Hospitality." If Jesus can wash the crusty feet of the Apostles, surely, we can show hospitality to others. Our actions reflect the character of Jesus. Hospitality is a requirement. How do we meet God’s requirements? Consider the text in Hebrews. I.We meet God’s requirements by loving others compassionately. (v1) I...

Scripture texts are Joshua 1.1-9 and 2 Timothy 3.1-5 from the subject “Prioritizing Our Love for God.” At the time of Paul’s writing, the church was still very young and facing persecution. Most of them were meeting in their homes. They did not have the elaborate buildings we see today. There was no earthly guarantee the church would survive. It required faith and the right priorities! So, what do...

Our Scripture texts today are 1Kings 12.1-19 and Acts 19.21-32 from the topic "The Folly of Yielding to Peer Pressure." Blessings!!! When faced with peer pressure, we can make good or bad decisions. Consider Rehoboam. I.Good decision – take time to think. (vv1-5) II.Good decision – seek godly counsel. (vv6-7 III.Bad decision – seeking counsel from bad influence. (vv8-11) IV.Bad decision – making i...

Scripture texts are Joshua 4.13-24 and Philippians 2.1-11 from the topic "Remembering". After 911, we were a united country at war with a common enemy. We ought to be remembering. Unfortunately, America has a very short memory. Today, our country is fighting with each other along political lines and we are all losing. As Christians, we are called to rise above the fray. We are called to rise above...

Scripture texts are Daniel 12.1-3 and Mark 14.22-25 from the topic "Prepare for His Return". When we read the Gospel accounts, we learn the good news. The bad news is humans were separated from God due to sin. Original sin committed by Adam and Eve is found in the book of Genesis. In the same book, God promised a Deliverer, a Redeemer, who would come to close the separation gap. Jesus is without i...

Scripture texts are Genesis 22.1-14 and Galatians 5.16-26 from the thought, "Bear the Fruit of the Spirit, part 2." The fruit operating in our lives should be visible, recognizable, and blesses others. Can others see the life of Jesus operating within us? Can they taste and see that the LORD is good by their association with us? Are you and I bearing the fruit of the Spirit that is visible, recogn...

Scripture texts are Leviticus 19.9-18 and Galatians 5.16-26 from the thought "Bear the Fruit of the Spirit, part 1". Blessings!!! The fruit operating in our lives should be visible, recognizable, and blesses others. Can others see the life of Jesus operating within us? Can they taste and see that the LORD is good by their association with us? Are you and I bearing the fruit of the Spirit that is v...

Scripture texts are Jeremiah 43.1-13 and 1Peter 5.1-11 from the thought, “Don’t Make It Worse”. Gedaliah was appointed governor of the remnant of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar. He told the people to serve peacefully under the Babylonians. Some plotted to take Gedaliah’s life. After the assassination, they asked Jeremiah to pray for God’s guidance. They were afraid of what the king might do. Should...

Scripture texts are Nehemiah 6.1-16 and Matthew 5.1-16 from the thought "Good Leaders Recognize Game (Spirit of Discernment) and Stay on Mission. Nehemiah galvanized the Israelites to rebuild. He organized them by families near their own homes. External opposition came against the people. Internal strife arose. And now, personal attacks come directly at Nehemiah. We shall examine three ways the en...

Scripture texts are Genesis 19.15-26 and 1Peter 1.13-25 from the topic “God Requires Holiness”! God is holy. He is the sacred, Holy One, Who is pure and set apart. He requires us, His children, to be holy, to be pure from the stains of this world and to be set apart. How can you and I fulfill this requirement? Let’s look at 1Peter 1-13-16. 1. Be prepared. V13 We must get it right in our head. Be S...

Today’s Scripture texts are Nehemiah 5.1-19 and Matthew 20.20-28 as we continue with lesson seven of our Leadership Series based on life lessons from Nehemiah. Our subject today is “Good Leaders Are Servant Leaders.” True leaders, godly leaders are selfless, not selfish. They lead because God has placed them in a position to make a positive difference in the lives of others. You have heard it befo...

Our Scripture texts today are Nehemiah 4.1-23 and James 2.14-26 from part six of the Leadership Series. Today's lesson is "Good Leaders Overcome Opposition." Blessings! How do we deal with this opposition? Do we just quit? Do we power through with brute strength? Do we become passive and say, “God, You handle it and let me know when You are done?” What do we do? Let’s learn from Nehemiah. 1. Good...

Scripture texts are Nehemiah 3.1-5, 27-32 and Acts 1.12-26. Our thought for today, Good Leaders Organize Well. I love the notion of “Good leaders inspire.” We covered this in part four of the leadership series. This does not mean a person must be charismatic to inspire others. It means others see that the leader truly believes in the mission and vision of the organization. His or her commitment is...

Today's Scripture texts are Isaiah 61.1-11 and Luke 4.14-21. Our subject is "Born to Be Free". Why did Jesus come? 1. He came to preach the Good News to the poor. 2. He came to heal the brokenhearted. 3. He came to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind. 4. He came to liberate the oppressed. 5. He came to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD. He came to free us from th...

Scripture texts today are Nehemiah 2.9-20 and John 16.25-33 from the thought, "Good Leaders Inspire." Are you the type of leader who uses a carrot or a stick to move a horse, honey or vinegar to attract bees, encouragement or punishment to motivate others? There are many types of leaders in the world. But the effective leaders, the good leaders, inspire their followers. They use encouragement far...

Scripture texts are Esther 2.5-11 and John 14.5-14 from the thought "A Father's Duty". The world needs more father figures to step in especially during perilous times. If we are going to embrace a father’s duty, we must: 1.Assume the position to make a difference in somebody’s life. vv5-7 2.Be worth emulating by truly following Jesus. vv8-10 3.Never cease caring and let someone know how much you l...