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Luke 16:19-31 . The Bible teaches that every single human being is created to live for eternity. And we will either be with God forever or separated from Him forever. In Jesus’ parable about a rich man and a poor and diseased man named Lazarus, we get a detailed and tough picture of what it will be like to be eternally separated from our awesome God. Let’s make sure we have received the best gift of all, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord. And let’s invite everyone to receive and follow Christ – here on planet Earth and then forever in Heaven!

We all have different habits. Some are good, like brushing your teeth, and some are not so good. In Galatians 5, Paul encourages and challenged the church to use their freedom in Christ for the glory of God. A calling to crucify their flesh, walk by the Spirit and serve one another. All habits of spiritual growth! 

Genesis 35 . Going back to go forward. at times all of us will find ourselves in a spiritual, emotional or even physical rut.  Jacob was commanded by God to go back to Bethel with his family. For Jacob - Bethel was a place of remembrance, a place of renewal, and a place of recommitment. Sometimes in life’s journey when we find ourselves in a rut the best thing that can be done is to go back to the moment we first experienced a genuine relationship with God and in so doing find a new beginning!

Joshua 4 Memorial Day is marked as a monument on our national calendar. A day to stop and look around! Memorial Day is a good day to take a long walk back and recognize that God always seeks the best for those he calls to follow him. Memorial Day is a good day to take a strong look around. God’s strength and power will always accomplish his will no matter the obstacles we face. Memorial Day is a good day to take a deeper look. Forgetfulness erodes the foundation of our relationship with God and leads us into thanklessness and we begin to pridefully trust in self. The 12 stones were meant for the people themselves, for their children and for other people to always remember and recognize God’s working in and through them.

Proverbs 3:1-11 . Every spring high schools, colleges and universities hold commencement ceremonies to celebrate students who have completed their studies and earned their degrees. After the students cross the stage, these graduates enter a world that will challenge them at every level. Just having academic knowledge won’t be enough for them to find Biblical success. The key to Biblical success in life is found in keeping God‘s command by living a life of love and faithfulness, trusting the Lord to guide and direct every step, and honoring the Lord with all that he entrusts.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 . No Christian receives immunity from the unforeseen difficult days and trials of life—a miscarriage, a destroyed home, cancer, divorce, or death of a loved one to name a few. It has been said, “We simply don’t know what difficulties God will allow us to endure, but we do know that God is the final arbiter of our time on earth. We have the hope of resurrection beyond death, and we have Jesus’ promises to strengthen us during those dark and difficult days we face until resurrection.” What to do when difficult days arise: remember your position : grace  remember your possession: peace remember your privilege: to praise God remember your purpose: three purpose clauses in suffering  “so that”….. First, so that - we may be able to comfort others with the same comfort we have received from God! Second, so that - we don’t trust in ourselves but in Jesus!  Thirdly, so that - thanks may be given for the prayers of others!

The lesson of the widow's mite or the widow's offering is presented in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 12:41–44, Luke 21:1–4), in which Jesus is teaching at the temple in Jerusalem. The Gospel of Mark specifies that two mites (Greek lepta) are together worth a quadrans, the smallest Roman coin. A lepton was the smallest and least valuable coin in circulation in Judea. Materially she gave less than anyone else yet Jesus said spiritually she gave more than all of them combined! What was it that produced this response from Jesus? It was her great faith! She gave everything to God trusting that He would in fact take care of everything for her. In this message we consider how similar her faith was to the Widow is Zarephath in 1 Kings 17 who may have been her spiritual mentor! 

Luke 15:11-24 . The parable of the prodigal son teaches us about how to have healthy relationships, beginning with God. When we have come spiritually home to be with God, we then have the spiritual power and resources to have strong, growing relationships with family and friends. Let’s minimize the “Me-Life” and maximize the Christ-life!

Genesis 39 . Ever had a moment where life didn’t go the way you expected? How did you react? Often times we face unexpected changes in our lives and respond with frustration, anxiety or bitterness. Joseph faced devastating loss but still chose to honor God and was a blessing to others. What about us? 

 Luke 15:1-10 . In the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin, we see the awesome heart of our seeking and saving God for all who have spiritually strayed from Him. And all of us have strayed away from God and need Jesus. Let’s join God in loving those who are spiritually disconnected by pursuing them with the Best News of Jesus Christ. The result will be indescribable joy for Christ-followers here and for everyone in Heaven.

Listen as our Honduras Mission Team shares stories and testimonies about how God moved on their recent trip.

Luke 14:25-35 . In the presence of a large crowd of people, Jesus shares a very challenging message about how we can grow when Jesus is the first priority of our lives.  When Jesus is our first priority, we will experience incredible spiritual blessings – even when we encounter opposition in this broken world.  Let’s turn it all over to Jesus and finish strong!