Psalm 33
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - Jesus' Prayer
John 17
In John 17, Jesus is in "the valley of the shadow of death," about to go to the cross and He opens His heart wide to the Father. We hear Jesus pray a prayer that echoes throughout eternity as He "always lives to make intercession" for us. As we look together at this prayer, may our hearts desire His heart's desire.
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - Will-Full Praying
Colossians 1:9-14
In Colossians 1:9, Paul prays that the church of Colossae may be filled with the knowledge of His will in ALL spiritual wisdom and understanding. If Paul is praying this over the believers, then this reality is attainable. By His grace we can be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - Praying Our Gratitude
Psalm 92
An "attitude of gratitude" is a valuable thing, but the Psalmist takes it a step further and says, "It is good to give thanks to the LORD." When we direct our gratitude to Him, it's not only our attitude that changes, but also our posture. Actually, our whole lifestyle changes.
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - Baptism Praying
Ephesians 1:15-23
This Sunday we celebrate a baptism, and we’ll be doing some Baptism Praying. In Ephesians 1:15-23 we see a prayer we all need prayed over us, awash in the Spirit who opens our eyes to see the riches and power of all that Christ offers us.
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - Praying Our Anger
Psalm 137
Christians don't get angry, right? Ticked, maybe. Frustrated, sure. Fiery, annoyed, hot? I think so. But how do we pray our anger? Does God even allow that?! He knows it's there, so bring it to Him and then watch what He does.
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - Praying Our Confession
Psalm 51
“Prayers of confession…not because we must, but because we may.” David’s Psalm of confession (Psalm 51) certainly says a lot about David’s sin, but it says even more about David’s relationship with the Lord. Why do we confess? How do we confess? Is there a connection to healthy confession and Paul’s direction to “pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17?
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - Praying Our Lament
Psalm 10
Do you often feel like you can't go to church because you don't have it all together? Do you feel you sometimes can't pray because you have nothing to be thankful for? The Psalms actually give us permission to not have it all together. We are actually taught to pray prayers that complain.
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - Praying Our Trust
Psalm 37
Are your worries keeping you from trusting in God daily? Our look together at Psalm 37 is designed to help you with that.
Prayer: The Transforming Friendship - The Relationship of Prayer
Hebrews 10:19-22
Though we all feel like novices at prayer, we have been given lots of help. More than we know. Our heavenly Father has given us everything we need to enjoy the relationship with Himself that prayer is.
Your Kingdom Come - Following Well
Matthew 7:13-29
In this passage, the greatest preacher ever brings history’s greatest sermon to a conclusion. It is a study in contrasts, and it raises the question "how will you choose?"
Your Kingdom Come - Golden Rulers
Matthew 7:1-12
Most all religions say, "Do not do to anyone what you would not wish done to yourself." Jesus turns the negative into a positive. He makes the passive into an active. And He leads the way in showing how it's done.
Your Kingdom Come - Anxiety: Some Causes and Cures
Matthew 6:19-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life," Jesus says. "Easier said than done," we say. Then Jesus offers two heart truths as a way out from under the anxiousness. Who knew birds and flowers were so smart?
Your Kingdom Come - Treasuring Treasures
Matthew 6:19-34
The further into the Sermon on the Mount Jesus goes, the deeper into our hearts He probes. This week we hear Him address the treasures we treasure, the things we set our eyes on, and the masters we serve. The Great Surgeon is performing open heart surgery.
Your Kingdom Come - Does Prayer Work?
Matthew 6:5-15
Oftentimes prayer feels like an add-on to the Christian life. Something we know we should do but don't do well. Jesus knows prayer is the work of the Christian life, and He teaches us to do it well.
Your Kingdom Come - Kingdom Spirituality
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus doesn't need spiritual superheroes, although the world loves them and rewards them accordingly. The Kingdom spirituality Jesus looks for is also rewarded, and what a great reward it is!
Your Kingdom Come - Frenemies and Such
Matthew 5:38-48
This week we continue to discuss how Jesus fulfills the Law and the prophets. Jesus shows us that the Kingdom of God will be different. The laws of the Kingdom will be different. The King will be different. And as a result the people of the Kingdom are called to be different as well.
Your Kingdom Come - Simply "Yes" or "No"
Matthew 5:31-37
Words and deeds matter. We don't just hear God's Word, we are to be do-ers of the Word, as well. Our words matter, too. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us not to swear oaths. Why? What's the big deal with oaths? Well, words matter. And the words we speak point to a greater reality than we realize. So choose your words carefully.
Your Kingdom Come - Kingdom Passions
Your Kingdom Come - Who's Got the Fulfilled Life
Matthew 5:13-20
Who can't help but look at the world around us and groan at all that is so wrong. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a similar assessment and offers a solution that hinders the decay and repels the darkness. We may need to rethink our groaning.