Jesus and His Brothers

Danny Walker

John 7:1-10

In John 7, we see Jesus' brothers egging Jesus to go into Judea and show Himself to the world. They did not believe in Him and were acting out of their fleshly or worldly mindset. But Jesus did not go at that time because he was waiting upon God's leading and timing. After His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus appeared to a number of His followers and His brothers. Jesus' hardship has turned to joy now that His brothers believe in Him. As followers of Jesus, we also are called to wait upon God and act in step with the Spirit.

Serving Love in the Body of Christ, Part Two

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Dennis finishes up 1 Thessalonians 5 with the remaining imperatives of effective body life. He calls all Christians to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks, not quench the Spirit, and have discernment on spiritual matters. It is not up to us to muster the ability to do these things, but for us to depend upon God to bring it to pass.

More Keys to Healthy Spiritual Community

Scott Risley

1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Healthy spiritual community requires love relationships among fellow Christians as they also relate to a loving God. In these passages, the focus will be on the vertical relationship with God, us speaking to God and God speaking to us. This will involve the keys of rejoicing, praying, thanksgiving, being open to receiving input from the Holy Spirit and rejecting any form of evil.

Arm Yourself with Readiness to Suffer

Ben Foust

1 Peter 4

Human nature apart from God will always pursue personal comfort and pleasure. But that is a recipe for disappointment. Christians have a category for enduring suffering because they are living for something greater than themselves. Peter instructs his audience to arm themselves with the willingness and expectation of suffering for the sake of the Gospel because they can entrust themselves to a faithful God.

A Model Church

Scott Risley

1 Thessalonians 1:1-8

The church described in 1 Thessalonians is a model church that we would do well to imitate because they were young and suffering but were happy. They were trusting God more every day and loving each other and those nearby in spite of their trials. They were clinging to their hope of eternity which gave them the ability to endure difficulties with joy.

Worship

Danny Walker

John 4:23

The Father created us to be in relationship with Him and to worship Him. It is not to be a burdensome chore but an acknowledgment of the amazing glory of God. To truly worship God, we must have our eyes opened to see His unsearchable attributes, His power and sovereignty. "When we magnify His name and celebrate His glory, our own souls partake of greatness."

The Spirit-Filled Life

Scott Risley

Ephesians 5:18-21

Ephesians Chapter Five speaks of the three aspects of being filled with the Spirit. First, speak to oneself in spiritual hymns, psalms and songs. Second, always give thanks for all things. Third, be subject to one another in the the fear of Christ. If you are not experiencing a spiritually fulfilled life, have you received the Holy Spirit? If you have, are you asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

God's Wisdom and Trials

Gary DeLashmutt

James 1:1-12

James addresses the Galatian's drifting into worldly attitudes and behaviors. As they were experiencing legitimate trials and suffering, James calls them to have the proper perspective toward their difficulties. Trials are not random or retribution from God, but they are God's Trainer to develop spiritual fitness and strength. Our ultimate destination matters far more than our comfort along the way.

The Peace of God and the God of Peace

Gary DeLashmutt

Philippians 4:4-9

God's peace is a sense of security in Him and is related to joy and hope. Regardless of your situation, God's peace can increasingly become the "background music" of your soul. Two proactive steps one can take to find the peace of God is to rejoice in the Lord and count your many blessings. Two reactive steps are to take all your annoyances and anxieties promptly to God and practice specific habits of rejoicing and being grateful.