Ephesians 6:10-1810 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put onthe full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full ar...  Read More

1 Peter 3:13-1713 Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear c...  Read More

Matthew 17:14-21"When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt before him. 'Lord, have mercy on my son because he has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.'  Jesus replied, 'You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him h...  Read More

Staying Connected: The Key to a Strong Spiritual LifeAs we embark on a new year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on our spiritual journey and seeking ways to deepen our faith. One powerful analogy that can guide us in this pursuit is that of a vine and its branches. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains connected to the vine, we too cannot thrive spiritually unless we remain co...  Read More

1 Corinthians 15:58"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." In the 1968 Olympics, Tanzanian runner John Stephen Akhwari became famous—not for winning—but for how he finished the marathon. Injured early in the race, he limped the remaining 26 miles with a bloodied knee and ob...  Read More

Matthew 1:23“See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”Merry Christmas!  I hope and pray that today you are encouraged as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!  At Christmas, we often think about presents, decorations, and festive meals, but the heart of Christmas is much deeper. It's the celebration of God’s ulti...  Read More

Don't Miss Jesus This Christmas: Finding True Peace and JoyAs the festive season envelops us in its warm glow, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities, gifts, and celebrations. Yet, amidst all the hustle and bustle, we risk missing the very essence of Christmas – Jesus Himself. This year, let's take a moment to reflect on how we can truly embrace the meaning of the season and avo...  Read More

1 Corinthians 9:19 “Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people.”In 1940, Dunkirk, France, became the site of an extraordinary rescue mission. As British troops were cornered by advancing German forces, hundreds of fishermen, yacht owners, and everyday citizens mobilized a makeshift fleet to bring the stranded soldiers hom...  Read More

Luke 9:57-62 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.  And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus[g] said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as f...  Read More

A Tale of Two Kingdoms: Choosing Between Our Crown and Christ'sAs we reflect on the Christmas story, we're drawn to a powerful juxtaposition that goes far beyond the nativity scene. It's a tale of two kingdoms - one built on earthly power and personal glory, the other founded on heavenly authority and sacrificial love. This contrast is vividly illustrated in the account of King Herod and the wise ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 5:12-13“For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? God judges outsiders. Remove the evil person from among you.”One of the biggest challenges we face as believers is navigating how we interact with the world around us. It’s tempting to expect everyone, inside and outside the church, to live by the same standards. But Paul, in his letter ...  Read More

Romans 10:15“...As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”“It’s snowing outside!”  my two girls Zayda and Rachel exclaimed in delight as they ran down the street in our neighborhood.  We were outside just after Thanksgiving putting up some Christmas lights when the flurries started to fall.  As I watched how happy my girls were to “spread the good news” of the chan...  Read More