Are you missing the big gifts?

When asked to teach prayer, Christ gave two absurd situations that illustrated the idea that God is good enough and powerful enough to answer our needs. Both absurdities expected an answer of daily provision, but Christ links these prayers to something much greater - the presence of God Himself (Lk 11:13)

Who would you refuse to help?

When confronted by an arrogant religious man, Jesus challenged him by declaring that he needed to care for those around them. In hopes of not being required to do more than he was doing, the arrogant man tried to limit the scope of who he was responsible to help. In what ways do we limit our care? Luke 10.

4 Responses to Grace

In the parable of the sower (Luke 8), Jesus describes 4 responses to the gospel message of grace. He describes people who refuse it, who lose interest when grace is hard, who are too busy to care, and those who embrace grace fully and are willing to act on it. How have you been able to share the grace of God?

What to do when you lose all hope

When experiencing profound sadness and on the brink of hopelessness, David cried out to God for help (Psalm 6). David's prior relationship with God informed him of God's interest and of God's power. Have you considered the power such a relationship could bring you?

You already have the power - Psalm 146

Maybe you've seen someone in need and felt powerless to help - Psalm 146 tells us that this is the way to finding the power to help. By trusting in the God who created us, and knowing that God cares, we become aware of the many gifts God has given us, that we can use to help others.

Unity in Worship Ps 122

In Psalm 122, the Psalmist describes all of the political factions of the nation of Israel laying aside their differences and humbly seeking the God of peace. This scene reminds us that we can find true unity in acts of worship, when we focus on God instead of on our own political agendas. Have you worshiped this week?

The weight of hiding

Pretending to be perfect, or without sin causes us to carry the weight of our shortcomings on our own. Psalm 32 describes how heavy the writer felt when he kept quiet and didn't seek the strength of God and God's people in facing his inadequacies. Are you able to ask for help in facing your issues?