Devotionals
How Matthew Saw Jesus
Matthew wrote his account of the gospel of Jesus Christ to convince his fellow Jews that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah. A former tax collector, Matthew now logged and recorded genealogies, prophecies, and experiences that provided compelling evidence of who Jesus was. The first chapter of his book opens with a genealogy beginning with Abraham, the father of the faith, continuing to King David, and ultimately culminating with Jesus by way of his earthly father, Joseph. Not only is this lineage impressive, it fulfills Messianic requirements. Matthew then gives details regarding the… Read More
Praise God – Even When You Ain’t Feelin’ It!
Decisions are stronger than emotions. The man who chooses to be faithful to his marriage through times of trial is stronger than the one who so easily “falls out of love.” The teenager who chooses to do the right thing, despite being ridiculed is stronger than the one who tries to fit in, no matter the cost. The employee who refuses to compromise her values at the price of her promotion is stronger than the one whose end seems to justify her means. And when it comes to worshipping God, the one… Read More
A Disciplined Believer
The journey of faith is made one practical step at a time. The Apostle Paul referred to the life of a believer as a race to be run with discipline and determination. Like a track coach to his cross country team, Paul said: “Run to win! Don’t be distracted or lazy – work hard and you’ll finish strong!” (my paraphrase of 1 Cor. 9:24-26) Paul goes on to say: But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27… Read More
Two Ways God Leads Us
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV) The plans of God for your life are greater than you can imagine, but that doesn’t mean that they’re unknowable, or that they just “happen” out of nowhere. As we seek the Lord, submitting ourselves to Him, the Holy Spirit… Read More
The Comfort of Slavery
We’ve seen it too many times. A girl escapes an abusive relationship only to return to her abuser. An alcoholic remains sober for months, maybe years, then a personal crisis triggers a drunken binge. A person loses a significant amount of weight, then makes small compromises and slowly regains the weight, along with its emotional heaviness. Why do we so easily return to that which once enslaved us? It’s one thing to be physically set free; but unless that freedom is realized in our spirits and also our souls (mind, emotions), we… Read More
Pastor Dale Jenkins 