From the Blog
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A Greater Reward
We live in a world that constantly bombards us with offers for immediate gratification— fleeting pleasures, temporary treasures, and the shallow status that money and influence can buy. These things distract us and actually weigh us down. For they only last for a moment and they never really satisfy.
That’s the tension we’re going to see in today’s Scripture. For the OT people of God had to choose between seeking worldly pleasure or by faith, seeking the greater reward of Christ.
In the book of Hebrews, the author encouraged Jewish background believers by reminding them how the saints of old faithfully looked beyond worldly success and suffering to the greater reward God promised and fulfilled in Christ Jesus. We can faithfully look beyond this life to the greater reward we have in Christ Jesus. -
A Greater Faith
You’ve probably heard someone say, “Keep the faith.” In our culture, that usually means, “Stay positive,” or “Don’t give up hope.” But notice what’s missing—it never defines the object of that faith. No wonder so many today are “deconstructing” their faith, pulling it apart piece by piece until nothing remains, because if faith is only a vague feeling or a cultural inheritance, why hold on to it?
But biblical faith is different. It’s not about how hard you believe—it’s about who you believe in. It’s not great faith in God that matters, but faith in a great God. And our faith is greater because its object—Jesus Christ—is greater.
In the epistle of Hebrews, the Jewish background believers were encouraged not to shrink back from believing because of trouble and persecution, but to live by a faith that is greater because it rests in Christ Jesus as its fulfillment as the believers of old had done. -
The Habit of Witness
Jesus empowers us to be a witness to his work in our lives so others can experience his love. But it's also a key part of our own spiritual formation. Find out why this Sunday.
In the book of Acts, Luke recorded that the first century believers were committed to witnessing to others about Jesus and the church exploded upon the scene, experiencing exponential growth in spite of persecution. We can cultivate a habit of witnessing to others about Jesus. -
The Habit of Generosity
We live in a culture that prizes getting more than giving. Advertisers constantly tell us we don’t have enough, while inflation and bills pressure us to hold tighter to money and possessions. As God’s children, instead of a having a mindset of abundance, we often struggle with a mindset of scarcity, doubting God’s provision and anxious about having enough. Yet, God is generous! And we were created in His image to be generous too!
In the apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he urged them to them to excel in the grace of giving by pointing to the Macedonian churches, who, though poor and afflicted, gave generously beyond their means, and by reminding them of Christ’s supreme example of generosity. We can cultivate the habit of generosity to excel in the grace of giving. -
The Habit of Bible Study
Americans today have more access to the Bible than any previous generation. Most us have several copies in various versions. We even Bible apps on our phones. Yet according to recent polls the overwhelming majority do not actually read those Bibles regularly, much less study or deeply engage with the Bible.
In the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he charged him to remain faithful to the study and preaching of God’s Word that God’s people might be thoroughly equipped for every good work. We can practice the spiritual habit of Bible study that we might be thoroughly equipped for every good work. -
The Habit of Rest
This time of year, school’s back, sports are back (travel ball never left), maybe work is ramping up your work load, the holidays will be here before you know it. We live in a state of stress … an overwhelmed sort of just getting by until the next weekend, the next vacation, the next glass of wine, the next night of doom scrolling, or sadly until next summer. But these “nexts” are not real rest but merely distractions.
Many of us are trying to numb the problem with distractions but the problems remain. True rest is not living for distractions but walking in Jesus. What if we could find rest in the midst of our work, what if we could even live, work and play out of a state of spiritual rest?
In Matthew chapter 11, Jesus invited the crowds to find rest for their souls not in laws or rituals but in relationship with Him. When we build the habit of rest in Him, we can discover rest for our souls. -
The Habit of Service
You might easily be able to see why you need a habit of personal devotion to Jesus like we studied week 1 and you may see the need for fellowship as we studied last week. But service, why would service be a spiritual habit or discipline? How does a spiritual habit of service help me to connect with the Holy Spirit and grow in Christlikeness? That’s the right question and the right motivation!
As we will see today, service moves us towards Christlikeness in powerful ways. In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 20, Jesus taught His disciples that the greatest among them would become servants like Him. We can follow the call of Jesus by becoming servants through the spiritual habit of service. -
The Habit of Fellowship
Over time isolation leads to loneliness, weakened support systems, and deeper disconnection. The short-term gain creates long-term pain. What we really need spiritually and even physically is fellowship.
God’s word teaches us that fellowship is an essential habit to connecting with God. In Hebrews chapter 10, the author concluded his instruction about drawing near to God and holding fast the confession of hope without wavering by teaching the spiritual habit of faithful fellowship as the Day of Christ drew near. -
The Danger of Communication: Anger
Today, we’re talking about a topic that every family—and every believer—must face: anger. Let’s be honest, anger shows up in every home, every relationship, and even in the church. It can flare up with a harsh word or simmer beneath the surface with a cold shoulder. But left unchecked, anger can wreak havoc on the relationships God has called us to nurture. Uncontrolled, sinful anger is a danger to our family communication and ultimately our unity.
Whether we’re talking about your family or the church family, the way we deal with anger will either strengthen or sabotage our relationships. Anger itself isn't always sin, but what we do with it often is. We need God's power and wisdom to respond in a way that builds up rather than tears down. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he exhorted believers that they must control their anger as members of one another in Christ Jesus. -
The Challenge of Communication: Correction
In families and churches alike, conflict and the need for correction are inevitable. But how we speak the truth, and how we receive it, makes all the difference. Without spiritual preparation, correction can wound instead of heal. We need Christ to shape us into people who can both give and receive correction with grace, truth and love.
Real peace doesn't come from avoiding truth, it comes from speaking and hearing it in love, with hearts transformed by Christ. Paul knew that correction was essential for unity in the church, but it had to come from hearts shaped by Christ. In today’s text, he shows us how to prepare our hearts for those challenging, but necessary conversations.
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he taught believers how to spiritually prepare themselves to truthfully give and receive correction in unity.