Friday, May 6, 2011

Trusting in the Promises of God: He is Faithful

Whenever troubles come into our lives, we naturally assume that we are being punished for something we've done wrong. With the help of the devil, our consciences remind us of past sins. We scrutinize our lives and wonder what offended God. This can even lead to blaming God for our problems. Eventually we can end up hating Him.

Perhaps Abraham had similar thoughts when God asked him to sacrifice his son: "Maybe I have become proud because God gave me a son." Perhaps I wasn't thankful as I should have been. Maybe the Lord regrets making his promise to me. It's difficult to silence anxious thoughts like these when we can't understand what God is doing. People can't comprehend how an unchanging God can change his mind. Inevitably, we come to one of two conclusions: either God is a liar, or God has become our enemy. Thinking of God as a liar is blasphemy. Thinking of God as our enemy leads to despair.

Often, serious doubts arise, such as "What if God doesn't want me to be save?" But when our consciences are troubled in this way, we have to continue to believe the promise of salvation- a promise we can trust in and depend on. When we doubt God's promise, we must pray and hang on to it, because if Satan can prevent us from believing it, then we have no where else to turn. God will test us, as he did Abraham. God doesn't test us because he enjoys it. He tests us to find out whether we love him above all things.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Guarding Against Judgement

Forgiveness of sins and tolerance for others are indispensable to the Christian life. We should bear with each other and forgive one another, as Paul taught "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." This is what Christ meant when He said, "Stop judging." No one should act superior to others, or think of themselves as better than those who don't have such gifts. Among believers, no one should try to dominate anyone else. Your neighbor receives as much of God's grace as you do. There is one God who creates people and gives everyone of us our own gifts. God is pleased by the least as well as the greatest.



Do not judge, or you too will be judge. For in the same way your judge others, you will be judged, and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 

Friday, April 22, 2011

O Happy Fault of Adam's Sin!

Most holy night most blessed of nights
When Christ broke the chains of the darkness.
God's mighty love is stronger than death.
Christ our light shines forever.

Let every tear be wiped away, let every sorrow fade.
For Jesus the Christ, has risen from the grave.

How wonderful Your care for us.
How boundless is Your love?
To ransom a slave,You gave away Your Son.

O happy fault, of Adam's sin, O blessed day of grace.
Which gained for us, a Savior Christ the Lord.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

A New Life

To whom does God give his beloved Son? God gives him to the world-the lost multitude who never deserved it. They could only expect to remain lost and condemned without him. God gave his Son to the lost so that they might be saved. Then what should you do for this loving God in return? Nothing! Don't go on pilgrimages. Don't do this or that good work for God. Instead, simply believe on Christ alone. 


You cannot take hold of this gift- the Son of God -with your hand. The Son of God cannot be contained in a jar. He is grasped only with the heart and by faith. When this gift enters into your heart, then you won't be the same person. Even if you once were a thief, an adulterer, or a murderer, you will become a new person, for you have the Light in your heart. 


So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17


For God so loved the world that he grace his one and only Son, that whoever believes on him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 



Thursday, April 7, 2011

He Who Knew No Sin Was Made Sin For You

God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

When you are made aware of your sin and frightened by it, you must not allow the sin to remain in your conscience. This would only lead to despair. Rather, just as your awareness of sin flowed from Christ, so you must pour your sin back on him to free your conscience.

So be careful you don't become like the misguided people who allow their sin to bite ate them and eat at their hearts. They strive to rid themselves of this sin by running around doing good works. But you have a way to get rid of your sins. You throw your sins on Christ when you firmly believe that Christ's wounds and suffering carried and paid for your sins. If you try to deal with your sin in your conscience, let it remain there, and continue to look at it in heart, your sins will become too strong for you. They will seem to live forever. But when you think of your sins as being on Christ and boldly believe that he conquered them through his resurrection, then they are dead and gone. Sin can't remain on Christ. His resurrection swallowed up sin and death.
Faith Alone by Martin Luther

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Looking Back On Life

We see the hand of God working in our lives no more clearly than when we reflect back on the years of our lives. Augustine said that if people had a choice of either dying or reliving their lives over again, they would certainly choose death because of all the danger and evil they so narrowly escaped. In one sense, this statement is certainly true.

Looking back, people can see how much they have accomplished and suffered without trying or thinking about it, even against their wishes and wills. They gave such little thought to what they were doing before it occured or when it was happening. Now, after everything has been carried out, they are amazed and say, "Why did these things happen to me when I never thought about them or thought something completely different could happen?" So Proverbs 16:9 is true: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps," even against his plan and will." So we must agree that our own cleverness and foresight don't guide our lives and actions. Instead, God's wonderful power, wisdom, and goodness guides us. Only as we look back do we fully recognize how often God was with us when we neither saw His hand nor felt His presence at the time it was happening. Accordingly, Peter said, "He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

Even if there were no books or sermons to tell us about God, simply looking back on our own lives would prove that He tenderly carries us in His arms. When we look back on how God has led and brought us through so much evil, adversity, and danger, we can clearly see the ever-present goodness of God, which is far above our thoughts, minds, and perception.

                                Faith Alone Martin Luther

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Fellowshipping As Forgiven Sinners

We will be having a study at 7pm on Thursday, if you plan to come please email.  
We will continue reading from The Freedom of a Christian. Please read up to The Final Clarification (pg.89). See you then.

 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Casting Your Cares on Christ

Almighty God, with whom all things are possible, hear our prayers as we come to you in trouble and distress. You are our hiding place. You are our very present help in trouble. We have no other refuge in an hour like this. Gracious Lord You can heal. Your grace can restore to health and give us strength to carry on. We know that You are compassionate, for you have sent Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer the death of the cross in order to redeem us and make us Your own. As You did not forsake Him, surely You will not abandon us in this great time of need. As You raised Him from the dead on the third day, so we ask that You would also raise up with Him from this present danger. O Lord, we humble ourselves before You and confess our many sins. We pray, merciful Father for your grace hour by hour. Forgive us and restore us for You have made us Your own children in Christ. Remove the worries and anxious fears that would crush us. Give us grace to trust in You, whose will is wiser than our own, for we have been baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Genuine & Freely Given Service

After our study last night, I couldn't help but keep thinking about this one section from what we read.
This was so encouraging to me (especially after I just got finished having a hassle with my mom about who was going to wake up at midnight to help my sister take her pain killer.) Yes... I was in need of being reminded AGAIN, and thankfully my mom was there to do that.

Our Father does this for each and every one of us out of His purely divine goodness and mercy towards us.

All of our works (or actions) should be guided by one thought alone- that we may serve and benefit others in everything that is done, having nothing else before our eyes except the need and advantage of the neighbor. A true Christian life is one where faith is active in love. A Christian way of thinking is "Although I am unworthy and a condemned person, my God has given me in Christ all the riches of righteousness and salvation without any merit on my part. God has done this in an act of free and pure mercy so that I now need nothing except faith that trusts that is true. Given such a Father - who overwhelms me with riches beyond number - why should I not freely, joyfully, with all my heart and an eager will, do things that I know are pleasing and acceptable to Him? I will therefore give myself as a Christ to my neighbor, just as Christ offered Himself to me. I will do nothing in this life except what is profitable, necessary, and life-giving for my neighbor, since through faith I have an abundance of ALL good things in Christ."

From faith flows love, and from love proceeds a joyful, willing, and free mind that serves the neighbor and takes no account of gratitude or ingratitude, praise or blame, gain or loss. As our Heavenly Father freely spent himself on us, giving all things to both the ungrateful and deserving, we freely spend ourselves and all that we have on others.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Continuing the Mischief...

We will be having a study at 7pm tomorrow night. Please email if you plan to attend. We will be reading and discussing pages 71-79 from The Freedom of a Christian. Bring in Scriptures from Sunday's sermon that tie into this section of the book. 


Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Our help in times of trouble

Lord Jesus, who endured the pangs of death and the torments of hell for our sakes, be with us and save from the spirit of despondency which would drive us to despair, and would swallow up our soul. Pour out abundantly upon us the Spirit of joy and comfort, to lift from us the burden and guilt of sin, and to strengthen and comfort us through Your sacred wounds. Amen.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble... The Lord of hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46

Friday, March 4, 2011

A Forgiven Debt

I was reading through an article that was given to me about a year ago, and I wanted to share it with you.

"How big is your debt of sin? Jesus doesn't minimize our debt, but He paid it in full. God crossed out our debt with the cross of His Son. "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgive, whose sin is covered.." 

How you feel about forgiveness depends a lot on how much you feel you need it. If you don't need it, or don't need it very much; the subject of this will probably prompt you to yawn. The joy of forgiveness comes only to the person who sees a need for confession, and is not hiding or excusing his sin. Nor is he trying to cancel out his sin with good he does. Everyday sin is added to our lives. There is no way to pay a debt that is increasing all the time.

Once you see the reality of sin and its consequences, forgiveness begins to glow with joy like the brilliance of the noon day sun. We are daily brought to the Lord's Table to receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ that was given and shed for us, to know that as we receive it our sins are covered, cleansed, forgiven; that everything is all right between us and God. Here is comfort, peace, and joy, the joy of forgiveness.

We owe a debt that can never be paid, only forgiven. Come with your debt, says God, and be forgiven and- free."

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

No study

There will be no meeting tomorrow night. The article we discussed last week is posted in the previous post. Enjoy the rest of your week and we will see you Saturday!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Strange Paradox

Here is the article we were discussing at last week's study. The Freedom of Grace & the Bondage of the Neighbor written by Dr. Steven Hein. We really recommend reading this article as it ties into The Freedom of a Christian book.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Freedom of a Christian...continued

Tomorrow night's study will begin at 7pm. We will be discussing pages from The Freedom of a Christian pg. 57- 65 along with The Freedom of Grace & The Bondage of the Neighbor article by Dr. Steven Hein. Please email before 3pm if you plan to attend.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 








Monday, February 14, 2011

Thy Will Be Done Among Us...

We live in a democratic culture that values very highly personal independence, individual freedom, self realization, and self determination. Anything that restricts "rights" is often looked upon very critically. We want to be in charge of our lives, from cradle to casket. However, in the Third Petition of the Lord's Prayer, Christian's pray to their heavenly Father that His will, not ours, be done. In outward Christendom, society's love of freedom expresses itself in the teaching that man is free to "choose" to follow Jesus. When carefully examined, we realize that this is a claim that we are able to emancipate ourselves from the kingdom of the devil and join the kingdom of God, as if both were human organizations or clubs. If we accept this thinking for argument's sake, we might wonder: If our will is stronger than the devil, what prevents it from creating for ourselves a pain-free paradise on earth? The simple answer is: God's will be done. Cross We Suffer With Jesus pg. 12

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient... ...But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved... Ephesians 2:1-5

Saturday, February 12, 2011

To Live a Holy Life

Lord Jesus, by Your precious blood You redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, and called me to be Your very own, a fellow citizen with the saints. You, O Lord, know all things. You know that I love You. You know that my renewed heart desires to serve You in righteousness and holiness, to cast aside the sin that so easily entangles me, and to run with preserving the race set before me. I grieve, O Lord, that I have so often failed to do what You, my precious Savior, have asked me. So often I have refused to follow You and Your example, instead choosing the paths of the world and the desires of my sinful flesh. In me there is no good thing. The good that I would do, I do not; an the evil that I would not, that I do. I am so wretched! Who will deliver me from this body of death? To You, my Savior and loving friend, I flee. Uphold me with Your willing Spirit. You are the Author and Perfecter of my faith, having delivered me from the guilt and punishment of sin and having redeemed me from its power and dominion. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Purge every evil desire and thought from my heart and mind, and fill me with a pure love for You and Your will. Whether I live or die, may I be Yours alone and forever. Amen.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Bible Study

This week's Bible study has been canceled. We will see you soon! Enjoy the rest of your week.

Monday, February 7, 2011

A World of Words

After hearing from our pastor on Sunday about language, I kept being reminded of the introduction to the Third Commandment in Free to Be. Here it is.

Free to Be pg. 21
From the moment you are called out of bed in the morning, until the moment you say good night, your day is filled with words. They pop out at you from the toothpaste tube, spill out of the radio or TV, stare at you from the cereal box, and much more... Words follow you wherever you go, and can even invade your dreams. Everything depends on words. Words can sometimes be a nuisance and don't always get the job done, but we'd be lost without them. 

Which world of language do you live in on a daily basis? Is it Scriptural, gossip, or babble...? If God's Word isn't defining your speech, thoughts, and actions then something else will. Every morning when I wake up something is already defining my thoughts, speech, and actions, but thankfully through my parents and other people I am washed from my old sinful way of self centered thinking and given a new mind, a mind that delights in God's Law and is restored back to receiving and giving.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Friday, February 4, 2011

There is only one thing the soul needs....

Thanks be to You, Lord Jesus, Captain of our salvation, for the goodly weapon of Your Word, with which we drive the enemy before us, and can rout thrones and potentates. Create in us a zeal for Your Word, willingly to hear and learn it, that we may always have our weapon polished and ready. Amen.

We were reading from The Freedom of a Christian...and we thought this really tied in with the prayer from Psalm 119 that is listed above.
The soul needs only one thing: the Word of God. When this is missing, the soul lacks the one thing that is essential... For what else could it possibly need? The Word brings life, truth, light, peace, righteousness, salvation, joy, liberty, wisdom, power, grace, glory, and every other blessing imaginable. 

After reading all of these blessing that come with what the Word of God creates, how can I not want but to surround myself daily with God's Word? Through faithful pastors, parents, and friends is the only way I see this happening for me. Faith doesn't come from looking within yourself. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Freedom of a Christian

Thursday night's meeting we will be discussing passages from The Freedom of a Christian. Read pages 49-57 prior to Thursday's study. Bring in a Scripture from Sunday's sermon that correlates or builds on this passage. Email by Wednesday night if you plan on attending this week's study.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:28-29

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven...

We have been reading from  Reading the Psalms with Luther and today we read Psalm 32 and wanted to share with you what it said.

The 32nd Psalm is an exemplary psalm of instruction that teaches us what sin is, and how one might be freed from it and be righteous before God. Our reason does not know what sin is and tries to make satisfaction for it with works. But even saints are sinners. They cannot become holy or blessed except by confessing themselves as sinners before God, knowing that they are regarded as righteous only from the grace of God, apart from any service or work.


In short, our righteousness is called (in plain language) the forgiveness of our sins. Here stand the clear plain words: All the saints are sinners and remain sinners. But they are holy because God in His grace neither sees nor counts these sins, but forgets, forgives, and covers them!

This is the prayer that follows the psalm. We are so blessed and thankful that we don't even have to come up with our own prayers, but can receive our many gifts from people who have gone before us to preserve life.

O God, our heavenly Father, with whom is grace and much forgiveness, be merciful to us who were born in sin and cannot but sin and fall short everyday. Forgive us our many transgressions and account them against us no more, but make us as Your heirs through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, who was delivered into death for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Amen.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Our fifth Bible study...

We will be reading the following Scripture references. *Bring in a Scripture or hit from Sunday's sermon that ties in with the following Scriptures. The first 12 people to email us can attend tomorrow night's study. You will be notified if there is not enough room.

Romans 4:2-5
Hebrews 3:15
John 7:38
John 6:28-29
Ephesians 2:1-8
We will also be reading parts from Martin Luther's Theology by Oswald Bayer pages 282-288.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Monday, January 24, 2011

Great peace have they that delight in God's law...

Here are the Scripture references from Sunday's sermon. Since Pastor O'Connor read a lot from Martin Luther's Theology by Oswald Bayer, you can read over those pages as well. We will post which Scriptures we will be reading for the Thursday night study.

Hebrews 3:15
Psalm 1:1-6
Psalm 2:1-5
Ephesians 2:6
1 Corinthians 1:2
Psalm 112:1-8
Romans 4:4
Romans 4:7-8
Luke 15:14-24
John 6:28
Ephesians 2:1-7

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-6


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Our fourth Bible study

We have been so thankful that all of you have been able to come to these past studies. This week we will be reading from the following Scripture references. Please talk to your parents about "what does this mean?"

Acts 2:46
John 21:13-20 
Psalm 149:6-9
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Romans 5:6-10
Numbers 6:24-27

Due to limited space, please notify us if you will be attending this week's study before Thursday at 12:00pm. We can't wait to see each of you on Thursday! 

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103: 1-5

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Benefits of Baptism

What does baptism give or profit?
It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe what the Word and promises of God declare.  The Holy Spirit creates faith by use of the sacrament, and all who desire forgiveness of their guilt are admitted to the sacrament.
pg. 265 Martin Luther's Theology

He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned. Mark 16:16 Amplified Bible

Matthew Henry's Commentary says...They shall be saved from the guilt, and power of sin, it shall not rule them, it shall not ruin them. He that is a true Christian shall be saved through Christ.

...Baptism is no harmless ritual; it is a battle against evil. Pastor, parents, sponsors, and the congregation, ought to "throw everything that they have into the fight for the child against the devil and to act in such a manner that they make this so important that it is no fun for the devil." ... pg 270 Martin Luther's Theology

This is about us, today! This is what our faithful pastors, parents, and friends do to us daily. 
Your baptism is an indelible mark, and cannot be removed! Praise the Lord for His steadfast love and unceasing mercies!


Sunday, January 16, 2011

My mouth is made to make known His faithfulness...

Here are the Scripture references from today's sermon:

Psalm 144:1
Psalm 89
Lamentations 3:22
Psalm 92:1-2
Psalm 103:1-5
Genesis 1:1
Isaiah 50:4
2 Corinthians 1:8
John 21:13-20
Acts 2:46
Malachi 4:6
Proverb 29:15
Psalm 149:6-9
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Isaiah 42:15
James 1:17
Acts 22:16
Romans 6:3-4
Romans 5
Psalm 34:1-5
Isaiah 53:6-11
Hebrews 4:14-16
Numbers 6:22-27

We are thankful for our pastors who labor in the Word for us. We will post which Scriptures we will read together on Thursday later this week. There is so much here to fellowship over with our families and friends. One thing our pastor did say today was that a world is created in confession. In the beginning, God spoke into the void and darkness and there was light. This is true for all of us today. We receive a new world, a new identity, through the waters of baptism. Thank you Jesus! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

God's Word is our life

Proverbs 4:20-27 says...
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

This is an excerpt from a book we have on Proverbs...
"These words, God's Word, is our life. God's Word is to be an integral part of our daily life, and not something that is limited to a special half hour of the day or reserved for formal fellowship."

Again, we look to the Word and what it says about this...

Deuteronomy 6:6-7;24
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up...And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.

We still believe this! God commands us to do these things because He loves us. We serve a jealous God. Thank you Lord!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Our third study together...

We will be reading through the following Scriptures on Thursday at 7:00pm.

II Corinthians 5:14-15
Genesis 42
Romans 8:20-21
Romans 1:21-22
Isaiah 62:6-7

Because all of the Scriptures read on Sunday tie in together, you can read the other references before our Thursday night study. Also, if you would like to bring your sermon notes from Sunday, as a reference, that would be very beneficial to our discussion. Enjoy your week and we will see you all soon! 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11


Sunday, January 9, 2011

Scriptures from Sunday

Here are the scriptures from this Sunday. Later this week we will highlight which ones we will be reading through on Thursday. 


Isaiah 55:10-11
Genesis 32:27 (Amplified version)
II Corinthians 5:14-15
Romans 2:15
Genesis 42
Galatians 3:24
We still believe this! Proverbs 29:18; Proverbs 24:9; Proverbs 29:15
Romans 8:20-21
Romans 1:21-22
Matthew 7:22-25
Romans 1:18
Isaiah 62:6-7
Exodus 15:1-4
Isaiah 26:9-16
II Corinthians 5:18-21
Genesis 44:16


We are thankful for our pastors who labor in the Word for us. What a blessing and covering that we have this to meditate on and converse about!


Details about our study on Thursday will follow. Thank you!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

I am not ashamed of the Gospel!

   For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Timothy 1:7-9

Matthew Henry's Commentary says...The gospel aims at our salvation: He has saved us, and we must not think much to suffer for that which we hope to be saved by. He has begun to save us and will complete it in due time; for God calls those things that are not (that are not yet completed) as those they were (Rom. 4:17); therefore he says, who has saved us...Christianity is a calling, a holy calling; the calling wherewith we are called, the calling which we are called to labour in... 

This passage in his commentary is pretty exciting! We are called not according to our works - that means not because of ANYTHING we have done. But, we are called according to His own purpose and grace! Thank you Jesus!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Our Second Study

We are very thankful for each one of you that could make it to our second Bible study(even if it was via Skype :-). We are excited and looking forward to growing in our walk before the Lord with all of you. We truly are the most blessed people! Thank you Jesus!


...Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another...And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful... Colossians 3:12-15

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Opening Post..

We will be reading the following Scriptures. Feel free to discuss these with your parents and friends prior to the study.

John 10:10
2 Corinthians 1: 8-10
Psalm 119: 65-72
Psalm 145
Philippians 1:6