Out of Our Poverty
In the message “From A Pure Heart” we saw that God has blessed each of us with gifts, talents, and abilities; and we are to be good stewards by faithfully giving our blessings back to God with a pure heart. But what determines a pure heart? When Jesus saw the widow offer her two small […]
Complete Restoration – Stacey Update
Many years ago I wrote a series of messages from the parable of the prodigal son. In this series we saw a rebellious son who took his inheritance, squandered it on wild living, and ended up eating with the pigs. But when the son returned home, the father met him with open arms: “Bring the […]
From A Pure Heart
As Jesus watched people place their offering into the temple treasury, He noticed a poor widow who put in two coins valued at less than a penny. Mark 12:43-44 “Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They […]
Surrender And Live
Jeremiah warned the people of Jerusalem for many years that they must repent or be destroyed. He often warned with direct words from God: “I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways” (Jeremiah 18:11). It’s hard to imagine a more direct warning. But the […]
As Jesus Loved
In the message “Debt of Love” we saw that God loved us long before we ever knew Him, and loved us far more than we deserved; “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Our Heavenly Father sent His Son to die for the forgiveness of our sins “that whoever believes in […]
Debt of Love
Much of Paul’s letter to the Romans is a love story between a righteous God and sinful man. Even though our sinful state sentenced us to an eternal death (Romans 6:23), God looked upon us with love: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for […]
Open Our Eyes
The king of Aram was at war with Israel; but every time he moved his army, the prophet Elisha would inform the Israelites. The king concluded the only way to win the war was to first eliminate Elisha: “‘Go, find out where he is,’ the king ordered, ‘so I can send men and capture him’” […]
A Complete Cure
In the message “God’s Provision” we saw that our limited faith often restricts our prayers and therefore limits what God accomplishes in our life. Many times we fail to even ask because we’re fearful of a negative response; “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). Then there are times when […]
God’s Provision
During the ministry of Elisha, a widow came to him for financial help. Creditors had threatened to take her two boys as slaves if she didn’t pay her debt, but all the woman had left was a little oil. Elisha told her how to miraculously multiply her oil and pay her bills…and in the process […]
A Double Portion
In the message “Spiritual Companions” we saw how, at the time of his greatest need, God gave Elijah a spiritual companion to share the burdens as well as the joys of ministry. I’m so glad God understands this need in His children! Elisha served as Elijah’s attendant for many years while learning the ways of […]
Riding For Cancer – Update
There are only five training weeks left until the American Cancer Society’s Pan Ohio Hope Ride. I had a good week of training this past week, riding 134 miles in four days, but I was quite sore and realize I still have some work to do. The bike ride will be across Ohio covering 328 […]
Spiritual Companions
In our current series of messages, we have considered Elijah as he experienced great victory on Mount Carmel but was then overcome with fear and loneliness. We saw how God provided comfort by first sending an angel and then through the gentle whisper of His presence (1 Kings 19:5-13). But Elijah clearly revealed some long […]