Dec 20, 2020
Bethlehem
By: Phil Peacock
Series: The Cities of Christmas
Luke 2: 1-7 & John 1:1-14
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
The gospels tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The town name literally means “house of bread,” and is a reminder that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Bread from the table can ease our hunger and meet our physical needs temporarily, but Jesus Christ can meet our spiritual needs and give us eternal life! Christmas is an invitation to believe in Him and receive Him as your own Lord and Savior.
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- Dec 20, 2020Bethlehem
Dec 20, 2020BethlehemBy: Phil PeacockSeries: The Cities of ChristmasLuke 2: 1-7 & John 1:1-14 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 The gospels tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The town name literally means “house of bread,” and is a reminder that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Bread from the table can ease our hunger and meet our physical needs temporarily, but Jesus Christ can meet our spiritual needs and give us eternal life! Christmas is an invitation to believe in Him and receive Him as your own Lord and Savior.
- Dec 13, 2020Nazareth
Dec 13, 2020NazarethBy: Phil PeacockSeries: The Cities of Christmas“How can this be?” Mary asked the angel. — Luke 1:34 The first chapter of Luke tells us that Gabriel, the angel of the Lord, came to a young Jewish woman named Mary while she was living in Nazareth. When he announced she would give birth to a child who would be the Son of God, she asked a logical question: “How can this be?” It’s a question we may ask many times in our lives. We seldom understand the ways of God—His wisdom, His power and His love. Even when we don’t understand, we need to trust him as Mary did. Our greatest joy will be found in surrendering our lives to His plan!
- Dec 6, 2020Jerusalem
Dec 6, 2020JerusalemBy: Phil PeacockSeries: The Cities of Christmas“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 When Mary and Joseph carried baby Jesus into the temple, the old man Simeon knew immediately who he was—bursting into a song of praise for God’s saving work! How did Simeon know when so many others did not? The scripture tells us the Holy Spirit moved in the heart of this man who was righteous, devout, trusting, and constantly waiting for God to work. God’s Spirit can reveal great truths to us as well, if our hearts are prepared in the same way!
- Nov 29, 2020God’s Design for Joy
Nov 29, 2020God’s Design for JoyBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Ruth's LegacyGod's providence brought immediate joy to Ruth, Naomi and Boaz.His plan also included a king for Israel and a Messiah for the world.
- Nov 22, 2020A Plea for a Redeemer
Nov 22, 2020A Plea for a RedeemerBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Ruth's Legacy“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 In the story of Ruth, the upstanding man Boaz declared his willingness to be the “kinsman-redeemer” for Naomi and Ruth. As such, he could provide them with a family, security and a bright future. In a much more glorious and eternal way, Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and does the same for us. He declared his willingness to do this through his sacrificial death on the cross which atones for our sins. Let us be forever grateful!
- Nov 15, 2020Servanthood Rewarded
Nov 15, 2020Servanthood RewardedBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Ruth's Legacy“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Ruth 2:12 Boaz spoke these words to the young woman Ruth. He had heard about her kindness toward her mother-in-law Naomi, and had seen her hard work. He also knew God rewards such righteousness. Jesus teaches us not to be selfish or self-serving. But at the same time, we are promised divine blessings for our faithfulness and good works. They come from a God of grace who cares deeply for us. Let’s open our hearts to receive God’s blessings by being a blessing to others!
- Nov 8, 2020A Noble Choice
Nov 8, 2020A Noble ChoiceBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Ruth's Legacy"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God." Ruth 1:16These words are often used at weddings, but they were originally spoken by a daughter-in-law, Ruth, to her mother-in-law, Naomi. They express a deep level of personal love and commitment, as well as a growing faith in the One True God. Vows are so quickly broken today, but we can learn to honor both God and our loved ones through our deep commitments.
- Oct 25, 2020Stepping Into the Word of God
Oct 25, 2020Stepping Into the Word of GodBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Steps In The Right Direction"You have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."2 Timothy 3:15The Apostle Paul and the early Christians did not have the written scriptures in the same form we do - what we call our Bible. But they already knew the unfathomable value of God's communication to His people. The scriptures lead us first and foremost to salvation through faith in Christ. Let's not neglect this precious gift! Make a commitment to step into the Word each and every day.
- Oct 18, 2020Stepping Toward the Throne of Grace
Oct 18, 2020Stepping Toward the Throne of GraceBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Steps In The Right Direction"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16When the writer of Hebrews says, "Let us then...," he is referring to the compassion by which Jesus Christ invites weak, sinful people into the presence of God. Our greatest duty and privilege is to come before God in worship, receiving His mercy and grace as we glorify Him. It is time we elevate our worship of such a benevolent God!
- Oct 11, 2020Stepping Forward in Your Stewardship
Oct 11, 2020Stepping Forward in Your StewardshipBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Steps In The Right Direction"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8A steward is one with the responsibility to oversee the resources and concerns of someone else. As children of God, we are entrusted with the stewardship of His many blessings - our relationships, finances, abilities, and life itself. All of these belong to Him, not us. Let us learn to use all we have to glorify the true owner - God!