Jan 24, 2021
Responding to the Gift of Friendship
Critical Responses:  Lessons from the Life of David RESPONDING TO THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF FRIENDSHIP (1) Thou shalt not limit your friendships to others just like yourself.  Rather, thou shalt seek relationships that overcome differences. (2) Thou shalt not consider a friendship to be a disposable commodity.  Rather, thou shalt treasure it as a gift from God. (3) Thou shalt not value thine own exaltation above all else.  Rather, thou shalt count it all joy to contribute to a friend’s success. (4) Thou shalt not abandon a friend in time of need.  Rather, thou shalt find strength by facing trials together. (5) Thou shalt not allow others to berate your friend in your presence.  Rather, thou shalt exalt their reputation as much as honesty allows. (6) Thou shalt not hide thy affection.  Rather, thou shalt celebrate true friendship with fervor. (7) Thou shalt not speak only the words thy friend wants to hear.  Rather, thou shalt value the honest over the easy. (8) Thou shalt not treasure the company of a friend over their well-being.  Rather, thou shalt be sensitive to allow a new stage of friendship to evolve. (9) Thou shalt not break a promise, spoken or unspoken.  Rather, thou shalt be loyal and true to the end. (10) Thou shalt not expect a friendship to be without pain.  Rather, thou shalt appreciate that it was worth it. BONUS:  Thou shalt grow in understanding the friendship of God toward His children, and thou shalt model thy earthly friendships after the loving-kindness displayed by Jesus Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13  
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  • Jan 24, 2021Responding to the Gift of Friendship
    Jan 24, 2021
    Responding to the Gift of Friendship
    Critical Responses:  Lessons from the Life of David RESPONDING TO THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF FRIENDSHIP (1) Thou shalt not limit your friendships to others just like yourself.  Rather, thou shalt seek relationships that overcome differences. (2) Thou shalt not consider a friendship to be a disposable commodity.  Rather, thou shalt treasure it as a gift from God. (3) Thou shalt not value thine own exaltation above all else.  Rather, thou shalt count it all joy to contribute to a friend’s success. (4) Thou shalt not abandon a friend in time of need.  Rather, thou shalt find strength by facing trials together. (5) Thou shalt not allow others to berate your friend in your presence.  Rather, thou shalt exalt their reputation as much as honesty allows. (6) Thou shalt not hide thy affection.  Rather, thou shalt celebrate true friendship with fervor. (7) Thou shalt not speak only the words thy friend wants to hear.  Rather, thou shalt value the honest over the easy. (8) Thou shalt not treasure the company of a friend over their well-being.  Rather, thou shalt be sensitive to allow a new stage of friendship to evolve. (9) Thou shalt not break a promise, spoken or unspoken.  Rather, thou shalt be loyal and true to the end. (10) Thou shalt not expect a friendship to be without pain.  Rather, thou shalt appreciate that it was worth it. BONUS:  Thou shalt grow in understanding the friendship of God toward His children, and thou shalt model thy earthly friendships after the loving-kindness displayed by Jesus Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13  
  • Jan 17, 2021Children’s Lesson 20 – The Baptism of Jesus
    Jan 17, 2021
    Children’s Lesson 20 – The Baptism of Jesus
  • Jan 17, 2021Responding to Unjust Opposition
    Jan 17, 2021
    Responding to Unjust Opposition
    “You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  — Matthew 5:43-44 Loving our enemies—or simply being kind to someone who has been unkind to us—is one of the most difficult demands of the Christian life.  Because it is so hard, we tend to think of it as a suggestion, the choice of a few super-Christians.  But Jesus never proposed it as an option.  It is God’s expectation that if we claim to be followers of Christ, we will adopt His manner of living and loving.  This is surely impossible on our own, but not when the forgiveness and compassion of Christ dwells within us.  He is our strength for loving those who have harmed us.
  • Jan 10, 2021Children’s Lesson 19 – Young Jesus
    Jan 10, 2021
    Children’s Lesson 19 – Young Jesus
  • Jan 10, 2021Responding to Extreme Challenges
    Jan 10, 2021
    Responding to Extreme Challenges
    David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty!”  — 1 Samuel 17:45      In everyone’s eyes but his own, David the shepherd-boy seemed like the underdog as he approached the giant Goliath.  But David understood something that the others didn’t; God was on his side because he was living for God!     Too often in life we face challenges with a defeatist attitude.  But God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  As we live for Christ, He is our strength—always more powerful than the challenges of this world!  So when you face temptation, sickness, opposition or addiction—call upon the Lord!  He can lead you to victory through His wisdom, courage and strength.
  • Jan 3, 2021Children’s Lesson 18 – Journey of the Wise Men
    Jan 3, 2021
    Children’s Lesson 18 – Journey of the Wise Men
  • Jan 3, 2021Responding to New Opportunities
    Jan 3, 2021
    Responding to New Opportunities
    “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7  We tend to have a pretty shallow perception of one another.  At a superficial glance, we often make assumptions about a person’s athleticism, success, intelligence, and even character. We’re often wrong!  Thank goodness our potential is not determined by what other people think about us.  Our Creator determines our purpose, worth and potential!  God Himself gives us new opportunities to serve and grow every day.  As we begin 2021, let’s make the most of every opportunity given to us by God to do good and make a positive impact in our world.  
  • Dec 27, 2020Children’s Lesson 17 – The Promise of Christmas
    Dec 27, 2020
    Children’s Lesson 17 – The Promise of Christmas
  • Dec 27, 2020Casting Off the Things That Hinder
    Dec 27, 2020
    Casting Off the Things That Hinder
    Series: (All)
    “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  Hebrews 12:1  No serious athlete would run a race wearing work boots, or carrying a bag of groceries, or with pockets full of rocks. All of those things would greatly hinder their performance, and they know it. In the same way, God gives us the wisdom to discern the attitudes and actions that hinder us from living the victorious Christian life. What are the things we need to leave behind here in 2020 so that we can be more like Jesus in 2021?  
  • Dec 20, 2020Children’s Lesson 16 – The Birth of Jesus
    Dec 20, 2020
    Children’s Lesson 16 – The Birth of Jesus