Insights & Encouragement

Galatians 3:10,13 For all whorely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree." The words "law" and "curse" conjure up st...

Psalm 40:1-2 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. I opened my eyes to utter darkness. It was incredibly quiet. I was unable to tell where I was, except for the cold damp walls pressing in on me from all sides...

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. He bore our sins. He bore their weight. We are all familiar with this concept carrying a bag of concrete, or a heavy tool, or moving a friend's armoire down the stairs, or ladies maybe you can relate better to carryin...

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."ThereforeI will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardsh...

Philippians2:5-9 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a...

There's a well-known proverb that talks about the words we use. You heard it on the playground as a kid. Maybe you came crying into the house and your parents tried to encourage you with this proverb. It goes like this -sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Author Wayne Mack says that this is "one of the biggest lies ever foisted on the h...

I want to tell you why I'm excited to share these devotions with you. There's a special time, usually in the morning, when mist rolls into a valley and rests like a thick and heavy blanket over a sleeping landscape. It is beautiful and serene to behold, but it is fragile, so you have to rise a little early and stare out, not speaking, soaking in the view. As the sun com...

Pick up your light! A new pastor arrived in town and one of the families at his church wanted to get to know him. So, they invited him over to lunch after church. They wanted to impress him so, they got out their finest china and silverware. As they visited, they made sure to recount all the ways in which they served and ministered at their church. A few months later t...

Today, we want to share an important article regarding the consumption of information in the digital age. Because of increased control of our own "information feed" and sources, we need to be especially diligent in how we do that. It not only affects our own thinking about important issues, but also our priorities (potentially idols), and our unity in the church: https:...

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in mepractice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:89 ...