Sep 4, 2016
Take the Job and Love It
Posted by David Jones
Colossians 3: 23 - 24 (NRSV)
 
23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, 24  since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.
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  • Sep 4, 2016Take the Job and Love It
    Sep 4, 2016
    Take the Job and Love It
    Posted by David Jones
    Colossians 3: 23 - 24 (NRSV)
     
    23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, 24  since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.
  • Aug 28, 2016Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
    Aug 28, 2016
    Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
    Posted by David Jones
    Luke 14: 1, 7 - 14 (NSRV)
    1  On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 7  When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8  When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9  and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10  But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11  For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 12  He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14  And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
     
  • Aug 21, 2016My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
    Aug 21, 2016
    My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
    Posted by David Jones
    Series: (All)
    1 Peter 2: 2 - 10 (NSRV)
    2  Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation--3  if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4  Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and 5  like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6  For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." 7  To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," 8  and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10  Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
  • Aug 14, 2016Who, ME – A Witness?!?
    Aug 14, 2016
    Who, ME – A Witness?!?
    Posted by Laura Grice
    Series: (All)
    Hebrews 11: 29 - 12: 2 (NSRV)
    29  By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31  By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. 32  And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets--33  who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34  quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35  Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36  Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37  They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented--38  of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39  Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40  since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. 1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2  looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • Aug 7, 2016By Faith
    Aug 7, 2016
    By Faith
    Posted by Laura Grice
    Hebrews 11: 1 - 16 (NSRV)
    1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2  Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3  By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. 4  By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. 5  By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God." 6  And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7  By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith. 8  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9  By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10  For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11  By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old-- and Sarah herself was barren-- because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12  Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore." 13  All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14  for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15  If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
  • Jul 31, 2016Growing Like Jesus Grew
    Jul 31, 2016
    Growing Like Jesus Grew
    Posted by David Jones
    Luke 2: 41-52 NSRV
    41  Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42  And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43  When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44  Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45  When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46  After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47  And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48  When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." 49  He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50  But they did not understand what he said to them. 51  Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52  And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
  • Jul 24, 2016An Attitude of Gratitude
    Jul 24, 2016
    An Attitude of Gratitude
    Posted by Charlie Hornes
    Luke 17:11-19NSRV
    11  On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12  As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13  they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14  When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. 15  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16  He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17  Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18  Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19  Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
  • Jul 17, 2016What the World Needs Now
    Jul 17, 2016
    What the World Needs Now
    Posted by David Jones
    James 2: 1 - 17 NSRV
    1  My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2  For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3  and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4  have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5  Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6  But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7  Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8  You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 9  But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10  For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11  For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12  So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13  For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. 14  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15  If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16  and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
  • Jul 10, 2016Trusting in Grace – Practicing Generosity
    Jul 10, 2016
    Trusting in Grace – Practicing Generosity
    Posted by Laura Grice
    Luke 10: 25 - 37 NSRV
    25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" 27 He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28  And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." 29  But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30  Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31  Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32  So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33  But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35  The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.'36  Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
  • Jul 3, 2016Forgiven and Forgiving
    Jul 3, 2016
    Forgiven and Forgiving
    Posted by David Jones
    Series: (All)
    Luke 6: 27 – 38 NSRV
    27  But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29  If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30  Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31  Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32  If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34  If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35  But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37  Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
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