The Upper Room Sunday School Lesson 6
The Upper Room Sunday School Lesson 6 - Kenny Gainer...
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Jesus Sees You in the Crowd
In Luke 7:11–17, Jesus meets a funeral procession outside the town of Nain. Everyone sees the funeral, but Jesus sees the grieving widow. She has already lost her husband, and now she has lost her only son. Yet on the hardest day of her life, Jesus sees her, has compassion on her, speaks comfort to her, and interrupts her sorrow with life. This post reminds us that Jesus does not look away from the hurting. He sees, He cares, He comes near, and He is able to get in the way of our sorrow too....
No Grumbling!
Complaining comes naturally—but Scripture points us to a better way. Discover how God's power enables believers to replace grumbling with gratitude and become lights in a dark world....
The Christian Who Finishes Well Stays Curious {…because we never graduate from God's classroom."
In Psalm 119:33–40, the psalmist prays with the posture of someone who knows he has not arrived. He asks God to teach him, give him understanding, lead him, incline his heart, turn his eyes, confirm His promise, turn away reproach, and give him life. This kind of prayer reveals one of the marks of a Christian who finishes well: a teachable spirit. Curiosity is not spiritual immaturity when it leads us back to God’s Word. It is part of humble dependence on the Lord....
Doing What We Are Created to Do (Growing Chicks Part 11 - Finale)
In the final post of our Growing Chicks series, we look back on Michele’s chicks from their earliest spring days to their move into the “general population” of the luxury chicken coop. Along the way, they reminded us of new life, awkward growth, patient care, and finally the joy of seeing God’s creatures do what they were created to do....
What Are Your Eyes Teaching Your Heart to Love?
Your attention is not neutral. What captures your eyes will eventually shape your heart. Psalm 119 gives us a prayer for distracted souls: “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things.” Accompanies sermon 5 in the Walking in the Word series: The Path to Finishing Well...
Cold Brew Coffee: A Very Friendly Primer for the Slightly Suspicious
At our Father’s Day festivities, we set up a cold brew coffee station and quickly discovered that many in our church family were not entirely sure what cold brew was, how to drink it, or whether it should be trusted. Since we have some left over and plan to serve it again during our Fourth of July festivities, here is a very friendly, very unofficial cold brew primer. Learn what cold brew is, how it is different from iced coffee, where it likely began, and a few simple ways to enjoy it....
Bye Bye Birthright: Don't Trade God's Best for Something Less
Esau’s decision to trade his birthright for a bowl of stew seems foolish from a distance. But his story presses a question into our own hearts: how often do we trade the lasting promises of God for temporary relief, comfort, or ease? This short devotional reminds Christians to trust God’s promises, keep praying, and resist settling for something less than His best....
Every Day We Preach Ourselves Two Sermons
Every day, especially in discouragement, we hear two sermons. The world says, “God has forgotten you.” The Word says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” Psalm 119 reminds us to bring our weary hearts to God and let His Word preach truth to our souls. Accompanies sermon four of the Walking in the Word sermon series: The Path of Dust and Delight...
What Is A Man Made For?
After defining manhood in light of Scripture, part 2 considers what man was made for. Men are given a mission, designed for leadership, called to take dominion, and made to fight honorably for the good of their family, church, and society. Scripture gives men a calling that is deeper, stronger, and more glorious than anything offered by the culture....
When You Don't Have to Defend Yourself
Psalm 119:17–24 speaks honestly to the pain of being misunderstood, criticized, or misrepresented. The psalmist knows what it is to face scorn, contempt, and opposition, yet he does not allow his enemies to become the object of his meditation. Instead, he prays, keeps God’s Word, and lets God’s testimonies become his counselors. This post explores the freedom of not needing to answer every accusation and the quiet strength of entrusting your reputation to God. This post accompanies the third sermon in the Walking in the Word sermon series: The Path of the Pilgrim...