Ephesians 2 English Standard Version (ESV) By Grace Through Faith 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of … Continue reading
Last week we discussed the first 10 verses of Ephesians, and I asked each of you to ponder three questions regarding what we had read, and to be prepared to discuss those answers in this session. So, let’s discuss those questions now: How has a richer grasp of the idea of adoption that Paul intended … Continue reading
While walking through the valley of Aijalon, through olive groves and beautiful landscape, we came upon a large hill with no trees on it. This is Tel Gezer. A ‘Tel’ is a large pile of hundreds and even thousands of years of building and tearing down of a city on top of itself. Each time … Continue reading
Prior to leaving for Israel, our group had several meetings to prepare us for the terrain and overall lay of the land that we were about to explore. One thing that was left off our agenda was a list of exactly where we would go. We knew the area – we would be in Israel … Continue reading
(a 5 part series by Head Heart Hand Ministries) After ten years of suppressing grief and anger about the death of her mother, Sue suddenly fell into a deep depression. Hospitalized and mentally fragile, Sue began a long road to recovery. Her story shows the power of the Gospel and how God used this experience … Continue reading
(a 5 part series by Head Heart Hand Ministries) Paul has struggled with anxiety, discouragement, and depressive tendencies for the past 3-5 years. As a pastor, and a father of ten children, some of whom have special needs, he brings a deep biblical, spiritual, and practical insight into depression and also how the church can … Continue reading
(a 5 part series by Head Heart Hand Ministries) Timika has probably been depressed for many years. Only recently, however, did she recognize it and begin to seek spiritual, psychological, and physical help. A nurse educator, she now recognizes the opportunity she has to prevent her students suffering in the same way. This film also … Continue reading
(a 5 part series by Head Heart Hand Ministries) Though only 15 years old, Onica has already suffered many losses in her life, including numerous painful bereavements and her parents’ broken marriage. Her relationship with family counselor Dr. Emilie DeYoung, who also appears in this episode, has helped her on the road to recovery and … Continue reading
(a 5 part series by Head Heart Hand Ministries) A young mother and pastor’s wife, Jeni had always believed that depression was a figment of people’s imagination. Certainly a Christian would never get depressed. Jeni and her husband, Greg, tell how depression unexpectedly shattered their world but also how God used the experience for their … Continue reading
The Boy Jesus at the Temple 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware … Continue reading
Romans 3 (ESV) God’s Righteousness Upheld 3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let … Continue reading
God’s Righteous Judgment 2 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.3 Do you suppose, O … Continue reading
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? 2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; 3 whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; 4 who despises a vile person but … Continue reading
Lately I’ve been internalizing how to cope with knowing who I am in Christ, and still being part of this world. It seems like a silly notion to be confused about this kind of thing, but my mind wanders to a place where rest can truly be found. I’m caught in a sort of middle … Continue reading
“15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will … Continue reading
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will … Continue reading
1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. 3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. 4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek … Continue reading
God has been working on my anger, stubbornness, and exaggeration issues. I know this because in all the study I am doing the words jump out at me to be in line with the Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23. In contrast, scripture clearly describes what … Continue reading
Before you can understand what believing in Christ means, you have to understand what sin is. You’ve probably heard this word, although most people think of the word sin as a playground where we want to hang out (Lady GaGa writes songs about it). The meaning of the word is becoming subjective in our society, and across … Continue reading
