The Call

I used to carry a quarter in my pocket (actually, it used to be a dime). That was so, if I was ever stuck anywhere, I could always call for help. Good luck finding a pay phone now (and do they still cost a quarter?). Now, instead of a quarter, I've got my phone. Not only can I call for help, people can call me to let me know how much help I need.

You have a call, and you don't need a quarter or a phone to get this one. We all have a calling in Christ. This week's message looks at the scriptural command to "live worthy of the call" (Ephesians 4:1).

See you Sunday!

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How Big?

We bought a new bed for our daughter, and went to pick it up in the little Toyota pickup we owned at the time. My wife drove the truck, my daughter sat in the passenger seat, and I sat in the back to hold the bed. Good plan right up until we actually loaded the bed. I had measured to be sure the bed would fit in the back of the pickup. I forgot that I was going to be in the back of the pickup, too.

Always a good thing to know if your truck is big enough. There is, however, something so big, you can't measure it. This week, we will see how Paul describes the power of God as "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20-21).

See you Sunday!

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Appropriate Seasoning

Another season is upon us and some of us will moan the end of summer days, while others will rejoice at the thought of hoodies, all things pumpkin, and the beautiful, changing leaves. Still others have already begun the countdown to Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, and look forward to seeing a blanket of fresh snow. Others can’t wait for the cold to pass. However, through all of these, we see the hand of God. The bright sunshine, the colors of fall, and winter with its celebration of the birth of Christ. But before long, many will start the countdown to the next thing, whether the first day of Spring, the last day of school, or the first long weekend of summer. The Bible mentions seasons in numerous places, and it makes me wonder….did people in Bible times also look forward and have preferences for the different seasons?

One common theme in the Bible is that God created the seasons, and He created each of them with specific purposes. Similarly, we have different seasons of life…rejoicing, contentment, sorrow, puzzlement, discouragement, but all which can be times of growth. Just as each season has a purpose in nature, God can use each season of our lives to His glory, and to teach us more about Himself. The question is….will we let Him?

Deep and Wide

My brother-in-law has an old quarry filled with water behind his house. Swimming in it one day, we asked him how deep it was. "I don't know," he told us. "I've never been able to swim all the way to the bottom."

This week, reading from Ephesians 3:17-19, we will see how God's love is like that, so great, we will never fully understand its depth.

Hope to see you Sunday!

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Top of the List

I have a "to do" list for each day. For one thing, if it isn't written down, I tend to forget to do it. So when it's important, I write it down. Most days, the list just happens. I write things down as I realize they need to get done. Even though the order is more or less accidental, I still work my way down the list, from top to the bottom. That's not a great way to prioritize my life. I have learned if something is really important, I make sure to put it at the top of the list.

What's at the top of your list when you pray? When you pray for those who are important in your life, what do you ask God to do for them? This week, in Ephesians 3:16-17, we will find out what was at the top of the list on Paul's prayers for his fellow believers. It might not be what you think.

See you Sunday!

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How Do You Pray?

I'm a big believer in what the scripture tells us to do when Paul writes, "Pray always."

Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. That pretty well covers it. I figure whatever situation I'm in, it's a good time to pray. This week, we will take a look at the importance of prayer in our life, especially prayer that hallows God's name, reading from Ephesians 3:14-15.

See you Sunday!

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Don't Worry

We've all heard the advice: Don't Worry. For most of us, that only makes it worse. It's like telling us not to think about chocolate chip cookies. The more you try not to think about chocolate chip cookies, the more you think about them. You can probably smell them right now.

Telling us not to worry does much the same. It only makes us think more about the worry. The Bible gives much better instruction. In this week's message from Ephesians 3:12-13, we will see that the scripture tells us to replace our worry with prayer.

Hope to see you Sunday! (I'll bring the cookies.)

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