Search Results for: marry and martha

Posted: 23 Apr, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

In the account of the paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus, we learn that Jesus wants us to come to Him for forgiveness—spiritual healing! This is one of the amazing ways we experience life from God. When we ask for and receive forgiveness, we are no longer defined by our loserness! We are freed […]

Posted: 16 Apr, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

A man named Nicodemus came to Jesus in the secret of night only to get far more than he bargained for.  As we look at this interaction with the Life Giver we find how to be born again into a new life.  We do not get life by trying to be a better person, but […]

Posted: 09 Apr, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

Have you ever thought about the Day of Judgement—when Jesus addresses the masses of people who have lived since the beginning of the world? Will He be angry and condemning? Loving and compassionate? In this imagined account of Judgment Day, Jesus pours out his heart to those he loves—a jilted lover to those who rejected […]

Posted: 02 Apr, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

This message is from a morning dedicated to the upcoming mission trip to China.  Jason, who is leading the trip, explains his passion for China, his family’s experience there, and the upcoming trip.  Using the book of 2 Thessalonians as a model, Dove then leads the group in prayer as we ask God for help […]

Posted: 26 Mar, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

A fundamental way to fix our eyes on the unseen is to be continually aware that God is with us. It is a great comfort to us in times of grief and loss when we are aware of God’s loving presence. It also gives us confidence to do things that are greater than ourselves when […]

Posted: 26 Mar, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

Dove shares his conviction that the greatest aspiration in all of life is to know God.  God has sent his Son into the world to pay a price for us so that we can be with God.  Anyone who desires to come to God is welcomed into His family, through Christ.  In this relationship with […]

Posted: 12 Mar, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

There are two realms: the seen and the unseen. The natural and the supernatural. Belief in the unseen world corrects our overemphasis on the seen world. To experience true and lasting life, our faith must be anchored in the unseen. 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on […]

Posted: 05 Mar, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

In this message Dove attempts to help us love bad people.  This is not so that we would embrace the bad things that bring pain, suffering, and destruction into this world, but that we would love bad people even as God does.  Dove explains five reasons we can love bad people, from those far away […]

Posted: 26 Feb, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

We should never be surprised when we find ourselves discouraged or even despondent. After all, we live in terrible times. Yet God offers hope in the midst of our trials. Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” We can find life from God even […]

Posted: 19 Feb, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

Dove shares about the opportunity to develop an ongoing, growing relationship with the living God.  He unpacks Jesus’ call in the beginning of Matthew chapter 6, to pray, give, and fast in secret—not for the approval of others but for God only.  When done with a desire to discover the heart of God, not just […]

Posted: 12 Feb, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

If those who speak are supposed to speak as if speaking the very words of God, how are those who listen supposed to listen? In faith, can we believe that God will speak to us through His Word, through worship, through others, and even through the sermons we hear? 1 Peter 4:11a If anyone speaks, […]

Posted: 05 Feb, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

From Super Bowl losses, to the loss of loved ones, we will all have disappointments in our lives.  In this message Dove wrestles through some of the disappointments in his own life, explaining some of the anchors he has found and continues to cling to along the way.  It is the journey to find God […]

Posted: 29 Jan, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

The church in Corinth had serious issues that Paul addressed throughout 1 Corinthians. He spoke so strongly on at times that you might think his letter to them would have ended their relationship. Yet as he concluded his letter in chapter 16, instead of writing an it-was-nice-knowing-you ending to their relationship, he penned a very ordinary […]

Posted: 22 Jan, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

As we near the end of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul reminds his audience what is of first importance: the gospel.  The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ came and died for our sins, taking our place, and providing a way for us to have a relationship with God and to be with […]

Posted: 15 Jan, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

If God were to give you a special supernatural gift, what would you want? Would you like to speak in tongues? Know the deep mysteries of God? Heal the sick? Any of these gifts would be amazing, but there is something even more incredible. It’s love. 1 Corinthians 12-14 is the most extensive passage on […]

Posted: 14 Jan, 2017 | Author: Jenna Schwieger

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love! How can we be women of faith in a world full of struggle and upheaval? Download    

Posted: 08 Jan, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

Love is the greatest power on Earth and the true nature of God.  In 1 Corinthians 13 we see the beauty and excellence of love.  Through Jesus we can participate in this divine life. Download Handout  

Posted: 01 Jan, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

The greatest disciples throughout history, from Jesus’ Twelve all the way to modern-day martyrs, have something in common. They don’t care. They don’t care about what others think, about their own personal gain, or even about their own lives. This one commonly held attribute allows them to live with abandon and care about the things […]

Posted: 25 Dec, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

When a child turns his back on his parents, what gift should he give his father for Christmas? A tie? A shirt? Many of us will relate to this story from Steve’s childhood and may even see some of the same tendencies in our relationships with God. May this message help bring restoration with our […]

Posted: 18 Dec, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

Even though it is easy to lose sight of the original purpose, traditions start with the intent of helping us remember significant truths. This year, take the time to remember what God has done for you and find the light of Jesus in the midst of darkness and personal brokenness. Download    

Posted: 11 Dec, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

We can love people who are hard for us, but to do so we must see God’s good in ourselves, in others, and in His overarching plan for His people. In this message we look at spiritual gifts and how God has shaped each of us ways in various ways so that we can each […]

Posted: 04 Dec, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

What comes to mind when you think of authority and the submission to authority?  Our own experience and cultural context have inevitably shaped that view.  We probably all know examples of the abuse of authority and realize the potential to be taken advantage of.  As we look deeper, we see that a loving authority is […]

Posted: 27 Nov, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

With a healthy understanding of grace, we can appreciate it for what it really is, and stand firm in the security of our committed relationship with Jesus. This allows us to stop being distracted with trying to measure up or trying to discern exactly what is permissible behavior and what isn’t. Instead, we can focus […]

Posted: 20 Nov, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

As we continue to look at the Higher Calling we have in Jesus, we see the example of Paul to work with extreme effort to bring the good news of Jesus to others, breaking down barriers and enduring difficulties in the process.  What is the source of his dedication and sacrifice?  Is he trying to […]

Posted: 13 Nov, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

Have you ever felt judged by Christians? You vote one way, but they think you should vote another. You trick or treat, but they don’t. You have a Christmas tree and they seem to think you are worshiping the forest god in your living room. You public school and they home school. Paul addresses these […]

Posted: 06 Nov, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

Each of us lives in a situation that is not always easy.  In fact life is often extremely challenging, and it is easy to think that if we were only in a different situation then we would be happy and fulfilled.  If only I had a spouse, or if I didn’t have one but could […]

Posted: 30 Oct, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

Marriage is intended to be a beautiful life-long relationship. Unfortunately things don’t always go as God desires in our broken world. In this message we look at what the Bible teaches on divorce and remarriage from 1 Corinthians 7 and from the teachings of Jesus. Download Main Handout / Supplemental Reference on Divorce See also: Pizza Seminar: What the […]

Posted: 23 Oct, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

It is the reality of life that each person gets to enjoy pleasures and happiness.   Also each human being experiences loss and sadness.   Through this adventure of learning to trust God we are called to a bigger perspective.   We can learn to be content with what we have been given and trust […]

Posted: 16 Oct, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

How can the church be a hospital for broken and sinful people and also hope to have a standard of behavior that reflects our higher calling? Is it possible to be loving and compassionate and yet draw a line in the sand and say that certain behaviors are not acceptable among God’s people? In this […]

Posted: 09 Oct, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

Are you chasing after an elusive pursuit to be somebody? What do you think others think about you? What do you think about yourself? It’s easy to think our worth is wrapped up in our own accomplishments and the praise of others, but what really counts is that you belong to Christ. In 1 Corinthians […]