Posted: 04 Jun, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
The faith of the crumbs lady (Syrophoenician woman) teaches us some critical lessons on how to respond when it seems that God is completely ignoring our prayers. Download Handout (Blanks,No blanks)
Read More...Posted: 28 May, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
There is something in us that makes us want to share with others the good things we have found. Whether it is a great movie, a sunset, a revolutionary product, a new love, or something else we find exciting, we have a desire to pass it on. How much more, despite hesitation or cultural opposition, […]
Read More...Posted: 21 May, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
We think of the account of the woman caught in the act of adultery as a beautiful story of grace and forgiveness. And it is. At least for one person. But not everyone received life from Jesus. The religionists (the Pharisees and teachers of the law) walked away from life. They were more concerned about […]
Read More...Posted: 14 May, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
What would it be like to host Jesus and some of his friends for dinner? What preparations would you make? During dinner would you be busy doing things or would you just sit there and listen to Jesus? This is the situation of Martha and Mary who hosted Jesus many years ago. Mary “sat at […]
Read More...Posted: 07 May, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
The religious leaders tried to trap Jesus by bringing before him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. Would he withhold mercy and have her put to death, or would he show mercy and ignore the law? One response would put Jesus in a horrible light with the people, and the […]
Read More...Posted: 30 Apr, 2017 | Author: John Houser
Do you ever wonder how to ask God for things? Is there a certain way to ask? Should we always expect to get what we ask for? Is God bothered when we ask a lot? This message addresses those questions and helps us understand prayer and our relationship with God. Download Handout
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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, […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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
Read More...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
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
Read More...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 […]
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