Lane Brown @ Chandler Street: Recent Episodes
Lane Brown
In this sermon, we explore the incredible transformation of Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Despite his struggles with sin and mistakes, Peter’s journey is a powerful testament to the ability to grow and change through Christ. We delve into the stories of Peter in the Gospels, highlighting his moments of weakness and failure, and compare them to the wisdom and guidance he offers in his letters to the churches in present-day Turkey, as recorded in the book of 1 Peter. Join us as we learn how Christ’s transformative power can work in our lives, just as it did in Peter’s.
ChristianGrowth #PeterTransformation #FaithJourney #OvercomingStruggles #BiblicalWisdom #1Peter #ChristianSermon #SpiritualGrowth #FaithInChrist #ChurchSermon
Join us as we explore the beautiful vision of heaven described in Revelation 21 and 22. Discover how God promises to restore all relationships—our relationship with Him, with others, with creation, and even with ourselves. This sermon will delve into the profound transformation and eternal joy that awaits us in the new heaven and new earth. Don’t miss this inspiring message of hope and renewal!
Heaven #Revelation21 #Revelation22 #RestoredRelationships #EternalJoy #ChristianSermon #BibleStudy #Faith #Hope #NewJerusalem #GodsPromise #Christianity #SpiritualGrowth #HeavenlyVision
In this inspiring sermon, we delve into the powerful story of Isaiah’s vision and his heartfelt response to God’s call in Isaiah chapter 6. When Isaiah hears the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” he boldly replies, “Here am I; send me!” This message encourages us to reflect on our own willingness to serve and volunteer within our church communities. Discover how Isaiah’s example can motivate us to step up and say “yes” to God’s call, embracing the joy and fulfillment that comes from serving others.
Join us as we explore:
- The significance of Isaiah’s vision and his response
- The importance of volunteering in the church
- Practical ways to get involved and make a difference
Volunteering #ChurchService #Isaiah6 #HereAmISendMe #ChristianSermon #FaithInAction #ServeGod #ChurchCommunity #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving
In this sermon, we delve into the powerful parables of Matthew 25: the Ten Bridesmaids and the Sheep and Goats. These stories remind us of the importance of being ready for Jesus’ return and having a heart for the things He loves. Join us as we explore how to live a life of preparedness and compassion, reflecting the love and priorities of Christ in our daily walk. Don’t miss this inspiring message that calls us to be vigilant and faithful servants, ready to meet our Lord.#BeReady #Matthew25 #TenBridesmaids #SheepAndGoats #JesusParables #ChristianSermon #FaithfulServants #HeartForJesus #GospelMessage #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #ChurchOnline #SermonSeries #Preparedness #CompassionInChrist
Join us in this enlightening sermon as we delve into the profound significance of the Lord’s Supper. We’ll explore the various theological perspectives on how Christians practice this sacred ordinance, including the Roman Catholic view of transubstantiation, the Lutheran view of consubstantiation, the Reformed view of spiritual presence, and the Zwinglian memorial view.
Discover how, despite these differences, the Lord’s Supper serves as a powerful symbol of unity within the church and with our Lord Jesus Christ. As we commemorate His sacrifice, proclaim His death, and join in fellowship, we are reminded of our shared faith and the spiritual oneness that binds us together.
Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Lord’s Supper. Let’s come together in unity and fellowship, celebrating our common bond in Christ.
LordsSupper #Communion #ChristianUnity #ChurchFellowship #JesusChrist #Faith #Sermon #BibleStudy #Christianity #SpiritualGrowth
Discover how God has used spiritual mentors to transform lives. In this inspiring message, we'll explore the incredible impact of those who have guided us on our faith journeys. Learn how Titus 2 equips us to become mentors who can shape the lives of others for Christ. Be inspired to embrace your role in helping others grow in their relationship with God.#FaithJourney #SpiritualMentors #Transformation #HolyLife #Titus2 #ChristianSermon #Discipleship #ChurchCommunity #FaithGrowth #Mentorship
In this sermon, we explore the profound concept of “One Hope” in Jesus Christ. Our hope in Jesus, salvation, and eternal life isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s a confident assurance. Discover how this hope can transform your life, helping you overcome fear, anxiety, and the chaos of this world. Join us as we delve into the scriptures and find peace and strength in the promises of God.
OneHope #HopeInJesus #ConfidentAssurance #ChristianFaith #OvercomeFear #FindPeace #EternalLife #BibleStudy #SermonSeries #FaithOverFear
Join us for an inspiring sermon on the Holy Spirit, exploring how the Spirit dwells within us, giving us fellowship with God and transforming us into His image. Discover the power source of the Holy Spirit and learn how to tap into it to become more effective in the Kingdom of God. This message will deepen your understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in your life and empower you to live out your faith with greater impact.
HolySpirit #ChristianSermon #Faith #Transformation #GodsKingdom #SpiritualGrowth #EmpoweredLiving #FellowshipWithGod #ChristianFaith #BibleTeaching
Join us for an inspiring sermon on the essentialness of baptism as the channel through which we receive the grace of Jesus Christ. Discover how this sacred act of regeneration allows us to leave a life of exile and be restored into the family of our God. Through baptism, we are reborn, renewed, and united with Christ, embracing a new life filled with His love and grace. Don’t miss this powerful message of hope and transformation!
OneBaptism #GraceOfJesus #ChristianSermon #Baptism #Regeneration #FaithJourney #ChristianFaith #SpiritualRenewal #GodsFamily #ChristianCommunity
In this powerful sermon, we explore Ephesians 4:1-16. The apostle Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received in Christ. Discover how God’s transforming love empowers us to be humble, patient, and united as part of the body of Christ. Let’s journey together toward a life that reflects the unfathomable riches we have inherited in Him.
BodyOfChrist #ChristianLiving #Ephesians4 #TransformedLife
In the tapestry of Christian belief, faith stands as a central thread—a lifeline connecting humanity to the divine. Our faith is not a mere intellectual assent; it’s a profound trust, a surrender of our hearts to God’s redemptive plan. And at the heart of this faith lies Jesus Christ.
Faith Unites Us: Christianity proclaims a singular faith—one that transcends denominations, cultures, and centuries. It’s the unwavering conviction that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the only way to reconciliation with the Father. Ephesians 4:5 beautifully states, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
Salvation in Christ Alone: Our salvation hinges entirely on Christ’s work. His sacrificial death on the cross paid the debt of our sins—a debt we could never repay. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” His resurrection sealed our hope, defeating death and granting eternal life to all who believe.
No Other Name: Acts 4:12 boldly asserts, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Not Buddha, not Muhammad, not any earthly philosophy—only Jesus. His grace invites us, regardless of our past, our brokenness, or our doubts.
Conclusion: As we gather in Bible study, let’s celebrate our shared faith—the faith that binds us across continents and generations. Let’s marvel at the simplicity and profundity of salvation in Christ alone. May our hearts echo the apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
May this truth anchor our souls, and may our faith remain steadfast in the One who loved us first.
The concept of the Trinity—the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit—is both profound and mysterious. In this sermon, we explore the beauty of this divine mystery and why it’s okay not to fully comprehend it. Through Scripture and reflection, we discover that the Trinity reveals God’s multifaceted nature and invites us to trust in His wisdom. Join us as we delve into the depths of God’s love and unity.
Trinity #DivineMystery #GodsLove #TrustInGod #ChristianFaith
In this profound sermon, we delve into the essence of Jesus as the supreme Lord over all creation. While many claim to know Him, few truly grasp His divine nature and authority. Join us as we explore the depths of Christ’s identity.
In this powerful sermon, we delve into the profound concept of imitating God the Father and Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the perfect image of the Father, exemplified love, compassion, and selflessness. As believers, we are called to follow in His footsteps, imitating His character and motives.
Join us as we explore how Jesus prayed, loved, and lived. Discover the deeper meaning of imitating Christ beyond mere external actions. We’ll discuss:
- The Heart of Imitation: Imitation isn’t just about copying actions; it’s about replicating internal motivation. Jesus prayed because He loved His Father and those He prayed for. Let’s learn to imitate with the right motives.
- Loving Like Jesus: Jesus loved sacrificially, selflessly, and unconditionally. We’ll explore how His love for the Father and humanity shaped His actions. Our love for Jesus should lead us to love others in the same way.
- Walking in Obedience: True imitation arises from a loving relationship with Jesus. Let’s submit to His authority, obey His teachings, and grow in our communion with Him.
- The Standard of Love: Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” Our acts of righteousness and piety are validated by this standard of love.
ImitatingGod #FollowingJesus #LoveLikeChrist #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth
In this powerful sermon, we delve into the biblical principles of godly communication. Discover how to build stronger relationships with your family, friends, and loved ones by applying timeless wisdom from Scripture. From conflict resolution to active listening, we explore practical steps that honor God and foster love, understanding, and unity. Join us as we learn to speak truth in love and cultivate healthy connections that stand the test of time.
GodlyCommunication #FamilyBonds #Relationships #BiblicalWisdom #LoveAndUnity
In this powerful sermon, we explore practical strategies for parents to equip their children with unwavering faith as they venture into the world. Discover how to instill values, resilience, and spiritual strength, ensuring your kids soar like eagles even when faced with life’s challenges. 🦅✨
Hashtags: #Parenting #Faith #Eagles #Guidance #Family #Spirituality #Empowerment
In this powerful sermon, we delve into practical strategies for maintaining a strong and enduring marriage. From communication tips to navigating challenges, discover how to hold on to love and build a lasting bond with your partner. Whether you’re newlyweds or celebrating decades together, this message will inspire and equip you to stick with your marriage through thick and thin.#MarriageAdvice #RelationshipGoals #LoveAndCommitment #MarriageTips #LastingLove #TogetherForever
In this inspiring sermon, we delve into the lives of two remarkable women: Jochebed, Moses’ mother, and Pharaoh’s daughters. Jochebed’s courage in protecting her son from Pharaoh’s decree and Pharaoh’s daughters’ compassion in saving Moses from the Nile reveal powerful lessons for us today. Join us as we explore their stories and discover how compassion shapes destinies.
CompassionateMotherhood #MosesMother #PharaohsDaughters #BiblicalHeroes #FaithfulMothers
Embark on a journey of profound spiritual insight as we delve into the timeless teachings of the Golden Rule, the Narrow Path, and the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. In this transformative sermon, we explore the power of compassion, the significance of choosing the right path, and the importance of building our lives on a foundation of wisdom and faith. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and uplifted as we uncover the keys to living a purpose-driven life filled with love, integrity, and resilience.#GoldenWisdom #NarrowPath #GoldenRule #WiseBuilders #TransformativeSermon #Compassion #FaithJourney #PurposeDrivenLife #SpiritualGrowth #Inspiration
Join us for a powerful sermon on Matthew 7: Ask, Seek, Knock. In this enlightening message, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus Christ, exploring the significance of asking, seeking, and knocking in our spiritual journey. Discover how these simple yet profound actions can open doors to divine blessings, guidance, and transformation in your life. Don't miss out on this empowering message that will inspire you to deepen your faith and embrace the abundant blessings waiting for you. #Matthew7 #AskSeekKnock #Sermon #Blessings #FaithJourney #DivineGuidance #Transformation #FaithInspired #SpiritualGrowth #Empowerment #UnlockTheDoor
In this week’s sermon, we dive deep into Matthew 7:1-6, where Jesus implores us to refrain from judging others. Let’s explore the profound wisdom behind His words:
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🌟 The Nature of Judgment:
- Jesus challenges our tendency to play the role of judge. We’ll unpack the Greek word “krinō,” which encompasses deciding, considering, and passing legal judgments.
- Discover why acting as a judge over another person is beyond our qualifications—only God is fit for that role.
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🤔 Two Ways of Judging:
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Jesus seems to reverse Himself by discussing how we judge others.
- Explore the two approaches: pass/fail judgment based on our standards versus showing mercy and grace.
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🪓 Sawdust and Planks:
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Jesus humorously points out our tendency to focus on others’ flaws while ignoring our own.
- Learn how self-awareness and humility play a crucial role in our interactions.
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⚠️ The Warning:
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Jesus reminds us that the measure we use to judge others will be applied to us.
- Mercy begets mercy; judgment begets judgment.
🙏 Let’s gather together as a community to reflect on these timeless teachings. Join us this Sunday at 10 AM for a transformative experience. Whether you’re a seeker, a skeptic, or a believer, there’s a place for you here. 🙌
🔗 Feel free to share this post with friends and family who seek spiritual growth and understanding. Let’s learn to discern wisely, extend grace, and leave ultimate judgment to God. 🌟🙏
SermonOnMatthew7 #DoNotJudge #ChristianLiving
In this powerful sermon, we dive into Matthew Chapter 6, where Jesus teaches us not to worry about our material needs. Instead, He invites us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. We explore the practice of fasting—not as mere deprivation, but as a way to draw closer to God, align our desires with His, and experience His profound presence in our lives. Join us as we discover the faithfulness, fulfillment, and fellowship that fasting brings.
SpiritualDiscipline #Fasting #TrustGod #Matthew6 #DoNotWorry #SeekFirstHisKingdom
May this sermon inspire and encourage all who hear it! 🙏📖✨
In this powerful sermon, we explore the profound message of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus demonstrated radical love even for those who opposed Him. Join us as we delve into three key aspects:Serving Our Enemies: Discover how Jesus fed, taught, and showed compassion to those who would later betray Him. His selfless acts challenge us to serve even those who oppose us.Praying for Our Adversaries: With His dying breath, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him. His example teaches us to intercede for our enemies, seeking their well-being and transformation.Dying for Our Foes: Jesus’ death wasn’t just for His friends; it was for everyone, including those who despised Him. His sacrifice paved the way for reconciliation and redemption.Let’s embrace this radical love and learn how we, too, can extend grace to those who stand against us. 🙏❤️#LoveYourEnemies #JesusSacrifice #ResurrectionHope #RadicalLove #Forgiveness
In this inspiring sermon, we delve into the profound meaning of the Lord’s Prayer—a timeless gift from Jesus Himself. Discover how this sacred prayer can transform family dynamics, strengthen bonds, and usher in divine blessings. From “Our Father” to “Thy will be done,” each phrase holds a treasure trove of wisdom. Join us as we explore practical ways to incorporate the Lord’s Prayer into our daily lives, fostering love, forgiveness, and unity within our families.
LordPrayer #FamilyBlessings #DivineWisdom #SpiritualJourney #FaithfulLiving
May this message resonate with hearts and homes, bringing forth abundant blessings! 🙏✨
In this sermon, we delve into the profound teachings of Matthew 6:1-4 and Matthew 6:19-24. We explore the heart behind giving and the eternal perspective on wealth. Discover how our actions impact both our earthly existence and our heavenly treasures. Join us as we learn to give cheerfully, store up treasures in heaven, and align our hearts with God’s eternal purposes. May this message inspire and transform hearts as we seek to honor God through our giving and store up treasures that truly matter. 🙏✨#CheerfulGiving #TreasuresInHeaven #EternalPerspective #Generosity #HeartofGiving #Matthew6 #SermonInspiration
Oaths Vows, Sermon on the Mount, Let your yes be yes and no be no! Keeping your commitments, Keeping your vows, Matthew 5:33-37
Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:21-26 - Anger - Reconciliation - Murder - Leave Gift At The Alter - Road Rage
Did Jesus Destroy The Law? Did He Uphold the Law? Or Did He Fulfill the Law. Join us as we look at what Jesus tells us about Grace and the Law in Matthew 5:17-20
Salt and Light - Matthew 5:13-16 - Sermon on the Mount - You are the Light of the World - You are the salt of the Earth
Finding blessings by loving God and people! Beatitudes - Matthew 5 - Sermon on the Mount - Blessed are the Meek - Blessed are the Peacemakers - Blessed are those who give mercy
The Beatitudes. Jesus and The Crowds. Matthew 5:1-9. Blessed are the Poor. Blessed Are Those Who Morning. Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness. Pure In Heart
Essential Teachings of Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes. Blessed are the Poor In Spirit. Matthew 5:1
Happy New Years! Growing Old Turn To God Ecclesiastes 3 Ecclesiastes 12 Solomon Winter Is Coming Do Not Worry Matthew 6 Seek First His Kingdom A Time For Everything
Star of Bethlehem - Wise Men - Magi - We Three Kings - Matthew 2 - Christ Brings Light To This World - Follow The Light of Christ
Emmanuel "God With Us" The Word Becomes Flesh Christmas Baby Jesus The Birth of Christ Philippians 2:6-8 Luke 2:8-11 Matthew 1:22-23 John 1:1-14
Ambassadors of Christ, Workers In The Harvest, Seeking The Lost, Parable of the Lost Sheep, Parable of the Lost Coin, Trip To Vegas.
Evangelism, Making the Most of Opportunities, Spreading the Gospel, The Good News, Grace Seasoned With Salt.
Thanksgiving. Thankful For The Church. Thankful For The Body of Christ. Titus Chapter 3
Christians and Government. Titus 3:1 Respect. Authority. Government Officials. Do Good. Submit to Authority.
Free Gift of Grace - Paul - Titus - Jerusalem Council - Responsibility - Repentance - Walking With Christ
Speak Lord Your Servant Is Listening. Samuel. Eli. 1 Samuel 3:1. Understanding the voice of God.
God is confident in your abilities, Great Commission, Matthew 28, Make Disciples, Baptize, Baptism, Teach, Evangelism
Take up your cross and follow me. The cross of Calvary. Golgotha. Place of the skull. Judas. Chief Priests. Pilate. Criminal on the cross. Deny Yourself. Soldiers Mock Jesus.
Surrender, Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, Mark 14, Luke 22, Matthew 26, Not my will but yours, take this cup of suffering away from me, your will be done
Mountain Top Experience, Meeting God on the Mountain, Transfiguration, Mark 9, Jesus Heals a boy possessed.
Transfiguration - Mark 9:1-8 - Romans 12:2 - Luke 9 - Matthew 17 - Changing to be more like Christ
Blinded By The Truth - Apostle Paul - St. Paul - Saul of Tarsus - The Road to Damascus - Damascus Road Conversion
How do we make Godly tough decisions? In this lesson we look at how the Apostles choose Matthias to take Judas position. Acts 1. Choosing of Matthias. Making good choices!
New Heaven, New Earth, Revelation 21, Revelation 22, Personal Eschatology, Cosmic Eschatology
John the Apostle opens up the curtain in the Throne Room of Heaven and shows us how we can be reunited with our Creator! Revelation
John the Apostle shows us the way to Light, Life, and Love. He teaches us how to restore relationships with God and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Beloved Disciple - John The Apostle, the disciple Jesus loved, St. John, Sons of Thunder, John 3:13, A New Command: Love One Another
The Three Mary's, The Crucifixion, The Empty Tomb, Easter Morning, Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James the younger, Salome, The Mother of the Sons of Zebedee, Joanna, Susanna.
Typically being called a "Mama's Boy" isn't a compliment...unless it's coming from your mom ;-) But Thaddaeus, or Judas son of James shows us how we all should strive to be like this "Mama's Boy"!
12 Apostles, John 14, Judas Son of James, Thaddaeus, Labbaeus, the man with 3 Names
Raising Them Right - Apostle James the Lesser, James son of Alphaeus, James the Lesser, James the younger, Little James
Passion for Jesus, Zealous for Jesus, Zeal for Jesus, Simon the Apostle, Simon the Zealot, Revelation 3:19,
The Struggles of a Pessimist - Doubting Thomas, Doubt, A Negative Attitude, Saint Thomas The Apostle, John 11, John 11:16, John 14, John 14:5, John 20, John 20:24
St. Matthew, Tax Collector, Sacrifice, Just As I Am, Luke 18:10, Matthew 9:9, Calling of Levi, Calling of Matthew, Luke 5:27, Luke 5:29, Matthew 22:17, Matthew 9:12, Gospel of Matthew
The Apostle James - Son's of Thunder - Son's of Zebedee - James and John - Salome - A mother's request - St. James the Greater Mark 1:19–20 Matthew 27:55 Mark 15:40 Luke 9:52 Matthew 20:20 Acts 12:1
The Apostle Andrew (St. Andrew) lived in the shadow of his brother Peter in many ways, but scripture attribute him with an amazing quality to bring people to Jesus. In this lesson we learn have to live like Saint Andrew and bring others to Christ. Matthew 4:18-20 John 1:29-42 John 12:20-22 John 6:5-10
The Gift of a Savior! Christmas. Luke 2. The Birth of Jesus. Angels. Shepherds. Baby Jesus.
The Wise Men, The Magi, The Bethlehem Star, Herod The Great, Matthew 2, Helping others find Jesus!
Why do we fight? Why do we quarrel? Do you desire in this life the same thing that God desires for you and His Church?
James 4:1-10
What does it mean to be rich? Is being wealthy evil in God's sight. Come see what James has to say about our riches and Unrighteous Wealth in James 1:9-11, James 5:1-6.
What is causing the trials in your life? Is it God, is it you? We will all face trials of various kinds in our life. In this lesson we talk about how to not veer off of God's path when facing trials.
What does it mean to have joy during the trials we face in this life. Jesus' brother James will tell us how we can have a life of joy when we persevere through trials.
What makes you happy? One of my last courses at Texas A&M was a Cognitive Psychology class. In this class, we read about a case study that showed the brain activity of people eating ice cream. The same areas of the brain that would light up while eating ice cream would light when they were experiencing feelings of pleasure. Put simply, ice cream makes you happy. When Blue Bell had issues with listeria, I thought, if we have to one day leave this world, it might as well be death by Blue Bell! How bad could that be? ;-) The problem with happiness is it is temporary. What Jesus offers is something greater than happiness, he offers us joy! Listen to this week's lesson as we see how both David and Paul were able to experience Joy in the midst of troubles in this life.
Finding Common Ground - Acts 17 Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. Using Paul's model and doing our best to reach people for the sake of the gospel.
Where do you put your hope? This week we see how Paul shows the people of Philippi where he put his hope!
What do you do when a door closes on you? Do you trust God and move where he is telling you to go, or do you run away from God because of your struggles? In this lesson we see how Paul responds to closed doors in his mission to serve his Lord. Acts 16
We will go through trials in this world, but our God will never abandon us during these trials. He is with us watching over us through the trials and tribulations. He also gives us his church, he gives us our brothers and sisters in Christ to help hold us us through our hard times.
Are you caught up on the most recent season of Stranger Things? I watched the first season, and part of the 2nd. I'm not really a fan of monster movies, but what I love about Stranger Things, and what kept me interested in the 1st season was the setting of the story. These kids are the same age I was during the 80's, so the games they played, the bikes they rode, the places they went are so familiar to what it was like when I was growing up. What was your favorite part of the "Good Ol' Days"? Those days might be different for all of us! In life its fun to think back on the "Good Ol' Days, we can learn from those experiences of times gone by. This week we look at Jesus' message to the Church in Ephesus, and how they should remember how they loved him in the Good Ol' Days!
In 5th grade, the kids in the neighborhood and I had a plan. Save up about $6, sneak out of the neighborhood, walk down the bayou trail, and go to Fuddruckers. That was our dream! Build our own burger with unlimited Fuddruckers toppings! As I grew older, I didn't have to sneak off to get a meal, but I started to lose my love for this burger joint. I think it was because I always put more toppings than necessary on my burger. Sadly, Fuddruckers is no more, maybe because they spent too much money on free toppings for the overzealous 5th graders. Too many choices is not always a good thing. Sometimes it messes up a burger, and other times it can wreck your life, especially if they are all bad choices! The church of Pergamum was in a city of choices, but none of these options lead to true life. This week we discuss how following Jesus is the only true choice we should make for eternal life.
Our God made us Unique. We are his masterpiece! We have been given gifts by the Spirit to bring glory to Him. Are we using those gifts? Are we making the most of talents our Lord has given us? This week we look at the church in Laodicea. Revelation 3. We will learn from them how to live hot or cold and not lukewarm Christian lives.
How do we continue to put our Hope in God during the struggles of this life? How can we fully trust the promises of God. This week we will look at the church in Smyrna and follow their example of trusting in the promises of God. - Revelation Chapter 2.
Here is a great Uber tip for all of you who didn't ask...if you are ever at something like a concert or sporting event and need an uber ride home, don't stand in the rideshare line. Walk about 3 or 4 blocks from the arena and catch your ride there. You will get your Uber much faster. When I was having some fun driving for Uber, event pickup rides were never worth my time! You don't get paid until the passenger is in the car, so you are wasting time and money sitting in the traffic of the pickup line. Often Uber drivers will give up on you and cancel your ride because the pickup isn't worth it to them. There are many things that simply are not worth it to us, but God wants us to understand that people should always be worth our time. People should always be worth our resources. This week, we look at Luke 18 and 19, and find out just how important people are to our Lord.
"I wish I was little bit taller, I wish I was a baller, I wish I had a girl who looked good I would call her, I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat, And a six four Impala." This is one of the songs I think about when I remember my Freshmen year of College. Sometimes I wish I could go back to those great college years! What is it that you want in life? What would you want a little bit more of? Jesus' disciples asked him how they could have just a little bit more faith to do all the things he was asking of them. In response, Jesus told them the type of faith they should have.
What does it cost us to be a follower of Christ? Nothing? Everything? Jesus will tell us!
So what is your excuse? We all have them! What is getting in between you and a closer relationship with our Lord?
The Super Bowl teams are set. Bengals VS Rams. Sounds like a fun matchup, but neither is my team. I haven't had a team in 20+ years. Bud Adams took away my Houston Oilers in 1997 and I have been a Free Agent Fan ever since. I miss my Oilers. I miss having an NFL team that I can passionately root for. If this was my only problem in this world I would live a pretty fantastic life! Unfortunately, this doesn't even remotely compare to the problems in this world, the evil in this world, the tragedy we see. Jesus doesn't sugarcoat the pain that is in this world. He tells us that in this world we will have trouble. So what are we supposed to do when bad things happen? This week we discuss what causes tragedy in our lives, and what our response should be to the troubles of this world.
This past week I watched as the Dallas Mavericks retired my favorite basketball player, Dirk Nowitzki's jersey! It is without question that Dirk is the greatest Maverick, but in time maybe Luka will takeover that role. Many like to discuss who is the greatest in Sports, but what about in everyday life? What makes you great? Popularity? Riches? Good Looks? Power? If you want to be great in the Kingdom of God, Jesus tell us you must become the least among others. Our God is so great because he was willing to leave the splendor of Heaven and become a servant to his very creation! Because he humbled himself to become a sacrifice for all mankind, we can find salvation from our sins! This week we discuss, what true greatness is, and how we should follow in Jesus' footsteps to become the least of these.
We live in a world where so often you are either in or out. We have a world that wants to pin folks against each other. You are Rich or Poor, Black or White, you’re a republican or a democrat, your pretty or ugly, your popular or a nobody, you’re a boomer or a millennial...unless you are Generation X the greatest of the generations :-) In many ways this is the world we live in, but that is not what our God wants, this was never what our God wanted, and it isn’t what the church should be. Our God wants us to be one thing…His Child! And he likes us in all varieties!
We picture the first Christmas as beautiful. We see the Nativity of Jesus as something great, and truly for what this meant for the world was magnificent. But it was also hard! It was messy! Jesus wasn't born in a first class hospital room, he was born in a barn. Sometimes life is difficult, but just like Mary, we need to trust in God even during the difficult times.
Are you prepared when the unexpected happens? When I was in High School I was driving down the "Feeder" road (that is what we call the access, or frontage road to the interstate highway in Houston), and I hit a big pothole. It caused the passenger door to open slightly. I looked over at the door, surprised it had opened, and took my eyes off the road. All of the sudden the car in front of me hits their brakes. I ended up rear-ending that car. Sometimes the unexpected can be a bad thing, while other times, it can be a wonderful surprise. This week we discuss how our God works in ways we wouldn't expect, and how we can prepare ourselves for when we are asked the unexpected!
I spent several years in the past teaching defensive driving to law breaking citizens. Each session, the first thing I did was find out why they received the ticket that put them in my class. One thing I discovered after teaching thousands of students, was that no one ever received a ticket unless they were speeding 7+ miles per hour over the limit. Based on that observation I almost always willingly broke the law and would drive 5 miles per hour over the posted limit. How often do we choose to live lawless lives? How often do we choose to go against the very laws of our creator, to satisfy our own sinful desires? This week we discuss the struggles of standing firm in a lawless world.
My son started driving a couple weeks ago. That is a scary new life step for a parent! Right after he started driving I happened to see a YouTube video of a court case between an 18 year old boy who was racing his car down the highway and killed a woman and her child. What a tragedy! The boy was sentenced to 24 years in prison! I then told my son don't be stupid behind the wheel of a car, it could cost you and/or others their life. It was interesting reading the comments on that video. Was the judge too hard? Did the boy deserve what he got? Justice is difficult, but without it this world would be in utter chaos. This week we talk about the justice of our God. We get to see both the love he offers us, and the tragedy we can receive if we so choose.
I had a great time at the A&M Football game this weekend. My team is currently on a roll, and when they are doing well, it makes me a pretty happy person. It must be difficult to be a coach though. Coaches rarely get to relish in a teams joy and happiness. Once you get a victory, you get a night to celebrate and then you are focused on your next opponent. If the next opponent gets the best of you, it can take away your happiness as well as your good record. Our joy shouldn't have to fluctuate with our victories and failures in life. If we are in Christ Jesus, our Joy comes from an Eternal God, and so it shouldn't ever leave us based on our circumstances. This week we discuss how we should rejoice in the Lord...Always!
I have had some interesting bosses in my days. One of my more unique bosses was one I had while in College at Texas A&M University. I was working in Destruction Restoration where we would help clean out and restore houses that either caught on fire or were in floods. Early on in this job I had to drive the company van with a trailer attached. My boss asked me if I had ever backed up a trailer before, I told him I never had, so he said fine I will teach you real quick. So he proceeds to tell me to back the van up, and I can see the trailer is about to get "Jack-Knifed". I try to stop that from happening, but my boss says "NO...KEEP BACKING UP!" I obey his orders until it "Jack-Knifes" the trailer then he proceeds to yell at me to stop the van. After I stop, my boss looks at me and says..."Now you know what NOT to do! Go on and head to the worksite!" Some leaders we honor by obeying their commands, even when we don't really respect them, we respect their authority. Other leaders we honor because we respect them and want to be a part of the great things they are doing. This week we discuss leadership in Christ's Church and how we can honor them by becoming a part of their mission and their lives!
The Boy Scouts motto is "Be Prepared". I was a Boy Scout for about 3 months, actually I was a Webelos Scout, I guess that is the scout for the awkward stage between Cub Scout and Boy Scout. We would go to Kristian Wilkins house every Thursday and Kristian's dad, our Scout Leader, would give us all kinds of history and information for the Beatles, and let us know why they were the greatest band of all time. We never really learned how to "Be Prepared" when being attacked by a bear, or how to set up a tent, but I always enjoyed our lessons on the Beatles. Mainly I wonder what Kristian did with the 50 cent dues we brought every week before our Scout Pack folded after 3 months! ;-) There are so many things to be prepared for in this life, but nothing is more important than being prepared for Christ when he returns. This week we discuss the return of Jesus, and how we should "Be Prepared".
Waiting is no fun! We can really get frustrated while we are waiting. When we are waiting for a table at a restaurant sometimes we start getting upset with the groups that get called before us. We might think, we have been waiting longer than them, or do they even deserve to be seated before us! ;-) Sometimes, we wonder if they called our name and we missed it all together, so we go and ask the hostess if we are still on the list. So much of this life we are just waiting! Waiting in traffic, waiting in line, waiting to get out of work or school...and for those of us who are in Christ, we are waiting for his return. This week we discuss what it will be like when our wait is finally over and Jesus returns for us!
My favorite youth sport program that I put my kids through was the Kilgore Youth Basketball Association. One of the things that made it so great were the two guys that would referee the games. The moms and dads would try to give the referees grief when they thought they made a bad call, but these guys wouldn't back down and they would give it right back to the loud parents. Their referee style was unique. On a basketball team with 5th graders and below you might have one or two kids that truly understood basketball and were going to one day excel in it. Most of the other kids were just having fun watching the world go by. So the refs would often go easy on the kids that just didn't get it (or else they would be blowing traveling and foul whistles the entire game), but for the one's who truly grasped the game, they would be hard on them, making sure they corrected bad habits. Most of the kids would be done with this sport after 5th grade, but for the select few, they would go on and represent their High School one day. They were set apart for something better, their rules were different for them so that they would one day achieve greatness. As Christians we are also called to be set apart, we are called to look differently than the culture around us, and our God has a higher standard set for his people. This week we discuss how we are called to live holy and pure lives more and more, until Christ comes!
I have had some interesting jobs in my life. The first job I ever applied for I really wanted, it was working with the Gallup Polls. It was $8/hour ($3 over minimum wage at the time!) flexible hours, and all you had to do was call people up and give them a survey. I guess I blew the interview because they didn't want me! I was really disappointed I didn't get the job. It's very frustrating when doors of opportunity close on us. The good news is the very next week I was approached with the offer to be a Psychologist's Assistant in a clinic near Downtown Houston. It was a pretty neat experience where I got to interview many interesting and some crazy ;-) folks. I doubt many High School Seniors got that opportunity, so I loved that this door opened where the other closed. So who is opening and closing these doors in our lives? Does our God really always open one door when he closes the other? This is what we discuss this week as we look into our response when doors in our life close.
Does the "IRS" ever call to let you know you are in big trouble? Surprisingly, they typically have a very heavy accent and don't really sound like they are from this country. What is more surprising is they will allow you to pay your penalty with gift cards that they ask you to pick up at your local store. When I have a lot of time on my hands I like to start confessing all sorts of strange crimes I have committed. My scenarios will get more and more wild until they finally hang up on me, but at least I wasted their time so they couldn't be taking advantage of person who didn't realize it was a scam. We live in a world where people try to take advantage of you. They want to take from you, but that isn't what our God wants for us. He wants to give to us. That was what he created the Church for. The Church was created to be a loving family, and not an entity that was to steal from you. This week we discuss our God's purpose of the Church.
Have you noticed that some people think they know you, but they really don't. It's hard to truly know folks when we don't spend much time or have a relationship with them. The same is true with Jesus. Many people hold beliefs about Jesus that just are not true. The way we get to know Christ is to search the scriptures themselves.
My local Academy Sports & Outdoors recently started selling a Whataburger line of clothing! I was there a couple weeks ago getting Sydni some shoes for athletics and we both saw the Whataburger display when we walked in. Both Sydni and I agreed that I needed to get the Whataburger Hawaiian Shirt. Mary wasn't as thrilled about my new outfit as we were, but this shirt already has turned some heads. At Walmart the Manager said to me "I just love your burgers". I said "Yeah Whataburger is the best." Then she said "You are the Manager there right"? Look at the respect I was given with that shirt, not the cook line, not the register, I was clear management material! Whataburger is a great restaurant. They make my burger exactly how I want it. I can customize my burger 36,864 ways. And shouldn't that be how life is? Shouldn't everything be exactly how you want it to be? But is that what will truly be the best thing for our lives, living just for our own selfish hopes and desires? This week we look about how we should fill our hearts desires with God's Will for our lives.
Remember what it was like to drive somewhere new before Google Maps? My Freshman year of college I was going to see a friend during the Thanksgiving break, and I was following directions written out by hand. My friend's house was about 4 hours away, and it was starting to get dark by the time I was arriving. She lived out in the country and the road I was on started to get more narrow, and then the pavement turned into a dirt road. She said to continue down a certain road and then turn left after an approximate distance. The directions seemed to be okay, until when I was supposed to turn on the dirt road I noticed I would be turning into an old creepy cemetery. I didn't know if this was a cruel joke, or I was in the wrong place, but I felt I was lost! Without a cell phone, a drove 20 minutes back into town to call and find out where I was and where I needed to be. After talking with my friend I discovered you actually had to go through the cemetery to get to their house. It was creepy, but eventually I was able to find my way. We all can get lost some point in our lives, and unfortunately we also all struggle with being lost spiritually. Thankfully, we have a God, that doesn't want his children to be lost, and he will do everything he can to find them! This week we discuss how we can follow the lead of Jesus and seek out those who are lost.
I feel like I am a decent co-worker. I can get along with most people. But at one of my past jobs, during the Christmas Holidays, I wasn't a very good one. At this company I worked in a department where everyone was so good at giving gifts. I on the other hand wasn't good at it in the least. It was probably a combination of me not thinking about giving gifts to those outside my family, and just being cheap. But the holidays would be awkward for me even if I was a good gift giver, because it was equally uncomfortable for me to receive gifts from someone outside of my family. Whenever I receive a gift from someone, it leaves me with the feeling that I know owe that person something, instead of just being grateful for what was given to me. This week we discussed Giving and Receiving. Both giving and receiving are incredibly important if we want to live the life Christ calls us to live.
Did you get to have birthday parties growing up? Birthday parties were always such a wonderful experience! You got to have Cake and Blue Bell Ice Cream; the only official ice cream acceptable for birthdays! 😉 Your friends get to come over and you get He-Man or Star Wars action figures as presents. This was an incredible celebration for me! Our God loves to celebrate! Our God wants us to get with our friends, family, and neighbors and to celebrate with Him. This week we discuss how we should throw a party in honor of Jesus!
Do you have any odd fears? I have a few! One of my stranger ones is something called Trypophobia, or the fear of clusters of holes! The American Psychiatric Association doesn't officially recognize this as a phobia, and it doesn't truly cause me to suffer in any way, but there is no doubt when I look at things like a lotus lily, I get an uncomfortable feeling within me. Fear has the ability to control us at times, and too often fear can keep us from fulfilling the great commandments of God. This week we talk about how we need to replace our fears of reaching out to our neighbors with trusting in God. When we can get past our fears, we can truly do great things for the Kingdom!
As an Aggie from Texas A&M University we were taught that Aggies never lose. We do however, get outscored (sometimes by a lot) and occasionally we just run out of time! Too often I have watched my team not do enough good, before we ran out of time. Such it is with our lives, we might have every intention to do good in this life, but we get consumed with so many other things that take up our time. The number one obstacle to following the greatest commandments from our God is TIME! It takes time to love our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and it definitely takes a lot of time to love our Neighbor as our self. This week we discuss prioritizing our time, so that we can follow these great commands of our Lord, and be a light to this world.
We don't always like how series finales of our favorite shows end. Often it wasn't what we were expecting to happen. I think this was the case with the show Seinfeld. Jerry and his friends ended up in jail for violating the "Good Samaritan" law. While this cast of actors was often very funny, the writers of the show created these characters to be totally self-absorbed. It really shouldn't have surprised us that eventually it would catch up to them. People have been pretty selfish since the beginning, that is why Jesus was able to show us how we should respond when we come by someone in need. The Good Samaritan story has shaped the lives of both Christians and the secular world for 2,000 years. This week we look into a great story told by the master teacher, and see how it can help us transform our own life.
What do you think when you hear the words "Some Assembly Required"? Typically this comes with a set of instructions that I may or may not follow. Sometimes I follow the instructions, but often I try to figure it out for myself. When I go rogue like this the end result isn't always the greatest. I remember one Christmas Eve I was assembling Barbie's Dream House and there was no way that elevator was making it to the 3rd floor! I had to disassemble the entire thing and follow the instructions, like I should have the first time. It was a late night! This week we discuss following the greatest commands of our Lord. The nice part about it is there are only 2 we need to follow, and if we do it correctly everything else in our life will fall right into place.
Have you ever been inspired by Reality TV? I used to watch a show called "Hoarders". While watching it would think, "I have got to get rid of this junk in my garage/shed/closet." My next thought would be, "Oh, I'll just do it later!" Or, sometimes when I would watch a show called "My 600-lb Life" I would think, "I have got to loose some weight", but then I would also think "I want a bowl of Blue Bell!" Inspiration should should be followed with action! This week we see how Jesus' disciples experience the most life changing event since the creation of the world, and still need a little help from their teacher before they get moved to action.
In 5th Grade my family took a vacation to Washington D.C. My father and I were waiting in a long line to go to the top of the Washington Monument when we see Marine 1, which we assumed was carrying President Reagan, flying overhead. My Dad said, "Go run as close as you can and get a picture!" He hands me the camera and I bolt off towards the White House South Lawn. I ran through the crowds and then there was nothing but an open green field between me and Marine 1! I was running as fast as I could as the helicopter was landing. All the sudden I hear the sound of the Calvary behind me. I heard someone yelling at me to stop, so I cooled my jets, and turned around to see the mounted police behind me. I guess for some reason they didn't want me to run up and meet the President! ;-) They told me I wasn't allowed to go that far, but they did graciously let me take some pictures from where I was. They told me it was actually Vice President Bush on the Helicopter along with the President of Italy. We probably all have had moments we wanted to get to someone, or somewhere special to us. This week we discuss a few foot races that change the course of human history as we know it. The race to the Empty Tomb should be a life changing experience for us all!
I have been a Dallas Maverick season ticket holder for 16 years. Unfortunately, yesterday my Mavs came up one game short. This year marks the 10 year anniversary of them winning their one and only Championship. I remember watching this momentous occasion on television, since they were playing in Miami. As the final buzzer sounded I remember watching my favorite player Dirk Nowitzki running off into the locker room with tears in his eyes knowing he finally reached the pinnacle of his career. Think about all the Life Changing Events that have happened in your life, events that changed everything about who you are. That is what we discussed this week in John Chapter 19. The event that didn't just change my life or your life, but the most monumental event in all of history that changed the eternity of all of humanity! This is the hour for which Christ came into this world.
Once Mike Brown, the owner of the Cincinnati Bengals, sat in my seat at a wedding reception. Since we share the same last name, he must have seen "Brown" and accidently took my table assignment. Luckily, there were two open seats at my table, so there wasn't really a conflict for space, but Mr. Brown unfortunately had to hear me brag about my Back-to-Back wins as a Fantasy Football General Manager. One person at this table was in charge of a real football team, and the other lived in a fantasy world. What is truth? This week we discuss a conversation between Jesus and Pilate, and how the real truth in this world is only found in Jesus Christ.
-- Lane Brown
I've got a bad habit. I don't like to answer the phone! So if you are a friend of mine and you are reading this you probably know I have denied your call at least a few times. I working on getting better at this, but it's not you it's me. I give equal opportunity when it comes to my phone call denials, so just know it probably has nothing to do with me avoiding you! This bad habit burned me once. I chose to deny one good friend's call, and they I was bamboozled. Another good friend called me a few minutes later, I ended up answering and the first friend I denied was on the line on a three way call. They busted me and my bad habits! It's doesn't feel good to be denied, especially by a friend. This is where we are in John 18. Jesus is both betrayed and denied by two people he has given the past few years of his life to. Join us as we put ourselves in the disciple's position, and see how we can learn to never deny our Lord.
I have finally come to terms with the fact that my dream of a Houston Oiler Super Bowl Championship will never come to pass. I thought we had a really good shot in 1993. I loved the Run and Shoot high scoring offense under coordinator Kevin Gilbride, and tough tough 46 Defense by Buddy Ryan. Both of these Coordinators had the same goal in mind...to win a Super Bowl. Unfortunately, they were not united as a team! It was such a disaster that Buddy got upset with Gilbride's call and punched him in the face in the middle of a game! If we are not united, it is almost always impossible for a group to ultimately achieve their goals. This week we will discuss what it means for Christian's to be united with our God and with each other.
A few years ago I purchased a 1982 Corvette. This is the last year of that classic stingray style. I love the look of that car. I always have! The issue with older cars is they often need to be worked on. Sometimes this can get pretty frustrating. I don't mind working on it, but I am not near as handy as I would like to be when it comes fixing a vehicle. I really need a helper if I am going to accomplish anything! That is how our life is, we are going to go through rough times here on this earth. Our God knows we will struggle, and that is why he sends us a "Helper". This week we discuss how the Holy Spirit is our Helper, our Guide, our Comforter, and our Counselor. While we might have struggles in this world, the Spirit of God helps us to know that Jesus has overcome the world!
In December I am returning to Orlando to participate in an "After Hours" event at Universal Studios. This is a really fun event open to a limited crowd, that gives attendees no wait rides, and all you can eat theme park food all included in a very reasonable ticket price. This event was created by a 17 year old about 5 years ago. He wanted to give folks an incredible experience in Orlando, and now when they sell tickets to this event they will sell out in just a few hours. Look at how much a motivated person can accomplish if they really want something done! Our God wants his people to be motivated. He wants us to be productive. He wants us to bear fruit for him. What we can offer this world is something incredible! They can have a life joy! They can experience the life that they were created to live with our God and Father. This week we continue our discussion about the vine and the branches, and how we can bear fruit for our Lord.
Are you having a bad day? A few years ago when I lived in Dallas I would take the Dart Light Rail to work downtown. I left my wallet with my dart pass at home one morning and didn't realize it until the Dart Cop started asking us for tickets. I was kicked off the train and written a ticket, for no Dart Pass, the crazy thing is not only did I have a Dart Pass at home, at my work it was my job to give out Dart Passes out to everyone in the company! After waiting for the Dart Cop to leave the station I then had to sneak back onto the next train and avoid the ticket checking police until I got to downtown. With my wallet at home I spent my lunch break hungry, and too proud to borrow a few bucks from my co-workers. I was hangry when it was finally time to go back home, but I realized I was going to have to sneak back on the train. Multiple times I would see the ticket taking police get on the train, so I would get off it right before they could ticket me. Unfortunately, I wasn't sneaky enough so I was given a ticket again...even though I actually had a Dart Pass...just not with me. It took a long time, but eventually I made it home, and quickly had dinner! This was a bad day, but I am sure you have experienced worse than this. When we are going through tough times, Jesus wants us to know he is here to comfort us. This week we discuss how Jesus doesn't want our hearts to be troubled when we go through rough patches in life.
I have always thought feet were pretty gross. I don't care to look at others feet, I really don't want to touch others feet. Feet are dirty, they are smelly! We used to have a glass breakfast table where you could see everyone's feet. Dirty feet and breakfast don't go well together! Jesus also wanted clean feet at the dinner table. This week we will see how Jesus takes on the role of a servant to wash his disciples feet, and the beautiful thing is he continues to serve us and wash us today!
2:32 was the time my High School let out. I couldn't wait for the bell to ring at 2:32 every day! The hour finally came on December 16, 2000 I was finally able to walk across that stage and get my diploma from Texas A&M University. And most importantly at 4 O'clock on December 18, 1999 I was able to marry the love of my life. We like when what we are waiting for finally comes, and in this lesson we will discuss how Jesus' hour to be glorified was finally here. The hour that was planned before the world was even created. It wasn't going to be easy, but this was the whole reason he came to this earth.
A while back in Kilgore, an Oversized truck decided to take out the pedestrian bridge by the college. Since it is expensive to replace the bridge, the city decided to just put a crosswalk with a crosswalk red light. No one understands how this light works! When red people stop, when flashing red people stay stopped, even if no pedestrian is in the crosswalk. People don’t know what to do, so they stay stopped when everyone else is stopped. Until they see me! I drive up to the flashing red, stop, look both ways for a pedestrian, and then proceed with caution. This blows the minds of those who have been waiting! They never knew they could proceed with caution if it’s flashing red and no pedestrian is in the crosswalk, they just waited with the herd of sheep. It’s always good to have a leader show us how to navigate through life, and in this lesson, we will talk about the Good Shepherd, and how he leads us to a full, abundant, and eternal life.
Think twice before you decide to annoy your older brother! I made that mistake many years ago. My brother was trying to do homework in his room, and I guess I was bored so I kept going in there to bother him. He told me to leave multiple times, but sometimes I just don’t listen. That’s when he took his pencil and threw it at me. It hit me right in the eye! I thought I was going to be blind forever! I was scared! Darkness is frightening! My parents took me to the emergency room, and I had to wear a patch for a few days, but I was going to be fine. No one wants to live I a world of darkness, and thankfully we have a God that wants to give us true sight in this dark world.
One of the things I like most about my bedroom is there is no window. I am not sure how the builders got that past code, since I think bedrooms should have to have a window in case of a fire, but maybe they found a loop hole because an office with a window is connected on one side and a bathroom with a window is connected to the room on the other side. I love no window, because it means it can get really dark at any time of day in my room. A dark room makes for good naps, but darkness can also create hazards. (My wife has a lot of shoes!) When I get up in the middle of the night, the light from my phone helps guide my steps, so I don't trip and fall. We live in a dark world! We have a lot of struggles and hazards. Thankfully, Jesus is the light that will guide our steps!
The most thirsty I have ever been was while working down in Mexico. We were on a mission trip in Monterrey, and we were pouring concrete for the roof of a Church Building. We formed an assembly line and poured the concrete one bucket at a time. For hours I stood on some scaffolding passing a bucket up to the roof. It was Mexico in the summer and I was thirsty, occasionally people would bring us bottles of water, but it wasn't enough to quench my thirst. That is how our life is, the things of this world will never satisfy us, but Jesus will quench our thirst! This week we discuss drinking from Jesus!
My most successful diets have been when I would cut carbs. This is a hard diet to keep! I love bread! The problem is bread seems to stick with you if you have too much of it. Trust me I know! The interesting thing is Jesus refers to himself as the Bread of Life. If we consume a life in Jesus, it will stick with us! A diet of living like Christ will transform your life, but unlike too much bread it will change you for the better. This week we discuss how Jesus calls for us to consume a life with him. It is a radical teaching, but definitely one that will change your life for the better.
How long does it take for you to go see a doctor? Sometimes we don't want to spend the money, sometimes we are scared of what they will say about our health. Often people wait too long! Do we do that with our spiritual health as well? Jesus, the great physician wants us to come to him when we are struggling in our sickness of sin. This week we will discuss how the grace of Jesus seeks out those who are sick with sin and encourages us to live a healthy life in Him.
I bought a car this past week, but I wasn't able to pick it until two days later. My bank had to wire the money to bank of the seller, but he didn't want to give me to car until he could SEE the money in his bank. He wanted to know the money was really there. It was understandable, the seller didn't know me, why should he trust someone he didn't know? So many struggle with their belief of our God, because he even describes himself as an "Invisible God". It's hard to believe in something you can't SEE. But just because we can't see our God, doesn't mean we can't see how he is actively working in and changing our lives! Get to know who Jesus is, read about him in his Holy Word. I think just like in this lesson of the Woman at the Well you will see that Jesus sees you and knows you, and wants to offer you a better life here, and an eternal life in Heaven.
I love my Hot Tub, but it frustrates me that the manufacturers make the maximum temperature 104 degrees. I should be allowed to burn myself if I want! ;-) This week it rained quite a bit, and filled my pool to its max capacity. When the water gets too high in the pool, it starts to creep in the Hot Tub, but I found a solution for that. I plug up the the spillover with my back. The only issue with is that about every 30 seconds my back gets splashed with 48 degree water from the pool. What was supposed to be a nice relaxing experience all the sudden has become very unpleasant. Part of my body is nice and warm and the other half is bitter cold! In the 1980's McDonalds came out with a burger called the McDLT. It was packaged so they could keep the hot side of your burger hot and the cold side of your burger cold, because no one likes wilted lettuce on their burger! So many of us live our lives with a foot in one world and the other foot in another. Jesus is calling us to come into Light with him, but its hard for us to leave the shadows of the darkness, so we don't fully commit our lives to Him. He offers us eternal life, but we choose to live in our own earthly kingdom that will soon fade away. In this lesson we will discuss how we need to quit holding onto this dark world and fully commit to the Kingdom of God.
I have always enjoyed watching a good party trick. When I was a kid I had an older cousin who could "cut off his thumb" and then suddenly make it reappear! Jesus once did an amazing party trick. He took 150 gallons of regular water and turned it into wine! It was incredible, but it wasn't really a magic trick. Not only was Jesus trying to help save the reputation of the host at the Wedding Celebration after they had run out of wine, he was showing us a sign that pointed to his glory! In this lesson we get to see deeper meaning of John's gospel, as he re-tells the 1st miraculous sign of the Son of God.
In 2003 I read my first Harry Potter book. I was hooked, as soon as I could, I read the next 4, and then eagerly awaited the release of each book that followed. In 2011 the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in Orlando. I couldn't wait to go! I've been at least 5 times. I love how the places and foods of this fantasy novel just come to life at "Harry Potter Land". How incredible is it to become part of a really good story? The Gospel of John, shows us that this once happened, but it wasn't just a fantasy! Our Lord and Creator, came down from heaven and entered this world. "The Word became Flesh"! In this lesson we get to talk about how amazing it is that our God loves us so much, he was willing to leave the splendor of Heaven, to not only be with his creation, but to feel what we feel, to experience our pain, to show us how to love like he does, and to give his life for us so that we can live with him eternally.
Are you a day dreamer? I always have been. Many times I would spend 2 hours of after school detention (I was must have been framed!) just looking a Bass Pro magazine and thinking of what incredible party boat I would own one day. I am still waiting on that boat by the way! ;-) I like to think of what it will be like when we can finally pay off our home mortgage. I like to wonder what I will do with all that extra cash without a house payment. As we move into 2021, many of us are day dreaming about this being a better year, several of us are planning how we can make ourselves or our lives better this year. But where is God in all your planning and dreaming? In this lesson we will talk about keeping God in all of our 2021 plans and dreams.
A little bit of sadness always seems to set in this time of year. As the tree gets undecorated and the lights get taken down, the hope and joy of Christmas often seems to fade as well. But Christ never wants us to lose our joy, he never wants us to lose our hope. To us a Savior was born, a gift from our Creator, and even more fantastic is our Savior Lives! Jesus wants us to live as well, not as unhappy followers of his, but to live this life with joy, with hope, and with peace! I pray as we move into 2021 you and your loved one's get to experience the Joy and Hope that is in our Lord.
In college I took a road trip to Luckenbach, TX. As we were pulling out of the parking lot to go back home one of the Luckenbach natives told my group of friends to "Drive Hard and Take Chances"! That phrase always stuck out to me. Are your a risk taker in life? What are you willing to take a risk for? This week we will discuss that being a follower of Jesus sometimes means we must take a few risks.
No one truly enjoys pain. Suffering isn't something typically want to experience, but Paul tells us in scripture that he wants to experience the cross of Jesus. This week we will discuss how to truly know Christ, we have to experience his pain and suffering, but the end result will be a richer fuller life.
'Tis the Season! It's time to start decorating your homes, putting up your Christmas lights, and showing the neighborhood your Christmas Spirit. Maybe everyone isn't into decorating for the holidays, but all of God's children should find ways to let our "Light" shine before man! Today we are going to discuss how we should "Deck the Halls" of our Soul to show Glory to God.
Do you choose to spend this life complaining about what you don't have? Or, are you so thankful with your blessings that you want to bless others with what you do have? If you want to experience a life of joy and happiness, you should bless others through encouragement, acceptance, and service.
Are we really expected to be thankful this November after all we have been through in 2020? This world is a mess and and we are in the middle of it! We have cried out to God, but we don't know what he is doing! This week we get a little insight on how God responds to us when we are in the middle of life's struggles.
Have you ever wondered why you struggle growing in your faith? Do you ever wonder why a lightbulb won't just turn on and you could easily leave your old sinful life behind? A transformation can happen to you, but it takes time and effort. This week we will talk about Paul's transformation from the "Worst of Sinners" to the "Greatest Missionary" and how this transition didn't just happen overnight.
God doesn't want his people to be like everyone else. He wants us to be different, strange, peculiar...but in a good way! In the midst of all the political turmoil of this world, this lesson will remind us that as God's people our citizenship is in Heaven.
Last week I was able to spend a few nights with some close friends. We were created to have close connections with others. With these friendships we should enjoy life together, we can also use the connections to grow closer in our faith to Jesus Christ. Do you have one or two folks in your life that will help you flourish in your faith? This week we talk about following Christ's example, and how he poured his life into a few close friends, to help them grow in their relationship with our God.
We were created for community! Jesus surrounded himself with a small group of disciples. They grew close to one another, they supported each other, and they challenged each other to live better, more Godly lives. Do you have a group like this in your life? In this lesson we will see how Jesus used a small group to help us grow in our faith.
"Party Jesus" - That doesn't sound right! It sounds sacrilegious. It sounds like something they would come up with at the dinner table in "Talladega Nights". But if you read the scriptures Jesus was the center of many parties! As a matter of fact when some of Jesus' disciples followed him the first thing they did was throw a party for Jesus, and the attendants were not the "Churchy" type of people you would expect to be there. Join us in this lesson as we discuss the social and missional aspects of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes imitation can be difficult! My daughter wanted me to do a line dance with her, so we tried to follow the YouTube instructor. It wasn't pretty! But if I continued to imitate the instructor, and put it into practice, eventually I will produce something close to the routine shown on YouTube. We are called to follow Christ's teachings and examples. One of the great examples he shows us is how we are to come together for congregational worship. In this lesson we will talk about how we can follow Jesus' teachings when we come together in Worship on Sunday Mornings.
"Oh Mercy!" It's not just a catchphrase from Uncle Jesse in Full House. It's something we have been given, and because of it we get to decide how we will react when great things have been done for us.
It takes several ingredients to make a great cake. If you leave any of those important ingredients out, you might not have anything worth eating. The same holds true with making followers of Christ. In this lesson we will listen to Jesus' key ingredients for making great disciples.
It can be hard to grow up with siblings, especially when they have treated you unfairly! But as we get older people do more than just eat all the Cheetos out of the pantry. Sometimes people hurt us deeply! Maybe it was a sibling, close friend, or co-worker who did you wrong. Can you forgive them for what they have done?
I am excited for this week. The NBA playoffs start this week, and I am reminded of all the times I have watched my team either climb to the pinnacle, or take an early exit. When great things happen to an individual or a team an entire city can be transformed. In this lesson we will talk about the rise of an NBA team, but more importantly we will discuss how Jesus Christ of Nazareth has come into this world to save us and make us victorious. When we realize that, how could we not tell others this incredible news?
Have you ever had an annoying neighbor? Thankfully, I have been blessed with great neighbors most of my life. In this lesson we will talk about bothersome neighbors, how the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and how God is so incredible he will give us good gifts when we pray to him.
What talent do you wish you had? Have you ever been interested in taking a "Master Class" to improve your cooking, business, or artistic skills? What about a Master Class that can fully change your life path for the better? In this lesson we will see how Jesus gave the Master Class on our prayer life, and how we can use this skill to improve our past, present and future.
Are you reliable? When the Spirit of God calls you will you answer that call? Listen to this story of how Philip was always willing to go where the Spirit was leading him.
Jesus commissioned us to be witnesses of his. He calls us to go tell the Good News to our neighborhood, our city, our region, and also some places where we might neglect because of our biases.
Tests can be hard. The long hours in studying for them, the stress you get while you are in them, the fear you have if you don't pass them, but when we have passed the test we feel freedom, we feel pride. The good news when testing our faith is the Spirit goes with us into the test. God doesn't want us to fail and so he makes sure we are not alone.
What did God create you do? Join us this week as we see how Jesus was willing to answer the Spirit's call for his life, and how we too can follow in the Footsteps of Jesus so that we can answer the Spirit's call.
When you truly repent from your sins your life will produce the kind of fruit Holy and pleasing to God. In this lesson we will take a look at why the people came to listen to John the Baptist's powerful message on repentance and Baptism.
Has the Holy Spirit ever made you leap? The Spirit calls us to move for his glory! Are you ready to answer the Spirits call?
When life seems to be spinning out of control, look to Jesus Christ to give you peace and order.
Aren't you glad someone was willing to tell you the good news of eternal life? Do you realize at one point you were an outsider to the Christian faith?Are you willing to take the message of Jesus Christ to those that might be different than you?
A lesson review for Lane's lesson "Sent Out" a challenge for all Christians to go out and spread the Good News of Christ, and for Jody's Lesson "People Problems: Dealing With Conflict" and how Jesus instructs us to deal with those who have hurt us.
Do you think people are looking for a better life? Jesus certainly thinks so. Check out your role in helping those around you have a better life in Jesus Christ.
A review of Lane Brown's sermon the triumphal entry and Jody Garner's sermon I have called you friends.