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WRONG ENEMY

1. Sin is deceptive. We tell ourselves our sins are not that big of a deal. We may know we need to work on areas of our lives that are not perfect, but we justify and compare ourselves to others. “At least I am not as bad as (fill in the blank).” Peter tells us that our sinful desires are at war with our soul. Sin is something that can be swept under the rug in our life. Sin in our lives is violence against our peace and our holiness. We must take it seriously and train ourselves to practice a life of growth and victory over sin in our lives. What areas of sin have I overlooked in my life? Is there sin I am just ok with?

   1. “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires.” – Romans 6:12

   2. Christians have a reputation. Many see the church as an antiquated, hateful organization that seeks to oppress people. Others see us as hopefully out of step with society. Peter urges us to live such good lives that the world will glorify God because of us. We have the responsibility and opportunity to reflect the goodness of God to a broken world. We are God’s ambassadors to the broken and his light in the darkness. This is no small job. We are ministers of the gospel everywhere we go. When we go to lunch after church, the servers know we came from church. When we drive down 27 with our Beloved sticker, people see it and it informs their idea of who we are. If we knew the world was looking at us, how would our lives change? Are there tangible things I can do to reflect the goodness of God?

   3. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

   4. We are called to submit to authority. As hard as it may seem to submit to a president or governor that we may not agree with, there is a bigger purpose behind our submission. Verse 15 tells us that by submitting and doing good, we can silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. We cannot argue with foolishness. We cannot reason with the ignorant. We can’t explain the spiritual to those outside of the faith. We can, however, live in such a way that they see that we are different. What does it look like practically to submit to human authorities? When does our heavenly citizenship mean we must stand against evil human authority?

   5. “Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.” – Mark 12:17

For Further Study:
Read Luke 5:1-25. Jesus did amazing things in his ministry. As you read this passage, ask yourself what Jesus was trying to accomplish by these miracles. How did people react?

For Prayer:
Pray for local Clermont and Lake county churches. We serve the same God and want to see the kingdom grow.

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GROWING & BUILDING

1. Peter tells us we are to rid ourselves of a lot of bad qualities. We are not to be people of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander. In a recent survey of young Americans who have left the church, the number one reason for leaving was perceived hypocrisy by older believers. We have been saved from a life of sin by the work of the cross, but we have a responsibility to grow in holiness and obedience, leaving behind our old patterns and habits. This is not a matter of “magic moments” that instantly cure us of malady, but a continuous pattern of walking in the Spirit and obeying God. Do I have these sins in my life? How do I identify sin and work to remove it from my life?

   1. “I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice,” – Proverbs 8:20

   2. Verse 6 quotes Isaiah 28. God promised that he would set the foundation of Israel’s life and future. Jesus was the fulfillment of this prophecy. In Isaiah 28:17, we read that justice is the measuring line and righteousness the mason’s level. How do you know your foundation is good and right? You check the measuring line and make sure it’s level. For Israel, and for us, we can check our lives against Jesus, our cornerstone. When we trace our life, do we find justice? When we examine what sets our central values and beliefs, do we find righteousness? We must continually check our lives against a reference. If we stray from our foundation, we build a life based on injustice and half- truths. How can we measure our lives? Is there a way to determine what our lives are built on?

   3. “So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” – Colossians 2:6-7

   4. We come to the great promise of 1 Peter 2:9. We are chosen, holy, a priesthood. The priesthood of the Old Testament was intended to minister and lead the people of Israel, serving only God. We are to do the same. We are called to proclaim the praises of God, remembering that we are no longer in darkness. As a new people whose King is God we are beacons of hope to a dark world. We should be a partisan people for the work of Jesus. Our priority and passions should be for Jesus and his glory. What takes my focus from the Lord? What keeps me from being a beacon of light for the King?

   5. “He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” -Ephesians 1:20-21

For Further Study:
Read Isaiah 42:1-13. This beautiful prophecy speaks of Christ and God’s provision for his people.

For Prayer:
Pray for the people of Clermont that do not know him. Did you know that Clermont has grown 16% since 2020 and has nearly doubled in the last decade? God has brought many new people to our neighborhoods. How can we be a light to them?

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HOPE FULLY SET

1. Our salvation is based only on the power and work of Christ. We did nothing to earn our salvation, but we do have a responsibility to walk righteously and in obedience. Verses 13-15 tell us how we can live in light of our salvation. We are to live soberly and alert to our evil desires, hoping only in Christ and his return. We are to be holy, set apart for the work of God. How is this kind of life different from a life trying to “earn” the favor of God? What concrete steps can I take to live in holiness? Am I hoping in God or the world?

   1. “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:5

   2. Our salvation is precious. Although it is freely offered to us, the cost was more than we can understand. The son of God gave his life to free us from the penalty of our sin. Not only did he do this willingly, but was chosen before the world was created for this. Take a minute and meditate on this truth: Jesus was chosen to give his life for us before the earth was formed. We were in the mind and plan of God from creation. When he spoke the world into existence, he already had a plan to redeem his people. Before Adam was formed from clay, he knew that Jesus would have his side pierced for our transgressions. How should I live in light of this truth? How can I thank God for his plan and provision?

   3. “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” – Psalm 139:16

   4. Peter’s call for the church is to love one another deeply. We all know that our lives are short and our glory fades, but our testimony of love for each other speaks to the glory of God. How wonderful that God would plan before creation to redeem for himself a people who would love each other deeply! We love each other because, although this life will end, we will endure together forever in the presence of the Lord. How can I love my brother and sister in Christ? What does loving the people of God look like?

   5. “Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God.” – Revelation 21:3

For Further Study:
Read 1 John 3. If we want to know how to love, 1 John 3 is vital instruction for this.

For Prayer:
Pray for Our global missions partners as they continue to share the gospel around the world.

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IF NECESSARY

1. Peter walked with Jesus. He spent as much time with the Lord as anyone in his circle. He betrayed Jesus and was received back into a loving relationship. He knew the mercy of God in an intimate way and it informed his life and teachings. After his introduction, Peter pivots to praising the Lord. He tells us that we have been given a new birth because of God’s great mercy. We take advantage that we understand the “Christianese” of new birth and salvation, but what does this really mean? Imagine that you were a 1st century person hearing that you were going be given a new birth. How can this happen? Much like Nicodemus and Jesus, there must have been a lot of confusion around this. We are born again if we are in Christ. Who we were is no more. We still may have remnants of our old selves that cling to us, but we are not the same. We are not simply better versions of our old selves, we are different people, changed by the mercy of God and the power of the gospel. What does a new life look like? How can I live out the truth of my rebirth?
   • “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
2. The proven character of our faith is more valuable than gold. What does this mean? Trials illuminate who we are. If we are people of faith, the trials reveal what our faith looks like. We can point to the work of the Holy Spirit in our life when we have come through difficult times centered on God. We must see great worth of our faith. It is not meaningless or trivial. The gospel is the most important thing in our lives. Our
   relationship with God should be the foundational building block of our lives. When all else is gone, our savior will remain, seated on his throne and advocating for us. What is the most valuable thing to me? Is my life built on Jesus? When hard times come, where is my hope centered?
   • “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of
     the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable
     than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey
     dripping from a honeycomb. Psalm 19:9-10
3. It is easy to think of the Old Testament as ancient history. We read the prophetic books out of obligation, thinking they don’t have much to do with us. Peter tells us that these books and their promises were intended for us. These prophets asked the Lord when they would see the fulfillment of their prophecies and they were shown that it would be for the service of believers hundreds of years into the future for them. What grace, that God would choose to use prophets in Israel in a time long ago to inform our lives today? Our lives are important in the eyes of God. We are not ants, insignificant and unworthy. God loves us and has prepared a way for us to know him over hundreds of years. When I read prophetic books in the Bible, how can I see God’s plan and provision for his people? Do I understand my place in God’s long view of history and the world?
   • “Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has removed your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you; you need no longer fear harm.” – Zephaniah 3:14-15

For further study:
Read Ephesians 2:1-10. The work of the Lord in our salvation is incredible. Read how Paul tells us our new life has been brought about by the Lord.

Prayer focus for the week:
Pray for unity in the church as we step into a very turbulent partisan moment in our nation.

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BE ON MISSION

1. “What does it look like to live in biblical community together? Acts 2 gives us a wonderful picture of a family of believers experiencing life together. Verse 42 speaks about their devotion to teaching, fellowship, shared meals and prayer. This group learned about God, laughed together about shared joy, and prayed together for God’s favor. The picture is one of a vital interactive relationship. This is not a once-a-week drudgery, but a way of life that includes others. Church was not an afterthought, it was the norm. Am I involved in a community of believers? Is it abnormal for me to gather with others or is it weird for me not to see them? Am I devoted to learning, fellowship and prayer?
   • “Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.” – Romans 12:10
2. Acts 2:46 tells us the believers met together every day. This may seem extreme to us, but the truth is that you cannot build relationships without time and repetition.
   Engaging in frequent relationship-building activities builds a foundation of love and
   support. It also allows us to get past initial impressions and grow deeper in our
   understanding of each other. Once-a-month contact is not a realistic means of building deep relationships. This kind of commitment does require sacrifice. We must choose to prioritize relationships over other time commitments. Do I regularly commit time to my community of believers outside Sunday morning? Are there external time commitments that I should remove in order to more fully develop relationships in my biblical community?
   • “Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.” – Colossians 4:5
3. God blessed this church, and we see the results in Acts 2:47. The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. One of the hallmarks of a healthy community is growth. The world is desperate for genuine connection. People are isolated and lonely. As we practice genuine community, we create a space for others to be welcomed into the family of God. We must remember to remain open and practice hospitality to newcomers, welcoming growth. We should also seek those who are “lone wolves,” and invite them in. We should long to see new believers stepping in to community for love and support. Do I desire my community to grow or am I happy with the status quo? Am I actively looking for others outside community and inviting them in? Do I pray for God to move and save others?
   • “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

For further study:
Read Acts 2:42-47. What does the church in Acts look like in today’s culture? How does it compare to modern church practices?

Prayer focus for the week:
Pray that God would work in the hearts of the people of Clermont, Groveland and Minneola. Pray for many to come to Christ this week.

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1. “Love” is an overused and misunderstood word in modern English. We say we love a certain fast-food restaurant, a puppy, and our family all using the same word. Love is not affection, attraction or butterflies in our stomachs. “Like” is a warm feeling and “lust” is a strong emotional or physical craving. If we want to understand how to accept love and return love to others, we must grasp what defines love. The source of love is not our emotional well, but God. Love is a series of intentional decisions to put the needs of others over our own needs or desires. Love is expressed through action, not feelings. When we say we are loved by God, what we are really saying is that God, the source of love, chose to show us grace and mercy in spite of our rebelliousness. His affection for us is not due to our own actions, but his decision to love us. We are not loved because we are good, we are made good through the love of the Father. What is love to me? Do I think of love as an emotional response? How does God love us?
   • “Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” – 1 John 4:7
2. To love someone means that you desire what is best for that person. A vital part of a loving relationship is truth. It is not love to let a child touch the hot stove just because they want to do it. In the same way, God desires shows us love by giving us guidelines for healthy lives and relationships. We also love each other by helping each other grow in the faith, practicing gentle correction and humble repentance. We long to be more like Christ and see our brothers and sisters in Christ grow in their faith. To be loved means that someone is watching out for you, knowing they are committed to your good. Do I think I am being mean when I correct someone? Am I willing to accept loving discipline? Does anyone know me well enough to see when I am going in a wrong direction?
   • “And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works,” – Hebrews 10:24
3. The first fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians is love. The rest of the fruit show us what love looks like. We are to display joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These things all come out of a connection to God and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. If we have any hope of being loving people, we must remain in relationship with God. Without him, we devolve into self-centered people who work to meet our own needs instead of resting in the goodness of God and his provision. A church full of people who are connected to Christ and practice biblical love to each other reflects Christ to the world. Am I connected to Christ in an ongoing relationship? Do I ask the Spirit to display his fruit in my life? Do I show my church, family and community gracious love, empowered by the work of the gospel?
   • “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” – Galatians 5:22-23

For further study:

Read 1 Corinthians 13. We hear this passage at weddings, but this type of love goes far beyond the romantic love we see in movies. What would our lives look like if we practiced this kind of love with each other?

Prayer focus for the week:

Pray for Rich and Wendy Jacobs as Rich faces a difficult surgery today.

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BE KNOWN

1. Intimacy is a misunderstood word in modern culture. Authentic intimacy is being known without barriers. In the garden of Eden, God walked with Adam and Eve. They were naked and unashamed. When they sinned, they hid behind bushes, thinking God would not see them. Even in their sin God made provision for their protection. In our sin, we hide ourselves from God as well. We are afraid of what God would think of us, “if he really knew us.” What we need to understand is that God knows us and still loves us. We are known by God and accepted because of Christ’s work on our behalf. Am I “hiding” from God? How can I thank God for loving me even though I have sinned?
   • “LORD, you have searched me and known me.” – Psalm 139:1
2. For us to be known by others, we must be willing to drop our own walls and let others in. We can find ourselves separated from communion with others by work, school, activities and kids. All of these things can be wonderful expressions of God’s gifts to us, but can also become convenient excuses to remain apart. You cannot be known if you are not present. Relationships cannot be forced and require time and commitment. Are there things in my life I need to reprioritize in order to develop deeper relationships with those in the church? Am I part of a consistent small group of believers that seek to grow closer?
   • “So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.” – Romans 12:26-27
3. We are called to be light and salt to the world. Our mission is to reach into the dark places with the light of the gospel and show those apart from God a new life in Him. We cannot do this isolated in our homes and churches. We must seek to know those we come in contact with in our neighborhoods, communities,
   workplaces and schools. When we step into these unchurched places, we reflect the love of God. When we are seen by those in the world, they should see the love we have for each other and for them. Judgment is reserved for the Lord. We cannot expect those who don’t know Christ to act like Christians. In the same
   way we are loved by God, we should show love to everyone we can. Who needs to see the love of Christ through me today? How is my attitude towards non-believers?
   • “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

For further study:
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. This “love” passage should guide our interactions with each other. As we get to know each other, love should be the defining trait.

Prayer focus for the week:
Pray for children heading back to school today and the teachers that serve them.

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BELONG

1. We as humans are hardwired to belong to something. We want to be a part of families, teams, friend groups and workplaces. It feels terrible to be around a group of people and not be included. Sometimes this desire to belong motivates us to change ourselves to “fit in”. Through our actions, dress, language or values, we subtly allow for others to guide our lives. We must come to terms that we are different from the world. We cannot belong to a world that has different values than we do. It is not a simple matter of not agreeing on a divisive topic. If we believe that God is God and Jesus has redeemed us, that is in direct conflict with the world. If we desire to be one with the world, we cannot be one with Christ. It is impossible to belong to both God and the world. Who am I serving? Is a desire to belong to the world impacting my relationship with God?
   • “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” – 1 John 2:15
2. If we are followers of Christ, we belong to Him. In the world, we constantly face the challenge of being good enough, trying hard enough, wearing the right clothes, driving the right cars, and living in the right school districts. When we are called by God into his family, all of these pressures no longer matter. We are no longer slaves to the world, but accepted, loved children of God. We can have peace. We are fully accepted because of the work of Jesus on the cross. We are his, and can rest in this knowledge and truth. No group of people can ever give us the sense of belonging that we have with the Father. How can I thank God for his acceptance of me? Do I belong to God?
   • “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” – Ephesians 2:13
3. Our adoption into the family of God gives us access to a new kind of belonging. In the church, we find a group of people who share our spiritual heritage and unity with Christ. Like a reunion of shipwreck survivors, we remember our lives without Christ and come together to celebrate the glorious salvation we experienced. No other fraternity on earth can compare to this. We know that we are united with Christ and each other, looking forward to an eternity together, worshipping God and experiencing him. This is the foundation of the church. Beloved does not exist as a social experiment or political force, but as a home base to call rescued sinners home. The church is a place where every person who knows Christ can come and find rest, acceptance and brotherhood. What is the church? How does it differ from the clubs and groups in our culture? What can I do to build a place of unity and belonging?
   • “So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.” – Ephesians 2:19-20

For further study:
Read Acts 2:42-47. The cultural context may be different, but read about the early church and how they lived together. Ask yourself what we can do to grow in the way the first church did.

Prayer focus for the week:
Pray for those in our community who have left the church. Pray that God would call them home to his body for reconciliation and recovery.

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FAMILY DYNAMICS: HUSBANDS AND WIVES

HUSBANDS & WIVES

1. Very few passages have been more debated and misused than this passage. We want to handle the roles and relationships defined with care while accurately sharing truth. Ephesians 5:21 sets the tone for Christian relationships in marriage. We are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. To do this, we must first have a relationship with Christ. We must understand that our lives, and our marriages, exist to glorify God and make him known. The primary purpose of marriage is not to make our lives happier. Marriage is a wonderful source of intimacy, joy, companionship and love, but without a mutual submission to Christ, marriage misses the mark. How can we submit to Christ together as believers in marriage? Is my marriage focused first on Christ or on myself?
   • “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in relation to the law through the body of Christ so that you may belong to another. You belong to him who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.” – Romans 7:4
2. Reversing the order of the verses, we will look at how husbands should live in light of the gospel. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Jesus had the right to hold all of creation to account. All things were created for him and by him. Yet he chose to humble himself sacrificially, giving his life for his bride, the church. This should define the leadership of the husband in the home. Husbands should love gently, bearing the responsibility for following Christ and guiding the home in devotion to God. Sacrificial leadership should lead others to Christ, not puff up the husband. How can husbands view leadership through the lens of Christ’s sacrifice? How can husbands love their wives more than themselves?
   • “It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:26-28
3. Submission can be treated as the “dirty word” in the passage. This ignores the beauty of Jesus’ example. Although co-equal with God, Jesus chose to live in submission to the father. Throughout the gospels we read that Jesus came to do “the will of the Father.” In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, “not my will, but yours, be done.” Husbands have been given the responsibility of headship and all of the accountability that goes along with that role, and wives have been called to submission. Both husbands and wives have also been called to submit to the Lord first, which should both enable godly, sacrificial leadership and loving submission. Apart from a relationship with Christ, this dynamic does not work. It makes no sense for non-believing marriages. If Christ is the foundation of our marriage, what example did he set? How does Christ’s submission to his Father change the way I view submission?
   • “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.” – Philippians 2:5-6

For further study:
Read Philippians 2:1-18. Look at the example that Jesus set for us. How can our marriage reflect this example to each other and to the world?

Prayer focus for the week:
Pray for Anthony and Katy Smith in Japan. They are hosting a Joy English club VBS at their church in Tachikawa. This is a great community outreach for the Japanese people.

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THE CURRENCY OF THE KINGDOM

Matthew 20:1-16

1. Our insecurities often make it dangerous to compare ourselves to others and our pride often makes it dangerous to compare others to ourselves. As a result, so much of what makes comparison dangerous is the way we view both ourselves and others. What insecurities most often arise when you engage with others? Alternately, what forms of pride tend to well up?
   • “For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.” – Romans 12:3, CSB
2. “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Jesus made this statement and then told the parable of the vineyard workers laboring for different lengths of time and receiving the same pay at the end of the day. Those that worked the whole day were upset that they had been made to be equal even with those that worked only an hour. Do you also struggle with a sense of injustice when you witness what you or others receive in comparison to what you believe is earned or deserved? Grace is undeserved favor, and it is “by grace through faith” that we are saved and enter the kingdom of heaven. What is it that makes grace seem so unnatural or hard both to receive and give?
   • “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9, CSB
3. The parable teaches us that grace is the currency of the kingdom of heaven. We are all undeserving of God’s love and forgiveness, but He gives it to us in grace. Seeing the grace given to us frees us from the tendency to grow bitter or resentful when we compare ourselves to others. We must see it personally! As you reflect on your life, how are you struck personally by the grace of God for you?
   • “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’” – 2 Corinthians 12:9, CSB

For further study:
Read Philippians 2:3 and consider how humility leads us into healthy comparison.

Prayer focus for the week:
Pray for consistent joy and endurance for those who serve in and through the church’s various ministries.

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THE DISCIPLINE OF CELEBRATION This past weekend was the annual celebration of Easter, the day we commemorate the historic resurrection of Jesus. How did that celebration go for you? After a restless Saturday night I got out of bed unsure of the mixed feelings I was experiencing. You should know that I am the default …

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Read Acts 23:12 – 25:22. Having just been encouraged by the Lord and assured that he would testify in Rome just like in Jerusalem, Paul’s experience as a prisoner spun seemingly out of control. After multiple conspiracies to kill him, an incredible escape under cover of night and hundreds of armed soldiers, making multiple defenses …

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Read Acts 21:15-25. Have you ever been the victim of a false rumor? Even the thought of others spreading something false about us can cause our anxiety to rise. We don’t want people to believe something bad about us! Especially if it isn’t true. We care what others think about us, and that is not …

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Read Acts 19:11-20 Have you ever done something a little more adventurous that you should have known better than to try? Do you ever wonder who the person was and what they did in order for specific content to be covered in the company safety video? I have seen some interesting stuff in my life. …

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Read Acts 19:1-10. Have you ever had a misunderstanding about where you were going? Perhaps you felt you were on the right path only to realize that you had completely missed the mark. I think back to a time when I was in seminary and my roommate needed me to pick him up from the …

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Read Acts 18. What comes to mind when you think of a person’s legacy? Perhaps it is a series of accomplishments. As an avid fan of college football, I quickly recall seeing how accomplishments go a long way into defining the legacy a person leaves in this realm of life. Maybe a person’s character is …

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Download MP3 “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. …

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Read Acts 15:35-16:10. If you had to name the greatest duo of all time, who would it be? This is a question that transcends genres. Many of us remember athletes that played together and accomplished great things: Shaq and Kobe, Stockton and Malone, Jordan and Pippen, Magic and Kareem, Montana and Rice, etc. Many actors …

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Read Acts 13:13-52 Have you ever had something start off by going so well and then suddenly everything was awful? Maybe you’re like me and you’ve got some incredibly awkward first date stories. Perhaps you received a promotion or got a new job and after a couple of weeks you just felt overwhelmed. You could …

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The below exegesis is on 1 John 4:7-9, a core verse behind Beloved Church, it was written by Christopher Powers.  See fullofeyes.com or follow on instagram.com/fullofeyes for more of his visual exegesis and how he shares the gospel and biblical doctrines through animations and images. — “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is …

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