Category: Faith

Sermons, devotionals, lessons and more

Devotionals2 Comments

Praying for the impossible

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  For several months, I have been praying for something impossible to happen. I hope to learn this week whether it takes place. For the sake of this post, it doesn’t really matter what the impossible thing is for which I’m seeking God’s intervention. I am healthy, and this is not a life-or-death matter for anyone, so there is no need for anyone to be worried about the outcome. This thing I’ve been praying about simply isn’t something I have a right to hope for or expect. It’s not something that I could accomplish on my own power, and if … Continue reading Praying for the impossible

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Springtime, and the possibilities are endless

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Ah, springtime. I like to sit at the table on our back deck and listen to the sounds of our neighborhood. I do this all year long — even when it means I have to bundle up in layers against the cold of a Tidewater winter. But in the spring, there’s a special blessing, and I’m not talking about the layer of pollen I tend to bring inside with me when I’m done. Right now, the birds are twittering and squawking and chirping their various songs. A neighbor has just fired up his lawn mower for the first time this … Continue reading Springtime, and the possibilities are endless

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Amazed by grace

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Delivered January 2017 at Liberty Spring Christian Church What kinds of things are you amazed by? I used to be amazed by juggling. I’m basically an uncoordinated schlub, so watching someone toss more than one ball into the air at a time and then catch them all just seemed like straight-up magic to me. And then I had a juggler in college spend a few minutes teaching me about it one day. Ever since then, I can take three balls and — with a little practice — actually juggle. See? I’m a juggler. Even me, an uncoordinated schlub. Of course, … Continue reading Amazed by grace

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One big, happy family

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Delivered in Montrouis, Haiti in November 2016 Good morning. Thank you very much for the introduction, thank you pastor for allowing me to speak for a few minutes this morning, and thank you all for the opportunity to worship our great God together. I bring you greetings this morning from Virginia, USA, from Liberty Spring Christian Church, from First Baptist Church and from a family back at home that loves this family of believers very much, Pastor Chris and Christina Surber. I am told that today is Family Day here, so it is fitting that I bring greetings from my … Continue reading One big, happy family

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He’s always been faithful to me

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  Delivered in October 2016 in Montrouis, Haiti Good evening. I’ve been looking forward to coming back to Haiti for more than two years. My wife and I visited here back in 2014, right in the middle of August. We met many beautiful people here, and we made some great new friends. I had a chance to drive up into the mountains and look down on the coast. Your blue waters spread out below the green hillside made an impression I will never forget. But one of the things I have been most excited about was the chance to see … Continue reading He’s always been faithful to me

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Blessed be the name of the LORD!

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  Delivered in Montrouis, Haiti, in October 2016, after Hurricane Matthew In the only sermon the Bible records Jesus preaching, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began by saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Today, we see that mourning throughout Haiti. It burns within our breasts. It tastes bitter at the back of our throats. It threatens to consume us, to turn us bitter and angry. How can one see so many broken homes, so much pain and destruction, so much sorrow … Continue reading Blessed be the name of the LORD!

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The Day of the Lord

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  March 26, 2017 Last week, we talked briefly about the concept of God actively bringing pain into the lives of His people. You might remember that I asked whether God ALLOWS pain in the lives of His people. Everyone in the room nodded and said, Yes. But then I asked whether God ever BRINGS suffering into the lives of those who are His. I think I would describe your assent to that idea as muted, at best. Scripture tells us that God is good, that He loves us and that every good thing we have comes from Him. I … Continue reading The Day of the Lord

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Go bear fruit

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  March 19, 2017 Before we get into the meat of today’s lesson, I want to start with a couple of questions I was pondering while I studied. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to John 13:23. We’ll be just a couple of pages further along in today’s text, so you’ll want to keep your Bibles open to the Book of John. Read John 13:23 Now turn to John 19:26. Read Now, look at John 21:7. Read Christian tradition and most current church scholars agree that John was identifying himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” in these … Continue reading Go bear fruit

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A seat at the table

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  March 12, 2017 Coloring outside the lines again… Ephesians 2:1-10 – A favorite Let’s read it. OK, I preached on this a few weeks ago, and I could do so again today, but I want to show you how beautiful God’s story is, how wonderfully connected and interwoven. Has anyone ever said to you that the Bible is just a bunch of made-up stories? As a writer, here’s the thing that doesn’t make sense about that: All of the “made-up stories” fit together so perfectly. So many different writers working separately across more than a thousand years of time … Continue reading A seat at the table

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What is love?

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  March 5, 2017 outline Overwhelming topic From Dr. David Jeremiah Love is what’s in the room at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. If you want to learn to love better, you should start with someone you hate. Love is a like little old woman and a little old man who are still friends, even after they know each other very well. Dictionary: an intense feeling of deep affection. a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone. About a thousand other definitions Scripture: Four words for love Eros — Physical, sensual love (not used in the Bible); … Continue reading What is love?