4th Week of Advent: Love

The fourth week of Advent, known as the week of love, is a time to reflect on the ultimate gift of love - Jesus Christ. As we light the candle of love, we remember that God's love for us is so great that He sent His only Son to be born among us. This week, let us focus on sharing that love with others, just as Jesus did. We can do this by performing acts of kindness, offering forgiveness, and showing compassion to those around us. Let us also take time to reflect on how Go

What Would Jesus Do?

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,” 

I can’t count the number of times I have stopped and asked myself, What would Jesus do? I can say that it wasn’t nearly as often as it should have been. I have made many decisions in the course of my seventy-eight years (so far) where I should have. Yet, I went ahead on my own and made decisions, some of which were not the wisest choice of action. A

Your Calling Could Change The World

Luke 3: 2,3  “….the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Another chapter in the great mystery of our faith is unraveled here as this unremarkable figure, John (Jesus’ cousin)  receives this order as prophesied by in Isiah 40:3-5  to preach baptism for the forgiveness of sins and John goes forward calling the people to be baptized. 

What We

Second Week of Advent: Peace

The second week of Advent, symbolized by the candle of peace, invites us to reflect on the profound peace offered by Jesus Christ. As we light this candle, we remember the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 that calls Jesus the "Prince of Peace." This peace transcends worldly understanding, offering solace in the midst of life's storms and inner tranquillity amidst chaos. This week, let us seek to embody this peace in our own lives and share it with others, fostering harmony and under

Discernment

Philippians 1:9,10 “9. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10. So that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”

In his letter to the church at Phillipi, Paul encourages them to be of one heart and one spirit as they commit to the faith and teachings of Jesus. Paul writes this letter from a jail cell where he is in chains because of his faith in Jesus. Through h

Be Careful

Luke 21: 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.”

We live in a world of opportunities, temptations and free will to choose who we are and what we will be. Without self control, we could go off in any direction and face dire circumstances we did not plan on. 

In Luke chapter 18 Jesus taught the importance of shaping the minds of children to  help their spiri

Bruton and Cornelius Scholarship Applications Due by December 31

Applications are now being accepted for The Bruton Scholarship AND The Elizabeth Ann Cornelius Scholarship.  Yes, there is one application needed for both opportunities.  For details and the application, contact the Church office (tel:813-754-3519) or see Vicky Conner (tel:813-416-1422) or Pastor Stephen.  The absolute deadline to turn in the application, and all the requirements, is Dec. 31.  Don’t wait until the last minute!!!  You will need transcripts, references and m

What Is Truth?

John 18:38a “What is truth? Retorted Pilate….”

When I was in college, one of the core requirement courses I had to take was Philosophy 101. I remember telling myself that the first time someone asked the question, “What is truth?” I was walking out. Well, guess what the first challenging question was? You got it! And, there never came a definitive answer from the class and I did not walk out.

What We Should Know

This verse is a part of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate as

Sacrifice

Hebrews 9:27-28 “27. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”

Verse 26 says “Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.” This theme is repeated several times in Hebrews to bring home the assurance of salvation through faith not

Saved By Grace

Hebrews 9:27-28 “27. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, 28. So Christ was sacrificed once to take a way the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”

While last week’s devotion was from Hebrews 7:27, the focus then was to gain an understanding that, in spite of the sins in our life, we are capable of communicating with other sinners because we have someth

Even Sinners Can Share

Hebrews 7:27b “….He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.”

I continue to be concerned  by the confusion of so many people when it comes to an understanding of the role of sin in salvation. I have heard the same excuse time and time again that “ I am a sinner. God has no use for me.” I had a young man in my former church who was a convicted felon.  He found the Lord while in prison and genuinely accepted Christ and committed his life to serving Him

Leadership Through Servantship

Mark 10:45 “For  even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

James and John were concerned about who would take over leadership when Jesus leaves. They went to Jesus and asked if they could be designated as co-leaders in His place. All of the other disciples were upset with James and John and Jesus called a meeting where He explained that leadership must be prequalified by servantship. 

What We Should Know

Leadershi

God's Word Is Constant

Hebrews 2:1 “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

Over the course of our church’s centennial, which we celebrate this week, we have seen many changes. Many have been baptized, married, matured, lived and died here. Some have moved on and disaffiliation along with a pandemic and a social malaise   have resulted in lower attendance.

 What We Should Know

Change is a natural part of our human condition. Thus, our

The Art of Compromise

Hebrews 3:12-13a “ 12. See to it, brothers and sisters that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13. But encourage one another daily….”

Seems like the direction of our society today has morphed into an attitude of “we vs. they.” Along with the barrage of self-centered concerns comes a focus of “what’s in it for me?” While that is natural for our human condition, if we are not careful, we tend to ignore the needs of others and shun

Whoever Welcomes Me

Mark 9: 36,37 “ 36. He took a little child whom He placed among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, 37. “ Whoever welcomes one these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the one who sent Me.’”

Jesus’ presentation of the child in this Scripture is representative of His feeling toward all children of God. He made it clear in Galatians 3:28 that all are equal in His sight. The days of discrimination of certain