Good News from The Grove

The Best Way to Live, Part 4 - With All Your Strength.  Jesus teaches us to "love God with all your strength".  Strength in the original languages speaks of "muchness" or "wealth".  Loving God with all your resources, influence, talents, gifts, opportunities...all the good things which have been entrusted to your care.  Because of the goodness of God, you are way wealthier than you can imagine.  Bringing all we are and all we have in service to God is the joy of the believers life.  

The Best Way to Live, Part 3 - Be Transformed.  Jesus instructs us to "love God with all our minds".  How do we do that?  The Apostle Paul makes it plain in Romans 12:1-2.  We must present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice.  And we need new Kingdom thoughts to renew our minds.  This brings transformation! 

The Best Way to Live, Part 2 - The Crucified Life.  The only way we can follow Jesus and live out these two great commandments is live the crucified life Jesus talks about.  Jesus is clear that you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.  

Genesis, Part 24 - The Struggle is Real (Genesis 20).  This is one of those stories you wish wasn't in the Bible.  Abraham, after all the encounters with God, seems to divert back to some old ways.  Are there parts of your story you wish had never happened?  Good news:  God doesn't throw away disobedient, unbelieving children.  He proves His loyal love time and time again.  

Genesis, Part 23 -  Remember Lot's Wife (Genesis 19).  This Chapter is a warning about the consequences of sin.  Why was Sodom & Gomorrah destroyed?  Jesus references this story with a 3 word sermon:  Remember Lot's Wife.

Genesis_22 - Praying for Sodom (Genesis 18).  Abraham & Sarah receive the news they'd been waiting.  Nearly 25 years have passed since Genesis 12.  3 Supernatural Visitors come bringing both good news and judgment for the people of Sodom.  Abraham takes an interesting stance as he prays for the ungodly people of Sodom.  Lots to learn here.  

Catch the Wind (Acts 3:19-21)

Genesis_21 - New Name, New Sign (Genesis 17).  This is a major turning point in our story.  4 New Names are mentioned in this chapter.  After 24 long years of waiting, the LORD declares Sarah will have a son.  God gives them new names (a great revelation here) and a new sign to mark His people.  It's a new day!

The Best Way to Live, Part 1 - The Great Commandment (Mark 12:28-34).

Jesus clarified the greatest commandment in all the Scriptures -

'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment."

 

 

Genesis Part 20 - Hagar (Genesis 16).  Abram & Sarai are still trying to figure out the "how".  How is God's promise going to come to pass.  In Chapter 15, Abram had a suggestion.  In Chapter 16, Sarai has a suggestion - Hagar.  This is where things get a little messy.