NT Connect: Matthew 11:25-28 Weekly Reading: Isaiah 51-55 Come to Jesus “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.” –Isaiah 55:3 These words from the prophet Isaiah echoed through the centuries, until they found their fullness on the lips of Jesus Christ when he said, “Come to me, all of … Continued
NT Connect: Hebrews 11:10; 1 Peter 1:1, 17 Weekly Reading: 2 Kings 19-25 Exile And he burned the house of the Lord and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. –2 Kings 25:9 Fire consumes its fuel and leaves a pile of ash in its wake. In … Continued
NT Connect: John 5:30 Weekly Reading: 1 Samuel 23-27 Christ is the Righteous Judge We stand in judgment over ourselves and others on a daily basis. “You’re wrong,” you might protest, “I don’t judge other people. They can do whatever is best for them. I don’t judge them, and neither should you.” Such a claim … Continued
NT Connect: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 Weekly Reading: Exodus 31-35 Unveiled Faces Have you gazed at the glory of God? This does not mean a passing glance or a peripheral peek. This is far more than the question of whether you have acknowledged that God exists. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the … Continued
NT Connect: John 1:1-18 Weekly Reading: Psalm 119:1-96 God Is Always at Work Psalm 119 is written as an acrostic, which means the Psalm is divided into 22 stanzas with each stanza corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The letters are indicated at the beginning of each stanza (e.g., ALEPH, BET, GIMEL, etc.), … Continued
This week, Tyler Smiley, Lakewood’s Associate Missions Pastor, talks about the importance of reading the Old Testament. Produced by Kim Nichols
NT Connect: Romans 4:1-25 Weekly Reading: Genesis 11-15 Abraham and the Righteousness of Faith The five chapters we read this week form the foundation of so much of the rest of the Bible. Genesis 11 recounts the story of human pride in the story of the Tower of Babel. God scattered the people and confused their … Continued
This week Associate Missions Pastor Tyler Smiley offers an encouraging invitation to join NT18. Produced by Kim Nichols
Tyler Smiley (Associate Missions Pastor) shares a brief word about the apostle Thomas and his doubts. Produced by Kim Nichols
Friendly note: This blog works best if you read along with Bible in-hand (some of the scripture is printed directly in here, but not all of it, so it would be helpful to have it open when you read. The scripture used here is the English Standard Version [ESV].) The topic is speaking in tongues—what … Continued
Matthew 6:16–18: 16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by … Continued
Life in God’s kingdom means ultimate happiness and fulfillment in God: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And besides you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” –Psalm 73:25-26 Often, we look for fulfillment elsewhere and then … Continued
I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I … Continued
Everlasting Father May your sons and daughters be love Everlasting Father You’re always near Advent Song by Micah Risinger Abraham Lincoln is possibly the most important president in United States history. He led a divided nation through an extremely difficult time. Yet, one of the most fascinating things to me about any great leader, president, … Continued
Now we see the face of God Jesus Christ, Our Savior God of heaven here on earth Praise the King, Emmanuel Advent Song by Micah Risinger The name, Augustine, probably means very little to most people. But, it means a lot to a theology professor. It is like the name, Michael Jordan, to a basketball … Continued
