…free from your burdens!

Sola Scriptura
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

The cry of the Reformation was "Sola Scriptura!" Okay, maybe not, but it was certainly the undergirding concept. Among all the other "solas", the other "only" references (sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus, and soli Deo gloria) were based on this one. That is, the claims that we are saved by faith apart from works, saved by grace apart from works, saved by Christ alone, and that God alone deserves glory are all predicated on the notion that Scripture alone is the authority on matters of faith and practice. It was held over against…

Obey, Don't Feel
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3 Forgiveness is first granted, then felt. Christians frequently raise the objection that if you act forgiving without really feeling it, you are guilty of hypocrisy. But we find in Luke 17 that feelings are not a necessary ingredient of obedience. Jesus began with a warning in verse 3: “Be careful of yourselves.” The warning was necessary; there are many ways to err about forgiveness. The warning is pertinent to many Christians who are caught up in the…

Who Alone is Wise
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Jude’s marvelous benediction reads: "To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1.25). There is one phrase in this closing sentence of Jude’s short book which may escape our attention unless something drives us to observe it. That shall be the purpose of this 5 part miniseries, i.e. to drive us to consider the phrase, Who Alone Is Wise. Wisdom is a valuable asset. It cannot insure that we always have only what is best, but it can go a long way toward that end. Circumstances beyond our…

Jesus Gives Basic Principles for Mission and Ministry
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

When we move on into Luke Chapter 10, we are looking at some of the things Jesus did and said once He had set his face to go to Jerusalem. Jesus appointed 72 others - for a period of ministry - sending them out two by two - and they were to go and minister in the various towns and villages, where He planned to go and preach……

New Year's Resolution Prayers
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Lord, help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 7:41:23 a.m. p.s.t. Lord, help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them are hypersensitive. Lord, help me to take responsibility for my own actions, even though they're usually not my fault. Lord, help me to not try to run everything. But, if You need some help, please feel free to ask me! Lord, help me to be more laid back and help me to do it exactly right. Lord, help me to take things more seriously, especially laughter, parties, and dancing. Lord, give me patience, and…

The New Christmas Story
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Recently the season of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s started to invade my mind I had to wonder about value of the spirit of the holidays. It seems that Thanksgiving has turned into a starting line for an Olympic sprint for the rest of the season. The advertisers start to tease us with the great deals that are coming up, loudly proclaiming, "On your mark"! The ads continues through Thanksgiving week adding, "get set"! And at the very moment at our Thanksgiving dinner, when we put the final bite of pumpkin pie in our mouth,…

Having
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

In the Hebrew language, there is no word for “have”. The concept is not even in the language. Therefore, nothing can really be possessed or owned. Nothing can be “had” by adding or subtraction. “Having” (as most understand the word…) can not be possessed. Also, as Christians we can “have” only in Jesus Christ. All things are in Christ, simply because He is the creator, the sustainer, the power of continuance are only possible in and through Him. The well known expression “you can’t take it with you” is…

Rise Above
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

The Economy. Money. Jobs. Your Future, and the future of our youth. It’s filling the minds of everyone these days especially during this super-heated political election. People are more concerned than ever about what their future holds, and rightly so. Millions are looking for work, or have stopped searching at all with little hope. It isn’t the America I grew up in, and one in desperate need of a new direction. America was founded on self-reliant, entrepreneurial principles. A nation where people are free to dictate their own future, create their own jobs,…

Bible and Quote - April 28 - May 2
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

The Lord is . Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Psalm 103:8b Many of us do not really believe in the unconditional love of God. We dwell excessively on ourselves and on our mistakes. And so we keep asking, 'Who am I that the Lord should love me?' Instead we ought to be asking, 'Who are you, O my God, that you love me so much?' John Powell, 1925-2009 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. .great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear (awe) Him. Psalm 103:10-11b So much of His mercy comes…

"I AM"
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14 (NIV) Moses had some concerns about the task God lay before him. Moses first felt that he was not worthy of doing the job. If someone had asked him he would have said he wasn’t the person to do this gargantuan work. God told Moses that He would be with him as he performed his part in the work to rescue the Israelite people. Moses used second excuse to try to get shed of this. “If they ask me…

The Team
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Marshalltown, Iowa. Why Marshalltown, Iowa? Because Marshalltown, Iowa is where the legend began. Legends always have to begin somewhere and this one began in Marshalltown, Iowa in the mid 1920s. A young man with a drive in his spirit that few had seen before was new to this small town in Iowa. The school had a limited budget as schools did then. Many of the teachers were not only coaches but also coaches of several sports. Adolph Rupp was the coach...of the wrestling team. Before he came, the team had struggled to get boys involved and those who were involved weren't very…