GOD GIVES COMFORTRemember that God is always present in your grief.KEY TRUTH: The Death of a Loved One Is a Very Difficult Experience (Acts 12:1–5)KEY TRUTH: Healthy Grief Is a Process (James 5:7–11)KEY TRUTH: We Can Find Comfort and Direction in God’s Word (Psalm 46:1–11)FAMILY CONNECTION:  CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!What is grief? (The feeling of sadness and loss that a person experien...  Read More

 1.  Have you ever spent a whole day praying? Me neither! Try this: one day this week, try and       remember all the good that you have in your life. List them out loud. Take turns listing             them with your family. There’s something about acknowledging the good that makes the         bad disappear. Report to Jason at the end of the week so we’ll know you did it. (just     kidding) At the...  Read More

Psalm 46:8-11 (HCSB)8 Come, see the works of the Lord,who brings devastation on the earth.9 He makes wars cease throughout the earth.He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces;He burns up the chariots.10 “Stop your fighting—and know that I am God,exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”11 Yahweh of Hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our stronghold. SelahMichael JacksonI’ve been writing ...  Read More

Psalm 46:4-7  (HCSB)4 There is a river—its streams delight the city of God,the holy dwelling place of the Most High.5 God is within her; she will not be toppled.God will help her when the morning dawns.6 Nations rage, kingdoms topple;the earth melts when He lifts His voice.7 The Lord of Hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our stronghold. SelahMichael JacksonI grew up on the Buffalo National River...  Read More

Psalm 46:1-3  (HCSB)God Our RefugeFor the choir director. A song of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.1 God is our refuge and strength,a helper who is always foundin times of trouble.2 Therefore we will not be afraid,though the earth tremblesand the mountains toppleinto the depths of the seas,3 though its waters roar and foamand the mountains quake with its turmoil. SelahMichael JacksonOne o...  Read More

James 5:7-11  (HCSB)Waiting for the Lord7 Therefore, brothers, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.9 Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look...  Read More

Acts 12:1-5  (HCSB)James Martyred and Peter Jailed12 About that time King Herod cruelly attacked some who belonged to the church, 2 and he killed James, John’s brother, with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 After the arrest, he put him in prison and assigned four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, in...  Read More

FAITH GUIDES OUR CONDUCTDon’t judge people who have differing opinions in matters the Bible is not clear about.KEY TRUTH: Faith Guides Us to Godly Wisdom (James 3:13–18)KEY TRUTH: Faith Guides Us to Godly Priorities (James 4:1–10)KEY TRUTH: Faith Guides Us to Godly Perspectives (James 4:11–17)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!How does getting along with others (or not doing s...  Read More

Do you typically want to win arguments or seek peace? When you are disagreeing with others, do you blame them or reflect what’s going on in your heart? How do those attitudes reflect humility or pride?What kind of person are you –files or piles, clean or clutter, control or chaos? If you are thefiles/clean/control person, how do you feel when things get messy? If you are the piles/clutter/chaos pe...  Read More

Colossians 3:12-17  (HCSB)The Christian Life12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. 14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of t...  Read More

James 4:13-17  (HCSB)Our Will and His Will13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” 14 You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. 15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this...  Read More

James 4:7-12  (HCSB)7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.11 Don’t criticize on...  Read More