And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saint

Five Choices in Chaotic Times

Mar 15th, 2020

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if chi

The Fall of a King

Mar 9th, 2020

And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and

The Prophet's Farewell

Mar 2nd, 2020

If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. But if you will not obey the voice of

The Unlikely King

Feb 24th, 2020

Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But whe

Blessing or Judgment

Feb 17th, 2020

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” - 1 Samuel 8:4–5 (ESV)Have

What We Long For

Feb 10th, 2020

What does it take to see renewal in your life?Life's a mess but God can make something beautiful out of it.This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.

Revival in Israel

Feb 3rd, 2020

And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out

Who is The LORD Almighty

Jan 27th, 2020

So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. As soon as the ark

A Tale of Two Houses

Jan 20th, 2020

Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. . . And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD. - 1 Samuel 2:12-21 (ESV)Reporters are always on the look out for scoops and scandals and it seems that there is an e

Origin Story

Jan 13th, 2020

She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your ser

The Backstory

Jan 6th, 2020

And the people of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and family, and they went out from there every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. - J

Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude

Dec 29th, 2019

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is

Shepherds and Angels

Dec 22nd, 2019

The Cast of Christmas - Shepherds and Angels - Luke 2:8-20

Three Kings

Dec 15th, 2019

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship h

Mary and Joseph

Dec 8th, 2019

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to pu

The Prophets

Dec 1st, 2019

The Prophets - Genesis to Isaiah

Absent or Present

Nov 17th, 2019

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the k

Gospel Doxology

Nov 10th, 2019

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has b

Enemies and Friends

Nov 3rd, 2019

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth tal

Leadership in the Spiritual Realm

Oct 27th, 2019

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. - Romans 16:16 (ESV)One of the traditions of Hope during our gathered worship is to have scripture read by an individual from the congregation. (BTW: If you would like

Greetings from Corinth

Oct 27th, 2019

Paul's travel log

Oct 20th, 2019

I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. - Romans 15:24-25 (ESV)Have you

Paul's plans for missions

Oct 13th, 2019

. . . and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written,"Those who have never been told of him will see,and those who hav

Finding, joy, peace and hope in the Promises of God

Oct 6th, 2019

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. - Romans 15:8-9Reading the Bi