Category Archives: Folders
September 28: “Moses: A Heart on a Mission” (Exodus 33:7-11)
God uses six arenas to shape the heart of a leader. When Moses was the Prince of Egypt, his heart was shaped by two cultures. When Moses was a fugitive in the desert, his heart was shaped by the Midianite community. When Moses became Israel’s liberator, his heart was shaped by his communion with God. […]
Continue readingSeptember 21: “Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil” (Matthew 6:9-13, James 1:2-4, 12-15)
The Greek word for “temptation” in our text can also mean “trial” or “test.” Though God does not tempt his people, He does test his people. But Satan uses God’s test to tempt us. How can we resist Satan from making God’s test into temptation? Just as Jesus did, we can resist with God’s Word […]
Continue readingSeptember 14: “Suffering & Rejoicing Together” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
At the retreat, we looked at four practices of the early church that strengthen our connection with God and with other members. Today, we will focus on one of them in particular: fellowship with other members. 1 Corinthians 12 provides not only the theological basis for our fellowship, but also practical ways to have fellowship […]
Continue readingSeptember 7: “Forgive Us Our Debts” (Matthew 6:9-15)
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Does this mean that receiving God’s forgiveness is contingent upon our forgiveness of others? Paul says in Ephesians 4:32 “forgive one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” We are made capable of forgiving others through God’s having first forgiven us. Jesus’ […]
Continue readingAugust 31: “Give Us Today Our Daily Bread” (Matthew 6:9-11, 33)
The first part of the Lord’s Prayer deals with God’s agenda, and the second part deals with our needs. The fourth petition calls us to depend on God’s daily provision. If we are truly seeking God’s name, kingdom and will, it will redefine our needs and determine how we use our resources. We will hold […]
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