glenn allen

Empty is everything -Luke 24

Having fullness is good. But when it comes to Easter full is not good. Empty is good. It is everything. Vs4. The disciples were puzzled at the empty tomb. But there's hope. The angels were there. "He…

Achan lies. Joshua 7 Sin in the Camp

What lies did Achan believe to get him to this point? Lie 1. God's Word is not true. Joshua 6:18-19. God didn't want anyone to get the victory over the enemies. Genesis 2:15-17, 3:2-5 God didn't mean…

Joshua 7:1 (NET)

Rolling away stones

What is your greatest fear? Childhood phobias? Most people are fearful of death. It is the unknown. Lack of control. We have a need for survival. We have a fear that a need will go unmet. Maybe we don't…

John 11:4 (NET)

Standing Stones Joshua 4

Moses commanded Joshua to gather 12 stones from the Jordan river. Make a marker with them as a testimony of what God has done for you. Remember! remembering instills gratitude. Physical reminders that…

Joshua 4:19 (NET), Joshua 4:21 (NET)

Nehemiah 2:11-20-Obstacles to renewal

Physical obstacles. Jerusalem is the most rebuilt city in the world. 46 seiges. The original city lies under 30-100 ft of rebuilt Jerusalem. vs 17 Nehemiah reports of the trouble Jerusalem is in. Worse…

Nehemiah 2:11 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:12 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:13 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:14 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:15 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:16 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:17 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:18 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:19 (MSG), Nehemiah 2:20 (MSG)

meeting needs

Everyone has needs. It's the basic. We may not even know our greatest need. These people were hungry. Jesus knew. They were following Him everywhere. Jesus had compassion. Jesus saw that their spiritual…

John 6:1 (BOOKS), John 6:8 (BOOKS), John 6:9 (BOOKS)

Life's Ultimate Meaning

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 It isn't a book of despair or disillusion but one with a definite conclusion. Through out the book, the Questor gives a glimpse thru a different lens. He passed his wisdom on to…

Ecclesiastes 12:9 (MSG), Ecclesiastes 12:10 (MSG), Ecclesiastes 12:11 (MSG), Ecclesiastes 12:12 (MSG), Ecclesiastes 12:13 (MSG), Ecclesiastes 12:14 (MSG)

Whatever it takes!

People are broken sinful beings in need of a Saviour. You couldn't squeeze one more person in Peter's home. So close, the paralytic may as well been on another continent. We who grew up in church probably…

Mark 2:1 (AMP), Mark 2:2 (AMP), Mark 2:3 (AMP), Mark 2:4 (AMP), Mark 2:5 (AMP), Mark 2:10 (AMP), Mark 2:11 (AMP), Mark 2:12 (AMP)

searching for success. keeping up with the joneses.

motivation for success is often driven by the desire to out do others. a person motivated by competition and bitter rivalries with others may wind up alone. A dead end. vs 9-12 another ray of hope is…

Ecclesiastes 4:4 (MSG)

Where can I find authentic significance in life ?

ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There are significant occasions that define the timeline in our lives. they span the totality of the life cycle. human responses without judgment. they're repetitive, often regulated,…

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (AMP)

Holiness and Renewal

R.W.Tozer God is the standard of Holiness. Ezra 9 1. The meaning of holiness. we are set apart for God. God is set apart from His people, animals, nature. We are set apart from the world. Here, we see…

Ezra 9:2 (NCV)

christmas journey

five miles from Jerusalem is Bethlehem. why Bethlehem? Bethlehem was lowly. insignificant. if we had site selection committee Jerusalem would have been chosen. Nazareth would have been the next choice.…

Luke 2:1 (NLT), Luke 2:2 (NLT), Luke 2:3 (NLT), Luke 2:4 (NLT), Luke 2:5 (NLT)

makeover of worship

Ezra 3:1-Ezra 4 1. Worship starts with an altar. All throughout the ages people would build altars wherever they ended up. Altars in churches are for us to "present our bodies as living sacrifices ".…

Ezra 3:11 (TNIV)

grace-Velma barfield

john 8:1-11 where Jesus is, grace abounds. Where was the man? they wanted to trap Jesus. vs7 throw the stone. what was He writing in the dirt? the real problem were the Pharisees. they felt that they…

John 8:2 (NET), John 8:6 (NET), John 8:11 (NET)

ezra 7:6

A man of God who stood up.

Ezra 7:6 (MSG)

Love the Lord your God and to love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 22:36-39 These are qualified in Romans 12

The kingdom of God is the dominion in your life ruled by Christ

It's not heaven.

Matthew 6:33 (NET)

The foundation

Frank Stagg called these verses are some of the most controversial in Scripture. If Satan can attack the Church and get it confused he's done his job. What we build the church(your life) on is the most…

Matthew 16:18 (AMP)

The God Factor Ezra 8:21-23

Ezra sought the need for a safe journey. V21 A straight way. Life is a journey -beginning, middle and end. Ezra knew there were challenges and danger. Satisfying the need. Safety. V21 They humble themselves…

Ezra 8:21 (AMP)

choices

Jeremiah 11:1-17 As God's people we have a choice. Blessing of living in Covenant with God. Benefits. Obey and you will be My people. I swore to My people they will have a land flowing in milk and honey.…

Jeremiah 11:17 (NET)

knowing, growing and going.

Three keys to share Jesus with others. 1. Concern is the basis. V. 35 we are concerned about people. 2. Compassion motivates us. V36 we are torn apart how people actually are. Weary, wornout and thrown…

Matthew 9:35 (AMP), Matthew 9:36 (AMP), Matthew 9:37 (AMP), Matthew 9:38 (AMP)

matchmaking

Ruth 2. Boaz which means strength was a prominent man of noble character. He was a relative of Naomi. Jewish custom Gleaning - farmers were told by law not to harvest all the way to the corner of…

Ruth 2:1 (NET), Ruth 2:2 (NET)

portrait of extraordinary devotion

While Ruth did not kiss Naomi she clung to her. Genesis 2:24 cleave means cling. She wanted to be a israelite. Orpah did the normal thing -she took her mother -in - law offer to return to moab. Ruth…

Remember

Today, we celebrate the Lord's supper. A free gift given to us. Sacrificed. God instituted this event so that we would not forget. Living a Christian life trumps everything that can happen in our lives.…

1 Corinthians 11:23 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 11:24 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 11:25 (ESV), 1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV)

Exhibit a discipline life

The thessalonians church was a young church with the typical problems of a new church. Paul encouraged them to discipline themselves and resolve matters in a christ-like manner. Vs14. See to it that…

1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:13 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:20 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:26 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:27 (NLT), 1 Thessalonians 5:28 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:7 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:8 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:9 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:11 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:12 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:14 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:15 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:17 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 3:18 (NLT)