The Heart of Compassion
September 25th, 2025
Jonah 3:10When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.Identify and confess your own areas of self-____________________ (1:1-3)Jonah 4:1-31 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the LORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that yo...
The Message of Mercy
September 18th, 2025
Have you heard the call to love God and love people?Jonah 3:1-31 Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” 3 This time Jonah obeyed the LORD's command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.Jonah 3:4-54 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty d...
The Cry from the Depths
September 11th, 2025
Review of Jonah 1When we run from God’s word, we run from God.When we run from God, He runs after us.When we run from God, we run over people.Jonah's lament is not a white flag of surrender, but a red-flag cry of desperation, longing for the God he’s pushed away.Context and Structure• Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and...
Surrendering to God's Reign
August 28th, 2025
For the choir director: A song of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices.Psalm 46:10“Be still, and know that I am God!I will be honored by every nation.I will be honored throughout the world.”Be still and consider your security in Christ (46:1-3)Psalm 46:1-31 God is our refuge and strength,   always ready to help in times of trouble.2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come   and...
Overflowing with Thanksgiving
August 21st, 2025
Celebrate God's loving provision with words of thanksgiving.Psalm 107:1-31 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!   His faithful love endures forever.2 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out!   Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands,   from east and west, from north and south.The reason for our gratitude is the expressed and enduring...
Holding Fast to Hope
August 14th, 2025
Deal with discouragement as a cry for help, then take your soul in hand.Psalm 42:1-5For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.1 As the deer longs for streams of water,   so I long for you, O God.2 I thirst for God, the living God.   When can I go and stand before him?3 Day and night I have only tears for food,   while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,   “Where is this God ...
Seeking God's Wisdom
August 7th, 2025
Becoming wise isn’t just about growing old and getting smarter. In contrast with foolishness, wisdom is the ability to discern the righteous application of the knowledge you attain. Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom. The fool has said in his heart there is no God.The wise will flourish by trusting the word of God.Psalm 1:1-31 Oh, the joys of those who do not   follow the advice of the w...
Mea Culpa
July 31st, 2025
Psalm 51For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.2 Samuel 12:11-1411 “This is what the LORD says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. 12 You ...
Trusting God's Protection
July 24th, 2025
"God has a celebration meal with us, not after we finally get out of the dark valley but in the middle of it, in the presence of our enemies."-Tim Keller; The Songs of JesusThe Shepherd's protection includes His satisfying provision.Psalm 23:1-3a1 The LORD is my shepherd;   I have all that I need.2 He lets me rest in green meadows;   he leads me beside peaceful streams.3 He renews my strength.Phil...
Crying out in Lament
July 17th, 2025
Psalm 13:1-6For the choir director: A psalm of David.1 O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever?   How long will you look the other way?2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,   with sorrow in my heart every day?   How long will my enemy have the upper hand?3 Turn and answer me, O LORD my God!   Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We...
The Challenge of Freedom
June 30th, 2025
The application of freedom requires a FROM and a FOR.Galatians 5:1So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.John 8:34-3634 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, yo...
Magnify God's Faithfulness
June 26th, 2025
The magnification of God’s faithfulness requires a ______________ trust.Matthew 6:25-2725 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you...
Magnify God's Forgiveness
June 19th, 2025
John 3:1-211 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”4 “What do you mean?” exclai...
Magnify God's Love
June 11th, 2025
John 4:1-9 (NLT)Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jes...
Magnify God's Care
June 4th, 2025
Mark 4:35-4135 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Th...
Magnify God
May 29th, 2025
The Bible reveals our Creator, who is both magnificent in power and yet intimately personal.John 1:1-31 In the beginning the Word already existed.   The Word was with God,   and the Word was God.2 He existed in the beginning with God.3 God created everything through him,   and nothing was created except through him.Isaiah 40:12Who else has held the oceans in his hand?   Who has measured off the he...
The New Creation
May 22nd, 2025
Revelation 21:1-21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.God's renewal of the world includes the transformation of everything.Revelation 22:1-21 Then the angel showed me a river with the...
Jesus: The Ruling King
May 15th, 2025
The Structure of Matthew 24-25What signs of the end will happen before Jesus returns? (24:4-31)How do we interpret and apply the promised return of Jesus? (24:32-25:30)What happens after Jesus returns? (25:31-46)Matthew 25:31-4631 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence,...
The Second Coming of Jesus
May 8th, 2025
Matthew 24:32-3532 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my wo...
The Signs Are Everywhere
April 30th, 2025
Matthew 23:37-3937 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the na...