Weekly Bible teaching from Pastor Jim Thomas at Holly Springs Bible Fellowship in Hornick, Iowa.
Mark 5:1-20 - We are reminded that each day there is a battle for our soul. Satan wants to destroy and rob us from the things God desires. We must rely on the power of God to overcome Satan's influence. The world will be uncomfortable as they see God's power in our lives, but we must always value people over things and money.
Matthew 15:21-28 (Mother's Day) - An outsider mother, from an enemy background, becomes a model of faith, while insiders often miss it. This woman challenges us to take our children's spiritual well-being seriously. We need to realize their greatest need is spiritual, and we have to depend on the grace and mercy of Jesus to ultimately help them.
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Mark 6 – How much do you have? – God has abundantly provided more than we need. He has given us much so that we can give to others. Instead of seeing your things as security, see them as an opportunity to serve and help someone else. Jesus asked the disciples, "How much do you have?" My question to us this morning is, what are you going to do with what you have this week?
Luke 24:13 - 35 = God is always present and at work around us. He is waiting for us to invite Him into our struggles. God requires that we focus on His word and obey what He says. Real Christianity shares with others what it has seen and experienced. It is my prayer that we see God at work around us this week.
Matthew 27 – Forsaken – On the cross, Jesus takes our sin upon Himself. He loves us that much and endures God the Father turning His back on God the Son. If God did that to Jesus, realize that you cannot stand before Him in your sin. Accept His gift of forgiveness. love, and acceptance. Make this Easter day – the day that your new life as a Christian begins.
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Luke 6 – Obedience – Jesus wonders why people call Him Lord or master and don't obey and follow His teaching. Every time we open the Word of God, we make a choice. We obey what it teaches us, or we walk away and ignore the spirit of God. We either grow closer to God in that encounter with Him, or we are apart. Walk in obedience this week and make Jesus the Lord of all you do.
Luke 22:27 – Jesus asks who is greater? = To genuinely be like Jesus, we must learn to serve others like Jesus did. His ultimate goal was to please the Father by giving His life for ours. God challenges each of us to serve one another this week. Find someone you can serve and minister to as you go about your week.
John = One of the early questions in the life of Jesus is when he asks his followers, "What are they seeking?" At the tomb, Jesus asks, "Who are you seeking?" The "what" of life is really answered by a "who" – Jesus. Be honest with yourself regarding your personal relationship with Jesus and find your real purpose in life. Live intentionally in all that you do and say this week.
Matthew 6 - Worry – Jesus challenges us to realize what is important in life. He will take care of our food and clothing. We have tremendous value to God, and He will take care of His people. Control is an illusion; we only think we are in control. God is the one in control. Don't waste your energy worrying about things that don't matter or things you cannot control. You trust God for your eternal destiny; trust Him with the things you face this week.
Luke 7 – Do you see people as Jesus sees people? Every person you see this week is someone Jesus loves and died for. Jesus expects us to show them the same love that He showed us. This week, may we each look past what our eyes see and try to see the soul of the people we encounter. It is my prayer that we would really see the people around us and show them the compassion and love of Jesus.
Mark 4 = Focus – Examine your life and make sure that you have your faith and trust in Jesus as your Savior. Make sure Jesus is in the boat of your life. When the storms come, turn to Jesus and rest in the fact that Jesus is in the storm with you. Why are you afraid when you have Jesus in your life?
John 5:1-17 = Desire – Jesus meets the sick man at Bethsaida and wants to know what his real desire is. It is a challenge for us to look at our heart as well. Do we really want to change our circumstances and situation? If we really desire to follow God, then we have to be obedient.
Matthew 16:24-27 = Purpose – Jesus challenges the disciples to consider their purpose on this earth. Discipleship means that life cannot be about what you value. Our lives must focus on eternal things and not the temporal things of this world.
Matthew 16:13-23 = Question about Relationship - Who is Jesus? Jesus poses a heart-piercing question to the disciples. Who do they think he is? Jesus wants to know what they believe about Him. Jesus has the same question for each of us today. Who is Jesus in your life? The answer to that question will shape your life for all eternity.
Luke Chapter 19 - The story of Zacchaeus emphasizes that Jesus seeks out the lost, encouraging individuals to reflect on their lives and their relationship with Him.
Isaiah 9:6 – Christmas is the celebration of a Child who is both God and man that was given to us. This child will guide us, protect us, father us, and provide us with peace. God came so that we could have a life of Shalom in everything that happens in our lives. This Christmas, go in peace and enjoy the life of Shalom that God provides.
Isaiah 9:6 = Jesus is our El Gibbor – The Mighty God who fights for us. He protects and provides a way for us to have a relationship with God. This Child is also a Father who will teach us the best way to live life on this earth.
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Joshua 24 – Joshua challenges Israel to make a choice. Joshua made the choice for his family and determined that they would follow God regardless of what anyone else chose.
Deuteronomy 8 – Moses challenges the people not to forget God. They needed to realize that all that they possessed was from the hand of a generous God. Genuine gratitude comes from a heart that recognizes all they have is because of a gracious God.
Joshua 23 – Joshua starts his final speech to Israel by reminding them that God has been faithful and has fulfilled His promises. Joshua also warns Israel that if they embrace other gods, God will take back His land and they will no longer enjoy His blessings. We must continue to love God with our whole heart.
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Joshua 21 – We are fortunate to have the spiritual inheritance we have as Christians. It is our job to serve God in the places that He has put each of us. Serve God in such a way that people see your God in you.
Joshua 20 – The cities of refuge help us better understand God and the church. We learn that God is merciful and cares for human life. We also see a picture of how the church should act and be a place of safety, hope, comfort, and grace. It is a reminder of how we need to act this week as followers of Jesus.
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Joshua 17 requires that we honestly look at our attitudes toward life. We have to ask ourselves some hard questions – How much is enough? Do we really want what we deserve? Do we seek the easy path? We do not want to be like the people of Manasseh. God has destined us for so much more.
Joshua 16 and the story of Ephraim & Manasseh remind us that our legacy is important. Our lives need to be focused on our God and our relationship with Him. Take time this week to evaluate what you are leaving behind when you leave this world for the world to come.
Joshua 14 – The legacy that Caleb leaves is one of a person fully committed to God. He believes the promises of God and acts accordingly. He acknowledges difficulties and obstacles, yet he keeps his focus on the ability of his God. It is a challenge for each of us to stay focused and committed as we battle an enemy that wants to destroy our lives.
Joshua 13 – This passage reminds us that old age is not a reason to stop working. As long as God gives us breath, He has things for us to accomplish. We must seek to understand what God wants to achieve with our lives and allow Him to use us. That requires that we walk obediently and follow God's instructions for our lives. The challenge is to obey, follow, and allow God to use our lives this week.
Joshua 12 – This chapter of names represents God at work. God does keep His promises, and He works in different ways to accomplish His purposes. We must learn to trust and wait on God; otherwise, we risk making the mistakes that Gad & Rueben made.
Joshua 10 – Joshua was willing to ask big things from God. He was focused and committed to the task that God had called him to do. We should see this coming week as an opportunity to serve God and allow people to see our God in our lives.
Joshua 9 – The story of the Gibeonites reminds us that it is easy to be deceived. Discernment is a necessary tool to navigate life. As Christ followers, we need to be people who are committed to our word as our bond. We have to take ownership of our failures and learn to make the best of poor decisions.
Joshua 8 – The battle at Ai reminds us that God does give second chances. Because of pride, the people of Ai made a series of foolish decisions. This story reminds us of the importance of learning and teaching delayed gratification. Joshua ends the chapter by reminding the people to keep their focus on God. We need to do the same this week.
Joshua 6 – God is probably not going to work out your situation like you think. His ways are different. God needs us to be quiet, listen, and follow His direction. Ensure that God is at the forefront and central to all you do this week.
Joshua 5 – Christianity is sourced in a private decision that we make before God, but it also involves a public lifestyle that reflects that decision. God can do the impossible in your life, but he will not do what he expects you to be able to do for yourself. He desires that your focus be on him, rather than on your circumstances.
Joshua 4 – God establishes a reminder of his power at the Jordan River. The Children of Israel were to use that memorial as a reminder and a teaching opportunity. God desires for us to remember and rehearse His work in our lives. We must never forget and focus on what He has done and is doing in our lives.
Joshua 3 – The crossing of the Jordan is a perfect picture of the Christian life. It starts with an "all-in" commitment. It is followed by keeping our eyes on Jesus as he leads us on the path we must go. We can overcome the barriers that we face in our lives by keeping our eyes on Jesus, just as Israel had to focus on the Ark.
Joshua 2 – God shows that he has concern and will save anyone who wants to trust Him. The amazing principle in Joshua 2 is that God can and will do amazing things in your life if you will follow and trust in Him. Your past does not have to determine your future. God specializes in creating new things from old.
Joshua 1 – Joshua faces a daunting and overwhelming future after the death of Moses. He sets his focus on obeying, honoring, and trusting God. Joshua approaches his future with courage, and God prospers his efforts. God will do the same for us, but it requires a determination to follow God, whatever the cost. Seek God's plan this week and not your own.
1 John 5 :9 -17 = John wants to move the Christian from doubt to certainty. He assures us that we can live this day by living life to the fullest. We can rest our heads tonight knowing – absent from this life present with God. John also reminds us that we can have confidence in our prayer life. We can come boldly into his presence and ask whatever is important to our hearts and lives.
Genesis 16 – I pray that we learn to realize that it does not depend on us to figure it out. We have to learn to wait and do God's will, God's way, in God's time. God is watching and seeing your situation. Often, His answer comes in doing the hard things, but blessing follows genuine obedience.
1 John 5:6-9 = John wants to move the Christian from doubt to certainty. He assures us that we can live this day by living life to the fullest. God's Spirit confirms my relationship with God and gives my life purpose and meaning.
1 John 5:1-5 - John wants us to have the assurance of our salvation. He also wants us to understand that genuine faith is based on belief (truth) and love, producing a life of obedience and victory. A genuine Christian continues to grow in faith and obedience,
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