The Church at CW

This Mother's Day, we look to Deborah—a woman of strength, wisdom, and unwavering faith. She didn't wait for perfect conditions; she stepped into chaos with courage and clarity. As a prophetess and judge, Deborah represented her people with dignity and resolved to follow God's call, no matter the cost. She was respected by leaders, reliable in crisis, and rejoiced when victory came—not for herself, but for God's glory. Her story reminds us that godly women lead in powerful ways, not just in titles, but through faithfulness, character, and service. May we honor and follow the example of women like Deborah—who make a difference right where they are.

The Gospel mission is clear: go with God's power, preach His truth, and make disciples everywhere—from our own hearts to the ends of the earth. As we go, the Gospel grows, transforming lives through intentional outreach and spiritual maturity.

Jesus promised that history is heading somewhere—and He's coming back. After devastation and darkness, after tribulation and trials, the Gospel doesn't fade—it returns. Mark 13 paints a sobering picture: lights will fail, hearts will tremble, and the world will reel. But then comes the crescendo. Jesus returns, not in weakness, but in power and glory. His strength will calm every storm. His splendor will outshine the darkness. So what should we do? Stay awake. Be watchful. Live ready. Because the Gospel doesn't just call us to look back—it invites us to look ahead with hope.

On the hill of Calvary stood three crosses—each representing a response to Jesus. One man reviled Him, dying in denial with a hard heart. Another, broken and remorseful, saw Jesus for who He truly was—and in that moment, paradise was promised. But the center cross held the sinless Son of God, our perfect substitute. Jesus bore our sin, died our death, and rose in victory. The Gospel on the ground is simple yet profound: everyone must choose their cross. Will we reject Him, receive Him, or recognize Him as Redeemer and King?

This week we celebrate the arrival of our saving King. When the Jewish people shouted "Hosanna!" they meant "save us," envisioning a ruler with the might to free them from Roman oppression. Yet, Jesus is so much more than a temporary political or military figure.Even if this wasn't the kind of saving they anticipated, it was the saving that every person, in every generation, needed. Palm Sunday is about Jesus volunteering to die for you and for me. I'm so thankful for Palm Sunday. 

People make all types of rational explanations for not serving.I don't have the time. I don't know what I would do.They don't really need me. There is already someone else.The reality is you have been saved to serve. God wants to work in you and through you! Isn't that amazing? The God of all creation wants to use you and me! Serving allows us to use our spiritual gifts, gives us the peace that comes from obedience, increases our faith, and brings us closer to other church members along with a myriad of other benefits. It's been said, "You are never more like Jesus than when you serve."

Have you ever thought about what impact Jesus had on children during his earthly ministry? Jesus received children, prayed for children, and blessed children. Jesus loved the little children, all the children of the world. The Barna Group released the following statistic; over 46% of all people become a Christian by age 18! Nearly half of all Christians are reached as an adolescent. It is so crucial that we reach the next generation with the gospel at home, in the neighborhood, at school, at the ball-field, and at CCW

If you were tasked with rating your belief on a scale from one to ten, where would you land? Believing can be so hard. Especially about the things I can see. Sometimes it seems easier to trust God with my eternity than the rest of my day. This week, we will explore belief and unbelief as we look at an interaction between Jesus and His disciples with a distressed father, begging for help for his tortured son in “The Gospel Belief.”

If someone asked you what is the story of the Bible? What is the very centerpiece, the thesis, the theme statement? What is the heart of the greatest story ever told? Arguably, if it had to be narrowed to one verse, it would be John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life." When God gave the 2025 vision to be the Gospel on the Ground, He included March 16th to be a special day. Can you think of 3 or 16 people to invite for 3:16 on 3-16? It is a great opportunity for us to work at being the gospel on the ground as we look to fill up God's house.

If someone asked you what is the story of the Bible? What is the very centerpiece, the thesis, the theme statement? What is the heart of the greatest story ever told? Arguably, if it had to be narrowed to one verse, it would be John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life." When God gave the 2025 vision to be the Gospel on the Ground, He included March 16th to be a special day. Can you think of 3 or 16 people to invite for 3:16 on 3-16? It is a great opportunity for us to work at being the gospel on the ground as we look to fill up God's house.

Have you ever received a meal, a card in the mail, a surprising gift, a blessing out of the blue? Do you remember how you felt when someone who didn't have to, did something that made you feel their care? God blessed my wife with the gift of hospitality and she loves to share it by cooking and serving meals. Because of that gift, I have been afforded the opportunity to share with many the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ!In Mark 6, we see a beautifully sensitive side of Jesus, as He is moved with compassion for the crowd. He miraculously, with hardly any supplies, feeds a large crowd leaving them overflowing with blessings. Jesus and His disciples served a physical need that opened the door to the spiritual. Are you looking for a need to feed? 

Have you ever received a meal, a card in the mail, a surprising gift, a blessing out of the blue? Do you remember how you felt when someone who didn't have to, did something that made you feel their care? God blessed my wife with the gift of hospitality and she loves to share it by cooking and serving meals. Because of that gift, I have been afforded the opportunity to share with many the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ!In Mark 6, we see a beautifully sensitive side of Jesus, as He is moved with compassion for the crowd. He miraculously, with hardly any supplies, feeds a large crowd leaving them overflowing with blessings. Jesus and His disciples served a physical need that opened the door to the spiritual. Are you looking for a need to feed? 

Everyone on the face of the earth is represented as soil by this farming story found in Mark 4:3-20. Isn't it interesting that Genesis 2:7 says, "God created man from the dust of the ground." Jesus scatters His good WORD all over earth and it is received either by hard, rocky, thorny, or good soil.  Jesus is the sower and we, by extension, have been given a mandate of sharing the gospel seed. It is important in physical and spiritual agriculture to understand what soil is like in order that we may be effective at sowing. 

Everyone on the face of the earth is represented as soil by this farming story found in Mark 4:3-20. Isn't it interesting that Genesis 2:7 says, "God created man from the dust of the ground." Jesus scatters His good WORD all over earth and it is received either by hard, rocky, thorny, or good soil.  Jesus is the sower and we, by extension, have been given a mandate of sharing the gospel seed. It is important in physical and spiritual agriculture to understand what soil is like in order that we may be effective at sowing. 

What is desperation? Can you think of a time when you felt you were without any answer and just desperate? One definition stated it is the feeling that you have when your situation is so bad that you would do anything to change it. In Mark 5, we meet with two completely different people who have situations of desperation. Jarius is losing his little girl at the brink of death and there is an unnamed woman with a long term disease, both making a last ditch effort to get to Jesus. How desperate are we to get to Jesus? To get others to Jesus? The gospel on the ground is an anthem of desperation to encounter Jesus. Are you desperate?

What is desperation? Can you think of a time when you felt you were without any answer and just desperate? One definition stated it is the feeling that you have when your situation is so bad that you would do anything to change it. In Mark 5, we meet with two completely different people who have situations of desperation. Jarius is losing his little girl at the brink of death and there is an unnamed woman with a long term disease, both making a last ditch effort to get to Jesus. How desperate are we to get to Jesus? To get others to Jesus? The gospel on the ground is an anthem of desperation to encounter Jesus. Are you desperate?

Have you ever used phrases like "you are asking for trouble," "playing with fire," "rocking the boat?" I wonder if the disciples ever felt like that as they followed Jesus into difficulty. At the end of Mark 4, Jesus whisks the disciples away from the multitude and takes them directly into the mess. In chapter 5 they go from that mess, to a maniac (demoniac) named legion.  The Gospel on the Ground is a gospel that seeks opportunities wherever it will be needed. Remember Jesus said in Mark 2:17, "those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Are we passionate about finding a place for the gospel? Passionate enough to rock the boat, to find a mess, to get uncomfortable for the cause? 

Have you ever used phrases like "you are asking for trouble," "playing with fire," "rocking the boat?" I wonder if the disciples ever felt like that as they followed Jesus into difficulty. At the end of Mark 4, Jesus whisks the disciples away from the multitude and takes them directly into the mess. In chapter 5 they go from that mess, to a maniac (demoniac) named legion.  The Gospel on the Ground is a gospel that seeks opportunities wherever it will be needed. Remember Jesus said in Mark 2:17, "those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Are we passionate about finding a place for the gospel? Passionate enough to rock the boat, to find a mess, to get uncomfortable for the cause? 

Families are knit to God's heart. In fact, they were His design from the start. When God created man, He said, "It is not good for man to be alone," so He created woman (Genesis 2:18). Then, He blessed them and told them, "Be fruitful, and multiply" (Genesis 1:28).In Mark 3:20-35 the scene opens with much familial disruption. Even close relatives and religious insiders were nonplussed by what Jesus preached, because it threatened to hamper so many aspects of typical society. They accused Him of being insane and even demon-filled. Jesus goes on to teach that what makes a family is the dynamic unifier of the gospel on the ground.

Families are knit to God's heart. In fact, they were His design from the start. When God created man, He said, "It is not good for man to be alone," so He created woman (Genesis 2:18). Then, He blessed them and told them, "Be fruitful, and multiply" (Genesis 1:28).In Mark 3:20-35 the scene opens with much familial disruption. Even close relatives and religious insiders were nonplussed by what Jesus preached, because it threatened to hamper so many aspects of typical society. They accused Him of being insane and even demon-filled. Jesus goes on to teach that what makes a family is the dynamic unifier of the gospel on the ground.

Legalism, legalistic, judgemental, and self-righteous are all words that make me feel nauseous. How about you? I grew up in a time in which in many circles that was the feeling about churches. Men began to take their eyes off the Bible and preach man-made ideas as if it was truth. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In Mark 2 and 3 we see a verbal sparring over the Pharisees' view of religious regulations and Jesus's apparent superseding. The law is vital and powerful to reveal that all men can not ever be completely lawful and in its intended effect points us to the need of a Savior. Satan seeks to trap us at every turn. He will use doing good, ritualistic, dogmatic things to get our eyes off Jesus and on our own merit, causing us to be ineffective for the cause of the gospel on the ground.

Legalism, legalistic, judgemental, and self-righteous are all words that make me feel nauseous. How about you? I grew up in a time in which in many circles that was the feeling about churches. Men began to take their eyes off the Bible and preach man-made ideas as if it was truth. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In Mark 2 and 3 we see a verbal sparring over the Pharisees' view of religious regulations and Jesus's apparent superseding. The law is vital and powerful to reveal that all men can not ever be completely lawful and in its intended effect points us to the need of a Savior. Satan seeks to trap us at every turn. He will use doing good, ritualistic, dogmatic things to get our eyes off Jesus and on our own merit, causing us to be ineffective for the cause of the gospel on the ground.

Did you know the term "discipleship" is not found in the Bible? Yet, if you ask most churches what area they hope to grow in during 2025 many will say resoundingly discipleship.  In the Bible, we never see Jesus teach a seminar, conference, or hold a convention teaching churches how to disciple, yet everything He did in His earthly ministry was in fact discipling disciples. Jesus began his earthly ministry and immediately called men to follow Him and on the road of constant service. Jesus prepared and patterned His twelve on how to be full court, all in Christians. Join us this Sunday at 10 AM for Pastor Rick's Sermon, "The Gospel Disciples."

Did you know the term "discipleship" is not found in the Bible? Yet, if you ask most churches what area they hope to grow in during 2025 many will say resoundingly discipleship.  In the Bible, we never see Jesus teach a seminar, conference, or hold a convention teaching churches how to disciple, yet everything He did in His earthly ministry was in fact discipling disciples. Jesus began his earthly ministry and immediately called men to follow Him and on the road of constant service. Jesus prepared and patterned His twelve on how to be full court, all in Christians. Join us this Sunday at 10 AM for Pastor Rick's Sermon, "The Gospel Disciples."

What's your gospel story? How did you find out about Jesus? Did you grow up hearing of Jesus? Did you have a friend or family member who influenced your life by sharing Jesus or inviting you to church? In Mark 2 we discover the gripping story of four phenomenal friends who get word that Jesus was a man who could help their friend.These friends gathered up their hurt friend and literally carried him to see Jesus. This encounter with Jesus would change this friend's physical problem, which was amazing, impacting the rest of his earthly life, but Jesus's power and perception penetrates past merely the physical and fixes the soul of this friend...for eternity. There's a beautiful hymn that depicts the glorious gospel friendship called "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus." It says, "I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, since I found in Him a friend so strong and true. I would tell you of how he changed my life completely, He did something that no other friend could do. No one ever cared for me like Jesus, there's no other friend so kind as He, no one else could take the sin and darkness from me. Oh how much He cared for me." 

What's your gospel story? How did you find out about Jesus? Did you grow up hearing of Jesus? Did you have a friend or family member who influenced your life by sharing Jesus or inviting you to church? In Mark 2 we discover the gripping story of four phenomenal friends who get word that Jesus was a man who could help their friend.These friends gathered up their hurt friend and literally carried him to see Jesus. This encounter with Jesus would change this friend's physical problem, which was amazing, impacting the rest of his earthly life, but Jesus's power and perception penetrates past merely the physical and fixes the soul of this friend...for eternity. There's a beautiful hymn that depicts the glorious gospel friendship called "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus." It says, "I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, since I found in Him a friend so strong and true. I would tell you of how he changed my life completely, He did something that no other friend could do. No one ever cared for me like Jesus, there's no other friend so kind as He, no one else could take the sin and darkness from me. Oh how much He cared for me." 

We launched into the new year with the vision theme for 2025: "The Gospel on the Ground." Have you ever been thrust into a story that had an unusual commencement? Mark is peculiar from the other gospels with its no-nonsense, immediate path forward. Mark 1:1 says, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ" and then moves continuously with rapid action. Mark opens not with the birth story of Jesus but the birth story of the ministry of Jesus.If that is not different enough, the arrival story of the ministry of Jesus in Mark 1:1-14 pays particular attention to the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist. We will be unpacking that commission, course, and communication from John the Baptist in regard to his cousin, the "Lamb of God" who came to take away the sins of the world. 

We launched into the new year with the vision theme for 2025: "The Gospel on the Ground." Have you ever been thrust into a story that had an unusual commencement? Mark is peculiar from the other gospels with its no-nonsense, immediate path forward. Mark 1:1 says, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ" and then moves continuously with rapid action. Mark opens not with the birth story of Jesus but the birth story of the ministry of Jesus.If that is not different enough, the arrival story of the ministry of Jesus in Mark 1:1-14 pays particular attention to the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist. We will be unpacking that commission, course, and communication from John the Baptist in regard to his cousin, the "Lamb of God" who came to take away the sins of the world. 

This Sunday is going to be an amazing day as we gather together for a faith acceleration! Habakuk 2:2 says 'Write the vision and make it plain." God has given CCW some very memorable vision themes the past few years: "Go Mile 2", "Burn the Boats"and this past year's "Stand on the Mountain." This Sunday is Vision Sunday and we are going to gather for our 1st 2025 worship service and hear the 2025 Vision from Mark 8:27-38. Join us at 10AM for Pastor Rick's sermon and the 2025 Vision Theme "Gospel on the Ground."

This Sunday is going to be an amazing day as we gather together for a faith acceleration! Habakuk 2:2 says 'Write the vision and make it plain." God has given CCW some very memorable vision themes the past few years: "Go Mile 2", "Burn the Boats"and this past year's "Stand on the Mountain." This Sunday is Vision Sunday and we are going to gather for our 1st 2025 worship service and hear the 2025 Vision from Mark 8:27-38. Join us at 10AM for Pastor Rick's sermon and the 2025 Vision Theme "Gospel on the Ground."

This past Sunday with Christmas at CCW was incredible! We trust that you had lots of fun and fellowship with your family during this Christmas season.This Sunday is the last Sunday of 2024 and we cant wait to celebrate it with YOU. Invite a family to join you at 10a!

This past Sunday with Christmas at CCW was incredible! We trust that you had lots of fun and fellowship with your family during this Christmas season.This Sunday is the last Sunday of 2024 and we cant wait to celebrate it with YOU. Invite a family to join you at 10a!

We can't wait to celebrate our candelight Christmas service with all of our CCW family, highlighting the birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! This Sunday is one of the most memorable services we have all year long as we join with the Christmas and Kids Choirs in singing the great carols of our faith. Beautiful insights will be shared from the Christmas story, as we look at Luke chapter 2 and the message of the innkeeper, angels, and shepherds regarding the birth of Jesus Christ. We will also be participating in family communion. It is going to be a wonderful time of worshipping together this Sunday at 10 AM.

We can't wait to celebrate our candelight Christmas service with all of our CCW family, highlighting the birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! This Sunday is one of the most memorable services we have all year long as we join with the Christmas and Kids Choirs in singing the great carols of our faith. Beautiful insights will be shared from the Christmas story, as we look at Luke chapter 2 and the message of the innkeeper, angels, and shepherds regarding the birth of Jesus Christ. We will also be participating in family communion. It is going to be a wonderful time of worshipping together this Sunday at 10 AM.

The Christmas story. What a wonderful story it is! Luke 2. Mary and Joseph. Shepherds and angels. Wise men and King Herod. The trip to Bethlehem. Inns with no room, swaddling clothes and the baby laying in a manger. But not just any baby – Baby Jesus. Immanuel. The Messiah. God with us.  But that's not all. Though we don't talk about it quite as much, the Bible also gives us the backstory of Christmas. The foreword. The prelude. Or perhaps, the prequel.  Join us this Sunday as we explore Luke chapter 1 and see what we might learn from The Christmas Prequel.  

The Christmas story. What a wonderful story it is! Luke 2. Mary and Joseph. Shepherds and angels. Wise men and King Herod. The trip to Bethlehem. Inns with no room, swaddling clothes and the baby laying in a manger. But not just any baby – Baby Jesus. Immanuel. The Messiah. God with us.  But that's not all. Though we don't talk about it quite as much, the Bible also gives us the backstory of Christmas. The foreword. The prelude. Or perhaps, the prequel.  Join us this Sunday as we explore Luke chapter 1 and see what we might learn from The Christmas Prequel.  

It is Christmas Season, trees are decorated, lights are twinkling, songs are being sung! It is such a wonderful time of year! Do you remember growing up when you Mom had to buy that box containing 300 Christmas cards? She worked feverishly to make sure everyone in God's creation received the Christmas card. In Isaiah 9, the Israelites go from the impression that the walls of life are closing in without hope and without help and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere over 200 years early, drops a Christmas Card from Heaven! The card reads, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." I don't know what you're facing today, but I know The Christmas promise that came to the Israelites is the answer today! 

It is Christmas Season, trees are decorated, lights are twinkling, songs are being sung! It is such a wonderful time of year! Do you remember growing up when you Mom had to buy that box containing 300 Christmas cards? She worked feverishly to make sure everyone in God's creation received the Christmas card. In Isaiah 9, the Israelites go from the impression that the walls of life are closing in without hope and without help and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere over 200 years early, drops a Christmas Card from Heaven! The card reads, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." I don't know what you're facing today, but I know The Christmas promise that came to the Israelites is the answer today! 

Happy Thanksgiving Week! I hope that you have had a wonderful time of gathering and being grateful for the many, many blessings of God! Philadelphia, what a church, a blessed church with a commendation from God! What a thing to attain unto, that we would benefit from the stamped approval of our King! What made Philadelphia stand out? It was not its massive participation or monumental power, but it was its ministry in perseverance. Because Philadelphia was humble and unrelenting in adversity, God would open a door that could not be shut.

Happy Thanksgiving Week! I hope that you have had a wonderful time of gathering and being grateful for the many, many blessings of God! Philadelphia, what a church, a blessed church with a commendation from God! What a thing to attain unto, that we would benefit from the stamped approval of our King! What made Philadelphia stand out? It was not its massive participation or monumental power, but it was its ministry in perseverance. Because Philadelphia was humble and unrelenting in adversity, God would open a door that could not be shut.

You have heard phrases like Don't judge a book by its cover, there's more than meets the eye, not all that glitters is gold and on goes the list. What are they conveying that appearances may not reflect the true nature of something. That is the case in Revelation 3, as we meet with the church at Sardis and the church at Laodicea. They had reputations, seen as something, when in reality from the inside they were falling to pieces. We are going to look at what the church today needs, to not be the Artificial church, or the Apathetic church, but to be the Awakened Church! Join us this Sunday at 10AM for Pastor Rick's Sermon "Standing for Revival."

You have heard phrases like Don't judge a book by its cover, there's more than meets the eye, not all that glitters is gold and on goes the list. What are they conveying that appearances may not reflect the true nature of something. That is the case in Revelation 3, as we meet with the church at Sardis and the church at Laodicea. They had reputations, seen as something, when in reality from the inside they were falling to pieces. We are going to look at what the church today needs, to not be the Artificial church, or the Apathetic church, but to be the Awakened Church! Join us this Sunday at 10AM for Pastor Rick's Sermon "Standing for Revival."

This Sunday is very special as we will gather together for a (Night Of Worship style) Sunday morning service highlighted with Testimony, Blessing, Praying, and Sending our own Pastor Joe and Mikalia Daniels. We are so excited with them as God has swung a wide door of opportunity for them to minister and build the Kingdom of God in Pensacola, Florida.  

This Sunday is very special as we will gather together for a (Night Of Worship style) Sunday morning service highlighted with Testimony, Blessing, Praying, and Sending our own Pastor Joe and Mikalia Daniels. We are so excited with them as God has swung a wide door of opportunity for them to minister and build the Kingdom of God in Pensacola, Florida.  

If the church is anything in the world, it is God's holy people. Churches should be known by how they exalt right and how they condemn wrong. Churches should be known for speaking out against sin and pursuing godliness. But in our day, as in other days, that is not always the standard; and it wasn't the standard in the church in Thyatira. We have to keep our minds guarded against manipulation and impure motives in the Church. We are warned that toleration of sin will bring God's judgement.

If the church is anything in the world, it is God's holy people. Churches should be known by how they exalt right and how they condemn wrong. Churches should be known for speaking out against sin and pursuing godliness. But in our day, as in other days, that is not always the standard; and it wasn't the standard in the church in Thyatira. We have to keep our minds guarded against manipulation and impure motives in the Church. We are warned that toleration of sin will bring God's judgement.

Give and take, finding a win-win outcome and going along to get along are common principles in modern society. Compromise is a big, big deal in the world where we live. What about with our faith? When should we compromise and when should we stand firm in our beliefs, convictions and actions? The people of the Church at Pergamos faced many of these same questions in the first century. Join us this Sunday as we explore the letter Jesus had John write to them in Revelation 2.

Give and take, finding a win-win outcome and going along to get along are common principles in modern society. Compromise is a big, big deal in the world where we live. What about with our faith? When should we compromise and when should we stand firm in our beliefs, convictions and actions? The people of the Church at Pergamos faced many of these same questions in the first century. Join us this Sunday as we explore the letter Jesus had John write to them in Revelation 2.

The STRUGGLE is real - you have heard it, you have said it, and you have felt it. This 2nd letter written to the church at Smyrna, identifies a church with real, constant, daily struggles. It is difficult to grasp what they awakened to each day, for most of us have never really been persecuted in a way to cause us to fear for life, property, or family. In this life our struggles may look very different, but we all endure all kinds of struggles. How do we learn to struggle well? Those who walk through tribulation and remain faithful are promised the extravagant reward of the crown of life. We are going to delve into how to be faithful through the struggles.

The STRUGGLE is real - you have heard it, you have said it, and you have felt it. This 2nd letter written to the church at Smyrna, identifies a church with real, constant, daily struggles. It is difficult to grasp what they awakened to each day, for most of us have never really been persecuted in a way to cause us to fear for life, property, or family. In this life our struggles may look very different, but we all endure all kinds of struggles. How do we learn to struggle well? Those who walk through tribulation and remain faithful are promised the extravagant reward of the crown of life. We are going to delve into how to be faithful through the struggles.

Is it possible to withstand pressure and even endure much opposition for the faith and yet lose love for the reason of the faith? Apparently, it is. Have you ever had the wind knocked out of you? The Church at Ephesus has many good and admirable qualities yet one little, tiny, word changes the tone of an encouraging letter. Nevertheless is a word that carries much weight. Revelation 2:5 states, "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Whew, that is a knock the wind-out statement. I am so glad it doesn't end there and the letter continues with a formula for renewal.