Scripture References: Exodus 1:22, 2:2-10, 2 Kings 11:1-3, Matthew 2:13-16, Luke 2:10-14, Isaiah 52:7 Introduction: I work in Data Analytics, and one aspect of my job that I enjoy is taking raw data, organizing it – then using that structured data to identify patterns that can provide useful business insights. But perhaps one of the most important pieces of my…
I read a quote the other day that goes like this:“Sin is not so much a situation of guilt that has to be forgiven as a plight from which one needs to be set free.” When my kids were little, in an attempt to teach them to be compassionate and have good manners, whenever they did something that hurt their…
Scripture References: Genesis 3:15, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, Matthew 2:3-15, Hosea 11:1 Introduction: Being a part of the worship team and writing these devotionals has personally helped me take a deeper look at the lyrics we are singing and how they can point us to Scripture. Leading up to Advent, I’ve had time to read through lyrics in some of our…
The holidays are one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. People are traveling to see family and friends or just to get away. Over years of travel around this time of year my wife and I have realized that I make a terrible road trip companion… I’m not patient enough. Growing up, we would take a 12–hour trip…
Scripture References: Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Kings 8:27, Hebrews 8:1-6, 2 Chronicles 36:19-20, 22-23, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-5. Introduction: “Oh your grace so free, washes over me. You have made me new, now life begins with you.” -Death was arrested A fitting lyric for this week. There is nothing quite like a baptism service!…
When I first started getting involved in music ministries, there was (at that time) a “new” rendition of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It was widely embraced as a great modern take on a beloved hymn. However, there was a problem — I had little to no idea what the lyrics meant. I wasn’t the main leader at that…
This week we are starting a three-week series on thankfulness. Our key text for the series is1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If we zoom out a little, we’ll see that our theme verse is part of a larger section that focuses on instructions to believers. Paul gives…
Scripture References: Genesis 3:14-15, Deuteronomy 31:27-29, 4:26-31, 30:6, Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Isaiah 25:6-9 Introduction: “Don’t spoil the ending for me!!” We’ve probably heard this phrase before. I’ll set the scene…maybe there’s a popular movie or TV series that just came out. You’ve been wanting to see this movie or series for a long time now…the anticipation is killing you.…
For a brief time in college, I was an accounting major. It was brief because the only thing I managed to understand was credit and debit—and that you wanted more credits in your ledger than debits. That’s a very simple (and possibly incorrect) view of accounting, but it’s a realistic way that most of us live our lives. We try…
Scripture References: Lamentations 3:40, Mark 1:1, Luke 2:10-14, Galatians 4:4-7 Introduction: “There is one Gospel on which I standFor all eternityIt is my story, my Father’s planThe Son has rescued meOh what a Gospel, oh what a peaceMy highest joy and my deepest needNow and forever He is my lightI stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ” – ‘There is one Gospel’ by: CityAlight…