Posts with the category “christian-living”

Guarded by God’s Peace
by Pastor Jeff on February 21st, 2025
02/21/2025“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”— Philippians 4:7 (NIV)There are moments in life when worry, fear, and uncertainty threaten to overwhelm us. We do our best to navigate challenges, but sometimes, no amount of reasoning or problem-solving can quiet the storm within. In these times, Philippians 4:7 offers us a...  Read More
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Imitating What Is Good
by Pastor Jeff on February 17th, 2025
02/17/2025“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”– 3 John 1:11 (NIV)John’s letter to Gaius is filled with encouragement and warnings. He commends Gaius for his faithfulness and generosity but also warns him about a man named Diotrephes, who is self-seeking and rejects godly authority. Agai...  Read More
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Go Into All the World
by Pastor Jeff on February 16th, 2025
02/16/2025“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”- Mark 16:15 NIVThis command from Jesus is one of His final instructions before ascending to heaven. It is not a suggestion or an optional task, it is a divine commission. The call to “go” implies movement, intentionality, and a willingness to step outside of comfort zones. It is a call that extends beyond t...  Read More
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The Lord Delights Over You
by Pastor Jeff on February 15th, 2025
02/15/2025“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”— Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)What an incredible picture of God’s love this verse paints! In the midst of judgment and calls to repentance throughout Zephaniah, this verse shines as a beacon of hope, revealing the depth...  Read More
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A Friend Who Loves at All Times
by Pastor Jeff on February 14th, 2025
02/14/2025“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”— Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)True friendship is a rare and precious gift. In a world where relationships are often transactional, where people come and go based on convenience. Today’s verse, Proverbs 17:17 calls us to a higher standard of love and loyalty.“A friend loves at all times.” Not just in good times, when lau...  Read More
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Overcoming Evil with Good
by Pastor Jeff on February 12th, 2025
02/12/2025“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”— Luke 6:28 (NIV)Jesus’ words in this verse are radical, challenging, and, at times, deeply uncomfortable. When someone wrongs us, our natural reaction is often to defend ourselves, retaliate, or harbor resentment. Yet, Christ calls us to something higher, or a response rooted not in human nature but in divine love.To “bless” t...  Read More
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From Death to Life
by Pastor Jeff on February 11th, 2025
02/11/2025“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” — John 5:24 (NIV)Imagine standing at the edge of a vast canyon, with no way to cross. On one side is darkness, sin, separation, and spiritual death. On the other side is light, eternal life, peace, and the presence of God. The gap is...  Read More
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Perfect Peace in an Imperfect World
by Pastor Jeff on February 10th, 2025
02/10/2025“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)Peace is something we all crave, yet it often feels just beyond our grasp. The world around us is filled with uncertainty, financial struggles, family tensions, health concerns, and the relentless pressures of daily life. We long for rest, for stillness, for the kind of peace t...  Read More
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Overcoming Evil with Good
by Pastor Jeff on February 9th, 2025
02/09/2025“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”– Romans 12:21 (NIV)Let’s face it, we live in a world filled with division, injustice, and personal attacks, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the evil around us. It can feel as though negativity, hatred, and wrongdoing are gaining the upper hand. But Paul’s words in Romans 12:21 serve as a powerful reminder that we are not called ...  Read More
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Living in the Grace of God
by Pastor Jeff on February 8th, 2025
02/08/2025“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”—Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)The grace of God is not just a theological concept; it’s an active, transforming force in our lives. Paul reminds us in this passage that grace is not only about...  Read More
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The Power of Your Words
by Pastor Jeff on February 7th, 2025
02/07/2025“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”— Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)Words shape worlds. From the very beginning, God spoke creation into existence. With just His voice, light broke through darkness, order replaced chaos, and life flourished. As beings made in His image, our words carry profound weight. They can build up or tear down, heal or wound...  Read More
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A Call to Blessing
by Pastor Jeff on February 4th, 2025
02/04/2025“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”— 1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)At the core of our human nature is the desire for justice, or at least, what we perceive as justice. When someone speaks harshly to us, we want to respond with equally sharp words. When someone mistreats us, ...  Read More
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Every Good and Perfect Gift
by Pastor Jeff on February 3rd, 2025
02/03/2025“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”— James 1:17 (NIV)In a world of uncertainty, where change is constant and life often feels unpredictable, James offers us a reassuring truth: God is unwavering in His goodness. Every blessing we experience, whether big or small, finds its source in Hi...  Read More
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Drawing Near with Confidence
by Pastor Jeff on February 1st, 2025
02/01/2025“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”– Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)There is a deep invitation in this verse, an invitation to come boldly before God. Not hesitantly. Not fearfully. Not ashamedly. But with confidence.For many, the idea of standing before God’s throne can seem intimidating. We might f...  Read More
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Unashamed of the Gospel
by Pastor Jeff on January 31st, 2025
01/31/2025“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”- Romans 1:16 (NIV)The Apostle Paul’s bold declaration in today’s verse is one of the most powerful statements of faith in all of Scripture. He was writing to the believers in Rome, a city steeped in political power, intellectual arrog...  Read More
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The Beginning of Wisdom
by Pastor Jeff on January 30th, 2025
01/30/2025“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”- Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? This phrase is not about cowering in terror but about living in reverent awe of God. It is the deep recognition that He is holy, sovereign, and all-knowing, and that our lives are fully dependent on Him. When we understand who God is, Hi...  Read More
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All For The One
by Pastor Jeff on January 29th, 2025
01/29/2025“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”— Matthew 18:12 (NIV)Imagine a shepherd standing on a hillside, counting his sheep as the sun begins to set. Ninety-nine are safely within his fold, yet his heart is restless. He recounts, scanning the horizon. One i...  Read More
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You Are the Light of the World
by Pastor Jeff on January 27th, 2025
01/27/2025“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”- Matthew 5:14 (NIV)When Jesus spoke these words during His Sermon on the Mount, He was addressing ordinary people; fishermen, laborers, and others from humble beginnings. Yet, He called them something extraordinary: the light of the world.Think about that for a moment. Light is vital. It illuminates the darkness, ...  Read More
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Guarding Against Greed
by Pastor Jeff on January 25th, 2025
01/25/2025“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’”- Luke 12:15 (NIV)These words from Jesus serve as a wake-up call to examine the desires of our hearts. The backstory of this verse is a man asking Jesus to intervene in a family dispute over inheritance. Instead of addressing the man’s immediate concern, ...  Read More
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Stay Alert and Be Prepared
by Pastor Jeff on January 24th, 2025
01/24/2025“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”— Mark 13:33 (NIV)In today’s verse, Jesus’ words serve as both a warning and an invitation. In the context of this chapter, Jesus is speaking about the end times, reminding His disciples that no one, not even the angels or the Son, knows the day or hour of His return. This uncertainty is not meant to invoke fear but to ins...  Read More
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Trusting God’s Plans
by Pastor Jeff on January 22nd, 2025
01/22/2025“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”– Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)Our days often begin with carefully laid plans: to-do lists, meetings, goals, and dreams for the future. Planning is not inherently wrong, scripture even encourages diligence and wisdom in how we steward our time (Proverbs 21:5). Yet, this verse reminds us of a humbling truth: no ma...  Read More
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Hidden Treasure
by Pastor Jeff on January 21st, 2025
01/21/2025“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”— Psalm 119:11 (NIV)In today’s verse, we find a incredible truth about the awesome power of God’s Word. The psalmist speaks of “hiding” God’s Word in the heart, not merely memorizing it but treasuring it like a precious jewel stored in a safe place. This act signifies more than intellectual knowledge; it is about inti...  Read More
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Honoring One Another In Love
by Pastor Jeff on January 20th, 2025
01/20/2025“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”– Romans 12:10 (NIV)In this single verse, Paul gives us a profound yet practical expression of what it means to live as a follower of Christ in community. Love and honor are the hallmarks of relationships that reflect the heart of God. Today, let us reflect deeply on this call to devotion and honor.Be Devoted to One ...  Read More
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Held by His Hand
by Pastor Jeff on January 18th, 2025
01/18/2025“Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”— Psalm 139:10 (NIV)The words of our Psalm today offer an incredible reminder of God’s intimate presence and steadfast care. The psalmist David, in his poetic reflection, reveals the depths of God’s omnipresence. No matter where we find ourselves, whether on the mountaintops of joy or in the valleys of despair, we ar...  Read More
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Loving Beyond Limits
by Pastor Jeff on January 15th, 2025
01/15/2025“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)Jesus’ words in today’s verse turn conventional thinking upside down. In a world where love often has boundaries and retaliation feels justified, Jesus invites us to a radical way of living: loving even our enemies. Th...  Read More
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The Greatness of God
by Pastor Jeff on January 13th, 2025
01/13/2025“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.”—1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)In this verse, King David pours out a prayer of praise as he prepares to pass the throne to his son Solomon. It comes at a time of great national celebration as Isr...  Read More
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Resting in God’s Rhythm
by Pastor Jeff on January 11th, 2025
01/11/20225“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” – Exodus 20:8 (NIV)In the middle of the Ten Commandments, nestled between instructions about our relationship with God and others, we find this command to “remember the Sabbath day.” It’s not merely a suggestion but a divine invitation to step out of the chaos of life and into the peace of God’s presence.The word remember is significant. It...  Read More
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The Power of Togetherness
by Pastor Jeff on January 10th, 2025
01/10/2025“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”– Matthew 18:20 (NIV)In this simple yet meaningful verse, Jesus assures us of His presence whenever believers gather in His name. It’s not about the size of the gathering, but the unity of purpose and the centering of Christ that matters.Imagine the power of this promise. Whether we are praying with our family, worshiping w...  Read More
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Stand Firm, Unmovable, Abounding
by Pastor Jeff on January 9th, 2025
01/09/2025“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”—1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)The Apostle Paul ends this chapter on the resurrection with this charge: stand firm. He has just finished reminding the Corinthians of the victory we have through Jesus Chri...  Read More
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Sharing the Good News
by Pastor Jeff on January 7th, 2025
01/07/2025“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” – Acts 8:35 (NIV)In this short but powerful verse, we see the essence of evangelism beautifully displayed. Philip, led by the Holy Spirit, encounters the Ethiopian eunuch reading a passage from Isaiah. Instead of offering a generic message, Philip begins with the eunuch’s starting point, he sa...  Read More
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Living in the Light
by Pastor Jeff on January 6th, 2025
01/06/2025“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”– John 3:21 (NIV)In this verse, Jesus speaks of a stark contrast between light and darkness—a recurring theme throughout the Gospel of John. Light represents truth, goodness, and God’s presence, while darkness symbolizes sin, deceit, and separat...  Read More
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The Power of Forgiveness and Love
by Jeff Talarico on January 5th, 2025
01/05/2025“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”- Luke 7:47, NIVThis verse is part of a beautiful and deeply moving moment in the ministry of Jesus. A woman, known for her sinful life, enters a Pharisee’s home where Jesus is dining. With boldness and humility, she weeps at His feet, washes them with ...  Read More
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The Power of Repentance and Baptism
by Pastor Jeff on January 4th, 2025
01/04/2025“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”— Acts 2:38 (NIV)Acts 2:38 stands as a cornerstone of Christian faith, summarizing the essence of the gospel message: repentance, baptism, forgiveness, and the promise of the Holy Spirit. These words were spoken by Pet...  Read More
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Pleasing God, Not People
by Pastor Jeff on January 3rd, 2025
01/03/2025“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”- Galatians 1:10 (NIV)In this verse, Paul confronts a critical question: Who are we living to please—God or people? It’s as if he draws a line in the sand, challenging both himself and his readers to consider who tr...  Read More
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Be Transformed
by Pastor Jeff on January 2nd, 2025
01/02/2025“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12:2 (NIV)The Apostle Paul calls us to live counterculturally, to resist the powerful pull of the world’s patterns. The world seeks to shape us, often subtly, into its mold—pursuing mater...  Read More
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A New Creation in Christ
by Pastor Jeff on December 31st, 2024
12/31/2024“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)This verse captures the transformative power of the Gospel. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we are not simply improved versions of ourselves—we are made new. The old self, marked by sin, shame, and separation from God, is replaced by a life infused with His S...  Read More
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Abiding in the Vine
by Pastor Jeff on December 30th, 2024
12/30/2024“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”- John 15:4-5 (NIV)These words from Jesus, spoken to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion, provi...  Read More
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Set Your Heart on Things Above
by Pastor Jeff on December 29th, 2024
12/29/2024“Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”– Colossians 3:1 (NIV)When we accept Christ as our Savior, we undergo a spiritual resurrection. Our old self, tied to sin and worldly desires, is replaced with a new identity in Christ. Colossians 3:1 calls us to live in alignment with this new reality by shift...  Read More
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Approved Workmen
by Pastor Jeff on December 28th, 2024
12/28/2024“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”– 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)Paul’s charge in 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us that living a life approved by God requires intentional effort. The phrase “do your best” underscores the importance of commitment and perseverance in our faith journey. It’s not ab...  Read More
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The Power of the Holy Spirit
by Pastor Jeff on December 19th, 2024
12/19/2024“The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’”– Luke 1:35 (NIV)In Luke 1:35, we find Mary, a young virgin, grappling with the angel Gabriel’s announcement that she will conceive and give birth to the Son of God. Her question, “How will this be?” is met with an answer t...  Read More
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