The Beauty of God’s Creation
HOLIDAY REPOST This week of Thanksgiving, I have been thinking about the scripture below that describes the enormity of God’s sovereign creation- how He created the earth and created mankind. In light of the enormity of God’s creation, we know as Earth, mankind seems so very small. The Psalmist writes of the dichotomy between our […]
Lukewarm Faith
These are the faithful words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you […]
Believing is Seeing
Then Jesus told him, “because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared after His resurrection. After hearing that Jesus had appeared, Thomas told the others that unless he saw the nail […]
Intimate Worship
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it […]
God’s Word Is Fulfilled
…so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 Isaiah reminds us that God’s Word will never return empty – it will always accomplish its purpose in fulfillment. God promised the […]
Receiving Divine Direction
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon, he had a vision… Acts 10:1-3 […]
Our Faithful Promises
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15 Believers are in covenant with God. When we receive […]
Brotherly Love
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10 Unconditional love, agape love, must be the basis for all that we do. Paul exhorts Christians in the 1st century church, and likewise today, to be […]
Recognizing Heresy
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. II Peter 2:2 The false teachings Peter addresses center on two errors: denial of the return of Christ in judgment (II Peter 3:3-10) and moral failure. (II Peter 2:2,10-22) Peter claims that their teachings were heretical, refuting the fundamental […]
Give Thanks In All Circumstances
We are thankful to you, the women in our Drawing Near community. You are a blessing to our team of teachers, worship leaders, small group leaders, staff, and volunteers. As we transition from our fall teaching and worship season to the holiday season, we are sharing some of Joanne’s past blog posts to inspire us […]