Grace EV Free, Norwalk

Before God changes our circumstances, He wants to change our hearts. If our circumstances change for the better, but we remain the same, then we will become worse. God’s purpose in providence is not to make us comfortable, but to make us conformable, conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). Christlike character is the divine goal for each of His children.

"The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life, the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm." - Matt Chandler"The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life, the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm." - Matt Chandler

When trouble comes to our lives, we can do one of three things: endure it, escape it, or enlist it. If we only endure our trials, then trials become our master, and we have a tendency to become hard and bitter. If we try to escape our trials, then we will probably miss the purposes God wants to achieve in our lives. But if we learn to enlist our trials, they will become our servants instead of our masters and work for us; and God will work all things together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28)

We bring nothing to God, and He gives us everything.We bring nothing to God, and He gives us everything.

I know someone who thinks of life as a musical. Life is joy for that person because there’s a soundtrack for everything. If God is at work in everything, then we should want to worship Him constantly. We should sing His praises. We should write about our journeys, speak about them, share them, and experience God’s work among us collectively. Christianity isn’t meant to be stale or dullthe early church was anything but. It was exciting, like God Himself, because His Spirit was working among believers. And his Spirit is working today. So clap, sing a little louder, and share your story. Find the soundtrack to it all. See you in church!

If you want to increase your faith, increase the time you spend in God's Word.If you want to increase your faith, increase the time you spend in God's Word.

There is a wellspring of joy to be found in the glorious privilege of being friends with Jesus.There is a wellspring of joy to be found in the glorious privilege of being friends with Jesus.

Time served in church does not mean you’re spiritually mature. You’ve just been in there a long time.Time served in church does not mean you’re spiritually mature. You’ve just been in there a long time.

It’s in prayer that you actually are able to see yourself for who you are, because you sense being in the presence of a holy God, a majestic God. You sense yourself in the presence of a great God and sensing his searchlight on your heart Only in prayer do you ever really see who you are. Otherwise, you’ll live in delusion. We all have the person we wish we were, and we often go on thinking that’s who we are until prayer. Only through prayer do you actually understand yourself.

John 16:33 (ESV): I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.John 16:33 (ESV): I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. John 5:2223 If you ever wondered how high were the claims of Jesus Christ, here it is: Honor me just as you honor God.

"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" (Hebrews 1:3). Who is God? Jesus reveals who God is I hope to see you at Grace tomorrow morning at 9:30 am.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... (Col. 3:16). Reject sloganeering and cliche-peddling. Through the deep word, become a deeper person. The Bible is bigger than your bumper sticker.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... (Col. 3:16). Reject sloganeering and cliche-peddling. Through the deep word, become a deeper person. The Bible is bigger than your bumper sticker.