2 Peter 2:1-11 (HCSB)The Judgment of False Teachers 2 But there were also false prophets  among the people, just as there will be false teachers  among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought  them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and the way of truth will be blasphemed because of them.  3...  Read More

2 Peter 1:16-21 (HCSB)The Trustworthy Prophetic Word 16 For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;  instead, we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, a voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!  18 And we heard this v...  Read More

2 Peter 1:1-15 (HCSB)Greeting1 Simeon[a] Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ:To those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours[b] through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.Growth in the Faith3 His[c] divine power has given us everything required for life and godl...  Read More

HIS SPECIAL PEOPLEThe principles of prayer found in these passages of Scripture apply throughout the Old and New Testaments.Study the Word: Some people say prayer is the most talked about and least used spiritual discipline.  Part of the reason for this could be that we don't understand exactly how prayer works.Key Truth: God invites us to pray and promises to answer (Matthew 7:7-11).   He wants u...  Read More

Matthew 7:7-12 is sandwiched between Jesus telling us not to judge others (vss. 1-6) and giving the Golden Rule (vss. 11-14). Why would Jesus put His statement about “asking, seeking, knocking” BETWEEN those verses about how we relate to others? Does that change your ideas of what you should be asking God for and the types of prayers He answers? Romans 8:26-27 speaks of how the Holy Spirit helps a...  Read More

Mark 4:30-32 HCSB)The Parable of the Mustard Seed30 And He said: “How can we illustrate the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it? 31 It’s like a mustard seed that, when sown in the soil, is smaller than all the seeds on the ground. 32 And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the vegetables, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its s...  Read More

Luke 18:1-8  (HCSB)8 I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith[a] on earth?” Trey ManorThis is not the first time or the last time that God is compared to a human in how He grants requests. Here, the author simply makes a logical point: when someone is persistent, they often get what they want. “The squeaky wheel gets the g...  Read More

John 14:12-14 (HCSB)Praying in Jesus’ Name12 “I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me[a] anything in My name, I will do it.Trey ManorJesus makes a stunning promise: “whoever b...  Read More

Romans 8:26-27 (HCSB)26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[a] with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Trey ManorAh, the Holy Spirit. What a glorious gift! A frien...  Read More

Matthew 7:7-12 (HCSB)Keep Asking, Searching, Knocking7 “Keep asking,[a] and it will be given to you. Keep searching,[b] and you will find. Keep knocking,[c] and the door[d] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door[e] will be opened. 9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or i...  Read More

Sunday Connect Lesson for MAy 7, 2023 When Faith Brings OppositionThe events in the book of Daniel took place during the time when God's people had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians and later the Medo-Persian Empire from 605 BC to 536 BC.  This lessons' events occurred during the later period of that time, when Daniel was at least 80 years old.Study the Word: Daniel continued to pray to...  Read More

We live in a crazy world. Why should we expect opposition if we are serving God? How does Daniel handle that? Daniel’s faithfulness to God led him to disobey the earthly king. Where do you find it harder to obey God and not man (cultural pressures, work, education, etc.)? Why? What can we learn from Daniel about how to live faithfully amidst a culture that does not honor God? What characteristics ...  Read More