john-4:23-24

ALL OF "GRACE GEMS" FROM APRIL 2004 IN ONE FILE My beloved (Octavius Winslow, "None Like Christ" 1866) "How is your beloved better than others?" Song of Solomon 5:9 Does the world challenge– "How is your beloved better than others?" Your answer is at hand– "My beloved bore my sins, and opened in His... Read More

reface I am taught by the Word of God to be able to give "a reason" for the hope that is in me, "with meekness and fear." This I will endeavor to do with the Lord's help. The conclusions I have reached are the result of much searching of heart, deep thought and earnest prayer. When a servant of God ... Read More

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:25 "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." -John 4:24 The apostle Paul's favorite name for fellow ... Read More

In my experience, theological discussions about worship tend to focus on the cerebral, not the visceral—on the mind, not the heart. "True" worship, we are often taught, is more about the mind thinking right about God (using theologically correct language and liturgy), rather than the heart's hunger ... Read More

Every Christmas I have a little habit that I enjoy. On Christmas day I take some remembrances, presents and maybe some fruit and candy down to our Rescue Mission. I spend an hour or so with these fellows. We just gather around, have a few games, chat, talk about their past, their lives and their chi... Read More

Counterfeits of the Divine In seeking to obtain full control of the believer, the first great effort of evil spirits is directed toward getting the man to accept their suggestions, and workings, as the speaking, working, or leading of God. Their initial device is to counterfeit a "Divine Presence," ... Read More

The year was A.D. 155. The persecution against Christians had swept across the Roman Empire. It had come to the city of Smyrna. The Pro-Consul of Smyrna, swept up into this persecution, put out the order to arrest Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp. He was to be arrested and brought to the loc... Read More

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatev... Read More

'And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submit... Read More

It was interesting last night, I spoke at GraceFest, at the Friday evening worship service there, and it was just a quick message. It was entitled Igniting a Heart of Worship and getting our hearts ready for worship and I just felt compelled to share the whole message tonight at Westside, not that i... Read More