Church Membership Why the word Member? 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 Romans 12:3-8 The reason for using the word member is because of Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul uses the word member in a body analogy. When we use the word church “member” we are not talking about a membership to an organization, like… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 1/12/26
“The Blessings and Burdens of Church Growth” ABIDE Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 ESV) We defined abide as living completely dependent and reliant on Jesus… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 1/7/26
Weekly Reflection – “The Church Builder” Matthew 16:13-20 In the Greek New Testament, the word translated “church” is “ekklesia.” It means, “an assembly, or a gathering of people around an idea. This is not a religious word, for example in Acts 19 it is used three times in reference to a mob and a legal… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 12/30/25
Can You Trust this Baby? “God-man” Is it to good to be true? How can we know that having faith in this Jesus who was born in a stable, laid in a manger, lived for 33 years, nailed to a cross, rose from the grave on the third day, will save us from sin and… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 12/24/25
Can You Trust This Baby? “Christ” Luke 2:22-35 “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Luke 2:25 ESV Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Consolation means comfort, console, encourage… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 12/16/25
Can you trust this baby? - “Jesus.” Have you ever asked this question? The Word of God is claiming that this baby is the Savior of the world, that this baby is God, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life and not eternal death. Those are some pretty lofty claims to put on… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 12/2/25
Opposition to our trust in God If knowing leads to trusting; trusting leads to abiding; abiding leads to bearing fruit; and bearing fruit leads to glorifying God; what is the enemies strategy going to be? I believe Satan’s main focus will be to keep us from knowing and trusting God. If the enemy can cause… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 11/26/25
Knowing God = Trusting God “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV Abide means to continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain. In this context of the vine and… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 11/18/25
“Sowing and Reaping: There’s Only Two Fields” Galatians 6:6-10 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 ESV I think verse 7 is the verse that the surrounding verses are built on. Paul uses a very straightforward, easy to understand metaphor from the agricultural… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 7/22/25
Weekly Reflection – Living Hope Membership Covenant The following is the membership covenant that we use at Living Hope Ministries. I encourage you to read through it and to read the scriptures that it is based on. If you are a member this is a reminder to what it means to be a member of… Continue reading Weekly Reflection 7/15/25
Living Hope Ministries 