October 12, 2026 · 9:00 am

Exhortation

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 7:21-25

While encouragement lifts us up, exhortation gives us a gentle push forward. Sometimes we need comfort; other times we need momentum. The biblical concept of exhortation means to “come alongside and steady someone.” At times we need folks who will shore up our weaknesses and gently push us to continue our walk with Christ.

Why? Because we get weak. The circumstances of life wear us down. The constant battle against our sinful nature exhausts us. As Paul confessed in Romans 7, there’s an ongoing struggle between what we know we should do and what we actually do. We know the right path, yet we find ourselves wandering. We know what to avoid, yet we’re drawn toward it.

This isn’t a sign of failed faith—it’s the reality of living in the “already but not yet” tension of the Christian life. We’re already justified, already declared righteous in Christ, already citizens of heaven. Yet we’re not yet glorified, not yet free from the presence of sin, not yet home. As Martin Luther famously said, we are “simultaneously just and sinner.”

In this in-between time, we need each other to exhort us to keep going. We need fellow believers to help us fix our gaze on Christ when a thousand distractions vie for our attention. Satan’s most effective tool in our age may not be outright persecution but simple distraction—pulling our focus toward countless good things that become idols when they displace our devotion to God.

The church provides that necessary exhortation, calling us back to what matters most, reminding us to forget what lies behind and press toward the prize of our high calling in Christ.

Tony French

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October 8, 2026 · 9:00 pm

The Sixth Command

Two stone tablets display numbered Ten Commandments, including Hebrew text, before rugged mountains.

13 “You shall not murder.”

Exodus 20:13

Life is precious to God. As a result, life should be precious to His people. The commandment found in Exodus 20:13 is concise because it is self-evident. Murder is morally wrong because it destroys a fellow image bearer. Consider these points about the sixth commandment:

**God is the creator of life

**God is the sustainer of life

**Life is precious to God

**We have no right to take life

**God desires life

May we seek the protection and support of life from natural birth to natural death for all.

Tony French

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October 5, 2026 · 9:00 am

The Encouragement Of The Church

 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

One of the most overlooked benefits of gathering as believers is the simple gift of encouragement. The word itself means “to give courage back” or “to lift up”—and isn’t that exactly what we need in a world that constantly seeks to tear us down?

When we gather with fellow believers, we’re reminded of a powerful truth: we are not alone. Others are fighting the same battles, wrestling with the same doubts, and striving toward the same goal of Christlikeness. There’s profound comfort in knowing that you’re not the only one struggling to live out biblical principles in a hostile world.

Consider the prophet Elijah. After his spectacular victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he found himself running for his life from Queen Jezebel’s threats. Exhausted and despairing, he cried out to God, “I’m the only one left!” But God’s response was telling: “I still have 7,000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Even in Elijah’s darkest moment, he wasn’t alone. There was a remnant—faithful people who continued to honor God despite the cultural pressure around them.

The same is true today. Despite the challenges facing the church, despite the drift away from biblical truth in our culture, there remains a faithful remnant. When we gather together, we encourage one another simply by showing up—by demonstrating that we haven’t given up, that we’re still in the fight, that Christ is still worth following.

There’s also something eternally significant about Christian worship that transcends our immediate experience. When believers gather to worship the one true God, we enter a dimension that touches eternity. We may not always feel it or see immediate results, but God is at work in ways we cannot fully comprehend. Our gathering isn’t merely about community or music—it’s about encountering the living God.

Tony French

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October 1, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Honor Your Father And Mother

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Exodus 20:12

The command to honor our father and mother is vital to a healthy family situation. Disrespect towards a parent does not honor God and leads to dissension and chaos in the home. Honor keeps the family strong and orderly.

At times, parents fail their children and in extreme cases action should be taken against them. These situations (though rare) are heart breaking and should be resolved morally and legally.

Having said that, the command to honor our parents should be carried out by Believers who seek to honor the Lord. It’s not always easy and simple to love our parents. But, it’s always right to reverence those who God used to bring us into existence.

Remember these four points about the fifth commandment:

**Honor is required by all Believers

**Honor means respecting our parents

**Honor reveals our true character and love

**Honor is rewarded by the Lord

God bless you all,

Tony French

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September 28, 2026 · 9:00 am

The Power Of Gathering

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21

In a world that increasingly celebrates individualism and self-sufficiency, there’s something profoundly countercultural about gathering together as believers. While our culture whispers that we can travel alone, Scripture tells a different story—one where community, accountability, and shared faith aren’t optional extras but essential ingredients for spiritual growth.

The apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 reveals something remarkable about the nature of Christian community. When Paul prays for believers to be “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,” he’s not praying for isolated individuals pursuing solitary spiritual journeys. He’s praying for a family—”the whole family in heaven and earth”—to comprehend together “what is the width and length and depth and height” of Christ’s love.

This vision of collective spiritual growth challenges our modern sensibilities. Yet within it lies profound wisdom about how God designed us to flourish.

Tony French

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September 24, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Enduring Faith

3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:3-5

Genuine Christian faith perseveres. First John 5:4 declares, “This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” Believers may stumble, stray, or even deny Christ in moments of weakness, but they don’t ultimately abandon the faith.

God, as our Good Shepherd, doesn’t allow His sheep to wander indefinitely. He pursues us, sometimes gently, sometimes with firm correction, but always with the goal of restoration. True children of God cannot find lasting peace apart from Him.

Think of Peter, who denied Jesus three times, or Thomas, who doubted the resurrection. Both men stumbled, but both returned stronger than before. Their temporary failures didn’t define them; their ultimate faithfulness did.

Tony French

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September 21, 2026 · 9:00 am

The Gospel

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

The Gospel is powerful. The good news that we can be forgiven and saved through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has wonder-working power. It is the most powerful news in the universe. How?

The Gospel has the power to change lives. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul tells us “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” Those who hear and receive that Gospel will have their lives changed from the inside. As we grow in Christ, that inward change will exhibit outward evidence. Salvation changes lives.

The Gospel has the power to change attitudes. Romans 5:10-11 relates this powerful truth; For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. A heart that has been forgiven, reconciled, saved, and justified will be changed from selfishness to selflessness. The result will be a life that believes in Christ, worships Christ, and serves Him.

The Gospel has the power to change destinies. Jesus comforts us with the message that “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1-3) Those who have been reconciled receive eternal life (John 3:16-19) and will live with Christ forever after this life is over.  One day we will be with Jesus and we will dwell with Him forever. (Revelation 21:3)

One word of caution is needed. The Gospel will not necessarily change our circumstances. We will suffer and experience hardship in this life.  Being a Christian does not imply that our lives will be perfect.  But, even during those difficult times, Christ will be with us and comfort us. God will bring us through the difficulties of life and use them for our good and His glory.

Jesus changes lives. Has He changed yours?

Tony French

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September 17, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Something About That Name

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Exodus 20:7

The third commandment speaks to how we should treat the name of God. We should never use His name lightly or in an unholy way. We must always revere and respect God’s name knowing that His name is great and sanctified.

As we read this commandment, we cannot help but think about the name of Jesus. The name of our Savior is the highest and holiest name of all. The Apostle Paul teaches us that God has given Christ a name that is above every name. And one day, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2:9) How dare we use this holy name in an unworthy manner.

Peter declares in Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” The only remedy for our sin is Jesus, the Son of God. Christ is the Savior and the only hope for lost and dying people.

So let us respect and revere His name. The holy name of Jesus is above all forevermore.

He is Savior and Lord. Hallelujah!

Tony French

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September 14, 2026 · 9:00 am

Forgiveness

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32).

Few things demonstrate the reality of our faith more powerfully than forgiveness. Paul writes, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Forgiveness isn’t easy. It takes time to work through hurt and betrayal. Sometimes we think we’ve forgiven others, only to have old wounds reopened by a memory or encounter. But true believers get there eventually. Why? Because we remember how much we’ve been forgiven.

Christ forgave the worst in us. He pardoned our rebellion, our selfishness, and our rejection of Him. When we grasp the magnitude of that forgiveness, holding grudges against others becomes increasingly difficult. Forgiveness becomes not about whether someone deserves it, but about honoring what Christ has done for us.

Tony French

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September 10, 2026 · 9:00 pm

No Idols

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Exodus 20:4-6

The second commandment in the Decalogue prohibits the worship of idols. False gods deserve no praise and honor. They are false deities who have no power or strength.

God’s people are commanded to flee idol worship and keep their eyes turned to the Lord. The one true God as revealed in Scripture is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.

Let’s remember three thoughts about the second commandment….

**God Condemns Idols

**We Must Put Away Our Idols

            Possessions

            Portfolio

            People

**God Requires Total Devotion

Receive the blessing of worshipping the Lord today!

Tony French

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