Category Archives: Uncategorized

March 14, 2024 · 6:00 pm

Beware

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

James 3:5-6

The principle described here is simple yet profound. The precept taught here is this—small things can cause great damage. The veracity of this statement is unquestionable. And it is never truer than in the case of the tongue.

The human tongue, though one of the smallest parts of the body, can speak words that dishearten, destroy, and kill the spirit and vitality of others. Many a marriage, friendship, and relationship has been “set on fire” by damaging words.  And destructive words have ended up decimating hearts and lives since Genesis 3.

Christians ought to mark their words carefully. Our conversation can bring life and help to others, but, it can also cause irreparable harm to those even that we love. Let us speak words of life and hope. May our talk be seasoned with grace and filled with love.

Tony French

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March 11, 2024 · 9:00 am

Closeness

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.  Galatians 4:4-7

Paul teaches the wonder of adoption in this passage. As Believers, we have been “adopted” into His family. He is our Heavenly Father and we are His adopted sons and daughters.

A few thoughts about adoption are in order today. First, adoption proceeds from redemption. Human beings are born into the slavery of sin. Sin rules us, controls us, and dominates us. We may be able to keep it at bay for a time, but, we can never conquer sin in our strength.

Christ redeems us from the curse of sin by taking the curse upon Himself. He paid the price for us so that we could be free and receive this adoption. Having been forgiven and restored to God through Christ Jesus, we are now a part of His family forever. Nothing can separate us from our Heavenly Father. Nothing.

Jesus is the cause of adoption. We would be an eternally lost cause without Christ. We have eternal life and the rights of son-ship because of the Savior. What a mighty God we serve!

Ultimately, we are free through this adoption that God grants to us. We are no longer a slave to sin, self, the world, or the devil. Instead, we have been set free to love God, love others, and serve Him all of our days. 

Christians have been adopted into God’s eternal family. We are set free from the past and able to serve Him for the rest of our lives. And it’s all because of Jesus.

You are blessed today!

Tony French

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March 7, 2024 · 6:00 pm

Words

Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well.4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines.

James 3:3-4

James 3 deals with the words we use in everyday life. The words we say have power. Our words have the power to destroy and the power to lift up. Christians would be wise to understand the nature of even small words which can do damage or bring healing.

The tongue, though small like a ship’s rudder or a horse’s bit, can drive the direction of our lives. If we use words of hate and destruction we will leave a path of destruction. If we use words of edification we will build up those around us for their good. The choice is ours.

Tony French

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March 4, 2024 · 9:00 am

Promises of the Lord

4 Promises from the Word of God for the Child of God……………….

**The Lord will deliver you.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears And rescues them from all their troubles.

Psalm 34:17

**The Lord will counsel you.

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will advise you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8

 ***The Lord will strengthen you.

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.

      Isaiah 41:10

***The Lord will guard you.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Tony French

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February 29, 2024 · 6:00 pm

Warning

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

James 3:1-2

A strong word of warning is issued to teachers in James 3. Those who teach and preach the word of God will be judged more harshly because of the responsibility given to them. The obligation to teach Holy Scripture is high and lofty. God’s Word is being espoused and it should be taught with the utmost concern for the Bible’s accuracy and truthfulness and for the student’s comprehension and understanding. 

Every teacher must be faithful to expound the text properly and not fall into error. Consequences await the instructor who handles the Bible sloppily or falsely. Let every teacher/preacher study and teach in a way that does not cause one to stumble. May the words of the herald edify and build up the body of Christ.

Tony French

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February 26, 2024 · 9:00 am

Promise Keeper

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful. Even when we are not faithful to Him He is always faithful to us. He is faithful in so many ways.

**God is faithful to provide for us.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

**God is faithful to be with us.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

John 14:18

**He is faithful to give us eternal life.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. “I and the Father are one.”

John 10:27-30

God is indeed faithful. He never leaves us, He provides for us, and we will be with Him forever. If God is faithful, what else do we need?

Blessings be upon you all!

Tony French

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February 22, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Faith and Works

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble!20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:17-26

A faith that does not result in works is a faith that has no worth. The Apostle makes this point abundantly clear. Genuine, saving faith in Christ will, of necessity, result in a changed life that desires to do the works of God.

Even the demons believe that God exists and they know His truthfulness is secure. But mental assent to the reality and power of God is not enough. Just saying true things about the Lord is inadequate. For the Christian, saving faith results in a changed life.

Abraham and Rahab are used as examples of the point James is making. Both persons believed God by faith about events that had not yet taken place. And each one acted upon their faith by doing what God said to do. Rahab and Abraham, though far from perfect, are sterling illustrations of biblical faith and works.

Christians are saved by grace, through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Christians will also perform good works as a result of and evidence of saving faith. (Ephesians 2:10) Faith and works are not in competition with each other. Both will be revealed as authentic in the life of a Christian over time.

Tony French

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February 19, 2024 · 9:00 am

How Shall We Live?

How should we as believers live? How should we conduct ourselves in our time here on earth? Let’s look at what the Scriptures tell us about the behavior of the Christian.

**Let us conduct ourselves joyfully.

Clap your hands, all you peoples; Shout to God with a voice of joy.

Psalm 47:1

**Let us conduct ourselves compassionately.

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

**Let us conduct ourselves wisely.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise.

Proverbs 12:15

**Let us conduct ourselves excellently.

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Let us go and go likewise!

Tony French

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February 15, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Action

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

James 2:15-16

Saving faith will lead to concern for others in the life of the Believer. A faith that saves will prompt the Believer to meet practical needs as much as they can when the situation arises. A fellow Christian who is need of clothes or food should be able to count on other Christians to help them in their time of need.

Simply giving verbal assent to others who are lacking is unprofitable and silly. Believers cannot say “be warmed, be filled” and refuse to help those in desperate circumstances.  True saving faith will result in actions, not just words. 

Tony French

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February 12, 2024 · 9:00 am

Jesus And Me

Jesus and Me

I am unworthy—Jesus is worthy

I am a sinner—Jesus is perfect

I am limited—Jesus is unlimited

I was lost—Jesus found me

I am insufficient—Jesus is all sufficient

I am unlovable—Jesus loves me still

I go could go on and on. The contrast is stark. Let me simply say that Jesus Christ is worthy of all glory, honor, praise, and worship. He is worthy because of who He is and what He has done! Hallelujah, what a Savior.

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

Revelation 5:11-13

Tony French

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