Tag Archives: faith

May 11, 2026 · 9:00 am

The Receptive Heart

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Luke 8:11-15

The last heart that Jesus describes in this parable is what is referred to as the receptive heart. This person hears the gospel, receives it by faith, and becomes fruitful throughout their lives. Let us pray for fertile hearts as the gospel seed is sown.

The Receptive Heart (Good Soil)

Some seeds fell on good soil, producing a bountiful crop. This represents hearts that are open, understanding, and committed. These individuals not only hear the message but internalize it, allowing it to transform their lives and bear fruit.

These are the lives where we see genuine spiritual growth and impact. They don’t just profess faith; they live it out, demonstrating love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit. Their lives become a testimony to the power of the Gospel.

Tony French

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May 7, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Our High Priest

1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. 11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Hebrews 7:1-15

Jesus is our Great High Priest. He entered the Holy Place by offering His own blood as a sacrifice for the propitiation of sins.  Three points about the Savior emanate from Hebrews 7….

**Jessus Has a Royal Priesthood (1)

**Jesus Has a Superior Priesthood (4-10)

Christ is Mediator for All

He is Worthy of Tithes

Our Priest Once for All

**Jesus Has a Unique Priesthood (11-15)

May we give thanks today for our Great High Priest.

Tony French

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April 30, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Beware

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallenaway, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Hebrews 6:1-10

Heed the warnings of Scripture, Child of God. The warnings of the Bible are given for our good and they are meant to protect us. Let us consider these commands and cautions from the Holy Word of God……

**Go Forward With Christ (1)

**Go Forward Learning About Christ (2-3)

**Don’t Forsake The Truth (4-6)

**Realize That If We Fail to Go Forward, We Will Lose Rewards (7-8)

God bless you as you serve your King!

Tony French

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April 27, 2026 · 9:00 am

The Shallow Heart

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Luke 8:11-15

When the gospel seed is sown it falls on different types of hearts. Today, let us take a brief overview of the shall heart. This condition is described in Luke 8:13

The Shallow Heart (Rocky Soil)

Other seeds fell on rocky ground with little soil. They sprang up quickly but withered just as fast due to lack of moisture and depth. This represents those who initially receive the message with joy but have no deep roots. When trials and temptations come, their faith falters and fades away.

We’ve all seen people who appear to embrace faith with great enthusiasm, only to drift away when life gets challenging. Their initial zeal isn’t enough to sustain them through difficult seasons. This reminds us of the importance of cultivating depth in our spiritual lives, not just surface-level excitement.

May we pray for those whose faith has faded. Our hope is for the glory of the gospel to shine through so that those with shallow hearts would be saved. Lord, grant our request.

Tony French

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April 23, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Maturity

 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 5:9-14                  

Three important lessons emerge from the end of Hebrews 5. The writer of Hebrews directs Believers to grow in the faith and move into spiritual maturity. Let us all heed the words of the Bible. Those words are indeed wonderful words that give us spiritual life in a darkened world.

As Christians….

**We Should Be Quick To Learn (11-12)

**We Should Grow In Christ (13)

**We Should Be Mature (14)

Blessings upon you all!

Tony French

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April 16, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Our Great High Priest

1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can [a]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” 6 As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”; 7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing

Hebrews 5:1-11

Jesus Represents the Believer to the Father. We are told by the writer of Hebrews that Christ is our Great High Priest. He is our eternal Priest and Mediator before God. Consider these points about Jesus and His Priestly ministry today:

**Christ is Called God’s Son (5)

**Christ is Given An Everlasting Priesthood (6)

**Christ is a Priest After Melchizedek (6, 9-10)

**Christ Cried Out To God In The Garden (7-8)

Let us bring all of our cares and concerns to our great High Priest, Jesus Christ!

Tony French

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April 9, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Rest

 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:12-16

What steps can we take to consistently experience Christ’s rest? What avenues exist for Christians that enable us to live in peace and contentment through the Savior? The final verses of Hebrews 4 give us three ways to live in peace and rest in Christ in this life.

**Be faithful in your study of the Word of God (12-13)

**Pray and seek the Lord Jesus, you High Priest who understands and knows you (14)

**Continue to serve Christ and approach His throne boldly for His mercy and help (14-16)

Have a great week!

Tony French

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April 6, 2026 · 9:00 am

Resurrection Hope

The resurrection of Jesus Christ brings hope. The promises of God’s Word rest on a steadfast assurance that results from Christ’s resurrection. When Jesus rose from the dead, every word of His teaching was verified and His ability to keep his promises was proved. The resurrection was truly the singular event that changed everything.

Many souls are searching for hope in our day. People are searching for a sense of hope in human relationships, finances, technology, and even religion. And, every day these so-called sources of hope promise much and deliver little. That’s not to say that these things are evil or unnecessary. They simply are incapable of fulfilling the longing of the human heart. Only Jesus can satiate that longing for hope, peace, and joy that we so desperately need. 

Because Jesus is alive, we can trust His Word. Because Jesus is alive, we can believe his promises. Because Jesus is alive, we can know our ultimate destination. Because Jesus is alive, we know He will be with us no matter what may arrive at our doorstep. As we examine the risen Savior, we can see more and more clearly that the empty tomb changed everything!

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, All Fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.”[1]

[1] Gaither, Bill., Because He Lives, Gaither Music Company, 1971

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March 30, 2026 · 9:00 am

Transformative Faith

9When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 

Luke 7:9

It’s important to note that while God can and does perform miracles, faith doesn’t guarantee that every prayer for healing will be answered in the way we hope. God remains sovereign, and His ways are higher than ours. Even when healing doesn’t come in this life, those who trust in Christ have the assurance of ultimate healing and restoration in eternity.

How can we cultivate this kind of transformative faith in our daily lives?

**Immerse yourself in God’s Word: Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

**Practice trust in small things: Build your faith muscle by trusting God in everyday decisions.

**Remember God’s faithfulness: Reflect on times when God has proven trustworthy in your life and in Scripture.

**Surround yourself with faith-filled community: Iron sharpens iron; let the faith of others inspire and challenge you.

**Step out in obedience: Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Let your belief lead to action.

**Persist in prayer: Even when answers seem delayed, continue to bring your requests to God with confidence.

The story of the centurion’s faith leaves us with a profound question: What would our lives look like if we trusted God’s Word as completely as this Roman soldier did? How would it change our prayers, our decisions, our relationships?

Biblical faith is not a crutch for the weak, but a powerful force that can move mountains. It’s the confidence to believe when circumstances say otherwise, the courage to obey when the path seems uncertain, and the comfort of knowing that the God of the universe holds us in His hands.

Today, let’s challenge ourselves to cultivate a faith that would amaze Jesus. A faith that believes without seeing, that places its trust fully in God, and that receives the gift of salvation with open hearts. For it is through such faith that we truly experience the transformative power of God in our lives.

Tony French

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March 26, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Enter His Rest

4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:1-11

How do we access Christ’s rest?  He has promised us His peace and contentment. Let us offer three ways to enjoy the “rest” Jesus has for us day by day.

**Trust and be thankful for the salvation you received from the Lord (1-3)

**Grow in sanctification through the Word of God, prayer and the Church(4-7)

**Submit to God each day and commit to follow Christ (8-11)

Tony French

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