Tag Archives: spirituality

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 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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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 3, 2026 · 9:00 pm

No Other

1And God spoke all these words:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:1-3

Let us consider 4 truths from the first commandment given to God’s people:

***God’s Person is unrivaled

***God’s Preeminence is unmatched

***God’s Position is unchallenged

***God’s Permanence is unchanged

What a mighty God we serve. He is powerful and mighty in all His ways.
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods.

1 Chronicles 16:25

Tony French

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August 6, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Instruction

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”  21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:14-29

Instructions for the Christian life from Hebrews 12……

**Live in Peace (14)

**Live a Holy Life (14)

**Do Not Let Bitterness Rule in Your life (15)

**Avoid Immoral Behavior (16)

**Avoid Godless Behavior (16)

**Don’t Forget Who You Are In Christ (17)

**Remember, Jesus Saves by His Grace (22-24)

**Believe in Jesus in and Be Saved (25-29)

Tony French

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August 3, 2026 · 9:00 am

“Overcome The World”

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

The demonic realm is real. The enemy is active. But Jesus is greater. Infinitely greater.

The question isn’t whether spiritual warfare exists—it does. The question is: whose side are you on? Have you trusted in Christ for salvation? Are you abiding in Him daily? Are you fleeing from things that open doors to darkness? Are you telling others about what He’s done for you?

Many souls have been suffering for a long time. But one encounter with Jesus changes everything for them. The same can be true for you, regardless of how long you’ve been bound, how deep the darkness seems, or how hopeless the situation appears.

Jesus is still in the business of setting captives free, healing broken lives, and bringing people from death to life. Trust Him. Believe in Him. Follow Him. And then tell others about the great things He has done. Declare today, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Tony French

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July 16, 2026 · 9:00 pm

By Faith

7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because sheconsidered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a istance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:7-16

36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:36-40

Let us consider three thoughts from Hebrews 11 today:

**At times, faithful people are empowered by God to do great things

**At times, faithful people are empowered by God to endure great suffering

**God’s people believe it by faith before it is received.

May the blessings of God be upon you all!

Tony French

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July 6, 2026 · 9:00 am

Jesus Changes Lives

30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

Luke 8:30-32

The Encounter That Changes Everything

The man among the tombs had a life that seemed beyond hope. The community had tried everything. Nothing worked. He had suffered “for a long time.”

The demons recognized Christ immediately. They even tried to intimidate Him by using His full title: “Jesus, Son of the Most High God.” It was like a tiny dog yapping at a grizzly bear—all noise, no threat.

The demons couldn’t stand in His presence. They begged not to be sent into the abyss. Jesus, demonstrating His complete authority, sent them into a herd of pigs that then rushed down a steep bank into the lake and drowned.

When the townspeople came to investigate, they found the formerly demon-possessed man “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.”

This is the power of an encounter with Christ. Where there was chaos, there is now peace. Where there was nakedness and shame, there is now dignity. Where there was insanity, there is now soundness of mind.

Bring your mess to Jesus today. He will forgive your sin, redeem your past, and cleanse your unrighteousness. God is able!

Tony French

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July 2, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Faith In God

1Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. 5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:1-6

Have Faith In God……

**Faith means believing even though we can’t see or experience it through our senses.  (1)

**Faith is the means of salvation through Jesus Christ. (2) (6)

**Faith gives us courage to obey God (3-5)

**Faith is how we please God (6)

Lord, increase our faith! (Luke 17:5)

Tony French

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June 22, 2026 · 9:00 am

Questions

Three Biblical answers to life’s great questions…..

How did I get here? God created me His image.

Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

What is my purpose on this planet? I am here to glorify God and serve Him.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

As a believer in Christ, where am I going? After I leave this planet, I am going to be with Jesus forever.

Revelation 21:1-6 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

Be blessed today my friends!

Tony French

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