In a series of strange events during Jesus’ final week, cursing a fig tree is certainly at the top of the list. On the day after Jesus was hailed, “Hosanna, the Son of David,” He returned to the city, but He became hungry. He saw a fig tree without any fruit. He cursed the tree […]
Category Archives: Newsletter Articles
Palm Sunday | March 28, 2021 The Triumphal Entry
Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, entered the city of Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. This was to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble […]
Daily Readings for Holy Week from the Gospel of Matthew by Adam Miller
Dear Fellow Worshippers, I can remember last year at this time when everyone was sheltered away in their own homes watching their phones or computers to check in for Church during Holy Week. In a season when most Churches are usually ramping up their outreach ministries, they were instead rushing to find a […]
Dr. John DeBrine | In Memoriam
Our beloved founder, Dr. John DeBrine, passed away peacefully during the night on March 3, 2021 at the age of 96. John dedicated his life to the Kingdom of Heaven and has been promoted to glory. Surely he has heard Jesus say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” John was born on January 15, […]
The World Has Changed. Our Message Must Not by Rebecca Manley Pippert
Two years ago, we returned to live in America, and I was interviewed on a national radio show which included a phone-in Q&A session. The producer said before my interview, “Becky, I know you and your husband have done evangelism ministry all over the world, and that recently you have lived and ministered in Europe. […]
How Your Treasures Control the Desires of Your Heart by Adam Miller
Read: Matthew 5-7 Do you want to be more like Christ? The question seems pretty straightforward. I’m sure you would answer, “Yes!” But if we are honest, we have to admit that we struggle with our sanctification. Sure, you want to be better witnesses, but when is the last time you actually shared your faith? […]
Follow Me, And I Will Make You Fishers of Men by Dr. Larry Moyer
Read: Matthew 4:18-22 Acknowledging Christ as Savior means coming to Him as a sinner, recognizing He took my punishment on a cross, and trusting Him alone as my only way to heaven. Discipleship is a growing experience in which I surrender myself to His will, walk in obedience to Him, and allow Him to use […]
Answering Critical Questions: Why Did Jesus Fast for 40 Days by Micah Lovell
Read: Matthew 4:1-11 The number 40 is used frequently in biblical narratives, especially in the Old Testament. In Genesis 7, the rains fall on the earth for 40 days and nights while Noah and his family wait within the ark. In the book of Jonah, the prophet, fresh from his own deliverance from the belly […]
The People Dwelling in Darkness Have Seen A Great Light by Adam Miller
Read: Matthew 4:12-17 During my first trip to Israel, I was able to visit the mountains of the Golan Heights surrounding Galilee. I was standing on the top of one of the highest points, looking down into the United Nations’ Demilitarized Zone when I heard what sounded like thunder. I was excited at first. I […]
Moving Biblical Characters Off the Felt Board by Nancy Guthrie
Return as an Adult with New Eyes If you’re like me and you grew up going to Sunday school, how we understand so many of the people that we read about in the Bible can, in some ways, be stuck to what I would call the “felt board of our minds.” Our understanding of who […]
Hindsight is 2020: Moving Ahead from A Difficult Year by Adam Miller
I think C.S. Lewis captured our collective sentiment quite well when he wrote his first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” As the four Pevensie children found themselves in a magical winter wonderland, there was one hitch: it was always winter, but never Christmas. I love winter. I […]
The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases by Micah Lovell
As all eyes turn toward the changing seasons, the colder temperatures, the shorter days and longer nights, an inevitable feeling of gloom comes upon me. The day we “Fall Back” is possibly my least favorite calendar day of the year. Carrying a step ladder around my house, I sigh as I step up to reach […]