By Didi Bacon

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

I believe these words.  The Bible (Scripture) comes from God (God-breathed) and when applied to life, results in living right for God.  Scripture has what we need in order to be right with God through faith and live right for God in faith.

I believe that the Bible was written to be understood.  Scripture comes to life when it is learned and lived. This takes work and commitment.  It requires accessing the resources that God provides for understanding which include the Holy Spirit, teachers, study guides, discipline and mentors.  

I believe that the Bible is relevant to life today.  Although it originates in ancient times, the truth of scripture is applicable to every time and circumstance.  

It is from this belief that we determine our sermon series for each month.  Let me share with you where we are going in God’s Word over this summer.

In June we will be focusing on Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  Paul wrote Philippians from prison.  Yet you would not know it from the tone of this letter.  It is a letter filled with joy!  In the midst of these times where misery, doom and bad news is the only story line we need to learn to choose joy. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! “ Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

The June sermon series will be called, “The Life of Joy!”

Here is what we have planned:

June 5 – Philippians 1:3-5 – Thankfulness produces JOY

June 12 – Philippians 1;23-26 – Faith-grounded friendship produces JOY

June 19 – Philippians 2:1-4 – Disciple making produces JOY

June 26 – Philippians 2:25-30 – Hospitality produces JOY

In July we are going to shift our attention to the Old Testament.  We are going to do a “case study” on the life of the prophet Daniel.  Daniel was taken into captivity to Babylon when the Babylonians invaded Judah.  He was a gifted young man who was forced into service for the Babylonian Empire. What is amazing to see is that Daniel didn’t just survive this trauma, he thrived!  He thrived through his uncompromising commitment to God.  We live in trying times.  I don’t know about you but it is easy to get into the mindset of, “I just want to survive this day”.  That is not how God has called us to live, we can thrive in this world.  Daniel’s life is the example of how.

So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.  Daniel 6:28 (NIV)

The July sermon series will be called “Thrive!”

Here is what we have planned:

July 3 – Daniel chapter 1 – Faithfulness in the small things led to blessing in life.

July 10 – Daniel chapter 2 – When facing unfair treatment, seek out God first.

July 17 – Daniel chapter 4 –  Thriving requires integrity.  

July 24 – Daniel chapter 5 – When it seems you are abandoned, don’t compromise on God’s Way to live.

July 31 – Daniel chapter 6 – When you trust God, He will deliver. 

In August we are going to talk about prayer.  When Jesus’ disciples saw how Jesus prayed, they noticed it was different than the way they prayed and the way that the religious leaders prayed.  So they asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray!”  Jesus’ response to this request is captured in what we call the “Lord’s Prayer.”  This prayer was a model of how Jesus prayed.  In this series we are going to break down each part of this model prayer and look to encourage everyone to put it into practice.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)

The August sermon series will be called “Let us Pray!”

Here is what we have planned:

August 7 – Prayer begins with the desire to talk to God.

August 14 – Open prayer with acknowledgment of trust in God.

August 21 – Share with God the details of your life.

August 28 – Ask God for the resources needed to live right for Him.

We will also be facilitating a church prayer event in August.  Be on the watch for those details.  

We are committed to learning and living scripture.  It is foundational to our faith.  If you are a follower of Jesus, this is the Way.  

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)