I love a good story. Stories have a way of igniting the imagination, capturing attention, and they leave lasting impact. It is no wonder that a bulk of Jesus’ teaching was done through stories called parables. When asked by His disciples why Jesus taught in parables, He explained to them that they are blessed because the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven had been given to them. They saw and heard Jesus and therefore understood the activity of God among them. What an incredible truth that the essence of the Kingdom has been revealed to this world in Jesus. These truths of the Kingdom are now shared with us through the stories; the parables of Jesus. This summer, enjoy learning from the life-changing stories of Jesus. Carry them with you on your travels or enjoy them from the comfort of your home.
This devotional can be used three ways this summer. First, it will follow along with the theme of Sunday’s sermon and allow you to dig deeper into the teaching. It also includes spiritual disciplines for you to practice throughout the week as you continue to create habits and rhythms of your discipleship process. Lastly, personal stories from our community are shared each week. As you learn from the stories of Jesus may you be inspired by the stories of the people you worship with every Sunday.
The church is more than a building and a group of people gathered on Sundays. The church is a way of life. The Greek word we translate as church in the New Testament is ‘ekklesia’ – which literally means the called-out ones. The church is people living out life here and now as called by God.
I am thrilled to go on this adventure together as we learn from the early church, gain a better understanding of God’s purpose for the church and see the many ways in which the Spirit is active here at VPC. Life happens here at the church!
This devotional can be used in two ways:
It will be your weekly companion to the sermon series. Unpacking further some of the ideas preached.
It will provide spiritual formation as we look to three disciplines each week;
Monday—Focus
Wednesday—Frame
Friday—Forward
The rhythm of our Sunday morning worship services model for us the rhythm we are hoping to experience in our daily lives.
Some of the most telling teaching moments in Jesus’ ministry did not take place in synagogues, or the Temple, or on a mountain. They occurred over meals when He was asked telling questions that elicited powerful responses. In this series, we explore those intimate Divine Dining moments. Let’s do some theological feasting together.
You and I are meant to be God’s special blessings in this world—we are blessed by Him to become blessings to others. May this daily study help you receive and give all God intends for you and through you.
All time is a sacred gift. But the ancient church recognized the need to set aside some periods of the year with a unique spiritual focus. One such season is Advent. In the coming month, we recognize that we live in the “time between.” Jesus’ arrival and return. His birth, life, and ministry reveal the God at the heart of history, and the nature of its final culmination. We will use the traditional texts of the common lectionary to explore these themes this year. May this Advent deepen your relationship with our reigning King, and sharpen your desire for His return.
Many things come with a limited warranty in case they break or malfunction. It is a hint that things don’t last forever in this world! In this new series, “Everlasting,” we look at some things that do last forever. They have unlimited warranties, guaranteed by God. May He bless your devotions.
Our identities are tied to the identity of Christ. Paul says, “For you died and your life is now hidden with God in Christ.” To grasp who we are now and who God intends us to be, we need to study the identity of our Lord. The gospel of John provides the deepest look into the mystery of His divine and human natures. This fall series of sermons and devotionals focuses on the “I Am” sayings of Jesus in this gospel. Each claim of our Lord about who He is has implications for who you and I are meant to be. May God speak to you as we learn and pray together.
Our summer preaching and devotional series is based on the Ten Commandments, and titled Top X. These enduring instructions from God have shaped millions of lives and entire civilizations. We will reflect on them in light of Jesus’ teaching and seek to unlock their power and relevance for our own lives. Enjoy!
May is a month of celebration! We will celebrate the generations, mothers, milestones, and sacrifices. What and who we choose to lift up and honor says a lot about our values. May this May and this devotional inspire you.
One classic Lenten approach long used during the seven weeks leading from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, has been to focus on the battle Christian’s face to overcome their false desires. Sometimes called the 7 deadly thoughts, and more often the 7 deadly sins. This list became standardized by the decree of Pope Gregory in 590 AD. Before his action there were several different lists, that in total had 10 vices. There was even one list, by Prudentius, whose name is itself the word for prudence, that focused on the 7 heavenly virtues. Our sermon series, and these devotionals, will update his idea of using virtue to overcome vice, good and beautiful practices to displace false and harmful ones, and extend it, to include 10 ways we can cultivate souls that are whole and holy.
Blessings as you read and pray and think through these themes.
It seems as if the “more the world changes, the more it stays the same.” Novelty can’t shift the perennial problems of human nature and society. What is really “new” in our old world as we approach our new year? The scriptures claim that Jesus inaugurated a new era in human history, a new kingdom, in which a new sort of life would become available. Using 2 Peter, along with a few passages from 1 Peter we’ll explore this claim. There is a new power, a new legacy, a new freedom, a new hope, a new generosity, and a new endurance we can experience this year.
