Recent Entries

• The Temptations Of Life

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 22, 2021
  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good – Romans 12:21   What a powerful, concise exhortation this is! In just a few words, Paul sums up the mission of Christian living.   First, be not overcome of evil! There are a thousand different ways in which Satan seeks to tea...

• Draw Strength And Be Encouraged

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 21, 2021
  My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise – Psalm 57:7   David begins this psalm asking God to be merciful to him in the time of his calamities. He describes those calamities as facing those with tongues like swords and those who had prepared a net to entr...

• The Book Of Proverbs

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 20, 2021
  Enter not into the path of the wicked…Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away– Proverbs 4:14-15   Have you ever been stuck in slow-moving traffic, only to discover finally that the entire delay was caused by people rubber-necking an accident on the other side of the...

• Patience Kindness And Hope

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 19, 2021
  Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him– Job 13:15   There is perhaps no man in history, besides Jesus Christ himself, who has suffered as greatly as Job. Job’s afflictions came because of his obedience to God, yet he seemed to be u...

• In The House Of The Lord

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 18, 2021
  the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth – 1 Timothy 3:15   Paul makes three astonishing claims for the church, in rapid-fire succession, which we would do well to remember. First, the church is the house of God.Don’t let the wond...
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• In The Service Of Other’s

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 17, 2021
  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body– Hebrews 13:3   What a selfless, sacrificial, thoughtful command to service! It is not enough, the writer of Hebrews clearly implies, to merely pity the poor or to ...

• Why Family

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 16, 2021
  If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel– 1 Timothy 5:8   We live in an age of self-justification. We can excuse or explain almost any personal behavior or habit or shortcoming, making a case for our...

• Your Decision

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 15, 2021
  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind– 2 Timothy 1:7 Fearfulness does not come from God. As children of God, who believe in the perfection and power of Jesus Christ, we don’t need to worry about the future, or fret over circumstances, or be a...

• How We Live The Christian Life?

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 14, 2021
  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord– Romans 12:11 The word “business” here refers to any responsibility or activity in which we might be engaged, not just career or financial obligations. Paul exhorts us not to be slothful, or lazy, in anything that we do. Whether you...

• Be Grateful in Grace And Gratitude

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 13, 2021
  I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints– Philemon 4-5 Where does faith in Jesus Christ come from? How does one come to truly love Jesus Christ and Christians? As Paul writes with un...

• Forgiveness Of Sins

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 12, 2021
  As the elect of God…forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you– Colossians 3:12-13   How must God’s elect respond to God’s gift of salvation to them? How should those who have been themselves fo...
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• We Are Called

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 11, 2021
  Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted– Isaiah 49:13   There is such a sight of God’s beauty and majesty in the grace that has been given, and promised to, G...
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• At The Cross

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 10, 2021
  You, that were…alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight –Colossians 1:21-22   One word with which Paul frequently sums up the accomplis...
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• The Many Name’s Of God

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 9, 2021
  O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand– Isaiah 64:8 God is the father of your very existence. You would not be here if it were not for his creating, sustaining power. You enjoy what Sinclair Ferguson calls the “staggering privilege” ...
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• A Time For Prayer

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 8, 2021
  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name– Matthew 6:9 Every word of our Lord’s model prayer is remarkable and vital, but it is especially important to notice first what he puts first. He begins with these wonderful and welcoming words: our Fathe...

• The Word of The Lord

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 7, 2021
  Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God– Matthew 4:4   We have to eat to live. Yet, Jesus reminds us (and Satan), food is not all that is needed. You could have all the food in the world and yet remain empty and lifeless.   The...
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• The Gospel Message

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 6, 2021
  These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name – John 20:31   John here gives us the mission statement for his gospel; in it we find an excellent summary of thegospel message.   First, the ...

• Salvation In Christ

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 5, 2021
  Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things – Acts 13:38-39   How strange that it could ever be truthfully said that “through this man”—any mere man—could be found forgiveness of sins! ...
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• Repentance Is Healing Hearts

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 4, 2021
  Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth– Revelation 14:7   This message comes from an angel, in the last days, and is part of the “everlasting gospel” which he preaches to all the inhabitants of earth...
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• The Outcome of Sin

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 3, 2021
  She said, ‘The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.’ And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, ‘I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself.’ And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him– Judges 16:20   The horrendous tragedy of the shorn, helples...

• God Stands Alone

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. September 2, 2021
  Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine– Job 41:11   As God questions Job, we see even this righteous man coming quickly to the end of himself and to the realization of the sovereignty of his God.   Job had lost everything he o...

• God’s Attributes

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 31, 2021
  Thou art good, and doest good– Psalm 119:68   God is good. He is not just partially good, or occasionally good, but He is goodness itself.   As John reminds us, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). God’s perfect character does not have ...

• Words From The Cross

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 31, 2021
  Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst– John 19:28 We come to the fifth of Christ’s seven sayings from the cross, and the lesson we now learn from him, even in the midst of unspeakable suffering, is this: “submit yourself to the...
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• The Future Of All Things

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 30, 2021
  The Lord himself shall descend from heaven…and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord– 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17   Paul gives us ...

• Women Of The Bible

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 29, 2021
  Apollos began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly– Acts 18:26   Apollos was a preacher who is described by Luke as being “an eloquent man, and mighty in the script...

• Great Men of Faith

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 28, 2021
  I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will – Acts 13:22   God seems to indicate that when he looks at the heart of David, he is reminded of his own heart.   What does this mean? What does it mean to have a heart after God&rsqu...
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• Going Home To The Father

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 27, 2021
  The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed – 1 Corinthians 15:52Christian, this promise applies to you. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then one day you will be eternally and beautifully transformed.All we have ever known has been sin in...
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• Young And Old

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 26, 2021
  For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him– Genesis 21:2   Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was well past her child-bearing years when Isaac was conceived.   It is e...
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• Speak The Word

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 25, 2021
  He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead– Acts 10:42   Is this the message that your church, your Bible teachers, your ministry is preaching to the people? Are you proclaiming that God has appoint...

• Finding Comfort In Christ

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 24, 2021
  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted– Matthew 5:4   Jesus is clearly not speaking here of every kind of mourning, some of which is due to the natural consequences of sinful living in a sinful world. Rather, he speaks of those who mourn for their sins, in repentance, ...

• To Whom Do You Follow?

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 23, 2021
  He was subject unto his parents Luke 2:51 Young people, you may sometimes feel as though your parents do not understand you. Neither did Jesus’ parents understand him. In fact, the verse before (50) specifically mentions “they did not understand” what Jesus was saying to them. You may sometime...

• The Cost of Temptation

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 22, 2021
  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it – 1 Corinthians 10:13   Although this verse is speak...
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• Stand Firm In Faith

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 21, 2021
  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong– 1 Corinthians 16:13   As Paul concludes his first, and scathing, letter to the church at Corinth, he leaves them with a rapid-fire set of short directives.   “Watch!” Paul says. You have already succumbe...
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• Molded In The Image

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 20, 2021
  Despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the LORD loveth he correcteth– Proverbs 3:11-12   Do not despise, or make light of, the chastening hand of God in your life.   How does one make light of God’s correction, when it obviously...

• God’s Lessons of Hope

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 19, 2021
  Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience– James 1:2-3   What a strange command this is, to count (perceive, think) it a joyful thing when difficult and dark trials come your way. Trials, by their very nature, cau...
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• The Body Of Christ

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 18, 2021
  If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother– Matthew 18:15   Jesus here gives the prescription for offenses within the body of Christ. Do you believe his medicine is effective? Will...

• Bearing The Burden

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 17, 2021
  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ– Galatians 6:2   To bear each other’s burdens means to emotionally, financially, physically, and—most of all—spiritually support one another in times of need. Are you ready for such a commitment? &n...

• A Marriage of Faith

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 16, 2021
  If any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God– 1 Timothy 5:4   How many nursing homes would be out of business if this command was followed more consistently by Christians? Whil...

• Submitting Your Will For His

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 14, 2021
  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake– 1 Peter 2:13   Peter, under the authority of the Holy Spirit, commands us to submit ourselves to every authority placed over us. He goes on to specify that this applies, not only to powerful national leaders, but eve...

• Choosing The Latter?

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 13, 2021
  Many people believe they’ll go to heaven because they tried to live a good life, but the only way to spend eternity with God is to receive Jesus Christ’s gift of salvation. Whoever refuses the gift will be separated from the Him for all eternity.   For a person to be saved, he mus...

• The Enemies of God

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 12, 2021
  One of the hardest truths for many nonbelievers to accept is that they’re enemies of God. Even though they aren’t close to the Lord, they still consider themselves good people. Surely, they think, I haven’t done anything bad enough to make myself His enemy. But the truth is, everyo...

• Growing In God’s Plan

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 11, 2021
  The Holy Spirit’s presence is essential for the Christian life. Despite our best efforts, we have no ability to produce Christlike character on our own. Although we’ve been declared righteous through faith in Jesus, we still succumb to sin, pressures of the world, and the deceptions and ...
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• Jesus?

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 10, 2021
  Who is this Jesus? It’s a question that has been asked by countless individuals for more than two millennia. And, to be sure, it is the most important question that can ever be asked and answered. After all, it’s how we begin our journey toward salvation.   So it’s essential...
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• Do You Know Him

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 9, 2021
  Some people say they’re Christians but don’t acknowledge the divinity of Christ. They think He was simply a good teacher, healer, philosopher, or social reformer. I want to be crystal clear on this matter: You can believe all of these wonderful things about Jesus and even laud Him as a p...
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• Building Your Faith

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 7, 2021
  We’d all like to have great faith that stands firm in the face of challenges and difficulties. But God doesn’t enlarge our faith instantly; it’s a slow process that happens over our lifetime and often involves trials. Each time we choose to believe the Lord and step out in obedienc...
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• A Servant To All

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 6, 2021
  When Jesus came to earth as the Jewish Messiah, He wasn’t what His nation expected. They were looking for a powerful king who’d liberate them from the Romans. While He could have banished the Roman presence from the region, that was not the mission His Father gave Him. Rather, “the...
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• Compare And Contrast

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 5, 2021
  A tremendous contrast exists between what the Word teaches and what the world promotes. Our culture values power, leadership, and ambition, but for the Christian, serving God is our highest honor.   Sometimes people mistakenly think that only those involved in official church work are God&rsq...
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• Understanding Repentance

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 4, 2021
  Maybe you have always thought that Christianity was only for Christians, that you are either a religious person or you are not. But, in fact, the God who created you demands obedience from you, no matter what your personal history or experience may be.   God commands every person, everywhere ...

• Spiritual Stagnation

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 3, 2021
  When you hear the word erosion, what comes to mind? Most likely, you think about how land or rocks wear away over an extended period of time. In the same manner, erosion in our spiritual lives tends to happen subtly over the course of months or years.   What causes this spiritual stagnation a...

• Spiritually Living In An Artificial World

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. August 1, 2021
  The Good Life. For each one of us, this phrase conjures up something different. What is it for you? Vast wealth? Sunny days free from responsibility? Perfect health? A powerful position? We all long for whatever we think will make everything just right.   But that joy is ersatz—a word t...
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• Having a Healthy Fear of God

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 31, 2021
  The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death– Revelation 21:8   A recent Gallup poll found that Americans...
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• Consider It All Joy

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 30, 2021
  Have you ever thought, I can’t take this anymore or I give up? These phrases have the power to change the direction of our life. Let’s look at three things that could cause these sentiments. 1. Satan and his angels. Through their involvement, we can be tempted to stop waiting on God for...

• The Gift of Evangelism - Sharing God’s Word

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 29, 2021
  Why should we put our reputation, our comfortableness, even our lives in danger in order to spread the name of Jesus Christ around the world? Ultimately, the psalmist reminds us, the motivation is not the worthiness of people, but the worth-it-ness of Christ.   Declare the glory of the Lord J...

• The Devine Truth

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 28, 2021
  We’ve all occasionally fallen for a lie, whether it was something as trivial as false advertising or as serious as a scam that emptied a bank account. Whatever the trickery was, it can be traced back to the Father of Lies—Satan (John 8:44). And his most devastating deceptions are those t...

• Ploughing Under Your Sins

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 27, 2021
  It can be sobering to think about life as a field of our own planting, and what’s in our field is determined by the type of seed we have chosen to sow. What if we selected the wrong “seed” but don’t realize it until years later, when we’re standing in a field filled wit...

• Deceiving Yourself

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 26, 2021
  Doesn’t it sometimes seem that certain people never face consequences for their sin? Perhaps you know folks whose ungodly choices have caused them great trouble and suffering, yet there are also those who are prosperous and apparently happy despite their sinful lifestyle. Like the writer of to...

• Resetting The Priorities of Our Heart

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 25, 2021
  You may be familiar with the story of Mary and Martha, the two sisters who eagerly welcomed Jesus into their home. Like many of us, Martha busied herself with tasks and preparations, ensuring that the Lord would be served well. Meanwhile Mary sat with Jesus and listened to Him. He eventually said to...
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• Triumph Over Sin

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 24, 2021
  At times ungodly people appear to triumph over the righteous, and it makes us scratch our heads, wondering why the Lord doesn’t intervene. But the truth is, He often uses the wicked to accomplish His purpose.   Joseph faced one hard-hearted individual after another during his life. His ...

• Yielding to A Worldly Culture

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 23, 2021
  There are many committed followers of Jesus Christ who are focused on pleasing God and growing in faith. But others who identify as Christians don’t concern themselves with spiritual matters at all and instead retain a carnal mindset. This can happen when people start compromising their convic...

• Living In The World

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 22, 2021
  Society’s philosophies and values are everywhere—on radio and TV, in books and magazines, and in conversations at the workplace and corner coffee shop. Believers can’t avoid the pressures to be and think like everyone else. And yet the Bible calls us to live in our culture without ...

• Saving Grace

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 21, 2021
  Many people believe that piling up good works makes them right with the Lord. Yet the only payment for sin that can satisfy divine justice is death (Rom. 6:23). This is why God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. Jesus’ death satisfied God’s justice and brought us ...   •...

• His Wrath And Judgment

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 20, 2021
  Followers of Christ know the importance of being saved, but the world sees no need for rescue. The truth is that those who don’t have a personal relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus are ... • Spiritually dead. Spiritual death first occurred in the garden of Eden. Disobedience se...

• Things That May Hinder Our Prayers

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 19, 2021
  A common hindrance to our prayer life is a lack of perseverance. Many Christians feel that once they’ve prayed for something, the answer should immediately be forthcoming. But God is not a bellhop, waiting to give us what we want the moment we petition Him. Imagine if the Lord instantly provid...
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• Bible Reflections

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 18, 2021
  The Bible gives clear rules for some situations, but for others, we may not know how to proceed. Perhaps you’re unsure whether to look for a new job or pursue a certain friendship, or maybe you can’t tell if a desire is selfish or good.   In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said to ...
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• Wavering Faith

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 17, 2021
  God has called believers to walk by faith, trusting Him and His Word in every situation. But sometimes, like the people in today’s passage, we start to doubt the Lord and His ability to do what He has said. So let’s learn from the Israelites who suffered 40 years of wandering in the wild...

• Finding The Answers

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 16, 2021
  Almighty God reserves the right to reveal some things and conceal others. Although we may not know why natural disasters occur, three biblical truths we do know with absolute certainty allow us to trust the Lord even in times of great suffering.   1. The Lord is in control (Psalm 103:19). Not...

• The Spirit of God In Difficult Times

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 15, 2021
  Anytime a natural disaster strikes, it’s understandable that big questions come to mind, about things like life, death, and why we are here. The magnitude of death and destruction caused by earthquakes, fires, tsunamis, or floods displaces our normal everyday thoughts, leading us instead to se...

• No Shortcuts

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 14, 2021
  Spiritually, we’ve all had dry seasons, so you probably understand the desire for renewed vitality in your relationship with Christ. Perhaps you tried the latest devotional book people rave about, sought an emotional experience through worship music, tried to gain momentum by attending a confe...

• Serving God’s

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 13, 2021
  When we hear the phrase “serving God,” we usually think of activities like teaching Sunday school or visiting the sick. But the most important thing about a servant of the Lord is character. Though today’s passage was written about pastors, it is applicable to every believer. &nbs...

• The Kingdom

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 12, 2021
  John the Baptist and Jesus Both preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2; Matt. 4:17). And though the nation of Israel rejected Christ as their king, His kingdom was not thwarted.   When an idea recurs in Scripture, we are wise to study it well—and...

• What Does Your Heart Tell You?

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 11, 2021
  You’ve probably heard that “the heart is more deceitful than all else” (Jer. 17:9), and perhaps you’ve witnessed this truth at work in your own life. But Scripture also says anyone who believes in Jesus is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)—so how do we know whether ou...
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• He’s Always Watching

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 10, 2021
  There are two possible ways to respond to today’s Scripture passage. Some people find great comfort in knowing that God is always present in their life and nothing escapes His notice. This is usually the response of believers, because we understand that He cares for us. Why would we ever want ...
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• You Can’t Hide From God

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 9, 2021
  Have you ever tried to run from God? Most of us won’t try to escape physically by fleeing to another place, the way Jonah did. But we’re experts at ignoring God’s commands, distracting ourselves with busyness, and offering an alternative plan in place of full obedience. No matter h...

• Understanding That God Loves You

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 8, 2021
  One of the first things children learn in Sunday school is that Jesus loves them, and they are quick to believe it. But as we get older, the hardships and disappointments of life may cause us to doubt this truth. We wonder how a gracious God could allow the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a...

• God’s Love For Us

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 7, 2021
  God’s love can be hard to understand because it’s not like ours. We tend to love those whose character, attributes, and interests are appealing to us. But in God’s eyes, there is nothing attractive in us that makes us worthy of His affection. We are all sinners who have rebelled ag...

• Why is Fasting Important

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 6, 2021
  “Why should I fast?” It’s a question many Christians ask, and one the Bible answers. In Scripture, fasting is often associated with seeking God for a specific purpose. Daniel fasted in order to plead for Israel’s release from Babylonian captivity, which God had promised (Dan. 9:1-3). Nehemiah fa...

• Fasting For The Soul

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 5, 2021
  Today much is misunderstood about fasting. One common assumption is that it’s related to dieting and health. And there are those who hope their self-denial will impress God or certain people. But neither of these is the purpose of the practice, according to Scripture.   Biblical fasting...
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• To Whom Do We Account?

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 4, 2021
  On this day, many Americans proudly define themselves by the nation they live in. But as Christians, we know our earthly citizenship has no bearing on our true identity. At the moment of salvation, all believers become citizens of heaven. Civic responsibilities, while important, are always secondary...

• The Lord Speaks Through His Word

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 3, 2021
  When the Lord invited Peter, James, and John to ascend a mountain with Him, their lives were forever changed by what they saw and heard. As Jesus was transfigured before them, they were stunned by a dazzling display of His glory: His face shone like the sun, His clothes became a brilliant white, and...
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• Trust In The Lord

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 2, 2021
  Trusting in the Lord is easy when life is pleasant and running smoothly. However, when circumstances are not as we desire, our confidence in God can become shaky. Yet even in difficult times, He guides us and helps us through.  God wants us to cultivate faithfulness to Him in every circumstanc...

• Waiting For God

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. July 1, 2021
  During hard times, it’s easy to wonder why the Lord is taking so long to bring relief. Like the psalmist, we cry to God “out of the depths” for help (Psalm 130:1), but as time drags on, we may be tempted to take matters into our own hands. Believers, however, are not to operate as ...
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• Consulting God First

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 30, 2021
  Think about a circumstance in your life that you’d change if you could. Whether it’s a hardship or unfulfilled desire, in order to be content, you must accept that the situation has been allowed by God, even if He didn’t cause it.   When I face such things in my life, I ofte...
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• Inner Peace

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 29, 2021
  True contentment is determined by our attitude and responses rather than by our circumstances. And because Paul had learned this secret, he was able to experience joy and peace in any kind of situation.   The apostle understood what it meant to live in Christ and to have Christ living in him ...

• When Your Circumstances Seem Out of Control

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 28, 2021
  Does it surprise you that Paul wrote today’s passage when he was in prison? He didn’t know what his future held—whether he’d be freed or punished or killed—but he had learned to be content in all circumstances, good or bad. How many of us can make that claim?   I...
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• Having Courage With Christ

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 27, 2021
  Read through Proverbs, and you’re likely to notice God has some harsh words for those who are arrogant. But that doesn’t mean we’re to embrace self-loathing or low self-esteem. Neither extreme accurately captures who we are in Christ. In fact, both are a form of pride, as they invo...
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• Growing In Faith

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 26, 2021
  We all want to grow in our faith, but how can we measure progress toward spiritual maturity? Here’s a short list of benchmarks to look for. We know it’s spiritual fruit when:   We become increasingly aware of our sinfulness and weakness. When I read biographies of godly men and wo...

• Quiet Reflection

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 25, 2021
  When David looked at his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. We, too, should train our eyes to notice indications of our heavenly Father’s presence. But this isn’t a now-and-then kind of thing—it’s a lifestyle.   I developed a habit years ago that has he...
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• Who Is Jesus?

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 24, 2021
  Some people don’t believe Jesus is God, so they claim He was simply a good person. Others may intellectually acknowledge Jesus as God’s Son but have no personal relationship with Him. His true followers, however, believe in their heart that Christ is Savior (Rom. 10:9) and they’ve ...
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• Obedience To God

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 23, 2021
  Yesterday we read that Peter said yes and then let down his nets. And today we see how the soon-to-be apostle’s plans were irrevocably changed. Fishing was put on hold, and Peter became a disciple of Jesus Christ.   Obedience to God never disappoints. Jesus filled Peter’s empty ne...

• Do We Lead Others To God

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 22, 2021
  Teaching people to swim begins with a simple lesson—they must put their face in the water. That first little step helps a person get comfortable in the water and is critical for all swimming skills. In the same way, following God begins with a small act of obedience. It may seem insignificant ...
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• Walk By Faith

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 21, 2021
  A church is able to stand firm in Christ when its members walk by faith, not sight. Just as our salvation came through belief rather than feelings, our daily decisions should be made the same way—but this is contrary to the world’s approach.   Society rewards self-assurance and in...

• Life’s Circumstances

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 20, 2021
  Jesus’ values are nothing like the world’s, so grasping who we are as God’s children can be hard (Rom. 8:16-17). Since the culture’s way of thinking is powerful and at times intoxicating, it’s easy to lose our way while pursuing the abundant life God promises. If that h...
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• How Loneliness Effects Believers

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 19, 2021
  All of us feel lonely from time to time, perhaps because of ill health, a busy work schedule, or moving for a new job or school. When that happens, we find it harder to reach out to friends. Our mind starts telling us no one’s interested in our thoughts or feelings, and we build walls around o...
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• It’s In God’s Hands

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 18, 2021
  Did you ever peek ahead to the end of a story because you just couldn’t wait for the conclusion? This is oftentimes what we long to do in our own life, especially in difficult seasons. We want to know when our affliction will end. But only God knows the future, so we must learn to trust Him in...
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• The Challenges Of Our Time

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 17, 2021
  Everyone faces challenges in life, whether financial, vocational, relational, physical, or spiritual. When trouble comes, as it inevitably will, we should waste no time in bringing it to God.   Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, faced an enormous challenge as three nations simultaneously threate...

• The Urge To Sin

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 16, 2021
  We all struggle with temptation. In fact, even Jesus was tempted, but He resisted and never sinned. From this, it’s clear that experiencing temptation is not in itself a transgression. However, if we let the enticement take root in our thoughts, we are heading toward sin. Obviously, taking act...

• Overcome Temptation

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 15, 2021
  Temptations can come at any time, but they are especially dangerous in periods of weakness because that’s when we’re more prone to yield. The Scriptures are filled with descriptions of men and women who sinned against the Lord in moments of vulnerability. These true stories are given to ...

• Connecting With Others

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 13, 2021
  The popularity of social networking reveals our hunger to connect with one another, yet many people still feel lonely. In fact, even at home, work, or church, people sometimes feel they’re in a gathering of strangers. The degree to which we are known is, in part, our own responsibility. Instea...
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• The Body Mind & Spirit

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 13, 2021
  Some Christians mistakenly think the soul is all that matters and the physical body only gets in the way. But when God created the human body, He called it good (Gen. 1:31).   Perhaps the confusion stems from what Paul meant when comparing the “flesh” with the “Spirit”...
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• Finding Your Security In Hope

  by Pastor John R. Harvey D.D. June 12, 2021
  Hope is essential for life in a fallen world. Unless we believe something better awaits us in the future, we might sink into utter despair. But optimistic anticipation can also bring disappointment when we look forward to something that doesn’t materialize. So how do we determine where to plac...