The theme for Lifeway’s Vacation Bible School in 2025 is ‘Magnified.’ Throughout the week of VBS children learn to magnify God, magnify God’s care, magnify God’s love, magnify God’s forgiveness, and magnify God’s faithfulness. There are many things that we may view as larger than life. For children, they may see their father as larger…
As the Apostle John seeks to introduce his readers to who Jesus is, he takes us on a journey highlighting several days in the ministry of John the Baptist. It should be noted that John the Baptist was the cousin of Jesus who was appointed by God as the forerunner of Jesus. His responsibility was…
I am very thankful for my mother. She was faithful in loving me, caring for me, tending to me, counseling me, and just always being there. I am also thankful for the many church mommas I’ve had over the years. Strong and faithful women of God who taught me the Bible, pointed me in the…
There have been many ‘kings’ throughout history. Some notable kings include Alexander the Great, Alfred the Great, King Edward the third, Charlemagne, LeBron James, Donald Trump, Mufasa and the list goes on. But there is One King who stands above the rest. There is One King who is more powerful than all other kings put…
Warren Wiesbre gives an informative introduction to Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica. He writes, “The Christians in Thessalonica were grateful to God for Paul’s first letter, but it did not immediately solve all their problems. In fact, the persecution grew worse and some believers thought they were living in the time of…
The Apostle Paul continues to give specific instructions on how we are to live as we wait for the soon return of Christ. It is interesting to note that there are essentially two categories of instructions given. In verses 12-15, we see instructions given primarily for life in the community of the church. However, in…
After Paul encourages the Thessalonians to not worry about the coming day of the Lord especially in light of the fact that believers are saved from the wrath to come through the rapture of the church, he then provides instruction on how they should live in these end times. The instructions zero in on our…
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-19, we are encouraged with the prospect of the rapture of the church. The Apostle Paul challenges the Thessalonian believers to not mourn as those who have no hope. If our loved ones know Jesus as their Savior, they are in the presence of the Lord and one day there will be…
The term ‘angel’ in its most simplistic form is defined as ‘messengers.’ The messengers of Christmas include the angel that appeared to Mary, the angel that appeared to Joseph, and the angel that appeared to the Shepherds. Though we are not angelic beings, for we are much more since we are created in the image…
One of the most fascinating accounts in the Christmas narrative is when the angel appears to the shepherds. The fact that a messenger from God would appear to shepherds is most interesting indeed. For you see, the shepherds are like you and me. They represent sinful man. The New American Commentary says, “One should not…
Pastor Chris Noland 