By Al Johnson I love preaching through books of the Bible, and this past Sunday we began a new series through 1 John. The more I spend time studying the Apostle John’s writings, the more I walk away encouraged and excited to pastor Jesus’ Church. John was a dear friend of Jesus, and not the kind of fair-weather friend who …

By Al Johnson By the time John wrote this letter, he was an older man, having spent decades following Jesus and pastoring people. His words in 1 John are not dry doctrine but the passionate plea of a spiritual father urging his children to remain in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. When John first met Jesus, he was somewhat …

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that …

“I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.” — Isaiah 45:19 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”— Jeremiah 29:12-13 There will be days that you don’t feel like seeking …

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or …

“So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” — Ezra 8:23 The Bible is overflowing with examples of how communal fasting led to God doing mighty things and answering prayers. Ezra 8:23 is one of them! As Ezra and God’s people fasted they brought their prayer requests to God, and God answered their …

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” — Matthew 6:16 Tonight begins a 5 day church-wide fast. We are seeking God’s face, his presence, and blessing as we begin a new year. …

During the last forty days of 2024 we strategically prayed as we sought to end the year strong! Each day we focused on specific prayer requests for the coming year. Now, as 2025 begins, we are dedicating ourselves to a time of fasting. Before we fast, we must answer a few questions: What is fasting and why do we do …

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”— 2 Timothy 3:16 Tomorrow begins a new year, which means another year of ministry for us as a church! Next year we want to keep the main thing, the main thing — our main thing is Bible teaching about Jesus. …

“and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’” — Luke 5:10 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have …