Although modern technology helps us to keep in touch across the miles, there is nothing like being face-to-face. In heaven, we will be face-to-face with one another and with God. But hell is a place of separation from God and everlasting destruction.
Why Doesn't God Do Something? (2 Thessalonians 1:5-7) Pastor Rich Chapman
God is just and He will administer His justice perfectly. All wrongs will eventually be set right and we too will be judged. Until that time comes believers should trust in God, knowing that what God's justice demands, His grace, love, and mercy provide.
Forgiveness Norm LeBlanc
Given that we cannot even keep the Sabbath day holy, it is clear that we all need forgiveness. The good news is that Christians receive forgiveness continuously. How well do we do with repeatedly forgiving others?
Growing. Persevering. Never Give Up. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4) Pastor Rich Chapman
Faith and love lead to perseverance, a cheerful or hopeful endurance, a steady determination never to give up. Pray for that sort of faith and love and never give up. Your work will be rewarded.
Growing. Persevering. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-2) Pastor Rich Chapman
Is your faith growing? Growth takes care and effort and is brought about by God. Meeting in small groups, studying the Word, and praying for the Holy Spirit to do a work within us are things we can do. Involvement is better for growing than knowledge.
Mom Pastor Rich Chapman
Some of the qualities that make a good mom are leadership with heart, prayer and sacrifice, worship and trust, wisdom, teaching, and comforting. We are called to honor our mothers by revering, prizing and valuing them.
dad, Father Pastor Rich Chapman
Some of the qualities that make a good dad are love, presence, protection, strength, provision, wisdom, guidance, and example. We need help to be good dads, and God will help us. The Bible provides many examples of how God is our perfect Father.
Fallen? Broken? Ruined? God can Restore, Repair, and Rebuild. (Amos 9) Pastor Rich Chapman
The impossibility of escaping from God's impending judgment should make us tremble. Yet although He will sift us like wheat, He will also repair the broken places. He is the Master Craftsman who knows how to rebuild people.
The Plumb Line (Amos 7-8) Pastor Rich Chapman
Masons use a plumb line to measure a vertical surface. We can think of such a line coming down from heaven. God gives us this analogy to remind us that He sets the standard by which we are measured. His plumb line is one of righteousness.
It's All About Me (Amos 5-6) Pastor Rich Chapman
We may long for the Day of the Lord for our own benefit, but we should be mindful of those around us who are not saved because it is not all about us. That day will be great and dreadful and this should motivate us to share our faith and pray for souls.
Seek Me and Live (Amos 3-5) Pastor Rich Chapman
God sometimes brings calamity on people that they might turn from their lethargy towards Him. When these times happen in this country, we often hear, "God Bless America!" We should instead ask for His mercy and diligently seek Him.
A Message for All (Amos 1-2; Romans 3:22-24) Pastor Rich Chapman
God sees the sins of all nations and people, and speaks to their hearts, even when they do not know His word. God also saw the sins of Israel, who did know right from wrong and still sinned. When we acknowledge our sin, God will show mercy.
Amos: Sheepherder, Fig-picker, Used by God (Amos 1:1,2) Pastor Rich Chapman
Amos, who prophesied about 760 years before Jesus, during a time of materialism and paganism, was a lowly person. God is in the business of using lowly people, and He can use us too. One of the chief ways we can be used is by praying for others.
Pray for Souls (1 Timothy 2) Pastor Rich Chapman
It is God's desire that all would come to knowledge of the truth, but not all will. We can be aligned with God's desires by praying for the souls of people who do not know Him. For it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment.
Our Two Enemies Defeated by the King Pastor Rich Chapman
Sin and death are our two greatest enemies but Jesus defeated sin on the cross and death by His resurrection. The two are linked since the price of sin is death. Although all will face death, so all will rise again. For believers, the fear is removed.
The King Enters Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11) Pastor Rich Chapman
While Jerusalem was focused on many other things, Jesus was focused on the cross. The people cried for this king to save them immediately from oppression, but first He had to come to be their spiritual savior, which meant He had to die.
God Himself, Working in You, and Me (1 Thessalonians 5:22-28) Pastor Rich Chapman
We are to avoid evil, but we do not have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit is working in us and God will never give up on us; He is faithful to complete the work of sanctification, which began on the cross. Dwell not on past sin, but on Him who is able.
Do Not Put Out the Spirit's Fire (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21) Pastor Rich Chapman
When Christians say no to God, it may be because they are afraid of the refining fire of the Spirit. Rather than resist, we should pray for that fire to burn ever hotter. We can feed it, and warm our cold hearts, with the fuel of His word.
Joyful, Prayerful, Thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Pastor Rich Chapman
God has given us the precious ability to be joyful always through obedience and by abiding in His love, to be prayerful continually as we have an ongoing conversation with God, and to be thankful in all things because the Lord is good.
Forgiveness or Revenge? (1 Thessalonians 5:15) Pastor Rich Chapman
Rather than bear a grudge, forgive those who have hurt you. Not only forgive, but also bless them from your heart. Though we cannot do this on our own, God will give us the ability. A life lived without forgiving is a prison.