Sorrow and Profound Celebrations, Part 2
April 7, 2014
Jesus said He came to give us life, and life … abundantly. So then why do we still have times of want and need? Christians get sick, lose their jobs, face discouragement, go through trials. Are we missing something? On the edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez delivers an encouraging message that dismantles a false perspective on prosperity and points us to the real reason followers of Jesus should, and can, have hope!
References:
Luke 5:33-35
Featured Offer
Does the Lord Seem Far Off?
The Psalms speak to the human heart drawing us to worship and thankfulness in times of plenty and comforting us in times of trouble and distress. But what if you could uncover even more richness from God's songbook by understanding the context and intent of the psalmist? Now you can. Be sure to request the book Psalms: Everyday Bible Commentary by Robert L. Alden with your generous donation this month.
Archives
It’s been said the we can live forty days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, but only for a second without hope. It’s the belief of a bright future that strengthens us to face the dark roads of today. On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez looks at the reasons Jesus gave us to have hope. Because what lies on the other side of this life is something worth looking forward to!
April 4, 2014
There are some places you won’t typically find Christians. I mean, what would people say if they saw us at walking down that particular street, or talking to that particular person? On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez says that if we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, He may lead us to places and people outside our comfort zone. And if we’re going to put our reputations on the line, it should be for an eternal reason!
April 3, 2014
It precedes our words and actions when interacting with others. It can be the deciding factor of whether we get that job or not. It’s often the reason we’re part of certain crowds or social groups. It’s our reputation, and we protectively guard it against anyone who would drag it through the mud. On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez says that as followers of Jesus, our reputation may come under attack. How do we respond?
April 2, 2014
Currently, we’re in a verse-by-verse study of the gospel of Luke. Within these pages of Scripture, the life and ministry of Jesus is on full display. We’ve witnessed Christ handling temptations, objections, and curiosity as He’s preached a message of repentance and forgiveness. On this edition of Focal Point, Pastor Mike looks at how Jesus deals with the slander and slurs thrown His way. We can learn a lot from His example!
April 1, 2014
What’s your biggest need today? Maybe it’s for a clean diagnosis from the doctor. Perhaps you’re waiting for a son or daughter to come home. Or maybe you’re asking for the strength to simply get through the day! On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez agrees that our financial, relational, and physical desires are important. But they pale in comparison to what Jesus says is our greatest need!
March 31, 2014
You know, importance often depends on your perspective. What may be an urgent issue for you, may not be as pressing for someone else. The things that seem so critical today may seem inconsequential tomorrow. The only way to have proper understanding of what really matters in life is to have an eternal perspective. On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez turns to Luke, chapter five to do just that!
March 28, 2014
Think back to your younger days for a moment. What was important to you back then? Chances are, the pressures and stresses you dealt with at thirteen, sixteen, or twenty don’t seem all that critical right now! On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez is in a series on Discernment. As we study another scene from the life of Jesus, we’ll find valuable insight into what truly matters in this life … now and for eternity.
March 27, 2014
Jesus promised that if we make Him and His kingdom our number one priority, He’ll take care of everything else. So why then do some of our desires go unfulfilled? On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez says the issue may lie in what we’re asking God for. The message comes from the encounter between Jesus and a very sick man. In that brief interaction, we’ll learn how to bring any and all requests to the Lord.
March 26, 2014
Whether we have a desperate need or a deep personal desire, God invites us to ask Him first. Our Heavenly Father wants to provide both the basics and the blessings in our lives. But how exactly to we bring these requests to the Lord? On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez teaches on praying for Wants and Genuine Needs. To do that, Pastor Mike turns to the gospel of Luke and the healing of a sick man by the hands of Jesus.
March 25, 2014
Parents receive all kinds of requests from their children on a daily basis. Some of them we’re happy to fulfill. But not everything our kids ask for is something they truly need. Just like we practice discernment in the requests we get from our children, so our Heavenly Father responds to our prayers with wisdom. And God has our best interests at heart whether He says yes or no!
March 24, 2014
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Featured Offer
Does the Lord Seem Far Off?
The Psalms speak to the human heart drawing us to worship and thankfulness in times of plenty and comforting us in times of trouble and distress. But what if you could uncover even more richness from God's songbook by understanding the context and intent of the psalmist? Now you can. Be sure to request the book Psalms: Everyday Bible Commentary by Robert L. Alden with your generous donation this month.