Steve Davis, from Jeremiah 29:1-14. God sent a word to his people who were in exile, through Jeremiah the prophet. God had not given up on them, even though he was disciplining them for their sins. He was unfolding a good plan for them, but it would include suffering. Consider the sovereignty of God and his great love for his people!
Author: carycox
Posts on this blog will mostly be:
Glory of God focused
Christ-exalting
Gospel-centered
We Will Rise Again
Cary Cox, from 1 Corinthians 15. Jesus rose from the dead, and our future hope is tied with his resurrection. We who believe will rise again in glorified bodies to serve the Lord forever in the new heaven and new earth!
Examples of Truth in Love – 3 John
Cary Cox, from 3 John. John gives us examples of what it looks like in real life to walk in truth and love. Are we known among the brothers and sisters for walking in truth and love?
Continue in Truth and Love – 2 John 7-13
Cary Cox, from 2 John 7-13. Does it really matter what we believe? John answers that question fervently, calling the church to hold to the truths given to us by Christ and the apostles. We are forbidden from being innovators with the gospel; we can’t change it or try to improve it. We must hold to it in love!
Know the Truth Love the Church – 2 John 1-6
Cary Cox, from 2 John 1-6. God calls his church to be people devoted to truth and love. They go together! Everyone who has been born again will love the people of God. God won’t quit working in us, and with his power, we can walk in both truth and love!
Trained by Grace – Mickey McCall
Mickey McCall, from Titus 2:11-14. Believing the gospel affects the way we live. God’s grace in Christ trains us to renounce sin and grow in godliness. Works are evidence of faith.
Proclaiming the Excellencies of Christ – 1 Peter 2
Zach Bennett, from 1 Peter 2:1-10. Awesome truths set before our eyes: the beautiful glory of Jesus Christ, the truth that in him believers are the chosen and precious people of God, and the call to live in light of his glory!
Respond to the Grace of God – Joshua Study 19
Cary Cox, from Joshua 24. Joshua gives his final words to Israel before he dies. He reminds them of the great grace of God, who has chosen them and acted on their behalf. And he calls them to respond to God’s grace with whole-hearted worship and obedience to God.
Cling to the Lord – Joshua Study 18
Cary Cox, from Joshua 23. In his farewell address to Israel’s leaders, Joshua called them to cut off competing allegiances, and cling to the Lord in love. The marriage relationship is an illustration of this clinging to one another – joined inseparably in love. May we throw off idols, and cling to the Lord!
Just One Altar – Joshua Study 17
Cary Cox, from Joshua 22. Trouble (and almost war!) breaks out among the Israelites when 2 1/2 tribes build another altar. There can be only one altar, at the tabernacle, where sacrifices for sin are offered and the people of God gather together around his presence. Looking ahead to Jesus, Christ and his cross is our altar, the only way to approach God.
Refuge and Rest – Joshua Study 16
Cary Cox, from Joshua 20 and 21. God appointed cities of refuge as safety zones for those on the run. Christ is our refuge, protecting us from God’s judgment. Christ is our rest, our portion, and our inheritance! Consider the beautiful salvation we have in him from these two chapters of Scripture.
A Healthy Prayer Life – Clint Pitman
Clint Pitman, from Luke 22:39-46. A look at prayer, focusing on Jesus Christ.
The Inheritance Part 2 – Joshua Study 15
Cary Cox, from Joshua 13-19. God gives the land to Israel, but they must take it by faith. They must believe God’s promise, trust God’s character, and respond with faith-filled effort. God gives by grace, and we must receive through faith.
The Inheritance Part 1 – Joshua Study 14
Cary Cox, from Joshua 13-19. The land-inheritance God gave to Israel reveals his character: He is good, generous and faithful to his promises. In Christ, God’s church also looks forward to a gracious inheritance! One day, in resurrection bodies, our feet will step on the new heavens and new earth, where we will enjoy the Lord forever!
It Was the Lord’s Doing – Joshua Study 13
Cary Cox, from Joshua 11 and 12. As the war to take the land comes to a close, God wants everyone to know that the defeat of the Canaanites has been his doing. God hardens the hearts of the wicked in order to show his justice in them. And God is faithful to his people, always keeping his promises. Come and see the glory and majesty of the Lord!
To Us A Son Is Given – Christmas 2017
Cary Cox, from Isaiah 9:2-7. Isaiah spoke of a Child-King to come, who would be God and Man, reigning forever. This Child would be the great gift of God to us, bringing us hope! Christ is the Child Isaiah prophesied about, and at his birth the angel declared that a Savior has been born “to you.” The gift of Christ is for you, for us!
The Lord Fought for Israel – Joshua Study 12
Cary Cox, from Joshua 10. See the God who fights for his people! See his miraculous victory, as he judges his enemies and gives his people the land! Look ahead to Christ, who fights for his people and gives us the victory through faith in him!
When God Intervenes – Joshua Study 11
Cary Cox, from Joshua chapter 9. Israel fails. They are tricked into making a peace treaty with the Gibeonites, instead of wiping them out! Yet God steps in with unexpected mercy! He is the God who intervenes and turns failures and messes into beautiful things for his glory and our good!
The Most Important Thing – Joshua Study 10
Cary Cox, from Joshua 8:30-35. Israel renews their covenant with Yahweh. In this ceremony we get a glimpse of what is most important for Israel…and for us. Their identity flows out of their relationship to God. They are to be worshipers at heart, with their lives centered around the word of God. Their children must learn what is most important. For us today, we understand that Christ is to have first place in our lives, and in his church.
God at War – Joshua Study 9
Cary Cox, from Joshua 8:1-29. In this passage we see God sending Israel to take the city of Ai. We see the holy God who has declared war on sin. When we give ourselves to sin, we are aligning ourselves with something God has promised to destroy. But God has provided a rescue from sin and judgment through Jesus Christ! God will eradicate all evil from his universe, conquer his enemies, rescue his people, and reign forever!
No Pretenders – Joshua Study 8
Cary Cox, Joshua 7. The story of Achan shows us that God is serious about sin among his people. Our sin promises satisfaction, but only deceives us, affects others, and ultimately destroys. There can be no pretenders among God’s people. Christ bore our sin, and satisfies us eternally!
God of Justice and Mercy – Joshua Study 7
Cary Cox, from Joshua 5:13-6:27. In the battle of Jericho God reveals himself as the God of both fierce judgment and glorious salvation. We examine what the Bible says about the conquest of the land: God’s justice to destroy the people of Canaan, and his great mercy on his people in Christ!
Getting Right With God – Joshua Study 6
Cary Cox, from Joshua 5:1-12. Just when we think Israel is ready to attack – to take the land – God presses the pause button and makes them wait. There is some unfinished business for God’s people; they must get their house in order before they can represent God in the land. It is time to get right with God! Gospel-focused victory for God’s people!!
Into the Land – Joshua Study 5
Cary Cox, from Joshua 3 and 4. The great day has come! After centuries of waiting, God brought Israel across the Jordan River, and their feet touched the soil of the promised land! God did not bring them out of Egypt to give up on them. He brought them out to bring them in. And he will not quit on us, either. Let us remember the great salvation of the Lord!
Surprising Kindness – The Story of Rahab – Joshua Study 4
Cary Cox, from Joshua 2. See the amazing, surprising kindness of God in the beautiful and gripping story of Rahab the prostitute. Come to Christ for mercy, and safety in the midst of God’s judgment!
Responding to God – Joshua Study 3
Cary Cox, from Joshua 1:10-18. God has spoken, and we must respond. We must believe his promises and obey his commands. Yet, sin hinders our right response. Christ removes the stain of sin and gives us power to respond to God, and to help our brothers and sisters in the fight of faith.
God’s Promise and Command – Joshua Study 2
Cary Cox, from Joshua 1:1-9. God speaks tenderly to Joshua and his people. He gives them great promises to believe, and great commands to obey. Be encouraged as you consider the presence of God with his people! Build your life around God’s word!
Moses is Dead but God is Not – Joshua Study 1
Cary Cox, from Joshua 1:1-2. In our introduction to the book of Joshua we see that, although the mighty Moses has died, God is still alive, in charge and ready to give his people the promised land! Sin, death and loss does not stop God from unfolding his plan and working out his purpose in his people, for his glory.
Set Your Mind On Christ – Mickey McCall
Mickey McCall, from Colossians 3:1-4. We are easily distracted in this life, and often seek satisfaction in many things. But Scripture calls us to set our focus on Jesus Christ, and find our joy and delight in him!
Christ Our Life – Hebrews Study 40
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 13:18-25. The final verses of the book of Hebrews show us a life consumed with Jesus Christ. Gospel-filled prayer and love for the people of God dominate the closing words.
Biblical Church Life Part 2 – Hebrews Study 39
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 13:9-17. The writer continues to instruct the church. God’s people in every culture and in every generation is to be a people who hold to the truth of the gospel unashamedly, who continually praise God in word and deed, and who obey their pastors.
Biblical Church Life Part 1 – Hebrews Study 38
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 13:1-8. The writer of Hebrews covers several basic instructions for the church in every age and culture. This is what the church should look like: love for each other, hospitality, ministry to the hurting, sexual purity, contentment, faithfulness.
The Unshakeable Kingdom – Hebrews Study 37
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 12:25-29. The writer of Hebrews gives his final warning of the book. He calls us to listen to the God who has spoken in the gospel of Christ. We must hear and obey what he has spoken, because judgment is coming! God will shake the heavens and the earth, and only his unshakeable kingdom will remain.
The Blood Speaks – Hebrews Study 36
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 12:18-24. We do not approach God through the old covenant he made with Israel. We worship God according to the better new covenant, enacted through the blood of Jesus Christ! An encouraging look at what we have in Christ.
Run Together – Hebrews Study 35
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 12:14-17. Believers are called to run the race of faith in the context of local church families. We run together, “pastoring” each other to keep our brothers and sisters from veering off course. We are responsible to our church family for how we live, accountable to the church for living out our faith. In love, we help each other avoid sin and run the race to the finish!
Keep Running – Hebrews Study 34
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 12:3-13. The writer continues to unfold his call to action for believers – endure in faith, running the race until the end! As we run, we understand that God disciplines us with suffering, in love, to mold us into the image of Christ. His loving discipline is evidence that we are his children.
Run the Race – Hebrews Study 33
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 12:1-3. God calls his people to throw away everything that slows us down, and turn from sin which strangles us, so that we may run this race of faith with all our hearts! With Christ before our eyes, encouraging us, we endure to the end!
Faith Conquers and Faith Suffers – Hebrews Study 32
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 11:32-40. Through faith some conquer and win great victories. And through faith, others are enabled to endure suffering with great joy in the Lord. In blessing or in poverty, we must hold on to Christ in faith, until the end.
Faith Escapes the Judgment of God – Hebrews Study 31
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 11:28-31. In this passage, we see God pouring out fierce wrath on his enemies, and rescuing his people in tender mercy. By faith we escape the judgment of God.
Faith Fears and Treasures God – Hebrews Study 30
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 11:23-27. Moses gave up the pleasures and treasures of royalty in Egypt – to suffer with God’s enslaved people!!! How?! Why??!! He did it “by faith.” He had seen truth. He had found a greater Treasure! Have you? This amazing passage shows us that faith fears God and treasures God.
Faith is Tested – Hebrews Study 29
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 11:17-22. God tests our faith by leading his people through difficult situations and suffering, not to destroy us, but to teach us to trust him. We look at the test of sacrifice and the test of time. May the Lord give us biblical faith in Christ that endures to the end!
Faith Makes Us Strangers in This World – Hebrews Study 28
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 11:13-16. Faith makes God’s people different from the unbelieving world. We have a different agenda, different values and a different treasure. There is a sense of detachment between us and this world system, because our roots go down deep in another land, another kingdom. We are not of this world. We are strangers and exiles as we hold fast to the promises of God, and long for the city that is coming.
Faith Sees the Unseen – Hebrews Study 27
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 11:1-13. Faith is a response to God. It does not start with us. Faith is not us bringing our dreams to God, but responding to God’s call. Faith sees the unseen truth and acts on it.
The Nature of Faith – Hebrews Study 26
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 11:1-7. The author of Hebrews has called his hearers to endure in faith until the end. So, what is faith? We look at the nature of biblical, saving faith.
Shrink Back or Draw Near? – Hebrews Study 25
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 10:26-39. The powerful warnings of Hebrews come to a climax, as two paths are set before us: We can shrink back from the church and ultimately from Christ, and face the fiery judgment of God. Or, we can draw near in faith until the end with the people of God, and receive the reward.
Live Out the Faith – Hebrews Study 24
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 10:19-25. The theology of Hebrews must be lived out in real life! We are called to draw near to God in worship, hold to the confession of our hope, and commit ourselves to faithfulness in the church.
Perfected for All Time – Hebrews Study 23
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 10:11-18. Christ’s work on the cross for sinners is finished forever, and he is seated at the right hand of God! We who believe have a position of perfection in Christ before God. And in our daily experience, God is using all things to make us like Christ, increasingly.
The Sacrifice of Christ – Hebrews Study 22
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 10:1-10. The entire worship system of the law amounted to shadows pointing to Jesus Christ. Jesus came in a body to do the will of God: laying that body down for us as the final and effective sacrifice for sin!
The Blood of the Covenant – Hebrews Study 21
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 9:15-28. Why is Christianity so focused on death and blood? Hebrews sets our eyes on the blood of Jesus Christ as the basis of our salvation. The cross is not merely an emotional display of love, but a spiritual event – an accomplishment of our redemption!
Greater Worship – Hebrews Study 20
Cary Cox from Hebrews 9:1-14. The worship approach to God we have in the new covenant in Christ is better than the system of approach in the old covenant. Christ has secured our redemption forever! Through him we approach God and worship him acceptably!
The Church at Meadowlake 