Slave Shipped (2 Peter 2:18-19)
The slave ship pulled from the shore. Lives shattered. Families broken apart. Dreams crushed. The abhorrent possession of human flesh. (1 Minute/250 Words)
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 16, 2020
Faith Sees Greater Realities (Hebrews 11:27)
When God looks at His people, He often sees things we cannot see in ourselves. Through a lens of grace, God knows His children. He looked with grace upon many…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 14, 2020
The True Vine #15 — Support Of Gospel Workers — 3 John
Sunday Notes: The True Vine #15 -- Support Of Gospel Workers -- 3 John
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 12, 2020
The Floods vs. God (Psalm 93:3-4)
Have you ever seen those UFC advertisements where they put the pictures of the two fighters next to each other? Sometimes they have their fists up like they're ready to…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 9, 2020
How I Use My Phone
OK. This post might not make it very far. What I mean is, it might not be for only a handful of you. For many, what I am about to…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 8, 2020
Faith Holds Greater Values (Hebrews 11:24-26)
Hebrews addressed believers who were losing their place of privilege in society. They'd begun to experience mistreatment for their connection to Jesus. Like Moses, they were driven from a comfortable…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 7, 2020
The True Vine #14 — A Church-wide Appeal — 2 John
Sunday Outline: The True Vine #14 -- A Church-wide Appeal -- 2 John
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 5, 2020
Let Jesus Build Your Faith (Mark 5:34)
Jairus was desperate. His little girl, only twelve years old, lay sick at the point of death. He heard Jesus had arrived on his shore, so he pushed through the…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 2, 2020
Personal & Pastoral Updates, Prayer Requests
Here we are. 2020 is here. And with the new decade and year come fresh opportunities. I believe God is doing great things, and I feel so fortunate to be…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 1, 2020
Faith Is Fueled by a Greater Love (Hebrews 11:23)
A Pharaoh arose who didn't remember Joseph and didn't favor the people of Israel. The years ticked by, and the small family of Jacob had grown 2-3 million strong. Fearing…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 31, 2019
Sing in the Stocks (Acts 16:25)
Songs instead of sorrow. Praise instead of pouting. Paul and Silas were men who, when in the dungeon, would cry out to the living God. They set their minds on…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 26, 2019
The Greatest Gift (Matthew 1:21)
Christmas is a time of giving, and it should be, for it was at the first Christmas a Son was given. Notice the angel's word to Joseph regarding Mary, "She…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 24, 2019
Jesus’ First and Second Comings — Humble vs. Glorious (Luke 2:8-9)
Ancient Israelites didn't have a romanticized view of shepherds. Their life was not glamorized or coveted. But someone had to do the job, and outside of Bethlehem during the year…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 19, 2019
Faith Believes in a Better Future With God (Hebrews 11:22)
He was loved and favored by his father. Everyone knew it. Younger than the rest, his dad gave him a coat of many colors. It implied, "Joseph is in charge.…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 17, 2019
The True Vine #13 — What Assurance Produces — 1 John 5:13-21
(Sunday Teaching) The True Vine #13 -- What Assurance Produces -- 1 John 5:13-21
Nate HoldridgeDecember 15, 2019
Seeing Hard Things (Psalm 60:3)
The prayer of Psalm 60 is for restoration. The people, due to a long period breaking God's covenant and commands, were experiencing the consequences of their sin. (2 Minutes/400 Words)
Nate HoldridgeDecember 12, 2019
Faith Worships Only God (Hebrews 11:21)
The author to the Hebrews knew a Christian life mixed with even the lightest persecution would be difficult. He imagined his audience, outcast Jewish Christians, no longer accepted in their…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 10, 2019
Outworkings And Witnesses Of The Gospel’s Truthfulness — 1 John 5:1-12 — The True Vine #12
Outworkings And Witnesses Of The Gospel's Truthfulness -- 1 John 5:1-12 -- The True Vine #12
Nate HoldridgeDecember 8, 2019
Faith Submits to God (Hebrews 11:20)
The author of Hebrews longed for his readers to live by faith. As Jewish people who'd received Jesus as Messiah-Christ, they were in for ostracization and persecution. The church community…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 3, 2019
Jesus Tests (John 6:6)
O Lord, You tested Your man. You saw the vast and weary crowd stay deep into the day. You knew they would need food. You knew they had not prepared…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 28, 2019
Faith Obeys God (Hebrews 11:17-19)
We praise Abraham for his faith in God. We don't call him the father of faith for nothing. And, as the author to the Hebrews tried to urge his readers…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 26, 2019
How God’s Love Is Perfected In You — The True Vine #11 — 1 John 4:13-21
How God's Love Is Perfected In You -- The True Vine #11 -- 1 John 4:13-21
Nate HoldridgeNovember 24, 2019
Serve God (Matthew 4)
Temptation breathed down his neck. Satan himself pummelled Jesus with despairing thoughts, trying to move the Christ to error. In the wilderness, dry and breaking, Jesus stood alone under the…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 21, 2019
Faith Looks Forward to the Better City of God (Hebrews 11:13–16)
In the middle of this great chapter on faith, the author of Hebrews pauses to give a recap. He has already covered creation, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah. He…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 19, 2019
The Origin Of Truth And Love — The True Vine #10 — 1 John 4:1-12
The True Vine #10 -- 1 John 4:1-12 -- The Origin Of Truth And Love
Nate HoldridgeNovember 17, 2019
Leading an End-of-Year Celebration for Your Team
I love the movie Nacho Libre. Many people on my staff love it also, while many hate it, and a couple have never seen it (don't worry, I have rebuked…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 14, 2019
Faith Receives Power for the Impossible From God (Hebrews 11:11–12)
"Sarah herself received power to conceive." It is an exhilarating statement. In her old age, Abraham's wife received God's power for the impossible by faith. She came to trust God,…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 12, 2019
A Healthy Heart Before God — The True Vine #9 — 1 John 3:19-24
A Healthy Heart Before God -- The True Vine #9 -- 1 John 3:19-24
Nate HoldridgeNovember 10, 2019
A Guide for the Climb – Chapter 9 – Wonder at God (Psalm 128)
Would you like to experience God's everywhere-blessing upon your life? Would you like to have His blessing within your soul and on your relationships? Would you like to see Him…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 7, 2019
Faith Goes on Adventures With God (Hebrews 11:8–10)
Abraham was the hero of Israel, so his inclusion in the Hebrews 11 chapter on faith was vital to the original Hebrew readers. By the time of Christ, many thought…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 5, 2019
How To Love God’s People (The True Vine #8 — 1 John 3:11-18)
How To Love God's People (The True Vine #8 -- 1 John 3:11-18)
Nate HoldridgeNovember 3, 2019
The True Tale of a Thoroughly Contented Man (Philippians 4:10-13)
Paul was thankful for the Philippian church. Their faith was real; it had resounded throughout their region. They loved Jesus, and their lives reflected His holiness. They were genuinely progressing…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 31, 2019
Faith Works for God (Hebrews 11:7)
I'd get it if Noah objected. He didn't live near a large body of water. The earth likely hadn't produced any rain by the time he came around. We'd understand…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 29, 2019
The True Vine #7 — 1 John 2:28-3:10 — You Are God’s Child
The True Vine #7 -- 1 John 2:28-3:10 -- You Are God's Child
Nate HoldridgeOctober 27, 2019
A Plea for Ananias (Acts 5)
Why did you do it, Ananias? How could you try to lie to God with your donation? You could have kept it all for yourself. You didn't need to give…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 24, 2019
Faith Pursues God (Hebrews 11:5-6)
The next character in our Hebrews 11 list of faith-walkers was a mysterious man named Enoch. Enoch was the seventh from Adam and, due to the long lifespans of the…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 22, 2019
A Guide for the Climb – Chapter 8 – Embrace God’s Vision for Work and Home (Psalm 127)
In moving through these songs of ascents, one can imagine the pilgrim. He has sung various songs, traveled along the path, and has approached Jerusalem. He is starting now to…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 17, 2019
Faith is the Way to God (Hebrews 11:4)
In his treatise on faith, the author of Hebrews will dissect the outworkings of faith in Old Testament characters. After detailing the creation account (Hebrews 11:3), he moved to his…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 15, 2019
The True Vine #6 — 1 John 2:18-27 — 3 Protections For Today’s Believers
The True Vine #6 -- 1 John 2:18-27 -- 3 Protections For Today's Believers
Nate HoldridgeOctober 13, 2019
7 Ways to Seek God Throughout the Day (Number 28:3-4)
Every time I read about the morning and evening sacrifice, I am humbled. Though I've done it imperfectly, for many years, I have sought the Lord in the morning. But…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 10, 2019
Here’s a quick update from Riley about some new stuff coming at you from the Jesus Famous Podcast. If you’re a listener to this podcast, then check it out! Link…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 9, 2019
Faith Is Confident in God’s Word (Hebrews 11:3)
We learn right away, in this chapter, that though faith will often go above our human reasoning, it is not unreasonable. For a belief in a Creator God is logical.…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 8, 2019
The True Vine #5 — Love The Father (1 John 2:15-17)
The True Vine #5 -- Love The Father (1 John 2:15-17)
Nate HoldridgeOctober 6, 2019
A Prayer To Know God’s Love (Psalm 52:1)
O, God! Your love endures, more than my sin, weakness, and limitations. You have never run out of gas. Everywhere I have gone, anything I have thought, every day of…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 3, 2019
Faith Is Loved by God (Hebrews 11:2)
The author of Hebrews felt a need to brace his readers for coming troubles by urging them to live by faith. He did not want them to shrink back into…
Nate HoldridgeOctober 1, 2019
The True Vine #4 — 1 John 2:12-14 — Remember Who You Are
The True Vine #4 -- 1 John 2:12-14 -- Remember Who You Are
Nate HoldridgeSeptember 29, 2019
A Guide For The Climb — Chapter 7 — Recognize Where True Joy Is Found (Psalm 126)
Have you ever laughed so hard you thought you were going to pull a muscle? Tears flowing from your eyes? It is right for believers to remember God is the…
Nate HoldridgeSeptember 26, 2019