Philippians 4:10 “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” Philippians 4:10 A gift had come from old friends, and Paul was filled with gratitude. There were needs, plenty of them, but he had learned that patience and contentment are faithful companions. The help that had seemed slow in coming had…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Acts Chapters 1 & 2 From Pastor Will Shewey It was a different kind of service today at Shades of Grace. We gathered to continue our journey into understanding Pentecost and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We focused upon two questions from Acts, First question, “ What does this mean?” Second question, “ What will…Keep Reading

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.” The Amplified Bible says that “full grown love turns fear out of doors, and then dread no longer exist. It expels every trace of terror.” Have you ever been afraid of something, or a situation, and then someone that…Keep Reading

Ecclesiastes 3:5 There is “a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together.” We who live in this part of the world are well acquainted with rock fences. They are made of stones that are cleared from fields in order for gardens and crops to be planted; and they were made by strong backs and the sweat of the brow. Those old rock fortresses are still…Keep Reading

Revelation 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.” The pastor was relaxing at home one Saturday when he heard a knock at the door. There stood a man in a tuxedo who had a question: “Pastor, everyone is waiting at the church; are you coming to the wedding?” That would be a nightmare for me. There is a…Keep Reading

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” “Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 Each day is a new day with…Keep Reading

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” “Open this door, NOW!” It was late at night when the man stood at the door ranting and raving to get inside. I knew that he had the authority to enter, in fact, I guess you would call him my boss; but I wasn’t…Keep Reading

1 Samuel 25:29 “…the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God…” Abigail sees something in David’s future, and she knows that he has the protection of the Lord. She used a beautiful term to describe how God would care for him. He would be “bound securely in the bundle of the living God?” This implies that all of…Keep Reading

Is It Time to Fast? In Isaiah’s day, the people were doing a lot of fasting and praying, but they lamented that God had taken no notice (Isaiah 58:1-3a). The reason? Their many fasts and prayers were hollow, ostentatious bargaining chips, used in trying to negotiate with God. The fast that the Lord accepts is described in great detail: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to…Keep Reading

Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 “What do I preach?” The young preacher asked. He had been appointed to a congregation of people who intimidated him because they were seasoned professionals and he was green on the vine. The older minister answered, “Preach the Gospel, tell them…Keep Reading

When People Lie About Us When People Lie About Us David said, “Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred…Keep Reading

God Does Not Keep a Balance Sheet Because the Scripture says, “The law came by Moses, but grace and truth by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17), some believe that there was no grace under the Law and that there is no law under grace. No so: “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared” (Psalms130:3-4, ESV)….Keep Reading