Along the Way w/ Bro. Ryan

In preparing a message over Thomas the disciple, it was brought to my attention that Thomas, although widely known as 'Doubting Thomas,' was more than just a doubter and worrier.  He was also a very dedicated disciple.  John 11 records for us that even considering the risk of returning to Jerusalem with Jesus (to be with Lazarus), which would mean sure danger and a threat on their lives, Thomas was ready and willing to accompany Him: "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."    Thomas had his bold side, but as we know all too well, he also had a worrisome side.  Thomas dealt with anxiety when Jesus shared that He would soon be leaving them but that they knew where He would be going.  Thomas frantically wanted to know how they could possibly find Him when they, in his estimation, knew nothing!  Its also puzzling that when all the other disciples stayed locked away in the room after Christ's crucifixion, Thomas was nowhere to be found.  What...

“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.  But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand……So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead…and he fell on his face to the earth……David ran and stood over the Philistine and…..cut off his head…”  - 1 Samuel 17:45-50 This is a very popular and well-known story from the Bible.  When you’re a kid growing up in church, you hear this story many times.  When you’re an adult, you hear many a sermon dealing with David and Goliath.  Even in our lost culture, you will still run into people who know the basics of this story.  What is it ...

Many today deal with depression and in the Christian world, its treated like a taboo subject - 'How can a Christian who is supposed to have peace and joy in Christ be depressed? That person must not be saved, or they must have some faith problem.' Jesus dealt with His own sorrow and depression while on earth (ex. Matt.26:38). How did Jesus deal with this in His own life? Matthew 26 John Piper offers a few ways and hopefully these are helpful to someone out there: 1) He chose His closest friends to be with Him ( v.37 ) 2) He opened up to them ( v.38 ) 3) He asked for their prayers and partnership in His battle ( v.38 ) 4) He prayed openly to God the Father ( v.39 ) 5) He rested in the fact that God was in total control ( v.39 ) 6) He looked to the future glory and not the present pain ( Hebrews 12:2 ) Hopefully this helps someone today - pass it on to someone who may need it.

“And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them……..And Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines.'”   – Judges 16:29-30 We all know the story of Samson – the strong man who was pledged to be a Nazirite (no alcohol, no cutting of his hair, etc.)  He was given by his parents to be a servant of the Lord and that pledge, Samson was given superhuman strength.  He had become famous for his feats of physical prowess and his many military conquests, primarily of the Philistines. Unfortunately however, the story of Samson doesn’t end on a cheerful note.  His womanizing and sexual sins led him to a place of destruction.  Delilah, of the Philistines, seduces him and badgers him into volunteering the secret to his strength – the Nazirite vow before God.  If his hair is cut, he will be “like any other man.”  Delilah has a man sneak in while Samson slept, cut his hair, and render him powerless....