| John 3:14-21 | For God So Loved the World | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season of Lent | |
| As those united to Christ by faith, we are the recipients of the grace and love of the Father displayed in the matchless love of Calvary’s Cross. As sojourners on this Lenten journey to the Cross, let us abandon every hint of self-congratulation and self-praise, and recognize that we belong to God only because of the merit of Christ and the love of God. Now, because of the love we have received in Christ, we now can love others freely from the heart, knowing that God’s supply of love to us will never falter. Let us love others with the love of the Lord. |
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| John 2:13-22 | Zeal for My Father's House | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season of Lent | |
| As sojourners on this Lenten journey to the Cross, we observe the consuming passion of Jesus for the Father, the same pure desire which will lead him to suffer under the hands of sinners for us. Without question, Jesus of Nazareth knew God as his Father, and gave all he had to do all God willed. May we now, during this Season of Lent, affirm that we too have died with the Son in order to live through him. May our members be yielded to God that the life of Christ might be lived once more in us, to the glory of his Father and our God. |
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| Mark 8:31-39 | Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season of Lent | |
| No one can pick and choose the messages given to us from the Son and Man, clinging to the words of triumph and grace, while ignoring or denying his declarations about suffering and the Cross. As sojourners on this Lenten journey to the Cross, let us hear with faith the words of Jesus of Nazareth, that the Messiah will suffer, be rejected and be killed. And too, let us affirm that he will die for the sins of humankind and to defeat the devil will certainly rise after three days to life and to glory. As pilgrims on the Way, let us identify with him who learned obedience through his sufferings, and embrace the narrow way that all true disciples must follow. |
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| Psalm 25:1-10 | The Remembrance of God | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season of Lent | |
| In a world that shifts the blame for virtually everything considered pathological or immoral, let us shine as lights in the darkness. As we begin our Lenten journey to the Cross with Jesus of Nazareth, let us humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift us up. As we walk in the Way as pilgrims and sojourners, let us walk in the light in transparency and honesty, in humility and teachableness, in truth and in love. During this season let us resolve to allow the Holy Spirit freedom to work within us to renew us and prepare us, to make us vessels of him who demonstrated his lowliness and meekness. As many as share the Lord’s death will be resurrected with him. |
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| 2Corinthians 4:3-6 | What You See Is Not All That You Get | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | The Transfiguration | |
| On this Transfiguration Celebration day, let us affirm that Jesus of Nazareth is more than a great teacher or stellar moral exemplar. Rather, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the very divine glory of the Father has been manifested in human form. Though Satan seeks to veil the glory of his person and his Gospel, through us, the Church, that glory continues to be seen and experienced. Let us, then, during this week of remembrance and reflection, embrace our call to let our light shine through our works for Jesus Christ, might be seen in and through us, by the Spirit, to the glory of God, the Father. |
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| Mark 1:29-39 | The Healing Ministry of Jesus | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Epiphany Season | |
| During this week of the Season after Epiphany we celebrate the invasion of the reign of God in the person of Jesus of Nazareth’s healing, exorcisms, and preaching of the Kingdom. The curse was rescinded in his incarnation; the ground was set for the full display of God’s Kingdom by the entrance of his Son into the world. Let us give forth shouts of praise to him who could and still can demonstrate the power of God in healing the sick, in releasing the captive from the bondage of Satan, and revealing the truth to those walking in darkness. In the person of Jesus, the presence of the future now resides in our midst! |
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| Mark 1:21-28 | The New Teaching and New Authority | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Epiphany Season | |
| During this Season after Epiphany we testify of Jesus of Nazareth’s stunning teaching and awesome authority as the anointed One, the Holy One of God whose power and authority represent the invasion of the Age to come in our midst. Let all who believe in him stand in awe as they look upon him, and affirm with gladness that since Jesus has come into the world the rule of God has come near. Light is shining in the darkness, for Jesus of Nazareth is passing by! |
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| Mark 1:14-20 | The Kingdom of God Is at Hand | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Epiphany Season | |
| During this Season after Epiphany let us affirm without shame or fear that the Reign of God has come in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In his preaching, exorcisms, healings, and matchless character, the Kingdom of God was shown and powerfully manifested. Although the fullness of the Kingdom’s manifestation awaits his Second Coming, since the time of his death and resurrection, and the sending of the Spirit, the life of the Age to come has burst into this dark world. As his people, let us shine forth the Light of the world in our witness and works, and help everyone around us see that God’s Kingdom is now expressed in the people of Jesus, the Church of the living God. |
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| Mark 1:4-11 | The Father's Beloved Son | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Epiphany Season | |
| On this remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord, we recall the preciousness of Jesus of Nazareth to the Father. The testimony of the Lord regarding his Son is clear: Jesus is the beloved Son of God, the One who pleases the Father’s heart. His righteousness is not measured by human standards; rather, in all things, Jesus obeys God’s will completely, teaching the truth, demonstrating the righteousness of God, and carrying out his will perfectly in all things. He is the only begotten Son of God, the uniquely begotten One, he whose life would in every way please the Father. He is truly the Holy One of God, not merely outwardly righteous, but he would perfectly carries out God’s commands without reservation or qualification. Let us marvel at the goodness of God in Christ, and join the Father in adoring him who is worthy of our praise, adoration, and obedience. |
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| Luke 1:26-38 | Nothing Is Impossible With God | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Advent Season | |
| On this fourth and final week of Advent, we acknowledge God’s divine power to fulfill his covenant promise, through the barren womb of an old lady and the status of a virgin maiden. Messiah comes to us not by power, nor by might but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zech. 4.6). Let us affirm the virgin birth of Christ as an article of faith, not of dry theological prose up for debate, but the testimony of him who is determined to draw out of humankind a people for himself. This God, our Lord, can do anything. He is the guarantor of our faith and the certainty of our deliverance. Messiah will come, for nothing is impossible with God! |
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| John 1:6-8 | Bearing Witness About the Light | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Advent Season | |
| On this third week of Advent, we affirm the power of God’s Written and God Personal Word to give light: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” Psalm 119:105. Let us confess with joy that the coming of Christ into the world provides us with light and leading, with insight and revelation, with illumination and hope. During the Season of Advent we announce and affirm John the Baptizer as the messenger sent to bear witness of the light, and Jesus Christ as the Light of World. In him, the darkness flees and the true light now shines. May his beautiful light shine forth as we bear witness of his soon and blessed coming! |
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| Isaiah 40:1-11 | Comfort for God's People | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Advent Season | |
| On this second week of Advent, let us announce with joy the certainty of Christ’s coming for his own. Let us prepare the way for the Lord, cleansing ourselves in holiness and setting ourselves apart for his honor and glory, readying our minds and hearts for his approach. Let us yearn for his coming, knowing that he comes not to crush us or condemn us, but to comfort his people, to restore us, to grant us grace and life, and to rule with justice and righteousness. Let us share the Good News of his coming with those who have yet to hear of the Father’s amazing promise to heal his own. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! |
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| Mark 13:24-37 | Be on the Alert | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Advent Season | |
| On this first week of Advent, we affirm with joy the wonder of our Lord’s first coming and wait with eager anticipation of our Messiah’s Second Coming. As the Master has commanded us to stay awake, so we must do all we can to be on the alert, ever watchful for his return, and living in the light of it. Because we do not know when our Master will come, let us be sober and ready, let us never be found sleeping or distracted, and do all we can to stay awake. Let us, then, not sleep but keep awake, for he do not know when our Master will return to reward his faithful servants. |
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| Daniel 7:13-14 | Yet Shall He Reign! | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Reign of Christ the King | |
| In both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian New Testament, the Spirit is clear, a message for all to hear and comprehend. Jesus of Nazareth, the same One who was crucified, has been raised from the dead, and exalted to the right hand of the Father. Soon, he will return to the earth and reign forever as King. Let his people prepare him room, and the nations repent and believe. The Father has given all judgment and authority to the Son, and he will reign as Lord forever. In this feast, our last celebration during the Season after Pentecost, let us confess Jesus as King and Lord of all! |
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| Ephesians 1:15-23 | To Him Who Sits on the Throne | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Reign of Christ the King | |
| In a world that acknowledges nothing as ultimate, believers continue to affirm that the crucified Jesus of Nazareth has been raised from the dead by the power of God. He has been given a name above all names, authority above all angels, principalities and powers, and headship over the Church. In all things God has determined and decreed that Christ be given the preeminence, and we await his appearing when he will be exalted as head over all. The Father has placed all things under his feet, and Christ will reign as Lord forever. In this final celebration during the Season after Pentecost, we affirm and acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as both Lord and Christ. |
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| 1Thessalonians 5:1-11 | How to Keep Awake for His Return | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season After Pentecost | |
| According to apostolic testimony, when all seems bright and beautiful to the world, then sudden destruction is destined for its system; none will escape. The Lord God of the prophets has revealed the truth through his apostles that Jesus of Nazareth will return in power to establish a Kingdom that will never end or be turned over to another. We must not sleep for we are not children of the darkness, and we must not drowse, for we are children of the day. As we conclude this Church Year season, how significant it is for us to be reminded that we must not sleep as others do, but rather, we must stay awake, be sober, and eagerly await the coming of Christ. Keep awake, and be patient for the coming of the Lord. |
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| 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 | The Final Reunion | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season After Pentecost | |
| The end of the struggle, the conclusion of the battle, the longing we have for victory is not wealth, or abundance, or prosperity, or blessing. These things are well and good, and intrinsic to the blessed hope we have in the Father |
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| Revelation 22 | The Conclusion of Revelation | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | All Saints Day | |
| The theme of the book of Revelation is the soon coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. As is reflected in a number of translation, the Greek term for 'soon' may be translated either as |
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| Revelation 21 | The Consumation | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season After Pentecost | |
| We’re going to a place where we will dwell in the presence of God and his Christ, and will never know sorrow, fear, or pain again. The blessed hope of Christ’s return is the yearning of our hearts, the longing of our souls. The intimacy and connection that was so viciously broken and forfeited in the Garden will wondrously be restored in the holy city, the New Jerusalem. As the hope of the saints throughout all time, our desire has always been to be where he is, to live in his presence, to dwell in our new home. Truly, for those who believe, there’s no place, truly no place, like home! |
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| Revelation 20 | The Messianic Triumph | Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis | |
| | Season After Pentecost | |
| The only reason any human being escapes the sure and terrifying judgment of God is the wideness of his mercy, the same lovingkindness that our Father demonstrated by the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus, on the Cross. As a God of infinite holiness and righteousness, all people will and must give an account of their deeds before the Lord Jesus Christ. Only those whose names are written in the Book of Life will escape the terrifying prospect of eternal separation from him Who is all good and just. Praise God for the unspeakable gift of his Son, which for those who believe settles all accounts and pays all debts through his shed blood on the cross of Calvary! |
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