Category: “the Whole Story” Series

1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” While the early church faced many trials and temptations, Peter reminded them

Psalm 50:23  “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” I am very picky about the instruments I play and purchase. Over the years God has provided wonderful items to enhance the music ministry.  A church member gave me a collectors Gibson guitar in the late seventies when my first 12 string guitar fell apart.  I sold my 88H Elkhart trombone in the eighties to purchase my 12

Leviticus 20:26 “You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” We let Toby, our little terrier out into the backyard several times a day so he can get a little exercise, bark at the neighbor’s dogs, and of course, do his business. It’s this last reason that there are some shoes I wear when I go out back, and

Hebrews 10:1-4 “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices, there is a reminder

Galatians 3:21-22 “Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” After Israel constructed the tabernacle, God’s presence came down to dwell among His people. He then laid down a

1 Peter 2:5 “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” When my children were very small, some friends gave us a week of their timeshare in Destin, Florida. It was a beautiful facility with an incredible staff. The friends who gifted this fabulous treasure always addressed me as Brother Jim. It didn’t take long