February 2018

The Psalm of the Cross of Christ

One of the greatest apologetics for the defense of the reliability of the Scriptures is the subject of prophecy. How could have the psalmist written such a precise description of the suffering Savior hundreds of years before the event? There is only one explanation: the prophetic word of God. We can take great comfort in the realization that God’s Word is true from cover to cover and reliable for faith, life and practice. This Psalm, Psalm 22:1-31 speaks to the suffering Servant and specifically His work on the cross of Calvary. What could possibly be more comforting than knowing God knows our needs before we do and has already provided an answer and the strength needed to go through whatever faces us around the corner. We may not see what lies ahead but God does. He’s already been there and His love, support, strength and provision is ready to be poured out in abundance to all who know Him. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!



“Triumph of the King!”

Psalm 20: and 21: go together. David writes this psalm, (Psalm 21:1-13) to the Choir Director of Israel to petition the Lord for His favor and protection in Psalm 20: and then he writes another song to be sung by the nation of God’s provision and grace in giving the nation physical and spiritual victory over their enemies in Psalm 21:. It is sad when God gives victory and His people do not give Him the praise who made it all possible. It’s as if God can’t win with us, even as His people. He rarely gets the praise and thanks He deserves when we experience victories over our enemies, but it seems He always gets blamed for whenever things seem to not go our way. May we never forget where our victories come from and Who made them possible. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!



“Trust Not in Chariots”

Whenever we find ourselves up against a battle, we obviously want God’s help and favor. King David was no different. As he anticipated physical conflict with his enemies he also considered the spiritual connection and found himself, with his people, on their knees in petition seeking God’s favor and help. Victory in any battle must proceed from a reservoir of personal intimacy with God. While the battle belongs to the Lord we often do battle with ourselves to get our own hearts right and submissive before the High King of Heaven. What conflict are you facing right now? Is it a battle you are fighting in your own energy and power of the flesh or have you acknowledged that that the battle belongs to the Lord? We must not trust in chariots or horses or in our own might and power, we must place our confidence in God alone for the victory. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!



January 2018

“Saved For Intimacy”

Ephesians 5:25-33   Intimacy between a husband and his wife culminated in their “one flesh” sexual union is but a reflection of the intimacy between Christ and His bride, the church. Jesus Christ gave Himself as (the perfect Lamb of God) to present His bride to Himself without spot or wrinkle and in all her […]



The Spirit of Victory!

The Spirit of Victory! The Believer Has a New Destiny ROmans 8:31-39 I’m not much of a hiker. But when I have gone on hikes after much exertion of blood, sweat and tears and stood on the crest of the hill or small mountain top I have to reluctantly admit I have loved the sweet sights of lofty heights. The exertion was worth the view. Having said that, our trek through Romans up to this point hasn’t been without sore muscles and taxed minds to be sure, however; now that we approach the lofty peaks of Romans 8:31-39 we can appreciate the view having looked back into the deep valleys of where we have come from. The chapters leading up to this lofty height have crushed us spiritually, reminding us time and time again of our utter human inability and depravity. Once we’ve accepted that essential truth, the beauty of our salvation takes on the glorious vistas of sights unseen and of experiences unknown. We are humbled, broken and yet revived as we stand on these mountain peaks and look down into the valley of such great salvation. Before we start down the other side into new experiences, of what true salvation does for and in the believer, we want to sit and be still catching the last rays of sunlight as this day ends and a new one begins. This is our great privilege in this message, to be still and know the beauty and wonder of our amazing God. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!



“The Spirit of Security” Part Three

“A man plans his ways; the Lord directs his steps…” (Proverbs 16:9) How interesting when one looks at the book of Romans and the Scripture truths packed into each verse what the Spirit of God as our Teacher will reveal to us. In Romans 8:28-30 we see what many theologians have called, ‘The Golden Chain of Salvation.’ Few of us as believers fully comprehend or appreciate the wonder and majesty of what God has done for us in so great salvation. Many churches and preachers are more than willing to take credit for what is God’s work alone. The teaching of the doctrine of salvation, election, foreordination and predestination are legion. What does God’s Word say, what does it mean and what should it mean to me are the questions under consideration as we reverently open the pages of Scripture and submit our thinking to the Word of God rather than the Word of God to our thinking. Once again, in Part Three, Pastor Pete will attempt to unlock the meaning of Romans 8:29,30 for the serious student of God’s holy Word. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!



“The Spirit of Security” Part Two

Much of the issues of life are about a very real quest for security and confidence in living. The New Testament teaching of Salvation is clear and filled with hope for the believer in Christ. As confident and secure believers we can live out our appointed days with a sense of purpose and commitment to principles of life greater than our own. Our breath and very existence is wrapped up in God’s providence and sovereign glory. When we come to terms with who God is and with who we are it is then we are truly free to pursue what is of the utmost importance to life: God’s eternal glory! Within Romans 8:28-30 life changing truths that should elicit within the true believer security and confidence for living. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!



December 2017

“The Spirit of Security” Part One

Next to John 3:16 one of the most famous verses in all of Scripture might be Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Pastor Pete will do his utmost to unpack this amazing verse. “The Spirit of Security” – (The Believer Has a New Hope!) We will look to the certainty of security, the extent of security, the recipients of security and the source of our security. The security of the Believer is a hotly contested theology within the church today. This Scriptural truth is one that cannot be ignored or misinterpreted. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!



“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

On this Christmas Sunday Pastor Pete reopens his advent series, The Carols of Christmas: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” – (The Christmas Story from Chains to Glory). In this message we will look to the origins of this Christmas favorite of over a thousand years old. It was originally used as an antiphonal musical response within the monasteries of Europe and was then lost for hundreds of years. This Carol is an amazing prayer for God who is with us to come for us, to come to us so His presence can be manifest in us and through us. One day we shall enter in to His glorious Kingdom where God has gone before us to prepare a place for us. These six stanzas give reference to the priceless Gift of Christ Himself – The indescribable Gift. To open yourself to the gift of Christ is to experience the greatest gift of all. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!



The Spirit of Glory!

Romans chapter Eight is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible. Last time we looked at the Spirit of Adoption: the believer has a new family (Romans 8:12-17), this week Pastor Pete unpacks the Spirit of Glory: the believer has a new hope from (Romans 8:17-27). In verses 17,18 we answer the question: What are the gains of glory? And in verses 19-27 the question: What are the groans of glory? The subject and quality of hope is in short supply today. The Christian and believer in the gospel message of hope has a continual waterfall of hope we can draw on. Bring it Home as you Listen for LIFE!