Let Us Pray

Tommy Boland
1 Mar 2023
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pray

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).   The Bible makes it clear that prayer is to be one of the distinguishing marks of those who are disciples of Christ; the people of God are a people of prayer. And what is prayer? Prayer is both a privilege and a command. In essence, prayer is simply a conversation with God . . . a running conversation with God that should continue throughout the day, talking about anything and everything. That’s right — anything and everything! Clement of Alexandria once described prayer as “happy company with God.” The Creator of the universe […]

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For God So Loved You!

Tommy Boland
8 Feb 2023
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As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this month, I would like to share a word of cosmic comfort with you from the One who loves you exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ever ask or imagine. The apostle Paul prayed that we would be able to “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18). In other words, the love of God in Christ Jesus is beyond your imagination! “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal […]

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so loved

Cast Off that Corpse and Take Up Your Cross!

Tommy Boland
11 Jan 2023
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take up

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).   How are you coming on those New Year’s resolutions? What did you promise yourself you were going to stop doing this year? Eating too much? Spending too much idle time? Running up too much debt? How about the things you resolved to start doing . . . or do more of? Exercising regularly? Maintaining a consistent devotional time? Getting out of debt?  We all do it every year; we promise ourselves we are going to make changes. And that’s […]

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The “AAA” Message of The Manger

Tommy Boland
13 Dec 2022
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We have arrived at the most wonderful time of the year, not because the kids are jingle belling, and everyone is telling you be of good cheer. Rather, it’s the most wonderful time of the year because to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and His name is Jesus. I want to share a word of encouragement with you rooted in the manger. Have you ever considered why our Lord was born in a manger and not a magnificent palace? It is my prayer that our God will meet you in your place of deepest […]

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aaa

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances! Really?

Tommy Boland
10 Nov 2022
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giving thanks

Because Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I thought this would be a good time to sharpen our focus on living a life marked by thanksgiving to God, a life grounded in these words from the apostle Paul to the church at Thessalonica and all believers everywhere: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). On the surface, this seems far easier said (or written) than done. So, let’s go below the surface to see exactly what Paul is actually saying. There are two very important things to notice in […]

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Liberated from the Incarceration of “IF ONLY”

Tommy Boland
5 Oct 2022
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“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).   We all have an inner critic that must be kept in check if we are going to live lives for the glory of God and the good of others, including ourselves. Because we are broken people living in a broken world with other broken people, our lives will inevitably be marked by brokenness, personally, professionally and relationally.     Our inner critic One of the favorite focal points for our inner critic comes under the heading of If only. Satan loves […]

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The Gift of Work and Rest

Tommy Boland
7 Sep 2022
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rest

Because we celebrate Labor Day this month, I wanted to write a word of encouragement regarding God’s gift of work to mankind. Work is not, as many mistakenly believe, a result of the curse. Before Adam and Eve sinned and rebelled against God, they were given the great gift of work. As image-bearers of God, they were called to co-labor with the Lord to expand the cause of His Kingdom, for His glory, and for the flourishing of all mankind. Sadly, as a result of their sin, work was cursed with thorns and thistles and became much harder to perform […]

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Down, But Not Out

Tommy Boland
3 Aug 2022
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“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Did you know that Christian believers get down and depressed? Some people mistakenly believe that Christians should not experience any kind of deep sadness after conversion, as if we have been made immune to depression, despair and despondency. If a Christian does lapse into depression, this thinking goes, he or she is in sin. This is an entirely faulty understanding […]

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down

Living In-Dependence

Tommy Boland
12 Jul 2022
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in-dependence

In our country, we celebrate American Independence Day on July 4th. This represents the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the day the Continental Congress approved the final wording of this important document. The Colonists, having already declared their independence from the authority and tyrannical rule of the British crown on July 2nd, 1776, two days later, 56 delegates to the Continental Congress signed their names to the parchment paper.  In-Dependence On God Now as important as this day is in the life of our great nation for our independence, I pray we will be reminded to declare our […]

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Before WWJD Must Come LLJL

Tommy Boland
15 Jun 2022
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(Scroll down to leave a comment on WWJD and LLJL) You’re probably familiar with the letters WWJD, typically seen on bracelets, as well as a variety of other Christian apparel items. They stand for “What Would Jesus Do?” It’s a great concept, which dates all the way back to a novel written by Charles Sheldon in 1896, titled In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? The book depicted a congregation that determined not to make any decision without first considering “What would Jesus do?”  WWJD and LLJL Now, as important as the letters WWJD are, I believe there are four […]

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