Groton Bible Chapel

Haiti – Trip Report #2

2011-05-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

The city of Pignon in north central Haiti is challenged by a lack of running water, limited access to electricity, very little economic opportunity, and deplorable road conditions. Pastor Jephthe Lucien leads the work of the Jerusalem Baptist Mission as its National Director. Since 1996, Pastor Lucien has planted 42 churches with over 4,000 members and 17 Christian schools with over 2,900

Daily Devotionals

2011-05-18T12:19:00.001-07:00

May 16th - 22nd We continue our studies in Jesus “Upper Room Discourse” by looking at the way He seeks to encourage His disciples’ hope and their holiness (John 14:1-14). Please use the readings and suggested questions as a way to prepare for our collective time of study and practice. Monday John 14:1,2 What causes your heart to be “troubled”? How does Jesus re-direct our attention from “

Daily Devotionals

2011-04-11T14:03:00.003-07:00

Devotional Readings April 11th - 17th We continue our studies in John’s gospel by looking at the response of Mary (& Martha) to Jesus’ coming to their house. Please use the readings below to prepare for both our study and our service during this “Passion Week.” Monday John 12:1-3 Some estimate that this perfume would cost the equivalent of a year’s salary of the average working person. What

GBC and Japan: Our Small Part to Help Relief Efforts

2011-04-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

Fears of nuclear disaster keep Japan in news headlines. Missions organizations keep asking us to pray as they evaluate appropriate relief response; top physical priorities remain getting fuel, housing, clothing, food, water, and medicine to survivors. Pray with relief teams as they serve with national believers to relieve suffering and grow a fierce love for fellow Japanese who are one of the

Daily Devotionals

2011-04-04T12:44:00.001-07:00

Devotional Readings April 4th - 10th We continue our studies in John’s gospel by looking at the reaction of Jesus’ critics to His raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45-57). The readings below will help prepare us for next Sunday’s message. Monday John 11:45-47a There are two distinct and markedly different reactions to this miracle. Why do you think that God’s actions in the world result

Daily Devotionals

2011-03-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

March 28th - April 3rd “I am the Life” - April 3 This week’s “going deeper” verse is John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life…” Jesus has just arrived after the death of Lazarus. He comforts Mary & Martha and prepares them for the resurrection of their brother by challenging their faith… Jesus’ words also challenge our faith and beliefs about this life, death, and eternal life. Monday

Daily Devotionals

2011-03-21T12:24:00.001-07:00

March 21st - 27th We’ll continue our meditations on Jesus’ raising of Lazarus…this time looking at His mandate as God in the face of that “last enemy” (John 11:38-43). Please use the following readings to prepare for out time of study and reflection. Monday John 11:4-11 What does this conversation say about Jesus’ ability to know/see events from afar? What comfort does it bring that Jesus “

Items for Continues Prayer in the Middle East

2011-03-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

Continue to pray with Christians in the Middle East. Outspoken protestors challenge those in authority to end corruption, inflation, lack of democracy, and unemployment. They desire change and long for a better life. But there is uncertainty about the future. Pray for a peaceful change throughout the region that will serve the proclamation of Christ’s message. Pray that hope will become

Daily Devotionals

2011-03-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

March 14th - 20th We resume our John studies by looking at the first part of Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-37). The readings below help to prepare us for next week’s message. Monday John 11:1-6 What message does Jesus receive? What do you make of Jesus’ comment on this message? Tuesday John 11:7-16 What is the disciples’ response to Jesus’ words? Why do they

Two Prayer Concerns – Christians in Islam

2011-03-09T13:53:00.000-08:00

Events in the Middle East have focused global attention on the tensions between Muslim political leaders (most of whom are dictators) and Muslim religious leaders (most of whom are dictatorial). What has been widely ignored is the place of Christian minorities in countries like Egypt, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of these countries have long-established Christian communities (the Egyptian

Daily Devotionals

2011-03-08T13:37:00.000-08:00

March 7th - 13th “I am the Good Shepherd” - March 13 This week’s “going deeper” verses are John 10:11-21. Jesus has just proclaimed that he is the gate and, continuing to use a metaphor all Middle Eastern people understood, He now speaks of Himself as the good shepherd. The Old Testament is full of references to God as a shepherd. How does Jesus use this concept to speak to the people and to

Two Prayer Concerns – Political and Practical

2011-03-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

Continue to intercede for God’s family in the Middle East where opposing forces fight for power. Pray for Christians to listen to the voice of Jesus and know His wisdom in the conflict. Pray that they continue to follow Him in fleshing out the good news about Jesus, not fearing the future and confident in the promise of eternal life by the one who gave His life for His sheep. Pray for the power

Daily Devotionals

2011-02-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

February 28th - March 6th “I am the Gate” - March 6 This week’s “going deeper” verses are John 10:1-10. Jesus has just healed the blind man and taught on spiritual blindness. He now begins to use a metaphor all Middle Eastern people would understand – that of a shepherd. Jesus begins this discourse by saying He was the gate to the sheep pen… Just what was Jesus saying to the crowd (and to

Daily Devotionals

2011-02-22T10:45:00.001-08:00

February 21st-27th We continue our John studies by looking at Jesus’ response to the unbelief of His hearers [John 10:22-42]. The following readings encourage us to examine our own responses to Jesus. Monday John 10: 22,23 What is the context of this discussion? What is “the Feast of Dedication”? What/whom is being dedicated? [hint: It has to do with Hanukkah] Tuesday John 10:22-30

From “Disasters” to Disciplined Prayer to Kingdom Destinies

2011-02-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

God continues to move people and events for His glory. The following accounts are witnesses to this truth. Ten years ago the president of a large Japanese construction company openly ridiculed religious people as being “wimps who couldn’t handle life.” When his company went bankrupt, he became open to reading the Bible and to meeting Christians - and eventually to God himself. Today, his

Daily Devotionals

2011-02-14T11:30:00.001-08:00

February 14th - 21st We continue our John studies by looking at Jesus’ teaching about “Sheep & their Shepherds” (John 10:1-21). Our devotional readings will help us understand some of the Biblical background for Jesus’ teaching to his disciples and to us. Monday Psalm 23 In what way(s) does David compare himself to being “sheep-like” and the LORD as a “shepherd-like” God? (note also Psalm

Dissent and Disaster and the Providence of God

2011-02-09T10:51:00.000-08:00

Egypt and Australia have dominated news headlines this week; Egypt suffering through a political disaster, Australia experiencing the greatest natural disaster to ever occur in that nation. Egypt’s people are demonstrating for “freedom.” However, violent clashes between competing groups have brought the country to a standstill. Christians are living in hope and fear. Hope that the protests

Daily Devotionals

2011-02-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

February 7th - 13th Tim Lenes will lead us in another “key verse” in John’s Gospel. This one is John 9:25, “One thing I know. I was blind but now I see.” Tim’s message from the LORD will focus on the power of a personal testimony. Please use the readings below (of other testimonies in the Bible) to prepare for this message. Monday Genesis 6:1-8 Compare Noah’s testimony with that of the

One Modern Example of a Christian Covenant: The LAUSANNE COVENANT

2011-02-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday we, the GBC Family, entered into a covenant-commitment with one another and with the LORD Jesus. What we are doing is not unique or unusual but part of the historic traditions of the Christian Church. One example of such a covenant as it relates to the global mission of the Church is the Lausanne Covenant. This covenant was initially written in 1974 and subsequently revised

Daily Devotionals

2011-01-31T10:52:00.001-08:00

January 30th - February 6th We continue our studies in John’s account of Jesus’ life by looking (pun intended!) at the results of Jesus’ healing of the man born blind (John 9). Our readings will help us understand the methods Jesus used to help those who could “see” physically also “see” spiritually what He longed to show them. Unfortunately, they refused to believe… and thus, could not “see”.

Student Missions in Haiti and the Encouragement of our Commitment to Christ

2011-01-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

In the last two months, two men, who had given their lives to university student ministry, one in South Africa and one in India, were called home to heaven. One wrote a book, “Jesus Says Go!” described as “a manifesto for Christians wiling to rebel against our ‘me-first’ world. The other is remembered as a “man who stirred the student community to commit their lives to go out as missionaries.”

Women's Bible Study

2011-01-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY FEBRUARY 2, 2011 2 PETER 1:12-21 BACKGROUND INFORMATION As you study this week, remember the things you learned about who Peter was, and the time in history in which he lived – the terrible persecutions under Nero and the false teachers infiltrating church families and presenting them with “new” knowledge. When you ask yourself, “Why did Peter write this?" consider what false

Daily Devotionals

2011-01-24T10:58:00.001-08:00

January 24th - 30th We continue our January studies, “What Church is This?”, by looking at a “community covenant” story…the one where Joshua calls the ancient Israelite nation to commitment before the LORD God. Please use the following readings to prepare for our time of commitment and covenant. Monday Joshua 24:1-7 Joshua begins this covenant re-enactment with a history lesson. What

The Christian Missions Matrix

2011-01-19T11:11:00.000-08:00

Many of us think of “missions” in terms of being called to “go” to a foreign place to bring the good news about Jesus (e.g., Apostle Paul). PERSPECTIVES ON THE WORLD CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT, a course on world mission, defines four ways in which God moves “His mission forward with or without the full cooperation” of His Church. One is voluntary going. The most recent example from GBC is Keith and

Devotional Readings

2011-01-17T10:56:00.000-08:00

January 17th -23rd We continue our January studies, “What Church is This?”, by looking at two character traits of Jesus’ followers that result in core values of the GBC family: Servanthood and Stewardship. Please use the following readings to prepare for this “history” and “heritage” lesson. GBC Beginnings - Store Front Sunday School Monday Luke 16:1ff This “story” comes immediately

Christianity and China

2011-01-13T13:13:00.000-08:00

Is Christianity good or bad for China? How does faith in God affect a whole society?” These were the questions a highly regarded Chinese businessman, an elder in the international church, asked author Phil Yancey at a gathering of businessmen whose immediate purpose involved making money. This question follows Mao’s Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution of 1966, with a vow to destroy

Today's Devotional Reading

2011-01-13T12:48:00.001-08:00

We continue our January studies, “What Church is This”, by looking at the history of the Chapel and the lessons that God has taught us during the past 90+ years. The following reading will help to prepare for this “history” and “heritage” lesson. Today's ReadingJohn 4:31-38 In what way(s) does the work of others enable God’s people to see results? How are we beneficiaries of the faithfulness

Today's Devotional Reading

2011-01-12T17:52:00.000-08:00

We continue our January studies, “What Church is This”, by looking at the history of the Chapel and the lessons that God has taught us during the past 90+ years. The following reading will help to prepare for this “history” and “heritage” lesson. Today's Reading Psalm 150 Why is worship and praise, both in word and song, both instrumentally and vocally central to the life of God’s people?

Today's Devotional Reading

2011-01-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

We continue our January studies, “What Church is This”, by looking at the history of the Chapel and the lessons that God has taught us during the past 90+ years. The following reading will help to prepare for this “history” and “heritage” lesson. Today's Reading Mark 4:1-20 What accounts for the varying responses to the “seed” of God’s word? You might also be interested in:>> The GBC

Today's Devotional Reading

2011-01-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

We continue our January studies, “What Church is This”, by looking at the history of the Chapel and the lessons that God has taught us during the past 90+ years. The following reading will help to prepare for this “history” and “heritage” lesson. Today's Reading Matthew 21:14-17 Why are children important to Jesus? To our life at GBC? You might also be interested in:>> The GBC Website >

This Week's Devotional Readings

2011-01-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

January 10th - 16thWe continue our January studies, “What Church is This”, by looking at the history of the Chapel and the lessons that God has taught us during the past 90+ years. Please use the following readings to prepare for this “history” and “heritage” lesson. Monday Matthew 21:14-17 Why are children important to Jesus? To our life at GBC? Tuesday Mark 4:1-20 What accounts for the

Daily Devotionals

2010-12-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

December 27th – January 2nd During the month of January we will embark on a “GBC family life” study. We’ll look at what we believe, where we’ve come, how we serve together, and where God is leading us in the next stage of the journey. Please use the following readings to prepare for the first of these “conversations” … this one being, “What we believe”. (Please note: these texts and topics come

Daily Devotionals

2010-12-20T11:00:00.001-08:00

December 20th - 26th Seeing God’s Power at Work in 2010 – In our final sermon of the year, we will look back to see what God’s power has accomplished. Let us be joyful as we remember God’s faithfulness and blessings, as well as look forward expectantly to 2011! Monday – Psalm 18:16-18. How (and from what) has the Lord rescued me this past year? How was His power evident? Tuesday – Psalm 20

Daily Devotionals

2010-12-13T10:56:00.000-08:00

Devotional Readings December 13th-19th This week leads us to the fourth Sunday of Advent where we’ll look at God’s “gift” of praise. The readings below encourage us to see how “praise” is the universal response to God’s dealings with the people of the Advent story. Please use these selections to prompt your praise to our great Savior, Jesus Christ. Monday Luke 2:14 What is the great theme

Daily Devotionals

2010-12-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

December 6th - 12th “How Long O Lord”; the Gift of Patience. This week we look at perhaps the most pervasive and yet most difficult gift to appreciate and receive, it is the gift of patience. For if the coming of Christmas teaches us anything it is to be patient. Monday - I Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:22-26, 2 Peter 3:8-10 In what way is patience a central characteristic of God’s love? Tuesday

Living Beyond the Ordinary

2010-12-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Bible Says… “Therefore Jesus told them, ‘The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.’ “Jesus answered, ‘My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.’” [John 7:6,7,14] There is something curious about way Jesus’ decision to attend the “Feast of

“Deserts” and the Offer to Drink “Living Water”

2010-10-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

There are different kinds of “deserts” in which our missionaries find themselves. Literal deserts where they have been called to serve, deserts of loneliness without family and friends or sometimes even other Christians nearby, deserts of death - disease, wars, natural disasters, parents going home to heaven while you live in another part of the world, deserts of fund-raising - always traveling

Daily Devotionals

2010-10-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

October 11th - 17thJohn’s next “cycle of stories/sermons” begins in chapter 7 and is triggered by the Jewish feast known as the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkoth or Festival of Booths). Our readings this week provide us some O.T. background and help us understand Jesus’ actions and motives. Monday Exodus 23:16; 34:22 This festival is known by many names (cf. also Leviticus 23:36; Deuteronomy

An Encouraging Letter from Turkey

2010-10-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

“Dear friends, This is an amazing and encouraging story. Why shouldn't it multiplied by thousands?” So begins a pastor's newsletter from Turkey. He goes on to tell the story of Y, a young man searching for God. Christians met with him and kept in phone contact once a month for 2 years. Y told how he had committed his life to Christ about 7 years earlier. His witness was that God had

The Bible Says…

2010-10-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not

Daily Devotionals

2010-09-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

September 27th – October 3rd Next Sunday we continue our study in John’s account of Jesus’ life (John 6:60-71). Use the following readings/questions to prepare for this study. Monday John 6:60 What is this “hard teaching”? (cf. 6:53-59) What “Jesus teachings” do you find hard? Tuesday John 6:61-65 How do Jesus’ words become “spirit and … life”? (cf. v. 63) What is the interaction

The Word and Wycliffe Bible Translators

2010-09-29T10:55:00.001-07:00

Recent lessons from John’s gospel about Jesus’ miraculous feeding the 5000 (12 baskets left over), walking on water (“It is I; don’t be afraid!”), and his declaration (“I am the Bread of Life”) have focused our attention to see beyond the immediate to the eternal. In contrast the media focuses our attention on the evils of our world. But God is still actively involved in revealing His glory

Praying for Our Students and Our Schools

2010-09-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

Public schools are in session. Pray for teachers who know and love Jesus to communicate that love through their actions - to students, parents, administrators, and fellow teachers. Pray for wisdom as they navigate the laws that regulate what they can say in the classroom. Pray for parents to reach out to their children’s classmates and their parents, to find creative ways to influence the

Daily Devotionals

2010-09-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

September 20th - 26th “Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life” This week’s “going deeper” verse is John 6:40. Jesus has just fed the 5,000 and the people are searching for him. He has just told them that He is the bread of life and then goes further describing His Father’s will for them. Just what was Jesus saying to the crowd (and to us)?Monday – Read John 6:

Monday - September 20th, 2010

2010-09-17T13:49:00.001-07:00

Daily Devotionals from Groton Bible Chapel in Groton, Connecticut

The Bible Says...

2010-09-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. Jesus is speaking in picture form. He is not suggesting we become cannibals but His committed followers for whom the “hearing” and “

Wind, Water and Walking with Jesus

2010-09-15T17:44:00.001-07:00

Click to Play Groton Bible Chapel September 12th, 2010 Speaker: Bob McCoy

Flooding, Fear and Avenues to/for Faith in Jesus Christ

2010-09-15T11:11:00.000-07:00

Pakistan, China, Peru, Philippines, Columbia, Haiti, Tajikistan, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Brazil, Poland, Niger, Burkina Faso, Gambia, India, Mexico…countries where God has made His power known through devastating flooding in the last few months. As we pray for men and women around the world to know, believe, and obey Jesus, use these “floods” to encourage your praying. God is Sovereign and

Daily Devotionals

2010-09-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

September 13th - 19thIn the rest of John 6 Jesus gives the crowd, His disciples (and us!) the clearest explanation for His person and work to date. It is also the “director’s notes” behind His sign miracles of feeding the 20,000. Use the readings and prompts below to prepare for next Sunday’s study.Text: John 6:25-59 Monday John 6:25-29 What is the motivation of the crowd in seeking Jesus?

The Bible Says…

2010-09-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

“When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is

Exhausted and Enraged in Serbia

2010-09-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

A missionary to Serbia asks prayer as he and his wife seek wisdom in training Serbian Christians in bringing the good news about Jesus to a country of 6 million+ people struggling with the following statistics: 19% are unemployed. Teenage sons despair for their future. Some people work 12-hour days to make ends meet, but don’t get paid for months. They are exhausted and enraged. 70% of

Daily Devotionals

2010-09-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

September 6th - September 13th We continue our studies in John’s Gospel by looking at another of Jesus “sign miracle” that involves His “walking on the water.” The readings below provide both context and background for this event. Monday John 6:16-18 What are some of the reasons for Jesus’ delay in “traveling” with His disciples? (cf. look at Matthew’s account 14:22,23) How do I respond to

Flooding and Faith in Pakistan

2010-08-30T13:45:00.002-07:00

Monsoon season in Pakistan brought devastating flooding and great human sorrow. Estimates say that 1/5 of the landmass is under water resulting in 20+million people affected. The flooding has affected an area that is both densely populated and food-producing. It is also the area where terrorists have been most active. Specific prayer requests? Pray for God’s glory and love to be seen in

Daily Devotionals

2010-08-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

August 23rd - September 5th We resume our studies in John’s Gospel by looking at another of Jesus’ “sign miracles”, i.e. a miracle that “points” people to Jesus’ character and mission. The readings below provide both context and background for this event. Monday John 5:31-47 - According to Jesus what are some of the “witnesses” that “testify” to Jesus’ life and work? Tuesday John 6:1-4 -

Ramadan and the Revelation of Jesus Christ

2010-08-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, a month of daily fasting in Islam. The aim of Ramadan is to give Muslims an opportunity to get to closer to God. Fasting begins at dawn and ends at sunset. Special nightly prayers are held. The entire Qu’ran is recited during these prayers in mosques around the world and many Muslims will attempt to read the whole of the Qur’an once

Daily Devotionals

2010-08-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

August 16th - August 22nd “The Prayers of Jesus” – Summer Series 2010 – “Jesus Prays for Us” Wow! Where did the summer go?? This is the final week of our summer of 2010 teaching series! For the last nine weeks we have been studying the prayers of Jesus and in this final week, we look at John 17. This chapter and prayer is often called the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus. For what did Jesus

Justice, Christian Mission and Human Trafficking

2010-08-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

“Today, there are 27 million people enslaved globally. Slavery still exists!” (Scott Olson – president of International Teams). It is estimated that between 14 and 18 thousand people are brought into the United States with the purpose that they be the “slaves” of someone who has “bought” them. Most of think of slavery as a fixture of the 19th century which was eliminated by the Civil War or

Devotional Readings

2010-08-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

August 16th - August 22nd In John 19:28 - 30 Jesus prays from the cross, “I am thirsty” and “It is finished”. In these prayers we see both the humanity and the deity of Jesus Christ. As a result, we have a Savior who sympathizes with our weakness but at the same time is victorious over sin and death. MONDAY Phillipians 2:5-8. How does this describe the deity of Christ and the humanity of

The Bible Says...

2010-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

This week’s message continues the series, "The Prayers of Jesus"- entitled, "Two Love Prayers, Four Love Stories", it will be taken from John 19:25-27, 25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,

Update from the Hoekmans

2010-08-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Keith and Lori Hoekman Continue to pray with the Hoekman family “on their journey to India.” They have said “Good-bye” to friends and family living in Virginia, especially to Lori’s family…with mixed responses, or as they have recently put it, “Leaving was hard. But going has been exciting”. They have visited old and new friends and been strengthened by them. Their next stop is an

Daily Devotionals

2010-08-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

August 9th - August 15th MONDAY John 19:25, 26 Reflect on this passage. Jesus is in the midst of unspeakable physical torment, yet he turns to his mother and comforts her. How does this passage deepen your understanding of Jesus love for you? TUESDAY John 19:25, 26 John is the only Gospel writer who recorded this event. View the cross from his (and the four women with him) perspective.

Vision Team to New Hampshire

2010-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

This week GBC will “send” a middle school team of students and their leaders to work with New England Work Camps in Sunapee, NH. During the week they will sleep in local school buildings and work on construction projects for poor, disadvantaged and/or elderly folks in the greater Sunapee area. Each evening they will meet for times of praise and singing and teaching. The goal of these “sessions

Devotional Readings

2010-08-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

August 2nd - August 8th Next Sunday we will hear Mike Giannattasio give a the message “Jesus Prays from the Cross”. Read the following passages in preparation for his message. Monday Matthew 18:21-35 What is Peter’s question? What are the two answers that Jesus gives? Tuesday Matthew 6:12-15 What are we to ask God for? What is our responsibility? Wednesday Job 42:1-10 Why was Jobs’

Jesus Prays In Thanksgiving (Childlike Prayer)

2010-07-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

How did Jesus pray? How are we to pray? What was Jesus’ intent in using children in His teaching so often? What can we learn about prayer from little children? We will explore each of these questions as we consider Jesus’ famous prayer recorded in Matthew chapter 11, verse 28- “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus’ overall point is simple- what’s

VBS & Christian Mission

2010-07-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

August 2nd - 6th is GBC’s Vacation Bible School, for school children. This year’s lessons are taken from the life of the O.T. hero, Joseph. Pray for God’s work in young hearts (and old!) in lessons from the life of a youngest brother who dreamed dreams, was betrayed by his siblings, worked as a slave, was completely faithful and true to God, even in a godless culture. Pray that children choose

Daily Devotionals

2010-07-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

July 26th - August 1st Read through the following devotional readings this week in preparation for the message to be given by Gary Campbell, Jr. next Sunday morning: MONDAY Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - To understand the nature of child-like, thankful prayer, we first have to understand the heart of God the Father. How does seeing the passion of a loving God move us to come to Him as His child? (See

Behind the Conflict in Korea

2010-07-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

North Korea recently sentenced a U.S. Christian missionary to eight years of hard labor. His treatment shows the plight of believers in that reclusive country. “Brother John” (not his real name) supervised the work of Open Doors in North Korea. He agrees, noting that, “North Korea is a country close to my heart. Nowhere in the world are Christians persecuted with such hatred and violence.

Daily Devotionals

2010-07-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

July 12th - July 18th We continue our Summer Series, “The Prayers of Jesus,” by looking at His most familiar prayer, also known as, “The Lord’s Prayer [Matthew 6:5-15]. Please use the questions below to prepare for our study next Sunday. Text: Matthew 6:5-15 Monday Matthew 6:9 Praying to the right God – “Our Father in heaven” - How are the names of God helpful in knowing the right approach

Prayer Walking Through Out the World

2010-07-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

1 Timothy 1:15 and 2:1 “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.” Consider “PRAYER-WALKING” during this summer series on the “The Prayers of Jesus” an opportunity to spend intimate and focused time talking to God about people. Walk your neighborhood, work place, local government

Daily Devotionals

2010-07-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

July 5th - July 11th Next week we will continue our summer series on the prayers of Jesus. Commander McGaha will be speaking to us on prayers for the rough times. You can read the following in preparation for his message. Monday - Read John 12:12-19. How does the crowd react to Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem? What are their expectations? Tuesday - Read John 12:20-29. Does Jesus share the

The Bible Says...

2010-07-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Bible Says... "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14 The angelic choir’s prayer of praise has been heard down through the ages at Advent. What is it about the birth of Jesus that makes the angels cry out and give God the highest praise? The arrival of Jesus heralds the coming peace plan for all people: Jesus Himself would give His

Flooding and finding the compassion of God

2010-06-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

Devastating flooding reminds us that God is at work in other lands in His way. Thailand, Ecuador, Peru, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Nicaragua, Haiti, Guatemala, Colombia, Ethiopia, Tajikistan, and Brazil have all been in the news in 2010. One aid worker says - “This isn’t just typical rains and typical flooding; this is devastation.” Yet, God’s church planted throughout the world,

Daily Devotionals

2010-06-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

June 28th - July 4th “The Prayers of Jesus” – Summer Series 2010 Summer is here and so is the summer of 2010 teaching series! For the next nine weeks we will be studying the prayers of Jesus. What was Jesus prayer life like? What were His prayers like and what can we learn from them? As background for this exciting adventure, we will begin with prayers about Jesus at His own birth which

Public & Private believers in Jesus

2010-06-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

This month we are celebrating the public declaration of faith in Jesus with several from the GBC family via the act of Believers Baptism. As we rejoice in God's work of bringing men, women, and children to Himself here in Groton, take time to pray for believers in countries hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ. An example is Afghanistan - a member of the Afghan government has called for the

Daily Devotionals

2010-06-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

Devotional Readings for week – June 21st – 27th We continue our study of the healed cripple in John 5 by looking at the second half of Jesus’ explanation for His miraculous healing of the crippled man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:31-47). Use the following texts and questions to prepare for our study. TEXT: John 5:31-47 Monday John 5:31,32 Why does Jesus emphasize the issue of “

Tim & Nancy Shelburn in Paraguay

2010-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Tim & Nancy are GBC “sent” missionaries who have worked with New Tribes Missions (NTM) in the Chaco region of central Paraguay. Until recently they were involved in administrative support for those involved in language translation and evangelism among local and indigenous tribes of that area. The were also involved in providing care for those missionaries as they traveled between the outlying

Daily Devotionals

2010-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

June 14th - 30th We continue our study of the healed cripple in John 5 by looking at Jesus’ understanding of the event and His motivation. Please use the following readings and questions to prepare for next Sunday’s message. Monday John 5:16-18 What motive does Jesus give for His actions? How ought that be ours as well? Tuesday John 5:16-18 How does Jesus’ activity and affirmation

God's Grace & Our Need. God's Rule & Our Rebellion.

2010-06-11T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Bible Says... "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." So they (the Pharisees) asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?" [John 5:7-8, 12] Here we read of the third of John’s seven sign

Flooding in Sri Lanka

2010-06-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

A week of powerful storms brought heavy rain across Sri Lanka and massive flooding. Over a half million people are homeless as a result. Torrential rains inundated the island for more than a week. Meteorologists say Cyclone Laila, which recently blasted the Bay of Bengal, Gospel For Asia (GFA) President Dr. K.P. Yohannan says it brings images of the 2004 tsunami to mind. “There was no warning at

Daily Devotionals

2010-06-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

June 7th - 13th This week’s devotional readings will prepare us for the message, “Stirring Up Trouble on the Sabbath” - to be given by Gary Campbell, Jr. next Sunday morning Monday READ: John 5:1-15 Jesus seeks this man out to make a point. Aside from His obvious desire to heal this man, what point was Jesus making to those watching? How has God used misfortune in your life, that was