Author: Gary Combs

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘… Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV). “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26 ESV). “Now faith is the

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples (Psalm 77:14 NIV84). “Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5 NIV84). When I was younger I tended to rest when I was exhausted to the point of illness. I worked until I couldn’t work any longer. Then, I rested because I had to. Many times it seemed that God forced me

“And you who are left in Judah, who have escaped the ravages of the siege, will put roots down in your own soil and grow up and flourish” (Isaiah 37:31 NLT). God spoke to the people of Jerusalem through the prophet Isaiah letting them know that it was time to do more than survive. It

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV). “They all joined together constantly in prayer…” (Acts 1:14 NIV84). Last year I finally bought a phone plan that included unlimited texting. I know, I hear you. I’m a little behind the

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV84). The first century Christians used the Greek word koinonia to describe their new community. This word is most often translated “fellowship” in the New Testament. It may also be translated

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 (NIV84) What makes a true community? People use the word community to describe all sorts of social groups. But what constitutes a “true” (real, authentic, fully realized) community? If we are born into the same