January 31, 2012
"The gospel, applied to our hearts every day, frees us to be brutally honest with ourselves and with God. The assurance of His total forgiveness of our sins through the blood of Christ means we don't have to play defensive games anymore. We don't have to rationalize and excuse our sins. We can say we told a lie instead of saying we exaggerated a bit. We can admit an unforgiving spirit instead of continuing to blame our parents for our emotional distress. We can call sin exactly what it is, regardless of how ugly and shameful it may be, because we know that Jesus bore that sin in His body on the cross. With the assurance of total forgiveness through Christ, we have no reason to hide from our sins anymore."...
January 6, 2012
I'm at a season of life where it seems like it's time to slow down. Nothing is working quite right anymore. I need glasses for aging eyes and anti-inflammtories for aging joints. I forget names and what commonly used household gadgets are called. Solitude invites me to steal away (which I enjoy doing at times!) while a growing family and new church lovingly require me to get even busier than ever. The commercials say Benny and I should be anticipating retirement after all the years of being in the throes of parenting and pastoring. Sometimes I envy those who can....
May 5, 2013 by Jesse Phillips | Category: Redeemer Church News | Tags: Benny Phillips, Gospel According to Isaiah, bible, church life
As Christians we are tempted to push God away from the center of our lives, and to replace him with heart idols. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ helps us to identify idols, turn from them and keep God in his rightful place at the center of our lives....
Keep ReadingApril 25, 2013 by Jesse Phillips | Category: Redeemer Church News | Tags: Benny Phillips, lake Nona, Lake Nona Church, Gospel According to Isaiah
Are you a broken reed, bruised by the cares of life, broken and hurting? Are you smoldering? Once a bright burning flame now exhausted, smoking, coughing about to go out? Put your hope in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for you. He was bruised to save the bruised reed. His lamp was put out in his death on the cross so that your lamp could be relit with love for him....
Keep ReadingApril 23, 2013 by Jesse Phillips | Category: Redeemer Church News | Tags: Gospel According to Isaiah, Benny Phillips, Hope, Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church
Like reeds, people can become bruised, hurt, knocked over, easily. We can be knocked over by life, broken relationships, disease and sickness, by the thoughtlessness and carelessness of other people. There are many people that are bruised, broken, and hurting, all around us, living next door, shopping where we shop, playing where we play. Jesus is the answer for the bruise...
Keep ReadingMarch 31, 2013 by Jesse Phillips | Category: Redeemer Church News | Tags: bible, Benny Phillips, gospel, Gospel According to Isaiah
Propitiation and expiation are some big words, deep truths and cause for great joy on this big day! The wrath of God has been appeased and the guilt of sin removed....
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