Posts by Billy Arnold (Page 10)
Read the Book of Joel!
Last week I simply said to take a few days and read the short, but very pointed, Old Testament book of Habakkuk. It reads like a headline out of today’s news. This week I would encourage you to read another Old Testament book that also reads as breaking news in our times. Joel 1:2 says simply, “Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers???” Let the book of Joel be a special…
An Assignment
This week the only thing I ask you to read is not my words, but God’s word. I preached out of this Old Testament minor prophet book about two months ago, when the pandemic first broke out. This word from the Lord is even more relevant right now. Read it several times and take notes. Read the 3 chapters of the book of Habakkuk. Let God speak to you. Billy Arnold
Bringing Justice, Reconciliation and Grace to a World in Chaos
As you wrestle with your own responses to the news of the day and the many messages out there, please remember that when we have found Jesus ourselves, we are appointed by God to be messengers of justice, reconciliation, and grace.
What to Say to a World in Chaos
Honestly, my head is spinning right now. Our lives get completely tossed upside-down during the total shock of the coronavirus lockdown, and then in a split second we are in chaos as a society. What am I supposed to say? Do I, as a pastor in a church family, say anything? Can I really add anything of value to the thousands of church and civic leaders who are speaking out? Can I add anything of value to the millions of…
Learning to Pray in Circles
This Sunday I will finish our series of messages based out of John 17, concentrating on the final verses, 17:20-26. Read this a few times before we study. Read it carefully and slowly, and let it sink in what Jesus is praying about, and who he is praying for. He is praying for you! Almost 2000 years ago, the night that Jesus was arrested, he turned his attention in prayer to the heavenly Father in a final address. He prayed…
Developing your Own Prayer Life
Prayer truly is the privilege of entering into a conversation with the Creator God, our Almighty Father. This is the Holy of Holies that we can now access because of what Christ has done.
An Invitation to the Holy of Holies
What is duty of care? Those in my life that I am responsible for. What is prayer? An invitation into the special place where I communicate with Almighty God regarding those in my life that I am responsible for. Have you ever had an invitation to attend an exclusive grand event? An invitation to the Governor’s mansion? The White House? The home of a powerful person? If I ever received an invitation like this, I would frame it and hang…
Billy’s Update — May 7, 2020
Welcome to May and Mother’s Day weekend! At LifeWay Church this coming Mother’s Day Sunday, our service will feature some ways for us to recognize this wonderful day, and to enjoy the blooming of spring as well. The flowers are definitely coming out; the weather is certainly cooperating. The only drawback is the “social distancing” that we are still having to live under. So we are online again. On Sunday, I am beginning a short series of sermons out of…
Billy’s Update — April 30, 2020
Church in the Lobby Do you know how, at the end of a Sunday morning when you’d leave the church service (can you remember those days?), you’d stop for a while to hang out and visit with people you know, meet some new faces, and just be social? Those were the good ol’ days, weren’t they? In the current world of having everything streamed into our living rooms, we wonder when we’re ever going to get to do that again!…
When Will We Get Back to Normal?
We have now been in this new COVID reality world for more than a month now, and all of us are asking the same thing about our family, our business, our shopping, our school, our stock market, sports, social interaction, and church life: When will we get back to normal? The way I see it from here is that the question really should be, What will a new normal look like? There is no way that any of us can…
When Are We Coming Back?
When do we come back to the church building? Are you asking that question yet? Well, if you are asking, here’s the answer: We just don’t know! But there are some things that we do know for sure, no matter what. We are learning a great deal about ministry with COVID-19. The following is a short list of some things we are continuing in these shut-down days, some of which we will continue after life opens up. NOW: We…
A Study of Romans 8
On Easter Sunday we launched a series of messages that we are calling Epic. I used the illustration of an epic journey, such as David Livingstone’s exploration of the middle of Africa, or Lewis and Clark’s trek across western North America. These epic journeys reshaped the future for millions to follow. To call the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus an epic event is an understatement. Everything has now changed because of what Christ has done. Romans 8 spells this…
Sunday’s Coming!
It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming! This is a line from a famous sermon that has been passed around for years. But it’s not only a famous sermon—it’s a forever truth. This is Easter week; today is Good Friday, and Easter is this Sunday. I have been carefully reading the story and contemplating Jesus’ last few days of earthly life. This year we’ve been doing nightly Passion Week devotions that have helped us walk through the story. (You can watch them…
Passion Week: Preparing for Easter
We are now in the middle of a week that reflects the last week of Jesus’ life before his crucifixion and ultimate resurrection on Easter Sunday. I hope you have been able to join in the 7 p.m. devotional readings and reflections on the significance of each particular day. I have celebrated Easter Sunday all my life, but I have never taken the time to contemplate and remember the significance of each day that led up to the cross, the…
Passion Week Begins
In the midst of business shutdowns, school closures, and a global pandemic that is affecting every country and corner of the world, we are about to enter Passion Week. We have always taken time on Good Friday for a reflective service, followed by a joyful Easter Sunday service. A few times I have led or participated in an Easter morning sunrise gathering. But I am not sure that I have ever taken the time to follow the traditional church calendar…
Reading Your Bible
For years, I have had a system for reading my Bible. I typically read in this order: an Old Testament chapter or two, a portion of the gospel story in the life of Jesus, then a New Testament chapter. Sometimes I will work my way through the Psalms to end in worship. In recent days, I have been reading through the Prophets, and I have been hit in the face with the relevant and current message that comes from the…
Message from Billy – March 27, 2020
Isolation and Insulation These terms have become a reality for us in these remarkably unusual days. In our B.C. (Before COVID-19) existence, we were all so busy with constant demands. We filled our lives with non-stop reasons to have fun. We spent our days accumulating all the stuff of life, then spent our nights constantly thinking of ways to insulate and protect it. We could only dream of an isolated retreat where we could all get away from the rat…
Message from Billy – March 24, 2020
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” — Psalm 91:1-2 On Sunday, March 22, we held our first-ever live-streamed service. Many of you joined in live, and I hope that it was encouraging to you. I must thank Kevin P once again for working so hard on this project last week. I also thank Brad Tucker, Jeremy Trivelas, Alvin Lin, and Rachel…
Service plans on March 15
This coming Sunday, March 15, the church will be open. We are a people led by the Holy Spirit to pray for and stand with each other and to pray for the lost and searching in the world. That is exactly what we are going to do. We want no one to feel pressured to interact, but for those who choose to attend, we will offer the usual two services at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. with these changes: Multiply!…
Scheduling updates from Pastor Billy – March 13
Part 1: Current Plan for LifeWay Events Sunday services This coming Sunday, March 15, the church will be open. We are a people led by the Holy Spirit to pray for and stand with each other and to pray for the lost and searching in the world. That is exactly what we are going to do. We want no one to feel pressured to interact, but for those who choose to attend, we will offer the usual two services at…
A Word of Encouragement from Pastor Billy
Dear LifeWay Family, I find it interesting that our winter series through Acts 8-15 was all about “uncharted territory.” The early church was faced with challenges that were theological in nature, and that involved the upheaval of social structure. The early church in Jerusalem was at first a “happy and comfortable place” (see Acts 2:42-47 & 4:32-37), but overnight, their comfort was radically destroyed when Stephen, one of their deacons, was stoned to death. How did the church react? They ran…
March 6 — Coronavirus, Continued: An Update
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you by my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 Earlier this week, I told you that we would communicate any new updates and responses that we have as a church family. Important perspective about concerns, anxiety and fear As Christians we must face the reality, the unknowns, and the fear of coronavirus with faith in…
March 3 – A Letter to the Church Regarding the Coronavirus
Dear LifeWay Church Family, We have all been bombarded by the news and events of the coronavirus, which is not only around the world, but obviously right here among us. I know this is of great concern to our community, and to many of you as well — rightly so. The church staff team met on Monday, March 2, to discuss what we felt was the most prudent way to address this illness in light of upcoming church events. Here is…