Our hearts need to be in the land promised, not just the one we live in today. Our lives are not in the hands of men, but in the hands of God and death is not our end. Live in His promises—to fight our battles, provide for us, and be with us in heaven.

Joseph’s brothers lived with guilty consciences for over 20 years and believed that they were being punished by God. Their father Jacob also felt like everything was against him. But God used it all for good and brought about a great healing.

As we enter a new year, we should look back and learn from the past, but then forget about it. As we look forward and set goals, let them be for a higher purpose than our own desires. Our motto should be for more desire to see God’s glory in 2024.

God uses good and bad circumstances to make us more like Him. Even when we are in the difficult times, our character matters. His perfect plan for us may take years and may hurt, but serve Him with honor and He will bless you.

In this new year, remember your new song, new mercies, and renewed mind. Also look forward to the new heavens and new Earth, a new body, and a new name. If there is anything new that is good, it is what God has done and will do, not what we do.

We celebrate Jesus' birth because of who He is. He is the Word—the expression of God the Father. Jesus is himself God and the creator of all things. He came because He loves us and to bring us life and light. Christmas celebrates this great gift.

No matter where we are, God can prosper us with His blessing when we trust Him and this can be a witness to others. Those around us are blessed through the goodness He shows to us but our circumstances may not always improve when we do the right thing.

The Men's Chorus from Teen Challenge share their inspiring testimonies about overcoming addiction and Pastor Rich delivers a message on the importance of drinking spiritual water to restore our souls.

Norm shares the incredible way that God provided for our church through the provision of this building and the circumstances that led to us being able to acquire it as our meeting place.

There are things God does for us every day that we take for granted and sometimes we fail to recognize our need to give thanks. One way to thank God is to tell others about Him and what He has done for you. Serve God with a thankful heart.

Reflecting on how God has worked in so many lives and circumstances to provide for this fellowship of believers.

We may think that all our circumstances are against us, but in God's plan, they are all working for us. God works in and through our messed-up families and circumstances. He can do amazing things in spite of what we see as obstacles.

There are spiritual enemies against those who stand with the army of God and sometimes that spiritual reality meets the physical world. One example of this is the Devil coming as the serpent. He is still trying to to get people to stop following Jesus.

When your time is done on this Earth, what will they say about you? What will they put on your tombstone? Will they see a testimony in your life or that you were caught up in the things of this world? Have faith, bless others, and worship God.

Where is the place you need to return to where God first spoke to you? Repent and change direction to face God. Reestablish your walk with Him and you will be restored and renewed, leading to revival. This reality is available to all believers.

We sometimes stop trusting God and go back to relying on our own plans, leading to a conflict with Him. God can use these conflicts to show us who the real enemy is. Like Jacob, we must hold on tightly to God during these difficult struggles.

God can meet us where we are, even when that place is a result of our bad choices. He promises to be with us, past, present, and future. To one degree or another, we are all in the shadow of death, but to know that He is with us gives us strength.

Be an encourager by giving people a chance, a second chance, and a chance even at your own expense. How do you respond to someone else's success. Can you see beyond others failures? Are you a builder or a wrecker? Be like Barnabas.

In spite of evil and deception, God's will prevails and the truth is revealed. Don't try to help God by using lies or manipulation. The Lord is sovereign and in the end, there is only God and His glory.

We need to take what we have and put it on the alter. Although this seems scary, remember that He is in charge and the odds are in His favor. God tells us to not be afraid because He is with us and will help us. He is our shield and our reward.

God tested Abraham and He tests us also to confirm our faith. When Satan tests us, he tries to make us fall. God does it for our benefit to show us how deep or shallow our faith is. Our faith must go deeper than just feelings and emotion.

God did in Sarah's life what was humanly impossible. Although it was a decade or more before God fulfilled His promise, He was faithful. God keeps His promises and He wants us to trust Him. Keep an eye on what He is doing in your life today.

Abraham expressed his faith through obedience and lived his life as a stranger on this Earth, not staying in a permanent residence, but always ready to move. He erected alters to the Lord as should we-places where we meet with God and submit to His will.

The Bible is a book of hope. It all comes back to putting our faith and trust in what Jesus has done. Without Him, there is no hope.

Obedience come out of faith. We first believe, then we act. After 100 or more years of obedience, no one except Noah’s family listened to him. Are we listening? Today few listen and even fewer believe that judgement is coming.

Walking with someone brings about fellowship and conversation therefore our walk with God should be a lifetime occupation. It should be obvious to others that we are spending time with Him. It pleases the Lord greatly when we walk with Him in faith.

God wants us to bring our gifts out of love not compulsion, and He wants us to bring Him our best. How we give is an indication of our hearts and when our hearts are not right, we are in a vulnerable position where sin can separate us from God.

Elijah prepared for the work he would do by being separated and doing what the Lord told him. Like Elijah, we have to listen and get to a place where we have an encounter with Him and hear His still, small voice. We find that voice in His Word.

The fall brought about a series of bad consequences including pain, suffering, and death. Although we face these difficulties, keeping Jesus as the center of our lives and relationships makes us new creations and restores our relationship with Him.

God only restricts those things that cause harm and death, but these are the very things the tempter brings to our attention. Satan questions the existence of God's commands, casts doubt on His motives, and denies the consequences of sin.

Missionaries returning from the mission field have challenges that are hard to imagine for those who have not gone through it. As a church, we can help to support these families as they go through reentry.

Regarding our wives, husbands should pay attention, listen, observe, and dwell. Husbands need to know their wives in great detail. We need to learn how to listen to more than the words being said. We are to live with our lives in every sense of the word.

God designed and created marriage for His purpose. Those that fail often do not have Jesus at their core. The only thing that makes a marriage work is loving Jesus more than your spouse. It is a God-given gift to treasure.

We were created for God and for His purposes. We are complex in form, from our hands down to a single hair or cell. These complexities are not the result of many gradual mutations, but the instantaneous work of a complex creator.

The God of Genesis 1:1 is the God we have given our lives to. The basic truths there are the basis for our faith. Disbelief of these simple facts is the beginning of foolishness and the darkening of the heart.

God does not answer us on our timetable. Waiting on Him is difficult, but God remains silent to refine us, to better us, and to cause us to pursue a deeper relationship with Him than we thought possible. Stand watch and wait to see what He has to say.

Jesus the Son has given us permission to have a relationship with God the Father. We need to understand that he is holy and righteous and cannot dwell with sin. The Holy Spirit encourages us to be holy. Although God is big, He is approachable.

How do we respond to being told no? Sometimes God says no as a consequence of our sin. God owes man nothing. Just because we are enthusiastic about doing something for God does not give us a right to do it. Be content with the tasks He gives you.

It is a scary world and getting scarier all the time. There are a lot of rational reasons to fear. We need to fight that fear with rational courage, which comes from knowing who God is. The longer we walk with Him, the more reasons we have to trust Him.

Glory be unto the God who gives us salvation. Although we cannot yet see Him in His full glory, one day we will. In this present life, when we focus on His glory, our problems fade away. In heaven, His glory will be proclaimed for eternity.

Exalting God for what He is able to do increases our faith. He can keep us from falling by guarding us both now and in eternity. He can present us as faultless before the throne of God. And He intercedes for us now.

A doxology is an expression of praise to God (literally "glory words"). There are many in the Bible, but all position us in relation to Him. We benefit from them because they put the focus on God, strengthen our faith, and honor Him.

What does resurrection mean to you and me? We are in church today because He isn't in the tomb. The sin nature is within us all. He died for that sin but no one would live for a dead idol. Yet He has risen! Our call is to live for Him who lives.

We celebrate to remember meaningful and significant events like Palm Sunday, which is a reminder of the arrival of the Savior. Although Jesus did not save the Jews from Roman persecution, He provided a much greater salvation for all who call on Him.

We must be compassionate to believers who struggle with their faith and listen to their concerns. Other Christians who are tangled in sin need to be snatched out of their circumstances. Be aware of your own vulnerabilities to sin when helping others.

God is near to us and His spirit lives within believers. We can approach Him any time in prayer, which is effective for change, especially within ourselves. Our hope is in His return and when He does, He should find us watching and waiting for Him.

Christians must build themselves up because an unattended garden produces only weeds. Faith is not a one-time event. We need to continue in it and follow God. No teacher or pastor can do it for us. Be in the word daily and be set apart for God.

His love is always constant, but we are not so we must work at keeping ourselves in harmony with His love. We must understand that His love for us is not based on anything that we are, so we can trust that it is constant, but then we must live in it.

The love of money is a key motivator for people to try to gain authority and oppose the things God has ordained. Shepherds who take care of only themselves are ungodly and have a dark fate awaiting them. Look at people's lives and have discernment.

The title of Lord that Jesus bore was not something that He had to attain. It was His from the beginning. Given this truth, our obedience to His word should flow out of our love for Him. Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.

We enter heaven by God's grace. It is God who gets all the credit. His grace allows us to do good works such as forgiving those who have harmed us. Receiving this grace requires the humility to admit we cannot live a Christian life by our own strength.

Because of hard hearts, Israelites wandered the desert. Because of high aspirations, angels were cast down from heaven. Because of immorality, Sodom and Gomorrah were burned. Because God is just, there is a hell. Because He sent Jesus, there is hope.

Every false teacher denies who Jesus is or His sovereignty in some way or another. Many emphasize human will over God's. We have freedom in Christ, but it is freedom from sin not freedom to sin. The word of God teaches us to say no to worldly lusts.

Since there are so many false teachers and doctrines, it is our duty to defend the truth. The faith was entrusted to us to protect. This requires that we study the word, object to falsehoods, and pass Christian faith on from one generation to the next.

As believers, this is a reminder of whose we are. We are called to light and a holy life through the gospel, chosen by Him before the foundation of the world, loved by God the Father. He has His eye upon us to see that we reach our eternal inheritance.

It might not have always been easy growing up with Jesus. His own brothers did not believe in Him and Jesus said a prophet has no honor in his home. But after the resurrection, His brothers taught that familiarity is not a substitute for knowing Him.

Change is difficult and often unwelcome, but God is in the business of making things new. He gives us new birth and a new heart. He is actively giving us new life every day. We should live as His new creation.

Jesus is life and came to give us eternal life, light, grace, and truth. He came into this world and experienced pain, suffering and death because He loved us and wanted to give His life for us. Jesus gave us the right to become children of God.

In the case of Jesus, the Great, Holy One, and Son of the Most High, His name means that He is going to save us from our sins. Only He can do it and His name is above all names. In fact, every knee will bow at the mention of the name of Jesus.

Getting together with others face-to-face and addressing them by their name (which is what sets them apart) is an encouragement. Sometimes we need to fight the temptation to want to be alone. We can bring peace to others by drawing near to them.

Who are the people in your life that you want to emulate? Someone who is spoken well of by others might be a good role model, but more importantly is that the truth is evident in their life. Ultimately, we need to look beyond people and follow Jesus.

There is something powerful about music that honors God. Music will be everywhere in heaven and singing from our hearts prepares us for our future home. We can rise above our circumstances in thanksgiving if we get our minds and hearts fixed in Him.

We are encouraged to be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in everything. This leaves no room for excuses. Paul was not naturally cheerful, but after meeting Jesus, he became a totally different person by the joy of knowing Him.

Expect problems from everyone, but view them as Paul did. Problems can be opportunities that can energize us for service. Too often, Christians are afraid of stirring up problems and shy way from them rather than seize them for Christ.

Pride, ambition, and power are not just problems in the secular world. They can be problems in the church too. Pride is danger and a sin that we must avoid.

The most important thing is to be faithful with the resources and opportunities God has given us. Just showing up is a sign of faithfulness. Whether we have been given much or little, we can do something, but without love, it is worthless.

There are two aspects of a Christian testimony: the truth that is in us, and our walk with the Lord. We get the truth in us by being in the Word. What others see in us and hear from us should then be consistent with what we claim to believe.

John gives us a great example of the importance of relationships through his "dear friend" Gaius. Our prayers for our friends should include prosperity of sole, which requires a close walk with Jesus. We should not hesitate to sacrifice for our friends.

It is more important today than ever before to get together and encourage one another. Joy can come out of being together with other believers. Satan can stop us from fellowship, but one day we will see God face-to-face and we will really know Him then.

We cannot accommodate those who bring false teachings. This requires that we are very familiar with the truth and that we correct those who are in error. The media we consume, the friends we keep, and the spouse we choose should not pull us away.

Most of the things that we think are important have only temporal consequences. The big question is, what are you going to do with Jesus? Recognize that He is the holy one of God and repent. We must sanctify ourselves and grow in grace to serve Him.

We have to have a healthy measure of caution in our walk of faith. True spirits acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh but anyone who goes ahead of the Word, following human tradition that does not put God first, is a false teacher.

For the Christian, walking means practical daily living and consistent forward progress in our faith. Walking in the truth means to obey it, not just to study it or argue about it. We have a choice to follow the truth. Walk as children of light.

Encouraging words bearing the God's truth and said with meaning are what people need to hear. It all starts with grace (God's unmerited favor), mercy, (which are new every morning) and peace, (which for the believer comes through prayer).

There were false teachers long ago and there are today too. Fortunately, we have the truth and it will remain forever because it is the truth of God. We must know the truth, believe the truth, and obey the truth by abiding in His word.

God has promised to provide and to be with us in times of trouble. He turns our valleys of despair into doors of hope. Hope placed in God does not disappoint. When we place our trust and hope in Him, even against all odds, we are blessed.

We become like that which we worship. If we worship idols, we become empty and lifeless. Anything that takes God's place in our lives is an idol and when we worship them it affects us and our children for generations. Rid yourself of your idols.

If we truly know Jesus, it will change the way we live. Through the Holy Spirit, we know that we are children of God. Jesus Christ has come and given us understanding so that we may know Him. Therefore, we must stay close to Him.

When we see a brother caught in sin, the first person we should talk to about it is God. Pray for that person rather than gossip. Never assume that someone is beyond the help that your prayers can bring.

Jesus suffered temptation and is able to sympathize with us, so we can approach God with freedom and confidence. When we desire something, the first step is to ask, but we must do so in accordance with His will. We should first pray to know His will.

Our assurance of salvation comes from the knowledge and certainty of our personal relationship with God. It comes from the word of God and His spirit living in us that testify to this certainty, not from our own feelings, emotions, or works.

God declares that His son Jesus is the only gateway to eternal life. Anyone who has that testimony in his heart is saved. Anyone who does not believe this testimony calls God a liar.

Without the cross, we have nothing and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Jesus was the final sacrifice for our forgiveness. There is no other way. Jesus did not need saving, but He endured the cross to save us.

We know how the game ends, so we should not be discouraged when it seems like we are behind. We overcome the world by faith and the object of that faith is God. Satan does not want us to know that we are on the winning team.

Obedience is not just avoiding things we are forbidden to do, it is doing what God calls us to do. This applies to us as a group of believers and as individuals.

There is only one way to be a Christian: you must be born again. Those who are not born again are spiritually dead. Christians are born again to be a part of God's family. It should change us radically.

We can say we love God and fellowship with Him, but is it true? We cannot love God and hate our brother at the same time. If we have no pity for our brother in need, we do not love him and, if we do not love him, we do not love God.

God took the first step in loving us. Any teaching that says God responds to something good that we do is in error. He makes the first move. Loving those who do not love us is a challenge worth taking. Such true love will beget more love.

Life is hard but prioritizing relationships helps. First is your relationship with God followed by family and friends and the church body. If we have faith and trust in God, we are going to be okay. Life has its ups and downs, but He is always with us.

Jesus paid the cost for sin and we received the benefit. Sin is the undoing of God's work in us just like a burn is an undoing of healthy skin. The good news is that the damage can be repaired. He will meet us where we are if we are willing.

Fear is insufficient as a driver in our lives or a basis for our relationship with God. It robs us of the joy of living and leads to poor choices. As we understand Him more, our actions will be guided by love. Love is a stronger motivator than fear.

God's love is not like human love. It is pure and coupled with justice. God did not just forgive our sin but He sent His Son to pay the price. We love Him in return by obeying His voice. In these difficult times, remember His love and trust in Him.

The enemy wants us to question whether we are truly God's. He wants to steal our joy and peace and impair us from serving Him. We may think we doubt ourselves, but we really doubt God. We must rely on His love for us, not our goodness or feelings.

When we see the sun rise, it reveals a splendor that reminds us of the glory of the Son who rose. He freed us from sin and death by leading the perfect life of a man and rising from the dead. Now we look to His return in all His majesty and glory.

Love wants life for us. How can we help someone to actually live? The truth is that we were dead until God gave us life through His love for us. This is what love looks like. Although no one can see God, they can see His love in us when we express it.

We owe a debt of love to one another that can only be repaid through the funds God continuously deposits in our hearts. Having a true heart and mind knowledge of God is necessary to understand this love and let it out to others. It is what sets us apart.

Everyone has a world view that shapes and informs his experiences of the world around us. Christians should let the Word of God shape their view and then share it with others. Four essentials of a word view are origin, meaning, morality, and destiny.

There is a battle between the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of this world. Since the world hates God and His followers, we must not desire to be like the world. Guard your ears, listen to the truth, speak it to others and be doers of the Word!

Jesus wants us to pray and His house will be called a house of prayer. When we do, He promises to hear us and to heal our land. God will listen because He wants a relationship with us and the prayer of the upright is His delight, like incense.

Christians have the power of God living in them and that power is greater than the power of the devil who rules this world. He assures us of an effective eternal victory. Every believer is an overcomer whether he feels so or not. It is finished!

Are you gullible? We are living in a crisis of truth. Fortunately, God has given us His spirit to help us discern. Test the spirits against His word, which is our spiritual sword. A true spirit acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God incarnate.

Our guilty conscience is not there just to condemn us but to cause us to get right with God. As we delight ourselves in Him, He will guide our hearts to desire what pleases Him. And as we trust in Him and love Him and one another, He will be with us.

Christians need to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Someone has to self-sacrifice and actually do something for someone else. When we do, we are actually doing it for Jesus too. We are known to be Christians by our loving actions.

God's standard of right and wrong is absolute, not relative, and sin is falling short of that mark. A child of God will have the conviction of the Holy Spirit when he sins while a child of the devil will not care, but both will bear bad fruit.

Going through storms is challenging. Even Luke gave up all hope of being saved due to a very bad storm. When we find ourselves in these circumstances, we should pray for the lives of those with us and encourage them. Jesus is the peace in the storm.

In music, there are periods of quiet called rests that make the notes of the song more powerful. Our lives also have rests. They are part of the beautiful melody God has created in us. As that music builds in our hearts, we should share it with others.

Three things to remember in our battle with the devil: our strength is insufficient to stand (our power is in God), our enemy's goal is our destruction, and the equipment we have to defend ourselves must be used regularly so that we are familiar with it.

When we love someone, wrongs are not held against them and there is no bitterness. By loving others as commanded, assurance of our salvation is magnified. Pray for the ability to love people in this way, remembering that He first loved sinners.

To have pure religion, we each need to be able to see people in need, and when we do, let them know that they are not forgotten. Our compassion should meet the actual need and we must be faithful in our giving without letting discouragement stop us.

Mary made a courageous decision to accept the message of the angel despite the risk of losing her reputation, her plans, her betrothed, and even her life. Saying yes to God in a big thing usually comes after saying yes to Him in a series of small things.

One of the benefits of being a child of God is being an heir who will share in the inheritance of glory. That knowledge should affect how we live presently in this world. Having a pure and humble king requires being pure and humble children.

One reason why God's love for us goes beyond our understanding is that it does not depend on anything we have done. He loved us while we were still sinners and nothing can separate believers from the love of Christ. He has made us sons and daughters.

We have a choice everyday to open the Word or not. It is imperative that we do so that we can abide in the Lord. We can only be at home in a place where we spend time. As we do, our prayers and desires will be aligned with God’s and He will shelter us.

Today’s society is filled with anxiety and worry. Prayer with thanksgiving and praise are the answers to anxiety. It is not just for when things go well, but even in the middle of persecution. The path to peace is giving thanks in all circumstances.

God never intended for us to live in monotony. If you wake up feeling that way, you are probably not doing what you were meant to do. Fulfillment comes from doing rewarding, meaningful, and purposeful things and attaching yourself to God's calling.

We who believe are all anointed by the Holy One and so we know Jesus. Those who do not know Him have their eyes blinded by the ruler of this world and cannot understand the things of God. Our anointing sets us apart and comes with responsibility.

We study the last times because it reminds us that this world is not our home. It should cause us to worship God knowing that the final outcome is the defeat of evil. Given that the days are short, we should be concerned for those that do not know Jesus.

Christians need to be ready, in season, and out, to preach the Word. This requires a sincere walk of faith. The days of the prophets are long gone, and so today, we hear from God through Jesus, His Word, and our conscience, which is led by the Spirit.

We are told not to love the world and this is to be interpreted as the world “system” of sin. Satan uses the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life to tempt us. We need to pray that God will sanctify us through His word.

Those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus have been forgiven completely on account of His name. Because we are His children, we have the Father's encouragement and should encourage others. The secret of strength is to abide in His word.

We are to be characterized by love if we follow in the light of Jesus. If we hate someone, then we are blinded by darkness. We may not love everyone, but the fruit of the spirit is love and while on the path of growth, we can move towards loving more.

How do you know if you really know Him through experience and not just by knowing about Him? The first evidence is that we obey His commands. Not that we are without sin but that we are heading in a new direction. Obedience makes His love complete.

You might ask, why is it better not to sin? Because we avoid the consequences, shame, broken fellowship, and need to repent. When confronted with the choice to sin, ask God to show the way out, but if we fail, Jesus represents us in the court of God.

Why do we need to go to Jesus to confess our sins if they have already been forgiven? Because our friendship with Him is hindered when we sin. We can restore that friendship when we make things right by acknowledging our sins before our Father.

We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners. People need to take responsibility for that sin and understand that its penalty is death. Denying our own sin is deceiving ourselves and comes from pride. Salvation requires humility.

We have a legacy in The Cloud of Witnesses. When we follow our legacy, we can grow in sincere faith and can be unashamed. When we have a clear conscience, we can be confident and can say, "I know."

As a Christian, Hope is more than wishful thinking. It is confident expectation and its strength is in His faithfulness. If you feel hopeless, you are not in the Word of God, which assures hope of eternal life, dwelling with God, and an inheritance.

If we walk in darkness, we cannot say we have a relationship with the God of light. Thinking we can sin without it affecting our fellowship with God is a lie. But when we walk in the light, we see God. If we are honest about out sin, He will purify us.

We should know the nature of the God we worship. Of His many attribute is light. His light is good and true and holy and might even give us a "son tan." Having a living, breathing, loving relationship with God includes studying who He is.

Koinonia means fellowship, but not just fellowship with each other; it is communion with heaven. Jesus came to make fellowship with God possible. We can now share our lives with Him. How would you rate your fellowship with God? Casual or close?

In First John, we see that the church then faced many of the same problems as the church today. Unlike John, we have not walked physically with Jesus, but we have the same Holy Spirit to help us understand His Holy Word. This is the basis of fellowship.

The first mistake Peter made was to turn away from Jesus to see who was following behind him. We need to just focus on God and do what He calls us to do and let others follow their own calling. God uses very different types of people for His glory.

Do you love Jesus more than all other things? Are you being fed by the word and feeding others by it? Jesus wants to be active in our lives and He calls us to be eager to serve Him. There is a cost to following Him and we must be prepared to pay it.

When we recognize that Jesus is the one speaking to us, we need to jump in and take action, as Peter did. Knowing that Jesus has gone before us and will take care of us makes that jump easier. Meeting with Him in fellowship is what true life is about.

To be true followers we need to listen to His voice, seek His guidance in the choices we make, wait for His direction, and obey His commands. It is not by our power or might that we accomplish anything. We want Jesus to show us the way.

At least thirty-five miracles are recorded in the gospels, but here we learn that there were many more. Jesus didn't stop then and He is still working today. These are written that we may look to Jesus as the object of our faith and believe in Him.

Do not miss out on fellowship and the teaching of the Word by not showing up. Those who isolate themselves cannot hear correction and those with hard hearts will stubbornly refuse to believe. You must believe with your heart that Jesus is YOUR Lord.

We find peace in His word, in His presence and by gathering with believers. We are to share this peace and the story of how we obtained it with others. Without the forgiveness of sin, the lost cannot experience Christ's peace, so bring Jesus to them.

Perhaps the first words Christ spoke after His resurrection were, "why are you crying?" Mary was brokenhearted, but she had an encounter with Jesus and she talked about it. Can we tell anyone that Jesus is alive and working in our lives?

Are you a true disciple of Jesus, do you spend time with Him, and do you really know Him? If so, would you ever deny it for fear of not fitting-in? He will restore us, but we may weep bitterly. True followers of Christ cannot hide; we will stand out.

Is truth relative, or is it absolute? Does it matter? Where does truth come from? Truth comes from the nature of God himself, is unchanging and important. We are sanctified by His Word, which is truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Jesus.

Jesus is King over all, but is He the King of your life? Proclaiming to be the King of Kings was the reason for His crucifixion. What then shall we do with Jesus? Praise Him, for we used to dwell in darkness, but He has led us into His kingdom of light!

Temptation is a universal human experience but God is not even remotely responsible for it. Sin begins with a feeling of desire, followed by rationalization (deception), a plan to make it happen (design), and disobedience. Don't blame God for your sin.

Trials bring out information. The trial of Jesus revealed that He claimed to be the messiah. He was found guilty of making the claims, but no evidence showed that He lied. He was sentenced for Blasphemy, but He was guilt of telling the truth.

Did they bind Jesus? Could they? Jesus was bound by His love for us and that is why He was bound. We need to remember that He is the Great I Am and that He has all power and authority and He willingly gave His life for us. Therefor, we follow Him.

When faced with a heavy heart, Jesus isolated himself and prayed; yet He still had a small group of friends to share His burdens with. We too need a few good believing friends and prayer. It may not change our situation, but it will change our hearts.

If Christ was not raised, we would still be dead in our sins. Thankfully, we have eyewitness accounts of the empty tomb and many prophecies that predicted it. He was raised for our justification. A dead savior cannot save, but we have a living Savior.

The fall of man led to the cross, and the very thorns it brought, scarred the head of the savior. While the Romans struck His face, we kneel before it, thankful that He willingly gave up His spirit, and that although it is Friday, Sunday is coming!

We are here at this time in history for a purpose. Primarily, we are to represent Jesus in this world as His ambassadors. Are you praying for your neighbors and coworkers and looking for opportunities to share the gospel? Be a light to them.

As believers, we are sanctified, set apart by God, but do we experience it in our daily lives? Are we continuously being changed, becoming more set apart? The world around us will make this difficult but by reading His Word, this growth is possible.

As Christians, our unity is in the fact that Christ is central in our lives. He gave us His glory that we can be one. The world will know that Jesus loves us by the unity we demonstrate. Therefore, we must unite around the cross or else be divided.

Do you ever need prayer? If you belong to Jesus, He is praying for you now. He speaks to the Father in our defense and for our protection so that we would be guarded and preserved in the midst of evil until we can dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Everything that Jesus has came from the Father and the same is true for us because we are His children. That relationship requires knowing one another. He already knows us, but do we know Him? If we are to glory in anything, it is that we know God.

We need God to rescue us from all sorts of evil, including the evil one, by drawing us to Himself. That requires for us to recognize that we are always in a battle and that He has the power to save us. His help comes when we pray, giving Him the glory.

Even in difficult times we have to keep our eyes on the finish line, which is Jesus. He has set out for each of us, our own special race. Looking beyond our circumstances, we have a lot to look forward to. In Jesus there is peace, truth, and love.

Being tempted is not a sin; giving in to temptation is. Sin is no longer unavoidable since Jesus is living in us. God does not DO the tempting (it comes by our own evil desire, the world, and the devil), but He wants us to obey and love Him by choice.

Forgiveness, like bread, is a daily need, but we are to also give it. Our forgiveness is tied to forgiving others. This is not easy, which is why we need to pray about it, but it is for our own good so that we do not destroy ourselves with bitterness.

Our daily dependence on God is for more than just food. We need His spiritual sustenance every day as we have a daily relationship with Him. We also must trust Him for our physical needs and not have doubt or fear that He would leave us in want.

Is He really King in your heart or are you playing a church game? We need to renounce our own throne and let God rule according to His will, which, although not known perfectly by us, is perfectly executed in heaven. It will change how we pray and live.

Having a sacred and private place to pray is a good idea. It can help us enjoy being in God's presence. Model prayer begins with God and recognizes our relationship with the Holy One to Whom we pray. He is perfect and we are lowly sinners.

At Christmas we celebrate a birth like no other.

Jesus came down to us from the glory of Heaven. He was sent from the Father God. He arrived with a purpose and a holy mission. Gifts are good, but considering that Jesus is the perfect gift, we ought to accept Him and work hard to know Him better.

Jesus did not promise peace. In fact, He promised trouble. He offered us His peace, but it is not automatic. We need to turn to Him for it. Believers can take heart that Jesus has fought the battle for us and He is the victor!

This relationship that you and I have with the Father exists because we know the son. Because of the son, we are able to have a relationship with the Father. Access to the Father occurred when the veil was torn after Jesus gave His life for us.

We will weep and mourn in this life, but our grief will turn to joy when we see Him again. Although we may have to wait longer than the 3 days the Apostles waited for the resurrection, we have the Spirit already. Joy comes when our eyes are on Christ.

The Holy Spirit guides us to truth, and that truth aligns with the Bible. Satan is the father of lies and therefore we battle for the truth in a world that esteems lies. The Spirit, speaking only what He hears from Jesus, brings us wisdom for all time.

It was for the good of Jesus' disciples, and for us all, that He left this earth. The Holy Spirit was sent so that God could be with and in every believer. The Spirit convicts us when we sin, keeps us right with God, and proclaims the coming judgment.

No matter what is going on in the world, we are not alone; the Holy Spirit is with us. The Spirit should cause us to look to, and point others to, Jesus. Knowing that He, and not anyone else, is the savior gives us peace so that we can be a bold witness.

If we follow Jesus, we should expect for the world to hate us, since it hates Him. Because we live differently from those around us, and because the contrast highlights their sin, we are despised. A blessing awaits us when we suffer because of Him.

Spending time with people, communicating with them, and sharing experiences are keys to building friendships. Jesus says that He is a friend to those who do as He commands. There is no better friendship in which to invest your time and effort.

The joy we experience in this life is directly proportional to how closely we walk with Jesus. We should not seek joy, but we receive it as we seek God. Sing praise songs to Him, spend time in His word, and meditate on heaven, our future home.

Do we really know that Jesus loves us? Jesus loves us with the same love that God the Father has for His Son. That should be something to meditate upon. One way to remain in His love is to obey His command to love one another as He loves us.

Any good fruit comes from God. In order to bear good fruit requires pruning and it is His Word cleanses and cuts out the dead parts in us. Bearing good fruit is a sign that we are His disciples but to do so, we must make a choice to abide in Him daily.

Not only does the enemy have no charge against Jesus but also he has no charge against us! Our debt has been paid. Furthermore, God is infinitely more powerful than the enemy. But we need His Word in us to fight. We cannot fight from our own strength.

In life, there are many struggles and sins that rob us of our peace, but Jesus left us His peace as an inheritance. While peace starts at the cross, the world can only give trouble. Three practical ways to get peace: trust Him, pray, and follow His way.

The Lord has promised that he will be with us forever. This is true regardless of what you feel. He works within us and reminds us of His word. Since He lives with us and in us, we must honor Him with our bodies and not be at conflict with Him.

A sign that we love Jesus is that we obey His commands. We are commanded to walk in love, which implies living according to His word. If we do, He will dwell with us and in us. Joy awaits for our obedience.

God tells us to ask Him for what we want, but our prayer requests need to be in accordance with God's nature and should be focused on bringing Him glory. We must ask with a pure heart and believe that He wants to answer us because He loves us.

If we really know Jesus we know the Father, but to do so we need to pay attention to, and follow, His teachings. If we do not believe all of what God says about Himself, we create a different god. What we ask Him for shows what we think of His will.

Jesus is the way (to heaven), the truth (in a world of lies), and the life (abundant life that He promised). He is the only way because He is the only one who conquered sin. Either we die or we believe in the one who died for us.

To enable us to go to heaven, first Jesus had to go to the cross. He is preparing a special place for each one who comes to that cross and when it is ready, He will come back to get us. The best thing about heaven is that He will be there with us.

Jesus tells us to believe and trust in Him and in the Father. The antidote for a troubled heart is for believers to trust in God. Remember what He has already done and what He promises to do. Don’t let your heart be stolen away by troubles.

Although we often want to do the right thing, we do not have the strength in ourselves. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing, but with Him, we can do all things through His strength.

The cross shows the glory of God in all its brilliance, an example of triumph over the power of darkness. It is a glorious example of love. An unprecedented and novel command is to love one another as Jesus loved us. It is only possible through God.

When someone we love betrays us, it is soul crushing. Turning from Christ and saying "no" to Him, is the same as saying "yes" to the world and to the devil. This leaves us alone in the darkness because it is always night for those who reject the Savior.

Jesus demonstrated His humility through service. Our attitudes also need to be humble and our actions must follow His example of servitude. We have a battle with pride but we receive blessings when we humble ourselves and do what we are called to do.

If we are wandering around in the dark, we either do not want to see the light, or we are looking in the wrong direction. Jesus is the light and those who reject Him will be judged; those who accept will be saved. This is both a warning and a promise.

God cares for you, but He resists the proud. Thinking that we can do it on our own is prideful so we must not be too proud to ask for help and to cast our cares on Him. Casting is an energetic word; we must actively bring our concerns to Him in prayer.

Lukewarm is not okay. If you try to keep one foot in the world and the other in the church, you will be torn apart. Keep your zeal and fervor for Christ. The world can tell when you are not committed.

God is sovereign and He opens and closes doors; doors of opportunity, witness, and work. But even a door opened by God does not mean that it will be free from adversity and trouble. We need to hold on to our gifts and persevere through difficult times.

God sees our hearts and souls, so we should aim to please Him, even in the midst of trials and suffering. Each of us must pray to grow in service, faith, and perseverance. Hold on to what we know to be true, and know the truth by knowing His Word.

God sees our hearts and souls, so we should aim to please Him, even in the midst of trials and suffering. Each of us must pray to grow in service, faith, and perseverance. Hold on to what we know to be true, and know the truth by knowing His Word.

God knows our circumstances and He cares. While Satan tries to lead us astray, the word of God helps us to hold on to Jesus and to our faith. By doing so, we can overcome. When we repent of sin and idolatry, we will receive blessings from heaven.

Jesus is the first and the last. It is all found in Him. We need not fear death or suffering because He will restore us, but we should expect persecution if we lead godly lives. Those who have been born again will not face the pain of the second death.

Lessons from this this letter include the importance of persevering, adhering to sound doctrine, guarding the truth, testing everything against scripture, and avoiding all evil. If we make Jesus our first love, we will focus on what really matters.

We need the grace and peace of the triune God today. He loves us and He is with us in our suffering. We should wait for His return with the patient endurance we have through Jesus, knowing that He holds the keys to sin and death.

God is speaking to us if we will listen. He spoke to John while he was in isolation on Patmos. He can speak to us in our isolation today. These may not be the very last days, but the day is approaching. So spur each other on to good works and look up!

Jesus promises both that we will have trouble in this world and that He has overcome it. After rising from the dead, Jesus appeared to His disciples, even though they were isolated in a locked room. Even now, He stands in our midst bringing us peace.

In the midst of world-wide devastation, God provided safe haven for Noah and his family. Likewise, He calmed the storm when the sea battered His disciples. He wants us to be courageous in scary times, to have faith, and to keep our eyes fixed on Him.

The Bible makes it crystal clear where we find peace. We will be in perfect peace when our minds are fixed on Him because we can trust Him. We must be careful what we let into our thoughts. Our minds should be set on things above, not on earthly things.

God is speaking now in a big way if we will stop and listen. Social distancing does not apply to Him so turn from sin, draw close to God and rest from striving. Turn off the media, be quiet in knowing His strength, and trust in Him for He is our refuge.

There are people listening to us everyday who want to understand the gospel, but it is hard for many to adapt their way of thinking to something so radically different from what they already know. Your personal salvation story is the best place to start.

Our lives should be a living sacrifice to God, being willing to do whatever He calls us to do. It is impossible for God to be glorified through us if we are on the throne. Loving God means choosing to put Him on the throne of our lives and trusting Him.

Like the Greeks mentioned in these three versus, there are people all around us who want to see Jesus. Can they see Him in us? We should spend time with Him so that we bear a resemblance to Him, then pray for a chance to witness to those who seek Him.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was fulfilling another prophesy. God always confirms His work through His Word and Jesus is shown to be the Son of God by fulfilling every prophecy writing about Him from Genesis to Revelation.

Like David, Mary refused to give to Jesus that which had cost her nothing. We should all be willing to sacrificially give Him the best that we have (not just financially) and that requires a heart of worship, which comes from spending time with Him.

The Pharisees saw Jesus and observed His miracles, so they had head-knowledge of who He was, but they lacked the heart knowledge for Jesus to make a difference in them. We must respond to His calling with our hearts and our minds.

Death brings suffering and a stench, but Jesus brings joy and the fragrance of life. We must roll away the stone that hides the rotten parts of our lives and let Him in to heal us. We are all dead in our sins if we have not accepted Christ.

Just as Jesus called for Mary, He calls for us by name. Our response to Jesus should be immediate like hers. This is for our benefit and is a witness to those who are watching. He calls us to spend time with Him because He loves us unconditionally.

God has His own timetable that we don’t know anything about it. This is why we must trust Him and not lean on our own understanding. We need to have both faith that He is able--and belief that He will--do things beyond our understanding.

God loves us individually and unconditionally, but His love does not mean that He removes our infirmities. He wants us to call on Him when we, or our loved ones, are in need. This establishes our relationship with Him. We can always trust His purposes.

This well know passage contains three things we must do and one promise of what God will do. If we trust wholeheartedly in God alone, realize that our understanding is insufficient, and know the Lord in all our ways, He will keep us on the right path.

The Bible says that to be ready to enter the Kingdom, you need to be lowly in heart. Are you ready to meet the supreme creator? Are you where you ought to be? Will He know you when He sees you? Make it your top priority to decide to follow Him.

The Jews wanted to stone Jesus to death for blasphemy since He claimed to be God. All must stop and examine the evidence to see that Jesus' claims were true. Do not put your faith and trust in people. Unless He is God, His sacrifice is meaningless.

Salvation, being a gift, is not something earned, so it cannot be unearned. Jesus says that no one can snatch us out of His hand (His hands bear the scars of the price He paid for us). It makes no sense to ask whether we can lose Him; He cannot lose us!

Jesus' sheep are His precious possessions, but to be one, requires salvation. The mechanism of salvation involves both God's sovereignty and personal responsibility. We need to do our part as commanded, and then we will hear His voice and follow Him.

God is good and He is merciful. Knowing that His goodness and mercy are always chasing after us, whether we are having a good day or bad, is astonishing! But the good news gets even better: He prepares a place for us to live with Him in eternal pleasure!

When God sets the table, there is a sense of peace, even when our enemies surround us. Peace comes when we change our focus from ourselves to what Christ has done. He has blessed us so greatly that our cup overflows in response as we bless others.

The rod and staff of our faithful shepherd bring us comfort. The rod is used both to fight-off enemies and to correct us when we are wrong. The staff is a sign of support and also provides guidance to wayward sheep. Likewise we should comfort others.

Job demonstrated integrity by staying true to God in the midst of suffering. Men of integrity have character, because they know they belong to God, certainty because they know God is in control, and confidence because they know God is the judge.

Although the world does not want to hear about Jesus, it is drawn to the idea of sacrificing oneself for another. We call those that risk their lives for us "heroes," but Jesus did more than that. He intentionally died for us. So should we die to self.

Sometimes we ask, "If the Lord is with me, how did I end up in this mess?" Often it is because we did not listen to Him, but there are times when He will use the mess to bring about something good. There is a greater power with us than with the enemy.

Things have not changed much since the psalm was written; we all still need to be restored and led to places of peace. His leading will sometimes make us feel unsure and may even bring us through places that are dark, but they always exit into light.

It is interesting to note that the Shepherd’s Psalm comes just after the Psalm of the Cross. The cross was necessary for Jesus to be able to deliver us from evil. We get the benefit of a peaceful, content life when we want only what He provides us.

False teachers come as heretics, charlatans, and false prophets, but all come to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus comes to give us life--not just the afterlife, but abundant life here and now. Knowing Father and Son is the key to this plentiful life.

When we recognize our weaknesses and our need for a shepherd, it is comforting to know that Jesus protects us and calls us when we stray. Nothing compares to hearing His voice in our hearts. Do we still listen for the voice of the shepherd?

There are none so blind as those who will not see. We can be blinded by our own knowledge and pride, thinking that we can see well. Those who admit they are blind, call out to God who gives them sight. Being humble is the first step being able to see.

We can sometimes be like the Pharisees, wanting God to work in accordance with our understanding, but God has higher ways. We need not understand them, but we must give our testimony, telling others what we KNOW God has done for us.

Jesus heals, but first, He asks us to surrender to Him. This requires obedience and sacrificing our will for His even when what He asks seems foolish or impossible. When we do this, we are changed in a way that others can see.

When bad circumstances come, the answer is not in assessing blame, but in trusting God. Sometimes we bring them as a result of our own actions and sometimes because we live in a fallen world. Either way, they are an opportunity for God's grace to abound.

While the world dishonors Jesus, Jesus honors the Father, and the Father judges the world. Knowing this judgment is coming, it is important to recognize that the only thing that separates us from eternal life with God is the sin of unbelief.

Hope is the belief--not the wish--that things will get better. The first ingredient of hope is faith, and faith is a reason to go on that has nothing to do with you. When your soul is downcast, put your Hope in God. Preach this message to yourself.

We can be bound by something without even knowing it. For example, we can be enslaved to our own pride. Breaking free from bondage happens when we live in His word. Otherwise, we live in the World, and we live in a lie.

There are several common excuses used to justify not reading the Bible: no time, not knowing where to start, being too tired or distracted. Yet somehow there is plenty of time to interact with media, which provides a message contrary to our faith.

If you live in His Word, then you are a disciple, as the great commission calls us to be. When the Bible lives in us, it arms us with the belt of truth and the sword of the Word. It gives us freedom and it allows us to be fruitful Christians.

Preconceived ideas can prevent us from listening and truly understanding what someone is saying. When we are too proud, stubborn, or distracted, we are poor listeners. If you aren't hearing God's voice, it might be time to check your listening skills.

Jesus asserted that He was the light of the World. As we follow Him, not only does His light allow us to see where we are going, it enables us to see the things around us more clearly. Although it is sometimes difficult, live as a child of the light.

We are often quick to criticize the sins of others while ignoring our own. As sinners, we should not condemn other believers. There is no condemnation in Jesus. He is faithful to forgive and He wants us to draw closer to Him and walk in His paths.

Are we thirsty for truth? Jesus taught that there is only one place to go to quench that thirst. Drinking the Living Water not only refreshes us, but also helps us to be fruitful. In doing so, we gain the blessing of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Many are deceived, believing they have the keys to knowledge, but God reveals His truth to the simple. Christians should expect criticism and even persecution for their simple faith. There will always be a great divide between believers and the world.

Jesus has important things to say and we should listen to Him. No one else has the way to eternal life. Are we too busy and distracted to read His word?

Jesus did not seek His own honor. Instead He taught the people what the Father wanted them to do. To be teachable, it is most important to have a heart to know God and not just strive for head knowledge. Surrender your will and obey Him today.

Jesus' brothers wanted to send Jesus on a public relations campaign after many turned away from Him. Jesus, though, is about love, and not about fame. Like Jesus, we need to be on God's timing, not man's. If you want to be first, you need to be last.

Jesus does not force anyone to stay with Him, but if you leave, to what do you return? Sin, religion, work, and other distractions are not where we will find the peace that Jesus provides. To leave Him is to find desolation, ruin, and death.

By declaring the Lord as our shepherd, we are expressing confidence in His ability to comfort us in all things. The sheep that stay near the shepherd are never hungry or thirsty, and they never get lost. Are you listening for His voice? Do what it says!

It is difficult when the foundation of the basis for our pride is stripped away, but Jesus tells us that the Spirit is necessary for understanding and it is by the Spirit that we are saved. Any reliance on our knowledge or religious observance is a trap.

As the saying goes, "you are what you eat." We are to consume Jesus. Jesus uses this difficult metaphor to expose the pride of the Pharisees who would not accept its clear meaning. It also foreshadows His ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross.

When we complain, we are expressing a lack of trust in the way God does things. Complaining sets up a pattern of constant dissatisfaction and has spiritual and physical consequences. We must humbly learn to trust Him to be content.

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then there is no point to our faith. But because He did, Jesus took our sadness, disappointment, and fear and turned them around. He broke the power of sin so that we do not have to pay the penalty, which is death.

During the triumphal entry, Jesus was for a moment, adored. Yet He wept over Jerusalem knowing the troubles they would soon face. Jesus' love for us does not depend on our reciprocation. Likewise, we are to love Him and our neighbor selflessly.

Bread is found in every diet of all people around the world. It is necessary for our physical health. But Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is necessary for our current physical lives and our eternal life in heaven. Believe, repent, and follow Him today.

We all want free stuff, but because we are prideful, we also want to take credit for getting it. This leads some to think they can earn salvation. But the work of God is only to believe in the one whom He has sent. Free salvation must be accepted humbly.

The human race is prone to neglecting noble things while pursuing that which brings immediate gratification. Christians are not immune to this. We need to follow Jesus not for temporal rewards, but for eternal love. Follow Him for who He is.

Even when we do not see or sense Jesus, He is near, watching over us. When we listen to Him and read His word, it will dispel our fear, and following His voice will allow us to do the impossible. Until we do, we will not truly know His power.

Through the miracle of the loaves and fishes, we learn to not despair in the face of seemingly impossible odds, to offer all we have even when we think that it is not enough, and to remember that Jesus can multiply even that which is dead.

We have testimony of Christ's deity from John the Baptist, who pointed to Jesus by testifying to the truth, the works of Jesus, which show that the Father sent Him, God the Father who called Jesus His son, and the writings of Moses. Now choose Him!

We all start our lives in a state of spiritual death, which is separation from God. It is by trusting and believing (putting our full trust in) Jesus that we cross over from death to life. The evidence of that life is expressed in the way we live.

In order to understand who Jesus is, we should know what He said about Himself: that He is the Lord of the Sabbath and is equal with God, yet independent. He holds power over life and death, passes judgment, and is worthy of worship and honor.

Although Jesus asks us to do things we cannot do ourselves, He gives us the strength. Stop wallowing in self-created misery. Follow His calling and get up, leave no provision for failure, and live for Him. Then tell others what He has done for you!

When we are facing difficulties, we must bring them to Jesus and trust in Him even before seeing any results. Jesus gives us His word and we are to believe it. By practicing this, we can grow from a crisis faith to a confirmed faith that is contagious.

We all have shortcomings that may make us think we are not able to share Christ such as our upbringing, a poor reputation, or a lack of knowledge. But Jesus has always used flawed people to share the truth. It is not what we know, but who: Jesus.

Jesus' food was doing His Father's will. We too are sustained by having a heart to do the will of God. His will for us includes reaching others for the kingdom. We must work while we are able because we only have so much time.

Some forms of worship follow religious tradition, but Christians are called to have a relationship, not religion. While religion works from the outside in, relationship works from the inside out. The Holy Spirit makes our worship pleasing to God.

Sometimes the intent of our prayers is for God to make our lives more convenient. Really, Jesus came to fulfill the deepest need we have--to wash us and give us eternal life. Jesus gets to the heart of what we need to be right before Him.

Everyone needs water: physical water for biological life, and living water for spiritual life. Those who have Jesus have an everlasting spring within them to satisfy their thirst. Explaining this need to an unsaved person is the beginning of evangelism.

Some would say Jesus was from Nazareth, others would say from Bethlehem, but both answers are wrong. Jesus is from heaven and He was sent down to be with you and me. For this reason, those who believe should be joyfully experiencing abundant life.

Envy hurts our walk with Christ. Since we only possess what has been given to us from above, when we complain about what we have or don't have, we are really complaining against God. Let your joy come from helping others, not from your stuff.

Although much of our trouble is our own doing, God often allows trouble to bring us to the end of ourselves. When we realize that we are powerless to calm the storm, He is ready to answer our desperate prayer, which should be made with a thankful heart.

In terms of time and position, the Lord cannot get any closer to us. Our God is here now and cares deeply for us in our despair. He knows us perfectly and binds up our wounds. Jesus died of a broken heart; no one understands our pain better than He.

God will sometimes put us in situations where we are all too aware of our helplessness. Recognize that we can do nothing on our own, but can do all through His strength. This requires that we possess a hearing heart and a trusting spirit.

Man tends to give thanks only when he is saved from calamity, or to pray sincerely only when he is in severe distress. Yet God responds swiftly and abundantly even when our motivations are rooted in our own self-interest.

When we remember God's past blessings, deliverance, and faithfulness, we have no reason to grumble or lose heart. As we serve Him in difficult times and as we wait for Him, we may rejoice in the knowledge that He meets us in our situation.

We are not supposed to remain spiritual infants, but are to become more Christ-like through His Spirit. It is God who does the work within us, but we can resist Him and stunt our growth. Allowing Him to refine us makes us useful to Him and to others.

In some ways, we are all stuck in quicksand. The harder we try to get out, the deeper we get. But Jesus was sent to save us. Those who believe love the light and the light helps them to recognize their situation and their need for a savior.

John 3:16 is the most well known verse in the Bible, yet millions do not know it. It is so powerful because it encapsulates the entire gospel in one verse. It tells of the source, the extent, the sacrifice, and the results of God's love for us.

Regardless of how man treats the cross of Christ, it rises above all, reflecting His sovereign power over mankind and His strength to heal sinners. The idea of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying in their sin, but we must look to it to live.

Although Nicodemus was a wealthy man of power and influence, he did not at first understand the simple truth that he must be born again in the Spirit to be saved. We who are saved are born into the hope that comes from the resurrection and His Word.

Whether it is our church, our homes, or our hearts, we must ask ourselves if Jesus would be pleased with what is going on there. Since we are not our own, but are bought for a price, He has the authority and the wisdom to clean out what does not belong.

The first thing to note about the Cana wedding is that Jesus was invited. When we plan to invite Jesus to something, we need to ensure that He will be comfortable there. Once He is there, we should do whatever He tells us to do and put our faith in Him.

We follow Jesus because He is God, but also because He is good, He is our savior, He is our Lord, He is the Good Shepherd, and He gave His life for us.

Everyone's story is different as to how we began to follow Jesus, but the important part is that we do follow Him. He is worthy of being followed because He knows the way.

When we look at the life of Joseph, we see that he was able to forgive. We also must choose to live a life of forgiveness because we are commanded to, because we value our relationship with God, and because we can be of service to others.

John the Baptist gave all the glory to the Messiah. Our testimony also must focus on Jesus and how we were lost but are now found. It may cost us something to have a testimony for Jesus, but that should not stop us from sharing it.

Some people recognized that Jesus was who He said He was, but they did not receive Him since they denied His lordship. We must receive Jesus into our lives and hearts. Then by believing, we put our trust in Him for our salvation.

Man is born with an innate fear of both darkness and death. Jesus came to bring light into the darkness and to give us life. His light shows us what this present life is about and also the way to eternal life. With His light, we need not fear the dark.

The first few verses from John tell as a lot about Jesus. He is eternal and has no beginning. He is the Word by which we know God. He is both God and part of the trinity. He is the Creator through whom we have life, and seeking Him reveals His glory.

John wrote his gospel so that we would believe. Believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, and the only way to God, gives us life. The life we are given is spiritual, eternal, and abundant in both quantity and quality.

John acknowledged that Jesus loved him. Although he had a special relationship with Jesus (caring for Mary after the crucifixion), he was far from perfect. Yet his love and his teaching made it obvious to others that he spent time with the Lord.

As the creator of all life, God has the right to shake things up in our world. He speaks to us to let us know what needs to change, often through His Word, His Son, and His Spirit. The question is not whether He speaks, but will we listen when He does?

Just as healthy people can't make you healthy, but sick people can make you sick, holiness does not spread as easily as unholiness. If your life has been dry, understand your mistakes and move on without dwelling on the past. Holiness comes from God.

Sometimes God needs to shake up our lives to get rid of things that do not belong there. But after that, He blesses us with His presence. The presence of God is what brings glory to a place and it is what brings us peace.

God called Moses to complete the tabernacle, but the work did not start before Moses spent time with God. God makes it possible for each of us to have a close personal relationship with Him. Spend time with God and then finish the work!

We sometimes look back and reminisce about the good days, but it is more important to look at what God has given us today. He has given us work to do and the strength to do it. His spirit will be with us and we need not fear.

When we leave God out of our plans, He sometimes withholds His blessings. We are warned here to give careful thought to our ways, to do what we set out to do for the Lord, and to put God first, not put Him off.

Zephaniah spoke against the practice of worshiping other Gods along with the real God. We cannot live with one foot in the faith and one in the world. The emphasis is on turning back towards the Lord in repentance knowing that He delights in us.

Rather than just prophesy about destruction, Habakkuk pleaded for it. God sometimes administers justice in ways we don't expect, however, like by using evil people. When we are seeking to understand His will, it is okay to wrestle with God.

Jonah went to Nineveh about 150 years before Nahum and the people turned back to God. By the time of Nahum though, they had gone back to their evil ways. Nahum warns the city of God's coming wrath, reminding us that although slow to anger, God is just.

Four things that matter: Faith, Family & Friends, Fellowship, and our Future in heaven. We spend a lot of time on distractions, but each day is a gift and we need to spend some of it with God so that He may satisfy us with His unfailing love.

The friends of the paralytic brought him to Jesus for physical healing, yet it was his spiritual condition that was first on Jesus' mind. Even believers need to admit our failures and not try and hide them. Don't minimize your sin; Bring it to Jesus.

We can't always do it on our own; we all need friends. To become a friend with someone requires spending time with him or her and being friendly. Have it in your heart to support people, showing grace to one another.

Quarreling is of no value. We should warn and correct those who stir up trouble with the goal of bringing peace and restoration. First, we ourselves must not be divisive people. "He who loves a quarrel loves sin." (Pr 17:19).

Be careful to care for doing what is good. Be in constant thoughtfulness. It blesses us when we do things for others because it takes our attention off of ourselves. It saves us from the misery of selfishness and sets an example for others.

As God's children, we are heirs to eternal life, to property in heaven, and to God himself. We have already been given a down payment, which is the Holy Spirit. God also looks forward to receiving His inheritance: the ones for whom He gave His only son.

A scar is a mark left over after the healing. Spurgeon called Jesus' scars "trophies of love." By the wounds He received, Jesus took up not just our sins, but our sorrows as well, and in doing so, He brings us peace. Jesus is where the victory is.

Those present at the Triumphal Entry each behaved differently. The disciples showed trust and obedience, the multitude demonstrated praise and adoration, the Pharisees bared their scorn and rejection, and Jesus came in peace as messiah!

The Holy Spirit is God's seal on us showing that we belong to Him. He is a deposit in our hearts, the guarantee of things to come. Therefore, we should honor God with our bodies remembering that the Spirit gives us life.

Being reborn is a miracle from God. Those who are only born once will experience death twice: first a physical death, and second, a much worse spiritual death, an eternal separation from God. But those who are born twice will only die once.

There are people who come to church every week and have not truly been saved. Although salvation begins within us, it works its way out. If your life bears no signs of having Jesus as Lord, what does that say about the sincerity of your conversion?

Christians should be prepared to tell, in five minutes or less, the story of their conversion. All of us have a "Before Christ" when we were dead in our sins, living foolish, deceived lives. But we were saved by His mercy and we were changed!

Some practical advice from the Word of God: rely on the Holy Spirit to remind us of His Word, be submissive to the government (although we are citizens of heaven), and don't say anything to harm anyone else.

We need to teach the things of God by speaking His word and must avoid making up our own doctrine. We should speak with the authority of scripture, not as bible-thumpers, but with humility, not lording it over others.

You are God's work of art. Just as a sculptor turns raw material into something beautiful, He is creating a masterpiece by working in you. We who are saved by grace are a new creation.

We are saved by grace and were created to do good works. God's strength within us allows us to be useful to Him, therefore we must be humble in our works and also must be zealous in doing them, not growing weary.

We were created to belong to God and it is God's responsibility to take care of His own. We have the responsibility to listen to His voice, to honor Him and to give our lives back to Him. By receiving His grace, we can become His prized possession.

The God of the universe entered time and made himself into the most vulnerable of creatures for us. He was willing to humble and change himself to minister to us. Paul followed this example and suffered for it. How will you change for the gospel?

Jesus gave himself for us, which is to say that God gave himself for us. This was necessary for our redemption because it cleanses us from all sin and no sin can exist in His presence. We cannot make it on our own. It is ridiculous for us to even try.

The New Testament shows that Jesus claimed to be God, that He did the works of God, and that He was worshiped as God. The Bible teaches that He is God and therefor, we must worship Him. Someday every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

Remember why we celebrate.

The grace of God teaches us if we are willing and humble enough to let it. One thing it teaches is that we should be waiting for His return with confident expectation. This should lead us to live lives that honor God by following His commands.

The world does not honor God so we are called to say 'no' to its values. God wishes for us to have abundant life in this world, but the life the world has to offer is lacking. Abundant life is found in doing what is right as the School of Grace teaches.

God did not descend to earth because humanity was doing so well, but because we were dead in sin and in need of a savior. We cannot take any credit for our own salvation. Even the grace by which we believe is from God and it has appeared to all men.

We are commanded not to worry. When we worry, we are intruding into God's arena; it is His business to take care of everything according to His will. When we trust Him to handle our cares, we will be thankful in knowing that He will.

God calls us to live by faith during difficult times so that we can shine with His light in the darkness. By doing so, we are like jewels that make God's Word even more attractive. Even those in prison can have freedom in their hearts when they know God.

The Bible tells us that the Lord IS our strength, not that He adds to our strength. Understanding this requires faith, which requires understanding the character of God, which requires trusting Him in our hearts--and worship strengths the heart.

God loves us too much to leave us as we are. Our ability to receive His correction with the proper attitude will determine our level of success. Like a rumble strip on the highway, God uses chastening to correct us when we steer off course.

First, we need to live the Word of God by being a good example, but then we are called to teach it to others. This is a serious call and we must not misrepresent the truths of the Bible. Jesus gives us the best example of both living it AND teaching it.

Because we have a sinful nature, self-control is necessary to bridle the beast within. The Holy Spirit has been given as a gift to do this, since we can only control ourselves in the power He supplies. It is His strength in the heart of who we are.

Older women are to train the younger to love their husbands and to be self-controlled and pure. This purity begins by filling our minds with what is right. Women should be guardians of the home, setting a tone of peace and godliness.

Older women are called to purity and to be teachers of the younger women. They are not to speak badly about others since slander is from the devil. They are not to be slaves to alcohol and should be examples by the way they live.

Are we teachable? This can be a problem, especially for older men, but there are special lessons for older saints, including exercising sound judgment, being serious without being gloomy, showing self-control, being faithful, and not being self-centered.

False teachers are everywhere and they cause division within the church and within families. Many of them are deceived and many are just in it for the money. False teachers are interested in gaining disciples for themselves rather than for Jesus.

The book of Proverbs brings us wisdom, understanding, and protection. Some of its themes include fearing the Lord, showing humility, having self-control, being honest, diligent, and generous. Each provides unique blessings if we first trust in the Lord!

One of the leadership qualities required by God is to be blameless (not sinless since no one would qualify). Yet, even those who lived sinful lives can be leaders when they leave those things behind, keep short accounts with God, and stick with His Word.

When in a trial, we want to know how long it will last. God's Word reminds us, when we are in despair, of His faithfulness. We must change our focus from ourselves to the Lord and trust in Him, rejoicing, and singing because of what He has done.

Dealing with things we have left unfinished can be painful, but it is important that we complete the work God has given us (Col 4:17). We need to first count the cost (Lk 14:28) but we can be nourished and satisfied in laboring for Him (John 4:34).

Biblical hope is always based on what God can do, not on what we can do. God works with those that come to Him in faith even against all earthly hope. We should rejoice in the hope of the glory of God and remember that He gave us His word to give us hope.

Greet people with grace, mercy, and peace... words that are important. We need to grow in grace and be more gracious to others, we need to remember that God's mercy makes us alive in Christ, and we must be at peace with God to receive the peace of God.

First and foremost, Titus was a servant of God. As fellow servants, we should be working to grow in our faith and to trust God more. When we abide in His word, we will have the truth, which sets us free. (Special music by Kathleen Carnali)

Titus is a pastoral epistle along with 1 & 2 Timothy, written for the care of the churches. In it, we find examples of having enthusiasm for the Lord, caring for people, and taking initiative and getting involved. We are called to be servants like Titus.

When we recognize that we need forgiveness, it becomes possible to forgive others, but when we do not forgive others, our own forgiveness from God is blocked. We are told to forgive like God forgave us: repeatedly and even when it costs us dearly.

Our God is a God who provides for His people like a shepherd, yet can also bring nations to their knees. He is a God so holy, that sin cannot be in His presence, and yet He is the God who casts sin away and who delights in showing mercy!

What is important in our days? Having time with God so that He can satisfy us with His unfailing love. We can sing for joy and be glad all our days even when facing trouble if we pray for God to establish the work of our hands for us.

Our enemies like it when we fall and want to remind us of our weaknesses, but Proverbs 24:16 tells that that "for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again." It is not falling, but failing to get up that is the worst.

It was not his personal problems, but the lack of godly people that brought Micah to despair. Although our natural inclination is to be miserable when things seem hopeless, we are reminded to look to the Lord, who has the hope and the answers.

Pastor Rich reflects on a short list of "things that matter" after his open-heart surgery. They include faith, which allows us to call out to Jesus, an ever-present help in times of trouble, family and friends, fellowship, and our future in heaven.

Placing hope in the things of this world is not fitting for Christians. Our hope in God is an anchor, and what ties us to that anchor are His promises. We can expect Him to keep His promises because He controls the hearts of man.

Being gentle is a prerequisite to rejoicing because it helps us avoid discord. It is also essential to not be anxious, remember God's great love for us, and be thankful. The most important key to rejoicing is praying for help when things get difficult.

An often-misunderstood concept, the phrase "separation of church and state" penned by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Baptist churches, was meant to keep Government from meddling with the free worship of God.

Honor is a powerful tool to build the body of Christ and to win the lost. Those whom we should honor include family, authorities, and above all, God. Honor is sincere when we treat others as special and do more than what is expected with a good heart.

Selected Verses from Hebrews

God has let us know how He wants His people to live, and that when we do wrong, we will suffer consequences (God will discipline those whom He loves). We have been warned, and yet we are often too stubborn to listen. Our works should please the Spirit.

What is the secret to contentment? We do not need to give-in to the world's message of being dissatisfied with what we have. It is not natural, but can be learned, once we know Paul's secret!

A simple summary of what God requires of us is to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Him. The emphasis is on justice for ourselves (obeying His law) but showing mercy to others. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful things we can do.

Getting baptized, going to church, and being a good person will not get us into heaven, but we are saved only by calling on the name of Jesus. God Himself turned Jesus over to be crucified and God raised Him from the dead, defeating both sin and death.

Another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy is Jesus riding in to Jerusalem on the back of a donkey exactly 173,880 days after the decree to rebuild the city and its walls. When God has a plan, He brings all the pieces together.

Written 700 years before Christ, this prophesy in Micah foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and that His origins would be seen to be from eternity. Jesus was to be our peace and He is yet to establish His kingdom of peace on this Earth.

In this message, we learn about the resources provided by My Hope with Billy Graham, a series of evangelistic videos featuring life-changing testimonies. Consider using these tools as you reach others for Christ.

Throughout history, God has shown that He has a plan for us. Sometimes that plan involves judgment and correction, but it always leads to restoration. Although circumstances may seem insurmountable, Jesus is our Hope.

God holds leaders to a particularly high standard because they can lead others astray. When people in high positions use their influence to help themselves at the expense of others, God will not even hear their prayers.

None of us like bad news, but the Word of the Lord is not always comforting. Sometimes we need to be rebuked, but we must be humble to accept correction and to see the King. There is always hope for those who listen.

We can listen to God's Word, or we can reject God's Word. The prophet Micah preached from 750BC to 686BC and he was ignored for a long time, but eventually was listened to by Hezekiah, and God blessed His people because of it.

In Matthew 9:35-38 we see that the lost people are the harvest and those sharing the gospel are the laborers. God chooses to use us as the conduit of His good news. Today we discuss the practical matters of getting prepared and what to do and not do.

What motivates Jesus to have compassion? In this message, we see that Christ's desire for righteousness and his love for people leads Him to reach out to the lost. In helping sinners, He does not just meet their immediate needs; He tackles the symptom.

Being needed makes us feel important, but God does not need us at all. He can speak to people directly, has angles to offer Him praise, and even used Balaam's donkey to bring about His will. Yet, God wants us, which is even better than being needed.

Although many think they will get to heaven by doing good, this is not what the Bible teaches. God's word says that heaven is His dwelling place and that Jesus is the only way to enter. Do you want to spend eternity with Him?

We are reminded that the Christian life is a fight, but that it is a GOOD fight and that our race is distinct in its challenges from those of others. We endure by keeping the true faith and by longing for His return.

It is interesting that the last written record we have from Paul is about people. Although we do not know much about the names listed, they were important to Paul. Likewise, we are important to God who knows us even if we are not known by the world.

We have all heard that God is with us, but yet we are all prone to fear. God's presence in our lives should conquer that fear. Today's message explores some of the many times when God was with His people.

With many making New Year's resolutions, what should Christians commit to this year? If we seek first the kingdom of God, we are living in accordance with His Word and He will give you courage for the challenges ahead!

In this special message, young people from the church read the Christmas story. The gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi were appropriate: Gold for a king, Frankincense for a priest, and Myrrh for God's anointed one. What did we bring Him?

God has given us many gifts that we often take for granted. Pastor Rich reflects on some of those in his life including life itself, his wife, children, grand children, houses, and the church. But the greatest gift is eternal life through Jesus.

It is not always a bad thing to be alone, if it causes us to turn to Jesus. He will deliver us from evil attacks. He will never leave nor forsake us, regardless of how we feel.

The things of this world, like status, possessions, and entertainment, can lead us away from the needs of others. At the end of our lives, these things will matter much less than friends. And there is no better friend than Jesus.

Our pride and rudeness sometimes keep us from saying thank you. This Thanksgiving message explores various scriptures about giving thanks, sometimes even before we receive a blessing.

If God has given you something to do, don't panic, because He has also given you what you need to complete it. Yet, understand that setbacks are inevitable and are often used by God to correct our paths. Look to Him for strength to endure.

Many churches today are teaching false doctrine to appease their congregations and to enrich themselves. Sound doctrine often makes us uncomfortable and the desire to hear only that which affirms us is common to all.

It has been said that you are either in a trial, coming out of one, or going into one. Trials are inevitable, but have a purpose. Our response should consider that our faith is being tested during these difficulties, and we reap a reward for enduring.

The Bible calls us to preach the Word. But in order to proclaim God's truths, we must prepare by studying it ourselves and by being prepared to speak up, whether it is convenient or not, and regardless of how uncomfortable the situation may be.

The Bible gives the way to eternal life, is God's Word, is infallible, is useful for many purposes, and is under constant attack. It is no wonder that the enemy wants to keep us from the Word, but it needs to be part of our daily walk.

God doesn't just forgive us when we sin; He pursues us. Hosea powerfully illustrates this. When reading today's passage, we must identify with Gomer to appreciate the extent of the grace that God pours out to us in our sin.

Paul implores believers to continue in perseverance in our faith, learning and making corrections as we go. If we are convinced that His way is the best way, we will seek the proper context by learning from others and passing that knowledge along.

There are many promises in the Bible. Some are comforting, and some disturbing. Those who wish to lead a Godly life are assured persecution. But persecution refines the church and God promises to rescue us from it.

We are always an example to someone, but not always a good one. Believers should demonstrate a contrast to non-believers in our way of life and in our faith. By doing so, we exemplify Christ, who promises a blessing when we do His will.

There are many counterfeits out there. Some are easy to discern and others are not. Teachers of religion can be fakers too, and in order to recognize them we must know Jesus as savior and follow Him, know the Bible as truth, and not be easily fooled.

Yes, we are living in the last days, but they began at the time of Jesus. Therefor, we should be looking, watching, and living for Him. Whether or not the world matches the description in these verses, we should check our own hearts for these sins.

Pride and hurt feelings can lead to foolish arguments, but the people of God need to show humility and respect during any disagreement. Listening to opposing views and praying for those who are against you will help prevent quarrelling.

The picture that we identify with through baptism is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus tells us to be baptized and He himself was baptized. It is a sign of obedience and a witness to others of our commitment to follow Christ.

Hopelessness makes it hard to go on, but God wants to give us His hope through the Holy Spirit. Although there is natural hope, which is really just wishful thinking, spiritual hope is a confident expectation. This is the hope that will keep us going.

We are not called to be Lone Ranger Christians, but rather to help one another through love, devotion, acceptance, instruction, service, forbearance, and forgiveness. We call this Koinonia: partnership and participation.

There are many things to flee from--lust, ambition, worry--but how do you flee what's inside of you? You must be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Instead, run to things that are good: righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

We were created in order to do good works, but in order to be useful to the Lord, we must cleanse ourselves from things that are impure, or in error. As C.T. Studd said, "Only one life 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."

The cornerstone and foundation of salvation is Jesus, so it is not true that there are many paths to heaven. God's seal is upon this foundation and those who build on it are His. Who do you belong to? Can anyone tell?

If a part of the body loses the flow of blood, gangrene sets in and spreads. The same is true of false teachings, which cut us off from the truth. We need to teach the truth of God's Word often, and not quarrel about small matters.

Many of God's sayings are conditional statements and Pastor Rich presents several examples. Some put conditions on us for a blessing, or for removal of blessings. One of the most powerful though is that if we are faithless, He remains faithful.

To remember Jesus, we must bring Him to the front of our minds. In physical trials, we can recall His pain. In discouragement, take comfort that He is alive and His Word cannot be stopped. When facing persecution, remember He is worth fighting for!

We are not all called to be pastors, but we are all called to follow Jesus. Paul compared the difficulty of this to being a soldier, an athlete, or a farmer. Like them, followers may face some loss and hardship, but God's grace will see them through.

Like the baton in a relay race, the truth we pass on to others never changes. But to pass it effectively requires practice. We should pass on our knowledge to others, but they must be ready to receive it and we must be ready to let go.

By the grace of God we have been saved and that grace is unmerited favor; it is not given based on our works. Grace leaves no room for pride, but by humbling ourselves we can be a channel of God's grace to others.

Being a good friend to someone means being there in their time of need, regardless of our own wants or fears. True friends are faithful, do not give up, and value the importance of personal contact. Knowing this, there is no better friend than Jesus.

Don't add to, take away from, or try to improve the Word of God. Rather, keep it, guard it, fight for it, and pass it on. Ask yourself what does it say, what does it mean, and how is it applicable to me?

The wages of sin is death so we are facing an emergency situation: certain death. But for the believer, death has no power over us. We are saved from death and hell to life. Don't be satisfied with a saved soul and a wasted life.

Sometimes it may cost us something to be unashamed of the Gospel. But since Jesus has done such great things and has saved us from death, there is no reason to be ashamed of Him or to tell others about Him. Remember, Jesus is not ashamed of us.

What holds us back from fanning the flames of our spiritual fire? Fear, weakness, and lack of love or devotion are some reasons. The world, the flesh, and the devil give us a spirit of fear, but the spirit of God gives us power, love, and discipline.

Ravi Zacharias has argued that it is not too much pain that leads to an empty life, but the pursuit of too much pleasure, as was the case for the prodigal son. The "upside surprise" for him and for us is that God's joy and peace follow us wherever we go.

Are you okay with faith without fire? We are told to stoke the fire of out faith, to make it alive again. This can be accomplished by exercising the gifts of the spirit that we have been given by His grace.

The Bible is filled with examples of saints who trusted God in one instance and doubted Him in the next. Abraham, Asa, and Elijah are among those examples. When we are anxious, our witness if weak, but He can still use us when we put out trust in Him.

Our sincere faith is often a great encouragement to others when it is demonstrated without hypocrisy. This type of faith in Timothy encouraged Paul, as Timothy had been encouraged when he observed it in his grandmother and mother.

Paul knew his end was near and this book is his last known writing. If you were in the same situation, what words would you leave? Paul's final reflections include having fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Don't Quit!

The resurrection is important for two primary reasons: to prove who Jesus is, and to conquer sin and death. Now is a good time to examine yourself. Are you in the faith? If not, then now is a good time to turn to Him.

In contrast to Jonah, who looked over the city of Nineveh in anger that they had turned TO God, Jesus, as He rode into Jerusalem in triumph, wept because He knew that the people would turn AWAY from Him.

Although Jonah was shown mercy in being saved by the fish, he did not want to see mercy applied to Nineveh. Jonah had a heart problem. If such a great prophet of God can be afflicted, so can we. Let us rejoice in God's grace and mercy towards others.

When Jonah finally became obedient, it led to the greatest revival or awakening in history. Nineveh was a very large and important city and it took seriously God's warning to repent and put its faith in God. All true revival does the same.

God often gives us a second chance, but it is better to do it His way the first time. Although the devil wants us to think we're done after we fall, the victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings, starting with being born again.

Although we often pray for things that we want, sometimes God provides things we don't want, but that we need. Such was the case with Jonah. His disobedience brought about his trouble, his trouble led to his prayer, and his prayer led to salvation.

Does our running from God affect anyone else? Yes. We do not live in a vacuum and others are affected by our sin. What does God do? He uses people around us, even unbelievers, to challenge us. God can even use our rebellion to reach other people.

As we start our series in Jonah, it is important to accept that this is an historical book. It is a fact too, that we, like Jonah, sometimes run from God. But when we go God's way, He will see that we get there... and He'll pay the fare!

This week, we review the history of Calvary Chapel in Rhode Island, with Pastor Rich and Paula leaving California and following a circuitous path leading to Greenmeadow. Our present is Acts 2:42 and our future is Revelation 21 and 22.

We will face difficult battles and even spiritual oppression, but how do we fight them? It is only by the blood of the Lamb (what Jesus did, not what we do), the word of our testimony (the evidence of Jesus in our lives), and by steadfast faith.

It takes faith to accept the unexplained. Norm uses a story about the death of Calvin Coolidge's son and another about the attempted assassination of Andrew Jackson to illustrate this point.

God created us to share His love. He demonstrates that love in the way a shepherd cares for his flock, protecting us, leading us along the right path, and providing for our needs. He knows each one and they know his voice and follow him.

Although God is eternal, limitless, and unchanging, mankind is bound by time. Are you using your time for God? Realize that we will give an accounting for our actions before Him and that we are stewards of our time. Have deeds that are authored by Him.

If you have accepted Christ as your savior, then you have a story. Do the work of evangelism! We are called to be ambassadors for Christ. Pray that God will give you a burden for the lost and be confident that the Holy Spirit will give you the power.

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul. When Jesus was born, all of humanity received good news of great joy. This news changes us by giving us hope for forgiveness and salvation if we respond by accepting Jesus.

The beginning of the good news can be found back in Genesis. Even in the midst of the fall of man, God promised a plan to save. He fulfilled prophesy by coming through the lines of Abram, Judah, and David, and He promises to save all who come to Him.

Most of the news we hear today is bad. Some websites claim to have good news, but the Gospel is the best news humanity has ever received. The angels announced the birth of Jesus, which was the beginning of good tidings for the world.

The world is filled with trouble. Where do we turn? To God and His Word. Although circumstances around us would cause us terror, we will not fear because God is our ever-present help if we spend time with Him and surrender to Him.

We have been entrusted with the truth and each one of us has a responsibility to guard it against false teaching. We do this with the help of the Holy Spirit, by knowing the Word, turning away from godless chatter, being discerning, and speaking out.

Wealth can present dangers to both nations and individuals. One hazard is that our money will cause us to become arrogant and prideful. Another is that we put our hope in riches instead of God. It is better to be generous and rich in good deeds.

Contrary to secular opinion, we are not our own, but we are instead owned. As Christians, we must accept God's ownership of us before someone or something else does. God has paid the price for us and all glory must be His.

We should take hold of the eternal life, which is already ours. It is not a hope, but a present reality, which we can claim when we live in the power and values of God's eternal kingdom. He has given us life in full.

The third battlefront Christians face is the devil. We are told to resist him and he will flee from us. If we remember that He who is within us is greater than he who is in the world, and if we put on the full armor of God, we will be ready to fight.

Great faith begins with having a correct view of Jesus. Having strong faith in a false God is of no value, but even weak faith in the true God is sufficient. Knowing the Word of God will help us to trust Him and make our requests to Him in faith.

This week we begin discussing the three battlefronts of Christian living: the world, the flesh, and the devil. We do not belong to the world, and God's power allows us to escape its corruption. Only those who trust in Jesus can overcome the World.

In addition to fleeing from wrongdoing, men and women of God must eagerly chase after Him. As we do, He will provide for us righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Seek Him and live.

Sometimes you need to fight and other times you need to pray, but there are times when you just need to run. It is important to recognize those situations and to know how to flee. It can be both a sign of wisdom and a means of victory.

Are you Content with what God has provided? It could be that your love for material wealth is only made evident when you are asked to give it up. Relying on Christ for your daily needs is how we are to live.

Our Christian witness should be of primary importance no matter where we are or what our circumstances. This is true even for those under slavery, so that God's name may not be slandered. For we are slaves to Christ and not to sin!

Overseers, Elders and Deacons are roles not just titles and when selecting leaders, character matters, so do so carefully. Once selected, those who teach and lead require encouragement, and if they go astray, there must be discipline.

Most people understand the need to take care of their family members, but Christians are specifically instructed to do so. The Bible also gives us guidance on how to treat widows and others in our church family.

All believers have been given spiritual gifts. Timothy devoted himself to the public reading of the Word. Jesus went through the communities, teaching, preaching, and healing, even when He was tired. Don't neglect your gift. Keep at it!

Knowing Jesus is not just knowing about Him, but having a relationship with Him so deep that it transforms our entire person. Often our relationship with Jesus gets stronger as we share in His sufferings and sense His presence and power in our struggles.

If our lives do not match what we profess to believe, then either we will stop speaking to others about our faith, or our speech will become ineffective. We must be examples of purity in word and deed.

The biblical definition of hope is a confident expectation based on God's character, promises, and faithfulness. During those times when we feel hopeless, we must refocus on these things. Eternal hope belongs to those who have put their trust in Him.

We all know that in order to maintain healthy physical bodies requires diet and exercise. This is true for our spiritual lives also. We should not feed on spiritual junk food, but on the truths of the faith, exercising our faith through good works.

Some false teachers are deceived themselves. Others know they are spreading falsehood in an attempt to draw other disciples away. Whether the motivation is greed, power or something else, we are all vulnerable if we do not know the truth.

In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. This is the promise of a God who is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and eternal. So we can be assured that He is consistent and faithful to fulfill His promises.

God has established three institutions: Marriage, Government, and the Church. The church is God's household and the word means "the called-out." It is a family, not a building and Jesus is at its center.

All believers are called to serve and have been given gifts we can use to do so. The word deacon means one who serves, but a title is not necessary. Just be about the Father's business. Deacon who? Deacon you!

Our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally. He is filled with compassion, not condemnation. When one of His sheep returns to Him, He is truly a happy Father. Fathers everywhere can learn from His example.

Personal character, the witness of the home, teaching aptitude, and a measure of experience are four of God's main standards for leadership in the church. Problems that prevent a leader from fulfilling his position include lack of character.

The Bible uses the words overseer, elder, and shepherd interchangeably. Those who are called to this position must serve willingly, not for power or obligation. They are to teach, preach, direct the church and shepherd the flock; truly a high calling!

God has defined different roles for men and women in the church. Men are to step up and take the lead in prayer, teaching, leadership and worship. Women are to be active with their good deeds. Christianity respects both roles equally.

There is only one way to heaven and to have a relationship with God and that is Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for our sins. This truth is repeated many times, including in Matthew 7, John 10, John 14, and Acts 4.

Although things seem bad in the world today, think how much worse it could be if God's people did not pray. We are told to pray for our leaders, even when they make ungodly decisions. Prayer may not change them, but it changes us and pleases God.

Jesus is alive and He continues to speak to us through Holy Scripture, His Holy Spirit, creation, circumstances, and through others. Hold on to His word so that you may fight the good fight. If anyone hears His voice He will come in and sup with them.

Knowing that God has called us for a purpose will help us get through the discouraging times. We need to recognize that we are in a battle with the world, the flesh and the devil. Jesus works through our conscience to keep us from danger.

Jesus came, not just to be a prophet and an example, but to be a savior. No one can say they are too far-gone to be saved. Although we are great sinners, He is a great savior!

What is the meaning of life and why do so many people choose the wide road that leads to destruction? They do not seem to care, but our commission is to give them the Good News so that God may rescue them.

Continually ask God the purpose for which you have been called. Guard that thing and be faithful in it, recognizing that we bring nothing to the task except our sinfulness, but that God provides the strength mercy, grace, love, and faithfulness we need.

One phrase Jesus repeated after His resurrection was, "Peace be with you." We can be thankful for His peace during times of sadness and doubt, but that peace is also a means by which we can be encouraged to His service.

We need to be on guard from false teachers who would mislead us through fancy words without knowledge. True teaching will always conform to the Gospel of redemption and will echo whole, uncorrupt, and healthy doctrine.

What would you give up everything for? Jesus gave up everything for the sake of God's people. Does your relationship with Him define and direct all other aspects of your life? Are you sacrificing anything (money, beauty, friends, etc.) to follow Him?

What things do you collect and why? We not only collect physical items, but also thoughts and patterns of thinking. Some of these are automatic and negative. The Bible gives us promises that can be a positive alternative to the "A.N.T.s."

The book of Romans makes it clear that all of humanity is guilty before God. Yet faith is the door to justification and with it come many blessings, including peace, access to grace, grace to stand, joy in tribulation, perseverance, and character.

In this passage we see that Timothy was instructed to stay in Ephesus to combat false teachers and errant doctrine. We all have a tendency to want to hear something new and exciting, but knowing the true Word will keep us from being fooled.

In this message, Pastor Rich introduces us to Timothy and his strengths and failings. In spite of his weaknesses, Paul found him helpful. What has God gifted you to do? Do you see something that needs to be done or improved? Speak up and step out!

Don't be discouraged with the things happening in our world. Remember that when it is all said and done, the Lord will prevail. Keep in mind that we are on the winning team!

Paula Chapman shares concerning her sister's death. We all face death, but death is not the end. We have a hope beyond this life and that hope is found in Jesus Christ, in the cross, and in the resurrection.

Error comes from not knowing the Word and it is only after we meditate upon it that we can grasp it. Remember AEIOU: ASK questions, EMPHASIZE words, put it IN your own words, check OTHER related scriptures, and USE it!

Pride leads to holding a grudge, which destroys relationships. In Obadiah, we see a grudge continuing between two nations that started 1,100 to 1,400 years earlier. In the end, it is the one holding the grudge who is the most hurt.

The Providence Chapter of Teen Challenge shares their incredible testimonies and encouraging music. We are blessed as a church to have them visit us so often!

Our pride will bring us down and our arrogance will deceive us. These are the sins that keep us from bowing a knee to the Savior. Edom thought it was invincible but God brought it down. What can we expect Him to do to our nation and individually today?

Not only does the Bible claim to be the Word of God, but also the reliability of its claims can be assured in several ways, including fulfilled prophecy, archeological evidence, internal consistencies, extra-Biblical writings, and others. So read it!

As believers we have hope, which should be evident to all. We must develop the reasons we hope, both for our own faith, and as an apologetic tool when others ask. Be the type of Christian that will make others want believe, then explain why they should.

St. Nicholas was a believer in Jesus and was even imprisoned for his beliefs. He, like John the Baptist, knew that Jesus was the creator, not a created being. On Christmas, we celebrate His birth, but when we become Christians, He celebrates our rebirth!

Just as we cannot save anyone from his or her sin, neither could John the Baptist, but we can point to the one who can. We must prepare our hearts for His coming. Not just once, and not just at Christmas, but daily.

We forgive others because we are commanded to do so, because it allows God's forgiveness to work in us, and because it restores our relationship with God. In order to forgive others, we must ask for God's strength.

Phrases that people find difficult to say include, "I'm sorry," "Let's Pray," and "Thank you." Our thanks need to be directed to someone specific: the one true God. Sometimes a written prayer or song helps us express our thanks to Him.

All people start out headed for disaster, in need of a warning, and to be rescued. God's plan of salvation is for anyone who calls on His name. Sinners enter into safety not by their works but by the work of Jesus on the cross. Have you warned anyone?

Grace is sometimes called God's unmerited favor. Grace is receiving good that we do not deserve and is in contrast to justice and mercy. We must recognize that we do nothing to earn God's blessing and this should help us to show grace to others.

The animals and all God's creation are innocent victims of the fall. They groan just as we do in suffering for our sins and for the sins of others, waiting for the return of Christ to make things right again. Until then we have fellowship to lift us up.

True peace comes from God, but only when we ask and when we trust Him. By first having peace with God through Jesus, we may experience the peace of God through prayer. Staying in that peace requires our obedience to His commands.

Associating with those who cause division in the church or enabling those whom can work but do not, is wrong. Scripture teaches us to be busy and work hard. We set a bad example when we proclaim Christ but are lazy busybodies.

We are in a battle, but God has promised to protect us from the evil one. His faithfulness does not depend on our faith and He is faithful forever. He is faithful to love us even when we are unlovable and His compassions never fail.

At the top of Paul's prayer list were the Word of God, and the war against evil. Pray for others to preach the Gospel fearlessly--especially your pastor. We are at war with Satan for souls, but we have the prayer advantage.

God has promised His Spirit--the one who draws us near--to encourage us. God wants us to trust the Spirit to do the necessary work within us. This requires that we allow the Spirit access to every part of our lives and our selves.

Weathering life's storms requires a strong anchor and the Christian life requires active participation and hard work. Prayer is the first effort in standing firm. Let nothing move you. You are not to be discouraged, for the battle belongs to the Lord.

We were born sinners and were all once lost until God gave us the faith to believe. We are saved by faith through grace and that not of ourselves. Through the spirit, truth, and the gospel He gave us the ability to trust in Christ. Praise God!

The world should marvel at us, recognizing that we have spent time with Jesus. Our speech should build others up and our lifestyle should be an example for them to follow to Jesus. Also our spirit, faith and purity should be a breath of fresh air.

You have a choice and your choice matters. In this country, we are accustomed to having many choices. For salvation, there is only one choice: Jesus. In spite of debates about Calvinism and Arminianism, we only need to worry about our responsibility.

Just because we may be tired of waiting does not mean that Christ will not return at the appointed time. We need to be watching, waiting, and ready until then. We must lead holy and godly lives, looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth.

God sent Phillip out for the purpose of speaking to one single person. We each have people right around us whom we can pray for and reach out to. Sometimes asking a simple question is all it takes to start a dialog about Jesus.

Today, some teach that the second coming of Christ has already happened, just as some taught during the first century of the Church. But the Bible teaches that there will be no doubt when He returns. Make sure you are ready!

If we are not asking God in prayer to show us what He wants us to do, perhaps it is because we don't want to do it. Yet if we do nothing, how can God use us? We must abide in Him, Christ Jesus, who enables us to do good works.

Although modern technology helps us to keep in touch across the miles, there is nothing like being face-to-face. In heaven, we will be face-to-face with one another and with God. But hell is a place of separation from God and everlasting destruction.

God is just and He will administer His justice perfectly. All wrongs will eventually be set right and we too will be judged. Until that time comes believers should trust in God, knowing that what God's justice demands, His grace, love, and mercy provide.

Given that we cannot even keep the Sabbath day holy, it is clear that we all need forgiveness. The good news is that Christians receive forgiveness continuously. How well do we do with repeatedly forgiving others?

Faith and love lead to perseverance, a cheerful or hopeful endurance, a steady determination never to give up. Pray for that sort of faith and love and never give up. Your work will be rewarded.

Is your faith growing? Growth takes care and effort and is brought about by God. Meeting in small groups, studying the Word, and praying for the Holy Spirit to do a work within us are things we can do. Involvement is better for growing than knowledge.

Some of the qualities that make a good mom are leadership with heart, prayer and sacrifice, worship and trust, wisdom, teaching, and comforting. We are called to honor our mothers by revering, prizing and valuing them.

Some of the qualities that make a good dad are love, presence, protection, strength, provision, wisdom, guidance, and example. We need help to be good dads, and God will help us. The Bible provides many examples of how God is our perfect Father.

The impossibility of escaping from God's impending judgment should make us tremble. Yet although He will sift us like wheat, He will also repair the broken places. He is the Master Craftsman who knows how to rebuild people.

Masons use a plumb line to measure a vertical surface. We can think of such a line coming down from heaven. God gives us this analogy to remind us that He sets the standard by which we are measured. His plumb line is one of righteousness.

We may long for the Day of the Lord for our own benefit, but we should be mindful of those around us who are not saved because it is not all about us. That day will be great and dreadful and this should motivate us to share our faith and pray for souls.

God sometimes brings calamity on people that they might turn from their lethargy towards Him. When these times happen in this country, we often hear, "God Bless America!" We should instead ask for His mercy and diligently seek Him.

God sees the sins of all nations and people, and speaks to their hearts, even when they do not know His word. God also saw the sins of Israel, who did know right from wrong and still sinned. When we acknowledge our sin, God will show mercy.

Amos, who prophesied about 760 years before Jesus, during a time of materialism and paganism, was a lowly person. God is in the business of using lowly people, and He can use us too. One of the chief ways we can be used is by praying for others.

It is God's desire that all would come to knowledge of the truth, but not all will. We can be aligned with God's desires by praying for the souls of people who do not know Him. For it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment.

Sin and death are our two greatest enemies but Jesus defeated sin on the cross and death by His resurrection. The two are linked since the price of sin is death. Although all will face death, so all will rise again. For believers, the fear is removed.

While Jerusalem was focused on many other things, Jesus was focused on the cross. The people cried for this king to save them immediately from oppression, but first He had to come to be their spiritual savior, which meant He had to die.

We are to avoid evil, but we do not have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit is working in us and God will never give up on us; He is faithful to complete the work of sanctification, which began on the cross. Dwell not on past sin, but on Him who is able.

When Christians say no to God, it may be because they are afraid of the refining fire of the Spirit. Rather than resist, we should pray for that fire to burn ever hotter. We can feed it, and warm our cold hearts, with the fuel of His word.

God has given us the precious ability to be joyful always through obedience and by abiding in His love, to be prayerful continually as we have an ongoing conversation with God, and to be thankful in all things because the Lord is good.

Rather than bear a grudge, forgive those who have hurt you. Not only forgive, but also bless them from your heart. Though we cannot do this on our own, God will give us the ability. A life lived without forgiving is a prison.

Each of us as Christians has different struggles and different strengths. We should use our strengths to help our brothers in Christ. Today's verse gives four examples of how we can lift others up, but they require that we sacrifice our time.

How valuable is Jesus to you? The way we follow Jesus shows how much or little we value Him. The cost of following Jesus is to carry our cross daily. There will always be things that compete for our attention, but none more valuable than Him.

Godly leaders are recognized by their service. They lead by example and do not neglect their own time for God. We are instructed to love, respect and esteem those Christian leaders whom God has appointed. Most importantly, we must pray for them.

The Bible makes it clear that there is a terrible day of God's wrath coming, a necessary consequence of His justice. Jesus took that wrath upon himself and we are rescued from it. Such news should be a great encouragement to all believers!

While we are on this earth, Jesus makes His home within us and His light must shine on others through us. When we enter our final home, taking with us only those good deeds offered up to Jesus, He again provides the light.

The early church was curious about the dates of things to come but Paul reminded them that that day would come without warning. For the unbeliever it will be a dreadful day, but the believer receives power through the spirit to witness until then.

Although we can grieve as Christians, we are not to grieve as those who have no hope. We have the confident expectation of an eternity with our saved loved ones. Believers also have the hope of Christ's return to this Earth at His appointed time.

Goals are good, but peace comes from making it your ambition to live a quiet life. Working with your hands and finding enjoyment in your toil are gifts from God. A quiet life is not lazy, but is doing what you are supposed to and finding peace in it.

We love because He first loved us. God is the teacher of love, and we need to be good students so that we may increase in Agape love--a love that is focused on the needs of others.

The women from Providence Teen Challenge return with inspirational testimonies and music.

Although we all face scarcity, faith is full of surprises and may provide an unknown abundance--an abundance of grace. Such abundance was shown to the woman at the well. Often, God's grace abounds when we give more of ourselves.

Why is God's Faithfulness important and what does it take to be always faithful? Although our faithfulness cannot be compared with God's, we should remember that we are required to live in faith. The word of God provides the reminders we need.

Good praise music can be a way to prepare our hearts to come before the face of God. But for praise to be meaningful, it must be based on God's truth, just as Zechariah's song was. Truth must be the focus of our worship, words, and witness.

The desire of God's heart was to have children with whom He could have fellowship. For this to be possible, Jesus came into the world as a human baby, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and became a savior. He is also coming again as a judge.

In business, relationships, and sexual behavior, we are called to be set apart. When necessary, we must remove ourselves from situations and conversations. Flee, remove temptations, and maintain accountability. God has given us everything we need to live godly lives.

Singing praise, sharing with neighbors, worshiping with reverence and awe, and bearing the faults of others are just some of the ways we can please God. It is giving ourselves completely to Him that He desires, and He will equip us to do so.

IN all things, make it a habit to give thanks. We are not entitled to anything, and when we are ungrateful, God's heart is saddened. Being thankful sweetens us, but being critical makes us a clanging cymbal.

How should we bless others? Saying, "God bless you" put's God's name upon that person and God will bless them (Num 6). But fellowship with other believers is another form of blessing. Pray that God in His strength would cause our love to overflow.

As Christians, part of our concern for others needs to be concern for their spiritual walk. It is God who strengthens us and we need to call on Him to help us stand firm and to pray for one another that the enemy would not "sift us as wheat."

All saved souls attain five things: new life, deliverance from bad behavior, maturity in Christ, a covering for sin, and a new purpose. Once you have been saved, the only proper response is to go and tell your friends.

Three things common to all Christians are that we need help and encouragement in our faith, we face trials, and we are in battle. The enemy wants us to trust in ourselves, but God is faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.

Face-to-face fellowship is very important, but Satan wants to keep us from gathering together, from growing, and from learning. We can take heart in knowing that Satan does not win in the end, even as we spend time with other Christians in the present.

Christians are supposed to be previews of heaven. God sends us like an envelope in which He has placed His message. Sharing the gospel is simply telling others what you know and sharing that hopeful message.

Christian suffering and persecution are realities today. We should be aware of the plight of God's people throughout the world and pray for both them and their tormentors. The price of following Jesus is high--even your very life.

Pastor Chuck Smith exemplified the good and faithful servant. He was a risk taker with men who "simply taught the Word simply." We are reminded that if we ant to hear, "Well Done" we must first do something!

Know it, believe it, and obey it. We must understand how powerful the word of God is. It changes the lives of even of the most hardened criminals and it is able to help us in our times of greatest need. By loving the author, we can love the Word.

We cannot believe what we do not know. Nor can we live any higher than our beliefs. It is important then to hear the word, receive it by taking it into our spirit, and accept it as the word of God.

As we go about the business of doing the work God has called us to do, let us remember to show love to others (like Mom) and to encourage, comfort and urge them in their present situation (like Dad).

The temptation is to not say anything to anyone about our faith, so why should we? The apostle Paul dared to tell the truth of Jesus despite strong opposition. We should also share the Gospel because God has commanded us and it pleases Him.

Is anything more important to you than God? Success? Money? Beauty? If so, that thing is an idol. Christians often serve the created things rather than the creator. We must turn from idols, serve God, and wait for His Son.

It was obvious to Paul that God was doing a work in the lives of the Thessalonians. They had turned from idols to the true God, Jesus. We should be yearning for God to be working in our lives as we continuously turn back to Him.

We love Him only because He first loved us. God is sovereign and He has chosen whom He will save and yet He holds us responsible for our decision to accept or reject Him. The best way to know if you are chosen is to choose Christ.

Our faith in Jesus should bring about good work as we labor in love and are able to endure through the hope we have in His return. Be available to those God puts in your path and work hard at what He gives you to do.

A church was established in Thessalonica in a very short time due to the obedience of Paul, Silas and Timothy. Like the three of them, we as members of the church family are to strengthen one another to the work.

God is faithful and will see to it that He does everything He has promised to do. He is not finished with Israel or with us. Yet we cannot wait to make a decision for Jesus. There will be a time after which it is too late.

Joel prophesied that God would pour our His spirit in the Last Days. The Holy Spirit is a person, not a power, and he has come to personally live within each of us as believers for the purpose of bringing glory to Jesus Christ.

In this chapter, Joel gives answers to the when, what, how, and why questions relating to his message of repentance. Now is the time to return to Him with weeping and mourning for the Lord does not despise a pure and contrite heart!

As a prophet, Joel was responsible to turn the people back to the Lord. When crisis strikes in our lives, it is time to examine our hearts and see if there is something that demands our attention. This applies to us as individuals and to our nation.

We should not be surprised at the frequent distractions that arise; neither of the lies the enemy sends our way. But we must be deliberate in saying "no" to the things that would slow us or discourage us in our work for the Lord. Fight to the end!

What makes a good father? Love, attention, protection, provision, wisdom, guidance, leadership? Although none of our earthly fathers are perfect, our father in heaven possesses all of these attributes. All who have received the Son are children of God.

Because we spend a lot of time and energy on our most valuable possessions, sometimes it seems that they own us. We must remember that the value of these things is temporary and arbitrary. In contrast, God's value is eternal and intrinsic.

The Bible tells us who God is and who we are in relation to him. He made as a little lower than God, not a little higher than the animals. It is in His image that we were made. In Jesus, the full meaning of God's position with man is made clear.

Nehemiah's detractors ridiculed his efforts, but Nehemiah's work was guaranteed to succeed because he relied on God's direction and strength. We also must be diligent in the tasks the Lord has given us, resisting opposition and knowing the battle is His.

God wants us to carry out fully the work He has given us. Archippus needed encouragement in this area as we do today. Every month 1,500 people leave the ministry. We must expect hardships and we must first count the cost of serving Jesus.

Today's message highlights four very different believers: Jesus Justus, a fellow worker and comforter to Paul, Epaphrus, a prayer warrior who cared for the people, Luke, a doctor who listened, and Demas, who loved the world and deserted his post.

God is the God of second chances. Although John (Mark) was a quitter in his youth, his cousin Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement, did not give up on him. Mark later became useful to Paul also. And Peter, who once denied Jesus, encouraged Mark!

We can be slaves to sin, slaves to man, or slaves to God. Jesus gave us the example by taking the form of a bondservant to His disciples. We also learn from the example of Aristarchus, a faithful friend to Paul in difficult situations.

In his letters, Paul demonstrates that people are important to him. He sends one brother to the Colossians to both let them know how Paul is doing and to encourage them. In the first part of today's message we hear from two of our own fellow saints.

We should pray often and our prayers should be for open doors to tell others about Jesus. When those prayers are answered with opportunities, do not give in to fear. Have a story on your heart that you want to share. God will provide the words.

Christ gave himself so that we could be purified. We ought then to live, not as we used to, but soberly, righteously, and godly, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. God's grace transforms every part of our lives, not just those we don't like.

Going to church, giving money, and reading the Bible are not enough. You must be born again through the imperishable word of God, through receiving and believing, and through the Holy Spirit. By His death and resurrection we have a chance for new life.

The breakdown of authority in society reflects the breakdown of authority in the home. Parents need to raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord, remembering to be on their knees before Him, seeking strength for this task.

The Bible informs husbands that he who finds a wife finds favor from the Lord. Husbands are to show their wives agape love and not to be harsh. The acronym "PLOD" reminds us to pay attention, listen, observe, and dwell with our wives.

Submission is not a dirty word. God has made the husband as the overseer in the home and a wife is called to submit her heart to him, not to obey, but to allow him to lead. Yet a wife need not fear that leadership if the husband is following Jesus.

Isaiah recognized his sinfulness in the presence of a holy God, yet he accepted God's cleansing. His immediate response was a willingness to be sent by God. Likewise, we must be willing disciples with no strings attached.

Each church needs a vision just as does each individual believer. Ours is based upon Proverbs 29:18, 24:3-4, Acts 2:42, and, by a negative example, Zachariah 11:15-16. A vision combined with a task brings victory!

One of the most memorized passages of scripture is Psalm 23. Describing the personal relationship between sheep and shepherd, and filled with descriptive imagery giving us peace and hope in times of trouble, it is a help to many.

In today's message, Jim leads us through scriptures that remind us of God's plans and promises for the nation of Israel and the church.

The Nicaragua Mission Team discusses the way God worked in and through them during the trip to serve and bless Jesus, the missionaries, and the people, to perform outreach and work projects, and to reestablish connections.

Girls from Teen Challenge Providence share how Jesus is working in their lives through powerful testimonies and music. Also, Pastor Rich continues in Colossians asking if we are able to name Jesus in everything we do.

How are you at submitting to authority? It is God's will that we respect and obey those over us, being model citizens in our work, school, home, church, and community. In this way, we bring glory to God by whose name we are called.

Spend time in the word through personal reading, devotionals, music, and books. Do it at a time that works for you in a quiet place. Do it because you want to receive direction and encouragement. Do it because it is God's will for you.

Believers must be disciplined in reading and studying God's Word. Let it dwell within you so that you will know the truth and may admonish and teach others. There is no substitute for personal Bible reading in a Christian's life.

While this world offers little in the way of security, the Bible assures us that God is our rock, our fortress, and our savior. His foundation is faithful, right, and true and He delivers us from the slippery footing of the slimy pit.

Do you rely on a feeling of peace to know that you are in God's will? It is not our own level of comfort that matters, but the peace that comes from Christ is something we can rely on. That type of peace comes through prayer.

It is normal for us to fear and to ask ourselves, "what if?" When this question arises, answer it with: "God will help us at break of day" and "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God." Then we can be still and know that He is God.

Just as we expect others to accept our idiosyncrasies, we are told to bear those of others. Christians have a high calling to be a forgiving people and to display the grace and love necessary to live in peace with one another.

Although today, Thanksgiving is often viewed as just a prelude to Black Friday, Bradford, Washington, and Lincoln saw it differently. They, like David, Nehemiah, Daniel, and Paul, demonstrated thankful hearts.

The average person is said to tell 2.92 lies in 10 minutes and unwholesome, talk, words, and jokes are prevalent among Christians today. But these filthy clothes don't suite us any more. Ask for God's help in avoiding these things.

Our earthly nature, and in particular, sexual immorality, is something we must put to death. Divorce, abortion, and sexually transmitted disease are examples of how it will affect you and those around you.

Is it possible to be too heavenly minded? On the contrary, the way to maximize our earthly good is to be focused on things above and faithfully server the Lord. Look up! Our citizenship is in heaven.

Rituals and regulations do not provide reality to our spiritual lives. They are only shadows of the essence of the Christian faith, which is Jesus. Those who practice them serve the flesh. Instead, hold firmly to Christ.

It's only what Christ has done that matters. We were dead and separated from Him and there is nothing we can do to make us alive again. Because we are forgiven through Christ, we ought to forgive others.

Often times the obstacles to understanding God's word are in our hearts and not in our heads. The resurrected Jesus rebuked two with this problem on the road to Emmaus, and then He explained the scriptures to them thoroughly.

The answers to life's big questions are not found in human wisdom. They must be soundly and securely based on Jesus. The enemy would like to keep us ignorant and unaware of the fullness we have been given in Christ.

Although we may suffer for Christ, we must continue to live and walk with him by faith in simple trust. In order to do this, we must be strongly rooted in Him.

God's Word reveals to us that we are helpless and lost without Him, but we are not hopeless. Although we have no cause for boasting in our righteous, believers can celebrate the righteousness that Christ imputed in us.

Relationships require work but there are five benefits to maintaining meaningful friendships: trust, accountability, respect, ethical standards, and a willingness to do good. Jesus is a relational being and will help us relate to others.

The book of Revelation can be viewed as a blueprint for the things that will take place. It begins with a blessing for those who read it, warns of judgments to come, and concludes with the promise of Jesus' soon return. So the time to trust in Jesus is today.

Believers must suffer as Paul did if they seek to live for Christ. Paul rejoiced in his suffering because he knew that the basis of his hope was Christ's work applied within us. Christ in us gives us the constant expectation of glory.

This week we are reminded of some of the characteristics of Jesus: The Son of God, God incarnate, the one by whom and for whom all things were created, Yahweh, the one who is. Is He your Lord and Savior?

We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and into the everlasting loving kingdom of light. If you have been saved by the blood of Jesus, you know the depths of darkness from which you were lifted.

Paul's prayer for fellow believers was that they know God's will and bear good fruit. We are reminded to pray for others and ourselves in the same way and to learn God's will for our lives through reading His word, fellowship, and prayer.

The Apostle Paul takes the time to write an important letter to an unimportant place because of his love for the saints and to correct doctrinal errors that had crept into the church there.

The great commission gives every believer the responsibility to lead others to and in Christ. We can do this by investing our time, energy, and resources in younger believers, taking the time to instruct them and protect them.

If we sow righteousness, we shall reap steadfast love. Our fruitfulness comes from Him. The righteous walk in His ways but the rebellious will stumble in them. God's desire is for us to return and walk rightly.

God, through Hosea, provided Israel with warnings of His coming wrath because they had strayed from Him. They sowed the wind with their sin and reaped the whirlwind of consequences including exile and captivity.

This week, Pastor Rich gives a brief overview of the Old Testament and the first minor Prophet, Hosea. God's unfailing love for Israel is clearly shown here. He could never forsake His people, even when they turn to other Gods.

As Pastor Rich concludes the book of Philippians, he reviews the essential elements of the book's theme of joy and provides a handy reference to key verses.

Young believers we should learn a consistent habit of cheerful committed giving, which is a fragrant offering to God. We do not give to get, but there is a connection between God's blessings and our attitude towards giving.

Contentment is what is contained within us, not the circumstances around us. For the believer, Christ is within us. Be content with what you have because He will never leave nor forsake you.

In this special message, Justin Montoya discusses four aspects of children's ministry: God's heart towards children, the importance of children's ministry, our approach to it, and practical ways for more effective ministry to kids.

Mankind's natural tendency is to think evil thoughts. God calls us to fill our minds with goodness. If we intentionally think of something often enough, we will get to the point where we can't stop thinking about it.

When in the midst of trials and anxious moments, prayer should be our first remedy. It is not that God will change our circumstances, but He promises us a peace that goes beyond our understanding if our minds are fixed on Him.

John Beers discusses the plight of the children in India and how Gospel for Asia is reaching many through their Bridge of Hope centers. The harvest is ripe and John explains how you can help now.

Conflicts and division can occur even among believers. When they do, we should remember that we are fighting a common enemy. By turning our hearts and minds towards rejoicing in the Lord, it is easier to be gentle with one another.

Stand firm in the Lord our rock and do not turn from doing good work. Jesus is our foothold and it is only our steadfastness in Him that will allow us to stand during persecution and difficulties.