Powerline Church: Recent Episodes
Mike Curtis
Even as God took Israel from Egypt and intentionally brought them to Himself at Mt. Sinai, God brings us to purposeful destinations in our Roundabout Journey. It was there at...
It’s not hard to be led by our emotions, to lash out in anger or recoil in discouragement. And it all comes down to the deposit in our hearts. The...
As the Israelites came out of Egypt, they were faced with numerous tests at the Red Sea with the Egyptian army and in the desert, lacking water and food. The...
God chose the longer route to Canaan for the newly released Israelites and not the direct route, which would mean head-on battles with the Philistines. God’s agenda was very sensitive...
Even as today we celebrate 250 years of freedom from political tyranny under our Constitution, marked by our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, so the Israelites began their roundabout...
Jun 27, 2026 – As the Israelites were released from their bondage in Egypt, God led them in a roundabout way to Canaan, the Promised Land. Much of their journey...
Jun 20, 2026 – The ark of the covenant in the Old Testament was God’s residing place on earth. It was placed in the Holy of Holies, and once a...
Jun 13, 2026 – When asked how one might gain eternal life, Jesus acknowledged that the twin commands to love God and love others was key. But how do these...
Jun 06, 2026 – When we see Genesis 6:1-8 through the proper lens of “context,” we are much more able to understand the two sins that mankind committed, and the...
May 30, 2026 – The Book of Enoch has gained tremendous notoriety over recent years. It’s story of fallen angels and their giant offspring has even captured the minds of...
May 23, 2026 – At first glance it appears that Satan has set God up to allow him to destroy Job’s life, but nothing could be further from the truth....
May 16, 2026 – An inheritance is a guaranteed blessing from the testator to the beneficiaries. This concept is well captured in the New Testament in God’s covenant with believers....
May 09, 2026 – A mother’s job seems never done. Actually, it lasts a lifetime… and its impact is felt as long as well! Paul uses an interesting metaphor to...
May 02, 2026 – We continue with David’s proclamation of God’s deliverance, testifying to His mercy and good purpose—and it wasn’t to discipline him. In this psalm we’ll see the...
Apr 25, 2026 – David has waited patiently for God to deliver him. When he is finally lifted out of the slimy pit of his treacherous circumstances, God continues to...
Apr 18, 2026 – The apostle Paul was zealous before he encountered Christ and his life changed. But his zeal lacked knowledge and so was misdirected. Upon surrendering his life...
Apr 11, 2026 – Opposition can tend to discourage us. We understandably grow weary. The early church, however, grew stronger, refusing to allow their zeal for the Lord to dwindle....
Apr 05, 2026 – Many in churches today are content simply believing the Easter story is “true” (at least in varying degrees). But is this the extent of what we...
Mar 28, 2026 – When Jesus foretold Peter’s future denial of Him, this scrappy disciple adamantly brushed aside such prophetic and pathetic lack of devotion. Never! Surely, Jesus was mistaken....
Mar 21, 2026 – Recently, we’ve been tracking zeal in the Old Testament. Now we turn to the New Testament, specifically Peter in the book od Acts as he defends...
Mar 14, 2026 – Though “hope deferred makes the heart sick,” zeal manages to persevere because it is birthed from a devotion not an emotion. Follow Abraham as his zeal...
Mar 07, 2026 – Recently, we have seen great examples of godly zeal in those like Jesus, Phineas, and David. Today, however, we will take a close look at how...
Feb 28, 2026 – King Asa was a king with a fully devoted heart to the Lord as David’s was. Though he never faced a giant almost 10’ tall, he...
Feb 21, 2026 – Zeal clearly punctuated David’s confrontation with Goliath. It was expressed both in his words and in his actions. Unfortunately, for most of us, we read of...
Feb 07, 2026 – Evangelism is HARD, yet God calls us to do hard things, things sometimes we don’t want to do. God called Jonah to take a message to...
Jan 31, 2026 – Zeal is not emotion; it’s devotion. And must be rooted in truth. Phinehas, grandson of Aaron the high priest, defended the Lord’s honor with a zeal...
Zeal is not an emotion but a resolute conviction. Though it impacts emotion and emotion may intensify it, it’s flames can be doused. What did John mean when he said...
Jan 17, 2026 – As we seek to live out our mandate to seize divine opportunities to grow, impact others, and extend Christ’s kingdom, we must do so by “never...
For many, the month of January is a month of assessing the past year, setting goals for 2026, and finding ways to succeed. Jesus gives us His definition of “success”...
In Jesus’ teaching about the judgment of all the nations (Matt. 25), He focuses on what genuine faith has produced. What follows is a list of six things the righteous...
Both Jesus and John the Baptist encountered the tragedy of loss growing up. Both were shaped by it. Both became the greatest of heroes. Both died for their mission. Jesus,...
The Baby of Bethlehem wasn’t born just for certain people. The famous greeting card quote says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Is....
It’s amazing that Jesus was born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Many times, I’ve wished I could have experienced it all. But what’s equally amazing is the perfect timing...
The world “thirsts” for a remedy to the brokenness of this world and the resulting disconnect from our original God-given purpose. It knows something is wrong. It just can’t really...
Our perspective on life determines much for each of us. When we focus on magnifying our problems, God appears so small. Yet when we magnify our God and make much...
Being led by the flesh is a defeated lifestyle. Being led by the law is a powerless Christianity. But being led by the Spirit is altogether different. To help discover...
The world’s answer to sin is the law. But the law lacks power to restrain evil. God’s answer, however, is powerful. Today, let’s lean in to understand the place of...
Paul lays out for us several ways we can posture our hearts to be controlled by the Spirit. These will be key as we seek to walk in God’s Spirit...
Sin’s strangle hold on the believer has been broken. Unfortunately, this does not mean that sin cannot bully us and control us, should we yield to its power. Let’s begin...
As followers of Jesus, we can be led by the flesh, by the Law, or by the Spirit. Which one leads you will determine your many things in your Christian...
God’s desire is to work in His people and carry to completion what He began in them when they first trusted Jesus. Problem is, many stagnate. Their lives show little...
How do we effectively pray for those who have wandered from the Lord, the last principle we will be looking at in bringing back the strays? Jesus’ parable of the...
We continue our study in how we are to call those wandering from the truth back to the Lord, especially as they encounter questions and doubts. Though God commends our...
Most of us have had a friend or family member walk away from the Lord, from what is truth and life. It hurts as they drift into apathy and sin....
Proverbs 31 has become a mainstay in teaching the inward beauty of a wise woman. Today we will look closely at several verses to understand how this woman who fears...
God will go to any length to accomplish His purpose in rescuing the lost. He used Daniel and his friends in the previous chapters of Daniel to impact King Nebuchadnezzar,...
Ever since the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai in the form of a covenant, the people of Israel had failed miserably in keeping it. The real problem was...
Many times, we react to overwhelming difficulties by putting our life on ‘pause.’ We need a break from the stress, it feels. When many from Judah were exiled to Babylon,...
The Lord told Jeremiah to speak everything he was commanded and to expect tremendous opposition as a result. But not to worry, God will rescue him. Later, we discover just...
God set Jeremiah aside as His appointed prophet when he was young. Intimidated by this call, Jeremiah objected, but God reassured him of His sovereign plan and provision for the...
Obadiah is told to prophesy against Edom, the epitome of both God’s and Judah’s enemies. As such, the nation is condemned but is told that God’s kingdom will one day...
How do we respond to the feeling that the last bit of hope is slipping through our fingers? Habakkuk is told to prophesy the coming destruction of Judah at the...
Why do we struggle so much with anger? With others’ opinions of us? With arguing? With over-competitiveness? Or comparing ourselves with others? Sometimes solutions to our problems are far more...
Matthew culminates his birth narrative of the coming Messiah with Mary and Joseph settling in Nazareth, thereby fulfilling the words of the prophets. Upon closer examination, this prophetic concept creates...
So, who exactly visited baby Jesus that wonderful “Christmas morning” so long ago? Did it include that strange group of Magi that most Nativity scenes adorably portray gathered in the...
Jonah and Nahum prophesied about 150 years apart to the same city – Nineveh. Under Jonah’s preaching, the metropolis of 120,000 encountered a clear sign from God and enthusiastically repented,...
Micah prophesies the destruction of both Samaria and Jerusalem for their continual turning away from the Lord. Concerning the latter city, however, he boldly declares that it will rise again...
As young little leaguers take the field, it is inevitable that one of them gets distracted and begins to pick the flowers, even when the baseball is hit in their...
Our struggles are regular opportunities to depend upon God for breakthrough. Joel predicts a plague of locusts that would crush Israel, bringing her to her knees in dependence upon God...
There is warfare going on all around us in the world that is all too evident and costing innumerable lives. What is not so evident is the warfare waged on...
George Orwell coined the term “newspeak” in his book 1984. It is used today to refer to confusing political terms, either euphemisms or redefinitions for governmental evils, like “reproductive health...
Sin broke us. Not just a little bit. Crushed. Ruined. Completely. “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men,” personal therapists, and the best self-help books on the market...
Sin is not something that simply complicates our relationship with God; it severs it! It produces in us a deadness and constant dissatisfaction in our soul that is unavoidable. Self-help...
Failure can feel final, like we’ve reached the end of the road and must resign to its horrific consequences. But we do so from a limited and often naïve perspective....
When it comes to evaluating our day, “good” or “bad,” we’re experts. Without realizing it, we can tend to adopt our culture’s mindset and assess much of our life from...
The world of Noah’s day was completely destroyed. An entire population, more than likely in the millions, wiped out while only eight righteous people could be found. How does this...
The kingdom of Judah played politics after King Josiah died, siding with one oppressive nation or the other, hoping to gain some reprieve. They soon discovered, however, that politicking completely...
Though cravings can sometimes be very strange, one thing is for sure, we all have them. Unfortunately, our longings can be for the wrong things. The prophet Jeremiah prophesied during...
Josiah was known for being that king who repented and turned to the Lord with greater resolve than any other king. What led him to this shift in life-purpose? What...
Manasseh was the most wicked king of God’s people, including all the kings of Israel. He was heavily involved in astrology, the occult, and Satanic, pagan rituals. But a tragedy...
I hated discipline growing up, and I hated it as a dad… but it was absolutely necessary! Even Hezekiah, though the godliest king of Judah next to David, had to...
It comes as no surprise that Satan wants our demise. And he will do anything to accomplish that goal. So, how do we fight back? Hezekiah found himself in an...
King Hezekiah grew up in a completely dysfunctional home, heavily involved in occultic practices. Some of his younger brothers died in ritual sacrifice at the hand of his father. These...
Success is a wonderful thing to experience, especially when much planning, hard work, and sacrifice has gone into it. But it can also be a recipe for future failure. King...
Many in our generation have grown up in Christian homes. Like me, a large percentage came into the kingdom, so they thought, on the coattails of their parents’ faith. A...
Relationships always influence – for the good or the bad. These influences have the power to alter the trajectory of our lives. An assessment of those in our inner circle...
All we do in life should boil down to two goals – goals that God has set for us. So, everything we do should reach for these goals. They aren’t...
When called to destroy Moab, Jehoshaphat, King Joram, and the king of Edom found themselves in a life-threatening situation. They were without the water that they desperately needed to go...
We all have come to that place when facing a problem that “we just can’t.” It’s too big! It feels impossible and hopeless. Jehoshaphat felt that way when facing an...
King Jehoshaphat was one of the godliest kings that reigned in Judah – at least in his early years. Scripture indicates that his early success enticed him to failure later...
When King Jehoshaphat ascended the throne, he quickly positioned the kingdom of Judah on high ground. Soon, the fear of the Lord began to fall upon the surrounding nations, and...
There is a key principle when sharing the gospel that we often set aside. However, we see it in the Old Testament (like with Elijah and Jonah) and throughout the...
Perhaps the greatest destructive problem in Israel was King Ahab’s intense proliferation of Baal worship. We must grasp the gravity of this problem to understand the issues facing the subsequent...
Most Christians tend to move forward with Christ hesitatingly. We toe-dip. Our uncertainty cautions us: “Nothing too radical.” We want to pre-empt the Christian life of risk – at least...
Recognizing and dealing well with the sinful, diseased roots of our family tree is crucial to bearing much fruit. And we all have some! King Asa did so and opened...
King Asa of Judah faced a problem bigger than any he ever had before – perhaps bigger than any king of Judah ever had –but not too big for his...
The world loves watered-down “Christianity.” What it hates is when Christians choose to live Christ’s claims radically. Jeroboam offered his newly claimed kingdom a pagan cult draped in a veneer...
It didn’t take long for Rehoboam and all of Judah with him to veer off course. Even after some eye-opening discipline, his heart remained distant from the Lord. It all...
No other king was permitted to experience the manifested presence of God as Solomon did. Yet for the sake of expedience, he made political deals that cost him dearly later...
As we begin a challenging study in the lives of the kings of Judah, David immediately stands out as the measuring stick for all subsequent kings. He chose to live...
Perhaps you’ve heard the adage: “Change your attitude, and you’ll change your altitude.” It’s a catchy saying for our self-improvement generation. Unfortunately, it tends to focus heavily upon personal effort...
In Pilate’s trial of Jesus, he communicates that he is disinterested in “the truth” and even tosses out a rather philosophical and rhetorical question, “What is truth?” He simply does...
Even as Jesus and His disciples faced immeasurable darkness the night of His betrayal, so we too can face personal times of darkness that seem overwhelming. What truths does John...
Preparation is vital to the success of any undertaking, especially life’s adventurous but difficult journey. As we wrap up this deep dive into events leading up to the end of...
It is only when we realize the purpose of Revelation from start to finish (and it’s not the End Times) that we can grasp the essence of and motivation behind...
There is tremendous continuity between life here now and life in heaven on the new earth. The core of the kingdom of God is relationships both now and then, with...
Jesus shared two parables that spoke very clearly of our future in the new heavens and new earth. He purposefully connected our rewards then with the original mandate to rule...
The picture of heaven’s citizens laying around on clouds with pretty much nothing to do has long maligned Christianity and turned a needy and curious world away. No image could...
Rev. 13 says that one of Satan’s goals is to slander “the place where God dwells,” heaven. One way he does this is to portray our eternal home as boring...
In part, Satan’s goal is to make heaven appear so boring, so unattractive to this world that no one would want it. But Scripture paints a vastly different picture for...
Perhaps the most not-talked-about topic in the Bible is hell. It can feel uncomfortable if not avoided altogether. Many simply dispose of it outright, excusing it as a misunderstood doctrine....
So, what exactly is it that this “thief” comes to do? Steal? And how might we prepare ourselves for His coming, or as our text says, “be dressed” and “watchful”?...
As we look a little closer at the Scriptures, it does not appear that the final battle at the end of the age, Armageddon, is quite like Hollywood or other...
What makes for great movies is not merely a hero accomplishing something amazing but doing so in the face of overwhelming obstacles. It is the struggle that draws us in....
Jesus’ birth was far from fulfilling the typical expectations of the Messiah of His day. Even so, God seems to continue to delight in doing things in our present lives...
Did you know that Christmas is all about peace… and war? The angel announced to the shepherds that star-lit night that the child born in Bethlehem would bring peace and...
Paul speaks of a Man of Lawlessness arriving on the scene just prior to Christ’s Return. He will be the ultimate Deceiver. As followers of Jesus, we can be deception-proof,...
The Antichrist, the mark of the Beast, one world order. What does Scripture have to say about these things? Will there be an end times world ruler? And if so,...
Is this Great Tribulation specifically an End Times crisis filled with judgments? Or is it more? Will we see a future “abomination of desolation” with a rebuilt Jewish temple? Or...
Before we look at the Great Tribulation of Rev. 7, we must first understand who these 144,000 are who are sealed by God. They possess a uniqueness of their own...
So, what’s the point of Revelation? If we are to understand the End Times, what it is and what it isn’t, this question is of paramount importance. But what we...
“Are we in the End Times?” is the question on the minds of many today, even those outside the Church. With this in mind, will the Church be raptured to...
This message is about far more than the present conflict in Israel today, it is about the conflict in the Church today about Israel. Are Jews still considered the chosen...
Today we look closely at the passage from Isaiah that John quotes to explain why many chose not to believe in Jesus. Isaiah beholds the glory of Jesus the king...
John makes it clear that though Jesus is the Light of the world, men’s sinful hearts blind them to this light. So, how then do we shine the light in...
As the world is now beginning to go after Jesus, He explains the significance of both the Savior and His servant dying, much as a seed falls to the ground...
The crowds gathered just outside Jerusalem have been impacted by Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus and anxiously praise Him. The event mirrors Psalm 118, but the crowd fails to realize what...
John includes a woman’s unique and extravagant display of unbridled devotion to Jesus at a dinner honoring Him. It comes from a heart deeply touched by the resurrection life Jesus...
Have you ever hit rock bottom, thinking, “This is it,” only to discover the bottom was even lower? Perhaps concerning a relationship or business venture or some other dream you...
In view of the blind man, whom Jesus had healed, being kicked out of the synagogue, Jesus speaks of His sovereign protection of His sheep as their Good Shepherd. The...
We’re creatures prone to chase things that grab our attention and wants. We pursue them, sometimes relentlessly. And the top ten best-selling self-help books prove it! We live for “more”...
We all struggle to some degree with disabilities and weaknesses. They could be physical like fibromyalgia, mental like a reading comprehension problem, or emotional like hurts from being abused. Can...
Truth has become a flimsy, self-serving word in our day. It lacks backbone, and, consequently, power. Most don’t understand it, much less know it. So, what does it mean to...
Jesus lays out a number of truth claims about Himself in John 8 that His antagonists bristle at. Then He lays a heavy truth accusation at their feet that challenges...
In John 7 John notes the responses of various groups concerning Jesus. They were divided. Some believed, some did not. Jesus’ religious antagonists, however, were not. They appeared unified in their opposition to Him. Unyielding. But Jesus reveals that one major obstacle that kept them prisoners to their unified hatred. Unfortunately, it is the same...
Jesus preserves and protects all who come to Him, that is, those who believe and continue to believe in Him. From the Father’s grace, He draws us to Jesus. And as we walk by this faith, He never allows temptations or trials to be too strong (regardless of how we may feel about them). He...
As Jesus ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, showing her that as the Living Water He could satisfy her inner ache for love and heal her brokenness, so also in John 6 Jesus presents Himself as the Living Bread that can satisfy the crowd’s spiritual hunger. John, however, uses two...
In John 5 the “experts” wanted to condemn Jesus and His claims, but Jesus gave them a wake-up call concerning who was the real expert here. When it comes to experts, do we tend to look at Jesus through their eyes or through the lens of Truth, the Scriptures.. even if it is not fashionable...
The heart of the invalid that Jesus heals in John 5 does not appear to be changed by Jesus’ act of compassion. Why not? The reason goes deeper than what may first appear and may reveal something in all of us that can push God away. Let’s get at the heart of this issue!
Being “born again” is about as misunderstood today by the world as it was by one of Israel’s leading teachers in Jesus’ day. Perhaps this is due to why we must be “born by the Spirit.” As we unwrap Jesus’ teaching on this vital topic, let’s also grasp the important implications of it as well....
By clearing the temple courts of compromising commerce both at the beginning and the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated how absolutely passionate He was about what the temple stood for. His disciples even said it consumed Him. What was Jesus so devoted to that He gave His life to it? Because it sounds...
For all who place their faith in Jesus Christ, he changes them by giving them a new life. This is no mere superficial, rebranding process. It is so deep and profound that He even gives them a new name to match!
We all can have Aha Moments, where we realize something for the first time. We finally get it, really get it. John the Baptist had one of those moments where he finally got it. It changed the trajectory of his ministry, just in time to point others, including his disciples, to the One long awaited,...
John’s Gospel is unique. His approach to telling the story of Jesus stands in contrast to the Synoptics and gives us a different perspective of the Lord with pictures that intrigue and draw in the reader. In short it changes us. Profoundly. And in short it divides us. Radically. Because this is who Jesus is....
In this series we have looked closely at the anatomy of Survival Mode by studying the time of the judges in Israel. The last chapters unfold the heart of the issue for us that we would be wise to tune in to. Let’s discover the primary reason for their failure and how we today can...
Even as Jesus’ disciples wondered at his empty tomb and then his resurrection, so our world wonders the truth of the matter. Is it real? It seems almost too good to be true. But Jesus’ resurrection changes everything in our lives. Today discover the impact it can have on your life.
In the book of Ruth, a companion book to the book of Judges, we find the example of Naomi flirting with bitterness and getting stuck in Survival Mode. With help from an unexpected source, she finds her way back “home” full of hope and blessing. What then do we do when we find ourselves empty...
God has immeasurable compassion for the weak, for those who are simply doing what they can to remain faithful to Him. However, when we get “stuck” in Survival Mode and seek to coast, this invariably backfires, and we compromise. This is the second message on how to move out of this compromise and live the...
There are certain steps we must take to pull out of Survival Mode and help others to that Scripture brings to light. And God will be right there in the midst of each step. Can you take one today?
Seeing that Survival Mode is not where God wants us to stay, how do we get out of it? We will need to begin by taking some cues from the book of Judges and Jesus’ letter to the Philadelphians in Revelation 3. What we discover is the immeasurable grace God pours out to us in...
As we look forward to another year, it is always good to ask God what His agenda is and for Him to lead us. To do so requires that we “wait upon the Lord.” But what does this even mean? Many have a mistaken understanding of this phrase for any number of reasons. So, as...
Jesus the Messiah came to declare a Jubilee, a freedom from our prison of sin and a restoration of the promised life. This includes far more than the day of our salvation. How then do we walk in this freedom… every day?
There’s almost nothing worse than trying to fix something that’s broken in the dark. Yet mankind tries to do just that of himself every day. Isaiah speaks of Someone who would fix that for us seven hundred years before He was born. As God’s servant, He would be sent to restore us and be a...
We’ve all felt rejected by others at some time. How we respond is crucial. Paul is nearing his end and has been abandoned by many for various reasons. But how he responds is instructive for Timothy… and us!
We can all think that when Scripture talks about serving others, preaching the gospel, or evangelizing that God is talking to the person next to us! But the charge is given to all of us. And it’s simpler than we think. Paul gives some wise advice to Timothy that we can all take to heart!
In foot racing it’s easy to start fast. Finishing strong may be a different story, however. Similarly, saving too much for a strong kick is usually not advisable. Instead, pace yourself. Don’t start well but quit and give it all you’ve got, not holding back. Paul challenges Timothy, as he does us, run strong and...
It has become quite fashionable in our day to question the authority and, therefore, the truthfulness of Scripture. Consequently, many are using “broken yardsticks” to measure what is right and what is wrong. Just how reliable is this? Or does God have a different perspective of Scripture that will lead us to truth?
When we feel attacked, something inside us wants to push back… or worse! Paul understands this and encourages Timothy to respond gently to those who attack his faith, without fighting back. Heated or arrogant arguing actually works against winning the lost, who are held captive in Satan’s trap like a slave. Jesus did not retaliate...
Much of what is peddled in our culture as truth, even biblical truth, is anything but. And the voices are many. Paul challenges us to safeguard the truth, specifically, the gospel, because what we believe impacts the way we live. Peddlers of these twisted truths have shipwrecked their faith and veered off course. So, which...
Paul challenges Timothy to teach “the word of truth” accurately and to avoid certain pitfalls. In doing this God can bring the rebel at heart to his senses and out of the trap of the enemy that holds him fast.
Life can be hard sometimes and throw us some curves. But with two strikes, we can become hesitant to swing away. Stepping out of our metaphor here, we can tend to pull back then from fervently seeking first God’s kingdom and become ineffective. Paul believed Timothy was struggling with such a disposition and gave him...
We have but one life to live. How will we spend it, cautiously or aggressively? Paul does not hesitate to call Timothy to step into suffering for his Lord for it is there that he will find an abundance of grace, power to live a radiant life for Christ. It is the poured-out, surrendered life...
Join us as we explore II Timothy for the next two months. Paul writes his son in the faith because persecution is on the rise, he finds himself in a deadly prison situation, and Timothy appears to be stepping back from it all, allowing his passion for Christ and his fiery gift of preaching the...
Why does God ask us to worship Him? Is He a megalomaniac in need of some ego boost? To get at the answer to these questions is to discover the very heart and power of worship. It is to turn on its head our culture’s view of God… and ourselves!
Whether we have grown up in a dysfunctional family or not, we all crave the close-knit relationships that family should offer. Jesus has called the Church to be that family of love, sacrificing, serving, praying, and giving. God calls even the lonely to family. When was the last time you experienced “family?”
Today, we begin to delve into the metaphor of family in the Scriptures. Just as with any earthly family, we must be born into it, and when this happens, understand and walk in the inheritance that now comes with bearing the name of our Father. Many of us, however, have not come from healthy homes,...
As we look at the metaphor of marriage in the Scriptures, we quickly discover the negative element: spiritual adultery. This is when one claims to be a follower of Jesus but has embraced the world and loves it. Most of us would not cater to such compromise, and yet the world does hold a fascination...
When things don’t seem to work out in relationships, it’s common for people to reply, “It’s complicated.” Which basically means, “It’s really hard to deal with, and I’d rather not talk about it.” Similarly, when it comes to one’s relationship with the Lord, many often feel unloved, struggle to deal with it, and so find...
The western church is increasingly focusing on how to get more people in the front doors of their building. Though not altogether wrong, this Attractional Model demonstrates a misplaced priority and serves to shift our focus and methodology of winning the world to Christ. Let’s remember that what we win the world with tends to...
As churches transition, move forward, and embrace what God has for them, there is one thing that does not change. It is that which should always hallmark the church’s existence… God’s grace. The church in Acts went through plenty of change, but when it came, what did the leaders “see”? Not always what the world...
One of the many ways to keep the Lie alive so as to discard the Truth, is to take a truth and twist its meaning. This is common in our day as it has been in the past. Satan’s tactics rarely change. Today’s example is how many reinterpret Scripture to justify homosexuality. Though our hearts...
Mother’s are uniquely created to build a home differently than her husband. Her ability to see the good in her children helps enable her to cherish them and build them into world changers. But all of us falter and fail at times in this endeavor. God’s redemptive love, in some ways similar to a mother’s,...
When, according to the Bible, God does not live according to our expectations of love and justice, this generation either tosses out the Bible, or chooses which portions to believe, or reinterprets the Bible as it desires to fit its perspectives. Scripture is greatly twisted to do the latter. Three accusations from this generation will...
The enemy’s goal is to deceive with treacherous lies. To do this, truth is challenged and undermined. As in Eden, so today God’s Word is claimed to be in error, off-course, and misdirected, the mere musings of fallible men. But is it? Our conclusion will determine what we build our life on. And the effectiveness...
Are the Gospels merely legends, developed more than a century after the events they record? Overwhelming evidence points away from this conclusion. But if true, what does that mean for us? The implications are rather radical for our generation!
Are the Gospels merely legends, developed more than a century after the events they record? Overwhelming evidence points away from this conclusion. But if true, what does that mean for us? The implications are rather radical for our generation!
All religions, ideologies, and philosophies claim to be true. The Bible is certainly no exception here. But what is an exception is that nothing can compare to the evidence that supports the Bible’s claim to truth! The radical predictions of the city of Tyre’s destruction is just one example. The careful, unbiased observer is overwhelmed...
Every person ever born has been confronted by the clarity of truth that this universe speaks: there is a God who is holy, and He is not us! He is perfect; we are broken. Only the Bible places the remedy for man’s problem outside our abilities and squarely in God’s hands. What we do with...
All religions are not created equal! Common in our culture today is the idea of Religious Pluralism, that all religions are true and on equal footing with regard to “truth.” King Manasseh felt the same way, but look where it led him! To accomplish his goal, he had to bury the truth, to discard it...
In our generation “truth has fallen in the streets.” And is trampled upon. It is viewed as personal and relative, mere opinion. Such are the claims of a hardened culture. So how can we reach them, remembering that God can make the hard soil of the “pathway” “good” and fertile ground for the seed of...
As God came to the rescue for Israel while they were in exile in Babylon (“the desert”), so today God comes to deliver us from the clutches of our enemy, the Devil, bringing freedom, new life, and great joy.
Sin disconnects us from God, who is the source of all life. The result? Death, plain and simple. Spiritual death, that is. No one is exempt! But God can make us alive, and when He does, we are transformed. This new life in us shines like a light in this dark world, potentially impacting those...
Put another way, how do we “make the most of every opportunity”? As the word “redeem” implies, it will cost us something. Again, we will look to Jesus to see how He did it, simply and yet so profoundly. How did He seize the moment and thoroughly impact His generation… and beyond?
As we are seeking to be salt and light to this generation, consider that much of Jesus’ and the early church’s ministry took place in homes. Let’s find out why and what the implications of this are for us today.
This single Greek word is the focus of the parable of The Talents, but it does not necessarily mean what we think it means. As we continue to investigate how we are to be Salt and Light in our generation, may we be wise in discerning the opportunities God daily brings our way to do...
It takes more than just talent to impact our generation. Today we will see how, as “salt and light,” Christ’s compassion in us can change those around us as we look at how He did it in the Gospels.
Jesus invites us to live a kingdom lifestyle when He uses the principles of salt and light in His sermon on the mount. Over the next several weeks we will be investigating what this lifestyle looks like and how we might live in a way that regularly impacts this generation.
Jesus was born into some very difficult circumstances concerning his mother that to the uninformed was shameful. However, Matthew reminds us that this “mother difficulty” was not new. Though shame lurked in the backdrop of Jesus’ genealogy, Matthew, being well acquainted with deep shame himself, heralds it as a credential for this newborn king.
In kingdom life we will encounter some severe struggles. It is the nature of our broken world. Some, unfortunately, will choose to turn from the truth, some will shift into “neutral,” seeking to coast, and others will continue to press into God’s purposes. Jesus chose to step down into our brokenness to rescue us at...
In this drama of grace, in which daily struggles regularly press us beyond our abilities into God’s limitless grace, as the Family of God, we are called to help shoulder each other’s burdens. But these “burdens” sometimes include weighty sin issues. How can we help others there? We may need to check our heart at...
Cooking is chemistry. Specific ingredients are necessary in most recipes, as they combine to create our favorite dishes. So it is in the Christian life. God uses specific and necessary “ingredients” to create a life of purpose that truly brings Him glory. But only with proper perspective will this happen!
God does not ask us to grasp His wisdom behind the intricate reasons for all of life’s complexly woven events. It’s just beyond us. But He does ask us to grasp His love behind them. In fact, each of us as followers of Jesus play a significant role in this display of God’s love in...
Jesus’ Church is engaged in a drama of God’s grace as we face struggle at nearly every turn. But how does God pour out His grace? What does it look like? He has chosen to use His people as one way to minister that grace to others in their time of desperate need. So, how...
What is truth? Is it that important? The prophet said, “Truth has fallen in the streets.” This well characterizes our day. But in the days before Christ returns, it will be even worse. Most simply just do not love truth. What can we do about that?
God places His name upon us to demonstrate His sovereign, benevolent ownership of us. Discover the implications of this in a world that lives in rejection and seeks to pacify itself in temporary hopes.
As believers, we are privileged to experience the powers of the coming age. But why do some experience less and some more? Scripture leads us to embrace the fullness of Christ’s transformative power, but how?
The heavenly vision of worship now moves to a scroll with seven seals. John weeps profusely that if no one is found worthy, it shall forever remain sealed, unopened and unfulfilled. He seems to know of something of its contents. What does the scroll contain (it is later opened) and why is Jesus found worthy?
Sometimes the struggles and pain of life can serve to distract us and cause us to focus too much on ourselves, the small picture. Before Jesus showed John all the global judgments of Revelation, He invited him into heaven’s throne room to get the Big Picture of life’s struggles, the perfect remedy for personal pain.
Psalm 133 gives amazing insight into unity. Though the world will always long for it, only God truly provides a way. And when His people step into it, He transforms everything.
The Philadelphian church has been under incredible attack and is weary. But Jesus has a ministry opportunity in store for them that will utterly astonish them and refresh them. That is just like our God, amazing us with His grace when we are at our weakest!
Jesus says it’s entirely possible to play the part of a Christian so well (and not even know it) that others think we are passionate, dedicated believers, or as He puts it “alive.” How do we recognize this for ourselves, and what can we do about it?
Dan Mastrapa – Spiritual Renewal: The cry of many believers who are dissatisfied with their spiritual walk is for God to revive and renew them. Many times we seek this renewal through extraordinary encounters and ecstatic experiences in revival meetings. When we look for renewal in these things, we tend to dismiss and neglect the...
God’s grace is truly amazing, but sometimes we can think that He gives more to others than to ourselves. We can even be jealous of others’ dynamic testimonies. But God pours out His grace in a very personalized way. Can we see it?
Have you ever taken a test with trick questions and felt as if the teacher, or proctor, wanted you to fail? In our study of Revelation 2, we discover that Satan is giving a test and most definitely wants you to fail. But it also tells us what the “Principal” has to say about it!
Is it possible to stand for and defend truth in a toxic way? To the point where our present witness is worse than our absence? That was the case for the church at Ephesus and that is still the case for many today. The Ephesians couldn’t initially see it, can we? If so, what’s the...
When teams take a beating out on the field or the court, it’s the coach’s job to rally them, to refocus them, to call them to what will inevitably bring about victory. John shares some important life-giving truths with those facing tremendous persecution and hardship that regains their focus, on Jesus and not their problems.
Many today seek “stages,” opportunities to perform for men’s approval; God gives us “platforms,” opportunities to point men and women to Jesus, whether through promotions at work or demotions, difficult times or wonderful. God is the One who moves us about to speak of His great fame and to live to showcase His glory!
Locusts go through a dynamic physical and social change that triggers them to swarm. Proverbs says they have no leader but are able to cooperate amazingly. What is that x-factor in us that causes us to work together? Because this type of unity will trigger world wide revival.
Again, we take our cue from an animal described in Proverbs 30 that teaches us how to live in a way that keeps us from the corruption of the world but impacts the world as well. What is the secret? And how can our words impact so many around us? The answer is truly simple…...
Four very unlikely creatures are listed in Proverbs 30. Though small, they are wise and do not live like the other animals around them. Taking a cue from the ants, how can we impact the world around us, small as we are?
Scripture is clear that our children are to honor (read “obey”) us dads. The challenge for us, men, is that often we overlook the need for us to become men worthy of such honor. Sometimes our oversight embitters our child. How do we then become instruments of healing to that child? The pathway to healing...
Witnessing can be intimidating for many of us. A close look at the Samaritan woman at the well, however, reveals some principles that any of us can follow to impact those around us.
God chose David over King Saul, and that reason is, at least in part, reflected in the heart of David’s wife Michal, daughter of Saul. Here we discover what it means that David was a “man after God’s heart.” Such a person walks the shorter path to inevitable, “triumphal procession.” Which path will you choose...
God promises to always lead us in triumphal procession. But how do we best do this? After David had a very bad day in Ziklag, where he lost everything and his men were ready to kill him, something happened, a pivotal moment, that turned everything around. The end turned out far better than anything David...
Many moms struggle under a tremendous weight of guilt and feelings of inadequacy. Truth be told, most people do. If Jesus said his burden is ‘light,’ why does it feel so heavy at times? So, how do they gain freedom into the true grace of God to fulfill that call of motherhood?
Paul declares that the Church is on the road to inevitable triumph. It will overcome. But that road has innumerable obstacles that at times feel overwhelming. If we could find a shortcut, we would take it. But not all shortcuts are created equal. Most put us in control instead of God. David found this on...
David received numerous prophecies concerning his coming kingship, but when his adversaries sought vigorously to kill him, he found himself at a low point in the Cave of Adullam. Even there God came through for him in an unexpected way. God has a prophetic call upon His Church too that when we face “insurmountable obstacles,”...
God chose not to keep David’s destiny a secret, but made some things quite clear, as he rose from shepherd to king. Similarly, Jesus has made some things for His church quite clear. Our destiny is certain, as He always leads us in “triumphal procession.
In this series we are seeing how God turned the tables on Satan’s plan to destroy the early church. Today we will discover how Satan’s most zealous and able pawn against the Church was no match for our King. The one used for the greatest evil was transformed into one used for the greatest good....
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most phenomenal miracle ever in the history of the world. But that world stands divided on the issue. Many completely deny it happened. Others are somewhere on this journey of faith. What you believe about this thoroughly impacts you, whether you want it to or not. So where...
There are times in each of our lives when we feel like that’s it. The enemy has won. Victory is impossible now. Or is it? The early Church faced such a dilemma and they grieved deeply. But then God stepped in and turned it all around. Could God do that with you? Today?
To reach unity we must choose to focus on our similarities in Christ, our commonness. But paradoxically, it is our differences that achieve this unity. These various gifts (aka differences) minister uniquely to one another and build up the Body of Christ until we all reach unity. So, we celebrate our differences. We need the...
I’m a detail-focused person. Under my “microscope,” I see beauty in the details. But sometimes I need to step back and enjoy the beauty of the big picture. God has a heart for unity throughout His people everywhere. Under His “macroscope,” He sees a beauty in this kaleidoscope of differences… and similarities. Can we?
Christ’s kingdom is spreading rapidly throughout the earth, and we have the privilege of being a part of it and being used by God to see it capture the hearts of men and women in our generation. Though its call can feel intimidating at times, it is simple enough for every one of us to...
There is a lifestyle of togetherness that is difficult for the average American Christian to grasp. As we look at the early church in the book of Acts, we see a people who were so interconnected and who loved one another that it thoroughly impacted those around them, drawing many to Christ.
As with any Biblical principle, we can go to extremes with regard to prayer. This can make us anemic and discouraged. How can prayer be delight-driven, exciting, life-giving, and deeply relational? The answer will revitalize our walk with God!
God’s Word, the Bible, is unlike any other book. In fact nothing comes close! It’s truth can change us and empower us to live effectively in Christ’s kingdom in a way that impacts eternity! Is it changing you?
Why do we worship God? Does He need us to? And how does worship change us? Inherent in God’s desire for us to worship Him is a paradox that with the proper perspective is nothing less than transformational.
This coming year will be a year of laying everything on the altar. The call to Abraham has many insights for us today, especially as He sifts our hearts and renews them.
When Jesus was left in Jerusalem accidentally by his parents at age twelve, certain faulty expectations were revealed as his parents went looking for him. What faulty expectations are we holding onto that are steering us wrongly in the coming year?
Pictures help us remember. They call to us not to forget. Mary took many mental pictures of her son’s birth that constantly called her back to truth, even thirty years later. May these same truths never stop calling to us!
The very things that many in Jesus’ day would say disqualify a leader actually qualified Jesus as Savior and King. This Savior came for the worst of us!
Nehemiah’s enemies did everything they could to pull his attention from his clear purpose but failed. Likewise, our enemy seeks to fill our hearts with negative emotions that will undermine our purpose in building God’s kingdom. Be wary!
Distractions can either slow us down or worse, get us off course and lost. How might we “distraction-proof” our call as Nehemiah did and stay the course?
Nehemiah tells us that this joy is our strength. To be robbed of it, is to be weakened and wearied. How might we hold fast to it, that we might endure every battle successfully?
In the midst of Nehemiah’s urgent wall building project, we see the man’s heart to protect and care for his people. In our busyness to build God’s kingdom, let’s not forget the very reason we are building in the first place.
It’s far too easy to respond to attacks against us with a vengeful anger that hurts others. God wants us to respond in a way that has His kingdom in mind. How do we do this, not as the world does but as Christ would, and win?
As the city of Jerusalem lay in disgrace so that Nehemiah called its people to rebuild its walls, so today Jesus’ kingdom bears a disgrace that Jesus is calling His people to help remove…only by His grace!
Zechariah 2 gives us a picture of the kingdom of God without borders in the new covenant with Jesus as its source. Too often we lose sight of the spiritual, unseen dynamics of this kingdom, especially around election time.
Though the books of Ezra and Nehemiah are important Old Testaments Scriptures that focus on the building of the temple and the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, respectively, they hold a significant place for us under the new covenant. Each gives us pictures of Jesus and His kingdom with important principles to live by...
So what does God want me to do?” is an often asked question that we usually want the Cliff Notes answer for. We want it simple. But being led by the Spirit is rarely that…easy. Today, let’s find out why.
In the light of the immense grace and forgiveness found in Christ, why is obedience so important? And how are we to obey? What should it look like inside our hearts? Christianity is about so much more than just “doing the right thing” – it’s about intimacy with God.
It’s difficult to see any good come from tragedy. Our shortsightedness often creates tension, even anger in these struggles. But God actually sees something “glorious” happening that should we see it too, just might change our entire perspective on life.
As the Israelites inherited the Promised Land, God told them they would acquire it little by little. Today in Christ we learn to walk in our God-given inheritance little by little. But what is hindering us from walking in its fullness?
Many times we expect God to move mountains and part seas as we look on waiting. And waiting. Moses did this. But God challenged him: “Move on!” Take an aggressive step of faith and then watch God part the sea…and destroy your enemy?
In the midst of life’s struggles, the lies we believe begin to surface. They stir up discontent and rob us of faith.. We must confront them to “cross our Red Sea” and truly walk in the blessings of God’s promises.
A rescue plan always involves taking the captive from a horrible situation to a much better one. But a good rescue plan entails the crippling of the enemy as well. Jesus came to set captives free and destroy the works of the Devil, at least for those who recognize their plight and comply.
Today we have another picture of redemption from the exodus. How much did it cost when God ransomed Israel from Egypt and us from sin? And how does this transaction impact us today? The answers are significant and life changing.
The Exodus, including the parting of the Red Sea, is the greatest and most talked about miracle in the Old Testament. It gives us pictures of the most powerful miracle of the New Testament, redemption by the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Allow these pictures of God’s redemption speak “more than a thousands words”...
When a wrestler is on his back, unable to move and ready to be pinned, they say he is “counting the lights.” In the real world many times we can feel this way…trapped! So how then do we live life according to God’s amazing promises and not how we feel in the moment?
Sometimes promises can seem too good to be true. This is how many Christians treat those found in Isaiah 54. The affection that God has for His new covenant people, that He removes all shame, that He will never be angry with them, and that His compassion is endless, is truly amazing but amazingly true!
Isaiah foresees the Church more than 700 years before its birth and the promises that God extends to her. These promises seem too good to be true….unbelievable! Perhaps this is the real reason we do not walk in them as we are called to.
God raises up people in every generation that will count the cost and make a difference. Will you be one?
In Proverbs 31 we find unexpected references to respectable men and how they treat their noble wives. His words help give wings to his godly wife. But how do we as dads become such respectable men? Paul offers a simple yet profound fundamental truth that most of us miss in our quest of godly fatherhood.
Many suggest that we try not to see the color of others’ skin and thereby treat them differently, to be color blind so to speak. I do not disagree with this point, but Scripture calls us to actually notice each others’ skin color, ethnicity and uniqueness in general. God calls us to celebrate this! But...
God has given each of us unique abilities, gifts, and life experiences that He uses to qualify us for the special tasks ahead in His mission for us.However, we can get distracted by the stuff of this world and, consequently, get off track. How do we stay the course and fulfill His call to us...
The simple, raw truth is that lies paralyze! We camp out in the feelings of guilt associated with our sin, because we are entranced with certain lies like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights. Indeed, the truth will set us free!
With contrasting pictures of betrayal and devotion, Mark opens our eyes to a display of extravagant worship and commitment that calls us to follow Jesus with total abandonment.
Jesus has given us everything we need to fulfill the unique, tailored tasks He has given us in His kingdom until He returns… everything!
Moms are among the unsung heroes of our day, giving, serving, and sacrificing. Today might just be the day they need to hear you sing their praises!
It’s hard when good things come to an end. It can be difficult to move on. We feel paralyzed sometimes. Or is it the end? Perhaps God’s plan is a lot bigger than what we can see. And just maybe this “end” is really a new beginning.
Nearly everyone you talk with these days would love to go to heaven after they die. If these same people were asked if they were sure they were going, most would cross their fingers and say, “I sure hope so!” with more than just a hint of doubt. Interesting that one of the biggest questions...
We can all be skeptical at times, especially when it comes to fantastic events. We want facts, not fantasy. We want to know why we should even care. Jesus’ resurrection gives us such reason to pause and consider: is it too good to be true?
There is an infection going around these days. It is global in its spread and deadly in its impact. But many are refusing the antidote. Amazing! Are we rejecting the very answer to what ails us?!
God is creating a masterpiece with each life of those who follow Him. Our sin struggles, however, can mar the canvas with ugly “black lines.” Are we to forever settle for such a defaced picture of shame and guilt? Or is God’s grace greater than all of this?
Generally in economics, when the need goes up, so do prices. Jesus tells us that prominence in His kingdom requires greater sacrifice, higher cost. Jesus led the way in this as He gave His life for us, a ransom that required the highest price!
We are a people who get easily attached to the things surrounding us: foods, old habits, sports teams, indulging hobbies, the next promotion, even naps. These may even be sacred to us! We know this by the anger we feel when someone belittles them or takes them from us! The truth is we take none...
There is perhaps no greater potential for conflict than in our marriage. At times, however, our personal needs and desires scream so loudly for attention that we cannot hear what our spouse is saying. Here are some tips to listening that will empower our marriage to become more life-giving and not another divorce statistic. So…are...
When someone gives a harsh, sarcastic response we say they are being “salty.” When seeking reconciliation with someone, Jesus challenges us to be “salty”, but in a drastically different way. Just how “salty” are you when trying to bridge the gap of disagreement with someone?
There is so much disagreement in the Church today. The internet is filled with articles calling out “false teachers” as well as some of the strangest teachings since Gnosticism. Who is right? How do we sort through all this? And just what should be our attitude if unity truly is our goal?
It is not uncommon for sports analysts to ask who the greatest athlete is. But the comparisons require certain measuring sticks of success. In our pursuit to do great things we discover that greatness is measured differently in every arena of life, including the kingdom of God. So which measuring stick do we use? How...
As believers we can encounter our Enemy regularly through difficult circumstances, temptations, obstructed goals, and yes, even people (though they truly are NOT the Enemy!) and fail countless times (though the Enemy does want to remind us of the count!). We can be left hurt, frustrated, and broken. Jesus’ closest disciples felt no different at...
We are all in pursuit of something! We do it our entire lives. It’s our purpose, our goal. It becomes our motive for living. What is your “something”? Now imagine obtaining that “something” but it turns out to be absolutely nothing, a mere mirage. What emptiness. What disappointment!…So what are you pursuing?
As doubt is extolled in many circles these days as a healthy means to growth, we must step back and look at it one more time to see if this is so. Mark addresses this and leads us to a pointed conclusion that calls us to a radical decision that brings healing and restoration.
It is amazing how God will sometimes use the disgraceful, humbling things of this world, even the shame of the cross, to bring about the greatest miracles in our lives…He is that good!
As we look back over 2019, do we feel a nagging disappointment, perhaps a weariness from it all? Have we put our time in serving and praying, yet see minimal “results”? Let’s step back a bit to admire a Gentile woman who thought so differently and reacted to challenges so nobly.
Even as Christmas approaches, we can face problems that are painful and feel overwhelming. The world offers easy solutions that merely medicate us. So where is the joy that Jesus promises us?
All of us want joy! Most, however, look to pleasant circumstances or turn inward, hoping to find something of value, something special about ourselves, that others might appreciate. And this, of course, brings of joy,…so we hope. But is this common habit that today’s psychologists offer the answer to our deep need? Caution: you might...
Sometimes as troubles or stress mounts, our lives can feel like they are in a tailspin we cannot get out of. Joy seems distant and beyond reach. How do we pull up and avoid what appears to be an inevitable crash and burn and lay hold of this “irrepressible joy”?
In the heart of God there is an irrepressible joy that we were made to experience, being made in His likeness. Over time this joy can be muted, even quenched, however, God purposefully calls His people to “celebrate His abundant goodness” in order to recapture that dynamic joy ignited by His Spirit in us.
“House Rules” have their purpose. They help bring us to adulthood, where maturity still awaits us and dependency upon the Spirit is necessary. Many Christians, however, want the easy route, but Jesus calls us to a different way… in which His House rules!
Life is filled with obstacles to accomplishing God’s will for our lives. We must recognize those obstructions when we see them and know how God wants us to overcome them. Walking in the fullness of what God has for us is at stake.
Raising boys in an increasingly anti-masculine society has been getting tougher. Though we may wave the red flag of “Toxic Masculinity,” not all who do so side with God’s definition of what it means to be a man. How do we navigate through this jungle of conflicting ideas to raise men who truly make the...
The disciples encounter a potential “Halloween Horror” that Jesus turns into a triumph of His grace. This dual story of terror may seem a bit remote for most, until we see just how scarily relevant it is to each of us!
Most Christians today feel very disqualified for serving in Christ’s kingdom. Jesus’ 12 disciples were no different. But what we tend to see as disqualifiers are many times the very things that God uses to qualify us after He steps in and changes our heart. There is one thing, however, that Jesus is looking for...
When our focus is locked in on our own personal needs, reaching a broken, hurting world with the Good News of the Kingdom is very difficult. With laser focus Jesus’ was able to see the deepest needs within others and heal them where they hurt most.
Following Jesus means a willingness on our part to fully trust Him as we step into the battle between these two kingdoms. But what does that trust look like when circumstances can seem the darkest?
Many life lessons have been gleaned over the years from a comparison look at the game of baseball. In this message, we will take a look at one of the greatest of God’s gifts to us… grace. Just like in baseball, even after the biggest of mistakes, there is still another chance and time to...
Presently, we are in a battle between two kingdoms whether we are aware of it or not. As we go through the book of Mark, we “immediately” encounter some principles concerning Jesus’ kingdom that are crucial to grasp for our victory.
Many times after Jesus would do a miracle or teach something very profound, people would ask in amazement, “Who is this?!” Mark introduces us to this Jesus as the Son of God to reveal some deep implications of His purpose and our desperate need to make a choice about Him.
Is prophecy for today? Abuse and lack of use lies on both ends of the answer. Many, however, look on with disappointment, wondering if God is able to speak to their deepest personal needs. May God raise up a people that speaks to this generation in a way that is…well…prophet-able!
Jesus has given us “tools” to build His kingdom while awaiting His return. Scripture calls these spiritual gifts. Today we will look closely at one of these, the unusual gift of tongues: are they for today and how can God work through me to build His kingdom, especially in healing the brokenhearted?
Luke and Paul both challenge us to be “filled with the Spirit.” Though they each refer to different ministries of the Spirit, we would do well to heed both, allowing the Spirit to equip us thoroughly in reaching the nations for Christ.
All of us have had things happen to us that have deeply hurt, many times producing much personal damage. Even after choosing to follow Jesus, healing from these wounds can be difficult. We feel like we are trying to climb out of a deep hole, sometimes with little success. God offers us some keys that...
With all that the world throws at us to extinguish the fire of the Spirit within us, how can it be reignited? God gives us some powerful insights into this that our Adversary cannot “hold a candle to.”
As we look at the last of Luke’s examples of Jesus-followers being empowered by God’s Spirit, perhaps no other section of Acts has been enshrouded by more confusion. Let’s allow Luke to blow some of this fog away as we, again recognizing our personal inadequacy, pursue this offer of Spirit empowerment in our lives.
Even in the kingdom of God it is not hard to oppose God’s grace. Sometimes due to believing lies about the nature of God, we dig our heels in without realizing it, and yet God is patient. Sometimes our theology pushes God aside and we miss His best for us. Even in these moments, the...
Ever wondered, is there a reason for what we go through in life? Discover, in this sermon that each of our lives (or “races” as Paul likens them to) has a purpose that is unique to each of us. These purposes are designed to help others and bring glory to God. Jesus knew what His...
As we embrace the purpose of the Baptism in the Spirit as Paul did, we find God empowering us all the more to be His bold and effective witnesses.
Much confusion surrounds the teaching of the Baptism in the Spirit in our day. In bringing the subject into sharper focus, the misunderstanding begins to disappear and a deeper and more powerful truth emerges that God invites all believers to walk in.
God’s set purpose is to fill the earth with His kingdom, that all nations stream into it, that it impact the entire earth as leaven impacts not a part of the dough but the whole. To accomplish this, God’s people must be filled with His Spirit and power, yielded to and consumed by Him as...
Disappointments in life can weigh heavy on us. To avoid the pain we can be tempted to care less and shift our life into neutral. But in an uphill battle, we only lose ground. As men fighting for our families, how do we shoulder these disappointments so we truly care and become men of prayer...
We are in a battle and our enemy is using shrewd, subversive tactics to win…at any cost. But as mankind counts this cost, its easier to simply follow the many faces of this beguiling evil. How do we find our way out of this maze and find refuge from the devastation of battle?
There is a spiritual battle being waged all around us that goes unseen. God has chosen to enlist redeemed man as His co-operatives behind enemy lines, so He may rescue those held captive in the Dominion of Darkness. How we engage this battle will determine its outcome!
For God to bring about global revival He desires His people to walk in complete unity. Sectarianism that looks down upon others not theologically aligned with them breeds division. But God has inbred within His Church (even His whole creation) a glorious diversity that when properly unified reveals a beautiful picture of Christ.
As Rahab managed to set aside the shame of her lurid past to become the mother of a prominent man of God, she left behind a far reaching legacy. But a mother’s legacy is not just seen in her physical children but those she pours into spiritually. What does your legacy look like?
Jesus sets us free from the slavery of shame. But too frequently our Enemy entraps us in old patterns that lead us back to our shame. So how do we continually walk in freedom, stirring clear of the regrets that can cripple us?
The entire last chapter of John’s Gospel places Peter center stage to highlight the redemptive power of the cross and resurrection. Let’s see how Jesus can break the shame off of our lives as He did Peter’s.
Even as both Jesus’ death and resurrection broke their present darkness, these two also destroy the darkness present in our lives and offer us a radical freedom to walk in.
When we talk about triumphant faith, it sounds simple. We know the “true” battle is already won, thus all we need to do is walk in that victory. So, why do we struggle? As we look at Jesus’ triumphal entry and go deeper in our relationship and knowledge of WHO He is, we will discover...
Scripture is clear that if we are to see a global revival come, then complete unity in the body of Christ is a necessity. And that includes our family and personal relationships. Scripture is also very clear on just how to do this!
With Jesus as our example, what does complete unity look like practically, in our homes and in our churches?
Though revival is never a formula, there are barriers to an outpouring of God’s Spirit that must be overcome. Jesus’ Church must first be unified. The path to unity, however, requires a radical shift in our ultimate pursuit in life.
Scripture is clear that not only will the gospel be preached to all nations before Jesus comes back but the kingdom of God will have global impact. Let’s begin to investigate what needs to happen on this road to revival…especially in our hearts!
Scripture declares that God’s kingdom will grow to become like a huge mountain filling the earth and that nations will stream into it. It is to this end that He calls His church to pray and labor. And it is for this purpose that we live…and die!
God delights in using the weak and broken to effect great change in this world. There His grace is the most magnified; but there is where the greatest doubts come into play! So how does one stand…there?
Moses was confronted with a divine destiny that required some very hard choices on his part. Even for us, similar hard choices can be questioned as we encounter overwhelming obstacles. Are we missing God in all of this or should we stay the course?
As believers we can tend to compartmentalize our lives: work, home, friends, recreation, faith, and so on. But when we “box” Jesus in, our focus in the other “boxes” can greatly distract us from an amazing life of faith, creating a drastic problem. Since drastic problems generally require drastic measures, don’t be surprised what Jesus...
Faith responds to God’s promises without all questions answered. It bridges the past with the future, truth with promise, to act in the present. It’s an at times scary conviction that propels us forward to step into God’s amazing plan…with abundant provision!
I am a self-professing, die-hard Eagles fan. Though they will not be in the Super Bowl THIS year, I declare, “There’s still hope!” There’s always next year. My hope is rooted in the fact that they took it to the Pats in last year’s Super Bowl. So, they’ll be back! But admittedly, my hope is...
Feelings make for a poor thermometer, truth a great thermostat! When God feels far off and removed from the believer’s struggles, when guilt weighs heavy on his shoulders, it is not God who has moved. The truth is he has listened to lies…because his answer lies in the truth!
How can God turn our life tragedies into victories of His grace? How can God bring complete healing to our deepest hurts? In part the answer lies in our grasping the depth of His suffering in life’s temptations. He came to enter my pain…and heal it!
The world offers band-aids for the problems we face. Even the paid professionals (many Christian) offer such solutions to the deep rooted issues of the brokenness of man. If Jesus is mentioned, He is more a trivial footnote for the interested. Scripture, however, makes no apologies: Jesus is the answer to every problem mankind faces!...
Jesus makes it clear that if we don’t forgive our brothers God won’t forgive us. But how do we forgive and work through the horrible travesties that we’ve endured? Through the blood-bought promises of Jesus and only by His help through the Holy Spirit.
Man has always obsessed with living forever. Indiana Jones’ quest of this lead him to the Holy Grail. Where is ours leading us? One must choose wisely!
So, how do you view Jesus? “Santa in the sky” or “God in the manger”? He has a few things to say about that naughty or nice list, and the implications are far reaching as we approach Christmas.
We are told in Scripture that Jesus was born a king, destined to conquer our enemies. Satan (“Accuser”), one of those enemies, opposed Jesus from His birth. Ultimately, however, that battle changed in strategy from the Cross on, as we are told that Satan lost his place in heaven. The implications of this are life...
It’s not too hard to allow hurts to build up in our relationships. Undealt with they form a fence even between friends, creating anger, division, and bitterness. So then, how do we “de-fence” these offenses? God has a straightward but difficult answer that has significant implications for us, especially for our marriage!
Society tends to think in a polarized fashion when it comes to the poor, hurting, and broken of this world. Jesus, however, cut through the extremes and misguided thinking in His culture to meet the real needs of those that crowded about Him. He understood compassion…and lived it! (Partial recording)
The challenge to minister to people’s needs rarely comes at convenient times. Jesus shows us the way during those moments that demonstrates the depth of His compassion for the crowds that calls us out of our mediocrity to a radical lifestyle of love.
With over seven billion people on this planet, it’s easy to feel like a number almost anywhere you go. When prayers aren’t answered as we had asked, we can wonder if God Himself sees us only as a number. But as we look closely at Jesus, He sees through the crowd to the person. His...
God has called us to be His representatives to a lost, enslaved world. This can be nothing short of intimidating. How do we rise up in this generation, shouldering God’s call, and be used mightily by God, remembering His arm is “not too short to save!”
The Bible has so many references to the idea of looking to Jesus. What does this mean for believers? How important is it? What does it look like?
When we are led by the Spirit, we discover the presence of the powerful, providential hand of God in where we go and what we do. In this journey of faith into His unfolding plan, we begin to see an awesome display of His grace, His fingerprints, all around us that simply cannot be explained...
Scripture is clear that God desires to display His glory in His people, individually and corporately. We see this regularly in the early church as they walked in the full measure of God’s Spirit. So, how can we do this some two thousand years removed??
Why is it we always seem to be pursuing satisfaction? When we “find” it, why doesn’t it last? Satisfaction is not something we buy or earn, it is the result of increasing intimacy with Jesus Christ!
Can God make our hearts “weary-proof” so that in the face of an avalanche of problems we continue to walk in joy and do not give up?
Sometimes God allows the events of life to be overwhelmingly against us, even as we walk in the power of the Spirit. There seems little we can do but cry out and allow Him to step in… and showcase His grace!
Life in the Spirit is hallmarked by great sacrifices preceded by heart-searching decisions. As Calvary needed a Gethsemane, even so our wills must be placed in the crucible to be bent and pressed into conformity with our Master’s will.
The devil uses intimidation tactics to exercise his power in this dark world. But we have been given authority over all his power as Jesus promised. So how do we take our stand and gain victory, even in our weakest and most vulnerable moments?
As we source God’s Spirit in our day to day lives, we invariably enter into a conflict of two kingdoms. It is unavoidable. Understanding the power and authority that is ours in Christ opens the door of victory as well as anointing in effective ministry.
Jesus Himself was anointed by the Spirit for ministry. This same Spirit anoints us as well to accomplish God’s call upon our life. Our wilderness experience has prepared us for this. But what does this anointing look like? And how do we walk in it? The answer will truly define who we are!
There is one foundational truth that is absolutely necessary to walk in either God’s promises or anointed ministry. It is not surprising then that the Devil tested Jesus in this truth. Our own answer will reveal much about our readiness for these things of God. * Partial Recording
Most people love a plan. But when it takes longer or becomes far more difficult than anticipated, we can get impatient and change direction. We bail! Often we do this with God’s plan, because Satan’s Plan B can look so attractive. But how do we tell the difference and stay the course? The end result...
In Jesus Our Shepherd, Meredith Curtis examines how Jesus lovingly shepherds us with compassion. His yoke is easy and His burden light. Again we see the Old and New Testament pointing to the Shepherd of our Souls. Are you weary and heavy-laden, come to the Shepherd.
God not only allows certain difficult experiences in our life, but we actually need them to qualify us to embrace the blessings He has for us. God weighs our heart in these times. Are we ready? Some telltale signs will show us.
In Jesus Our Lamb, Meredith Curtis unfolds the role that Jesus plays as our Lamb. She begins by looking at the Passover lamb in Exodus and shows how Jesus is our Lamb that takes away our sin and the sin of all who will come to Him.
For many the Christian life boils down to a formula: four steps to victory over anger, seven stages to walking in freedom, etc. We can feel like the proverbial hamster on the treadmill. Weary. Frustrated. Disillusioned. Only relying completely on the Spirit brings true freedom, joy, and life!
In Jesus, Our Creator, Meredith Curtis looks at the powerful, loving God who was present in Creation, knits us together in our mother’s womb, and holds all things together with His Powerful Word. He extends grace and mercy to all, though He holds Creation Rights over all that He has created.
Life is not just a biological term. Many today “live” with fear, depression, emptiness, and loneliness. The life God offers satisfies. It is full and abundant. It overpowers and overwhelms us. It is real life!
The Bible speaks of a “rest” for the people of God and a satisfaction in Christ that opens up a life of the impossible for us. What does that mean, why is it so important, and how do we avail ourselves to the Spirit’s working this out in our lives?
It is instinctual for us to avoid pain, to run from it, pray it away, or rebuke it “in Jesus’ name.” As Peter closes out his letter, he has some insightful challenges for us as we respond to our daily struggles that seem contrary to nature, that is, our nature…not His!
What an incredible joy to watch our children grow up! The time moves fast, sometimes too fast. We can feel guilty. They are gone before we can say, “And your next chore is….” So dads, let’s take the little bit of time we have now and pour into our kids everything they need for then…regret-free!
Even as Christians going through the twists and turns of life, we can begin to lose our way without realizing it, adopting the compromising values of the world. However, God in His amazing faithfulness has a plan for us to align our heart with His. How does He do this and how might we recognize...
Every Christian has received some very special callings from God. The one Peter speaks of, however, calls us out of what we are comfortable with into the realm where only God can work…where the impossible becomes the possible!
Submission can be difficult at times, whether it is a wife submitting to her husband or an employee submitting to their boss. However, we are called to submit in spite of difficult circumstances. If we allow Him to, the Lord can use our obedience in submission to win people over for Christ, and our submission...
In coming to Christ we have received a new identity as part of a community of passionate followers. This in turn has reoriented us with new purpose, radically different than what the world taught us and drastically impacting our new life.
When a batter is completely confident in a pitcher’s accuracy, he tends to step into the pitch, not fearful of being hit. Even so, our God is sovereignly overseeing our every trial and gives us great confidence that we can walk through every struggle…and swing away!
Faith is often misunderstood. God’s goodness and life’s problems seem contradictory, like oil and water. Let’s take a closer look at some inherent ironies of this “contradiction” and how they can impact our “misunderstood” faith.
No matter how well we plan, we encounter problems. They pop up everywhere in life.We can’t seem to avoid them, hard as we try. But don’t lose heart, God’s “perfect plan” anticipates them…and uses them as stepping stones to our advantage.
Jesus’ resurrection so impacted His disciples that they were willing to follow Him even unto death as His witnesses. What happened there at that tomb that could revitalize our stale, not-so-passionate pursuit of Christ?
As exemplified in Noah’s global Flood, the fear of judgment casts a long shadow into the New Testament, and rightly so. But what about Christians? Even many of them wrestle with this fear, failing to understand the vast scope of the Cross and Jesus’ final words, “It is finished!”
Where we begin will always determine where we end up. If we start with wrong assumptions, we will come to faulty conclusions. But this question has far reaching implications beyond the age of the earth. It impacts every area of our life!
No, this is not a series on relationships. It does, however, force us to see a relationship between our view of how old the earth is and our view of God and the Gospel. Those who believe the earth is old MUST also say God created things like cancer and said it is very good....
Criticism can come at us from many directions. Some is helpful; some is not. How do we handle those whose intentions are to harm? Does love…real love…ever draw lines and say, “No further!” How do we protect ourself and others from the gossip, false accusations, and cruel attacks, and do so as Christ would? And...
We tend to build “stages” that promote self; God desires to build for us a “platform” that promotes Christ. We need to understand the difference, but realize that the “platform” God wants for us will many times require a dismantling of us, so that as He elevates us only Christ shines forth.
It is interesting to note that Scripture assures that faithful messengers bring refreshment and healing to their masters. This is because news is never neutral. Just turn on your TV. How we view the news and speak of it makes the big difference. But this is a principle concerning all of life. How do you...
It is not too hard to fall into the trap of our prayer time becoming an endless repetition of requests. We offer our prayer list up to God mechanically and passionlessly, perhaps hoping that with a few extra “Our Fathers” He will grant us our wishes…uh, requests. So what then IS God looking for in...
We can become battle weary. After several attempts without success, we understandably tend to get discouraged. Why keep going? As David confronted Goliath on the battlefield, so as believers we must persevere in our fight, with a spiritual fury and tenacity, if we are to gain victory.
As we discovered last week, Satan’s chief strategy in thwarting the advancement of God’s kingdom today is undermining what we believe about God. His second is breeding disunity in that kingdom. So let’s discover some basic principles in securing unity amongst God’s people. These truths will equip us to trample our Adversary under our feet!
It is nothing short of amazing when God delivers us out of very difficult situations. But how do we handle those times when God delivers us through those trials? We still go through the fire. Even then the psalmist says “Come and see what God has done!” How can we endure these difficulties with such...
Not too many are aware of the battle scene at the Nativity. We gloss over the armies arrayed in conflict. We focus on the peace and goodwill, longing for this in our lives, especially our homes, without realizing that peace is ALWAYS preceded by conflict, a fight in which God MUST triumph over Satan, good...
Sometimes as Christians we can tend to live in the shadows–the remote, the hidden. The truth of Jesus’ incarnation captures a truth that has the power to dispel this darkness and empower us to live in freedom.
As we fulfill the Great Commission to make all nations disciples, God promises to fill the earth with His glory. What is this and what significance does the gathering of local believers have in this large, grand-scale picture?
God bless those poor souls who in conversations tend to share too much about a movie and give away the surprise ending. I say “God bless” because I am one of those poor souls. But spoilers aren’t always bad! Throughout Scripture we see the very positive and aggressive advancement of the kingdom of God prophetically...
What we believe about our future impacts our attitudes and actions, either positively or negatively. There is a prevailing view in the church today that believes things will only get worse and worse until Jesus finally takes us from this nearly God-forsaken world at the Rapture. However, before 1900 the church predominantly saw the Gospel...
How do believers walk victoriously through life’s struggles? And what does this mean? Deliverance from them? Freedom from their pain? Our answer must come to grips with the fact that God’s goals are often much broader than ours.
It can be relatively easy for us to not feel very triumphant in life. Our failures can loom rather large. Yet God calls those who follow Him, His Elite Conquerors, and that in the face of suffering and struggles. To these chosen, His love never fails…even when we do!
The marketing media today wants to sell us on anything maximized: maximized health, maximized wealth, maximized success. And of course, it needs to become our next consuming passion in life, our goal, our life objective. But Scripture is VERY clear on what exactly God wants us to maximize and thereby consume us–His Glory! Everything in...
All parents pass on certain personal traits to their children. In similar fashion, God has birthed us as His children with full inheritance rights, possessing the potential to reflect Him to the world. So what parental traits are they seeing in us?
After the war for Iraq, there were (are) pockets of resistance in the face of the freedom of the Iraqi people. Even so, after the decisive battle for our freedom over sin by the cross, we have pockets of resistance Paul calls the flesh, or sinful nature. How do we walk in daily victory in...
Have you ever studied for a mid-term exam and thought you grasped all the principles only to find out afterward you hadn’t? How frustrating! Paul reviews eight principles he has covered already in his letter to the Romans and places them in a very personal life setting. Have we really grasped them? Do we really...
“Killing My Old Man.” I was both horrified and admittedly curious what Petra’s (a Christian rock band in the ’80s) new album had produced. It revealed a timeless truth of one’s conversion: the old me dies and a new me is created. Not “a better version of myself” as the popular slogan goes, or a...
We all want to be world changers, but where do we start. Well, how about the Creation Mandate, the Two Great Commandments, the Gospel, the Great Commission, and, of course, the Holy Spirit. Meredith Curtis will take you on a whirlwind tour of Scripture to explain your purpose on the earth as a child of...
Many true followers of Christ today wrestle considerably with guilt, condemnation, feelings of unworthiness before God, and rejection both in prayer and worship. This cloud follows them everywhere. Many offer solutions that hinder not help. God’s solution is both profound and forever life changing!
Mary and Martha couldn’t be more different, but they had two things in common: family & Jesus! As a close friend of Jesus, Mary sits at His feet, yet is disappointed when Lazarus dies. When she understands Jesus’ purpose in her brother’s death, her response is priceless and beautiful. Jesus loves you just as much...
Many Christians understand the centrality of grace in salvation but fail to grasp its significance in the day-to-day pursuit of holiness. They want freedom from sin but get caught up in a performance trap. Others throw out the moral law in hopes of alleviating the guilt. So how do we walk in this lavish grace...
Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing! So, let’s learn to make ourselves at home in the Presence of God through abiding. Meredith Curtis will take a close look at John 15 to inspire you to abide and bear fruit.
Unlike human courts of justice God demands more than our acquittal in His court. Consequently, in the believer’s situation, the Prosecuting attorney has been disbarred and the case has been thrown out of court. Today we will investigate this and other implications of the “more” that God does for us in His courtroom.
Zombies have hit the screen with a craze! “The Living Dead,” as they are called, spread their incurable disease, wreaking havoc on helpless humanity. Sadly, such a contagion has devastated mankind in the real world with no less fury. The infection of sin kills and destroys its victims beyond what they understand…that is, until the...
Enduring disgrace and disappointment for years, Elizabeth still honors the Lord by living a life of devotion and integrity. All those years are training ground for the adventure of a lifetime: raising a son who will be the forerunner of the Messiah! Meredith Curtis will explore her life and response to the Lord so that...
Hannah is a young woman with a problem. She has her husband’s love, but the other wife has all the children and provokes her to anguish. Is Hannah’s bareness an opportunity for the Lord to take care of a national problem? Find out when Meredith Curtis leads us in a dig into I Samuel 1...
The creation of God loudly proclaims His existence and attributes. It also reveals the sin sickness inherent in man. But instead of crying out to the Creator to rescue him, man chooses to suppress such naked truths by his immorality. What clues like bread crumbs has God revealed to us that the gospel provides the...
As we begin our series on the Gospel in the book of Romans, we must wrestle with the proper place of knowledge in the Christian life. Is it academic? Tedious? Boring? Then what did Jesus have in mind when He said that you will know the truth and it will truly set you free?!
Abigail was a wise, beautiful God-fearing woman. Unfortunately, she was married to a wicked man. When he defies God’s ways, she is able to protect her entire household. Julianna Curtis will not just tell you about Abigail, she will help you apply lessons from Abigail’s example to your own life.
God has called all of us who follow Christ to some measure of ministry. It is all too common, however, to acquire hurts, fears, and hesitancy toward ministry and recoil, even amongst leaders. But God encourages us to fan into flame that gift He has imparted to us that is beginning to dwindle.
God’s love for Sarah would not allow another woman’s son to inherit the blessing. Learn about Sarah and her walk with the Lord as we dig into Genesis with Meredith Curtis. Find out how much He loves Sarah and you, too.
What is our candid attitude toward prayer? Boring? Disappointing or frustrating? Tedious? Yet it is in prayer where we find our will bent towards God’s, and His grace is found to be more than enough. It has been in that place of utter dependency upon our Deliverer that many have experienced God’s miraculous provision. History...
Let’s take a fresh look at our great….great grandmother Eve and see her from a brighter perspective. After all, we are all daughters of Eve. Let God’s redemptive love win your heart as Meredith Curtis looks at Genesis 1-4.
Even after our defining moment of choosing to follow Christ, we can find ourselves at times still filled with guilt and shame, producing unending regrets of past failures and sins. But Christ came to set us free from our sins and its resulting condemnation. Modern day Christian psychology offers an answer that many have bought...
God gives us two answers and two antidotes in Psalm 37 for the comparisons and competition that can feed our envy.These Biblical principles have the power to break these chains that can keep us locked up in bondage and free us to enjoy all that God has given us.
Scripture is clear that pursuers of Christ will be blessed as well as their children. How do we open this door of blessing for our homes? And what will it look like? As dads, this is close to our hearts.
Nearly every one of us falls prey to the temptation to compare ourselves with others. This usually results in envying what they have, who they are or what they have accomplished. But God wants something quite different for us that results in true contentment and endless joy.
God has called us to run a race with perseverance. Much training is required to finish this race well. How do we recognize those defining moments when God is training us? What does it look like? How can we be strengthened by it? This will determine how well we run and how well we finish.
We all want to be successful, but the pathway may be a little rocky as God must sift our motives and refocus our goals.
We need to dial in a bit and take a closer look at the Rocky and Thorny Soil to understand how we can more effectively cultivate these hearts for the Gospel.
God uses parents both to plant the seed of the Gospel in our children and to help cultivate their hearts. Jesus’ parable of the four soils gives us insight in how we can do this effectively.
How could a disobedient prophet help usher in one of the greatest revivals in all of history? It is this same grace of God that is poised to be poured out upon all who discover and follow this single principle.
Many define success by their accomplishments. But what happens when we sacrifice much but accomplish little…repeatedly? Have we failed? Have we grown weary as a result? Let’s discover God’s keys to true success that empowers even the most weary!
We humans can be so emotional at times! But God does not look down upon the distraught. His heart is for the brokenhearted. Jesus especially sought to minister to the distressed when He rose from the dead. He desires to bring life to these hurting. But how do we receive this when it seems so...
Jesus declared that His arrest, condemnation as a criminal, and crucifixion was a time “when darkness reign(ed).” Satan had his way! Yet out of the greatest evil ever perpetrated came the greatest good. Satan WAS defeated; Jesus WAS victorious! So just what do you think God can do in those moments of your life “when...
Our prayer life is a good temperature gauge for the intimacy of our walk with Christ. Are we hot and fervent in spirit or cold and disinterested? We can become weary and begin to substitute the intimacy of prayer for much that the world offers. And our lives start reflecting this with little fruit. Are...
When our Enemy “crosses the line” and God does not stop him, does a sense of injustice rise within us? Do we then embrace the lie that God is unjust and unloving? If so, we have viewed these events shortsightedly and failed to see God’s big picture. But herein lies the key that will enable...
When our enemy crosses the line, Scripture challenges us to fiercely oppose him. What happens when we cross our Adversary the Devil’s line? What then becomes God’s purposes for Satan’s backlash, his persecution? These mark us as followers of Jesus and serve a specific divine purpose for His Kingdom.
In the course of obeying Jesus’ command to love our enemies, some may fiercely oppose us. At what point do we stand our ground or fight back? At what point do we withhold mercy and seek justice? To be complicit here may mean at best we have misunderstood love and at worst we have become...
Over time the accumulation of hurts can make it very difficult for us to obey Jesus’ command to love our enemies. We want to do to others what they have done to us. We want to hurt back. How then can we be freed from this bitter trap and love as Jesus did?
Enemies come in all sorts of kinds and categories. Some can be redeemed, others perhaps not. Some WE make, others cannot be won. How then do we obey Jesus’ command to love our enemies?
There are many voices in our day that speak of a Jesus and a gospel that is very different from what we find in Scripture. These voices are seductive and have led many astray from their pursuit of Christ. These have committed in a word, “betrayal.” How are we in this day to keep our...
A fairly recent observation in relationship building is what has been called “love languages.” It is how one desires to be loved. It could then be said that God’s love language would be worship. This opens a level of understanding worship that can help free us in expressing our love for God in this way...
Because of wrong views of worship, many in the church today overlook its power to help “connect” us to the God that deeply loves us. Consequently, OUR love grows cold. What is at the heart of worship that ignites our passion for Christ?
Everything we do in the Christian life must flow from this single truth. Do you want to love Jesus extravagantly and pursue Him with fearless passion? Here is the key!
We all want each new year to be better than the last. God has great things in store for you this year but experiencing them will be met with challenges. Embracing all God has for you will require the right focus. We must shift our focus off past failures and even successes in order to...
It is easy for us older believers to grow comfortable in our faith and coast. Our service and devotion become mechanical and the fire for God that once consumed us grows dim. How can God ignite in us a new passion for Him this coming year so that following and serving Jesus fills us with...
Most people confuse hope and faith, perhaps seeing hope as a weakened type of faith. But when we firmly grasp what hope is, we can understand both how our enemy sabotages our hope and how we can strengthen it as we move forward into the new year, allowing God to “restore the years the locusts...
Everyone wants to live a life that counts. But how do we do this? Both Jesus and Mary leave us a legacy that reveals the answer.
Becoming rich financially has become one of the biggest desires of our culture. Having “plenty” or more than enough allures more people every day. Jesus GAVE UP more then could even be counted or paid back, in an effort that we might become “rich in Christ.” True wealth is found only in Christ as we...
John the Baptist was said to be filled with the Spirit at birth, yet he grew and became “mighty in spirit.” This sets John up for a mighty ministry. How then can we become mighty in spirit, equipped to accomplish His ministry through us?
Those that God used mightily in Acts were filled with the Spirit after their inital immersion in God’s Spirit. What is the significance of this and how might we be “full of the Spirit” like those men?
Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances that no matter how hard we have tried to get out of, we remain in them. It is there we are told to “wait patiently for the Lord.” How do we do this well, when we want to complain and argue with God? Psalm 130 has challenging insights for...
Our past beckons us to backslide. The world taunts us to turn away from the truth. We are daily challenged to choose to stay the course and follow determinedly after Christ!
When the world starts claiming that the boredoms of heaven will be worse than the tortures of hell, the church must realize that we are to be faulted for how we have portrayed heaven. WE have promoted such ideas. But what does the Bible teach about heaven? Will it be boring or an exciting place...
You are going along in your life loving God, making disciples, serving others, and reaching the lost when disaster strikes. It might be a physical, health, financial, or emotional trial. Or it might be heartbreak. How can you stay the course and not be distracted by the enemy’s tactics? Meredith will share ways to draw...
Again, as Joshua calls his leaders to be strong in Phase 2 of the taking of the land of Canaan, he challenges all to a basic, key principle that will ensure victory, in which one may route a thousand. This key will empower all of God’s people to live a life of victory and success.
As many today are writing off the Bible’s teaching about an eternal plan of punishment, saying it is inconsistent with the divine attribute of God’s love, we need all the more to understand this doctrine and be impassioned to call the lost out of sin and darkness and into His irresistible light.
America has presently veered off course and is set on a collision with liberalism at every turn. Joshua gives a clear call to stand for Truth, unrefined and not redefined. How we respond will determine whether we stand or fall in this hour.
As the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim gave three reasons they couldn’t occupy their inheritance and Joshua countered with firm challenges, so we in America are being called to pray for and pursue revival in our land…no excuses…this is OUR inheritance!
What does it mean that the Cross defeated Satan if he is still able to tempt and lead many away from Christ? In what way then do we reign in view of Satan’s present attacks as followers of Christ?
How can you impact your children for eternity? Meredith shares tips to help moms love and train their children. If you want to see good fruit in the lives of your children, God’s ways work!
We all face giants in our lives, problems or obstacles that appear unconquerable. However, victory does not have to be elusive. Our God CAN do the impossible, but how and when will be the key questions.
As we investigate the Millennium in our study of Revelation 20:1-10, we will focus on who enters this thousand year reign with Christ, what the “First Resurrection” is, and conclude with a comparison of “the war” in chapters 16 (“Armageddon”), 19 and here.
What is the Arrival Kit? Why do we use it as a discipleship tool at Powerline? What is involved in going through the Arrival Kit with a sponsor? Meredith and Sarah answer all these questions and more.
Many times we are content with small victories when God is wanting total conquest for us. We are okay with the enemy retreating instead of totally destroying him. What might this look like in your life? Let’s find out as we study Joshua 11.
When someone gets saved, how can you help them grow up in their salvation? Meredith shares ways to impart the basics of the faith to young Christians, as well as what truths are essential for growing stronger in our walk with Christ.
We continue our discussion of the Millennium focusing on Revelation 20, asking how literal or symbolic it is and treating it fairly and contextually.
Failure CAN seem final. Though God’s discipline is real and necessary in our lives, His mercy reaches beyond this to redeem our failures (including our sins) and still use us for Himself. What can happen when a man chooses to embrace this truth?
We continue our discussion of the Millennium focusing on the order of the Day of the Lord and asking the question: Outside of Revelation 20 what does the New Testament have to say about the thousand year reign of Christ?
We all hate being deceived, having the wool pulled over our eyes so to speak. Often, however, Satan’s deception remains undealt with because a sinful practice sets precedent in dealing with future sin issues in our lives. How can we recognize this and gain victory?
Gold, silver, and precious jewels make beautiful jewelry you can wear. What does the Bible mean when it says to built with gold, silver, and precious jewels? Find out how to build effectively so that your work in others’ lives will survive the fire of trials, disappointments, and hardships.
Our study of Joshua leads us to the ambush Israel set for the city of Ai. We discover that in both Old and New Testaments, God sets ambushes for our enemy, the Devil. This powerful biblical principle opens the door to understanding difficulties in our lives as opportunities for God to show Himself mighty on...
Four views of the Millennium are analyzed with a special focus on the order of what Scripture calls “The Day of the Lord.” In this teaching we will ask the important questions of what is really at stake in a study about the Millennium and where an earthly thousand year reign of Christ could legitimately fit in the...
The taking of Jericho gives us many deep insights into how God wants His people to deal with the strongholds in their lives. You will be challenged to move past the settled, comfortable life to the soul-surrendered, victorious life.
***Caution: No punches are pulled in this candid look at the disgust of sin and the ensuing shame that can keep us from our “Promised Land.”
We continue our close look at removing those obstacles to God performing miracles in our lives and in our family.
What is your passion in life? If it is to know Jesus, serve Him, and become like Him, then learn to help brand new believers grow up in their faith.
This common title for the consummation of the ages includes the return of Christ, the resurrection, and the judgement. Special attention will be given to the question of the Rapture and the Intermediate state.
Dig into James 3 with Meredith and learn all about the wisdom you need to impact people’s lives for the glory of God. Learn to speak with kindness and impart life through teaching the Word of God.
Many times we fail to embrace God’s best for our lives because it usually lies in the realm of tremendous sacrifice and great faith. Step out of your comfort zone and into God’s best!
What power is there in meditating on God’s Word? How are we instructed in Scripture to worship in a God-encountering way instead of a culturally confined manner?
God’s plans are always better than ours. Though the Moses Generation sought to take the Promised Land as did the Joshua Generation, some very key components were missing. Those differences when applied in our lives spell the difference between success and failure.
God’s Great Commission is an exciting adventure! Learn the basics of how to build into one another’s lives while allowing others to impact us for the glory of God with the goal being to grow up and become mature.
Prayer is anything but bland. Radical devotion to this discipline can altar one’s relationship with Christ as well as one’s life course. Coupled with fasting, prayer becomes a dynamic means by which the believer apprehends the full working of God’s power in their lives.
We begin our study in Joshua entitled “Taking the Land!” The principles laid out for us in Joshua 1:1-5 will help us gear up for embracing God’s blessings in our lives.
Several views of this sacrament (or ordinance) are examined with a special emphasis placed on its tie to (though not a fulfillment of) the Jewish Passover and Jesus’ curious statement to “eat My flesh and drink My blood” in John 6. Jesus’ invitation here is vitally profound!
This session seeks to sort through the arguments for both infant baptism and believer’s baptism. One’s conclusion on this important subject should thoroughly impact his passion and purpose to follow Christ and live as He did.
Any tool misused hinders the outcome of our work. When we learn to exercise the spiritual gifts given to us, according to our faith, God does amazing things through us. God’s goal then is to expand our faith. How does He do this?
We discuss two very controversial subjects in this session: the Biblical role of women in the church and church discipline. Modern day thinking has much to say on these topics and tend to bend Biblical interpretation in its direction. The wise student will allow God to guide regardless of popular thought.
Grace is the basis to spiritual gifting. Humility is essential for these gifts to have full impact, but pride upends God’s intentions here. But how do we recognize our pride and surrender to God’s work of humbling us?
We must have clarity concerning Christ’s kingdom to extend it to the end of the earth. A special emphasis is given to appointing leadership and the purpose it serves.
The Church today needs to recapture its purpose if it is to fulfill its prophetic mandate of reaching a lost world. The local church is still the center of Jesus’ heart to accomplish this.
There is so much misunderstanding of God’s law in our day. Antinomianism reigns. And Grace is cheapened in the process!
Burdened Prayer Daniel had a glimpse of the spiritual warfare that surrounds prayer. He discovered what Paul called “praying in the Spirit.” What is this and how might we pray with such burden as Daniel did?
The Sound of Heavy Rain What is “earnest prayer”? How might we engage in it? Let’s take a deep look at Elijah on Mt. Carmel to discover some challenging insights.
The Mission of the Holy Spirit Today we will take a deep look at the mission of the Holy Spirit. We must be careful not to confuse each work as many tend to do concerning the regenerating and empowering work of the Spirit. God invites us to have an intimate relationship with the Spirit of...
God’s Powerful Praying People How “righteous” do we have to be to have prayers that are “powerful and effective”? How might my prayers “turn the heart of God”? God’s people can pray more powerfully and effectively than they think.
The Possibility of Apostasy, Part 2 We conclude our study of the possibility of apostasy with an intensive study of Hebrews 6 and 10.
The Sacrifice of Service Four women in Romans 16 exemplify the heart of the true sacrifice of service. They were commended for this…and serve as a model for mother’s today.
Attitude Determines Altitude Our attitude in the midst of trials determines the extent God pours out His grace in our lives and we find true, lasting victory for each day. The heart fully captured by and surrendered to God and His perfect intentions becomes a beautiful masterpiece of His grace.
The Possibility of Apostasy, Part 1 Is it possible for a truly regenerated disciple of Jesus to fall away from grace or is his position eternal secure in Christ? Both sides of this controversial issue are presented, concluding with a close investigation of the false teachers of II Peter 2.
The Price Tag of Disunity Is it doctrine or a deeper heart issue that brings division? Many in the Body of Christ do not give their words and actions that breed hurt and disunity a second thought. Jesus not only shares His answer on this but promises great revival in any generation that implements this...
Justification and Sanctification, Part 2 We continue our study in sanctification by analyzing Romans 7: 14-25, a passage that many throughout history have been divided on. We conclude with a glimpse into the necessity of walking in the Spirit.
Presenting or Representing Christ has purchased to represent Him well to this world. Only as we do this is Satan crushed under our feet and we walk in victory.
Justification and Sanctification, Part 1 James and Paul appear to view justification differently. The apparent contradiction is resolved when we thoroughly examine how each uses the term. This resolution throws much light on what happens at conversion and during the sanctifying process.
Objective Revival When God pours out His Spirit, empowers His people as His witness on earth, and rescues the lost on a grand scale, He does so objectively. We see it. It is a tangible reality. How can God’s people walk in the objective reality today?
God’s Docu-Drama of Grace With a review of our previous series on “Israel and the Church”, we move forward to investigate the outpouring of God’s grace since the cross and the unfolding of His sovereign plan for His chosen in this age.
Repentance and Faith With “Lordship salvation” a hot button for many in our day, we pull no punches in giving repentance its proper Biblical place in salvation and seek to restore the definition of “faith” that many have misunderstood.
“Did Jesus really rise from the dead?” Jesus resurrection has been called a myth by some. They hold that his resurrection was tale told and proliferated by the disciples in order to garner support. If, however, He really did rise, it would be the greatest display of power ever displayed in God’s saga of grace.
Election What is foreknowledge and election? With special focus on the phrase, “He chose us in him,” we seek to sort through the difficulties and dangers inherent in discussions of this topic.
“Why do you follow Jesus?” This is an important question to ask ourselves. Do we follow Him because our parents or friends do? Because we feel we should? Do we have specific expectations for what Jesus should do for us? Mike looks at the story of Palm Sunday for some answers.
The Resurrection Power of Jesus We conclude our study of Jesus Christ focusing on His resurrection and what it secured for all believers.
“Restoration of the Kingdom…” In Acts 1, the disciples ask Jesus if He is restoring the kingdom of Israel. He did not blame them for asking the question, but He also didn’t answer it. In this sermon, Mike asks some hard questions and looks for some good answers related to this passage.
Jesus’ Atonement We examine several Scriptural perspectives of Jesus’ atonement that expand our understanding of it. Special attention is given to the concept of redemption and God’s wrath (not a popular topic in our day).
“A Happy Ending” We all long for our own “happily ever after” ending and the Bible makes several references to this idea in the Old Testament. Are these passages referring the Israel becoming a nation again in 1948? Or is it something more?
“The Remnant” The Old Testament discuss a remnant and boasts of great things for them. This sermon in the “Israel and the Church” series takes a look at the context of these passages and uses New Testament authors’ interpretations to find out if these apply only to Israel or the Church as a whole.
The Deity and Humanity of Jesus We answer common objections some give to Jesus’ deity and proceed to gain a better grasp on how God became man and several reason this was necessary.
“Expansion…” Expansion is in the DNA of God’s kingdom. In this continuation of the series “Israel & the Church”, Pastor Mike discusses how God has facilitated this idea of expansion throughout history and how it is relevant for the Church today.
The Deity of Jesus Ok, so Jesus is God. Why is this so necessary to believe? We look at many Scriptures that affirm Jesus’ deity, especially those declaring Him to be Yahweh. These are excellent when witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“How Does God See Israel?” There is much discussion today about how God views Israel in light of the New Covenant and the present Church. Is God through with Israel? Are they still His chosen people? This part of the “Israel and the Church” series digs in to the Word to find out.
Common Titles of Jesus We begin our study of Jesus Christ examining certain titles that reveal His personhood. Special attention is given to a clear understanding of His title “the Lord” and how His disciples thereby recognized Him as God, come in the flesh.
“Never tire of doing what is right” God tells us to never tire of doing what is right. Paul, during his ministry in Thessolanica, worked as a tent maker and as an apostle. This was the perfect set-up for burn-out. With all of the worries and stresses and excuses this life gives us to quit,...
The Sinfulness of Man Man’s fall in the Garden had extensive impact on his nature. To what degree is man bound by his sin and, therefore, in need of rescuing?
Uniqueness of Man Our view of man and his place in creation determines how we treat one another and our surroundings. Special emphasis will be given to the concept of the soul.
Demonization and Casting Demons Out Understanding the abode of demons in Tartarus, the Abyss, the heavenlies, and humans, and the authority believers have over them.
Heavenly Beings and Demons What are the different orders of heavenly beings and what purpose do they serve? What are demons and what punishment do they endure now and in the future?
The Providence of God To what degree does God know and plan the future. Is it set? How are we to understand the extent of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility?
The Attributes of God Many suggest that all religions worship the same God. The truth, however, is that each religion defines God VERY differently. Scripture reveals the true God very clearly and makes bold demands of us to look to Him alone.
God is Creator In a day in which “science” and philosophy push Scripture to the backseat of discussions on origins, understanding God as Creator has vast implication for our past, present, and future.
Scripture’s Power and Authority Discover the power and authority of God’s Word to defeat our enemy, and transform our lives.
Scripture-Inspiration and Inerrancy Many views of inspiration are embraced in our day. Great danger lies in moving away from Scriptures’ clear teaching of inerrancy. The importance of the reliability of God’s Word cannot be overstated.
Scripture-General and Special Revelation What is general and special revelation? Why do we accept only the 66 books of Scripture as God’s revealed Word instead of the other books put forth by cults and other religions? Only God’s Truth stands as our guide for living wholeheartedly for Him.