First Assembly NLR Video Podcast: Recent Episodes
Rod Loy
When someone does you wrong, revenge can be very tempting. You aren’t alone in that temptation. In the story we look at in this message, David was consumed by the thought of revenge. We will learn the consequences of revenge and how to overcome the desire for it.
Decisions can be difficult. Deciding where to eat and what to wear may seem challenging, but it pales in comparison to major life decisions. When the question is who you should marry, which position you should accept, or where you should move, you look for a sign from God. Major decisions cause you to search for God's will.
In this message, we will look at a story where David was faced with an incredibly difficult decision. He was on the run when an opportunity arose that could have set up the future he had dreamed of. But instead of acting off of his emotions, David aligned his decisions with God's vision and plan. You will discover how David's story can help with your next major life decision.
At some point in life, we all face discouragement. Whether it's a heartbreaking doctor's report or an unexpected family crisis, life includes discouraging challenges. No matter how hard you try, at some point, you will be discouraged.
In this message, we continue our series, "Running on Empty". We will look at a story where David was trapped in a cave and fighting for his life - nothing was going according to plan. As he awaited his uncertain future, we see his response to God's faithfulness in spite of his despair. No matter your situation or circumstance, you will be reminded the Lord is faithful!
Have you ever been betrayed? Have hateful words or actions changed your life? Maybe you've learned the people closest to you can hurt you the most. Facing the attack of a once-trusted friend and learning to move on is painful.
In this message, we will rewind to Jesus' final moments before His crucifixion and the Easter story. Understanding the pain Jesus experienced at the hands of His closest followers makes His decision to die on the cross extraordinarily powerful. You will be comforted and challenged by Jesus' actions.
Do you feel like things in your life are finished? Does it seem like you have no hope? In the case of Jesus, what looked like the biggest possible loss was really a win. The end was really only the beginning. In this message, we look at the one day that changed the world forever!
What do you do when challenging times come? What is your response to the unexpected?
In this message, we look at the faithfulness of God. No matter what challenge has come your way, no matter what difficulty you face, whether expected or unexpected, you can lean on the faithfulness of God. He is always with you!
Following Jesus and making it to Heaven often seems difficult and complex. How many prayers must you pray? How much of the Bible must you memorize? Sometimes it seems daunting! But if the path to Heaven was held in a single sentence - only 19 words - would it seem easier to reach?
In this message, we will continue to learn from the final 24 hours Jesus spent with His disciples before His crucifixion. As the disciples were faced with the fear of Jesus' death, Jesus gave them 19 life changing words. In a single sentence, Jesus provided the answer that our lost world needs today!
Has there ever been a day that changed your life? In a matter of moments your life was different - things would never go back to the way they were. You look back on that day with pain or happiness. Either way, those life-altering moments tell a monumental part of your story.
This message starts our new series - "One Day that Changed the World." We look at the final 24 hours Jesus spent with His disciples before His crucifixion. His final moments were filled with historic events, extraordinary lessons, and extreme heartbreak. We begin by learning how Jesus displayed true leadership in controversial fashion - it isa challenging lesson for us all.
In this message, we finish our series by looking at the blessings God makes available to each of us through His Holy Spirit. If you are in a season of difficulty, this message will encourage you to keep going and challenge you to trust the Lord. In spite of your hurt and pain, the Holy Spirit can guide you through.
In this message, we will learn about the gifts of the Spirit and how God uses His people to accomplish His plan. Many people are confused about what the gifts of the Spirit are and how they work because they approach this topic through the lens of their tradition instead of looking at what the Bible says. we encourage you to watch ready to learn and prepared to be inspired!
In this message, we will take a look at Jesus' final words to his disciples and the events that directly followed. Many people have a variety of opinions about these events, but we look at what the Bible says! We encourage you to watch with an open mind and prepared heart!
This message kicks off our new series: "The Holy Spirit." Over the next four messages, you’ll learn about The Holy Spirit and His role in your life. Depending on your church background, you may have different ideas. We’ll base our study on the Bible! In this message, we start with a look at the practical role The Holy Spirit should play in the life of a biblical Christian. From the words of Jesus, you will discover how The Holy Spirit can strengthen your walk with God.
"...and He will give you the desires of your heart." One of the most quoted verses in the Bible...but what if it's also one of the most misunderstood? In this sermon we will discover how we can apply this promise. It could change your life!
God has a plan for each of us--including our kids. Whether or not you have children of your own, you likely have influence in the life of a child. Raising others to know and follow Jesus is an awesome privilege--and responsibility. In this message we will tackle a promise many parents cling to when their kids are far from God, but it's really a promise for all of us!
People have a lot of questions, doubts and misunderstanding about God. But, this is the biggest one of all. This is the question people who don't know Jesus wrestle with. And - to be honest, this is the question people who do know Jesus wrestle with. It's a tough one - "Why do bad things happen to good people?"
No matter what stage of life you're in, you have plans for your future--where you'll go, what you'll do, who you'll be with. But what if those plans don't work out? Or, what if your plans turn our to be no good at all? Thankfully God promised He has plans for you, too--and they are good!
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Jesus has promised to be our good shepherd.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Jesus has promised to be our good shepherd.
We continue "God's Promises," by looking at an incredibly encouraging promise made by Jesus--you don't have to walk in darkness, but can walk in light. It's absolutely life-changing!
God promises that He has a plan for our future, and that includes the future of our nation. This weekend, we will look at one of God's promises that includes specific actions and behavior on our part, in order to see the nation strong and healthy. We will look to God's word to define the position of our hearts and guide our interactions with others. It's not a message you want to miss!
What began twelve months ago as a staff discussion about which of God's promises meant the most to us has turned into what could be the most encouraging year you've ever spent in church! This weekend, we start a year long series on God's promises. Get ready to be encouraged as we learn and memorize a new promise of God each weekend here at First NLR!
Why should you forgive, when the hurt may not even be your fault? Shouldn't the offending person make the first move? This weekend, we'll take a look at Scripture to determine why forgiveness is not only a good idea--but imperative for every believer.
Forgiveness is a practice at the heart of our faith. This weekend, we'll start a new series on forgiveness by exploring what it means--and doesn't mean--to forgive.
As a church family, we understand that because every soul matters to God, every soul must matter to us. But, what does that look like in everyday life? This weekend, we'll look at practical ways of applying this guiding principle to your life.
"Every Soul Matters to God" is a phrase you hear a lot around here. ESMTG. We print it on t-shirts, cups, pens--everything imaginable! But, it's more than a catchy saying. It is a core value.
In today's sermon, Pastor Rod recounts the story of the prophet Elijah at an incredibly low point in his life. It is a model for overcoming discouragement and depression.
Naaman's is the story of an unexpected miracle and an unexpected hero. Even if you have heard this story before, you might be surprised!
Pride comes at a high price. In this sermon we will study one of the most prideful men in the Old Testament - King Nebuchadnezzar.
Pastor Rod Loy sits down with missionaries Derek and Tammy Walker to discuss their important work in Africa.
Do you ever feel like God isn't making sense? In this message, we study the story of a man who obeyed God even when it didn't make sense.
Every family is different, and sadly, today we see a lot of families who have ongoing conflict! This weekend we study one of the most famous stories from the Bible surrounding conflict within the family, and learn how to end those family feuds. It's time to resolve conflict biblically and bring unity to the family.
In this new series called "Great Bible Stories", we look at Josiah, the youngest boy to rule Judah. It is an encouraging message that will remind us that we are never too young to be used by God.
We conclude our series "Teach Us To Pray" with the last line of the Lord's prayer. It is a powerful lesson on how to maintain a healthy God-dependence, recognizing that everything we have and everything we are comes from Him!
"and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..." In a society that normalizes sin, how do we recognize temptation? How do we prepare ourselves for battle and ask the lord to give us strength to stand against temptation? Today we look at the fifth line of the Lord's prayer as Pastor Rod breaks down how to pray this way.
Forgiveness isn't an easy subject, but it is an incredibly important one. In the fourth part of his Teach Us To Pray series, Pastor Rod will discuss the key components of one of the toughest lines of the Lord's prayer. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..."
We continue our series, Teach Us To Pray, by looking at the third line of the Lord's Prayer which asks us to depend upon God for our daily needs. Pastor Rod's message will challenge you to let go and fully depend upon God for the strength you need.
We continue our series, Teach Us To Pray, by looking at the second line of the Lord's Prayer. Pastor Rod will break down this powerful sentence, teaching what it means to seek after the will of God, allowing Him to be in control.
#FirstNLR #RodLoy #TeachUsToPray #ESMTG
All followers of Christ should make the pursuit of the presence of God their first priority. Powerful blessings accompany Gods presence. In this message, Pastor Rod finishes our series on worship by talking about preparing for the presence of God.
King David made a big mistake when he tried to bring the arc of the covenant to Jerusalem the first time, and he learned a hard lesson. Pastor Rod teaches us how we can learn about effective worship through Kind David's second try. David got it right that time, and we can too.
King David, on a mission to bring the Arc of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, made a mistake in judgement that separated him and his people from the presence of God. In this message, Pastor Rod teaches how David's mistake and later his realization is a lesson to all of us about the great value of staying in the presence of God.
If you grew up in church, you probably were taught about the story of The Good Samaritan. What was Jesus really trying to teach us from this parable? What does "love your neighbor" mean to a follower of Jesus?
Watching the way we live, it appears we believe "My life consists of what I have -- my stuff." Jesus warns us about the dangers of a life consumed by greed in a parable that you may not have heard before.
One of the most confusing stories Jesus told was the parable of the talents. In this message Pastor Rod reveals how Jesus's story illustrates God's approach to his resources and our responsibilities.
From one of Jesus' parables we learn that God loves everyone and heaven celebrates when someone makes the decision to follow Jesus. From another story, we learn that God seeks after those who are lost.
There is a seat at the table for you! You are welcome to be a part of God's family. Pastor Rod looks at an incredible story Jesus told and what it means for you.
Have you ever looked down on people who don’t have “as much of God" as you? Maybe you've seen someone who is new to faith and struggling with addiction and thought, “They just need to clean themselves up.” Pastor Brian teaches what to do if you struggle with spiritual pride.
One missing piece can ruin things. A nine-thousand piece puzzle with one missing piece is worthless. Sports teams, businesses, and relationships routinely fail because of some vital, missing element. In this Easter message, Pastor Rod discusses the importance of finding that important, missing piece in our lives.
Missionaries Sam and Lisa Paris share their incredible stories from Vanuatu. You will be amazed at the incredible things God is doing on the islands.
#missions #esmtg #firstnlr
If you would like to give to these projects to further the ministry in Vanuatu, click the link below and enter your amount in the line "Vanuatu-NLR": https://app.securegive.com/firstnlr/north-little-rock/donate/category
What is the "right" way to be healed? Do miracles only happen if you follow a formula? Who has to pray if you want to be healed? Pastor Rod Loy walks through these questions and more.
Looking at stories from the Bible, Pastor Rod shares practical ways to care for someone battling long-term illness and things to remember if you are battling a long-term illness.
Pastor Rod begins our new series looking at stories from the Bible when people were miraculously healed by Jesus.
We finish our series on The Fruit of the Spirit with the final fruit, one that seems to be increasingly rare in our angry, out-of-control society: self-control.
Society doesn't often reward the gentle over the harsh or the humble over the judgmental. It has even become common for Christians to match the world's harsh injustice with a kind of "righteous" harshness. In this eighth lesson on the fruit of the Spirit, we explore the gentle attitude that Jesus expects of his followers.
What does faithfulness look like for the follower of Jesus? What is the evidence of a life of faithfulness? Join us today as Pastor Rod answers those questions in our series, Fruit of the Spirit!
The word "good" might be the most overused word in the English language. We use it to describe our children's behavior, our food, even our dog. To be "good" has come to mean "not bad", but in the scripture, good means much more. In this message on the sixth Fruit of the Spirit, we learn what the Bible teaches about goodness.
One of the most difficult fruit of the spirit to develop is patience. As members of an instant society, it can be difficult to tolerate the the aspects of life that develop more slowly. In today's lesson we explore why patience is such an important fruit for followers of Christ to produce, and how we might cultivate patience in our lives.
In today's world peace can be a rarity - It doesn't have to be though! God wants us to experience the peace He can provide on a daily basis. Learn how you can have peace regardless of your circumstances. Share and Invite your friends who need peace.
We continue our study of the Fruit of the Spirit with a look at Joy. The Apostle Paul tells us that followers of Christ should be filled with the Joy of the Lord. How can we find and live a life full of joy?
This weekend, we start a brand new series "The Fruit of the Spirit." Each week, we will look in depth at one of the Fruits of the Spirit, and be challenged to grow. We kick off our study with the dominant theme in Paul's letters... love.
God created the church and it belongs to Him. Our goal is to please Him in who we are and what we do. Your quest and mine should be for a biblically functioning community - a healthy church that fulfills the purposes of a church as laid out in Scripture.
When starting a new goal, like running a marathon, losing twenty pounds, or writing a book, there are two important components - starting and finishing. Both are critical to success. How can we ensure that our goals for 2019 are successful?
Do you struggle with unhealthy relationships? Pastor Rod Loy concludes "Come to the Table" with some keys for recognizing harmful relationships.
Pastor Rod continues our series Come to the Table with a powerful message on God's Grace.
We continue our study of David and Mephibosheth in the next installment of our series, Come to the Table. It is a powerful message stressing the importance of serving.
When your pritiories are out of order, you risk forgetting what matters to you and more importantly God. Have you forgotten the things and people that matter to God?
We bring our series, The Ten Commandments, to a close with the tenth commandment, Don't Covet. It will be a powerful exploration of the sinful desires of the heart.
We continue our series, The Ten Commandments, with the ninth commandment, a powerful message about how lies destroy relationship with God, relationship with others, and unity in the body of Christ.
Messages devoted to the eighth commandment - Do Not Steal are rare. This one is powerful, and you might be surprised how much it applies to all of us.
We continue our series on The Ten Commandments by studying the seventh commandment - Do Not Commit Adultery. We might think this is a straight forward commandment, but what did Jesus have to say about it?
We continue our series, The Ten Commandments, with the sixth commandment - Do Not Murder. It sounds like an easy commandment to follow, but the application of this commandment might surprise you.
We continue our series with the fifth commandment, Honor Your Father and Mother. Parents, you may be surprised that this isn't just for the kids!
The fourth commandment, "keep the Sabbath holy", seems like an easy commandment, but in reality it is about much more than going to church on Sunday or Saturday.
The third commandment, "You Shall Not Use the Lord's Name in Vain" is not only about profanity. You will be challenged by this thought provoking message on our responsibility to revere the name of the God.
We continue our series, The Ten Commandments, by looking at the second commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me." You might think, "I'm too smart to fall for that kind of trick. No golden calves for me!" But, I'm afraid we are often guilty of worshiping other types of idols.
The first commandment is, "You shall have no other gods before Me." The temptation is to say, "I've got this one down, I don't pray to evil spirits. I love Jesus." If that is your response, then you've missed the intent of this commandment.
Looking at the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego we learn how Jesus helps us when we walk through the fire.
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar, they knew they would be facing the fire. It wasn't a figure of speech, but an actual furnace in which they were to be burned alive. Christians must endure big problems in life, and from this story we can learn what we should remember when we are in the fire.
Everyone faces challenges in life - some easy, some hard. What do you do when you are faced with difficult circumstances and it seems like there is no way out? Pastor Rod walks through the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den and how God can help you through anything you face.
Who are the people in your life that influence your decisions? Today, we will continue our series, Daniel: Dare to Be Different by looking at a remarkable story from Daniel's life. It will be a powerful lesson on how to know who the Daniels in your life are.
At some point, every parent has hears the excuse, "But, everyone is doing it!", prompting the obligatory response "If everyone was jumping off of a cliff...". Even as adults it can be difficult to follow God's commands when the world around us expects otherwise. In today's lesson we learn from Daniel how to to the right thing even though everyone is doing it.
Satan wants you to be known not for who you are but for what you do and what you have done. He wants your sin and your past to define you. God wants you to see yourself as He sees you--to give you a brand new name.
How does God respond when you ask Him to forgive you? What does God do when you decide to come home?
Have you ever been given useless driving directions like, "Turn left four streets before the dead end." or "If you see Walmart you've gone to far."? It is maddening to be lost and helpless. When you are lost on the road or when you have lost your way spiritually, what you really need is clear directions that tell you HOW to find your way home.
We will kick off a brand new series, Come Home with a study of the prodigal son, and welcome home those who have been away from God. Come ready to be challenged to be grace filled and love more.
In this conclusion of the "I Choose Joy" series, we learn Paul's secret for possessing joy in any circumstance. This one is life-changing!
While facing unbelievable circumstances, the Apostle Paul talks about having a "peace that passes all understanding." Where did he find that peace? In a world full of chaos, violence and unrest - How can you get that same level of peace?
Paul gives the answers to the “what ifs”. If you feel stuck and you can’t seem to get moving in the right direction, or if you keep repeating the same mistakes, this is absolutely life-changing! Today can be the start of a whole new way of thinking and living.
In your life, what matters the most? There are a lot of different answers to that question, but what should the answer be? From the words of Paul, you find what the Bible says should be the most important thing in your life.
Pastor Randy walks us through ways we can deal with negative people and to choose joy or negativity.
Paul wrote the book of Philippians from prison as a letter to the struggling and discouraged church. Paul could have written, "Hey Guys, I know things are tough. Just do the best you can." Instead, Paul dramatically raised the bar - for them and for us. The entire letter is filled with instructions and commands that are almost breathtaking in their challenge.
Are you in a difficult time of life? Are you dealing with pain struggle? We continue our study of the book of Philippians and learn lessons from Paul's pain. It will change the way you view difficulty and struggles and help you discover God's purpose through the pain.
These days, the phrase "I'll be praying" and all of its variations is as common among Christians as the question "How are you?" when we encounter someone we know in passing. Praying for others should not be simply something we say; it should be something we do. When we say, "I'm praying for you", what should we pray? How should we pray? For the answer to that we look at the first eleven verses of the book of Philippians.
One thing you can expect in life is the unexpected. No matter how carefully you plan your future, things change. Good, bad, or devastating; life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Unfortunately, some people expect that following God will result in a life without struggle, trouble, heartache or problems; and they become disillusioned and mad at God when things don't go as they expect. If that is you, perhaps God hasn't let you down, but instead, perhaps what you were expecting wasn't what He promised.
When you are in a storm, survival instinct takes over. That's human nature. However, on the other side of the storm, the adrenaline is gone. Survival mode doesn't work anymore. What should be your response when the storm has gone and the rain is done?
Often, it happens without warning. It wasn't your fault. You couldn't avoid it. But, suddenly, you find yourself in a storm. It feels like it will never end - that there is no way out. In life we must experience storms, but the story of Noah teaches us how we can survive life's biggest storms and emerge stronger that before.
If you had a time machine would you use it to go back in time to change your current financial situation? We don't have the benefit of a time machine; however, we can approach the future with a different mindset and a changed perspective on money.
When it comes to money, who is the right leader? Who you follow will determine whether you end up in the right place or the wrong place. Today we discuss four Biblical principles that you can follow to ensure that God is leading your financial decisions.
Have you decided that you are a failure? From the story of Adam and Eve, the first failure of all time, God revealed the pattern of His relationship with man; and how he will respond to your failures.
Wouldn't things be different if Adam and Eve had resisted the temptation of the serpent? From their failure in the garden, we can learn how to handle temptation when it comes.
Last year, in our series titled "Jesus Is Worth It", we discussed the cost, worth, and value associated with following Christ, but there is another side to that coin. Through Adam's disobedience in the garden, we learn that sin carries a high price.
You know that God has a plan for your life, but there is one other factor in the equation -- one other plan that exists. Satan has a plan for your life as well. Being able to recognize his tactics will help you avoid falling into his trap.
Unfortunately, many people struggle spiritually because of past hurts they received in church. No church can be perfect because people are involved, but using the first century church as a guide, we can work to display these twelve characteristics of a healthy church.
Pastor Rod talks about the best way to start off the new year. How to avoid being the Same YOU in a new year.
If the thought of spending Christmas with your family fills you with dread, or if you don't have family to send Christmas with. Remember that You are part of God's family. Because He is your "Everlasting Father", you are His forever daughter or His forever son. You are part of His family!
When we are reluctant to worship, perhaps we have simply forgotten what Jesus has done for us. He is bigger than anything we face. He is strong, mighty, great and powerful... Jesus is Mighty God!
The Bible teaches us that it is wise to seek good counsel. While there are many wonderful sources of good counsel--professional therapists, mature believers, spiritual mentors--there is none better than our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Counselor who holds our future in His hands.
This is the first message in a series entitle Jesus Is... We must keep in mind during the holiday season that Jesus IS wonderful.
What do we value? Worth and value are directly tied to priorities, so others are able determine our priorities by watching where we put our time and money. Since we decide what we value, we should make sure that we are prioritizing the things that matter to God.
Have you ever bought something from an unknown seller to save a few dollars only to find out later that it would have been better to spend the extra money to deal with someone who could be trusted? Trust and value are connected. The more you trust, the more willing you are to pay the price.
Have you ever looked at what someone else paid for something and said, "That's not worth that kind of money!"? How about being mid-way through a frustrating job and thought, "Is it worth all of this stress?" Likewise, we observe the difficult life of Paul the Apostle and wonder why he would be willing to face imprisonment, torture, and possible death time after time in so many places? Paul believed that Jesus is worth it!
When you have the courage to defeat your Giant, you also inspire others to do the same. Young David's triumph over Goliath and the Philistine army, teach us a valuable lesson about the contagious nature of courage.
We all love a powerful speech from a great leader. Young David gave perhaps the greatest speech of them all while standing toe to toe with Goliath, and through his words we learn how to face down the giants in our life.
Have you ever faced a challenge that makes you think: "There's no way. I can't do this. I don't have a chance"? This week, we continue "Giant" with an encouraging message that will restore your hope!
Young David was the only person willing to fight Goliath, and yet he still had to deal with critics. We all face critics, and David's response to his critics help us understand how we can silence ours.
David, a simple messenger boy from the country, was the least likely person to end the forty-one day stand-off with Goliath. God can make a giant killer out of anyone, regardless of age or size... anyone who is willing to fight.
In one of the Bible's most epic stories, the army of Israel faced a enormous, terrifying giant. Goliath was unstoppable as long as no-one was willing to fight. From David we learn that if we are to ever defeat the giants in our life, we must decide that it's time to fight.
Titus was a young leader in training, assigned by Paul to look after the new church in Crete. We can learn much about leadership from Paul's letter to Titus, in which he lists the qualities of a great leader.
As we see in sports, television, politics, and even in how we use our social media accounts, popular culture rewards those that self-promote. As we learn from our study of Paul's instructions to the people of Crete, Christians are supposed to stand out by being humble.
To some so-called Christians, the concept of grace has been interpreted as permission to live how we want to live. But, we learn from studying Paul's letter to Titus and the church on the island of Crete, that we must live as an example to others.
You only live once, and you intend to make this life count, but when your plans go wrong it is easy to think that maybe God isn't planning to use you like you thought? Through the story of Mordecai and Esther you can find assurance that God is still preparing you for your moment.
Esther had a lot to lose when her cousin asked her to approach King Xerxes to save her people. From the story of Esther we learn how to recognize when the moment that God has been preparing us for arrives.
What can we learn from one of the most ruthless and evil dictators in history? In todays message we learn how not to be like Xerxes, one of the biggest jerks in the Bible.
Anger and bitterness are destructive forces as we learn from the story of Haman in the book of Esther.
In this lesson we learn how the right actions of a compassionate, Jewish man in exile honored God, earned the gratitude of his king, and ultimately saved his people.
Pastor Rod Loy will share important lessons from the journey his wife Cindy and family went through when Cindy was diagnosed with cancer.
If you are currently in a battle - This message is for you!
Do you feel too insignificant for your needs to matter to God or anyone else? We learn from the story of two blind beggars that Jesus is interested in those who others ignore. Ask anyway.
In this message, Pastor Rod teaches about the freedom and protection that comes from submitting to Gods authority.
Becoming a Christian isn't a free pass to a storm-free life. On the contrary, Jesus warned that His followers will have difficulties in this life. Thankfully, as Jesus's disciples discovered one evening on the Sea of Galilee, we can weather the storms of life as long as Jesus is in the boat with us.
We continue the Never Forget series with a beautiful story of four men who risked everything to bring their friend to Jesus.
By looking at the life of Zacchaeus in the Bible, we see that Jesus has a plan for everyone.
After being caught in sin, consequences come. It seems like every time you turn around, there is another consequence. Does it feel like God's plan for you has been ruined forever? In this message, we learn from King David's response to his own failure that God has provided a path to complete restoration.
As we begin a new series called "I've Got A Secret", we discuss secret sin and the destructive nature of secrets, as well as the pattern of thinking that leads to sin, and some safeguards you can put in place.
This message Pastor Rod teaches us one of the most difficult lessons he has ever had to preach. He will challenge us to raising the bar with our attitude and behavior.
We continue our "Ouch!" series with Jesus's radical teaching about how you are supposed to act toward your enemies. It is a completely different way to live!
We continue our series by looking at a command of Jesus that is often difficult to follow. This one is life-changing! You will be challenged to make things right with other believers and to learn to forgive.
Unfortunately, some people avoid church because they fear encountering "judgmental church people". Whether their fear is based on reality or just perception, it is still a problem. In fact, it is an old problem that Jesus addressed in his day.
Did Jesus really say, "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off"? Ouch!, that sounds extreme! What did Jesus really mean, and how can this passage help us eliminate sin from our lives?
It isn't a matter of if we will face difficulty as followers of Jesus, but when. However, Jesus told us that we should be happy when we suffer for His sake. How can we rejoice and be glad when we suffer because of Jesus?
When your reality is far from your expectation, the result is disappointment. In this message, Rod Loy talks about how to deal with it. There is hope!
What do you do when your dreams have died - when it's obvious that what you hoped for and dreamed for isn't going to happen?
What you do when you've lost it all? When everything you've worked for is gone? When everything is falling apart? The answer might surprise you!
If you've been hurt and want to lash out or get even, check out this message first. It will make you think in a different way about revenge.
“How do I know God’s will for my life?” is a difficult and important question. It’s not always easy or clear. In this message, we look at a situation in David’s life and three questions that kept him from missing God. If you are trying to make key decisions or determine God’s direction, this is an important message for you!
At some time or another, everyone faces discouragement, even depression. In this message, Pastor Rod Loy continues the Under Pressure series by talking about how to deal with discouraging times. You will learn some of God's awesome promises!
When you are desperate, there is a predictable pattern of mistakes. In this message, we learn how to recognize those mistakes and how to escape the pattern. This message could change your life!
God's desire for us to be a healthy church. How many people attend? Not the point. How cool is our building? That's not the goal. Our goal and our purpose is to create life long followers of Jesus. What does a healthy church do? What does it look like? Why is it important for a church to be healthy?
Many people make long lists of New Year's resolutions, only to abandon them by mid-February. If we ever want to change, and change in the right direction, maybe it's time for a new approach. What would happen if you could discover the one thing that God wants for you this year?
Why was Jesus born in a stable? Why are shepherds and wise men part of the story? What is the real significance of this story that we revisit every year at Christmas time?
Anyone can be a great person and wonderful Christian when things are going well. When everyone likes you, you have plenty of money, you are healthy, and life is smooth, it's easy to be positive, faith-filled, and energetic. But what about when the road is rough? What will you be like then? What will be revealed about you when the pressure is on?
Even as a follower of Jesus, we will experience hardship and difficulty in this life. Expect it and decide ahead of time how you will react. Now is the time to attach yourself to good people who will stay with you when times get hard. How can these connections affect your life?
In this message, we begin looking at the most famous prison break in the Bible. It’s an incredible story of courage and determination in the face of an impossible situation. If you are facing difficulty or hardship, the lessons will be life changing!
In this message, Pastor Rod continues our series with an incredible freedom story. You'll be inspired and encouraged to believe for your miracle!
Most of us have never been in prison. But, there may be an addiction or a problem in your life that is holding you captive. Maybe there is a situation or relationship that you don't know how to escape. In this series, Pastor Rod Loy looks at prison stories from the Book of Acts, and uncovers some valuable lessons about freedom.
Missionary Steve Pennington ends our series with what is one of the best missions messages we've ever heard! Steve shared some stories from Africa and gave us some new insight on a familiar Bible story.
In this message, Pastor Rod Loy continues our series Dangerous Road Ahead with two key principles that will help you keep going when things look uncertain and dangerous. You'll be encouraged!
In this message, Pastor Rod Loy talks about making it through life's dangerous roads. We'll also hear about some amazing people who choose to face danger while serving Jesus.
Pastor Rod Loy finishes our "Only God" series with the story of an unlikely candidate for a miracle, who received his healing in an unusual way. You can still believe for your miracle!
Are you in a season of life where there is just never enough? Never enough money, time, energy? In this message, Pastor Parker Loy looks at two miracles from Scripture and the message for you. You will be encouraged to believe God for miracles!
What should we do when we can't "feel" God? In these spiritual dry times, what does it mean to dig a ditch?
Have you ever had a problem that was too big to handle? It doesn't look like you have a chance. In this message, Pastor Rod Loy looks at the story of an upset victory by an underdog. We can learn what to do when the odds are against us!
Have you given up on your prayers being answered? Has your dream died? Do you think it's too late for your miracle? In this message, Rod Loy looks at a story of a miracle in the Bible and a mother who would not give up. You can get your hopes up!
When you have big problems, but no answers; big needs, but little left, it can be frightening and discouraging. You wonder if there is any answer, any hope. Where is God in this situation?
In this message, Pastor Rod Loy looks at the question, "Do we keep it all for ourselves, or do we share with everyone else?"
Everyone wants to be a leader. There are many books and resources about becoming a leader. But, the Bible is also filled with faithful followers. In this message, Pastor Rod Loy looks at the story of a famous follower.
Too many Christians look at the world around us and only see the negative: they fret and worry about dark days ahead for the Church. While we should be aware of what is happening in the world, the Bible tells us the end: We Win! The Bible tell us to be confident in our faith, because God wins in the end. We should walk in victory, and not fear!
The word "holiness" brings to mind a lot of different definitions, depending on your age or where you live. Is it a certain way of dressing, or rules about where you can go and what you can do? What does the Bible mean when it says that followers of Christ should be "separate" from the world?
We are used to shouting, cheering, and celebrating after a sports win, but many of us have forgotten that all throughout the Bible, God's people celebrate His goodness in the same way. The modern American church seems to have lost its shout.
One of the things we seem to have lost over time is our song. Sometimes life gets us down. How can we have joy, how can we sing with the way the world seems to be going today? Have you been there? What do you do when you lose your song?
It's an interesting time in America right now. It seems like a lot of people have lost their sanity. They are going crazy, giving in to fear and believing some of the most ridiculous things. Remember, we serve a God who is everywhere. He is bigger, stronger, and mightier than any crisis or political party. What can Christ followers do to restore some sanity on our culture? You may not like the answer.
It's a horrible feeling to lose something special and important to you. In this message, Pastor Rod Loy talks about something many Christians seem to have lost - something special, important, that Scripture commands. Too many Christians have lost their smile. They don't display the joy of knowing, following, and serving Jesus.
The American church hasn't always been willing to talk about suffering. But we can't avoid the topic - the Bible spends a fair amount of time on this subject. How should a believer face suffering?
Loneliness can affect all of us. Sometimes it is for a moment, and sometimes it seems like it will never end. What can we do at these times of life?
Sometimes, it seems like the storms of life just drag on and on. Then, you think maybe things are settling down. But then there's one more thing. Sometimes, it's the one more thing that tips you over the edge. You survived a major storm, but now, here you go again. What can we do when one more thing pops up in our lives?
When you are in a storm of life, you deal with so many emotions, like fear, loneliness, and anger. When the storm drags on, you may deal with discouragement or depression. So, what do you do? How do you survive life's storms?
We all go through storms in our lives. We're not talking here about natural storms: thunderstorms, hurricanes, or blizzards. We all face storms of life: divorce, sickness, sorrow, or death. It's like there is no way out and no hope. You don't always know where to turn, but you definitely want the storm to end! What should you do when you find yourself in a storm?
We all go through storms in our lives. We're not talking here about natural storms: thunderstorms, hurricanes, or blizzards. We all face storms of life: divorce, sickness, sorrow, or death. It's like there is no way out and no hope. You don't always know where to turn, but you definitely want the storm to end! What should you do when you find yourself in a storm?
When you look at the title of this message, you may think, "I don't need any help making bad decisions. I'm good at that on my own!" But in this story from the Bible, we learn the patterns of bad decision making so we can recognize it in our lives and change our approach.
The lostness of our world should break our hearts. What is our reaction supposed to be to all the hurt and pain? Sin should break our hearts and move us to tears. We are supposed to share our faith! In this message, Pastor Parker Loy looks at the story of the Apostle Paul in Athens, and how he shared his faith with that culture. What he did applies to us in our culture, too!
One of life's biggest problems is something most people don't see as a problem at all - success. We've all failed, but many times the more difficult test of an individual is how they handle success.
You should be able to walk in the door of church and feel loved and accepted. But any time people live, work, or spend lots of time together, conflict inevitably happens. Even at church, people can disagree. The true test of faith and maturity is - how will we conduct ourselves, and how can we resolve these issues? What does it mean to resolve conflict Biblically?
In this message, we look at one of the most incredible stories in the Bible. Two guys, as different from each other as they could be, both had incredible visions from God. One was a Christian, and the other was a Christian killer. It's a story filled with danger, intrigue, surprise, and adventure.
Do you have conflict, tension or broken relationships in your family? In this message, we learn reconciliation lessons from a touching, powerful story in the Bible. Families can be healed!
If you have credit card debt, it's one of, if not the biggest, sources of stress in your life. It affects your health, your marriage, and your family. You can change your thinking and patterns in your financial life! In this message, Pastor Rod Loy looks at causes of debt, and ways we can pay it down and live debt free.
People spend a lot of time planning for weddings and honeymoons, but don't often spend a lot of time planning for a successful marriage. In this message, Pastor Rod Loy shares some principles that will make a marriage thrive, regardless of what stage of life you are in.
We're all getting older. We have a choice. Do we want to be a good old person who encourages younger generations and shows them the way to go, or will we be grouchy and negative in our older years? What can we do to ensure that we will be a good old person?
Families come in all shapes and sizes. One of our core values is We Must Build Healthy Families. How can we make our families spiritually healthy?
The result of all the scams and lies in our culture today is that we don't know who or what to trust. Does the way we trust people affect how we trust God?
For the follower of Jesus, success is to be faithful. That's the goal - faithful to God, faithful to your family, faithful to your spouse, faithful to your job. God promises His blessings, what the world views as success, in response to your faithfulness. But how can we be faithful in everything?
People have a lot of questions, doubts, and misunderstandings about God. This is a question that people who are believers and people who don't know God wrestle with. It's a tough one. Why do bad things happen to good people?
It's easy to forgive someone who cuts you off in traffic, or the bully from Third Grade. You can get past things like that. The people closest to you are more difficult to forgive. The hurts are deep. The memories stay fresh. What is forgiveness, and what is it not?
Negative thinking is the pull to see everything and everyone through a critical, cynical grid. This pattern of thinking holds you back, diminishes your influence and keeps you from developing relationships with others. In this message, Pastor Brian Dollar examines how to get rid of "stinking thinking."
How does God get through to someone whose conscience has been seared, who no longer feels or knows the difference between right and wrong?
We all hate to wait. The worst waiting is when you have a dream, or a promise from God that hasn't come to pass yet. You know what should happen. But it's not happening. This is the place where many people give up on His promise, their assignment, or their dream. But what is happening while we wait?
When you are faithful in how you treat others and are generous, you can expect to be blessed. You can't expect to be blessed when you are disobedient. We all understand that. But, how do you respond when you've been faithful and things still go wrong?
If you know you are capable of sin - that's the tug of the human heart - then you need to know how to handle temptation - the impulse to sin. You need to learn boundaries, safeguards, and strategies to overcome Satan and His agenda to destroy you.
Dreaming looks into the future and visualizes the world as God meant it to be. Dreaming is about seeing reality through God's eyes.
Sometimes when we have a dream from God, we feel like the path should be smooth and easy sailing. But often, life is not that way. In the story of Joseph, we can learn some important principles from a very complicated life.
What does it mean to be a healthy church? What makes a church healthy? What principles are important to make sure our church is healthy and growing?
In this final message of our Year with Jesus, Pastor Rod examines Jesus: what can we learn from His interactions with people about His character, His priorities, and His values? What does it really mean to follow Jesus?
No telling of the Christmas story is complete without the star: Jesus. But He is more than just a baby born long ago. He is the Savior.
The arrival of Jesus changed everything. Jesus did not come as a savior for one selective group of people. Jesus came for all people.
When we tell the Christmas story, we don't spend a lot of time dwelling on Herod the Great, who brutally ruled the area where Jesus was born. But his story is an important part of the real Christmas story.
The Bible doesn't say much about Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. But we can learn a lot about what it takes to be a person of integrity by his actions. He was wiling to give up his own plans and dreams in order to further God's plan for our world.
Our society is once again racing headlong into the Christmas season. But for the next 40 days, we are going to slow down and really consider the first Christmas. We're going to look closer and learn from the main characters in the story. Perhaps the most famous woman in the Bible is Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was fantastically used by God.
Closed, locked doors do not stop God! Pastor Rod finishes our missions series with more stories about the Gospel reaching into impossible places, and how one 5 year old boy made a difference in a distant country.
There are countries all over the planet that are closed to the Gospel. But closed and locked doors don't stop God!
Doors can be used to let people in, but they can also be used to keep people out. Or keep people in. We're not talking about literal doors in this series, but figurative ones. People and people groups, and in some cases, entire countries that are closed to the Gospel.
Have you ever been in a situation where your supply was just not enough? Have you ever totaled your expenses and your income just didn't cut it? Pastor Brian Dollar looks at one of Jesus' most unusual miracles, which reminds us that God knows our needs.
Maybe you feel like your situation is hopeless - like you don't have a chance - that all hope is gone? Maybe you just feel like giving up. It's a horrible feeling. But with Jesus, even in our darkest moments, it's never too late!
Your biggest crises reveal your best friends: the people you can always count on, someone you can trust. Sometimes, we need someone to lean on. We give up on people who reject us and move on. But not Jesus. He comes back over and over. He wants relationship with you.
There is likely something in your life that is out of control. It didn't start that way, you didn't plan on losing control, but you have. Regardless of what has you trapped, you can be free.
We have been taught that faith is a formula. If we'll just pray the right prayer, do the right things, give in the right offering, or go to the right church, God will heal and bless us. But is that the case? How much is up to you, and how much is up to God?
In our culture, we've devalued the word "miracle." But a real miracle is not something that people can do, it's something only God can do. You may think that you or something in your life is too far gone. It's too late to change. But your opinion of when it is over and too far gone is not necessarily right.
After Jesus physically left the earth, His disciples accomplished amazing things! The reason was not their ability or accomplishments. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit -- the Helper who worked in them and through them. The Holy Spirit still works in and through us today!
What does peace mean to you? A lot of people think of peace as an absence of trouble, but life isn't like that very often. When Jesus talked about peace, what did He mean?
Jesus said "I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." What does that mean? What are things that keep us from having abundant lives today?
Why did God send His Son, Jesus, to earth? What was so important that Jesus would leave Heaven and all its perfect wonder to come to flawed, messed up earth?
In life, you are going to experience conflict. It's inevitable. How we deal with conflict makes the difference. Jesus had another radical idea about go through your conflicts. In this message, Pastor Randy Jumper examines how Jesus said we should restore broken relationships
This is one of Jesus' most challenging statements. But we can't avoid it. We must deal with it, because for many people, this is the single biggest issue in their lives. It's an issue that keeps people locked in the past - in a cycle of bitterness, anger, hurt, and regret.
We say it often, Every Soul Matters to God. But do we really believe that? Did Jesus really die for all people? Or, are there some people who are just too bad, even for God? It is possible to disqualify yourself from God's love and forgiveness?
Jesus said we are supposed to love our enemies and do good to those who curse us. What in the world? How are we supposed to do that? In this message, Rod Loy examines one of Jesus' most counter-cultural statements.
Worry isn't a new problem, and these days there is never any shortage of things to worry about. Thankfully, Jesus was not silent on the subject. He knew our struggles and offered a solution - a completely different way to approach daily concerns.
Our world tells us it's all about ME. But Jesus has a different take on things. In this message, Pastor Brian Dollar talks about another of Jesus's teachings that seem so out of step with our world.
In life, it can sometimes seem like we are stuck in impossible situations. Our human minds struggle to understand because a lot of things are impossible, or seem impossible, but the Bible tells us over and over, that nothing is impossible with God.
In this series, we are looking at bold, counter-cultural teachings of Jesus that have changed the way people view life, circumstances, relationships, and problems. In this message, Pastor Rod Loy looks at Jesus' teachings on money. Jesus said we should be more concerned with treasures in Heaven than on earth. What does that mean? How can we do it?
Are you a doubter? You can read so many crazy stories, hoaxes, and conspiracies on the Internet these days, it's hard to believe if anything is the truth anymore. Thomas, one of Jesus's disciples, had a hard time believing that Jesus had actually risen from the grave. The way Jesus showed him the truth is the same way He helps us when we doub
We are studying Jesus' encounters with unlikely people. In this message, we look at a lifetime loser with multiple failures. Life was empty, she couldn't find fulfillment. Then, in an instant, everything changed.
In the short time Jesus was in active ministry on earth, you'd think He would choose the best and the brightest to be his disciples, but that wasn't the case. In some cases, he chose people you'd never think would make good followers. But He saw the potential in people like Matthew, and He sees the potential in you, too.
The church is the one place where you shouldn't have to fear being judged and rejected for your past. We should be able to bring our hurts, sins, and our pasts to church and receive acceptance and forgiveness. But, it can be a real fear. Will people condemn me? Will God even accept me?
In the ancient world, children were considered to be very low status, valuable to families only if it was thought they could be productive. Jesus had a radical attitude about children: that all of them were priceless treasures who had a part in God's Kingdom.
Many people picture God sitting up in Heaven with a big stick, waiting for you to do wrong so He can punish you. He can't wait to catch you. In this message, we see that Jesus tells us things are very different.
Do you have questions about God and Christianity? The greatest verse in the Bible was originally said to someone who was curious and had questions.
It's a tough place to be, in the middle of a crisis. When it doesn't turn out the way you thought it would, it's easy to give up. It's easy to pack your bags and walk away. But when things seem to be going wrong, God's plan for your life still applies. In this message, Pastor Randy Jumper examines the story of the road to Emmaus.
The value of something is determined by how much someone is willing to pay for it. At Easter, we celebrate that God made the decision to value us.
Everything in Jesus' life pointed to this one event. From day one, this was Jesus' purpose on Earth. Saving the world was Jesus' assignment, His purpose, and God's plan. For that to be accomplished, He had to die.
Jesus was betrayed, not just by Judas, but the other disciples abandoned Him as well. His closest friends let Him down. If you feel like you've let God down, like He could never forgive you, and no longer has a plan for you, you need to hear the full story of the night Jesus was betrayed and how He responded.
At the Last Supper, Jesus didn't give the disciples a pep talk. He knew what was coming. He knew the disciples were in for the fight of their lives. Life with Jesus is not worry and trouble free. He never promised that. But He also promises to be with us through it all.
Week after week, people who are burned out, stressed out, and worn out come staggering into church. They need to be introduced to Jesus, He alone is the way, the truth, and the life and we have been looking fo
At the Last Supper, Jesus humbled Himself and served His disciples. What would happen if we all had an "others first, me last" mindset?
Jesus said we should love our neighbor as ourself. So the question is: who is my neighbor? Pastor Parker Loy takes a look at one of the most famous stories in the Bible to see how Jesus answered this questio
Like the Pharisees of the Bible, we often make up rules that have little to do with Scripture. Too often, love seems to give way to judging. Grace has been replaced by score keeping. What did Jesus have to say about this? How should we respond?
Are you in a storm? We're not talking about weather, but a life storm - when it feels like your life is crashing all around you. It may seem impossible, unending, and devastating. Jesus, on the other hand, isn't frightened in the least by your storm.
Often, we think we don't have any talents to use for God, but the Bible says that He can use our particular gifts, even when they seem small to us.
Are you grateful? It's not enough for us just to be obedient to God. He also commands us to be grateful. What does a grateful life look like?
Following Christ is not a free ticket to everything we've always wanted. Jesus tells us that in order to follow him we must be willing to pay the price he requires of us. What is the price tag for following Jesus?
Just like a tree, the product of your life reveals what's in your heart. You can't claim to be good and do evil. Your heart reveals itself in your words and actions.
What makes a church healthy? In this message, Rod Loy looks at the model we should follow for building a healthy church.
Most people make big plans for the New Year - life-altering decisions called resolutions. Most of the time, though, we waste these opportunities at "do overs." This struggle is not new. And just like everything else we face, the Bible has some answers.
Over the week of Christmas, business will shut down, schools will let out and stores will be absolutely packed. In an increasingly secular society, everything still stops for Christmas. Why? What's the big deal about Christmas?
Worry is fear about things that haven't happened yet or are already in the past. Worry is toxic. It affects your relationships, your energy, and your health. It can dominate your thinking. No one enjoys worrying. But, how do you stop? What's the answer? Is there a cure?
The dictionary definition of weary is: physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain; faitgued; tired. Does this describe you? What do you do? Is there an answer? Is there hope?
We all like to receive gifts. But in this message, Pastor Rod talks about a gift from God - a gift we really need in life's most difficult, stressful times.
Long-term illness is a topic the church doesn't often address. In this message, Pastor Rod answers some questions about long-term illness as we look at a famous healing in the Bible.
You can't "kind of" follow Jesus. It's all or nothing. Reaching out to others is part of the deal - whether that's here in the US, or some remote corner of the world. That's what missions is about. We creatively build bridges and strategically partner with other bridge builders in order to lead people to Jesus.
Our mission as followers of Jesus is to be "bridge builders", to share the Good News about Jesus, whose death on the cross bridged the gap between God and man. Having walked across that bridge ourselves and discovered the love of God, we have an obligation and an assignment to help others walk across the bridge, too.
You want to get to God. You need to get to God. But the distance is too great. You can't make the leap. It's not humanly possibly for you to figure out a way to God. We can't do it on our own. What you need is a bridge. What is that bridge?
It's often hard to tell someone the truth. Really, we should be grateful that someone loves us enough to tell us the truth. But that's not always the way it is in life, is it? The old saying, "the truth hurts," is often true.
Are you trying to live your life without God? Are you wondering why life isn't going like it seems it should? Just like a car, we can't run on empty...
In life, in business, in society, even in the church world, there's a subtle, and sometimes not so subtle pull toward self-promotion. But there's a principle: you can't exalt Jesus while promoting yourself.
When you spend time with God, you act differently, you feel different, and people can notice the change. But God's presence has a purpose!
Have you been fighting a major battle? You've been trying to win on your own and failing miserably. Why? There are some battles you just can't win by yourself. We need each other.
Have you ever felt lost, not on the road, but in life? The times, the seasons in your life when nothing seems to make sense, when things aren't coming together and you can't seem to find direction. God knew we would have times in our lives when we feel lost, lonely, confused, and afraid - full of questions and searching for answers.
This episode examines how Moses reacted when his people dissappointed him and turned away from God.
Who is your enemy, or what is your enemy? It could be depression, sickness, or fear. When things are going wrong, when we are under attack, we have an alarming tendency to become enemy-focused. We focus on our enemies instead of on God. But God has a plan for our enemies!
When the circumstances in your life are overwhelming, when it looks like there is no way out, keep going! God has something to say to you!
God is a God of mercy and love. But, looking at the Word of God, it is clear there is also a time when God judges wickedness. What are some things we can learn from Moses and the plagues that struck Egypt?
We want God's plan as long as it is easy, and makes sense. We want it to be logical, detailed, and complete with every step clearly laid out in advance. But what happens when we don't know all the details? Like Moses, will we find it hard to obey God at first?
Sometimes we all have "wilderness" times: when we feel horribly alone and forgotten. We might wonder if God even knows where we are...
We are obsessed with speed. We want what we want - and we want it now! Are we that way with God, too? Are we even impatient with our Heavenly Father who knows what is best for us? In this message, Pastor Patrick Lander continues the story of Moses and his impatience with God's plan.
We often wonder "why?" We search to find a reason, meaning or purpose in difficult circumstances, unjust decisions, and unreasonable people. When there are no good answers, it forces a difficult decision: Will you trust God despite circumstances?
There is a final level of stewardship that we don't often see in America - sacrifice. What does it mean to sacrifice?
Sometimes, Christians mistake obedience for generosity. If you tithe, you are simply being obedient to what the Bible teaches. But being generous takes you to the next step!
Stewardship acknowledges: everything I have comes from God. What is the starting point of stewardship? What must we do first if we want to be good stewards of what God has given us?
Jesus taught a lot about money and stewardship. 15% of Jesus' teaching was on the subject of money and our possessions, more than all His teachings on Heaven and Hell combined. He spent so much time on the subject because He knew that the whole area of money and finances is a difficult area for people to obey God. There are some powerful Kingdom principles about money that can and will alter your life and future.
If you are a Christian, you are a square peg. You will never quite fit with society because you live by a different set of values. No matter how hard you try, you won't ever completely fit - and you're not supposed to. But, what does that look like? How do you live that out?
Real love - putting others first - caring about others - sacrificing your own interests, opinions and agendas for the sake of others - is a counter-culture way to live. What does God say about love in the Book of First John? It's one of the hardest, most convicting passages in the entire Bible.
Our world is obsessed with love and the search for love. Songs, TV shows, books, and movies have covered the topic over and over. We were designed by God for relationship, and we long for it. But so many people look in the wrong places.
Sin isolates you. But the good news is, even in that isolation of sin, Jesus sees you. He does more than just see you. He comes to your aid. In this message, Pastor Patrick Lander continues our look at the book of First John.
There are many different kinds of people, but Jesus brings us together. We may not have anything else in common, but we have Jesus in common. It's all of us - together. Connected by Jesus. We are family - the family of God!
When you think of Easter, what image or picture comes to mind? It's OK to think about food, family, and fun. But the day honors something so much more important than that. In this message, Pastor Rod Loy talks about three pictures that tell the story of Easter.
In this final message in the series, Pastor Rod Loy looks at the final section of the 23rd Psalm - a promise of what the Good Shepherd has prepared for us.
The Lord protects you from enemies and harm and positions you for blessing. Your Good Shepherd prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies. Jesus even faced death before you, so you would not have to fear death. What a wonderful, Good Shepherd.
When things are going your way, if feels like anything you try is going to succeed. You love those times and wish you could make it last forever. But, inevitably, something comes wrong. Difficulty comes. Challenges and obstacles arise. You're in a deep, dark valley that seems like it will go on forever. What do you do? How do you survive? Will you survive?
No matter how far you've wandered and left the flock, the Good Shepherd seeks you out. The word "restores" is present tense, not past tense. It's something God does now, immediately. There's not a waiting period to be restored by God.
Are you stressed? The world today is a busy, stressful place. But we can find rest. Jesus, our Shepherd, prepared the way for us so you can find rest and peace.
The 23rd Psalm might be the best known chapter in the Bible. This Psalm is on greeting cards, crafts, rugs, pictures, and paintings. The words are very familiar. But familiar words don't always mean understood words. In this series, Pastor Rod Loy will transform a passage that can seem rote and remind us that it is one that is rich with meaning.
We should look at life with a "long lens." A long lens, like a telescope, lets you see what you can't see at a casual glance. A long lens lets you see trouble or opportunity way out on the horizon that you can't see now.
Accountability is vital to growth and change. But if you want to ruin your life, avoid accountability. Don't let anyone challenge your decisions and actions. Don't allow anyone to ask you the tough questions. What is the result when we live without accountability?
Our society encourages us to compare ourselves with others - the way we look, how much stuff we have, the products we use. But the problem with comparison is - whether you win or lose, in the end you'll always lose.
Your words have power. When you open your mouth before you engage your brain, it leads to disaster. In this message, Brian Dollar talks about the power of our words, and some steps we can take to help us think before we speak.
In our world today, there is an epidemic of selfishness. Everywhere you look, people are consumed with living for themselves. Why is this a problem?
Holding onto a grudge is refusing to forgive. Instead of forgiving, you carry the hurt or offense with you. This one issue keeps people locked in the past - in a cycle of bitterness, anger, hurt, and regret. What steps can we take to forgive?
Many of us make chasing what feels good their life strategy. The thought is, if it feels good, how could it be wrong? "If it feels good, do it" could be the theme of our society. We are a culture motivated by convenience and feeling, instead of principle. What does this produce in the long run? How are we supposed to live?
Do you want to ruin your life? Do you want to be miserable and unhappy? Probably nobody would answer "yes" to those questions. But, every day, we all face decisions and choices that could lead to that end. In this series, we are going to look at eight of the most common mistakes people make. In this message, Rod Loy talks about what the Bible says about authority, and what happens when we take ourselves out from under it.
What makes a church healthy? We can look to the church in the Book of Acts for an example of what a church is supposed to be.
The gap between expectation and reality is where people become disappointed and disillusioned. When reality doesn't match your expectation, that's when you struggle the most. So what do you do when life is disappointing?
In the crazy hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, slow down and give yourself some gifts.
God speaks to us many ways: through the Bible, through impressions, through emotions, dreams, and many other ways. You can't limit God or the way He speaks. He still speaks to His people. But some people may say "Why don't I hear from God? Why isn't God speaking to me?" In this message, Pastor Rod Loy looks at some possible answers to those questions.
When God speaks to us, what does He say? In this message, Pastor Rod Loy looks at what else God says when he speaks to us.
When God speaks to us, what does He say? While we can't tell specifically what God will say to an individual, we can look at His pattern of interacting with people through Scripture.
God is speaking. God wants you to listen for and hear His voice. God wants you to know Him and His plan for your life. If you are ready and willing to listen, you can hear Him. But how does God speak? Is it a booming voice from the heavens? He actually uses several different ways to speak to us.
We know that God spoke to people in Bible times. What if God spoke to us in our every day lives? What if God wants to tell you something - personally, individually, specifically, just for you? Is that possible? What if God is actively speaking to His people and would speak to you? Would you like that? How does God speak to us today, and how can we listen?
Can one person make a difference? In the Bible, and in our lives, we can see how one person, who is dedicated to a cause, can change the world. If we don't do anything, will it stop God's plan? No, but it would rob us of the chance to be involved in what God is doing.
A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately complicated way to perform a simple task. It is a chain reaction that starts with something simple. We can all be part of God's process. We are a strategic link in a chain reaction that can and will touch and change the world.
One person can make a huge difference for God in the world. If we could see in advance how we could make a difference, we would sign up in a heartbeat. But we have to choose obdedience, knowing that God will use us in ways we cannot even imagine right now. In this series, Pastor Rod will look at the power of one person to set in motion a chain of events that can have a powerful effect on the world.
What is normal? Are you normal? Society and church have changed a lot over the years, but what is supposed to be normal? What does a normal family look like, according to the Bible?
What is normal for a church? What is God's definition of what is normal for a church? What can we do to get back to and preserve that?
Christians are called to be the representatives of Jesus in a sin-filled world. The Apostle Paul told the church to live a life worth of that calling. He described what that looks like in Ephesians chapters 4, 5, and 6. One of the biggest challenges in the church today is that too many Christians act normal instead of the new normal Paul describes. In this message, Rod Loy talks about what Paul has to say about greed and immorality in our lives.
When you live a life worthy of the calling, if you are truly committed to Jesus, it shows in the way you speak. People should be able to listen to you and know something is different. But what is supposed to be normal for a Christian?
What is "normal"? What you consider normal is different depending on where you are, and who you are with. What is normal in one place would be weird somewhere else. What used to be normal no longer is. What is normal for a person who is a follower of Christ?
What you are concerned about says a lot about your values. What are you concerned about? How does it line up with what God is concerned about?
It's funny, isn't it? We should be able to learn from other people's mistakes and failures. We should be able to read a story or see it as it happens with someone else and apply it to our own lives. We should, but often we don't. What does it usually take for us to learn life lessons? What can we do about it?
Life on the run - running from God. It's not a physical thing - you aren't literally sprinting. It's more of a decision to ignore His plan for your life. There is a predictable pattern that develops in the life of a person who runs from God. Looking at a famous story in the Bible, we'll see this pattern and what it means for us.
What is a hypocrite? Someone who pretends to be something they are not. They seem to practice religion, but really, they are just playing games. Jesus calls them lukewarm.
No circumstance, attack, or pressure is greater than the power of God. No enemy can stop God's plan for you! Quit letting news channels, politicians, and gloomy Facebook posts determine your outlook on life. They aren't the ones that are in control!
When a Christian becomes soley focused on doing things for God rather than being a child of God, it can become dangerous. While we should work for Him, we were designed for relationship with Him!
Our culture tells us that a little sin is okay. It won't hurt us. But small compromises lead to major failures. What can we learn from Jesus' message to the church in the ancient city of Pergamum?
When you find yourself in the middle of a battle, when you are facing your biggest struggle, Jesus is there. He's right there with you - reminding you He is greater than anything you face.
Struggling with depression? You're not alone! In this message, we conclude Roller Coaster Living with Elijah's lowest moment. You'll be encouraged.
Sometimes, the roller coaster of life wears you down. You don't think you can take it anymore. The lows make you forget the highs. In moments of dispair, it's hard to remember everything God has done. How should we handle these dips in our life's roller coaster?
It's one of the most famous stories from the Bible. Elijah vs. the prophets of Baal. How was Elijah able to have the confidence to face what seemed to be overwhelming odds in this showdown?
When things are going from bad, to good, to bad, to great, to worse, it's a roller coaster of life that can wear you out. Some of us have been there. Some of us are there. Every time it seems like things are going to get better, something else happens. How do you deal with the lowest of the low points of life?
The roller coaster of life can be unpredictable, and it can be easy to lapse into fear and worry. We explore how God sustained the prophet Elijah through an impossible situation.
Dr. Beth Grant, founder of Project Rescue, a ministry that rescues, educates, and supports women and children who were ensnared in the human trafficking industry. Her message is challenging and convicting! We cannot sit on our hope!
You can't "kind of" follow God's plan, or "kind of" pursue His vision. If you serve Him with half your heart, you're not serving Him. God wants a monopoly on your life. He wants exclusive possession and total control.
One decision or action can set in motion a series of events that ends up in you being trapped. In this message, we hope to help you open your eyes and see the process - how Satan tricks and traps you.
Just like the game of Jenga, our lives are carefully balanced. What happens when you take Jesus out of your life?
Christians are supposed to think and act differently from the rest of the world. How we respond to adversity, our reaction when we don't get our way, how we treat others - all of these should be different from the cultural norm. But we live, work, and go to school in this culture. It's easy to fall into the accepted patterns, isn't it? So how do you do it? How do you renew your mind and not conform to culture?
Battleship is a simple, fun game that many of us played as kids. But some people seem to make Battleship a way of life. They shoot with words, looking to see where they can hurt and what damage they can cause. Children, adults, even people in churches wage battle with their words. It's inevitable that in life, we'll sometimes disagree. When that happens, how should we handle it?
In games, you want to win the game by beating your opponents. But in real life, when you win by making someone else lose, you don't win. You might think you win, but you don't. No one does. Unresolved conflict hurts the heart of God.
In this series, we will use simple, fun games that we remember to learn some important principles. Remember Hungry Hungry Hippos? The object of the game is to get your hippo to eat as much as possible. We can be physically hungry, but there's also spiritual hunger. Are you hungry?
The phrase "Been There, Done That" can have several different meanings. It can be a badge of courage or accomplishment, or it can be funny. It basically means someone has been there before. Sometimes in life, it seems like we are facing things alone. But in every area of our lives, we know that Jesus has "been there, done that" for us.
We've already talked about the prodigal son who came home, the father who welcomed him. But there is another family member in Jesus' parable: the older brother, who does not react in the same way as his father when he finds out his wayward brother has returned home. Why did Jesus tell this story? Who is the older brother, and what can Christians learn from him?
When you are spiritually lost, lots of people tell you what you need to do, but how? When you have completely messed up your life, how do you start over? How can you ever be right and whole again? How do you find your way home?
A lot of us have funny stories about running away - little kids loading their backpack and not even making it to the front door. But there are also some horribly sad and tragic stories. Maybe you did it. You left home and started running. Life on the run was filled with mistakes, failures, and regrets. It's the same whether you run from your physical home, or are running from your spiritual home - from God, and faith. Life as a runaway is not all it's cracked up to be.
There are 160 million people in our country who do not attend church. But only two percent of Christians invited an unchurched person to church last year. Something has to change!
To worship something or someone is to feel passionate about it or them, to the point it influences your behavior and choices and is obvious to others. Worship is an attitude, a mindset, and a way of life.
Sometimes, we try to face decisions, challenges, and just life in general based on our own wisdom and experience. The whole time, we have the instruction manual, our guidebook for living, the Bible, with us, and we don't read and learn from it like we should. Why is the Bible important to a life that follows Christ?
After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent 40 days with his followers. His final words to His followers were the key - what they needed to follow Him and lead the church. And His words are key to us today.
Everything affects everything. You don't, and can't, compartmentalize your life. A significant change in one area affects every other part. A relationship with Jesus will affect the way you approach your family, your job, and even your money.
Depending on your background, prayer is either something you've never done, something you do before meals and not many other times, or something you use when you are in trouble. For others, prayer is a regular, normal part of your day. What is prayer? Why is it important? How and why should we pray?
What does it really mean to be a Christian? How do you follow Jesus? How do you commit every part of your life to Him? In this message, Pastor Rod begins this new series about what it really means to be a Christ follower.
As we start a new year, Pastor Rod looks at the qualities of a healthy church - what makes a church that is effective and outward-focused?
This is one of the most incredible stories in the Bible. This is the story of two very different men, who both had visions from God. It's a story filled with danger, intrigue, surprise, and adventure. It's the story of a villain, who became one of the most well known Christ followers in history. What can we learn from these two men as we look forward to a new year?
Do you ever feel like your life is out of control - like you just can't take it anymore? As you look back on the year, has it been a peaceful one, or has it been a year filled with stress and anxiety? We all face stress. The question is: how will you handle it?
Many people struggle with loneliness, but it's hard to admit when we are lonely. But feeling lonely doesn't make you a failure. It isn't silly. It's something we all face at some point. The good news is: if you are lonely, there is help!
God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was just a regular girl. The disciples were all normal, regular, unimpressive people, but God used them to change the world. What do we need to do for God to use us for His will? What is the cost?
Do you consider yourself and ungrateful person? Most people don't. We are usually blind to our own ingratitude. It's not that we don't want to be grateful, we just forget. The difference between being grateful and being ungrateful is a lot more than just two letters! In this message, Pastor Patrick Lander encourages us to live a life of gratitude!
Nothing is impossible for God. Even if sickness or disease strike our lives, when it seems impossible. What do you pray when you need healing? What words do you say? Is there a "correct" way to pray for healing? Featuring two stories from First Assembly friends, this message will inspire and remind you that God is a God of healing!
Everybody needs help at some point. You need help from other people, even if you don't want to admit it. You need help from God. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness! Often, asking for help is a sign of wisdom!
Pastor Rod Loy concludes the series with more inspiring stories of places that seemed impossible.
Some things are impossible for people. We don't have the ability and will never have the ability. But for God? Nothing is Impossible. With God, all things are possible.
Jesus said we were to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel. It seems like an impossible task. But is the impossible possible?
Everyone knows the phrase "pride comes before a fall," and it is true. When we gain some success, it is so easy to forget what God did for us. In this message, Rod Loy talks about some key principles we all need to follow when things are going well.
An unlikely hero, a seriously overweight king, and a story that seems like it is right out of a spy thriller. We can learn some important things from this unusual story. God can and wil use the most unlikely people!
One of the central themes of the Bible is this -- nothing is impossible for God. God is not intimidated by our difficult circumstances. What seems impossible for us, is entirely possible for God. He specializes in the impossible!
It's an unbelieveable Bible story with a powerful lesson about a common problem in our lives.
Have you ever done something stupid? Pastor Rod Loy shares the story of a group of Israelites who just don't seem to learn from their mistakes and how the story relates to us today.
Have you ever made a discovery that was so good you were tempted to keep it to yourself? Pastor Rod Loy shares the story of three outcast who became unlikely heroes when they stumbled upon great news--and decided to share it with other.
Pastor Brian Dollar teaches us to plant the seeds of Outward Focus in our families. Learn how to become a family who is obedient, generous and who sacrifices.
What you plant in your family is what will grow. Learn how to avoid planting the wrong seeds and how to plant beneficial ones instead.
How do you avoid passing negative things down to the next generation? How do you avoid reproducing the seeds that were planted in you?
Maybe your family model wasn’t healthy. Maybe that unhealthy, dysfunctional family model has been passed down for generations. You desperately want to end the cycle, but aren’t sure how. Rod Loy outlines steps toward change.
Unplanted seed is useless and worthless. For it to be effective, it has to be planted. To grow your family, you have to plant the right seeds pointed toward the right harvest. It's not enough to know what to do. You have to actually do it!
Raising a healthy family, building a healthy marriage and maintaining healthy relationships takes time, effort, hard work, intentionality, a lot of love, a lot of help, and a lot of prayer. What are you planting in your family today?
Average Pete, a hotheaded guy who made bad decisions, was transformed by Christ into a "super" version of himself. This former fisherman became a great leader of the faith. God sees the "super" in you, too - you don't have to be average!
How can we disagree without our disagreement dissolving into a church fight? People can lose sight of what really matters and get a church off mission. The true test of our faith is this - how will we conduct ourselves and will we resolve those issues?
Some of us spend every day in prison. Not a literal prison, but we are held captive by depression, addictions, fear. It is a dark cell that makes some days a struggle just to move through life. But God can set us free from our prisons! This message is by Pastor Randy Jumper, our missions and young adult pastor.
God used a preacher with a prejudice and a Gentile seeker to change the church world at that time, and for all time. It is because of this moment that the whole world was open to the Gospel!
God used a preacher with a prejudice and a Gentile seeker, searching for God, to change the church world at that time, and for all time.
A testimony is meant to be told. If God has done something wonderful for you, there is power in sharing your testimony! Your miracle will lead to others believing. Your story will inspire faith and hope in others!
We sometimes want God to save us from the consequences of our mistakes. But, thank God that He doesn't rescue us from every consequence. They are great teachers! God loves you enough to let you learn from your mistakes.
Bible characters sometimes seem like superheroes: larger than life, always on top. But they weren't. They made mistakes, and said stupid things. If God can use ordinary, flawed men and women to make a difference, God can use you!
Are you crippled? We're talking about people who have endured crippling experiences in their lives. Maybe it was rejection, or abuse, or divorce. Whatever it is, you are not alone. God has not forgotten you!
It's probably the most unpopular financial concept in our society: delay. We want everything now, but in this message, Rod Loy lays out the benefits of waiting.
The second important word to remember when dealing with money is Pay: pay cash, pay off your credit cards. Heavy credit card debt is the root of a lot of marital problems, and definitely a major source of stress. In this message, Rod Loy talks about why it is important to avoid being a slave to debt.
Everyone wants to go to heaven, but we have some interesting ideas about how to get there. Sometimes we think if we do enough good deeds, or if we work hard enough to be a good person, we'll get there. But is that what it takes?
In this series, we've talked about the kinds of friends we need in our lives. In this message, we learn more about the most important friend of all: Jesus!
Like Meshach in the Bible, we all need friends in the fire, in the hardest times in our lives.
In this message, Pastor Rod talks about loneliness, and if you are only going to have one friend - this is the friend you need!
You need a friend like Jonathan, who knows that God is not intimidated by impossible odds!
Sometimes, we all need a friend who can look at our situation and tell us the truth we really need to hear.
We all need a friend like Moses in our lives, a friend that can forgive us and help restore us.
We all need an older person in our lives to learn from, and a younger person to teach and carry on wisdom and faith.
We need friends who are passionate, creative, and determined about getting us closer to Jesus!
We all need a friend like Silas, someone who will stick with us in the tough times, when we are under pressure.
Barnabas was a disciple in the Book of Acts who was a great encourager to other believers. We all need encouragers in our lives. And, we all should be encouragers for other people.
We are not supposed to be alone. We were designed and created for connection. We not only need other people in our lives, we need the right people in our lives. Who are those right people, and what type of friends are important in your journey to be a lifelong follower of Christ?
What makes a healthy church? What are some things that can keep a church from becoming inward focused and dysfunctional. Using the early church in the Book of Acts as a guide, Rod Loy examines the healthy church.
Don't make any New Year's resolutions until after you've heard this message - Pastor Rod will challenge you to look at resolutions in a whole new way!
Pastor Brad's original song for Christmas, recorded live at First Assembly on Christmas Day, 2011.
Rod Loy shares some practical ways that you can keep going in the right direction toward what God wants for us, and away from our past.
So many people who look back at their old lives do it based on a revised history, filled with faulty memories. They remember the good times, and not the bad things that caused them to turn to God in the first place. Satan likes to remind us of the good times while blinding us to the consequences. We need to make sure to remember God's grace and how far He has brought us!
Even good people with good intentions can get totally distracted from what's right and do things that make absolutely no sense. But in spite of all that, we need to continue to move forward. We should continually grow in our faith and relationship with Christ.
At one point in our lives, we were all slaves to sin. When we found relationship with God through His Son, Jesus and decided to follow Him, we left all that behind. But, we've all seen it happen: for some reason, some people turn back to the life they left behind. Why?
God saves us from our old life. We find joy and peace in Him. Why is it so tempting then, to return to our old ways? If you feel that pull, or your life seems to be an endless series of ups and downs, back and forth, check out this series - we want to see you move forward!
Worship is an attitude, a mindset, and a way of life. People worship a lot of things: money, fun, power and position. If you truly worship God, He is first in your life. It's not about styles of music, or how we worship, it's THAT we worship!
Anyone can love those who love them. Jesus presents a higher standard. Love your enemies. Treat them as forgiven friends. Pray for them and love them. Our love for each other is the evidence that we are followers of Jesus Christ. If we do not love others, what does that say about us?
You should be able to spot a life-long follower of Jesus. Someone who "dresses" with Jesus is different. They stand out - not by how they dress, but how they act and react. You can tell the difference by what they do and don't do, what they say, and don't say, and by how they treat others. If you are a Christian, can anyone tell?
What does is a Christian supposed to look like? When you are clothed with Christ, it affects how you treat others. What we "wear" can attract people to, or repel people from God.
Pastor Brian Dollar talks about labels. We have a lot of labels for people, don't we? We have a tendency to label others based not on who they are, but what we think they are. How should we think about others?
Why do people like watching reality shows like "The Biggest Loser?" Maybe because it's awesome to look back and see what someone was and now see what someone is - made over, changed, transformed. Too many people want to put on Jesus, but they want to keep their old habits and attitudes. It's time to be made over, changed, and transformed!
What does it mean to dress like Jesus? No, it doesn't involve a robe and sandals! The apostle Paul, writing to believers in Rome, said that Christians should "clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." How can we do that?
This part of the Lord's Prayer helps us keep our focus: our goal should be to build His kingdom, not ours.
With his simple prayer, Jesus reminds us what we all know too well. Temptation is everywhere and we are all vulnerable. What did He mean when He prayed "...lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..."?
We hear a lot today about debt. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus wasn't talking about deficits, or credit cards. What does "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" mean?
How radically would it change your life if you recognized everything you have, and everything you receive as God's gift? How much easier would it be to respond to His call to give to others if you recognized everything you had came from Him? When we make requests of God in prayer, it's not just supposed to be about us. We are asking Him to give to others, too.
We pray that we want God's will to be done in our lives, but what do we have to do to ensure that happens? How can we get out of the way to allow God's perfect will to work in our lives?
How do we pray? It's a wonderful question, one asked by the disciples of Jesus, and one many Christians ask today. Jesus taught the disciples a pattern for prayer, and in this series, Rod Loy will walk us through the pattern and its importance in our prayer lives.
Our final post it note is also one of the final messages of the Bible. Jesus is coming back soon. Although people have tried for centuries to predict when that will be, the Bible says nobody knows. What do we need to know about Christ's return?
Pastor Rod talks about the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship, and also at what makes relationships healthy.
Are there days you feel like quitting? Everyone has those moments. In fact, people quit all kinds of things, all the time. Most of us understand, that bad days happen. That's part of life. Tomorrow is a new day. Some things seem more serious, though. What would God say to us about quitting?
The Bible says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. God wants to forgive!
This song finished the message - it's a live recording featuring Pastor Brad Russell and the First NLR worship team. Use it as a reminder that we are forgiven!
We recently spent time talking about forgiveness, and we heard that many people struggle not with forgiving others, but forgiving themselves. They feel bad for something in their past and don't know how to move on. How do you forgive yourself and move beyond your past? What does God have to say to us about it?
In this message, Pastor Rod interviews Michael and Tiffany Richardson, missionaries from our church who are working with the DeToog people, a tribe in a remote region of Tanzania. Even the most forgotten people in the most remote land are not forgotten by God!
Pastor Brad Russell continues the Post it Notes from God series with this message about God's crazy love for us.
We live in a busy, fast-tracked world. Society considers multi-tasking a virtue. But what would God say to us about our busy schedules?
When company is coming, you clean your house. Before a date, you clean out your car. When something is important to you, you keep it clean.
But there is too much trash in our words, in our attitudes, and in our actions. There's way too much trash in our lives. It's time to take out the trash!
It's not easy when plans for life don't work out - when everything you thought you could be, should be, and would be isn't, won't be, and doesn't look like it ever will be. What message does God have for us in these times?
For years, people have used those little yellow notes to remind themselves or others of all kinds of things.
If God left a post it note for you, what would He say? What would He want you to remember?
Is life not going as you expected? It's not fair. It hurts. You ask, why me? What did I do to deserve this? Has God forgotten me? If God is supposed to be a loving God, how could this happen?
Pastor Rod finishes "Average Pete" with one of the most encouraging passages in the entire Bible. If you've messed up or failed, there's still hope for you!
The story of Peter is one of high highs and low lows. On one hand, he walked on water with Jesus, and on the other, he denied he even knew him when it mattered most. Why are the low points included in the Bible? It may be so we can see the danger signs that lead to ultimate failure. By taking a closer look at the story, we can identify and avoid those same mistakes in our lives.
Why did Jesus, the Son of God, wash the feet of His disciples? What was He trying to teach them, and us?
The apostle Peter is known to history as a great leader of the early church. But early on, he was basically a loudmouth fisherman. At one point, Peter chastized Jesus for predicting strife ahead for his followers. Jesus gave him a harsh public rebuke, calling him Satan. Ouch! Why did Jesus do that? He wanted his followers at the time, and today, too, to understand that following Him carries a price. Rod Loy looks at this story in this very important message for all followers of Christ. Are we willing to pay the price?
Why should we forgive? How do we forgive? What does it mean to forgive? This is a subject we need to talk about often because this one issue often keeps people locked in the past - in a cycle of bitterness, anger, hurt, and regret. Unforgiveness paralyzes families, destroys marriages, and ends long-term friendships. Excuses don't change the fact that not forgiving hurts you, not the person you refuse to forgive.
It's a famous story - Jesus walks on the water during a storm, and it's Pete, average, normal, regular Pete, who briefly walks on the water with Jesus. What can we learn from this encounter during our storms of life?
There is a cost to following Jesus. So many people miss out on the adventure, because they aren't willing to obey and sacrifice. They opt out and never really make a difference.
Bible characters sometimes seem like superheroes - bigger than life people in extraordinary circumstances, like Moses, Noah, David, or Daniel in the lion's den. The truth is, though, people in the Bible made mistakes, said stupid things, and often acted foolish. Through this, God shows us He can use anyone, even an average joe like Peter, a rough fisherman from a tiny town.
Pastor Brian Dollar finishes up the Five for the Fight series with this message on Ephesians 6:10-17 - what is the full armor of God?
The apostle Peter warns us that Satan is constantly looking for ways to attack Christians. He says we should expect it and be alert. But he also gives us a promise we can find in God!
Sometimes in life you may feel overwhelmed with loneliness, like nobody understands you, or that nobody else is with you. It's almost like it's you against an entire army. Today we take a look at a passage of scripture that can help!
Today's verse is 2 Timothy 4:18
Sometimes in life, it seems like the odds are stacked against us. Sometimes we try to come up with our own plans that can get us in more trouble. In this message, Rod Loy looks at three principles for fighting when the odds are against you.
You lose your job, you have an unexpected medical expense, sales go down, scholarships fall through, you get a tough report from the doctor, you are called in for a meeting...what's your normal first reaction? Fear. You don't know what's next. You don't know the answers. In this message, Rod Loy looks at what to do when you realize you are in the middle of a fight, and you're not sure what to do.
We are in a fight. We are in a war. But we are not fighting against each other, progress, other churches or followers of Jesus, culture, politicians, or even against sinners. The Bible says our struggle is against the Devil and his forces of evil.
The church in America has often been distracted from the right fight. In this series, Pastor Rod is going to share insight into five different scripture verses - powerful weapons against our true enemy.
Are you disappointed? Sometimes we feel disappointment if we don't get what we want for Christmas, but it is usually a lot deeper. What happens when you are disappointed with life? How do you deal with it?
Pastor Rod ends the giant series with this inspiring message. Just like the underdog David, you can defeat the giants in your life! Your victory will inspire others to tackle their giants.
One of the most powerful speeches in the Bible was delivered by a young shepherd boy. It was undoubtedly inspired by God. It's just 124 words long, but filled with meaning. If you are facing a big challenge, a struggle, a giant in your life, you need to make this speech your declaration and your prayer!
What is the one thing in your life that is holding you back from your potential? What is the one area you've struggled with, but can't seem to overcome? What is your giant? We all face difficult battles and tests, but we have a big God on our side. You + God = an overwhelming majority!
Everyone deals with critics. Believe it or not, if you choose to take on your giant, not everyone will be pleased. They might question your motives. Why aren't other people always supportive of your efforts to defeat your giant?
In this series, we have been facing the giants in our lives: the one thing that holds us back from what God wants us to be. You may not feel qualified to tackle your giant. You've been wanting to learn the latest technique, or talk to an expert. God doesn't need an expert. He uses unlikely heroes. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the God you serve.
What is the big thing in your life that is holding you back? What is it that keeps you from being everything God wants you to be? Is it a hurt, illness or financial setback? If you could pick one area of your life to overcome a weakness, habit, or tendency, what would it be? What is your giant? Get ready to fight!
Storms in life can take many different forms. You may have a financial or health storm, or you've lost a loved one. You have survived the initial storm, but just when things start looking up, something else happens. In this message, Rod Loy looks at what happens when One More Thing hits you.
The storms of life - at one time or another, we all face them. The question is, how do you survive a storm?
Sometimes, our lives are thrown into storms through no fault of our own. You might lose a loved one, your finances take a sudden turn for the worse, or your older years are not what you anticipated. What should we do when we are tossed into a storm?
If life is a cruise, nothing is more difficult than a shipwreck. Shipwrecks in your life aren't like the ones from old movies or television shows. They result in pain, devastation, and death. You think everything is great, but then the storm hits. Many times, we have no control over a shipwreck, but there are times when your ship of life wrecks because of bad decisions. You should have known better, but there you are, in the middle of a shipwreck.
An interesting story about the Israelites, after the famous battle of Jericho, involves one guy who thought nobody would know what he did in secret. It ended up costing him everything. In this message, Pastor Patrick Lander looks at the story of Achan.
Do you ever get tired of waiting? We all get tired in doctor's waiting rooms, at stop lights, and so on. But do you get tired of waiting on God? Do you see others experiencing blessings while you wait? How do you respond when it seems like your answer is never going to come?
We tend to bring our rational, logical American mindset into our relationship with God. We want everything to make good, solid logical sense. We want to be able to figure it out. But, God doesn't always work that way. What do you do when God's instructions don't seem to make sense?
A lot of us have a fear of the unknown. What makes it so difficult is the uncertainty. When you know what is coming, you can brace yourself for it. When you don't know what's ahead, you don't know how to prepare yourself. How can we deal with this fear? What's the best way to handle things when you are facing the unknown?
No matter how big or strong you are, there is something you fear. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all face fear. But for some of us, it's bigger. They face fear daily, and it controls their lives. They are consumed with fear. If you are struggling with fear, what should you do? How do you deal with fear?
Almost everyone fears something - heights, closed spaces, snakes, and more. These fears don't really control your life that much. But there are some fears, real fears that can dominate your thinking and control your life. Some of us face those fears daily: rejection, change, failure, other people's opinions, the unknown.
What do you fear? What keeps you from doing and being everything God made you to be and do?
In this message, Pastor Rod looks at the third preparation principle. We can never accomplish what God has for us without spending time in His presence.
Do you ever get impatient with God? We're impatient these days. We like stuff to happen right now. We know He has a plan for our lives, but sometimes it seems to take too long. What can happen if we decide to "rush" things and not wait for God?
We don't like preparation all that much. It's not always fun. We'd rather jump right in to what we want to do or what we feel God wants us to do. We see in the Bible, though, when God called someone, there was often a time of preparation. When we are ready to go, often God says, "Wait."
Have you ever met a spiritual snob? You know, someone who feels they are better than you, because of their exalted faith? Jesus had a lot to say about spiritual snobs. In this final message in the Between the Lines series, Rod Loy examines the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
In this message, Pastor Rod looks at the Parable of the Sower. What was Jesus saying with this parable? What should we do in response?
In this message, Pastor Gary Tomlinson talks about people who are hoarders: those who have a lot, but are stingy with God. Are you a hoarder?
Prejudice. It's about more than black and white. And it strikes at the core of what it means to be a Christian. In Luke, chapter 10, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. What does it have to do with prejudice? A lot, when you read between the lines...
In the parable of the Unjust Steward, Jesus tells a curious tale about a wealth manager who learns he is to be fired. He uses his influence to cost his employer money, while setting himself up for the future. Strangely, once his employer finds out, he commends his dastardly former employee for his shrewdness and cunning. Why would Jesus teach using this story? What does it have to teach us today?
Jesus often taught using stories, called parables. In this particular story, about the Prodigal Son, he did not explain the meaning of it. He left it up to the listeners to figure out its meaning.
In this message, Pastor Rod doesn't tell us the meaning either. The congregation helped decide what lessons we can learn from this parable, and the results are interesting!
Do you have talent? We see it in the media every day, and everyone is good at something.
You've got a choice. You can use the talents God gave you for personal gain, or you can live according to God's priorities. It's not a meaningless choice. The way you live on earth determines where you live forever!
(This podcast also includes Pastor Brad Russell's spur of the moment instant Mother's Day songs!)
When we find ourselves in a low valley--when we've spectacularly failed--we often ask questions like: "Why me? How could I fail like this? How did I ever let myself get to this place? What went wrong?" Whether you have been there, or will someday, this message will be an eye-opener. Are you trying to live your life through your strength, or God's?
With so many messages bombarding us every day, who do we listen to? How can we really please God? What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Sometimes, we find ourselves in traps: addiction, pornography, and many other things can keep us trapped in sin. Like a mouse attracted to cheese, there was initially something appealing in the trap. What looked good, easy, and fun at first didn't stay that way. It was a trap.
All you want to do is get out, but you can't get yourself out of a trap. You need a Rescuer.
What do you do when you are facing a big challenge, a huge test, or a devastating disappointment? It can be frightening, uncertain, emotional, and unsettling. Jesus faced what you are facing. He experienced the same emotions and thoughts. In this message, Rod Loy looks at how the Bible gives us an inside look into how Jesus prepared Himself for the biggest battle of His life.
People pick a church for a variety of reasons, but what really matters in a church is whether its healthy or not. What is a healthy church? What are the core values of a church that is striving for health?
We voted on one more scripture to include in the Ten for Life series, and chose Romans 8:38,39.
As a culture, we like love stories and love songs, but there's a love that is bigger than all that. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God!
Many religions claim to know the way to Heaven, but Jesus has a pretty specific and very counter cultural statement: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Ever had a bad day? How about bad times that last a little longer than a day? What should our attitude be in difficult times?
Every day, you make decisions based on priorities. And every day you send a message with those decisions.
Where do we spend most of our time? How should we spend our time?
Have you ever been in a place where the world seemed to be closing in on you? You may have felt overwhelmed and overloaded, like there was just no way you could handle anything else.
In this message, Pastor Brian Dollar talks about Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." This passage of scripture was written by the Apostle Paul to people who were suffering. The passage has a lot to say to us today!
In Matthew 22, the Pharisees ask Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
His answer was clear and simple for them, and for us. If you wan to know how to be a life-long follower of Jesus Christ, this is the starting place.
In this message, Rod Loy looks at the signs of an unhealthy relationship. This is an important message for anyone, from students to adults!
The fifth message in the Ten for Life series, in which Rod Loy examines ten scriptures that are key to the Christian faith.
In this message, Pastor Rod looks at Joshua 1:9. If we are to live the lives God has for us, we have to be courageous!
The fourth message in the Ten for Life series, in which Rod Loy examines ten scriptures that are key to the Christian faith.
We don't try to run our cars for very long on empty, so why do we run our lives that way? In this message, Rod Loy looks at the cure for burnout.
Is. 40:31 "…those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
The third message in the Ten for Life series, in which Rod Loy examines ten scriptures that are key to the Christian faith.
This week: 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "...if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
The second message in the Ten for Life series, in which Rod Loy examines ten scriptures that are key to the Christian faith.
This week: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
The first message in the Ten for Life series, in which Rod Loy examines ten scriptures that are key to the Christian faith.
This week: Proverbs 3:5,6:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will keep your paths straight."
What does being content mean to you? What makes you discontent? In today's society, marketers play on our tendency to want the newest, best, and shiniest.
In the final message from the Gift series, Pastor Rod Loy unpacks another of God's gifts to us: contentment.
A lot of our destructive behaviors, inappropriate actions, and a lot of negative circumstances are because we are searching. We don't have peace. Peace is not something we need every once in awhile. We need it every single day. Everyone needs peace. How can you find peace?
What is joy? It is an inner feeling of contentment that is far greater than a temporary happiness. It's a life outlook -- a different perspective. It's hard to explain, but easy to spot in others. True joy is a gift from God!
But how do you get joy? Can you maintain it?
How do you know what something is worth? You know what it's worth by what people are willing to pay for it. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us. What does that tell you about our worth to Him?
You can't buy it, you can't earn it, but you can have it.
In this message, Pastor Rod talks about wisdom.
So far in this series, we've talked about how we can forgive. In this message, we come at it from the other side. What do you need to know and what do you need to do when you are the one who requires forgiveness, when you are the offender?
You are going to be hurt in life. It's inevitable. When it happens, though, our response is our choice. The Bible says we should forgive. Great - now how do we do it?
Why is forgiveness one of the hardest things we have to do? A lot of times, we don't really understand forgiveness. In this message, Rod Loy uncovers what forgiveness really is, and why it's important to forgive.
Another myth we sometimes carry about God is that he can't use us, and doesn't have a plan for us, because we aren't perfect. Only "perfect" people can do great things for God. Well, a short look through the Bible shows that God used plenty of imperfect, and sometimes plain messed up people, for great things. You feel messed up? Join the crowd!
We believe a lot of myths. Sometimes, our myths are formed from our attempts to understand difficult situations. We can't find a logical reason why we haven't been healed or helped, so we reach incorrect conclusions about God. We decide that we are too small, and God is too busy, to care about us.
You can convince yourself of almost anything. What starts with a feeling can become a fact. We sometimes talk ourselves into a self-concept, and even a God-concept, that has no basis in fact. Are you really hopeless? Is anyone too far gone for God to care about?
Many people view God as angry and unforgiving. But in the Bible, we see a different story. In this message, Rod Loy looks at how Jesus dealt with betrayal.
One of the challenges of so many religious systems being taught today is too much emphasis on ourselves: if we accomplish enough, if we do enough good, we can obtain miracles or salvation. Even many Christians feel that if they don't have enough faith, God may not provide miracles. Is there a formula? Does your healing or your miracle really depend on what you say or do?
Have you ever felt like you don't matter? Like you are worthless, insignificant, and overlooked? Sometimes people think God sees them that way, too.
People believe a lot of myths about God. One of the biggest ones people struggle with is "I've messed up too many times. I believe in a loving God, but I'm beyond that. I don't think God would want someone like me. I need to clean up my life before I can go to church."
In this message, Rod Loy looks at this myth and talks about the truth of God's love for everyone.
Life in a family is often a lot of fun. But, challenges can arise and hard times come. At some point, every person and every family will find themselves facing an unexpected crisis. What do you do? What role does your faith play in how you deal with life's unexpected problems?
People don't like to talk about death and loss. But when someone close to you dies, you are forced to think about it. In this message, Rod Loy covers what happens when we grieve and what to do if you or someone you know is going through grief.
In this message, Rod Loy talks with six couples from different stages of life about the challenges and lessons they've learned from their marriages.
It's easy to have opinions and theories on raising kids if you don't have any. One thing parents find is that no one formula works for their kids. The Bible says, "train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." That's a great passage, but how do we do that?
In this message, Rod Loy looks at some thoughts about what's important when you are raising kids.
It's not a popular topic on Christian TV, and it doesn't sell many books, but the Bible deals constantly with the topic of suffering in a believer's life. How should a Christian respond to persecution, hard times, suffering, and hardship?
All too often, when Christians encounter opposition from the world, they freak out, busying themselves with forwarding e-mails, and getting angry at the government, or whatever is the target at that time. What if Christians took all the time they spent being angry and instead spent that time praying? In the book of First Peter, Peter gives us strategy about not how to react to the world around us, but how to influence it through love.
Living for Jesus and demonstrating your faith is easy at church. It's accepted and popular. But it's not so easy everywhere else. Like it or not, we have to live out our faith in the real world. So, how do you do it?
Unresolved conflict -- broken relationships between people who claim to be followers of Christ -- is the reason many unchurched people want no part of church. We often try to pretend such conflict doesn't exist. What does the Bible say about conflict? What should we do when this happens to us or to other Christians?
The church should be a hospital for the broken - for people with a past, for people who have messed up. It is a place where people can be restored. Too often, though, the church is known as a place where they shoot their wounded. How should the church react to people who've messed up? What is our role as Christians in helping broken people get whole again?
How could a loving God allow me to hurt like this? Why haven't I been healed? Why hasn't God answered my prayers?
Rod Loy looks at these and other questions in this message.
Just like the ill-fated egg of the nursery rhyme, sometimes it seems like we will never be able to put it all back together again. In this message, Rod Loy looks at how to get your life back together when everything seems broken.
There are studies that indicate that the average American household carries between $8,000 and $10,000 balance on their credit cards with interest rates in the high teens. Many owe much more. Being in debt is like being in chains: your decisions are based on how much you owe on your cards.
In this message, Rod Loy challenges some commonly-held attitudes about credit and debt.
Most Americans are crisis-oriented. We wait until there is a problem, most likely a major problem, before we take action. We say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," but we don't live that way. When a problem comes, we want a quick solution, a bail out, when we should have been working to prevent the problem all along. It's especially like that with our finances. In this message, Rod Loy looks at "preventative" measures with our money.
TV, newspapers, and the Internet have been filled with bad news about the economy. As economic pressure increases, people are becoming increasingly worried. Why does it make us worry, and what can we do about worry in uncertain times?
Re-start. Reboot. Control, Alt, Delete. The answer to every problem in the computer world is to re-start. And when you do? Miraculously, when the computer comes back on after re-starting, everything works again. That's all it takes. A re-start wipes out your mistakes - like they never happened.
What if life was like that? Have there been times in your life you wish you could just re-start?
We say it all the time, "Every Soul Matters to God." But do we really believe that? Did Jesus really die for everyone's sins? Are there some people who are just too bad for God to forgive?
In our world, we want everything right now. This even applies to answers from God to our prayers. God works on a different time scale, however, and in the end we always see that He has perfect timing.
Nobody likes it when life is like a roller coaster - filled with high highs and low lows, and frightening twists and turns. We'd prefer that things sail along, always getting better. But that's not how it usually works! In this message, Rod Loy looks at what we can learn from both the highs and lows of life.
Are you in a storm? Not a weather event, but has something happened in your life that has completely rocked you, whether its health, financial, or relational problems? In this message, Rod Loy shares some observations about what to do when you find yourself in a storm.
We all have a past. Sometimes people are afraid to come to church, because they think they will be condemned for their past. This was not the model Jesus showed us though. In this message, Rod Loy looks again at the encounter between Jesus and the woman with a sinful past. The way Jesus transformed her life is the way He can transform your life!
The gospel of Luke records that one of the Pharisees invites Jesus to his house for a meal. This was not a friendly gesture, as the Pharisees meant to question Him, and try to trip Jesus up and put Him in His place. Why would Jesus even go into such a situation? Because he knew someone would be there who would need her sins forgiven. Rod Loy looks at the story of this meeting between Jesus and an "unclean" woman.
It's a famous story in the Bible. Some men bring their friend, who can't walk, to Jesus, so He will heal him. The crowd in the house is so thick that they actually lower their friend down from the roof. Jesus did something that nobody expected, though. In this message, Rod Loy looks at the greatest miracle that happens in an encounter with Jesus, which often receives little notice.
There are people in the world today that other people don't want to think about. If you see someone with a "Will Work for Food" sign, you try to ignore them and hope they don't see you. There are many people that society considers invisible. Maybe you are made to feel invisible by the people around you. In this story, and today, Jesus sees the the "invisible." And He sees you.
Does it seem like life is falling in on you? Things may seem hopeless, but Jesus sees not only your need, but He sees you. In this message, Rod Loy looks at the story of Jesus and the Blind Man.
Maybe you sit in church, watch a Christian television show, or listen to a podcast. You may even go through the motions of being a believer, but deep down, you just aren't sure about the whole thing. You are a doubter. Maybe you want to believe, but you still have questions. It's okay to have questions. Doubters are welcome. In this message, Rod Loy looks at one of the most famous doubters in the Bible: the disciple Thomas. Through him, we can learn what to do when we doubt.
In this message, Rod Loy looks at the Biblical story of Jesus and the woman who was caught in adultery. His reaction to her speaks volumes to us today. It's sometimes hard for us to understand, but God offers us grace, and will transform us from our old lives into something new!
A transformation is a significant, all inclusive, life-changing moment. You move from something to something else. A transformation is a God-enabled, supernatural shift in your nature or character. Where is the best place to start a transformation? A healthy church! In this message, Rod Loy examines the traits that make up a healthy church.
There are some things in life that you can "sort of" do. If you go swimming, you can actually jump in and swim, or you can sit on a raft, or just put your feet in the water. That way, you're "kind of" swimming. But there are things in life that you can't "kind of" do. Following Christ is one of them. In this message, Rod Loy looks at the problems we can face we don't give every part of our life to God.
At the beginning of every year, a lot of people make resolutions. They are usually about exercise, family time, getting out of debt, and so on. These are all good things! But what if you need more than a resolution? What if you need a total transformation?
Who are your favorite people to spend time with? Chances are, they are people that make you feel better about yourself. Some people are lifters--they make you feel good when you are around them. Other people are "downers," and have the opposite effect on you. What can you do to be a lifter in the lives of others?
According to the Book of Revelation, there are three kinds of people: those who are "hot," meaning they are close followers of Christ, those who are "cold," meaning they have no knowledge of God, and those who are "lukewarm," meaning they are supposedly followers of Christ, but don't live according to His Word. In other words, they are hypocrites. What happens when you are "lukewarm"? In this message, Rod Loy examines how people become lukewarm, and how they can get "hot" again.
You can tell a lot about someone by what comes out of their mouth. What would someone listening to you think about you? Even more, if you are a Christian, would anyone know it by the words you say? In this message, Rod Loy examines the importance of our words.
Certain times of the year or events can cause us all to feel blue and even get depressed. What causes this issue in our life? How can we fix it?
Feeling down about yourself? Feel like you're not good for anything? You need a lift! In this message, Rod Loy looks at the causes of poor self-esteem, and how we can find our worth in God.
Why should we stay stuck in the same rut we've always been in? It's time to lift! In this message, the first of the Lift! series, Rod Loy examines habits and how they have control of our lives and how we can change for the better.
In the race of life, we eventually will finish. We need to take as many with us across the finish line as possible!
We are running a race. It's a race to share the Gospel of Jesus with the world. Sometimes things get tough. Don't quit! In this message, Rod Loy continues the missions series, The Race. (Note: certain names and places have been edited to protect believers in hostile countries).
Jesus gave the church instructions on what we should do: preach the gospel to all the world. With those words, He started the most important race in all history. Time is counting down. The race is on. It's time to jump in and run the race. Today, not later. Today!
How do you succeed? That's what everyone wants - to be a success. When you start anything, that's the goal. You don't plan to fail. In school, in your marriage, in your business or ministry - your goal is to succeed. So, how do you do it?
We all know someone who has gone through some kind of tragedy. It seems odd that even good people can be stricken by illness or other disaster. Many will ask why, if God is so good, does He allow these things to happen? In this message, Rod Loy answers the question, why do bad things happen to good people?
Are you so busy working and doing things for God that you've forgotten your initial love for Him? What happens to the fervor of a new Christian as he or she matures?
It's relatively easy to forgive the guy who cuts you off in traffic. You don't have to see him again. It's over and done. The people closest to us, however, are harder to forgive. Their wounds hurt the most. The memories stay fresh. The offense lingers. Why should we forgive? Why not get revenge?
We understand - bad things sometimes happen in life. We shrug it off, laugh it off, or have a good cry and move on. But it's different for others. They begin to expect bad things to happen-and more bad things to follow. They become pessimistic. How can you avoid negative thinking?
Nobody is out of the reach of God, who is willing to go to great lengths to bring them back to Him. How does God get through to someone whose conscience has been seared, cut off from feeling - who no longer feels or knows the difference from right or wrong?
Sometimes we get in situations in our lives that everything seems hopeless. We wonder where God is, and why isn't He doing anything? In this special message, Rod Loy looks at story of Joseph, and how he went from prisoner to ruler.
It's not a fun topic to talk about. We want the Christian life to function as a predictable formula. No surprises or setbacks, just blessing after blessing. But when problems happen, and they will happen, it can test our faith. How should we handle life when it throws problems our way?
Every day, we are bombarded with temptations that would draw us away from our responsibilities and our families. There aren't too many news cycles that don't include the latest story on a politician or preacher who has failed morally.
Is it possible in today's world to stay pure?
As kids, we all had dreams - hopes for what we want for the future. It's easy to get discouraged about dreams, though. How do we know if a dream is the real deal? In this message, Rod Loy talks about how we can tell if a dream is from God.
Many people have hurt and pain caused by their families. If your family was, or is, dysfunctional, is there hope for you to overcome your past? Is there hope for you?
This series is titled Family Survivor, but really, you want to do more than survive. There are times that just surviving is a victory, but for the most part, surviving isn't winning. You want to do more than survive. You want to win!
Not all family moments are fun or funny. Life is not one long fun-filled vacation. Challenges arise. Hard times come. How do you not only survive tough times with your family, but grow closer as a result?
Have you ever wanted to kick someone out of your family for doing something stupid? Unlike reality shows, we really can't kick someone off our "island," but in every home, in every relationship, conflict will arise. Solving conflict in a Biblical manner is key to a healthy home.
Life is pretty hectic these days, isn't it? The average family doesn't even eat dinner together that often anymore. In this message, the first in the Family Survivor series, Rod Loy talks about the importance of keeping your family together in a busy world.
So, gas prices have you down? They keep getting higher and higher with no sign of coming down any time soon. Gas prices are causing a lot of people to rethink their spending. In this final message of the Living Large series, Rod Loy talks about more principles to share with your family about money and finances.
Ants are tiny creatures with tiny brains. Yet, they somehow know to put away food and supplies for the future. Are you as smart as an ant? In this message, Rod Loy talks about more principles to teach your children about finances.
Like Veruca Salt, the little brat in the Willy Wonka movie, we often want to buy possessions right now. Stewardship, though, involves spending our money more wisely. In this message, Rod Loy examines some more principles of stewardship.
Some people get nervous when a preacher starts talking about money in church. But today, everywhere you go, people are talking about money. It's on TV, in the newspapers and the internet.
In this message, Rod Loy teaches some principles that can transform your financial life and future and positively impact the lives of the next generation.
In this message, Rod Loy looks at the story of King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem. From this story, we can learn some leadership lessons that affect our lives today.
People looking at your life would assume you to be incredibly happy. You wish that was true. If you have been trying to fill an empty spot in your life with money, power, fame, or position, you know it doesn't work. You can climb to the top in the world and still feel empty. There has to be something more, right?
Worship is more than a time in a church service when we sing. Worship is being in the presence of God anytime. In this message, Rod Loy looks at this principle: when you spend time in God's presence, blessings follow.
In this last message of the Life is a Highway series, Rod Loy looks at dead ends, and how they don't have to be the end for you.
As we get older, our focus should shift from achievement to legacy. It's not about what we can do, but what we can pass on.
In this message, Rod Loy looks at this principle: each generation has a responsibility to the ones behind it to serve as an example and leave a legacy of faith.
How do you know God's will for your life? A lot of people aren't sure what God wants them to do in life. God wants you to understand and know His will for you. He's not playing a celestial game of hide and seek, trying to keep you in the dark. In this message, Rod Loy talks about how you can know God's will for you in any situation.
Detours are usually not very fun. You are heading for a goal, and suddenly life throws up a detour in your life. In this message, Rod Loy looks at what happens when our plans don't always seem to be working out.
It seems like freeways are always under some sort of construction. In this message, Rod Loy talks about how our lives should be under construction, too.
Pastor Gary Tomlinson investigates one of the most mysterious women of the Bible: Mary Magdalene.
When you cruise down the highway of life alone, it's not too bad. But when other people have to merge with you on the road, that's when problems can happen. When you merge, you often clash.
In this message, Rod Loy talks about conflict resolution.
On life's highway, the road isn't always smooth. We make some wrong turns, and occasionally lose our way. In this series, Rod Loy uses highway signs as memory helpers - so every time you see a road sign, you'll recall some truths about our journey through life. In this first message, he discusses the most most common sign of all - Stop. With God's help, we can stop things that lead us down the wrong roads.
We're not certain where we learn it: the phrase, or even the concept that life is supposed to be fair. But one of the first phrases you learn as a kid is "That's not fair!"
In this message, Rod Loy looks at this idea: while life isn't fair, maybe that's a good thing.
When we mess up, whether it is little or big, we have a tendency to do whatever we can to cover it up. Confession is the furthest thing from our minds. After all, we got away with it. No one will ever know.
But inevitably, something happens, and we get caught.
What happens when we try to cover up our mistakes? Rod Loy takes a final look at the story of David and Bathsheba.
When you've realized you've messed up, you've blown it -- you have a decision to make. You can confess, or you can conceal. You can tell on yourself, or you can cover it up. What happens when you try to cover things up? What if you think you've gotten away with it? Will anyone ever know?
It makes people uncomfortable, but the church has been silent way too long--it's important for Christians to talk about sex and sexual sin. We cannot allow culture to shape our beliefs in this area. In the first message of this series, Rod Loy looks at the stranglehold that pornography has on many people in our society, our homes, and yes, even our churches.