NMC Audio Podcast: Recent Episodes
Nappanee Missionary Church
Looking at Romans 12:9-13, we'll explore the necessity for Christian community. We're saved INTO a family, and the Apostle Paul gives a powerful series of commands on what life together should look like and be shaped by. What's Paul's foundation for this radically loving community? God has loved us, so we love each other.
Drawing from Luke 5:1-11, this message explores Jesus' call to His first disciples and what it means for believers today. Through the story of the miraculous catch of fish, we'll see how Jesus calls ordinary people into His extraordinary mission, invites His followers to work together for the gospel, and sends them into every sphere of life to reach others with the hope of Christ.
How can something so familiar be so valuable? Without question, Psalm 23 is one of the favorite and most familiar of all the Psalms. There’s something about its imagery, relatability, and depth that causes us to come back to it time and again. What more could we possibly learn from it? What else does David hope we’ll notice? Is there another reminder God wants to share in these well-worn verses? Surely there is.
We encounter another shift in verse five of the twenty-third Psalm. The LORD becomes the Host of all Hosts. He goes above and beyond in a stunning manner. Lord, you would do that for me? God, I’m just grateful for you.
Verse four is a total change in tone from the previous three verses. We're first introduced to green pastures, quiet waters, and paths of righteousness. Sounds nice, right? However, in striking contrast, verse four introduces us to the valley of the shadow of death. The valley is dark, daunting, and full of potential evil. We all have valley lows, but to whom will we turn to in our greatest times of trial?
It’s not uncommon for something small to affect great change. Two words can do it. “I’m sorry” can diffuse a giant disagreement, and “I do” seals a man and woman together in marriage. A five-minute wait at a “fast food” restaurant tests one’s patience. And just eight seconds makes or breaks a bull rider. David offers something in 36 seconds that can change our lives if we're willing to trust.
David paints a picture of a Shepherd who lovingly provides what His sheep can't provide for themselves: true rest. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters.” Sheep don't naturally rest easily. They're fearful, anxious, restless, and distracted. Yet the Good Shepherd removes fear, calms the chaos, provides, and gently leads us to peace.
Psalm 23 begins with a staggering declaration: “The Lord is my shepherd.” David doesn't place his confidence in circumstances, resources, or even himself. His trust is rooted in the eternal God who feeds, leads, guards, and sustains His people. Even in crisis, trust psalms like Psalm 23 declare confidence in the faithfulness of God. The greatest comfort of Psalm 23 isn't the green pastures or still waters, but the Shepherd Himself.
Joseph spent 13 years in pits, prisons, and waiting rooms he never asked for. But Genesis 50:20 is the moment the whole journey comes into focus. What do you do when your life doesn't look like what you thought it would? And what if God is working in it rather than around it?
Forgiveness is one of the hardest commands in Scripture. In the story of Joseph and his brothers, guilt lingers and relationships remain complicated, but Joseph responds to God’s calling to overcome evil with good. Where we see hurt, God can still bring healing, redemption, and good.
As Joseph's life unfolded, he learned more about himself and continued to understand God’s character and ways. As we look at the choices Joseph made, we turn to ourselves and know we have the same opportunities to decide how we'll respond to God and the obstacles we face.
Joseph faced temptation, pressure, and false accusation, but he refused to compromise his character or dishonor God. Even when no one else was watching, Joseph chose integrity over convenience and obedience over pleasure. The life of Joseph explores how real faith is revealed in private moments and how God honors those who stand firm when compromise would be easier.
The uncomfortable reality is that sometimes the deepest wounds don’t come from strangers; they come from home. The life of Joseph explores how jealousy, comparison, and unresolved hurt can unravel relationships, and asks the honest question: Will there ever be healing and even reconciliation?
Is this just a fishing expedition into Peter's life, or is Jesus personally setting a course for his future? Around an early morning campfire, an unlikely table is set, and what unfolds is one of the most intimate, criticized, and defining conversations in all of Scripture. What Jesus does for Peter, He intends for us too.
Did Jesus lose control in the temple? Or did He reveal what truly mattered? When He overturned the tables, what was He doing? The temple was meant to be a place where people could meet God, but it had become a place that crowded out prayer, justice, and genuine worship. What tables might need to be flipped in our own lives? Jesus’ actions remind us that God cares deeply about the condition of our hearts, and He's willing to disrupt what’s wrong to restore His better way.
In the story of Zacchaeus, Jesus does something shocking. He chooses to sit at the table with the "wrong kind of people." Tax collectors, sinners, and outsiders were pushed to the margins, judged as unworthy, and forgotten. But when Jesus enters Zacchaeus' home, He isn't just sharing a meal—He's turning the world upside down. The Kingdom of God flips the social hierarchy. The people everyone else overlooks are the very people Jesus comes to seek and save. At His table, the outcast is welcomed, the forgotten are seen, and the marginalized discover they belong.
The story of Jesus is the story of invitation—a grace that meets you where you're at and welcomes you to sit at the table. On the night of His betrayal and on the road when hope seemed lost, Jesus drew near to His disciples and welcomed the doubting, the disappointed, and the questioning. The invitation is still the same for us today. There's a seat for you at the table. Will you accept His invitation?
Jesus paints a stunning picture of the Father’s heart through the story of the prodigal son—not just a tale of rebellion and return, but a radical revelation of God’s compassionate love. When the son who squandered everything finally comes home, the father doesn’t meet him with anger or shame. He runs—runs—to embrace him, robe him, and restore him. This is the love of our Heavenly Father: not earned, but freely given; not cautious, but extravagant. We're invited to receive this love without hesitation, letting it heal our shame and rewrite our story. And once we’ve been embraced by such grace, we're called to extend it to others with the same open arms, the same lavish mercy, and the same joy in seeing the lost return home.
Luke 14:25-33 challenges us to count the cost of following Jesus. Discipleship isn’t casual—it demands total surrender. Jesus calls us to lay down everything, even what we hold most dear, to truly follow Him. This passage asks: Have we counted the cost? Are we willing to give Him our all?
We're often content with appearances, but Jesus calls us to something deeper: true spiritual life. In Revelation 3, the church in Sardis had the reputation of being alive but was spiritually dead. This message is a wake-up call to shake off apathy, remember the gospel, and return to a life marked by repentance, power, and purpose. It’s time to wake up, strengthen what remains, and walk in the purity and victory that only comes through Jesus.
Examples of faith and faithfulness, like we see in Ruth and her family, are awe-inspiring. They remind us how incredible people actually are and how ordinary people can make phenomenal impact. Looking on, we wonder how they do what they do and how they risk what they risk. But we're not intended to be spectators of faithfulness. Rather we're created to be risk-taking, faith-stepping participants in a story that's more than meets the eye.
This powerful promise from Scripture finds a living example in the story of Ruth. When she humbly approached Boaz and asked him to be her kinsman redeemer, she stepped out in faith—boldly yet respectfully requesting what was both within God's provision and Boaz’s power to give. Ruth’s story reminds us that sometimes what we need most is already within reach—we just have to ask. God honors courage rooted in trust, and He often moves when we move in faith.
As those created in the image of God, we're not just shaped by His hands, we're shaped to reflect His heart. One of the most profound ways we mirror our Creator is by living out hesed—the rich, covenantal love God continually shows us. Hesed is more than kindness; it’s a deep, loyal, and sacrificial love that never gives up, even when it’s undeserved. When we show hesed in our relationships and our communities, we don’t just talk about God’s love, we reveal it. This is what it means to live as His image-bearers: to love as He loves, faithfully, relentlessly, and with grace.
The story of Ruth is built on the key themes of loyalty, boldness, and generosity. But laced in and out of those confidence-building themes are the realities of tragedy, famine, and disobedience. In the first chapter of Ruth, the people who would become her family and Ruth herself face many factors outside. They, just like us, are faced with the question of how to respond.
In Colossians 1:15-23, we’re given a breathtaking vision of Jesus Christ—one that lifts our eyes beyond the ordinary and into the Holy of Holies. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the One by whom and for whom all things were made. In Him, all things hold together. This passage invites us to see Jesus not merely as a teacher or moral example, but as the preeminent Lord of all—supreme over creation, sovereign in redemption, and reconciling all things to Himself through the blood of the cross. It’s a vision that anchors faith, inspires worship, and redefines everything.
You may be carrying a heavy load this Easter season. The stresses of life, worries about finances, mental health battles, pressures at work, and on and on... But there's good news! Jesus Christ has risen from the grave, and He offers salvation, rest, joy, and peace to anyone who comes to Him. It's gonna be okay because Jesus is alive!
Sometimes we don’t understand what God is doing—and that’s okay. In John 12, even Jesus’ closest followers didn’t fully grasp what was happening. The crowds cheering at the Triumphal Entry had no idea their Messiah was riding in not to conquer by force, but to lay down His life. Confusion and unmet expectations swirled all around. But Jesus was still moving toward the cross with purpose. Just because they didn’t understand didn’t mean God wasn’t at work. When life doesn’t make sense, we can rest in the truth that He sees the whole picture, and it really is going to be okay.
In 1971, a man from central Indiana penned the lyrics of a gospel song called, "Because He Lives." When Bill and Gloria Gaither first sang the lyrics, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow," they were echoing the belief and hope of centuries of Jesus followers. Because of Jesus, we have hope that things are actually gonna be okay. But how does Jesus show us that truth, and how do we do offer the same for others? Let’s get up close and personal and see what we discover.
Praying with eyes open means being fully aware of the needs around us and responding with compassion and action. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches that serving others—especially the hungry, thirsty, stranger, sick, and imprisoned—is a direct reflection of our service to Him. The passage reminds us that faith is not just about words or rituals but about actively meeting the needs of those around us. When we see a need, we're called to meet it, demonstrating God's love through tangible acts of kindness. Praying with eyes open invites us to see the world through God's eyes and respond with a heart of service.
We love the expressions and exploration of a child learning to talk. We crave hearing from the person with whom we’re falling in love. But on the other hand, we get tired of too many words. We describe some people as "chewing our ears off" or "babbling on" or "flapping their gums." We were made to communicate, and followers of Jesus are called to tell others about Him. While you may be wary of what to say and how to say it, Jesus wants each of us to name what is right in front of us, and in doing so, the world will hear about Jesus.
We’re all called to be water-walkers. We’re not called to the comfort of the boat, but a life on mission—walking on the water with Jesus and doing the impossible.
Whether smuggling Bibles, feeding lepers, or working amongst a Muslim people group, Mick Veach’s commitment to share the love of God has taken him all over the world. As the Global Partners’ Area Director for Central Asia and the Middle East, he has presented the gospel in more than 60 countries. Mick serves as the lead pastor of Kentwood Community Church in Michigan.
Every person's heart is constantly trying to fill itself with something other than God. The trouble is it never works. Nothing in this world is ever enough. Jesus offers us a different path to a blessed life: the path of the pure in heart!
Brad Bullock grew up in a non-Christian home, but his life was radically transformed as a teenager when he began to attend NMC with a friend. As he grew in his relationship with Christ, he felt the call to full-time ministry. Brad, his wife Kelsey, and their three kids live in Fort Wayne where he serves as the executive pastor of next generation at Pathway Community Church.
Just as for Gideon, God’s presence with us is the key to victory.
Geoff Eckart lives in Grand Rapids with his wife Arianna and their three daughters. He’s the lead pastor at Daybreak Church in Hudsonville, MI, and the founder and CEO of Never The Same, a national youth ministry organization with a vision to see new generations transformed in Christ. Geoff is also the chairman of the board for the National Day of Prayer Task Force.
We were created to enjoy rich community with others, but how can we as Christ-followers dive deeper in relationship with each other? In the midst of a solitude and loneliness epidemic, followers of Jesus have a roadmap in the Bible of how to “one-another.”
Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and CEO of Growing Leaders, a nonprofit organization created to develop emerging leaders. His work grew out of 20 years of serving alongside Dr. John C. Maxwell. He has written over 35 books, been featured in multiple articles, and appeared on national broadcasts to talk about leading multiple generations in the marketplace.
Praying with ears open is about more than just speaking to God; it's about creating a space to truly listen. In our prayers, we often pour out our hearts, but it’s equally important to pause and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. When we open our ears to God's voice, we invite His guidance and direction into our lives. The Holy Spirit speaks in different ways through different means, leading us on a path of wisdom, peace, and purpose. Listening in prayer allows us to align our hearts with God's will, trusting that His direction will always lead us toward His perfect plan for us.
We have the benefit and pleasure of reading the stories of the first followers of Jesus. Through the pages of Scripture, we see them as they rise and fall. We watch as Jesus interacts, teaches, and sends them to represent Him in the world. As we examine them, we wonder: "Will they see the world as Jesus hopes they will see it? Will they see how to represent Jesus and His kingdom in the world?" Great questions. And really, these are our questions. Will we see as Jesus sees? Will we see how to represent Him in our communities?
In Matthew 16:21-26, Jesus shifts the focus of His ministry, revealing to His disciples that He must suffer, die, and be resurrected. Jesus then calls His followers to take up their cross and deny themselves to truly follow Him. This is an invitation for any follower of Jesus into a radical way of life—one that disrupts comfort and security. To follow Christ means to embrace the path of self-sacrifice and choose difficult obedience. The way of the cross isn’t easy, but it's the way of transformation, love, and eternal life.
God’s presence has a profound way of disrupting the fear that often holds us back from sharing our faith. He can transform our hesitation into boldness. When we trust in His power rather than our own limitations, we find courage to speak, knowing that He equips us for every moment. In His perfect love, fear is cast out, leaving space for us to confidently share the hope we have in Christ.
Righteousness can be described as a vehicle for God's love. It's the transport mechanism of God's mercy and justice. God acts in just and good ways as He moves toward us. It's who He is, what He does, and we are better because of it. Not only that, we are to be a reflection and continuation of His right actions in the world. But what happens when we forget? You guessed it, a divine disruption of our self-righteousness.
In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, sometimes the secret to greater success lies in doing less. By focusing on what truly matters and eliminating distractions, we create space for God to do His best work in and through us. Embrace simplicity, cut down attachments, and watch how much more Kingdom impact will come. Less truly is more when it’s done with intention.
Regular checkups are important, whether for your car, your health, or your relationships. They help ensure everything’s working well, fix what’s off, and keep things running at their best. Today, let’s do a church checkup. Do you understand what the church is meant to be, how it should function, and your role in it? Are you actively contributing to help your church thrive?
Do you have someone in your life who just seems to drain the joy out of you? Someone who tests your patience to the limits and makes you pray for their relocation. We all have “those people” in our lives, but what if God has a purpose for keeping them there? Maybe He’s using them to do something transformative in us.
Not only is it important to develop our relationship with God, we must also take note of the ways we've developed a relationship with not-gods, what the Bible calls idols. It doesn’t matter who we are, how we're raised, or where we're from, we all have the power to create competing gods in our lives. But God, by His grace, has given us the ability and opportunities to choose to trust Him.
We’re all works in progress on the journey we call life. Where’s your journey taken you previously? Where do you find yourself currently? What’s your desired destination in the future? The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the churches in Corinth, challenges apprentices of Jesus not to be aimless or lose focus. Instead, train hard, live with great purpose, and keep your eyes fixed on a specific destination.
Few would be willing to part with what's most precious to them in life. For a parent, can there be anything more precious than their child? Now, imagine the deep emotion of the Father as He gave His one and only Son, Jesus. He gave. As we conclude this series on generosity, we must ask ourselves: “Is there anything we're withholding from God when He calls us to give?”
The story of Jesus' birth is familiar and is the reason we celebrate. We wish you a Merry Christmas! But, although It's familiar, we don't want to overlook this story. Not only do we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we welcome His generosity, looking at His life in order to live generously toward others like He has for us.
When you think about the future, how do you feel? Anxious? Confident and expectant? Or perhaps somewhere in between? It's entirely human to feel uneasy about what lies ahead; the uncertainties of tomorrow can often be overwhelming. However, we can find inspiration in the remarkable example of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who generously entrusted her future to Christ and His Kingdom.
What's your reputation? What are you known for by other people? In the Christmas story, we're introduced to a man named Joseph with a reputation for being a righteous man. In obedience to God, Joseph puts his reputation on the line for Christ and His Kingdom. Does God call on all His followers to give their reputations for His purposes?
William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, once wrote, "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." There are only so many hours in a day, weeks in a year, and years in a lifetime. How will we steward the time the Lord has given us? What might it look like for you to be generous with the time you've been given?
The heart of God is summed up in the word GIVE! From Genesis to Revelation, there’s a constant stream of God’s attribute of being a "giver." We are most like our Father when we practice generosity in every area of our lives.
We weren't created to live alone. We need each other. In a world filled with brokenness and abandonment, there are burdens too weighty to carry alone. It takes a village to raise a child. Who will be the village for children in the foster system or for children waiting for adoption? Who will be the village for families who answer the call to care for these children? The need is great, but the Church, empowered by God’s Spirit, can meet the needs.
We know recovering from a physical injury takes time and attention. Similarly, to get back to normal after a relationship breakdown requires intentionality and healing. Likewise, to feel right again after committing sin often involves a season of humility and restoration. Thankfully, it's in those sensitive, soft areas where the hope of Jesus makes all the difference. He delves into the deep tissue of our lives to get us to take steps with Him again.
Our mission is to meet Jesus' call for all believers in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to make fully committed disciples. Today, we celebrate the goodness of God through the Let's Give It All Away offering and sharing stories of Kingdom impact through our local, regional, and global partners!
At the close of his letter, the Apostle Paul sums up everything he has been communicating to the churches in Ephesus and the larger Asia Minor area. He gives a clear, repetitive message to the community of faith: “STAND.” There will be opposition from the enemy, so the response of the Church is to STAND. We're to put on the full armor that God makes available to us through His Son Jesus Christ and STAND!
If there was anyone in history who “called it like they see it,” we would agree the Apostle Paul fits the description. He is adept at describing Jesus, grace, human relationship, and deep truths about God’s love for His creation. His writings often give clear contrasts between the best and the worst in our world. But more than simply pointing out what’s wrong, Paul gives a message of accessible hope and doable practices for how to live out our everyday lives.
In the first three chapters of Ephesians, we fix our gaze on what God has done. BUT GOD! These first three chapters set the stage for the last three chapters. In light of what God has done, we—the Body of Christ—are called to live a life worthy of that calling. Chapter four lays out practical implications for what it looks like to live as a part of the new society God is creating.
Paul's letter to the churches around the city of Ephesus repeatedly invites them to take a long look at the life-changing work of God. Jesus has done more than offer salvation from sin. His life and love have made a radical shift in how all things work together. Consider your favorite gadget or tool. Try to imagine your life without it. Just like how that device empowers your everyday existence, Paul communicates that Jesus is transforming our lives and our world.
It appears we can't help ourselves from creating division and building walls. Some do this to protect themselves, others do it to maintain power over others, and some may do it purely out of animosity. Whatever the reason, Christ’s life, death, and resurrection were meant to tear down walls and grant all access to the Father. So, Church, why the walls?
Where do we turn when darkness draws near, when our fleshly desires rage within, and when the enemy entices? There is a power. There is a power that reigns far above any other power, ruler, or authority. There is a power that can resurrect the dead. There is a power!
Chances are there are parts of your story that you love and, if you're honest, parts of your story you'd rather not bring out. There are parts of our story we broadcast through a team jersey, the car we drive, the ink on our skin, or the grey in our hair. Other parts of our story get tucked away in a journal, in a prayer, as a secret, or lost in memory.
God is a composer of a story. The Apostle Paul reminds the church in Ephesus, as well as believers today, that regardless of the story we've lived in our personal lives, all those in Christ share a common story with a common purpose.
Introductions tell you a lot about a person. Introductions are an opportunity for you to give others insight into who you are. So, who are you? What makes you you? Whether using a social media bio, a meet and greet, or an autobiography, how do you identify yourself?
Jesus, the master teacher, instructs us that when we pray, we’re to ask forgiveness for our sins. Confession is one of the keys to having a vibrant prayer life. Unfortunately, in a battle with our flesh and the condemnation of the enemy, we often fail to confess. Can you imagine the life and power available to us if we operated from a place of being forgiven consistently?
We can all fall into the trap of approaching God through prayer and treating Him like a magic genie or a vending machine. On one side, it's about those three lucky wishes and making them count. On the other, it's about giving God the correct payment (good works, good words, lots of words, etc.) and getting from Him what you want. But what if prayer is much more than that? What if prayer involves the learned skill of back and forth communication, just like in the best relationships you have in life?
It's common to ask others for help. It may have happened in your life this week when your car broke down, when you needed a pen at school, or as you were running behind on a project at work. It's also very normal to ask God for help. We seek His direction, His healing, and His gifts. It's not wrong to ask—in fact He tells us to do so. However, we've all experienced unanswered prayers. How do we respond when He doesn't seem to be responding?
Throughout the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s heart to work with His people to carry out His purposes. What if our greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God is our prayers? What if God’s desire is for us to stand in the gap for others with intercessory prayers?
Prayer is essential to the Christian faith. Some may even say that prayer is life—that prayer is more than just something we do—it’s a lifestyle to embody. The Apostle Paul encourages followers of Jesus to pray without ceasing. Why, then, do most of us seriously struggle to have a vibrant prayer life? Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the Great Teacher, and learn how to pray.
Anxiety is a reality of life. These are uncertain times. Every season of life presents its own version of anxiety. Anxiety brings heaviness; everything seems out of control. There’s a feeling of uncertainty. Yet, Jesus presents a clear path amidst that heaviness.
The psalms use beautiful word images to paint pictures of what a relationship with the Lord can be. In other places in the Bible, authors have taken the language of the psalmist and reiterated the idea of tasting the goodness of God. What an invitation! To experience, tangibly, through the senses, the goodness of God. Have you tasted and seen?
They show up in fairy tales, on magazine covers, and on the big screen. We talk about them from time to time not always knowing how they connect to us or bring meaning to our lives. “They” are Kings & Queens.
They are royalty—romanticized figures who seem out of touch and out of place in everyday life. But thankfully, the Psalms don’t overly romanticize the image of God as our King. Rather, we see how serious God is about
affecting our world and about our response to Him. His posture toward us is an invitation to partner with Him.
It may be surprising to know that psalms of lament are the most common subcategory of passages in the book of Psalms. Laments give voice to the intensity of pain, confusion, doubts, and sorrow that are part of the human experience. It’s not a question of if we’ll experience pain in this life, but rather where do we turn to in our pain? How do we process our pain?
Have you ever heard the phrase, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” The psalms give us an honest look at David’s inconsistency. He wants God to enact justice but wants himself to be exempt from the justice he is due. This is the justice paradox: we want God to be fair, but also personally receive unfair treatment. How do we make sense of this?
The psalmist David writes, “My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.” When we look at the work of God’s hands, and when we reflect on His great salvific work in our lives, how can we do anything but praise His holy name for ever and ever? The people of God are people of praise!
Psalms, the ancient prayer book in the Bible, showcases the interactions of people with God. In these poems, the beauty of creation is highlighted, the dynamics of relationships are exposed, and the characteristics of God are on display. Psalm 19 highlights the Word of God and invites the reader to respond. Will we welcome wisdom or choose something else?
The psalmist in Psalm 73 finds himself fixated on the prosperity of the wicked in the world instead of on God. We can find ourselves in this same position, with questions and comparisons in our minds. As we challenge our grads to keep their eyes on God, let’s take a moment to reflect on where our eyes are focused in this season.
Jesus rebukes and reminds His disciples that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to those like children. Kids are small windows into a very big reality. The innocence, the blind faith, and the curious wonder of a child are signposts to experiencing God. Protect kids at all cost. How might God be calling our collective body to care for kids?
Today, we welcome David Brickner to NMC. David is the CEO and executive director of Jews for Jesus, the leading Jewish mission and evangelistic organization in the world. He has dedicated his career to sharing the hope of the gospel with Jewish people worldwide.
Jesus’ invitation is beautiful. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What are you carrying?
To both the religious insiders and the moral outsiders, Jesus gives a goal—a better way to orient our lives. Some people pursue the correct church behaviors, while others are just living for what the weekend has to offer. But what if there’s a better way? What if we were created for more than the weekend? If we’re willing to learn it, Jesus has a life lesson for all of us.
Paul writes to young Timothy, encouraging and exhorting him to stay the course, keep sound doctrine, and steer the early church in Ephesus. This was a difficult task in a pagan city. The cultural pressures inside and outside the church were mounting. Paul gives Timothy three pictures (or three keys) to keep the faith.
Elijah experienced the epic mountain top victory on Mt. Carmel, defeating the prophets of Baal and revealing YAHWEH is the ultimate authority in heaven and on earth. However, immediately following this great victory, we see the great, faith-filled prophet plummet. Elijah hits an all-time low. Elijah’s story offers us perspective into how we should approach our own low valley moments.
It seems like nothing could be worse than nothingness. Seriously, what good could ever come out of being alone, being in the dark, being out of the loop, being the last one standing? How can something come out of nothing? In counterintuitive ways, God repeatedly teaches Elijah a valuable lesson—a lesson that gives him the perspective he needs to face what is in front of him.
Elijah is one of the most well-known Old Testament figures in the Bible. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Elijah shows up as the representative of all the prophets who came before. As prominent as he is, the Scriptures give us only a few snapshots of the events of his life. But one thing is for sure: Elijah knew how to pray untamed prayers. Do you?
If anyone has a reason to praise or to have a heart overwhelmed with gratitude, it is the follower of Jesus. Thank You, God, for loving us so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for dwelling among us, teaching us how to live, and ultimately for taking our sin and our shame to the cross. Thank You for the promise of Your Spirit and for future resurrection. We have a reason to praise. Thank You, Jesus!
It’s an (almost) impossible thing to imagine that the God of the universe is interested in people like us. And not only is He interested, but He extends an invitation to us to participate! What could we possibly offer that would please Him? The answer may surprise you, but it won’t disappoint you.
Common to each of us is the experience of comparison. And if you’ve ever disqualified yourself from something (either publicly or privately), your reasons likely stem from seeing yourself not as good as ______________. (You fill in the blank.) But we are invited to much more than the habit of personal/early disqualification. Today’s snapshot of Moses at Mount Sinai is filled with encouragement for those moments we want to back away from what is coming our way.
Life is full of highs, lows, and everything in between. Moses, one of the key figures of the Old Testament, gives us access to his story, both the highs and the lows. Do you see your story in his story? Stuck between different worlds, Moses is faced with a decision. To what or whom will he identify himself with and how will that affect every part of his life?
In Romans 12, God gives us a clear picture of what Christians should look like at the root level. If you’re ready to move from “in” to “all in,” then you’re ready to become a Romans 12 Christian. God is willing to go deeper and grow you into a real disciple. Are you ready?
Chip Ingram is the teaching pastor and CEO of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip is the author of many books, including "Holy Ambition," "Discover Your True Self," "True Spirituality," "The Real God," and "The Invisible War." Chip and his wife Theresa have four grown children and twelve grandchildren and live in California.
An in-depth look at Psalm 16 and how David’s own words mirror our Christian experience today.
Garrett is the Prayer and Teaching Pastor at Asbury Church in Madison, AL. With a background in itinerant speaking and college campus ministry, Garrett is passionate about multi-generational spiritual awakening through prayer. Outside of ministry, his hobbies include reading fiction, eating Mexican food, exercising, and watching the MCU.
God desires for us to move towards holiness and closeness to Jesus. How do we feel empowered to continue chasing after Jesus, especially when it seems difficult or He feels far away? What sin may be slowing down our momentum? Hebrews 12 gives us practical steps to follow Jesus more closely every single day.
Rodney was elected President of the Missionary Church in 2023. He has been a credentialed minister in the denomination since 2009 when he planted OneLife Church in Knoxville, TN. Rodney is passionate about the multiplication of disciples, churches, and networks (both locally and internationally) and developing the next generation of leaders to lead Kingdom expansion in unique and creative ways.
Jesus has come, not only to set us free from the guilt of sin, but to save us from the shame of sin. Chris Bounds preaches on the debilitating problem of shame and how Christ has come to set us free from it.
Chris is a Professor of Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary. Before teaching at Asbury, he taught for more than a decade in the School of Theology and Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University. He’s an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, where he served as an associate and senior pastor for eight years. Chris and his wife Tamara have two children.
Who am I? This is one of the greatest questions that we will ask in this life. Where do you draw your identity from? We have many different forms of identifying who we are based on relationships, occupation, education, race, religion, interests and so on and so forth. But at your very core, who are you?
Love is a fashionable word. We hear it repeatedly in music, in poetry, in the Scriptures, and even when eating our favorite pizza. If repetition helps get a point across, John is definitely trying to get our attention and educate us about love—true love. God is love, but what about us?
The wise sage, John, abruptly ends his letter to the church. His final words are short and to the point. He tells the beloved disciples of Jesus to keep themselves from idols. That’s it. Why would John choose to finish his letter that is full of assurances in such a way?
It’s a great learning moment when an old, wise sage sits down in his chair and shares seasoned wisdom with the children. That’s exactly what John does in 1 John. As he comes closer to the end of his life, he wants those new in the faith to experience God’s perfect love flowing through them. He wants them to experience incredible joy. Most importantly, he desires for them to know freedom from the tyranny and pain of sin.
Who doesn’t want to be loved? There is an innate desire in all of us to be seen and known in an intimate way. Our souls crave the love of God, but there is also a need to be loved in communion with our brothers and sisters. That loving communion with brothers and sisters is what John describes as evidence that we have relationship with God. So why do we often get it so wrong?
John describes in stark contrast the present circumstances of a group of believers in Jesus. His words accentuate the pressure they face, he reminds them time is ticking away, and he encourages them to apply the truth they have accepted to their everyday life. But a choice remains. The hours of our days are not unlike theirs, and we too have the same choice—Option A or Option BE.
Abide. Remain. Dwell. Live in. Stay. Over twenty times, John writes of this idea in his short letter to the church. This state of being or concept of remaining directly connects to John 15, where Jesus also encourages his followers to stay connected to him. So, Church, what does it look like to abide, remain, dwell, live in and stay with Christ?
The book of 1 John is a challenge and encouragement to the Church. John is reminding the Church of the sufficient work of Christ on the cross and the implications for holy living. John is encouraging the faithful followers of Christ to hold steady in the face of opposition and false teaching. We are people of light and love.
Seeking Jesus is an incredible gift from God. Along the way, it means dealing with questions and frustrations. It could even mean we will overlook Him from time to time. That’s not surprising knowing our own shortcomings. But what if it is Jesus who is being elusive? What then? Will we be motived to seek and find Him even when it is difficult?
A first-century pagan named Epictetus once wrote, “While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy; he cannot give peace of heart, for which man yearns for more than even outward peace.” Today, we all are still searching for that peace. Who is able to offer mankind the peace that they are seeking?
Two simultaneously stunning aspects are true of God. First, He is involved in our lives. How sweet that is! Second, we don’t automatically see His involvement. Ugh! However, as we continue seeking Jesus, we discover how God is at work. Through the snapshot of two individuals in the Scriptures, we see how God is at work in, through, and for us.
More than two thousand years ago, a baby was born in Bethlehem, and nothing has been the same since. Regardless of what you personally believe, no person has ever come close to the kind of impact that Jesus of Nazareth has had on our world. Jesus forces every single one of us to make a decision. Will you be compelled or repelled by him?
Do you ever feel like the middle has no meaning? The middle of the road trip, the middle of the line, the middle child, the middle of my education/career/life… The middle can leave us wondering, "What’s the point of all this?" The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth helps us know what to do and what to expect as we continue seeking Jesus, even in the middle.
Jesus once said, “Give back to God what is God’s.” So, the question becomes, "What is God’s?" Could it be that God is calling each of His followers into a radical mindset switch and lifestyle? God is challenging us to adopt a new posture, one that shifts the conversation from ownership to stewardship. Ultimately it comes down to trust!
What comes to mind when someone says, “Give God your best”? Do you start acting better, giving extra, trying harder, attending more? Perhaps it’s opposite — you back away feeling like you don’t have much to offer. The Bible repeatedly expresses to us that God’s best is revealed out of the people and places where nothing good seems possible.
We're celebrating the goodness of God through the Let's Give It All Away offering, Feed My Starving Children week, and stories of Kingdom impact through our local, regional, and global partners!
Most of us have multiple nagging fears in our minds such as, “What if there isn’t enough for me?” or “What if I miss out on an opportunity?” Or maybe even, “What if this God stuff isn’t real?” A scarcity mindset, a fear of missing out mindset, or an Epicurean mindset motivates us to hoard, to hurry, and to focus on self. What if there was another way—the way of Jesus?
Pray earnestly. Pray often. Pray when you are in trouble. Pray when you are full of joy. Seek prayer when facing all kinds of illness. Pray with clean hands and pure hearts. The prayer of the righteous is powerful. Pray with God’s name, God’s Kingdom, and God’s will as your focus. Don’t stop praying!
We live in an economic system that preys on our lack of self-control and mindless consumption. We give advertisements, our neighbors, and social media facades permission to sow discontent in our souls and cultivate an insatiable desire for more. James cries out like the prophets of old and warns the Church of the dangers of wealth and challenges us to live, instead, with radical generosity.
They say life, like football, is a game of inches. Each of us face “little things” or “final details” which can make all the difference in our lives. The biblical author, James, makes a big deal about a small thing in hopes that we will trust God with the big and small parts of our lives.
The Africa Gospel Church (AGC) Baby Centre in Kenya is one of NMC’s major international partners. From the beginning, the goal was not to be an orphanage, but rather a place for orphaned and abandoned babies to find restoration in a forever home.
Since the first babies arrived in 2006, more than 500 children have come through the Baby Centre—500 lives rescued, redeemed, and restored by the work of Jesus through this place!
Over many years, NMC has been privileged and honored to witness stories of God rescuing, redeeming, and restoring hundreds of lives. But more than just the lives of 500+ babies who've come through the Baby Centre, God has used this ministry to write stories of rescue, redemption, and restoration in the lives of adoptive families, churches in Kenya and the USA — volunteers, visitors, and employees. Through our connection with the Baby Centre, we all become bearers of amazing stories of what God wants to accomplish for His Kingdom purposes.
An underlying theme in the book of James is a general concern that the Body of Christ is failing to put their faith into practice. To James, this life matters, and what we do in this life matters. So, the question asked of the early church and the question that should still be asked today is “What are you doing?”
Regardless of your faith (or lack of faith) in Jesus, we experience pressure, strain, loss, and struggle. We face "trials of every kind." The invitation from James is to welcome wisdom. But what kind of wisdom? The result of that choice will make all the difference in our world, our communities, and our closest relationships.
Jesus was abundantly clear with His followers when He said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Jesus is telling His followers to brace themselves, there will be resistance to those who align themselves with Christ and His kingdom. Here, James offers significant insight into how followers of Jesus are to understand and face trials of many kinds.
Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave clear instruction on living as a citizen of the kingdom. He ends with a strong warning to those who believe they are following Jesus. Many will miss it. As the rain falls on the just and the unjust, the foundations will be exposed and what is in our hearts will be revealed. Listen to the words of Jesus and put them into practice.
When one kingdom rises, others will react. Jesus brings His kingdom toward the kingdoms of our world and our personal lives. He knows there will be resistance – but resistance can become the very thing Jesus uses to bring God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus, the revolutionary, is advocating for a profound and transformative love! Through Jesus, we find a compelling example of embracing love for our enemies as the most compassionate way to live. In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus had something to say to the Pharisees of His days about this problem, and His words are specifically relevant to us today when God’s people have once again developed a reputation for hating other people.
Living in two worlds is challenging. Swimming upstream is difficult. Riding against the wind can be brutal. Jesus, in the Greatest Sermon Ever Preached, challenges His followers to do exactly that. In what’s known as The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays out the tension between living in the world yet walking in His ways. It’s all about “Kingdoms In Conflict!” Which one will you choose?
It would be an understatement to say that Jesus radically shifted the way people think, not just in His time, but in every generation since. Do we have the right thinking when it comes to who God is, who we are, and what life is? On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges people to change their minds, to think differently and rightly. Will you change your mind?
The Apostle Paul, kneeling before the Father, prays a prayer for the church, a prayer for all generations. May our prayer be the same for our brothers and sisters. May we be able to experience the surpassing love of Christ in such a dramatic way that it changes our lives and the way that we pray.
Jesus shares this profound parable in response to a teacher of the law’s two questions. Jesus flips the script, and instead of being challenged by the teacher of the Law, He becomes the one who does the challenging. Jesus offers us insight into what the Kingdom of God is like and how we can experience His Kingdom.
Nearly all of us would agree that a marker of faithfulness to God is obedience to His Word. After all, James tells us that we should not merely listen to the Word, but we should do what it says. However, many of us are not quick to consider the attitude with which we “do” it. In Psalm 119, we are challenged to move beyond begrudging compliance to a joyful engagement. Today we’re challenged to think about what kind of obedience marks our lives.
May the church never lose sight of how great our God is in all the heavens and the earth. May the church never forget to consider the majesty, the magnitude, or the might of our God. O Lord, our Lord forgive us of making too much of ourselves and too little of You. O Lord, our Lord how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
Today in our service we’ll be hearing of a miracle story of God’s grace. We hope that your heart will be blessed and challenged.
In this Father's Day message, Pastor Kevin Moore will help us dig past the surface and give us four foundational traits that we can build our life on.
This morning, we'll honor and celebrate our 2023 high school graduates. As we honor these students, we also take time to look at the story of Apollos, Priscilla, and Aquila to see what it means to invest and to be invested into.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you….” It is wild that Jesus told His disciples that it was better that He leave them, so that He could send the Advocate. This Advocate must be pretty amazing for it to be better than having Christ in the flesh. An encounter with Jesus leads to an encounter with the Holy Spirit.
It’s amazing how our behavior changes when we realize the time clock is ticking down. Jesus wanted His disciples to live with a sense of urgency. There was a mission to accomplish. There was a message to be shared. There were disciples to be made, all while the time clock was ticking down. His final words to His disciples and to us are focused to live ON MISSION—His mission.
Jesus’ words to Peter are simple: “FOLLOW ME.” Yet, almost immediately, Peter gets sidetracked, unfocused, and off mission. Sometimes we have the tendency to make following Jesus harder than it needs to be. Let’s fix our focus on the Master and follow Him.
For a third time, we get a glimpse of Jesus encountering His disciples in John 21. Specifically in this passage, we're given access to an intimate moment between Christ and Peter. Peter has had quite the journey leading up to this encounter; he’s had a lot of high highs and low lows. This encounter with Jesus will, again, forever change his life. All it takes is one encounter with Christ.
Do you believe? Is believing without seeing difficult for you? Thomas, commonly referred to as Doubting Thomas, may be unfairly nicknamed. We, today, are in a similar place as Thomas was before seeing the resurrected Christ. Do we believe, without seeing, that Jesus is in fact resurrected from the dead? All of Christian faith rests on this belief.
We all have a story to tell. A story filled with pain, heartache, failures, mistakes, victories, joy, happiness, and the list can go on. What happens when Jesus steps in and rewrites our story? How do our lives change course and redefine our purpose? Mary Magdalene’s life was changed by Jesus, and this change propelled her onto mission. Encountering Jesus leads us to an empowered purpose.
The road to Emmaus is an incredible story that only Luke shares at the end of his gospel. It serves as the perfect parallel to all our walks of faith. Coming to know Christ is walking down a path. Understanding Scripture is a life-long process. And communing with Christ is a gift of sight. May we be people of the path, the book, and the table.
Does what concerns God concern you? It’s easy to get caught up in urgent concerns. It’s quite normal to let small things consume and concern us while the biggest and most important things slip off our radar. The story of Jonah is about allowing God’s concerns to become our concerns. It’s about letting His heart become our heart. It’s all about a heart of compassion for the lost and the irreligious. What concerns God should concern us.
Imperfection is our reality. We all have struggles, messes, pains, and pasts. Thank God for His mercy! How good is He? How faithful is He to forgive? He is the God of second chances. No matter where you are in life or where you've been, God has and is mercifully calling you back to His presence and His purposes. When you hear His calling, how will you respond?
What is it that’s holding me back from being all that I could be? What barriers might exist to keep me from God’s best? Where are the blind spots in my life? What’s the hard battle that I must win? Jonah, in the belly of the large fish, faces a defining moment of absolute surrender to God’s best. Just as he faced that moment of truth, we face it, too. It’s the ultimate chess match.
It is a literary feat that the incredibly small book of Jonah contains such an extraordinary epic. There are many deep insights and themes to glean from the four short chapters. On the surface, Jonah is the story of a prophet who runs from God’s calling on his life, but in reality, this book is about a merciful God.
Whether it's a relationship, college degree, or career path, so many people are afraid to commit. But why? Why is it so hard to make a choice? In this week's message, Pastor Kevin Moore will tackle these questions head on and give you some tips that will help you both start and finish what is most important.
Isn’t it nice to fit in, feel accepted, and be well-received? Unfortunately, for the follower of Jesus, that isn’t always possible. The nature of the Gospel, partnered with our calling to share the Gospel, is at times a recipe for rejection. Let us not allow the fear of rejection to keep us from answering the call of Christ in our lives!
Have you ever been paralyzed by the thought and fear of failure? Do you hear the voice that says, “Don’t even try because you will inevitably mess this up.” Or the voice that says, “You failed before. What makes you think this time will be any different?” Or how about the voice that says, “You aren’t good enough, talented enough, strong enough, or holy enough…” The fear of failure is real and rears its ugly in head in many different ways. But the good news is that God did not give us a spirit of fear, so by the power of the Spirit, let’s say goodbye to the fear of failure.
Relationship is the core of Christianity. We are designed for relationship. First and foremost is our relationship with Christ, but also with one another. Followers of Jesus, through the instruction of the Scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit, should be relationship specialists. What fear is keeping you from relationship?
For some time now, you've had a stirring. It's almost like a voice has been saying, "Something needs to change." Could it be that Jesus is calling you? Could it be that He is asking you to take a step and follow Him—follow Him to peace, follow Him to freedom, follow Him to something new?
Why is it so difficult to give up control? Is it a trust issue? Do we fear being hurt, abused, or let down? Or could it be that we like to be self-made men and women? Do we like to make our own decisions, rules, and plans? Regardless of reasons, God calls every one of us to cease resisting Him and to submit to His authority.
“For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Our minds are beautiful and yet also dangerous places. The ability to think, contemplate, and process is a gift, but it is a gift that the enemy loves to exploit. The enemy engages our minds with deception, lies, and fear. So, Church, our mission is to stay alert, take every thought captive, and live from a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.
In Exodus 17, the Israelites are faced with a terrifying battle against the Amalekites who are set to destroy them. Moses gives us two profoundly beautiful insights to carry us into the new year and beyond.
Of all the different modes and methods, God chose a most peculiar plan to establish His Kingdom. His most peculiar plan shattered expectation. His most peculiar plan bucked more conventional thinking. He decided to send His Son, in the form of a baby. That child would dwell among us, rule in the most peculiar way, and establish an unshakeable Kingdom. All hail King Jesus!
Amidst all of the bad news, there is good news! It's easy to allow our circumstances to steal our joy. It's time to flip the script. It's time to discover hope. It's time to shake off the dust, reclaiming who we are in Christ when we realize His full and complete salvation. When we are in Christ, we have a story to tell and a song to sing!
Have you ever said to yourself, “What in the world is going on?” Do you find yourself shaking your head in disbelief at what is happening in the world today? What emotional response does this draw out of you? Anger? Fear? Sadness? In what seems to be an increasing feeling of lostness and darkness in the world today, what is the response of the follower of Jesus in the now and not yet?
Followers of Jesus are set apart, called to be different. We’ve been given, by the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ, a new perspective on life. We live in the now and not yet. The Kingdom of God is here but is not yet fully realized. In the time remaining before Christ comes back, we have been given the beautiful work to be bringers of Good News. May all come to saving faith and shout triumphantly, “Our God Reigns!”
Few of us like waiting for something. We live in an “instant everything” culture. And yet, could it be that waiting serves a very important purpose? For those who serve a promise-making, promise-keeping God, waiting for God to act helps direct their attention toward a future in which that faithful God redeems a problem-ridden world. Today we look at two biblical characters who were characterized by their anticipatory waiting. Their story inspires us to be a people who are always watching and waiting.
God has done such a beautiful work for us. Hear the words from 1 John 3:1—“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” So, what is our response to such a great work of love? The story of the ten lepers offers some powerful insight.
What if there is not enough for me? This is one of the most primal fears of humanity. In response to fear we have the tendency to store, hoard, and hold onto resources with a death grip. It is an act of grace that Jesus lovingly teaches and shows us the power of loosening and giving.
Life is not rainbows and unicorns. We are real people with real problems. But why are things so broken? Doesn’t God care? Why doesn’t he seem to do anything? In this message, Pastor Kevin will unpack Gods heart for restoration and the steps we can take to experience the health, healing, and wholeness found in Christ.
Everybody goes through hard times. We long for an escape. Certainly there has to be a way out of the pain and disappointment. Yet sometimes the Lord, in His providence, has us exactly where He wants us—for a season. It’s in those times, we learn about His sustaining grace and perfect plan for our lives.
The words justice and righteousness are frequently used all throughout the Old Testament, and both are so tightly tied to the very character of God. In Jeremiah, the Lord reveals His frustration with the people of God for not following His ways of justice and righteousness. The question for us today then is, "Are we just and right in the eyes of the Lord?"
In a few different places, the Bible refers to our pursuit of Christ as a race. Fight the good fight! Run the race! It would be good wisdom then to ask the question, "What race am I running?" Or maybe the question is, "Am I running any race?" The Lord spoke over Jeremiah and speaks over us today: “You were made to run with horses!”
If you keep going the way you are going, where will you end up? What words would you use to describe your “way?” Is it tough? Is it hard? Is it sweet? Is it rewarding? The best question might be, "Is it the good way?" Jeremiah gives some blunt, direct guidelines for getting on the good way. This could be a tipping point moment for you in making wise choices to get on His way—the good way.
Israel, time and time again, was lured away from worshipping the one true God and gave their awe and reverence to idols and false gods. Time and time again, the prophets, including Jeremiah, called the people of God to repentance, to turn from their wicked ways. As old as Adam and Eve and as new as the present moment, it is time for the people of God to once again wake up!
Jeremiah is frequently described as the most human prophet. We see first-hand his doubts, anger, tears, and confusion. Jeremiah, through the incredibly difficult mission God appointed him to, reminds us that how we live and who we are becoming is of the upmost importance. Jeremiah’s prophetic word challenges us not only to know God’s way, but also to live in God’s way.
Many of us can be quite guarded, even with close friends. This hidden heart can be a serious limitation to Christian growth. Vulnerability in Christian community is the answer. Opening wide our hearts to one another is one expression of truthfulness and makes meaningful accountability possible. But only if we’re willing to be seen.
Learning to live in the way of Jesus takes time. Staying the course in living like Jesus takes intentional focus. We all, from time to time, need course correction and encouragement to stay the course. So, who’s checking in on you?
Jesus did not shy away from saying some radical truths in the presence of others. His teachings were often met with awe or indignation. In Mark 3, Jesus shared a radical, paradigm shifting idea with the crowd that had gathered. What He said back then gives us a glimpse into what He had envisioned for us today—a following that was deeply connected with one another.
Timing is absolutely essential is most areas of life. Whether cooking, comedy, investing, or athletics, to miss proper timing is the path to disaster. The Bible constantly teaches on the importance of knowing the times. Life throws changes at us, and changing times require wise responses. The question is simple: “Do you know the times?”
Have you ever struggled to find the right word to describe something or someone? The greater the depth of something, the harder it is to describe with language. Now think about the infinite depths of God and how inadequate language is in describing who God is. And yet in our limitations of language, it is important to declare who our God is.
Have you ever wished life had a “pause button”? Have you ever wished you could step out of a situation or circumstance and choose a different path? Most of us have. Jesus often uses difficult and even painful events in our lives to reveal truth and grow our faith. Learning to navigate these encounters is an important part of spiritual maturity.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. There is so much we can learn from just these eight words. God is a good Father, not just to me, but to each of us. God is in heaven, and His name is holy. If we know that these statements are true, why are we not boldly and confidently sharing that truth? As Christians, we should have a burning desire to share about our good Father with the world around us.
- Community July 10, 2022 / Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 5:8 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This wisdom that comes from Jesus alerts the disciple to a real spiritual war that is consistently being waged. How then does the follower of Jesus position him or herself to win the fight?
The Greek word for communion, κοινωνία, has different definitions, but a list would include partnership, participation, and fellowship. God, in all His goodness, invites us to come and receive life from Him. When we receive, we become participants. What an incredible offering! Will you receive His invitation to the table and participate?
One of the essential needs of survival is water. Water is necessary for life. Jesus and many other biblical authors use water to symbolize the spiritual life. Water in the spiritual life is also essential. We all need a source. Where are you drawing your water from? Cisterns? Wells? Or living waters?
We've all made bad decisions. We've all chosen to do something and quickly regretted it. In this week's message, Pastor Kevin will unpack the power of choices and give you a step-by-step process of how to make good decisions.
June 5, 2022 / Judges 6:1-16 As we celebrate and commission our high school class of 2022, we know moments will come when they need to hold on to truth and encouragement. In fact, there are moments and seasons in all of our lives when we need to hold on to the words God has spoken over us. Gideon learned this as well when he was in an unfamiliar and difficult season. Let’s learn together from the story of Gideon.
Is there a relationship more important, more essential than one’s relationship with God? If the answer to that question is "no," then it would be sound logic that one ought to fight for that relationship above all others. It would make sense to devote one’s life to building that relationship, fixating on that relationship, and strengthening that relationship.
- Increase My Ability May 22, 2022 / John 15:12 The most meaningful thing in life is relationship. Our greatest and lowest moments are tied to relationships. If relationships are so important to life, why is it so difficult to truly love people—not just people that are easy to love, but all people? We are commanded to love people the way God does, so let’s explore how He loves us.
In these days opinions are strong. Families and friendships easily divide over all kinds of issues. But the call of Jesus is to make peace, and the path to true peace, personally and relationally, is not easy. Yes, it’s hard work. We will outline the steps that lead to unhealthy conflict and explore the “how to” of the hard work of making peace.
Guest speaker David Brickner, Executive Director of Jews for Jesus, shares a report on what God is doing around the world with Messianic Jews.
April 24, 2022 / John 16:33 Jesus does a remarkable feat in preparing the disciples for triumphant living in the midst of chaos and turbulence. He teaches that possessing courage and peace while walking through dark valleys is more than an abstract possibility. It’s a living reality. No matter what our future may hold, we can live with complete peace and His joy.
April 3, 2022 / Matthew 15:7-9, Matthew 3:8 “Put your money where your mouth is.” “Talk is cheap.” “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?” “Actions speak louder than words.” These popular sayings and many others ask the same question: “Are you who you say you are?” So…are you? Jesus, in everything, including the discipleship of His disciples, was consistent, honest, real, and authentic. In our calling to go and make disciples, what would it look like to follow Jesus’ example of consistency and honesty?
As followers of Jesus, our mission is crystal clear. It’s about being a disciple and joining Him in making disciples. We are not only invited to join, but commanded to be a part of the mission. It’s not about self-effort. It’s not about trying harder. It’s not about inventing incredible strategies. It’s about walking in step and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is often the missing link in fulfilling our mission. You can’t give what you don’t have.
There are hundreds of different definitions on what is a disciple of Jesus. There are hundreds of strategies on how to make disciples. Have we overcomplicated the calling to make fully committed disciples? What can we learn from Jesus and how He discipled His disciples?
After Jesus finishes teaching on how to handle conflict, Peter asks Jesus how many times he is required to forgive someone that sins against him. Jesus’ response is profound, not just for Peter, but for each of us today. Jesus, on multiple occasions, speaks to the importance of doing the hard and deep works of forgivingness. We would be wise to listen.
Dan has authored more than a dozen books on marriage & family, and his advice is broadcast to over 350 radio stations across the United States.He holds a master’s degree in Christian Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University. But his best experience has probably come from his own life and being married to his wife, Jane, for more than 30 years and being dad to his four children and now grandpa.
Geoff lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Arianna and their three daughters. He is the Lead Pastor at Daybreak Church as well as the Founder & CEO of Never The Same, a national youth ministry organization whose vision is to see new generations transformed in Christ.
Rodney is the founding pastor of OneLife Church in Knoxville, TN. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in communications and a master’s degree in church planting from Liberty Theological Seminary. Rodney has a passion for church plants & church planters and desires to see a discipleship movement that is so great that only God could get the credit for it.
In her conversation with Jesus, the Samaritan woman is brought face-to-face with God and with herself. Jesus had a way of exposing the longing in a person’s soul. He reveals to the Samaritan woman her lostness and His ability to find her. What would it look like if we came face-to-face with God and ourselves today? What kind of worship would flow from that revelation?
Charlie is an Associate Professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and Director of Youth Ministry Events. He also serves as faculty advisor for the annual IWU Youth Conference as well as coordinator for “Frequency,” a conference designed to invest in people committed to youth ministry and “RAM Camp,” a conference designed to help high school students discover their call.
February 27, 2022 / John 18:37-38 In his conversation with Jesus, Pilate asks a deeply profound question, “What is truth?” It is up for interpretation whether Pilate asks this with a cynical, sarcastic tone or a wistful, wearied one, but either way, the question remains the same. What is truth?
February 20, 2022 / John 8:31-47 If you grew up in the church, you have become very familiar with the verse, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” It has become an anchor for many who believe in Jesus. Jesus enters a conversation with those who believe, and He invites them in to more. We understand the key to freedom when we step into true apprenticeship with Jesus.
There’s so much to learn from the conversations of Jesus. As apprentices, His conversations give us clear guidance on how to interact with people. His conversations teach us that there’s so much that precedes speaking. Learning from the Master positions us to be used by Him for His purposes and to fulfill His calling on our lives.
The Gospel accounts are full of emotionally-charged moments and interactions. There are moments of deep sadness and moments of pure joy. There are moments of righteous anger and moments of heartfelt compassion. Jesus not only teaches us the right way to think and act, but also the right way to feel.
We tend to talk about the things that we are passionate about. What do you find yourself talking about most frequently? Your family? Food? Sports? A TV show that you are watching? As we read through the accounts of the Gospels, it begins to become apparent that Jesus talked a lot about things He was passionate about. He spoke frequently of the kingdom of God, challenging dead religion, the seriousness of sin, belief, forgiveness, and other themes. If Jesus spoke the most about such things, maybe we should follow suit.
Show me where you spend your time and money, and I will show you what’s most important to you. Where you leverage your resources announces your priorities. So, just where did Jesus spend time? What was truly important to Him? How did He use time to accomplish His mission? Where am I spending my time? What adjustments need to be made?
Jesus had resolve. He held unflinchingly tight to the plans and purposes of the Father. He was intentional and mission-focused. What about you? What are you here to do in this life? What mission did Jesus model for us? And what would happen if we, too, became like Jesus—intentional and mission-focused?
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) If we want to become like Jesus, we need to spend time with Jesus. We need to study His life, His rhythms, His passions, His words, and His ways. We do this because Jesus is the Way, and His way is not our natural way. Let’s be transformed into the way of Jesus.
January 2, 2022 / Ephesians 5:15-16 Everyday each of us is given an amazing gift, the gift of “time”. But how do we spend our time? How should we spend our time? We will look into three words that will help you make the most of the time you’ve been given.
While all of our attention is focused on Jesus’ birth (His first coming that is often referred to as the Advent season), Jesus pressed His disciples to focus on His second coming. Throughout the Gospels, we continually hear the words of Jesus – “BE READY!” Jesus uses a variety of stories and illustrations to motivate His disciples to be prepared for His second advent – His second coming. The words to His disciples need to ring true to us. Be ready!
In times of turbulence, it’s easy to ask, “Is anyone in charge?” In this time of global disruption, people are wondering if this is the end of the world. Is it all coming to an end? What’s going on? When everything seems to be coming apart at the seams, it’s important to know the one that holds all things together. The entrance of Jesus fulfilled prophecies from yesterday. It also provides us everything we need to live for today.
Augustine once said, “The new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed.” The Scriptures are not isolated, disconnected thoughts or stories. Everything in human history has been pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Everything has been fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Do you have eyes to see?
Everybody wants to know the secret. What’s the secret to wealth, fitness, financial success, or a happy family? So what’s the secret to contentment, a joy-filled life, and soul satisfaction? The apostle Paul declares that he has found the secret (Phil. 4:12). So, just what is that secret? Will it really work?
Paul again begins the third chapter of Philippians by calling the churches to rejoice, to express the deep, soul-satisfied joy that they possess. Again, we ask the question, “What might hinder the experience and the expression of joy in my life?” Paul clearly lays out two different ways of living—one that leads to the fullest experience and expression of joy and the other that leads to destruction. Which way are you living?
It’s a dead end street! The paths that we think lead us to joy often leave us disappointed and unfulfilled. While those paths can provide moments of pleasure, they only give us temporary happiness. They can take our mind off of our troubles, yet fail to deliver true, deep joy. Amidst brutal circumstances, the apostle Paul outlines a clear path towards deep, abiding joy. Walking that path is counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. In spite of that, God’s path leads us to a deep, abiding peace. It’s the way to live with joy in the journey.
Philippians is a power-packed letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the churches in Philippi. It offers us the opportunity to see that there is joy in the journey. Paul’s life and letter preach this message loudly, "Rejoice! Life is full of mountain highs and valley lows," and we can often ask the question: "What just happened?" We may be unsure of how to respond to our circumstances. We may be unsure of how to feel, emotionally, about our circumstances. Through it all, Paul makes the case that it is possible for the believer to experience joy.
October 31,2021 / Heb 10:23-25, Rev 19:6-9, 1 Pet 2:1-11, Mat 5:14-16 Weddings are beautiful moments of celebration. The union of a man and woman becoming one is an incredible symbol of hope for the Church. We eagerly await the wedding of the Lamb that is depicted in the second coming of Christ, the union of Christ and His bride. Christ loves His bride. Do we? What if we loved Christ's bride in the same way He does? The results could be special.
Conflict is something we all face. Many times we experience conflict in our families, our friendships, our places of work, and even places of worship. We want to help. We want to give you the inspiration and information you need to reconcile and resolve your conflicts.
In a time of strong opinions, harsh rhetoric, and polarizing ideas, the gospel cries out for us to do “one another” with intentionality and excellence. It’s not an option. Consistently and clearly we are called to do “one another” as Jesus did. Walking "with" Jesus means that as brothers and sisters, we learn to walk "with" one another. Isolation and self-protection aren’t an option. Walking "with" one another well is the desired outcome of truly walking "with" Him.
It is one thing to know something, but it is a whole different thing to put that knowledge into practice. We now know that doing life WITH God is the better way to relate to God, but how do we practically live out that knowledge? The Word of God lays out a very simple path to the posture of WITHNESS, but one that takes a high level of intentionality.
Life for God sounds like a great posture to take in our relationship with God, but is it the best? Could it be that in such a posture our motivations may be distorted, as well-intentioned as they may be? A life for God posture can quickly place the mission over the Master, significance over salvation and performance over presence. May we reorient our hearts to choose what is better, like Mary did in the presence of Jesus.
Could it be that sometimes we have the tendency to view our relationship with God similarly to the way we view our relationship with a vending machine? God becomes someone that we get things FROM. Consumerism is a ME-focused universe where everything’s value is determined by its usefulness to me, even when it comes to God. What if we traded building the “Kingdom of My” with the “Kingdom of Thy”?
So just who is in charge? Our natural tendency is to want to be in control. We tend to minimize God and maximize ourselves. We want a relationship with God, but we want one where we are in control. We find ourselves trusting more in the natural than the supernatural. Life WITH God is the only way to complete joy and fulfillment.
Living life under God seems like a proper way to relate with God, right? We ought to live under God’s authority, but what happens when this posture gets distorted and the motivations muddled? Living under God can quickly become a means to manipulate God through obedience to secure blessings and avoid calamities. What if we traded the posture of life under God for a posture of life with God?
One of the mega-themes of the Bible is the very idea of God with us. God never abandoned His creation. He does not dwell in the heavens apathetic and uninvolved in the affairs of humanity. He is God with us, manifested most powerfully through the incarnation of Jesus Christ—Emmanuel. Here’s the catch though: God, in his infinite goodness and greatness, has chosen to do life with us, but have we reciprocated? Or have we chosen a potentially more manipulative relationship with God, driven by fear and control?
Surrounding us daily is an ever increasing accumulation of information. We see it, absorb, and often pursue more of it. As people, we want to know more. As Christians, we want to know more so we can connect more with God and others. You may be startled to find out there is one piece of information about Jesus no one can know. And amazingly, it is the not knowing which informs how we choose to live for him.
The statistics are staggering and dismal. Stress, anxiety, depression, fear, and other related mental and emotional health symptoms are showing up in our everyday lives from small to debilitating ways. We are doing our best to find new and better ways to cope, but often without success. While followers of Jesus are never exempt from these challenges, we have an advantage over those who don’t know Jesus and are led by His Spirit. We also have an opportunity to help others even while in the midst of the same struggles.
When we look at the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God, it is interesting that many of us would agree that we must continue to not worship other gods, have idols, misuse the name of the Lord, dishonor our parents, murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, and covet. But what about the fourth commandment… should we continue to observe the Sabbath? Should we work six days and on the seventh completely rest as it was commanded to Moses and the Israelites?
One of the distinguishing factors of Christianity in comparison with other world religions is the access that we have to God through the blood of the Lamb. Jesus has made a way for all of us, once and for all. Why then do we not embrace this gift with consistency and with confidence? What would happen if we devoted ourselves to fully receive God’s gift of presence?
Maybe the term "woke" as it is being used today has you concerned or confused as to its meaning and context. Don't let that stop you from embracing the call in Scripture to "wake up" spiritually. The Lord has a purpose and a plan for every believer to fulfill. We are called to follow Him. We are in the process of being changed by Him. And we have been challenged by Him to impact our world. We can only do this when we are "awake" in the truest sense of the word.
We believe that God is omnibenevolent (all-good), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omniscient (all-knowing). So how are we to understand suffering, pain ,and evil in this life? If God is all-good, then He would desire for there to only be good, right? If God is all-powerful, wouldn’t He have the power to end all suffering, pain, and evil? And if God is all-knowing, wouldn’t He have the knowledge on how to get rid of all suffering, pain, and evil? So why doesn’t He?
It’s so very easy for us to say that we believe that God can do anything, but we often live as if we don’t really believe that. A father who encounters Jesus in the Gospel of Mark helpfully illustrates that strange tension. Jesus’ response helps us see a deeper truth about who He is and the nature of a deeper faith that can change how we live!
Our culture today is constantly bombarding our children, trying to get them to conform to their way of living. As an adult, many times we don’t know what to do. What does it take to be inspired and equipped to raise Godly children who are able to stand strong in a world that falls short?
Jesus, in the Gospel accounts, asks His disciples to come and follow Him. But what does that mean? And does followership look different today than it did when Jesus walked the earth? Are we missing something crucial in the pursuit of following Jesus? Sometimes when something seems off or missing, the answer is rather simple or obvious. What would happen if we took a different approach to following Jesus?
It is so easy for us to lean back into our flesh and forget the power of what Christ has done for us. Paul is addressing the church at Colossae to challenge them to remember who they are because of Christ so that they can live the life Jesus invites us to. Paul will have us look back at who we once were and then help us change our clothes into who we have been called to be.
Have you ever been troubled when thinking about what happens after death? Have you ever been lost in thought in regard to the meaning of life? Why am I here? What is next? These are common questions in the human experience called life. The Apostle Paul, and the way in which he lived his life, offers a beautiful perspective on what life and death are all about. To live is Christ; to die is gain!
Jesus offers a very important invitation in the Gospel according to Matthew. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Are you weary? Are you burdened? Are you just flat out tired? What is holding you back from receiving what Christ is so freely offering? Come to Jesus.
In the closing moments with His disciples, Jesus sits with them at a special location. This location probably stirred up many memories of the moments Jesus showed up and made incredible impact on their lives. As He spoke, He gave them their mission, their life’s purpose – to make disciples. How do we continue the mission of making fully committed disciples?
Born. Filled. EMPOWERED. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” In describing your relationship with God, would one of your descriptors be power? When God’s people are filled with the Holy Spirit, they are plugged into an omnipotent power. What would it look like to be unleashed with the power of God? He is available!
It is God’s idea. He’s the one that put it all together. He created the blueprint. He gave everything necessary for it to be a healthy, beautiful, functioning family. He birthed the local church. When spiritual gifts are understood, appropriately used, and fully invested the local church, it is a beautiful, healthy, fully-functioning body. When spiritual gifts are not used biblically, the local church becomes a beast. So it’s a simple choice—BEAUTY OR BEAST!
The Holy Spirit is a person. The Holy Spirit can be grieved. The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, warning them to not grieve the Holy Spirit. Grief can best be described as a deep sorrow experienced from the loss or betrayal of something or someone. What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit, and how can we make sure not to do it?
Most people enter marriage and family life anticipating creating a romance novel. Unfortunately, it often turns into war stories. While coaching, conferences, and seminars can play a valuable role in moving towards building a healthy family, being filled with the Holy Spirit is foundational. Some things are worth fighting for. Healthy families and marriages are at the top of the list.
There is a great conflict all around us and even in us. There is a battle being waged for the heart, mind and soul of every person. Will I live to gratify the desires of the flesh or of the Spirit? The call is to bear good fruit, but how does one bear good fruit? As always, the Holy Spirit guides to the Truth and to the Answer.
Be filled with the Spirit! That’s a call heard throughout the Bible. There’s something inside a believer that wants more. There’s a desire to go deeper. How can I be filled and live filled with the Holy Spirit?
Come Holy Spirit, come. In Jesus’ ministry, He has a conversation with a man named Nicodemus, a renowned religious leader in the Jewish community. Jesus tells Nicodemus, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” More specifically speaking, Jesus clarifies that one must be born of the Spirit. Like Nicodemus, we must ask the question, “What does this mean?”
The normal, Christian life is living, walking, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Holy Spirit is rarely talked about. He is usually ignored, or at best, an afterthought. Jesus, in His desire to make sure the disciples were fully equipped for the challenges they would face, extensively taught them about the Holy Spirit. It’s impossible to live an overcoming life without the work and presence of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. We need you.
Lots of people can tell their version of stories, but the best one to share is the first eyewitness. The first eyewitness to the resurrection was an unlikely person. She was a woman with a checkered past. God, in His meticulous providence, didn’t choose one of the 12 disciples. It was a woman who turned a page and allowed God to write a new chapter. God is still choosing people today and writing new chapters in our lives.
Elijah is an OT Great who reveals to us so much about the very nature of God. God appointed Elijah to the office of prophet, to be his mouthpiece for Israel in a very difficult time in history. The northern kingdom of Israel had turned their backs on God, breaking the covenant relationship by worshiping false gods. So God tasked Elijah with confronting King Ahab, Jezebel, and the prophets of Asherah and Baal in an epic showdown.
Marriage and family specialist Dan Seaborn focuses in on the core of healthy relationships: being certain of how much God loves you and certain of how much you love Him!
David is an OT Great with a story that has many highs and many lows. He is often remembered as a man after God’s own heart, but he also has a checkered past that includes adultery and murder. He has euphoric experiences, like victoriously bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. However, he also has deep moments of despair, like running for his life from his son. David’s life teaches a valuable lesson—our lives are not defined by a moment.
Pastor Ron Williams from Pathway Community Church, teaches from the life of Daniel. Daniel teaches us how to live a full life in a godless culture. To live knowing God is in control and has a plan. To refuse to conform to the image of the world. To live out of your identity in Christ.
“God told me!” Have you ever heard someone say that? How can we know if it was truly God talking and not a fleshly impulse? Is it possible to be deceived? How does God communicate? How can I live so that God speaks to me? Samuel gives us a great example of learning to listen to the still, small voice of God. He was young, but the voice of God was crystal clear.
Every word of the Bible is written with rich intent. Garrett Howell brings Mark 11:12-25 to life by looking at the key phrases and seemingly disconnected moments to clearly see God's loud call to us to fully live, fully engage, and be fully committed to prayer. Prepare your heart to bring an offering of praise.
It’s so important for us to know who God uses and how God works. Often, our lack of understanding restricts the flow of what He wants to do. Grasping it unlocks His power flowing through imperfect, flawed vessels to accomplish unbelievable challenges. Running with OT Greats gives us snapshots of how to be used by God and fulfill His call in our lives.
You can’t give what you don’t have. You can't live until you die. You can’t kill a man who’s already dead. David Gallimore kicks off our Ignite series with three powerful reminders and the core question, “Will you really lay down your life for me?”
“It’s not over ‘til it’s over!” “It’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings!” Those common phrases are often used to let people know that the story or game isn’t over. It’s not finished. Discouragement and despair often cause us to think, "My story is finished!” Rahab discovered what we can discover—the story isn’t finished.
Every person faces tough times. It’s easy to become discouraged. Quitting sometimes seems like the best option. But Joshua presents a better path. Amidst challenges and seemingly impossible tasks, he exhibits strength and courage. Even following the legend of Moses, he confidently and courageously embraces the future. What Joshua had is available to every one of us.
Moses is an OT Great with a story that dominates most of the Pentateuch, not to mention most credit him as the writer of these first five books. Against all odds and Moses’ initial will, God uses him to accomplish the primary event of redemption in the Old Testament, freeing those held in bondage.
Joseph is an OT Great with a story of absolute grit. He faces unbelievable adversity and not only keeps the faith, but propels God’s kingdom forward. And he did all of this in exile! He lived faithfully in a different culture, with a different language, different customs, and different gods. Let us run with Joseph and learn how to live in exile.
Jacob is an OT Great with a tumultuous life. Jacob was cunning, manipulative, and experiencing an identity crisis for much of his life. When Jacob meets Pharaoh in Egypt at the end of his life, he recounts his years as being, “few and difficult.” However, there is a beautiful moment of redemption in Jacob’s story, a moment of wrestling with God. Let us run with Jacob and learn how to wrestle with God.
Stepping into the unknown usually invokes fear. What might go wrong? What’s the future going to be like? Could this end badly? Should I even take a step, or would it be wiser to just stay where I’m at? Abraham provides us great coaching on learning to walk with God, especially when He calls us to step into the unknown. As we walk with Abraham, we’ll learn the basics of simple faith and trusting God. When we follow the One who sees the unseen and knows the unknown, we walk with confidence.
What would it be like to spend an afternoon with Noah? What lessons could he teach us? What animals did he grow tired of? What moments would he describe as pivotal? What stories would he tell of the dark moments? What did he feel when God expressed His grief and pain over His creation? How would he describe seeing that first rainbow? What coaching would he give us for the times we are living in? Noah is the example of a simple man of God who, in faith, stood alone trusting God, and was rewarded by God.
Predictions for the future are interesting to read. What’s more interesting is to see how any of them came true and how many were bogus. Whether we like it or not, the future is going to happen. God always asks His children to boldly and bravely step by faith into the future. No matter what happens, we place our confidence in Him.
Today we celebrate the completion of NT90, when more than 2500 from 19 different countries came together to read through the New Testament in 90 days. We believe in the beauty, wisdom, and authority of God’s Word. We did it together. We shared insights with each other. Instead of just going through the Word, we wanted God’s Word to go through us.
In today’s service, Pastors Dave and Tim are joined by Linna Sommers as we celebrate together the completion of NT90, look back at God’s faithfulness in this journey, and a challenge for the days ahead.
The book of Revelation is a dramatic piece of literature that reveals the cosmic battle that the Church has faced, is facing, and will face. Revelation is a letter written to seven early churches in Asia. Revelation is prophecy, announcing the future movement and actions of God. Revelation is apocalyptic in that it allows the reader to see what is mostly unseen. Revelation is the great unveiling.
Distractions are one of the greatest causes of automobile accidents. Our minds wander. Our eyes are off the road. Our alertness diminishes. The results can be devastating. Learning to laser focus allows us to safety travel and reach our final destination. It’s the same for our spiritual journey. A sharp, laser focus on Jesus, amidst all the background noises and distractions, is the only way to truly live.
Lots of us look good on the outside, but on the inside, well, that’s another story. Internal bruises of the spirit can be limiting at best and fatal at worst. Paul, a wise and seasoned mentor, challenges his young protégé to stay healthy in spirit. Paul’s final words to Timothy can be God’s fresh words to us: "May the Lord be with your spirit."
You may have heard it said, “You can do anything you put your mind to.” Does this saying apply to our own salvation, though? Can we, in effect, save ourselves? Paul, in his letter to the church in Philippi, tells them to “work out your salvation” and later uses terms like “striving for” and “pressing on.” What is Paul saying? Can we somehow earn salvation through hard work?
Most human beings have a continuous, nagging fear in their minds. “What if there isn’t enough for me?” What if there isn’t enough food at the dinner table? What if there isn’t enough saved up in the bank? "What if my parents don’t have enough love to go around for all of us kids?" A scarcity mindset drives us to compete, to hoard, and to focus on self. But what if there was another way—the way of Jesus?
Nobody wants to be bullied. Strong, dominant, opinionated, overbearing people can act like porcupines. You're afraid to get close to them. Nobody wants to get bruised. Life is rough. Words said or conflicts done poorly create deep bruises. Yes, life is tough, but Jesus not only changes our hearts but can heal our relationships. Through Christ, we can die to a prideful, arrogant spirit and experience healing from deep wounds.
In life, there are many things that are important. Our parents taught us values. Our teachers gave us an education. Our coaches taught us teamwork. All of these are valuable, yet the most important thing in life is the gospel. It’s the good news that this life isn’t all there is. We can be totally forgiven. We can live a guilt-free, shame-free life. Our eternity need not be stamped with hell as our final destination. There is hope. Jesus made a way. Our future, both here on earth and eternally, can be bright.
How can we read the book of Acts and not feel a holy restlessness? The stories of the Early Church are both faith-building and faith-challenging. There is a Holy Spirit boldness. There is a power and authority in the ministry of the followers of Jesus. There are miracles. There are new converts. There is movement! How does God want to move today?
It’s about living the good life! Everyone is interested in improving the quality of life. Advertisers tell us you can get there if you have the newest appliance, wear better clothing, get in better shape, drive a newer car, experience the ultimate vacation. While those things have value and merit, the only path to true life is through Jesus. He is the true life-giver. Knowing Him not only gives us eternal life but quality living each day.
In the Great Commission, Jesus calls His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Jesus is asking the disciples to take others on the same journey that He took them on. A baptism moment lasts only a few minutes; it is immediate and does not take a whole lot of time or effort. On the other hand, being taught to obey everything Jesus said is a long journey; it is a massive commitment of time and effort. Jesus’ call to discipleship is a lifelong journey that demands sacrifice. Will you pass the test of discipleship?
Have you ever been driving and hit a roadblock? It can be incredibly time consuming, frustrating, and even defeating to try to find a way around the obstacle. The same thing can be true of our relationship with God. This is why Paul writes in Hebrews, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." What’s in your way?
When racial tensions were reignited in America, I sensed a need to dig deep into the core of my own soul. Is there anything in my heart that’s not right? What would Jesus say to me regarding this issue? What needs to happen for me to be a healer? Today, you are going to hear a direct, honest conversation that I recently had with two African American brothers, Pastor Ricardo Taylor and Lynn Coleman, who have graciously and humbly walked beside me. Each of us is deeply committed to Jesus. We are committed to living out His Word and teachings in our lives. We are not interested in political correctness. It’s all about Jesus, the healer of every divide—Jesus, the hope of the world.
It’s not just about the destination: it’s about the journey. Today, we start the journey of reading through the New Testament in 90 days. We don’t do this to say, “We did it!” We do this so that the Spirit of God applies the Word of God to our hearts. We are not exploring mere ideas or simple Bible stories. Together, we discover God speaking to us through His words—His divinely breathed words. This allows us to live to the fullest.
We’ve all heard the saying, “You reap what you sow.” This saying actually originates from the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia. We’ve also heard variations of this sentiment like, “You get what you put in” or “You are what you eat.” But what happens when a righteous man like Hosea receives a painful calling from the Lord? Is he reaping what he has sown?
What you see is not always what you get! Appearances can be far different than reality. Just as the Israelites had the appearance of being God’s followers, yet utterly failed in their obedience, the same can happen to us. It’s possible to look the part, but not be the part. That’s why Hosea calls people to repentance. The call to return is as real today as it was then.
It often seems like we remember the things we should forget and forget the things we should remember. Over time, we have a propensity to forget commitments we’ve made. Vows made in youth are forsaken in adulthood. God’s faithfulness in the past is forgotten. Because of this, spiritual drift happens. Hot hearts become cold. The book of Hosea is about God’s relentless pursuit to restore our relationship with Him. Let’s remember His faithfulness and stay true to our commitments.
Moses received the divine calling from a burning bush, Elijah received the divine calling in a glorious vision, and Hosea got the divine calling by marrying an adulteress. The most unlikely love story is woven throughout the prophetic book of Hosea. While the calling may not be glamorous, the message of redemption is matchless. This is our story.
Singing does a lot for the soul. The songs we sing say a lot about us. When times get tough, we never want to lose our song. Amidst the pressures of life, it’s not only possible, but necessary to maintain our joy. There’s a clear path to remain joyful in joyless times.
It’s called infantile regression. That’s when an older person reverts to immature, childish behavior. It’s unhealthy. It’s destructive. It destroys healthy relationships. Yet there is a better path. It’s all about maturity. It’s about dying to childishness. It’s about openly confronting sinful patterns of behavior. It’s about an internal transformation of the heart. It’s God’s plan for His children.
Overwhelmed by all of the uncertainties of this season, it’s so easy to cry out and say, "I’m done!" I’m so done with _________. (Fill in blank however you want.) That feeling isn’t unique to us or people living through this pandemic. It happened in the early church. And God’s Word to them is His word to us—Live all in for Jesus!
All it takes to unravel a ball of yarn is one good tug. All it takes for a giant collapse is to knock over one domino. Likewise, the entirety of the Christian faith hinges on the death and resurrection of Jesus. If there is no resurrection, the Christian faith unravels and collapses. Is it reasonable to believe in the resurrection? Paul has been building up to this moment in his letter to the church in Corinth. He saved the biggest and most important question for last—the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
One of the most mind-numbing thoughts in the Christian faith is that God chooses to use the Church to further His Kingdom. He chooses broken, flawed and ordinary people like you and me to do His work. His calling isn’t for a small group of elite believers. No, every believer has a role and responsibility in the Kingdom of God. Will you answer the call?
We love an underdog story. We love to cannonball in refreshingly cool water on a hot summer afternoon. We love grandma’s secret recipe, road trips with friends, and the family pet. We love a lot of things, but what is love? Are there different kinds of love? What does God mean when He said He so loved the world? In the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians, Paul speaks to a love unlike anything else we’ve ever experienced.
The book of James was written to early Christian diaspora(those who fled due to adversity). Their land was stolen, they lost jobs, lived in danger, etc. In the context of their hard times, they were grumbling, biting each other, not sharing with poor, etc. Essentially, they became self-centered. This the context in which James was written. James Chapter 1 says not to flee trials, but rather to embrace them as character-builders... Also, be patient in trials. Seek MORAL wisdom in trials, because we tend to make immoral decisions when under pressure. We should confidently seek God's divine wisdom in adversity. This whole response is distinctly Christian - which is why it is in the New Testament. We are to operate in faith during hard times, a faith that faith transcends our basic instincts of self-preservation.
There is a lot of satisfaction in building something. In I Corinthians 8, Paul challenges us to love one another with a self-sacrificing love, a love that is focused on doing what is good for others. This love edifies or builds up. He suggests that the misuse of knowledge can hinder any effort to sacrificially love each other. In this day of social media, where thoughts and opinions can frustrate, confuse and often provoke to anger, we can relate. Today, we will look at some of the ways we misuse information and how we can recover a love toward each other that contributes to the positive building of our faith.
If you’ve ever had a major surgery or a life threatening illness, you know the deep intense desire for healing. You want to get to the place of full health quickly (and as painlessly as possible).
Right now, our land needs healing … we are divided; economically, generationally, politically, and racially. Tensions are high, opinion are strong, fears are growing. Our desire: Lord, heal our land!
Most children, at some point in their lives, have heard these words, “You wait until your dad gets home!” Those words signal that there’s trouble around the corner. Perhaps it’s only an idle threat, but often, those words are a clear warning of impending discipline. That’s the essence of Paul’s words to the church at Corinth. That’s the message wayward followers of Jesus hear in His desire to see them repent and turn to Him.
It’s often the forgotten component. In building a strong spiritual foundation, it’s absolutely essential to have many spiritual fathers and mothers. An independent spirit wants to go it alone. That’s a formula for disaster. The wise person surrounds themselves with wise, experienced people. Failing to do so leads to bad decisions with painful consequences. Everyone needs many fathers. Everyone needs to be a father.
Jesus once said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Division is a detractor. Division is a destructive force. Division was never the intention. God’s calling for his Church has always been to come together, uniting under one name—the name of Jesus.
It’s an amazing feeling to complete a 500- or 1000-piece puzzle. When all the pieces perfectly fit together, there’s a sense of completeness. Mission accomplished! But what happens when the pieces don’t fit? It’s a horrible feeling when we’re stuck and just can’t put it all together. In constructing the Body of Christ, the local church, each of us is a piece of the puzzle. Only through a deep work of the Holy Spirit can we find our perfect fit.
It’s absolutely beautiful when done right, but a train wreck when done wrong. God, in His plan for His people, designed this thing called "Church." It’s not a building. It’s far more than an organization. It’s the gathering of believers who are empowered and equipped to encourage each other and impact the world. 1 Corinthians is a letter written to a local gathering of believers, teaching them to do Church right. It’s a great guide for us to build a healthy body.
Life is complicated. There are many paths to choose from, so how can we know we are on the right path? Jesus’ call throughout the Gospels is “Follow me.” But what does that mean? How does this practically flesh out in this life? Jesus’ interactions with the rich, young man in Matthew’s Gospel give us key wisdom and indicators, directing us to the righteous path.
The core of Jesus' message often focused on the word "prepare." Jesus spent three years preparing His disciples to continue His ministry. He called people to prepare for eternity. He prepared followers to be fully committed disciples. The single focus to prepare flows out of His ministry. His call then is His call today – prepare. Now is the time. We are the people. Prepare!
It’s time to wake up! It’s time to stand up! It’s time to fight! And the fight is a fight for our families! The first institution created by God is under assault. The enemy knows that if he can attack the family and take it down, he will control everything. That’s why there’s an intense battle cry – Fight for Your Family!
Our hope and prayer in this season is that you would be so filled with the Spirit of God that there would be overflow. In our current reality, the mission stays the same: we must go, live, talk and breathe the good news of Jesus Christ. Now is a time of preparation, and if we are going to share the gospel, we must become adept in our understanding of God’s grace.
When experiencing global disruption, it’s tempting to ask, "Why?" Perhaps the better question to ask is, "What?" What is God trying to say? What are the lessons that we need to learn? Throughout history, God has disrupted the world. It happened at the Tower of Babel. It happened with Noah and the worldwide flood. It’s happening today. So what’s God saying? What’s the lesson that we need to learn? Don’t waste the moment, but learn—learn sitting at the Master’s feet.
One of the most common, if not the most common commands of Scripture is, “Do not be afraid!” This is not a suggestion or a comment, but a command. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” On the cross, Jesus wins over fear and offers us to join Him in victory. This may be easier said than done. Are you living in fear?
The Resurrection is not as much an event as it is a person. And that person is Jesus. In a sense, Resurrection became one of the names of Jesus. Where ever he went the possibility of resurrection happened. It wasn’t about becoming more religious or even self-improvement—His ministry was driven by life. It was bringing back to life that which was dead. Jesus is doing exactly that today. Amidst hard times, disappointment, and stress, the man called Resurrection is still doing what he does best. Resurrection!
Is there a manual for how to navigate troubled waters or journey through uncharted territory? Absolutely! Not only is there a manual, there is guide and His name is Jesus. As the early church was going through hard times, Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gave them a clear path forward. That path remains the same today. The path is found in God’s word, the Bible. Our guide, our example, and our leader is Jesus.
In this season of disruption in our lives we should take time to evaluate where we stand. We have been given the gift of space and time to process. How are we using that gift? Are we living a life with purpose? Are we humbly seeking God and all He has for us?
It’s a war! Yes, there’s a health war going on right now. There’s an economic war happening. But there’s a greater war happening, and it’s a spiritual war. When much around us crumbles, the enemy becomes opportunistic. He attacks. He seeks to destroy. He desires to take charge of our minds, our emotions, and our future. But here’s the good news. Through the power of the cross, we have victory. Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the enemy is a defeated foe. Freedom is ours!
Everything has been leading to this moment. God has been on the move throughout human history with everything culminating in this moment. All the miracles, the teachings, the prayers, and the suffering comes down to this moment. The moment is the cross, and after Jesus said one word, “Τετελεσται”, everything changed.
While it’s a natural tendency for everything to reach the temperature of its surroundings, God's plan is for us to stay red hot while living in an ice cold world. He desires us to grow in our faith. He desires us to transform the space around us instead of conform to it. The Bible gives us a clear path. As we walk on that path, it’s possible for us to continually move up to a higher plateau of Spirit-filled living.
After 20 years in pastoral ministry, David Gallimore is fulfilling a lifelong dream as he answers God’s call to evangelism. A product of the evangelical camp meeting environment of the 20th century, David bridges the gap between the revival days of old and the modern-day, multi-sensory worship era. David and his wife, Tammy, live in Eatonton, Georgia.
With over 40 years of pastoral leadership experience, Dave works to resource everyday pastors to equip everyday people to become every day disciples. He served on the First Missionary Church staff from 1979-1982 and then went on to plant and lead Fellowship Missionary Church for 34 years. Dave and his wife Gwen have three children and seven grandchildren.
Currently serving as Teaching Pastor at Palm Valley Church in Mission, Texas, Jarrell is pursuing a Master’s in Archaeology & Biblical History. He is passionate about bringing Scripture to life, and annually leads trips to Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Greece. Jerrell is married to Charissa and they have three children, Micah, Naylah, and Avi.
As President of Life Action, John’s heart is to equip the church to lead and impact every sphere of influence. He has pastored churches across the south and served as Vice President of Evangelism and Spiritual Awakening at the North American Mission Board. John and Donna have been married 40 years and have three children and four grandchildren.
As President of Life Action, John’s heart is to equip the church to lead and impact every sphere of influence. He has pastored churches across the south and served as Vice President of Evangelism and Spiritual Awakening at the North American Mission Board. John and Donna have been married 40 years and have three children and four grandchildren.
God wants to use each of us to be world changers. We’ve been changed and empowered by the Holy Spirit for impact. The path to be the salt of the earth and to have impact is through being filled with the Holy Spirit and powered by prayer. Our best efforts, apart from absolutely dependency on Him, are worthless. The early church, as described in the book of Acts, gives us a clear path forward. There need not be a missing ingredient.
It tastes terrible. Something’s wrong. Have you ever sunk your teeth into a favorite food, only to discover that it didn't taste very good? The problem was a missing ingredient. Even though only one thing was missing, that forgotten ingredient changed the entire flavor. Just as that happens in cooking, it happens with us being salt in the world. This missing ingredient is absolutely essential to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.
There’s something fulfilling about completing a mission. There’s a deep satisfaction. We’ve done what we’re supposed to do. What’s unfulfilling is to discover at the end of life that we haven't completed the mission. Perhaps we’ve climbed the ladder only to discover that is was leaning against the wrong wall. We’ve been given the honor of sharing the gospel. It’s a mission that is ours to complete. Let’s learn to effectively share it.
When you hear the word “evangelism," what images or thoughts come to mind? How do those images or thoughts feel on a scale from gentle to abrasive? We’ve all been called to evangelize, which biblically means to share the Good News. Unfortunately, in our current culture the word “evangelism” has a different connotation. What if the Church redeemed the word evangelism? What if the Church lived unashamed of the Gospel?
We must get the salt out of the salt shaker! But what is the salt? In Matthew 5, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses salt and light as metaphors for spreading the Good News that Jesus is redeeming and reconciling all creation back unto Himself. The Gospel is the salt. We must take the good news of redemption that we have internalized and spread it to all nations and peoples. But the question becomes, "Are you ashamed of the Gospel?"
We know God is alive and at work. There’s no question about His power! Yet somehow, at times, it seems He’s distant. It seems like He’s not working. Has He withdrawn? Has He given up on us? Does He even care? One of the primary ways God has chosen to work is through people, just like us. As we experience His power and presence, His love flows through us. That’s how the salt gets out of the salt shaker.
Of the twelve disciples, Simon Peter is the one who is most written about, which gives us the best window into seeing how Jesus did discipleship. We get to see step by step how Simon became Peter, and in turn, how he became more and more like Jesus.
Words have meaning. The context of a given word can greatly alter its meaning. When Jesus says, “You are...” we need to critically examine the next word. If we truly are the salt of the earth, we need to discover what that means. How are we to impact the world? What purpose do we have? Understanding His words in the historical setting in which they were used gives us clear direction on fulfilling our place in our communities.
These are challenging times! Living as a follower of Christ is not for the faint of heart. David, the great warrior that killed the giant Goliath, discovered that even after his great victory, life was full of challenges. Amidst the painful battles that raged on, he found safety and satisfaction through trust in God. What David discovered is ours to possess today.
That’s a man on a mission! Have you ever heard that said? It describes someone intently focused. No distractions! It’s about passionately and aggressively accomplishing the task. That describes Jesus. He was mission-focused, intent on His search to be reunited with each of us. His birth, His life, His death and resurrection all were a part of the The Search. It’s the search for us.
What in the world is going on? Whether it’s our personal or family life, world affairs, or political or religious issues, it often feels like chaos and confusion are the theme of the day. Yet our God specializes in making crooked paths straight. He is the One who clears the fog. More than anything, He is the One who equips us for whatever tomorrow might bring. The surprise that Mary faced and the grace she experienced presents us with a great example of finding meaning and purpose amidst chaos and confusion.
The Magi have become major characters in the telling of the Christmas story over the years. The odd thing is that we really don’t know all that much about them. Were they kings, magicians, priests, or astrologers? Were there three or more? Where did they come from? A lot is left open for interpretation, but one thing is certain: the Magi were searching for a sign.
Everyone is searching for something! The question is, "What’s the right search?" Are we searching for the right things? Are we searching in the right places? One of the more obscure characters in the story of Jesus’ birth is King Herod. His role is really about a futile search. Yet, it’s a search that’s still happening today. It’s the tale of two Kings, the choice of two paths—one that gives life and the other that is a dead-end street.
We were not designed to live repeating the same sins over and over again. God never intended for us to make promises to Him that we can’t keep. The Israelites practiced the same failures repetitively. Not only did they do it in the Old Testament, that pattern often becomes the norm for us. But there’s a better way to live. The power of Christ not only forgives us our sins but gives us the power to live victoriously over the repetitive cycle of sin. “If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!” –John 8:36
Moses has been called by God to Egypt, but his mission is not an easy one. After Pharaoh resists the hand of God nine times, the wrath of God is about to be unleashed. The wrath of God is not commonly talked about, and in many cases, it is a forgotten part of His character. May the Church and the world never lose sight of the fact that God is not safe; He is an all-consuming fire.
The nation of Israel has grown in population since the time of Joseph, and so has the fear of the Egyptians. In response, the Israelites are thrown into slavery to control a potential uprising. A lot of time passes, and it seems as though God has forgotten his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, God has heard the cries, remembers the covenant, and is preparing Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses must now answer the call.
It’s amazing how two people can look at the same picture and see totally different things. While it’s the same picture, two totally opposite views emerge. Who do people see when they look at you? Do they see the person you think you are, or do they see something totally different? Joseph, the young man with the coat of many colors, gives us a portrait of Jesus. Through him, we can see Jesus. Can Jesus be seen in us?
Whenever you see two people wrestling, you know that one person is likely to win. Someone will prevail. In the Old Testament, Jacob had a wrestling match with an angel. It was long. It was painful. And there was a winner. That’s the way it is in our wrestling matches with God. But the difference is, when He prevails, we are the winners. This match is won by surrender!
Isaac is getting older in age, and the time is coming to pass on the inheritance and his blessing. There’s only one problem…Which son gets to inherit God’s promises for the future generations? If you think your family has issues, you’ve got nothing on Isaac’s family. Yet, in the midst of all the conflict, there is clear evidence of God’s mighty hand at work.
It’s just around the corner. All signs point to it. This seems like the early stages. These are all statements that point to something that’s about to happen. There’s a sense of anticipation. That’s what the Old Testament is all about. All signs point to Jesus. He’s coming! There’s hope! The greatest disease ever, this thing called sin, can be cured. And it will all happen only through Jesus. That’s the story of Abraham and Isaac. And it’s an event that gives us incredible confidence and hope.
The cycle continues: God has made covenant with Abram, and as a part of that covenant, God has promised Abram that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars. Years pass and conflict arises, because Abram and Sarai are not getting any younger. There is still no child. They begin to question, “Is God really who He says He is?” “Is God and His word faithful?”
Do you ever feel like you keep making the same mistakes? Are there negative behaviors that you just can’t shake? Are there negative default behaviors that drag you down? It’s possible to live beyond the downward spiral of hope, failure, and repentance...doing failure over and over again. Understanding and applying truth, especially from the Old Testament, can lead us to victory. We can conquer the negative destructive behavioral cycle through Jesus.
How’s your memory? Can you remember what you wore yesterday? What you were doing five years ago? Our memory can be downright terrible at times, especially when it comes to remembering the ways in which God has been faithful. We forget that even though our circumstances may change, our God does not.Let’s learn from Joshua and make monuments to His name.
We’ve all done it! We’ve made choices and decisions we regret. Not knowing what to do, we recognized after the fact that our choice was foolish. So, how can we make wise decisions? How can we have a life that isn’t marked by regrets? It’s been said, "We are the sum total of the choices we make." That being the case, let’s learn how to make wise decisions.
It’s a fear of the unknown. It’s unexplored territory. It’s sudden changes. It’s about living overwhelmed, not knowing which path to take. All of us face curveballs in life. One text, an email, a doctor’s visit, or a call from a child can change our lives. In those moments, we move into uncharted territory. It’s a road we’ve never traveled. It’s a season we’ve never experienced. It’s in those times when God’s leadership in our life is critical. It’s when following Jesus shines light into the darkest places.
Most everyone has a sense of smell. Some smells are mouth-watering and pleasant. Others are painful. Oftentimes, we don’t recognize the smell we bring into a space. God designed us with the ability to smell but also with the ability to create a beautiful fragrance. Everywhere we go, we have the opportunity to spread God’s beautiful fragrance.
God is active throughout all of history. In His sovereignty, He can do what He wants, when He wants. Yet God's primary means of working and accomplishing His plan is often through people. It’s quite simple: God uses people to accomplish His plan. While gender, ethnicity, race, or wealth vary, God chooses to unite people into an amazing group of passionate warriors to accomplish His purposes. And there is a place for you.
Do you ever find yourself wondering, "Why doesn’t God work here? Why doesn’t God work right now?" We often hear stories about what God is doing around the world. The power of God is being displayed. Whole towns are changed. The miraculous power of God is evident for all to see. Has the Holy Spirit left us? Or does Jesus want to do a fresh, powerful work right here, right now? What He did in the past, He can do again!
Some people live a life of division. They create division and discord wherever they go. Some people live a life of subtraction. They take more out of life than they give. Others live a life of addition. They add a bit more than they take out. But God’s plan is a life of multiplication. Throughout scripture, God multiplies what he touches. His plan is for us to be multipliers.
Healthy families don’t automatically happen. So how do you know if you are on the right path towards being a healthy family? What’s it like to be part of a healthy team? It’s fascinating that secular research fully supports sound Biblical principles on the characteristics of a healthy family. Let’s take the test together and discover what changes and adjustments we need to make to move towards health.
Moving parts can cause friction. Friction creates heat, and heat can cause damage. That’s the way it often works in our relationships. Whether it’s with a friend, at church, at work, with a neighbor or in our family, it’s easy to relationships to become strained. Because God is a God of relationships, He desires His children to work towards healthy relationships. That means for us to take the right steps towards repairing damaged relationships.
There is tension building. Wherever there is an established community, it will always be difficult to invite new people into the fold. New people bring different—different customs, different beliefs, and different ways of doing things. At the extreme, new people sometimes don’t share our core values. In the midst of all the tension, can the Body of Christ welcome in new and different?
Healthy relationships aren’t automatic. They don’t just happen. It’s not about being lucky. Healthy relationship take work—hard work. It takes intentionality. It takes time. It takes humility. It takes God’s perfect love flowing through us. Fortunately, God loves us so much that He gives us a blueprint for constructing healthy relationships. When we follow His blueprint and put the building blocks in place, we can move towards healthier relationships and deeper joy.
God is a God of relationships. He desires to have a personal relationship with us. Out of that relationship can come healthy relationships with each other. When our vertical relationship is right, our horizontal relationships become healthier. Yet because of our bent towards sin, we often mess up our interpersonal relationships. Only when we deal with the greatest relationship-killer will we truly experience what God intended for us.
No one lives to themselves. We didn’t arrive to where we are without others. We won’t get to where we are going without impacting others on the journey. Life isn’t a sprint. It’s a relay. In any relay, the hand-off is essential to winning. Dropped batons ruin the race. Learning to receive the baton correctly and handing it off precisely makes for a winning race.
In the Upper Room, Jesus is preparing his disciples for life after His death and resurrection when suddenly, He breaks into prayer. Jesus welcomes us today into this divine, intimate conversation He has with the Father. Not only are we invited into the conversation, but Jesus prays specifically for the future Church (us). His plea to the Father? Complete unity.
Jesus gives some instruction to His disciples and prays for them in John 14-17, which is often referred to as the Farewell Discourse. He is preparing them for what life will look like after He is resurrected and ascended. What if those of us who have trusted Christ as Savior were to look at this section of Scripture and consider how it is reflecting our current faith journey?
History is loaded with pivotal moments. For Americans, it’s the American Revolution and the Civil War. In the world, it’s the invention of Gutenburg’s printing press. These are moments that forever changed the course of history. In Peter’s life, there’s a pivotal moment that’s often overlooked. His moment described in Acts 10 impacts every believer’s life. It’s the moment that opened the door for most of us to become followers of Christ. That pivotal moment is loaded with great lessons for us.
Before and after pictures are amazing! Oftentimes, it’s hard to believe it’s the same person. Over time, people change. More than physical changes, when the Holy Spirit fills a person, there are radical spiritual and behavioral changes. The man called Peter in the Gospels is transformed into a fearless warrior in the book of Acts. What God did for Peter, He can do for you!
How do you come back from failure? How can you move forward after direct disobedience to God? Peter’s Here to There journey no longer looks the same. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times after he boldly proclaimed that he would never abandon Jesus. How do you come back from that? Will God use the unfaithful to fulfill His plans? John 21 gives us insight into how God restores His disciple, Peter, and how we, too, may be restored in our Here to There journey.
It is the low point in Peter’s Here to There journey. Jesus told Peter it was going to happen. Peter told Jesus there was no way it would happen. As we examine this low point where Peter denies Christ three times, there is challenge and guidance we can apply to our own Here to There journey.
Can you imagine what it would have been like to walk with Jesus? At this point in Peter’s Here to There journey, he has seen Jesus heal people, seen Jesus cast out demons, and he himself has walked on water! In Matthew 16, Peter and the disciples are put on the spot when Jesus asks them, “Who do you say I am?” Jesus is still asking His followers today, “Who do you say I am?”
It’s easy to become satisfied and complacent. Doing the same old thing everyday can become an easy but unwilling routine. Yet there’s something more that God has for us. There’s a stirring in our souls and a hunger in our hearts that can only be met by fulfilling God’s mission for our lives. It’s time to move from here to there!
The call for peace is universal. It’s the deepest desire of most every heart. Yet, it remains elusive. Conflict marks human history. From the first two brothers to today's world, peace seems distant and unattainable. But when Jesus enters the picture, everything changes. He is the Prince of Peace. True peace comes only through Jesus.
What’s the first word that comes to your mind when you hear the word "father"? Everyone has had a father. The mere mention of that word evokes memories: some enjoyable, while others painful. It's that word—father—that Isaiah uses to describe Jesus, our perfect Father.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, MIGHTY GOD, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In our weakness, pain, and trials, we do not serve a God who is unable to save us; we serve a Mighty God. Our Mighty God is capable of all things. His power knows no limit. Jesus was mighty, is mighty, and will always be mighty and capable to handle anything life throws at us.
While knowledge is exponentially exploding, wisdom seems to be disappearing. We may be smarter, but it’s questionable if we are wiser. Wisdom increases when we link ourselves to its source. A growing relationship with Jesus and learning to walk in His Word gives us great guidance for every step of our journey.
There are some things that only Jesus can do. One of those is to totally and eternally transform a person. When Jesus steps into a life, the old has gone, and the new has come. That which was broken is made whole. That which was hopeless is hopeful. When we meet Jesus, nothing again will be the same. He was, is, and is to come!
The greatest need in the world today is only met by Jesus. All other efforts, while important, will only deal with symptoms. Through His work, Jesus deals with the core problem and offers true life transformation. He alone takes us from darkness to light, from death to life. Jesus was, is, and is to come!
Great moments are exciting. They give us a thrill, a high, an adrenaline rush. Great moments are to be celebrated. Yet great moments aren’t enough. Great moments need to be more than a just a moment in time; they need to be converted into substantial change. It’s all about turning moments into movements. Moments, unless turned into movements, fade away and are soon forgotten. Movements provide sustainable and reproducible fruit. They live beyond us.
Today and the week following, 100% of undesignated gifts will be given to area food pantries, partners and our FMSC MobilePack event! Because of your generosity, we are looking to bless as many as 75 food pantries and organizations and feed people all over the world. Here are a few ways you can be generous through Let's Give it all Away!
Faith: It’s a word we use all the time in Christianity, but do we really understand what it means? And even if we define it well, is it something we are truly living out?
Have you ever felt like quitting? Can’t do it anymore? The load just too heavy? Life regularly throws us curve balls. Often, the weight we bear is greater than our strength to carry it. We find ourselves asking, 'Where is God in all of this?' Amidst heaviness of heart and discouragement, there is hope. There is a way. It is possible to come out the other side not just surviving, but thriving.
We cannot stop growing as physical beings. Our bodies age, our brains develop, and our shoe size changes. The same is not necessarily true as it pertains to our spiritual walk. Are we simply reliving the same year over and over and over again? Is there growth in wisdom and knowledge of who God is or who we are in God? The writer of Hebrews gives a call for the believer to grow up!
Can the Bible be trusted? Is God’s Word reliable for today? In a society where tolerance is the highest value, is the Bible still valid? How did we get the Bible? How should we interpret Scripture? All of these are valid questions, yet none of them negate the absolute authority and accuracy of God’s Word to us—the written Scriptures. Knowing the Word is essential. Living the Word is imperative.
It isn't guaranteed that life will be easy. We are not exempt from problems and difficulties. In this world, we will have trouble. Yet in the midst of it all, we can find that place of rest, the place of peace. Living in obedience and complete faith in Him takes us to His "sweet spot." We are continually challenged to work towards that end, to strive diligently so we can abide in the sweet spot of His best for us.
Often we are asked to do two things that seem mutually exclusive. It’s like trying to do two things simultaneously that are opposites. Throughout scripture, there are truths that need to be held in tension. Holding one part of the truth without the other leads to error. The writer to the Hebrews wants his readers to have a deep confidence in God while simultaneously taking responsibility for their own conduct. It’s the balance of these two ideas that produces incredible health in our journey.
There are thousands of styles of picture frames. While choosing the right frame is important, it’s not about the frame but the picture that’s in the frame. The picture we choose says much about who we are. The book of Hebrews focuses on a single picture. It’s all about Jesus! It’s all about putting Him at the center of our lives. It’s all about Him being the picture in the frame.
Dr. John Avant, Executive Director of Life Action Ministries, was our guest this past Sunday. His message comes straight from the mission of Life Action Ministries, to “inspire your next YES to God.” John passionately shared that when we say yes to God, He will say yes to us.
The schedule at home and in the community is about to drastically change as another school year is about to kick off. Life can get crazy and survival mode can kick in. What if we, as a church, didn’t simply count down the days, but instead made the days count?
We all have expectations—expectations for the future and expectations in relationships. If we are being honest, we even have expectations of God. In all areas of life, we need to press into the difference between expectations and expectancy.
For anything to remain strong, there must be an acknowledgment of impending threats. Businesses often use a SWOT analysis – Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat. Understanding threats allows us to prepare a strong defense. As much as this is true in business and leadership, it’s true in our spiritual lives. Acknowledging potential threats to our walk with the Lord allows us to build a strong support system.
Dropping like flies! That’s a phrase often used to describe something that is falling quickly. It might be people overcome by extreme heat or fatigue. "Dropping like flies" speaks of being vulnerable to an outside force. Throughout Scripture, there’s a call to stand. Circumstances, difficulties and challenges can cause us to drop like flies! Yet, dozens of times we’re called to stand, to stand firm amidst all of life’s curve balls. Amidst adversity, the call is simple–STAND!
Even when we are under-resourced, outmanned, and facing insurmountable odds and overwhelming circumstances, it’s still possible to be an overcomer. No matter what you’re facing, God’s strength can give you exactly what you need. Although the canon of Scripture is closed, the stories of overcomers are still being written today. We can do more than survive. We can thrive, even when it snows in June.
Rise up, O men of God! The words of this song call men to action. It calls men to die to passivity and half-heartedness. It calls men, and all people, to be strong and courageous. It calls all to be ready for the battle. Life is a war, and only the strong survive. Get ready for battle. Be properly armed and prepared so that victory is assured.
Twice in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Jesus even commands the Pharisees to go and learn what this means. Mercy is a major theme of the Bible, but what exactly is it? What does it look like? By studying the words of Jesus spoken through the prophet Hosea, we can learn a precise blueprint on how to live out mercy.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." These are the words that we hope to hear when we meet Jesus face to face someday, but how do we get there? How do we know that we have been successful in this life? What is success? Not only does Jesus help us redefine the word "success" in the Parable of the Talents, but He also reveals how we can find success in our lives.
When Jim Collins wrote the best-selling business book, From Good to Great, he expounded upon research that showed how average businesses moved to sustainable greatness. Everyone was interested in discovering the "how to" of moving from good to great. What are the factors? What can we do to move to the next level? Discovering the IT factor became an obsession. So just what is the IT factor? What is IT that makes a difference?
What is it that leads you? What is it that fuels your fire? Often, we are led by fear, by safety, by pride, or by ego. When the Holy Spirit is unleashed in our lives, our leadership changes. We live at a higher level, where the Holy Spirit orders our steps. He creates encounters of the divine kind. What happened in the early church can and will happen in our lives as we are led by the Spirit.
When the Spirit of God fills the spirit of a person, incredible things happen. When we move from getting our power from our flesh to being baptized with His power through His Spirit, amazing things take place. God wants to pour out the Holy Spirit everywhere on everyone. And when the Holy Spirit is unleashed on us, we are unleashed for incredible impact on our world.
The book of Acts marks a significant time in God’s plan of redemption for mankind. It is an unprecedented time when the message spread with powerful effectiveness. It’s a beautiful thing when a plan comes together. We just need to make sure we are willing to come in alignment with the plan!
Last words make a powerful statement. Jesus' last words to His disciples were to be their first priority. The last words of Matthew, recording what Jesus said, focuses on our responsibility to make disciples. Luke recorded Jesus' last words in the book of Acts calling us to share Jesus everywhere with everyone. The gospel message is a GO message
Do you ever find yourself feeling like there’s no hope, like it’s over? Everywhere Jesus went, He met people who felt it was over; there’s no hope. But when Jesus entered their world, despair became hope. Sorrow turned to joy. Their impossibilities were changed into a beautiful new reality. When Jesus showed up, their "it’s over" spirit was transformed into a confident "it’s NOT over" belief. What Jesus did for others, He can do for you!
We live in a world where we have excessive access to anything at any time. Do we have it all figured out? Or maybe, just maybe, are we more lost now than ever before?
Sammy Tippit is a good friend of NMC. Over the years, he has joined us on multiple occasions for events such as Fanning the Flame and other services. Today, he kicks off our series "The Gospel Truth" by helping us discover what rock we are standing on.
Dr. John Avant is the director and president of Life Action Ministries. On Wednesday evening, he dives into Revelation 3 with a message titled, "Say Yes!"
Pastor Kevin Moore is the senior pastor at theCHURCH at Visalia in California. On Tuesday evening, he dives into the life of Samuel, reminding us that we have a bit of Samuel in us all.
Jeff Manion is the senior pastor at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On Sunday evening of Fanning the Flame, Jeff talks about The Land Between.
Jeff Manion is the senior pastor at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On Sunday evening of Fanning the Flame, Jeff talks about the power of redundant, repetitive faithfulness.
Before God does a major work and ushers His people into a new reality, there’s usually some activity or event that precedes that moment. More than just being a case of cause and effect, God calls His people to prepare for what He is about to do. From the crossing of the Red Sea on dry ground to the Day of Pentecost, prior to His moving, God prepares His people for action. So just how is God calling us to prepare?
Finding a way to navigate the challenges and curve balls of life is absolutely essential to effective life in Christ. So what does your current reality look like? What’s the "this" that you are going through? Joseph, our guide for navigating tough times, gives us a clear path to victory. Yes, it won’t be easy or quick, but with God’s help, we will get through living in the land of "this."
“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it." —Amos 8:11-12
“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Forgive and forget. Put the past in the past. Move on. Popular mindsets and all the clichés push us toward the idea that we can simply leave the painful parts of our past behind. But what do we do when our past comes knocking on our door? How should we respond?
God desires us to be whole and holy. In spite of our background, our history, and our circumstances, He can do an amazing work of healing for our body, soul, and spirit. While most people receive a surface work of restoration, God desires us to experience a deep work of healing. It's a work that goes to the core of our spirit. Whether they are memories, wounds, abuse or relational pains, God, through His Spirit, has provided everything we need for wholeness and holiness.
Times of heartbreak, confusion, disappointment and chaos often mark the path God has chosen for us to walk. Yet amidst the pain, we can live with a deep confidence in God’s ability to provide everything we need. No one gets an exemption of challenges, but everyone can live in complete confidence in God’s sustaining power.
But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”—Genesis 39:8-10
It’s guaranteed—life will throw us some curve balls. Our road will not always be smooth and easy. There will reversals, setbacks, and disappointments. Amidst these, though, we can have a deep faith in God and a confidence that His perfect will can be accomplished. Learning from Joseph equips us with everything we need for our journey. No matter what happens to us, we need not live as victims but as victors over life’s circumstances.
Most businesses take inventory at the end of the year. They close the books and discover the level of profit for the year. God taught His people to mark the moment. After great victories, God wanted His people to take inventory, celebrate His faithfulness, and capture that moment as a permanent reminder of His faithfulness. What God taught His people in the Old Testament is a great reminder for His people today—mark the moment!
December 24, 2017 | Galatians 4:4, Luke 2, Matthew 24-25 Timing is everything! Whether it’s a word spoken or a deed done, doing it at the right time adds incredible value. Our God is always perfect in His timing. It was that way with the birth of Jesus, His first Advent, and it will be that way in His second Advent. Although most were not prepared for His first coming as the Messiah, it’s essential that we be prepared for His second coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Some things just have to be shared! We just can’t keep quiet about it! The excitement can’t be contained! That’s what happens when a life is changed. That’s what happens when someone meets Jesus. That’s the natural response and instinct to a transformational moment. Some things are worth sharing and the greatest thing to share is Jesus—Simply Jesus!
There are many pivotal moments in history, but they all pale in comparison to the great moment—the birth of Jesus. That moment brought light out of darkness, hope out of despair, and life out of death. Nothing has impacted the entire human race more than the entrance that Jesus made into our world. One moment, one divine moment, transformed reality for every individual. That’s why understanding who Jesus is, simply Jesus, is absolutely essential.
As we head into “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” we could easily replace the word wonderful with words like busy, cluttered, full, or overwhelming. Christmas is meant to serve as a rhythmic reminder of the amazing moment when Jesus, God in flesh, entered the scene. Are we creating the space in our lives to welcome Jesus into this holiday, and more importantly, to let Him be the central focus in our lives?
As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, He reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As He entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” (NLT)
It’s loaded with promises. It’s one of the easiest books of the Bible to read. It’s a great pick-me-up when hard times come our way. It’s the book of Philippians. It’s a simple challenge written by a hard-charging warrior living under difficult circumstances. Its message is clear. Amidst nonsense, God makes sense. Through times of pain, we can be filled with praise. God’s Spirit not only gives us eternal life but makes life on this earth enjoyable. It’s about the power of praise!
It’s an incredible teaching moment. It’s coaching at its best! The wise mentor Paul gives skillful instruction to the young disciple Timothy on living with outrageous generosity. In a society that focuses on accumulation, we are challenged to move towards distribution. Instead of life being all about me, it becomes about sharing with the we. Outrageous generosity is far more than a concept; it is a series of actions based in a culture modeled by Jesus.
It’s brutal! It’s direct! It’s honest! It’s painful! That’s what happens when someone shares the last one percent in an honest conversation. That’s precisely what Malachi does when he shares God’s frustration and disappointment with His people. Instead of a having a vibrant faith, they found themselves doing most of the right things with a wrong heart. May we never be found living less than God’s best.
Most every child has heard the phrase, "Just wait until your dad gets home!” There’s a heaviness in the air. There’s a sense of impending judgment. What’s about to happen will be painful. That’s the word Zephaniah gives to the people of Judah. God reaches a point where He’s ready to step in. Justice is about to happen. Now is the time to make the changes necessary to avoid God’s wrath
There’s something comforting when we find someone asking the same questions we ask. We can easily identify with someone who struggles with the same issues we struggle with. Habakkuk becomes that person for us. It is easy for us to identify with Habakkuk's life struggles and God’s apparent unfairness. Habakkuk does far more than struggle as he takes us to the place where we can better understand how God works.
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.” – Nahum 1:7-8
Nobody gets excited about the fake and artificial. We feel ripped off when we discover that what we’ve purchased is a cheap imitation of the real thing. That’s exactly how God feels with fake, superficial religion. It sickens Him. He won’t tolerate it. Going through the motions of following God without living it out daily is totally unacceptable. God isn’t looking for a cheap imitation, but real religion lived out daily by real people walking with Him.
It’s an amazing story. It’s not a fable or a myth, but a story of a real man who battles with the call of God and struggles to learn that God always wins. Just as Jonah struggled, we do the exact same thing. Instead of surrendering to God’s best for our lives, we desire to have our way, follow our plan, and do our own thing. But in the end, it’s God who is the winner—every single time!https://player.vimeo.com/external/233675682.hd.mp4?s=6e210ccb094d673731673d038df937805f2b3743&profile_id=175
The Bible is an amazingly mysterious book. It has the ability to speak back in time, over all time, and into our specific time all at once. The Minor Prophets consistently do just this. In the book of Obadiah, we see a big problem among the people of Edom that is a big problem among all mankind. If we’re honest, it’s also a big problem for each of us.
It’s like a bucket of freezing water that hits you in the face on a cold day. The words of the prophet Amos are not for the faint of heart. They echo clearly and loudly with deep passion and conviction. The spiritual status quo will not work. The time for playing religious games is over. Sin is called sin. Judgment is imminent. It’s time for a change. Listening and responding to the prophet’s call is the first step toward spiritual health and wholeness.
Amidst utter hopelessness, there is hope when we do life God’s way. No matter what you face, no matter what your past might hold, placing your life and your challenges in God’s hands takes you to an amazing place called HOPE! In Christ, your past can be behind you. Your future can shine brightly in front of you. Your today can be full of authentic joy
August 6, 2017 | 2 Chronicles 26 God’s desire is for His children to experience everything He has for them. Sometimes we settle for less than His best. What starts as a great journey doesn't need to stop short of its final destination. Destined for greatness, Uzziah ends up on the junk heap of life—lonely, cursed, and forgotten because of pride and sin. His destiny need not be ours.
Joshua was the leader of Israel after the passing of Moses and was tasked to lead the people through many battles. Some battles were won; others were not. We may not find ourselves in physical battles, but life is full of battles. Some are big while others are small. We learn about how to battle from Joshua and the Israelites.
Acts 4:29-31 Something happens when God’s Spirit shows up. The disobedient are convicted. The discouraged are encouraged. The timid become bold. What God did in the book of Acts is what God wants to do today. He wants to save us, fill us and empower us to be bold and courageous for Him. It’s time to take a bold step!
This morning, we are joined by Michel Khalil, founder and president of Step Forward Ministries.
Matthew 10:16-23—How many times have you said, “If only I would have known...”? If somehow we knew the future, we would change our current actions. Knowing the future would change how we handle our money, our health, and our relationships. Jesus, however, did tell His disciples about the future. What happened to them after His death didn’t take them by surprise. They were prepared, and we should be also.
This Sunday, we welcomed Tim Zimmerman and the King's Brass to our Worship Center services. Check out Sunday's unique sermon.
God uses improbable people in unlikely places to do unexplainable things because of his unimaginable greatness.
Bob Andrews, director of Devon Oasis Center in Chicago, Illinois, joins us this Sunday to share on "Owning Your Obligation to Your Neighbor." Bob and his wife, Lynne have lived and worked in the Little India neighborhood of Chicago for the last 30 years. This part of the city is a major hub for refugees from all over the world, and over the years, Bob and Lynne have actively built relationships with many of these people. Through meeting felt needs, they have shown the love of Jesus and have shared the Gospel. In the words of Bob, "Meeting people's needs is the Gospel."
Do you find it hard being present, to be in the moment, fully engaged? Frequently, we find ourselves holding on to the past or pressing forward toward the future with utter neglect of the present moment. It isn’t wrong to remember and learn from the past or to think ahead and strategically plan for the future, but there are dangers if we live in either the past or the future. God is always present in the now. Are you?
Galatians 5:13-6:10—God is a relational God. He created us with a need for relationships. Unfortunately, sin messes up all relationships. Thankfully, the power of God can heal and restore damaged relationships. God has made it possible for us to live in the land of healthy relationships.
Galatians 5:25—God is an amazing creator. His creative genius is seen every day in every way. The crowning part of His creation was man and woman. We were created in His image with gifts, talents, personalities and passions. We were also created as sexual beings. Unfortunately, what God created, sin distorted. It doesn’t have to be that way. With God’s redemptive work, we can live holy and healthy. Part of that healthy living is embracing God’s design for human sexuality.
Ephesians 5:17-6:4—Does it really work? Is it possible for God to do a deep work in our families where Christ-like living takes place? Is it pie-in-the-sky idealism, or can it be a reality? Do we fake it 'til we make it, or can a deep transformation at home really happen? God can bring revival and restoration to our families. The question is, will we let Him?
1 Corinthians 1-4—The best of times and the worst of times! That can be used to describe relationships. Since God is a God of relationships, He wants us to be relationally healthy and whole, both with Him and with others. Unfortunately, relationships can get messy. Hurts happen. Pain grows into scars. But that doesn’t need to be the end of the story. God’s grace can bring healing to damaged relationships.
Genesis 1-3, Exodus 20:3—It’s all about relationships! All the accomplishments in the world mean nothing apart from whole and healthy relationships. Because of sin, all of us are messed up. Messed up people mess up relationships. Relational messes are not a new problem. (In fact, we’ve been messing them up since the very beginning.) The path to healthy relationships with others will come as we properly align them to our relationship with God.
Ephesians 1:17—It’s all about relationships! All the accomplishments in the world mean absolutely nothing apart from whole and healthy relationships. Because of sin, all of us are messed up. Messed up people mess up relationships. Yet there is hope. Jesus died for relational health, both with Him and with others. When we walk in obedience to Him, we not only have peace with Him but are also on the path to peace with others. Yes, it’s all about relationships.
2 Corinthians 1:9—Everyone has something for which we’re known. Often our nicknames come from our reputation or a unique characteristic. Companies develop branding based on what they wish to be known for. What God is known for is what we celebrate on Resurrection Sunday. It’s what He does every moment. Our God is all about LIFE. Through His son Jesus, we have the privilege of life, both now and forever.
Ephesians 4:32—It’s not optional. It’s basic equipment. It’s required for healthy and whole living. Giving and receiving forgiveness is absolutely essential for our health physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally and psychologically. There are no short-cuts. It’s painful but always profitable. It’s difficult but always healthy in the end. It’s time to press forward on learning how to forgive.
1 Timothy 6:17-19—One of the most basic lessons all parents want to teach their children is to share. It doesn’t come naturally. It takes diligence, patience and persistence to help a child understand the value of sharing. Our Heavenly Father tries to teach His children the same thing. He calls us to open our hands. He asks us to be rich in good deeds, generously sharing with those in need.
1 Peter 4:10—Success for most people is climbing the ladder. It’s about status, position, power and prestige. We applaud those who use their talents and gifts as they rise in their chosen vocation. Jesus gives a new definition for success. It’s about serving, not being served. It’s about giving, not gaining. He measures us not by status but by serving.
Ephesians 4:1-16— “There’s gold in them thar hills!” That statement is far more than a challenge to miners to dig for gold; it’s a statement that describes the grace gifts that the Lord has given to each believer. Most of us fail to recognize the gifts we’ve received from the Lord. God desires us to recognize the gifts He’s given us and generously share them with the local body of Christ.
Ephesians 3:12-21—God wants to do a deep, life-changing work in us. The closer we walk with our Heavenly Father, the more like Him we become. As we live in His presence, His character flows over into our lives. Far more than being saved from hell, we are transformed by His power which allows us to live Spirit-filled and Spirit-led lives.
After losing his wife a year ago, Pastor Ron Williams walked through a season of pain and grief. Wednesday night of Fanning the Flame, he teaches on how to live Spirit-filled when the lights go out.
What does it look like to be Spirit-led in our homes? Pastor Phil Whetstone teaches on this Tuesday night of Fanning the Flame.
Joel Deselm kicks off Fanning the Flame with this Sunday morning message about being led by the Spirit through our Samaria.
Joel DeSelm continues his teaching on the Holy Spirit on Sunday night of Fanning the Flame.
Galatians 5:22-23—Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control wrap up our breakdown of the fruit of the Spirit. Is there evidence of this fruit in our lives? Are we in step with the Spirit?
Galatians 5:22-23—Paul gives us a great checklist of virtues that should flow from our lives when we are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. He calls them “the fruit of the Spirit.” If we want to gauge the level at which we are keeping in step, we need to understand what these fruit look like and then take time to evaluate their presence in our lives.
Galatians 5:16-26—Do you know the voice of the Holy Spirit? Do you listen to the Spirit? “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” –John 10:27 Among the cacophony of voices; we have to be able to distinguish the Spirit’s voice in order to stay IN STEP.
Galatians 5:16-26, Romans 6-8—Great rivalries often imply two nearly equal entities competing against each other. In the spiritual realm, that’s often described as Satan versus Jesus, light versus darkness, or the flesh versus the spirit. Because of this intense battle, most Christians fail to realize the decisive victory that is ours through Christ. Instead of standing tall as a victor, many limp to the finish line crippled by the enemy’s attack. That’s not God’s plan. That need never be our path.
Galatians 5:16-18—Great rivalries have opposing thoughts, styles or strategies. They often have loyal fan bases. The greatest rivalries have a long history of tense face-offs. When it comes to keeping our lives in step with the Spirit, there is a great rival we need to know about and know how to find victory over.
Galatians 5:25, John 14-16—Most people have a decent understanding of who God is. The person of Jesus, His life, and ministry here on earth is well documented. Yet the person of the Holy Spirit is often the hidden member of the Trinity. To many, His work and role is a mystery. It’s impossible for us to stay in step with the Spirit if we don’t know the Spirit. So just who is this One that we are to stay in step with?
Galatians 5:25—While our desire is to always keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25), it’s easy to get out of step. Life has a way of pressing in on us. Instead of keeping in step, we often find ourselves marching to the beat of a different drummer. There is a way back! There is a way to be restored! We don’t have to live in despair and hopelessness but can enjoy the beauty of keeping in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25—Have you made any New Year’s resolutions? Are there any areas of your life where you are committed to change? Do you have a Bible verse for this year? Are there things in your walk with the Lord you want to see enhanced and improved? Learning to live in step with the Spirit isn’t a New Year’s resolution as much as a lifestyle change. We can have amazing spiritual growth and change when we live in step with the Holy Spirit.
While we celebrate Jesus’ first coming to earth at Christmas, there’s a second coming yet to happen. It is to be embraced. The correlations between the two are amazing. One brings great opportunity for forgiveness and hope. The second brings the ultimate—eternal life. While many celebrate His first coming, not everyone is prepared for His second coming. Let’s get ready!
John 1:14—Christmas is about Jesus leaving heaven and coming to Earth. Jesus, being fully man and yet fully God, moved into our world and allowed us to get a glimpse of God. Just as Jesus impacted the world that he physically moved into, He asks us to do the same thing. The neighborhood changes when the Spirit of God encounters it. We have the opportunity to be a part of that event.
Colossians 1:15-20—The union of Heaven and Earth is what the story of the Bible is all about. God created the world to be in perfect union with Heaven. The tabernacle and temple were spaces where Heaven and Earth overlapped. Ultimately, God sent His own Son so that Heaven and Earth collided in one person. Jesus makes a way for us all to experience that collision in our own lives.