Walk As He Walked, with Pastor Cam Stevens: Recent Episodes

Cam Stevens

Pastor Cam is the Lead Pastor of Refuge City Church in Lake Elsinore, California. Launching from a 15 year career in education, Cam was called by God to go into full time ministry. Along with pastoring a church plant, he serves with a youth organization that serves multiple cities in the Southwest Riverside County. Cam has a strong desire to live out the Great Commission by preaching the gospel, and helping others grow in their faith as followers of Jesus Christ. The podcast will feature sermons and insights into daily living as we abide in Christ and seek to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6).

In salvation, there is new life! Join us as we dive deep into Matthew 9:18-34, where we explore powerful stories of faith, healing, and transformation. In this episode, we witness how Jesus brings new life to those who humbly seek Him—regardless of their status or circumstances. Key themes in this passage include:Faith and Expectation: Discover the importance of coming to Jesus with a heart full of faith.Compassionate Healing: Understand how Jesus values every individual, offering not just physical healing but spiritual restoration.Living Out Our Testimony: Learn the vital role of sharing our experiences of salvation with others.How has your life changed since accepting Jesus? What story of healing or hope can you share with those around you? If you’ve experienced the transformative power of Jesus, don’t keep it to yourself! Spread the good news and encourage others to seek Him.Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more uplifting content! Share your thoughts in the comments below!

In this episode, we dive deep into Deuteronomy 6:4-6, also known as the Shema prayer. This ancient text, central to the faith of the Israelites and still a daily prayer in Judaism, holds vital significance for our worship today. Let's explore what it means to "Hear, O Israel" and why this call to listen is crucial for our relationship with God. Discover the depth of the term "Echad" and how it underscores the uniqueness of our Triune God. Learn about the command to love God with all your heart, soul, and might, and how this should influence our daily lives. Reflect on how to integrate this powerful command into your everyday routine, making worship a continuous and heartfelt practice.Join us as we delve into the richness of this prayer and discover how it can transform our approach to worship. Let’s engage our hearts, souls, and might in loving and glorifying the one true God.If you find this episode inspiring, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more content on deepening your faith and worship.

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the topic of fasting as addressed by Jesus in Matthew 9:14-17 and unravel the profound meanings behind His teachings.Through this teaching:Learn about the Pharisees' traditional fasting practices and how they differed from the true intent of fasting. Discover what the Old Testament teaches about fasting, including key passages from Leviticus and Hebrews.Jesus’ Response: Explore Jesus' answer to why His disciples didn’t fast as expected, and what this reveals about His new covenant and relationship with His followers.Parables Explained: Unpack the three powerful parables Jesus used to illustrate His message about fasting, renewal, and the new kingdom:The Bridegroom Parable: Why fasting doesn’t fit in with the joyous presence of Jesus.The Old vs. New Garment Parable: Understanding the shift from the old covenant to the new.The New Wine in Old Wineskins Parable: The importance of embracing the new life in Christ without blending it with old practices.Practical Insights: Gain clarity on what fasting means today, including its purpose, significance, and how to approach it with the right heart and intention. Don’t Forget to Subscribe! For more deep dives into biblical teachings and practical faith applications, hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications.

In this compelling episode, we dive deep into a powerful message to explore the transformative encounter between Jesus and Matthew the tax collector.Key Highlights:Why Matthew? Learn why Jesus chose a despised tax collector and how this choice reveals the heart of God's mission.Pharisees' Objection: Understand the Pharisees' outrage and Jesus' radical response about mercy over ritualistic sacrifice.Old Testament Connections: See how Jesus’ actions align with Old Testament teachings and God’s enduring message of healing and redemption.A Call to Transformation: Explore what it means to truly follow Jesus and how His call can radically change your life, regardless of your past.Through this teaching, we want to encourage you with practical steps on how to live out Jesus' call to "Follow Me" in your daily life. Whether you're seeking inspiration or a deeper understanding of your faith, this episode offers a rich exploration of Jesus’ invitation to follow Him—no matter who you are or where you’ve been. Dive in to discover how you can embrace this call and experience a life transformed by grace.🔔 Subscribe for More Content: Don’t miss out on our future episodes exploring Biblical teachings and spiritual growth. Hit that FOLLOW button and turn on notifications!

In this study, we explore a powerful biblical story that highlights the incredible impact of compassion and faith. Based on passages from Matthew 9, Mark 2, and Luke 5, we dive into the story of a paralyzed man whose friends go to extraordinary lengths to bring him to Jesus. Unable to reach Him through the crowd, they create an opening in the roof and lower their friend down, leading to a profound encounter where Jesus forgives his sins and heals him.In this video, you'll discover:The amazing story of faith and sacrifice as four friends go above and beyond to help their paralyzed friend meet Jesus.How Jesus’ response emphasizes the importance of forgiveness over physical healing.The broader message of how our acts of faith and compassion can have eternal significance.Join us as we reflect on the eternal implications of kindness and faith. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more meaningful content!

In today’s episode, we explore two profound events from Matthew 8: the calming of the storm and the healing of the demon-possessed men. Join us as we unravel how these stories offer deep insights into our faith journey and God’s unshakeable authority.

🎙 In this episode, we discuss:

The Storm: How do we respond when life’s storms threaten to overwhelm us? Discover Jesus’ message to His disciples and how it speaks to our own moments of fear and uncertainty.
The Demoniac: Explore the dramatic healing of the man possessed by demons and what it reveals about Jesus’ power over evil and His compassion for those in torment.
Faith and Fear: Learn how our faith can be tested and strengthened through trials, and how to keep our focus on Jesus amidst life’s challenges.
Personal Transformation: How do our experiences and trials shape our faith and testimony? Reflect on how God uses our difficulties for greater purposes.

💬 Join the conversation:

How do you deal with life’s storms and personal challenges?
What role does faith play in your response to trials?
Share your stories and reflections on how Jesus has transformed your life.

📲 Subscribe to Walk as He Walked for more episodes that delve into Scripture and offer practical insights for living out your faith. Don’t forget to rate and review if you find this episode helpful!

🌟 Connect with us on social media and visit our website for additional resources and discussion. Your support and engagement help us continue bringing you enriching content.

Let’s embark on this journey of faith together, learning to navigate life’s storms with unwavering trust in God’s power and love.

Faith #BiblePodcast #Matthew8 #ChristianFaith #SpiritualGrowth #JesusCalmsTheStorm #Healing #OvercomingChallenges #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney

*Pastor Ray Orozco

On quite a few occasions, people would approach Jesus and ask an array of questions. In every occurrence, He would respond with the exact answer that person needed to hear. In our passage of study today, there are a couple questions asked about what it takes to follow Jesus. His answer, which applies to each and every one of us, may sting, but it's what we need to hear. Following Jesus isn't easy, and in all things we must make Him first.

Throughout Jesus' ministry, He brings healing to many people. He uses those circumstances to point to the cross. Jesus did not miraculously heal people simply because He could. He did so to show us a couple things:1. His authority is God's authority. His words are God's words.2. Every single individual, regardless of title, culture, social status, or physical well-being is worthy of the salvation He offers. Yet it is up to each individual to humble themselves and draw near to Him.

Guest Teacher: Pastor Kirk Overstreet

Scripture makes it crystal clear, our heart is deceitful and wicked. So why do we continue to do the things we ought not do?! God promised us a new heart, yet He leaves it up to us to take good care of what He’s given us. We must exercise our spiritual muscles while feeding on the perfect nutrition that satisfies our soul. Be strengthened in God’s word, and let your heart pump the way God intended…for His glory.

Guest Teacher: Pastor Terry Zech

From the crossing of the Red Sea through their time spent in the wilderness, the Israelites faced multiple trials and temptations. Yet God continued to provide time after time. There is purpose in the trials we face, and often times we miss the crucial point of connection to God. When we get through our trial, it is relatively easy to praise God. Whereas if we can see Him working in the midst of the trial, we'll see and experience something special. Don't miss what He wants to show you.

Following the greatest sermon ever given, Jesus encounters a man with leprosy. A hopeless condition which if inflicted, causes one to have to be separated from everyone. This man was living in isolation and there was only one person who could set him free. This man understood his condition, and by faith approached Jesus to be healed. The question we have to ask ourselves is, “What is separating us from true freedom in Jesus Christ?”

Who sold you this land and told you it would be profitable? The views are breathtaking, but the value is worthless. Who told you that you can simply listen to God’s word, yet never act on it? We are to be obedient to what God calls us to do. You can’t build on what you think is right. You must build on the foundation that has already been laid for you. His name is Jesus Christ.

As Jesus continues to bring his sermon to a close, He speaks of 2 trees & 2 claims. As we follow Christ, we are to produce fruit that proves we belong to God's family. Yet there will be some false teachers who try and dissuade us from following Jesus by presenting a different gospel. We must bear in mind that what we claim, we must live according to the truth of God's word, and nothing else.

Jesus begins His conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount by providing a series of 2 choices we have when it comes to the Kingdom of God. The first of those is by which gate we enter. There are two choices, the easy way or the difficult way. Following Jesus is not easy. The road is narrow, but it leads to everlasting life for those who follow Him. The other way is easy and only leads to destruction. On the road of life, which gate are you going to choose?

Dad’s come in all shapes and sizes. They look different, talk different, but the jokes are the same 😂 Regardless if you’re a retired grandpa, empty-nester, have kids at home, a new dad trying to figure it all out, or maybe you don’t have kids, you’re still created for a purpose. God has designed men to lead, guide, protect, and provide. Your divine vocation as a Father is irrevocable, so live with that in mind.

No one likes to be judged. No one wants to be judged. We feel it infringes upon our right to live as we want. It’s a very exposing thing to be told you’re doing something wrong according to someone else. So why do we do it? As Christians, Jesus told us not to judge, yet there is something we need to understand regarding the difference between a final judgement, and using God’s Word to use discernment and accountability to those around us.

Everyone will deal with anxious thoughts from time to time. Some more than others, yet Jesus gives us the answer to our anxiety, worries, and fears. He doesn't just tell not to be anxious. He gives us the tools to overcome those thoughts. He overcame this world so that we would live an abundant life in peace, free from the bondage of worldly desires and worries about what we have or don't have.

Giving, praying, fasting, confessing, etc… all these things Jesus teaches are things we ought to do. Yet it can be difficult to fall into a disciplined structure of consistent practice. Being spiritually disciplined as a follower of Jesus is not only beneficial to our lives, it can serve as a powerful testimony to those around us of the transforming power of God.

What does it mean to 'fast'? Is it something we are commanded by God to do? If so, how do we do it? For some it's a diet trend that keeps their body and skin healthy. Yet from God's intended meaning, it has spiritual implications that go way beyond the outer layer. Fasting is something that should and can be done in a proper way that honors God.

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we have at our disposal. As children of God, we have direct access to come before our heavenly Father. Jesus teaches and provides us a model of how we ought to pray. While not a legalistic standard, it is imperative to remember who it is we are praying to. Our reverence for God must come first, with a willingness to yield to His will in all things.

Mothers Day serves as a day to honor the women in our lives who have nurtured, raised, taught, and loved us in fulfilling God's call on their lives. The various roles a mother fulfills can bring on a slew of emotions, all of which are natural. Yet what should motivate a mother is her unreserved love for God because of who He is.

As Jesus just clarified certain laws that had been misconstrued, He now begins to teach proper righteousness. As we live in the grace of God, we ought to practice righteousness according to His Word, not religious tradition. The first way in which we can practice right living is in the way we give to those in need. Too many "sound the alarm" to let others know how good they are by their giving. We don't need to let others know we give. We should seek to honor the Lord, not to receive the praise of those around us.

**This is part 2 of 2 from the same sermon entitled, "Unwelcome Impositions" from Matthew 5:38-48.When others impose upon us in a way we don't appreciate, Jesus calls us in that moment to exert self-control and not retaliate. Yet He also calls us to love those who insult and take advantage of us. We are to love everyone with the same love that God shows towards us: agape/divine love. Our love, regardless of the ill treatment we are given, will display grace upon grace to those who need it. Yet, how are we to get to such a place of spiritual maturity? Jesus give us His instructions on how to be perfect. The question is, are you willing to obey?

**This is part 1 of 2 from the same sermon entitled, "Unwelcome Impositions" from Matthew 5:38-48.Has anyone every imposed circumstances upon you, that you weren't prepared to accept, with or without your approval? In this portion of Jesus' sermon, He gives us one of the most difficult things to do as Christians...exhibit self-control and love in the moment of insult and imposition.

We serve a God who is faithful and true, and always fulfills His promises to His people. Jesus gave us the example of a life that stands on the truth of God’s Word. He even made the proclamation that He is Truth! We are to therefore be people who live a life of integrity in all circumstances. In the eyes of God, there is no justification for lies. At all times we are to speak truth, and live truth to be an example to others to the righteousness of God.

After discussing the real issue behind our anger and lustful issues, Jesus directly addresses divorce. Many look to justify divorce for a myriad of reasons. Jesus clarifies that true biblical marriage is a covenantal agreement that should never be broken. Forgiveness, grace, and truth should mark every marriage relationship as it reflects all that God has done for us. What God has joined together, let not man separate.

As Jesus continues through His sermon, He covers "issues of life" that everyone will wrestle with. In this portion, He addresses the heart issue of lust. True, not everyone will commit an act of adultery, but everyone will struggle with the sin of lust. What matters to God is the condition of your heart. The more we gaze at others to satisfy our own desires, the less we fix our eyes on Jesus. Jesus then offers us an immediate and extreme resolve to this issue. Are you willing to gouge and cut to remain pure before the Lord?*Due to the nature of the content, parents please preview prior to showing your children. Or use the material to address this issue with your pre-teen and teenage children. It's an issue that affects them as well.

The next portion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount pertains to six issues of life that everyone will face. In this message, we look at the first: anger. Jesus likens anger to murder. Every one of us has the capability to murder. But God has given us the ability to consider the source of our emotion prior to it manifesting into something greater. God cares about the purity of our heart and our relationship with others.

There is no greater moment in history than the resurrection of Jesus Christ! It is the single greatest day in history for those who believe. For those who have not put their trust in Jesus, the proof is undeniable. Even atheists and agnostics believe in the basic truths of the resurrection: Jesus died. The tomb is empty. There were eyewitnesses. The church that has lasted for over 2000 years. Everyone has to reconcile the truth of the resurrection. It's implications are eternal. Put your trust in Jesus today!

The crucifixion and death of Jesus is something that should be viewed as tragic. An innocent man dying doesn't seem right. Yet because of who He is, and why He came, this moment holds so much more for us than many realize. Jesus was not just a man. He was God in the flesh who died to forgive us of our sins, because that is the only way we could receive salvation. We serve a God who loves us and desires a relationship with us. That's how He redefined such a tragic moment into something we now call good.

On Palm Sunday, we remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem a week before his crucifixion. Yet to better appreciate why He entered in the way He did, we look at a couple preceding stories to gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and why He came. The resurrection of Lazarus shows us God's power and grace, even in the most difficult of circumstances. The anointing of Jesus shows us sacrificial worship that He most certainly deserves.

With Easter season upon us, it's important to take a look at who Jesus is and why He came. This may help us have a deeper appreciation of why He entered Jerusalem to cheers and praise, only to be mocked and crucified a week later. The very character of God is what we need. Apart from God, we are obscure, crude, and deceitful. But the free gift of God is salvation in Jesus, in whom we receive glory, grace, and truth.

Jesus came to fulfill the law...every ounce of it! Jesus calls us to something higher than "just keeping the rules". He calls us to live right in a wrong world. He calls us to live pure in an impure world. The righteousness He gives flows freely from the cross at Calvary. We live accordingly because God deserves the glory. We live so others can see Christ. So yes, you are extremely valuable in the eyes of God and have an amazing opportunity to live in His kingdom here on earth.

Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and lights in this world. In light of the beatitudes He just explained, how are these expressions lived out in the midst of the world around us? We can be salty to bring flavor to the world, or we can be too salty and have the world spit us out. Make sure you live in a way that brings a better understanding of Jesus to others. He get the glory!

Jesus is our Prince of Peace. We serve a God of peace. He promises us peace. And He calls on us to make peace by our words and actions in this chaotic world. The final Beatitude is something different. It’s the external reaction of a dark world towards those who are living out the aforementioned character traits. If we are being who God has created us to be, we will be mocked and reviled by society. It’s a promised expectation from the One who experienced it all. Jesus promises to be with us through it all.

Jesus continues His teaching through the Beatitudes by calling us to be pure. Purity simply means to that we are to have a single-minded devotion to God alone. Anything else that does not meet the standards of God and His Word does not belong in our line of sight. By no means do we just play the part by looking religious. A pure heart allows us to see God in all things, and in that, have a greater ability to make decisions that benefit His kingdom.

Jesus calls us to be forgiving and compassionate to others, at all times and in every circumstance. Of course when we are hurt or harmed, this doesn't come easy. So how do we attain a deeper commitment to forgive others? Look to Jesus. How to do we attain a greater sense of compassion? Look to Jesus. These are not character traits that come natural to us. We do not have the strength to accomplish this on our own. Yet we have the very Spirit of God in us that empowers us to forgive the seemingly unforgiveable, and to show mercy to those we don't feel deserving of it. Yet, if we remember how God showed us mercy, we can see how others deserve it just as much as we do.

This next beatitude Jesus teaches is one we can all digest a little easier :) Get it? When Jesus calls us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, it's something we go after. It's something we pursue. We all understand what it means to be hungry and thirsty. We know when our body sends us signals that we are running on empty and need more energy. The question becomes, what are you feeding on spiritually that will bring you satisfaction to continue to run this race?

Meekness is one of those terms we don't use much in our day and age. Yet it's meaning has tremendous implications on who we are and how we live in the kingdom of God. If humility is the inner position of a self-controlled spirit, then meekness is the external display of that spirit to others. Meekness is gentleness and self-control.Jesus gave us the perfect example of what that looks like lived out. So let's look at some practical steps on what it looks like to be meek.

Jesus begins what is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, the greatest sermon ever preached! He begins with multiple statements of blessing, and therein lies something amazing if we take the time to grasp what Jesus is telling us.In His first two statements, Jesus says those justified by faith are blessed if they are poor in spirit and who mourn. Those doesn’t sound encouraging, but we need a deeper understanding of just what He is saying. Once we understand, everything else falls in line.

Jesus begins His ministry by proclaiming repentance, choosing His disciples, and calling them to follow.The depth of our life as disciples of Jesus is marked by the degree of our fellowship and followership. He leads. We follow. How close are you in proximity to your Rabbi?

Prior to the start of His ministry, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. There He is tempted by Satan in three ways: to satisfy His own desires, to test the faithfulness of God, and to remove Himself from the will of His Father. Yet, Jesus responds to each temptation with the power and truth of the Word of God.As we identify with our Savior, He gives us the perfect example of how to deal with the temptations we face in life. It’s up to us to arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit as we continue to walk like Jesus.

Many ask the questions, "Why did Jesus get baptized? Does that mean he wasn't divine?" The simple answer is no. Jesus is fully God and fully man. He stepped into baptism for the same reason he took on human flesh, to identify with those he would save, and so that we would be able to further identify with our Savior. His baptism is the fulfillment of so many things, and gives us a model to follow in humility, obedience, and righteousness.

The ministry of John the Baptist was foretold in scripture on a couple occasions. And an angel appeared to his father Zechariah to tell him that he would be a significant individual for the Lord. So we see the account of John in all four gospels. His purpose was to prepare the way of the Lord. He arrived to call people to repentance as their Messiah had arrived.The call of John is in a sense our call today. We are to live as those set free from sin and herald the good news to let others know that Jesus is coming soon!

The story of Jesus’ early life is one fraught with turmoil and transition. So we get a glimpse of what His life and ministry will be like later on. Yet through it all, Matthew gives us a beautiful snapshot of willing obedience in the face of turmoil. Joseph and Mary display pure trust in the word of God. Even though they had to uproot and move out of the country, God provided for them. In a few circumstances of prophetic fulfillment, Matthew shows us that all of Scripture points to Jesus as our Savior. Trust God. Pray. Seek Him with all your heart.

There are some questions to consider in our worship. When does it happen? Where can it happen? How does it happen? Who does it come from, and to where does it go? If our worship is conditional, doesn't that mean there will be limitations, if not an end to it? But we serve an infinite God! If we are trying to define worship, it must be solely dependent upon the recipient of our worship. Reflect on this past year and move forward with a greater sense of who it is we praise!

The story of the wise men is intriguing. We don’t know a lot about them, other than what’s revealed to us. Ultimately what we take away from their story is the incredible response of faith towards Jesus! King Herod tries to destroy Him. The religious elite, despite having the Word of God ignored Him. But these outsiders go to great lengths to worship Him! What is our response to God’s truth and the revelation of His Word? May we allow this Christmas to remind us to focus our eyes on the light of Jesus and make our life a sacrifice to Him.

Do you know what your name means? Does it hold value to who you are and your family's heritage? As we begin our study of the first gospel, we look at Matthew's account of the genealogy of Jesus. Beyond the list of names from Abraham to Jesus, it contains so much value as a beautiful picture of the grace of God, and His eternal gospel. And, as an added bonus, we get to use this week and the next two as a part of our Christmas series, "Above Every Name"! Follow along as we begin an awesome study of the life of our Savior, King Jesus.

When we go through hard times, or even know when hard circumstances are going to present themselves, our response will be predicated on our knowledge of God. The more we understand and know God, the better our response will be to difficult seasons of life. Habakkuk asked God his questions in confusion, and that eventually gave way to a song of praise. When we trust in the sovereignty, faithfulness, and goodness of God, we can be at peace.

Jesus was very intentional where He went and who He ministered to. As we follow Jesus, our lives should be marked by intentionality and purpose. As we keep in step with the Spirit, He will lead us where we need to be and place before us who we need to speak to. Our job is to be obedient and willing to share the love of Jesus with others.

One of the more influential verses in all of God's Word is first delivered to Habakkuk, "the righteous shall live by faith". This verse would go on to be repeated 3 other times in the New Testament. When adversity strikes and/or when sin creeps at the door, our charge as followers of Christ is to live by faith. There is no nothing else that will allow us to conquer this world than that. Take hope and comfort that God listens to your prayers, and will answer in His perfect timing. Until then, live by faith.

The world has been in a perpetual state of chaos and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight. Wars in Ukraine and Israel, riots and disputes here at home, political upheaval, personal distress, and the list goes on. So what do we do? How are we to respond? How do we maintain our faith in God when there doesn't seem to be any hope or peace on the horizon?Thankfully, the prophet Habakkuk asked these very questions to God over 2,500 years ago, and God answered! So let's learn from our Sovereign Lord and what our perspective should be in times of chaos.

One of the greatest things we can do is pray. Jesus taught us how to pray. Yet, we fail to take advantage of this great weapon as we go in to battle every day. Paul makes it very clear that we are to pray at all times, in the Spirit, with alertness and perseverance. We should pray for others as they’re in the midst of their battles, and we should ask for prayer as we go through ours. Stop underestimating the power of prayer!

When we talk about spiritual warfare, there are lot of things to consider. Yet through them all, we are assured of a few things: 1) Victory has already been won before we take one step. 2) We need to grow in our strength of the Lord and armor up. 3) We stand our ground in the face of attack.Where so many of us fall short is fully believing the battle has already been won. Jesus has defeated the enemy. He has conquered and demolished any stronghold. We stand firm in that knowledge and move forward in confidence and courage.

As we walk with Jesus, we are not alone. The Spirit of God is always with us. But there are others that are always watching how we walk, and it’s those we spend hours and hours with each day; our family and coworkers. It is vital that our faith in action is truly reflective of the Spirit of God in us. We model for our children and those we work with what the transformative power of Jesus looks like. It's a high calling, and one we are called to walk in.

As we pursue our walk in unity, holiness, love, and light, the Apostle Paul now gives us practical examples of how to live that out in life. The first of which is in marriage. God has ordained the husband and wife to walk hand in hand based on the example of Christ. In so doing, our marriage becomes an example of Jesus’ sacrificial love.

Continuing our walk through the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul calls on us to walk in love, because God is love. He calls on us to walk as children of Light, because the light of Christ is in us. He calls on us to walk in the wisdom of God, because this world is evil and we need to walk carefully. What do each of these look like in real life? Allow God's Word to speak very loud and clear, and in so doing, God will reveal His will for your life.

Our life in Christ is so much more than the attainment of knowledge. If we don't live out what we've been given, it is a form of idolatry. We've been created to live, move, and breathe the light and love of Christ. Yet so many say Christianity is nothing more than a list of 'can'ts' and 'don'ts'. While true in part, there is so much that we can do that the world is blind to seeing. Our job is to be an example of Christlike humility and love so the world can see how they can be set free in Jesus' name!

Discerning the voice of God is important for us to be able to live out the call He has given: to live in & maintain unity in the church under the authority of the one true God. He has given us His Spirit, His Word, and His instruction through man to teach us how to live this out in truth and love.

The complexity & diversity of the church is a beautiful thing. It’s something we get to be a part of!! So long as we submit to the Lordship of Jesus, believe in the value He places on us, and ground ourselves in the truth of His word. Only then can we be witness to His powerful work in our lives.

Once and for all, Jesus tore down the wall of separation between us and God. By His blood, we are free from the restraints and shame of who we once were. What a beautiful thing to know God and His incredible love for us.

However, many live with built up animosity and even hostility towards others. What must we do to give those differences over to the Lord and truly live in the peace that only Jesus can supply?

The beautiful story of God's grace is that it's completely free. We don't have to work to attain it. We don't have to find ourselves in good standing before receiving it. We just have to believe and have faith in the mighty name of Jesus. He chose us. He loves us. It's by His grace that we are forgiven and set free.

The Apostle Paul prayed 4 specific things for the church in Ephesus that I believe are meant for us today wherever we find ourselves. We may be okay with the fact that Jesus has forgiven our sins and even believe that He defeated death. Yet we should keep pining for a deeper knowledge of God, the grace He gives us, and the hope we have in Him as we live out our days on Earth. There's always room for more. Dive into deeper fellowship with Him today!

The list keeps growing in the ways God blesses us, all because He has loved us from the beginning of time. If we really pause to reflect on Him, so much of our worries disappear. When we believe in Him, He sets us free and secures our place in glory until Jesus comes again. What favor! What grace!

The book of Ephesians is a strong word of encouragement to the church and individuals seeking to follow Jesus at a deeper level. The basic principles taught in Ephesians can radically shift our perspective of who God is, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The first step is to reflect on who God is and the beautiful love He has for us that began before He uttered the words, "Let there be light". We were on God's mind before anything was made. He desires a relationship with you. That's why He created you. If we spend time on that fact, it'll change the very nature by which you see yourself and the world around you.

We make choices every day, some good, some bad. However, in Psalm 1, we are told to be very careful not to go down the slippery slope of apostasy (falling away). It can happen to anyone who doesn't keep their eyes on Jesus, and God's word before them. May we be encouraged to make the deep-rooted choice to plant ourselves in the living water of God's truth.

As a part of the body of Christ, we have an obligation to encourage and support others, especially those in the church. John provides a short glimpse into the life of one such individual. How he supports others brings honor to God, is obedient to God, and brings significance to the kingdom of God.

We should surround ourselves with those who are living in such a way to encourage them, and be motivated to do the same. Just as the Apostle Paul stated, "imitate me as I imitate Christ."

Truth and love are inseparable. You can't have one without the other. Yet too often we do so because we get out in front of God and act on our emotions. Our feelings should never dictate our actions. It is our obedience to God in being a perpetual follower of Christ where we find joy. Along with that, keeping in step with Jesus will keep us from being deceived by those who wish to discourage us from our obedience by lies and false teaching.

In conclusion to John's first letter to the church, he reminds us all that we are to be obedient to God's commandments. Which begs the question, "Which ones are we to obey?? There are so many!" Jesus breaks it down very simply for us to understand. He tells us that we are to love God, and love others. Every other law which we are to obey hinges on those two.

Whatever we do in life, those two commandments ought to dictate our thoughts, actions, prayers, and relationships with others. Those commandments keep us accountable to who God has made us to be. Let nothing stand in the way of our intimate fellowship with our heavenly Father!

John writes that we are to be very aware and careful what we listen to, especially of those who speak from the word of God. Jesus, John, Peter, and Paul warned us there will be many that come in the name of God with a ‘word’ from God. But we are told to test what it is they are presenting. If it can be corroborated by the truth of scripture, then we can trust that it is from God. May we live with the same mind as those commended by Paul from Berea that searched the scriptures daily to see if what was being preached is of the truth.

Have you ever felt guilty or ashamed because of something you did, or didn't do? What is your typical response to that shame? For me, I tend to go and do something to make up for it. So it is with our Christianity. We feel ashamed or guilty because we don't feel we measure up to other 'super-Christians'. Therefore, we go and do some good deed to make ourselves feel better. Yet that is not what Jesus wants us to do.

Our faith in God rests in the sacrificial blood of Jesus, period. There is nothing we have to do to earn good favor with the Lord. Our responsibility is to believe in the name of Jesus. As we live the life He has given to us, we let His light and love shine through us to the world around us. Rest assured brothers and sisters, and stand confident in your salvation!

We are to love God and love others, right?! Yet, it becomes increasingly difficult to love those who hate you in return. Jesus promised that the world will hate us, because it hated him first. We must show our brothers and sisters that we love them. Actions speak louder than words. Let's take those active steps to show others the love of Christ by exemplifying how He loved us...sacrificially.

John entreats us to practice righteousness. What does this mean? What does this look like?

Doesn't this mean that I have to earn my way in to God's favor? We take a look at how this is possible in our life here and now, all through the context of who we are, and more importantly, whose we are as children of God.

Pastor Ray Orozco shares with us that the world will offer so much, yet it only leaves us empty. The greatest love we can experience is in Jesus who showed us what love looks like and sounds like. We ought to emulate this love so that others can experience it as well. The world will also inundate us with false information, so we ought to stay as close to Jesus as possible, so we know when something 'worldly' has been offered to us. If we know Him, we'll know what it is He wants for our lives.

Did you know God has a truth claim over our lives? It's His love, and He demonstrated that love by sending Jesus to die for our sins, so that we could be welcomed into His family! What a precious gift!John provides us encouragement and instruction on how to increase our intimate relationship with the Lord. The instructions are rather simple: Love God and love others. But in order to know what that love is, we have to remain in close proximity to the One who loved us first.

On this Mother's Day, we look at how John writes to "his little children", and provides the encouragement needed to continue in fellowship with the Lord. Mom's play a vital role in being their child's greatest advocate here on earth. Yet the difficulty is seeing our children make mistakes, and in some cases, choose to live a life that is not honoring to the Lord. While we put so much love, time, and effort into our raising our children, we need to remember the biblical mandate to individual fellowship with Jesus. He is our greater advocate, and because of His love for us, sacrificed Himself so we could receive salvation. Our response is intimate fellowship and obedience to all God calls us to do.

The book of 1 John provides us encouragement on how to constantly & consistently live in the presence of God, who is Light and Love.The first step is to better understand who Jesus is and what He came to do for us. With that understanding, we can experience Jesus here and now in the same way the Apostles did 2000 years ago. Third, it is imperative we remove anything that will hinder our fellowship with God.

Solomon closes his sermon with a strong note of encouragement. Despite the meaninglessness of life under the sun, there is hope when we remember our Creator. He has given us life, purpose, and meaning in and through the blood of Jesus! To that we can say Amen!

It really shouldn't be that complicated. God has given us a life to live. The problem lies in what we focus on. If our eyes our on the world, trying to predict the future, or the experiences of our past, we'll miss out on the joyful life He wants for us now. Seek the wisdom of God, and act on what He wants you to do. But if you need a little Holy Spirit-inspired common sense, He’s got your back.

Solomon invites us to consider the consequences of a life committed to foolishness. God's Word is ripe with what the life of a fool and the wise looks like. We have to make a choice if we are going to live an unchecked, unfiltered life of folly, or in the experiential, humble wisdom of God.We are required to make decisions every single day that will affect our life in the moment. Sometimes, those decisions will affect the lives of those closest to us. There are practical ways to make better decisions. Allow God's Word to show us the way.

Jesus' resurrection from the dead proves many things: He is God. He fulfilled prophecy. He kept His promise. He is the only one that can ever make that claim. Hundreds became eye witnesses to the risen Christ, and many sought Him out to see if it was actually true. Here's the beautiful thing. We don't have to see Him to believe in Him. Yet if we come to believe in Him, we will see Him very clearly, and know that He loves us. We can't wait for Him to fulfill His final promise when He returns again. Then we can see Him face to face! Amen!

As Jesus neared His final moments prior to His death, during His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, questions are still asked, "who is He?" and "why is He doing this?" Jesus answers these questions at point blank range. No more veiled responses or parables. He simply declares, "I am He." If we would fix our eyes on the cross, all our questions will be answered. Jesus died to forgive us and set us free. Do you believe in who He is and why He came?

All four gospels give us an account of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem the week before His crucifixion. In each account, a statement or question is asked that rings true in our relationship with Jesus. The beautiful thing is that we don't have to look far for the answers.Our life is marked by the fact that Jesus came to die for our sins, and if we accept that free gift, He welcomes us into His eternal family!

Many in this world hold on to a worldview that imbeds indifference into their heart. It's called 'fatalism'. The belief that everything's been predetermined and therefore inevitable. So if everyone dies, regardless of what they do or how they live, what does it matter?God has revealed Himself to us so that we are without excuse. He has everything to offer us. It's free and undeniable. He desires to set us free from a fatalistic point of view. We just need to open our eyes to the truth of who He is!

Understanding our role in God's kingdom is essential. In order to know our place under the authority of Jesus, we cannot leave his presence. We must abide in His word, understand His laws, and seek to obey them at every turn. When we do so, we don't lose our freedom under some spiritual despot. We gain freedom and joy under the loving protection of our King. The wisdom we gain from God's word keeps us accountable. His wisdom allows us to understand that He is in control. His wisdom allows us to apply His laws to our life in what He has given to us, and what He's given us to do. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

There is significance in the adverse things we experience. Death, sorrow, hurt, pain, and discipline are all things we try and avoid as much as possible.

Are there some positive attributes to experiencing these things? The Lord says 'yes'.

Are you satisfied in life? Do you have everything you've always wanted? Are you finding fulfillment in what you do for a living? Or do you find yourself constantly looking for more and more and more, realizing that whatever this world offers will never be enough.

We need the realization that everything we are, and everything we could ever want can be found in the Lord. He is the Creator of all things and wants to bless you with an abundantly fulfilled life. What's keeping you from accepting His overflowing provision?

Millions around the globe will walk into a church building on Sunday morning. They'll walk in, sing some songs, listen to someone talk about God, maybe give an offering, walk out and carry on and never think twice about what they just heard.

It is imperative we pause and think about the steps we take in our relationship with the Lord. Who we worship, how we worship, and why we worship have to be considered. Never allow your walk with the Lord become mundane.

Solomon goes on a 'walkabout' and testifies to the atrocities of labor he sees. He sees the powerful oppress the poor. He sees some work their fingers to the bone for selfish gain, and those who are lazy leading to their own destruction. He sees those trying to make it on their own, thinking they don't need anyone else in their life, and he sees the misguided climb the ladder of success, only to end up being forgotten in time.

God created us to work. But to do so with Him in mind. To labor to bring His justice to those who need it. To labor with the proper balance of hard work and rest. To labor with others, because He also created us for community. And to labor, not for status, but for His glory. Let's learn what it means to labor with the Lord and not for ourselves.

We face multiple circumstances during the day that it can cause anxiety in a lot of us. We feel like we have to handle it all. It's like pushing a boulder up a hill. What we need is a different perspective on the things that happen around or to us.

Multiple times in scripture, God calls us to release our anxiety to Him. He didn't create us to carry it. Rather, we need to rest in His sovereign plan for all creation, and especially our life. He has placed eternity in our heart. Let's view our circumstances with that in mind and find eternity in every moment.

How often do you have an inner monologue with yourself when it comes to making decisions? Often times, we opt to do whatever is in our best interest regardless of what it takes or the consequences. We just want to be satisfied and happy.

Yet, in Christ, our goal is to keep Him before us in all we do. Our decisions should be Christ-centered. Our actions should honor Him. Our speech should lift up His name. Our life needs to be "Theistic", not "Me-istic". If you struggle in this area, as we all do, there are a few biblically appropriate steps we can take to center our vision on Jesus.

One of the very clear purposes of our life is to listen intently to the words of Jesus through His scripture. We can then walk with intentionality in obedience to what He calls us to do.

Whether through movies, music, social media, or otherwise, we tend to allow the weeds of the world to choke our faith. We must clear the weeds from our life so that we can solely focus on Jesus Christ and His Word.

The book of Ecclesiastes can be easily misunderstood. If we put it in context with the rest of God's Word, and have an understanding as to who God is, it all becomes clear.

Solomon gives us a glimpse into what life is like when we choose to ignore God and try to live on our own. The original sin in the garden was when Satan convinced Adam and Eve they didn't need God, but rather that they could be like God. Ever since, man has been trying to fulfill their life with everything but the hope and love of our Creator. Without an eternal perspective, it's all vanity.

As we launch into a new year, it’s helpful to begin by thinking about VISION. If we are to live the kind of VICTORIOUS lives that God has called us to…VISION is the starting point.

Not exactly the same as a resolution but closely related. Resolutions are just a secularized version of God’s greater purpose in vision and dreams. What is vision? What does it mean to have a vision or a dream? Why is it important that we have God’s vision for our lives? And How do you get that vision?

Pastor Ben Markley of Lakeside Baptist shares a message of hope for a new year. David cries out to God in Psalm 25. He explains the danger, loneliness, regrets, and fear he’s experienced recently. He knows God is his only hope for a renewed heart and spirit to move forward in faith.

As we enter a new year, may we do the same and call out to God for all we need. We have to recognize that we can not sustain on our own. God is our ultimate source of provision, peace, and purpose.

After Jesus was born, the wise men came to worship Him. The only way they were able to find Jesus was by the light of His star. In the midst of His ministry Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world”, and He says to all of us, “Follow Me.”

We celebrate Christmas because our Light has come. He shines bright in the darkest moments to illuminate our hearts and allows us to see Him in all things.

You ever thought about why you put Christmas lights on your house and/or tree? What do you do with the bulbs that don't work? Probably toss them out.

The important thing to understand is that what we have on the inside, filling us, charging us, is what matters! The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in our life of obedience & faith in God. Are you filling yourself with His Spirit?

The Bible speaks throughout its pages about seeking the face of God. But do we really know who we are seeking? What are we trying to experience by seeking God? He is the all-powerful, all-knowing God who can't be seen by human eyes, and resides in unapproachable light. So how do we seek His face?

God made Himself approachable by sending His only Son Jesus to give us a better understanding of who He is. If we know Jesus, we know our Father in Heaven. Jesus came to give us light and life so we can properly let our light shine!

Throughout scripture God illuminates Himself in various ways. He sends His Son, the Light of the World, to redeem us from darkness to light. He gives us the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to the truth of His Word. We're even called to play a role in His plan...to be light in this world to give others an opportunity to see Jesus.

It's crucial that prior to letting our light shine, we must be in a position to be filled with the right Light. We need to examine that there is no darkness in us, so that when we do shine, it is with the proper light of Christ.

After the shipwreck, Paul and the team take a 3 month respite on the island of Malta. Paul is able to minister to the people through service. They finally set sail and make it to Rome, and per his usual ministry routine, he meets with the Jews of the city. He presents his story, but more importantly, shares the gospel! Luke concludes by leaving us with an ellipsis (dot dot dot).

The Church is to carry on right where Paul left off. We are to carry on the great commission by loving God, loving others, and sharing the gospel. That is our purpose until Jesus returns and puts on period on human history. Until then, we "act"! Amen.

Paul's trip to Rome begins and is fraught with trouble on the open sea. With their lives and journey in danger, God speaks to Paul in the midst of the storm. He promises that everyone will make it to their destination.

God promises a safe landing, but the passage can be anything but calm. There is a lot we can learn from God, His Word, and those who have experienced similar circumstances. Through the storm or smooth sailing, God will teach you something. Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to be obedient? Can we trust in Him before, during, and after the storm?

After two years in prison, Paul is brought before King Agrippa II to defend himself against the false charges of the Jews for the 5th time. This will be his greatest defense, not only of himself, but the opportunity to share the gospel with both Roman and Jewish elite.

We need to look at our circumstances not as reason to complain, but as opportunities to express our dependency on Jesus and to share of His hope and love for everyone!

We've been given the Great Commandment to love God above all else. We need to pursue Him. We've been given the Great Commission to make disciples. We need to fulfill it. We've been given the Great Responsibility to be salt and light to the culture around us. We must engage in it!

Our biblical worldview will be put in to practice on election day. How are we to think about politics, parties, political ideologies, candidates, laws, and propositions?

We have been given a voice, and God's Word dictates that we use it. Politically, we've been given the freedom to use our voice to instill biblical values into our society. This is one way we can love our neighbors.

Everyone has a worldview. Everyone will have a perspective on the world around them. What's important is that we, as followers of Jesus, have a proper Biblical Perspective in all things. George Barna said the reason Christians have a hard time acting like Jesus, is because they're not thinking like Jesus. God has given us everything we need to be fully equipped to engage with the culture around us. Let's make sure we do so with the proper lens.

The Apostle Paul is given a more proper hearing to determine the accusations the Jewish leadership is bringing against him. They try to use flattery and half-truths to bring conviction. Paul defends himself with the truth.

In the spiritual courtroom of God's justice, we all stand guilty. The world will continue to flatter you to sin. But the Holy Spirit with convict you of sin, and prove to you that your only hope for freedom rests in the arms of Jesus. The decision is yours to choose forgiveness in Jesus' name, or reject His offer of salvation and try and defend yourself from God's judgement in the end.

Paul is provided another opportunity to answer for his alleged crimes against the Jews. He gets out one line about standing in good conscience and is smacked in the mouth!

Many will trust their conscience to dictate their actions. Whether your conscience accuses or excuses your actions, is ultimately determined by the moral foundation on which you stand. If we are constantly pursuing right standing before the Lord, it will be His Word and will that determines our course of action.

After being arrested in the temple, Paul now stands before his accusers and shares who he is, the change he's experienced because of Jesus, and what he has been commissioned to do.

We all have a testimony to share. Whether it's a story of radical conversion and life experiences, or fairly conservative in how you came to accept Christ as your Lord, it's important enough to give away. Our witness for Christ is one of the greatest things we can do to share of the love of Jesus, and the hope others can have in his eternal presence.

As Paul reaches Jerusalem, he is welcomed with some hesitation. There is a group of people claiming he was "anti-Jew" and spreading a false gospel to the Gentiles. His message had gotten convoluted and needed clarity. What it boiled down to was a clear understanding of the essentials of salvation in Jesus name for all people!

St. Augustine is credited with saying, "In the essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity". The Church today needs a refresher on the difference between essentials and non-essentials. Especially when we hold non-essential practices against others as necessary for salvation and living the Christian life.

A scribe approached Jesus and asked Him which of the commandments is most important. Jesus' answer provides us a glimpse of how we are to approach God...with our whole heart!

In Psalm 9, David's song of praise reiterates this idea. No matter our circumstances, we should praise God consistently and completely, withholding nothing. There is nothing that we can hold on to in this life that will provide us more comfort and provision than the love of God.

A young man falls to his death during one of Paul's sermons. Every pastor's dream, right? Yet God works a miracle and brings him back to life.

There is a strong connection in scripture between sleep, death, and faith. Death is but sleep to the believer. Yet sleep can be spiritual ignorance to the self-focused. We are challenged to remain spiritually awake and alive, with our eyes, mind, and heart set on God at all times.

Paul and his team find themselves smack dab in the middle of a riot. The light of Christianity and the gospel is starting to overwhelm the darkness of Ephesus. Those who sell idols to the gods are furious at the loss of income they are experiencing. So they rally the town against God.

Ever find yourself in a situation that is beyond your control? There's nothing you can say or do to help the situation? Today, we look at 3 things we can do when the world around us is getting out of control.

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As Paul spends time in Ephesus, it becomes extremely clear that this city is in need of the Holy Spirit. Certain "disciples" did not know that the Holy Spirit existed, and other spiritual people were trying to invoke the name of Jesus without believing in Him.

The spiritual realm is real and can only be combated by the Spirit-filled. As disciples of Jesus, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit in us to guide us, empower us, and give us the wisdom we need to fight the spiritual battles we face on a daily basis.

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As Paul’s 2nd missionary journey begins to wind down, he experiences frustration. He has a moment of pause, wanting to quit his ministry to the Jews. But God speaks to him, encourages him to carry on because there is more to do for the kingdom of God.

Do you ever feel tired, frustrated, not seeing any breakthrough in all the work you’ve been putting into life, career, and/or ministry? God has a special word for you today…Don’t give up! There are particular things we need to do and consider when we get to the point of giving up.

Paul's 2nd journey now brings him to 3 more towns. In each place, he shares the gospel. But how he shares with his audience is important to understand. To those familiar with scripture, you speak one way. To those who don't believe God exists, you speak another way. Regardless of who hears, there are 3 things we need to do.

If we're going to share about God, we need to Know God. In order to know God, we need to Study His Word. Then with with the knowledge we have, we Share the good news with all that will hear.

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The Lord took Paul and his missionary team hundreds of miles, only to have them persecuted, beaten, and imprisoned?? Why would a good God do such a thing?! That's the question so many ask.

As we study through this story, may we have an open heart and mind to see who our God really is. May we desire a deeper dive into knowing Him and His will for our life, and that of others. Because ultimately, our view of God will unequivocally determine our outlook on life. If your view of God is shallow and self-centered, so will your view of others and the world around you. We were created by a good and loving God. Let that be our focus.

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Paul and his team begin their 2nd missionary journey. With the initial intent to bring encouragement to the churches they first visited, they carry on and bring the gospel to a new continent. The entire journey is directed by God, in where they go, what they experience, and who they reach.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit says no. How we react and respond to that determines a lot. We are to be humble and submissive to God's leadership. But in order to truly serve God in what we do and where we go, there is going to be a certain amount of sacrifice. Are you willing to go?

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As the Apostles continue to discuss the salvation of the Gentiles, James speaks up and provides an understanding to the heart of God that has been there from the very beginning. The love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus is meant for everyone, regardless of where they come from.

This is the gospel of Jesus. For God so loved the world, not just a specific people. He loves you and wants you apart of His family. He desires a better life for you here and in eternity. For those of us in Christ, we should take that call and continue maturing in our faith as a testimony of God's love for us.

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After Paul and Barnabas return from their first missionary journey, everything seems alright in the world. But controversy arises when some question whether or not the Gentiles are truly saved if they're not circumcised according to the law of Moses. So they travel to Jerusalem to discuss and debate the topic.

Who we are in Christ is determined by what HE did for us, not what we do to gain His favor. We're saved by grace, not works. So let's remain steadfast in our unwavering faith in God's grace, Amen?!

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Paul and Barnabas continue their missionary journey in the region of Galatia (modern day Turkey). They continue to preach the gospel, but this time encounter division and intense persecution.

Is the gospel of Jesus supposed to be divisive? I thought Jesus came to bring peace and unity?? What is your first response to adversity in your life? Do you fight, or take flight? God wants to teach you something amazing today. Are you willing to learn?

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Paul and Barnabas continue their first missionary journey into Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Paul is invited to give encouragement in the synagogue, and he goes on to present the gospel of Jesus. He provides proof of the resurrection of Jesus by using historical, prophetic, and eye witness accounts. He uses what they do have to prove what they did not witness. The word of God is true, powerful, and has transforming power for those who believe.

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*Pardon the sound being off a bit. We used a new mic system for our outdoor service.

Paul, Barnabas, and Mark head out on their first missionary journey to bring the gospel to the world. However, they don't set out prior to dedicating time and themselves in ministering to the Lord through prayer and fasting. These two disciplines show dependency on the Lord. So when they hit the mission field, they draw their strength from God, not themselves.

When God opens doors to us for ministry, we most assuredly encounter opposition. This will come in the form of spiritual attack from the enemy. They only way we prepare for this battle is through our dependency on God for wisdom, strength, and His favor according to His will.

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What does it mean to be a father? What defines this role? As we look to God's Word for help, there are a few overarching principles that come to the surface. In looking at a couple examples of dads in scripture, we can learn a whole lot about who we are to be, and more importantly, who God designed us to be for our children.

It will always start with our own heart before the Lord. That will determine the foundation upon which we operate within our home.

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A new wave of persecution begins for the church in Jerusalem. For the third time, Peter is put in to prison shortly after James is beheaded. The church is in hiding. Everything seems bleak, and then God shows up. Peter is miraculously set free, and the church is encouraged.

There will be times when we don't understand why God allows tragedy, and yet others go unscathed. But we trust in His sovereignty. Through whatever circumstances God allows, we need to focus on the small steps of obedience, have trust in His plan, and maintain fervent prayer. Trust in Him and live what He's called you to do.

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Word has spread to the church in Jerusalem that Gentiles were baptized by the Holy Spirit. Peter travels back to give an account of what happened, which clearly demonstrates that salvation provided through faith in Jesus is available to everyone! The extended church is now living on mission. More and more are sharing their faith and the gospel with both Jews and Gentiles alike. The church in Antioch (3rd most populous city in the Roman empire) begins to take shape.

What we learn from chapter 11 is what it looks and sounds like to be a Christian. The church is to live on mission, share the gospel, demonstrate grace, give willingly and generously, and identify with Christ as his representative here on earth.

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While the apostle Peter continues his ministry, God is using those moments to prepare him for something amazing. God has been preparing Peter for this pivotal life change for some time. Peter was hanging on to some unjustified judgments concerning the law and his own personal religious practices. Had he kept those, it would have hindered his ministry for the Lord and the gospel message that is available for all people!

This is what God will do in our lives. He will allow us to move forward in ministry, while at the same time continuing to shape us into the people He needs us to be. We serve a God that is Lord of all! Therefore we need to see everyone in the same way He does...without distinction, reservation, or preconceived judgement.

There is so much beauty in 1 on 1 gospel encounters. This is what we see in today's passage. The impact of your obedience to God's commission can have world-changing affect. Not only on the one you encounter, but who they may effect, etc. etc. The domino effect of the gospel is amazing. But it takes just one individual to answer the call.

The conversion of Saul the Pharisee is one of the most amazing and important testimonies in all of scripture. We may be going our way thinking we have it all together, doing what we want to do. We may even justify our life's pursuits as honoring to God. Yet we are completely misguided if we are acting in our own will.

When God wants to grab ahold of your heart, He will. When He desires to make Himself known to you, He will. It is then up to us in how we respond to His mercy and grace. In a short conversation, Jesus asks Saul an extremely important question, and Saul responds with two important and life changing questions of his own. It is so important that we choose the right way. Our life depends on it.

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Being a mom is one of the greatest gifts God has given to women! There is so much joy that comes with helping raise and nurture the children God has given to us. Yet, this day can bring some tough emotion, hurt, and pain for those who have lost their mom, those who struggle having children of their own, have lost children, or are struggling with the pressure of being a mom in today's world.

God's Word provides encouragement, joy, and hope to all women in whatever 'mothering' circumstance you find yourself in. There are multiple examples we can look to for hope in struggling marriages, divorce, past mistakes and sin, and for those who are widowed.

God sees you and hears you. He loves you and desires a deeper relationship with you so that He can continue to strengthen you for the mothering you can do no matter who you are, what you've done, or what's been done to you. His grace is sufficient for you! Rest in Him and allow His Spirit to transform you in to the excellent woman He created you to be!

There is a bit of Holy Spirit conundrum that needs to be clarified. Why did He hesitate to fall on those in Samaria after they believed the gospel and were baptized? Why did Peter admonish Simon the magician and essentially condemn him to hell? How can we look to a foreigner as a greater example of faith than others?

Needless to say, this passage in Acts 8 provides us some tough questions. Yet there are times when hard truth needs to be revealed and addressed. Pastor Cam walks us through some of those truths as we look at the major differences between religion & ritual, versus faith & relationship in Jesus Christ.

As Saul begins to persecute the church, the gospel moves beyond Jerusalem into the outer regions of Judea and Samaria. A man named Simon, who practiced magic, amazed many people with his gift they believed came from God. But Phillip came and preached the gospel, and many were brought to salvation. Simon's actions were all about glory for himself. Phillip's purpose was to glorify the Lord.

Ultimately, our actions need to match our words. If we say we believe in Christ as our Savior, our life needs to dictate that belief, all for the glory of God! What is the effect of a life fully surrendered to Jesus? There is a simple test to determine the answer. In all that you do, is it for the glory of God or yourself?

Jesus is alive! This is everything. This is what separates Christianity from all other religions. We have have a Savior Lord that not only died for us, but defeated death for us, so that we would live eternal with Him both here and in glory. The miracle of the resurrection provides us life, hope, and peace in this life.

But it also gives purpose. Purpose to tell others about Jesus and the salvation they can have in His name. Purpose to listen to and obey the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God as it pertains to all things in life and godliness. No matter what we experience in this life, we can confidently look to a risen Savior who walks with us and leads in all things.

The crucifixion of Jesus is a pivotal moment for mankind. The moment our sin meets the cross. In our sin, we seek our own way. Anything to better ourself, even if that comes by manipulation of the circumstances or the mocking of others to elevate our status.

What Jesus did for us on the cross was to move us out of our way and take our place in God's wrath. We deserved to die. But Christ washes us clean of all crimes, and declares us justified. We don't deserve it, but we can receive it by faith as we look to the cross.

Jesus makes His purpose extremely clear...He came to seek and save the lost. He states this through His divine interaction with Zacchaeus, a tax collector and sinner.

When we place our hope in the things of this world (status, job, money, etc.), we only find a bottomless pit that we constantly try and fill. The only hope we have for contentment and fulfillment comes in the very person of Jesus Christ. Yet, we must come to the end of ourselves. God does not accept the arrogant and proud. He invites those who have nothing to offer and desire nothing more than a relationship with Him.

Stephen is questioned by the high priest if the charges brought against him are accurate. This simple question opens the door for Stephen to provide an amazing defense for the hope he has in Jesus! He brings this council an understanding of how God operates, that they have forgotten. The true purpose of the law, which they have distorted for their own glory. And the true purpose of the temple, which they have idolized. All for which he will be martyred, because the council have hardened their hearts towards Christ.

When we are given any opportunity to share about our faith in the Lord, we need to take it! However, we also need to evaluate if we are falling into religious legalism, and forgetting who God is and what He’s done for us! Our life and all we’ve experienced is part of God’s plan, and we get to be a part of it!

The enemy will use anything he can get his hands on to threaten and destroy the church. This time, he seeks to destroy the unity of the church through racial and cultural differences. Yet, what he determined for evil, God used to bring about strength, further organization of His church, and continued growth. One of the major purposes of the church is to provide for everyone that we can within our capability. There is nothing that should stand in the way of the justice people need to feel valued and loved. This is one thing the church over the last 2000 years has done an amazing job at doing, and one we will continue in who God has called us to be.

The jealousy of the religious elite is elevated and the Apostles are put in prison a second time for teaching the people about Jesus. This time, God releases them from prison to continue their mission.

We don't currently have the fear of being put in jail for our faith. However, the enemy will use a myriad of emotional and spiritual attacks to keep us in bondage from living out our calling. We must recognize the spiritual warfare we are in, and use the power of Christ to eliminate the threat and carry on in our obedience to God. No matter what you have experienced, or sin that may try and trip you up, we are granted freedom by the blood of Jesus. Live in that freedom!

Here we have two contrasting examples of why we do the things we do. Barnabas gave, served, and sacrificed for the early church, and was commended for it. Ananias and his wife Sapphira gave, but were judged and lost their lives. What was the difference? It lied in the 'why'.

We must bring focus to why we follow Jesus, why we give, and why we do the things we do within the church. If it's for our own glory, we've acted on the influence of the enemy, sinned and grieved the Holy Spirit. If all we do is for the glory of God, then we're in the right place.

Apostles Peter and John return from their trial to inform the church of all that happened. The immediate result was a powerful time of prayer. They sought the Lord to empower them with more of His grace to continue to preach the gospel with boldness. This brought them closer together, more unified in God's love for Him and each other. This is displayed by an outpouring of support and service to those in need. Prayer should be an indicator of our life in Christ. We are completely dependent upon Him for His strength to do all He calls us to do, for His glory.

Peter and John are arrested, jailed, and brought before the Sanhedrin for preaching and healing in the name of Jesus. Something they were promised by Jesus would happen. So they stand assured of their faith in Christ and speak boldly to the gospel message of salvation that only comes in the name of Jesus. Do we have the same assurance of faith when we stand before others? How will we stand against the persecution & criticism that will most assuredly come our way when we speak boldly for Jesus?

In a visual display of faith, the crowds are once again enthralled and brought to a decision point after the Holy Spirit heals a lame man through Peter and John. Peter uses this moment to preach about salvation in Jesus' name and calls the people to repentance. When faith is exercised, people take notice of the transformation in your life. Let them know who Jesus is!

In a contrasting view of what was experienced in the first couple chapters, we now see a Spirit-led moment for an audience of one. One lame man. One beggar. One individual looking to survive one more day. Little did he know or expect that his eternity would be changed by one small act of obedience. The focus is not on the supernatural gift given to Peter and John. It's not the miracle. It's all about salvation in the name of Jesus alone.

After Peter's sermon on Pentecost, there was a massive response to the gospel. Thousands surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Immediately, we see something so powerful, it needs reigniting in our day. The church devoted themselves to teaching, gathering, providing for each other, and to prayer. Their full measure of devotion was to do what Jesus called them all to do.

Peter now stands with the others after being filled with the Holy Spirit to give an answer for what just happened. He presents the gospel message in a powerful use of God's Word and personal witness. Not by Peter's words, but rather from his willingness to be used, and by an incredible move of the Holy Spirit thousands brought to faith in Jesus Christ!

The promised Helper that Jesus told His disciples about shows up in a powerful way! The Holy Spirit descends to baptize and fill the disciples. Yet something we all need to understand is that God does not display His power and presence without purpose. We, as followers of Jesus Christ, are to continue to be filled by the Holy Spirit. God's Word helps us to know how to do just that.

Life for the disciples, post-Jesus, was a significant change in their lives. They were now to be completely dependent upon the Helper, the Holy Spirit in what Jesus called them to do. After Christ's ascension into Heaven, the disciples needed to take care of some business. They needed to appoint another disciple to take the place of Judas. It is from this first order of business that we can learn so much.

The book of Acts provides us a look at the beginning of the fulfillment of God's plan. After His ascension from the grave, Jesus appears to His disciples to commission them to go in to all the world to bring the good news of the gospel and establish His church. Yet no great act happens without the one key component needed to fulfill God's plan, the Holy Spirit.

We just celebrated Christmas. Many received new presents. What have you done with them? This is a great picture to the fact that God has gifted us with so many new things, but we don't use them. We don't try them on. Why would we continue to live in the old ways, when He has granted us all things new?! As we approach another new year, let's pursue the new in all we do and say, so as to be a witness to the glory of God to those around us.

We celebrate Christmas for a very special reason... the gospel has arrived! This is why Jesus came. This is why He was born.

The greatest gift we could ever receive is salvation in Jesus Christ. This is the story of Christmas. The incarnation of God in the flesh is His humble commitment to fulfill God's plan of salvation and redemption for all humanity. When the angel declared to the shepherds that he has good news of great joy, it goes way beyond the manger scene. It's the good news of salvation. It's the great joy of knowing the love of God in a very personal, real way.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, sang one of the most beautiful songs in scripture. After the angel visited her and informed her that she would give birth to the son of God, she accepted her assignment in humility and praise. Her words need to be ours, "Let it be to me according to your word."

When we understand who our God is, we are to praise. Simply for being in His presence, we praise. When He blesses us, we praise. In times of difficulty, we praise. No matter what, we just need to praise our Heavenly Father. We look at Psalm 100 and multiple other examples in Scripture why our God is praiseworthy. When the rubber meets the road, we just praise!

There are not too many followers of Jesus that would deny the need to praise God at all times. However, there are times when it gets difficult to praise. In moments of tragedy, turmoil, and temptation its very easy to forget to praise the Lord. Even in times of tranquility when everything seems good to go, we can be blinded by our contentment and forget to praise. So we look at 3 individual circumstances from Scripture that we can learn from and remember to praise at all times.

We praise God simply because of who He is. But often times, we as humans ask "What's in it for me?" Can we praise God with the expectation that we will get something in return? If that's our chief goal, than no. However, the reality is that God does want to give us access to some pretty amazing things. When we praise Him, we get so much in return!

We are to praise the Lord, not because of what we get from Him, but for who He is. He is worthy of our praise. He is worthy of our worship. He is Almighty God. He is praiseworthy. Pastor Cam walks us through Psalm 48 to better understand who deserves our praise and why.

Have you ever been told the story of human history using one word, with five prefixes?? Tune in and allow Pastor Monty Sharp to share how, in the end, we are to be transformed as followers of Christ.

Monty is the Founder and Director of Student Venture Ministries. An organization that seeks to disciple and equip the next generation of Jesus followers.

Can we have hope in a hopeless, fallen world? By looking at the lives of King David and the Apostle Paul, Pastor Ray brings assurance of how we can look up, and have hope in this world.

Typically when we think of missions, we think of those who go to other countries to share the gospel or help establish churches. Although this is true, and should be supported, not everyone is called to go on the international mission field. Yet, every single one of us is called to GO. Jesus told us that we will be His witnesses anywhere and everywhere we go. We need to be prepared as we venture in to our mission field. Pastor Cam walks us through 3 important things we need before we cross the S.E.A.

When Jesus told His disciples they were going to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth, little did they know how far that would take them. To this day, many are called and sent to go around the globe to bring the good news of Jesus. In fact, we all are called to go. It's simply a matter of hearing God's voice and being obedient to His call. In the case of Ted and Judy Lawler, God called them to fulfill the mandate of caring for the orphans and widows in Zambia, Africa. Out of their obedience, Breath of Heaven Ministries was born.

As husbands submit to Christ, wives submit to their husbands, so children submit to their parents. Learning to live in obedience to mom and dad helps children understand what it is to live in obedience to Christ as adults. We as parents have the great responsibility to teach them God's Word as we model Christlikeness in our home. Children are a heritage from the Lord. May we treat them as such.

The role of husband in marriage is a tremendous responsibility. It carries a weight that goes beyond our capability. But God chose you and therefore grants you the grace to do what He calls you to do as a husband, father, leader. Outside of following Jesus, learning from Him, and applying scripture to the role as husband, you will not be able to biblically love your wife as Christ loves us. Abide in His love so your marriage can be a representation of the gospel.

The role of a wife in marriage is defined by many things in scripture. But we focus on one term that comes to the forefront: Submission. It's a difficult word for us in western culture. Unfortunately the term has been misunderstood due to a lack of biblical understanding. A submissive wife is one that loves and respects her husband as they pursue the mission God has ordained for their lives both in and out of the church.

In order to properly understand our roles in marriage, family, and other relationships, we must understand who we are in Christ! The Apostle Paul lays out multiple key words and phrases that we are to pursue and practice daily in our pursuit of holiness. When we then talk about the specifics of marriage and family, we carry these things over in pursuit of establishing and maintaining a household that honors the Lord in every respect.

Jesus clearly stated that in this world, we will have tribulation. But we can take heart because He has overcome the world. That is why we can confidently follow Him in this fallen world. He is our Shepherd. He knows exactly what we need, when we need it. It is our position to trust and follow. Even though the creeping dangers of this world will hover, there is hope in the presence of our Savior.

In the final moments of Joshua's life, he charges the people of Israel with a few commands: Cling to the Lord. Do not allow other nations to influence you. Choose this day who you will serve. We are commissioned today with the same. We live in a fallen world. We are choose every day that we are going to remain faithful to God. He has given us everything! We ought to abide in Him, be obedient to His Word, and make our lives a living example of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Can you think of an issue today in which the church is split, and yet both sides throw accusations at the other because they know they are right? Confrontation is never easy. But it is something we are called to do within the church. Seven principles applied Joshua 22 will give us insight in how to properly confront someone else, whether we believe they are in the wrong, or may have misunderstood their motivation. There is a definitive way in which we approach a confrontation. If we do it biblically, and in love, it will solve so many problems.

The remaining portion of the promised land is distributed to the remaining tribes of Israel. Yet they were hesitant to occupy. Change can be a terrible thing to dictate our circumstances. Sometimes we allow it to override our faith in God. God also determines certain cities to be designated as cities of refuge. They are spread throughout the land as a place of safety, provision, justice, and salvation. Much like our relationship with Jesus. We need to run to Him in our time of trouble. He is our source of life and peace.

What we can gain from reading through obscure passages of scripture can be life changing! Joshua 12-17 details the allotment of the promised land to the tribes of Israel. A lot of names, boundaries, and cities mentioned. However, there are pockets of information that we can apply to our life today that should, if practiced, give us a greater love for God and His faithfulness to us.

Ever try to handle situations on your own, in your own wisdom, without seeking the Lord? I'm sure we all have. Joshua learns this through his covenant with the people of Gibeon (Joshua 9). We need to trust in the Lord at all times, in all situations. Joshua and Israel then go on to claim the rest of the territory in the promised land as the Lord goes before them and fights for them! (Joshua 10 & 11). Yet what we see through it all, prayer and seeking God's wisdom will produce amazing results. However, the land of blessing is also a land of intense warfare. We need to be ready to fight those battles.

After the victory over Jericho, Joshua commands his army to overtake the next city, Ai. However, there is 'hidden sin' in the camp of Israel. Achan stole items that were devoted to destruction. As a consequence to that sin, Israel was initially defeated, 36 men killed, and ultimately Achan would lose his life. God takes sin very seriously. We must root out and deal with the sin in our lives immediately. In so doing, we can live in God's grace through faith, covered by the blood of Jesus, keep in step with His Spirit, and be the beneficiary of God's blessings.

The battle of Jericho. An awesome story of God's mighty action. A story we can apply to our lives today through a divine, yet difficult recipe. Whatever fortified obstacle is in your way, if you can faithfully adhere to the following, you'll see victory: immediate obedience, quiet patience, vulnerability, and anticipation. The defeat of Jericho was accomplished all in the Lord's might, power, and by His Spirit. What a blessing it is to be on God's side!

The Israelites had multiple reasons to rejoice in the promised land. Yet in a single moment of time, they were able to celebrate 4 specific ways in which God was faithful, His timing was perfect, and His provision was abundant. They had a short window of prime opportunity to attack and conquer the land God had given them. But what was more important was to pause, reflect, remember, and rejoice in Almighty God. We must do the same today! The rejoicing they had in Gilgal, we have today in the church. Let's take advantage of those moments!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36). As we celebrate Independence Day, may we be reminded of where our freedom comes from. FYI: it’s not from a political document. Jesus offers us the free gift of salvation. In that salvation we are set free by His grace, from eternal damnation, for His good purposes, and to truly live! In Jesus, we are free indeed!

Why do we look back on memories past? It can be fun to remember and reflect on the 'good old days'. But we also might come across a difficult time or event that we would rather forget. In either case, as we reflect on the past, it should provide us hope for the future. Especially when we remember the Author of those events. After crossing the Jordan, Joshua and the people set up memorials to God's faithfulness and provision in bringing them in to the promised land. We are given the same call today. What are the memorials and monuments in your life that serve as reminders of God's salvation, power, and provision in your life? Think about those things and then share those things to the glory of God!

What did it take for Joshua and the Israelites to cross the Jordan and move in to the promised land? Faith. It was instructed that the ark of the covenant go before the people for two reasons: 1) The visible representation of the Lord was to go before the people so they could keep their eyes on Him. 2) So the Lord could show His power and provision to prove once again that He is a faithful God. Our role as followers of God are the exact same today as they were then. Take our steps of faith, with your eyes fixed on Him, as He leads us in our earthly journey.

Who would have thought that God would use a lying prostitute to help further His kingdom on earth? Rahab's life is an amazing example of faith, salvation, and redemption. Pastor Cam deals with a couple major issues in this story: 1. Is ever justified to lie? 2. How can God use such a depraved individual? It is a story that we all can relate to. Your individual response to God's offer of salvation and obedience to what He gives you is vital. How are you going to respond?

The story of Joshua is one of strength, courage, and rest. As we look at chapter 1, we clearly see God's sovereignty, God's commands, and our response of obedience to march ahead in all He has called us to do! His promises are true, and He will be faithful to see us to the very end.

Our purpose as a member of Christ's church is to use the gifts He created us to use, all for His glory! The diversity of who we are is what can bring unity to the church. The moment we focus on what gifts we don't possess, or envy the giftings of others, our diversity will only bring division. The unity of the church is what will allow the world to see that Jesus is real, sent from God to bring salvation to all who accept Him as Lord. Jesus prayed that we would be one. So let us strive towards unity in Jesus. Amen.

The Apostle Peter's final exhortation in his letter to the church is a charge for us to be vigilantly prepared for the return of Jesus Christ, by pursuing holiness, while being at peace. Jesus is coming again soon. Are you prepared? Is your name written in the book of life? If not, receive Jesus today so you will not be caught off guard. If so, continue growing in the grace of God day after day until we see Him face to face.

Everyone's life will be illuminated by the truth of God's Word. Cracks and weaknesses in your life will be exposed. You then have a choice to adjust your life to God's Word, or manipulate God's Word to fit your lifestyle. Unfortunately too many choose the later. Jesus will return and God will bring forth His final judgement. When you stand before the Lord, what will He say about you? Who do you choose to serve: the creature or the Creator?

*Apologies for the darkened video.

Over 2,000 years ago, God sent His Son down to exemplify the most important thing we all need to understand: love. It is the very nature of God, and if we abide in Him, then we ought to love others the way He first loved us. We do so by adhering to three things: 1) It is a command from God. 2) We are pursuing His holiness. 3) We live it out by our actions. As we live to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples, we should never forget we do so by living out the Great Commandment: Love God and Love Others.

The Apostle Peter continues to speak against those who, for their own glory and gratification, assault the Word of God and others. 2,000 years ago, prophets and teachers were taking advantage of people using God as a cover for their sin. The same is happening today. We need to be much more vigilant to grow in God's grace, understand and know the truth of God's Word, in order to combat the evil schemes of the devil.

The call from the Apostle Peter is very clear: False prophets, with greed and sensuality, will bring false words of hope to sway people from the truth. Therefore we need to be that much more careful in who, or what, we allow to influence our understanding of God's Word. A lot of the time, that false sense of security will come during times of doubt and fear. So, we need to study scripture and set aside the things we've come to claim as 'important' in our life. May we continue to be vigilant and diligent in our walk with Christ.

Peter speaks to his eyewitness experience of Jesus' transfiguration as a testimony to the truth. When we see the truth revealed to us, spend time with it, listen to it, read and study it, we will know the second something false is presented. The voice of God was very clear to Peter, James, and John. We are to listen to the words of Jesus. If Jesus is the Word and the Truth, there is nothing else we need to combat the darkness and lies of this world.

The heart of the Apostle Peter's letter to Christians is to grow in the knowledge of God. In that, we can live a peaceful, yet vigilant life against any false teaching that may try to pull us away from the truth of God's Word. In this day and age, we need to mature in our faith. God has given us the power of His nature, and promised us the Holy Spirit. What we do with those is of vital importance! He has given us the keys to the kingdom. It's up to us to play an active role. Let's press on church! The time is now.

The very foundation on which we stand as Christians, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without it, our faith means no more than secular morality. With it, our faith lies in eternity, and rests in the hands of a Savior Lord, who defeated death, which provides hope to all who believe! When we remain connected to Jesus, in His presence and by His Word, our doubt transforms to faith, our fear transforms to joy, and our grief transforms to mission. Because of our Risen Savior, may we be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, all for the glory of God!

After His triumphal entry in to Jerusalem, and knowing His crucifixion was imminent, Jesus still takes time to teach us about why He is giving up His life. It's all for the glory of God, and the forgiveness of our sins. Throughout His life and ministry, glorifying God the Father was paramount. When Jesus was lifted up and glorified on the cross, we were justified. Our sins were washed away by His blood. We were reconciled, brought close to God. It is now up to us to decide to receive that free gift of salvation, and live our life for the glory of God.

Traditionally on Palm Sunday, we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus in to Jerusalem. As we look at the prophetic message spoken 550 years prior to this event, we see peace welcomed, peace spoken, and peace established forevermore! Rather than focus on the event, we focus on our humble, righteous, Prince of Peace and King of kings. Jesus is our salvation. He is the only way to eternal life. God has been patient, but the time will come will everyone will have to make a decision regarding the free gift of salvation that Jesus offers. What will you decide?

Pastor Brett Masters of Dream Center Lake Elsinore shares with us the strength and courage the church has by the authority of Jesus Christ. The very words of Christ gives us a Vision for God's Kingdom on earth, a Declaration that Christ is the one to build the church, and the Commission (our marching orders) for us to go and make disciples. In all that God calls us to do, we are to be strong and very courageous for the Lord our God is with us wherever we go!

To learn more about Dream Center in Lake Elsinore, click on the link provided. Brett has established an organization that loves & serves our city with passion and compassion! As he states, "Find a need and fill it. Find a hurt and heal it." If the Lord prompts you to give to them, please do so.

In this final chapter of 1 Peter, he encourages the whole church by encouraging the elders of the church. God has given His church elders, pastors, and shepherds to willingly and eagerly serve His people. Elders are to be an example to those in the church how to pursue Christ and grow in faith in this world. We are all encouraged to maintain a posture of humility in this world. The devil will constantly seek ways to distract and discourage us from living out our hope in Christ.

No one likes to talk about suffering, tests, trials, and persecution. But the reality is they are apart of our life no matter what. Especially as a follower of Jesus, those things are promised. Not only because we have a sinful nature, but when we are associated with the name of Jesus, suffering is bound to happen. So we must prepare our hearts and minds for action. We must pick up our cross daily, follow, and trust in God and His Word. When we stand on the truth of God's Word, we will be hated. However, we stand on the promise of victory in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

The way we live validates the gospel, especially in the midst of suffering and persecution. How we think about sin and deal with it gives testimony to the grace of God. How we then choose to live in prayer, love, conduct, and speech will only further advance the visual display of Jesus to those around us.

How do you typically respond to people? What is your first inclination when someone wrongs you? Do you return good for good or evil for evil? Most likely, because that is the human way. However, God calls us to so much more! We are to do good, and return good for evil because that is who we are to be. No matter what adversity, persecution may come your way, how we respond is a testament to the greatness of Jesus in our life. The hope that God has given you should dictate who you are, what you say, and everything you do.

Trusting God can take us to some very uncomfortable places. But rest assured, God is always faithful and His word is true. Abraham's story is one that teaches us what it means to trust God. To act on the word of God alone, without knowledge of the outcome, can be scary. Especially when it comes to the sacrifice of your only son. Peter reaffirms that trust by getting out of the boat in the midst of a storm. When we act on faith and trust in the Lord, it will serve as an example to those around us that God can be trusted.

No matter your situation, there is hope for your marriage. Peter's instruction to wives serves as encouragement to all marriages that are good, bad, or ugly. Every wife can gain some understanding and hope in her role as wife in marriage. Every husband can grow at a deeper level in his faith in God and understanding of his wife the way God intends. In so doing, marriage can be a beautiful picture of Christ's love for the church. Marriage is to be a picture of the gospel to a broken world around us.

On the heels of a tumultuous election, the Apostle Peter gives us clear instruction on our biblical role and responsibilities when it comes to our government leaders. Along with anyone else who holds authority over our life, we look at the concept of biblical submission. A submissive nature in a free society is not usually valued. However, as we walk in faith, hope, and holiness, we follow the example of Jesus who submitted His life to both His Father and those in earthly authority.

The Apostle Peter continue to reiterate to the church that we need to lay aside anything and everything that inhibits us from the holiness of God. We must fill our lives with the Word of God, as it is our spiritual nutrition to keep us healthy and mature.

With the hope of our salvation fixed upon eternal glory, we are to pursue holiness here and now. The challenge is to prepare our minds for action. We must battle daily to keep our minds pure, so our actions dictate a dependency upon God and Christlike character to the world around us. That is how we are to live in this world.

The Apostle Peter sums up in two words what we are to do in a society that rejects God as sovereign: Stand Firm! This is our call as we navigate through life in a post-Christian nation. Peter supplies us with tremendous encouragement in who we are, how we live, and what our perspective should be in life. But it is up to us to make the choice to live in this way. That no matter what may come our way, we stand firm in the grace of God and the hope He gives us.

After listening to the sermon, take some time and reflect on the following things: 1. Think about your 'spiritual birth', what it means to you, and why God saved you. What did God save you for? 2. Suffering and Glory are promised. We don't set out to deny the reality of our trials. But we take comfort in the fact that God is in control, and that can bring us comfort. 3. How have you responded to your trials? In what ways can you improve and/or refocus to bring glory to God in the midst of your suffering?

Yes!! 2020 is done and gone! However, just because a very bad, no good year is behind us, doesn't mean the enemy isn't still seeking to destroy our minds and our hearts. As we move in to the new year, it is imperative to put on the full armor of God. We need to be prepared to battle from a place of victory in Jesus' name, Amen?!

Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? Is it everything you hoped it would be? Did anyone receive their gifts and NOT open them? That would be silly. But we tend to do that with what God has given to us. We accept our gift of salvation, but don't open it to its fullest extent. As we do our best to leave 2020 behind, let's look forward in faith for all that God has for us. Let's live now based on what He promises us in the future!

December 20, 2020. Christmas Sunday at Refuge City Church, Lake Elsinore, CA. This is a restream of our 9:00 AM service

We celebrate Communion today. If you are joining this restream broadcast, please grab some elements (bread/crackers and juice/water) so you can participate with us towards the end of the service.

The birth of Jesus is an amazing thing to celebrate. God with us! This is what allows us to proclaim our joy to the world! Not only for who He is, but what He would eventually do for the world. Merry Christmas!

God with us! What an amazing thing to think about. Jesus, our Messiah, Savior, and King, came down to be born to redeem us from our sins, and welcome us in to His family. His very presence in our life should cause us a tremendous amount of joy. Let us prepare Him room in our heart, and let us sing for joy at who He is. Let's declare to the world that our Savior reigns!

The popular Christmas carol we sing every year tells the tale of 3 kings who travel far to visit and present gifts to baby Jesus. But it does raise some questions: Who were these men? Were they really kings? What is their importance to the gospel story? Did they really follow a star? What is the significance of the gifts they presented to Jesus? The fact is that we can learn so much from these wise men. We learn about faith and true worship. But we must not overlook the importance of what we learn from Jesus in this story. He is worthy of our sacrificial giving!

Out in a field, there were shepherds watching over their flock. And then, an angel appears and changes their lives forever! One of the greatest birth announcements the world has ever heard is declared from the heavens. At the name of Jesus, the heavens rejoice. The glory of God is revealed and the world will never be the same. The good news of great joy is that Jesus has been born!

"Mary Did You Know" has become a very popular Christmas song in recent years, with multiple professional artists laying down their rendition of the song. Mary, in all her confusion regarding the angel Gabriel's birth announcement (Luke 1:26-38), must have had a hundred questions run through her mind about this child. As we take a look at the lyrics to this song, we are given a glimpse of the magnitude of who Jesus is, and why he was born. When we look upon the manger, we should see so much more!

In this final section of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus continues to reveal Himself after His resurrection. He allows hundreds of others to become eye-witnesses to the power of God. He then commissions His disciples, and us, with the greatest responsibility we have as followers of Christ to go and proclaim the gospel, the good news of salvation to the world.

The resurrection of Jesus is the single greatest recorded event in human history! It is what stamps the seal of justification on our soul and solidifies our name in the Lamb's book of life. Yet, it is still up to the individual to accept Jesus as the risen Savior that He is, or not. Jesus desires a relationship with you. He rose from the grave to welcome you in to the family of God. He desires to have forever fellowship with you. Will you trust in Him today?

For three hours on the cross, everything goes dark. In those hours Jesus bears the full weight of man's sins upon His shoulders. In those final moments, He cries out to His Father, and finally breathes His last breath and gives up His Spirit. This is one of the most powerful moments for us. This is the very moment our sins were forgiven. This is the very moment we are granted access in to the very presence of God through the death of Jesus Christ. While Jesus' earthly ministry comes to an end, the story doesn't end here...

After a parody of mocking and abuse at the hands of Roman soldiers, Jesus is paraded out to be crucified at Golgotha. There He endures a few hours of life-ending suffering and persecution as He bore the sins of the world. It is at the cross that we find forgiveness. Like thief #2, we must recognize that we deserve death because of who we are apart from Christ. We must repent of our sins and call on the name of Jesus. There is no other way. Will you accept Jesus today?

In this week's sermon, Pastor Cam continues to walk us through the trials of Jesus. The Sanhedrin make their final decision and march Jesus to be tried by Pilate, the Roman Governor. Three times Jesus is questioned by Roman authority, only to be found not guilty. Yet the chief priests and others demand his crucifixion. As was the plan from the beginning of time, Jesus stands accused, punished, and convicted for crimes He didn't commit. Jesus took our place. He became the propitiation for our sins. He willingly sacrifices Himself for our sins. The question we must face, is how are we to respond to our sin?

After His arrest in the garden, Jesus is now led before His Jewish accusers. He first appears before the former high priest, Annas, who questions Him and then sends Him to Caiaphas and the rest of the Sanhedrin. There He is accused of blasphemy and sentenced to die. In the outer court, Peter returns to see the end, and fulfills the prophecy of Jesus by denying Him three times. Ultimately, what is our response to the prosecution of Jesus and Peter’s denial? We ought to be willing to bear the humiliation and pain that our Savior experienced. We ought to praise Him more and more knowing what He went through was for our salvation. We ought to have more assurance and confidence in receiving the finished work of Jesus for our redemption. Through our weakness, we let the power of Christ rest on us, and let His will be done.

As Jesus enters His final hours of ministry, He lets Peter know he will betray Him, the rest of the disciples will scatter, and He will be arrested... but not without hope. What we learn from these moments is that we, at all times, must stay alert. As we walk through life, we will be tempted and tried. We must keep Heaven before us at all times, so we have a proper perspective during those trial moments. That's why Jesus would ask of His disciples, and us, "watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation."

Amidst an act of treachery on the part of one of His disciples, Jesus shares one final Passover meal with the 12. In so doing, He institutes a new covenant by replacing the Passover lamb, unleavened bread, and wine with Himself. Through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus, we are set free of our sins. This is why we celebrate the Lord’s Supper/Communion today. We remember and proclaim His death, forgiveness, and salvation until He comes again! Amen!

Jesus is anointed in Bethany. From Mark’s perspective this amazing display of sacrificial worship is sandwiched between two accounts of hatred, selfishness, and greed. When we’re caught between a rock and a hard place, where do we find ourselves? Our wholehearted devotion to Jesus should be our desire. Not for selfish gain or public attention, but for the glory and worship of God alone. Mary’s example of sacrificial worship is one we can and should emulate daily in our walk with Jesus.

Why do we have to experience pain? What good can come from going through tragedy, disease, unemployment, death, natural disasters, or a worldwide pandemic?! When we view everything we go through as part of God’s sovereign plan, it will provide us a better understanding as to the purpose in our pain. It will benefit us, those closest to us, and those unseen. We must do all we can to remain faithful, patient, and trust in Him.

Soli Deo Gloria means, “Glory to God alone.” He is worthy to be praised, worshipped, served, and loved. He and He alone loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sins and accept us in to His eternal family. He is our rock, our refuge, our protection. Let us not lose sight of His glory and become complacent in our faith.

Jesus finally answers the disciples first question that started this discourse: When will all these things happen? He lets us know that no one knows the hour of His return. So what we do while we wait in anticipation is of utmost importance! He has left us to share the gospel with as many as we can. That is our great responsibility!

Last week we talked about the “beginning of birth pains”. All the signs that would precede the last days. Jesus now discusses the events that will immediately precede His 2nd coming. The Tribulation is a period of 7 years that will not be like any other time. God’s wrath and righteous judgement will fall upon the earth. Then, in glory and power, Jesus will return to gather all believers unto Himself. The call for those who believe in Him is to be alert, be aware, be on guard, and anticipate the glorious return of our Savior!

It seems like the world is falling apart right in front of our eyes, but is this the end? Jesus begins a discourse on the end times in Mark 13. Discussing the end of the world can be scary. There is a lot of uncertainty and confusion. But as followers of Jesus, we can rest assured that everything happening in the world today are ‘pre-labor pains’. In Christ, we can find peace, and know that it is all a part of God’s amazing plan for man’s redemption.

In a final attempt to test and entrap Jesus, a lone Scribe asks Jesus a very important question, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus’ answer is one that had been written long before His earthly ministry, and should still resonate with us today. We are to love God above all else, and love others. Through the example of a poor widow and her offering, Jesus makes the distinction between how we are to love, serve, and sacrifice with the Love of God. This all comes down to how we shape our character in line with who Christ is and our obedience to His Word.

The religious and political elite of the day now come at Jesus with everything they got to entrap and destroy him. They try to tangle him with questions relating to political authority (paying taxes) and life after death. How relevant this is for us today with the immensity of political drama and cultural chaos that goes on around us. Our peace and security is in Christ alone. He has granted us freedom from sin and everlasting life by the power of his resurrection. Yet, while we are here, we submit and respect those in authority over our lives, honor them, and live in a way that brings higher honor to the God of our salvation.

Jesus tells a parable about some evil tenants overseeing a vineyard. After mocking or killing all of the owners servants, they finally kill the owner’s beloved son. This parable was not veiled from the Pharisees. They perceived what Jesus had said. They would ultimately reject God’s Son by crucifying Him on the cross. The message is clear for us today: accepting Christ is our only hope of salvation.

Jesus teaches us an extremely valuable lesson through a fig tree. The tree was cursed because it was giving the impression it had the very thing it’s purposed for, but in fact, did not. Faith in Jesus is deeper than religious title. Our body is a temple and we’re obligated to keep it swept clean of anything that would cause us to lie, deceive, or entrap others into believing we have something we don’t. The value of prayer and forgiveness are key to a deeper and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

The timing is perfect, as was spoken about over 500 years prior. His purpose is clear as to why He’s doing it. How He does it shows humility, trust, and obedience. What He hears is nothing short of the praise due to who He is and what He came to accomplish. Jesus triumphantly rides in to Jerusalem to do what He came to do: serve and sacrifice His life for the sake of all.

Those that can see or a blind begger? Who has the better vision of who Jesus is? The answer may surprise you. Jesus calls us to humble, dependent, sacrificial faith. Already following Jesus? Than it may be time to re-evaluate how you are serving Jesus. Jesus came to serve and to sacrifice for others. Are we doing the same?

What has your attention in this world? What is keeping you from following Jesus? God's Word makes it very clear that our love of money and material possessions will only hinder our commitment to Him. If Jesus were to ask you today to sell everything you own, move to a 3rd world country, live in abject poverty, and preach the gospel, what is your first inclination? May the Holy Spirit reveal to us the specific things we need to let go of so He can continue to use us for His glory!

Culture and Society is currently on fire. How are you allowing yourself to be shaped by these times? Are you a carrot, egg, or coffee? I share my thoughts on how we should biblically respond to the woes of society. Sadly, many Christians are simply responding based off raw emotion, as opposed to Holy Spirit-inspired thoughts.

Our joy and contentment in this life is not based on what we receive materially. Rather, it is the power of Christ within us where we draw our strength to press on regardless of our circumstances. When we press in to what Jesus wants to do, for His glory, He will supply everything we need to get the job done! In Him, we will find true joy in this fallen world.

The Pharisees try to test Jesus once again, this time regarding divorce. Jesus brings them right back to the Word of God to answer their question. But instead of discussing divorce, He brings focus to the original intent of marriage, an institution created by God. If we truly seek to understand the deeper meaning of biblical marriage, and sought to exemplify that in our relationships, we would have fewer discussions today regarding divorce. Jesus didn't make it an option. Neither should we.

As he begins to conclude his letter to the Philippian Church, Paul provides 5 marks of a faithful follower of Jesus. In our constant pursuit of Christlike character, if we practice these things, we will find peace and joy in our life, regardless of our circumstances.

Dad, you have been given a tremendous responsibility to bring up your children in the Lord. This does not fall on your child’s education, Sunday school program, culture, social media, or solely Mom. Scripture makes it very clear that you have been tasked with bringing them up in today’s world according to Scripture. But you need to first look in the mirror and strive to be the man God created you to be, so that you can then train, build, encourage, discipline, and instruct your children to pursue God.

Our purpose in life is to keep moving forward. Keep pressing on. Our goal is Jesus Christ. The prize? Eternal glory and blessing. Like an athlete who commits to a team, we are to submit ourselves in every way to conform to the image of Christ. Commitment to Christ, and then making no concerted effort to change your life is not commitment. Eliminate everything in front of you that will hinder your pursuit of being like Christ!

Jesus teaches us four very important things that we are to exemplify in our lives as His disciples. The world is in desperate need of salvation. That can only come through the grace of God through faith. However, we have the opportunity to lead others to an understanding of what that means by the way we operate in this world. May our lives be marked by wisdom, humility, unity, and purity.

What we pursue in this life should not be counted in our relationship with Jesus. Rather, it is by His Spirit that we live. It is in Jesus that we claim to have everlasting life. Nothing in this life will satisfy except the love, hope, and redemption found in Christ alone.

Through His transfiguration, Jesus reveals His heavenly glory and gives us a glimpse of the glory to come for those who believe. And, through the miraculous healing of a boy with an unclean spirit, Jesus provides us an understanding of our life without Him, but more importantly, what it can look like with Him! We must believe, devote ourselves to His Word, and to prayer, and He will transform our life from death to life.

I continue to process my thoughts and emotions as we navigate our current state of affairs regarding racism and hatred in our communities. “We need to make a change together. Or the same thing will happen over and over and over again. What can I do to make this better? If we don’t stand up together, we’re gonna fall divided constantly.” (Mark Jackson). We have the individual mandate to do better.

As we pursue unity, humility, and the responsibility to share the gospel, we are to be a light in our world. We do that by holding fast to the Word of God and being a Christlike example to those around us.

Jesus provides a strong word of warning and encouragement to those who make the decision to follow Him. Trusting in Jesus is not an easy road, but it is cloaked in joy, peace, and will end in glorious eternity. In order to properly respond to the hurt and division we see in the world around us, we need to view it all through the lens of the gospel. We are called to love others regardless of who they are. Jesus died on the cross for everyone, therefore we are love everyone!

We look at three very important words that should define our existence in Christ on earth: Unity, Humility, and Responsibility. Jesus is our ultimate example in how He unified us in the Spirit and love. He humbled Himself in obedience to the will of His Father and service to mankind. He encourages us to take the responsibility to treats others the same and make Him known.

At the center point of Mark's gospel, Jesus asks His disciples one of the most important questions. One in which we all must answer, "But who do you say that I am?" Our response will dictate the depth of our willingness to follow Him. If you answer in the same way Peter does, how does your life represent that response?

During a time of prayer, the Lord gave me something I thought necessary to share with you. I believe this to be absolutely vital to how we approach all things lately; reopening society and churches, engaging in social media conversations, relationship with others, and even our own personal lives. I pray it's an encouraging word to you.

Paul’s encouragement to the church is to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Therefore, our life, work, family, relation and response to the world around us should speak volumes to the Good News of Jesus.

Jesus performs yet another amazing miracle, yet so many fail to comprehend who He is. Even His disciples forget the amazing things Jesus has done and focus on the wrong thing. How many times do we need to be shown how to do something in order to be provided proper understanding? How may times could we be found guilty of forgetting all that God has done for us? Jesus is all we need. Are we listening intently to what He is saying, and ultimately, what He is offering us?

Our testimony is powerful. Whatever it may be. How plain or extravagant it may be. It is yours. It is what God granted for you. It’s what He’s allowed you to experience. Your job is to share it. Your purpose is to declare how Jesus saved you, and how he is now working in and through you for the sake of His glory, Amen?! What’s your story?

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi is one of encouragement, love, and hope. He sends his love from a Roman prison with the purpose to encourage the church to continue in advancing the gospel of Jesus. All of us play a role in the gospel. We are not merely spectators. We are ALL participants.

The title of Mom is a blessed gift from the Lord. Yet it carries a heavy weight of responsibilities. How do you as a Mom walk the line between your love for Jesus and your labor of love, your family? Our hope and prayer is that you find encouragement in this message designed to encourage & equip you to be the wife and mother God designed you to be.

How are you doing with balancing your faith in Jesus and His Word, versus the mental and emotional response this pandemic and quarantine is causing you to have? It is vital we consider our response to the slew of information we receive on a daily basis. This is what we’ll address on this episode of Pastor Cam’s Podcast. Let’s talk!

Submission to authority is something we are called to do according to God’s Word. We’re called to submit to one another in marriage and in the church. But why do we stop short when it comes to those in political authority over our lives? How do we as followers of Jesus balance our citizenship in Heaven with our citizenship in America?

What does ‘baptism’ and ‘communion’ mean? Why do we practice these things in the church? Are they a means to salvation? What happens if I’m not baptized or partake in the communion process? Why are these so-called ‘sacraments’ such an embedded part of the church? These are just a few of the questions we’ll address in the final session of this series. We pray is resolves some hesitation as to why we do the things we do in church.

Our new normal is causing a lot of unfiltered emotions and response due to the government’s stay-at-home orders. Now that the order has been extended to June 19, we’re starting to see more cultural response. What should our response, as Christians, be during this time? At the very least, we have to have some conversation. So let it begin.

What does it mean to 'tithe'? What's the difference between a tithe and an offering? Why do we give our money to the church? If the church isn't meeting in a building because of COVID-19, do I still tithe? These are just a few of the questions we'll address in Part 2 of our series "Why do you do that?!" Ultimately, God's Word speaks volumes to giving back to the Lord, especially when it comes to our financial provision.

What is worship? Why do we sing in church? Does the style of music matter to God? Why are songs sung typically at the beginning of the church service? These may be just a few of the questions people have regarding worship music. Ultimately, we want to know what God has to say about it. What does His Word teach us about worship?

We’re starting a new series at church called, “Why do you do that?!” We’ll take a look at why we do some of the things we do in church. Things like Worship music, Baptism, Communion, and Tithing. We’ll look for answers as to why we do these things, how we should do them according to God’s Word, and how those things may be practiced currently while in quarantine. Hint: all the answers are almost identical. We look forward to what God will show us these next few weeks!

On Easter Sunday, we take a look at thee greatest event in human history. Jesus rises from the dead, only to secure our salvation and names in the Lamb’s book of life. Do you know Him? Do you have a relationship with Him? Now is the time. He came for you. He died for you. He rose again on the third day for you. Jesus loves you! He is ALIVE!

On this Good Friday, we take an extensive look at the final hours of the life of Jesus. From His troubled prayer in the garden, to his arrest, trials, conviction, and eventual crucifixion, Jesus willingly laid down His life so that we could be free. This is why we refer to this Friday as ‘good’. Jesus took on your sins and nailed them to the cross. Will you give Him your life today?

Palm Sunday is a day to remember and celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry. As he rode in on a donkey, fulfilling yet another prophecy, the people shouted “Hosanna in the highest!” However, their praise was misunderstood as to what Jesus was riding in to Jerusalem to do. He was there not to rule politically, but rather to humbly and sacrificially lay His life down for our sins.

Multiple times during His ministry, Jesus spoke of His death and resurrection. He also pointed out how all of Scripture points to Himself. So to fully understand why He had to suffer and die, we need to know why He came. In part 1 of our Easter series, we look at how the Old Testament speaks to Jesus as our King of Kings and why He temporarily vacated His heavenly throne for our salvation.

Two more amazing miracles performed by Jesus. First, due to the persistent faith of the Syrophonecian Woman, her daughter was set free from her demon. Second, Jesus heals a deaf and mute man. Three things we gain from our study: 1. God always hears our cries for help. 2. God will answer our prayers. 3. God will always provide for us. It may not be want we want, but it will always be what we need.

As the world goes on lock down due to COVID-19, we are all forced to adapt and change our routine. For today’s church, that means lots of changes in the way we ‘do church’. Most, if not all are now live-streaming Sunday service and engaging in community online. So what is our responsibility in all this as the Church. The writer of Hebrews provides us a solid foundation from the Word of God in what our responsibilities are, even as we are quarantined.

The Pharisee’s once again try to entrap Jesus regarding their traditions. Jesus responds by bringing them back to the word of God. It’s always valuable for us in the church to evaluate all that we do against the commands of God. We might be surprised that what we thought has been religious practice, is in actuality just man-made tradition. It doesn’t necessarily mean those things are right or wrong. We just need to check our heart and what God wants to accomplish through us in all that we do.

After feeding the 5,000, Jesus spends some time in prayer as he sent His disciples in the boat to the other side of the sea. Although we don’t see it at times, there is always a plan for what we go through in life. We need to learn to press in to Jesus through the reading of His word and prayer, so that when the storms of life hit us, we can set our eyes on Him. He is always with us.

Through a miraculous act, Jesus feeds 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. We see our Good Shepherd have compassion and provide for those in need, both the masses of people and His disciples. If we seek Jesus, follow Him, and are obedient to His word, He will provide us everything. It may or may not be what we want or when we want it, but it will always be exactly what we need. We just need to trust in Him.

The death of John the Baptist can teach us many things from a couple perspectives: 1) Herod’s perspective: A life of deeply rooted lust, pride, and sin will only lead to your ultimate destruction, and will have an unfortunate generational affect on you and your family. 2) John’s perspective: A life dedicated to the service of God and the declaration of the gospel will lead to persecution and suffering. However, the glorious, far-reaching affects and joy of that ministry is beyond comparison.

Jesus is rejected in his own hometown. They heard Him teach. They heard about all the things He did. But they couldn’t bring themselves to have faith in Him. People will often reject what they don’t know or understand. So we’ve been given the commission to share the love and hope of Jesus. Some will not accept Him, but some won’t immediately reject Him either. It’s not up to us to decide. It’s up to us to simply share what He’s done for our lives and give others the hope of salvation in Jesus name.

Faith will come in different ways. For a leader in the synagogue, it came with potential prior knowledge or experience with Jesus. For an unknown woman, it came from ‘reports’ about Jesus. Regardless, in their individual circumstances, they needed a healing touch from Jesus. The Word of God tells us that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. Our faith in Jesus needs to go beyond our immediate need. Our faith should be rooted in who Jesus is, whether times are good or bad.

The freedom and salvation of the demon-possessed man is truly incredible. Jesus’ display of His deity and authority is powerful. But what is often missed in this story is that Jesus took His disciples through a storm for the salvation of one man. His life was important enough to save despite being sent to the outskirts to die. Upon salvation, he is given the commission to go and tell others what Jesus had done for him. This serves as a tremendous challenge for us to share our testimony. Our story is powerful and someone needs to hear it. Who is your one?

Jesus called His disciples in to a close relationship. A big part of that was their Teacher-Student relationship. As a former classroom teacher, I can this, what is teaching without a test? We are all called in to the same relationship with Jesus. As a part of our learning, we experience tests and trials that will serve to strengthen our faith, if we focus on our teacher and what He has taught us. The words of Jesus are just as powerful today. But, how will we come to trust in His promises if we don’t seek to understand His word?

Dependent on the type of seed, it will take up to 7-10 days or longer for the seed to germinate and break the surface. An oak tree won’t come to full maturity for 15-20 years! So how does this apply to our life in Jesus? As we look at the Parable of the Seed Growing and Mustard Seed, we have to ask ourself, “Am I trusting God in the waiting?” More often than not, God will not answer us right away. So we need to maintain our trust and faith in His promises. But we also can not just sit back and wait either. What we do in the waiting is of utmost importance.

Jesus continues His conversation with His disciples regarding their responsibility in receiving the 'seed' of His Word. Now the responsibility shifts from receiving His Word to sharing the Word. As followers of Christ, we are to let our light shine and not keep it hidden. Light is meant to reveal and point the way towards Jesus. Let's set our vision on the Light of the world, so we can shine bright to the world around us.

Jesus begins to teach His followers using parables. A parable is defined as “a spiritual truth walking hand in hand with daily living”. But more than that, parables necessitate a response from the hearer. In the “parable of the sower”, Jesus explains our responsibility and our response to the ‘seed’ of His word. It is up to us to cultivate the ‘soil’ of our heart to receive His word and let it take root so that when trials and temptations come our way, we are grounded in the truth of His word. It is our responsibility to sow the word to ourselves and those around us. It is up to the Holy Spirit to harvest. Are you listening intently to what Jesus wants to teach you today?

Through the lens of the book of Joshua, Pastor Jason calls us to remember the promises of God as we finish out 2019, and head in to a new year. The Word of God calls us to remember the things God has done for us and through us. Are we looking to Him and His Word when we’re up against the walls we seemingly can not overcome? Are we laying aside the entanglements and weight of sin that can so easily pull us down and away from what God wants to accomplish in our life? Let’s move forward in faith and obedience!

We love this time of year, celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ! As we read through the story of the birth of Jesus, we also take a look at a prophetic message about this child born that was given some 700 years before His miraculous birth. Who this child would become beyond the manger is of utmost importance to us. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

In their quest to destroy Jesus, the Pharisees resort to name-calling, saying that Jesus is possessed by Satan. Jesus immediately breaks down their argument by using parables that clearly cause their accusations to crumble. In their continued hardness of heart and rejection of Him, Jesus warns them that they are dangerously close to blaspheming the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin. If we are called to follow Jesus, absolutely nothing, including those closest to us, should hinder our obedience to what God calls us to do.

The Pharisees continue their quest to entrap Jesus so they can accuse and ultimately destroy Him. Yet, in their questioning of Jesus regarding the law and Sabbath, Jesus takes them back to scripture. He points to the needs of man that supersedes keeping legalistic, religious law. Do we allow our legalism to keep us from showing others the love of Jesus? Do we need salvation from our religiosity and live in obedience to the word of God? Do we need to evaluate the density of our heart towards others?

The Pharisees raise a question to Jesus regarding fasting. But what we see is that they weren’t so concerned with learning from Jesus, as they were trying to entrap Him so they could accuse Him. Jesus answers their question in the form of 3 parables: a wedding, clothing, and wine. It all boils down to whether we live a ‘new’ life in Christ, or reject all that He has for us and live in our ‘old’ ways. We have to make a choice. There is no blending of the two.

A sermon from the home office :) Jesus proves His authority as God the Son in the miraculous healing of a paralytic. The Pharisees question whether or not He has the authority to forgive sins, and so Jesus proves it. We also see the “destructive” passionate faith of four friends that did whatever it took to get their paralyzed friend to the feet of Jesus. Jesus then calls His fifth disciple in Matthew and reclines at the dinner table with a bunch of sinners. What is our response when Jesus calls us? Do we immediately respond? Do we do whatever it takes to get people to the feet of Jesus?

The early ministry of Jesus was filled with compassion, prayer, and obedience. We see and learn of multiple healings, either from sickness or demon possession. Whether we experience healing in the physical sense or not, we are most assuredly set free from the bondage of sin. Our response to the grace of God in our life should be one of gratitude and service. Jesus doesn’t set us free to live how we want. He sets us free so that His grace can be put on display as a miraculous sign of His saving power.

The Holy Spirit drives Jesus in to the wilderness after His baptism. Here He will experience temptation by the devil. Like His baptism, did Jesus have to go through temptation? No He didn’t. But He does so to associate with us so that we can identify with Him. What we learn from Jesus in His temptation is that we are to respond to our trials and temptations with the Word of God. We then look at the purpose statement of Jesus’ ministry, and the choosing of His first 4 disciples. When Jesus calls, we follow without hesitation and without pre-qualifications. We go where He takes us, and do as He does. We are his disciples.

We begin our study of the gospel of Mark. The foundation to all that we are, and all that we do is because of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We’re introduced to Jesus through the ministry of John the Baptist. We are witness to the triune God in the baptism of Jesus, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the approval of God the Father. Like John the Baptist, we too are to live our life in a way that points to the salvation that only Jesus can provide.

The fourth core value of our church is Justice. We set out to provide hope, through love and service to those around us. In order to understand true, biblical justice, we need to know God and walk humbly with Him. In so doing, we will better understand what it is to love kindness and mercy, and then act justly for those who need it.

One of the four values of our church is Love. We unashamedly love and provide for those around us through the agape love of God. The only way we love others in this way is by abiding in God through prayer and the reading of His Word. Should we not spend time with Him, we will become dry and will be of no use to others. As Christ sacrificed His life because of His love for us, so we should lay our lives down for others so they can experience the love of God.

One of the four values of our church is Humility. Humility is not perpetually living in last place or acting as if you’re always picked last. It is simply knowing the worth and value you have been given by Jesus, and seeing that in others. You set your own agenda aside to do what is necessary to serve and sacrifice for others. Without humility, you will never put yourself in a position to serve. We have been given the greatest example of humility in Jesus. So let’s clothe ourselves in humility and serve others for the glory of God!

One of the four values of our church is Wisdom. It is imperative that we establish ourselves on the solid foundation that is Jesus Christ and the Word of God. Through it we see the world around us. However, it is more than just information and knowledge. Biblical wisdom goes deeper in that it accounts for the decisions we make and the actions we take. If we seek God’s wisdom, we will have a better understanding of who He is and what He desires for our life. But it is up to us to seek it out and treasure it so that it becomes who we are.

In the third and final message of our series entitled “As the Church...”, we look at our great responsibility to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastor Cam takes a look at the gospel message presented by Paul to those in the synagogue at Antioch Pisidia. The Apostle Paul shares the gospel by retelling Israel’s history and how it all points to the Messiah, Jesus. The entirety of scripture points to Jesus, and we therefore must know what the gospel is. If we know the Good News, and seek to understand, we will be able to effectively proclaim the gospel to the world around us.

In part 2 of our series, “As the Church...”, we look at the purpose of the Holy Spirit in our life. In Acts 1:4-11, prior to His ascension in to Heaven, Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Helper. Once they were clothed in the power of the Holy Spirit, their ministries would flourish. The same applies to us today. The same Spirit that indwelled Jesus and the disciples is the same Spirit in our life. The Holy Spirit gives us power, but also keeps us accountable, frees us, and teaches us so that as the Church, we can be His witnesses wherever we are.

We see God leading His people in the wilderness, and at His command they camp. And at His command they set out. Are you willing to follow and obey? God also directed Moses to build Him a sanctuary so that He could dwell in the midst of His people. The same applies to us today. God desires to be with you. Are you willing to be with Him? As the Church, we abide in the presence of God. Not only on Sunday, but everyday through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

When we lose sight of Jesus, because of our preoccupation with other things, anxiety and fear will grip us. But if we fix our eyes on Him every moment of every day, our faith will be strengthened.

How we respond to our circumstances, especially when the going gets tough, is of upmost importance. The story of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego helps us remember that God is sovereign and His plan is perfect. We need to see every circumstance as a divine appointment, in which we seek biblical wisdom and spiritual strength to glorify God.

By God's grace, death has been defeated, and gifts have been given so we can build the church of Christ. By striving towards unity, with the knowledge of God, becoming mature believers who are ready to fight the battles we face every day! Are you growing in your faith and knowledge of Jesus and His Word?

Yesterday reminds us of who we are, because of what the Lord has brought us through. Today is about standing on the promises of the I Am. Tomorrow, we press on with the hope of eternal glory. This is the time of year when most are anticipating the New Year. What’s new? What lies ahead?

Pride: a word that will determine our course of life, experiences, successes and failures. Therefore the highest mountain you will ever climb, is getting over yourself. The choice is ours, be the eagle in Obadiah that will be brought down by the Lord because of pride? Or, be the eagle in Isaiah that soars on the strength of God? Defeat pride. Live in humility. Fly with Jesus.