Pea Ridge Baptist Church with Dan Londeree: Recent Episodes
Pea Ridge Baptist Church
What is it that causes us as individuals to become complacent in our relationship with God? We begin to live as though we are fine exactly the way we are, and this comes from the deceiver who wants to convince us that we do not need God. As we look to Jesus, he empowers us to lay aside this and other wrong mindsets and take steps to follow him.
"Run to win." This is Paul's exhortation to the believers in Corinth, and it should resonate with us as well. While we should each pursue Jesus with everything in us, we also need to develop a vision of what it looks like to pursue him together as a community of believers.
God's design for the cycle of work and rest is intentional. He set the example for us in His work of creation and gave specific instructions to the nation of Israel through His law. Even today, following that cycle and having the right motivation for work and rest is what is best for us.
We live in a culture that pushes us to constantly strive for more. There are two sides to this coin. And these two sides might not be as clear as we would like them to be. Can a person be content and still have a desire to strive for more? For the believer, motives are the key.
There are two instances in the Gospel of John that record Jesus speaking of living water. When we consider these, along with other biblical references that are similar, we can easily see that Jesus is teaching about the power of the Holy Spirit to give life. God will not force us to open ourselves to the flow of this living water. He invites us to make that choice.
God has worked in different ways to speak to different people throughout history. One common theme in all of these examples is this: those who heard the voice of God were paying attention to Him. Ask Him to help you identify the biggest distractions in your life and then with His help, replace them with His truth and wisdom.
Our calendars and to-do lists reflect what we value. In our culture, we tend to add things to our lives without considering what these will do to our relationship with God and our relationships with others. This summer, choose a slower pace filled with purpose and intention. Spend some time in the river of life.
God the Father nailed our sin debt to the cross as Jesus became sin for us. This first execution was carried out so that we could be reconciled to Him. A second execution takes place when we put to death our own selfish desires, but we can only do this in the power of the Spirit. When we do, we follow the Spirit as he leads us on the path of obedience.
We see God's patience, kindness and goodness through His plan of redemption. He has withheld his judgment so that people have a chance to repent. When we consider that no one deserves his forgiveness, his mercy is evident. And his generosity is seen through the gift of his Son and the gift of the Spirit.
As we begin to examine each type of fruit that the Spirit produces in the life of a believer, we see that God's love, joy and peace are given to us as we allow the Spirit to control us. We must remember that we cannot produce these on our own.
Paul wrote that the works of the flesh were obvious, but he still took time to list some of them. Understanding how these evil behaviors affect our relationship with God and others can help us see the seriousness of these sins and remind us to pursue Christ instead of our own selfish desires.
Paul wrote that believers are to "walk by the Spirit," and doing so will keep us from satisfying our own selfish desires. This week we turn to Matthew 7 and John 15 to gain insight from Jesus about this central truth that empowers us to live out our faith.
It is possible to know the ways of God without living in obedience to Him. Focusing only on the commands of Scripture without cultivating a change of heart will leave us trapped. When we submit to the Holy Spirit, he begins his transformative work that leads to producing the fruit of God's kingdom in our lives.
In the final message of the Restored series, the focus is on work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer and how He infuses the character of Christ. What happens when we trust Him to empower us to walk in humility, gentleness, patience and forbearance?
What is your main goal for your children? Our culture pushes us to focus on making sure our kids are successful and happy. If we set these as main goals, our children are likely to be selfish and end up feeling empty. Instead, we need to disciple our children to live and love like Jesus.
God created the marriage relationship. Though the entrance of sin into the world caused this relationship to be broken, it is restored by the power of Christ. Paul's instructions in Ephesians 5 reveal that the Gospel creates this beautiful partnership between a man and a woman ... one that reflects the relationship between Jesus and his followers.
There is probably nothing more misunderstood in our culture than the idea of romantic love. Most of us grow up believing that our quest for true love will end when we find that "special someone." We fail to realize what real love is, and so our search brings a great deal of pain. If we follow God's ways, we will navigate dating and singleness according to His wisdom and experience life and peace.
The redemptive work of Christ has a far-reaching impact. Even beyond one's personal relationship with God the Father, the reconciliation Jesus provides extends to our relationships with one another. All of this works together, as Paul explains in his letter to the church at Ephesus.
God’s plan of redemption came through the nation of Israel. In His grace He chose Abraham and made a covenant with him. He rescued Abraham's descendants from Egypt and gave them the amazing gift of His law. The law was limited by human weakness, but complete healing and forgiveness would eventually come through Jesus, who healed humanity with his love.
In a matter of moments, the first man and woman disobeyed God's command and found themselves separated from Him by sin. Their lives were shattered. The consequences were dire. Though it seemed all was lost, God's plan of redemption was already in motion.
In the first part of this series, Dan Londeree explores how God created man and woman in His image. There are two major implications of this: we are created for a relationship with God, and we are created for relationships with one another.
After the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt, Nehemiah and Ezra focused on reestablishing the law of God. As it was read aloud, the people began to weep. Nehemiah told them to celebrate instead, because as they returned to obedience to God, He would give them joy that would strengthen them. When we obey the Lord, He does the same for us.
There are moments in time that stop us in our tracks. We’re carrying on our daily lives, moving from one thing to the next, when something happens that affects us deeply. Something must be done. Something must change. Nehemiah's heart was broken for his homeland and his people. What breaks your heart? What is God leading you to do about it?
In Ephesians 4, Paul wrote to believers that we are "to put off your old self ... and to put on the new self ..." It's important for us to remember that we can only do this in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the context of Christian community. As we start 2024, our goal is to daily put on the self and live according to who we are in Christ.
Joy is defined as the emotion we feel as the result of something good in our lives, but we know that feelings are fleeting. Our emotions rise and fall all the time, mostly based on the circumstances of life. Is it possible to choose joy? It seems that Mary did, and we can follow her example.
The love of Christmas goes beyond the night that Christ was born in Bethlehem. Jesus demonstrated real love his entire life, punctuated with his sacrifice for us on the cross. If love is laying down our lives for others, we must ask the question: how well are we loving the people in our lives?
The hope of Christmas doesn't come in the form of improved circumstances. It comes in the form of a person: Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13)
Thankfulness does not come naturally to us. Though we have a new nature as followers of Jesus, we still battle with our old sin nature. As we choose to "put on" the character traits of Christ, we walk in love and peace. The end result is a heart of gratitude.
The letter of Revelation is a specific type of literature filled with vivid symbolic imagery that is connected to various Old Testament passages. While it can be difficult for us to understand, the author encourages us to read it and follow its instruction. We are reminded that God will one day vindicate His people and make all things new, and the hope that comes from this promise motivates us to be faithful now.
A common theme in the New Testament letters is to love God and love others. In Philippians 2, Paul writes that this happens as we have the mind of Christ and walk in humility. This important character trait is infused into our hearts as we trust in God to give us the desire and power to obey Him.
Romans is commonly thought of as Paul's theological masterpiece, but the last five chapters instruct believers how to practically apply the doctrines he lays our in the first portion of the letter. In Romans 15, we see that Jesus is our example for how we are to live out our faith ... and it has much to do with how we live together with other people.
First century Jews wanted a messiah who would conquer the Roman Empire and set them free from foreign rule. However, Jesus came in humility and taught a message of service and sacrifice. Which Jesus are we following: the Jesus we selfishly want or the Jesus we see on the pages of Scripture?
Jonah was called by God to confront a foreign nation with their sin so they would repent and turn to the Lord. Rather than obey, Jonah went the opposite direction. He allowed his own opinion of that nation to cloud his calling. We must learn from this and lay down our opinions about people as we follow God's call to make disciples.
Into the barren landscape of a destroyed Jerusalem and its exiled inhabitants, God sent a prophet named Ezekiel. He had conveyed messages of warning before calamity struck, and then God gave to him a striking vision that would acknowledge Israel’s current state and also what lie ahead.
Biblical poetry uses the creativity, artistry and beauty of literature to convey powerful truths about the Lord and humanity. In Psalm 42, the author was inspired to use literary devices to convey a longing for God that was the result of a troubling time, and how he made the choice to trust in God rather than run from Him.
The history of Israel as seen in the Old Testament tells the story of the nation's rebellion against God, consequences of those choices, God's faithfulness to His people even in their sin and His provision for them to turn back to Him once again. Our story is much the same, though we live under a new covenant. Though these writings are ancient, we can still draw practical applications from them today.
Using the inductive method of Bible study, we walk through 1 Samuel 16 where we read about God choosing a new king for Israel. This method allows each of us to read, study and apply God's Word to our lives, and draw closer to our Heavenly Father.
The books of the law are filled with the themes of human rebellion, God's judgment of sin, His grace in providing redemption and fulfilling His promises. As we consider the original intent of these writings, we are then able to apply them to our lives in light of the new covenant of redemption through Jesus.
The Bible is a complex collection of writings that can be confusing if we don't know how to interact with it. Our new series is meant to help tackle that problem by providing teaching and resources that help us better understand God's Word ... and allow Him to transform us as we immerse ourselves in it over a lifetime.
God's Word is living and active, and has the power to fend off the enemy and transform our lives. Ask God to give you an overwhelming desire to abide in His Word.
Jesus's encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well guides us to follow him in breaking down barriers we humans have created, and worshiping God in spirit and truth.
When asked to teach his disciples to pray, Jesus gave to them a model prayer that would help them as they communed with God. This prayer is known as "The Lord's Prayer" and we also can use it in our own times spent in prayer with our Heavenly Father.
As long as we keep our sin hidden from God and other believers, we are enslaved. But when we bring it out into the light of God through confession, we are SET FREE and healing begins.
God gives good gifts to us that work to renew our minds, and be transformed. It's up to us to use these to build our lives as we follow Jesus.
The book of Acts records how early followers of Jesus are empowered by the Holy Spirit, resulting in the spiritual and numerical growth of the church. The Spirit lives in believers today as well, so we must have faith that he will do the same work in us.
Kevin Phillips addresses the problem of refusing to forgive, which is a sin that leads to resentment and bitterness. He reminds us that Jesus has forgiven us, and this means we must forgive people who hurt us.
As we immerse ourselves in God’s Word of truth, hope springs forth. We see how real our Lord is, and that helps us see how He is at work even now ... in ways we perhaps did not see before.
Through Jesus's teachings we know that we commands us to forgive others and ourselves, just as He forgave us. As Christians we need to remember the importance of forgiveness in our everyday lives.
Christians in our culture seem to be best known for what we are against. But following God has never been about just avoiding evil ... it's always been about pursuing a relationship with the Lord that will lead us to do what is right.
We serve a God who is all knowing, all powerful, loving, just, merciful and forgiving. He is with us. If we believe this, then it's time to stop lamenting the state of the world and start sharing God’s love WITH the world.
God's desire for Israel was to walk with Him and experience His blessings. But He would not force them ... they had to choose. We face that same choice, and we can only choose to walk with the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit.
God's law set Israel apart from the rest of the nations in the ancient world. As we study this law, we see some themes that apply to those of us who have been brought into God's family through faith in Christ. But, what it does it mean for us to be set apart? The Apostle Paul gives us an idea in his letter to the Colossians.
What does it mean to be part of the kingdom of God? In Deuteronomy, one aspect of this was the effort of conquering the people who already lived in the land of Canaan. However, when Jesus came into the world, he made it clear that the kingdom of God was no longer physical, but spiritual. And citizens of that kingdom are called not to a physical battle, but a spiritual work.
Our God is generous, and He gives good gifts to His children. His commands to ancient Israel to give generously also extend to those of us who follow Him today. Loving God and loving others means giving generously back to Him and giving to those around us who are in need.
God's people were instructed to love Him with all their heart, soul and might. Jesus added that believers are to love their neighbors as themselves. But what does it look like to love God and love other people? We do not have to guess, because God spells it out for us in His Word.
"God has a plan for your life." Though this statement is true, we need to look deeper into the Word to discover what that plan entails. As we find His purpose for us, we see clearly that the empty cross and empty tomb offer a life that is full.
God set up cities of refuge for His people ... safe holding places for people who were accused of taking another human life either by murder or by accident. This law points to the truth that salvation comes only through the person of Jesus Christ.
What are the characteristics of a true leader? We see examples throughout Scripture, but they all point to the only one we are to follow: Jesus Christ.
It's not easy for us to trust in someone. In fact, it's not easy for us to even trust in the Lord. But when we remember who God is and what He has done, and when we truly hear His voice, we are able to walk by faith and trust Him along the way.
When we allow fear to be our focus, we move closer to disobeying God. Choosing faith in the Lord over fear brings us into God's will and gives us the confidence to take the next step in our walk with Him.
Numbers 6 contains a blessing given by God to Aaron and his sons so that this blessing could be spoken over the people of Israel. In Jesus, we see this blessing fulfilled not just for Israel, but for all of us. And through Jesus, God gives us peace.
Jesus has called us to bear fruit in our lives, and to do that we must remain connected to him. Paul Bock walks through our Savior's teaching about the vine and the branches to help us see how our lives can reflect God's glory.
God places a high value on remembrances which call His people to be reminded of who He is and what He has done for them. What "God moments" do you need to intentionally remember in your life?
God commanded Israel to be holy, because He is holy. He gives us the same command through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. For those of us under the new covenant, what does it mean to be holy?
The law deemed that people with certain health conditions were "unclean." But there would come a day when God Himself would reach across this barrier and restore people who were classified as unclean ... a new era ushered in by Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh.
What is the role of obedience in the life of a Christian? We can gain some insight from the role of the Old Testament priest, who was responsible for following the Lord's commands and leading Israel to walk with Him. The connection comes through Jesus who is our great high priest, and his commissioning of us as priests as well.
The Old Testament law is still relevant for followers of Jesus Christ. As we spend time reading and studying the law, it reveals that God is holy, righteous, just, loving and merciful. In fact, the law can help us better appreciate what Christ has done for us!
Israel's disobedience at the foot of Mount Sinai teaches us the valuable lesson that seeking our own way leads to serious consequences. Instead, we must seek God's way and then go with Him.
Our God doesn't merely exist ... He is present and active in our lives. And when we begin to live out that truth, we walk in confidence knowing He has set us free from fear and He is with us as we carry out His mission.
The record of Joseph's life shows how God was moving to accomplish His great plan of redemption. It also gives us practical truths that we can apply in our own lives, such as what it looks like to pursue "God dreams." What dream has God given you?
Jacob's name meant "heel" or "deceiver," and this was an identity he lived up to until God met him and began to transform his life. Through Jesus Christ, God does the same thing for us today. Can you sense Him working in your life? How is He calling you to respond in faith?
"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." (Hebrews 11:1, NLT)
As we follow our purpose of making disciples, we can know with assurance that God will provide what we need for the journey ahead.
Sarai's servant Hagar had been deeply hurt. Alone in the wilderness, she received assurance and comfort from the Lord, and called him "the God who sees." He sees our hurt and our pain, and He responds. We are not alone.
God told a man named Abram to leave everything he knew and go to a land that God would show him later. Along with that command came a purpose and a promise. Through Jesus, God has given us a command to go, a purpose of making disciples and a promise that he will be with us to the end of the age.
Our God is a Creator of good and a Destroyer of evil. He sent judgment upon the earth through a worldwide flood, but saved the human race and the animal kingdom through one man and his family. Then, He gave a sign that He would never again destroy all life on earth. Our God keeps His promises!
We are made in the image of God our Creator, which means we are not meant to be alone. Though sin has separated us from God, He has pursued after us by making a way for us to have a relationship with Him. The richness of His grace is found on the same pages that show us the consequences of disobedience.
After giving instructions about building healthy relationships within the household, Paul concludes his letter with a reminder that believers are in a spiritual battle that requires spiritual armor. Gage Ross shares that victory will only come when we are prepared to face the enemy ... when we are ready in Christ.
Paul was not married, but God still chose to inspire him to share what it takes to have a marriage that reflects the relationship between Christ and the church. When a husband and wife both give of themselves to the other, they experience what it truly means to live as one.
As believers, we are commanded to imitate God and love in the same way that Jesus loved us and gave himself for us. When our actions and words are consistent with this, we will shine the light of God's love into the lives of others ... and we will truly be people of light.
Put off the old and put on the new ... is living out our faith really that simple? Like most things related to faith, it might be simple but not necessarily easy for us, because of our human nature. The good news is, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit and the community of believers God has provided through the local church.
Those of us who believe in Christ have been given the privilege of displaying the wisdom of God to this world. It's amazing that God has chosen to use us in this way, and it's part of His mysterious plan of redemption that has now been revealed. We must highly value one another as vessels of His presence, because the Holy Spirit dwells in each of us!
Our lives should be characterized by faith in Christ and love for one another. As we grow in these relationships, we fulfill God's purpose for us as the full expression of Christ in the world.
God has given us His Word so that we can know Him, and also so that we can faithfully follow Him. We are to use the Bible to counsel one another with His truth. As we give and receive biblical counsel, we grow stronger in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
What's the difference between pretending to love someone and truly loving them? When we truly love someone, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for them as Jesus sacrificed himself for us. As we pursue relationships with others, we must follow the example of the early church and give ourselves to efforts of fellowship, care, prayer and fun.
In the first message of this new series, we learn that abiding in Jesus means spending time with him and with other believers. As we are devoted to him individually and collectively, the power of God moving in and through us together is multiplied and His kingdom grows.
How can celebration be a habit? Isn’t it the spontaneous response of our heart to good news? If we consider times of celebration in our lives, most are tied to regularly scheduled events. This is rooted in God's instruction to ancient Israel, to celebrate His goodness through trusting in Him to provide. When we do the same, we can truly celebrate our loving Heavenly Father.
We are wired for worship. Our attention is easily given to people and things as we walk through life, but only God is truly worthy of our worship. Cultivating a life of worship means embracing the truth that we who believe are God's temple, and therefore we can worship Him everywhere we go and in all that we do.
We enter into a relationship with God through confession of sin and trust in the finished work of Christ. And, as we continue that relationship, when continue the practice of confessing our sins to the Lord to maintain a close fellowship with Him. The good news is, when we confess, he runs to meet us where we are and offer forgiveness.
Jesus taught that his followers are to TAKE last place and serve others. Submitting to and serving others is difficult because on some level, we all desire to be great in the eyes of the world. Embracing this discipline means embracing what is true greatness in the kingdom of God.
We were created for community, but growing in our faith also requires us to spend time alone with God. Jesus demonstrated this is his life as he interacted with others and then pulled away for times alone with his Father. As we follow his example, we will cultivate a deeper relationship with our Lord.
Most of us equate the concept of study with the subjects we focused on in school. However, when we closely observe anything in our world, we are involved in study. As believers, we must focus our study on what God has given us ... His Word and His creation. In doing so, our lives will point to Him.
While fasting isn't mandated for the church today, it was practiced by the early church and was clearly valued as a way of implementing self denial in the pursuit of a closer relationship with God. Rather than assume God doesn't want us to fast, we should be open to this ancient spiritual discipline and allow Him to lead us into it as we seek Him.
The disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." Our Savior responded with a model prayer, and walking through that prayer will guide us into developing a strong habit of engaging in conversation with God.
In the kingdom of God, meditation is focused on the Word of God. Rob Ely of Baptist Campus Ministries shares the why and how of meditating on the Word, and the importance of abiding in Christ.
Change begins when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change. As we focus on biblical people who sought the Lord for needed change in their lives and in their culture, we will draw inspiration from their choice to surrender to God.
With the launch of this series, we begin to rebuild. We begin to rebuild our faith, to rebuild our families and rebuild our church. It starts with the foundation of the Gospel, and that foundation is formed around the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
What does Jesus look like? Many have attempted to create renderings of his appearance, but there is no way for us to know for sure the nature of his physical appearance. What we do know is, even though we have never physically seen him, we believe. This is what it means to have faith.
As we finish our journey through Revelation, we seek to understand the message of "the time is near" in light of the reality that it's been almost 2,000 years since that message was given. Regardless of how long it will be until Jesus comes again, we find ourselves calling out with John, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
John is given a vision of a new heaven, a new earth and new Jerusalem. This city is so much more than just a new place ... it is created as the perfect environment for believers to have a perfect relationship with God the Father, and perfect relationships with others who have followed Him in faith. His work has already begun, however. We who believe are new creations through a relationship with Christ Jesus, and we grow in this as we establish relationships with others.
One day every human being will stand before the throne of God as we are judged. Only those who have their names written in the book of life will be granted an eternity with God forever, while those whose names are not in that book will be cast into a place of torment. Faith in Christ and in him alone will determine if your name is in that book.
Is Jesus the Lamb of God who humbled himself to become human and took our sin as he submitted to the death of the cross? Or is the he the conquering king who judges the enemies of God and rules with a rod of iron? He is both.
The system of this world is corrupt, and we can easily see this through history, current circumstances and John's vision of the future "Babylon." It will collapse, and followers of Jesus must remember this so we don't get drawn into the corruption. For us to carry the light of God to a lost world, we must come out from its system and follow the way of Jesus.
The system of this world desires to seduce, influence and control people. But we who follow Jesus are called, chosen and faithful, and this means we must flee from evil and pursue Christ.
The framework for God's wrath is made up of His attributes of truth and justice. As we consider the wrath of God seen in these chapters of Revelation, we must also look toward the cross, where His wrath was poured out upon His Son so that people could experience His forgiveness.
The song written in Revelation 15:3-4 is referred to as "the song of Moses ... and the song of the Lamb." It is sung by those who have participated in the victory over the enemy, and this gives us a needed reminder of God's power, as well a hope that comes from knowing He will overcome evil.
As John continues to see a vision of the last days, he is given a vivid picture of the contrast between those who follow Jesus and those who reject him. While it's difficult for us to read the judgment of God upon those who reject him, we must also remember that while there is a day coming when Jesus will judge, he came first to save, and he is still saving people today!
God loves His children. This foundational truth of our faith is much deeper than our culture's idea of love. In Revelation 13 there is a call for believers to have endurance, faith and wisdom. This comes from looking to Jesus, and from experiencing God's love through His perfect discipline.
Measuring the temple, lampstands and olive trees, two witnesses who conquer their enemies and then are killed before they are raised from the dead, an earthquake ... what is John's prophecy in Revelation 11 pointing to? With some Old Testament connections, we can see practical instructions for the church.
John is instructed to do something that at first seems odd ... he is to eat a little scroll. But once we see the Old Testament background of this action we begin to understand how the fulfillment of God's plan through His judgment causes us to experience a sensation that is bittersweet.
As we continue to see God’s judgment unfold in Revelation, we come upon one known as “the destroyer.” And yet, because of who God is and who we are as His children, we have nothing to fear.
In Revelation 8, just after Jesus opens the final seal of the scroll, John records that there is silence in heaven as worship ceases. There is a connection between this silence, the prayers of the saints and the judgment of God. We need to respond to this connection in a way that is consistent with what we know about the New Testament church.
There are a variety of views about the timing of "the great tribulation" and whether or not believers who are alive when it begins will have to endure that difficult time. The point of prophecy isn't to create a "timeline" ... but to move our hearts to trust God to walk with us through the things we face and bring us from death to life.
You might be wondering why I chose to walk our church through Revelation at this time. Through conversations I’ve had with fellow believers, I’ve sensed a general disdain for the direction our culture is moving. As we examine the world around us, it certainly seems that more people are choosing to reject God and His ways. And, they are being more outspoken about it. This puts a type of pressure on the people of God. We tend to respond with a “circle the wagons” mentality. We want to protect ourselves and those closest to us, and ensure that the secular mindset doesn’t take hold within our circle.
In response to the direction of our culture, I’ve heard this type of comment from my fellow believers: “I believe we are getting close to the end times, and Jesus will come back soon.” Along with that, I’ve heard the occasional comment about Revelation, through which we can read the vision God gave John regarding the end of this world and the creation of a new heaven and earth.
This certainly played into my choice to take our church through this final book of our Bibles. Revelation (along with the rest of Scripture) teaches us how to respond to the times we are living in. Already in the letters to the churches in the first three chapters, we have read that we must hold fast to what we know to be true. We must receive God’s correction and repent of the sin in our lives. It is imperative that we are passionate about the mission Jesus has given us: make disciples. And at the heart of this is loving God and loving others … which Jesus said is the foundation of all God’s truth.
Our natural response to the culture is to fight back; to defend and even seek opportunities to go on the offensive. But we are followers of Jesus, and that places us in a spiritual battle rather than a physical battle. Spiritual battles are fought with the Word and prayer. And only the Gospel will change the heart of another person. As I read Revelation 6 last week, God moved in my heart to write the following in my own personal journal:
- Instead of living in fear, I will live out my faith.
- I will have confidence in the blood of the Lamb.
- I will respect the power of God.
- I will not cling to my life.
- I will pray for and actively reach out to unbelievers.
- I will disciple those who follow Christ.
- I will allow other believers to invest in me.
- I will stay focused on Jesus, and not get distracted.
I hope these thoughts inspire you as they did me.
- Pastor Dan
Jesus is the Lamb, and it is he who opens the seals on the scroll. But John's vision is not an apocalyptic movie script. God is still very much in control and this is all part of His plan. He is using the hard things of this world to strengthen our faith.
And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:5–6)
In Revelation 5, John wept openly when he realized no one was worthy to open the scroll and its seals (for more about the scroll, seals and other aspects of Revelation 5, check out the sermon from last Sunday, Oct. 10). But then one of the 24 elders told him he need not weep, because there was someone worthy. This elder first describes the worthy one as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” which is a reference to Jacob’s blessing over his son Judah in Genesis 49:9. Jacob declares that Judah will have the strength of a lion, will conquer his enemies and rule over people. The second part of the elder’s description is “the Root of David,” and this originates from Isaiah 11:1-5 and Jeremiah 23:5-6, and both prophets explain someone will come from David’s line who is a righteous and wise king.
And who is the one who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? John sees him as “a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.” This, of course, is Jesus. John the Baptist identified him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Let’s consider this for a moment. Jesus is a mighty ruler and a righteous king. According to the wisdom of this world, someone who gains power typically does so through great physical and mental strength, wealth, popularity and influence. And while Jesus could have easily ruled with these character traits, he chose the path of humility and even self-sacrifice.
In this section of John’s vision, he is the Lamb standing as through it had been slain.” And when the four creatures and elders erupt in worship a few verses later, their song states, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation ...”
Jesus came to his position as mighty conqueror and righteous king through the act of laying down his very own life. He did not seize control of the world through political power or military might and strategy. He sacrificed his life so that others could live, and have life more abundantly.
What does that mean for those of us who follow him? It means we turn away from the world’s way of doing things. We don’t fight for our place in society. We don’t attempt to gain control of the world around us through traditional human means. Instead, we live as Jesus did. We humbly submit ourselves to the will of God, we put others before ourselves and we give our lives so that others may live.
This is what it means to follow our Mighty Conqueror and Righteous King, who also is the Lamb of God.
-Pastor Dan
John saw God Father sitting on the throne of heaven, holding a scroll that was sealed. When no one was found worthy to open the scroll, he wept. But then, he saw Jesus ... the Lamb of God who was slain so that people could be forgiven and reconciled to God. And he is worthy.
Zach Stevens walks through Revelation 4 and as we see the scene of worship in heaven, we are challenged to respond to our awesome God.
Let us have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking to the church: encouragement, correction, and the promise that following Jesus leads to eternal blessings.
When Jesus shares a message, we need to embrace it and seek how he wants us to respond ... whether that message offers encouragement or correction.
Jesus is speaking to us through the letters to churches in Revelation 2. Are we ready to listen?
John's vision of Jesus in Revelation 1 reminds us that all of Scripture and all of life is about God.
There is a tendency for followers of Jesus to avoid the book of Revelation, but we must heed the words of Jesus to John and "fear not." In this first part of a series focused on John's letter, you will be encouraged to embrace Revelation and prepare your heart to see God throughout this amazing literary work.
When Jesus says God the Father is seeking something from us, we should find out what that is and how we can be part of it. Find out what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth.
Frustration isn't a fruit of the Spirit, nor is it a spiritual gift. It's a sign we aren't trusting God and it needs to be confessed. The great news is, God stands ready to forgive us and renew our minds!
Each Sunday, we who follow Jesus gather to worship our Lord. If we forget WHY we worship, we run the risk of looking the part but missing the heart.
We know that if all else is taken away, Jesus is enough. But do we really believe that? Do we live out that truth? A glimpse at the life of Job will help us answer that question and respond in faith.
This special worship gathering offers an opportunity to hear how God worked through kids, teens and adults at Camp Cowen over the summer. Be inspired by these stories of faith!
The prayer of blessing found in Numbers 6 also applies to those of us who follow Jesus today. Spend some time contemplating God's love and grace, and experience His peace.
Jesus taught with authority because he is the final authority. Are we acknowledging his authority over us or are we attempting to live independently of him?
Is it possible that we who follow Jesus actually know more about God than we put into practice in our lives?
All of us face storms in this life. How we handle those storms reveals the structural integrity of our spiritual foundation. What are you standing on?
In Christianity, we talk quite a bit about prayer. We know this is an important part of what it means to follow Jesus. But did you know it’s especially important when it comes to the spiritual battles we fight every day? In today’s midweek devotion we will seek to understand the role of prayer in our battle against our enemy, and specifically what it means to pray “at all times.”
Jesus taught that not everyone who called out, "Lord, Lord" would be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven on the day of judgment. When we embrace this challenging truth, God reveals to us the state of our heart and helps us know how to respond.
If we are seeking to a win a battle, it makes sense that at some point we would need to advance and overtake our enemy. Standing still and receiving one attack after another doesn’t seem like a path to victory. So why is it that Paul references “standing” so much in reference to the spiritual battle we face each day?
It's not something that's talked about much, but it's prevalent in the Bible which means it is important for us. In this message, Pastor Dan addresses the dangers presented by false teachers and how we can avoid being under their influence.
The final piece of the armor of God is the sword of the Spirit, which Paul writes is the word of God. Understanding how the word is to be wielded is important. Swinging it aimlessly at the enemy does not work. Instead, we must allow the word to do its work in our own hearts and minds.
The Golden Rule: treat others the way you want them to treat you. Why is it so much harder for us to live by this than it is to follow our own selfish desires? Join us as we continue to walk through the most famous sermon in history ... the Sermon on the Mount.
What we think about determines the direction of our lives. Thankfully, the armor of God includes the helmet of salvation ... when our minds are protected by the power of the Gospel and we are constantly reminded about who we are in Christ, our thoughts can remain fixed on him.
God is good. He desires to give good gifts to His children who ask Him, and He wants us to come to Him with these requests. But how do we know what we should ask for? And are we focused more on the gifts than we are on a relationship with the Giver?
Is your faith only evident on Sundays, when you make it a point to come to church, worship God, hear His Word and spend time with others who follow Jesus? Or is it an everyday thing? Your answer to that question will determine how you handle the attacks that our enemy brings your way.
Jesus clearly taught that we who believe are not to condemn other people. In fact, we can't even offer righteous correction to others followers of Christ when we have unconfessed sin in our own lives.
Shoes are important. Why? Our feet are important! They take us everywhere we need to go, but we tend to forget about them unless there is a problem. As we prepare for spiritual battle each day, God offers us Gospel shoes for our feet. Join Pastor Dan as he examines this important piece of the armor of God.
When we worry, we are demonstrating to God that we do not truly trust Him. Jesus taught that we are not to be anxious about how our basic needs will be met, nor are we to be anxious about the future. When we walk by faith, fear falls away and we begin to experience the peace of God that will carry us forward.
Can you imagine getting up each day and putting on a set of armor? On this spiritual battleground that is life on earth, if we neglect to use what God has given us, we are defeated before the day even begins. Let’s examine two pieces of the armor of God and prepare to live in victory.
Jesus taught that what we treasure reveals the state of our hearts. How are you investing your life? Are you treasuring this world or the kingdom of God? Mark Napier focuses on this teaching and offers rock solid investment advice.
We who believe in Jesus are in a spiritual battle. This is the reality of our journey on this earth. That might sound a little overwhelming, but once we accept that reality and then see how God provides what we need to fight this battle, we can be encouraged.
Fasting is a spiritual practice that can help us draw closer to the Lord. But like any good work, it must be done from a sincere heart of true righteousness instead of religious performance. As we examine Jesus's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and a companion passage from Isaiah 58, we'll see the signs of religious performance and then seek to follow God from a sincere heart.
During the last year, some have gotten into the habit of not being part of an in-person worship gathering. The author of Hebrews gives reasons why gathering is important, and we learn from this that NOT gathering results in complacency and discouragement. But it doesn't have to be this way! Choose today to come back on Sundays and you will be motivated, encouraged and welcomed with open arms.
When we better understand God's kingdom, we can clearly see our active role in His kingdom coming and His will being done here on earth as it is in heaven.
There's a common idea about following God's will: that God will "open doors" in such a way that it will be easy for us to simply walk through them. But is this really how it works? Join Pastor Dan as he looks at some events in Paul's life to see if following God's will sometimes means overcoming obstacles.
It's important to remember that when it comes to helping others, motives matter. Are we giving to be noticed by people, or are we giving to glorify God? In our "selfie" culture, we must ask God to move in our hearts so that our motives are pure.
"Life is a marathon, not a sprint." You've probably heard this phrase, and it speaks to the importance of endurance, which is a biblical concept. In this week's devotion, Pastor Dan walks through Hebrews 12:1-3 and shares some things he has learned by being around athletes who run races ... some who sprint and some who run longer distances.
The status of our walk with Christ is revealed by how we respond when we are wronged. Jesus taught that we are to love and pray for our enemies, rather than seek revenge. When we do, we glorify him.
We all want to be successful, and it seems this world has a specific definition of success. But what does success look like in the kingdom of God? Join Pastor Dan as he looks at various Scriptures that help us to see the importance of faithfulness.
Disciples of Christ need to say what we mean and mean what we say. Our God is faithful and keeps His promises, and we must strive to live in such a way that we keep our word. Living with honesty and integrity is the way of Jesus.
Asking one question throughout our day can change the course of that day, even the course of our lives! Pastor Dan shares from 1 Corinthians 10:31 and focuses on how even what we consider to be a "mundane task" can bring glory to our Heavenly Father.
While objectifying women has become the norm in our culture, Jesus made it very clear that when a man looks at a woman who is not his wife with sexual desire, he violates God's design for male-female relationships. Men who follow Jesus must repent of this view of women and value them for who they are as special creations of God.
Staying to committed to God, HIs ways, and His work means abiding in Christ. In John 15, Jesus gives a simple step that takes us into that abiding relationship, but we must be willing to make that a priority in our lives.
Is anger really that big of a deal? Everyone gets angry at times. Jesus taught that anger directed at another person is on the same level as murder, so it must be serious. Join Pastor Dan as he explores the danger of anger and the value God places on relationships.
There are people all around us, and today we have unprecedented access to their actions, thoughts and opinions. How do we handle it when we disagree with them? Pastor Dan continues to share lessons learned in a season of pandemic, and this week he focuses on extending grace to followers of Jesus and those who don't yet know him.
What is our attitude towards God's commandments? Do we see them as restrictive and burdensome, or do we embrace them as good gifts from our Creator and Savior who wants what is best for us? Pastor Dan shares how Jesus viewed the Law and Prophets, and what that means for us.
Our God makes His wisdom available to us, all we have to do is ask. As we do, we need to make sure we are asking according to His will and not according to our own selfish desires.
Our church leadership team asked one of our deacons, Nathan Sayre, to share biblical truth about tithing: giving one tenth of our resources back to God through the local church. In this message, Nathan offers truth from the Old Testament and New Testament about why this is an essential part of following Jesus.
Jesus teaches that we who are his disciples are supposed to be salt and light in this world. As we continue to emerge from this pandemic, this must be our focus so that we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.
The characteristics that Jesus shares in Matthew 5:1-12 should be cultivated into our lives. However, we simply cannot do this on our own. We need the continual power of the Gospel to refine us as we walk by faith in this world.
Continuing a series about lessons learned during the season of pandemic, Pastor Dan shares how God is developing contentment in his life. In this week's devotion, we turn to Paul's writing in Philippians 4 and 1 Timothy 6 to understand what it means to be content and how to pursue this important aspect of following Jesus.
The resurrection of Jesus means everything to those of us who believe. His sacrifice on the cross and his rising from the dead give us victory over the enemy, over death and over hell. But our risen Savior has more for us to do than simply be saved. He also commands us to be sent.
During this Holy Week, it's important for us to make some choices that will lead us to focus on Jesus. It doesn't just happen naturally because we are looking forward to Easter ... we must be intentional about doing something that will draw us closer to our Savior. Sometimes we need to lose to gain, and in this case it's about giving up something we normally have to obtain something we desperately need: the presence of God.
The Mosaic Law was not permanent, but it was integral to the forgiveness of sins for those who were part of the Old Testament Israel community. What can we learn from the instructions God gave His people about animal sacrifices that were to be offered for atonement? Join us as we spend some time in Leviticus and see how this connects to the ultimate and final sacrifice offered by our Savior, Jesus Christ.
A year has passed since the world shut down as a pandemic forced us to stay at home and completely rethink life as we know it. What have we learned during that year? Pastor Dan shares some things God has showed him about the importance of investing in a relationship with God and relationships with others.
We begin a new journey through Scripture that will lead us to Easter, and this week we focus on how God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. While most of us have not faced physical bondage, we all have faced spiritual bondage to sin. Seeing God's power to rescue His people reminds us of the rescuing power of the Gospel to set us free from sin!
There are many examples of waiting in the Bible. We know as believers we are supposed to trust God and not take matters into our own hands, but that can be hard for us ... not because God isn't trustworthy, but because we aren't always patient.
As we finish our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, we see the resurrection of our Savior and the mission he gives to all who follow him: make disciples. Renewing our focus on this mission will lead us to glorify our Father and bring people to Him.
What troubles you? There are all kinds of things that can bother or trouble us. In this week's devotion we get to see what troubles Paul and what he chose to do about it. Following his example will lead us to focusing on kingdom work!
"Forsaken." This is a concept none of us wants to experience. To be rejected and despised. And yet, Jesus willingly took our place of being forsaken by God, so we could accepted by Him. We examine the final statement of Jesus on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Our culture sometimes criticizes Christians for responding with "thoughts and prayers" when a tragedy strikes. Perhaps that criticism might be warranted depending on the circumstance. But prayer IS action and it IS important.
We can learn a lot from how people respond to Jesus. As we walk through Matthew 26, we will seek to know Jesus and what it truly means to worship him.
Difficult times are part of God's plan, according to the Apostle Paul. How do we who believe live in the midst of a sinful world ... a world that seems to drift farther from the ways of God with each passing year?
What does it mean to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ? Brian Morrison examines the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 and shows us the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities God gives us to further His kingdom.
What do we do when the storms of life come? In Psalm 57, David wrote about how he responded ... turning to God as his refuge, trusting God to use him, and praising God through it all.
Human achievements can be impressive, but they don't last forever. What really matters is the time and resources we invest in the work of the Kingdom of God. What does that mean for us, especially in light of the return of Jesus?
It's impossible for us to truly examine our hearts on our own. So, how do we know what's going on inside and what needs to change? Thankfully, God gives us an answer through the writings of King David and the James, the brother of Jesus.
In Matthew 23, Jesus issues a public indictment of the scribes and Pharisees, and even calls them hypocrites. As we examine what takes place in the hypocritical heart, we must also ask God to examine us for those same tendencies so we can turn from them and turn back to Him.
Over and over again in the Bible, God gives us the truth that we are better together. Are we applying that truth to our daily lives? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to be together as followers of Jesus? Join Pastor Dan as he lays out what this means as we continue to … Continue reading Midweek Devotion | We are better together →
In Matthew 21, Jesus violently cleanses the temple. How do we follow that example? Should we who follow him also seek to violently cleanse the world we live in? Or does following this example have more to do with the state of our own heart?
We live in the world, but we are not to be of the world. How do we apply this truth as a citizen of the Kingdom of God and a citizen of our country … specifically as it relates to our leaders? Proverbs 21:1-4 gives us some answers. Join Pastor Dan for this week’s devotion!
Our January 17 worship gathering will focus on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 20, and the dangers of comparing ourselves to others.
Do you have ears to hear and eyes to see God’s truth? This means more than just hearing and seeing … it means understanding and obeying. Join Pastor Dan for this week’s midweek devotion as he connects Proverbs 20:12 to the teachings of Jesus.
Only God is good, and it is impossible for imperfect people to come to Him. However, He makes all things possible.
Our words are powerful. They can bring healing and they can bring pain. Pastor Dan leads us through several verses in Proverbs that remind us of the need for us to be cautious about the words we speak and post online.
Following Jesus … it truly is a journey of faith. And when we have faith – even faith like a small seed – nothing is impossible.
Where has your heart been directed during 2020? We actually have a role to play in the direction of our hearts as we go to God and ask Him to do this. In our final midweek devotion of the year, Pastor Dan calls all of us to follow the example of Paul recorded for us … Continue reading Midweek Devotion | December 30, 2020 →
Like many events recorded in the Bible, the journey of the wise men includes several powerful lessons for us as we seek Jesus this Christmas season. Join Brian Morrison, one of our deacons, for some time together in God’s Word!