Word of Life: Recent Episodes
Calvary Chapel Monrovia
Word of Life is the radio and podcast ministry of Richard Schork. Richard is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Monrovia in Monrovia California.
If it comes down to our own strength, we’re incapable of keeping ourselves in right relationship with God. Even once you’ve accepted salvation in Christ, you’ll find yourself stumbling into sin all too often. As Pastor Richard will remind you today, the only way your salvation can be maintained is through Jesus. You simply abide in Him, trusting that His work on the cross was enough to secure you and keep you till He calls you home.
The Bible is God’s Word to mankind. He can communicate with us in a few ways: His Spirit can speak directly to us, usually, His voice is softer than a whisper. Or He may speak to us through other believers. But the most common way God reveals His character and will to us is through the Bible. As Pastor Richard will remind us today, this book needs to be front and center in our lives as we seek to know God and become more like Jesus.
We love to overcomplicate things. We add all kinds of conditions and expectations to salvation. Whether it’s our own salvation or that of other people, if we’re not living up to a certain standard – dressing and acting a certain way for example – we question the authenticity of it. Our behavior should demonstrate our salvation, but ultimately, as Pastor Richard will remind us, what really matters is that our hearts have fully trusted in Christ.
Paul lived out his faith in a humble way, imitating the same attitude He saw in Jesus. All too often, modern pastors and evangelists come with a long list of expectations, spoken or unspoken, as to how they should be treated. Their ministry is more centered around them than the one they serve. Today, Pastor Richard will point out that God invites all of us into this humble approach to our relationships and ministry roles.
You’re called by God to be a good steward with what you have, and part of that means to be generous with the good things God has placed in your life. Today, Pastor Richard is going to remind you that God’s bank account doesn’t run dry. He’s capable of doing way more than we could ask or imagine, and He’s ready to bless you abundantly, too, if you’re faithful to give Him glory and to steward well what He’s so graciously poured out on your life.
Paul spread a message of unity everywhere he went. A lot of great things for the ministry were a result of God moving in people’s hearts so that they gave, to support spreading love to those in need. Today, Pastor Richard’s going to be with you in Acts to show you examples of what an impact a group of believers can have on the world around them when they trust God completely with what’s been given to them.
How do we withstand the snares and attacks of the enemy? Today, Pastor Richard will teach listeners that the Gospel is not a one-time message for Salvation, but a repeated Word for believers to lean on in all phases of life. Have you sensed the enemy trying to steal your joy, shame you, or lure you with worldly desires? Remember the Truth of the Gospel, and allow the Holy Spirit to encourage and equip you against such attacks!
The power of the early church was all from the Holy Spirit and the Good News of the Gospel. In today’s teaching, Pastor Richard will show listeners that the apostles didn’t enter cities with long, prepared, man-made speeches in an effort to convert unbelievers. They simply took the message of the Gospel, and its power changed lives! You can share the Good News of Jesus boldly with others because its message is powerful and life-changing!
Have you been missing out on the fullness that comes with following Christ? Today, Pastor Richard will encourage listeners to remember what God has done and repent if needed to turn back to Him. The distractions of life can often drown out our “first love” of Jesus. It is important to preach the Gospel to ourselves daily to never waiver in our love towards Him! How can you better remember the Lord’s work in your life today?
How can we know that we are living in the perfect will of God for our lives? In today’s teaching, Pastor Richard will encourage listeners to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, so that every step is in accordance with God’s plans. A life that is led by the Spirit of God is foolproof! If you have chosen to surrender your life to the Lord, humbly ask for the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you through every one of life’s moments and decisions.
What is God’s calling on your life? God has given us the power to be His witnesses. Be a part of advancing God’s kingdom, no matter where you are. In today’s message, Pastor Richard challenges us to be advancing the kingdom of God. We don’t have to do it alone. From the heritage of the early church throughout the generations, we are to be about sharing the gospel. We have a world of believers everywhere to help us.
When we witness how a person’s life is turned around through belief in Jesus, we know it is a true miracle. Do you know someone who has actually spoken against belief in God, and literally did things to obstruct the work of the church? In his message today, Pastor Richard explains how God worked in the apostle Paul’s life to change him from a persecutor of believers to one of the greatest ambassadors for Christ to have ever lived.
Are there times when you don’t feel like you are of any use in God’s work? It’s easy to assume we are not accomplishing anything for God when we are not seeing Him move through our work. Even the apostle Paul had times when he felt like he was not doing anything for the Kingdom. Today, Pastor Richard describes how Paul continued to do the tasks that were within his reach, and we also must keep doing what we know to do.
Do you ever find yourself frozen in your spiritual growth because you are waiting on answers or waiting for God to do something? In today’s message, Pastor Richard teaches us to go as far as we can, do our best, and then commit the rest to God. He encourages us to keep moving forward and to be willing to trust God to bring our work to fruition. You may not always see immediate results, but our responsibility is to remain faithful.
Our Father in Heaven is incredibly patient. Our sin breaks His heart and separates us from Him, but it’s the sin He hates - not us. He loves us dearly and works long before we come to Him to reveal that love and draw us in. As Pastor Richard will remind us in today’s message, when you accept Jesus as your Savior, you become a Child of God and He patiently works on your heart. It rarely happens overnight, but He is transforming you as you seek His heart.
You don’t need to be afraid of the spiritual realm all around you if you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior. He’s with you and protects you, but there is a full-on battle happening for your soul as well as every soul around you. As Pastor Richard continues our study of the book of Acts in today’s message, he’ll challenge us to open our ears and eyes for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we encounter daily opportunities to share Jesus with this world.
That really is the polar opposite of what culture is teaching, isn’t it? Our culture says you need to put yourself first. How you feel and what you want is more important than anything else in your world. This self-worship comes naturally. But, as Pastor Richard will challenge us in today’s message, God calls us to a life that puts Him and others above ourselves. When you devote yourself to that selfless life, you’ll find deep meaning and purpose.
All of us are called to serve the Lord in different ways. God created us to be unique and our gifts and roles will be just as unique. You’ll have some who have much more visible gifts and teach or lead well, whereas you’ll have others who serve vital roles behind the scenes, with little to no recognition. As Pastor Richard will point out today, those who serve in quiet humility may not be recognized in this life, but God sees them and will reward them greatly.
It’s easy to sing worship songs when things are going well. You’ve resisted sin and everything’s been falling into place. The music will naturally flow from your heart in those moments. But, as Pastor Richard will challenge us in today’s message, can you worship God in the dark moments? Worship doesn’t come naturally in a dungeon, but it brings your heart into a place of faith and gratitude that can sustain you through that dark time.
The future can be daunting, even without certainty over what’s to come. That unknown aspect can be the hardest part. For many of us, if there were a way to look ahead and get a glimpse of what’s to come, we’d take it. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, this isn’t something God will typically reveal. He’s given us promises of the hope we have in Him, but the journey there is a mystery, and we’ll need to trust Him through it.
There will be believers in Heaven who weren’t baptized. It isn’t essential to receive salvation - Jesus has done everything necessary to save us, and all you need to do is trust in Him. But, as Pastor Richard will encourage us in today’s message, sacraments like baptism and communion are important symbols that all Christians should practice as a public and personal demonstration of what Christ has done in their hearts.
Our relationships with each other are an essential part of the Christian journey. Far too many believers take on a cowboy-type mindset where they just want to take on the vast wilderness on their own. You may do fine for a while, but God designed us to need relationships. As Pastor Richard will encourage us in today’s message, it’ll require stepping out of your comfort zone, but it’s important to find ways to get involved in your church.
God can restore, what the locust has eaten! In today’s message, Pastor Richard reminds us that we serve an awesome God; who can put us back on track, and restore what was once counted as lost in our lives. He’s called us to be peacemakers and ministers of reconciliation. If there weren’t going to be stumbling blocks on our paths, He wouldn’t need these to make right; what went wrong, right? He sent His Holy Spirit, who is the comforter for the uncomfortable.
We’ve all had disagreements, right? Maybe you’ve even had some strong disagreements with close family, or your church family. In today’s message, Pastor Richard shines a light on how Paul dealt with conflict in his ministry. Sometimes people mess up, and sometimes they just need a second chance; to fulfil what God has called them to. God doesn’t choose perfect people to accomplish His work; if He did He’d never get anything done.
You have to think that after living a life under Jewish Law; this whole Grace thing caused a bit of confusion. In today’s message, Pastor Richard illustrates how faith in Jesus is the principal matter concerning salvation; but Paul added a couple of details apart from just faith in Jesus. Still, Paul advocated Grace over Jewish traditions. Stay tuned to unpack those details, we alluded to earlier; as the Pastor displays the full counsel of the Word for you today!
Family meetings are important to have from time to time. In today’s message, Pastor Richard shows us a family meeting concerning Paul, Barnabus, and John Mark. Meetings can provide valuable insight from leadership, and help us keep the main thing, the main thing. Some churches were confused about this law and grace thing, but God relied on Godly leaders to reveal His will and preserve His word; in its entirety.
What do you need to do, in order to pick up your cross and follow Jesus? Today, Pastor Richard teaches about how Paul and Barnabas put everything on the line, to spread the Gospel to all kinds of people. Although their road was difficult, they were able to perform miracles, because they had been empowered by the Holy Spirit. Likewise, God’s power can accompany you, as you further the work of the Great Commission in your communities.
When was the last time you had to persevere while witnessing to others? There is a balance to be struck, between standing your ground for the truth, and knowing when to retreat from a spiritual battle. Today, Pastor Richard teaches about how Paul and Barnabas wrestled with the same balance on their first missionary journey. You may face opposition when preaching the Gospel, but you can trust the Holy Spirit to guide your steps.
When people think about evangelism, they often think about the things that they’re not. The thoughts of being unqualified plague most Christian's minds when it comes to sharing the Gospel. God has not left without Help! We are equipped with the Word of God, The Holy Spirit, and our own Testimony. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will be sharing about how we can earnestly and efficiently share the Gospel with people in our lives!
Is there someone that you know that you think needs the message of the Gospel? Do you remember how the Good news of what Jesus did first affected you? There are hearts out there that are longing for the message that the church carries, but someone needs to bring it to them. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will be sharing about the importance of sharing the Gospel with the lost and broken world around us!
As soon as Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, a restoration plan was already set in place. It is a testimony to God’s faithfulness. When we share the Gospel with someone it actually goes all the way back to Genesis. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will be sharing more about the story of salvation. The more we learn about The Bible and God, the more we should be able to trace back to the original plan for salvation!
How many people do you know that have different religious backgrounds? Maybe You know people who don’t believe in God at all. Most people are looking for meaning and most religious people believe in an afterlife. Jesus made it clear that there is only one way to the Father and that is through Him. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will be sharing about how Jesus made the claim that He is the only way to Heaven and eternal life.
What do you think of when you hear the word “Worship.” Maybe your mind goes right to the music that you may sing in church. Maybe you think of the Old Testament where they would sacrifice animals in worship. Worship is many things, one of the primary ways of expressing worship to God is through singing to Him! In today’s message, Pastor Richard will be sharing about worship and how we can actually bless the heart of God with our worship.
Faith is something that the Bible speaks a lot about. Sometimes we think of it as an obscure intangible thing, but that's not the case! Faith is actually something that we can steward and grow in! The Bible likens us to children. Part of being a child is the process of growing up! In today’s message, Pastor Richard will be sharing about how we can grow in our faith as Christians! What steps do you think you can take to grow in your faith?
Everyone loves a good testimony of God coming through. We read incredible stories in the Bible where God comes through and saves His people, or someone gets healed, delivered, or saved! However, there are times when we stay in the trial a little longer than we would like to. In these moments, we lean closer to God. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will be sharing about how we can contend for God to move in impossible situations.
How often do you see the same kind of power displayed in the Bible in your life? Are you seeing God move in, around, and through your life? When we read through the Bible we see that big moves of God are usually prompted by His people praying. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will be going through the power of Prayer. If we want to see the power of the Gospel in our lives we have to bring everything to the Lord in Prayer!
Do you know the story of Barnabus? A man who constantly and quietly moved people closer to God. Maybe you know a Barnabus in your life. Maybe that's who encouraged you to put your faith in God. Today Pastor Richard describes him as an incredible man of God. Someone to model your behavior after. He created a community that is so foundational to your faith. After all, God is clear throughout the Bible that this life is not to be lived alone.
How do you know that God is there when you need Him? One way is simply by your faith, but today Pastor Richard offers several specific examples of how Peter and the church of Jeruselum saw God at work and how you can see His hand on your life every day. Knowing this, you can start to look for Him and seek Him in your daily routine, whether at work, the gym, or at church. God is everywhere and is paving the way for His will in your life.
Do you believe that you’re good enough for God? Did you know that He knows you better than you know yourself? Once you accept that, and ask God to lead your life, you will find that He’s been right there waiting patiently for you the whole time. Today Pastor Richard says you can’t prepare yourself for God. He prepared you! He created you! You are exactly as you should be. But once you begin your walk with Christ get ready to leave the old you behind.
Have you ever been thrown into a situation where you knew you had to lead by example? It’s never easy, but if you do it enough, you will find it more familiar in time. Today Pastor Richard talks about leading in your Christian walk and being an example to others. It can feel difficult or even repetitive, and your excitement can start to fade. That is why it’s so important to listen to how God wants to use you. His plan for your life is anything but dull or repetitive.
How good is your spiritual radar? Today Pastor Richard says you need to have it, but be careful not to overuse it. Not everything is a sign from God. But you should be aware of, and even looking for, the things that are. When you aren’t sure, there are two ways to fact-check your intuition - read your bible and ask God for clarity during prayer. You will find your answer when you are spending regular time in The Word and in constant prayer with Him.
If there’s one consistent message in the Bible, it's that God loves all His children! Everything and everyone has been created with a divine purpose. Today Pastor Richard reminds you to be encouraged by this fact. He adds some perspective to this by comparing God’s love of even the smallest creatures to how He loves you. You should find comfort in the knowledge that God loves you for you and isn’t keeping score or handing out points based on effort.
How do you define the word religion? If you grew up in a Christian home, or have accepted Christ into your heart, then you probably use religion and faith interchangeably, but beware! Today Pastor Richard explains how religion can be applied to anything. Your work, family, hobbies, and addictions, can all become religions if you’re not careful. With so many religions in the world today, you must be diligent in the pursuit of a relationship with God!
How many times have you been tempted to impose your will for God, instead of God’s will for you? It happens all the time, and today Pastor Richard says it could even be happening when you don’t realize it! Like Paul, you may be proud of the efforts you’ve made and the things you’ve done in the name of God, but it’s possible that it's all been for you. You have disguised your efforts unintentionally as the will of God while living out your will instead.
We all have difficulties with obedience. We tend to ignore what the other person has to say and do what we want, whether at work or in a relationship. Even as believers, we have a tendency to disregard God's commands in favor of doing what we want. Pastor Richard explains today, how you can begin listening to and obeying God. God only wants the best for your life, and He intends to guide you through it. You only need to learn to listen to Him.
Nobody ever wishes for a difficult life. We all want everything to be simple. Even as believers, we want to spread the Gospel easily. But is that how God operates? Pastor Richard discusses in today's message, why God allows trials in your life. When things start to go wrong in your life as a believer, you start making excuses. But God uses those difficulties and trials to show you the right path and to spread the Gospel through your life.
You may have thought about what the law does in your life. Pastor Richard clarifies in today’s message, how God created law in order to save you. We considered ourselves to be perfect in the absence of law. However, God created law to expose our flaws. He assisted us in recognizing our sins, and sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to this world to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus washed away all of our sins, making us whole again!
Have you ever purchased something that you have wanted for a long time? You tend to lose interest in it after a certain period of time. Even as believers, we have a tendency to lose faith in God from time to time. We may pretend to love God, but our hearts are already far apart from Him. Pastor Richard describes today, how you can love God with all of your heart. You can begin to cultivate a relationship with God, as that is all He desires from you.
Selfishness is a problem that we all face. We are frequently self-centered, putting our own interests ahead of those of others. But is that how God intends for you to live? Today, Pastor Richard explains how to overcome your self-centeredness. God has an agenda for your life. Instead of making your own plans, you can surrender your life to God and ask Him to be your guide. God only wants the best for your life. All you need to do is be humble and obey Him.
We humans are always in a hurry to make decisions. We frequently make the wrong decision as a result of our haste. Even as believers, we can misinterpret what God says to us and start doing the opposite. Pastor Richard explains in today’s message, how you can begin focusing on what God wants to tell you. Instead of rushing, you can slow down and take your time, meditating on God's Word. When He gives you the confirmation, you can begin working.
You may feel a strong desire to be greatly used by God. You can pray to God to work in your life and provide everything you need to serve Him, but you may not always get what you want. Pastor Richard clarifies in today’s message, how you can serve God with whatever you have. We are all called to serve God, but He has a unique path for each of us. You can even begin serving God by assisting someone in need, trusting God every step of the way.
We are all stubborn in our own ways. We refuse to listen to others and prefer to do our own thing. And most of the time, our lone decision is a disaster. But did you know there's someone you can always count on? Today, Pastor Richard explains how to start listening to God. You may prefer your decision to what God wishes to do in your life. Instead, you can put your trust in His ways and submit to His will, because He knows what's best for you!
We all face challenges in our lives. It deteriorates to the point where we require a miracle. However, rather than relying on God, we tend to rely on ourselves. Pastor Richard tells you in today's message, how you can always rely on God. When you put your faith in Christ, God begins to work in your life. You may feel alone at times, but God never leaves you. He works in your life to get you back on the right track. God performs miracles when you least expect it.
I don’t know about you, but I know I want to live in the light! The light that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice made for us to live! The Lord had a plan when He sacrificed His son, Jesus, It was to change our lives, wash away our sins, and give us the Holy Spirit! In today’s message, Pastor Richard will remind you of that sacrifice and to never take it for granted. God truly sacrificed everything so YOU could live a free and joyous life here on earth.
Everyone can be an encourager! Everyone has something they can share and bring to the church to lift up the body of Christ. God made each and every single one of us to be different and to work together to spread the Good News of Jesus in our everyday lives! In today’s message, Pastor Richard will encourage you to step out in faith and share the gift or gifts that the Lord has given you to use to edify the Church. So, what is your spiritual gift?
Our number one priority as Followers of Christ should be to share our passion for Jesus! Which in turn shares Jesus’ passion for His people reaching His lost people. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will share how there is a HUGE significance in sharing Jesus with others, especially if those people are family. Family is such an important thing in really, any religion and culture, so we must be sharing the love and joy that is Jesus every single day!
“The Gospel will always be resisted”... I think as Christians, we should take that as a challenge. Every single second of every single day trying to share the beautiful message of Jesus Christ. In today’s teaching, Pastor Richard will encourage you to be willing to share your story, share how God has changed your life, and share in detail His amazing works! There are people you come into contact with every day who need YOU to share Jesus with them!
God loves you and He wants to bless you and your family and all people. He created us and went to incredible lengths to restore His relationship with us after sin broke it. He sees the destruction sin causes in all of us and He loves us too much to leave us in it. He gave His Word to lead us into repentance. As Pastor Richard will encourage us in today’s message, when we invest our time in studying this book, it brings blessing in our hearts and to those around us.
If you honestly consider that question, it can reveal depths of your heart that are easy to cover or ignore. “What does God think about you, right now?” Pastor Richard will challenge us to ask this question of ourselves in today’s message, and he’ll offer us an answer based on Scripture. Often, our assumptions about how God sees us are far from true. He’s a loving Father, but we often see Him as an angry God, disgusted by our weakness.
The men who crucified Jesus thought they were taking control. Jesus was challenging the status quo. He was going directly against the cultural norms they’d established. He was challenging the power they had established over those they saw as lesser. As Jesus hung on the cross, they felt like they’d won. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, God had already prepared to turn their evil work into something good.
Often we associate revival movements with a specific leader in the Church. If it’s not happening, it’s easy to blame the pastor or other members of the congregation, but revival starts in your heart. As Pastor Richard will point out in today’s message, if you’re putting the responsibility on everyone else and you’re distracted by their lack of passion, you’ll never personally experience the revival you’re longing to see come to the Church.
No one’s expecting you to be Billy Graham or even as articulate as your pastor when it comes to sharing the Gospel. If you’ve experienced Christ in your own heart and life, you have everything you need to be an effective evangelist. As Pastor Richard will encourage us in today’s message, we need to be ready and open about what Jesus has done and continues to do in our own hearts - that’s the most effective way to witness.
When you accept Christ’s invitation to follow Him, your life moves from being focused on serving yourself to serving Him and His purpose in this world. As Pastor Richard begins our study of the book of Acts in today’s message, he’ll remind you that you’re called into something so much bigger and greater than your personal goals and ambitions. You’re called to take the life-giving Gospel to the lost and broken souls all around you.
Even against an army more equipped and with more men than they had, Jonathan was a man who completely depended on God for protection and for victory. No matter how the odds were stacked, he knew that what God wanted would be done. Nothing can stand in His way, and Jonathan knew it. Today, Pastor Richard’s going to encourage you to look at the example of Jonathan’s faith so you can have the same confidence in God, too.
Are you confident that God will always act for you when He needs to? Do you know for certain that He’s always watching out for you? Jonathan in the Old Testament did. He even went out to find God’s will when he didn’t hear anything from God, to see if God wanted him to make a move with the Israelite army. Today, Pastor Richard’s going to encourage you to have the same kind of absolute faith that just knows that God’s always there beside you.
God always fulfills the promises He makes to you, even in seasons where life is uncertain, unstable, or terrifying. But, as Pastor Richard will point out for you today, sometimes the most challenging times you go through are only to prepare your heart for the great things God has planned for you next. That’s what He did for Hannah in The Bible. He made a promise to her that she held on to, even to the point of tears and pouring her heart out to Him.
Sometimes the hardest times in your life will turn out for good in the end. Even when there’s no hope in sight. Have you ever been in a season of spiritual “winter,” where it seems there’s no way out of the hole you’re in? Today, Pastor Richard has some encouragement for you. As you’ll see from the example of Hannah in The Bible, sometimes God is letting you go through those times to prepare you for something much greater that’s coming.
It’s all too easy to grow proud when you accomplish goals and get through challenges in life. Even if you sensed God’s presence, you can frequently come back to your own fortitude and effort. Yet, as Pastor Richard teaches today, it’s essential to remain humble and glorify God for your victories and blessings. When you recognize that God is with you, guiding you, and working through you, it’s easy to give Him glory and trust Him all the more.
When God called you out of sin and darkness and you believed in Him through faith, you were brought into light and life and joy. Yet, as Pastor Richard teaches today, it’s all too easy to drift back to where you were before the Lord. Compromise and complacency can slowly creep back into your life, and you’ll find yourself far from the Lord. Stay close to God. Walk faithfully and obediently with Him. Don’t be content living with less than God intends for you!
When life is good, when it feels like you’re receiving God’s blessings, it’s easy to follow Him and obey. Yet, when God calls you to take a step of faith, to walk in difficulty and challenge, it’s harder to believe and obey. Pastor Richard teaches today that it’s important in those moments, when God is calling you out, to remember Him - His character, His faithfulness, His provision in the past and trust Him to lead you to the place He wants to take you next.
Often times God will place a call in your heart, that you desperately want to follow. But the path toward that future is full of struggle and risk. Today, Pastor Richard will explain how the life God is calling you to is the best life you can live despite any struggle or sacrifice. You’ll be gaining blessing and God’s favor. But, you must trust through the struggle. You must walk toward that future in faith that God will be with you and do the impossible for you.
The story of Samson is pretty disappointing. When you imagine what God could have done through him if he hadn’t compromised with Delilah, his life seems like a major failure. Maybe you’re in a similar place in your life… you’ve heard God’s call and know He has great things for you, but the allure of sin has pulled you down. As Pastor Ben will encourage us through the story of Samson, you don’t have to stay down. Return to Jesus and surrender to Him and He will redeem and use you.
Samson is a cautionary story for all of us. This man was blessed by God – a hero for the people who God endowed with superhuman strength and courage. He lost it all because of compromise. He allowed the feelings he had for a wicked woman to lead him into mistakes that would take years to reconcile and ultimately result in his death. In today’s message, Pastor Ben will challenge us to do better. Don’t compromise on God’s calling. He can accomplish great things in you when you remain faithful.
As the Israelites endured their final days as slaves in Egypt, one of their final acts was one of faith. They were asked to perform a grisly task – to spread the blood of a lamb on the doorposts of their homes. This blood would spare them from the judgment God was bringing on their oppressors. As Pastor Richard will point out in today’s message, faithful acts would be celebrated the same night that Jesus was arrested and ultimately sentenced to the cross to shed His blood for all our freedom.
There are certainly times when God’s call is immediate and seems irrational, but as Pastor Richard will point out in today’s message, God works just as much or even more through methodical times of seeking His will in prayer, study, and consultation with other believers. It still may lead us to seemingly irrational actions – the Israelite army marching around the walls of Jericho is a prime example – but it doesn’t have to be something done on a whim without any critical thinking.
Are you living the life that God wants for you? Are you believing and living in His promises to you? Joshua was told to be strong and courageous, not because of his own ability, but because of who his God was. If you’re a believer then the God of Joshua is your God too, which means that you should walk with bold faith that God will fulfill His promises to you. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will help you to bravely move forward in your life.
The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, but the crossing of the wilderness into the promised land was only supposed to take a couple of days. Their lack of faith caused them to lose sight of God which left them in the wilderness. Does your relationship with God feel like you spend most of your time in the wilderness? In today’s message, Pastor Richard will show you how to move forward into the life that God wants for you.
There will be many tests of faith as you seek to live the life that God has called you to. Joseph was given a vision that he’d be a ruler, but it wasn’t until after he’d been enslaved, falsely accused, and imprisoned that his vision became a reality. In today’s message, Pastor Bryan will teach you that while it’s important to persevere, the end goal only matters if your heart is able to forgive and love like Jesus. Is your heart full of bitterness, or love?
Man, isn’t that SO true? Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, most people can relate to feeling discouraged from chasing a dream that God’s put in their hearts. As you look at the story of Joseph, you’ll see that there will always be opposition when it comes to trying to live the life that God is calling you to, but the biggest mistake you can make is giving up. In today’s message, Pastor Bryan will show you how to persevere like Joseph.
In today’s message, Pastor Richard focuses on one of the most profound, and even bizarre, accounts in the Bible. Jacob was a man who struggled with trusting God. He often took matters into his own hands which resulted in more harm than good. Can you relate? He encounters God in an amazing way, which changes him. It’s an encounter that I’m sure you’d never expect. Keep listening to hear how God changed someone, much like you.
One of Jacob’s greatest struggles is one that I’m sure everyone can relate to today. It’s the struggle to trust God enough to stop relying on your own striving. How often do you pray a prayer of dependence and then immediately find yourself putting together an action plan out of fear and anxiety? In today’s message, Pastor Richard will show you that God will do whatever it takes to prove his faithfulness, even if it means wrestling with you.
In today’s message, Pastor Richard will teach you about the incredible faith of Abraham. God made an enormous promise to Abraham. He promised him that he would be the father of many generations, the father of God’s people. There was only one issue, they were way too old to have children! The story doesn’t end there though. You’ll see that God is a man of His word. Do you believe that God will fulfill His promises to you?
When Abraham encountered God it changed his whole life. He could’ve complained that he was too old to raise a kid, that he didn’t have the energy. But that wasn’t His response. He realized that God’s purpose for His life was more important than his own desires, and as a result of His obedience, he became an integral part of God’s plan. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will teach you how to have faith and obedience like Abraham.
When was the last time you truly experienced joy in your life? Even if you consider yourself a happy person, have you ever truly experienced joy in the fullest sense? Today, Pastor Richard explains to us that there is a huge difference between happiness and joy. It’s easy to experience happiness in our lives, but many of us forget what it feels like to experience joy. It’s not just a moment that passes by, but instead, something that we produce inside of us.
The most important thing in our walk with Christ is one word—love. In today’s message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that God has always loved you, but in order to get closer to Him, you need to let go of the things that you know He wants you to move on from. To follow Jesus is to experience the purest form of love. While this will always remain true, to encounter Him to the fullest, you need to act on what you know He wants you to do.
Through social media, television, and the radio, there are endless ways for us to quickly hear amazing messages. It’s a wonderful thing to find a pastor that you love to hear, but do you make sure to check through the Bible that the message has sound Biblical truths? Today, Pastor Richard wants you to know that you need to be steeped in God’s Word and hold any messages taught to it’s standard. Don’t compromise on what’s true and surround yourself with Biblically inspired teachings.
There are so many different views on the book of Revelation. Some people choose to center their life around it, while others completely ignore it. In today’s message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that the book of Revelation is very real, and at some point in time, trials and tribulations will come. As Christians, we need to have a mindset like John’s. Instead of worrying about how awful things might be for you on this earth, look to His kingdom.
In our culture, it’s easy to view the Bible as only applicable to the time period that it was written. Today, Pastor Richard wants you to know that God’s word has always remained true even to this day. You can’t just decide to stop putting your trust in Him and only coast on the relationship. When you see the Bible as a fountain of life, just as true as the Lord, you can begin to relate to it and draw closer to Him.
Do you have worries that you can never seem to get past? Are there fears that you’ve let consume you because you’ve never been able to overcome them? In today’s message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that if you put your trust in God, you have nothing to fear. He is sovereign over all, the beginning and the end. Don’t keep letting the things of this world get to you and cause panic and fear in your life. Let God save you through His perfect love...
The most important thing in our walk with Christ is one word—love. In today’s message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that God has always loved you, but in order to get closer to Him, you need to let go of the things that you know He wants you to move on from. To follow Jesus is to experience the purest form of love. While this will always remain true, to encounter Him to the fullest, you need to act on what you know He wants you to do.
There has always been a debate among religions as to who Jesus really is. Many of us view Him differently and it’s easy for the magnitude of who He is to get forgotten. Today, Pastor Richard wants you to know that you need to view Jesus as the Lord overall. He was sent to earth in human form to save you from your sin, but that doesn’t mean that He is any different from God. When you start to live your life viewing Jesus in this way, you’ll experience assurance, peace, and hope.
Have you ever been in a situation that felt hopeless? Have you ever felt isolated with nowhere to turn? In today’s message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that if you want to be redeemed from your mistakes and troubles, let God guide your life. It doesn’t matter what your past is or what you’re going through, He has always been there for you and wants to give you deliverance. Give it all God and be set free.
As Christians, we all find ourselves in a rut at one time or another. We go about our routines and can’t help but have moments with the Lord that feel disconnected. In today’s message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that you need to keep your prayer life focused and consistent. He is calling you to worship Him and one of the purest forms of worship is prayer. Even if you don’t know what to say, call upon the Lord and He will answer.
When a plant is without water and is in the sun for too long, it gets baked and starts to wither. All the leaves and branches of the plant start to dry up and turn brown. It’s obvious the plant hasn’t had enough water and has had way too much heat. Sometimes this happens with people too! Today, Pastor Richard explains how people get too much “heat,” or pressure from the culture about what’s opposite of the Bible, and they spiritually dry up.
When you’re driving and you get off-course, your GPS reroutes you and gets you back on track toward the direction you should be going. Did you realize that God’s Word has the same effect on your life? The Bible is an effective “rerouting tool” to remind you, and convict you of how to get back on track and follow after God. Today, you get to hear from Pastor Richard about a nation that was being rerouted, and it was actually a really good thing!
When you’re hungry for food, you can only put off eating for so long, before your body starts to rebel. Your appetite is what drives you to go eat something, to satisfy that hunger your stomach is alerting you to. In today’s teaching, Pastor Richard speaks about having hunger and an appetite for the Word of God that can’t be denied. Your spiritual hunger is something you can satisfy with God’s Word – it’s the perfect recipe!
When an army platoon is advancing, there’s a purpose - a mission that they’re on. They’re moving forward, with intention. On the other hand, when a military group sees that they’re outnumbered, they might retreat, and run away. Which camp would you want to be in…one that’s advancing to greater things, or retreating in fear? Today, Pastor Richard touches on what this looks like in a spiritual sense, and how this might look for you!
Just because you have a wall of defense doesn’t mean you should let down your guard. Notice how castles and fortresses from times past have a strong wall for protection, but there’s still a need to be on high alert, looking out for the enemy. Pastor Richard reminds you today that you should also be vigilant for those enemy attacks and invasions that are looking to creep into your heart and mind. Be on guard, and keep watch!
Has anyone ever accused you of doing something that was blatantly untrue? Jesus has been where you are. As Pastor Richard teaches today, you'll learn how devastating it can be to have others lie about you. Even more than just hurt feelings, it can throw off your ministry impact! Being derailed is a real threat to what God has called you to do. Pastor Richard reminds us that we should seek God to keep us faithful in the face of rumors.
Are you good a creating order in your day? Some say it's a talent to be organized and maximize your daily calendar. As Pastor Richard teaches today, you'll learn that prioritizing isn't just a business skill, but one that is spiritual and taught in scripture. We discover how Nehemiah stayed focused through many attempts of being “worn down.” Pastor Richard reminds us that the discipline of maintaining priorities is vital.
God is the illustration and teacher of all good things. We learn about generosity only because we have been recipients of God's generosity in our lives. As Pastor Richard teaches today, you'll learn you can afford to be generous, whether monetarily or through giving your time and love, because God was first generous to you. Pastor Richard reminds us that sincere giving is anchored in the heart of God – and that's good news!
When you hear the word “generosity,” do you often start thinking of how much money you would love to give away? As Pastor Richard teaches today, you'll learn that money is not the only way you can be generous. Your time, talent, skill, love, and kindness are ways you can give of yourself lavishly. Pastor Richard reminds us to be proactive by walking in the spirit and therefore, you'll “grow” in your generosity!
How do you deal with conflict? Do you throw up your fists and say, “bring it on!” Or do you run the other way, avoiding it at all costs? Pastor Richard teaches us in today's message, that God cares how we deal with conflict because He cares how we deal with each other. The world's way always says, “I'm right and you're wrong.” God's way say's, “I forgive you.” His way say's, “I love, and I will lay down my rights, to be reconciled with you.”
In Today's world, we're no strangers to conflict. We see it all around us, whether it's two nations at war with each other, or national politics, or a dispute among your own family. We all know conflict. In today's Message, Pastor Richard teaches us that as Christians, much conflict is avoided when we submit ourselves to the word of God. When we live under the authority of His word, we'll experience the unity, that only He can give us.
Well, God may not use your lunch to feed thousands of people, but He will do great things with what you do offer Him, no matter how small it may seem. Nehemiah’s story shows you that God is after your willingness to work. He wants you to give of yourself and your resources for the task He has for you. Pastor Richard urges you to ask the Lord to show you what part you can play in what He’s doing around you. He’ll use you in ways you can’t imagine!
Be on guard. It’s a standard warning throughout the Bible. This a call to be watchful because you have a spiritual enemy who wants to take you out. That’s the connection that Pastor Richard makes in today’s study. Nehemiah and the others stand against those who want to physically tear them down. One hand is rebuilding the wall, while the other holds a sword. You’ll learn the importance of spiritually being on guard while doing His work.
The older you get, the more you realize that most of your life comprises ordinary, everyday moments. It’s the phone calls, doctor’s visits, dishes, and bedtime routines. It’s building relationships and going to work. Today, Pastor Richard encourages you to follow Nehemiah’s example and keep going, even when it’s hard and you’re tired. God is with you; He’ll give you what you need to move forward one step at a time.
I think we can all relate to what Pastor Richard is describing here. Sometimes it does seem like everything blows up as soon as you decide to do what the Lord put on your heart. That’s why today’s passage is so reassuring. It reminds you that you’re not the only one. Through Nehemiah’s story, God is encouraging you to press on. You’ll see how Nehemiah deals with opposition and how he keeps going even though it seems like the world is against him.
When Nehemiah got to Jerusalem, he found the walls around the city in disrepair. The people were vulnerable without that protection. So they began repairing what was damaged, working near their homes to shore things up. Today, Pastor Richard shares that you need to be doing the same. When you build up the body of believers that you’re a part of, you’re protecting those you love by investing in the spiritual health of your family and friends.
You’ve heard the saying about taking a village. Well, the truth is that God never intended us to go through life on our own. We’re wired to be part of a community. It’s really how we work best… how we’ll thrive the most. And you’ll see this in today’s passage. Nehemiah can’t do all the repairs on his own. He needs everyone to do their part to make things better. Pastor Richard reminds you that God is calling each of us to join in and work together.
Contrary to what Simon and Garfunkel may say, you are not a rock or an island. God created you to be in a community with others, growing and serving alongside each other. And you’ll see this in today’s passage too. Pastor Richard explains that God gave Nehemiah a vision, one he prayed about and pursued by himself. But then, he shared what the Lord had put on his heart with others, inviting them into the work of making that vision into reality.
The stage is set, and the pieces are all in place. Nehemiah has arrived in Jerusalem and is ready to get the lay of the land and check out the work that needs to be done. He’s ready to get started. But, as Pastor Richard shares today, that first step can feel like a huge hurdle. Can you relate to that? Have you put off doing things because you felt overwhelmed or underprepared? You’ll be reminded that God will be with you to do what He’s asked of you.
Many of us would probably agree that it seems like the older we get, the list of people we can rely on grows all the smaller. On the other hand, how many of us can confidently say that others would vouch for us to be as reliable as we'd prefer others to be? In today's message, Pastor Richard reflects on the importance of being trustworthy and reliable to others. In his study, you'll learn the importance of selflessly helping others in need.
Praise be to God that it's not the efforts of our own works, but by the finished work of the Cross that we are saved from our sin. Rather than spending life in angst wondering if we've done enough, we can have full assurance of the hope of salvation. However, as Pastor Richard discusses in his message today, this salvation is marked by a life transformed by The Spirit of God. Is your life being renewed by The Holy Spirit?
Are you mindful of these things that many of us take for granted day in and day out? The Sun, the rain, or even something as simple yet pleasant as a cool breeze to cool the sweat off our brows? In today's message, Pastor Richard will encourage you to align your heart with that of Nehemiah. In his study, you'll learn about the faithful, humble, and yearning heart of Nehemiah, who desired nothing more than a Kingdom-oriented heart.
Due to the constant flow of information regarding our own environment, many of us can scarce imagine the problems of other societies. In fact, the concept of being deeply concerned for places we've never visited is absolutely foreign to most. However, as Pastor Richard discusses in his message today, having a heart that carries the burden of The Lord is a worthwhile pursuit. Are you willing to open your heart?
While God's desire for us to be saved is a wonder in and of itself, the fact that He wants to include us in His plans is an even bigger wonder. The fact that the maker of the Heavens and the Earth wants to use us at all is truly remarkable. As Pastor Richard discusses in his message today, each and every believer has used it in The Kingdom of God. Are you making yourself available for this amazing opportunity for God's Kingdom?
Do you ever feel like throwing in the towel at the end of the day? That you really don't have the ability or will to change your life? Great news! God can and IS working powerfully to bring about the change to live a life set apart from the world around you. As you’ll learn from Pastor Richard today – God's in it for the long haul with you, he's not going to give up on you. Ever. He's more powerful than any situation in your life. Give it to Him, he's got it!
Do you know what the word sanctify means? It's not a word we use often in our day-to-day lives and maybe not even a word we'd use to describe ourselves. Today, Pastor Richard will walk us through the last 6 verses of 1 Thessalonians to help us better understand this concept of sanctification; of being set apart for a greater purpose and plan that God has made especially for each one of us! How amazing is it that God has a special plan just for you!
Do you regularly hear from God? Is He where you go to find the strength to keep firm in your faith? When you feel a calling from Him to do His work, do you follow? Pastor Richard wants to show you today how important hearing and following God's voice is. It's how His Word gets spread, how people get encouraged, and how His congregations stay focused on Him and remain spiritually healthy in all of their everyday lives.
A healthy church starts with a healthy congregation. And a healthy congregation starts with spiritually healthy Christians. Today, Pastor Richard is going to show you different ways The Holy Spirit might move in you and speak to you, and how important it is to follow His calling. When you know something is from God, don't ignore it. Let God do His work through you, without hindering the plans He has for you for your life.
One way to remind yourself of how faithful God is when you're going through some storms is to remember how He's been faithful to you in the past. Even if you can't think of times, look at His faithfulness to His people in The Bible! Today Pastor Richard wants to encourage you to always look to God in good times and bad, so your relationship with Him can grow in any season. He wants you to experience His joy to the fullest every day.
The joy that lasts through all the hard times in your life comes from a healthy relationship with God. Even though the situation might bring pain, you can rejoice in the Lord through it, knowing that you're still growing in Him and that you're going to be stronger when the hard times end. Pastor Richard wants you to remember God's promises today as the storms of life come at you from every side. Where do you find your peace when they do?
We live in a society that is easily offended. We all have this tendency to get upset if we don’t feel like the people around us are treating us just right. Now, as Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, we shouldn’t be perpetuating that victimhood on purpose. Don’t poke wounds just for the sake of poking wounds. But, in light of the grace we’ve received in Christ, we should be ready to extend that grace to others when they offend us.
If you’re a Christian, you’ve put your sinful nature to death and allowed God to breathe His life-giving breath into your soul. In turn, you need to share that life with others. There are times when we need to say hard things to people – things that they aren’t going to want to hear – but how you do that matters a lot. As Pastor Richard will encourage us in today’s message, allow the life-giving Words of Christ to flow out of you into those around you.
Some of us seem to be gifted in judging others. We may see our own shortcomings… but compared to those people – whew! We look pretty good… How often do you find yourself doing that with the Church? Whether it’s people in your own congregation or the Church as a whole, if you’ve accepted Christ as Lord – you’re connected. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will encourage us to get out on the field and help our brothers and sisters.
Some of us seem to be gifted in judging others. We may see our own shortcomings… but compared to those people – whew! We look pretty good… How often do you find yourself doing that with the Church? Whether it’s people in your own congregation or the Church as a whole, if you’ve accepted Christ as Lord – you’re connected. In today’s message, Pastor Richard will encourage us to get out on the field and help our brothers and sisters.
When you see someone on the street corner shouting “the end is near!” you likely are instantly turned off and maybe concerned for their mental health. While their methods may not be effective, their sense of urgency is right on. As Pastor Richard continues our study of 1st Thessalonians in today’s message, he’ll encourage us to take on that sense of urgency. Jesus really could come back any moment, and we need to be living like it.
A word that has seen a lot more use over the last couple of years is “pivot”. The pandemic and the wide variety of responses to it, along with political and social unrest have led to situations that none of us could have expected. We’ve all had to adjust our expectations and find new ways to function in these times. As Pastor Richard will encourage us in today’s message, now more than ever, we need to anchor our souls in the firm foundation of Jesus.
When you face the unknowns of this life – sickness, accidents, needs – whatever you may face, what gives you hope? Is it your own reason and confidence that you can pull yourself out of those bad situations? Is it money or medicine? Maybe it’s in your friends or family? All of those things can be good things, but as Pastor Richard will remind us, they’ll come up short. Only Christ can provide the hope that frees you from fear.
When a woman is pregnant, they have a due date, but they can’t really know for sure when the child will come. For those soon-to-be parents, as the estimated time approaches, they know they need to be ready at any moment. As believers, we need to have a similar mindset for Christ’s return. As Pastor Richard will warn in today’s message, we’re already living in the estimated time – we can’t know for sure, but Christ could return at any moment.
Many of us would be quick to agree that one of the biggest hindrances to our understanding of the goodness of God's glory is our own flesh. Combine that with the attractions of this world and you've got a prime example of why we struggle as believers. However, as Pastor Bryan will teach you in his message today, there's absolutely nothing that can compare to God's glory. In his study, you'll gain a better understanding of what awaits you as a believer.
If you haven’t kept a vineyard, you may not easily grasp the metaphor of pruning the grape vine. When you’re the one being pruned, it’s hard to see the end results in a positive way. As Pastor Richard will point out in today’s message, you may feel a sense of success when you start to see the fruit of God’s work in your life – and that is a reason for joy - but God knows He can bring even more fruit by cutting away at some of the things that hold you back.
Many of us can scarce imagine what it'll be like to experience the full-blown glory of God. In fact, Scripture actually teaches that it's impossible to experience God's glory in a sinful state. This of course is where our new glorified bodies come into play. As Pastor Bryan discusses in his message today, experiencing God's glory to its fullest requires a new state of existence. In his study, you'll learn what it means to truly experience God's presence.
Think about the extreme lengths God went to out of love for you. He sent His only Son, Jesus – in whom everything exists – to take on flesh and subject himself to the unimaginable suffering of the cross. God took on our humble form and made Himself lower than the least amongst us because of His love. As Pastor Richard will ask in today’s message when you give in to sin, do you really think you’ve removed yourself from the scope of that love?
Whether we care to admit it or not, many of us have a limited or narrow comprehension of the fullness of God's grace. Whether it's past experiences, current circumstances, or otherwise, it's all too often that we weigh ourselves down with our lack of understanding. As Pastor Bryan discusses in his message today, God's grace is constantly on the move and continuously liberates. In his study, you'll be encouraged to get back on track with God's plan in your life.
As a Christian, you are an ambassador of Jesus to the world- to those who don't know him. What message are you sharing about him through the way you conduct yourself around others? In today's message, Pastor Richard teaches that you are to love people the way that Jesus does. Loving God and your neighbor are the two most important commandments that Jesus taught. When you live a life full of love, you are representing Jesus well.
Do you ever wonder if God loves you? In today's message, Pastor Richard teaches that you need to look no further than the cross to know he does. When you consider that God sent his only son Jesus to DIE for you, you will see that that is the definition of love. No one has ever loved you more unconditionally and deeply than the Lord does. Have confidence that you are loved and accepted by your Savior. He is for you.
Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions regarding coming to Christ is that you need to clean up so to speak before you do so. However, Scripture makes it very clear that all the cleaning in the world can't make us presentable before God. As Pastor Bryan will teach you in his message today, this is where the gift of new creation from God comes into play. In his study, you'll be reminded that there isn't a single part of the old you that God uses.
Do you charge yourself for the sins you commit? We’re all our own worst critics. You might even be thinking grace is ok for other people, but I’ve been too sinful. God can’t forgive me. Well, you just heard Pastor Bryan give some great news – God isn’t charging you for your sin when you let Jesus give you grace! You won’t be guilty of any of it! What an amazing weight you get to take off your shoulders. Today’s message is full of that kind of great news!
What is the will of the Lord for you? In today's message from Pastor Richard, he shares with you that God's will for you is your sanctification. This is the living and the working out of your faith. How do you demonstrate this within your own circles of the community? Pastor Richard encourages you to train, pray, and lead those around you to Christ. Live out well the Gospel Message and demonstrate to others what it means to follow Christ.
What a fascinating idea Pastor Bryan presents – who you are in Jesus doesn’t depend on what you do. When you give your life to Christ and He gives you grace, you could have a bad day and still be a child of God. You could have a great day and still be a child of God. None of that changes once grace has been given! Pastor Bryan will also tell you today that the other side of this is true too – you can’t do anything to earn that grace in the first place!
What is your motivation for trying to please the Lord? As you listen to today's message from Pastor Richard, he asks you to consider this question. Is your motivation to receive something from the Lord? Or is your motivation simply because of your love for Him? Pastor Richard encourages you, to let the love for God be your aim and motivating factor. Let the love and reverence you have for God propel you forward to living for Him.
In case you’re wondering, you can’t do anything to earn salvation. That’s a fact – any good deed you do won’t excuse the insurmountable list of bad you’ve done. That’s why you need someone to pay for all your sin debt. And even greater news – Someone already did! Pastor Bryan will remind you today how Jesus gave His life so that you could be free from that debt. And now, the good deeds you do are a response to what Jesus has done!
In today's message, Pastor Richard will share with you that you're a temple of the Most High God. When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you. Where you go, God is with you, comforting and guiding... This should give us the confidence to know that no matter what, God is with us! And it should give us pause to ensure that we're properly representing Christ and caring for the temple He is in.
Who exactly needs grace? Pastor Bryan asks you that today as he continues to explore this baffling word. Grace means that you’re getting something you don’t deserve. In fact, you’re getting more than that, for free! And it’s all because someone else died on a cross, a horrible and painful death. That, someone, was God’s Son, Jesus. That death paid for sin, for you, and for everyone. So because everyone has sinned…everyone needs grace!
The Gospel message isn’t complicated. People have sinned, and they can’t do enough to pay for it. God sent His Son to die for us instead – Jesus paid the debt for everyone with His life! So now, you confess you need Jesus to be your Savior, and your free, forever! Grace has been given, and it’s not going to end. But as Pastor Bryan shares today, that seems too easy – and sadly still today people try to add more to it. But truly, grace is that simple!
In today's message, Pastor Richard will encourage you to lead by example. For some Christians, you've been walking with the Lord for many years, several decades even. And for some other Christians, you're very new to your relationship with Jesus... And as brothers and sisters in Christ, we can come alongside one another and lead by example. For those of you that have been with the Lord longer, make yourself available to those who are new.
Grace is free – FREE. No cost to you. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, today Pastor Bryan is going to begin telling you all about the grace of Jesus – the free gift He’s offering you if only you’ll come to Him. You can’t earn it – and you definitely can’t pay for it! Jesus already did – He paid with His life on the cross. Now you might be thinking, what’s the catch? Pastor Bryan will assure you there isn’t one – so why wait to accept this gift?
The Apostle Paul speaks of our faith journey as a race that we need to finish. Today, Pastor Richard wants you to know, that the supernatural event of being born again, is just the beginning of the work of the Spirit in your life. You just began your race, and Paul writes, that you are to run so as to win the prize. But, the amazing part, is how God does it all in us, and all we have to do is believe, and submit to His authority to cause it to happen.
It's easy to get into the mindset that we are really bringing something special to God when we come into a relationship with Him through Jesus. When you hear it said that way...it's laughable, right :-)!?!?!? We brought nothing but our sinfulness to the LORD. And thankfully, He provided complete forgiveness for us. Today Pastor Bryan will continue to focus on the culmination of grace...how grace truly changes us and makes us more like Jesus day by day.
Satan has tried, from the beginning, to thwart God's plan for His creation. Pastor Richard reminds us that no one, not even Satan, can stop God's plans for His church, and for you. What He has promised will come to pass. He will never leave you alone to fend for yourself. Jesus is like your big brother, standing in between you and Satan. All you need to do is believe in Him, trust Him, and pray. Jesus will do the rest.
This fast-paced culture that we live in is constantly pulling us in different directions. From the dings and rings on your phone to the relentless pressure of our schedules...it's nearly impossible to slow down. Today Pastor Bryan shows us that patiently waiting in faith for God to move is the right move. Naomi and Ruth had to carefully walk by faith to see the LORD's will unfold before them. As you listen today, ask the LORD to guide and lead your life.
Every believer is called to bear fruit in the kingdom of God. Today Pastor Richard is encouraging you to submit to the Spirit, who bears the fruit in your life. You may not be called to be a pastor, or in any official capacity, but God's rescue mission, that He sent Jesus on, is not complete, yet. There are souls to be saved, disciples to be made, and as members of His body, you are called to be a part of that mission.
If you're pastor called you right now and asked if you could fill in for him this Sunday...what would your response be? You'd probably be humbled and honored to receive such a request to serve. Now, consider what your response would be if your pastor called and said that there was a large labor-intensive service project at the church that you could serve in. What would your response be? As Pastor Bryan just shared...there's a difference between serving and having the nature of a servant like Jesus.
When you're faced with circumstances that rock your seemingly well-ordered world, you begin to realize what really matters. Today, Pastor Richard wants to encourage you, that God doesn't allow these things to happen to destroy you. Sometimes, we forget that His perspective is an eternal one, and He wants us to gain His perspective. When we do that, we can rejoice in the trial with the expectation of receiving His promise.
So many people ask the question, “What am I supposed to be doing for the LORD? What am I called to do?” Stop and ask yourself, “What do I enjoy and where has the LORD gifted me?” As we just heard from Pastor Bryan, this is probably the exact way that God is calling you to serve Him. Maybe it's time to connect with someone at your church and find out where you can serve the LORD with the gifts and talents that you've been given.
In today's message Pastor Richard reminds you of this foundational Truth, God loves you. You can't earn His love. He is love. A love that would die for you, when you couldn't care less about Him! That kind of love, when you receive it, will cause you to fall in love with Him. And when you are assured of His love, you can stand, and press on, no matter what the world, the flesh, and the devil throws at you.
One of the easiest ways that the enemy wins against us is when we agree with the fiery darts that he hurls at us. He is constantly trying to condemn us. Those awful thoughts about yourself didn't originate from you...they came from the enemy of your soul. Pastor Bryan will help you identify and combat that questioning voice that causes you to question your position in Christ. By faith, your position in Christ is 100% secure.
Life can be hard. Sometimes you feel like you're swimming upstream. Today, Pastor Richard encourages you to press on in your faith in Jesus Christ, despite the obstacles. The Bible teaches you, that in your weakness Christ is made strong, and that His grace is sufficient for you. When you humble yourself to His sovereignty in your life, He gives more grace to walk pleasingly before Him, by faith.
What Pastor Bryan just said deserves repeating, “The degree that you understand the deity of Christ is the degree that your salvation is full, you add nothing to it.” So, stop and ask yourself what you believe about the deity of Christ? Is Jesus God? If He is...then you are secure in your salvation. If Jesus isn't God, then Who is He and what did He do when He gave His life on the cross? He's either God or He isn't.
God sovereignly brings you victory when you're His! In today's message from Pastor Richard, he explains that in this life you will go through times of difficulty. However, what the enemy means for evil in your life, God turns it around for your good. Pastor Richard shares, that no matter the bitter or hard things that you've had to go through, God can redeem it. He can take even what seems like shattered pieces and make a masterpiece.
It's easy to slip into the mindset of justification by works. What does this look like? This looks like experiencing feelings and emotions, both good and bad, that are directly related to our works. When I'm struggling with sin...I feel as if God loves me less and that my salvation is in jeopardy. When I'm victorious and attending church and doing other churchy things...I feel closer to God. It's important to keep in mind that your salvation is not related to your works...it's based upon the person of Jesus Christ.
When you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, your whole life changes! As you listen to today's message from Pastor Richard, he shares with you that when you receive Christ into your life, you become a new creation. God changes the desires and passions of your heart, because you're no longer seeking to live for yourself. Pastor Richard explains, that the closer that you become to Jesus, the more like Him you are.
Even though we don't realize it...many of us treat our relationship with God like a giant slot machine in the sky...if I just drop enough in the coin slot, God HAS TO love me then. If I just read my Bible enough...give enough...volunteer enough time...THEN God will love me. Friends, Pastor Bryan will obliterate that notion today. There is absolutely NOTHING you can do to earn the grace and love of God.
Persecution and Prosperity aren't usually words that we would link together. But as Pastor Richard shares today, Paul was encouraging the Thessalonians that the persecution that they, and other believers in the area were facing, was causing them to prosper spiritually. Is that how you see the struggles in your own life? Are you rising above your situation with a spiritual perspective or is your worldview being dictated by your circumstances?
You may be listening right now and feel that you've gone too far and that God could never forgive you for what you've done. And this is one of the main ways that we become confused about grace actually is. Grace isn't temporary or limited. Pastor Bryan will help you understand today that grace can be extended to you BECAUSE you are righteous. Jesus has made you righteous and therefore God extends grace to you.
The trials of the World can often grab our focus. What we hear on the news or from other people can make it difficult for us to know how to make decisions and live our lives. That's why it’s SO important to keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus. He doesn't waver in the midst of the chaos because He sees everything with perfect perspective. Pastor Richard will show us today that trusting Jesus is our best hope for making our way through all the turmoil.
Today Pastor Bryan begins unpacking grace. Now, many of you listening right now have heard the acronym: “God's riches at Christ's expense.” And while that's a very good way to look at grace...you'll learn today that there's so much more. Jesus didn't just die for you...He actually died IN YOUR PLACE...HE took the penalty that you and I deserved. This means that the death that you WOULD HAVE died...you won't have to because of His sacrifice.
Jesus defied every expectation people had for him as the Messiah and one very significant thing he did that truly upset the religious leaders was that he spent his time with sinners. Pastor Richard points out that this giving of his life to the sick and sinners was how Jesus lived a spiritually significant life. We have the awesome privilege of following him and doing life the way he did—a way that was unpopular yet deeply significant.
I'm so grateful that God knows things far beyond what I know, and that he can see the future he has planned for me. When it's too easy to think I'm forgotten or left behind, or even that I have missed the mark and no longer qualify to serve the Lord, this reminder from Pastor Richard is so important! God has significant spiritual life for me, planned in advance for me. And all he needs is my “yes” in order to bring that plan to fulfillment.
When you think about storing up treasures, what pictures does that bring to mind? Do you see dragons? Pirates? Imagine pursuing heavenly treasure with as much passion and dedication as a pirate pursues gold. A pirate would leave his home and family—if he had one—to sail the seas and find hidden treasure. Think of being that dedicated to your treasure stash in heaven, where the treasure never tarnishes or fades!
Today Pastor Richard discusses the early church and the way they lived with an intense expectation of Christ's imminent return. Maybe for us, the 2,000 years since then has dulled that fervor. If we kept the reality of Jesus' return in front of us all the time, would it change the way we make decisions? I think we would become fearless. We would not be looking for what makes us comfortable. We would be free to follow the crucified Christ.
Pastor Richard will go through some major elements of the Christian life today: faith, hope, love, and the expectation of Christ's return. Does your life truly reflect that hope? Today's message will encourage you to take one more step in the direction of joyful expectation! As you listen today, use this chance to take a moment to evaluate your own life, and ask yourself this question; what would the Spirit write to you?
Pastor Richard is working his way through 1 Thessalonians and discussing all the ways that the testimony about the church there has spread through the area. The power of God has been so active in the church, and it's producing the joy of salvation in the believers' lives. That same power is at work in our lives today and we have the ability to share that joy! The world around us is crying out for everything that we have found in Jesus.
Isn't it exciting that the power of God is woven into the words you speak when you share the gospel? Doesn't it make you want to tell as many people as you possibly can about the good news so that the power of God can spread through your world? You have the power of God inside of you and you have the ability to share that power with a world that is in desperate need. Bring the good news to whoever you can and release the power of God!
Perhaps the most precious commodity in our world today is peace. When you look around it's hard to find! Wars, disasters, diseases, and civil unrest all threaten our peace. But Pastor Richard will tell us today that there is one way to find that peace that transcends our understanding and works in our hearts despite all the tragedy and noise around us, and that's the peace that comes from Christ. He brings peace that cannot be stolen.
The church at Thessalonica only had Paul there to teach them for a short time, yet they become a thriving, exemplary early church. Today, Pastor Richard will look at the church and how it was their sincerity in following Christ that created such an extraordinary place. What can we learn from watching this young church? Just like them, when we seek him with all our hearts we will find him and he will lead us into righteousness.
I don't know about you, but I have run into more closed doors than I can count. It's so comforting to know that we're not alone when we run into an obstacle we just can't seem to get around. Pastor Richard dives into the life of the apostle Paul today. There were many times the apostle Paul tried to go different places but the Spirit kept him from it. This life of following Jesus means we listen for the leading of the Spirit to guide us every step.
Jesus IS alive. He didn’t stay in the grave – He rose again. He’s no longer here on earth with us, but this is due to the fact that He ascended into Heaven. He’s with His Heavenly Father – sitting on the throne! Pastor Richard reminds you today that Jesus isn’t passively letting the world do whatever it wants – not at all! As he wraps up this study in Mark today, you’ll discover that Jesus is very much aware of all that happens and is in complete control. And one day, maybe soon, He’ll be back!
Guess what – if you know Jesus, you get to talk about Him! Through the instruction of Pastor Richard today, you’ll be challenged to do just that! In fact, Jesus Himself tells you to go into the world, telling the good news of the Gospel message! Now – of course – traveling the world isn’t part of God’s plan for everyone, and that’s ok – there’s plenty of people right in your own neighborhood who need to know the truth and have the chance at a relationship with Jesus!
What would it have been like to see Jesus after His death? Jesus told His followers He’d be back – but they still were surprised to see Him! Today Pastor Richard reminds you that faith sounds easier than it is. Just look at the disciples and their time with Jesus! Now, while faith may not be easy, it doesn’t give you the license to stop believing and expecting God to move. If He’s promised something, He WILL come through! You can ALWAYS count on your Creator – and that’s something that helps make faith easier!
Picture this – you come home after dark and walk into an unlit home. What’s one of the first things you do? You turn on the light so that it will outshine the presently dark room. Your life sometimes can be like that darkness as Pastor Richard shares today. You need to turn on a light to chase it away – and that light is JESUS! Let Him into the deepest parts of your heart, the places that the enemy wants to keep for himself. It may not be easy, but it’s worth the time spent letting Him in. Let the love of Jesus shine!
Growing up did you ever have a friend that you loved very much suddenly pass away? Did it make you stop and wonder about your own life and how fragile, important, and short life is? The truth is that all lives are moving toward a certain end with no guaranteed tomorrow. Now, don’t let that depress you – there’s hope to be found in Jesus! And today is a great day to find out all about it! Pastor Richard will share the truth of what Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection mean for you in any situation you find yourself in!
Faith can be hard, especially in the darkest times of your life. So how do you continue to be faithful to the Lord, and to even have hope that it will all work out in the end? Today, Pastor Richard will tell you more about this as he shares a dark time in Jesus's life – the trial leading to His death on the cross. This was a situation that seemed utterly hopeless – yet God turned it around for the good of everyone. Don’t lose hope – even in the darkness!
Pastor Richard today speaks about the trial of Jesus, and how easily crowds can influence a person's decision. When you have thousands of people yelling and demanding a certain way, a certain outcome, isn’t it easier to just give in? But, if you’re a follower of Christ, you need to ask yourself a different question – what does the Lord have to say about the situation? God’s way may not be the easier way, but it will always be the BETTER way!
Sin in your life isn’t always apparent to you – it may be a habit or a thoughtless word that you don’t see yet as wrong. But that’s why you need the Holy Spirit – to open your eyes to the problem! Pastor Richard reminds you today that just like Peter, you need to be made useful for the work of the Kingdom. You need to have those sinful areas of your life exposed so that you can change! Let the Holy Spirit do the work to make you more like Jesus!
Without Jesus, who are you? Would you be the same as you are now? Chances are, the answer to that question is no. Today Pastor Richard will talk with you about Peter, a man who stumbled more than once during his time with Jesus – but when Jesus truly entered Peter’s heart and changed his life, Peter was transformed! And Jesus is transforming you too – let Peter’s story remind you what the Lord is doing for you!
Do you sometimes feel like everything that could go wrong, goes wrong? Do you have things come against you? TAKE HEART! Your life belongs to God! He has promised good to those whose hope and trust are in Him! Today Pastor Richard speaks about Jesus' example of stepping into courage no matter the circumstance. He did it in Jesus fashion. With grace. With mercy. Regardless of the betrayal, of the mob that was coming to take him away. God trusted in the promises spoken over His life. Will you?
Betrayed. Have you ever felt that sting? It's something so hard, so hurtful. It happens to so many of us. What do you do when this happens? How do you react? Pastor Richard's message today talks about Judas' betrayal and how Jesus responds. We are also reminded that when that moment of betrayal was happening, our Lord, with COURAGE, stepped into what God was calling him to. He did not flee in the face of danger like the others. My friend, are you being called to take courage in a situation?
There are just some things vital to your health, to your well-being. Water. Food. Shelter. Did you ever think that prayer should be included in that list? Today, Pastor Richard continues to remind us that Jesus' prayer life was what helped him get through his own struggling will in Gethsemane to do the will of his Father. Guess what? This discipline of praying doesn't just happen with a snap of your fingers. If you desire to obey Jesus in all that He has for you to do, cultivate listening to Him...NOW!
So many times throughout our lives we have lonely seasons or moments. Do you find comfort in your soul when others can sympathize with you? What about when there is no one who can meet you in your weakness? Today, Pastor Richard shares with us the JOY of having a Savior who understands and walks beside us. He meets us where we are at. Check yourself closely though that when you are strengthened by the Lord, that you don't take the credit. What are you apart from Jesus?
It's HARD. It's DIFFICULT. Our will or our Father's will? Do you grapple with this? The flesh doesn't always want to do what Jesus is telling us to do. It's not what we imagined. It's not easy. Pastor Richard's message today speaks about Gethsemane, a place where Jesus rests. Though this time, God has to work through the wrestling of his heart. In the vehicle of prayer, Jesus learns to bend His will to His Father's will. Are you ready? We MUST be in prayer if we are to learn to obey the will of our Lord!
Sometimes you look for things in the wrong places. Like a library book in the fridge. Sounds ridiculous, I know. Do you look at your love for Jesus in the ways you serve, or how many times you attend church? Although those are all good things, Jesus desires a faithful heart, a heart that walks in His Saving Grace. Pastor Richard speaks today about Jesus inviting the disciples into a new relationship with him. To accept His atonement for sin. This is Jesus' plan. Won't you join him too?
Plans. Do you make them? Do you like to know most or all the details? Are you aware that Jesus asks us to TRUST, OBEY, and FOLLOW Him because he planned your life long ago? Today, Pastor Richard lays out the three P's - preparation, prediction, and partaking - that the Lord uses to show everyone that He has things under control. When fear and anxiety grip you, making you believe that there is no plan...PLEASE, remember! You and I can walk by faith, knowing that Jesus has a master plan for our lives!
Do you think one of the greatest gifts given is the one not asked for? Think about that for a minute...how would you feel if you were lovingly gifted something just because someone wanted to? For me, that would bring such JOY! Today, Pastor Richard continues discussing Mary's gift and how involved she was with Jesus' life. He commends her for this pouring out of what she could do. My friend - put Jesus at the top of your priority list! Find ways to be a part of what Jesus is doing! Do what you can!
Have you ever been in a season that felt like everything was against you? Parenting struggles. Friction at work. Loss of a family member. Uncertain finances. Even though it feels insurmountable, Jesus works through those hard seasons and brings good. Pastor Richard speaks today about a woman who was criticized for her act of love to Jesus. Judged for her worshipful heart. There will always be those that don't know your heart or what season you are in. WORSHIP the Lord anyway!
We have a lot to look forward to as believers. While the future may be grim for this fallen world, for those who are in Christ we have the joy of looking forward to Heaven and an eternity of intimacy with God. But, as Pastor Richard will point out in today’s message, you need to find a good balance for how much time, energy, and focus you dedicate to studying End Times prophecy. You should definitely be mindful of it, but when it overtakes all other areas of spiritual study, it can be unhealthy.
As believers looking forward to Jesus’ second coming, we should feel a sense of urgency and joy. There’s no reason for fear on our part. You may feel a sense of fear for any loved ones who haven’t come to Jesus, but God won’t allow the redeemed to suffer the wrath that’s to come. As Pastor Richard continues our study of the book of Mark in today’s message, we’ll be reminded that God loves us dearly, and He is going to bring His Church home before the horrific events described in Revelation.
Throughout Scripture, you learn about the final days of the earth. You discover the events that will surround the battle between good and evil, and you’ll find the signs you should be looking for. And in today’s passage in the book of Mark, you’ll find that Jesus Himself talked about this monumental time! Pastor Richard will share what Christ had to say about His return, and what you need to know as this day draws near. You may not know when it will happen, but you need to be prepared!
Have you ever been to a ski hill or resort? You know those tow lines that pull you to the top? They make an easy, even enjoyable experience out of what would otherwise be an incredibly exhausting trek up the hill. Our salvation is kind of like that. Jesus is the towline, and all we have to do is grab on and trust Him to pull us to the top. As Pastor Richard will remind us in today’s message, you can stop your struggle to climb the hill, it’s spiritually impossible. Just trust in Jesus and rest in His grace.
The end of the world is going to come. The Bible tells us a lot about it, but there’s still so much we just don’t know. How exactly will it happen? And when? What will it look like? Plenty of people have speculated on these questions, but Pastor Richard wants to remind you today that we might not know until it actually happens! We still have plenty to learn from what Scripture DOES say, so don’t get caught up in the unknown! Let God teach you what you CAN know, and trust Him in the rest!
Think of the strongest, most permanent structures you know of. What if someone came along and told you that it was going to be torn down and rebuilt in three days? Would you believe them? That feeling of disbelief is similar to what the Jews must have felt when Jesus said those exact words regarding the Temple. As Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, Jesus’ words were both literal and symbolic. The Temple would be torn down, but He was referring to Himself and His own death and resurrection.
If you’re being honest, you might have to admit that statement makes you at least a little uncomfortable. For most of us, to live as though everything we have is actually God’s would completely upend the way we spend our money and use our resources. How many of your recent financial decisions have been completely centered around yourself or your family? As Pastor Richard will challenge us in today’s message, could you give all of it back to God or is it holding you too tightly?
It’s not hard to find the showboating we witness in the Pharisees of Jesus’ day in the modern Church. You may put on the persona of humility and modesty, while also putting great pride in how much you’re secretly tithing or how much time you’re investing in the various programs your church puts on. It may look a little different, but as Pastor Richard will challenge us to ask in today’s message, are you more like the rich man giving a little of his wealth, or the poor widow putting in nearly everything?
Just as the Israelites were instructed to erect monuments as reminders of the journeys God led them through and the victories He won for them, it’s an important practice for us as believers. When you’ve followed Him for a long time, you can slip into a routine that loses a lot of the passion you felt when you first came to Him. As Pastor Richard will challenge us in today’s message, it’s important that we remember where we’ve come from and the astounding grace that God extended to us.
It’s so easy to see the faults and weaknesses in others. As we hear the accounts of the Pharisees, we often are very harsh critics. Yes, they were a rotten group, with some serious heart issues. But, as Pastor Richard will exhort us in today’s message, don’t be so prideful to think that you aren’t a lot like them. We’re all susceptible to pride in various forms. We easily find ourselves driven by our own selfishness and looking down on others instead of reflecting the grace that we so desperately need.
Have you ever read a story where the hero shows up but doesn’t conquer the enemy? What kind of hero doesn’t defeat evil? Wouldn’t that make him just another character? Pastor Richard reminds us today that without resurrection…Jesus would just be another character in a story. If you don’t believe in His rebirth, then there’s no way He can be your savior. We all go through different struggles in life, but ALL OF US will one day face death. The reason you can have hope is because Jesus has conquered Death.
No matter how intelligent you are, you have to admit there are things you don’t know and things you can’t comprehend. You may be a genius, but there are some things that you just can’t wrap your brain around. Today, Pastor Richard reminds us that resurrection is one of those things for many people. But without resurrection…Christianity falls apart. You must understand that you can’t understand everything. If you knew the inner workings of God, then He wouldn’t be any bigger or any smarter than you.
Do you ever have a hard time finding balance? There are so many things in life that are good for us, but only in moderation. As Christians, Pastor Richard reminds us that we’re called to be informed on the things of this world. We should know what’s going on, but it should never control us. It’s easy to get angry or caught up in the world of politics, but that’s not God’s desire. Don’t go overboard and let information consume you; remember that God has a plan and He’ll work everything out for good for those who love Him.
When you were a child, did you ever wonder how your parents always knew when you were lying? It’s like they could read your thoughts. Today, Pastor Richard talks about how Jesus can see right through to our hearts. There’s nothing that you can keep from Him and there’s nothing that He doesn’t already know. There can be no secrets in your relationship with Christ. But even though He sees all your flaws and all of your shortcomings, He loves you all the same, and desires the very best for you.
God will judge sin. It’s a fact given in scripture. Yet, it’s not the only thing you must realize. He isn’t anxious for any to perish, but instead longs to save all people. To this end, he’ll give warnings to stubborn people. Today Pastor Richard will explain how God is patient and long-suffering with all people. He offers grace and forgiveness time and again. He won’t simply discard his people, but reminds them of his mercy and convicts them their sin to draw them back to him. Don’t ignore the promptings and correction from the Lord!
The religious elite leaders questing Jesus felt they’d earned all they had, and deserved their religious position. Yet, as Pastor Richard teaches today, ALL they had was given by God. Their position, power, and provision were a gift from God. God had entrusted to them his people for them to shepherd and lead. Yet, they failed. In pride, they used their power for selfish gain and to oppress God’s people. And like the Pharisees, we all will be held accountable by God for how we cared for what he’s entrusted to us.