Blessed Life Fellowship: Recent Episodes
Andrew Robbins
Blessed Life Fellowship is committed to empowering believers to access the abundant life that Jesus has come to give us.
The Spiritual Gifts of Prophecy in the New Testament differs in several important ways compared to Old Testament prophecy. There is a lot of misunderstanding about prophecy that this teaching clears up, and will awaken you to the fact that God wants to communicate to His people very personally and in a variety of ways. And He may even want to use YOU in the Spiritual Gifts as well.
Guest speaker Eric Burton of Groundbreaker International explains from a study of the Hebrew calendar and language what this season we are currently in means from a prophetic perspective: The year when God will connect all the pieces together! Prepare to be enlighten and encouraged!
This teaching is in honor of the life of Charlie Kirk, and contains many vital teaching points about what a life of purpose and Kingdom focus looks like. Toward the end, Pastor Andy's daughter Hannah Miller adds some commentary of her own and closes out in prayer. The times are shifting. Are you ready to be a part of it? This teaching will help get you ready.
The Scriptures tell us to labor to enter the rest of God. But what does it look like to enter the rest if you have to labor to get there? Guess speaker Brandon Hemming of Simple Streets Ministries delivers a clarion call to action in learning to labor to enter the rest, and thus becoming more useful to the Master.
In this final teaching in the mini-series, Pastor Andy provides five critical biblical methods for being free of the shackles of offense. Practical but powerful, these principles can help you to finally be free of the same cycles of defeat repeating themselves in your life, and thus help you to enter a new realm of blessing and fruitfulness. This recording includes Pastor Andy's ministry time after the formal teaching is concluded leading people through the process of renouncing unforgiveness and embracing freedom.
An old folk song declares, "It's me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer." And that's the attitude in which we approach this teaching based on the book of James. This teaching exposes one common source of offense, which is insecurity. We uncover the damage insecurity can do, the evil it can lead to, and how to overcome it with wisdom from the Word of God.
Jesus said that offenses are bound to come, and the Bible also provides copious amounts of instruction with how to handle them. This teaching enlarges upon the destructive nature of nursing the offense, how to prevent always being easily offended in the first place, and biblical guidance on handling interpersonal conflicts with people. It's a must-hear if you are believing God for answers to prayer, because ongoing strife undermines our faith, hinders our prayers, and opens the door to the demonic. Prepare to be set free from the trap of offense!
Elder Mark Suverkrup expounds upon the importance of the pursuit of wisdom in the life of faith.
In this final teaching of the series, Pastor Andy addresses some common misconceptions about abiding, and more benefits of abiding. It ends on a weighty yet encouraging note about the impact of going ALL IN!
This teaching has something for everyone. While targeted primarily to those who are already bearing much fruit in their Christian lives, there are principles of abiding with Christ in this teaching that apply to all God's children and can not only prevent people from making critical miscalculations and mistakes in their walks of faith, but also richly deepen the walk of faith you already have.
In continuing with our segment on pruning under the umbrella topic of abounding fruitfulness, we arrive in this teaching at another way the Vinedresser prunes His vines to bring about even greater fruitfulness. This may be one of the most difficult tests ever, but it is one that has the potential to radically transform the lives of those who submit themselves to this more advanced level of pruning.
When God's children progress past the early stages of our spiritual development, God will coax the branches to get even more fruit from our lives. This teaching helps us recognize the next level of pruning and maturity. Prepare for abundant fruitfulness!
Last week we discussed what God does when a child of His is bearing no fruit. But what does He do when His children are bearing SOME fruit but could be bearing a lot more? Well, it's probably not the method that most of us would prefer, but it's very effective, and ultimately results in significant growth and a life of fruitfulness for those who recognize what's happening and submit to the process. This teaching might just radically change your life, so buckle up.
John chapter 15 has some of the most memorable words from Jesus' Last Supper sermon. Here we arrive at Jesus' instructions about the importance of bearing much fruit, and how that is accomplished. Yet many people settle for lives of much less than abounding fruitfulness because they misunderstand and thus reject God's ways of bringing it about. Prepare to be equipped for increase!
Continuing with Jesus' last teaching to His disciples, we now grapple with the warning that in this life we will have tribulation, but to take heart. This teaching addresses five more ways we can more readily experience the peace that only God gives.
In a world where 1 in 5 people in the U.S. now suffer from chronic depression, is it possible to experience the peace of God? In His Last Supper sermon, Jesus told His disciples, "Peace I leave with you." In this teaching you will learn several principles that will help the Christ follower experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Continuing with the theme of the Holy Spirit, pastor Andy provides four more ways the Holy Spirit leads and speaks to His people. In doing so, he invites Pam Hull to share some real-world experience in learning to be led by the Holy Spirit and what that looks like. You don't want to miss this one!
The Holy Spirit is a very under-appreciated part of God. Mainstream Christianity practically ignores the topic of the Holy Spirit. Yet Jesus said it would be the Holy Spirit Who He would send and enter our hearts when Jesus ascended back to Heaven. Understanding the Holy Spirit is a vital part of walking in victory in this life. Learn more about the Holy Spirit in this teaching, and especially how to recognize when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.
Jesus claimed to be God and the only way to salvation -- a claim that makes a lot of people, even pastors these days, uncomfortable because of the exclusive nature of that claim in an age when people consider truth as relative. Learn in this teaching how we can be sure that Jesus is who He claimed to be, and how that applies to the subject of salvation. You may have never heard it described this way before.
Jesus addressed several important life lessons in His farewell address around the table at the Last Supper. The second life lesson Jesus serves up to His disciples is the command to love one another. And before writing this off as just another worn out lesson on love, one should ask if the love of Christ has been personally mastered yet. If not, there's more to learn. And you may be surprised how a lack of love can go unnoticed and unaddressed in the life of the Believer, leading to a stale relationship with Jesus, a lack of joy, and lackluster results in prayer. Prepare to bear more fruit by learning about the more excellent way.
On the night of the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus' last message was a clarion call to discover what a life of abundant fruitfulness really consists of. But it wasn't the call the disciples were expecting. And it may not be the call you are expecting either. But Jesus' words were a final message to help the disciples of that time and this to live lives that matter, lives of abounding fruitfulness for God's Kingdom.
Because God's covenant with His people includes many earthly blessings, many people misunderstand the purpose of that covenant, thinking it's all about "ME." But God has a purpose for inviting you and me into a covenant relationship with Him, and it's a purpose much bigger than just you and your family. Find out in this teaching why God wants you to be a part of His covenant.
Exodus chapter 12 provides a prophetic parallel between the first Passover and the fulfillment of Passover centuries later. The fulfillment of Passover was and is Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb of God. Learn in this teaching the uncanny and fascinating parallels between the first Passover and the fulfillment of Passover, and how that should affect our lives today. The gospel is proclaimed in this teaching, plus important marching orders for God's people.
Most people don't understand the significance of Palm Sunday. This teaching will probably teach you a thing or two about Palm Sunday you didn't know, and then make some application points to your life that might just change your destiny. It's time to make room for the King!
When discussing God's covenant with mankind, eventually the conversation must always come to the place of God's desire to bless His people. Like any good earthly father, God desires that His children do well in life, and He has set certain laws in motion to help us get there. Learn in this teaching six biblical principles for growing your financial estate God's way.
A key concept discussed in this teaching is that God has always used the proposition of blessing or curses to demonstrate the benefits of walking with Him, both in this life and the one to come. Learn in this teaching how the Covenant can benefit you in the here and now, as well as securing your eternal home in heaven.
While the word "covenant" is thrown around a lot in our modern day church culture, few Christians, it seems, really have a working understanding of what that means in regard to their relationship with God. But understanding covenant is to understand God better, because God is a covenant keeping God! This first teaching in the series lays the groundwork for some very exciting elements of our faith.
BLF elder Brent Denney provides a follow up to his first teaching by providing the how-to's to walking in our Christ-delegated authority.
Elder Brent Denney addresses a topic which most modern Christians sorely lack knowledge in: our delegated authority in Christ. Brent expounds upon what our Biblical authority is, what's for, and how to use it.
Many Christians struggle with a wrong self-image. This can be due to failing to see themselves as God sees them. This teaching will help remedy that. A more thorough understanding of the grace of God will help to see yourself like God sees you, which in turn can help you break out of destructive mindsets and begin enjoying new life in Christ.
Prepare to be encouraged and delighted as you get a fresh perspective on the amazing grace of God.
In this service celebrating BLF's 15-Year Anniversary as a church, we hear from Pastor Andy on the importance of serving and perseverance, but also from elders Steve and Pam Hull, and Brent Denney, who provide their testimonies and some important spiritual insights. Donna Robbins brings up the rear in adding to the conversation her encouragements and insights.
The last fruit of the Spirit we address in this series from Galatians 5:22,23 is that of faithfulness, although it ends up not being a discussion on faithfulness at all, since that word "faithfulness" is an inaccurate translation from the Greek into English. The Greek word, PISTIS, doesn't mean faithfulness, but rather FAITH. Therefore, this discussion addresses the mandate of 2 Corinthians 5:7, that "the righteous shall LIVE BY FAITH!" And living by faith is supposed to cover every area of life: Peace of mind, health, finances, as well as salvation itself. Learn more in this teaching what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.
Did you know that God's principles in the Bible are in place to position you for a happy, fruitful, and more productive life? The two Fruits of the Spirit discussed in this teaching are ones that can put people on the fast track to greater success, satisfaction, and fruitfulness than they ever imagined, but it will take a commitment to denying the flesh up front to enjoy the benefits on the back end. Prepare to flourish!
Sixty-one million people are expected to die this year. People die at a rate of about 2 per second. But what's sadder than that is that many people who will remain alive throughout 2025 will have completely wasted their year, not having grown or progressed in their faith or various other elements of life. But if we develop a plan for growth, we can reach the end of 2025 having been very fruitful. This teaching lays out a plan for doing exactly that.
If you're struggling with energy during a more restricted fast, here's a great life hack, along with a very important spiritual insight as well.
Is there a way to obtain more grace from God? And are there different levels of grace for different people and different situations? This teaching explores one important way that God's people can tap into more grace and more favor!
There are two questions that form the foundation of this teaching. First, what if there was an element of God that is yet undiscovered by you? Would you be willing to explore what it takes to experience that new element of God? And secondly, what would you say God might want for Christmas from you this year? Both these questions and more are addressed in this important Christmas teaching.
The fruits of the spirit of kindness and gentleness and not quite as easily defined as the English might imply. In the original Greek, these words mean far more than just being easy to get along with. Find out more in this important teaching on the full Biblical expression of kindness and gentleness taken from Genesis 13 and the story of Abram and Lot. It might make you reevaluate your life more deeply.
King David demonstrated a quiet strength when he was being driven out of Jerusalem because of the overthrow of the kingdom by his son Absalom. His patience and self-restraint in the face of a desperate situation provides the example for this teaching on the fruit of patience, and the various ways we can apply that in every day life.
Joy and Peace are probably the only fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 that don't have to be pursued because they are byproducts of pursuing the other seven. Learn in this teaching how joy and peace can be achieved effortlessly as we seek to live out the other virtues of godliness.
In this first Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22, we take a deep dive into the high stakes of living a life dedicated to our faith being expressed through the God kind of love. In doing so, much emphasis is placed on maintaining the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace in our home and churches, and how not doing so can bring havoc into one's life. The stakes are high, and the rewards sweet.
This teaching is an introduction to the nine Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. It deals with differentiating godliness with holiness, and what those look like in practical terms. This first introductory teaching lays the groundwork for the rest of the series by providing practical steps in learning to grow in godliness every day.
In this post-election message, Pastor Andy addresses our marching orders for just such a time as this, and what we can do as Christians to make the most of this opportunity before us and advance the Kingdom forward in power with the proper attitudes, actions, and prayers.
A study from Arizona Christian University recently suggested that 32 million regular churchgoers are likely to stay home this upcoming election. However, as Christians we are called to advance God's Kingdom everywhere, even and perhaps especially in the world of politics. This teaching examines that concept Biblically, but also from the perspective of American history. And in doing so, we also examine a side-by-side comparison of the platforms of our two major political parties and size them up against biblical values. After this teaching, you can no longer claim ignorance. So go now and advance God's Kingdom in the earth!
Guest speaker Bob Mortimer shares his testimony of God's faithfulness and living a life of purpose and joy even after having one arm and both legs amputated after a horrible accident in his early twenties. Bob has led thousands of people to Christ in the last 40 years, having shared in jails, schools, and churches around the country. You will see a different side of yourself and God after listening to Bob.
This teaching addresses two very simple principles of happiness from the scriptures you can implement today -- one a mindset, and one a practice.
Research has shown that frequent use of social media is a major contributor to depression and anxiety because of "social comparison." In this teaching we explore the concept of social comparison in the Bible and how it robs people of enjoyment of life.
BLF member Bill Compton leads the charge in this teaching, borrowing from both scripture and his personal experiences in navigating difficulties in relationships and the damage done to a person's life who refuses to forgive. This is a fresh look at an age-old topic that will recharge your determination to forgive and walk in love. Your happiness depends on it!
Did you know that although the Scriptures describe Jesus as a man of sorrows, it also describes Him as being anointed with the oil of joy? It is possible to maintain supernatural peace and joy even in the midst of life's pains and disappointments. BLF elder Brent Denney expounds.
What are some of the things you can think of that our culture has led us to believe will lead to happiness? Would you be able to accept that most if not all of those things are lies? We discuss them here in this teaching. What DOES lead to happiness then? The answers are quite simple, but not widely known. They are found in the Bible...and this teaching! :-)
The primary pursuit of most people is their own happiness. And God wants us to be happy. But how to obtain happiness looks very different than what the world would have us believe. God has not left us uninformed on how to live an abundant life. We just have to follow His instructions.
In one of Pastor Andy's longer teachings, this message is a departure from the usual method of teaching about a single concept. Rather, Pastor Andy casts vision by sharing what God has called Blessed Life Fellowship to be and do. In doing so, there are numerous takeaways and nuggets of truth shared that help to refine the vision of BLF that can also be of personal benefit to those who hear.
There are several ways we get ourselves in trouble with our mouths. And the book of Proverbs is full of exhortations in how to use our speech and how not to use it. Notably, some of the ways we use our mouths leads to abominations that God hates according to Proverbs. Learn in this teaching how to avoid abominable practices and instead use our mouths for good rather than evil.
One of the most common themes of Proverbs is the far-reaching damage a person can do to themselves and others around them when they give vent to their anger. But chronic anger is simply a symptom of other underlying spiritual problems that are addressed in this teaching.
There is a principle repeated throughout the book of Proverbs that is largely unknown or ignored by the masses that happens to be one of the most important principles of a blessed and fruitful life. Although this subject is also largely unaddressed in pulpits, if heeded it could prevent great trouble and distress from coming upon people. As an example, this single principle could have prevented the sinking of the Titanic.
The book of Proverbs is crammed with sayings about the mouth, comparing how words are used by the wise and the foolish. We learn a lot about proper social graces with these sayings, as well as avoiding irreverent foolishness, the nature of unwholesome talk, and many other destructive habits that trip people up. But we also learn about the importance of speaking up in other situations. This teaching provides timeless wisdom from Proverbs that will help redirect a person's life toward blessing.
Would you like to learn how to affair-proof a marriage? This teaching provides some important perspectives in keeping the home fires stoked and helping to prevent affairs, as well as a sober warning from the scriptures specific to the evils of sexual immorality.
Complacency is a term referring to a person who becomes comfortable and satisfied in their current situation to the point where he/she does not feel the need for self-examination or exert much effort to continue to grow and progress. And Proverbs 1:32 tells us that complacency is a killer! Learn in this teaching how to recognize and deal successfully with spiritual complacency.
This teaching is the first in a series studying the book of Proverbs for the wisdom it provides in leading a blessed life and avoiding the pitfalls and landmines of the fool who has no fear of God and no regard for the wisdom of His Word. And yes, this teaching has as much application to people already in the church as it does those outside of it. Perhaps more.
BLF elder Brent Denney continues his insights into being governed by the Spirit, with a special emphasis on the process of transformation.
BLF member Bill Compton addresses the topic of biblical perfection, with a special emphasis on understanding the nature of what the Bible says about life after this life.
Elder Mark Suverkrup provides important insights in this teaching regarding the full armor of God in Ephesians 6. In doing so, Mark illuminates upon several important aspects of walking in this armor, such as learning to hear the voice of God, walking in active faith vs. passive faith, and many other important nuggets of wisdom for living a more victorious life in Christ.
It's difficult for some people to reconcile God being loving with Him sending people to hell for all eternity. This teaching will help unravel what the Bible says about that, providing important perspective on the nature of God, His sense of mercy AND justice, and providing the believer with an important element of the gospel message.
"Safe space" is a cultural concept introduced by certain groups in universities and some work places designed to protect people from criticism, harassment, or discrimination. While this is well-intentioned perhaps, by trying to protect people from ever experiencing anything difficult, we inadvertently create emotionally weak people who can't handle adversity. But this "safe space" mentality has crept into even the church, resulting in a church culture where people don't know how to deal with conflict nor control their emotions. The outcome is a church culture of cry babies and whiners. But God wants to move us beyond a safe space mentality to a brave space mentality so we can learn to be spiritual champions.
NFL player Harrison Butker has been under heavy verbal attack in the past week for his pro-family speech at a commencement ceremony. Harrison Butker sees various social issues through the lens of the Word of God, which has gotten him attacked and called a white supremicist, racist, and male chauvinist. Yet the Bible does address some of the most difficult and volatile issues of our time, and it would be good if more of God's people knew what the His Word says about these things and stood up to proclaim them. Truth is not changeable with the times, but is immutable. We address several "taboo" social issues in this teaching from the perspective of God's immutable Word. Buckle up!
In this follow up to last week's teaching, BLF elder Brent Denney extends the topic of godly mothering to not only the biological role but to the extension of that role beyond the household.
BLF elder Brent Denney offers some timeless principles on mothers that will benefit both mothers and those mothers serve.
In this teaching, Pastor Andy and wife Donna tag-team for a panel discussion of sorts addressing matters of child rearing and training. This session is packed full of parenting wisdom from the scriptures plus 30 years of experience from Pastor Andy and Donna.
This part 2 of the series focuses primarily on the role of the wife and mother, although there's something for everyone in this teaching, even single people. This is timeless wisdom in helping homes to function properly, keeping families healthy and happy, and representing the Lord well in our homes.
God's structure for the family doesn't look like society's structure for the family these days. Therefore, this teaching is not politically correct. It calls men to attention especially, challenging them to step up and assume their God-given roles as spiritual leaders in the home and the church, providing instruction on what God expects of male leadership and what that is supposed to look like.
Continuing with the theme of the critical convictions of highly fruitful Christians, we close out the 2-part series with a couple of additional concepts vital to our lives in Christ and walking in abundant fruitfulness in Christ. HINT: It's all about transformation, and impact.
Are you growing consistently and significantly in your spiritual journey? If not, why?
Are you impacting other people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If not, why not?
And are you happy in your church life? If not, why not?
These are the questions that form the foundation of this teaching addressing how to get the most out of your church life, and then translating that into the real world.
Jesus' parable of the Pearl of Great price as recorded in Matthew 13 is the clarion call for all who would follow Him. And most people don't realize that this parable has a double meaning. Find out in this special Resurrection Sunday teaching what the pearl represents to God, and what it represents to us.
The so-called Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was celebrated by the entire city. Yet most of those same people did not make room in their hearts for the King. Their celebration of Him was self-centered, and so they did not benefit from His arrival. In a similar way, many churchgoers today don't really make much room in their hearts for Jesus, and therefore they don't benefit much from His arrival in their lives. This teaching focuses on the fact that there are ways to make more room for Jesus in our lives, and thus experience more of His comfort, power, encouragement, and fruitfulness.
BLF elder Brent Denney elucidates Jesus' words, "Follow Me," and what that really means for the believer. This is a sorely needed message in the Body of Christ today amidst soft commitments and self-centered lives. Prepare to be both challenged and inspired as Brent helps us take a fresh look at what it means to be a bearer of our own crosses.
BLF elder Mark Suverkrup shares several important encouraging elements for stirring up one's faith.
It has been said that there's not one scriptural promise made to those who ignore the enemy. Well said! And that's exactly why we need to be well informed about the movements and tactics of our spiritual enemies and the various spirits that attack us. In this last teaching in this series, we look at the spirit of infirmity, what it is, how it can get access to people, and what to do to overcome it. We also look at our most powerful weapons against satan and his kingdom.
Did you know there are a number of ways demonic spirits can get access to humans? From entrapping people in powerful strongholds, to all out possession in some cases, demons are on a mission to harass and enslave people if they can. But the weapons of our spiritual warfare are mighty in God through the pulling down of these strongholds. Learn in this teaching the various ways the demonic can get access to people, and how to break free into liberty, and then allowing God to use you to set other captives free!
Two very common demonic spirits tormenting many people in the Body of Christ today are spirits of fear and bondage. In this teaching, we look at the various manifestations of these spirits, and then how to exercise our authority in Christ to overcome these and any unclean spirit.
Continuing our discussion on identifying demonic spirits mentioned in the Bible, we deal with 3 more in this teaching, one of which is a spirit that affects many people in the Body of Christ today with potential catastrophic consequences. We also discuss how Satan and his minions see moderate religion as very beneficial to their cause, and other ways we Christians often play into his hands.
Demons are mentioned 21 times in the New Testament, and are arranged under Satan in a hierarchy mentioned in Ephesians 6. These demon forces are on mission to deceive people and prevent them from believing the truth of the gospel. They also harass the people of God, attempting to prevent us from advancing the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission. In the first teaching in the series, we deal with four spirits prevalent in the earth, including the spirit of antichrist. It's imperative to know the tactics of the enemy in order to be victorious over them.
Brandon Speaker, founder of Simple Street Ministries in Columbus IN, ministers in song and in the Word, and shares about the ministry of Simple Street to the homeless.
In this finale to our study on the life of Daniel, we examine Daniel's uncommon sense of unity with his people. In doing so, we look at our own shortcomings when it comes to "keeping the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace," to quote Ephesians 4:3, and how disunity in the church affects us on a personal level and also our ability to advance the Kingdom in a corporate sense. We also get a sense of how strongly God feels about unity among His people, and how much He hates division. This much-overlooked subject is key to a more fruitful life in Christ.
Our society today is woefully ignorant of honor...even in the church! This teaching will position you for much progress and fruitfulness in God's Kingdom as you learn to honor the things God says to honor.
TAKE THE DANIEL CHALLENGE! This teaching encourages listeners to take the Daniel Challenge for 2024 with 8 areas that each person can easily do in one's daily disciplines to make a huge difference by the end of the year. In this part 2 of the series, we examine Daniel's disciplines that made him a man of excellence and highly valued by his superiors. We can learn a lot from the life of Daniel.
The scriptures say of Daniel that he was a man who distinguished himself because of his "excellent spirit." In contrast, so many people in today's culture -- even people in the church -- are those who cut corners and are lax in the quality of their work due to a lazy and selfish spirit. If we as people of God want to represent the Lord well, and if we want to make even greater progress in the New Year than ever before, we must learn to adopt the mindset of having an excellent spirit in all things like Daniel did. This teaching provides character lessons from the life of Daniel, and ways to enlarge your life this year.
In spite of current criticisms that modern day celebrations of Christmas are pagan in origin, actually Christmas is and has always been about the birth of our Savior Jesus. In this teaching we address some of the misunderstandings regarding the supposed ancient pagan connections to Christmas and shine the spotlight on how Christmas actually came to be. In doing so we also address the ancient prophecies regarding the birth of the Messiah, and God's ingenious plan of salvation and the amazing parallels between that plan and a particularly amazing true survival story. This is a Christmas teaching you don't want to miss.
Did you know that there are certain situations where God gives "more grace?" Find out how to walk in higher realms of grace and favor in this important teaching.
In this session we talk about the problem of indwelling sin and how to walk in the Spirit for victorious Christian living. It's an informal yet insightful online discussion with just a few folks, and you get the entire experience here as the entire audio and video was recorded. 90 minutes.
Did you know there is a purpose in praise and worship other than just expressing our love to God? Praise and worship is prophetic in nature, and it's also a spiritual weapon of warfare by which we silence the enemy and enforce the victory already purchased by Jesus on the cross. Find out how this is so, and why your praise is more powerful than you ever imagined.
The first teaching in this series focused on the ATTITUDES of thanksgiving, while this second teaching in the series focuses on the ACTIONS of thanksgiving. In doing so, we take a deep dive into the Hebrew to discover the many expressions of praise and worship that God has ordained for us to express our gratitude to Him. This may challenge your modern day Americanized notion of what worship is, but if we can learn to worship in a Biblical way, it can help us to offload our burdens onto the Lord and allow Him to give us peace even in the midst of life's storms.
Many people underestimate the power of thankfulness in their lives. This teaching exposes three subtle areas where people overlook unthankfulness, and provides a blueprint for the proper mindset that will help in walking in thanksgiving and the powerful benefits that can bring.
Replacement Theology is a teaching in some circles of the Body of Christ suggesting that Christians have replaced the Jews, and that Christians are the real Jews now, and there is no longer any relevance to Israel. There are several problems with this idea, and some potential consequences to those who hold this view, notably that they miss out on the benefits of blessing Israel according to Genesis 12:1-3. You will learn in this teaching how God's hand is still on the nation of Israel, what the Bible has to say about God's attitude toward the Jews, and why we as Christians are wise to align our hearts on this subject to God's heart.
Indiana Bob visits Blessed Life and gives a powerful message about walking in greater power and fruitfulness in order to advance God's Kingdom. Bob has led over 2,000 people to the Lord, mostly in personal encounters. This is an important learning opportunity for greater fruitfulness.
In this final installment of our Build an Ark series, we once again address the issues of learning how to manage one's finances according to the Biblical model so as to protect one's estate from loss and collapse. In doing so, we address the most important motives and goals in handling our finances, as well as three incorrect mindsets regarding money. Pastor Andy also shares more of his financial testimony.
Continuing with our theme of God being our refuge in troubled times, this teaching kicks over some sacred cows regarding how the Bible tells us to view and handle money. In doing so, we deal with 7 things God did NOT say about money in the Bible. And when we can arrive at the place where we have the proper attitudes and practices regarding money, then we can enjoy the promises of God regarding our finances and be sheltered from the storm.
Certain experts in the financial arena as well as the prophetic realm have been predicting a financial holocaust coming to the U.S. And while such a holocaust looks inevitable by some standards, there are principles and promises in the Bible that can insulate God's people from such calamities. This teaching is a protracted discussion on those Biblical financial principles for protection and prosperity. And in doing so, we play a little church version of Wheel of Fortune, along with a testimony at the end. You may have to take off your religious tradition glasses for this one, so hang on!
Part of God's covenant of protection with His people is practical instruction on how to walk in health. In this teaching we examine 7 biblical pillars of health, as well as little-known facts about modern western medicine.
Science has demonstrated the power of our words through a branch of science known as Quantum Physics. This concept is consistent with the Biblical perspective regarding the power of the decree for the people of God. This teaching shows from both science and the Scriptures that our words matter, that they have the power to shape our realities, and they can be a part of how we build ourselves an ark of protection in this dangerous world.
There are a lot of prophecies and predictions being made these days regarding the shaking that's coming to this nation and world. Well, that's nothing new. Calamity, danger, disease, and trouble have been a part of this world since the Fall. But we can build an ark, figuratively speaking, of protection against much of the trouble and calamity in the world simply by understanding what God's Word says about His covenant of protection for those who love Him, and how to access and operate in that covenant. Prepare to be encouraged!
Bill Compton explains what integrity means from a Biblical perspective -- not just a cultural one -- and the importance of this vitally important fruit of the spirit.
God never promised us that we wouldn't face storms in life, but only He would help us navigate through them. In this teaching, BLF elder Brent Denney takes us on a journey of storm navigation.
"CO-EXIST," proclaims one often-seen bumper sticker. It carries the idea that all religious orientations essentially teach the same basic lessons and that all paths lead to the same God. But do all paths lead to God, or only one? What does the Bible say? What did Jesus say of Himself in this regard? All that and more is covered in this important teaching to equip you to address this issue.
Francis Bacon once said, "A LITTLE science estranges a man from God, but a LOT of science brings him back." And that is what we deal with in this teaching in addressing the various problems in the earth age theory of billions of years and the numerous holes in evolutionary theory. The age of the earth and the origin of life on earth are addressed in the Bible, and science properly interpreted is beginning to show the reliability of God's Word in this regard.
Many people today believe the Bible to be a storybook of fairytales, an ancient document full of errors and not relevant to our lives today. However, discoveries in archeology and science confirms the accuracy and divine origin. In this teaching, we delve into dinosaurs in the Bible, creation vs. evolution, the resurrection of Jesus, and several other questions about the Bible's accuracy. If you have ever had questions about any of these things, this teaching is for you!
This session addresses:
"What about people who have never seen a Bible or heard about Jesus;"
“People just need to find the path that seems right to them;"
"Being a good person is what really matters;"
and "How can a loving God send anyone to hell?"
This part 2 session in the series provides more information to help you address objections to the Christian faith and evangelize more effectively.
First Peter 3:15-16 instructs us to always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give a reason for the hope that we have in Christ. Thus, evangelism is not a suggestion; it is our mandate. And in this day and age of skepticism and cynicism toward the gospel, we need to be well equipped to answer the various doubts and objections that people have. This teaching deals with three common objections to the Christian faith and provides ways to help people overcome their doubts.
Second Corinthians 5 tells us God is making His appeal to the world through you and me, that we are His ambassadors, and that we each have been given the ministry of reconciliation. It falls to each Christ follower, then, to be a person who is involved in God's search and rescue mission of the lost, just as each of us was once lost but were found with the help of someone else's efforts. While the subject of evangelism is uncomfortable for a lot of people, this teaching provides several tips that may help to make it less intimidating and more effective.
The Bible teaches that the only way to find true life is to lay yours down and take up your cross to follow Christ. Therefore, happiness and fulfillment in life is a paradox. It doesn't come by seeking to get your own needs met and desires fulfilled all the time. This teaching explores the narrow way Jesus described in Matthew 7, and what it means to take up your cross to follow Him, and the glorious results of a life laid down.
Did you know that that Romans 9:27 says that only a "remnant" of Israel will be saved? And unlike the popular idea that most people will make it to heaven, Jesus taught that the masses will go to their destruction on a broad road, while only a minority of people will be saved as they travel through a narrow gate. This teaching provides the characteristics of remnant people. And at the end of Pastor Andy's teaching, there are several people who give testimonies of what God has done for them through the ministry of BLF.
Brent Denney delivers a compelling follow up teaching in this final offering of his Behind Enemy Lines 2-part series. Among many important mindsets and strategies shared in his teaching, one of them is simply learning to accept a different mindset about our existence on this earth. Rather than pining for the "sweet by and by," Christ followers are called to engage in the spiritual battle that rages around us against the forces of darkness that threaten to swallow this world in evil. In doing so, we are commissioned to advance God's Kingdom and help snatch souls from everlasting punishment.
Brent Denney offers insight on taking on the kingdom of darkness and living in victory over the hellish forces that wage war against the soul.
Billy Graham once said, "A good father is one of the most unsung, upraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." Yet good fathers seem to be few and far between these days, as statistics now show that 1 in 4 children are raised in fatherless homes. This teaching highlights the huge impact that fathers can have -- positive or negative -- and provides insights for both fathers and children: parenting insights for fathers, and honor insights for children of all ages. This is a MUST-hear teaching in this age of absent fathers and embittered children.
SACRED COW ALERT! Did you know there's not a single scripture in the New Testament that refers to God's people as sinners? One reason why Christians continue to struggle with sin is because they identify more with being a sinner rather than a saint. Yet "saint" is how the Bible refers to God's people. And when we can develop an inner image of ourselves as saints, we will more often than not find our behavior following suit.
Any good parent will instruct their children and tell them WHY to not do this or that. God is the same way. He does say, "Be holy, for I am holy," but He doesn't leave it at that. He also gives us reasons why a life of holiness is a blessed life to help keep us on track and inspired.
New archeological discoveries have revealed amazing details about the culture in ancient Galilee, a region is Israel, and a place where Jesus spent a good deal of time. These discoveries provide details about Galilean weddings in particular, and how those ancient customs parallel the Kingdom of God as described by Jesus in the parable of the ten virgins as recorded in Matthew 25. Get ready to receive new insight about how we are keep ourselves ready for Christ's return, and how this parable teaches the importance of our responsibility for preparedness, not escapism.
While the Bible says that we all fail in many ways, God also commands us to be holy as He is holy, meaning we need to be pursuing a lifestyle of Christ-likeness. But this command may cause some people to despair because they can't see how they can possibly overcome their besetting sins. This teaching provides some little-known perspectives in ruling over sinful passions.
The role of motherhood has been convoluted in today's culture where gender roles have been blurred. But beyond that, the Biblical concept of honoring parents has been almost totally lost in today's society. This teaching re-instills the true Biblical definition of honor, and what it looks like with parents. In doing so, we examine what parental honor should look like toward parents who have not been honorable themselves. And lastly, this teaching provides important guidance for mothers and grandmothers who wish to fulfill their roles in a way that pleases God. This is a must-hear if you want to live a blessed life!
Frequent contemplation of the nature of God -- that He is absolutely holy -- is a strong deterrent against sin, because once a person truly sees how much God hates sin, and the more aware they become of their own sin, the more determined he or she is to get close to God seeking His help in the process of sanctification. Join us for this teaching examining the holiness of God and our responsibility to respond to His command, "Be holy, for I am holy."
With another verse-by-verse teaching, this time through part of Romans 8, this sermon focuses on the importance of what we allow our minds to dwell upon in learning to walk in holiness. To quote the late Zig Ziglar, "It's really true that you are what you are and where you are because of what's gone into your mind, and can change what you are where you are by changing what goes into your mind." This Biblical principle if one of the most important for those who wish to master overcoming besetting sins.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us to denounce the sins that so easily beset or entangle us. But how is that done when the sinful nature so often exerts so much energy and control over our desires? That is the focus of this teaching as we break down Hebrews 12 and Romans 7, both of which provide some wonderful application points in winning your own personal battles over sin so you can walk in consistent victory!
This teaching is a verse-by-verse deep dive into all of Romans 6, providing more scriptural evidence that we are now free from sin's mastery over us and are slaves of righteousness instead. In addition, this teaching provides very practical ways to lead a life of holiness as God commands -- strategies for helping our new nature to overpower the old and remain in dominance.
Did you know that your redemption in Christ is more wonderful than you have probably understood? The New Testament was originally penned in Greek, which is a much more expansive language than English, so there's a lot that's lost in translation. There are actually four Greek words that are translated into English as the single word, redemption, or redeem. This teaching will examine all four of these Greek words so we get a more thorough understanding of our redemption through Jesus' death and resurrection, and what God saved us from and then provided through that redemptive process.
Revival is breaking out in the world today, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. There is a remnant rising up in the body of Christ amidst the fakeness. There is a separation happening between the sheep and the goats. Guest speaker Eric Burton elaborates on the signs of the times.
The term "revival" means a renewed interest or passion in the things of God, and it definitely seems like God is stirring the waters of revival in the midst of these turbulent times. This teaching focuses on the characteristics of true revival, and how to enter your own time of revival in your life, your family, church, and community.
Daniel is one of the most iconic people in the Bible, a man who provides for us one character lesson after another. Bill Compton elucidates the various lessons we can learn from the life of this amazing man of God.
In this follow up teaching to part 1, Brent Denney expounds upon the importance of being under the leadership of godly elders, and how this protective element of God's love is provided to keep His sheep healthy, in unity, and out of harm's way from those who would pervert the truth.
In this first of two parts, Brent Denney addresses the importance of unity in the church and how the role of elders helps preserve that unity.
In this final teaching in the series, we deal with some misconceptions about abiding in Jesus that can hinder our progress if we aren't careful. And we also emphasize the importance of avoiding the tendency of simply dabbling in the things of God, but rather going all-in for Christ, and how to set the stage for bearing super-abundant fruit for the Father.
In just five verses in John 15, Jesus instructed His disciples to abide TEN TIMES! Obviously a close connection with Jesus is very important. But what does abiding look like? It may surprise you to know that it goes beyond just the outward disciplines of Bible reading, prayer, and church attendance. After all, didn't the Pharisees do all these things? Learn in this teaching what true abiding looks like and why we need it so much.
This teaching highlights two areas God will target to prune His people, and four tools that God uses to do it. A grand destiny of abundant fruitfulness awaits those who recognize how God prunes His people in these ways and knows how to respond properly.
Like an artist producing a sculpture, God is faithfully at work in us chiseling away everything that doesn't look like Christ. And sometimes submitting to that chiseling process can be painful. But it's in this process of pruning that real and lasting transformation takes place. Get ready to be prepared for greater fruitfulness to the Master by learning where and how He prunes us as we mature in Christ.
There will be a time in the life of every mature believer when God will give the opportunity to release everything we love -- even some worthwhile activities and goals -- into His sovereign keeping. It is at this point that we reach a crossroad in our destinies: will we stay where we are, or will we progress into a level of fruitfulness that few Christians ever reach? Brace yourself to learn about radical pruning and radical abundance!
What does God do when the branches of our lives are bearing SOME good fruit, but our baskets still have room for more? That's the concept of pruning that we discuss in this teaching.
Many Christians live in a nebulous state of dissatisfaction in their spiritual lives and don't know why, never relating their sense of disconnectedness with God to their choices. Other people are living under the discipline of God because of chronic and unaddressed sin issues that are blighting their lives and making them unfruitful. This teaching will help you to recognize God's methods of discipline, and how we can go on to enjoy the abounding fruitfulness that both you and God want.
Many people have lamented the troubles and challenges of 2022. And while it was a difficult year in some ways, it was also a wonderful year in other ways because God is always working behind the scenes even when we don't see it. This teaching deals with how we can stay in a perpetual place of refreshing this year.
Did you know there are different levels of grace God extends to different people? That's why James 4:6 says He gives "more grace" as it relates to those who humble themselves. This is the foundation upon which we take a deep dive into the many benefits of fasting.
There are many concepts about money and possessions that God addresses in the Bible which even many Christians don't seem to have a firm grasp on. This teaching addresses many true and false notions about money popular in this culture, providing guidance and direction from the scriptures that will help us avoid the landmines of lacking understanding along these lines.
Did you know there are at least 4 levels of giving represented in the Bible? Beyond tithes and alms to the poor are also two other levels of generosity that we discuss in detail in this teaching. While these levels of giving will challenge you and stretch your faith, there is also the promise of extravagant blessings for those who live this way. Pastor Andy also shares some of his personal testimony about how God has blessed him as he and his wife Donna have endeavored to practice what he teaches in this sermon, which is learning to excel in the grace of giving more and more and never saying, "That's enough." Prepare to be inspired in your generosity like never before.
In this season of Thanksgiving, it's important to reflect on what God has given us, and what we have to give. And on that note, did you know there are four levels of giving detailed in the Bible that are commanded of God's people? We've covered tithing already, and the second level is giving to the poor, which is not a suggestion, but rather a command with a BLESSING for those who obey it, and a curse for those who don't. Learn in this teaching why you are already wealthy by the standards of the rest of the world, and what God expects of those who have been given much.
The most basic and fundamental principle in honoring God with our money is the tithe, or giving the first ten percent off the top to one's local place of worship. This practice has come under fire in recent years by some people who claim that tithing was an Old Testament practice only and passed away under the law and is no longer expected of the New Testament believer. This teaching will deconstruct that incorrect doctrine and clearly demonstrate how tithing preceded the law, and is therefore a timeless practice. And this is a GOOD NEWS message, not a bad news one! Prepare to get excited about tithing!
In this second teaching in the series, we discuss some much-needed perspectives when it comes to how God's people should view and handle money, such as learning to be content in all circumstances, how selfishness tries to disguise itself as virtue, and how to walk in God's abundance.
Is money the root of all evil? Does the Bible really say we can't serve God and money? These are questions addressed in this introductory teaching in this series that will give you an important Biblical perspective on money, and why this is such an important matter for our growth as Christians and our financial security.
One of the most effective weapons satan uses against the church is the tactic of division. The satanic realm knows that if the Church of Jesus Christ can stand together as one we can be the most powerful force on earth, so the work to divide and conquer us is never-ending. And this is why Jesus prayed in John 17 that His followers would be one just as the Father and Son are one. Learn in this teaching why unity in the Church is so important to Jesus, how we allow ourselves to get out of unity, and the impact -- good or bad -- of both.
The book of Isaiah tells us that the Messiah would bring beauty in place of ashes. While this statement has to do with the remission of sin, it also pertains to bringing beauty in place of the ashes of our relationships. God can turn our greatest pains into our greatest gains if we respond correctly. This teaching offers six Biblical principles for overcoming bitterness and unforgiveness, and provides insight for living free of offense.
Did you know there are certain things that can hinder your prayers? This teaching highlights three of them.
Did you know there are certain things that can hinder your prayers? This teaching highlights three of them.
Many people in the Body of Christ are looking to find their calling -- their niche, if you will, in the Kingdom of God. But it may not be as difficult as some people think. BLF member Brent Denney expounds upon the simplicity of this important Kingdom principle.
Many people in the Body of Christ are looking to find their calling -- their niche, if you will, in the Kingdom of God. But it may not be as difficult as some people think. BLF member Brent Denney expounds upon the simplicity of this important Kingdom principle.
The life of the Christian requires frequent reminders about the importance of striving toward the perfect love of Christ in our lives. Guest speak and BLF member Bill Compton provides a fresh look on this much needed subject in these end times when the Bible prophesies that "the love of many will grow cold."
The life of the Christian requires frequent reminders about the importance of striving toward the perfect love of Christ in our lives. Guest speak and BLF member Bill Compton provides a fresh look on this much needed subject in these end times when the Bible prophesies that "the love of many will grow cold."
The Bible teaches that true faith should inspire our speech (2 Corinthians 4:13). In this teaching, we learn more about what the Bible says about the importance of our words and the power of our tongues to guide the course of our lives much like a rudder guides a ship. In doing so, we also look at the scientific validation for this concept with a peak into discoveries in quantum physics regarding the power of words and thoughts. Once again, science is catching up with the Bible! Let this teaching encourage you about the power in your mouth!
Eric Burton of GroundBreaker International ministers at BLF on healing, faith, and what the ancient Hebrews indicates about the power of declaration through the spoken word. Great stuff!
There are several roadblocks to healing that those who are seeking it need to be aware of. This teaching lists 7 common hindrances that often go unnoticed by people praying for healing. At the end of this teaching, BLF member Juli Suverkrup gives an amazing testimony of how God opened her womb when she and her husband were unable to have children. Let this teaching equip you and encourage you in your own walk of faith.
This teaching continues with gaining insight from Abraham's journey of faith, and makes several observations in how to grow and maintain strong faith as it applies to healing. Also featured in this teaching is guidance on the importance of taking care of our bodies and what the Bible has to say about that, in addition to insights about how vitally important it is to walk in love and how that can hinder the life of faith, and more.
Faith is often journey rather than an instantaneous result. While a person is learning to develop strong faith, the answer to our prayers may be delayed as it was in Abraham's case. Abraham is our example of how to walk in faith, as he demonstrated how even in the midst of impossible circumstances, we can cling to the promises of God and see them come to pass if we "waver not through unbelief." This teaching also provides some little-known insights on Isaiah 53 that can help build your faith for healing!
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it's impossible to please God. And James 1:6-8 says without faith we can't even expect to receive anything from God! Obviously, then, we need to discover what faith is and how to walk in it if we expect to receive healing, or anything else for that matter. While many man-made religious ideas have been conjured up to try to explain why some people don't get healed, the fact is, none of them are based in the Word of God. Actually, there is nothing more emphatically taught throughout God's Word than that through the atonement of Christ both salvation AND healing were provided. This teaching, therefore, explores more concepts of healing under the umbrella of faith!
In this second teaching in the series, we discuss two little-known concepts about healing. The first is the broader meaning of salvation and how it's more than forgiveness of sins, but includes benefits in this life as well. The second issue is Paul's "thorn in the flesh," which many people mistakenly believe was an illness of some sort. It wasn't. Learn in this teaching why Paul's thorn in the flesh couldn't have been an illness and why that's important to know in building your faith for healing.
Is healing for today, or did it pass away with the first century apostles as some people say? In this teaching we will explore what God's Word says about healing versus some of the dismissive modern day teachings that claim God sometimes puts sickness on people to teach them some character lesson, or that we can't always rely on God's willingness to heal some people. Rather than relying on man-centered teachings, we dive in to what the Word of God says about this so we can build our faith in this area and experience more of God's miraculous power.
One reason a veil of deception remains over so many in this culture, even those who profess to be Christian, is a failure on the part of pastors to address the truth regarding social issues and preach the full balanced Gospel. In this teaching, guest speaker and Blessed Life Fellowship member Brent Denney expounds upon where this nation has been headed in terms of the push toward socialism and ultimately communism, and what the outcome of that would be. Brent also emphasizes the need for God's people to stand up and proclaim the truth, the importance of prayer, and the impact of getting back to the proclamation of the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Guest speaker Brent Denney gives his take and additional insights on the series pastor Andy just finished on pride and humility. This teaching provides insights on the humility of faith, and other action steps that accentuate pastor Andy's previous series, as well as a testimony on how the teachings on pride vs. humility have affected Brent and his family.
June 24, 2022 is the day that will forever mark the month of June as LIFE MONTH! In response to the prayers of His people, God has brought a great victory to His people in the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and His Church is celebrating! And while this is indeed a time for great elation, it's only one victory in a spiritual war. We are contending for the heart of our nation, and this is not a time to rest on past or even current victories. The enemy is stirred up, and we must keep up the pressure in prayer, fasting, decreeing, and being involved in the work of the Gospel. This teaching provides the proper perspective on this historic victory, and where we go from here.
In this final teaching in our Greater Grace series, we review some high points of all the previous teachings in this series. In doing so, we discuss 15 signs of pride to keep you on your toes spiritually, and demonstrate from the Word of God that pride only leads to aggravation whereas humility will bring greater levels of peace.
In learning to deal with pride in our lives, we have to learn how to successfully address the roots of pride instead of its fruits. In doing so, God will often give people a dream for their lives that He has in mind to not only touch a lot of souls in the future, but will also serve to reveal the pride in the hearts of those He gives those dreams to so that they learn to recognize it and address it successfully. This is what happened with Joseph. This teaching leans on the story of young Joseph in the Bible and the lessons his life teaches us about pride and humility.
One of the ugliest forms of pride is religious pride. Jesus was hardest on those who allowed themselves to get puffed with elitism and religious pride. Religious pride has led to some of the most horrible atrocities in human history, not the least of which was the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. And various forms of religious pride still exist in almost every pocket of modern day Christianity, and it can lead to people having a form of godliness yet completely missing the heart of God. This teaching will help identify forms of religious pride and deal with the inner corruptions that lead to it.
Life will test our humility in a number of ways, and one of those ways is by how we handle money and success. The way we handle money and our attitudes toward it reveal a lot about our hearts, and there are principles God has set in place to help prevent money and promotion from puffing us up with pride.
One of the ways that our humility will be tested is how we respond to those in authority over us. This teaching covers four different areas where God commands us to submit to those over us as an expression of our submission to Him, and in doing so enter into a new level of grace and favor.
Continuing with a list we began in the previous teaching of ways pride tries to hide, we discuss in this teaching another very subtle manifestation of pride that goes undetected by most people. In doing so, we also discover a way that we can be used by God in greater ways and make a bigger impact on our world.
Pride and humility are both very misunderstood characteristics. Sometimes what may look like humility to some people is actually a subtle form of pride. Pride is not easy to spot because it's insidious and sneaky, but this teaching will help you spot two of its tactics so you can head it off at the pass.
Borrowing from the "You might be a redneck if..." concept of listing things that implicate a person, this teaching lists several telltale signs of pride that often go unnoticed by the prideful person, but definitely is noticed by others who have to witness them. These characteristics of pride will absolutely prevent a person from walking in the greater things of God. However, learning to recognize these tendencies and being proactive in combatting them will position you for greater levels of God's grace and favor, as well as helping to endear you to others.
The disease we should dread the most isn't a physical one, but it's one having to do with an inner condition of the heart. This disease produces all kinds of different symptoms which are clear outward indications of this condition. And it's a condition that the Bible says God DETESTS, and which will prevent us from growing in the Lord and reaching our potential in Christ. Find out in this teaching how to spot this condition, and what to do to overcome its deadly effects.
God desires that the power of the resurrection be at work not just one time when Jesus rose from the dead, but that it be at work for ALL of His people. This teaching will focus on how to tap into that resurrection power so that we see it working in our lives every day with the demonstration of God's power changing us day by day over time until we become more and more like Him. In doing so, this teaching confronts the complacency that is so commonplace in today's Western Church and how to combat that, and instead living passionate faith-filled lives that truly make a difference in our families and the people around us.
Many of God's people recorded in Scripture walked through "wilderness experiences" where they were confronted with situations they didn't understand and where God seemed silent. But these people continued to trust God even when He seemed absent and uninvolved, and they came out on the other side with great victories. If we respond to these wilderness experiences properly, they will forge in our hearts a profound humility that will put us in position to be greatly used and honored of God.
From the beginning of time until now there has always been a true and false humility, and a genuine heart toward God versus merely a stiff ceremonial approach. In this teaching we examine what true humility looks like and several examples of both obvious and also more subtle forms of pride. This will help us to identify areas of our lives where pride goes unnoticed, thus helping us to position ourselves to receive more of God's favor.
Did you know there are different levels of God's grace? Some people walk in great grace, while others not so much. The broader definition of grace goes beyond the grace we experience at salvation, but also refers to God's divine favor and assistance. And some people seem to walk in greater measures of this divine favor. So how do we get there to experience more of God's favor? That's what this teaching and series will center on.
The hope to which we are called is not a suggestion, but rather a command of holy scripture. Discover in this teaching how hope can anchor you soul in these turbulent times.
Our imagination is closely connected to our faith, because we must imagine and visualize what it is we are believing for. That's why after God promised Abram offspring, He led him outside to gaze at the night sky to see the countless stars and told him, "That's what your offspring is going to be like." God wanted Abram to have a visual to stimulate his imagination to have something to connect his faith to. And that's an important principle for our life of faith and exercising our authority in the earth. This teaching also highlights two other important elements of our authority, which is the power of our words and the power of partnership -- three important principles in all to help bring about the reality for what you are believing God for.
Nehemiah was a lowly cupbearer to a pagan king, but God gave him a vision to accomplish a great work. The lessons we can learn from Nehemiah can be applied to any person at any time in any place. God has in mind for each and every one of His children to have a vision beyond themselves -- a vision to impact others for Christ and to advance God's Kingdom in the earth. And there are some important principles we have to understand if we're going to fulfill God's dream for our lives and make the biggest impact possible. This teaching will equip you to not only begin developing a bigger vision for your life, but also put the tools in your hands to see that vision come to pass.
One of Satan's primary tactics against God's people is to divide and conquer. But one of God's most powerful weapons against the kingdom of darkness is for His people to UNITE AND CONQUER. We cannot walk in our full authority in Christ and fulfill our God-given destinies if there is ongoing conflict and strife in our lives. And, in fact, we sacrifice so much of God's favor on our lives and, according to Hebrews 12, we miss much of the grace of God by allowing a bitter root to grow in our hearts. However, by recognizing this demonic tactic and refusing to give into strife in our lives, homes, and churches, we position ourselves for more of God's grace and favor, and to be greatly used of God. Get ready to kick hell out of your house!
Have you ever wanted to be used of God in a greater way? The Bible tells us that if we will cleanse ourselves from that which is dishonorable, we will be vessels fit for honorable use by the Master. This teaching elaborates on that concept, as well as provides principles for overcoming sin patterns in our lives and living in greater degrees of victory. In doing so, this teaching will equip you to live a life more useful to the Master.
The book of Romans calls God's people "more than conquerors," yet that is not the perception that many Christians have of themselves. Using the book of Job and misapplying its message to paint God as a deity who will turn loose Satan on His people to teach us patience, many Christians see themselves as victims instead of victors. Therefore, this teaching spends quite a bit of time looking at the book of Job and correcting some of the wrong teaching regarding it, and then using that as a springboard to highlight what the Bible says about who we really are in Christ! Get ready for some GOOD NEWS!
"God is in control." We've heard it over and over as a mantra to comfort ourselves about the troubles of the world. God is indeed sovereign, but what does the sovereignty of God really mean? Does it mean He controls and dictates everything that happens on earth? This teaching will expound on the proper biblical understanding of the sovereignty of God and our role in God's Kingdom advancement. In short, God wants to partner with YOU in order to impact the world around you.
Laura Martin, a representative of Clarity Pregnancy Services in Columbus Indiana, makes a guest appearance to BLF and introduces the various services to women and families in crisis. BLF supports this para-church ministry because of the superb job they are doing educating women on alternatives to abortion, and various other services to women and families in crisis. Listen in and learn about Clarity and how you might be able to provide support as well. -PLEASE FORGIVE THE MALFUNCTIONING NOISY AUDIO-
WARNING: This teaching is not your typical Americanized, modernized, homogenized sermon. While this teaching is taken right from the pages of the Bible, it is a subject rarely dealt with in the pulpits of most mainstream churches, unfortunately. There is a terrible misunderstanding and misapplication of the sovereignty of God in today's church culture that suggests that God ordains everything that happens on the earth. He doesn't. Rather, God sent His son Jesus to "destroy the works of the devil" according to 1 John 3:8. When Jesus stripped Satan of the keys to death, hell, and the grave, He then delegated His authority to us and expects us to enforce Christ's victory by advancing His Kingdom in the earth and beating back the forces of hell that have been unleashed on the earth. This part 1 in a series helps us better understand that concept so we can begin walking in our Christ-given delegated authority so we can more effectively advance God's Kingdom in the here and now.
PREPARE TO HAVE SOME SACRED COWS TOPPLED! Many people believe that prayer is simply asking God for things. For many Christians, prayer is such a basic concept that they don't feel there is a need to grow in their understanding and effectiveness in prayer. But the disciples of Jesus were no strangers to prayer, yet they knew in watching Him that they lacked something in their own prayer lives. This teaching, therefore, seeks to help us grow beyond the elementary concept of just asking God for things, hoping He might respond, to being confident in prayer and getting much better results than we ever have.
Have you ever heard a prophecy at the start of a new year that this next year would be a year of breakthrough and victory for the people of God only to experience some of the most difficult times of your life as the year unfolded? Many people experienced that last year. While those gifted in the prophetic can miss it once in a while, like we all can, we should understand that breakthrough is actually available to us every day because we live in the age of grace. Learn in this teaching how to make the most out of this New Year in 2022 and position yourself to receive more of God's grace and favor and have your own personal times of refreshing and breakthrough!
The Christmas season is a time when we focus on the virgin birth of Jesus the God-man, Immanuel ("God with Us") -- the coming of our Savior in the form of a lowly human baby laid in an animal feeding trough (manger). And that is no doubt a glorious time in history worthy of celebration. However, the goal of the coming of the Christ was not ultimately the manger. The ultimate goal was to demonstrate a divine love so radical that it would consummate on a Roman cross of execution as Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for mankind's sins. In this teaching we will clarify the full message of Christmas and what it means in its entirety. If you have never heard the entire gospel message proclaimed, this teaching is for you. And if you need to have your evangelistic saw sharpened, this teaching will help in that process as well.
In continuing the discussion on fasting, we turn our attention to several benefits of fasting, which includes not only many personal benefits, but also benefits for the ones we pray for, as well as even benefits for the nation. Also discussed here are instructions from the scriptures on how to fast to get God's attention and reap the best benefits.
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for everything, and a season for everything under heaven. So we have to discern what season we are in. The truth is, we are in a time of war...not with guns and bombs, but one that is waged in the spirit. And in a time of war, it's not time for our usual indulgences and recreations. Perilous times require desperate measures. In learning to fight this spiritual battle, we have to rediscover the virtues and power of fasting and what it can do not only for us as individuals, but also for our communities and nation when believers unite in prayer and fasting.
There is an unseen power that many Christians do not take full advantage of, and that's the power of fervent, earnest prayer. The sign of a life unprepared for Christ's return is a prayerless life, while a sign of those who ARE prepared is a life filled with prayer. And by prayer, we are not talking about obligatory prayers uttered for the sake of punching a time card. We are talking about the kind of prayers rising from one's gut, the kind of passionate prayer that won't be denied, the kind of prayer that gets results. This is the unseen power that we need to learn to tap into. Buckle your seatbelts as we discuss prayer in a way that you may never considered it.
Jesus said He came to seek and to save those who are lost, and then He went on to delegate His authority in the earth to you and me. Jesus expects us to carry on His business while He is away, which includes doing as He did and seeking to save those who are lost. Learn in this teaching some of what God expects of us along these lines, while also getting some tips on how to share your faith in ways that are not so scary or intimidating.
God's family are chosen (adopted) temporary residents on earth. Because our eternal inheritance is in Heaven, our family is scattered abroad. We have family everywhere! This teaching is a reminder of our adoption and how that should affect our mindsets as people of God.
Other than the American Civil War there may not have ever been a more divisive and hate-filled time than the one we are living in right now. But Jesus calls us to love even when the love of many others has grown cold. As Christ followers, our love must endure to the end. But part of walking in the love of God during divisive and turbulent times will require we be at rest and peace in God's love ourselves so we can pass that peace and love on to others. Learn in this teaching how to maintain our peace in stressful times, and why doing so is an important sign of those who are prepared to meet Christ face-to-face some day.
God's Word has the power to radically transform lives. It is God's primary tool of renewal and guidance of His children. Those who ignore God's Word or take it lightly will suffer for it, but those who consume it regularly and then apply it to their lives will be greatly blessed in every area of life. This teaching expounds upon how the Bible can be validated as being truly inspired by God, and how it can be used to undergo the metamorphosis God has in mind for His children. A person truly prepared for Christ's return will have a high commitment to consumption of the Word of God.
This teaching addresses the vital importance of regular church attendance to a local fellowship in the life of the believer, but it also addresses various heart issues for why people don't make church a higher priority in their lives. There's something for everyone in this teaching, even if you already attend church regularly, because this teaching is preventive medicine, shining the spotlight on subtle heart issues that can make people begin drifting from God -- and thus the church -- little by little.
This is a teaching that resulted in 3 people coming to Christ and numerous already-saved people asking for prayer for strength in overcoming various compromises. In this second teaching in the series where we are examining the 7 signs of being unprepared for Christ's return, we turn our attention to James 4:4 and other passages where scripture tells us that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. Many in the Body of Christ are trying to be married to Christ while maintaining their adulterous relationship with the world, and those who are trying to live that way need to heed the warning of Christ, that that lukewarmness will result in being spewed out by Jesus. Learn in this teaching how you can tell if you are still trying to maintain a friendship with the world and what to do about it.
This episode is not a teaching, but the recording of guest minister Fred Aguilar's ministry to several couples and individuals in the congregation and his words of encouragement over their lives.
In assessing the signs of the times, it looks as though we've never been closer to the return of Christ than we are right now. How then would you evaluate your current preparation for His return? Are you dressed and ready for service, keeping your lamp burning and your oil full? Or have you let your oil get low and your lamp close to burning out? The answer to that question has eternal implications. Learn in this teaching how you can trim your lamps and prepare yourself for Christ's return.
Using Philippians 2 as a backdrop, Brent Denney uses the examples of both Christ and Paul the Apostle with regard to their selfless service and how their examples should inspire us to live in the same way, and how we can arrive at that same place in our hearts.
This teaching by Brent Denney is based on the Church of Sardis in the book of Revelation and provides a similar wake-up call to the Church in America.
The Bema Seat Judgment of Christ is a time and place where believers in Jesus will have their work for God's Kingdom in this life evaluated. It's not a place of judging us for our sins, since those have already been dealt with on the cross. Rather, it's a time when our work is examined and rewards will be given accordingly. This is a crucial doctrine to master, because once you begin to have the revelation about how everything we do here in this life is either building up treasures in heaven or subtracting from our reward, then you'll be very purposeful in how you live. And this is why the doctrine of eternal judgment is one of the foundational doctrines of the faith.
The doctrine of eternal judgment is vital to understand for the Christ follower, because if you truly understand what the Bible says about this it will absolutely affect that way you live. And for the Christian, eternal judgment is GOOD NEWS! Find out in this teaching why we have reason to rejoice in eternal judgment, how to prepare for it, and why what you do TODAY is so important.
The resurrection of the dead is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. In fact, it's so foundational that the scriptures tell us without the resurrection our faith is in vain. And we likewise need to understand the three distinct resurrections that different people will be raised in. This teaching will help us master a better understanding of this cornerstone doctrine.
DID YOU KNOW YOUR HANDS ARE INSTRUMENTS OF GOD'S SUPERNATURAL POWER?! The doctrine of the laying on of hands is one of the fundamental principles in the Bible, but almost totally neglected when it comes to teaching about it from the pulpits of today's churches. Yet this is how supernatural power, authority, blessing, deliverance and healing was and is transferred. Learn in this teaching how God wants to use you to transfer His power into the lives of others. And by the way, there were several healings in this service after this sermon was delivered. God confirmed His Word with signs following!!!
Most people know about water baptism, but did you know there are not one, but THREE different baptisms discussed in the Scriptures that are available to every believer? And each baptism has a special place and purpose in the life of the believer. Discover in this teaching what each of those baptisms are and how they benefit the Christ follower.
Hebrews 6 says that "faith toward God" is a fundamental concept we must master if we are to go on to spiritual maturity. But what exactly does that mean? In this teaching, we break down what it really means to trust God for one's salvation. This version of the gospel message is not taught in many churches these days, but it must be understood if we are to build a firm spiritual foundation that will stand the test of time.
One of the fundamental principles the book of Hebrews says we have to master to go on to maturity is "repentance from dead works." But what does that mean? Many people believe they have repented, but the fruit -- or lack thereof -- of their lives show they never really rended their hearts and changed, which is one fundamental element of true repentance. This teaching will take a deep dive into the meaning of repentance and how it should be impacting the life of the Christ follower. Listen in to make sure you have truly repented according to the Biblical meaning.
The endurance of a building is determined by the quality of its foundation. And the same is true with our faith. If we do not start out on a firm foundation, then it impairs our ability to grow in our faith and many elements of the Kingdom. In this first teaching in the series, we discuss the problem of the widespread lack of Biblical knowledge in the Western Church, the consequences that can have, and the benefits of being trained in the "word of righteousness." Clearly, Scripture tells that God wants us to grow into maturity in our faith and not remain spiritual babes. Get ready to be trained!
"I have this against you," said Jesus in the book of Revelation. "You have abandoned your first love." In this teaching, Brent Denney examines what this means and how it applies to our lives today. Get ready to "stir yourself up in your most holy faith."
Have you ever wrestled with God? Have you ever gotten in His face and said, "I will not let you go until you bless me?!" That's what a man by the name of Jacob did, and God blessed him for his shameless audacity. Many Christians seem to believe that God wants quiet and proper people who never raise their voices or express any sort of desperation or frustration in His presence. But a man by the name of Jacob wrestled with God and demanded a blessing, and rather than reprimanding him, God blessed him and gave him a new identity, calling him "Israel," or one who struggled with God and prevailed. This teaching is a call to passion -- a call to a radical prayer life and a radical faith that shows confidence in the goodness of God and will not let go until it manifests. If you've been believing for something for a long time and have not seen it come to pass, you need to hear this teaching!
BLF member Brent Denney provides four points from Acts 4 to help the church be a more powerful church, and the people of the church to more closely model what God had in mind for our operation in the world to help advance the Gospel in power.
Elijah was one of the most powerfully used people in all of Bible history. Yet even after a great victory at Mt. Carmel where God's power was demonstrated in an awe-inspiring way, Elijah soon after fell into a deep discouragement after a satanic counter-attack. And that's often what happens after a great victory or move of God in the life of a church or individual. This teaching examines 6 things we can learn from that time in Elijah's life that can prevent us from falling prey to deep discouragement and continue moving forward in God's power.
Have you ever had a time in your life when things were going great but then were blindsided by an unseen calamity of some sort? Or maybe you received some sort of wonderful spiritual blessing in a super-charged service of some sort and then soon after had the rug pulled out from under you? God's people must understand that there are dark spiritual powers that will not give up just because you got a special touch from God at some point. The forces of hell are relentless, and so is the sin nature. Therefore, we must have the right mindset after a mighty move of God to continue moving forward in the new thing He is doing in our lives, learning how to fight the good fight of faith ALL the time regardless of feelings and regardless of outward circumstances. God is always up to something good, but we can't rest on yesterday's blessing. We have to keep moving forward. This teaching will equip you to maintain and build upon the new thing God might be doing in your life and church.
Guest speaker Eric Burton of Groundbreaker International provides an in-depth look at a scripture in the book of Joel instructing the people of God to rend our hearts. The deeper meaning of what this means is key to a deeper, more powerful walk with God.
In keeping with our goal in this series to discuss social topics in church that most churches won't address, this teaching tackles how we as Christians should view the ideology and methods of political correctness and the "woke" culture. The woke culture claims to address social injustice, yet in doing so they perpetrate their own brand of injustice. The Bible indeed provides instruction on how we are to view these methods, as well as how we should be addressing society's various social problems. This teaching takes on Black Lives Matter, transgenderism and discrimination against women, hatred against police, and much more. It's another truth grenade in our "Untouchables" series.
Brent Denney expounds further upon the promises of Psalm 91 and what it takes to experience those promises. This teaching also ends with a few minutes of Q&A between the congregation and Pastor Andy, which adds some helpful insights as well.
Psalm 91 is a popular and famous passage of scripture that has appropriately been used to proclaim God's protection over His people. Not as widely discussed, however, is what it actually takes to enter that place of protection. In this insightful teaching, Brent Denney breaks down from a historical and Biblical perspective what it actually means to enter the secret place of the Most High.
Do politics and religion mix? Should pastors and Christian leaders be talking about politics from the pulpit? Does the Bible forbid Christians to get involved in politics? These are questions being raised by some religious people and circles, and the Bible is indeed our guide, providing clear answers to these questions. In this teaching a very clear comparison is made of the platforms of the two major political Parties in the U.S. and what they stand for compared to what the Bible has to say about some of these social issues. Buckle your seat belts for this one. It could rock your paradigm! And pass on the information!
If we are to properly and effectively deal with the problem of racism in our society, we have to recognize three things: First, racism is a two-way street; it's not just whites against blacks, but also blacks against whites. Secondly, we need to understand that in God's Kingdom there is no such thing as race or nationality, because we are all children of God who are equal in His sight. And thirdly, the problem originates from a heart full of pride and elitism. If we can get those three truths in our hearts, we can go a long way toward effectively addressing racism. In this teaching, Pastor Andy expounds upon the Biblical perspective on those three points, and in doing so also incorporates videos from two black leaders in the fight against racism, Larry Elder and former police officer Brandon Tatum. This teaching is an "untouchable," because racism addressed the way this teaching addresses it is considered politically incorrect by a lot of people. So prepare to get a slightly different perspective on this issue.
This teaching is an "untouchable" -- something that is not often taught in today's churches -- because it is potentially offensive to people who have been influenced by society's version of manhood and femininity. But with a divorce rate of 13 every second in the U.S., perhaps we need to re-think some things and return to God's structure for the home. Be prepared to be challenged to step up our game as men and women of God in the home and the church.
God is the creator of sex, and as such He has a plan for sexuality that is good, healthy, and pleasing. However, this topic has been missing from the platforms of many American churches in recent years. Many people in the church have only vague ideas of what is good and holy when it comes to sex, and what is evil. Our perverse society seems to dictate the ideas about sex now rather than the Word of God even among many churchgoers. And the terrible damage that has come out of the lack of Biblical training on this topic is evident in the soaring divorce rate in America, the epidemics of sexually transmitted diseases and pornography addiction, the escalating suicide rate among certain groups of people, and the rampant sexual sin even in the church. God's commands regarding sex and marriage are not ambiguous; they are very clear. And after this teaching you will be clear on it, too. But it's not bad news; it's GOOD news! If you do things God's way, you will avoid the landmines that so often do such terrible damage in people's lives, and instead walk in God's blessing and favor!
The ancient practice of child sacrifice to the pagan god, Molek, is still alive and well today, just in a different form. The practice of abortion has claimed the lives of 60 million children since 1973, and this teaching focuses what the Word of God says about this. In doing so, we get a fresh perspective on a fundamental principle of life in Christ found in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 2:20 and other passages, which is that our lives are not our own anymore, and our thinking and behavior must be conformed to what He says if we want to have fruitful and joy-filled lives.
This Resurrection Day message is not the typical one you might hear taught at Easter, because it is based on an Old Testament passage in Exodus that actually points prophetically to what would be fulfilled 2,000 years later in Jesus. This teaching is a very clear presentation of the Gospel message, establishing Jesus as the fulfillment of Passover and the only way to be reconciled to God through the shedding of His blood.
Walking in the Spirit is not as complicated as some people make it out to be. The Christian life, while indeed impossible if lived according to one's own strength, is nevertheless quite simple according to Jesus. This teaching elaborates on two simple aspects of walking in the Spirit that everyone can do, and, in fact, should be pursuing every day in order to experience a victorious Christian life.
What does walking in the Spirit really mean in the real world? Is it an other-world experience where your feet never touch the ground? Well, it can be that sometimes...but most of the times it's not. Walking in the Spirit is very practical, very doable by every believer, and very necessary for a victorious Christian life. Learn in this teaching what walking in the Spirit is and what it looks like so you can go from victory to victory!
In one of the more inspiring messages you may hear in a while, BLF member and elder, Pam Hull, uses examples from her own life how God doesn't always calm the storms around us, but He will walk with us through those storms and provide comfort even in the midst of pain until we come out on the other side, experiencing the healing in His wings. You will be both inspired and challenged in your faith as Pam shows from the Scriptures how God uses what the enemy meant for evil to turn us into oaks of righteousness! Get ready to be blessed! (Side Note: Pam's full testimony is in in her book, Out of the Stink Ditch, and available upon request by contacting the church at www.BlessedLifeFellowship.org.)
As a follow up to Brent's first teaching, Governed by the Spirit, this teaching focuses on the results of being governed by the spirit and the transformational outcome of living a life in total reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Did you know that people can set up money as an idol in their hearts without even realizing it? That's what happened to the rich young ruler who approached Jesus asking what he needed to do to be saved, and Jesus' response was intended to help that young man recognize the idolatry in his life regarding money, which is the same thing He's trying to do with you and me. Money in and of itself is not evil, but our attitudes toward it CAN BE. And God has a way of dealing with those wrong mindsets and attitudes about money and possessions. Listen in as several examples and scriptures are shared of how wrong mindsets about money can be ruinous and how to recognize if you have any of those wrong mindsets. And then listen as a few BLF members share testimonies of how God has provided for them and even blessed them well beyond their basic needs when they align their hearts with His principles regarding money.
Jesus said in Luke 12:48, "To whom much is given, much will be required." That means when a person has been entrusted with much, such as money, material possessions, talent, etc, much will be required of that person in return to invest those things back into the Kingdom of God. In this teaching we continue with the theme of being generous in heart, and in doing so provide some perspective on who falls into the category of "to whom much is given."
The Bible instructs God's people to EXCEL in the grace of giving. In this teaching we discuss the benefits of giving in both this life and the one to come, principles of financial growth God's way, and address frequently asked questions about the tithe. Listen in also as BLF members play a church version of Wheel of Fortune as we grapple with the answer to a tough question. If you've ever wondered whether or not tithing is something Christians are supposed to observe today, then this teaching is a must-hear.
One of the most basic practices of the Christ follower that Jesus taught is a commitment to a lifestyle of generosity. In fact, Scripture commands us to EXCEL in the grace of giving. There are several reasons why God commands this, not the least of which is to kill the spirit of mammon in our hearts. In this teaching we examine what mammon is and how it keeps us from idolatry in our hearts. We also re-examine the tithe and why most people do it wrong, thus hindering the blessing that God intends to bring into our lives. This is a critical teaching to help position you for experiencing God's best in your life.
The Bible tells us that when we have done everything we know to do in the day of evil, then just STAND! Stand your ground with your spiritual armament in place. This teaching from Ephesians 6 reminds us of what our spiritual weapons are and how to use them when the battle around us is raging. Don't give up saints! It isn't over!
Continuing with our theme of Power Tools...mastering the basics of our walk of faith...we examine why more Western Christians don't have more vibrant prayer lives and how we might all arrive at a more passionate and effective place of prayer.
While most Christ followers have heard that we need to be led or governed by the Spirit of God, many have never understood what that really means or how to do that. In this teaching, BLF member Brent Denney leads us in a journey of discovery regarding better understanding what it means to be governed by the Spirit.
If you've ever wondered why you don't hear from God more than you do, perhaps it's connected to lack of fasting. There are things in our lives in Christ that can only be accessed through fasting, such as was the case with the Apostle Paul, Peter, and even Jesus. If Jesus needed to fast, you and I definitely do! Learn in this teaching what is available to the believer through the discipline of fasting.
Sometimes the keys to a powerful life in Christ are often overlooked because they look too much like work. Most often God doesn't zap people with a magical download from heaven to instantly make them godly. While miraculous things certainly do happen to some people, most often the process of godliness is simply a series of disciplines done consistently over a long period of time. This teaching focuses on three "Power Tools" that Jesus discussed in His famous Sermon on the Mount recorded in the book of Matthew that you can use to take your spiritual life to a new level in the New Year. If you have ever thought that growth in Christ seems elusive, this teaching is definitely for you.
While the Christmas story often focuses on the baby Jesus lying in a manger, that scene was only the start of His mission. Jesus, also called Immanuel, which means "God with us," was the manifestation of God Himself in the form of a human, first appearing as a baby in a humble manger. But why did God do this? Why did He come to earth as a human in the first place? And what proof do we have that He was indeed God in flesh? This teaching addresses those questions.
Many people consider Job the perfect example of patience during severe trial. And while Job is definitely an example of someone who wouldn't run away from God when his life was turned upside down, the whole truth is that Job had some bad beliefs about himself and God that his trials caused to surface. In this teaching we study some little-known truths about Job and how those problem areas in Job's life are object lessons for us, teaching us how NOT to respond during adversity, as well as showing us a clearer picture of the love and good intentions that God has toward you.
Probably the best example of someone in the Bible who may have been able to claim that God had abandoned him was Job. Job and his wife lost everything, but their responses to the situation found in Job 2 were very different from one another. Job's wife had given up on life and given up on God, while Job held on to his integrity and the belief that God would turn his situation around. And that's exactly what happened. Learn in this teaching how and why Job's response was instrumental in his eventual turnaround.
When God seems absent, one of the things we want to avoid is making things worse with our mouths. The scriptures tell us that our tongues have the power of life or death. So we need to take a lesson from the ancient Israelites, and rather than to begin grumbling and complaining and making statements that are opposite of faith, we should instead declare the desired outcome according to the promises and will of God. Learn in this teaching how our words can literally make or break our destinies.
God is never absent in the lives of His people, but sometimes it can feel that way. In this teaching we take a look at a time in the life of Abraham and Sarah when God seemed absent in their lives, and in doing so we learn what NOT to do when the answers to prayers seem delayed. We also learn more about walking by faith and not by sight, and some of the things that hinder our ability to sense God's presence and leading.
There are times in the life of every Christ follower when we go through what has been called "the dark night of the soul." It may even seem that our nation is going through a very dark time right now. But how we respond during those times will determine how fast we get through our own personal valley of the shadow of death. Learn in this teaching by Pastor Andy why these times occasionally happen, how to respond, and what the potential benefit is.
BLF member Bill Compton delivers a challenging and encouraging message about what integrity really is, how it should be applied, and the benefits for the believer.
The goal of the believer in Jesus Christ is the place of total surrender to His Lordship. BLF member Mark Suverkrup teaches on the high mark of living in Christ.
BLF member Pam Hull delivers a powerful reminder about the set apart life God has in mind for all His children.
Fill-in speaker and BLF member, Bill Compton, provides Biblical insights and his personal experiences on our call to be ambassadors of Christ. Bill lives this message with his ministry to the motorcycle community and his role in the Christian Motorcycle Association.
Proverbs 13:21 tells us that the righteous are rewarded with GOOD! That is God's desire for you. But in order to position ourselves for the good that God wishes to lavish upon us, we have to recognize the areas where sins of idolatry exist in our lives, because God will not bless idolatry. This teaching sheds light on the dark corners of our lives where idolatry tends to hide itself, exposing the darkness so that we can come into the light and enjoy the multi-generational increase of God!
While there is a multi-generational blessing that God has in mind for your family, just as true are the multi-generational family curses that come upon those who resist the wisdom of God. But God wants us to avoid the curse. In order to do so, we have to implement God's blueprint for walking in the Blessing. This teaching will enlarge upon ways to position yourself and your family to enjoy the blessings of God that will carry into future generations.
God's covenant with His people is intended to extend beyond one generation. God has multiple generations in mind, desiring to pass His blessings down through the generations of your family line. But getting in on that generational blessing will require avoiding the curses out in the world that can decimate our heritage, and instead walking a separated, consecrated life before the Lord, and then teaching your children to do the same. Prepare for the Lord to increase you more and more, both you and your children!
Did you know that both God and satan want the same thing: your children and your legacy? Satan wants to bring dysfunction and destruction into your family and steal, kill, and destroy. But God wants to bless you and your family and your heritage. Just as in the case of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, God's blessing on those who love Him is intended to be forever, but we have to follow His plan in accomplishing that, or else we fall into satan's plan. It starts with first believing that God wants to bring increase to you in every area of your life as it says in our master text, Psalm 115:14: "God shall increase you more and more, both you and your children."
Jesus taught us that the way to life is to lay ours down, taking on the role of a servant in order to achieve greatness in His Kingdom. The life of a servant personifies what it means to be a Christian. It was Jesus, after all, that modeled the life of a servant. This teaching provides insight on the illusion that is the worldly mindset many of God's people have been conformed to versus the true life that Jesus offers.
The Word of God instructs followers of Christ to not love this world. In keeping with our theme of considering ourselves aliens and strangers of this world, we must understand what it means to love the world and the things in the world, and avoid the "Big 3" -- the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Learning how those three tend to manifest themselves is key to living a life pleasing to the Lord and avoiding the traps of this world that can lead to spiritual shipwreck.
Have you ever looked around at the things going on in the world and felt like an alien? If you are a follower of Christ, there's a reason for that. The truth is, Christ followers are described in the Bible as just that: aliens and strangers. This world isn't our home, and the Bible tells us to not love this world because our homeland is heaven. When we begin setting our minds on things above and not things here below, it gives more significance to life on earth and encourages us even while we endure the degradation around us for a time. That hope also encourages us during times of grief when we lose loved ones. This teaching will give you a Biblical glimpse of heaven, plus the testimony of someone who was there for 90 minutes after being ran over by a truck. Enjoy learning about your homeland in this teaching.
There are many people in our society today who feel entitled to certain things because of a lack of privilege, having been wronged, or whatever the reasons are. But an entitlement mentality rarely works out to the advantage of those who cling to it. Rather, feeling entitled robs people of the personal responsibility required to make something of themselves and lead the fruitful life God intends. In this teaching, you'll learn why entitlement and self-pity are not your friends, and how adopting the mindset of what God says about you -- that you are MORE THAN A CONQUEROR -- will set you on the path to fruitfulness, accomplishment, and inner healing.
Theodore Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Learn in this teaching why that's true, and why as Christians it is unwise to fall into the comparison trap. If we can begin seeing as God sees, then we can avoid sizing ourselves up in comparison to other people and instead walk in the joy of the Lord as He intends.
We now live in a time when most people have an orphan mentality. They have no idea who they are or why they are here. And even many Christians struggle with this. And it causes people to have so many insecurities that they try to medicate through various self-destructive coping mechanisms. But when we get a revelation about who we really are in God's sight, it changes everything; life takes on new meaning and we can rest in knowing we are very special to our Heavenly Father, causing our insecurities to begin to melt into peace and strength. This teaching will give you a new glimpse of who you REALLY are, not what you think you are, and not what other people say you are.
WARNING: SACRED COWS TOPPLED HERE! Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. We are essentially products of our most dominant thoughts. So if we wish to go from glory to glory, there are most likely a few things we need to think differently about. The way we think about ourselves can propel us forward or cause us to crash and burn in our careers, in our marriages, in our health, and most certainly in how we relate to God. Learn in this teaching why the way we think and use our imaginations is so vital to every aspect of life, and how to change how we think about ourselves to line up with the Word of God.
Jesus said He requires fruitfulness from those who would follow Him. But what does it mean to be fruitful? To some, being fruitful means to read the Bible regularly and to avoid the "big" sins. But fruitfulness is much more than this in God's eyes. Being fruitful for the Kingdom will require a total commitment to God's Kingdom, not a half-hearted one. At times it will require courage in the face of risk and obstacles. If you want to go from glory to glory and victory to victory, your life must be one that is focused on bearing good fruit for the Kingdom. This teaching will help you to do just that.
To "rend" is an old word meaning TO TEAR. God uses this word in the scriptures to encourage those who have fallen into complacency and lukewarmness to return to Him in repentance, mourning, and fasting. And in Joel 2 where God commands His indifferent people to rend their hearts, God also warns of a coming judgment against His people...the kind of judgment that will lead to true repentance. In today's modern culture of such widespread compromise in the Church, there may also come a time when God will have to come in judgment to awaken His people from their slumber so that we return to loving devotion to Him in purity and with all our hearts. This teaching is a word in due season for the American church, and for each of us personally.
Can you think of 10 things you are exceedingly thankful for? We all can, but so often we magnify what is wrong in our lives rather than what's right and good. And that tendency keeps us from enjoying our relationship with God on a deeper level because we tend to forget what He has done for us in the past and fail to magnify His wonderful work in our lives. If we want to continue going from glory to glory in our lives, we have to remember the pit we were pulled out of when Christ redeemed us, and be continually thankful for all He's done for us and will continue to do for those who remain grateful.
Living in close communion with God and enjoying victory isn't a difficult concept that only a few people get in on. It's available to everyone. But not everyone wants to lay aside the things that hinder their closeness to God and the overcoming life. While there are sacrifices to make, the benefits far outweigh what we give up. In this 40-minute teaching, you'll learn one of the key factors that, when implemented, can turn your life around for the good. Similarly, when this principle is ignored, the joy, peace and victory you could otherwise have in your relationship with God is drained. At the end of this teaching there is also several minutes of discussion time where members of the congregation add some very profound and helpful thoughts that put the exclamation mark on this teaching.
Are you a yo-yo Christian, up sometimes and down at others, never really feeling like you are in a consistent place spiritually? That describes a lot of people, but our walks with God aren't supposed to be that way. The Bible tells us that God is near us all the time. So during those times when we feel spiritually dry and distant from God, it's not God Who moved. God is not variable. But you and I sometimes are. Learn in this teaching why we so often experience that yo-yo syndrome and how to avoid it, and instead live from glory to glory and victory to victory.
Doesn't it seem like God is up to something new these days? And if we are to keep up with Him, we may have to think about things we once held dear a little different. Jesus' parable about the new wine and old wine skins is about people who are willing to receive what God is doing NOW. We don’t necessarily need to scrap the patterns created in the past, although we might be interested in reforming them to some degree. There is definitely some good in old traditions. But much more important is whether, as people of God, we treat the traditions we have come to know and love with flexibility, grace, and compassion for others so we can stay in tune with the new thing God might be doing now.
It has been said that a movement should never let a crisis go to waste. This means that a crisis can be used to exploit and advance a political or social agenda, and in many ways that certainly seems to be happening with the COVID crisis as people of the same mind and heart begin to turn on one another and fear begins to grip people's hearts. In this short 10-minute address by pastors Andy and Donna, we discuss this satanic strategy of "divide and conquer," and why we need to resist fear and division. But we also discuss some "rogue" medical opinions numbering in the thousands of physicians who believe we must abandon the media-fed standards of social distancing and resume our normal lives.
This past Sunday at BLF we conducted a Zoom meeting where several members of the congregation provided their perspectives and life lessons on the times we are living in. While that Zoom meeting wasn't recorded, Pastor Andy provides an overview of that discussion here and the high points of each participant's input. The theme interwoven throughout each participant's talking point were that we can trust God in the storms of life, and while it may not be comfortable at the moment, it's all going to work out for our good. At the end of this short 20-minute post, Pastor Andy provides his own input on the Biblical response during times like these.
The Bible says in Isaiah 60 that even though "darkness has covered the earth and thick darkness the people," God's glory has nevertheless risen upon His people. So in these uncertain times when darkness seems to have advanced, we are assured that God's glory and favor are upon those who fear Him, and we should in turn allow His light to shine through us to others. This teaching provides three ways we can allow the light that God has shown upon us to shine on others, thus dispelling the darkness. This season is a great opportunity for God's people to arise and shine!
Exodus 12 is the story of how the firstborn of Egypt were destroyed by the angel of death but passed over the Israelites when their doorposts were painted with the blood of a lamb. This is a prophetic picture of what Jesus would do many generations later when He became the Lamb of God Who protects us from the wrath of God against sin when He took our punishment upon Himself. Learn in this short 23-minute teaching how important the Old Testament is in providing "types and shadows" of what would be fulfilled later in Jesus as we celebrate the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His glorious resurrection.
Longterm quarantine can cause some people to experience a little sense of stir-craziness. When more than one person is occupying the same house without being able to leave the premises very often, the extended closeness may cause people to get on one another's nerves. And yes, the Bible has a lot to say about this, too. Complete with the visual aid of slides in video format, learn in this short teaching how to successfully manage your family relationships when times are tense. And if you live alone, this will still help with relationships in general.
The little chapter of Philippians 4 is packed with powerful truth that is especially meaningful for the times we are in. From this chapter we learn how to respond in times of difficulty, how to pray effectively, how to tap into divine provision, how to enter a place of peace and contentment even in the midst of trial, and how to trust Christ as our giver of strength. This 20-minute teaching will shed new light on a little chapter that illuminates a big God.
Second Timothy 1:7 tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. How does this translate to a proper and Biblical response to the coronavirus then? This personal message by Pastor Andy is a half-hour overview of Andrew Wommack's 2-hour "Faith Over Fear" teleconference from this past Sunday evening, plus some additional commentary that will help to bolster our faith and give us a wise and Biblical way to respond to the current situation our society is facing.
In perilous times it's good to refresh our memories on the promises of God. This mini-teaching reminds us that God has made wonderful promises of protection for those who draw near to Him -- promises that we can stand on when everything around us seems to be in upheaval. Be encouraged as we celebrate the wonderful promises of God and remind ourselves that we need not fear plagues or disaster.
As Christians we can often fall into the same trap of the world around us in seeking our individual identities in temporal and shallow things. In this teaching, BLF member Ebenezer Olatuyi shares in his very first full length teaching at BLF how our identities as individuals need to be established, and what the foundation is on which those identities rest. We are reminded by Ebenezer that God's love is enough!
One important characteristic of faith is demonstrated in an event in the life of Elijah when he prepared for a great rain to break a longtime drought. The timing of his preparation is instructive in our lives of faith in showing us that faith prepares for the answer to our prayers even when there is little or no evidence of that answer having manifest, but also in the fact that faith is very practical at times and impractical in others, depending on the situation. Prepare to learn in this teaching how God might be requiring you to act and get ready for the answers to your prayers to manifest.