Changed Hearts Changed Lives: Recent Episodes
Manhattan First Assembly of God
Our mission and vision is to build environments that equip people to know God intimately, invest in one another deeply, and reach Manhattan and the world creatively, through ministries that espouse communion, care, commitment, and compassion.
Link to Never Alone Martinhttps://open.spotify.com/track/4XzPXDbUL6IpS9coWPOSzv?autoplay_ok=1
When we read the parable of the talents, we may focus on the amount given to each slave as important. What was really important was how faithful they were with the gift. How faithful are you?
When we first commit to following Jesus, we do so with determination, but what happens when his return is long in coming? Do we lose our determination and start to become slack in our devotion? How are you handling the delay of His coming?
Most of us become very excited when we hope for Jesus' return, but are we really ready? When he comes back for us, will he find us ready?
As we experience struggles in our lives, we need to remember that we do not have all the knowledge to understand the why of it all. If we are committed to God, he will always have our best in mind,and we need to trust and pray.
We all, as believers, want to see others come to know the Lord, but do we have that same desire for our enemies? Having hatred in our hearts will prevent us from ever reaching the lost. We have to act in love to reach them.
Words have great power, and as believers, we have great responsibility. The Bible says, " Life and death are in the power of the tongue." How we control our tongue can reveal our relationship to Jesus.
In our lives, we will experience many difficult and tragic events, but if Christianity is true, then all of them will never come close to our eternal life with Jesus. Because of his resurrection, we have eternity to look forward to!
Much has been taught about water baptism, creating differing understandings of what it is and how it applies to us. Knowing how to properly understand it is vital to your relationship with God.
Sometimes, we think that being called to the mission field means going to faraway places, but it may mean just talking with a neighbor or a co-worker. To fulfill the mission God calls us to, we need to listen and be obedient.
Jesus said, " If you love me, keep my commandments." One of the best ways to do that is to love one another and give of yourself to others. When we do this, we invest in one another deeply.
How do we get to know God? Just as we use the highway system to reach a destination, we can use specific disciplines to achieve that goal. But what are they?
Just as a ship on the ocean will get lost without a beacon or direction, so will a believer without a purpose or vision from God. We all have a clear mission from God. Do you know what yours is?
Being tied to a past that negatively affects your present can harm your effectiveness as a believer. However, we can connect to a different past that is based on God's working in our lives and then be effective for the Master's use.
When we are experiencing our lowest, most chaotic moments, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus comes at times like these. Don't lose heart; he is ever present in times of trouble.
When going through trials in this life, we may come to Jesus expecting him to fix everything, but is that the Savior described in the Bible?
Jesus is said to be " The King Of Kings". When you think of a king, what do you think of? Does Jesus fit your idea of a king?
When we don't receive what we ask for from God, it can be difficult to understand why. How do we make sense of it? Is there a way to know God's will?
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a powerful manifestation in a believer's life and is integral in their development as children of God. Have you received it?
Do we receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, or is there another infilling that occurs later? This has been a point of debate for centuries. Do you have the answer?
Leaving a legacy is an honorable goal. Most of us want to be remembered for something good we have done or qualities that reflect well upon us, but how do we leave a legacy for a life lived for Christ? What does that look like?
When we live for the Lord, is it just to please Him? Knowing that others around us will be affected by how we live can be a great motivator and help us have a purpose.
Prayer is an essential component of every believer's walk with God. When we pray, it can alter every aspect of our lives: personal, family, community, and world. Do you have a devoted prayer life?
When we come across scripture that seems to say that slavery is acceptable, it is challenging to agree with it. How can we reconcile what we know to be true about enslaving another person and how early Christian culture seemed to accept it?
Determining to give to the Lord in any area can be a struggle. Deciding for what reason we give may also be a struggle, but it doesn't have to be. Where are you in this struggle?
Understanding the tension between grace and works can be summed up with these words, "We are not working to be saved, but because we are saved, we are working to please Him." Looking at your salvation this way will help remove that tension
Most Christians recognize the tension between faith and works. Are we saved by our works or by our faith? How do we answer this question? The answer might be more straightforward than you think.
Just as heat and pressure produce a diamond, they can also reveal our hidden character. What is revealed can tell you much about who you really are. What does it reveal about you?
We must commit to getting the desired result when we want to do something well. When Jesus went to the cross, what did His commitment say about His desired result? Are you thinking about His commitment to you?
When we want to do something well, we must commit to getting the result we want. When Jesus went to the cross, what did His commitment say about His desired result? Are you thinking about His commitment to you?
Saying that we are Christians and living it out are two completely different things. The apostle Paul's admonishments in the letter to the Colossians about how our relationships should be can be discouraging, but do not lose heart—with God, all things are possible!
As Christians, we may have been told that all we need is enough faith, and we can do anything we believe in. That kind of thinking can lead to condemnation and the feeling that we don't have what it takes. But the truth is that God has already given us everything we need, including faith. The question is, what are you doing with it?
There are many hard sayings in scripture, but one stands out as one of the hardest, "Wives submit to your husbands." This scripture has been the source of so much controversy and used to manipulate and abuse others. How can we deal with it the right way? The key is to be "Christocentric."
So much of what we do as followers of Christ, worship, and doing all for him, can be affected by letting the "Logos" fill our lives. How do we accomplish this?
Being born again is the greatest experience that we can have, but it doesn't end with salvation; there should be a continuing relationship with Him. Discipleship is necessary to complete the plan of salvation, but what does it look like?
When we search for God and try to make sense of all the different faiths, Christianity stands alone in that we don't have to earn His approval. He chooses us and makes us His own possession, which is liberating.
Determining to get closer to Jesus is a noble desire. People throughout history have determined to accomplish great things and have done so by purposing in their hearts to do it. Getting closer to Jesus requires the same discipline.
In our instant-gratification world, we don't see struggle or waiting as good. Sometimes, we approach Christianity in the same way. When faced with unanswered prayer or pain, we think God has abandoned us, but it doesn't have to be that way. Sometimes, we need to go through the fire to realize spiritual gain.
The Bible says we are made in God's image, but we sometimes make God in our image. Whatever one applies to you can determine your destiny.
In these turbulent times, we may desire to see a revival that would change those around us and the culture, but where does it start? It's been said that if we want revival, we draw a circle around ourselves and start there. Is that true?
Having a particular set of clothes on may cause people to expect a specific behavior. When we "put on the Lord Jesus," it can and should elicit a particular set of behaviors. How well are you wearing your clothes?
When we accept Christ, we are made righteous through His shed blood. The Bible says to " Put on the Lord Jesus." We are also asked to "put on" many other things, and it takes active participation on our part.
You might have heard it said that "the clothes make the man," and that can also be true when it comes to spiritual matters. The apostle Paul tells us to "Put off the old man and clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." We can choose to do what he suggests, and it will determine how effective we can be for Christ.
When you are in the middle of the storm, finding hope or understanding why God doesn't just make everything right. But there is a way to see through it if we realize the hope we have not just to get through but even during the storm.
There are different schools of thought about our salvation. Some believe that you can live any way you want, and others believe that what you do matters. Which is it?
When we think of a king and what he would be like, we may think of a tyrant or someone to be feared, but that isn't the king we serve. His is a different kind of kingship, one that is easy to give our allegiance to.
In one of the Bible's hard sayings, Jesus separates people into groups ( the sheep and the goats) and determines their ultimate destiny by their actions. How does he differentiate? Can we be sure of which group we will be in?
After giving our hearts to Christ, we sometimes find it difficult to honor him with our behavior. We want to do what pleases him but are unable to or give in to our flesh. Do you struggle to please God with your life? It can be done!
When we come to Christ, our desire to know what He wants us to do is paramount. But how do we know? Is it just do this and don't do that, or is there something else? Jesus asks us to die to this life but why?
Having clear instructions can be a tremendous advantage when we try to do any task. But what about when we've been born again? Where do we find instruction to continue on with Christ?
When we look at ourselves, sometimes it's hard to believe that God could do anything through us, and that is also how many of the people God used in history probably felt as well. How God used the people from the past is the same way He can use you.
On a long road trip, you often hear, " Are we there yet?" But the thing we miss is the journey itself is part of getting to the destination. The journey to peace is no different; you can't get there without the journey.
It can be challenging to understand why we don't receive an answer to our prayers. Is God mad at me? Have I done something wrong, or is He just indifferent? The apostle Paul gives us a clearer understanding of how God responds to our prayers in the letter to the Philippians.
On our journey to peace, there have been many exits, and one of the most vital is "thanksgiving". When we look back and see the works that have been done by God, we can be thankful, and it is a vital aspect of bringing peace into our lives.
When on a road trip, having a map will guide you step by step to your destination. Much like the apostle Paul gives us a sure road map to peace. Are you lacking peace?
When traveling to any destination, you must know the correct exit from the highway. Understanding how to reach the peace that God wants for you, you must also take the exits on that journey.
In our relationship with God, prayer is how we communicate, and when we have pain or sorrow, it can bring us to an even deeper prayer life. That's what supplication is. Have you entered into this aspect of prayer?
Looking at the world around us, it’s easy to get focused on all of the chaos and turmoil. But, we can get our eyes focused on the giver of life and live victorious lives through him.
Many people receive Jesus as their savior, but not many receive him as Lord. Are we just looking to reap the benefits of heaven but not live the type of life God has called us to? Have you made Jesus the Lord of your life?
Seeking wisdom is a very good thing to do. Determining the right path or making the right decisions can be accomplished if we can attain wisdom. But many people have attained it, leaving them with even more questions or unfulfilled. What was missing?
Living out our walk with Jesus encompasses many disciplines, but none more significant than loving one another. In the letter to the Corinthians,, the apostle Paul says most emphatically that it’s the most important of all.
When we come to know Jesus, it’s a new and dynamic experience, but does it stop there? The goal of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to transform us and make us a catalyst for change around us. Where are you on your journey?
Going through pain and suffering is difficult for all of us, but when we suffer as Christians, it can be even more complicated when we don’t understand why. Is God mad at me, or have I lost faith? Is he trying to test me, or have I done something wrong? There are good biblical answers...
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Being an effective witness for Jesus can depend on many things. One of the greatest evangelists in the history of Christianity, the apostle Paul, put it very briefly in the epistle to the Colossians that it depends on your motivation. What are you motivated by?
How do we continue to follow the truth when faced with a different worldview? Many religions claim the truth, and we can be sure we have a sure salvation if we cling to the good shepherd.
Feelings of hopelessness are hard to overcome and can lead to disastrous consequences. But the psalmist wrote, "Why so downcast, oh my soul, put your hope in God." He is our hope; you can live in that hope if you want. Hope in God alone!
We all go through difficult times, and one of the hardest things to deal with is the “not knowing” how or why they happen. The writer of Colossians spells out the supremacy of Christ and brings us to the apex when he states that we have the assurance of God’s involvement in the cross. He...
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A broken relationship is difficult to repair and can cause significant turmoil in our lives. A broken relationship with God can bring even more trouble and hurt, but there is a way to get peace in both situations through reconciliation, which is provided through Christ.
Most of us go through this life wanting to find safety and comfort, and we also approach our walk with the Lord the same way. But there comes a time when we need to get out of the boat and walk into the midst of the storm with Jesus. How do we get the courage...
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When planning a vacation or going on a business trip, we may create an itinerary. The roads we need to travel will lead us to our destination, and only the correct roads will get us where we want. Our spiritual journey is no different, and we need to be on the correct road to lead...
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You can’t fit a square peg into a round hole, or so the saying goes. That is how it is when you try and fill the void in your spiritual walk with anything other than God’s word. When battling with the enemy of your soul, use the weapons God has provided.
People want a place where they fit in; it’s innate for the human condition. But we don’t always find our place in this world, which can lead to many personal problems. But in God’s economy, we do have a place, and He has put gifts into us that will enable us to succeed.
Are you struggling to make it through the day-to-day in your walk with Christ? Remember that you are not alone; God can comfort and help you. There are also milestones we need to remember that will help you through.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” is a well-known scripture that tells of God’s omnipotence. But is Jesus on the same level as God? We see in scripture that he is! Who do you say that he is?
When the secret service trains to spot counterfeit money, they don’t look at the counterfeit. They study the genuine bill to spot the counterfeit easily. When faced with the societal push to be inclusive, we can also be influenced to accept false gospels, but we can easily see them if we know the true gospel.
Have you ever wanted to live out your life in a way that pleases God? There is a way you can, and it’s available to anyone who asks and will transform your life!
Do you struggle with knowing God’s will for your life? Many of us do, and there is comfort in knowing that God wants to reveal it to us. The answer is quite simple if we listen.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is essential to Christianity, but is it true? Is there a way to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that what the bible records is really what happened? If it is, then it will change your life!
As we walk through this life with Jesus, how do we know when it is real or becomes just religion? Has your walk become just something you do, or is it for real?
Sometimes we need a miracle in our lives, and we hope and pray for it to happen, but are we missing the greatest miracle that has already happened?
You may have heard it said, “If you don’t have any expectations, then you’re never disappointed” But sometimes, we have misaligned expectations and become disenchanted or lose hope. What are your expectations of God?
Sometimes we may think that God doesn’t listen to us or that He doesn’t care. We see the degradation of our society or the pain in our own lives or the lives of others and wonder if there is any hope. Well, there is!
Have you ever struggled to know whether you are saved by grace or works? You aren’t alone; it has been debated within the church for years. But you can be sure if you listen to what the Holy Spirit reveals in God’s word.
Having a consistent prayer life is vital to your relationship with Christ. The apostle Paul exemplified this and left us an example of the pattern of prayer that he used. Do you have a pattern that you follow?
Do you deal with the consequences of bad choices in your past? The theme of the book of proverbs deals with wisdom and making the right choices, but it also can help you navigate through the difficulties of bad decisions and help us get back to solid ground
We meet people who claim to be Christians and believe they are on good terms with God but are they? The scriptures tell us we are to be “In Christ,” but what does that mean?
Our society puts a great deal of emphasis on what’s popular, but Jesus wasn’t like that. He will go out of his way just for you, no matter your position or importance.
When you think about who you talk to the most, it may surprise you to know it’s to yourself. Self-talk can be very defeating if not done through the lens of scripture, but you need to see yourself according to God’s word. Who does scripture say you are?
How do we find peace and comfort when facing doubt and fear from life’s circumstances? Even when we don’t feel it, our God can give us rest.
When we face hardships, it can be difficult to believe God sees or cares about us. That is what the Israelites faced when exiled to Babylon, but God had a plan for them, and He also has a plan for you.
Sometimes we can believe that no one could ever love us because of what we have done, but is that true? When we see the character of God and his love for us, it can give us the hope we need.
It’s been said that witnessing to others is “One beggar showing another beggar where the food is.” But if those around us never hear it, they have no hope. We can bring hope to this world by allowing them to understand the hope in us. Are you willing?
The disciples of Jesus were all very different men, but they all had something in common, they stayed close to Jesus and were one in purpose. What is your purpose in life? Does it line up with there’s?
We can conclude that God can’t do anything with us and come to total despair. Naomi, when faced with the loss of her sons, even told people to call her Mara, which means bitter, but God blessed her despite her despair. Can he do that with you?
Sharing the gospel can be considered optional for some believers, but if you think back, how did you come to know thE lORD? Did someone share their faith with you? In the life of Bartholomew, aka Nathaniel, we see an excellent example of how things have always been done when it comes to witnessing.
Having zeal means having great energy or enthusiasm to pursue a cause or an objective. As believers having a passion for anything other than Christ can be a warning sign that our hearts aren’t totally his, or it can also be used as a platform for expressing your commitment to him. Which one are you...
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While very little is known about James, Son of Alpheus, we know that he shared a similar trait with all the other Apostles, He sacrificed everything to follow Jesus. What are you willing to sacrifice for Jesus?
The Apostle Thomas is known for being a doubter, and it has been used in disparaging terms, but if it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have been told one of the greatest truths of the gospel.
When you consider the call of Jesus to follow him, it can require more than what you can give. That is what Mathew faced when Jesus called him. How did he respond, and what does it mean for you?
When we commit our lives to Christ, we become imitators of Him. We also choose to love people, but do we love as he loves? The apostle John was, in the beginning, brash and unloving but became the apostle of love. How did he change so radically? Do you wish to be that radically changed?
It’s hard for us to go through something difficult and not question why God would allow it, but we need to have the correct response to adversity from a biblical perspective. What is that response?
Peter is thought of as a bold, fearless proclaimer of the gospel. But how did he become that? To become one of the most influential preachers of all time, what had to happen to Peter must also happen to you.
As we seek to grow in our walk with Christ, we look to find people that can help us on our way. It is difficult not to look at the person instead of the message. We hold some people in high esteem when we should look to the Spirit behind the messenger.
When a message on missionary giving is given, it can elicit various responses. Do you have a heart for the lost? How we respond can be an indicator of our relationship with Christ.
Jesus said, “Whatsoever you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me.” But who is “The least of these”? They may be closer than you think.
The world loves to point out our wrongs, keep a record of them, and use our faults against us. We as believers have a Father that knows everything about us and all we have done, and not only doesn’t keep a record of them but forgets them all together and covers us with his mercy....
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Focusing on missions is vital to an influential church, but why? Can we, as believers, do the work that Christ has called us to do without it? Perhaps we could use a history lesson to answer these questions.
We all struggle between good and evil, or as scripture puts it, between flesh and spirit. The apostle Paul also struggled with this, as described in the 7th chapter of Romans. At what point does our struggle reveal our relationship to Christ? When have we become “carnal”?
You’ve heard it said that “Pride goes before a fall,” but how do we avoid the pitfall of pride? There are clear answers in the Proverbs.
We spend a lot of time determining who to listen to in our society. How can we know the best sources for advice or counsel? There is a clear answer in God’s word.
God has many names, describing his character and how he relates to us. As we go through this life, we all struggle with the stress and trouble that it brings, but there is a name that describes one of gods most powerful attributes and can give us a great victory. Jehovah Nissi, God our banner!
The enemy of our souls is subtle and cunning. We can easily become ensnared by his traps, but there are ways to avoid them and live lives of freedom and victory. Are you failing or winning?
Having a relationship with Christ is a very personal thing. But is that everything it should be? We are called to make a difference in our community, and the book of Jude tells us why.
We see warning signs around us daily, keeping us out of dangerous situations. The writer of Jude gives his readers clear signs that will also keep us out of spiritual danger. Do you heed the warning?
The writer of Jude warned his readers 19 times that their lives were to reflect their confession. Are you heeding the warning?
Fathers day is a joyous occasion that honors our dad, but sometimes it can be complicated. Not all of us had a great relationship with our fathers, but that doesn’t have to cripple us for life. There is a way to overcome a bad past relationship.
People would like to believe that we are born “good,” but unfortunately, that isn’t the case. When we become believers, it’s even more apparent that we need to overcome these traits. Jesus gives a great life lesson to his disciples, focusing on how we are to be, and it is in complete opposition to how...
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When false teachers enter a church it can be devastating to a local congregation, but it doesn’t have to be. When being trained to spot counterfeit bills they study the real bill so well that spotting a counterfeit becomes very easy. We can see false teaching just as easily if we know the real thing...
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Believing that God loves us can be very difficult, especially when we look at ourselves from the world’s perspective. God’s character is entirely different from our own, and we need to understand how much he loves us and in what ways. Knowing this becomes a liberating knowledge and gives us a new view of ourselves.
Many people claim that they are “saved,” but what are they basing that on? The writer of Jude gave his audience a reminder and a warning. It reminded them of the times God’s judgment fell and warned his readers to look deeper than just the surface. How do we look deeper, and what do we...
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Most people desire to do the things they want to do without restrictions. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can be perilous when that desire creeps into the church as teaching. How did Jude, in his book, deal with this heretical teaching?
There has always been tension in the Church between grace and works. How are we to view grace? There is a view that says we have the freedom to do what we want because God has saved us, but is that true? Does God want us to bear any responsibility for the way we live?
We use barometers as indicators of the conditions around us, but are there spiritual barometers? James points out to his readers that there were people within the church that weren’t what they seemed. How did he know that? How do you know where you stand concerning the same indicators?
When we try to do things on our own, we sometimes experience success, but when it comes to pleasing God, we can become resistant to him or fall into depression because we don’t measure up. Have you tried to get to heaven in your own strength? Jesus has already accomplished everything you need for success.
Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, but is it just a tacit acknowledgment of a religious ceremony? Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” How you respond to that question becomes the key to your relationship with God. Who do you say that he is?
We use terms in our everyday lives that may not express the depth of these terms when used in scripture. When we say “God is Love,” or he is merciful, sometimes it is just a colloquialism and becomes trite. We need to understand what the New Testament writers were trying to get across.
God is Love. Simply said but profoundly comforting is that He also loves us. His love comes to us freely and eternally. How do we respond to his love, or is a response required? The price he paid for us should elicit a response.
How do we “know” that were saved? The book of Jude is a simple book but has spiritual insights into how we can know and then live in that assurance. Are you still unsure?
When we think of slavery, it makes us think of all the instances that people abused and dehumanized other people, and yet Jude, among other writers of the new testament, called themselves “slaves of Jesus Christ.” Was Jude saying that we should be abused and dehumanized by Christ, or was there another way to look...
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Jesus had brothers and sisters, and during his life on earth, they didn’t believe he was who he said he was. But as time went on, they did come to believe in him and had even written books included in the bible. What changed their mind?
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is your perception skewed? We tend to see ourselves differently than how Jesus sees us. Our perspective needs to be changed to see ourselves correctly. Only God has the proper perspective.
Understanding water baptism is vital to our lives as believers in Jesus Christ. Misunderstanding and false teachings are damaging and sometimes lead to a false sense of security. What does the Bible teach about it?
We sometimes struggle with the everyday pressures and trials and become weary in the fight. Are you at the point of giving in or throwing in the towel? Take heart; there is a way to overcome!
The “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” has been misunderstood and thought to be limited to specific denominations, but it doesn’t have to be. God wants to use you to minister his truth and hope to others, and being baptized in his spirit will empower you to do so.
When we think of prophecy in the bible, sometimes we believe that it’s only for those specially gifted to do., but is that true? The Holy Spirit can and does use perfectly ordinary people to speak truths to others, and he can use you too.
Getting to know the Holy Spirit and His role in our walk is vital to our growth as Christian. We often struggle in areas that we try to master, but the answer is to just rely on Him.
When we think of the holy spirit, what comes to mind? Is it just a force or maybe a generic term for God’s presence? Who or what is it? Today on the first of a four part series on the holy spirit we will find out.
Determining someone’s loyalties when it comes to sports is very easy. You wear the colors you buy the license plate and rabidly follow your team. But how do we determine our loyalties when it comes to Christianity? Paul sums it up very succinctly in Acts 28:24,” Some believed, and some didn’t.” Which camp are you...
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People have different motives for giving. Some want recognition or self-gratification, but why is it so important for God to receive from us? Does it mean we will get something back from him or cause him to do something for us, or is there another reason?
Many things can be determined by whats in our DNA, whether our health, physical features or even our behavior, but how about our spiritual DNA? Do we as believers follow Jesus because we have to or is it part of us?
We as believers tend to use words that, by overuse, lose their meaning. The “Gospel” is one of those words that can have huge implications in our everyday walk with God if we understand its true meaning. Listen to our guest speaker Chandler Simar as he explains how significant the Gospel is.
Simeon was a man who was given an incredible promise concerning the Saviour of Isreal. He was in great anticipation, waiting for the fulfillment of that promise, and it brought him comfort knowing that God would bring it to pass. We have also been promised something that can bring us great comfort and consolation in...
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When God called Mary to be the one to bring about His plan of redemption, she responded with humility and obedience. How do we respond when called? Our response is the key to seeing whether or not God will do great things in our lives.
Finding a proper context for Christmas can be difficult in a secular society bent on materialism. Still, when John the Baptist’s father was given the ability to speak after nine months, he gave one of the most incredible songs that does just that. Do we grasp its significance?
Sometimes we all give in to things that control our thoughts, worry, anger, politics, etc. How do we as believers keep our minds stayed on those things that will bring us closer to God? During the early church, Christians dealt with the same issues, and the Holy Spirit has the answer both for them and...
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GPS can be an excellent tool when we’re lost or trying to navigate through an unknown area, and it will usually give us the most direct, easy path. But is that the way our path to God should be? Sometimes the easiest way isn’t the right way.
One of the most well-known and admired scriptures is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” People from walks of life have recognized and tried to emulate this sentiment, but have they seen what is at its heart? There is much to be learned from looking a bit deeper at the...
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Jesus gave us an extraordinary promise when He said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.” We have stood on that promise many times, and in some ways, we have taken it to an extreme in believing that God will...
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Judging others is a very touchy topic in our interactions with others, but there is no denying that it is taught in scripture both to do and not to do. How do we make sense of it all? Should we judge or not? If we are to judge, how are we to do it? Jesus...
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Sometimes when we look at our troubles and trials, they can seem impossible. We can become fearful and feel hopeless to overcome them, but our God is a big God, and we can be sure that nothing is impossible with Him. Pastor Todd Weston
Can one person make a difference? Sometimes we think that our effort won’t matter much when we give, but when the Holy Spirit gets involved, it will change everything! God is a missionary God and will be directly involved when we give according to his desire. One man made a huge difference when out of...
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At a time when there are so many voices clamoring for you to find your identity, it’s hard to know which way to go. How does God view your identity? Is He concerned with you finding yourself? How can we come to any conclusion when there arent any clear answers? Or are there? Brian Elliot...
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When we have a God-given desire to share our faith, sometimes in our zeal, we go about it on our own when what we need is the power that only comes from the Holy Spirit. How do we receive this power? Is it for everyone?
You may have heard it said that “The gospel is just one beggar showing another beggar where the food is.” But what if one beggar was stingy? We all can be possessors of great treasure that we need to be giving away. Are you hanging on to yours? Santiago Guerrero, Counter Cult Missionary
Jesus gave us precise instructions on how to pray. Although well known, it has become a formula and can be just a ritual mindlessly followed. What was He really trying to teach us? Do we really desire to have a close relationship with the “Father” that Jesus speaks of? Do you pray for your needs...
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We all desire to connect with God in a meaningful way. That is exactly what prayer is. Sometimes, however, we don’t realize the close relationship we desire because we make it trite and are in danger of making it just another ritual. We need to find a way to “get into a secret place” and...
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When we have pride in our children or take pride in our work there is nothing wrong with that, but when we have the kind of pride the bible refers to in such scriptures as “Pride goes before a fall” or “God resists the proud” there is a definite problem that needs to be addressed....
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We have all become accustomed to wearing masks during the pandemic but do we put on spiritual masks as well? Hypocrisy is prevalent in all walks of life but should we let it become part of our lives? Your ultimate destiny depends on how you deal with this issue. Are you wearing a mask?
How we respond to the call to give can be an indicator of the condition of our hearts. God doesn’t need your money but he is concerned about the motives of your heart. Do you struggle with the call to give?
Jesus said some very difficult things in the sermon on the mount. When he said to love your enemies and to be perfect as your father in heaven what was the reason? Was it to make us better people or to pat ourselves on the back? There is a goal that Jesus is working towards...
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Divorce has become commonplace in our society, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. Jesus spoke on this topic in the sermon on the mount, and what he had to say sheds light on what God thinks about it. God hates divorce, but there is healing and hope for anyone found to be in...
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We see an obsession with our culture to create larger-than-life icons. Honesty, strength, bravery, honor, and truth are all things we aspire to and can be found in the person of Jesus Christ. He can also transform us into the very thing we desire to see. Do you see yourself displaying these traits? Do you...
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We can see when our home needs a renovation, but are we aware of the need for an inner restoration of the heart? What do we do when we see our walk with Jesus needing a restoration? Is there a way to deal with the “Old Man” and receive a new heart?
When we do something repetitively, it can become a mechanical exercise. But, when we do it with our walk with the Lord, it can be the very reason we don’t see God moving in our lives. If we want God’s power to change our world, we need to be giving Him our whole heart. Communion...
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When Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, he said things that may leave us with feelings of hopelessness that we can never fulfill or live up to. When he said, ” If your right eye offends, you pluck it out.” or “If your right hand offends, you cut it off.” Was he literal? Is...
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Living in this world as believers sometimes we allow ourselves to acclimate to the world’s standards instead of affecting the world around us. What is your standard? Can we affect the world for Jesus and still live by the world’s standards?
Living out the faith we proclaim can be difficult, and sometimes seemingly unattainable. Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Does our righteousness get us to Heaven? Can we say we have faith without producing fruit? Dive into these questions and more...
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There is a tension in Christianity between grace and works that we struggle with. How do we realize the call to be holy and the call to rest in him? Jesus tells us to be “salt and light” and that requires us to be obedient but also to rely on him.
"Those who live righteously will inevitably be persecuted for it. Godliness generates hostility and antagonism from the world."
In today’s message guest speaker James Turner first, gives an overview of his ministry to inner-city Phoenix Arizona and the challenges us to face the imminent return of Jesus Christ
Have you ever thought you wanted to be part of a revolution? That is what happened when Jesus went to the cross. He has begun a revolution to free you from the tyrant of sin and captivity!
Having a lack of peace can be very prevalent today considering all that is happening. How can we have peace in this world? Jesus said ” Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.” Can we be peacemakers and experience peace?
'Jesus knows that it's not what we do on the outside that matters. It's who we are on the inside, because what we are on the inside will determine what we do on the outside."
Planting seeds will produce a harvest, but what kind of seed are you using? We will reap a harvest no matter what kind of seed we use but we have a choice. Guest speaker Bruce Ridpath missionary to Columbia explains how.
"To respond to human need with compassion and action is at the core of what being merciful is all about."
"Happy or inwardly content no matter the outward circumstances are the gentle, meek, humble and kind person."
"Inward contentment no matter the outward circumstance, that comes from the comfort that God gives us when we are deeply grieved by our sinful condition and that of the world."
Jesus wants us to learn "true happiness," an inward contentedness that is not affected by circumstances.
How are we to respond when the world in which we live is completely pagan or evil? What does God expect from us? Sometimes our response seems counterintuitive to what we think.
Do we tune out when the Apostle Paul speaks of The Rich? How do you respond to the call not to trust in your riches? Our response depends on our perspective and what God is calling us to do. ‘
We can have many different responses to adversity, but what is the response that God wants us to have? In this message from guest speaker Doug Marsh, the answer is revealed.
In these chaotic times, we have many voices pushing and pulling us, vying for our attention. What voice are you listening to? Which side do we take? There is a clear answer.
The "rich" are admonished many times in scripture but do we exclude ourselves because we don't consider that were rich? Do we trust in God or not? Sometimes we need to look at these things from a different perspective.
Understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ is essential in understanding who we are and what we are to do as believers. It can also be a catalyst for effective ministry.