Distinctly Chosen
You might have a million reasons to why God shouldn’t use you, but He is not frightened by your insecurities or inabilities. Jesus is calling you to follow Him simply because He wants you.
đź“– Sermons
The Danger of Decadence
When we believe our status to be contingent upon what we own in this life, it robs us of obtaining true treasure. Decide if you will either serve God or money.
Fast Approvals
Like many other spiritual disciplines, fasting can, unfortunately, be a means to gain the approval of others. Jesus taught that fasting should only be something directed to and noticed by God.
The Most Important Family to Pastor in Your Church
With the numerous needs among the families in your church, the family that often gets neglected is your own. Whether family discipleship is a new concept or an overlooked activity for you, create a renewed plan to lead, encourage, and disciple your spouse and children in your home.
When They’ve Hurt You So Deeply
When others cause emotional pain in your life, forgiveness is the only restorative option. Jesus explained that our forgiveness of others is tied to God’s forgiveness towards us.
Learning How to Talk to God
Jesus taught us how to pray but not what to pray. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus gave a template by which we can learn how to talk with God.
For Such a Time as This
While God invites us into what He is doing in this world, He is not dependent upon us to make it happen. If we want to be a part of what He is working in His kingdom, we must maintain the proper perspective.
Don’t Give Them What They Deserve
Our tendency is to repay people for any negative words or harmful actions, but Jesus taught quite the opposite. The way of the kingdom is counter-cultural and yet life-giving.
Losing Credibility One Empty Promise at a Time
Each of our reputations are defined by our level of credibility. Instead of exaggerating with empty promises, simply stay reliable with a trustworthy life.
Avoiding Divorce
While divorce is permitted in the Bible, it is never promoted in the Bible. Learn what Jesus had to say about those considering dissolving a marriage union.
Lured by Lust
Adultery always begins far before the act. We must be careful what we look at and what we think about if we are to remain faithful to our commitments.
If Thoughts Could Kill
Jesus taught that just because your anger may not lead to murder does not mean that your thoughts are unclassified as sin. Unaddressed anger must be confronted in our lives.
Christmas Eve at Home
When Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary desired to perform what was required of them, but they didn’t have enough resources. Even though they couldn’t do what they should, they committed to do what they could.
The Fulfillment We Need
The coming of Christ was the fulfillment of the Old Testament expectations and the requirement for our own righteousness. Jesus came from heaven so we could go to heaven.
How to Be Truly Happy
As Jesus began the most quoted sermon in history, he explained what the blessed or happy life looks like. Living according to the principles of the kingdom is a pivotal yet promising paradigm shift.
What We Know for Sure About the End
While we may be uncertain regarding the timing of the end, God is clear regarding the testing leading up to that end. Daniel’s final vision provides a vague progression of events accompanied by a clear expectation for His followers.
Even the Antichrist Has a Term Limit
Daniel foresaw a clear progression of prideful rulers culminating in the reign of the Antichrist. For all the power amassed by God’s opponents throughout history, their end will be sudden and sure.
The Spiritual Warfare All Around Us
God sent messengers to Daniel to reveal how earthly conflicts are connected to spiritual warfare. If we don’t acknowledge that we are in a war, we will most definitely experience significant defeat.
When the Future Seems Unclear
In Daniel’s concern about the future, the angel Gabriel provided a needed amount of clarity yet permitted some level of confusion. While the details may be debated, the vision is clear – Christ is coming at an appointed time for a specific outcome.
When God’s People Turn Aside
As Daniel studied the scriptures, he was dismayed at how far the people had drifted from God. His prayer of corporate repentance provides a helpful guide as we seek a needed wake-up call from God.
Throwing Truth to the Ground
In Daniel’s remarkably detailed vision of two coming kingdoms, God’s enemies are described as those who throw truth to the ground. No matter how powerful they may seem, God’s truth will endure, and He will ultimately defeat every remaining opposition.
Make Way for the Coming King
Daniel’s frightening vision of future kings alarmed him until he beheld the coming King who would reign forever. Amid polarizing politicians and combative kingdoms, our great hope is in the true King who is on His way.
Muzzling Lions
Daniel refused to pray to the king and was cast into the lion’s den because of his devotion. Not only did his bold stance make a statement about his faith, but it successfully witnessed to others as well.
When God Has Had Enough
When King Belshazzar took the vessels from the temple and used them for idolatrous purposes, God sent a frightening message to the people. The writing on the wall seeks to remind us that when God has had enough, He puts an abrupt end to sin.
How the Haughty Are Humbled
Through King Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation and restoration, he learns an important truth: God can do whatever He wants to do whenever He wants to do it. None of us can block God’s will from coming to pass.
Honor, Dishonor, and When She-Bears Get Involved
When the mantle of leadership passed from Elijah to Elisha, we read of two extremes related to honoring those who go before us. In humility, we must not dismiss God’s ability to influence our lives through the mentors he has given us.
Political Pressure & the Consistent Christian
When a prophet was provoked by political pressure and a popular position, he resolved to stay faithful to God above anything else. In our lives, we must beware of adapting our beliefs to align with the culture.
God Is in Control of Who Is in Control
Daniel interpreted the king’s disturbing dream and showed him that all of his power had been given by the one with all authority. No matter who is in charge, God remains sovereign.
When God Meets You in the Fire
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego risked their lives when they refused to worship the golden image. When it seemed that God abandoned them in their suffering, He actually met them within the fire.
That Platform Isn’t Meant for You
God gave Daniel the ability to interpret the king’s troubling dream, but instead of taking credit at an opportune time, Daniel unashamedly gave God the glory. Our goal should be to use any platform to represent God rather than present ourselves.
Convictional Courage in a Compromising Culture
Daniel and his friends had to decide whether they would be transformed by the culture or transformers of the culture. Just like them, we must resolve to show convictional courage in a nation increasingly hostile to biblical values.
Expectant Exiles
When Babylon conquered Judah, the pagan king gathered a group of exiles to alter their worldview in order to reconstruct the whole nation. A small group heeded the biblical command regarding exile expectations and remained expectant of how God could use them during that time.
Down But Not Out
The people of God know what it is like to be down but not out. No matter the opposition we encounter, our God continues to hold us steadfast.
How You Finish Is More Important Than How You Started
Just because David had walked with integrity in the past did not guarantee that he would in the future. Walking with God is a continual commitment to pursuing biblical obedience.
Investigate Me
God is infinitely responsible and yet intimately involved. Since God knows every detail about every person, we ought to welcome him to investigate the deepest part of our lives.
When Depression Deepens
When depression deepens, every person will either draw closer to God or further away from him. When all hope seems to be lost, resolve to hope in God nonetheless.
More Than the Man Upstairs
True worshipers can never perceive God as merely the “man upstairs.” As the Sovereign Maker, he is alone worthy of extravagant worship.
Essential Reminders for Overwhelmed Believers
Life has a way of increasing our anxiety, but God’s faithfulness should embolden our capacity to trust him. If we genuinely comprehend who he is and what he has done, we can properly address any overwhelming circumstances.
Hardships Don’t Give a Free Pass for Sin
We often need God’s protection from wicked people, but do we ever consider the protection we need from our own sinful habits? Just because we experience struggles does not mean that we can justify sin.
I AM the Center of the Universe
We mistakenly live as if we are the center of the universe. If we can truly understand the might of our Creator, we can finally grasp our proper perspective as part of the creation.