David's life is marked by persecution and betrayal, but he finds comfort and guidance in his spiritual mentor Samuel and his friend Jonathan, who stand by him in the face of adversity, demonstrating the importance of faithfulness and God's sovereignty in the midst of suffering. [... more]

As the new school year begins, parents can help their kids thrive by praying for them, bringing stability and calm, and reminding them of their identity in Christ. Experts share their experiences and advice on how to prepare spiritually for the challenges of school. [... more]

God's all-knowing nature is revealed in creation and salvation, demonstrating His wisdom in choosing the cross as the means of salvation, a symbol of foolishness that represents humanity's sinful state. The simplicity of God's plan is contrasted with human attempts to create complex systems of salvation, highlighting the importance of seeking God's wisdom through His word and the heart of God. [... more]

Generosity begins in the heart, not in the tax code. A donor-advised fund can help you give joyfully and steward resources efficiently. You can contribute cash, stock, or other assets, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to ministries or charities on your timetable. [... more]

The book of Ecclesiastes teaches that wisdom is a shelter that preserves life, while wealth can be fleeting. John Cortinez shares his study, Wisdom Over Wealth, which explores 12 lessons from Ecclesiastes on money and the importance of prioritizing wisdom over wealth. He discusses how to obtain wisdom, the dangers of wealth without wisdom, and the benefits of living a life that honors God. [... more]

The Bible teaches that the world is under the influence of Satan and his demonic forces, leading to spiritual blindness and separation from God. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, and those who follow him will never walk in darkness. The Bible also teaches that there is a great separation that will take place on Judgment Day, where people will be separated into two groups: those who will inherit eternal life and those who will be cast into eternal punishment. The only way to avoid this separation is to come to Jesus and accept his gift of salvation. [... more]

God's plan for sex is to bring a man and a woman in the sanctity of marital love, to a sense of oneness where they become One Flesh. The Bible teaches that we should earnestly try to satisfy the need of our partner, and that immorality is psychologically harmful, kills true love, and endangers future marital happiness. The single life is a good life, but it must be a guarded life, and there must be the way of holiness for every life. [... more]

A budget is a plan for managing what God has entrusted to you, not a burden or source of shame. It's a tool for faithfulness, helping you live with biblical wisdom and generosity, and revealing patterns in your spending. Best practices include starting with giving, knowing your true income, giving every dollar a job, planning for irregular expenses, building margin, and reviewing and adjusting your budget regularly. [... more]

Phil Cochran, a former fighter pilot, shares his lessons learned at the speed of sound, drawing parallels between his experiences in the cockpit and the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of faith, discipline, and trust in following God's Word and living a life of spiritual truth. [... more]

The intersection of science, morality, and faith is explored in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of Anthony Fauci, and the implications for Christian worldview. The discussion also touches on identity politics, transgender issues, and the rise of artificial intelligence, as well as the importance of a theology of death in the face of hospice care and bioethics. [... more]

The Bible teaches that dishonesty and theft are not to be part of people who walk in the light, and that honesty and integrity are essential for a life of devotion to Jesus Christ. The eighth commandment prohibits stealing, but it also includes deceit, defraud, and withholding something from someone to whom it is rightfully due. The Bible provides examples of theft, including stealing from God, family, and church, and warns against the dangers of self-deception and false teachers. [... more]

Cultivating a generous spirit in families from early years to adulthood involves modeling giving, hosting reverse birthday parties, and encouraging children to help others. As children grow, parents can connect generosity to their passions and interests, and involve them in experiential learning opportunities. Ultimately, generosity is a whole-life purpose-filled concept that makes a lasting impact. [... more]

The pastor emphasizes the importance of being steadfast and unmovable in one's faith, citing 1 Corinthians 15 as a source of motivation. He explains that God's grace is the foundation for Christian growth and that victory over death and sin is a result of the gospel. The pastor encourages listeners to remember their blessings and to be determined to grow in their faith. [... more]

Discovering your spiritual gift is key to understanding God's will for your life. Spiritual gifts are not just lifelong callings, but also temporary empowerments that can be used for the common good. The church is a body with many members, and each member has a unique role to play. By serving others and using your spiritual gifts, you can experience spiritual growth and deepen your relationship with Jesus. [... more]

The Christian life is a fight between the desire to live for Jesus Christ and the tendency to live for oneself. Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 teaches that we are candidates for discouragement, but with the gospel in us, we can overcome and find strength in our weakness. [... more]

The Christian life is like a journey where every day we make choices that determine our spiritual growth. It's about consistency, obedience, and making God's word a priority in our lives. We must choose to walk with God, be consistent in our faith, and not let the cares and pleasures of this life choke out our spiritual growth. The golden key to spiritual growth is hearing God's word, believing it, and obeying it, which produces a huge harvest of spiritual fruit. [... more]

Developing a deeper relationship with Jesus involves sharing the Bible's message and reflecting Christ in every aspect of life. Evangelism is a process, not a one-stop conversation, and involves plowing the field in prayer, furrowing the ground in service, planting the gospel seed, growing with the lost, and harvesting through discipleship. [... more]

Dealing with difficult people requires patience, grace, and compassion, which are all empowered by God's love. This love enables us to forgive, bear one another's burdens, and endure all things, ultimately leading to freedom and a life of love. [... more]

The bread and the cup of communion proclaim that we need to be saved, that we can be saved, that suffering and death are not the end, and that this church is a community of the forgiven. Participation in the Lord's Supper means fellowship with Christ's presence, but it requires examination of oneself to ensure a worthy approach. [... more]

In this teaching, Pastor J.D. Greer explores the concept of headship and submission in the context of 1 Corinthians 11, discussing how men and women are equal image bearers worthy of equal honor and value, but also hold different roles with men exercising a headship that corresponds to a particular kind of authority in the church and in the home. [... more]

The Israelites' grumbling and lack of faith in God's provision is a recurring theme in their wilderness journey. God provides for them miraculously, but they often forget and complain, leading to their own downfall. The solution lies in developing a constant dependence on the living Lord, cultivating a thankful attitude, and remembering God's past provisions. [... more]

The pursuit of good things can become a bad thing when they take on godlike weight and become essential to our happiness. This is idolatry, which is the source of all sin and anxiety. To overcome idolatry, we must lean into the presence and faithfulness of God, who promises to never leave us or forsake us. By trusting in God's goodness and love, we can find freedom from the frantic desire to have and fear, and live a life of contentment and peace. [... more]

The Bible promises a redemption of the body, not just the spirit, and the resurrection of believers is the theme of 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Paul explains the resurrection body using an analogy of seed, showing how it is dissolved and disintegrated, but then rises again in a different form, yet still the same person. He also discusses the form of resurrection, contrasting earthly and heavenly bodies, and how God determines the form of the resurrection body, just as he does for seeds and created creatures. [... more]

The concept of socialism is being increasingly romanticized in America, but its underlying principles are fundamentally incompatible with biblical teaching. The idea of egalitarianism, which seeks to equalize income and standard of living, is being shoehorned into the American mindset, but it ignores the reality of human nature and the importance of private property. The Bible teaches that work is a blessing and a responsibility, and that individuals should be free to pursue their own goals and ambitions without government control. In contrast, socialism seeks to control every aspect of life, including the economy, and to redistribute wealth through compulsory taxation. This approach has been tried before, with disastrous results, and it is essential that Americans understand the dangers of socialism and the importance of preserving our freedom and private property rights. [... more]

Pastor JD Greer emphasizes the importance of discipline and sacrifice in sharing the gospel, highlighting the example of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9, who became all things to all people to reach the lost. He challenges the church to prioritize reaching people of different cultures and backgrounds, and to be willing to adapt and sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. [... more]

Cultivating contentment in a culture that constantly craves more is a learned behavior that requires trust and a deep understanding of one's financial status and the source of wealth. Jeff Mannion, teaching pastor of Ada Bible Church, shares his personal journey of learning contentment and the importance of generosity in breaking the grip of wealth on our lives. By focusing on what we already have and being fully alive to God and the people around us, we can navigate the challenges of prosperity and find true peace and joy. [... more]

The Apostle Paul teaches the Corinthian church about the kingdom of God and its implications for sexual purity, emphasizing that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God and that believers must live in obedience to God's law and ethics to be citizens of the kingdom. [... more]

God's design for marriage is a covenant, not a contract, and divorce is as radical as amputation. Jesus' teaching on marriage emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, grace, and redemption, and that God can bring beauty and redemption even out of the hardest cases. [... more]

Chuck Swindahl explores the importance of the cross in Christianity, discussing how pride and dependence on self can lead to drifting away from God. He emphasizes the need for humility and reliance on God's power, using 1 Corinthians 1 as a foundation for his message. [... more]

At the foot of the cross, all ground is level, and there is no distinction between individuals. The Apostle Paul's message to the Corinthians emphasizes the importance of focusing on the cross and Jesus' crucifixion, rather than human achievements or prestige. This mindset allows individuals to see life as it truly is and to live out their faith in a genuine way. [... more]

Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 7 emphasize that both singleness and marriage are temporary gifts for the fulfillment of God's purposes. He debunks the idea that celibacy is a spiritually superior state and commands married people to fulfill their marital duties. Paul also highlights the advantages of singleness, including freedom to pursue ministry and mission, and encourages singles to trust God's plan for their lives. [... more]

The Christian life was never meant to feel like striving without purpose. The cross of Christ is the key to understanding and living a life focused on the right thing, rather than being driven by fleshly desires. Paul's message in 1 Corinthians emphasizes the importance of the cross and how it can transform our lives, helping us to walk and run in the right direction. [... more]

Greg Laurie emphasizes the importance of being a preserving influence in the culture today, as Christians, by living out their faith and speaking up for what is true. He encourages listeners to infiltrate, not isolate, and to be both salt and light, as Jesus instructs in the Sermon on the Mount. Laurie also highlights the need for spiritual awakening and a return to God's will, and invites listeners to make a commitment to Christ and recommit to their faith. [... more]

The founding of America was deeply rooted in biblical principles, with the Declaration of Independence declaring that all men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights. The song America the Beautiful, written by Catherine Lee Bates, is a reflection of the nation's founding ideals, drawing from Scripture and history. As America celebrates its 250th birthday, the question is not how to celebrate, but what gift to give the nation - a revival, a move of God's Holy Spirit, which can be sought through prayer and intentional seeking of God. [... more]

The Supreme Court's recent decisions have sparked important discussions about the role of government and individual rights. Meanwhile, as the US celebrates its 250th birthday, many are reflecting on the meaning of patriotism and the values that have shaped America's history. Christians are grappling with how to balance their loyalty to their nation with their allegiance to a higher kingdom, and grandparents are seeking ways to pass on their faith to the next generation. [... more]

The subtle danger of using wealth to boast is explored through the story of King Hezekiah, who treated God's miraculous provision as a monument to his own success. This temptation is not new and can lead to spiritual toxicity. Modern-day stewards must ask whether their wealth is creeping into their identity and check what their possessions are pointing to. Faithful stewardship flips the script and says, 'Everything I have has been entrusted to me by God.' [... more]

The pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago preaches a series on following Christ, emphasizing the importance of living a life that aligns with Jesus' priorities, including prayer, people, purity, and integrity. He uses the classic novel In His Steps by Charles Sheldon as a guide, challenging listeners to ask themselves what Jesus would do in every situation and to commit to living a life of obedience to God's will. [... more]

God created sex as a spiritual dimension of intimacy, illustrating the love and nature of God. The body is not just a physical entity, but a temple of the Holy Spirit, and sex is a way to experience God's love and union with Him. Christians are called to flee sexual immorality, including pornography and casual sex, and to seek purity and holiness in their relationships. [... more]

We can exhibit the kind of faith that ordinary people like Abraham showed, believing God despite not seeing immediate responses to our prayers. Faith always leads to ultimate victory, but it's not just about receiving what we ask for, it's about accepting whatever God gives us and trusting that He is good and loving despite the circumstances of life. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers are set to unveil a new state budget, which includes raises for state employees and teachers, as well as tax cuts. Meanwhile, Duke Energy has agreed to cancel its offshore wind energy project and reinvest $129 million in other energy sources. A lawsuit filed by bar owners against former Governor Roy Cooper and the state of North Carolina over COVID-19 restrictions is moving forward, with the plaintiffs seeking depositions from Cooper and his former Health and Human Services Secretary, Mandy Cohen. [... more]