A story of two sons, the prodigal and the elder brother, teaches us about love for God, service to God, and joy with God. We measure our love for God by our relationship with our brother, our service to God by our fellowship with Him, and our joy with God by sharing His burden. The elder brother's self-righteousness and lack of concern for his father's heart led to his misery, while the prodigal son's return home brought joy to the father and the angels in heaven. [... 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]

Living in the last days, believers must be prepared for persecution and evil, but they can find strength and hope in their relationship with God's Word. Discipleship is key to living a life of faith, and obeying God's Word is essential for experiencing His power and guidance. [... 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]

When faced with increasing wickedness and evil, Christians can feel hopeless and helpless, tempted to isolate or compromise. However, Paul's words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3 offer a different perspective, encouraging believers to stay grounded in their faith and trust in God's sovereignty. By remembering past progress and experiences of God's rescue, Christians can find the strength to persevere and respond to evil with love and healing. [... 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]

Every conversation has the potential to be a gospel conversation, turning into talking about the Lord Jesus and sharing God's love and acceptance. Paul's words in Colossians chapter 4 emphasize the importance of walking in wisdom, redeeming the time, and speaking with grace and salt, to share the gospel with those who are without Christ. [... more]

Chip Ingram encourages listeners to prioritize abiding in Christ and personally investing in others, while avoiding distractions and persevering through spiritual warfare. He emphasizes the importance of remembering Jesus' power and presence, and seeking direction from God through prayer and listening. [... more]

A father's unwavering love and patience are put to the test as his son leaves home, squanders his inheritance, and faces starvation. The son's return is met with a lavish celebration, symbolizing the father's forgiveness and restoration of their relationship. [... more]

The saints of God will receive the kingdom and possess it forever and ever, despite the presence of evil and opposition. The kingdom of man reaches its apex in the little horn, while the kingdom of God finds its climax in the destruction of the Antichrist and the putting together of a dominion that will never come to an end. [... 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]

The question of knowing God's will for one's life is a complex one, with the Bible speaking about God's will in more than one way. The revealed will of God, or Deus Revelatus, refers to that which God has revealed, while the hidden will of God, or Deus Absconditus, refers to the things that God has not chosen to unveil. Christians must focus on the preceptive will of God, or the commands of God, to discern His will for their lives. [... more]

God's revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai emphasizes the importance of a willingness to obey, an openness to listen, and an attention to instruction. The Mosaic covenant is a conditional agreement between God and his people, requiring obedience and respect for his holiness. The story of Moses' encounter with God on Mount Sinai highlights the need for a prepared spirit, teachable hearts, and a recognition of God's sovereignty. [... 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]

God's promises have been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is here. Jesus, the Messiah, came, defeated death on the cross, rose again, and ascended into heaven. Repent and believe in Jesus to have peace and eternal life with God. Evangelism is a lifelong process that starts with prayer, showing sacrificial love, sharing the gospel, and walking with the lost. [... more]

The Irish introduction to slavery began with Viking raids in the 9th century, with many Irish people being killed and enslaved. Later, the English colonization of Ireland led to the forced transportation of Irish people to the Americas, where they were sold as slaves or indentured servants. This period saw tens of thousands of Irish men and women being sent to the eastern American colonies, as well as Guiana, Antigua, and Montserrat. The Irish were sold for profit, with some being traded for tobacco and indigo. The English could kill the Irish without penalty, but selling them offered great profit, and this explains slavery throughout the world. [... 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 importance of storytelling in education is discussed by Joshua and Hannah Centers, founders of Chapter House and the Virtue and Wonder blog. They share how stories can help children develop virtue and wonder, and how parents can use reading to bond with their children and encourage meaningful conversations. [... 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]

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]

The importance of trusting in God's provision and not worrying about daily needs is discussed, referencing scriptures from Matthew 6 and Proverbs 3. The hosts emphasize the need to seek God's guidance and to focus on the present moment, rather than worrying about the future or past. They also highlight the importance of prayer and faith in overcoming life's challenges. [... 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]

As Christians, we struggle with the flesh and the Spirit, but the Spirit matures us upward in our relationship with God, outward in our relationships with others, and inwardly in our character traits. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control, which can be developed through habits and character traits. [... 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]

God's faithfulness in bringing Israel into their inheritance and fulfilling his promises is a lesson for believers today as they seek to walk by faith and enjoy the blessings of God's grace. The story of the two and a half tribes building an altar near the River Jordan and the resulting conflict serves as a reminder to think ahead and consider the potential consequences of our actions, and to stand firm for truth and righteousness in the right spirit. [... 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]

Living as truly free people means more than just national liberty, it's about the freedom Christ gives, which reshapes the way we handle money. True financial freedom is not measured by what we have, but by what no longer has a hold on us, and it's possible because God is present, provides, and owns it all. [... more]