Jacob's life is a powerful story of God's forgiveness and redemption, where he finds himself as a blessed fugitive, struggling to live out his blessing. Pastor Jonathan Evans walks through a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, where he receives a dream from God, giving him perspective and protection, and reminds us that our identity in Christ is not defined by our past, but by the promises of God. [... more]

The story of the Bible unfolds through four gardens, representing the progression of God's redemption and restoration of his people. From the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve's rebellion led to the curse of the covenant, to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus' obedience reversed the curse, the story of God's people is one of faithfulness, disobedience, and ultimate redemption. Through the typological garden of Israel and the redemptive garden of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, God's promise of salvation is fulfilled in the new garden of the new heavens and new earth, where fellowship between God and man, man and man, and man and creation is fully restored. [... more]

Living a consistent Christian life requires staying on track with God's will, which involves meditating on the Word, depending on the Holy Spirit, giving generously, and trusting in God's sovereignty and unconditional love. By following this track, believers can experience God's best and live a life of purpose and fulfillment. [... more]

The love of God is demonstrated through serving, self-emptying, empathizing, incarnating, and gap-bridging, as seen in Jesus' relationship with his disciples. This love is a model for Christians to follow, and is characterized by serving others, leveraging abilities for their needs, sharing in their pain and sorrow, living among them, and bridging the gap to get to them. [... more]

Chad Roberts, a pastor and author, shares his journey of losing his sight and finding a deeper faith in God. He discusses how his experience has taught him about community, joy, and the importance of choosing to trust in God's goodness even in the midst of suffering. His book, Blind Faith: Seeing God Through Darkness, offers guidance on how to navigate life's challenges and find spiritual sight in Christ. [... more]

The Bible teaches that those who abide in Christ have confidence to stand before God when Christ returns, free from shame and guilt. Jesus' propitiation for our sins means we don't have to fear judgment, but can have confidence in our salvation and eternal life. [... more]

True blessing comes from a personal relationship with God, experiencing His presence and favor in our lives. As blessed people, we are called to praise and worship, proclaim the name of Jesus, and bless others, scattering throughout the world to declare the name of Jesus loudly and lift up the name of Christ Jesus on high. [... more]

Vigo Olson, a brilliant medical student, and his wife Joan, initially agnostics, embark on a journey to disprove Christianity, but their study of the Bible and eyewitness accounts lead them to believe in the Creator God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ultimately leading them to give their lives to the Lord. [... more]

Delighting in the Lord and trusting in His plan can lead to unexpected blessings and opportunities. When God interrupts our plans, it's often to bring us into alignment with His will and to equip us for greater things. By committing our ways to Him and trusting in His goodness, we can experience the desires of our heart and find joy in serving Him. [... more]

Jesus teaches us to pray for divine deliverance from temptation and evil, trusting in the Father's sovereignty and protection. He shows us how to invoke the Father's power against hostile powers of evil, and how to confidently call on Him for forgiveness and deliverance, knowing that our plea is answered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. [... more]

Pastor Greg Laurie explains that faith is not just believing in God, but also acting on that belief, and shares the story of a woman who had amazing faith in Jesus Christ, even though she was a non-Jewish woman from a pagan background. [... more]

God's son is tested in the wilderness to prove his faithfulness, and Jesus teaches us to pray for deliverance from temptation, trusting in the Father's sovereignty and protection, and knowing that our plea for deliverance is answered in the person and work of Jesus on our behalf. [... more]

Pastor Jack Hibbs teaches from the Bible, highlighting Abigail's wisdom and obedience as she intervenes in a conflict between David and Nabal, demonstrating how God rewards the righteous and punishes the fool, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's intervention and counsel. [... more]

God's answer of no can be a gift of grace, and His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. We must learn to commit to Him and trust in His sovereignty, even when our prayers are not answered as we desire. [... more]

The concept of coincidences and luck is explored through personal testimonies and biblical examples, highlighting God's sovereignty and goodness in all aspects of life, and challenging the idea that chance encounters are random events. [... more]

The Lord's Prayer emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, both in our relationship with God and with others. Jesus teaches that those who have been forgiven will forgive others, and that our forgiveness is a sign of genuine saving faith. The second half of the fifth petition in the Lord's Prayer is not a condition for God's forgiveness, but rather an aspiration to imitate our Father in heaven, who forgives sinners of an infinite debt. [... more]

David's encounter with Nabal, a foolish man, serves as a lesson in how to handle sin and fools. Pastor Jack Hibbs teaches that God exposes the fool and that sin unrepented of will be exposed. He emphasizes the importance of repentance and seeking God's wisdom in dealing with fools and sin. [... more]

Counterfeit verses can distort our understanding of God's character and financial stewardship, leading to a lack of discernment and dependence on ourselves rather than God. By immersing ourselves in the truth of Scripture, we can develop the ability to recognize these counterfeit verses and instead cultivate a deeper understanding of God's wisdom and guidance in our financial decisions. [... more]

Christians struggle with balancing their faith with secular entertainment, such as the Super Bowl, where they may be exposed to worldly values and influences. They must find a way to be in the world but not of the world, being a witness to their faith while also being earthly good. This requires a filter to guard their heart and a mindset on heavenly things, redeeming the time they have on earth to make a positive impact. [... more]

God the Father's generous provision for our daily needs is a reminder of our dependence on His grace, and praying for our daily bread teaches us to trust in His providential care, acknowledge our dependence on Him, and give thanks for His gifts, while also emphasizing the importance of moderation and using our resources to honor His name and love our neighbors. [... more]

Oswald Chambers was a missionary and preacher who emphasized the importance of prayer and faith. He believed that prayer is deliberate confidence in the character of God, and that God's ways may not be understood at the time. Chambers' ministry was marked by his spontaneity and willingness to trust God, even in the face of uncertainty. He wrote extensively on the topic of prayer and faith, and his teachings continue to inspire Christians around the world. [... more]

Jesus teaches us that true prayer is impossible without the gospel, and that the Lord's Prayer focuses on seven major themes that reveal the true character of God the Father. He instructs us to pray 'your will be done' on earth as it is in heaven, which means to fulfill our office and calling, and to live in readiness to give up our fallen desires and obey the revealed will of the Father. [... more]

The Lord's Prayer is a gift that reminds us of the divine gift of salvation, which is only possible through Jesus Christ. The prayer is a constant companion to the sacraments, and its petitions are answered in the Lord's Supper, which is a gift of forgiveness and a promise of eternal life. [... more]

The book of Ruth tells the story of Naomi, a woman who has experienced hardship and loss, and her daughter-in-law Ruth, who makes a stunning conversion statement, pledging her loyalty to Naomi and her God. As they navigate their journey, they demonstrate the power of God's sovereignty, providence, and goodness, even in the midst of brokenness and famine. [... more]

The book of Revelation is a source of both fear and anticipation for many Christians. Pastor Gary Hamrick discusses the importance of studying the book, its literal and figurative language, and the blessings that come from reading and obeying its words. He also explores the millennial kingdom, the role of Satan, and the importance of being good citizens and praying for leaders. [... more]

The scene in Nehemiah 12 is a powerful corporate jubilation, a celebration of God's goodness and miraculous intervention in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The people's joy is contagious and shared, a synergy of sheer joy that echoes far and wide, a sound that can be heard from a distance, a testament to the power of collective worship and praise. [... more]

The Christian vision of life begins with God, who is the source of all meaning and goodness. In contrast, a growing tendency in Western society is to deny and violate transcendent truth, objective beauty, and goodness, resulting in desecration. Christian art and storytelling are essential in reminding the world of the Creator and all that is true and good and beautiful. [... more]

God's blessings are not just material possessions, but also spiritual blessings such as being chosen, predestined, accepted, redeemed, and forgiven. These blessings are not just for the past, but also for the future, including an inheritance in heaven. God's favor and love are available to all, but it requires surrender and trust in Jesus Christ. [... more]

The kingdom of God is a gift that God the Father in love is giving to rebellious, undeserving subjects through the sending of his gift, his Son. Entrance into the kingdom of God is a miracle of resurrection, made possible by the power of God who raises the dead to life and speaks them back into existence. The kingdom of God comes as the Holy Spirit conquers hearts by means of word and sacrament, and it spreads throughout the whole world in these last days through the proclamation of the gospel. When we pray, 'Your kingdom come,' we are praying for the success of the worldwide spread of the gospel of the kingdom, the consummation of the Father's kingdom, and the establishment of his rule and reign and blessing in its fullness. [... more]

Temptation and bad habits can be a test of our character and a battle to be won. Understanding God's goodness and our own sinful nature is crucial in overcoming addiction and living a spiritually healthy life. [... more]

God's promise of the serpent crusher in Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the last Adam, who brings about a restored and glorious kingdom where God's people can enjoy an intimate relationship with Him in His presence without fear, but total joy and blessing. [... more]

Jesus teaches us to pray with intimacy and reverence, honoring God's name by our theology and practice, and seeking to glorify Him throughout the whole earth. Our relationship with God is becoming God-centered, restraining from sinning out of love and honor for the Father, not out of fear or selfish reward. We are joining in the call to worship, praying for the day when our Father's name will be hallowed in all the earth, and the gospel will be fully realized. [... more]

The Christian life requires discipline and meditation to achieve spiritual maturity and transformation. By focusing on the mind and its power, individuals can develop a deeper connection with God and live a more prosperous life. [... more]

God's rescue operation was about more than simply removing their bodies from the land of Egypt. His rescue operation was also about getting the spirit of Egypt out of their hearts. The promised land that God wanted to take them to was not just a place of prosperity flowing with milk and honey. It was a place of trust in God flowing with obedience and faith. [... more]

Jesus teaches that our understanding of God the Father determines our practice of prayer, and that righteous prayer is rooted in the knowledge of God as our Father. He commends to us a pattern of righteous prayer that focuses on the honor of God the Father, and explains that our thoughts about God are crucial in determining how we live the Christian life. [... more]

God has an incentive program for those who recognize His ownership and become kingdom stewards. As managers under His ownership, believers can experience divine guidance, emotional stability, a reversal of fortune, and ultimately, co-reigning with Christ. By giving up ownership and prioritizing God's rule, individuals can receive these benefits and live a life of purpose and meaning. [... more]

Jesus teaches that righteous prayer is rooted in childlike trust and reverence, addressing God as our Father in heaven, and coming to Him with confidence and awe. He emphasizes that prayer is not a mechanical technique or formula, but an expression of gospel-based faith, and that knowing God as Father is the key to understanding Christianity. [... more]

God has an incentive program for those who approach Him as stewards, not owners, where He rewards their faithfulness with answered prayers, met needs, divine supernatural guidance, and more, but only when they prioritize the spiritual and manage His resources His way. [... more]

In the midst of trials and daily routines, it's possible to find fulfillment and prosper despite circumstances. Joseph's story in Genesis 39 shows how he made the most of his situation, trusting in God's sovereignty and finding blessings in disguise. [... more]

Choosing contentment is a daily path that comes from a surrendered heart, cultivated through walking with Christ. It's not found in having everything, but in knowing the one who is everything. A biblical approach to financial decisions and stewardship can help individuals navigate their finances and make wise investment choices, especially in retirement. Additionally, seeking help with debt and credit counseling can provide freedom and peace of mind. [... more]