The Bible teaches that all humans are born with a sinful nature, and no amount of good works or personal effort can bridge the gap between humanity and a holy God. The only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, who has already paid the penalty for our sin. This concept is known as justification by faith alone, and it is the only way to achieve righteousness before God. [... more]

Abel's story, recorded in Genesis, is a testament to the power of faith and worship. As one of the first heroes of faith, Abel's sacrifice is a reminder that true faith is not just about following rules, but about approaching God with a heart of reverence and obedience. In contrast, Cain's story highlights the dangers of pride and anger, and the importance of recognizing the sin that lies within us. Through Abel's example, we see that faith is not just a historical event, but a living and reverberating force that continues to inspire and guide us today. [... more]

The first altar in the Bible, built by Noah after the flood, represents forgiveness of sin, a fresh start, and a first step towards worshiping God. It demonstrates the importance of gratitude, offering, and obedience to God, and serves as a model for our own faith sacrifices. [... more]

Thomas E. Selfridge's life was tragically cut short at 26, but he holds major firsts in world history thanks to his passion for a new developing technology. He became the first passenger of any plane in Canada, designed the Association's first conventional airplane, and was the first US military officer to fly solo in a powered flying machine. [... more]

Godly leadership is marked by sacrificing for others, putting the needs of those under authority before one's own, and promoting the flourishing of those around them. Nehemiah's example in the book of Nehemiah demonstrates this principle, as he prioritized the well-being of the people over his own interests and worked tirelessly to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. [... more]

Sculptor Sabin Howard shares his experience creating the National World War One Memorial, which aims to show the transformation of war historically and its impact on soldiers. He also discusses the importance of understanding the effects of war on individuals and society, and how it can be a catalyst for change. [... more]

Chuck Swindahl confronts the uncomfortable truth that maturity in Christ requires moving beyond shallow inspirational thinking to make concrete changes, emphasizing the importance of radical consecration and presenting our bodies as living sacrifices to God. [... more]

When giving, we often expect a transactional return, but scripture presents generosity as a way to receive something far greater than wealth. We receive freedom from greed, joy in Christ, and purpose in God's kingdom. Our motivation for giving should be love, not return, and we should give to participate in the life God has already set before us. [... more]

God's love is not an emotional impulse, but rather meeting someone's need to the point of self-sacrifice. Jesus demonstrated this love by washing his disciples' feet, showing that love is not about feelings, but about humility and serving others. This selfless love is a key aspect of Christian character and is demonstrated through acts of kindness, generosity, and humility. [... more]

When God comes to church, He cleans our hearts, changing our motives from self-interest to pleasing Him. This is the essence of servant leadership, where we give ourselves to others without a time agenda, making financial sacrifices and striving for character, people who walk worthy of God. [... more]

Biblical love is defined as self-sacrificing, not primarily an emotion or feeling, but an act of self-giving. The world's view of love is often a perversion, redefining it in terms of sexual freedom and promiscuity, which is contrary to the true nature of love as taught in the Bible. [... more]

The Birkenhead disaster of 1852 was a tragic event in which a British troop ship sank off the coast of South Africa, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives. Despite the chaos and panic, the soldiers on board showed remarkable discipline and self-sacrifice, following the protocol of 'women and children first' as they loaded the lifeboats. This extraordinary story of bravery and sacrifice has become a model for military discipline and has been immortalized in poetry and history. [... more]

Dr. Abadan Shah discusses God's plan for the Jewish people, starting with Abraham, a Babylonian man, and how this understanding can help clarify Romans 9-11. He emphasizes God's mercy in choosing a family from a godless place and how this relates to the concept of being chosen. [... more]

God's gracious heart for human flourishing is evident in His conditional covenant with Israel, where He lays out terms for canceling debts and freeing indentured servants on the seventh year. This message explores the principles of God's generous love and how it should be reflected in our daily lives, emphasizing the importance of genuine generosity, forgiveness, and sacrifice. [... more]

God's gracious heart for human flourishing is evident in his conditional covenant with Israel, where he lays out terms for canceling debts and freeing indentured servants on the seventh year, demonstrating his generous love and principles for our daily walk. [... more]

Living a victorious Christian life requires making room for God's presence and worship, and being willing to sacrifice for Him. Pastor Jack Hibbs teaches from the book of First Samuel, highlighting the importance of worship and dependence on God, and how it can lead to a life of victory and blessing. [... more]

God is with us, even when it seems like He's not. He's always working things together for His purposes, and He's willing to forgive us and bring good out of difficult situations. Through the stories of Joseph, Esther, and Abraham, we see how God's presence and providence can bring us hope and comfort, even in the darkest of times. [... more]

Rob West shares 10 common personal finance mistakes to avoid, including borrowing from 401(k), claiming Social Security too early, and overextending oneself for kids. He also discusses biblical wisdom for financial decisions, credit scores, and investments, and answers listener questions on topics such as home equity lines of credit and credit unions. [... more]

Marriage is a 100%, 100% proposition, an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person, requiring sacrifice and perseverance, and not a 50-50 proposition as commonly believed. Christy Brinkley has a new book out, and she goes, just I have one regret. I've been married four times. I've just never been able to make a marriage work. Or you look at some of the most famous people, think of some of the people that played in Friends, or my heart goes out to a J-Lo, a beautiful woman, super successful, and You know, it's this guy, then it's the next guy, then it's the next guy, and it's the next big wedding, the next big wedding. See, if you believe that it shouldn't be hard when it gets hard? You just jump to the next person. And here's the thing. The pain and the attachment And the scars are of each and every relationship. And I'm no expert, but believe me, I've studied a lot of psychology and I can tell you this, with every broken relationship, there are scars and there's deep down issues in your heart that I don't measure up. You can say it's the other person and you can whine and you can blame and you can say all kind of things. But when you go after serial multiple relationships that don't work. It brings a brokenness in your soul. You know how Jesus feels about people that have been through things like that? He weeps for them. He cares about them. He has a plan. It's called marriage. He has some rules called fidelity, trust. He created marriage so that we could flourish. So we could be loved. And as the song says, we're looking for love in all the wrong places. The truth is that everything of great value requires commitment, sacrifice, and perseverance. As my spouse and I face challenges and overcome them, our intimacy and joy will far outweigh our present problems. [... more]

In the book of Leviticus, God's economy is revealed through the valuation of offerings and sacrifices. The value of a person's contribution is not determined by their worth, but by their ability to give. The priesthood plays a crucial role in setting values and facilitating redemption, highlighting the importance of faith and love in giving to God. [... more]

President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was a pivotal moment in American history, redefining the Civil War as a struggle for human equality. The speech was given on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where over 80,000 casualties occurred during the bloodiest battle of the war. Lincoln's address, lasting just 269 words, called for a new birth of freedom and a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, which would not perish from the earth. [... more]

A tribute to soldiers who fell, recorded by Tony Dolan, a Pulitzer Prize winner, for all those who served, and a reflection on the sacrifice and honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. [... more]

Jesus teaches that He is the Bread of Life, offering spiritual and eternal sustenance to those who believe in Him. He clarifies that life in Jesus comes by grace through faith in Christ, and that it is a gift that cannot be earned through works or religious efforts. Jesus also emphasizes the importance of humility, stating that apart from Him, people are spiritually dead and that even their best efforts are ultimately useless. He invites His followers to come to Him empty and desperate, and to receive the fullness of His life, which is found in His all-consuming sacrifice on the cross. [... more]

The Christian church has become weak and anemic due to its abandonment of the authority of the word of God and its focus on feelings and emotions. A spirit-filled church must be word-honoring, wallet-opening, worship-minded, and witnessing. It must prioritize Bible study, generosity, and evangelism, and focus on giving glory to God rather than seeking personal happiness. [... more]

Our worship of God is rooted in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and must be a worship that affirms rest, rejoicing, and is inclusive of all people, including those who are not part of the community. This is because God is an inviting and welcoming God of compassion, and our worship should reflect His character. [... more]

Recognizing God's nature as a father and master, reverencing His name, and offering worthy sacrifices are essential to keeping the wonder in worship and avoiding half-hearted devotion. God demands the best from us, and we must not profane His name by giving Him castaway things or offering unworthy sacrifices. [... more]

Our worship of God must be anchored in objective truth, God's self-disclosure, and rooted in sacrifice, affirming rest, and corporate centrality. We are called to come together as God's people to worship, reflect His presence, and live out our lives in harmony with His will. [... more]

Marriage is about becoming one, and that includes how we handle our finances. The Bible offers timeless wisdom about unity, trust, and stewardship within marriage, but it doesn't speak directly to separate checking accounts. Joint accounts can offer a clear path toward transparency and mutual accountability, but separate accounts aren't inherently sinful. Financial oneness in marriage is about sharing a vision, building trust, and stewarding God's provision as one. [... more]

A caregiver shares her remarkable journey of love, faith, and resilience as she navigates the challenges of caring for her daughter, and finds hope and healing in the midst of adversity. [... more]

Jephthah, a man from a dishonorable background, rose to deliver Israel from the Ammonite oppressors through faith in God. He made a vow to offer the first being to meet him as a sacrifice, but his daughter was the one who came out, and he was faced with a difficult decision. The story of Jephthah highlights the importance of faith, God's grace, and the principle of substitution in the Bible. [... more]

National Park Service Ranger Dan Vermilia shares the story of how Gettysburg impacted General Dwight D. Eisenhower's leadership, from his early life interacting with Civil War veterans to his later years as Supreme Allied Commander. Eisenhower's experiences at Gettysburg shaped his views on accountability, character, and the importance of learning from the past to inform the present. [... more]

God's holiness raises a couple questions, and one is how can sinful people have a relationship with God. The answer is Jesus made it possible through his death on the cross. When we trust in Christ, we are legally declared righteous, and the penalty for sin is forgiven. However, we still struggle with sin, and the process of becoming holy is a journey. It starts with a commitment to holiness and involves surrendering to God, being in His Word, and living in community. God causes us to be transformed progressively, but it requires effort and a willingness to change. The ultimate goal is to be holy, glorified, and transformed once and for all when we meet Christ. [... more]

Christ's intercessory work on our behalf is based on His all-redeeming love and precious blood, which pleads for our forgiveness and saves us from our sins. His sacrifice was sufficient to pay the penalty for the whole human race, and He is the propitiation for our sins and the sins of the whole world. [... more]

Four US Army chaplains, George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington, showed selfless bravery on the sinking USS Dorchester, distributing life jackets and offering prayers as the ship went down, resulting in each being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for their actions on February 3, 1943. [... more]

God's intolerance of human sacrifice and other heinous sins is evident throughout the book of Leviticus, where Moses outlines the consequences of such actions, including capital punishment. Meanwhile, Jesus' teachings on forgiveness and redemption offer a contrasting perspective, highlighting the importance of grace and mercy in the face of sin. [... more]

Carter Conlon shares a powerful message about the faithfulness of God the Father, drawing parallels between his own father's selfless actions during World War II and God's sacrifice of His Son for humanity. He emphasizes the importance of honoring one's father and the value of living for a higher cause, highlighting the characteristics of God's love and faithfulness in our lives. [... more]

God's intolerance of human sacrifice and idolatry is voiced in the laws of Leviticus, where those who practice such acts are subject to capital punishment and are cut off from their people. The Bible teaches that demonic influence is real and serious, and that those who engage in human sacrifice and idolatry are targets of God's wrath. [... more]

Communion is a declaration of Christ's sacrifice for us, a reflection on his sacrifice, and an examination of ourselves before God. It's an opportunity to remember what Christ did on the cross, to declare our faith, and to seek salvation. [... more]

A mother of 10 shares her experiences and insights on motherhood, marriage, and parenting, emphasizing the importance of self-sacrifice, faithfulness, and legacy. She discusses how motherhood changes a woman's body and soul, and how it's a tool for the glory of God. She also shares practical tips on prioritizing marriage, managing expectations, and trusting in God's plan. [... more]

The practice of child sacrifice, once common among ancient civilizations, is now widely viewed as abhorrent. However, a history teacher's defense of the Incas' practice of sacrificing children highlights the dangers of cultural relativism. Christians, on the other hand, have consistently argued for the inherent dignity of children, opposing practices like infanticide and abortion throughout history. [... more]