Jonah's encounter with a whale and God reminds us of the sweetness of the gospel and provides practical helps for Christians today. Despite his rebellion, God's providence is evident in Jonah's life, and he learns valuable lessons about himself, prayer, and the rediscovery of God's steadfast love and grace. [... more]

The book of Jonah reveals the story of a reluctant prophet who learns the importance of submission to God's will. Through Jonah's experiences, we discover four powerful truths that can transform our relationship with God forever. We learn that any attempt to escape from the Lord is futile, and that God is willing to use even the most flawed messengers to deliver his message. The story of Jonah teaches us the value of surrendering to God's plan and accepting our role as servants, rather than trying to be in charge. By learning to submit to God, we can live lives that are joyful, contented, and obedient, and experience the joy of answered prayer and the fulfillment of His plan for our lives. [... more]

The story of Jonah, a reluctant preacher who ran from God's call, reveals timeless truths about our own stubborn hearts. Through Jonah's failures, we learn four life-changing lessons: any attempt to escape from the Lord is futile, any time and any place we call on the Lord is an acceptable time and place, faithfulness is essential, and God's judgment is just. [... more]

The pastor discusses the importance of understanding the righteousness of God and the dangers of self-righteousness, highlighting the contrast between faith in Christ and willful ignorance of God's truth. He also emphasizes the significance of Bible prophecy and the need to submit to God's righteousness, rather than establishing one's own. [... more]

The pastor discusses the dangers of zeal without knowledge, highlighting the importance of understanding God's righteousness and the consequences of ignoring Bible prophecy. He draws parallels between the Jewish people's rejection of Jesus Christ and the modern-day rejection of God's truth, emphasizing the need for Christians to be aware of their own zeal and to be guided by the Holy Spirit. [... more]

Paul's heart's desire is for Israel to be saved, but they have zeal for God without knowledge, leading to unbelief and judgment. He warns of the dangers of zeal without knowledge and the importance of standing up for the truth, even if it's unpopular. [... more]

When praying, it's essential to understand that God's will is not always aligned with our desires. Persistent prayer is staying on our knees before God, not giving up, and seeking His guidance, whereas stubborn prayer is praying for something without wisdom or submission to God's will. Envy can also lead to harm, but God humbles the envious person, making them unenviable. It's crucial to pray like Jesus taught us, with a spirit of persistence and submission to God's will. [... more]

God hates idolatry and is at war with it, revealing our idols to us because he loves us and wants us to surrender to him, becoming our ultimate. He works in our hearts to rip out all idols, but it's a process of spiritual growth and requires humility and surrender. [... more]

God's dealings with Israel involve periodic purges to refine and purify them, ultimately preparing them for the coming of Messiah. Through affliction, God has shaped the nation, and despite their disobedience, He remains committed to preserving them. The concept of redemption is central, with God's love and promise of salvation extending beyond ancient Babylon to the end-time Babylon, where Messiah will ultimately deliver Israel and bring about a new era of peace and righteousness. [... more]

Israel's greatest sin was elevating other gods to the status of worship, despite Yahweh's explicit prohibition. This behavior is identical to professed Christians viewing non-Christian religions as legitimate. God's word, as seen in the Bible, is clear about the consequences of idolatry and the importance of faith in Yahweh. [... more]

A biblical process for conflict resolution is examined through the account of a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas in the early church. The importance of giving second chances and the gracious nature of God are highlighted. [... more]

God's intention is to change you from the inside out, and He provides the new self and the Holy Spirit to help you overcome bad habits and become more like Him. Developing a new sensitivity, generosity, and willingness to forgive is key to spiritual growth and personal transformation. [... more]

Breaking stubborn habits requires a deep understanding of our sinful nature and the power of God's intervention in our lives. By recognizing our human responsibility and the importance of spiritual growth, we can overcome addiction, anger, and other destructive behaviors and live a life of biblical behavior. [... more]

Preparing for college and managing student loan debt requires discipline and biblical wisdom. Financial author Art Rayner shares strategies for minimizing debt, including saving, taking college-level courses, exploring scholarships, and being willing to work while in school. He also discusses common misconceptions about student loans and the importance of educating oneself on the commitment involved. [... more]

A prophet's stubborn refusal to obey God's command leads to a series of lessons on the consequences of rebellion and the importance of surrendering to God's will. The story of Jonah serves as a reminder that God's purposes are bigger than our own desires and that obedience is essential for a fulfilling life. [... more]

A 50-something man, Paul, forms an unlikely friendship with an 89-year-old man, Wilbur, at a senior home, where they bond over bingo and shared experiences, teaching Paul valuable lessons about friendship, volunteering, and the importance of human connection. [... more]

Jonah's encounter with a whale and God reminds us of the sweetness of the gospel and provides practical helps for Christians today. Despite his rebellion, God's providence is evident in Jonah's life, and he learns valuable lessons about himself, prayer, and the rediscovery of God's steadfast love. [... more]

Adrian Rogers warns about crossing God's deadline, emphasizing the importance of spiritual direction and the consequences of stubborn disobedience, leading to sudden destruction and strong delusion, ultimately resulting in spiritual desertion and separation from God. [... more]

God's answer to anger is to control sudden anger, condemn sinful anger, conquer stubborn anger, and channel sanctified anger. Recognizing anger, repenting of it, and rebuking the enemy can help individuals live righteously and protect their testimony. [... more]

A cautionary tale of King Saul's downfall, from self-determination to stubborn disobedience, sin, and spiritual degeneration, highlighting the importance of obeying God's will and the dangers of ignoring or disobeying it. [... more]

Dealing radically with sin involves cutting it off and putting it to death, as Jesus and Paul taught. This requires self-control, decisive action, and a willingness to change. Cultivating good habits and behaviors is essential, and accountability with others can provide support and encouragement. [... more]

God desires that we be fully submissive to His will, breaking down our stubborn habits and sinful nature, allowing us to walk in freedom, joy, and victory. Through submission, we can resist the devil and break free from the habits that bind us. [... more]

Dr. Erwin Lutzer explains how to change human behavior through understanding God's program of sanctification, which involves a miracle of the new birth and the gift of the Holy Spirit. He discusses the importance of putting on a new wardrobe of habits, casting aside old ones, and living up to the new self created within us. [... more]

Alistair Begg explains how an older brother's refusal to join a family reunion reveals his spiritual condition, highlighting the contrast between salvation by grace and salvation by obedience and the keeping of the commandments. He emphasizes the importance of understanding God's amazing love and the need for a forgiving heart, warning against the dangers of pride and self-righteousness. [... more]

Pastor Rick Gaston teaches through the Gospel of Mark, discussing the importance of not being a perfectionist and judging others, the role of fasting in Christianity, and the significance of the Sabbath in Judaism and Christianity. [... more]

Jesus teaches his disciples about the importance of mercy and not judging others, as he interacts with the Pharisees and their criticisms. He explains that he came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous, and that fasting is not necessary when he is present, but will be necessary when he is taken away. [... more]

Jesus' teachings and actions in Mark's Gospel, chapter 2, are contrasted with the rigid and self-righteous Pharisees and scribes, who are more concerned with their own traditions and interpretations of Scripture than with understanding and following God's true will. [... more]

God's patience wears out when we harden our necks and refuse His conviction, leading to sudden destruction, the unpardonable sin, and a settled eternal destiny in hell, but salvation is still available through Jesus Christ. [... more]

God's deadline is a solemn and serious text that warns of the consequences of hardening one's neck against spiritual conviction. If one often reproved and refuses to get right, they shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy. God speaks through various means, including the Holy Spirit, sickness, sorrows, and His servants, to bring people under conviction. However, stubborn rebellion and procrastination can lead to sudden destruction, and it's essential to recognize the signs and take action before it's too late. [... more]