Jesus teaches that our influence matters, and we should use it to bless others, not impress them. He also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, faith, and obedience, and how these qualities can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. [... more]

Gideon, a man struggling with insecurity and control issues, learns to trust God's promises and discover real security in the power of God. Through a series of tests and trials, Gideon comes to understand that true security is found in the covenant-keeping God, who watches over His people with loving care, provision, and protection. [... more]

Pastor Greg Laurie reminisces about his 50-year journey in ministry, from his early days as a pastor to the present, highlighting the importance of faithfulness, family, and discipleship in the church. [... more]

The Christian Worldview Radio program explores the war in Iran, the threat of Islam, and the role of Christianity in shaping American culture. Guest Steve Dace discusses the challenges of dealing with Iran, the importance of understanding Islamic ideology, and the need for Christians to be bold in proclaiming the gospel in a society that is increasingly hostile to their values. [... more]

Losing joy is a common experience for many Christians, but it's not a sign of a lost salvation. Sin, selfishness, sorrow, satanic oppression, separation from God, strain from service, and stagnation can all contribute to a loss of joy. However, through repentance, confession of sin, coming to God humbly, and continuing in faith, joy can be restored. [... more]

Pastor Paul Shepard discusses the importance of living a life of spiritual growth, discipline, and partnership with God. He emphasizes the need to stay focused on the right things, protect one's attitude, and learn to yield to God's wisdom. He also highlights the significance of partnership in ministry and how it is essential for spreading the gospel. [... more]

Honoring your parents is a lifelong commitment, and it's a commandment with a promise. Jesus taught that honoring your father and mother is essential, even in difficult circumstances. Christian men have a responsibility to raise their children and not provoke them to wrath. Employers and employees should work as unto the Lord, and the workplace can be a staging area for the gospel. Believers must be strong in the Lord and put on the whole armor of God to withstand spiritual warfare and the enemy's attacks. [... more]

Jesus teaches that storing up treasure in heaven means investing in God's purposes today, carrying eternal significance, and reveals a deeper fellowship with God, fuller participation in His kingdom, and the joy of seeing His work unfold through our lives. [... more]

Discovering, developing, and deploying your spiritual gift is not an optional exercise, but a serious responsibility. Chip Ingram warns against spiritual gift abuse, highlighting common abuses and providing a spiritual gift action plan to help believers discover and deploy their gifts. He emphasizes the importance of commitment, prayer, studying God's Word, seeking quality counsel, testing the waters, examining the fulfillment factor, and recognizing God's evident blessing. By following this plan, believers can avoid spiritual gift abuse and fulfill their purpose in the body of Christ. [... more]

God gives Jonah a second chance to preach in Nineveh, where he faces his own stubbornness and nationalism, but ultimately sees the people repent and turn to God, demonstrating the power of God's compassion and revival. [... more]

Counting trials as joy is a biblical command that allows God's people to experience the sweet fruit of maturity. Through perseverance, we can develop patience and trust in God, leading to a deeper understanding of His ways and a stronger faith. This process is not automatic, but rather requires time and effort, as seen in the story of the Scottish discus player who trained under a great burden to achieve great things. By shaking off the dirt and stepping up, we can find joy in the midst of trials and trust God to help us through the difficult times. [... more]

Christ's words to the little flock emphasize quality over quantity, warning against covetousness and boasting, while promising greater blessings to the faithful. The Lord Jesus contrasts the faithful church at Philadelphia with the lukewarm church at Laodicea, highlighting the importance of keeping His word. [... more]

Dave Harvey shares his personal experiences with weakness and loss, and how he came to understand that God uses these experiences to bring about good. He discusses the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and providence, even in difficult circumstances, and how this understanding can help individuals navigate the challenges of ministry and relationships. [... more]

Lebanon is facing another humanitarian crisis, with innocent families caught in the middle. Camille Melke of Heart for Lebanon shares a boots-on-the-ground report and the opportunity to respond with emergency aid and the hope of the gospel. [... more]

Beware of spiritual gift abuse, which can manifest as manipulation, control, or ego-driven behavior. Gifts are meant to serve others, not feed personal desires. True spiritual maturity is measured by Christ-likeness, not by the development or impact of one's gifts. Understanding God's purpose for your life requires discernment and wisdom, and recognizing the warning signs of spiritual gift abuse is crucial for building on solid ground. [... more]

God arranges conditions to get us to obey him, often through desperate circumstances. Jonah's story in the belly of a fish is a prime example, where he learned to let go of self-reliance and trust in God's sovereignty. Only desperate people pray, and it's through this desperation that we come to understand our true condition before God. [... more]

Jesus knows we will fail, but he prays for our faith not to fail. He reassures us that when we mess up, he is not surprised and that there is always forgiveness available. Through the story of Peter's failure and restoration, we learn about the importance of Jesus' private meetings with us, personal mercy, and powerful grace, ultimately leading to the fellowship of restoration. [... more]

The Reformation's third pillar, Sola Gratia, emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, not through human cooperation or works. This concept is rooted in the Bible's teaching that God's grace is a person, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from our sins. The Reformers rejected the medieval view of salvation as a combination of God's grace and human effort, instead affirming that God's demerited favor is the sole cause of our salvation. This understanding of grace is seen in the lives of biblical figures such as Abraham and Adam, who received God's unilateral covenant promise despite their sinfulness. Ultimately, the purpose of God's grace is to bring glory to Himself, as He saves sinners through Jesus Christ and attributes all glory to Him alone. [... more]

Matt Slick discusses various Bible doctrines, including the nature of God, salvation, and the return of Christ. He also examines the teachings of Mormonism and the concept of apostasy, highlighting the importance of following scripture and the dangers of false gospels. [... more]

Cody Hobelman shares his personal journey of moving from accumulation to impact, setting a financial finish line, and experiencing transformation in his life and finances. He discusses how this shift in perspective has allowed him to live with greater purpose, clarity, and generosity, and how others can start their own journey by defining what is enough and taking the first step towards setting a financial finish line. [... more]

Dave Harvey shares his personal experiences of suffering and weakness as a Christian leader, and how it has shaped his perspective on resilience, ministry, and marriage. He discusses how God's power is displayed through human weakness, and how leaders can embody the gospel by embracing their own sinfulness and vulnerability. [... more]

Jonah's experience in the belly of a great fish teaches him that God is listening, controlling, and purifying, and that brokenness is a necessary step towards obedience and faith. [... more]

A spiritual awakening is needed in America, with a focus on prayer, fatherhood, and masculinity. Gen Z is seeking authenticity and community, but is often disillusioned with traditional church structures. A revival of men in America could make a huge difference, and a true spiritual awakening requires repentance, brokenness, and a willingness to share the gospel with others. [... more]

Church leaders can effectively engage with their local community by meeting with senior church leadership, understanding the church's mission and values, and participating in community events such as the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. By doing so, they can identify and meet real needs in their community, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper sense of purpose. [... more]

The Bible talks about heart, it's not talking about the organ that the cardiologist looks at when something doesn't seem in rhythm. It's talking about your mind, your intellectual center, your emotions, your emotional center, your will, your volitional center. It's talking about where your morality takes place, where your mind thinks, where you feel. It's talking about the place where God works. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. [... more]

Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina is stepping into the gap to care for over 10,000 children in foster care by equipping churches to provide trauma-informed care and support vulnerable populations through their Every Child Every Church initiative. [... more]

The story of Jonah teaches us about God's grace and the consequences of disobedience. We learn that God's will is not easily thwarted and that He can use even the most rebellious of individuals to accomplish His purposes. Through Jonah's journey, we are reminded of the importance of obedience and the dangers of stubbornness, but also of God's willingness to work with us and guide us towards His will. [... more]

Jesus' words in the Gospel of John and the Sermon on the Mount emphasize the importance of enduring persecution and standing for righteousness' sake. The reward for doing so is a heavenly kingdom, and Jesus' example of enduring hostility and shame on the cross is a model for believers to follow. The church has a long history of persecution, but with courage and faith, believers can overcome their fears and remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ. [... more]

The practice of compassion and caring for orphans and widows has been a unique activity of believers for centuries, demonstrating the gospel in a tangible way. The church's value of human life is rooted in God's creation and fatherly heart, leading to acts of kindness and generosity that imitate God's love. [... more]

Jacob's wrestling match with God in Genesis 32 is a powerful reminder of the importance of facing our fears and conflicts head-on, and of surrendering to God's will. As Jacob refuses to let God go, he is transformed and receives a new name, Israel, symbolizing his newfound faith and spirituality. This story serves as a call to revival, encouraging believers to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, and to let go of their own desires and wills in order to receive God's blessing and guidance. [... more]

Jesus' letters to the seven churches in Revelation reveal his greatest concern: lukewarm passion for him. He mourns the loss of first love in Ephesus and warns against lukewarmness in Laodicea, where he says he wants to vomit out those who are neither hot nor cold. Lukewarm Christians are characterized by prayerlessness, minimizing sin, and only turning to God when they need something. Jesus calls out for a people who will be passionate for him, not just religious slaves who obey him to go to heaven. [... more]

The story of Jonah reveals God's ways of dealing with rebellious prophets and believers who resist His will. Through Jonah's journey, we learn that God goes with us when we run, disciplines us when we disobey, and confronts us when we refuse to change. This series explores the themes of brokenness, faith, and the consequences of our actions. [... more]

A robust Christian worldview is essential for shaping character and compelling sacrificial action. The church's public witness is often weak because many Christians are content with a thin, shallow faith that is shaped more by the surrounding culture than by the gospel. [... more]

The early Christian church grew strong despite facing intense persecution, with the blood of martyrs becoming the seed of the church. Jesus taught that persecution is a natural consequence of following him, and that those who are persecuted for his name's sake will be hated by the world. Throughout history, the church has faced numerous persecutions, from the Roman Empire to modern-day Muslim countries, but has continued to thrive and spread the gospel. [... more]

The book of James emphasizes the importance of Christianity impacting one's conversation, compassion, and character. James warns that external religious activity is worthless if it does not lead to spiritual maturity, and that true Christianity involves demonstrating parental care and compassion, particularly towards orphans and widows. [... more]

The Bible's underlying message is the good news that God justifies the ungodly by grace through faith alone, a message that has been consistent from the beginning of the story of redemption, starting with Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15, and unfolding through the promises made to Abraham, with Jesus being the fulfillment of all God's promises. [... more]

Life in Eden before the fall was a perfect paradise where God created man and woman to worship, work, and live in harmony with each other and with God. The creation account in Genesis 2 highlights the importance of worship, work, marriage, and innocence, and how sin has ruined everything. God's purpose for man is to worship and work, and marriage is a sacred institution that reflects God's relationship with His people. The loss of innocence and the introduction of shame are a result of sin, but God's promise to redeem and restore creation through Jesus Christ offers hope for a return to paradise. [... more]

Esther's identity is formed around finding security through people, but she eventually discovers a greater security through a better protector, the covenant-keeping God. Her willingness to put herself at risk before the king shows that she has found a greater security through a better protector, and she begins to take refuge in God's protection. [... more]

The conversation revolves around the concept of Rededicate 250, a national event aimed at rededicating the United States to God, and its potential impact on revival in the nation. The discussion highlights the challenges of dedicating a nation to God, especially when half of the population is hostile to the idea. It also explores the role of the educational system, particularly in college, in leading people away from Christian mooring. The importance of proclaiming the gospel and making disciples is emphasized, and the need for Christians to be discerning about campus ministries and to prioritize joining a local Bible-teaching church is discussed. [... more]

The problem of worry is not the issue, but rather our perspective on it. God's provision is not just for the lesser things, but also for the greater. He knows what we need before we ask and distinguishes between needs and wants, promising to meet our essential needs. [... more]