The story of Hezekiah, a great king in the Old Testament, serves as a reminder of the dangers of idol worship and the importance of seeking ultimate freedom from idols through faith in Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's courage in destroying idols and his people's tendency to mix God and culture are highlighted, emphasizing the need for a deep heart change and a full surrender to God. [... more]

The church is experiencing marginalization and persecution worldwide, and believers are struggling to find their place in a culture that no longer pretends to believe what they believe. Peter's letter to the scattered believers in 1 Peter reminds them that they have been chosen by God, and this truth is a source of encouragement and hope in the midst of suffering. [... more]

Making room for God requires dealing with the idols in our lives, understanding and believing God's goodness, and taking specific steps of repentance and surrender. This involves getting rid of competitors, submitting to God, resisting the devil, drawing near to God, washing our hands and purifying our hearts, grieving and mourning, and humbling ourselves under God's mighty hand. By doing so, we can experience breakthrough and have God's favor and hand poured forth in our lives. [... more]

A loving God seeks to pour out life and love on mankind, but people often become enamored with God's gifts over him, leading to disaster and emptiness. Thankfully, God provides Christ, and a key test to determine if something has become an idol is how one responds when it's taken away. Idols can include persons, possessions, and pleasures, and when they replace God, they become our security and satisfaction, leading us to miss redemptive opportunities and live for ourselves instead of being instruments in the Redeemer's hands. [... more]

A loving God seeks to pour out life and love on man, but His people often become enamored with His gifts over Him, leading to disaster and emptiness. God provides Christ, whose spirit can give us a heart of flesh, replacing the heart of stone, and offers a new covenant through Jesus Christ, saving His people from their sins. [... more]

The concept of God as Creator, Sustainer, Ruler, Father, and Judge is explored, contrasting with the idea of idols and substitute gods that cannot provide fulfillment or freedom. The importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and mercy is emphasized, and the need to worship the true God is highlighted. [... more]

A loving God seeks to pour out life and love on man, but people become enamored with his gifts over him, leading to disaster and emptiness. God provides Christ, whose spirit can give us a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone, but people often forget him and become distracted by abundance, leading to pride and arrogance. [... more]

God's character is revealed through the Song of Moses, highlighting his faithfulness, justice, and perfection. However, Israel's corruption and foolishness are also exposed, as they deal corruptly with God and repay him with ingratitude and senselessness. [... more]

Loving God supremely involves the mind, and Christians are commanded to cast off every weight and sin that besets them. The Bible says to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. However, many Christians struggle to love God with all their heart, and instead, they love other things more. To overcome this, one must honor Christ, believe in Jesus as their Savior, and receive His gift of eternal life. Additionally, one must be willing to ask God to take away the idols in their life and to submit to Him, so that they can love Him more and paint Him better. [... more]

Recognizing and surrendering to idols in parenting can lead to a more peaceful and loving home environment. Parents often struggle with anger and frustration due to their children's behavior, but this can be a sign of their own idolatry. By identifying and letting go of these idols, parents can find joy and security in Jesus, leading to a more abundant life. [... more]

The story of Mary's lavish worship of Jesus with expensive perfume is contrasted with the superficial exposure of the Pharisees and Judas, highlighting the signs of a true encounter with Jesus' glory: the stirring of our affections, the shattering of our idols, and the satisfying of our souls. [... more]

Gideon's story reminds us to always be on the lookout for idols in our lives, and to be willing to tear down these idols by eliminating strongholds and incorporating pure worship. We must not think that setting up good altars on Sundays is enough, but rather we must eliminate all false idols and prioritize our relationship with God. [... more]

God's mercy can reverse years of defeat and transform the everyday into the extraordinary, but it requires faithfulness to Him and a willingness to seek His guidance, even in the midst of spiritual compromise and idolatry. [... more]

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm in their faith despite facing a fiery furnace, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and endurance in the face of adversity. Jesus' presence and power were evident in their lives, and His promise to never leave or forsake us is a reminder that we are not alone in our trials. The Bible teaches us to keep ourselves from idols and to worship God alone, and to persevere in our faith despite the challenges we face. [... more]

Generosity is about more than dollars; it's about discipleship, financial literacy, and passing on wisdom along with wealth. A giving fund can be a powerful tool for generosity, allowing individuals to give easily and strategically, and involving family members in the process. Modeling generosity can also leave a spiritual legacy for future generations, and planning ahead can help families navigate the challenges of succession planning and wealth transfer. [... more]

The church must be upstream from the rot of culture, not downstream, and prioritize worshiping God over human leaders and ideologies. Caregivers can find strength in trusting God's sovereignty and building a life around the reality of their loved one's needs, rather than trying to fit them into a predetermined plan. [... more]

A church's true character is revealed when God shows up, bringing joy, conviction, and transformation. A church where God is present exhibits aliveness, growth, focus, and a willingness to surrender to His will. [... more]

The Apostle Paul's approach to evangelism in a superstitious city like Athens is characterized by respect, humility, and consideration of others' feelings and convictions. He introduces the true and living God to the Athenian philosophers, setting aside superstition and confronting false belief systems. [... more]

Daggers are out for Sen John Fetterman as Democrats are plotting to primary him CNN's had a disastrous town hall where Bernie and AOC had a full-on meltdown NBC News cuts of their staff including their DEI department Dana breaks down the angles surrounding the Politico piece exposing text messages in the Young Republicans' group chats and calls out the anti-Semitic woke right who are making idols out of bigots Dana goes scorched Earth on how the new fad of being anti-Semitic isn't edgy Zohran Mamdani faces the gauntlet on Fox News to defend his radical policy proposals Justice Ketanji [... more]

The Apostle Paul's encounter with the people of Athens, where he engages in conversations with philosophers and citizens, introducing them to the true and living God, and changing their perception of value and worth. [... more]

The Bible regards idolatry as devil worship and a form of identity theft. Christians must have the same attitude as Jeremiah, who questioned whether people would again make gods for themselves that are not gods. The Old Testament writers described idols as dung gods or gods of dung, showing contempt for them. The high places where pagans worshiped were not God's intention, but rather a plan B for the Jews. God worked through men like Samuel, but also had to deal with men like Hophni, Phineas, and Eli. Jesus went out of his way to save a Samaritan woman, showing that he is tolerant of ignorance and bad times. However, the truth is offensive to idolaters, who condemn it and are intolerant of its condemnation. The Bible teaches that Christians should not have fellowship with demons or participate in their worship. The high places of the pagans were where they worshiped their false gods, and the Jews were allowed to worship there for a time, but it was not God's intention. The Bible teaches that Christians should not worship at high places or participate in pagan worship. Instead, they should seek the place where God chooses to put his name and worship there. [... more]

A godly character is one that is Christ-like, flexible, and willing to suffer long and be kind. This character is not one of self-appointed sages, but rather one that is humble and seeks to understand God's word. Idols, whether they be false gods or representations of God, are a disqualifying feature and lead to devil worship. A godly person will not make up things about God or create idols, but rather will seek to understand and follow God's word. [... more]

Being a godly man involves striving to be Christ-like, blameless, and above reproach. This means living a life of spiritual stability, being responsible, and doing one's job without expecting praise or reward. It also involves being around other godly individuals, learning from them, and not overestimating the advice of self-appointed sages. A godly man should be kind, suffer long, and not envy others, but rather love and serve others as Christ loved and served us. [... more]

The Apostle Paul's reaction to idolatry in Athens was one of distress, but he did not allow it to lead him into discouragement. Instead, he became determined to introduce the people to Jesus and preached a definitive message to their empty hearts, calling them to repent of the sin of rejecting God and worship the Creator alone. [... more]

The second commandment prohibits creating anything that reduces or replaces God in life, emphasizing the importance of worshiping only Him. God's jealousy is a positive term, indicating His desire for our affection and relationship. Breaking this commandment can lead to generational consequences, but keeping it brings mercy and love from God. [... more]

The first commandment, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me,' is a requirement of exclusive devotion to the one and only God, rooted in God's deliverance of the nation of Israel from Egyptian captivity. This commandment is personal, emphasizing the need for a personal relationship with God and a commitment to worship Him alone, above all else. [... more]

Two authors, Kurt Warner and Darla Nelson, discuss how diversion is destroying democracy and how people can move from stress and anxiety to peace and calm. They explore the concept of bread and circuses and how it relates to modern society, and share their personal experiences and insights on how to prioritize what is most important and focus on what truly matters. [... more]

Frankie Avalon shares his life story, from his early days as a South Philadelphia kid to his rise as a teen idol, and later, a successful actor and singer. He talks about his experiences in the entertainment industry, including his time working with John Wayne and his role in the movie 'Greece.' Avalon also shares his passion for health and wellness, and how he's created a product called Zero Pain to help people manage pain. The story of Frankie Avalon is a testament to his perseverance and determination to succeed in the face of adversity. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explores the book of Joshua, highlighting God's faithfulness and the importance of choosing whom we serve. He emphasizes the need to put away idols and serve the Lord, reminding us that God is a jealous God who will not share his glory with anyone. The people of Israel make a covenant to serve the Lord and forsake idols, with Joshua dismissing them to their inheritance. The episode concludes with a reflection on the faith of Joshua and the promise of God's faithfulness. [... more]

God's judgment is in the land, and those who are marked for a miracle must do something to be marked. This requires faith, repentance, and a willingness to die to one's flesh. The cycle of God's judgment is repeated throughout history, and it is time for God's people to cry out against the wickedness and abominations in the land. [... more]

The story of Daniel and the golden image in Babylon serves as a reminder that idols exist today, not just in ancient times, and can take many forms, including practices, passions, priorities, and partnerships that contradict God's will. The Bible teaches that true faith in Jesus requires unwavering commitment to His word and will, and that those who love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength cannot love any other God or idols. [... more]

The use of images in worship is a controversial issue in Christianity, with some arguing that they can be used as a means of grace and blessing, while others believe that they lead to distraction and a violation of the Second Commandment, which prohibits the creation of idols or images meant to represent God. [... more]

The Christian church can be a powerful megaphone, calling out to the world to turn from idols and serve the true and living God. By mimicking faithful role models, modeling joyful responses to the word and pressure, and motivating spiritual reformation, the church can spread the message of the gospel and bring genuine reformation. The example of the Thessalonians, who turned from dead gods to serve the living God, is a pattern worthy of following, and the church should strive to be a competing trumpet, calling out to the world with the message of Christ. [... more]

The early church in Thessalonica faced intense pressure to disbelieve, yet they welcomed the word and effectively invited it into their hearts and lives, becoming an example to other believers and demonstrating joyful responses to the pressure, motivating spiritual reformation and influencing others to follow their example. [... more]

The Bible's book of Ecclesiastes exposes the emptiness of chasing approval and status, revealing that true purpose and meaning come from God, not material wealth or pleasure. [... more]

When life turns sour, God may have sweet blessings right around the corner. Don't complain or moan, but instead, trust in God's plan and move forward. Jacob's story in the Bible teaches us about the importance of faith and not being controlled by fear. In his relationship with his wives, Jacob learned to consult and listen to them, and to allow his husband to lead. The household idols of ancient times remind us that true guidance and protection come from God, not from inanimate objects. [... more]

Gideon's story reminds us that we must always be on the lookout for idols in our lives, be willing to tear down these idols, eliminate all strongholds from false idols, and incorporate pure worship to achieve victory. [... more]

The pursuit of God means getting to know him as far as possible as human beings, but we can't comprehend him totally. He is way beyond our understanding, but we can seek him out. God hides, but he also seeks, ministers grace, and rewards those who diligently seek him out. [... more]

In Ephesus, the Apostle Paul's response to opposition set an example for Christians in proclaiming the Gospel without denunciation, instead using persuasion and the transforming message of faith in Jesus Christ to bring about city transformation. [... more]

God has expectations of us and we have obligations to Him, yet many people take Him for granted, using prayer as a wish list instead of thanking Him for everything they already have. The Bible teaches that God keeps a record of not just our actions, but also our thoughts, and that He demands reverence, respect, and obedience. Those who fail to meet His expectations will face consequences, but those who fear and obey Him will be blessed and prosper. [... more]