When I use to do Archery I did could to achieve one goal and that was to shoot a perfect 300 at the indoor nationals. I spent countless hours practicing and tuning my equipment to achieve this. AS a Christian I can honestly say that there are times I do not put that same effort into seeking Christ. We need to seek Christ fervently in everything that we do, if we want to change not only ourselves but the world around us.

There is one thing we can always accept with certainty, that is Jesus is who he says he is. With that there is hope, hope that gives us peace in all things.

The heart of every man should be one of praise and thankfulness. Sadly we to often take things for granted.

When you open a new box of chocolates there is always a diagram showing each chocolate and what is inside. This helps us to choose the ones we like. For me that means all the caramel ones go first. I wish people were the same because what appears on the outside is not always a reflection of the inside. God does not need a diagram he knows our hearts and where are hearts are so goes the rest of our lives.

I once was lost and now I am found.....it is a terrifying thing as a child and even as an adult to be lost. And what joy and relief is there when we are found. So it is with all people. We re Love'lost in the darkness of sin until Jesus shines alight into our hearts and we are found.

Simply, he [sinful man] must repent and believe. He must forsake his sins and then go on to forsake himself. Let him cover nothing, defend nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God’s stern displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die. Having done this let him gaze with simple trust upon the risen Savior, and from Him will come life and rebirth and cleansing and power. The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ. A.W. Tozer

Jesus planted the seed of the church and it continues to grow. Our purpose is to tend the garden, by staying true to the word of God. We are not tasked with sitting idly by, but are to be actively moving God's kingdom forward.

What are you afraid of? What causes you anxiety? Franklin D Roosevelt said "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." I say you have nothing to fear if you fear God. If you recognize the total and complete sovereignty of God. If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation. The inevitable results of that is a life full of joy and confidence, a life where fear is no more.

Complacency is one of the greatest threats to the church in modern times. We sit back and wait for things to get bad so Jesus will come and make things better. We forget the we are in a war that we have already won. We are not on the defense against a world in chaos but on the offense because our King reigns high and is breaking into this world more and more every day.

The road to the cross is not a passive road. It is not a leisurely stroll. We have work to do as we travel. God will plant along the road and we are the tools of his harvest gathering up believers as we go. Also along the road we will encounter those that are in need and we are roadside assistance to help them get on there way to eternity.

If you were to do a survey of what it takes to be a good leader, thing such as knowledge, wisdom, strength and power would be at the top of the list. When the reality is that if we fail to put God first there is no knowledge, there is no wisdom there is no strength and there is no power. While this podcast is directed at fathers and husbands, there are things we all can learn from putting God first.

We are all on road somewhere and we are all carrying a cross. For some that cross will lead to death, for others it will lead to life. You either die in your sin or put to death your sin.

Whether you have a lot of faith, a little faith and at times even no faith Jesus will meet you where you are. To many of us focus on our circumstances and not on Jesus. Jesus is aware of our circumstances, and he is always with us no matter if our faith is big or small.

There are things that do not mix well, oil and water, rain and golf, brussel sprouts and anything. The world sees boldness and humility as opposites. In God's economy they are as well suited for each other as cheese and pizza. Our boldness comes by our faith and out faith comes by our humility.

Some times the best way is not the most common road traveled. Robert Frost in his poem "The Road not Taken" ends with these words, I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference" The road to the cross is one traveled by few but can make a difference in many.

Most of us just want to be happy. Now what makes us happy can mean many things. Sadly there is nothing in this world that can truly make us happy. Happiness in this world is fleeting at best. True happiness is found when we look beyond this world. Happiness is a result of being content, with our circumstances. Happiness is found in a right truthful relationship with Christ.

When you choose the road to the cross you will be asked to leave everything, there is nothing you need to bring with you. You will be asked to pay nothing as there is nothing you have that will be required on the road. We give up everything and bring nothing because, Jesus gave up everything so we would have everything.

What makes my WAZE GPS so useful is that people on the road ahead warn us about trouble. As we travel down the road to the cross there is One who has gone before us to prepare the way. To warn us and keep us on the right path.

Maps are a thing of the past. The majority of us use our GPS to get where we need to be. There are times we think we know a better route, and that usually at least in my case gets me lost. God has give us our own GPS to keep us on the road to the cross. When we think we know better it always causes us trouble.

We often here people say "I am a work in progress" There is much truth in that we are all a work in progress. For the Christian we are working to be more like Christ. The one pothole many of us encounter on the path is sin. It can cause our road trip to be bumpy. It is repentance that fills in those potholes. True repentance, is more than remorse it is a change in direction. It is achieved by developing a true love for God.

The road tot he cross is not a sprint but a marathon. It is not a trip taken quickly less you miss some wonderful things. Every word and letter God places on the pages has meaning and we need to slow down and take it in. Along the way we need to stop and smell the roses.

The road to the cross was never meant to be traveled alone. John the Baptist was born with a purpose, He was to be the herald to the King. When we are born again we are called to encourage others to join us on this journey. We become heralds to the New King calling everyone to the cross.

We are taking a road trip. The road will at times seem very bumpy and makes us uneasy. rest assured we do not travel it alone. The road to the cross is very treacherous, the rewards in the end are worth the journey. God never had a plan-B the cross was always plan-A. He has, is and will always be in total control down to the smallest detail. There is nothing that is left to chance.

Living a life that is centered on truth is not easy. Truth can be abrasive to many, but it is only be truth that we are saved. What the world calls truth is only lies that bind us to sin. When we compromise, and water down the truth we castrate it. The Christian is set apart because the live in truth.

Excuses we all make them. There are no excuses when God calls us to a task. Sadly we often find excuses not do the things God wants us to do , but find no excuse to do the things we want to do. As a result we miss out on the many and great blessings found in doing God's work.

I am a chronic procrastinator, it is a fault I am working on as soon as I get the time to do it. There is one thing that none of us can procrastinate on and that is getting right with God. There is a day coming and not one of when that days we will stand before God. Without Christ we kneel and face his wrath. In Christ we kneel and face his grace and mercy. Make no mistake the day is coming.

Have you ever prayed and gotten something so far from what you thought you would get that you questioned God? We often think God is obligated to give us exactly what we ask for and very often he does but not in the way we want. Whether we are seeking justice or prosperity we must be prepared to accept the answer God gives us. Yes we doubt, that is human nature, but faith gives us the peace to know no matter the answer God is good.

Feelings matter, we all have them. They do not matter when it comes to truth. Whether we feel something is true or not has no bearing on whether it is or not true. When we let our feelings dictate how we see God's truth we are no longer worshiping God, we are worshiping self.

All Christians want to talk of God's grace, mercy and faithfulness. Some might talk of his holiness and righteousness, very few will speak that he is a jealous God, a God of vengeance and wrath. Yet they are all characteristics of the God we serve. You can not remove one without compromising the others. Our God is slow to anger but there will come a time when we will say enough is enough so it was with the city of Nineveh. Yet inside this message of judgement there is hope.

There will come a time will all of us will stand in judgment before God. There will be no defense attorney using elegant words to try and get us a lighter sentence. Judgement will have already been made. The good news is that God has already provide for us a path of redemption through Christ. As we live our lives God asks of us three things. To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before our God.

We live in a very self-centered world. Well the bad news is that it is not all about you. Every breath you take, every sunrise you witness is because of God's great faithfulness, mercy and grace. The purpose of our lives is not self but obedience to God. God is not thinking whether the task he has given you is worthy of your time, he is not considering how you feel about it, he is doing it for his glory. The end results is that God is glorified, and in that we find peace for it is always for our good.

Pride G. K. Chesterton said, "“If I had only one sermon to preach it would be a sermon against pride” Pride is the driving force behind our sin. It no longer becomes about God's glory in becomes about our glory. It no longer is about God's grace, it is about our works. When pride goes to far God will humble us. And there will come a day when al the peoples of all the nations will be humbled.

We often live under the assumption that we are in charge. We claim to be living for God, but the reality is that we are living for ourselves. Nations go about their business as if God does not exist, condoning injustice and sin. The reality is that there is one God who is over all nations and all people. He is also the one Judge who will hold all nations and people accountable.

It seems that in todays world you are not normal unless you are afraid of something. It is almost as if we are addicted to fear. Everyday the media informs us of something else we need to be fearful of. How do we break this addiction to fear? The answer is found in a proper relationship with God and right understanding of what fear is.

Every decision we make has consequences. There is one decision that has eternal consequences. A day is coming when all people and all nations will face God's judgement. We have a choice to either live a life filled with hope and anticipation of that day, or a life filled with doubt and fear.

We have often heard people say "Every day is a gift from God". What we miss that even the bad days are from God. Very often the bad days are a result of us forgetting God and living how we see fit. Then when God disciplines us we pout and get angry. Our reaction to God's discipline should be humility and repentance. Our response should always be to listen to his word, be sober minded, mourn for our sin and pray for his mercy.

Hosea is a story of betrayal and redemption. It is an account of God's love for his people even when they betray him. Even when we are not committed to him 100% God is always committed to us 100%. He is always calling us back to him, even as he disciplines us.

Revival can be defined as a recall, return or recovery from a state of neglect. We have all been there, in a place where our focus is on everything but Jesus. We al need revival. If we seek to be the hundred-fold Christian we will need revival. Revival is not the responsibility of the community or the church. It starts with each of us as individuals.

Free is a marketing illusion. Ask for my book and I will send it to you for free just pay shipping, which is usually more than the boo is worth. While we paid nothing for our salvation we are saved by grace alone, Jesus paid it all. If we seek to be all in for Christ ,if we seek to be hundred-fold Christians there will be a cost. Anything worth obtaining has a cost.

Easter is a celebration of a monumental point in history a point that changed the word forever. Yet we celebrate it one day and it is an after thought the rest of the year. Christ rose from the dead and because of that he lives in me. Because of that I have been resurrected from death to life. Romans 6:4 declares, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Every aspect of our day to day lives should reflect this reality.

Very few of us are willing to give 100% to anything. Because giving 100% means things are going to get uncomfortable. God has not called us to a life of comfortable Christianity. He is not seeking 50%, or 80% he is seeking 100%. We need to break out of the crowd and out our comfort aside and seek to be the hundred-fold Christian. So lets take those first steps down the narrow path together.

There are not many that are not familiar with the phrase "God will not give you more than you can handle." It is often said to comfort those in times of trouble. Sadly it can also drive people form God instead of to God in times of trouble. God dives us things we cannot handle every day, anyone who has raised a child can testify to that. So what is his purpose in doing so? How should we respond? Listen to our newest podcast as we attempt to answer these questions.

I know we have all said or heard someone say "We are all God's children" While it sounds good it is not true. Being a child of God is not an inalienable right. Yes God is faithful and merciful to all of his Creation. To be a child of God is a right bestowed upon those that have given their hearts over to Jesus as Lord and Savior. With that comes peace, hope and jot that cannot be measured. Are you a child of God?

Only 17% of Americans claim to be very happy. If the pursuit of happiness is indeed a part of the American dream we have failed miserably. Perhaps it is because happiness is not something you pursue by a by product of pursuing the right thing. When we pursue to be obedient to God the results are happiness, peace, joy and hope.

There is a responsibility for us to be working we are the means by which God accomplishes much. The reality is that he does not need our help in any way, shape or form. We are blessed that he calls us to work beside him for his glory. To say we can help ourselves is denying God the glory and God's sovereignty.

There are times in all of our lives when we feel lost. There are times when we are lost and do not realize the danger we are in. The good news is that we have a Shepherd who will never abandon or stop seeking His lost sheep.

We often think of the prodigal son as a believer who has wandered away. While this is true it can also be said for those who have yet to believe. God has already given us so much and we often like the prodigal son use it for our own pleasure and waste what he has given. But God in his great mercy and grace never turns us away when we come home.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like....Jesus starts a series of parables in Matthew 13 with these words. While we long for the day when there will be a new earth. God's Kingdom is already here. We are called to be participants in that Kingdom. Jesus gives us a current picture in these parable of God's present Kingdom.

We are called to be the light, and to often our light is on a dimmer switch. Unless our light is shining brightly there is not hope in overcoming the darkness. It is our light that draws others to the love and saving grace of God. So turn it up and LET IT SHINE !

All of us want to try and patch up our own lives. Some see religion as a way of patching things up. Some see good works as patching up the bad things we have done. What many fail to see is that Jesus wants to make all things in us new again. In him we are a new creation.

Pontius Pilate asked Jesus "What is Truth?" People today are still asking that question. Jesus was a master of presenting the truth and he often did it in the form of a parable. These are treasures found trough out Scripture, filled with truth. to have the truth revealed all that is required of us is that we have ears that hear and eyes that see.

No matter who we think we are, or who we feel we are on the inside all people get to see is what is on the outside. As Christians we are to reflect Christ to the world around us so what we do is how Christ is perceived to a lost world.

What is reality? What is real? How we answer these questions has a profound affect on how we live. What we fear, how we love, even how we die. What do we really believe about God, about faith or about truth. An over whelming question that all of us must ask is Do you believe what you believe is really real?

There are words that need no prefix or description justice is one of those words. Something is either just or it is unjust it does not need to be qualified. To seek true justice and true reconciliation we must first seek God.

We face many issues in our world today racism, poverty, and injustice are but a few. When we seek man as the answer failure is inevitable. With God all things are possible, and failure is not an option.

When trouble comes very often we feel alone and want to just give up. We have all or at sometime will be in such a situation. We often expect God to just make it all go away as we look for the parting of the Red Sea moment. God does not always operate in the spectacular, he often operates in the quiet whisper. It is there we can find peace and assurance.

For our churches to function in a way that meet God's expectations there are things that are expected of God's people. We al have a part to play and are expected to play it.

When we expect the church to meet our needs and our standards we have set our expectations to low. The Church exist to meet God's expectations and when the church strives for that it becomes alive. It becomes the light in a dark world.

We all have expectations in life. When what we expect is not what we get it makes us angry and anxious. So what do ew do when God does not meet our expectations? What we expect when it comes to our salvation can have a profound effect on how we live. We often set our expectations based on our own self-desires and determination. In that case we have set our expectations to low.

As a child of God we have the blessing of being heirs in Christ. Everything that is Christ is ours. HIs peace and his joy. We are given heaven, earth and eternal life. We also are heirs to his suffering and through it all we grow more like him, resting on the assurances of our Father.

We are all up for adoption and we are all ready to be chosen. Image, even though we are sinners, left in our own natural state, not one of us seeks God. Not one of seeks to do what is good. The most wonderful reality is that God will not leave us in that lost state. Before the foundations of the world were laid, he chose us. God's plan fulfilled in the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ.

We begin our lives as slaves, we are all slaves to sin and beholding to our master. We have a choice and an opportunity to change our position. God has provided for each of us an opportunity to be free and be called a child of God. We are all up for adoption.

It is never easy to get along with a large group of people. Perhaps the most diverse group of people are found in the church. Church can be very peopley. Getting along will at times be uncomfortable. We are called to be one body under one God, one Christ, and one Gospel.

We must never lose sight of the brutality of the cross, just as much as we must never lose sight of the joy. Jesus never said we might, or we if we will take up our cross, he said we must. And that will require sacrifice and that will be uncomfortable.

There is an old country song titled "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden" And so it is in with a life that follows Christ. The church is not designed to make you comfortable, it is not there to keep you entertained or amused. It is not a country club. The church has one focus and that focus always is God. And for all those that commit to this there will be times we are uncomfortable.

Fighting the good fight does not mean to fight to win, winning does not matter if we are fighting for the wrong thing. It means to fight for truth, not our truth but God's truth. It means to fight with a charge being love. It means to fight with a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.

While every church has ministries, we must consider the purpose behind those ministries. Without purpose we are wandering around in the dark. It is purpose that brings life to the church and its people.

In our darkest hours, and in our troubled times the one thing that gives us the hope, joy, and peace that we all seek comes form remembering that on this day a Child was born.

With every sunrise the light signals a new beginning. Over 2000 years ago a light arose that signal a new beginning for all of mankind. A light that shines hope, joy and peace into a dark world. Today more than ever we need to remember that light, and seek a new beginning.

The grass is not always greener on the other side and if it si we must wonder, if it is sitting on the septic tank or if it is artificial. The path we take to get to the greener grass is as important as the destination. There is only one true path an while it is not always the easiest it is always the right one.

The church is not a museum where we go to see a dead god, nor is it a curio cabinet where see display of god. A vibrant and healthy church is alive and it is alive because we serve a living God.

The government sets rules as to who is qualified for public office. We decide in our own minds as to whether they meet the moral and ethical standards we have. When it comes to leadership in the church God is the one who sets the standard. While these things ae given to us to guide us in selecting leaders, we cannot ignore the fact that they are goal all Christians should aspire to.

God is a God of order and He has designed everything for a place and a purpose. That includes men and women. While we are all equal in the eyes of God, equal in sin, equally loved and equal in salavation. Each of us has a role that is give in God's church. Men and women are equal, but diffrent in the roles we play.

Prayer is essential in the Christian life. Paul in the second chapter of 1 Timothy tells us the first of all we should pray. He then outlines for us what we should pray for and who we should pray for. With our aim still love we seek God with sincere faith.

When we think of God's Law most of us think of the Ten Commandments. The Law is good if used lawfully. This is what Paul tells us in 1 Timothy. What does this mean and how should we apply it in our lives. Check out our newest podcast as we continue through 1 Timothy .

Lies abound all around us and the church is not immune. Paul sees that the church in Ephesus is falling into the trap of lies that false teachers are spreading and charges Timothy with confronting the lies. While truth can be harsh, and confronting lies is never easy it must be done. Truth presented without love falls on deaf ears, truth that comes from a burdened conscience and a hypocritical heart is self-serving, and self-righteous. Paul tells Timothy that the aim or goal is love, and that Biblical truth that has the power to change lives comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and a sincere faith.

Ove the past weeks we have been building a Gospel Foundation looking at the things that make the gospel a powerful message to both believers and non-believers. The purpose of having a good foundation is so you can build upon it. We are going to conclude this series with looking a what it means to live a gospel life. God- Colossians 1:16. Psalm 115:3, Psalm 145:17 Obedience- Deuteronomy 11:1, John 15:14 Sanctification- Colossians 3:1, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 2:20 Prayer- Psalm 31:1-4, Psalm 103:1-5, Evangelism- Matthew 28:18-20 Light- Matthew 5:14-16,

The results of confession of our sins is repentance, the results of repentance is redemption. To be redeemed means that there was a price that had to be paid. For us, the price was too high to pay on our own. So, God provided the payment, a payment of death and blood. He gave His only Son.

Repentance is the results of the Gospel. The Gospel leads us in a different direction, it is a catalyst for change. This will not be easy, but the rewards are great. What does it mean to repent? What are the consequences of not repenting? What are the joys of repenting? We answer these questions in today’s podcast.

What is sin? This is not a question we should have to ask. In the world today it is a question that is asked both in and out of the church. We have come to accpet things God calls evil for good and what God calls good evil. SIn is the reason we need the gospel, wihtout the gospel we are are lost and doomed.

Christ Jesus is the cornerstone of our Gospel foundation. To misunderstand who he is, is to jepordize our salavation. A fasle teaching or knowledge of Christ, brings nothing but dispair. A full understanding of who he is brings eternal hope.

Everything begins with a foundation, that includes our understanding of the Gospel. To understand the power and full impact of the Gospel we must build a good foundation. Our foundation starts with understanding who God is. To have an incorrect view of God is to not have a correct view of our sin and need for salvation.

When should we as Christians become disobedient to the authorities placed above us? This is a question that is being asked many times in our current situations. We are going to see what Scripture says about this by unpacking Romans 13.

We work to gain so many things, knowledge, wisdom, polarity and wealth. Some things we are born with, culture, heritage and race. None of these things mean anything apart from Christ. Without a relationship with Christ there is no purpose, meaning or value in life. It all becomes rubbish.

The song says the war has already been won, and while that is true we still face battles everyday. We are in daily battles between the truth claims of God's word and the lies of the world. The consequences of these battles are the souls of mankind and they are battles we cannot afford to lose. So we must stand firm in the truth, be strong in our faith and unwavering in our commitment to the gospel

The worlds view of leadership in a marriage and God's view of what it looks like are at opposition with one another, To have a marriage that is full of joy and prospers can only be accomplished when we follow God's desires.

We cannot let the lies the world tell us divide us. Imagine a church that operates and looks like a church that believes in One God, One Christ, One Hope and One Spirit. A church that operates and lives as one people dedicated to living for the purpose of serving one another, and building God's kingdom. A church the speaks the truth of God's word with compassion and strength.

Reconciliation,love,peace, justice,not one of these can be achieved with our fellow man in our own strength. It is only when we bow on our knees and seek God that we have the strength and wisdom to achieve the unachievable. We are at our greatest strength when we are on our knees before the Father.

We want to belong and the great news about the gospel is that God's mercy is wide and encompasses all of us. Under Christ there is only one body, one humanity.

The human eye can only focus on one thing at a time, but the human heart can be very fickled on what it focuses on. We are living in trying times and to make it through we must be focused on God, the only one who is capable on getting us through.

There can be a fine line between testing and trusting God. How we define which side of that line we are on can be at times hard to discern. But in the end the thing that matters most is the condition of our own hearts as we move forward with God.

While there is no work we can do to be saved, once we are saved the work really begins. To live a life that is like Christ and to do the good works Christ has called us to do will require work.

When we pray we must pray with the intention of changing our hearts to align with God's will, seeking his glory. It is only then that we can find the peace and assurance all of our hearts desire.

There are very few that are willing to truly give 100%. We live in a world that accepts in many ways mediocrity. God has never intended our lives to be mediocre, he only wants us to be and expects us to be excellent.

Often in times of crisis it is hard for us to find motivation to serve others. Our natural selves seek to be selfish and not selfless. Jesus on the night before he went to the cross provides us with an example on how to overcome this desire to be selfish.

We all have faith in something or someone. How we handle the trouble life throws at us. Whether things look hopeless or hopeful, whether there is joy or worry, chaos or peace is determined by where we place our faith.

It is not an matter of if we are going to do something that shows our hypocrisy, it is a matter of when. At one time we all are hypocrites. This becomes a problem when it becomes a lifestyle. Jesus warns us against such a way of life.

While we might want to believe that truth is flexible, the reality is that it is not. There is no my truth and your truth opposing views we both cannot both be right. When we abandon truth we abandon hope, we abandon peace and we abandon God.

We live in a world where it is all about what we have or what we do not have. We all want stuff, and much of the stuff we want we do not need. While God wants us to enjoy the fruits of our labors, we cannot let our desire to have things override our desire to be near to God. We cannot let the stuff we own own us.

While many people believe Satan is real not many live as if it is really true. Our greatest weakness is that we ignore that he is working. He lies to the world convincing people that they have the power and right to do as they please and that they are in control. When the real truth is that there are only two masters you are either serving God or you are serving Satan there is no middle ground.

Life is full of warnings, and Christ gave us many warnings to help us avoid doing the things that will keep us from a productive a full relationship with God. The first of these is a warning not to sin, these seems obvious but it is not always easy.

We all wander off the right path from time to time as a church and as individuals. There is a way to get back on the right path, we need to remember from where we have come, repent of our actions and return to the ways of God.

The thing or things we put first in our lives will have either an adverse or positive effect on how we live. When we choose to put God first while our lives may not seem perfect the impact on ourselves and others is full of blessings.

Judgment is not an easy topic to discuss. It often brings up feelings of fear. What we often fail to see is that within this message of judgment is also a message of hope.

Anything we commit ourselves to doing will in the end require sacrifice. When we commit our lives to following Christ there will be sacrifices we will have to make. The blessing comes in knowing that the sacrifices we make will in the end lead to joy, peace and eternal life. There is no sacrifice we can make greater than the one made for us by Christ.

Christmas is a time when hope is truly realized. It is a time when we come to know that hope is not some sort of wishful thinking, it is not a dream of things to come. We Discover that hope is a person, and putting our hope in that person is the path to eternal life and present joy and peace.

Knowledge is knowing there are many paths to take, wisdom is choosing the right one.

We will all stand before God someday and give an account. The verdict has already been given, there is no way for us to plead innocent. But there is always an opportunity for redemption.

The Christian life starts with humility and there is not room for pride, Very often it is our pride that causes us to look down upon others, as we believe ourselves to be better. The Christian is to put this aside remembering that we are deserving of God's judgement but even more God's grace is available to all.

It is not up to us who God saves, it is up to us to declare the message of God's mercy and grace found in the gospel. It is God's desire that none should perish but all come to repentance. So don't be a Jonah.

We like to see others get what is coming to them. To often we forget we to are sinners. Just because we are doing well does not mean we are right with God.

There will be a day when all of us will stand in judgment before our Creator. That is not a day you want to be standing in sin. There will be another day the Day of the Lord when all nations and people will stand in final judgement, and depending on the decisions we have made as individuals and as nations it will be good or bad and ugly.

Our salvation begins with confession, and grows with repentance. This process will be repeated daily in the life of every Christian. Each time we repeat we become more like Christ and more in line with God's will.

There is no depth you can go to that God cannot reach. There is no sin so great that God's grace cannot forgive. You cannot run faster than God's love. While yet we are born children of wrath, it is God's desire that we are transformed into children of the One True King.

The gospel is a powerful thing. When presented uncompromisingly with clarity and compassion it has the power to change lives for the better. When we compromise the truth or use it to condemn it can permanently push people away from God's grace.

The world is full of temptations, some in places where we would east expect. God promises to always provide a way out.

When we are wronged our first instinct is to seek retribution. What God calls us to do is to forgive. Listen to our latest podcast "Forgive Like This"

God encourages us to ask for what we need, to often we ask for what we want and feel discouraged when God says no. Prayer helps us understand that what God provides is enough.

To be in God's will is to be with hope, no matter our circumstances. Prayer helps us connect to that hope, by changing our hearts to be in the will of God.

When we pray how we see and honor God has a profound effect on how we pray. The first step in effective prayer is to understand and to honor God in all ways.

How we see ourselves and our value as a human is very dependent on our worldview. Our worldview either tells us we are valuable only because of what can contribute to society as a whole that is our value is based on how the world see us. Or our worldview tells us that we are valuable because we are made in the Image of God.

It is not a matter of if we will have doubts but a matter of when. Doubt is normal and we will all experience it at some time. Why do we doubt? How do we responded to doubt? How can we guard against doubt? Listen to our latest podcast as we try and answer these questions.

Sometimes hearing the truth can be hard, but when we hear it and it is presented with love it still may be hard to hear. Within that truth if our hearts are open can be found hope.

All of us are or were lost in sin and some might see us as a lost cause. In God's eyes there are no lost causes, we are all worthy of being saved.

Life is about motion and there are many directions we can go. The direction that accomplishes the most is forward. Our lives and and faith cannot grow unless we are moving forward.

When we have faith in Christ we are given the gift of eternal life. Because of our faith there are also many things we can experience day by day in our present lives.

No matter where you are in your walk, no matter your circumstances, Jesus will always meet you right where you are.

Faith is a part of all of our lives. What or who you put your faith not only effects how you live, but it can have eternal consequences.

To walk as God wants us to walk, to reflect Christ in all that we do is not something we can do on our own. We must have faith to rely on God's strength, by putting on the full armor of God.

Relationships are not easy, that is because we have to deal with people. Yet when we establish our relationships with God as a foundation for all other relationships, those relationships will grow and prosper.

The resurrection of Christ gives us many assurances and it is foundational to Christian faith. Our newest podcast looks at the many assurances we can have because Christ rose on that third day.

For the church to function effectively there can only be one. Listen to today's podcast as we continue through the Book of Ephesians as see there is "Only One"

Once something is restored, to its original sate the work is done. Not in God's kingdom, once our relationship with God is restored through Christ, then the real work begins. God begins through the power of the Spirit to renovate our lives to become more like Christ.

We are not willing to live without many of our modern things, we feel incomplete and inconvenienced if we do not have them. Yet many are willing to live without the one thing that brings so many blessings to our lives, they are willing to live without Christ.

All life is a gift, but to live apart from Christ is to live a life that is void of its intended meaning and purpose.

When we accept Christ and put all of our faith in what he accomplished on the cross there are many blessing to follow.

What are some of the characteristics of a Christian who's life is well?

God's promises are guaranteed to his children. To be a child of God you must be born again, not of your own power but only by the power of God through the Holy Spirit.

For any community to function it must find unity. Unity can be either good or evil. The question we must ask then is what is Christian unity?

When we accept Christ we become a part of a community of believers. And while we might not always get along we must strive to function as a community that reflects and projects God's love to a lost world.

History helps to be obedient as it gives us examples of the blessing of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. History also gives us hope for the future.

There are things that need to be trimmed in all of our lives, God will prune these things so that we can be fruitful.

We often think and speak of the what, when , why and where of Christmas and often forget the Who. Who was this baby that changed the world?

A reality of being human is that we will experience suffering. Another reality is that God is real and present even when we suffer. How we respond to suffering has a profound effect on us emotionally, physically and spiritually.

As we come closer to the end of our ascent up the mountain we will need to persevere. At times it seems the mission we are on is an impossible task, but we are called to persevere knowing in the end we have everything to gain.

God often calls us to work where he is working. When we work with God our work has meaning and purpose. To work without him is to work in vain.

The end result of a restored relationship with God is joy. Joy that surpasses understanding and is present even in times of sorrow.

Every one of us feels insecure at times. Our peace comes from knowing that for those who are in Christ God surrounds them.

The only side we need to be on is God's side.

We all serve some one, and in reality we either serve the world or we serve God. One service leads to bondage the other to freedom.

Worship helps us focus our lives on the right things, so that we end up acting in the right way.

We all will need help at sometime and where we look for help will greatly affect our physical. emotional and spiritual health. We have two choice the world or God. Where does your help come from?

We are all on a journey and need to be walking with purpose towards our destination. Each journey begins with a first step.

Is being a child of God a natural or given right? Listen to today's podcast as we discover what the Bible says.

Every now and then we need to do a spiritual self-evaluation and remind ourselves of what God requires if us.

Masculinity is not toxic it is need in the world today. When a man lives his life and leads with godly wisdom and strength he becomes an overwhelming positive influence.

The power of the gospel comes from understanding who God is, the severity of our sin and what was accomplished on the cross.

Being all in means being obedient.

To truly live life as a Christian and enjoy all God has to offer we must be all in.

We all judge others, Jesus warns of the dangers of doing that.

We all get anxious, Jesus gives answrs why we should not be anxious and steps to keep us from getting anxious.

Prayer is foundational in a Christian's life, and how we pray is important.

While we might believe we are good enough. It is God who sets the standard.

The light we shine must be salted with he truth of God.

We can be content even in a world that is often hostile to the things of God.

We all want to be content, and the question is how do we achieve this. IN this podcast we will look at some keys to being content.

James concludes his book telling us we must have to patience, set our hearts on God, be steadfast and pray. Genuine faith is not easy but it is obtainable with a lot of hard work.

We are called to be in, not of the of the world.

We should all engage biblical principles before we speak.

Genuine faith requires work.

Genuine faith shows no partiality.

The only way to know if something is genuine is to test it. God will challenge and test us to grow our faith into a genuine faith.

I am on vacation for the next two weeks, I hope you all enjoy this message I gave last year at the local church. God is faithful at all times whether we see it or not.