1. I am an ALIEN on earth. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world. 1 Peter 1:1 (NIV) I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) 2. I am a CITIZEN in Heaven. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior f...
Feb 16, 2021•30 min
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 (CSB) “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!” John 1:49 (CSB) To keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 God will bring this about in his own time. He is the...
Feb 09, 2021•33 min
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 (CSB) 1) How Do I Make God’s Kingdom A Priority? …for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (CSB) 2) Why Is Kingdom Living A Challenge? “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the bod...
Feb 02, 2021•28 min
As we draw closer to God we … 1. Listen More Closely The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”12 “None of us, my lord th...
Jan 26, 2021•34 min
By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his transformation he was approved, having pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 (CSB) 4 Marks of a Consistent Faith 1. WALK WITH GOD Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:22-24 (ESV) 2. BELIEVE GOD By fa...
Jan 19, 2021•34 min
After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.’ Acts 13:22 (CSB) …but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.” 1 Samuel 13:14 (CSB) 1) Faith Over Fear The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were...
Jan 12, 2021•35 min
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham, my friend. Isaiah 41:8 (CSB) …and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend. James 2:23 (CSB) I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. John 15:15 (CSB) 4 Marks of a Friend of...
Jan 05, 2021•34 min
1. Hope Comes From God May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV) And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” Romans 15:12 (NIV) 2. Hope Fills Us With Joy And Peace May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of th...
Dec 25, 2020•25 min
I CAN FIND REAL HOPE WHEN… 1. I am Filled with the Spirit There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. Luke 2:25 (CSB) And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 (CSB) I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the...
Dec 21, 2020•34 min
There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. Luke 2:36-37 (CSB) 1. Staying Faithful She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:37-38 (CSB) ...
Dec 15, 2020•33 min
1. God’s Blessing Come Through Grace Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me. 4 He said to me, ‘I will make you fruitful and numerous; I will make many nations come from you, and I will give this land as a permanent possession to your future descendants.’ Genesis 48:3-4 (CSB) 2. God’s Blessings Revive Dead Things Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, but now God has even let me see your offspring.” Genesis 48:11 (C...
Dec 08, 2020•38 min
4 Steps to Mending Broken Relationships 1. Humility He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother. Genesis 33:3 (CSB) 2. Forgiveness But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept. Genesis 33:4 (CSB) And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32 (CSB) 3. Restitution He spent the night there and took part of what he had broug...
Dec 02, 2020•31 min
To turn losses into wins, I must believe that… 1. I Am Broken Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob’s hip socket as they wrestled and dislocated his hip. 26 Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:25-26 (CSB) But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Further...
Nov 24, 2020•32 min
1. TRUE LOVE WOWS Jacob resumed his journey and went to the eastern country. 2 He looked and saw a well in a field…Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 As soon as Jacob saw his uncle Laban’s daughter Rachel with his sheep, he went up and rolled the stone from the opening and watered his uncle Laban’s sheep. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly. Genesis 29:1-11 (CSB) 2. TRUE LOVE WORKS So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few day...
Nov 17, 2020•28 min
1. GOD IS SEARCHING…I AM FOREVER RESCUED Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He reached a certain place and spent the night there because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from the place, put it there at his head, and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground with its top reaching the sky, and God’s angels were going up and down on it. 13 The Lord was standing there beside him, saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the G...
Nov 11, 2020•36 min
Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. Matthew 7:13 (Mess) Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright. Genesis 25:34 (NLT) Overcome Shortcuts w...
Nov 03, 2020•37 min
1. Believe you are blessed Isaac sowed seed in that land, and in that year he reaped a hundred times what was sown. The Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich and kept getting richer until he was very wealthy. Genesis 26:12-13 (CSB) And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Leave us, for you are much too powerful for us.” 17 So Isaac left there, camped in the Gerar Valley, and lived there. Genesis 26:16-17 (CSB) How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spir...
Oct 20, 2020•30 min
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV) When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say “my wife,” thinking, “The men of the place will kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is a beautiful woman.” Genesis 26:7 (CSB) 1. LISTEN TO WHAT GOD SAYS Now there was a famine in the...
Oct 13, 2020•32 min
1. STUFF These are the family records of Isaac son of Abraham. Abraham fathered Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took as his wife Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22 But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inqu...
Oct 06, 2020•34 min
1. Take responsibility for your kids My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will learn to be discreet and will store up knowledge. Proverbs 5:1-2 (NLT) 2. Train your kids to run from temptation The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But the result is as bitter as poison, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. For she does not care about the path to ...
Sep 29, 2020•33 min
Let’s look at the four chairs of the family… 1. The God Chair—God Leads And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through h...
Sep 22, 2020•36 min
I can have harmony in my family by… 1. Avoiding Paybacks Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. Romans 12:17 (CSB) 2. Pursuing Peace If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (CSB) 3. Trusting God Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. Romans 12:19 (CSB) When the disciples James and Joh...
Sep 15, 2020•34 min
“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV) Even when Job was in pain and distress, he said to the Lord,” ‘I know that You can do all things. No plan of Yours can be thwarted’” Job 42:2 (NKHV) The archangel Gabriel reassured Mary by saying, “With God nothing will be impossible” Luke 1:37 (ESV) 1. HE’S POWERFUL ENOUGH TO PROVIDE FOR YOU Not only is God able to save you, but He’s able to meet all of your needs. And God is able to make every grace over...
Sep 08, 2020•34 min
I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth? Jeremiah 23:24 (GN) Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. Psalm 139:7-8 (CSB) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to s...
Sep 01, 2020•32 min
He counts the number of the stars; he gives names to all of them.5 Our Lord is great, vast in power; his understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:4-5 CSB What Does God Know? 1. God Knows My Faults For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes, and he considers all his paths. Proverbs 5:21 (CSB) The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (CSB) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to ...
Aug 25, 2020•34 min
On one of those days while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem. And the Lord’s power to heal was in him.18 Just then some men came, carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down before him. 19 Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the roof til...
Aug 18, 2020•36 min
I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (AMP) 1. I Will See God’s Goodness I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord. Psalm 27:13 (AMP) A. I Will See God’s Goodness Through Prayer Lord, hear my voice when I call; be gracious to me and answe...
Aug 04, 2020•36 min
When I’m afraid… 1) The Lord Leads Me The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—whom should I dread? Psalm 27:1 (CSB) Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) 2) The Lord Delivers Me The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—whom should I dread? Psalm 27:1 (CSB) The Lord is the stronghold of my life—whom should I dread? Psalm 2...
Jul 27, 2020•35 min
1. Problem – We feel alone Again, I saw futility under the sun: 8 There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “Who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself of good things?” This too is futile and a miserable task. Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 (CSB) 2. Solution—God created us for relationships Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. Ecclesiast...
Jul 19, 2020•26 min
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (CSB) 1. God Is The Lord of Peace May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (CSB) The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20 (KJV) Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the ...
Jul 13, 2020•35 min
