The once dominant Israelite army, led by military superstar Joshua, hits a wall and suffers a great loss. Was it the wrong strategy? Was it a lack of supplies or soldiers? Joshua is confused by this sudden loss knowing God had been leading and winning for them. The answer was revealed…there is a villain and sin in the camp. Someone had broken the covenant with God and now God has turned His back on them. Does sin, even the small insignificant ones really impact us that much?
May 14, 2022•45 min
When we stop to think, we did a lot of things in our youth that…well, to put it plainly, were not the wisest of choices. In most of these stories we were not alone. Was it our bad ideas, the ideas of our friends, or some mix of both? The scripture warns us about the company we keep, and how it can lead to our demise. Is it possible that we are allowing villains in our lives that is causing pain and destruction? If so, what can we do to recognize these toxic relationships and how do we respond?
May 08, 2022•37 min
In the movies, the unexpected villain is the bad guy we never see coming. They're the unassuming friend, sidekick, or love interest that's been pulling the strings behind the scenes the whole time. The truth is we all have unexpected villains in our lives. People who we thought we on our team that have unexpectedly blindsided us. But what happens when those people also happen to be Christians? The story of Cain and Abel from the book of Genesis reveals some surprising insights into how we can av...
Apr 29, 2022•37 min
In the movies, it is often easy to identify the villains. They have a mission to accomplish that is in direct opposition of the heroes. However, have you ever wondered if the villains really think they are the bad guys? Maybe in their mind, they are justified to accomplish a larger goal. Enter humans into God’s story, where we identify as the good guys. However, scripture gives us a different view. Is it possible we are part of the villains team and we don’t even know it?
Apr 23, 2022•32 min
Their Rabbi was dead. All seemed lost. Dejected and afraid, the disciples thought everything was over after Friday. But when they went to the tomb on Sunday, they found it was empty. The word was spreading he wasn’t there but everyone had their doubts. It wasn’t until 2 men on their way to Emmaus had an encounter with the living Jesus did it all click. Jesus had risen from the dead and really is the one sent by God to save the world.
Apr 16, 2022•30 min
If you knew you had 24 hours left to live, what would you do? Would you call your family and friends, knock things off your bucket list, or spend all your money on one last experience? Jesus, knowing that the cross and the weight of sin was coming did something we wouldn't think of...he prayed. A lot. His example challenges us and gives us a clear view of what matters most in times of trouble and pain...trusting in the plan of our God.
Apr 09, 2022•39 min
The voices cried out worship to God and the crowds dropped their cloaks to the ground. The new coming king was on a colt on his way into the capital of Israel as the crowds pushed around Him. Israel was going to be freed and the king has come. However, this triumphant entry would be short lived. Jesus was rightfully recognized as the coming king, but it wasn’t what Israel was looking for. His entry into Jerusalem would lead Him to the only way he could save His people…the cross.
Apr 02, 2022•40 min
As we come to a close in the book of Daniel, we see in chapter 12 a prophecy of what comes when God begins the end of days. We see a major theme emerge: there will be great suffering in those days for the people of Israel. However, in the text we see an even greater hope…God is sovereign over the present as well as the future. He has promised that the dead will rise again, and for those who have called on God to save them there will be eternal life with Him. For those who don’t, eternal separati...
Mar 27, 2022•43 min
Are you feeling a little on edge with all that’s happening in our world today? With so much talk of war, pandemics, and political corruption, it’s not surprising that most of us are feeling more that just a little weighed down by our fears and anxieties. Much like us, the Old Testament prophet Daniel also received some terrifying news from God about future world events. Even still, Daniel was able to maintain a perspective that gave him unshakable hope in the midst of chaotic world events. Just ...
Mar 19, 2022•38 min
We are all loyal to something. Sports teams, brands, family…the list can go on and on. What we find in chapter 6 is that Daniel has an undying loyalty to one thing – the one true God. With death on the line if he prays to God, he wasn’t fazed. He headed back to his room, and prayed like he always did by praising God. The threat of being devoured by lions didn’t stop his devotion to the Lord, nor should it ours. What step can we take today to grow this type of faith and loyalty to the Lord God al...
Mar 13, 2022•42 min
What have you been boasting about recently? Maybe it’s your favorite sports team, your job, a house, or even a vacation. The truth is that most all of us boast about something. But the story of Daniel 5 teaches us that God doesn’t mess around with our sinful pride, and neither should we. In fact if we’re going to boast at all, we should boast in Christ alone.
Mar 04, 2022•37 min
Imagine this...there is a nation that believes that they are the greatest to ever live. The leaders believe that they rule the world because of their dominance and ability to take over anyone. Soon, the people turn inward with pride and turn away from God. Sounds a bit close to home, doesn't it? In Daniel 4, we see the same problem unfolding for Babylon. However, the king is given a dream and a warning from God: keep going this way, and you will be taken off your throne. Repent, and ruin will no...
Feb 26, 2022•48 min
We've all heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. But what gave them the incredible courage and confidence to stand before the king and proclaim that God would save them, but even if He did not, they would not bow down to another god? Find out how their experience can help you practice confidence in knowing that God will be with us in the fire, no matter what.
Feb 19, 2022•31 min
Daniel and his friends are in trouble once again. The king of Babylon as demanded a dream he had be described and interpreted to him, but his is counsel of wisemen could not do it. This angered the king and he ordered all of the wisemen to be killed, which included Daniel even though he wasn't there. Daniel asked for time, and then asks God for the interpretation of the dream. God gives it to him and not only is his life saved, a message of prophecy is revealed...earth's superpowers will fall bu...
Feb 11, 2022•45 min
Imagine this…you are a teenager and you are captured as part of the spoils of war. You are taken to a foreign land and forced to work in the government. You and your friends are renamed and forced to accept the new culture. However, you refuse to compromise your faith and stand firm to the ways of God. The life of Daniel will encourage and challenge us to never give up our adherence to God’s ways. His life, along with his friends, will show us that regardless of the situation, God is still in co...
Feb 04, 2022•49 min
Saying “thoughts and prayers” or posting praying hands emojis are our way of letting others know that we're praying for them. But saying we're praying for someone and actually praying for them are two very different things. The former is easy, while the latter, sometimes, not so much. Knowing specifically how or what to pray for someone can be challenging. Thankfully in Ephesians 3 the Apostle Paul models for us how to pray prayers for others that are practical, theologically correct, and most i...
Jan 30, 2022•35 min
We all experience seasons of suffering in life. When life hurts it can be difficult to know exactly what or how to pray. Do we quote Bible verses? Do we pray for pray for strength to persevere or deliverance from our circumstances? In 2 Corinthians the Apostle Paul shares and incredible promise of hope for suffering, and models for us how to pray with purpose in suffering.
Jan 24, 2022•34 min
In Ephesians 1, Paul shares how he has been praying for the church in Ephesus. However, his prayer is not how we usually pray for believers today. Instead, Paul's pure passion comes out...people getting saved through the gospel of Christ. This perspective gives us a guide of how we can be praying for the global and local church, which may be quite different than what you would think.
Jan 08, 2022•48 min
"Who would like to pray?" We've all been there, right? Sitting in awkward silence when someone has asks us to pray. Why is it that prayer often feels so unnatural and uncomfortable? In 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 we see Paul's worldview was one of gratitude for all that God had done and would do in Jesus. This influenced not only his prayer life, but his love and focus on the gospel. When we adopt a similar perspective we can begin to see prayer as a privilege rather than a chore.
Jan 01, 2022•39 min
Preparing for Christmas takes so much time. The lights, the gifts, the parties…it is months of preparation before POOF-it’s done. Some Christian faiths extend the Christmas celebration to February 2nd which marks 40 days after Jesus was born. This significant date correlates with Luke 2:22-35 when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus for the proper Jewish ceremonies of a new baby. But when there, a man named Simeon offered a whole new perspective. This child, the Messiah of God, wasn’t here just f...
Dec 25, 2021•33 min
There is nothing like coming home for Christmas. The traditions, the smells, the food...everything feels "just right." When we are away from home, Christmas just doesn't feel the same. Something we rarely think about is that at Christmas, Jesus left His home to bring us back home. The manger was the beginning of the story of God to save the world through the cross. And because of the cross, we can be back home with God where we belong. Is God calling you home this Christmas season?
Dec 23, 2021•31 min
As parents and family members, we all want to keep the little ones in our family safe. In fact, there is an entire industry based on keeping babies and children safe from the dangers of the world. However, that is not how Jesus came. The Son of God came into an unsafe world, into unsafe conditions, to come as a lowly servant of all. He came to show us how we are to live...which wasn't to be safe and to focus on ourselves. His example was to serve and give our lives for others...just like the Kin...
Dec 18, 2021•38 min
When was the last time you stopped to behold someone or something? Probably not recently. The term "behold" has fallen out of favor in popular language. But nonetheless, the book of Matthew beckons us to behold, to look with surprise, at the nativity. To come and see with fresh eyes the Christmas story, and witness a tyrant king and magi-wizards respond to the heralding of Christ's arrival. If we truly behold, as Matthew implores us to do, we'll discover how the Christmas story challenges all of...
Dec 11, 2021•38 min
For centuries, the Jewish people had been given prophesies that spoke of a Messiah that was to come. Many were looking for the prophesy that came from the mouth of a gentile: “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” And now, a star had appeared over Bethlehem. The Magi saw the say and responded by taking a long journey to meet this new King. However, not everyone had the same response. The time had come, the one who was to save the world was born.
Dec 08, 2021•44 min
In Exodus, God commanded the people of Israel to build a Tabernacle where He would dwell. The materials for construction were to come from the community, if they were WILLLING to give. The people were so generous, that Moses had to tell the people to stop giving...they had too much! How can we grow our hearts of thankfulness so that we can be that generous to impact our community and the world with the gospel?
Nov 27, 2021•46 min
It’s easy to give thanks when life is, well, easy. But what about when life get difficult? What will we give thanks for then. The Bible teaches that as believers we can give thanks in every circumstance, even when life hurts.
Nov 21, 2021•37 min
When we stop to think, we have so much in our lives that we take for granted. Running water, food in a grocery store, friends and family...the list goes on and on. Then there are the blessings from God, answered prayers, and His daily provision for us all. So often we move throughout our day, forgetting that everything comes from Him. In Luke 17, we see such an account as Jesus heals 10 men with shocking results of their thankfulness. What can we learn from this account and build an attitude of ...
Nov 14, 2021•40 min
What does it mean to be hospitable? For most of us we imagine hospitality as gourmet menus, exquisite table settings, or an immaculate home. In Luke 14 Jesus uses an encounter with the Pharisees, who had their own ideas about what it meant to be hospitable, to teach them and us what true Biblical hospitality looks like in God’s Kingdom.
Nov 06, 2021•37 min
Sometimes it’s difficult to love people we encounter online. More times than not we’re tempted to react to our digital neighbors out of frustration or animosity rather than care and empathy. Through the parable of the Good Samaritan we discover a timeless truth about what it means to be a neighbor in God’s kingdom, that in-turn give us practical wisdom on how to love our digital neighbor well.
Oct 31, 2021•36 min
You SHOULD love your neighbor? Or you SHALL love your neighbor? The difference between "should" and "shall" might seem minuscule at first, but according to Jesus a lot rests on the difference between those two words. "Should" gives us an option to love our neighbors. Where as "shall" is a commandment to love. How can Jesus' powerful statement about the greatest commandment transform your view of those who live around us?
Oct 24, 2021•42 min
