A Sure Hope

Have you ever heard a fellow believer suggest that the Christian life gets easier with time? While it's a nice sentiment, many of us would agree that nothing could be further from the truth! As Pastor Dave will teach you in his message today, our fight is one that we endure as believers up until the very day of glorification.

The history of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament is a powerful example for us as believers regarding sin, idolatry, and compromise. As Pastor Dave will teach you in his message today, many of the disasters that Israel faced were due to their falling away from The Lord. Are there areas in your life that reflect Israel's compromise?

Many of us would be quick to agree that our political climate is rather heated. With the media going on about scandals and corruption, voting can get rather complicated in a matter of no time. However, as Pastor Dave will teach you in his message today, we as believers aren't of any party, but are of Christ The King.

As believers and followers of Christ, it's important that we maintain a Kingdom oriented mindset. As nice and cushioned of a life as we might have on Earth, we're merely passing through. In today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you that we as believers are sojourners, and that our true residence is with God.

While it's definitely good for us as believers to be excited about spiritual gifts and blessings, it's important that they're not our primary focus. As Pastor Dave will teach you in his message today, our relationship with The Lord should be the first and foremost in our walk. What do you value more as a believer?

Troubles? Sorrow? Heartbreak or confusion? These are but a few of the things that plague us in our fallen state as humans. However, as Pastor Dave will discuss in his teaching today, we can always find comfort in knowing that God is on the throne and in control. In his study, you'll be encouraged to take heart in this truth.

In today's message, Pastor Dave will warn you about the number one thing that is destroying churches today... Division. Division among the church and the world? No, division from within. Things like unresolved conflict, gossip, or cliques can truly be very harmful to the life of any church, God calls us to unity in Christ.

In today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you that it's important for Christians to have good Godly friends. Sometimes we can get a little sidetracked in life, we can go off of the beaten trail so to speak. The kind of friend who will lovingly guide you back towards truth is exactly what every believer should hope for.

In our broken world, there are a lot of broken hearts. There is a lot of pain in the lives of a lot of people... And when people experience pain, they'll do anything to get some relief. Maybe that relief is alcohol, drugs, sex, or anything else... But in today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you that only God can heal hearts.

God personally formed each and every individual person. He knew you before your parents, siblings, friend, spouse, or anyone you know well. So God loves you. He doesn't wish anything bad on you... Even when you mess up. When mistakes get made, don't forget who loves you more than anyone ever could.

In today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you God can and will help us through hard times. Let's be honest. The world we live in can truly be a very difficult place most of the time... Trials will come and when they do it's important that you reach out to the one who can truly help you and who you can truly rest in.

Today, Pastor Dave will remind you that the Holy Spirit lives in you if you're a Christian... And it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit. So what makes the Holy Spirit grieved? Crude language, lying, covetousness... Sin. And this should grieve you too... We are called to be like Christ and sin separates us from Him.

In today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you that God is a forgiver. Often times when we make mistakes, we tend to think that God is angry with us or He won't listen to our prayers... This couldn't be farther from the truth. When you fall short, pray to the Lord, just as His Word says He will never turn His back on you.

Sometimes we don't remember God's humanity. We can think of Him as this cold and uncaring ruler... But that isn't the case. In today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you that God sees you in your struggles. When life seems to be crashing down around you, God knows and understands the hurt that you feel.

In our world, there are lots of broken relationships. Relationships between parents and children, husband and wife, brother and sister... And in today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you that God is a restorer. It's His will to restore broken relationships. So when your relationships seem broken... Cry out to the Lord.

God has shared His love with you from the moment you were created... And just as He has shared His love with you, so should you do to others. In today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you that as believers in Christ we're called to love others and to support other believers. Support in Christ from friends is so important.v

In today's message, Pastor Dave will remind you about how God feels about division within the Church. Division within the church can look a lot of different ways... Gossip, lies, and deceit... And there are those who will try to bring these things into the Church. Be watchful and beware of such people would who divide the Church.

Today, Pastor Dave will remind you that you can't be half invested in your faith. You can't have one foot in the Kingdom of God and one foot in the world of sin. You're either all in or all out... So take the time to think about what you really want, a life of sin? Or eternity with Christ? Pick up your cross and follow Him.

Often times our sin can cause us great shame... And shame is a powerful thing. When we feel shame about our sin, we start to think and believe things like “God can't love me after this” or “I'll never get it right.” It's these types of thoughts that drive us from God... But they couldn't be farther than the truth about our Lord.

We often have trouble apologizing when we don’t think we’re in the wrong. But today, Pastor Dave reminds us of how wrong we are, when it comes to God. Nobody is perfect and everyone falls short of God’s glory. In order to repent, you must first realize what a sinner you are. You have to see yourself as God sees you.

Change isn’t easy; sometimes we hold on to habits simply because they’re comfortable or familiar. Pastor Dave reminds us today that in order to be used by God, we must come to Him on His terms. In order to stand before Him, you must come with a humble and contrite heart. Make new habits with God as your focus.

We often put ourselves down, not full realizing that when we do that, we’re putting God down. Pastor Dave reminds us, whether you doubt His sufficiency or your worthiness, God’s love still surrounds you. Nothing you do is stronger or more powerful than the love He has for you, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.

Nobody likes to mess up. In our spiritual lives – just like in our daily lives – we have a sense of pride just as we have a sense of shame. Pastor Dave reminds us today that, even at our best, we are still unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. But no matter how many time you screw up, God’s love still surrounds you.

How often do you let your worldly desires have control? We are human beings and by our nature, we desire things to satisfy our flesh. But today, Pastor Dave reminds us that we have a choice: you can live by your flesh, or you can walk by the Spirit. Choose wisely, for one leads to prosperity and the other leads to destruction.

How often do you let your emotions out? Many people don’t talk about them; they gnaw on them until one day, they just explode! Pastor Dave reminds us today, how important it is to talk about our anger. Whether it be to whom you are angry, or to someone trustworthy who will listen; don’t let it fester until it’s out of your control.