A Sure Hope

With the amount of political correctness and social tensions we witness regularly, it can feel extremely difficult to be honest with our emotions at times. In some cases, this can even hinder us in our growth and the growth of others. As Pastor Dave will teach you in his message today, sharing how we truly feel with others in a loving manner is crucial as believers.

Have you ever caught yourself just simply going through the motions of life? Whether it's at our job, the family, or even in ministry, it can be rather easy to turn things into a mere routine. In today's message, Pastor Dave will teach you the importance of regularly checking the state of your walk for signs of stagnation or mere religion.

Have you ever met someone who seems rather self righteous in what they choose to or choose not to eat? Or perhaps they claim one day is better over the other regarding worship? In today's message, Pastor Dave will teach you that as believers in Christ, everything we do, we do as unto The Lord, not unto the Law.

While encouragement is a necessary component of our every day lives, being establish in proper doctrine is a must. If the encouragement we give others isn't rooted in God's Word, we're likely to lead each other astray. In today's message, Pastor Dave discusses the importance of sound doctrine when guiding and supporting others.

Without encouragement from our friends, family, and loved ones, life can be rather overwhelming at times. As believers and followers of Christ, it's especially important that we encourage one another. As Pastor Dave will teach you in his message today, both receiving and giving encouragement is crucial in our every day battle as disciples.

The pressure to follow the crowd is not only a problem for young people. In fact, it can be even worse in adulthood. How many of your choices can be traced back to the influence of media or friends? As Pastor Dave reminds us in today’s message, as a believer, your chief influence should be the Holy Spirit, not the world around you.

The lost tend to hold their sin very closely. They’ll bend over backwards to find justification for their actions and desires. As Pastor Dave warns in today’s message, when you start poking at that beast, you can expect it to bite. But don’t be afraid. The enemy can only hurt your body – he can’t touch your soul when you are in Christ.

Society as a whole doesn’t really like Christianity. Men love to think of themselves as basically good, and they don’t want to be told they need saving. As Pastor Dave continues our study of Acts in today’s message, we are reminded that persecution is all a part of following Jesus. When you share His truth, you should expect riots to follow.

The transformation that takes place in the heart and life of a Holy Spirit filled believer is amazing. It’s truly supernatural. As Pastor Dave explains in today’s message, when you yield yourself to God and empty your heart of its ambitions, He’ll come in and lead you in ways that are better than you could ever have imagined.

The stuff of this world can take such a firm hold. You might think you’re just holding on to it, and when the moment comes you can just release it, but in reality, it’s much harder than that. As Pastor Dave exhorts us in today’s message, the Holy Spirit wants to illuminate those areas and give you the strength to let go so you can cling more tightly to Him.

Is there anything of this world that has a hold on you? As Pastor Dave explains in today’s message, it may not even be a bad thing in and of itself, but if it distracts you from your main purpose of glorifying God – can you let go of it? Whatever it may be, it’s not worth the compromise. Now is the time to let it go.

As a believer, you should be proud of your relationship with Christ. You should have a joy that transcends any fear of what our enemy can do to you. As Pastor Dave explains in today’s message, when you stand up for Jesus, Satan trembles. It fills him with despair as he’s reminded that he is doomed and Christ has already won the victory.

God does do miracles today, both physical and spiritual, but our enemy also can use miraculous signs to lead astray. As Pastor Dave points out in today’s message, there have been many counterfeits throughout history who have tricked people into false doctrine through works that appeared supernatural.

If you ask many believers if they’ve ever seen a miracle, they would likely say no. But, as Pastor Dave points out in today’s message, if you’ve been saved, than you have directly experienced a miracle. It doesn’t have to be a physical healing, in fact the spiritual healing that Christ brings is much more important and consequential than anything physical.

Truth is not determined by popular vote. Just because the trend of culture leads one direction does not justify it as right. As Pastor Dave reminds us in today’s message, the path towards Heaven and intimacy with God is a narrow one, and it requires faith in Jesus alone. It can’t be found in anything else.

Who is Jesus? If you ask a hundred people, it’s possible you’d get a hundred different answers. As Pastor Dave reminds us in today’s message, Jesus is the only way to the Father. To believe that, you have to acknowledge, that in your natural state, you can’t access God. Religious ritual and works won’t do it – only trusting in Christ can bring reconciliation.

Many believers walk through this life in a sort of daze, avoiding sin at all costs or daydreaming about Heaven. But, they lack joy in the here and now. As Pastor Dave reminds us in today’s message, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit not just as a placeholder, but as an active companion and guide, and our lives should reflect the peace that can only be found in Him.

God has called us to so much more than just a dreary struggle of trying to abide by a long list of do’s and don’ts. That isn’t what He sent His only Son to suffer and die for. As Pastor Dave encourages us in today’s message, when God rescues you from the grips of sin and death, He wants you to live a life of freedom and joy.

There may be no earthly experience more heavenly than sharing the Gospel and watching a lost soul come into the illumination of the Truth. As Pastor Dave explains in today’s message, this should be a part of your Christian journey. Be ready and watching for opportunities to share the light of Christ with anyone you encounter.

This world is a dark place spiritually. It’s easy to find yourself wandering far from the ways of God. But, you don’t have to. As Pastor Dave reminds us in today’s message, God has given you a lamp to light your path. His Holy Word was divinely inspired and even in the midst of modern struggles, it comes alive and guides you towards His desires for you.

What is God calling you to? When’s the last time you asked Him? Sadly, for many of us, we’re stuck in the rut of routine. It’s comfortable and safe. It doesn’t require any faith. As Pastor Dave exhorts us in today’s message, as a follower of Christ, you need to be ready to step into the unknown, trusting that He will catch you.

Which camp do you fall in? Are you trudging through life doing the “right thing” out of a sense of obligation or are you eagerly chasing after Jesus? As Pastor Dave challenges us in today’s message, return to your first love! Submit yourself wholly to the work of the Holy Spirit and let Him overwhelm you with joy.

It might feel good to stay in a place or position where you feel successful, but you have to remember who gave you that success. As Pastor Dave points out in the example of Paul, God has a plan for you, and whether it makes sense or not, you are called to trust in Him and follow where He leads.

You can’t hope to have the same impact that Paul had on the world. But, as Pastor Dave reminds us in today’s message, this was not because of any special quality that he possessed. He acknowledged his weakness openly. The one thing he could boast in was Jesus and his devotion to Him was what allowed Him to be used so greatly.

This world is full of hardship, and even more so when you follow Christ. That can be hard to understand. As Pastor Dave reminds us in today’s message, while we may question why God allows certain trials, it’s important to keep in mind that though you may not see it now, God will work all things together for your good.