Joy for Today

The United States is definitely a nation that has experienced the blessings of the Lord! As we celebrated 250 years as a country, it has been easy to think about how often God has provided for our well-being. But even greater than our citizenship to America is the believer's citizenship in the Kingdom of God. Every good gift comes from Him, starting with life and salvation. Listen along as we...

Not only did Jesus say that Christians are the "salt of the earth," but also that we are "the light of the world." These two word pictures help us to see the responsibility we have in a dark and confused world. We are to reflect the character and truth of Jesus Christ! Join us as we discuss how we can reflect Christ to those around us. Send us Fan Mail

It is a sobering thought that God knows all about us, especially when the context is about our parenting! Our world desperately needs godly leadership, and that must begin in the home with our family. One of the most comforting names for God is "Heavenly Father," so listen along as we talk about our Father's desire for our spiritual walk and leadership. Send us Fan Mail

Did you know that Jesus calls His believers "the salt of the earth?" He uses that word picture to describe what our influence should be on the world around us. Instead of being conformed to the world, we are to allow the Gospel to change us and to influence everyone we come in contact with. Listen along as we discuss being "salty" as we live each day! Send us Fan Mail

We spend most of our lives attempting to avoid conflict and persecution. Yet the Bible promises that if we are living according to the truth of God's Word, persecution will come. Jesus was honest with His followers, but He also promises blessing and reward as we stand in truth for His sake! Listen along as we discuss what appears to be a paradox, but in reality is an aspect of Christian life...

You don't have to look far to find some kind of conflict ...sometimes you only have to look within yourself! We live in a world filled with fighting and warfare, and it has been going on since the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Yet Christ calls His children to be makers of peace instead of creators of conflict. Join us as we discuss what it means to be a "peacemaker!" Send us Fa...

Even the possibility of having a "pure heart" is amazing to think about! But this condition does not come through our efforts to do better; purity of heart comes only through a relationship with Christ! We should be asking ourselves, "Where or how is my focus? Is it on the Lord and my relationship with Him, or is it divided among all my other responsibilities?" Listen along as...

The Bible provides so much help to us to think clearly about our relationships and the priority we place on them as we go about life. In Mark 3, Jesus makes some statements about family that seem shocking at first, but that provide helpful perspective on how we view these relationships with others, particularly our family. Join us as we discuss the belonging provided in relationship with Christ! S...

Many are familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10. Jesus uses this event to get us to think about our personal involvement in the lives of others, and the decisions we make about how we might best help when a need presents itself. Are we looking for opportunities to show mercy to others around us, or do we see others as distractions and obstacles in our lives? Listen along as we...

We love mercy--at least when it is extended to us! We can sometimes struggle, though, extending mercy to other people, especially those who have hurt us in some way. But mercy is one of the clearest marks of a life changed by God. Mercy is more than a feeling; it is expressed through action. Listen along as we discuss the beatitude of mercy and how we can show it to others! Send us Fan Mail

Our world is filled with "appetites" - success, comfort, recognition, and pleasure all compete for our attention. What about your appetite for righteousness? Jesus points us this direction, and helps us understand that He is the only thing that will satisfy. Listen along as we discuss what we truly hunger and thirst after! Send us Fan Mail

Meekness is not usually a trait our culture celebrates, but as Jesus preaches His Sermon on the Mount, He includes meekness as an important part of our Christian living. Often, meekness is overlooked because its meaning is misunderstood. Truthfully, meekness is a part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work in our lives, as we are yielded to Him! Join us this week as we discuss mee...

So many people talk about "hope." How important it is to have it, how to get it, how to keep it, etc. But the Bible provides us with real hope, found in Jesus Christ! Because of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, every believer has a living hope, not just for eternal life but hope for living life on earth--even when it is not what we expected or desire. Listen along as we discu...

Although the world we live in attempts to provide so many ways to escape mourning and sorrow, the Bible teaches us that an understanding of the terribleness of our individual sin and a humility about our sin can ultimately be helpful if it causes us to come to God for comfort. He provides true rest! Listen along as we talk about the second of the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Se...

As we make our way into the Sermon on the Mount, we find Jesus begins with what many have called "The Beatitudes," the attitudes that should be in every believer's life. These characteristics are what the child of God should be identified with. The perfect sermon from the perfect Man begins perfectly, with humility. Join us as we talk about this essential trait in our Christian walk...

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is likely the greatest sermon ever preached. But what Jesus says in this sermon doesn't always match up with what our perception might be. It confronts cultural and performance "Christianity." As we study this sermon, we must regularly ask ourselves, "Am I truly a follower of Jesus Christ and His Word? Listen along with us as we discuss the overa...

There is quite the contrast between the final two churches Jesus addresses in His letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3! Philadelphia was faithful, even when small, while Laodicea thought they were rich, yet Jesus calls them poor. We understand that healthy churches are the product of healthy hearts. So, join us as we examine the contrasts between these two churches and ask the Lord to e...

It is possible to look great on the outside, but to be "not-so-great" on the inside! Most of us can put on a good face for a while, attempting to hide what is really going on in our lives. This is a description of the church Jesus addresses at Sardis. They had a good reputation, but the reality was they were a dead church. Listen along as we discuss Jesus' insight into this church a...

Although our current culture seems to call for more and more compromise and tolerance, Jesus informs the church in Thyatira that tolerance of false doctrine and compromise are not His will. Jesus is gracious and He is merciful, but He is also holy at the same time, and calls believers to be holy as well, even when holiness clashes with the current culture. And in our passage this week, Jesus even...

Wherever we are, cultural influence plays a part in how we think and behave. The church in Pergamos (Revelation 2) was located within a culture hostile to Christianity, yet Jesus commended their courage. However, they also tolerated compromise and Jesus provides loving, but firm, correction. In what areas do you find it easy to drift away from the Lord and His truth? Listen along as we discuss! Se...

From a human perspective, suffering, trial, and persecution are not something we desire to experience. However, this church Jesus addresses in Smyrna were experiencing all of these! Yet Jesus provides them with some wonderful encouragement, and provides the grace needed to be faithful to His plan for their lives. This can be true for us today as well! Join us as we discuss the peace and faithfulne...

Although we can have an opinion on the state of our church, and of our own walk with the Lord, it is ultimately best to hear the "whole truth" from the Lord's perspective. Honesty, spoken in love, is very helpful when we need to be made aware of our blindspots. As the book of Revelation begins, Jesus provides insight into seven churches that we can use as a measuring stick for us as...

Ask yourself: Are you willing to live your Christian life without revival? Jesus Christ is life, and He wants to live His life through us ...but are we yielded to Him? Are we more comfortable living life on our own or are we desperate for Christ's life to be lived out in us? Listen along as we discuss the idea of personal revival! Send us Fan Mail

God's Word explains to us the powerful influence our flesh has on our daily living. There is a need for believers to be intentional in their walk with the Lord, as well as a need to walk circumspectly because the days are evil. Our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord can be a great help to us when we stray away from the walk God desires! Listen along as we talk about the final two verses...

There can be times when prayer becomes an afterthought or a little-used spiritual discipline. Yet prayer is an amazingly powerful tool God has given to every believer! What are your expectations when you pray? Listen along with us as we discuss this important topic. Send us Fan Mail