Knowing God With Heart and Mind

You have done many good works that gave you a feeling of fulfillment and righteousness. You’ve received praise for some things and were content to be unheralded for others. Some may have been costly in time, talent, and treasure, but it felt worthwhile because the works were good and the means you are good. Many will stand before the LORD on judgment day saying, “LORD, I was good, so I’m entitled...

Here's an audio recording of Pastor Dan's weekly blog post of encouragement. https://pastorsdancingcorn.blogspot.com

The week of forgiveness in the Red Letter Challenge starts with this message. Before we can be truly forgiving of others, we must learn to forgive ourselves and fully accept God's grace. We, who live in a land of rugged individualists and self-made women and men, find it hard to admit to powerlessness in any situation. Grit and determination, money and influence, and social standing cannot help yo...

Pastor Dan reads his weekly blog post/encouragement email.  https://pastorsdancingcorn.blogspot.com/

The Red Letter Challenge has begun. This week we experience the first message in the series.  The world and our pursuits for the sake of the flesh will wear us down with their relentless demands. It doesn’t matter how fast you go, there’s always someone who wants to go fast. Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until th...

Usually only available in written blog format. I'm so passionate about getting the message out that I've recorded myself reading it. Be blessed.  https://pastorsdancingcorn.blogspot.com/

Are we missing the mark? Is our discipleship devoted to Christ more than self-interests? What to non-church people think of Christianity? Or, is it their perceptions of Christians? What would happen if we took a fresh look at the words of Jesus and then applied them in our lives? If non-church people could get to know Jesus what would they think then? This week we'll be introduced to the Red Lette...

Paul continues his teaching about the resurrection in today’s reading, and we will continue to expound upon it, too. Paul says we cannot enter it and enjoy it without being born again in the Spirit and then transformed physically by the resurrection. Souls housed in the old flesh and being cannot enter Eden. It will all happen in the “twinkle of an eye” says Paul - that’s fast! This is interesting...

Belief in an afterlife is not unique and therefore has no power to persuade non-Christians. It does not really do much for self-proclaimed Christians either. To such persons, life after death is an unreal, ethereal existence that happens in a mystical paradise, or is so unimaginable that it is not worth thinking about.  As Paul argues, the implications of the physical resurrection are staggering....

The Apostle Paul's famous "love chapter" in his letter to the Church at Corinth conveys a radical optimism about the work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to move Christian Believers from placid, apathetic insurance policyholders, to thriving vital disciples of Jesus possessed by ever-increasing faith, hope, and love. The greatest testimony is the gift of love.

The Bible often presents Western, English-speaking readers with opportunities to learn by struggling with passages that were easy for original writers and hearers to understand but leave us scratching our heads, or applying our own interpretations. Thankfully, there are many parts of the Bible that translate well, like the contents of this week's Scripture reading. As we consider the Body of Chris...

In this week's message, "Do Whatever He Tells You, " Mary the mother of Jesus, exchanged her previous relationship with her son for submission to his complete leadership. Mary did not stop being his mother when she gave Jesus authority because her identity was secure in him, but Jesus’ vision and mission became her top priorities. Are you ready to exchange your current relationship with Jesus for...

When John baptized Jesus, God said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Can you imagine God the Father saying the same thing about you? - “This is my beloved child with whom I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:23) Are you shocked by that thought? What if, when we repent, accept Christ, and receive new life in the Spirit, we are beloved children of God with whom He is well pleased? How th...

We revisit the magnificent introduction to John's Gospel as our focus is on the embodiment of the heart and mind of God in a man. Heaven came back to earth in a way that changed everything for all eternity when Jesus was born. God's aim remains the same in the New Covenant - Heaven on Earth.

Pastor Dan shares his thoughts about priorities for the coming year. 

The fourth Sunday in Advent is usually pretty Christmassy, but Pastor Dan's message will deal with a Scripture not usually associated with Christmas. We will sing, worship, and pray in the spirit of the season, while we also try to see how Jesus' birth was viewed by those who longed for it. Let's gather together to learn how Jesus is God's response to our hopelessness and dismay.  

Advent is a season of expectation. It is an annual reminder of the imminent return of Christ. Advent asserts that the 2nd coming is about to happen, or “at hand.” In the Apostle’s context, it is like being in a darkened room where the doorway to the light is within immediate reach. One’s groping hand will grasp the doorknob at any moment. That’s why Paul urges the Church at Philippi to rejoice, re...

We will meet with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, on the second Sunday of Advent. From him we will learn that God has a plan that will not change, no matter our circumstances. The covenant promises will be fulfilled.  The LORD may choose to shut us up for a time so we can focus on the right things. Then, like Zechariah, we can emerge with prophetic praise.

It's the first Sunday in Advent. You'll want to remember that Advent is mainly about the 2nd Coming of Christ and not so much a countdown to Christmas. This weekend we will meet Mary the virgin mother of Jesus - "For unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given." Mary understood the true nature of her child and the magnificent, glorious plan the LORD unfolded in and through her.  Mary was the f...

We finish our brief discussion about thanks-giving and praise on Sunday. Scripture refers to praise as a sacrificial offering. Honest reflection begs the question, "Why is praise a sacrifice?" Could it be that praising God costs us something? Putting valuable livestock or hard-earned money on the sacrificial altar is costly. Therefore, authentic praise should be too. When you worship God like you...

This two-part series will remind us that giving thanks is essential to our relationship with God. However, we must seriously consider what we are thankful for. Everyone benefits from daily thanks-giving, but holiness comes from thanking the LORD for His good and perfect gifts from above. 

A meditation on the hymn, “For all The Saints.”

Today we learn how God provides for every need, as long as we understand God knows what we need more than we do.

A series of messages about forgiveness would be incomplete without considering the importance of seeking forgiveness from God. Until we do so, we cannot genuinely forgive others and ourselves. Join the Shiloh family on Sunday to worship, pray, and learn about the importance of repenting. 

God intends to judge us all according to the one standard, His Son Jesus Christ. As recipients of inconceivable grace, we must share it with others. In fact, it is overflowing so that we should spill it into the world. Our undeserved cup of blessing never drains and always spills over its brim.