Ring of Truth

Do you rejoice with those who are coming to Christ? In today’s message, Pastor Dan compares Barnabas's encouragement to the new believers in Antioch to the critical spirits of the self-righteous who witnessed Zacchaeus's conversion. He also reminds us that grace is free but not cheap. It does not mean we can do whatever we wish. Instead, grace motivates us to live lives of obedience because we lov...

Individuals from various backgrounds come to Christ. In his message today, Pastor Dan reminds us of the different groups of people who came to know Christ in the New Testament. God accepted them regardless of how wicked or good they were when they repented and called on Christ for salvation. Whether they were from Antioch and had worshipped idols and lived immoral lives or were like Cornelius and...

 Is the Bible an actual historical record? While many religious writings contain some references to real places and people, the Bible is filled with hundreds of them. In his message today, Pastor Dan emphasized the importance of all the times, places, and people mentioned in Scripture. Throughout the Bible, events, rulers, and places are documented in other historical books. The Bible is not a fai...

In many instances in the New Testament, people are described as being filled with the Holy Spirit. In today's message, Pastor Dan explains the distinction between being filled with the Holy Spirit at salvation and an additional empowering experience that can occur separately. There are times when the Holy Spirit takes total control, and the believer becomes consumed with the presence of Jesus. Thi...

Does God still provide visions today? In today's message, Pastor Dan asserts that visions are still grounded in the Bible. However, he advises us to ensure that these directives originate from God and are not merely our own ideas. In the New Testament, some believers claimed to have visions and received guidance from the Holy Spirit that was not from God. God will never go against His Word. We mus...

When individuals share a meal, they consume elements that become a part of their bodies, creating a sense of similarity and fellowship. The fact that Jesus shared meals with everyone holds great significance. In today's message, Pastor Dan emphasizes the importance of Christ's willingness to eat with regular people. Even after Peter denied Christ, Jesus prepared a meal for him on the shore to demo...

It is amazing how unifying the gospel can be. The world puts labels on every group, but God sees us equally. In today’s message, Pastor Dan emphasizes God’s impartiality. In the New Testament, we see Peter dealing with this issue. Peter comes to realize that every nation and people are accepted by God when they respond to him in faith and follow Him. The gospel is not just for one group. Jesus cam...

Why did Peter say the Gentiles in Cesarea were “far from God?” Aren’t all people the same distance from God until they believe? The problem was their culture. In today’s message, Pastor Dan explains the reason Peter said this. The Romans did not even have a word for “repentance” in their vocabulary. They had no concept of repentance. Even today, some cultures and people see “repenters as weak.” Pe...

Are you ever surprised to see Christians and Jews working together? Some of the strongest preachers and teachers of the Christian faith are Jews. In today’s message, Pastor Dan explains how Jesus reconciled these two groups of people. In Jesus’ time, these two groups of people hated each other, but Jesus removed this hostility. The church was established to make these two groups one. He reconciled...

What do you do in a crisis? Where do you turn when you encounter a situation you have never dealt with before, and the circumstances are unfamiliar? In today’s message, Pastor Dan gives helpful advice. He recommends looking at similar situations in scripture. You can search for examples of how Jesus, the disciples, or the prophets dealt with the same circumstances. By studying their reactions, you...

What is man’s greatest need? In today’s message, Pastor Dan referred to Jesus’ healing of the lame man. Jesus immediately said, “Your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees criticized Jesus for claiming to forgive sins, saying that only God could forgive sins. They did not understand or want to believe that Jesus was God. Jesus’ response was logical. It is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” than...

The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to believers in the body of Christ. One of those gifts is the gift of Faith. In today’s message, Pastor Dan describes this gift and its purpose. He says every believer is given a portion of faith in order to believe. This gift of faith, however, is an extra portion given to individuals who are able to believe with certainty something commanded by God is going...

Have you ever watched a news report where a person or a group commits terrible crimes and wondered how people could be capable of those things? Does Jesus really love them?  Would he forgive them? Have you ever looked at your own mistakes and wondered, “How can Jesus love ME?” Today, Pastor Dan tells you about how evil Saul was and how his life was turned around and he became Paul. You can know th...

Remember when you were a kid and to block someone out, you stuck your fingers in your ears, closed your eyes, and kept repeating, “I’m not listening, I’m not listening!” As kids, it was innocent enough. As we’ve grown, the tendency to ignore truth has grown as well and more and more people are sticking their fingers in their ears to block out the truth. Today, Pastor Dan tells you that, not only a...

Have you noticed that we often aren’t aware of changes in our lives? Even after getting that drastic new hairstyle, after a short while, we forget about what was so transformational just days before. But then we run into someone we haven’t seen recently, and we’re reminded of the change. Today, Pastor Dan tells you that, when you accepted Jesus, your whole life was changed. And that change is evid...

Have you ever looked back on your life and regretted all the wasted time, mistakes, and missed opportunities? It can feel like an unbearable weight. How many times have you cried, “I wish I could go back and change things!” Today, Pastor Dan encourages you to look at your life through Jesus’ perspective. Jesus loves to work everything – everything – out for your good. Nothing is wasted. Even befor...

How would you feel if someone was mistreating your friends or family harshly? You’d probably take it personally. I know I would. “If you mess with them, then you’re messing with me.” I don’t think any of us would feel good about our friends and family being treated that way. Today in his message, Pastor Dan tells you that Jesus takes it very personally when people talk about or attack His people....

It seems that everyone today has a right to shout anything they believe and we’re supposed to accept their truth as equal to our own. We’re told everyone’s truth is as valid as anyone else’s. Today in his message, Pastor Dan tells you about how Saul was convinced of “his truth” and ended up working against God when he thought he was working for God. It goes to show that even with good intentions,...

God knows what you need before you even ask Him for it. He'll provide those needs, too, if you let Him. When you seek out God and spend time in His Word to know Him more, He'll reveal Himself to you more and more. As you're with Pastor Dan today, he's going to show you that God knows exactly how to communicate with you in the ways that you need to know it's Him and to make His will clear to you. Y...

God will reward you when you diligently seek Him. When He seems distant or foreign to you, or you feel like you don't hear from Him when you want to, it may be time to just get to know God better. Seek Him in His Word and stay attentive to His voice. Today, Pastor Dan's going to be with you in Acts to show you that no matter how much or little you have at your disposal, God's work can be done, and...

What may seem right or logical in your mind or even in any person's mind isn't necessarily always what God wants. Sometimes His leading can be completely illogical, but if that's where He's calling you to go, that's where you need to go. Today, Pastor Dan's going to encourage you to always seek after God's will and to know His voice more and more. You never know when you might have to go against w...

It may be scary or intimidating at first to share with others about your faith in Christ. They may not react well or it could be awkward. However, God's Word and The Good News of Jesus Christ are news that's meant to be shared so more people can experience eternal life for themselves! Today, Pastor Dan's going to remind you that back when Stephen and Paul were preaching God's Word, it could even c...

Even though Paul had a past of persecuting Christians and watching them be killed for their beliefs, his heart still wasn't so hard that God couldn't reach him. As Pastor Dan's going to show you today, Paul's life was completely turned around when he encountered God. He got a second chance, and look what God eventually did through him. God can reach just as many people through you, too, if He will...

The Christian life is never guaranteed to be easy. Living out your faith may take more effort than what you intended to give or it may just be uncomfortable. But, as Pastor Dan's going to show you today, no matter what you face, you always can rest assured that God will give you whatever you need when you're completely sold out to living for Him. You'll get to look at Stephen and his boldness in s...

It's amazing what can be accomplished through the life of someone who's completely sold out to following Jesus and full of the Holy Spirit. With God, anything is possible. Even in the middle of an angry mob, and despite all he had to lose, Stephen remained faithful to serving God and telling others about Jesus Christ, no matter what it would cost him. No matter who heard what he said. His heart wa...