For God so loved the world that He gave the gift of Jesus to reconcile the world to Himself. Merry Christmas!

God gives us the promise of New Life, Abundant Life, and Eternal Life! He is faithful, so let's trust in Him and not settle for anything less.

The Christmas story shows us that God has a plan and we are in that plan. Mary represents God's promise of Messiah. "Do not be afraid to take Mary...", all the Father has planned for you. God gave us the gift of salvation, and the batteries were included - Immanuel, "God with us"!

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We see God's promise for final and complete restoration for Israel and all that are His. What we know or think we know affects what we understand or perceive to be "truth". What do you know? As believers, we should know that our Lord is the only God and that we are saved by His Son, Jesus!

Joel describes the day of the Lord when God will judge the nations!  What are we doing to prepare? 

Before the Lord returns, He will pour out His Spirit on all mankind and cause a spiritual revival on earth. True revival starts within and calls us to genuine repentance. Let's reflect on the restoration that God has done in us. What are we doing with His promises of salvation, the Holy Spirit & abundant life?

The Lord is telling His people not to fear, to rejoice, and be glad because He is bringing about restoration - the grain, new wine & oil, which all point to Jesus, the ultimate restoration! The blessing of restoration is the people of God knowing who God is. Do you know Him?  

God's intention for the "cross" is a ministry of reconciliation. It displays God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy. Have you been reconciled to your Maker? If so, you are called to be an ambassador for Him here on earth! 

In Mark 8, Jesus asked His disciples two questions: 1) Who do people say I am? 2) Who do YOU say I am? Our answer to the second question will impact every aspect of our lives. Are we living with a purpose in love where God is leading us? Let's make sure we know Jesus so we can fulfill our potential in Christ!

In the Jewish custom of the "Adoption of Sons", upon the son's "graduation", the father gives his son his name, which meant that he could act in the power and authority of his father. At His baptism, Jesus was called the Son of God. Every human has the opportunity to be adopted by God and receive the same inheritance as Jesus. Have you been adopted by God?

Joel warns the Israelites of "The Day of the Lord" which refers to a future time when God will pour out His wrath on the nations because of their sins against Him and His people. It is a call to repentance so that God can deliver His people and restore their land. Let's choose genuine repentance in our own lives so that God can restore us too!

One of the greatest temptations Christians face is to avert our eyes from the person of Jesus and place them on the things of Jesus - His doctrine, His people, His word, His mission. This is a great temptation because there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things. In fact, without serious attention to them we could not be His disciples. They are essential. 

The fallacy that trips us up is our focus on these things as objective apart from living fellowship with the person of Jesus. We end up with zeal for a cause, but no fellowship with the spirit behind the cause. Jesus doesn't call His disciples by saying "Follow My teachings," or "Follow My example," or "Follow My reasoning." It is always personal. "Follow Me."

God's judgment on Israel through the locusts brought complete devastation. Even the priests were mourning because the grain and drink offerings required to worship the Lord were gone. As believers, we are the priesthood. Joel challenges us to ask ourselves, do we have "what it takes" to worship? Let God's judgment, cause repentance, so He can bring restoration! 

As followers of Christ, we MUST forgive. It is a command from God because it is so crucial to our own well-being and relationship with the Lord. But the only way we are able to forgive is if we first receive God's love & forgiveness for ourselves. 

The Bible tells us that we are created in the image of God ("Imago Dei"). President of Operation Rescue, Troy Newman, reminds us that God is pro-choice, but anti-abortion. Don't let the enemy steal your money, kill your baby, and destroy your life through the lie of abortion. Let's join with Operation Rescue as they resist the enemy in their fight to shut down abortion clinics across the nation and instead choose life!

As we take a look into the prophet Joel and his ministry, his message from the Lord was for judgment, repentance, and bringing us into restoration. Let's learn how to apply this to our lives today!

Comedian Nazareth encourages us to share our faith with others by remembering 1) the Holy Spirit is the same yesterday, today & forever; 2) the Word of God is a powerful double-edged sword; and 3) God desires for ALL to come to know Him and be saved.

The third most important thing a Christian should know after the message of salvation and the abundant life, is the power of prayer. It is critical to understand what prayer is and isn't, how & why, and when & where to pray, because it's what made Jesus, "Jesus"!

Jesus commanded us to make disciples, but discipleship can seem like a huge mountain that's too difficult for us to climb. The only way to tackle it is one step at a time. So let's 1) confirm our relationship with Jesus, 2) establish discipleship time, 3) pray for discipleship moments, and 4) prepare for discipleship milestones!

James is calling us to integrity. Anything less is evil. We need to be men & women of conviction, not convenience. The bottom line to our sin is not truly knowing the Father's character. Ultimately, God wants to be spiritually healed and made whole in Jesus.

In chapter 5, James is not calling out wealth, but greed. Are we using our resources responsibly? For the Kingdom of God, or for ourselves? Where do we place our trust, value, and happiness? On temporal or eternal things? The key is perspective! Let's live with an eternal one!

In chapter 4, James tells us that inner conflict is a result of a jealous, selfish spirit and concludes by saying that sin is anything contrary to God's will. The whole Law is summed up in one word... Love. Thank God that He loves us and sent Jesus to fulfill the Law! Let's not take that love for granted.

An overview of prophetic signs in the Bible of Jesus' second coming.

James teaches us that the source of our quarrels and conflicts is the selfishness in our own hearts. We can't love the world and God at the same time. God wants all of us. Let's humble ourselves in the presence of God so that He can reign in our hearts!

Another measure of spiritual maturity is the believer's speech. James reminds us of the power of the tongue! It is the most vile weapon on earth and can defile our entire testimony. What is your tongue making? Let's be peacemakers! 

James tells us that "workless faith" is worthless faith! Genuine faith is accompanied by good works. James was simply arguing for the proof of faith, while Paul argued for the priority of faith (i.e., validation vs. salvation). Obedience is the proof of our salvation!

As our nation gets further and further away from the Lord and the Constitution, let's be reminded of the great spiritual truths that America was founded on and the wisdom of our forefathers. We must not be silent, but do our part as citizens, which as the Bible tells us, is to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and repent, so that God Almighty can heal our land and bring revival!

James speaks to the hidden places of our heart as he reminds us that all sin is sin - there is no partiality in Jesus. God looks at our heart (motives) more than our outward appearance (actions). Let's show mercy as we have been shown mercy and love others, because Christ died for us all.

James tells us that the characteristics of pure religion is self control, love for others, and clean living. Is there fruit in our lives? Let's learn it, know it, and live it!

James tells us that true believers are doers, not just hearers of the Word of God. How is our receptivity, responsiveness, and resignation to His Word? Let's live it!

Surf evangelist and Walking on Water founder, Bryan Jennings, reminds us that Jesus has called us to give up everything! Only when we lose our life, will we truly find it. Although we see unclearly now, we will see perfectly clear in eternity, so let's live by faith and not by sight.

The Bible commands us to be disciples and make disciples. But discipleship is costly... it costs everything! Are you going and making or staying and taking? Let's not be consumer Christians. Let's be true disciples who say, "Jesus paid it all and I am willing to give all in return."

James tells us that those who persevere under trial and temptation will be blessed and receive the crown of life. He also gives the source of, steps into, and solution for temptation. Let's take his advice, choose obedience to the Lord, and be blessed of and by God!

John's letter was written to his adopted mother Mary to encourage her 1) by being warned of false teachers, but that the truth of Jesus will protect her; 2) to keep loving God and others; and 3) that God loves her in truth... And so it is for us!   

We all have baggage from hurts, hang-ups and/or habits, but Celebrate Recovery is a ministry where you can feel safe to be encouraged by other believers to find healing and freedom in Christ!

James tells us that God will give us wisdom generously if we ask in faith without doubting. He will answer through His Word, His people, and upon our hearts. Asking in faith means that we can ask the question, but we don't need an answer because we know we have God and He has us! Have we let go and let God, "god"?

"Suffering ceases to be suffering when it finds meaning." James reminds us that we are to be joyful in (not for) our trials because their purpose is to produce maturity and completion in us. James was the Lord's bondservant... Are you?

James' point is that Biblical faith "works". He is calling believers to ethical living. James' teaching doesn't contradict, but compliments Paul's teaching on salvation. Paul stressed inner saving faith, whereas James stressed outward serving faith. Together, they present the full dimension of faith in Jesus Christ!

Happy Resurrection Sunday! He is Risen! So what does that mean???

Palm Sunday, also known as "The Triumphal Entry", was the day that Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem. On this day, the crowds praised Jesus as their "king", but only 5 days later, shouted "crucify Him"! Who do we understand that guy on the donkey to be? Have we, like the crowd, thrown our garments on and put Jesus on our donkey?

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God"

Jesus continues to stress the fact that He is coming quickly! Do we as Christians, live the imminent return of Jesus Christ? Are lives being changed? Are we, the Bride, telling others to "come" to Jesus? 

John sees the River and Tree of Life in the City of God. Our destiny as children of God is beyond all we can dream or imagine. Jesus says His words are faithful and true and that He is coming quickly. Are you ready?

Q&A with David Blevins & Waxer Tipton on Biblical prophecy

Matthew 25:1-13

There's no doubt King Jesus is coming back for His bride. He is coming quickly...are you ready? Let's learn how to be ready like the 5 prudent virgins who had oil for their lamps.

John describes the New Jerusalem that all believers, Jew and Gentile, will enter into and dwell with Jesus for all eternity. Heaven isn't just a destination, it's an inspiration! Knowing our future, should affect the way we live in the present here on earth.

Revelation 21 marks the end of time and the beginning of eternity. John sees the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem, where all evil, sorrow, pain and suffering is done away with. The final revealtion from heaven is that God will dwell with us forever!

After the Millennial Kingdom and the end of Satan comes the second resurrection, known as the "Great White Throne Judgment", which ushers in the second death for those who are not children of God. Are you a child of God whose name is written in the Book of Life, or will you choose to be judged by your own works in the Books of Deeds? 

Satan is thrown into the abyss for 1000 years in order to 1) reveal the true nature of humanity 2) reveal the true nature of God 3) fulfull God's promise to Israel  to reign with them in Jerusalem 4) fulfill His promise to the earth to be completely restored. Then, at the end of the millenial kingdom, Satan will finally be thrown into the lake of fire forever!

Jesus is described as the Conquerer, Faithful & True, and as judging and waging war against injustice. The final war will be the "great supper of God". Do you want to HAVE dinner (with God at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb), or do you want to BE dinner? The choice is yours. Reservations are being taken now...

God's entire plan of salvation culminates in Chapter 19 with the Wedding Supper of the Lamb! We see how the Jewish wedding customs symbolize God's love and His plan for us from the engagement, to the betrothal, to the wedding, and how the "bride price" is based on the Father's wealth, the Bride's worth, & the Groom's work. 

If we are to "be the bride in 2015", we must "be on the alert" (i.e., be watching the signs for the return of our bridegroom, Jesus Christ). Three specific signs to watch for this year is 1) the economy 2) the rapture of the Church & 3) the return of the Jews to Israel. 

As we reflect on 2014 and look ahead in preparation for 2015, let's remember what it means to be disciples of Jesus - Students of His way, Agents of His Word, & Ambassadors of His Kingdom! Lord, "outside of Your will, there's nothing I want, and in Your will there's nothing I fear." Amen!

A summary and continuation of the New Year's message. As we look to "be the bride" in 2015, let's remember that a bride doesn't need to perform to gain the love of her groom, but doesn't sit idle and wait for him to dote on her.