I know lots of people who really get into the “end times” kind of stuff–and so many who want to know who the antichrist is–is he alive now, and what is he up to? We’ll we reveal in this message who the antichrist is. We know his name and where he’s from. We even know how he comes to power. So if you just gotta know now, and can’t stand to wait. Just take a listen!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:12 — 22.1MB)
A lot of times when people think about prophecy, it’s generalities and possibilities that might be misinterpreted. But one of the cool things about the prophecy in this chapter of Daniel is that an angel explains exactly what is going to happen centuries before the actual events!
Take a listen and see what I mean…
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:43 — 26.0MB)
Being a mom is so much more than just the things mom does for her family. So many moms are always on the go getting things done, from household chores to playing games to taking kids where they need to go and so many other things. But a great mom isn’t just the stuff she does, it’s who she is. It’s a heart full of love that is poured out for her family, making sacrifices to care for her kids because her heart is so full for her loved ones, that really makes a mom. And that is what truly makes a mom so wonderful!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:38 — 21.3MB)
There is nothing quite like a good church family. I took my family to church tonight like we usually do. We have a Wednesday night prayer meeting, where everybody shares the things that have been going on in their lives, and we pray for the people in our church and families and loved ones and our neighbors and coworkers and government leaders and whoever else God might lay on our hearts. And pretty much every time, there is a group praying at church, somebody mentions me (and my family too). It happens on Wednesday’s and Sundays and other days that we happen to get together. And it just reminds me that I am so blessed to have a church family that cares about me and prays for me. Of course it’s not about me, because they pray for everybody else in the church too. They pray for people who might be sick or having family issues or looking for a job or any other need. And they pray for people who are sharing their faith and reaching out to the world with the Gospel. They give thanks to God for everything he does in our lives. They show so much care for one another through their fellowship and their prayer and helping one another and taking care of each other. And it’s just so good.
Of course that’s what church is all about. It’s not about a preacher or a Sunday morning program or a youth ministry or a building or any of the things we so often define our churches by these days. The Bible describes the church as a living body, made of many different parts. And we come together through the direction and power of Jesus, and we support and encourage one another in our mission to make disciples. We spur one another on to good works. And we counsel and lend aid and take care of one an other. That’s what biblical church is.
I’ve heard so many people say that you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. And technically that’s true. Repenting of sin and choosing to trust and obey Jesus is a personal choice that only you can make for yourself. But living as a Christian apart from the church is like a part of the body living apart from the body. If you could get a hand or a foot or an eyeball or an ear to survive apart from the body, that would be an impressive medical feat. But what would be the point of a hand or foot or eyeball or ear without the rest of the body? We were meant to come together and work as one to make the world a better place. So the people who think that church is just a thing you do once or twice a week, totally miss the point. We aren’t meant to only GO to church. We are meant to BE the church! And any Christian who doesn’t know that and live that, is missing out on a lot.
Anyway, I was just feeling thankful because of my church family and felt like sharing. Of course the real thanks goes to God. He’s the one that has helped to transform the lives of people who are a living part of our church body. He’s the one who helped every one of us become a part of him and be filled with his spirit to work and pray and live as a real church family. And I am so grateful to God and to my brothers and sisters of the church for the prayers and support and encouragement that they continue to give me and my family. And I pray that you know that kind of love and connection too.
If you’re missing that–if you’re a Christian “orphan”–you definitely need to get connected to a godly church where you can experience this blessing. And if you can’t find one, let me know…you can come be a part of my church family. 🙂
This is a message given by a friend of mine who is a missionary from Poland, named Wiesiek Stebnicki. He dealt with how issues of pain and suffering and difficulty can be dealt with through Christian faith, and how we can find peace in the midst of life’s difficulties.
It’s a great talk and I thought it was definitely worth sharing!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:23 — 20.8MB)
Someone once told me that any morning you can get up and go to the bathroom by yourself, it’s a good day. I think it’s even better than that. Any day you wake up and find yourself still breathing, that means God is at work in the world, and he wants to do amazing things in the world through you.
This week’s message takes a look into how God can bring good out of the worst of situations. It’s a really interesting look at how God has been working through his people across the ages to bring grace and peace to a world in spite of all the pain and suffering that evil people choose to do.
Take a look around, and maybe you’ll see just how much good is going on in the world around you!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:28 — 23.6MB)
How could prophecy from thousands of years ago really have an impact on the world today, on the country, on you personally? The warnings God gave to kings and kingdoms millennia ago hasn’t changed. He’s been trying to get people just to be good people and live moral lives since the beginning. And I for one am glad that he hasn’t given up on us yet! And you can see throughout history how the nations that fear God and live according to his moral law find peace and prosperity, while the nations that push God away also push away his protection and providence. So these ancient kingdoms and peoples that are prophesied about in Daniel serve as examples for us to learn from to either follow God to success or follow the world to destruction. Which do you prefer?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:10 — 20.7MB)
I’ve been hearing the reports on the explosions at the Boston Marathon today. And it just saddens my heart that some evil person or group set bombs to kill and injure people, and so far 3 people have died and over 100 have been injured due to the blast. And aside from the horrible tragedy of the event, a question comes to mind: How many of the people involved in that race or spectators were truly prepared to meet their Maker?
A marathon is considered by many who run them to be the physical challenge that sets you apart from everybody else. If you can run that distance it becomes a mark of success and a celebration of your health and vitality. But how many people celebrate their physical health and don’t bother to think about their spiritual health? It’s great to be healthy and strong, but every body dies. And you never know when a nasty accident or some awful event like this will mark the end of your physical body. Are you ready to stand before God to be judged for everything you’ve ever said and done? Are you ready to have all your thoughts and intentions exposed before his holy judgment?
Maybe it’s time to start eating some healthy spiritual food by reading your Bible and going to church. And maybe it’s time to start doing some spiritual exercise by running away from sin and living a holy lifestyle. If you’re ready to live for God, he promises to fill you with his Holy Spirit to be the perfect trainer and motivator to practice a righteous lifestyle that keeps you in good spiritual health so that you can live forever.
Today is a good day to live! And if you are living in the grace of God, then you won’t have to worry about when your health gives out and your body stops working, because if you trust and obey God, then to live is Christ and to die is gain!
Were you ever afraid of monsters in your closet or under your bed? What are you afraid of now? What if you could turn monsters into hope?
When you read through the prophecy in Daniel, there are so many frightening and disturbing images and metaphors. But the ultimate message is one of God setting things right in the world. One day Jesus will get rid of all evil and usher in his kingdom where his people will rule in faithfulness and righteousness.
One day, the monsters will all be slain and the Lamb will rule and reign.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:45 — 23.2MB)
One of the cool things that makes people special, and that I appreciate very much, is our ability to laugh. There is no animal that laughs. There are some critters who can mimic the sounds–like parrots and hyenas. But no other creature has a funny bone like people do. We can hear a joke or watch a video on YouTube or simply think of something in our own heads and get an emotional response that can’t be contained by our bodies. And this crazy sound erupts from our mouths and we can shake and cry and release chemicals in our bodies and get all sorts of wild physiological responses to something that just happened to be “funny”. At times, as much as we try, we can’t even stop it. And the more we fight it the harder it seems.
Of course there’s no need for laughter. It’s obviously not something that nature requires for survival. It would be silly to think that laughter evolved to serve some purpose. But can you imagine what the world would be like without laughter?
Obviously God must have a good sense of humor, otherwise nobody would. So I’m thankful that God created us to laugh, to find joy in things, and even when things are at their worst sometimes to be able to laugh at our own situation, and help others by sharing humor.
Thank you Jesus for creating funny bones!
