By Steve Horn In Exodus 14, we read of God’s salvation of Israel as they left Egypt. In leaving Egypt, God gave them a specific route to take. Someone said of this route that it was the least likely route to take. However, this was the right route because it was the route that God told them to take. God gave them the provision of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God’s plan and provision doesn’t prevent Pharaoh from pursuing Israel, and the panic that sets in on the people of Israel. In fact, their panic leads them to irrationally conclude that they would have been better off to stay in Egypt as slaves. Panic does that to us. But even in their panic, God continues to provide and ultimately protects them through a miraculous deliverance at the Sea. In all of this, we see God’s ultimate plan—both Egypt and Israel get a first-hand glimpse that God is the Lord. So, why do we have difficulty following God? Following God requires trust—total trust! Sometimes this can leave us in panic. Following God does not eliminate tough times. Sometimes this can leave us in panic. Following God does not take into account God’s ultimate plan. Sometimes this can leave us in panic when we only look at the … [Read more...]

By Joe McKeever "I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." –I Corinthians 9:22 Imagine someone saying, “I’ve decided to become all things to all people.”  You would wonder if they had a) lost their minds or b) chosen a shortcut to losing same. That’s quite an assignment Paul gave himself.  He would, he informs us, become… –as a Jew in order to reach the Jews. –as under the Law in order to reach those living under the Law. –as without the Law that he might win those who are without the Law –as weak, that he might win the weak And finally, as though to throw the net over the entire lost population, he says, “I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.” How does he do that, we wonder.  Is the effective Christian worker to be schizophrenic, parceling himself out to this group and that group with the intention of winning them to Jesus?  And how does that work? Soon, Paul adds this bomb: I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (I Corinthians 10:33). This is the same Apostle, by the way, who told the Galatians that he would never be a people pleaser! If I were trying to … [Read more...]

By Greg Laurie “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” —John 15:8 Spiritual fruit doesn’t grow overnight. You don’t go into your backyard, pull up a chair in front of your peach tree, and then wait for the peaches to grow. (You could, but you wouldn’t see anything.) However, if you were to set up a camera with time-lapse photography, you would see dramatic growth over a period of time. Jesus said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8 NKJV). If you are truly a disciple of Jesus, then you will have spiritual fruit in your life. That means results. It means evidence. One of the first things we do as Christians is produce what Jesus called “fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8 NKJV). For example, maybe your friend says, “Let’s go get a drink after work.” “I don’t do that anymore.” “What? You don’t do that anymore? What’s wrong with you?” “It isn’t what’s wrong with me; it’s what’s right with me,” you say. “Christ has come into my life.” People know you by the fruit of your repentance. You stopped doing some things and started doing godly things instead. That intrigues them and also perplexes … [Read more...]

By Stewart Holloway You are going to die. You can live forever. Both statements are true, but the first is certainly made more palpable by the second! During the message I shared with my church recently, we looked at John 5:19-30 as we considered Jesus' claims of himself.  We concluded that because Jesus is Who He says He is you can have everlasting life and avoid condemnation. Jesus’ bold claim in this passage is that He is equal with the Father. Such a powerful claim has powerful implications. First, it means Jesus has the power to give us life (v. 21) - life both now and later! Second, it means Jesus has the authority to judge us (vv. 22-23).  Verse 24 reminds us that how you are judged then depends on what you do with Jesus now. Not only can you have life now and later. But your now determines your later. This life determines that life. This life determines eternity. There are three facts about the final judgment that come out clearly in this passage: There will be life after death. Every person will be affected by the judgment. Humanity will fall into two, and only two, categories – saved and condemned. Into which category do you fall? Do you believe Jesus is Who He says He is? Are you … [Read more...]

By Waylon Bailey Children and adults alike want to know: “What is Heaven like?” The Apostle John wrote of the impossibility of knowing all things and the assurance that we will be with God and that we will be changed: “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:20). What will heaven be like? What can we know for sure? First, heaven will be a place where all the former things will pass away. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning 0r crying in pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). We will no longer deal with the issues caused by our fallen, sinful nature. Our bodies as well as our relationships will be different. Second, we shall be in the presence of perfect love. The Apostle John also describes how perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). When we are with God we will be in the presence of perfect love because God is love 1 John 4:8). Heaven will be a place where love, joy, and peace will be not only abundant but also complete in every way. Can you imagine a place with perfect love, … [Read more...]

By Rick Warren “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14 NIV). You can’t hear God if your mind is crowded with other thoughts or concerns — particularly worries, plans, and activities. If we’re always listening to the radio or watching tv, the circuits are going to be busy when God calls us. We have to eliminate distractions. Jesus says in Luke 8:7, “Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up and choked the plants”(CEV). The kind of soil with weeds in it was actually planted with a crop that begins to grow. But as it grows, weeds grow up around it, and the weeds begin to choke out the life of the vegetable or the plant, so it never bears fruit. Here’s what Jesus says is the meaning of Luke 8:7: “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14 NIV). There are three things that choke out hearing God: Worry. Worries are weeds. When you’re so busy with the problems and pressures of daily living, it makes it harder to hear God. Riches. You can … [Read more...]