Mary's Big Decision

Dennis McCallum

Luke 1:26-38

Mary is approached by the angel Gabriel, announcing that she will give birth to Jesus. Mary's response was one of active trust and obedience to God's Will for her life. Mary had the option to resist God's Will, but showed an availability to what God was trying to do in her life. As we make ourselves available to God's Will, we get incredible opportunities to affect the course of eternity for God.

Making the God of the Bible Your Ruler

Gary DeLashmutt

Psalms 16

How can we know that the Bible is the unique and powerful Word of God? One way is by looking at the testimonies of the figures in the Bible. Psalm 16 details David's reflections over how making God the ruler of his life has changed him, his perceptions of others, and how this decision will continue to impact his future. When we go against the grain and choose to put God first, we can look forward to an amazing and transformational life.

Spiritual Depression

Gary DeLashmutt

Psalms 42

The Psalmist of Psalm 42 describes spiritual depression, the common causes of it, and how to overcome it. We often experience this depression when undergoing adversity, when we experience apparent spiritual contradictions, when God seems far from us, and when people and Satan mock our faith. We can overcome this by expressing our thoughts and feelings, challenging their validity, remembering why we've trusted God in the past, and affirming His faithfulness.

How is the Bible Different from Other Scriptures?

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 18:35

The Bible stands out from other scriptures in its accuracy of historical claims, and it's fulfilled prophecy. God chose to confirm His message to mankind through these verifiable claims. Some spiritual texts contradict history, while others make no verifiable claims.

How Can a Loving God Allow so much Suffering?

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 1:4-5

Pain and suffering is an unavoidable part of the world that we live in. Much of the pain and suffering in this world is a result of human choices, which is a consequence of the free will that God gave us. Some pain and suffering are consequences of us living in a fallen world; there isn't always a clear reason for the suffering we endure, but we know God can use it for good and can show us things through our pain.

Can There Be Only One Way to God?

Gary DeLashmutt

John 14:6

Religious relativism is a self defeating view, the idea that there is no objective truth is an objective truth claim. The religions and beliefs of this world are diverse and contradictory. We should search for truth through our experience of the world around us and based on what we can know.

What Is Biblical Faith?

Dennis McCallum

Romans 4

Turning to key figures from the Old Testament who would have been very well known to the Jewish Romans, Paul uses Abraham and David to explain what faith looks like. Faith is not equivalent to works, rituals, or the Law. Instead, it is a willingness to act based on God's truth with complete dependence on Him.

Self-Examination

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Timothy 2:7

Paul takes a stance on self-examination because the Corinthians are trying to accuse him of impure motives in his work. Paul leaves the examining to God and gives us insight on an appropriate willingness to examine ourselves. With that, there is also an unhealthy way of examining yourself that will lead to anxiety, confusion, and second-guessing. If we have a tendency to over examine our actions and thoughts Paul gives us some guidance on how to give this area up to God to guide us in His discipline.

An Open Secret

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 5:18

This is a time where Paul needed to boast to the Corinthians in order to save them from being swayed by false preachers who boasted of themselves. We learn more about Paul's thorn in the flesh and the origins of it and why God never lifted it from him after he prayed for it to be taken away. There are also ways God uses His sovereignty to permit suffering to teach us that self-sufficiency and self-exaltation will fall flat when we boast in ourselves.