Spiritual Warfare

James Rochford
Ephesians 6:10-20

Satan's strategies include manipulation, exaggerating offenses and hurt feelings, fueling temptation, and nurturing suspicion. The Christian's strategy to stand against his schemes is to put on the full armor of God. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit make up the full armor of God.

Are Christians Allowed to Drink?

Conrad Hilario
Ephesians 5:15-20

Many churches forbid alcohol consumption but God is not opposed to drinking alcohol, just getting drunk. Instead of being controlled by mind-altering substances, the Bible says to be filled with the Spirit. God wants you to fill the emptiness you feel with the relational and spiritual side of life, not with substances. Only God's presence in your life will fill the void you feel.

Faith that Works

Gary DeLashmutt
James 2:14-26

It can seem like Paul and James are in conflict over what is genuine faith. Is it by faith or works? In reality, they are teaching two different lessons about genuine faith. Paul teaches that one is accepted by God in His sight by faith in Jesus' work for you, not your work for God. James is teaching people will only know you have been accepted by God by your actions that demonstrate your faith in God.

God's Good News

Ben Foust
Romans 1:1-7

The book of Romans is the Good News of God about the essential issue of mankind. God has done something so that we can come to Him and have a right relationship with Him, in this life and the next. The Gospel is about Jesus, sent from the Father, born into the human race, evidenced by miracles, died on the cross and rose from the dead, and provided the way for all people to be reconciled to God.

The Big Picture

Jim Leffel
Titus 1:1-5

The world we live in, with its culture and values, shapes our ideals, values, goals, and understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. We can allow the world system to conform us to its values or we can live in a pleasing, counter-cultural way, grounded in truth, and lived out in ways that transform us and all whom we encounter.

God's Wisdom and Trials

Gary DeLashmutt
James 1:1-12

James addresses the Galatian's drifting into worldly attitudes and behaviors. As they were experiencing legitimate trials and suffering, James calls them to have the proper perspective toward their difficulties. Trials are not random or retribution from God, but they are God's Trainer to develop spiritual fitness and strength. Our ultimate destination matters far more than our comfort along the way.

The Peace of God and the God of Peace

Gary DeLashmutt
Philippians 4:4-9

God's peace is a sense of security in Him and is related to joy and hope. Regardless of your situation, God's peace can increasingly become the "background music" of your soul. Two proactive steps one can take to find the peace of God is to rejoice in the Lord and count your many blessings. Two reactive steps are to take all your annoyances and anxieties promptly to God and practice specific habits of rejoicing and being grateful.

A Man of Great Faith

Patrice McCormac
Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah is a great example of faith from the Old Testament. He demonstrated biblical faith by being willing to act according to God's Word with complete dependence upon God. His first step of faith was to pray to God. He viewed his circumstances in light of who God is. He then waited on God to direct him. He looked to God to determine the value of his step of faith.

Focusing on the Next Life Encourages Us in this Life

Ryan Weingartner
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

God promises that suffering in this life will bear fruit in this life as well as the life to come. We can be encouraged by this because we know that whatever we endure is nothing in comparison to the glory to be revealed in the next life. If we fix our eyes on the unseen realities to come, we can bear up under the sufferings this world has to offer.