Good News/Bad News | Genesis 18:22-33

There may be times when we simply do not know what to pray, times when words simply will not come. Yet, praying specifically is always a more effective way to pray. General praying receives general responses and makes for less energetic conversations with God. That may be one reason for dull prayer lives. Abraham had the audacity to ask God for the incredible, and he actually believed that his praying would make a difference. What about you? Do you pray for the incredible and believe that your praying actually makes a difference?

Making a Molehill Out of a Mountain | Heb. 12:7-15

Has anyone’s success challenged you to the point of anger? Have you ever felt that someone owes you something? Have you ever been weighed down because the circumstances of life have been unfair? If the answer to these questions is “yes,” you may be struggling with anger and resentment, a condition that the writer of Hebrews refers to as “the root of bitterness which springs up and causes trouble.” If you want to be free from the ball and chain of emotional rancor, this message is for you.

Winning Forever | 1 Cor. 9:23a, 24-27a

Winning Christians answer these kinds of questions: When life is over, what have you got? When the moment comes for stepping into eternity, is there anything you can take with you? When the horn sounds, does it really matter whether you were a winner or loser as a believer? If you have asked these questions, how have you answered? It’s not too late to change the answer or to improve the answer. Paul shows us how.

Practice that Wins | 1 Cor. 9:23a, 24-27a

Practice is not the point; playing is the point. However, no one wins on the playing field without first winning on the practice field. That is true in the realm of athletics and also true in the realm of Christianity. Paul not only encouraged his readers to live as gold-medal followers of Christ, he also provided powerful advice on the kind of practice that that produces championship disciples. The winning strategy is clear, and the winning results cannot be denied.

The First Step to Justice | Genesis 16:7

In the first six verses of Genesis 16 we see injustice and unrighteousness. In verse 7 we see the beginning of justice and righteousness as God made movement toward the one whose value had been diminished. Do you suppose those in America today who think they have been treated unfairly and unrighteously and contemptibly have any awareness that the Lord is making movement toward them? What about you? In Genesis 16:7 God reveals the first step toward the resolution of injustice and unrighteousness on both a national scale as well as personal.

God’s Age, Charlton Heston, Porcupines, Snakes on Sticks | John 3:14-15

John 3:14-15 is intimately connected to Numbers 21:4-9. Actually, without Numbers 21:4-9 the interpretation of John 3:14-15 would not only be impossible, it wouldn’t even make sense. However, the connection sets these passages at the heart of dynamic Christian living. If you’ve ever had difficulty finding peace and rest, this message is for you. Joyful contentment is only minutes away.

What’s God Got To Do With It? | Genesis 16:1-6

What happens when we cease trusting God in the shadows of difficulty? When we cease trusting God we then start blaming God for the troubles and hardships we face. But wait – there’s more. When we cease trusting God in the shadows of difficulty, it’s only one step from blaming God to blaming others for the outcome. Is it possible that the problem with Sarai and Abram had nothing to do with their problems? If so, then just maybe our problem has nothing to do with our problems either. What is the solution when the problem is not the problem? Check it out. You’ll be glad you did