To this day people struggle with commitment. What is it about commitment that scares us so much? The benefits of commitment are obvious: deep friendships, strong marriages, and a life of peace with God. Today we consider that God sees the blessing of commitment for our lives and that is why He invites us into a deep relationship with [...]
In answer to the statement, “The church is full of hypocrites,” Jesus might answer, “Of course it is. All sinners are hypocrites. My church is full of forgiven hypocrites.” Are you honest about the reality that you are a hypocrite who says one thing and does another? Have you brought your sin to the cross of Jesus so that [...]
In heaven, God's family has no conflict, but we are not in heaven yet. Healthy friendships, marriages, and families have conflict, as do healthy churches. Sin is the obvious reason. It separates. Jesus gives the best conflict resolution skills in the gifts of honesty, forgiveness, and love. We can struggle in conflict, but as God is in us, we [...]
Jesus has told us numerous times to EXPECT troubles and opposition in the future. Living for Him, in fact, creates opposition. Jesus also reminds us that He has won the victory over all opposition. Justice is coming! Salvation is available to all!Daniel 7:1-8Pastor Phil Wagner
To be Christian is not to be anti-cultural, it is to be counter-cultural. This distinction provides an opportunity to courageously live for Jesus and the transforming love He brings into the world. Though our secular culture seeks us to follow along, we – like Daniel – are called to stand with conviction and compassion. Daniel 6:1-28 Pastor Anders [...]
Pastor Phil WagnerThe message of our secular world is that there is no God or that God does not matter. Even worse, the devil tries to convince us that God does not love us. He lies in suggesting to us that we have no real value; that the struggles of life are proof that God does not care. Daniel [...]
Our secular world teaches us to place pride in ourselves. Is that wrong? What kind of pride is sinful and what is God pleasing? Our battle with our pride often determines our response in this secular world. Hear Pastor Phil Wagner as he explores this issue of pride. Daniel 4:1-27 [...]
The Fiery Furnace is the ultimate Daniel story. We know the story, but have we looked closely at the lessons God wants to teach us? Do we really know about living in the fiery furnace called our secular world? We often hope to be delivered from the furnace, but we must remember that God delivers in the furnace, [...]
Worship is the "worth" that we give to someone or something. What is your worship like in this world of distractions and stuff? Worship counts. How we worship matters, and who we worship matters. But why? Hear Pastor Anders Davidson as he explores what we learn from God about worship through the life of Daniel. Daniel 3:1-18 [...]
Take charge! Be the master of your destiny! Take the bull by the horns! Such advice is often given when we are Christians living in a secular world. The reality is that this strategy can actually diminish God and our witness of Him. Daniel learned to let God be God: good advice for us. Daniel 2:1-3, 24-49 [...]
