Calvary Chapel Ellicott City | Midweek

There are very few moments in history where the whole world rallies behind the same thing. The Olympics are a prime example, as even though there's competition, each country unites and celebrates the accomplishments of others for a few weeks. Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone were united for months? … Years? In today's message, Pastor Dan teaches that you have the opportunity to bring unity to your community by digging into God's Word and celebrating the works of Jesus.

Operation Red Wings II is a bone-chilling moment in the history of the United States' involvement in the Middle East. After a tragic turn of events, the US Navy Seals found themselves in a dangerous search and rescue mission for one of their own. In the end, 16 Navy Seals paid the ultimate sacrifice to return the lone survivor home. Today, Pastor Dan teaches that Christianity demands sacrifices for the sake of unity. It may not cost you your life, but it could cost you your time, money, or satisfaction.

Serving others can happen in many different ways, but a constant theme is lowering yourself to benefit their needs. That could mean getting your hands dirty, testing your patience, or sacrificing your time. In today's message, Pastor Dan teaches that, as a mature Christian, sometimes you'll have to serve others by stooping to their level… spiritually that is. They may not have the spiritual maturity that you do, so instead of asking them to come to you, you have the opportunity to meet them where they are.

Any gardener knows that not all produce grows at the same rate. In a pumpkin patch, you're likely to see both green and orange pumpkins on the same vine. Some apple trees might produce before others. In today's message, Pastor Dan teaches that we are all on a spiritual journey. Your relationship with Christ may not grow as fast as your spiritual mentor's. However, you may also grow quicker than your spouse. Your responsibility is to show love to those who are less spiritually mature and help them grow.

The Bible is the authoritative Word of God. It contains absolute truth. The words of Jesus have been cemented in time by the legacy of His faithful disciples. However, some areas seem… well, a little gray. Paul didn't necessarily write about whether it's okay to listen to Johnny Cash or Elvis Presley. Today, Pastor Dan teaches that whatever areas Christ's words don't directly cover, you are to live under the convictions that the Holy Spirit puts into your heart. If you feel hesitation, then it's probably conviction!

Part of what makes any organization work well is when leaders know how to balance each other with different focuses and ideas. This happens in God's Kingdom, too. Each of us has our own convictions and our own passions within ministry. In today's message, Pastor Dan teaches that your convictions may be different than his, but that's okay. You're both God's children, you're both loved, and you both have a seat at God's table. Today, you'll learn about submitting to those convictions for God's glory.

Christian freedom is a gift, not a license to flex. What you can do isn't always what you should do, especially when someone else's conscience is tender. Love asks, “Will this build them up?” Choose limits that protect others' growth: keep gray-area liberties private, explain choices gently, and prioritize unity over preference. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you that mature disciples will gladly trade some freedoms so newer believers can walk confidently with Jesus, unburdened by confusion or pressure.

Salvation is not a customizable lifestyle choice or a build-your-own path; it's a gift secured and offered by Jesus alone. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will gently confront the impulse to treat personal truth like biblical truth. Preferences can shape worship styles or habits, but they cannot save. Only the crucified and risen Savior reconciles us to God. You can surrender opinions to obedience, receive grace from His hand, and let gratitude begin to reshape how you live and love.

Believers won't always make identical choices about music, schooling, and spiritual practices. But healthy discipleship honors conscience, maturity, and context while holding fast to core truth. Seek wisdom, listen well, and avoid flaunting freedom or weaponizing rules. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will ask you to embrace unity without uniformity: pursue holiness personally, extend charity relationally, and let peace and humility guide how you walk—and how you walk with others.

Each sunrise quietly shortens the distance to the day when Jesus returns. Time isn't a conveyor belt of sameness; it's a countdown filled with purpose! And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you to let expectancy shape priorities: repent quickly, forgive freely, serve generously, and share hope boldly. Loosen your grip on trivial pursuits, invest in people, and cultivate a watchful heart. Every ordinary moment becomes sacred when you live ready for the King's fast-approaching return.

The Bible makes it clear: life with God can be summed up in loving Him wholeheartedly and loving people tangibly. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will ask you to return to the essentials: worship that shapes priorities, and neighborly love that shows up in listening, forgiveness, and everyday generosity. Let these two commands guide your schedule, filter your words, reframe your conflicts, and embolden your service. When love for God fuels love for others, your ordinary life becomes a compelling witness.

The only debt that rightly remains is the debt of love we owe to Christ. He paid what we could never pay; our response is a lifetime of gratitude expressed in obedience, generosity, and service. Every act of kindness, every forgiven offense, every sacrifice becomes another installment of thanks that will never run out. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will encourage you to let this holy indebtedness free you from ego and entitlement, propelling you to love God and your neighbor with joyful abandon.

Christians should honor civil authority as part of loving our neighbors—paying what we owe, speaking respectfully, and living above reproach. Yet our highest allegiance is to the Lord; no human rule may claim what belongs to Him. When laws align with goodness, we obey gladly; when they demand compromise, we choose faithful resistance with humility, courage, and peace, accepting the cost if needed. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will ask you to pray for wisdom to discern, strength to obey, and grace to witness well.

Honoring the law of the land can be an act of worship because it reflects trust in God's appointment of those in charge. When we obey regulations, pay what we owe, speak respectfully, and pursue change through lawful channels, we model humility and love for our neighbors. Our integrity on ordinary rules— taxes, traffic, licensing—points to a higher allegiance. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will encourage you to choose to live above reproach so your citizenship brings honor to God and credibility to your witness.

Respecting authorities is an act of trust in God's sovereignty. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you that we commit to obeying laws, paying taxes with integrity, honoring officials in speech, and contributing to the common good for a reason. Submission doesn't mean blind approval; it means a posture of humility, prayer, and peaceable citizenship while seeking justice through lawful means. When you live this way, your quiet witness builds credibility and opens doors for the gospel.

Goodness is not a side project; it's the visible echo of Christ's work in you. Acts of integrity at work, patience in conflict, generosity in need, and courage for the overlooked all preach before words ever do. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you to consciously choose the next good thing you know to do—return the call, make the apology, bring the meal, or tell the truth. Consistent, humble goodness turns ordinary days into living testimonies that point hearts toward Jesus.

Spiritual fire fades without fuel. Staying ablaze is not hype; it's steady surrender—daily prayer, Scripture meditation, worship, confession, and courageous obedience. Protect the flame by pruning distractions, choosing holy friendships, and serving where love costs you something. Rekindle it through gratitude, fasting, and remembering God's past faithfulness. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you that you can ask for fresh fire from the Spirit, then act on it. A burning heart brings clarity, resilience, and joy.

God calls you to be a peacemaker when tensions rise in the family of faith. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will inspire you to choose humility over winning: listen before speaking, apologize specifically, and seek understanding rather than ammunition. Go directly to the person, not to an audience. Invite prayer, and if needed, ask a wise, trusted believer to help. Forgive quickly, erase the scorecard, and rebuild trust through consistent kindness so unity becomes the testimony that honors Christ.

Do you have anyone like that in your life? Someone who is encouraging every time they speak? Perhaps you are that person? As Pastor Dan will remind us in today's message, God has planned out and is actively orchestrating His will for this world, and that includes your life. He uses His Children to lift up and encourage each other and push each other on in carrying out His mission for us in this world. We simply need to make ourselves available and ready to step out in faith.

Have you ever felt God speaking to your heart, directing you to share something with someone? It can be intimidating. What will that person think? What if you misheard God's voice? That's okay to be nervous. It's an opportunity to step out in faith and exercise obedience. As Pastor Dan will encourage us today, we should share when we feel led. Remind the person to test and weigh it against Scripture and the Spirit's guidance, but the word you share with them may be just what they need to hear.

Our culture pushes us to take pride in who we are. Like so many deceptive teachings, this starts with a fundamental truth. Scripture tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Humans are amazing. But this isn't a point of personal pride, it's a reason to look Heavenward in humble gratitude for the work of our Creator. As Pastor Dan will warn in today's message, we need to maintain a realistic and honest sense of self, fully aware of our weakness, while leaning into God's incredible love and grace.

Our world is on a path away from God and contrary to His design for humanity. We were created to glorify Him and live in relationship with Him. Instead, we've embraced lives that go directly against His will, and we pour energy and resources into our selfish ambitions. As Pastor Dan will challenge us in today's message, we should stand out from the culture as believers. When we reflect the radical love, compassion, and humility of Christ, it will catch their attention and point towards Him.

Have you ever hurt someone, and instead of retaliating or holding it against you, they forgave you and withheld the consequences you deserved? It's a humbling experience. Even the most broken relationship can heal because of that act of mercy. As Pastor Dan will remind us in today's message, all of us have hurt God with our actions and attitudes. We deserve eternal separation from Him, yet He's extended mercy and, even beyond that, grace, in offering redemption through Christ.

The promise that God made to Israel—that all the land of Israel would belong to them—is everlasting. In today's message, Pastor Dan reminds us that God keeps His promises. This promise to the Jewish people, regarding the land of Canaan, includes the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It is not a promise made by humans that can be changed or broken; rather, it is a covenant made by an omnipotent God that will last forever. While human promises may be broken, God's promises are eternal.

During the end times, all the nations of the world will turn against Israel. We are already witnessing a rise in anti-Semitism, but it will be nothing compared to what will occur before the Battle of Armageddon. All nations will gather to attack Israel. In today's message, Pastor Dan describes this battle. He explains that Christ will eventually return and stand on the Mount of Olives, where He ascended into heaven. God will rescue His people, the Jews, who have turned to Him, and away from destruction.

Although some Jews accepted Jesus, the vast majority were blinded to spiritual truths because they rejected Christ as the promised Messiah of Israel and the Son of God. In today's message, Pastor Dan explains this blindness and the hardening of their hearts. He also clarifies the term "mystery" in Scripture. There are truths hidden in the Old Testament that are revealed in the New Testament. It is not that these truths were unknown; rather, they were simply explained more fully in later years.

Our salvation is not something we should boast about; it is entirely based on Jesus and our faith in Him. In today's message, Pastor Dan explains the role of the Jews, with whom God established His new covenant, and how Gentiles have been incorporated into the plan of salvation. The Jews were like branches that were cut off, due to their dependence on their works. In contrast, the salvation of the Gentiles came solely through faith in Christ, and not something to take pride in of their own doing. 

The history of the nation of Israel showcases a remarkable miracle of God's preservation. In 70 AD, the Jewish nation was destroyed and scattered around the world. Not until 1948 did the Jewish people return to their homeland and reestablish their nation. In today's message, Pastor Dan points out that “people usually assimilate after two or three generations, losing their language, culture, and traditions." However, the Jewish people have preserved their culture and returned to their country.

Israel has a long history of turning away from God. The rejection of Jesus by the Jews aligns with this past behavior. In today's message, Pastor Dan reminds us that a small remnant of faithful individuals remained throughout these periods of disobedience. He also emphasizes that God set Israel aside, due to their apostasy, often leading them into bondage. However, this captivity was never permanent; God always restored Israel. This process, in turn, paved the way for the salvation of the Gentiles.

God's invitation to salvation is open-handed, extended to every soul without price. But grace is not a toy; treating it as a license to do whatever you want hardens the heart and insults the Giver. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you that God welcomes the humble and repentant, but He will not be mocked by casual deceit. Choose sincerity: confess honestly, turn from sin, and receive mercy. You can honor the gift by living gratefully, and you'll find freedom rather than judgment.

History proves that when many abandon truth, God preserves a remnant—ordinary believers who refuse to bow to the spirit of the age. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you to take heart that hidden faithfulness still burns in quiet homes and small gatherings, keeping the flame alive. This remnant prays, repents, and serves with steady courage until renewal breaks forth. Choose steadfast obedience where you are; your unwavering light may help spark the next awakening.

Watching the unfolding story of Israel provides a lens through which global events come into sharper focus. It alerts our hearts to the bigger narrative God is writing in Israel's history. In today's message, Pastor Dan will share with you that this nation's rebirth, alliances, and conflicts serve as living indicators of larger spiritual and geopolitical currents. Observing its challenges and breakthroughs can help you, as a believer, to see God making a way for His people.

The core of the gospel isn't cloaked in obscure theology; it's a straightforward invitation to a restored relationship. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will encourage you to celebrate a God who distills eternal truth into terms a child can embrace: brokenness met by love, forgiveness offered through faith, new life gifted freely. Complexity fades when hearts hear that heaven's door swings on grace, not achievement. You can share this beautifully simple story that transforms everything.

God's heart beats for every neighborhood, workplace, and classroom, and He invites His people to carry good news into them all. In today's message, we're reminded that the gospel travels best through ordinary lives—conversations at lunch, kindness in crisis, and integrity under pressure. As you go, speak with humility and courage, listen with compassion, and point to hope. Wherever your feet step today, Pastor Dan will encourage you to use your voice and actions to proclaim Jesus.

God often speaks through messengers you might overlook—mentors, friends, a child's question, a song, even an interruption that redirects your steps. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will help you learn to stay attentive and humble, inviting the Spirit to highlight what is from Him. Wise counsel, providential timing, and inner peace often confirm the nudge. You can honor the messenger, but focus on the Sender, and respond with grateful and immediate obedience.

Long before the iPhone, the MacBook, or the iPod, there was the Commodore 64. Releasing this machine in the early 1980s, Apple made home computers accessible to many family homes for the first time. Even further back, way before the Commodore 64, Jesus' death and resurrection made salvation accessible to all people – and even better, it doesn't require electricity or internet! In today's message, Pastor Dan shares with us how salvation was made accessible, why it matters, and how we can attain that salvation for ourselves!

Do you have any morning habits? As much as I'd love to say that mine is running or working out, in this season of life, it's been hitting the snooze on my alarm once or twice! But scientific and behavioral studies have shown time and again that the first thing done in the morning will often “set the tone” for the day. While that may seem like a lot of pressure, I think that Pastor Dan's message today can both encourage and challenge you. Take a moment and listen in, and don't forget to get the coffee brewing!

The Olympics are quite a spectacle. There's something about seeing people of such incredible talent, with that level of devotion to their craft, and watching them compete on the world stage. One of the sports I find most interesting is gymnastics; more specifically, the balance beam. I'd be lucky to simply walk across, without falling and getting hurt! There's a balance that must be in place - when it comes to understanding how God works, and in today's message, Pastor Dan delves into just that!

Perhaps you've heard the joke about the man stranded during a hurricane. He continues to ignore the assistance offered to him, passing up a truck, a boat, and even a helicopter! When he dies, he asks God, “Why didn't you save me?” The truth is, God provided ample opportunities for the man to be saved, but the man was responsible for his choice to accept or decline the help. Listen in today, as Pastor Dan speaks on this topic, and consider this: Are you passing up on the help that God is offering you?

I tried my hand at pottery when I was in 7th-grade art class. From a heap of clay, I had made a fine-looking cup to bring home to my mother. I was proud of my work, but imagine, if you will, that this cup spoke to me, complaining about my craftsmanship. “You didn't make me large enough; you didn't give me a handle; I wanted to be a different color!” A foolish thought, perhaps; but what are you, in God's hands, but clay? Today, Pastor Dan provides insight into understanding this analogy of your place before God.

Getting what we deserve feels great, doesn't it? Receiving good grades after studying hard, getting those promotions at work after a long project, or picking up that free Chick-fil-A sandwich! But it depends on the context. If we receive what we deserve, when it comes to our standing before God, we are all sinful, deserving of death and hell. Today, Pastor Dan walks us through how, despite how “no one is good, not even one”, we don't have to get what we deserve. There is grace to go around.

Our God is gracious beyond comprehension. He went to incredible lengths, sending His own beloved Son to take on flesh and suffer and die on a cross to secure our salvation. Yet many people reject Him and even accuse Him of being cruel and unloving. As Pastor Dan will explain in today's message, as much as God loves those people, He will not force their hearts to soften. As they harden their hearts, they can come to a point where God allows them to completely solidify against Him.

Have you ever heard someone say, “That's just not right!” in response to a tragic event? When we experience things that we see as unfair, one of our first responses may be to question God and wonder how He could be good if He allows such injustice. As Pastor Dan will clarify in today's message, our God, who exists eternally, with no end or beginning, is the very definition of righteous. He created righteousness, and we can trust that His ways are good even when we can't see it from our perspective. 

On the surface, if you look at the nation of Israel, it may appear as though God's plan failed. As a nation, they rejected Jesus as their Messiah and still do. But, as Pastor Dan will point out in today's message, there is a remnant of Israel that believed, and this remnant has grown over time. While some believe God is done with Israel, that isn't supported by Scripture. He still has a plan for this chosen nation, and He will use them in orchestrating His final work of judgment and redemption for this world.

You don't want that to be true of you. Just as God chose Israel to hold a special position in this world – a nation to bless all other nations – He's extended that invitation to all who would believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If you've accepted that gift, you have a calling. Your life is no longer just about meeting your own needs and desires. As Pastor Dan will remind us in today's message, we are called to live a life that serves others and spreads the amazing truth of the Gospel to our world. 

Material wealth and abundance in this world are not the same as the blessings we experience in God's Kingdom. Our God is a faithful and generous provider, and we can trust Him to meet our needs. This is true for us as individuals, and it's true on a larger scale – for our churches and even our nations. As Pastor Dan will point out, when a nation operates in a way that honors God – marked by love, compassion, and righteous living, we can expect to experience the blessing of His divine providence. 

God never backs out of His covenants or breaks His promises. He is steadfast in His Word. As we enjoy the benefits and blessings of the New Covenant He extended to us through Christ, we can still take comfort and encouragement by looking back at the ways He fulfilled His promises under the Old Covenant. As Pastor Dan will point out in today's message, even in the last century, we see the fulfillment of His promises taking place on a global scale, and He has shown Himself to be faithful.  

Struggle is a part of this life. That's not how God designed it. This brokenness we experience rises out of sin and rebellion against God. Just to clarify, this doesn't mean God punishes us specifically for our individual sins. It's the sin we're born into that results in pain and heartache throughout our lives. As Pastor Dan will remind us in today's message, whatever form our hardship may take, it should not be seen as a punishment or a slight from God, but as an opportunity to trust in Him more.

What a relief! For most believers, this isn't a new concept, but it's one that we need reminded of frequently. We seem to have a hard time letting it really sink in. God is for us. He wanted us to have a relationship with Him since before we were born, and He went to great lengths to make it possible. He sent Jesus to take on flesh and suffer and die so that we could be righteous in His sight. As Pastor Dan will remind us today, we can rest in this knowledge and have joy as we experience freedom from sin.

Jesus was gentle and patient. This doesn't mean He was weak or timid. He did have moments where His anger rose to the surface. All too often, when we get angry, it's out of weakness and fear. Jesus' anger was only displayed out of His righteousness and compassion when He saw people abusing others in some way. As Pastor Dan will challenge us in today's message, if we're going to be like Jesus, we'll need the help of His Holy Spirit to impart patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.

This life is full of ups and downs. There are beautiful moments where you can enjoy spiritual, emotional, or physical pleasure – these are gifts of God's grace. But there are also many moments where the brokenness of humanity, both internally and in the people around us, brings pain and suffering. As Pastor Dan continues our study of the book of Romans today, we'll be reminded of the great hope we have in Christ. He can redeem even the worst things in life and use them to bring good.