Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig Audio Podcast

The last two years have seen a massive chasm in every country of the world over the Israel/Palestine issue. Since October 7, 2023 and the subsequent invasion of Gaza by Israel, people are divided. But this is not a recent debate. Anyone who knows the history of the region understands this dispute is ancient. But today I want to go back “behind the curtain” to get the real story.I. The Incessant Competition (Philistine History)II. The Invisible Conflict (Spiritual Hostility)III. The Irrevocable Covenant (Divine Treaty)Talk with God: Pray for the people of Israel and Palestine as they continue to deal with the conflict in their everyday lives.Talk with others: Share what you're thankful for this season with your Connect Group.Talk with kids: Why is it important that these prophecies came true?

Some people insist that in our post-modern (or even meta-modern) age, we only believe in science, not metaphysics. That's not quite true. At the heart of the transgender movement, people believe they are what they claim to be regardless of biological evidence. None of this is new. Something similar happened in the ancient worship of Asherah. Let's examine it more carefully.I. The Practice of Debased Idolatry (Jeremiah 7)(Three Notable Characteristics)II. The Proclamation of Divine Wrath (Romans 1)(Three Notable Reasons)Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for the lost, confused, and hurting people in your family, community, and city.Talk with others: Ask your Connect Group or believing family and friends how you can support them in boldly and lovingly sharing the hope of Jesus with someone this week.Talk with kids: Pick up some poster board from Calvary Kids and create a banner to share what you're thankful for as a family at our Thanksgiving Banner Service this Wednesday.

If you think the Sexual Revolution began in 1960s America, think again. It's been going on since ancient times. Today we look at three texts which outline God's standard for human sexuality and how a competing system, the worship of Asherah, blurred the lines of gender and sex. The worship of this ancient demon tampered with three distinct areas.I. Identity (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25)II. Clarity (Deuteronomy 22:5)III. Intimacy (Leviticus 18:19-23)Talk with God: Ask the Lord for clarity as you root your identity in Him and walk in the path He's prepared for you (see Ephesians 2:10).Talk with others: Talk about what it looks like to honor your God-given sex in today's world with your Connect Group or believing friends.Talk with kids: How does God see people differently than we see them?

We did it! Together, we raised more than $215,000 to show the love of Jesus to our city: providing 10,000 meals, free haircuts, dental and medical services, family portraits, and shoes for kids. That's what it means to look like Jesus, to see needs around us and meet them with love. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Pickup Party this weekend, we're preparing our hearts as we turn to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to learn how to do the things Jesus would do and act the way Jesus would act. Because in order to look like Jesus, we have to love like Jesus—with patience, kindness, and compassion for a world that desperately needs Him.I. Do the Things Jesus Would Do  A. Be Patient in Gratitude for His Patience with You  B. Be Kind, Remembering His Kindness Toward YouII. Act the Way Jesus Would Act  A. Don't Be Rude: Treat People the Way Jesus Treats You  B. Don't Be a Cynic: See People How Jesus Sees Them (Sheep Without a Shepherd)Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for those around you this week.Talk with others: Ask a mentor or a believing friend if they've noticed an area of your life where you aren't reflecting Jesus.Talk with kids: What was Saul's excuse for disobeying the Lord?

Without a doubt, the biggest threat to ancient Israel's worship of Yahweh was the rival demon-god Baal, regarded as the chief of all Canaanite deities. The allure of Baal worship was the promise of profit and prosperity. I've chosen four words that tell the story of the showdown between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and frame our role in modern culture.I. Courage (vv. 16-17)II. Contest (vv. 20-40)III. Confrontation (v. 21)IV. Cause (v. 36)Talk with God: Meditate on Matthew 6:24 and ask the Lord to reveal the areas of your life in which you're trying to “serve two masters.”Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer to keep their eyes on Jesus, no matter what they're walking through this week.Talk with kids: Why was it wrong for Saul to make the burnt offering?

Today we celebrate how God has used our generosity to take back what the Enemy has stolen. Broken lives that were once shattered have been restored. Hope reigns where despair once did. The generous gifts of your time, treasure, and talent have made the difference. Let's learn a few key lessons from how Joshua celebrated the ground taken in crossing the Jordan River.I. God's Commands Aren't Always Practical (vv. 1-3)II. Our Obedience Is Always Vital (vv. 4-5, 8)III. Remembering the Past Is Inspirational (vv. 6-7)IV. God's Power Is Irresistible (v. 24)Talk with God: Meditate on 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 and thank the Lord for His faithfulness to “multiply the seed” of your obedience and generosity (v. 10).Talk with others: Ask a friend how you can pray for them this week and encourage them to look back at a time when God's hand in their life was evident.Talk with kids: Why did the Israelites want a king?

One of the most emotional debates raging in our day centers on the subject of abortion. Some see it as simply the choice of a woman over what happens to her body; some see it as far more sinister. Today, we look at the ancient practice of child sacrifice to see if there is any parallel to the modern practice. This conversation is vital because it involves the doctrines of both God and man.I. The Ancient Practice (Leviticus 20:1-5)II. The Modern Parallel (Psalm 106)III. The Divine Prescription (John 3:16; Romans 12:1-2)Talk with God: Meditate on Lamentations 3:22-24, thanking the Lord that His mercies “are new every morning,” and ask Him to renew your hope in Him this week.Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group in refusing to conform to the world and focus on “being transformed” through the Word.Talk with kids: What does it mean to repent?

John Calvin noted, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” Idolatry was a constant issue in the Old Testament, and Paul saw that Athens was filled with idols. But have you ever considered how false worship systems of the past have made their way into the present, but under other names? Today we'll see how, over time, societies move away from God, His authority, and His truth.I. Corruption in the Nation (vv. 1-6)II. Confusion in the Home (vv. 2-5)III. Chaos in the Heart (v. 6)Talk with God: Take time to prayerfully assess your priorities this week and ask the Lord to reveal anything—or anyone—that's pulling your focus away from Him.Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group or believing friends and family members to keep Jesus at the center of their lives.Talk with kids: Why is it right and good for God to punish sin?

Levi Lusko is the pastor of Fresh Life Church, a multisite church with locations across Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and online. He is the author of several books, including Through the Eyes of a Lion, I Declare War, The Marriage Devotional, The Last Supper on the Moon, and his latest, Blessed Are the Spiraling. He and his wife, Jennie, cohost their podcast, Hey! It's the Luskos. Levi and Jennie have one son, Lennox, and four daughters: Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in heaven.I. Stick to the PlanII. Peel Away the ExtraIII. Interpret Your Struggle AccuratelyIV. Retool for the Current/Coming SeasonV. Attack the Problem from All AnglesVI. Look for Beauty

Robert Furrow is committed to studying God's Word and maintaining a close walk with God as he serves and shepherds Calvary Tucson. He is the general editor of The Making of a Biblical Leader: A Practical Guide to Leading Others Well, which explores the essentials of Spirit-guided leadership.

We have spent seventeen weeks covering the book of Nehemiah and have considered the many life-application lessons that these chapters provide. But today, for our eighteenth and final study, we'll zoom out to get the bigger picture. There are five “mega-themes” from this book that we can benefit from. These great themes provide both encouragement and warning to us today.I. Great Cities Can FallII. Ordinary People Can HelpIII. Real Prayer Can WorkIV. Spiritual Revival Can HappenV. Good Movements Can FalterTalk with God: Meditate on Isaiah 6:8 this week and ask the Lord to give you His heart for your city and the people He's placed in your life.Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to pray for and support you as you seek revival in your walk with the Lord.Talk with kids: How did God rescue His people through Samson?

No Christian ever plans on backsliding, that is, moving away from Christ. Yet it happens. The prophet Jeremiah even admitted, “Our backslidings are many” (Jeremiah 14:7). Sometimes, a city can be in shambles because the lives of its people are in shambles. Nehemiah left Jerusalem for a short time and returned to find the people had gone back to practicing their old ways. Let's consider four mistakes they made and how to prevent them from happening to us.I. Misplace Your Bible (vv. 1-3)II. Misalign Your Companions (vv. 4-9)III. Misarrange Your Priorities (vv. 10-22)IV. Mismanage Your Family (vv. 23-24)Talk with God: Prayerfully consider the people you turn to for encouragement and advice. Are you surrounding yourself with strong, healthy believers who will sharpen you (see Proverbs 27:17) and urge you to grow in your faith?Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to hold you accountable to pray and spend time in the Word daily as you recommit to a habit or create a new one.Talk with kids: How did Gideon test God's words?

Last week we eavesdropped on the worship service of ancient Israel as they gathered to dedicate their city and their future to God. We noticed four characteristics of their worship: It was biblical, it was vocal, it was musical, and it was joyful. Today we continue with four more.V. Their Worship Was Thankful (vv. 27, 31, 38, 46)VI. Their Worship Was Communal (v. 43)VII. Their Worship Was Powerful (vv. 42b, 43b)VIII. Their Worship Was Physical (v. 43)Talk with God: Meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and thank the Lord for His provision and direction in your life.Talk with others: Encourage a friend or family member who's recently been struggling to continue faithfully in their walk through a difficult season.Talk with kids: Who received the praise and glory for Israel's victory over their enemies? Why?

“The whole you needs worship—and the part of you that will live forever needs it most,” wrote Robert McIntyre. Nehemiah chapter 12 describes the worship of God's people who had gathered to dedicate the newly rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. This week and next week we will eavesdrop on their worship service and discover how we should worship when we assemble together.I. Their Worship Was Biblical (v. 24)II. Their Worship Was Vocal (vv. 27-30, 43)III. Their Worship Was Musical (vv. 27b, 35-36, 41)IV. Their Worship Was Joyful (vv. 27, 43)Talk with God: Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your heart that's holding you back from authentic worship and a deeper relationship with Him.Talk with others: Share your favorite worship album or playlist with your Connect Group or a believing friend or family member this week.Talk with kids: How is Jesus better than the judges in the story?

Jerusalem was not the most popular place to live. Most people preferred to live elsewhere—in outlying towns and villages. It was more expensive to be in the city, and safety was a big concern. In this section there are some vital but often-forgotten principles about God's city, God's people, and God's work. Let's glean some of these important lessons from the city planners.I. All Places Are Significant; This Place Is Sacred (v. 1)II. Projects Are Important; People Are More Important (vv. 3-36)III. Ability Is Good; Availability Is Better (v. 2)IV. Work Is Practical; Worship Is Vital (vv. 22-24)Talk with God: Ask the Lord to provide opportunities for you to pour into His people this week.Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer if they've noticed anything in your life that might hinder the Lord's desire to work through you.Talk with kids: How has Jesus defeated our enemies: sin and death?

When your values are clear, making decisions becomes easy. After generations of failure, God's people finally realized what was most important in life, so they made a list of things they were committed to changing. Their heartfelt prayer in chapter nine led to heartfelt priorities in chapter ten. Let's explore how they committed to change in these four areas of life.I. Scriptural Authority (vv. 28-29)II. Relational Purity (v. 30)III. Spiritual Regularity (v. 31)IV. Financial Responsibility (vv. 32-39)Talk with God: Spend time in prayer as you consider each of these areas in your own life and ask the Lord to reveal areas you need to re-prioritize.Talk with others: Ask your mentor or a trusted fellow believer to provide accountability as you refresh your priorities.Talk with kids: How does Jesus save us from the punishment our sin deserves?

The purpose of prayer is not to inform God of our needs but to invite Him to rule our lives. After a national revival broke out in Jerusalem during a Bible study, the people gathered again for prayer. Let's notice a few key elements that make for an effective experience of communicating with God.I. They Looked Up: Adoration (vv. 5-6)II. They Looked Back: Reflection (vv. 7-35)III. They Looked Within: Confession (v. 37)IV. They Looked Around: Petition (vv. 32-37)V. They Looked Ahead: Submission (v. 38)

In Philippians 3, Paul reminded believers that real joy isn't found in religious performance, but in knowing Jesus personally. He warned against those who put their confidence in the flesh. True righteousness doesn't come from what we do for God, but from what God has done for us through Jesus.

The nation of Israel was back in its homeland once again after the Babylonian captivity. The walls of the city of Jerusalem had been repaired and rebuilt. But something was missing. The spiritual hunger of the nation now demanded a clear word from the Lord. As they gathered together, we see five clear signs of how this nation was transformed, experiencing a real revival.I. Realization: They Knew They Needed More (vv. 1-2)II. Reading: They Heard the Word of God (vv. 3-8)III. Remorse: They Mourned Over Their Failure (vv. 9-10)IV. Rejoicing: They Felt the Joy of the Lord (vv. 11-12)V. Results: They Obeyed God's Commands (vv. 13-18)Talk with God: Take an honest look at your daily walk this week and ask the Lord to refresh your heart and revive your passion for His Word.Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to encourage you to spend time in the Word each day and keep you accountable.Talk with kids: Why did God tell Joshua to be strong and courageous?

Pastor Art Reyes stepped out to plant a home Bible study in Rosemead, California in 2014. Soon after, it became known as Alive Christian Fellowship, a vibrant young church that began to grow and meet the needs in San Gabriel Valley. Currently Pastor Art is the senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Downey. He has a passion for the exposition of God's Word and a desire to see lives transformed because of it. He serves the Lord joined by his wife Briana and three kids, Caleb, Micah, and Moriah.I. The Right Attitude (v. 24)II. The Right Motivation (v. 25)III. The Right Commitment (vv. 26-27)

What if the most overlooked chapter in Nehemiah is actually the loudest proof that God keeps His promises? Nehemiah 7 isn't just a list of names—it's a receipt of God's faithfulness and a record that He finishes what He starts. In a world full of broken promises, this chapter invites us to trust the One who never forgets, never fails, and never leaves His people behind.I. God Finishes What He StartsII. God Remembers Every NameIII. God Moves Hearts to RespondTalk with God: Meditate on Philippians 1:6 this week as you praise the God who will complete the work He's doing in you.Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer to rest in the knowledge that the Lord “will sustain [them] to the end” (1 Corinthians 1:8).Talk with kids: Why is complaining a sin?

I. The Wall Was Finished, but the Work Wasn't OverII. The Enemy Was Intimidated, but Not RepentantIII. The Victory Was Visible, but the Attacks Became SubtleTalk with God: Meditate on Romans 8:31-39 and spend time in worship as you are reminded that “God is for [you].”Talk with others: Ask your Connect Group or believing friends and family members how you can support them in their walk this week.Talk with kids: Why can we always trust God?

Nehemiah faced relentless attempts to distract, discredit, and derail him from completing God's work. His enemies used deceit, false accusations, and even spiritual manipulation to try to lure him off the wall, but Nehemiah responded with bold focus, unwavering conviction, and consistent prayer. Refusing to come down, he modeled what it means to stand firm in the face of pressure and stay faithful to God's mission. This passage challenges us to silence the noise, resist fear that's been dressed as faith, and declare with confidence: “I'm doing a great work—I cannot come down.”I. The Distraction of DeceitII. The Distraction of False AccusationsIII. The Distraction of Spiritual ManipulationTalk with God: Meditate on Isaiah 41:10 this week and ask the Lord to give you the strength to continue faithfully in your calling.Talk with others: If you're facing a struggle or battling distraction, ask a pastor, mentor, or trusted believer to lock shields with you in prayer and practical ways.Talk with kids: How can we show thankfulness in all circumstances?

During the last two days, we have practiced and proclaimed the gospel to our community. Both Love Day and Freedom Celebration were outward expressions of the good news about Jesus Christ loving the world. But why not make it a lifestyle that continues year-round? Today we will explore four reasons Paul the apostle was not ashamed of the gospel.I. Because It's Good NewsII. Because It's God's PowerIII. Because It's Given FreelyIV. Because It Gets Us RightTalk with God: Meditate on “the righteousness of God” (v. 17) and spend time in worship as you thank Him for the salvation and freedom He's given you through HisSon's sacrifice.Talk with others: Come alongside a believing friend or family member facing sorrow or difficulty this week and encourage them to rest in God's grace and continue to “live by faith” (v. 17).Talk with kids: Why is Jesus the perfect and final sacrifice for sin?

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?' the servant asked. ‘Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15-17, NIV).Evidence for the Supernatural1. Documented Miracles2. Deathbed Visions3. Near-Death Experiences4. Angelic Encounters5. Mystical Dreams6. Divine ExperiencesReceive salvation through Christ so you can be confident that you'll spend eternity with Him (see 1 John 5:13).Put on the full armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10-18).

Today we celebrate our fathers. We honor them for their sacrifice, valor, and commitment. But I'd like to explore the Fatherhood of God today as we look at the most famous prayer in the world—actually, the first line of that prayer. As we do, we discover that this prayer implies four great truths.I. RelationshipII. LordshipIII. FellowshipIV. GuardianshipTalk with God: Pray for the fathers you know—that the Lord would strengthen and guide them as they lead their families and build a legacy of faith in their communities.Talk with others: Ask a brother in Christ how you can come alongside them and support them in their walk with the Lord this week.Talk with kids: Why do we not need a tabernacle today?

Complaining is draining! It only takes away energy from today and never solves problems for tomorrow. And what's more, a complaining tongue reveals an ungrateful heart. Here in Nehemiah 5, we see that tension was growing among God's people as complainers voiced their grievances. Some of these complaints were legitimate, but Nehemiah set out to fix the issues and stop the protests.I. The Local Condition (vv. 1-5)II. The Leader's Reaction (vv. 6-7)III. The Loving Solution (vv. 7-19)Talk with God: Meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the situations in your life that you are more prone to complain about than to pray about.Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer to hold you accountable to pray and give thanks in everything as you “follow the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) this week.Talk with kids: How does Jesus save us from God's judgment of sin?