Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig Audio Podcast

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?

In life, you don't get to choose between building and battling—you're called to do both. In Nehemiah 4, we discover how to keep building the future while fighting off the fear, distraction, and opposition that threaten to stop us. Whether it's clearing the rubble of your past, guarding the vulnerable places in your life, or learning to trust God as your ultimate defender, we are called to stay strong in the fight and faithful in the work. Don't drop your shovel. Don't sheathe your sword. The wall goes up when you show up.I. Buried in the Rubble (v. 10)II. Threats in the Shadows (vv. 11-12)III. Guard the Gaps (vv. 13-18)IV. Backup on the Battlefield (vv. 19-23)Talk with God: Meditate on Hebrews 4:12 and ask the Lord for the discipline and courage to take up your sword—the Word—as you step onto the battlefield each day.Talk with others: Go to battle in prayer for your Connect Group or circle of believers and ask them how you can guard the gaps and provide backup for them this week.Talk with kids: How do the Commandments teach us to love God and people?

Being a Christian can be hard in the current climate of hostility—where believers worldwide face physical oppression and persecution. In our own culture, the church is labeled archaic and irrelevant in its stance on modern issues. Today we will consider a few reasons for the opposition we face as Christians and how we can face it victoriously.I. Opposition is NormalII. Opposition is VerbalIII. Opposition is ContinualIV. Opposition is ConquerableTalk with God: Ask the Lord for the courage to stand firm in Christ, despite opposition.Talk with others: Encourage a believer or family member who's been struggling this week and remind them that their “labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).Talk with kids: Why did Moses need help leading the people?

One of the greatest coaches of all time, Vince Lombardi, said, “Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” Nehemiah 3 records the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls by individuals committed to this group effort. Here we can learn several practical and spiritual principles.I. God's Work Should Be OrderlyII. There's a Place for EveryoneIII. Your Service Should Fit YouIV. Some Work Harder Than OthersV. Work Should Be Tied to PurposeTalk with God: Meditate on Proverbs 3:5-6 this week and ask the Lord to “show you which path to take” (NLT) as you seek His will in every area of your life.Talk with others: If you're struggling with brokenness in your life—spiritually, mentally, or physically—ask a mentor or trusted fellow believer to stand with you as you start rebuilding.Talk with kids: Why can we trust God to provide for our needs?

Nehemiah had come to Jerusalem to fix a problem. The city's ancient, protective walls were in ruins, the entrances still had scorch marks from almost 200 years before, and the people had gotten used to the deplorable conditions. Let's consider five ingredients we can apply to fix any problem.I. Go the DistanceII. Assess the NeedIII. Get a GroupIV. Expect a FightV. Take a StandTalk with God: Meditate on Psalm 147:1-6 this week and rest in the knowledge that the God who calls the stars by name also “heals the brokenhearted” (v. 3).Talk with others: Encourage your believing friends and family to “not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9) and go to battle for them in prayer this week.Talk with kids: Why is faith in Jesus the only way to be saved?

Your life is not an accident. You were made on purpose and for a purpose. Finding that purpose is the most important discovery you could ever make. There were four distinct elements that confirmed Nehemiah's calling and purpose in life. These four essentials will help you find your purpose.I. TimingII. TrustingIII. TestingIV. TensionTalk with God: Ask the Lord to reveal the relationships and areas of your life that need to be rebuilt or strengthened.Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer to hold you accountable to spend time in prayer and the Word each day throughout this series.Talk with kids: What were the ten plagues God sent to Egypt?

Author Margaret Atwood's book The Handmaid's Tale includes a character who says, “The fact is that I hate this city. I've hated it so long I can hardly remember feeling any other way about it.” For some people, this is a daily reality. But Nehemiah loved his city—Jerusalem—though it was a city in shambles. How can we, by God's grace, learn to love our city for God's glory?I. Loving Your City Begins by Asking the Right QuestionsII. Loving Your City Includes Feeling the Right EmotionIII. Loving Your City Means Having the Right ReactionIV. Loving Your City Involves Doing the Right ActionsTalk with God: Meditate on verses 10-11 and ask the Lord to give you His heart for the people of our city.Talk with others: Ask your Connect Group or believing friends how you can lock shields with them in their daily walk with the Lord and as they serve Him in their community.Talk with kids: How did God save Moses when he was a baby?

Does your family have any Easter traditions? Allow me to give you a few more. These are the instructions that a heavenly messenger gave to the women who came to the tomb early that first Easter morning: Come, See, Go, Tell! Today we'll discover what these instructions mean.Talk with God: Meditate on today's passage and ask the Lord to fill you with a joyful desire to fulfill the Great Commission (vv. 18-20).Talk with others: Practice sharing the gospel message with your Connect Group or a believing friend or family member so you will “always be ready” (1 Peter 3:15).Talk with kids: How did the resurrection impact our lives as followers of Jesus?

I. The AttributeII. The ActionIII. The Audience

Jeremiah J. Johnston, PhD is a New Testament scholar, pastor, author, nationally syndicated radio host, Bible teacher, and apologist, and he ministers internationally as president of Christian Thinkers Society. Jeremiah loves the local church and serves as pastor of apologetics and cultural engagement at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas. Jeremiah's passion is working with churches and pastors in equipping Christians to giveintellectually informed reasons for what they believe.I. Serious Scholars and Experts Believe the Shroud is AuthenticII. Science Today Still Cannot Explain How the Image is in the ClothIII. The Evidence Most Powerfully Points to One Conclusion: Jesus is the Man of the ShroudTalk with God: Read John's account of the Passion (chapters 18-20) and meditate on God's love for you as you prepare your heart for Easter this week.

Frank Turek is a dynamic speaker, TV program host, podcaster, and award-winning author. As president of CrossExamined.org, he presents powerful and entertaining evidence for Christianity.I. Does Evil Disprove God?II. What's the Purpose of Evil?III. What's God's Solution to Evil?Talk with God: Meditate on Ephesians 3:16 this week and ask the Lord to renew and strengthen you as you walk with Him.Talk with others: Ask your Connect Group, friends, or family how you can support them in focusing on “the eternal weight of glory” (v. 17) through the struggles they may be facing.Talk with kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on Earth?

The great preacher of Victorian England Charles Spurgeon once remarked, “I do not believe there ever existed a Christian yet, who did not now and then doubt his interest in Jesus. I think, when a man says, ‘I never doubt,' it is quite time for us to doubt him.” It's reassuring that even a spiritual heavyweight like John the Baptist experienced doubts. Let's see how Jesus helped him.I. The Ambivalence of John  A. Experiential Doubts  B. Intellectual Doubts  C. Societal Doubts  D. Moral Doubts II. The Answer of Jesus  A. He Answered Directly  B. He Answered Verbally  C. He Answered Practically  D. He Answered PatientlyTalk with God: Meditate on Mark 9:23-24 and ask the Lord to give you wisdom and peace as you seek to address your own doubts and unbelief.Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer who's wrestling with doubt or questioning their faith by reminding them that God can handle their questions (see James 1:5).Talk with kids: What did Job learn about God?

Joel Rosenberg is a New York Times bestselling author with more than five million copies of his books in print. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of All Israel News and All Arab News and the host of the Rosenberg Report, a primetime weekly news and analysis program on TBN, the most watched Christian TV network in the US. In 2006, Rosenberg and his wife founded the Joshua Fund, a nonprofit organization that has invested more than $100 million towards strengthening the church in Israel and the Arab/Muslim world to preach the Word, shepherd the flock, care for the poor and needy, teach the global church about God's love and prophetic plan for the people of the Middle East, and fulfill the Great Commission.

Doubt is often a stepping stone on the road to a secure faith. We've all had our doubts; it's what we do with those doubts that matters. Do we give up, take our ball, and go home? Or do we find unshakable reasons that faith in God is the best worldview possible? Today let's look at the rocky journey of Thomas's struggle between faith and doubt. Perhaps we'll see ourselves in it.I. ConfidenceII. TurbulenceIII. DistanceIV. EvidenceV. PenitenceVI. PermanenceTalk with God: Meditate on 1 Peter 1:8-9 and thank the Lord for the peace and confidence we have in our salvation, so we can “rejoice with joy inexpressible” (v. 8).Talk with others: If you're wrestling with a doubt or difficult question, ask a mentor or pastor for help in navigating that struggle.Talk with kids: How does God show He keeps His promises in this Bible story?