JEFF'S MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY

In the final verses of James 5, the theme is prayer, and many types of prayers are mentioned here. Prayers for those suffering, for the sick, for those in sin, and for those who have strayed. There is no need that prayer cannot meet, and no problem that prayer cannot solve! Join us for this much needed subject of prayer.

In these last days, before the coming of the Lord, what does God want in our lives? According to James 5, He wants us to have our priorities in order, and to patiently wait for His return. Let's dive into this teaching together now.

It's been well said that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. But the Bible takes that a step further, and warns us as believers against making plans that leave God out of the process. James gives us several good reasons for why that's a bad life decision. Join us now for this podcast Bible study in James 4.

Christians are repeatedly warned in Scripture about the dangers of worldliness. So how do we live in this world without this world living in us? Let's explore this important subject together in this podcast message from James 4.

The cornerstones of our faith are Christ's death on the cross and HIs resurrection from the dead. So why did Jesus remain on the earth for 40 days following His resurrection, rather than returning to heaven immediately? And what is the significance of His Ascension? Join us now as we answer these important questions.

It's Holy Week, so this week's special podcast message is focused on Good Friday., and some of the people associated with the crucifixion of Jesus. Join us now as we consider some "Faces From Good Friday."

What is wisdom, and how would you define it? Where does wisdom come from? Is wisdom the same thing as knowledge? We find the answers, and more, in James Ch. 3. Let's study God's Word together!

In every chapter of his epistle, James makes reference to the tongue, but it's in Ch. 3 that he really zeros in on how hard it is for all of us to control our words. Of course, the problem is not so much the tongue as it is the heart! Let's look now at what James has to say in this much needed exhortation.

In James Ch. 2, the writer tackles a growing problem in the church today - people who talk about their faith, without having any fruit or evidence for that faith in their lives. James argues that a saving faith is an active faith. Let's examine this important subject together now.

Did you know that favoritism or partiality is more than just a bad idea - it's a sin! James tells us why, and how serious of an issue it really is. Join us now for some important teaching from James Ch. 2.

Most of us have dealt with people who were all talk, and no action. But did you know that the Bible warns us as believers not to be that person when it comes to the Word of God? James warns against just being hearers of the Word, but not doers. Let's take a closer look at this important subject in James Ch. 1.

It was the British writer, Oscar Wilde who said, "I can resist anything, except temptation." That may be the world's attitude toward temptation, but Scripture has something quite different for us as believers. Let's align our attitude toward temptation with the Word of God in James 1.

In this podcast, we begin a series in the NT Epistle of James. James has a straight-forward way of helping us to align our attitudes Biblically, and on a variety of subjects - beginning with trials. Join us now as we begin this journey through James.

Everyone needs encouragement! There's even the spiritual gift of encouragement and exhortation. And no one in the NT embodied that spiritual gift quite like a man named Barnabas. His very name means "son of encouragement". Let's look together now at his life in the Book of Acts, where we too, will find encouragement.

Something that we don't often hear talked about, is the NT teachings on grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit. What does that even mean? In this podcast, we explore these NT warnings, in our series on the Holy Spirit.

What are the gifts of the Spirit? How do we receive them? How do we identity them? As we continue in our series on the Holy Spirit, we now come to the gifts of the Spirit. Let's look together at what the New Testament has to say on this important topic.

What is the evidence of being a Spirit-controlled believer? Among other things, it's having the fruit of the Spirit in our lives! Spiritual fruit is evidence of the spiritual root. Join us now as we take a deeper look at this important topic.

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? For some, it can be a confusing question, but for all believers, it's a very important question. Let's dive into God's Word and take a closer look at "The Power of the Holy Spirit."

For unchurched people, the mention of the Holy Spirit might prompt them to say, "The Holy Who?!", or "The Holy what?!" But even within the church, the Holy Spirit is a bit of a mystery. This series then will examine who the Holy Spirit is, and what He does. Join us as we begin with "The Person of the Holy Spirit."

One of my favorite songs by James Taylor is "Shower the People", where Taylors sings, "Shower the people you love with love, and show them the way that you feel." Coming now to the 16th and final chapter of Romans, that's what the apostle Paul does - he showers the ministry people he loves with love! Let's explore this chapter together, and see how much Paul was a friend-maker, and not just a soul-winner.

With so many distractions around us, it's challenging to not loose focus on important spiritual things. In Rom. 14, Paul talks about that, and also gives us guidance for the grey areas of life. Let's see what that looks like, in a message titled, "Keep Your Eye on the Ball."

In Romans 14, we come to a much needed and helpful discussion about Christian liberty. What things are ok for Christians to do, and not to do? While many subjects are clearly addressed in Scripture, some areas are not. Thankfully, Paul provides us with helpful guidelines for addressing those grey areas. So grab your Bible, and let's see what Paul has to say.

What makes us, as believers, good Christian citizens? In Romans 13, Paul addresses this question and more. As believers, we are citizens of heaven, but we also have responsibilities as citizens here on earth. Let's examine this timely topic together...

When we become Christians, it affects many of our relationships, some for better, and some for worse! In Romans Ch. 12, Paul talks about practical ways for having a right relationship with God, with other believers, and even with those who persecute us. Join me for this helpful and practical word in a message titled, "Right Relationships."

Among Yogi Berra's most famous statements, was when he said, "It ain't over till it's over!" That's actually the perfect title for what Paul has to say in Rom. Ch. 11. In this chapter, Paul tackles questions about Israel's future: is God through with them? Is there any hope for them? The answers are clear, and so let's study this important chapter together now!

Have you ever heard of a special group of people, called the Whosoevers? It's all the people that call upon the Lord in faith! (Rom. 10:13). Having talked about God's divine sovereignty and election in Rom. Ch. 9, Paul now talks about human responsibility in Ch. 10. Let's open up God's Word together now...

Some believers find the fact of God's sovereignty to be confusing, but we should all find it be comforting! If God wasn't in complete control, we'd really be in trouble! Join me now in Romans Ch. 9, as we talk about God's wonderful sovereignty.

Many people today claim to speak on behalf of God, but it's simply not true. Nevertheless, God definitely speaks to us, and it's primarily through His Word. In Romans Ch. 8, God has some remarkable things to say to us as believers, so let's look at that together now.

There's not many things more depressing than living with guilt, shame, and condemnation. On the other hand, how wonderful it is to live without guilt or any of those other things. In Rom. 8, Paul talks about believers having no condemnation, as well as what it means to live our life in the Holy Spirit. Let's look at that together now.

During the recent Olympic Games in Paris, women were competing on the balance beam in gymnastics. Amazingly, that bean, while 16 feet long, is only 4 inches wide! That's how it sometimes feels when it comes to balancing the Christian faith - easy to fall off. Join me in Romans Ch. 7, as Paul talks about balancing our faith.

Remember the old Bob Dylan song, "Gotta serve somebody?" His lyrics included the words, "It may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody." Well according to Romans Ch. 6, Dylans lyrics are spot on! As the apostle Paul explains, we're either slaves to sin or servants of God. Let's take a closer look at that together now in this podcast message!

In the 5th chapter of Romans, Paul describes how we're justified by faith, along with all of the blessings that we receive in Christ. Then Paul goes on to contrast the first man - Adam, and our sin; with the second Man - Jesus, and our salvation. Join us now as we dig deeper into the spiritual riches of Romans Ch. 5

How was Abraham saved? How was David saved? How was Paul saved? How can you be saved?? There's only one way - and it's apart from anything we can do. Let's talk about saving faith in Romans Ch. 4

In a court of law, lawyers often times raise objections to what an opposing lawyer has said. Sometimes the judge declares, "Sustained", and at other times, the judge will say, "Objection overruled!" In Romans 3, Paul tackles the objections raised by unsaved Jews, and in each case, it's "Objection Overruled!" Let's take a closer look at that together now.

As Christians, we understand that we're all sinners in need of God's forgiveness in Christ. But many unsaved people today don't understand this reality, and so they rely on trying to live a moral and respectable life as the means for getting to heaven. Paul exposes the folly of this faulty thinking, in a much-needed message titled, "The Heart of the Problem."

Though we belong to the God of truth, we live in a world full of lies, thanks in large part to the devil. In the 2nd half of Rom. 1, as we consider important truth, it also exposes three very dangerous lies that are quite popular in the world today. What are they? Let's dig in together and find out!

The Book of Romans! Join me as we begin a Bible-study journey through this incredible NT Epistle. Romans reveals "The Heart of the Christian Faith", which is our series title. And in this very first message, we begin with "The Heart of Paul" - and why he wrote this letter to the church in Rome.

Join me as we take a thoughtful look at the most beloved psalm of all time - Psalm 23. You can probably recite it! But are we aware of its rich meaning? Let's examine it together in this podcast titled, "The Lord is My Shepherd."

Where would we be without the Word of God! All 176 verses of Psalm 119 are dedicated to exalting God's Word. Join us now as we consider some of the key verses, and how much they enrich our spiritual lives!

How's your appetite? Most importantly, how's your spiritual appetite? In the 84th Psalm, the writer takes us on a heart-felt pilgrimage to worship God at the house of the Lord. In the process, we discover a lot about our spiritual appetite for the things of God. Let's walk through this Psalm together now.

As God's children, we will all sin. And with those sins, comes a choice - confess it and forsake it, or else know that God will deal with us to bring about our repentance. And the longer we wait, the more miserable we will be. Let's unpack this further now as we look to Psalm 32, and a message titled, "The Joy of God's Forgiveness."

If I may be so bold, this podcast is the one of the most timely and important messages that I've shared recently. As we return to Psalm 139, we come face-to-face with the truth about God as Creator, the sanctity of life, and the importance of having a Biblical world view. Hope you'll tune it!

Did you know that God knows everything about you - including what you do and where you go? He even knows what you're going to say before you say it! Such knowledge can comfort us as believers, but is a frightening prospect to those who don't belong to God. Let's talk about how God knows us "Inside Out" in part 1 of a study in Psalm 139.

In Psalm 117, we're reminded that worship comes from the heart, includes the Gentiles, and proclaims both God's faithfulness and truth. This short psalm packs a big punch, so let's unpack it together in a message titled, "Praise the Lord!"

So a common question people have, and an important question for that matter, is how we know that God really exists. According to Psalm 19, the creation speaks consistently and clearly of God as the Creator. And with that, God's Word reveals who God is. So let's dig into this wonderful psalm!

After so many years of human existence, you would think people would have mastered the art of being happy. But in reality, the opposite is true, and so many people are truly unhappy. But the Bible tells us how to be eternally happy, and so let's look at that together in Psalm 1.

We all love to experience forgiveness, but then forgiving others can become a huge challenge! In his letter to Philemon, the Apostle Paul appeals to his brother in Christ, who has experienced God's forgiveness, to now forgive someone who has wronged him. Let's take a deeper look together at the very important subject of forgiveness.

Is there a Bible character that you identify with? I think it's safe to say, that for many believers, that person is Simon Peter! Many of us identify with his ups and downs, and we appreciate God's faithfulness in Peter's life. So let's consider those things in this podcast, and in a message titled, "A Man Called Peter."

In this podcast, we learn that while Haman the enemy was now dead, there's still a ticking time bomb that needs to be defused. It is Haman's decree that calls for all the Jews to be killed! Esther and Mordecai must rise up again, and take action in order to save God's people. Join us for the thrilling conclusion of Esther's story, in a message titled, "Reversal of Fortune."

In the Bible, the phrase "It just so happened", is the Bible's way of describing the providence of God. And no chapters in the Bible display God's providence quite like these in the Book of Esther. Join us for the thrilling story of Esther, in a message titled, "Sleepless in Shushan."

What makes a true hero? Putting a basketball through a hoop? Striking a guitar chord in a rock song? Having thousands of internet followers? Join us for this podcast message as we consider what true heroes look like, in the remarkable story of Esther!