Telling the Truth

“Temptation itself is neutral: to be tempted indicates neither virtue nor sinfulness, for the proper connotation of temptation is testing, or proving, and virtue is in the resistance and overcoming of temptation, whereas sin is in yielding and capitulation.” (Philip E. Hughes)

"A frustration is an obstacle (an event, person or physical barrier) that hinders our progress toward a goal" (Gary Collins). The children of Israel were definitely frustrated in the wilderness and the Hebrews were reminded to learn from their experience. So are we.

The ancient Greeks believed in a god called "Phobos," meaning (panic) "so strong and dauntless (as) to strike terror even into the heart of a hero." Phobias, or fears, still dominate people's lives—especially "thanatophobia."

The Hebrews, to whom this letter was written, were in danger of abandoning the faith, because they had not grasped the uniqueness of Christ and His offer of grace to help in time of need. They needed "purification for sins." He provided it.

In the Scriptures, oil is used as a symbol of joy and gladness. And we as Christians have a little pot of oil in us that will never run dry. The Holy Spirit is the oil in our lamps that keeps us burning, allowing us to be a light in this dark world.

Even when your theology aligns with the Bible and you recognize that sometimes the righteous are called to suffer, when pain and suffering come your way it can feel a bit like diving into cold water—it can take your breath away and test your faith.  How do we cope while we wait for God to intervene in our painful circumstances? We can look to the story of Job to find answers.

Even when your theology aligns with the Bible and you recognize that sometimes the righteous are called to suffer, when pain and suffering come your way it can feel a bit like diving into cold water—it can take your breath away and test your faith.  How do we cope while we wait for God to intervene in our painful circumstances? We can look to the story of Job to find answers.

A wholesome life is the product of many qualities, including the discipline of maintaining healthy relationships.

A wholesome life is the product of many qualities, including the discipline of maintaining healthy relationships.

Would you ever imagine that the commandments of the Old Covenant could become the promises of the New Covenant? In this message, guest speaker Charles Price explains how the purpose, effect, and fulfillment of the Mosaic law reveals the end-purpose of the gospel of grace.

Would you ever imagine that the commandments of the Old Covenant could become the promises of the New Covenant? In this message, guest speaker Charles Price explains how the purpose, effect, and fulfillment of the Mosaic law reveals the end-purpose of the gospel of grace.

While here on earth, Jesus himself sought communion with God through prayer. His disciples were to do likewise. He gave us a pattern to follow. For those who ask, seek, and knock, God is more than willing to answer. He is even more willing than friends or an earthly father, as Jesus explains through the parables. But the Christian's prayer requests need to be in line with Jesus' model prayer.

While here on earth, Jesus himself sought communion with God through prayer. His disciples were to do likewise. He gave us a pattern to follow. For those who ask, seek, and knock, God is more than willing to answer. He is even more willing than friends or an earthly father, as Jesus explains through the parables. But the Christian's prayer requests need to be in line with Jesus' model prayer.

One of the things that matters most to Jesus is our personal relationship with Him. This matters to Him even when it doesn't matter to us! He offers the human race an incredible invitation. He says, “Let's talk.” What does this mean? It involves listening to His Word and responding in prayer.

Faith means to believe with expectancy, but it also means to rest and trust. When we pray for healing, we're not always certain of what God's will is, but we can come before him with an attitude of rest and trust.  In this message Stuart Briscoe teaches from James 5:13-18 to help us understand why prayer for the sick is important, why we should pray, and what we can expect from God in answering our prayers. You'll come away with a greater understanding about the decisive factors that make prayer work.

Faith means to believe with expectancy, but it also means to rest and trust. When we pray for healing, we're not always certain of what God's will is, but we can come before him with an attitude of rest and trust.  In this message Stuart Briscoe teaches from James 5:13-18 to help us understand why prayer for the sick is important, why we should pray, and what we can expect from God in answering our prayers. You'll come away with a greater understanding about the decisive factors that make prayer work.

There are many instances in Scripture where Jesus cured the sick—physically and spiritually. Can we expect that same kind of healing? Why are some people healed while others are not? These are important questions worthy of study, but another question that is equally important to ask is: why did Jesus perform miracles in the first place? Too often we have an inaccurate understanding of why Jesus heals. We're so desperate with our self-interests that we miss the point of his healings—the true significance. In this message by Stuart Briscoe, we learn what Jesus was trying to illustrate with miracle healings and discover the hope we have in overcoming our troubles and ailments.

There are many instances in Scripture where Jesus cured the sick—physically and spiritually. Can we expect that same kind of healing? Why are some people healed while others are not? These are important questions worthy of study, but another question that is equally important to ask is: why did Jesus perform miracles in the first place? Too often we have an inaccurate understanding of why Jesus heals. We're so desperate with our self-interests that we miss the point of his healings—the true significance. In this message by Stuart Briscoe, we learn what Jesus was trying to illustrate with miracle healings and discover the hope we have in overcoming our troubles and ailments.

We're hungry for spectacular healing in our lives—for God to take away our infirmities in a moment's work. For 38 years the crippled man lay on his filthy mat near the pool of Bethesda hoping to be healed when the water stirred. Jesus sought him out and asked him, “Do you want to get well?” On the surface, this might seem like an odd question, but maybe Jesus was getting at something richly profound. In this message taught from John 5:1-15, Stuart Briscoe discusses how when Jesus performs a spectacular healing miracle, he heals so much more than just our bodies.

Suffering can seem like an endless battle, because as soon as you get in it, you just want to get out. Hours, days, weeks, months, or even years can go by and you're still asking, "How long, oh Lord?" So what do you do when you're in a seemingly endless season of hardship? In this message, Jill shares how when we're willing to wait out our seasons of suffering, God won't let the time go to waste.

When trouble comes your way, are you quick to question it? Have you ever gone so far as to question God Himself? The world can tempt us into asking, How could a loving God let something so terrible happen? Have you ever found yourself pondering that question? Instead of questioning the character of God, Job willingly received suffering from God's hands. But how was he able to accept the seemingly unacceptable? Jill shares how we can experience a transformation of attitude and move from a place of questioning God to a place of trusting God.

When trouble comes your way, are you quick to question it? Have you ever gone so far as to question God Himself? The world can tempt us into asking, How could a loving God let something so terrible happen? Have you ever found yourself pondering that question? Instead of questioning the character of God, Job willingly received suffering from God's hands. But how was he able to accept the seemingly unacceptable? Jill shares how we can experience a transformation of attitude and move from a place of questioning God to a place of trusting God.

It is no secret that the human race is in deep trouble, but there is little agreement on the exact nature and the extent of the problems. Scripture not only explains the situation, but also outlines God's response...His gracious plan of salvation.

Having blessed God for His blessings lavished on the Ephesians, Paul comments on their behavior and then launches into a prayer for their continued spiritual development which gives us a clue to what God plans for believers.

When the storms of life come and the waves are crashing violently, do you find it difficult to trust that God is present and working? Whether or not you can see Him, Jesus is walking on the water in the midst of your storm—and He's asking you to step out in faith and trust Him. In this message, Jill Briscoe uses the story of Peter walking on water to teach how you can learn to trust Jesus more passionately and confidently even in the midst of life's most challenging storms. 

Once you become a Christian, what happens next? When Jesus called His disciples, He had one very simple request: “Follow me.” But although the phrase is simple, living it out doesn't always seem so easy. Jill Briscoe looks at how five disciples came to Christ and started to passionately follow Him. She'll explain how following Jesus is a way of purpose, fulfillment, and endless adventure. It's better than any life you could dream up on your own. 

Once you become a Christian, what happens next? When Jesus called His disciples, He had one very simple request: “Follow me.” But although the phrase is simple, living it out doesn't always seem so easy. Jill Briscoe looks at how five disciples came to Christ and started to passionately follow Him. She'll explain how following Jesus is a way of purpose, fulfillment, and endless adventure. It's better than any life you could dream up on your own. 

Once you become a Christian, what happens next? When Jesus called His disciples, He had one very simple request: “Follow me.” But although the phrase is simple, living it out doesn't always seem so easy. Jill Briscoe looks at how five disciples came to Christ and started to passionately follow Him. She'll explain how following Jesus is a way of purpose, fulfillment, and endless adventure. It's better than any life you could dream up on your own. 

Have you received Christ into your life? How can you confidently tell? Maybe you've become a Christian but you sometimes doubt your salvation because you're not seeing change in your life. So, what should your life as a Christian look like? In this message, Jill Briscoe explains the evidence of a life marked by Jesus and shares how you can confidently know that you have received Christ.

Have you received Christ into your life? How can you confidently tell? Maybe you've become a Christian but you sometimes doubt your salvation because you're not seeing change in your life. So, what should your life as a Christian look like? In this message, Jill Briscoe explains the evidence of a life marked by Jesus and shares how you can confidently know that you have received Christ.

On a mountainside in Galilee, Jesus preached a sermon for the ages. In it He turned every religious principle on its head, carrying His hearers from conduct to character, rules to righteousness, and laws to life. In this message, guest speaker Charles Price gets to the heart of Christ's Sermon on the Mount. As you follow him through Jesus' message, you too will be carried from the expectation of external action to the blessed grace of internal transformation.

On a mountainside in Galilee, Jesus preached a sermon for the ages. In it He turned every religious principle on its head, carrying His hearers from conduct to character, rules to righteousness, and laws to life. In this message, guest speaker Charles Price gets to the heart of Christ's Sermon on the Mount. As you follow him through Jesus' message, you too will be carried from the expectation of external action to the blessed grace of internal transformation.

Paul's objective in writing the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians was not to produce a timeless Christian marriage reading or even a masterpiece of wisdom literature—though both of those things surely happened. His concern was to instruct and develop a loving, gifted church.

How do you know what love looks like? Maybe you grew up in a household of care and support—and you feel you have a pretty good grasp on the concept. But maybe you've experienced some painful relationships—and you really struggle to know what love truly is. In this message, Jill points out the beautiful ways you can understand love as it's described in Scripture. You'll learn how to receive love from God and others, and how to express Christ's love through His Spirit in you.

How do you know what love looks like? Maybe you grew up in a household of care and support—and you feel you have a pretty good grasp on the concept. But maybe you've experienced some painful relationships—and you really struggle to know what love truly is. In this message, Jill points out the beautiful ways you can understand love as it's described in Scripture. You'll learn how to receive love from God and others, and how to express Christ's love through His Spirit in you.

The love of God is not just a theological truth. And the love of God is infinitely more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. As the Scriptures so wonderfully proclaim, the love of God is an accomplished, demonstrable fact that can be objectively examined, subjectively experienced, and positively enjoyed in all its life-changing glory.

The love of God is not just a theological truth. And the love of God is infinitely more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. As the Scriptures so wonderfully proclaim, the love of God is an accomplished, demonstrable fact that can be objectively examined, subjectively experienced, and positively enjoyed in all its life-changing glory.

It's easy for us to question God when He chooses us for a task. We feel unqualified, like God has made a mistake. But God often chooses the unexpected to do His work. David was the definition of unexpected. He was the youngest, the smallest shepherd boy—but he was chosen by God to be king. In this message, Jill shows us that all of us have been anointed and given the ability to receive a calling and equipping from God.

It's easy for us to question God when He chooses us for a task. We feel unqualified, like God has made a mistake. But God often chooses the unexpected to do His work. David was the definition of unexpected. He was the youngest, the smallest shepherd boy—but he was chosen by God to be king. In this message, Jill shows us that all of us have been anointed and given the ability to receive a calling and equipping from God.

Everybody is looking for some degree of acceptance. Everybody wants to have some sense of significance and to feel like they are “giving back.” In other words, we have the need to experience love and the need to express love to others. If these needs aren't met, it can cause us to look for love in all the wrong places. In this message, Stuart teaches of an obtainable love that can satisfy and bring meaning to our lives—supplying comfort even during troubling times.

Having reminded the Colossians about the things they believe, Paul now turns his attention to how they should behave. Christians recognize that because belief and behavior are inextricably bound up in each other, any erosion of belief will lead inevitably to a deterioration in behavior. 

Having reminded the Colossians about the things they believe, Paul now turns his attention to how they should behave. Christians recognize that because belief and behavior are inextricably bound up in each other, any erosion of belief will lead inevitably to a deterioration in behavior. 

The Colossian Christians were being troubled by people who were confusing them and hindering their spiritual progress. Paul spoke forcibly to the issue and in so doing he reminds us that we should be on our guard against those who would be less than helpful to our spiritual lives. 

Having begun their spiritual journey, the Colossians needed encouragement to continue as they had started because factors entered their lives that would take them off course. 

John Bunyan's famous allegory, "Pilgrim's Progress," described the journey of the believer from the "slough of despond" to "the celestial city." In less picturesque terms, Paul did the same for the Colossians. We, too, need to know how to get there from here. 

Paul's letter to the church in Colosse was written in the customary style of his day, but it contains truth of lasting importance for people in diverse cultures in all ages. His opening greetings contain much information about the beginnings of spiritual experience. 

You can't be a peacemaker if you don't have peace with Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We've all heard this before, but do we really understand what that means and how to practice it in our lives?  In this message, Jill Briscoe talks about the path to finding our peace with Jesus and making peace with others. It's an important topic—because we can't mend our marriages, settle family conflicts, or resolve issues with others if we don't truly understand what having peace means. 

You can't be a peacemaker if you don't have peace with Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We've all heard this before, but do we really understand what that means and how to practice it in our lives?  In this message, Jill Briscoe talks about the path to finding our peace with Jesus and making peace with others. It's an important topic—because we can't mend our marriages, settle family conflicts, or resolve issues with others if we don't truly understand what having peace means. 

So often when we talk of peace, we think of it in terms of resolving a difficult situation. The biblical understanding of peace goes much deeper than that; and thankfully so, because the reality is that we'll never be free from hostile environments and stressful situations. The Apostle Paul knew that and wanted us to understand the unexplainable peace that is available to believers through Jesus. In this message, Stuart Briscoe teaches from Romans 5 to explain the blessing of peace for those justified by faith. A peace unrelated to our external circumstances but related to our internal relationship with our Creator.

So often when we talk of peace, we think of it in terms of resolving a difficult situation. The biblical understanding of peace goes much deeper than that; and thankfully so, because the reality is that we'll never be free from hostile environments and stressful situations. The Apostle Paul knew that and wanted us to understand the unexplainable peace that is available to believers through Jesus. In this message, Stuart Briscoe teaches from Romans 5 to explain the blessing of peace for those justified by faith. A peace unrelated to our external circumstances but related to our internal relationship with our Creator.

Shalom means peace. It defines a type of inner peace and sense of order on the inside, even when there is chaos around us. Our lives are full of uncertainties that lead people to suffer with anxiety, chronic worry, and sometimes sheer panic. In this message, Stuart Briscoe teaches from Philippians to show us where and how to find peace of mind.