The Implanted Word is the teaching ministry of Pastor Bill Gehm. Pastor Bill is the senior pastor of Grace Church in Amarillo, Texas. Grace Church is a Calvary Chapel, and pastor Bill takes a verse by verse approach to preaching the Bible. We pray that you are encouraged in your faith as you listen to God's Word.
It's important that we know the Word of God and know right from wrong. It is also important that we let our friends and family know the truth as well! Now, more often than not, we can get hung up on just telling people God's truth, and we forget God's grace, patience, and even love. In today's message, Pastor Bill will show how to speak God's truth, but cover it with God's grace! Truth without grace is simply brutality. As a Christian, you are the hands and feet of Jesus, and that is sharing truth with love!
Being a Christian isn't a religion, it isn't about going to church, it isn't even about how good you are…it is simply about Jesus Christ and our love for Him! In today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you to remember what being a follower of Christ is all about…it's spending time with Christ, learning to be more like Him, and sharing that unmeritorious love that He showed you, with others! You are a saved, loved, and brand-new person in Jesus Christ!! Why wouldn't you want to share that with others?!
Sin is a terrible scourge that has wreaked havoc on the human race. So much suffering and evil exist in this world, and it seemingly goes unchecked. But Pastor Bill reminds you that there is a ledger in the heavenly realms, a log of every sin ever committed. And one day, Jesus is going to judge the living and the dead. But if you have put your faith in Jesus and given your heart to Him, your account can be wiped clean. No sin is too great for Jesus to forgive if you come to Him with a repentant heart.
Sin is a terrible scourge that has wreaked havoc on the human race. So much suffering and evil exist in this world, and it seemingly goes unchecked. But Pastor Bill reminds you that there is a ledger in the heavenly realms, a log of every sin ever committed. And one day, Jesus is going to judge the living and the dead. But if you have put your faith in Jesus and given your heart to Him, your account can be wiped clean. No sin is too great for Jesus to forgive if you come to Him with a repentant heart.
How many times has God answered your prayers in ways you didn't expect? It's not because He doesn't care about you, but maybe He has a greater purpose in mind for your life. In the case of Acts chapter 3, the Lord waited to heal the crippled man at the Temple until there was a moment for that miracle to affect everyone around that man as well. You may think that your suffering is unending now, but the Lord is waiting for that perfect moment to bring restoration to your soul.
How many times has God answered your prayers in ways you didn't expect? It's not because He doesn't care about you, but maybe He has a greater purpose in mind for your life. In the case of Acts chapter 3, the Lord waited to heal the crippled man at the Temple until there was a moment for that miracle to affect everyone around that man as well. You may think that your suffering is unending now, but the Lord is waiting for that perfect moment to bring restoration to your soul.
It is important to be aware of what is going on in the world. Even though we no longer belong to the world, instead belonging to Christ, we should still have compassion on those who are enslaved by the snares of evil in the world we currently live in. Pastor Bill reminds us that there is chaos and sin driving everything around us, and we have been given the message of hope that will drive out the darkness; the message that Jesus will come again to rescue His bride from the devil's clutches.
It is important to be aware of what is going on in the world. Even though we no longer belong to the world, instead belonging to Christ, we should still have compassion on those who are enslaved by the snares of evil in the world we currently live in. Pastor Bill reminds us that there is chaos and sin driving everything around us, and we have been given the message of hope that will drive out the darkness; the message that Jesus will come again to rescue His bride from the devil's clutches.
A healthy church shouldn't feel like a chore to belong to. The Church in Acts chapter 2 was made up of closely knit relationships, of people from all walks of life bound together by the common thread that they had been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Pastor Bill shares with you today that it's so important to feel unity with your brothers and sisters. This world is hard enough on its own, but it's even more difficult if you try and forgo the fellowship and community of the Church.
A healthy church shouldn't feel like a chore to belong to. The Church in Acts chapter 2 was made up of closely knit relationships, of people from all walks of life bound together by the common thread that they had been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Pastor Bill shares with you today that it's so important to feel unity with your brothers and sisters. This world is hard enough on its own, but it's even more difficult if you try and forgo the fellowship and community of the Church.
Some people navigate very carefully through life, pausing frequently to evaluate where they find themselves and if they're in a healthy place. Especially in a new church, it can be difficult to determine if the community is actually healthy, or if it's just putting on a facade to draw in new members. But Pastor Bill gives you a surefire way to identify a healthy church: Are they teaching the word of God? If a church focuses on something other than the Bible, it is not built on a foundation that will last.
Some people navigate very carefully through life, pausing frequently to evaluate where they find themselves and if they're in a healthy place. Especially in a new church, it can be difficult to determine if the community is actually healthy, or if it's just putting on a facade to draw in new members. But Pastor Bill gives you a surefire way to identify a healthy church: Are they teaching the word of God? If a church focuses on something other than the Bible, it is not built on a foundation that will last.
It's easy to take a passionate person the wrong way. When you hear a street preacher sharing the Gospel, your first reaction might be one of anger or annoyance. But when someone stops for a moment and listens to the words being said, they may just realize that the passion doesn't come from someone's mental instability, but from a real-life change that has taken place in the speaker's heart! Pastor Bill reminds you that Peter was able to address entire crowds once he was emboldened by the Holy Spirit.
It's easy to take a passionate person the wrong way. When you hear a street preacher sharing the Gospel, your first reaction might be one of anger or annoyance. But when someone stops for a moment and listens to the words being said, they may just realize that the passion doesn't come from someone's mental instability, but from a real-life change that has taken place in the speaker's heart! Pastor Bill reminds you that Peter was able to address entire crowds once he was emboldened by the Holy Spirit.
When you have a dirty coffee cup, do you just wash the outside of the cup before using it again? No, you need to wash the inside of the cup in order to remove the dirt and residue that has built up on the inside. Pastor Bill wants you to recognize today that in order for your life to be restored to the way God created you to be, the Holy Spirit needs to work from the inside out. If you try to fix yourself, you're going from the outside in, and you won't be able to weed out the deep-seated sin on your own.
When you have a dirty coffee cup, do you just wash the outside of the cup before using it again? No, you need to wash the inside of the cup in order to remove the dirt and residue that has built up on the inside. Pastor Bill wants you to recognize today that in order for your life to be restored to the way God created you to be, the Holy Spirit needs to work from the inside out. If you try to fix yourself, you're going from the outside in, and you won't be able to weed out the deep-seated sin on your own.
When the prophet Elijah fled into the wilderness, God told Him to meet on top of a mountain. A strong wind, an earthquake, and a great wildfire passed by, but God's presence wasn't in those phenomena. His voice cut through the silence right to the prophet's heart. Pastor Bill teaches you today that the Holy Spirit works in the same way: He doesn't speak to you through signs and wonders, but through the quiet moments spent meditating on God's Word. He's ready to speak to you in the silence.
When the prophet Elijah fled into the wilderness, God told Him to meet on top of a mountain. A strong wind, an earthquake, and a great wildfire passed by, but God's presence wasn't in those phenomena. His voice cut through the silence right to the prophet's heart. Pastor Bill teaches you today that the Holy Spirit works in the same way: He doesn't speak to you through signs and wonders, but through the quiet moments spent meditating on God's Word. He's ready to speak to you in the silence.
God is a God of surprises! You may think that you know the exact way that He is going to bring something to pass, but when He follows through, He uses a way that you had completely failed to consider beforehand. Pastor Bill teaches you today about the early Church in Acts chapter 2, and how they could not have predicted the way that God would bring new believers into the Body of Christ. The Lord loves to break humanity's expectations, reminding you to never underestimate Him.
God is a God of surprises! You may think that you know the exact way that He is going to bring something to pass, but when He follows through, He uses a way that you had completely failed to consider beforehand. Pastor Bill teaches you today about the early Church in Acts chapter 2, and how they could not have predicted the way that God would bring new believers into the Body of Christ. The Lord loves to break humanity's expectations, reminding you to never underestimate Him.
The message of the Gospel should give you urgency! You don't know when Jesus is going to return for His Church. Although it is a basic instinct to anticipate the time that you are going to spend with the Lord in Heaven, you should also be concerned for your brothers and sisters who haven't encountered Jesus yet. Pastor Bill wants you to be concerned for those who are going to be left behind when Jesus returns, because the Lord's heart breaks for those who are going to miss out on Heaven.
The message of the Gospel should give you urgency! You don't know when Jesus is going to return for His Church. Although it is a basic instinct to anticipate the time that you are going to spend with the Lord in Heaven, you should also be concerned for your brothers and sisters who haven't encountered Jesus yet. Pastor Bill wants you to be concerned for those who are going to be left behind when Jesus returns, because the Lord's heart breaks for those who are going to miss out on Heaven.
The amazing thing about the Gospel is that it opens up communion with God to people of all walks of life, any ethnic background, and even of any age. In Old Testament times, only those consecrated by God could approach His presence. But Pastor Bill reminds you that once Jesus died on the cross, the connection was restored for all humanity. Anyone who recognizes the sickness of sin in their own hearts and calls on the name of Jesus will be welcomed into the Kingdom.
The amazing thing about the Gospel is that it opens up communion with God to people of all walks of life, any ethnic background, and even of any age. In Old Testament times, only those consecrated by God could approach His presence. But Pastor Bill reminds you that once Jesus died on the cross, the connection was restored for all humanity. Anyone who recognizes the sickness of sin in their own hearts and calls on the name of Jesus will be welcomed into the Kingdom.
Trying to be a witness for God without the power of the Holy Spirit is like trying to drive a car without gas in it. Yes, you have the passion and the drive to reach people for Jesus, but you need that supernatural fuel to get things really going. Pastor Bill teaches you today about how the early Church was driven by the Holy Spirit, empowered to spread the Gospel in a world that was still hostile to the teachings of Jesus. The Lord can and will do amazing things through you by His Holy Spirit.
Trying to be a witness for God without the power of the Holy Spirit is like trying to drive a car without gas in it. Yes, you have the passion and the drive to reach people for Jesus, but you need that supernatural fuel to get things really going. Pastor Bill teaches you today about how the early Church was driven by the Holy Spirit, empowered to spread the Gospel in a world that was still hostile to the teachings of Jesus. The Lord can and will do amazing things through you by His Holy Spirit.
In order to experience the plans that God has for us in this life, we need to accept the Holy Spirit into our lives. Pastor Bill teaches us today that just like Mary listened to the words of the angel Gabriel and received the blessing of carrying Jesus, you and I have the privilege to carry the power of God around with us as well. When we accept the Holy Spirit's power in our lives, He will work in our hearts and change the world around us. But He won't do any of that if we don't accept Him with a cheerful heart.
In order to experience the plans that God has for us in this life, we need to accept the Holy Spirit into our lives. Pastor Bill teaches us today that just like Mary listened to the words of the angel Gabriel and received the blessing of carrying Jesus, you and I have the privilege to carry the power of God around with us as well. When we accept the Holy Spirit's power in our lives, He will work in our hearts and change the world around us. But He won't do any of that if we don't accept Him with a cheerful heart.
One of the ways that the Holy Spirit can work in your life is to reconcile relationships that may have been strained or broken by past conflict. Pastor Bill encourages you today that those friends and family members who seem too far away from God are only one encounter away from giving their lives over to Him. So while you remain faithful in prayer, asking the Lord to reveal Himself to those lost sheep, He is working behind the scenes to redirect their attention and help them see what they are missing out on.
One of the ways that the Holy Spirit can work in your life is to reconcile relationships that may have been strained or broken by past conflict. Pastor Bill encourages you today that those friends and family members who seem too far away from God are only one encounter away from giving their lives over to Him. So while you remain faithful in prayer, asking the Lord to reveal Himself to those lost sheep, He is working behind the scenes to redirect their attention and help them see what they are missing out on.
From the moment God created Adam, He desired to have a relationship with humanity. But when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, that bond between man and God was broken. Pastor Bill teaches you today that just as mankind was given life by the breath of God, it was the last breath of Jesus on the cross that restored the bond that man had broken. And just like you've received that new breath of life in Jesus, He also wants to breathe His Holy Spirit to live inside you as well.
From the moment God created Adam, He desired to have a relationship with humanity. But when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, that bond between man and God was broken. Pastor Bill teaches you today that just as mankind was given life by the breath of God, it was the last breath of Jesus on the cross that restored the bond that man had broken. And just like you've received that new breath of life in Jesus, He also wants to breathe His Holy Spirit to live inside you as well.
Think about the people that you come across in your everyday life. Do they notice anything different about you? Is there something different about you that separates you from your peers and makes them want to know more? Pastor Bill encourages you today that with the strength of the Holy Spirit, you can be empowered to stand apart, to be a light in the darkness. Your goal should be for your life to guide people's eyes toward Jesus, so that they can encounter Him for themselves.
Think about the people that you come across in your everyday life. Do they notice anything different about you? Is there something different about you that separates you from your peers and makes them want to know more? Pastor Bill encourages you today that with the strength of the Holy Spirit, you can be empowered to stand apart, to be a light in the darkness. Your goal should be for your life to guide people's eyes toward Jesus, so that they can encounter Him for themselves.
You've probably heard preachers who say that God shows His favor on you by showering you with riches, all in an effort to get you to open up your wallet. But God wants something more than just your money, He wants your obedience. Pastor Bill teaches today that the Lord uses people in all walks of life to reach the people right where they are. If you think that your life is too small for God to use, think again! The same God who multiplied the loaves and fishes can multiply His Kingdom through you.
You've probably heard preachers who say that God shows His favor on you by showering you with riches, all in an effort to get you to open up your wallet. But God wants something more than just your money, He wants your obedience. Pastor Bill teaches today that the Lord uses people in all walks of life to reach the people right where they are. If you think that your life is too small for God to use, think again! The same God who multiplied the loaves and fishes can multiply His Kingdom through you.
It can feel intimidating to be part of Jesus' grand plan for the world. After all, we're imperfect people! Every single one of us has a rap sheet with thousands of reasons why we don't measure up to Jesus' standard of righteousness. But Pastor Bill reminds us that all throughout Scripture, God has used imperfect people to complete His work on this Earth. So why is it any different now? Let's allow the Lord to use our testimonies and our lives to reach those who wouldn't be reached otherwise.
It can feel intimidating to be part of Jesus' grand plan for the world. After all, we're imperfect people! Every single one of us has a rap sheet with thousands of reasons why we don't measure up to Jesus' standard of righteousness. But Pastor Bill reminds us that all throughout Scripture, God has used imperfect people to complete His work on this Earth. So why is it any different now? Let's allow the Lord to use our testimonies and our lives to reach those who wouldn't be reached otherwise.
The Church is such a vital part of our walk with the Lord. It is Biblical that we spend time in the body of Christ, serving one another and growing in our faith as a whole. In today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you not to forsake the gift of the Church. Having a group of people who love the Lord, love you, and can be spiritually trusted is a gift we may never fully comprehend! DON'T take it for granted! Soak up the wisdom and share as many of your blessings and gifts as you possibly can!
The Church is such a vital part of our walk with the Lord. It is Biblical that we spend time in the body of Christ, serving one another and growing in our faith as a whole. In today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you not to forsake the gift of the Church. Having a group of people who love the Lord, love you, and can be spiritually trusted is a gift we may never fully comprehend! DON'T take it for granted! Soak up the wisdom and share as many of your blessings and gifts as you possibly can!
Have you ever experienced a wave of peace in the midst of this crazy life? Whether it's when you first wake up or you're in God's creation or whatever it may be, that peace that you have experienced is what the Church should be like. It should be God's people working all together as a well-working body. In today's message, Pastor Bill will show you how Church should be a breath of fresh air…literally. You should have an unexplainable peace when you're in the Church body.
Have you ever experienced a wave of peace in the midst of this crazy life? Whether it's when you first wake up or you're in God's creation or whatever it may be, that peace that you have experienced is what the Church should be like. It should be God's people working all together as a well-working body. In today's message, Pastor Bill will show you how Church should be a breath of fresh air…literally. You should have an unexplainable peace when you're in the Church body.
It's one thing to read the Bible and go to church. It's a whole other thing to surrender to the Lord and have a deep relationship with Him. In today's message, Pastor Bill will teach you that there is a turning point in your faith that demands a choice. You have to choose, “Is Jesus going to be my Lord? Am I going to let Him rule and reign in and over my life?” These are questions that must be answered in order to move closer to God. You have to make the choice, no one else can doo it for you…so is Jesus your Lord?
It's one thing to read the Bible and go to church. It's a whole other thing to surrender to the Lord and have a deep relationship with Him. In today's message, Pastor Bill will teach you that there is a turning point in your faith that demands a choice. You have to choose, “Is Jesus going to be my Lord? Am I going to let Him rule and reign in and over my life?” These are questions that must be answered in order to move closer to God. You have to make the choice, no one else can doo it for you…so is Jesus your Lord?
Whether we're a husband or wife, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or even just a friend, the words we speak matter. How we discuss any topic and the tone we use are important. In today's message, Pastor Bill will show how a husband needs to speak with his wife, but these rules apply to all people. No matter what relationship you have with the other person, you must speak in a way that represents Jesus well! You have to set aside your own words and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you!
Whether we're a husband or wife, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or even just a friend, the words we speak matter. How we discuss any topic and the tone we use are important. In today's message, Pastor Bill will show how a husband needs to speak with his wife, but these rules apply to all people. No matter what relationship you have with the other person, you must speak in a way that represents Jesus well! You have to set aside your own words and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you!
What we are clothed with is much more than simply the clothes we buy and wear on our bodies. It is how we dress ourselves in the Lord, how we wear His righteousness on us like the finest cloth out there. In today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you, in a world obsessed with how people look on the outside, to be more concerned with what's on the inside! How you dress yourself in kindness, joy, and peace will leave a bigger impression on people than any trending clothing brand or style!
What we are clothed with is much more than simply the clothes we buy and wear on our bodies. It is how we dress ourselves in the Lord, how we wear His righteousness on us like the finest cloth out there. In today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you, in a world obsessed with how people look on the outside, to be more concerned with what's on the inside! How you dress yourself in kindness, joy, and peace will leave a bigger impression on people than any trending clothing brand or style!
When we get saved and are born again through Jesus Christ, we also get the Helper... the Holy Spirit, to guide our steps according to how Jesus lived! He's like a friend that we get to have with us twentyfour-seven…what a gift!!! In today's message, Pastor Bill will tell you a little about that gift and how you don't have to live this new life alone! You have a personal helper with you every second of every day to guide you through this new walk and to help you grow closer and look more like Jesus Christ!
When we get saved and are born again through Jesus Christ, we also get the Helper... the Holy Spirit, to guide our steps according to how Jesus lived! He's like a friend that we get to have with us twentyfour-seven…what a gift!!! In today's message, Pastor Bill will tell you a little about that gift and how you don't have to live this new life alone! You have a personal helper with you every second of every day to guide you through this new walk and to help you grow closer and look more like Jesus Christ!
Typically, Proverbs 31 is a chapter geared towards women, but the Bible is for women and men! The whole thing, from Genesis to Revelation, can be applicable to men and women… no matter what. In today's message, Pastor Bill will teach that you can't turn past certain chapters or verses just because they use gender specific language. Every single chapter and verse is meant to teach you something! So, dig into the Word and find new ways to grow in your faith that maybe you haven't noticed before!