The Implanted Word Podcast

Here's the real hope of the book of Revelation; everything we are going through now is temporary. We will have troubles in this world—Jesus himself promised us that—but they end! And in the end, the lamb wins. The dragon can roar and kill but his reign will end. The enemy can come against us with health problems and relationship problems and money problems but none of them are forever. Pastor Bill will show us today that the cure for every temporary earthly problem is the coming of the Lamb.

Pastor Bill will talk about what really matters in life today. When we look at Revelation, it's about so much more than the Dragons and Beasts and heads and horns and trumpets! It's all about worship. It's all about your worship! The enemy above all else desires to steal our hearts from God, and he will bring every counterfeit deity to the table to demand them from us. But the love of God draws us in and gives us a slain lamb who is worthy of all our worship. Who will you give your worship to today?

I sometimes feel like I'm stuck in the muck of life and can't seem to get any traction to pull myself out. Do you ever feel that way? Then just when you think you're making some headway, there's another new crisis to pull you back yet again! Pastor Bill is working through the book of Revelation, and he's going to remind us today that this book was given to us to encourage and strengthen us. If you could use some encouragement and help to get out of the muck, stick around for today's message!

Pastor Bill is going to bring us in close with Jesus today and share with us the ultimate invitation: to be in an intimate relationship with him. Part of that relationship is reading his love letter to us—the Bible. His love for us is woven into every page and all we have to do is take the time to look! The Bible was written about us and for us. And spending time in that sweet letter can fill everything inside us that is yearning to be loved. Far from a chore, we get to soak in God's love every time we read it.

Do you feel like there is a void in your life? You try and try to have deep, meaningful connections with people. You keep putting yourself out there in hopes you'll find that one person who fills your soul, or you'll find that close friend everyone else seems to have found? Pastor Bill is going to tell us today about someone special who is already looking for you. His heart is turned toward you and he's been searching for you since the day you were born! If you're ready to meet him, keep listening!

God didn't create man because he needs us. God doesn't have a giant ego looking to be filled with the praise of humans, and he doesn't need us for company — God is three persons and has full community within himself. So why are we here? What compelled the God of the universe to create humans and why does he want to have community with us? What is this grand invitation that Pastor Bill is talking about today? Let's listen in and find out because it's an invitation you really don't want to miss!

In elementary school, children are taught where to go to in their school if there's ever a tornado. They go to the spot for safety and then kneel on the floor and cover their heads. In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches that there is a place for safety for Christians too. It's a place to run to in times of trouble or persecution. It's the church... not the building but rather the collective group of believers. God has a place for you in His family. Reach out for support and encouragement.

Do you ever have days when you feel like you're not good enough...Maybe it's more than a day...maybe you have weeks or months where you feel like a storm cloud is traveling over you saturating you with doubt and despair. Today, Pastor Bill teaches that you can silence those thoughts. When you believe in Jesus Christ you have the power to silence the accuser, the devil, because YOU are made WORTHY by Christ. His death on the cross and your belief, make you worthy of love in this world and in Heaven.

We live in a fast-paced world... If you want food, you can pick it up at a drive-thru or heat something up instantly in the microwave. Your need for food can be met pretty quickly. In today's message, Pastor Bill explains that God doesn't work like things in the fast-paced world. His time is different from the world's time. Just like in the book of Daniel, it may take DAYS to see the answer to your prayers. The book of Revelation is also on God's time...and you can count on His perfect timing.

Christmas cards are beautiful with scenes of snow-covered fields and acres of evergreen trees. However, today Pastor Bill explains that the real Christmas story took place on a cross in Golgotha where Jesus was crucified. His birth story is beautiful but the story of His crucifixion is a battle cry of victory over death. When you trust in Jesus as your Savior, His victory is your victory too! While a spiritual war rages all around you... the battle has already been won. You can rest in the peace of knowing Jesus fights for you.

When you think of Christmas...do you think of twinkling lights and stockings hung by the fire? Maybe you think of wise men traveling on camels to find baby Jesus...All these things are good thoughts...but today... Pastor Bill presents another side of Christmas. He explains that a great and wondrous sign appeared to John in Revelation in the form of a pregnant woman. She represents the nation of Israel. Israel was destroyed but later restored by God. He can restore your life too if you trust in Him.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will remind you that there are many gifts of the Holy Spirit and servitude is often an overlooked gift. The gift of servitude is one of an inward attitude of the heart. To serve someone, you must be humble, and humble servants are those that make the church world go round. These humble servants are the ones that serve selflessly in church and help ministries to grow and work for the kingdom of God. We can all learn to become humble servants for the Lord and the Church.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you to celebrate the second coming of the Lord! Jesus came to the world once as a baby in a manger, this is one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith. Another cornerstone of the Christian faith is that Jesus will come to the Earth again! As Christians, it's our responsibility to vigilantly watch for the signs of the second coming of Christ. The Bible lays out clear signs of His coming... And when He does, we will rejoice with Him and the Church!

In today's message, Pastor Bill will remind you to be thankful no matter what your circumstances may be. In our modern context, we're often so richly blessed that we take things for granted. We might take for granted our vehicles, homes, and easy access to food... But what about when we're struggling? Do we remember to be thankful then? It's important that when the trials of life come our way that we don't lose sight of what God has already given to us. We can still be thankful in the midst of hardship.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will share with you about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. It can be really easy to share about Jesus in certain circumstances. Having a conversation at work, at school, or at the grocery store doesn't seem like too big of a challenge... But that isn't always the case. Sometimes God will tug on our hearts to share about Him in places or to people that make us uncomfortable. The important thing is that we ask the Holy Spirit to give us strength and obey the calling.

Today, Pastor Bill will share with you about the whole armor of God and why it's vitally important that we make use of it each and every day. Those days where you fought with your spouse, yelled at your kid, or snapped at a coworker happen to us all... But as Christians, we have something that can help us, the armor of God. By utilizing the helmet of salvation, shield of faith, belt of truth, sword of the Spirit, and the breastplate of righteousness... We can face any trouble that comes our way through the empowering of God.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will remind you that the kingdom of God is coming. Yes, the kingdom of God has already come in the hearts and lives of each and every Christian... But more specifically, the kingdom of God is physically coming to Earth! One day, Jesus will return in glory and power! He'll come back to reign on the Earth for 1,000 years, He will bind Satan and the kingdom of God will rule the Earth! As citizens of heaven, we will be with the Lord during His reign on the Earth in perfect harmony.

Have you ever read a scripture verse and couldn't imagine how it could possibly relate to your life? In today's message, Pastor Bill explains how olive trees...connected to lamp-stands...could apply to you today and to others during the end times. It means God refuels you...We don't have to try to accomplish goals with our own strength. He supplies us with strength like the olive tree supplies the lamp-stands with oil to keep burning. Whatever you are facing, remember that your strength comes from the Lord.

At some point in life you probably went through a period of suffering...a time of heartache and trouble...It might have seemed hard to keep moving forward. It is in those times of hardship that God will use a witness to speak to you. In today's message, Pastor Bill describes how God will use two significant witnesses during the Great Tribulation as described in the book of Revelation. For now...God wants to use you as a witness to other people in your life. He wants to use you to speak truth and love.

Do you like to look at the night sky and see thousands of stars? The vast dark sky with the bright twinkling lights declares the glory of God. The tiny stars are so far away...but still reveal the majesty of their creator. Pastor Bill teaches that not only did God create the Heavens...but He created you as well... But you are even more special than stars because you were created in the image of God. Turn to Jesus and trust in Him to become a child of the King. God has a plan for you to bring Him...honor and glory.

Do secrets drive you crazy? If someone else knows something and you don't...does it eat at you until you hear the secret? In today's message, Pastor Bill explains that there are secrets kept from mankind in the Bible. John, the author of Revelation, was told not to write everything down that he saw and heard. God has a plan for human history...but he has not explained it ALL yet. Do not worry about tomorrow...or when certain events will take place...Live for Jesus today and share your faith with others.

How do you picture an angel? Is it sweet and chubby with fluffy wings? That's not how angels are described in the Bible. Today, Pastor Bill describes mighty angels from the book of Revelation. Angels were created by God, but they should not be confused with being equal to God. They were created with a purpose and will be sent to Earth when they are needed. People are described as being overwhelmed in the presence of an angel. Trust God and His wisdom to send angels when they are needed.

Did you know you were created with a purpose? You were created to WORSHIP...You were created to worship God the Father, the creator of Heaven and Earth...You were created to worship Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins...If you don't worship Jesus... you will worship something...you will fill in that void with something...it might be drugs, or money, or food. In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches about repentance. You can choose to stop and turn to Jesus.

Have you ever watched the same movie more than once and felt tense or anxious during intense scenes...even though you already know what happens next? You already know the ending. In today's message, Pastor Bill is describing specific events in Revelation that talk about demonic angels being released on the Earth. They have one mission...to kill and destroy a third of mankind. It's VERY scary stuff... BUT we know the ending...Believers in Christ will spend eternity with Him.

Have you ever had something really bad happen and you wondered where God was in that moment...or in that circumstance?... In today's message, Pastor Bill explains that sometimes God allows bad things to happen in order for Him to offer grace. It might be a wake-up call to turn to Him and accept Him as your Savior...It might be God using the situation to redirect your life to spread the Gospel. God is with you during the good and the bad. Trust that He will use it all for His glory.

Do you like to get personal mail...not bills or junk mail...but real letters to you? The book of revelation was written by John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos... He's writing to what he refers to as the 7 churches of Asia...but he's also writing to you about the end of the world. Pastor Bill explains that John's words describe what will happen when Jesus confronts the evil in the world. If you trust in Jesus as your Savior, you will not be on the Earth during this time of destruction.

Have you watched the news lately and suddenly felt depressed? The events of our world can be anxiety-inducing...Basically...It is a great time to know Jesus. He can SAVE you from all the troubles this world has to offer. He will rain peace over you when the world has thunder and lightning. He is like the calm in the eye of a tornado. In today's message, Pastor Bill explains that we are in the end times...we are ready for Jesus to return to Earth. You can prepare for the future by trusting your life to Jesus NOW.

Spoiler alert...the Bible describes what life will be like during the end times of planet Earth...the last book of the Bible, Revelation, tells all about it. The rapture is when people who believe in Jesus will be taken up into the clouds with Him BEFORE the end-time judgments and natural disasters. Pastor Bill teaches that the end times can be exciting and difficult, depending on your beliefs. You can trust in Jesus as your Savior for a gold ticket off planet Earth before the cataclysmic ending.

In a military unit... everyone has an assigned job or role. To be successful, the soldiers have to do their job but rely on each other too. In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches that Christians are God's special forces... Each person has been given a spiritual gift by God to be used for His glory. Think of all the work that can be accomplished when God's people use their gifts together to do His work. As a believer, you can rejoice when you see your spiritual gift lead another person to salvation in Christ.

Darkness and despair...evil and anxiety...destruction and denial...these words describe the most hopeless situations. BUT...God can turn those situations into GOOD. In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches that after the most hopeless situation...a multitude of people gets saved. After difficult struggles...they turn to Jesus for the gift of salvation. Are you struggling in your life? Do you feel yourself sinking? God can rescue you and use your despair to bring Him honor and praise.

What are the most elite military units in the US? You might have heard of SEAL Team 6 or Delta Force. They are some of the most highly trained elite forces along with Army Rangers and Green Berets. These soldiers must meet specific criteria and pass numerous tests in order to serve their country. In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches that you are created in the image of God. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are equipped for HIS special forces as your highest calling.

Wouldn't it be easier if Jesus would just take His followers out of the world? Once you accept Jesus you can just start eternity, right then! No more trouble with fighting temptation and dealing with evil – it would all be done! But, as you know, that's not how it works. In his message today, Pastor Bill will remind you that you have a mission here on earth, and it's to be the hands and feet of Jesus right now! You have the opportunity to change other people's lives by introducing them to your Savior!

In any crisis, you see heroes emerge. No matter who they are – citizens helping out, or emergency personnel – you find certain characteristics in common. They're focused on the task at hand, and they're united in their goal. Isn't that what the church should look like? Today Pastor Bill will encourage you to focus on your mission as a child of God – you are meant to share the truth of Jesus with the world. Stand united in this mission with your brothers and sisters in Christ and see what the Lord can do!

At the end of the world, there will be much to fear – destruction, chaos, death, disease – all kinds of evil unleashed. As you've been learning from Pastor Bill in this series, those left on earth will be facing horrors you can't even fathom. But you'll learn today that there's hope – there's something that can be done! Pastor Bill will tell you about the 144,000 special forces men who will share the good news of God's love! They'll bring truth to a God-less society, and will provide a way out for any who will believe!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ given to the Apostle John regarding the Great Tribulation is nothing shy of terrifying. While we don't have to worry about experiencing such horrors as believers, it's good to know what the world is up against, so as to warn others. In today's message, Pastor Bill discusses the outpouring of God's wrath on an unrepentant, unbelieving world. In his study, you'll gain a better understanding of the magnitude of this event, that will leave the world hiding underground in a feeble attempt to escape.

Many of us would be quick to agree that there's nothing more comforting than to know how things are going to turn out. As dynamic and unpredictable that life can be, we as believers can always find comfort in knowing God's plan for those He calls His own. As Pastor Bill discusses in his message today, no matter what life may throw at us, we can always rest assured as believers. In his study, you'll be reminded that God's Word makes it very clear that victory is The Lord's and that suffering is but momentary.

The Book of Revelation draws from many different books of the Bible, all of which help us to gain a better understanding of what's to come. When it comes to the antichrist spoken of in Revelation, Paul's letter to the Thessalonians is a crucial element of interpretation. In today's message, Pastor Bill reflects on the role that both the Church and The Spirit play leading up to the antichrist. In his study, you'll learn that as a believer and follower of Christ, you play a role in restraining evil, no matter your location.

Chances are you've run into your fair skeptics regarding the Bible, especially when it comes to the Book of Revelation. While one can't argue that some of the visions are rather bizarre, there are key historical events that indicate we're all the closer to that which has yet to come. As Pastor Bill discusses in his message today, the restoration of Israel as a nation is nothing to scoff at. In his study, you'll learn the significance of Israel not only becoming a nation but regaining the capital after two millennia.

The Book of Revelation is unique on many fronts. Perhaps more notably for its promise of a blessing to those who read it, but that it also lays out “that which has come to pass, and that which is yet to happen.” In today's message, Pastor Bill takes a unique approach to the Book of Revelation regarding its depiction of things to come. In his study, you'll learn about the writing style of the Apostle Paul and how he takes us into the future as believers. Are you ready for a trip through time? Be sure to pay close attention to this exciting message!

Perhaps one of the most liberating feelings we can have as believers is to know that we're no longer slaves to sin. However, many of us would agree that it's not always the easiest mindset to maintain and truly live by as we struggle in our own ways. In today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you to meditate on the reality that if you indeed belong to Christ, you're a new creation. In his study, you'll be reminded what it means to be forgiven by the Blood of the Lamb, the ultimate offering for sin.

As believers and followers of Christ, it can be all too easy for us to fall into the trap of looking to Jesus as a comparison, rather than a shepherd. As you're probably well aware, this inevitably leads to a sense of condemnation, rather than the peace of knowing we're in Christ. As Pastor Bill will remind you in his message today, Jesus is both guiding and saving us on a daily basis. In his study, you'll be encouraged to take heart in knowing that we have a great Shepherd who mightily saves, and is worthy of all.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will share with you about heaven. If you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior, when you pass from this life, you'll go to be with Jesus in heaven forever. You haven't earned this gift because of good deeds or lack of bad decisions. This gift of eternity with God is given on the basis of Christ's imputed righteousness to you. In Heaven, there will be no more pain, no more crying, only peace, and contentment. There we will sing the praises of God forevermore.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will remind you that God's creation can speak to us in a variety of ways. The mountains created by God seem to speak of His incredible strength and power, every sunset beautiful painting from God Himself. The vastness of space and the universe, all speaks to His greatness and the omnipotence of God... So take a moment to look around you, find the creation that might just be in your backyard, and see what it could be saying to you about the incredible character of God.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will share with you about worship and what it means to worship God. The word worship in essence means to ascribe worth to something. So if we are worshipping God, that means that we are ascribing worth to Him... But why? We worship God because not only did He see fit to give us life here on Earth but He also saw fit to redeem us. Because of the sin in our lives, we are separate from God... But in His grace and mercy, He chooses to redeem us to Himself through Jesus.

Jesus is the high priest of a new order. The Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament was responsible for the sacrifices and maintenance of the temple. Without the Levitical priesthood, sacrifices would go unmade, the incense would never be lit, and the showbread would never be put out. Your average farmer or business person couldn't make their own sacrifices, the priests could only make sacrifices. Now, in Jesus, He has made us our own priests, we need no mediator between us and God.

Jesus came to the Earth once in the form of a human, He lived a perfect life and died and was resurrected... All with the intention and promise that He would come back a second time. The first Jesus came, He came to bring salvation and healing, at His second coming Jesus will come back for His children. We as believers will be taken up to be with Him in heaven for eternity. He's prepared a perfect place for each of us, there we will spend the rest of time singing praises to the Lord God Almighty.

Imagine a play where the main character never appears, never takes on his role. How confusing would that story be? Unlike that, Jesus' does have the authority, the ability to change everything as Pastor Bill explains to you today. He's the only one powerful enough to read this world's last will. Remember, John saw God holding scrolls in His hand. These scrolls are covered with information about how the world will change. It's hopeless to kick off what will happen until JESUS takes His role and opens the seals.

Hopelessness abounds all around us and this world could keep spinning its tires, getting nowhere save for one thing...Jesus! It's His victory! So when you start to feel beyond exasperated, Pastor Bill reminds you today of the meaning of John's vision when he saw God holding scrolls in His hands. Scrolls were like a will. You know, last will and testament of so and so. But this isn't just anyone...it's God's! And the only one who can set in motion what needs to happen to redeem this fallen world is Jesus!

The center of attention doesn't describe a place to find an introvert. Now, an extrovert on the other hand may in fact love it. Thankfully, there's God who's at the center of everything...and RIGHTLY SO. Are you aware that there are those in heaven who never stops singing His praises and who He is? Faithful and good. Righteous. Friends, where have you directed your attention? Or your goals? Your failures? Your successes? Has it been to the only One who deserves it? God's waiting for YOU!

Do you see the beauty in all the crazy? The Creator made thunderstorms just as He made a crystal clear, calm lake. He has provided a way for you to enter into His living room, if you will, and soak in His presence. Are you a believer of this Creator? As Pastor Bill continues his message you learn more about the different crowns in heaven and who sits closest to the throne of God. There's hope in eternity even when it feels like all is lost. Nothing is spiraling downward, out of control. Not with God!

To go to that one spot that you just know for sure what you're looking for is there, only to find that it's not is super disappointing! Right? This will be SO UNLIKE eternity. You WILL find God on the throne. He hasn't left. No one else can sit there. Not you. Not me. Only Him. God has requested that you be with Him...in heaven. Today Pastor Bill explores through Revelation this vision of what heaven will be like. Its description embodies so many contrary images, but when put all together, it's AMAZING!