Word of Life

Have you experienced the transformative power of Christ's love? What did He free you from? How did He change your life and heart? If you have answers to those questions, you're ready to preach the Gospel. You don't need formal training or a degree. As Pastor Richard will remind us in today's message, each one of us has a mission to spread the truth of the Gospel, and each one of us is equipped by the Holy Spirit to share it effectively.

If you survey your own heart and life, what's a driving factor or passion for you? How does it fit in your heart relative to Jesus? Is Jesus your main focus, and that thing is secondary? Even if it's a good thing, like family, for example, if it comes before Jesus, it's an idol. As Pastor Richard continues our study in Paul's letter to the believers in Galatia, we'll be challenged to put Christ at the center of everything we do. 

There's nothing wrong with saving money and making investments. It's a smart move to plan for the future. But, as Pastor Richard will warn in today's message, be careful not to place your hope and trust in your financial position. Banks can fail, and markets can crash, but we have a source of peace and security that never fails. In Jesus, we find the hope for eternal life, and the spiritual riches He offers far surpass those of this world.

If Jesus appointed you as His hiring manager and gave you some resumes to look over, Peter's likely wouldn't stand out. It would end up at the bottom of the pile. As a fisherman, he's likely an early riser and hard worker, but his ability to follow directions and understand complex concepts is lacking. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today's message, it wasn't about who Peter had been, but about who Jesus would transform him into.

Your invitation into the family of God is not a reflection of your merit. That may feel offensive at first, but the same is true for every other believer in His family. None of us deserves what He offers us. We're all born into sin and only deserve to be separated from Him. As Pastor Richard will clarify in today's message, the broad inclusivity of God's family fully reflects God's goodness and should inspire us to live in gratitude.

If you're a parent, can you imagine if your own child refused to eat the food you offered, sleep in the house you provide, or accept any of your gifts? You'd be concerned, to say the least. You want to bless and provide for them, and it would be painful to watch them choose suffering instead. As Pastor Richard will remind you in today's message, you have access to all the blessings of our Heavenly Father. Are you choosing to suffer instead?

The Bible teaches us that righteousness is something that no amount of money can buy. When the rich young ruler comes to Jesus, he learns that none of his riches or good deeds are enough to buy his salvation. But Pastor Richard reminds us that the mystery of righteousness is that it is freely given! The righteousness that saves us isn't based on our own good deeds; it is based on our inheritance of the righteousness of Jesus.

Many of the most painful moments in our lives come from broken promises. If you're a child of divorced parents, you know just how much those broken promises not only hurt you, but also those around you. Well, Pastor Richard reminds you today that God's promises are more trustworthy than the promises of any man or woman who has ever lived! You can rely on God's faithfulness, just like you can rely on the sun rising every morning. 

Do you remember Jesus' parable about the wise man who built his house on the rock, and the foolish man who built on sand? Well, when you try to earn salvation through your own good works, you're not giving yourself a solid foundation! One act of sin can undo a lifetime of good deeds, but Pastor Richard reminds you today that the grace of God is a solid foundation to build your faith on! God's grace never runs out, and it won't let you down.

If Jesus appointed you as His hiring manager and gave you some resumes to look over, Peter's likely wouldn't stand out. It would end up at the bottom of the pile. As a fisherman, he's likely an early riser and hard worker, but his ability to follow directions and understand complex concepts is lacking. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today's message, it wasn't about who Peter had been, but about who Jesus would transform him into.

As Pastor Richard expressed through that profound C.S. Lewis quote, this life, in this sinful world, leaves all of us wanting. We catch momentary glimpses of peace, joy, and contentment, but when we try to hold on to them, they slip away. God allows this discontent and suffering not because He's cruel, but because it draws our attention towards Him. He uses these experiences to show us that He is indeed the only source of hope and peace.

Have you ever gone through an important meeting with someone, only to realize after the fact that you had something stuck in your teeth? If you had looked in a mirror beforehand, you might have avoided that embarrassing situation! Well, Pastor Richard teaches you today that the Law of Moses is like a mirror for your soul. Its main purpose is to show you the grave nature of your sin, so that you recognize your need for a Savior.

When we read the story of Abraham's faith in God, we're not just looking back on a person who lived thousands of years ago. We're reading the story of someone who worshipped the same God that we do today, but without knowing the name or the story of Jesus! Pastor Richard wants us to understand that we aren't saved by how well we know God's Word, or how much money we give to the poor. We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ!

There is someone out there today tuning in to this program who has never heard the message of grace that we read about in God's Word! If that's you today, Pastor Richard wants you to know that following Jesus is the best decision you will ever make! Just ask Him to come into your life and purify you of your sin, and He will begin to transform you from the inside out! God wants to make you into the person you were created to be.

“Love” is a word that gets thrown around quite a bit in our modern vocabulary. We “love” so many things that the word gets a little stale, and we forget what it means to truly love someone. But in today's message, Pastor Richard wants to remind us of the significance of God's love for us, and the love that we get to show Him. Jesus doesn't want our good works or our religious checklists; He just wants our love and our devotion!

If you were to follow the Old Testament law to the letter every single day of your life, but at the very last moment you broke one of God's commandments, you would no longer be considered righteous in God's eyes. It's impossible to meet His standard for righteousness without help! Pastor Richard wants to remind you today that none of the religious traditions in this world can buy your salvation. You can only receive it by grace through faith.

As Pastor Richard expressed through that profound C.S. Lewis quote, this life, in this sinful world, leaves all of us wanting. We catch momentary glimpses of peace, joy, and contentment, but when we try to hold on to them, they slip away. God allows this discontent and suffering not because He's cruel, but because it draws our attention towards Him. He uses these experiences to show us that He is indeed the only source of hope and peace.

As Pastor Richard wraps up the book of James, we'll be reminded of this challenging theme. Faith isn't something that only happens inside and stays there. It's something you practice, and it impacts your daily life. If you claim to be following Christ and your life looks the same as it did before salvation, you may have created your own version of Christ. When you trust in Him, your life will be transformed in an undeniable way.

When you break it down to its basic function, every computer runs on a series of ones and zeros, yeses and nos, ons and offs. There isn't a “maybe” or an “in between” option in a binary system. Pastor Richard teaches you today that in the eyes of God, every person who has ever lived is seen as either sinful or righteous, and that means that all who are seen as righteous are also seen as equal in God's eyes. No believer is more important than another!

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to let our “yes” be “yes”, and our “no” be “no”. God hates hypocrisy in any form, because it can discredit our testimony to those around us. In today's message, Pastor Richard teaches us that hypocrisy was already sneaking into the early Church because Peter viewed the Gentile believers in Antioch as being inferior to the Jewish believers. We cannot allow these disagreements to divide the body of Christ.

I'm sure there's someone you've looked up to as a hero of the Christian faith. People like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, William Wilberforce, and Mother Teresa made huge impacts for the Kingdom of God, but their time on Earth has come and gone. In today's message, Pastor Richard encourages you to be brave, because God has big plans in store for your life! Who knows, the things you do for God now may inspire a future hero of the faith! 

Serving God doesn't always mean you'll be up on a stage sharing the Gospel. For some people, serving God will be sharing meals with the unhoused people in their community. Others will serve God by paying for someone's groceries when they don't have enough resources to feed their family. In today's message, Pastor Richard reminds you that God uses people behind the scenes just as much as He uses those in the public spotlight.

In the Bible, God makes it a point to use unlikely people to accomplish His will on Earth. Moses had a speech impediment, and yet he was God's mouthpiece to Pharaoh. David was the youngest son of an unassuming shepherd, and the Lord made him King of Israel. Pastor Richard wants to teach you today that God can do great things with your life if you will say “yes” to Him. That single word of faith can turn the trajectory of your life around!

As Pastor Richard wraps up the book of James, we'll be reminded of this challenging theme. Faith isn't something that only happens inside and stays there. It's something you practice, and it impacts your daily life. If you claim to be following Christ and your life looks the same as it did before salvation, you may have created your own version of Christ. When you trust in Him, your life will be transformed in an undeniable way.

Everyone has dreams and aspirations for what lies ahead. Some people really go the extra mile by planning for their final farewell, like investing in those hefty insurance plans. But what if I let you in on a little secret? Those things might just be a waste of time! Today, Pastor Richard shares insights on the unpredictability of life and emphasises that everything is ultimately in God's hands. Why not trust in the One who has created you? 

The world tells us that we have to work hard to earn things in life. Things don't just get given to you unless you receive a large blessing from a family member or a generous stranger. But Pastor Richard wants to remind you today that the most valuable thing you have can't be bought with all the money in the world! The gift of salvation you have in Jesus is something you can't earn, and we shouldn't give up that gift for any reason under the sun!

When you're cheering for a sports team, you may be tempted to talk like you're part of the team! “Did you see the game last night? I can't believe we pulled off the win!” But most of us watching have nothing to do with the team's success. Pastor Richard reminds us today that we don't get to take any credit for our salvation, because we are saved only by the grace of God! Jesus did all the work; all we have to do is receive His free gift!

When you look at the New York Times' bestsellers list, you'll see a section dedicated to self-help books. These books sell millions of copies, as people try to change themselves through the sheer power of will. But in today's message, Pastor Richard encourages you to seek the kind of transformation that only comes from following God! When you say no to the desires of your flesh, the Holy Spirit will make you into a new creation!

The disciples must have felt devastated when Jesus was arrested and crucified. After all, in just a few hours, the teacher they had followed for years was arrested, convicted in a sham trial, beaten until bloody, and then crucified. But that moment of weakness was not the end for the disciples! Pastor Richard reminds you today that Jesus' resurrection power can revive a heart that has withered away because of doubt and failure.

One of the reasons that we call Jesus our Good Shepherd is because He watches over us and protects us! The road ahead of us is dark and uncertain, and we can get anxious because of that lack of certainty! But in today's message, Pastor Richard wants to remind us that Jesus can see the end of the road just as easily as He can see the beginning. He knows exactly how to guide us step by step into green pastures, so that our souls can be at peace.

Everyone has dreams and aspirations for what lies ahead. Some people really go the extra mile by planning for their final farewell, like investing in those hefty insurance plans. But what if I let you in on a little secret? Those things might just be a waste of time! Today, Pastor Richard shares insights on the unpredictability of life and emphasises that everything is ultimately in God's hands. Why not trust in the One who has created you? 

Some people believe they possess the gift of discernment, but what they really have is a tendency to judge. They look at others and hunt for their imperfections. In today's message, Pastor Richard invites you to shift your focus from judging others to uplifting fellow believers instead. Don't let your heart wander into the idea that God values your so-called spirit of discernment. Watch your words; they carry weight!

Some older gas-powered appliances used a pilot light to make it easier to turn them on. Instead of having to manually light your stove or your water heater every time it was needed, a tiny little flame would stay constantly burning to provide that spark. In today's message, Pastor Richard reminds you that all you need to overcome this world is a little spark of hope. That tiny little light can help you see God's hand working all around you! 

Have you ever looked for your lost glasses, only to realize you were wearing them all along? Sometimes, we humans get so distracted by this life that we forget we already have everything we need! In today's message, Pastor Richard teaches us about how the Pharisees could not see the glory of the miracle Jesus performed for the blind man, because they would rather focus on the rules He was breaking than the good He was bringing to the world.

When we're going through difficult seasons in our lives, it's important to remember that God is ultimately in control! We may not understand how His plans are meant to do us good in the short term, but the Bible tells us that God can use those hard times to glorify Himself. Pastor Richard reminds us today to offer our lives as living sacrifices, so that the name of the Lord can be elevated through us. Everything points us back to Him!

If I asked a group of people if they believe God is always in control, they'd most likely say, “Yeah, of course! He's God!” But we don't always act as if that's the case. We doubt God's faithfulness, we complain that we're not the ones calling the shots, and we worry! Today, Pastor Richard will remind us that our job is simply to trust that God's plan is good. So drop your fear and trust in His perfect timing, because you serve a good God!

During Jesus's life on Earth, many people misunderstood who He was and what He came to do. Often, even his own disciples got the wrong idea! Jesus did not come to overthrow humanity's governments and judge the world. His mission was to save all who believe by dying in our place! But today, Pastor Richard will remind us that Jesus is coming a second time. And when He comes again, He will judge the world. Are you ready for that day?

Some people believe they possess the gift of discernment, but what they really have is a tendency to judge. They look at others and hunt for their imperfections. In today's message, Pastor Richard invites you to shift your focus from judging others to uplifting fellow believers instead. Don't let your heart wander into the idea that God values your so-called spirit of discernment. Watch your words; they carry weight!

Joseph went through a lot of hardship to arrive at the destination that God had set for him. It seems like every difficulty he faced was part of a bigger picture, guiding Joseph and getting him ready for the journey that awaited him. In a similar vein, you might be navigating through some challenging moments. Today, Pastor Richard invites you to continue your journey with faith, embracing the path that God has laid out for you. 

It's hard to even conceptualize the glory we'll experience when we reach heaven! We'll see Jesus face-to-face, no longer inhibited by sin and the brokenness of this world. What could be better than that? The One who spoke the cosmos into being will embrace us, and we will experience indescribable freedom and peace. Today, Pastor Richard will tell us the story of a woman who publicly recognized the majesty of Jesus. Let's follow her example!

God is always, always with you. When you're experiencing victory and joy, God is by your side. When you're struggling and in pain, the Lord is supporting you and providing for you. Whatever season you're facing, and regardless of how the future looks, God is right there with you! Today, Pastor Richard will encourage you to keep moving forward in faith! Never believe the lie that God distances Himself from you! He is for you, always!

If we're honest, we've all had days when we'd rather rest and recover than go to church, right? Maybe we had a long week, or there were things that needed to be done around the house. Maybe we didn't even feel like praising God! Today, Pastor Richard will encourage us that the Lord will give us a heart to worship passionately every time we run to Him! So choose to be in community with other Christians this week because our King is worthy!

As the world becomes more corrupt and depraved, it can be tempting to try to disassociate with people who don't follow Jesus. But our Lord told us to do the exact opposite! Yes, we need to avoid falling into the sins that surround us, but we also need to share the gospel while there's still time! Today, Pastor Richard will challenge us to be in the world, but not of the world. After all, we were as broken as those around us before we met Jesus!

Consider for a moment that the worst suffering and pain that you're experiencing right now might be the best thing for you spiritually. You might not be able to see where your individual stories lead. But God does! Your pain is real! Your concerns are valid! But your God is bigger than all of them! Today, Pastor Richard will encourage you to hold on and trust that God works all things  (even the nasty ones!) together for the good of those who love Him!

Joseph went through a lot of hardship to arrive at the destination that God had set for him. It seems like every difficulty he faced was part of a bigger picture, guiding Joseph and getting him ready for the journey that awaited him. In a similar vein, you might be navigating through some challenging moments. Today, Pastor Richard invites you to continue your journey with faith, embracing the path that God has laid out for you. 

Have you ever thought about what might be standing between you and a beautiful relationship with God? Sometimes, it's not just about the devil in the details. It's all about what you want for yourself. Sometimes, you might find yourself chasing after goals that don't really enrich your spiritual journey. That right there puts a barrier between you and God. Today, Pastor Richard invites you to put aside and resist those selfish cravings!

Those of us who live in America are so blessed to be able to worship with other Christians freely! But that can also come with a unique temptation. Having easy access to Scripture and God-honoring churches can lull us into spiritual lethargy. We might start to think that we don't need to read our Bible every day or that we can just go to church next week. Today, Pastor Richard will remind us to consistently be in community with God and His people.

It's easy to pray earnestly for help when we're in a time of uncertainty and struggle. It's not hard to thank God when everything's going well. But the Lord wants our hearts all the time, not just when we're in a crisis or experiencing a high point. Today, Pastor Richard will remind us that our job is to trust and rely on Jesus every day – not just when we feel like it. God is always good to us, so we can choose to love Him back!

Sometimes trusting God in faith feels like walking through a forest at night. As we move forward, the Lord illuminates our path one step at a time. We'd really like for Him to supernaturally move the Sun so we could see the entire path before us, but that wouldn't actually be faith. Today, Pastor Richard will challenge us to follow the One who sees everything and to trust in His perfect plan. All that God asks is that we believe He has a way to get us through!

President Teddy Roosevelt once said, “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” Today, Pastor Richard tells you that there will always be opponents to Jesus and His followers, but what matters is that you put yourself out there for the Lord and proclaim Him. 

There are billions of people on Earth's surface today. The planet is teeming with humans, and it's easy to feel like a drop in the ocean of humanity. But today, Pastor Richard reminds you that God always has time for every individual. He knows every one of the billions of hearts that occupy the world. Maybe you feel forgotten or overlooked, but Pastor Richard tells you that God sees you, hears you, and knows you better than you know yourself.