Have you ever walked by a bakery and HAD to stop just to take a few deep breaths. There you were, right on the sidewalk, inhaling all the amazing smells coming from inside. Maybe the aroma of chocolate chip cookies reminds you of your grandma's kitchen, or the smell of fresh-baked bread makes you feel warm and cozy. In today's message, Pastor Bill talks about how your love for others creates a sweet-smelling aroma. It drifts up to heaven - not only is it pleasing to God, but it smells better than fresh-baked bread.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you to be cautious of the words you use. Often times when we find ourselves in heightened emotional states, we tend to use language that isn't very helpful to the situation. The best practice is to try to go to the Lord in prayer about how you should respond before you actually respond. It's perfectly ok to say that you need time to pray over a situation and seek the Lord's will in what you say and do. The Lord is pleased when you come to Him for guidance.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will remind you that half of the battle is won in the mind. If you're beginning a new routine like reading your Bible, we have all sorts of excuses. We might think we can do it another time or we can do it after another thing has been done. But that's where the error comes. Our minds must be renewed by Christ. But how? Through the Word of God. We have to be consistently in the Bible to have our minds renewed by Him. And when our minds are renewed, we're more like Him.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will remind you that conviction shouldn't be or feel powerless. Sometimes when we feel convicted by the Holy Spirit about our sin, it can feel like we don't have any power in the situation. However, this isn't the case. God gives us the power, through Himself, to overcome the sin in our lives. We don't have the power to break the chains of sin but God does! He doesn't just leave us in our sin and failure, He picks us up! And through His mighty power, we're saved.

In today's message, Pastor Bill will talk with you about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their purpose. Some might think that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to make people look good or to make people like you... The truth is God says the gifts of the Spirit are for the edifying of the Church! All of our gifts like patience, self-control, and faith are for the Church to build the Church! These gifts aren't for personal gain, they are for brothers and sisters in Christ! This is how the kingdom of God is built, through Christ.

In the Bible, sin and “leaven” are compared to each other. Sin, like a leavening agent in bread, permeates the entire loaf. Sin, even a little, permeates our entire bodies and lives, and in today's message, Pastor Bill will encourage you to allow Christ to permeate your entire life. God wants a relationship with us His children, He wants to know all the details, large and small. Pray to Him like you would talk to a friend and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

What's your reaction when someone wrongs you or shouts at you because they're having a bad day? Do you feel like you need to react or somehow get them back? And if it’s a repeated offense – what’s your attitude? Pastor Bill today will remind you that as a loved and forgiven follower of Christ, you need to show that same love to them! And not just once – you need to bear with them in love! It won’t be easy – following Jesus never is! But when you love them as Jesus does, your attitude will start to change!

How's your walk with the Lord? It’s a question Pastor Bill is going to challenge you with today as you join him in this study of the book of Ephesians! Pastor Bill will ask you to do a self-check to see how things are between you and God. Are you casually following Jesus when it’s convenient or feels good? Or are you really digging in deep, seeking daily to do exactly what God’s calling you to do? Right now is a great time to make some changes if they need to be made – don’t wait!

Do you want your family and friends to know Jesus? Of course you do! You want them to have the same grace in their lives and relationship with the Savior of the world that you do! Today Pastor Bill will encourage you to live your life in a way that other people KNOW that you have this relationship already. Don’t hide Jesus from the world! Live Him out in every action, every conversation, every moment of your day. Take what you know about Jesus now and put it into practice everywhere you go!

In today's culture, we like to idolize people, we like to obsess over people and turn them into celebrities. The church is not beyond this, many people idolize, obsess over, and turn pastors into celebrities... But in today's message, Pastor Bill will remind you that the mark of a good pastor is not someone who is idolized but someone who loves the Lord and leads others to love the Lord. The marker of a healthy church isn't a well-loved pastor but a well-loved Savior... Jesus is the main focus!