What are we suffering through right now? Are we tempted to question God’s goodness during suffering? In today’s message, Pastor Ed will teach us that there are opportunities in our suffering, we just need the eyes to see it. Suffering can bring good things to our lives, but we have to trust in God. When we are going through a hard time we will either run toward God or away from God. We can’t allow self pity to overcome us. Instead we must choose to rely on God.

How are we sure that we are saved? Some people think they are saved by all the good deeds that they do. In today’s study, Pastor Ed will teach us that there is only one way to be saved and that is through Christ’s death and resurrection on the cross. The blood of the Lamb is the only way to overcome sin. Jesus willingly gave His life for us. All we need to do is confess Christ as our Savior. We can’t work our way into heaven, so don’t try. There is no other way to heaven except through the Cross.

Do we believe that there is more than one way to God? Where do we find our salvation? In today’s study, Pastor Ed will exhort us not to look to the church or our works for salvation, but to remember that salvation only comes through Jesus. He is fundamental for our salvation. Everything we believe as Christians is built on the foundation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Without Jesus we are worshiping in vain. Salvation is not what we do but what Christ did for us on the cross.

In the book of Acts we meet Paul who was radically changed by God. There is no question that he had a real conversion from a sinful life to a forgiven life with Christ. Have we experienced a real conviction and conversion that leads us to Jesus? In today’s message, Pastor Ed will teach us what it means to have a life changing experience that brings us into relationship with Christ. If we are going to be saved we must meet Christ and be changed. Our lives will reflect what we believe.

We all have convictions, but how do we know if our convictions are right or wrong? In today’s study, Pastor Ed will exhort us not to mistake preferences for convictions. He also cautions us not to judge others within the church in how they prefer to worship God. We all have convictions and preferences. But it is important not to push our preferences on others and cause division amongst the body of Christ. Convictions are good to have when used in the right way.

How do we respond to adversity in our lives? Are we living to accomplish what God has for us? In today’s study, Pastor Ed will encourage us to look at Jesus who endured so much adversity during His life. We are told if Jesus suffered we will suffer. We can’t take away the suffering and hardships in life. We are called to endure during the hard times. How we respond during those times is a reflection of what we believe about who Jesus is to us. Look to Jesus and follow Him. He will give you strength to endure.

Are we troubled with things around us or within us? Are we feeling discouraged with our relationship with the Lord? In todays’s message, Pastor Ed will exhort us to keep on running the good race. We can’t allow ourselves to become discouraged. But, when we do feel down with life’s circumstances then we need to turn to God’s word. We need to remember that we have a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on. Keep on keeping on! Run the race that God has called you to run.

Do we have real faith? How do we know if we have real faith? In today’s teaching, Pastor Ed helps us answer these question by telling us to look for faith moments in our lives. Do our actions say that we believe God and what His word says? Faith is a reflection of what we believe. It should make us different from the world. When faith is working it should change the way we live our lives. If we are living by faith then we will see the hand of God in our lives.

What changes took place in your life when you turned it over to God? If nothing happened then is it really faith? In today’s study, Pastor Ed will teach us that faith should impact our lives by the way we walk, how we work and how we worship. Our faith should change how we live as we begin to see through the eyes of God instead of the world. Faith is dead and useless without works. Others should be able to see our faith as it guides our lives. Faith is active and living.

When did o­ur decision to live a life of faith happen? Was it during a crisis or in a blessing? Either way, at some point we have to make a choice to walk with God and live by faith. In today’s study, Pastor Ed will teach us that when we choose to walk with God there is direction and a destination for us. Walking by faith is listening to God’s voice and His word. Our lives become God centered. Therefore, we can be confident in any circumstance that our destination is heaven.