We don't often enjoy hearing words like "Obedience" and "Repentance". Whether we have unpleasant memories that we associate with them, or don't like being reminded of where we seem to fall short, these words often bear connotations of anger, impatience, or legalism. But that's not how God thinks of us! The promise of the Bible is that God is good and He does good, and surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. So where do repentance and obedience come in? Find out what God actually has planned for us through these things, and how the idea isn't to condemn us, but rather to bring us closer to Him.

The kingdom of God is not of this world. The issues of men's kingdom and God's overlap only slightly, and that is why church and politics mix so imperfectly. At this season of political focus in our nation, we should re-examine government from a biblical view, rather than looking at the Bible from a political perspective.

Listen to what Daniel taught his congregation during a previous election year. This teaching may be even more helpful during this election year for all believers of all political parties.

The most congenial "Merry Christmas" from the lips of a well-wisher can feel pretty hollow if you're wrestling with the darkness. Even the name given to Jesus before His birth--Emmanuel, or "God With Us"--can strike a hollow chord. If He's "with us", then why do I feel alone and oppressed? In this Christmas Eve service marking his final message as Senior Pastor of the Coastlands, Daniel Brown offers a glimpse of the God who can devise a plan to prove He's still there when circumstances scream otherwise. Just as the year has seasons, so does life; listen in as Daniel takes you from the hospital room of an elderly friend to the Old Testament battlefield of Gideon and his pathetic army of 300 men. What ties it all together? The God who, in every generation, gives Himself away to anyone, in any season, who opens himself to the possibility of God-with-me.

The plans of God go very deep, but we can miss out on them if we only look at the appearance of things. In this teaching about what true Kingdom advancement really looks like, Daniel explains Paul's words in 2 Cor. 10:7-18, and points to the Lord's question for all who want to make a difference: "What would you allow Me to do with you if you agree not to get any credit?" Here's the mark of a believer who is willing to "go for it": he trusts that God sees what he does for others in secret, and knows that God will reveal His future purposes as he continues to make a place for other people.

What's the difference between the "Promised land" and the "Possessed Land"? God initiates His offer, but we are required to show up and seize the prize. This Bible study is also a powerful "word of wisdom" that describes in vivid detail how we can find ourselves on the map of God's sovereign purpose: just as King David collected all that was needed in order for the next generation to build a Temple for God's worship, so we, too, are enjoined to grasp all we can of the promises offered us--so that those who follow are set up for spiritual success. It will require intent, effort and focus; but every act, no matter how small, that risks something upon a promise God has made secures our successors after us.

It's fairly normal for us to think that finding God's will is like looking for a bull's-eye painted upon something we can see--a "perfect" person, circumstance, or place. Dr. Daniel Brown opens up the accounts of both Abraham and Isaac to dispel that myth. How Abraham ended up in his inherited land was quite a mixture of obedience, failure to consult God, and unforeseen personal conflict; Isaac had a similar track record. We, too, end up where we are outside of pristine circumstances, often finding ourselves chased into places we wouldn't have chosen for ourselves. But God is always leading us forward, using today's "where" and "who" to open up unimaginable possibilities.

This message will encourage anyone who has ever wondered how to discover God's specific will, especially if you feel attacked, discouraged, cramped, or unfairly accused. No person or situation can push you out of your land of promise...because God's bull's-eye is on YOU.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant when He said that "the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force"? As Daniel Brown re-enacts the intriguing story of Elijah�s final days of ministry and Elisha�s persistence in following him to the very end, we get a glimpse of the sort of spiritual �violence� that results in huge ministry impact. Although no human agency can insure you a �double portion� of kingdom influence, you can still position yourself to receive it. Find out how as you listen to Daniel�s first message at The Coastlands since launching his new international ministry!

Most of us are very familiar with the story of David and Goliath, and how the humble little shepherd boy who killed the giant Philistine went on to become Israel's greatest king. But did you know that Goliath had at least four sons, also giants? And that they were killed, not by David, but by four of his men? There will always be giants in the land; there will always be a need for another giant killer. Drawing from an obscure passage in 2 Samuel, Daniel Brown explains the significant transition that is now underway at the Coastlands, and the challenge to each of us as we go forward to possess more of the land.

Many of us are looking for a new beginning, a fresh start. In this New Year's Day reflection, Daniel shares Scriptures that reveal God is not just interested in modifying our lives, but in creating something altogether new. No matter what has happened in our past, good or bad, we get to start anew in the Lord. We get to be a people who embrace the future. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Here�s a great example of how to apply the litmus test we talked about last week whenever the God of the Bible seems particularly "off". Daniel pieces together the story of Moses� encounter with the rock in the desert, which, in brief, sounds like this: God tells Moses to "strike the rock" so water will come out for the Israelites; Moses strikes the rock; God gets so mad at Moses for striking the rock, He announces that Israel is going to the Promised Land without him. Whoa! Sounds like God woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and Moses gets to pay for it. Join Daniel as he digs deeper to reveal God�s great compassion for all of us in His undying commitment to keep the purity of His redemptive purpose intact.