A brief bit of encouragement for the journey from God's Word. Today's Scripture reading: Philippians 3 To support this devotional ministry: https://faithbaptiststerling.com/give/ Music: "Awaken the Dawn" by Stanton Lanierhttps://www.stantonlanier.com CCLI #20109360

The Saviour promises believing people, sometimes even from childhood and those in the prime of their lives, that He will not forsake them, even to old age. Making the Gospel known and living it out is a work for young and old together. The same promises graciously provided at the start to a believer are equally graciously continued to the end. To read the article: https://www.tbsbibles.org/page/Grayheaded To learn more about TBS: https://www.tbsbibles.org/ This article was written by Pastor Michael Harley and narrated using artificial intelligence.

The devotional explores the concept of faith-building experiences by examining Jesus' feeding of the five thousand in John 6. It emphasizes that God often leads believers into impossible situations to demonstrate His power and provision when human effort fails. Through personal anecdotes of miraculous financial relief during medical crises, the speaker illustrates how trusting God rather than relying on people sustains ministry and life. The message encourages listeners to record their testimonies of God's faithfulness to strengthen their own faith and witness to others. Ultimately, it calls for a posture of complete dependence on God's support in all circumstances.

Some defenders of the New Apostolic Reformation deny that it exists or argue that it cannot be identified because it is not a formal organization. However, books written and endorsed by the movement's own leaders openly describe the restoration of modern apostles and prophets, apostolic networks, apostolic centers, dominion theology, and the Seven Mountain Mandate. In this episode of From NAR to Christ, Dawn Hill examines published evidence from C. Peter Wagner and other influential NAR leaders. Their writings demonstrate that the New Apostolic Reformation is a recognizable movement with shared teachings concerning church government, spiritual authority, prophecy, cultural transformation, and modern apostles. Dawn concludes with a plea for Christians to test every teaching according to Scripture, return to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and trust the written Word of God as the final authority for faith and life. For more from Dawn, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/dawn-hill/

The sermon emphasizes the absolute necessity of relying on the Holy Spirit rather than human eloquence or intellect for effective preaching and personal salvation. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2, it argues that spiritual truths are discerned only through the Spirit, rendering natural wisdom insufficient for understanding God's ways. The message challenges believers to examine their faith, ensuring it rests in Christ Himself rather than mere historical professions of faith. It encourages the congregation to pray for the power of the Holy Spirit in ministry and daily life, highlighting that true spiritual growth and revival depend entirely on divine intervention. Ultimately, the gospel remains powerful unto salvation when proclaimed with dependence on God's Spirit.

Pastor Mark Hogan taught from Matthew 6:9-13 on the Lord's Prayer, explaining that Jesus gave this pattern for prayer in the context of warning against two faulty types: performative prayer (like the hypocrites who prayed to be seen) and perfunctory prayer (like the heathen who used vain repetitions). Hogan emphasized that Christian prayer must be real, with hearts and minds engaged in true communion with God. He outlined the prayer's structure: an address ("Our Father in heaven"), six petitions divided into three about God's priorities (hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done) and three about our needs (daily bread, forgiveness, deliverance from temptation), and a conclusion. Hogan stressed the importance of this ordering, correcting both self-focused prayer and the notion that God doesn't care about small needs. He also noted the communal focus through plural pronouns. In the address, Hogan expounded the doctrine of adoption—that through Christ we become God's children and pray with childlike trust and dependence, while also recognizing God's sovereign authority. The phrase "in heaven" balances intimacy with transcendence, teaching us to approach God with both confidence and humble reverence, knowing He alone has power to provide, forgive, and keep us.

Anchored in the Word Morning Reflection: Season 5 Episode 153 Delighting in Christ's Love for His Church: Labor Ephesians 5:22-32 #morningreflections #strength #wisdom #perspective #trust

This sermon explores how Ezra's sound biblical theology manifested in an exemplary faith characterized by prudence, persistence, and prayer. The speaker emphasizes that true doctrine leads to practical application, urging believers to actively assess situations and take responsible action rather than falling into fatalism. By examining Ezra's journey back to Jerusalem, the text highlights the necessity of diligent effort in seeking God's provision and the assurance found through earnest supplication. The message encourages the audience to trust in God's sovereignty while fulfilling their own responsibilities with tenacious faith. Ultimately, the sermon asserts that a balanced reliance on divine guidance and human diligence results in spiritual protection and blessing.

This sermon addresses the destructive nature of contention, identifying it as a heart issue rooted in pride and anger that divides communities and honors Satan rather than God. Drawing primarily from Proverbs, the speaker explains how contentious individuals act like fuel for a fire, escalating conflicts through selfishness and a desire to be right. The message contrasts this spirit with the biblical call to humility, urging believers to become peacemakers who overlook minor offenses and respond with soft answers. By surrendering to the Holy Spirit, Christians can overcome their natural tendencies toward strife and actively choose forgiveness and unity in their families, churches, and workplaces. Ultimately, the preacher encourages listeners to leave behind the 'gasoline' of contention and instead carry water to extinguish fires, reflecting the character of Christ.

This Bible Study explores the lives of three lesser-known apostles—James the Less, Judas (not Iscariot), and Simon the Zealot—to illustrate how God chooses ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary purposes. By examining their backgrounds, including Simon's radical past, the message emphasizes that divine selection is based on grace rather than human merit or status. The preacher highlights 1 Corinthians 1 to show that God uses the foolish and weak things of the world to confound the wise and mighty. Additionally, the text discusses the temporary nature of miraculous gifts given to the apostles for authentication before the completion of Scripture. Ultimately, the central theme encourages believers to find confidence in Christ alone, trusting that God can use anyone who responds to His call.