In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eves disobedience, their eyes opened to nakedness and they felt shame and hid. Dr. Bryan Stensaas shows the real issue wasnt nakedness (a symptom), but a heart choosing independence from God. Adam deflected, blamed, and never confessed. He focused on the surface, not the root (disobedience). God initiated restoration, calling out Where art thou? despite the slap in His face. Gods character shines: He seeks the lost, loves unconditionally, offers mercy, and demands heart obedience. Build your life on this foundation: deal with the heart, not just symptoms.

Discouragement is real even for giants of the faith like Elijah, Moses, David, Job, and John the Baptist. Dr. Bryan Stensaas preaches from 1 Samuel 30 and Psalm 42 that feeling down after victory, sickness, or betrayal doesnt mean youre out of Gods will; it means youre human. God never rebuked them for discouragement. He met them gently, renewed their strength, and sent them back into battle. Dont quit; talk to your soul, hope in God, praise Him anyway, stay in His Word, pray, fellowship, and keep serving.

Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job lived in Jerusalem, Gods judgment would still fallEzekiel 14 makes that clear. Pastor Joel explores why these three faithful men stood out: each faced profound trials (global flood, exile, total loss), endured loneliness, and remained faithful to God despite everything. In a rebellious culture like Israels (and ours), standing out means trusting God through hardships, isolation, and uncertainty. As we enter 2026s Called Out to Stand Out theme, resolve to be faithful (no matter the cost) for Gods glory.

Original sin (Adams first disobedience) imputed guilt and a sin nature to all humanity, separating us from God at birth. Dr. Bryan Stensaas explains imputation (Adams guilt placed on us), inheritance (sin nature passed down), and why every person is born on Satans side, lost and condemned. Using a simple diagram (Gods side vs. Satans side), he shows the cross as the only bridge back through faith in Christs blood.

In a world of discouragement and distraction, Dr. Bryan Stensaas preaches from 1 Thessalonians 4:1318 that believers must stand out till the shout. Dont quit, slow down, or blend in; the Rapture ends the Church Age with victory, not defeat. Live expectantly: witness boldly, serve faithfully, and stay holy because the same Jesus who ascended is coming back soon. Powerful New Years charge to live ready and distinct until Christ calls us home.

In 1 Peter 2:910, God declares believers a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and peculiar people, called out of darkness into His marvelous light to show forth His praises. Pastor Andrew launches the 2026 theme: Called Out To Stand Out. Were not saved to blend in, but to stand out as a new people with a new purpose by proclaiming Christs mercy and grace. Our identity isnt in worldly success or approval; its in Jesus alone. This year, resolve to live distinctly: speak of His excellencies, reflect His light, and point the lost to the only Savior. Called Out To Stand Out for His glory.

In Genesis 3, Satans subtle lie, Yea, hath God said..., led to the most tragic sin in history: Adam and Eves disobedience. Dr. Bryan Stensaas explains how one innocent-sounding question caused doubt, guilt, shame, and separation from God. Their awakened conscience exposed nakedness as shameful yet today many have seared their conscience, feeling no guilt over sin or immodesty. Satan still disguises himself as an angel of light, twisting truth and calling evil good. Build your life on the firm foundation of Gods unchanging Wordbelieve it, obey it, and dont let subtle questions erode your faith.

In Isaiah 5, God describes Israel as His carefully tended vineyard (fenced, cleared, planted with choice vines, and equipped for fruitfulness) yet it yielded only wild grapes. Max Wooten applies this powerful parable to believers today: God has blessed us richly (protection, growth, ministries, His Word), expecting righteous fruit in return. When we produce only wild grapes of oppression and unrighteousness, judgment follows. Dont end 2025 unfruitful! Abide in Christ, the True Vine, and bear much fruit in 2026 for His glory.

In an age of deception creeping into churches, Jude urgently calls believers to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Bryan Knaus preaches from Jude 323 that contending isnt optional. It means remembering warnings about ungodly infiltrators, keeping ourselves in Gods love through faith-building and prayer, and moving forward with compassion to rescue the lost. Dont just defend truth; advance it by warning sinners of judgment and pulling them from the fire. Step into 2026 resolved to fight for the gospel with no compromise, no retreat.

Stepping out for God often feels like sailing into deep, stormy waters. Scary, uncertain, and far from safe. Truman Sink preaches from Psalm 107:23-31 that those who do business in great waters must trust God fully, continue in faith through storms, see His power and protection firsthand, and end up praising Him with stories that glorify God before others. Playing it safe on the shore gets nothing done; going all-in for God brings reward, testimony, and joy no temporary comfort can match. As we enter 2026, dont hold back. Trust God and launch out into the deep.