Most people resort to prayer to get help, request blessing, or seek guidance from God. While those are all good things, as Pastor John explains today, prayer should ultimately be about seeking God himself, not what you can get from him.  He’s not a vending machine God who’ll just give and give, but he desires a relationship with his children.  Through prayer, you can begin to know God and build that relationship.  Pray as a child to a good Father.  He hears all your prayers and shows himself to you as you pray.

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Luke chapter 11 as he begins his message, The Friend at Midnight.

It seems the very fiber of this culture is the pursuit of wealth.  Most seek money and possessions first above other things.  You desire or covet what other people have.  This leads to all kinds of sins and yet, leaves you ultimately unsatisfied.  Today, Pastor John will teach you that life is about more than your possessions.  It’s about knowing and trusting God.  He’s the provider of all things.  And life is short and uncertain.  God is the God of eternity, and he alone is secure.  Money will disappoint you, but God never will.

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Luke chapter 12 as he continues his message, The Rich Fool.

A man lay dying along the dangerous road outside Jerusalem. A priest and a Levite, both religious men, passed by and ignored the man.  They saw him but ignored his desperate need.  But, another man saw him and had great compassion for him.  Today, Pastor John will encourage you to love others as this man did.  Have compassion for others who have a need and go to them.  It’s costly and sacrificial, yes. But doing so is evidence of God’s love in you.  Pray that the Lord will help you in all the ways you need to do this as you trust him.

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Luke chapter 10 as he continues his message Who’s My Neighbor.

A man lay dying along the dangerous road outside Jerusalem. A priest and a Levite, both religious men, passed by and ignored the man.  They saw him but ignored his desperate need.  But, another man saw him and had great compassion for him.  Today, Pastor John will encourage you to love others as this man did.  Have compassion for others who have a need and go to them.  It’s costly and sacrificial, yes. But doing so is evidence of God’s love in you.  Pray that the Lord will help you in all the ways you need to do this as you trust him.

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Luke chapter 10 as he continues his message Who’s My Neighbor.

People were always trying to trick Jesus with a theological or cultural debate.  They weren’t earnestly seeking truth to know the right way to believe and live.  Leaders and scholars would ask him questions seeking to trap him.  But, as Pastor John teaches today, Jesus used scripture to answer them.  He repeatedly reminded them of God’s word, emphasizing that knowing the law wasn’t enough, but a life of faith required more.  All authority rests in the bible.   Not in your culture or education.  And not even in your religion.

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Luke chapter 10 as he begins his message Who’s My Neighbor.

The young prodigal son, when recognizing his true condition, returned in humility to the father.  The scene he expected and deserved was nothing more than politeness from his father, hoping he would put him up with the slaves and feed him.  Yet, as Pastor John teaches today, his father saw him, ran, rejoiced and embraced his son.  He looked for him every day, longing for him to return.  Every sinner comes to God as they are, and God has compassion and embraces us as we are.  No one is beyond his love!

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Luke chapter 15 as he continues his message, The Prodigal Father.

The prodigal son broke his father’s heart, went away and lived in pleasure and selfishness. His sin and recklessness led to a great emptiness and desperation.  And by the Grace of God, he saw himself as he was and was broken and ashamed.  He wasn’t just sorry he made bad choices; he recognized he sinned against God.  Today, Pastor John will teach about repentance and possible restoration.  The son didn’t sit and wallow in sadness; instead, he went to his father humbly, knowing the goodness and love of his father.

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Luke chapter 15 as he begins his message, The Prodigal Father.

The devil steals God’s word away when it’s spoken to those with hard hearts.  The flesh responds emotionally and shallowly to God’s word so it can’t grow roots.  And the world often chokes out the good news with worry, pleasure and money. As Pastor John teaches today, only the person who hears the gospel and receives God’s word sincerely into their heart is truly saved.  Your heart must be soft, open, receptive and undistracted to defeat the devil, the world and the flesh that tries to keep God from you.

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Mark chapter 4 as he continues his message Four Kinds of Hearts.

The devil will go to great lengths to keep God’s word from going deep into your hearts.  Jesus explained how your heart condition determines how deeply his word will go into your life. And though the devil works against God’s word, ultimately, you are responsible for the hardness, shallowness, or worry within your own heart.   Today Pastor John will explain the heart conditions of Jesus’ parable, and most of them represent an unsaved person.  You must tend the soil of your heart so it’s receptive to hear God’s word to you.

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Mark chapter 4 as he begins his message, Four Kinds of Hearts.

It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by the situation in the world.  As a believer, it’s tempting to look only at the things around you and begin to fear.  Yet, as Pastor John explains today, it’s crucial to keep your eyes and hearts focused on God.  He’s still on the throne regardless of anything else that’s happening.  He deserves the first spot in your mind and heart and life.  Turn your eyes to him in all things and take them off the world.  All things will be in proper perspective when you prioritize God first!

Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Colossians chapter 1 for his message Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.