Today, Pastor Dan will be starting a new teaching series through the Book of Revelation, and he'll be encouraging you to not be hesitant in studying this great book. This is the one book of the Bible that promises a special blessing to those who read it! This book is first and foremost the revelation of Jesus, everything else such as the anti-Christ and the bowls of judgment are all secondary. When you focus on who Jesus is, and what He's done in the past and present, you'll better understand what He will do in the future.

God, through Malachi, had a rebuke for His people. They gave no effort to knowing and following His word and they lost interest in knowing, loving, and serving God. And today, Pastor Dan will challenge you to, instead, cling to God, don’t lose your faith, and stay in His word! His word will give you understanding, guidance, hope, and truth to navigate through life. We’re close to Jesus’ second coming. It’s so important in these last days to abide in Jesus and treasure His word to you.

When you look at our culture today, it’s hard to ignore the wickedness prevailing. Do you wonder if it’ll ever get better? Well, today, Pastor Dan has encouragement for you with the reminder that God will do away with all sin, judge all wickedness, and restore the world completely. He’ll remove evil from the world. And, as believers in Christ, take comfort. He’ll save you from this judgment and you’ll enjoy His new Heaven and new earth forever. Hold onto faith in God and persevere until the end!

Generally, most people grow uncomfortable when a pastor begins to talk about giving and generosity. But, God talks of it frequently in His word. And today, Pastor Dan will encourage you to remember that God sees financial giving as an act of worship and thanksgiving. All you have is from God, and He asks you to give a small bit back to Him in order to use it for good in the world. Yes, it requires trust, believing that God will provide for your needs. But, God is faithful and He’ll reward those who trust in Him.

God’s people often turned away from Him, scorned and mocked Him, and completely rebelled and rejected His word. Yet, instead of forsaking His people, God sent messengers with the call to return to Him. Prophets sent by God brought these messages to repent, walk away from sin, and turn wholeheartedly to God. Today, Pastor Dan will describe God’s kindness and love through how offered forgiveness to any who’d return to Him in this way. No matter what you’ve done, turn to God today and He’ll receive you and forgive you!

What God calls sin is not only being tolerated today but is often celebrated and taught to others. But, this is nothing new to God. The priests in Malachi’s day told the people that God tolerates sin and delights in those who do evil. Yet, today, Pastor Dan will explain that God doesn’t delight in your sin. He actually grieves your rebellion. It breaks His heart that His people sin, especially when they teach others to sin as well. He will judge that. But, there’s forgiveness and mercy for those who confess and repent and believe in Christ.

Sadly, one practice that was happening in Israel, was that people were easily divorcing their wives. But, God is clear throughout His word, He hates divorce. His design was for 1 man and 1 woman to commit to each other in marriage and be united to them for life. Yet, as Pastor Dan teaches today, God’s people were dismissing the wives of their youth simply to experience something else. And today, divorce is even more acceptable, even within the church. God doesn’t want you to end your marriage. It’s worth fighting for!

God addressed the priests in Malachi’s day with some convicting truths. They were leading God’s people astray. Most significantly by devaluing God’s word and teaching it was ok to be disobedient to it. The priests were the leaders of the nation of Israel. And the bad examples they set influenced the whole nation in terrible ways. And today, Pastor Dan will challenge you to be aware of the influence you’re having on other believers. Do you esteem God’s word and allow it to be your guide in life so others can see it?

So many times, among those who follow Christ, you’ll hear grumbling about having to serve here or there or having to go to this worship or that study. That was the view of God’s priests – they were tired of serving God and felt burdened by leading people toward God. Today, Pastor Dan will challenge you to view serving God as a privilege and an honor, instead of a burden and hassle. You may grow tired of God’s work, but don’t ever grow tired of God’s work. He’ll strengthen you as you serve Him faithfully.

God’s people, before Christ, would sometimes sinfully offer their worthless animals, they're left over bits and pieces as a sin or praise offering to the Lord. Yet, as Pastor Dan will teach you today, God is deserving of our very best in life. He has given you life, grace, forgiveness, mercy and so much more. Show Him the honor and respect He deserves. Prioritize Him above all things in life. Give Him your best. And He will bless you for that. He will be with you in all things and He will provide for every other area of your life.