Serving Jesus Christ

"Welcome to Words To Live By. This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps."

In this episode we will consider Psalm 34:18:

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (NASB95)

Heartbreak has a way of silencing the room. Sometimes life strikes so deeply that even prayer feels hard to form. Grief, sickness, disappointment, and loss—each can leave us feeling hollow and alone. Yet into that emptiness, God speaks a gentle, unchanging promise: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

David wrote these words during one of the darkest chapters of his life. He was fleeing from danger, uncertain of the future, hiding in caves. Fear and fatigue were constant companions. And it's right there—when everything felt uncertain—that he discovered a truth we all need:

God draws closest to us when life hurts the most.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Standing Firm Until He Comes

Today we're opening God's Word to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8—a passage about calmness in confusion, truth in the face of deception, and endurance when the world seems to shake. Paul writes to believers who were frightened, convinced that the day of the Lord had already come. Some were anxious, some disillusioned, some even giving up hope. But Paul reminds them—and us—that God has not lost control.

We'll walk through three major truths:

1. The call to not be shaken, to stay anchored when rumors and fears swirl.

2. The revelation of lawlessness and the mysterious restrainer—reminding us that evil is real but never sovereign.

3. And finally, the glorious triumph of Christ, who will destroy wickedness simply by the breath of His mouth.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

"Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The music "Be Thou My Vision" and "Revive Us Again" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

"Welcome to Words To Live By. This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps."

In this episode we will consider 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (NASB95)

There are seasons when life feels stripped bare—when pain, weakness, or uncertainty press so hard that even breathing feels like effort. I've just walked through one of those weeks.

The Apostle Paul knew affliction firsthand—shipwrecks, imprisonments, beatings, sleepless nights. Yet instead of questioning God's goodness, he praised Him: "Blessed be the God of all comfort." Paul wasn't speaking from theory; he was speaking from the battlefield of suffering. He had discovered that God doesn't stand at a distance, sending sympathy notes from heaven. He comes close. He comforts.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

God's Call To Wash And Return

Today's message comes from the book of Isaiah, chapter one, verses ten through eighteen — a passage where the Lord speaks to His people about the danger of empty religion. It's a strong word, yet a gracious one. God is not rejecting worship itself; He is calling for hearts that are sincere, lives that match the prayers we pray, and faith that transforms the way we live.

Isaiah's words pierce through the surface of religion and reach deep into the heart. They remind us that God desires obedience more than offerings, repentance more than ritual, and transformation more than tradition.

If you've ever wondered whether your walk with God has grown routine — if your faith has ever felt mechanical, distant, or tired — then this message is for you. The Lord invites His people to reason with Him, to come and be cleansed. His grace is greater than our rebellion, and His mercy is still calling us home.

Stay with me, and together we'll walk through Isaiah 1:10–18 — When Religion Becomes Rebellion: God's Call to Wash and Return.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

"Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The music "Be Thou My Vision" and "Revive Us Again" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

"Welcome to Words To Live By. This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps."

In today's episode, we will consider Joshua 1:9 NAS95: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you."

There's a kind of strength that isn't found in muscle or willpower—it's born in weakness, in the middle of nights that feel too long and pain that feels too heavy. That's the kind of strength God was talking about when He spoke to Joshua: "Be strong and courageous."

This verse wasn't meant for someone sitting comfortably. Joshua was standing on the edge of a huge task. Moses had died. The wilderness was behind them, but battles were ahead. Joshua had to lead a nation into unknown territory. He must've felt the weight of that. He must've wondered, "Lord, how am I supposed to do this?"

And maybe that's a question you've asked too. I know I have. This past week, chemotherapy reminded me how fragile this body really is. There were moments I felt empty and weak, moments when prayer was just a whisper: "Lord, help me trust You." And yet, this verse kept echoing in my heart: "Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

[My apologies for not uploading this earlier!]

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Finishing Well: The Crown That Awaits

This week's message is titled "Finishing Well: The Crown That Awaits." We'll be studying 2 Timothy 4:6–8, where the Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his earthly journey, reflects with calm assurance upon a life spent serving Christ. These verses are often read at funerals, but they were written by a man who was very much alive — chained in a Roman cell yet utterly confident in the victory of faith.

Paul's words are not those of defeat but of fulfillment. He could say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." His eyes were not on the executioner's sword but on the righteous Judge who awaited him in glory.

In this episode, we'll look closely at what it means to finish well — to live with eternity in view, to remain faithful through suffering, and to anticipate the crown that awaits those who love Christ's appearing.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

"Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The music "Be Thou My Vision" and "Revive Us Again" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

"Welcome to Words To Live By. This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps."

In today's episode, we will consider Matthew 28:20 NAS95:

Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

There are certain words of Jesus that stay with us like an anchor in a storm. "I am with you always." For me, those words have taken on deeper meaning lately.

As I begin chemotherapy, I won't deny there's fear mixed with faith. There's the unknown of how my body will respond, the long hours in the chair, the waiting.

But this promise—Christ's own words—speaks louder than the fear: "I am with you."

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Faithful in the Word, Urgent in the Task

In today's message we're turning to 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5, a passage that captures the last words of the Apostle Paul. He's sitting in a Roman prison cell, chained, forgotten by many, but not by God. His earthly journey is nearly complete. He's about to hand the torch of ministry to a young pastor named Timothy. And his message isn't sentimental—it's urgent.

Paul knows the times are dark. The Roman Empire is hostile to Christians. False teachers have crept into the church. Many who once walked with Paul have deserted him. Yet in the midst of it all, he doesn't tell Timothy to hide, or to protect his reputation, or to make peace with the world. Instead, he says, "Continue in the Word. Preach the Word. Endure in the task."

You see, Paul knew something that we need to remember: when everything else collapses—when culture decays, when morality fades, when truth is questioned—the Word of God remains. It stands eternal and unshaken. And every generation of believers must take up that same call: to cling to Scripture and to proclaim it boldly.

Honestly, if you look around our world today, you can see how relevant Paul's words are. People hunger for meaning but reject the source of truth. There's confusion about morality, identity, and purpose. And yet God's Word cuts through the noise. It is living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword.

So here's the thing: this passage is not just for pastors or preachers. It's for every follower of Christ who wants to live faithfully in an unfaithful age. It's a call to be anchored in Scripture when others drift, to stand firm when others bend, to keep proclaiming Christ when others fall silent.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

"Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The music "Be Thou My Vision" and "Amazing Grace" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

"Welcome to Words To Live By. This is Pastor Warren. Life isn't always easy, and we all face trials that test our faith. But in God's Word, we find promises that steady our hearts and truths that guide our steps."

In today's episode, I want us to consider Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." (NASB95)

Fear is a powerful thing, isn't it? It can paralyze the strongest among us and drain the hope right out of our souls. Fear whispers lies—"You're alone. You can't handle this. It's over."

But Deuteronomy 31:6 confronts those lies with unshakable truth: "The Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Be Strong In Christ's Grace

You know, life often feels like a relentless struggle. The world tells us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, to dig deep and "just try harder." But if we're honest, there are plenty of days when that well of inner strength feels empty.

Maybe you've been walking through a season of health struggles, financial pressure, or spiritual dryness. Maybe you've experienced loss or discouragement and wondered where to find hope. And in those moments, we don't need pep talks or clichés—we need strength beyond ourselves.

That's exactly where the Apostle Paul brings us in 2 Timothy 2:1–13. He's sitting in a Roman dungeon, chains around his wrists, awaiting execution. Yet instead of despair, he writes with clarity, urgency, and unshakable faith. And his words to young Timothy still ring out to us today: "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

Paul goes on to give us three vivid images—of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. Each one is meant to drive home the reality that following Jesus is not casual, not optional, and not effortless. It requires endurance, focus, and trust.

But here's the encouragement: the strength doesn't come from us. It comes from the grace that flows from Christ. Grace that forgives, yes—but also grace that sustains. Grace that strengthens.

Grace that equips us to carry on when we would otherwise give up.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

"Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The music "Be Thou My Vision" and "Blessed Assurance" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.