Serving Jesus Christ

"Welcome to Words To Live By. 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 Psalm 23:4

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (NASB95)

There's a reason Psalm 23 is the most beloved passage in Scripture. It speaks to the soul when life is at its darkest. And verse 4 takes us right to the heart of that comfort: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."

Notice what David doesn't say. He doesn't say, "If I walk through the valley." He says, "Even though I walk." Valleys are not detours in the Christian life—they are part of it. Every believer will walk through seasons where the shadows fall heavy.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Hope in a World That Feels Hopeless

We live in a world where hope feels like a rare commodity.

Every headline seems to scream despair—wars, moral collapse, division in our communities, sickness, and uncertainty about the future. And yet, Scripture insists that followers of Christ have something the world can't offer: a blessed hope. Not a fragile optimism, not wishful thinking, but a steady and certain confidence grounded in Jesus Christ.

Our passage today is Titus 2:13, which says:

"Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:13, NASB95)

This verse anchors us in something real. It reminds us that Christian hope is not built on circumstances but on a Person—our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has come once to save us, and He is coming again to reign in glory. That truth changes everything about how we live in the present.

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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.

September 29, 2025

Let me ask you—what would change if you really believed that God was upholding you with His righteous right hand? Would you approach today's challenges differently? Would you sleep more peacefully tonight, knowing your life is not hanging by a thread but held in His grip?

This verse ultimately points us forward to Christ. Jesus Himself said, "No one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28). The righteous right hand of God is fully revealed in His Son, who took our weakness at the cross and gave us His strength through resurrection life.

So today, hear these words not as an ancient promise locked in history, but as God's living Word for you: "Do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you."

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

A Lesson On Eternity

The passage we're looking at today is one of Jesus' most sobering stories: Luke 16:19–31, the account of the rich man and Lazarus. Some passages in Scripture wrap us in comfort like a warm blanket on a cold night. Others shake us awake like an alarm clock you didn't want to hear.

This one somehow does both. It comforts us with the reality of eternal life for those who belong to God. And it shakes us with the reality of eternal separation for those who reject Him.

Here's the thing: Jesus doesn't tell this story just to scare us. He doesn't tell it for shock value, as though He's spinning some kind of horror tale.

No—He tells it to open our eyes. He tells it because eternity is real. Heaven and hell are not abstract concepts, not just church words we say without thinking. They are eternal destinations, and our response to God's Word here and now matters forever.

So in this message, we're going to look at three things:

1. The contrast between worldly wealth and eternal poverty,

2. The reality of heaven and hell, and

3. The urgency of responding to God's Word now—before it's too late.

And let me ask you right at the start: are you living for what will last forever, or are you pouring your life into what is already fading away? That's the heart of this story.

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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" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Why Am I A Christian?

Today's message carries a personal title: "Why Am I a Christian?" It's not a trick question. It's a heart question. Many of us quietly ask it when we suffer, or when we're tempted, or when a friend challenges our faith. Why am I a Christian? Let me explain where we're going.

We'll drop our anchor in John 6:66–69, where Simon Peter answers Jesus with these words, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life."

From there we'll trace three reasons:

1. Truth — Jesus alone speaks the words of eternal life.

2. Grace — God saves sinners by grace through faith, not by merit.

3. Life — The risen Christ changes people and holds them fast.

Along the way, we'll talk about real stuff:

1. Are we in this as fans, or as disciples?

2. Did we "sign up" as fire insurance, or

3. Did Jesus call us to repent, believe, and follow?

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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 "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

God's Pursuit of the Lost

Today, we're diving into Luke 15:1-10, the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. These vivid stories unveil God's relentless pursuit of the lost and the uncontainable joy in heaven when one soul repents.

Written around AD 60-62 to Theophilus, a Gentile believer, Luke's Gospel portrays Jesus as the Savior for all—tax collectors, sinners, the forgotten.

The big idea?

God seeks the lost with unwavering love, and heaven rejoices over every heart that turns to Him.

Our proposition:

As Christ's followers, we must reflect that pursuit, prioritizing one soul's repentance over our comfort and celebrating with heaven.

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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 "Nothing But The Blood" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Counting The Cost

Welcome to "Serving Jesus Christ," the podcast from Our Savior's Free Lutheran Church in Argyle, Minnesota.

I'm Pastor Warren Swanson, and today we're diving deep into Luke 14:25-35. This passage is a gut-check for anyone who claims to follow Jesus.

It's not about casual faith or half-hearted commitment—it's about giving everything to Him. Jesus speaks to the crowds, demanding they hate family and self in comparison to loving Him, carry their cross, count the cost like a builder planning a tower or a king preparing for war, and renounce all possessions to be His disciples.

The salty finish reminds us to stay useful for God's kingdom, or risk being cast aside.

Here's the thing: in our distracted, fast-paced world, this passage forces us to pause and ask, "Are we truly disciples, or just fans of Jesus?"

The big idea is that genuine discipleship demands unwavering allegiance to Christ above everything else.

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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.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Discernment In A Distracted Age

Today we're digging into a message that feels urgent for our times.

Our sermon, "Discernment in a Distracted Age: Truth Over Trends," is rooted in Proverbs 4:25-27, where Solomon calls us to fix our eyes straight ahead and guard our paths from evil.

In an era overwhelmed by social media noise, shifting cultural fads, and moral confusion, this passage is a clarion call to spiritual and moral renewal through laser-focused discernment.

We'll unpack how to stay anchored in God's truth by looking to Christ, carefully weighing our steps, and steering clear of distractions that pull us off course.

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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.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Striving For The Narrow Door

In this powerful passage, Jesus is on His journey toward Jerusalem, and He addresses a profound question about salvation, urging us all to strive diligently to enter through the narrow door that leads to God's eternal kingdom.

We're going to take a deep dive into the historical backdrop of Jesus' ministry at this pivotal time, as He teaches in various cities and villages, fully aware of the cross that lies ahead.

We'll explore the urgency embedded in His words, the dangers of spiritual complacency and presumption that can creep into our lives, and the incredible hope of a kingdom that welcomes people from every direction—east, west, north, and south.

Along the way, you'll gain practical insights on how to cultivate an authentic faith, prioritize your walk with God in the midst of daily busyness, and step out in boldness to share the life-changing gospel with those around you.

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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 "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Jesus Loves Me" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is:

Trust In God's Sovereignty

Today, we're diving into Psalm 33:12–22, a passage that radiates praise for God's unshakable sovereignty, His steadfast love, and His watchful care over His people.

This psalm is like a beacon in the fog, guiding us through life's uncertainties—whether it's personal struggles like financial stress, family challenges, or the broader chaos of our world in 2025.

We'll unpack how this ancient song calls us to trust God's perfect plan, fear Him with deep reverence, and anchor our hope in His faithful deliverance. We'll explore this text verse by verse, keeping it thoroughly biblical, theologically conservative, and practical for your daily walk with Christ.

You know what? In a world that feels unsteady—economic pressures, political divides, personal anxieties—Psalm 33 reminds us that God is in complete control, His love never wavers, and His eyes are fixed on those who trust Him.

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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 "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" and "Be Thou My Vision" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.