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Welcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining the faith of Abraham and Sarah when it came to the miraculous birth of Isaac. Hebrews 11:11-12 tells us that by faith, Abraham—even though he was past age and Sarah was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered God faithful who had made the promise.

But here's the encouraging truth we discover in this episode: although Abraham had great faith, he didn't have perfect faith. And that's important for us. We can look at the heroes of faith and think their faith is beyond our capabilities. But seeing that their faith wasn't perfect helps us see them as human—just like us. We don't need to have perfect faith to have great faith.

In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:

1) I Believe… But I Need a Little Help

Abraham believed God's promise that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars. Yet in Genesis 15, after believing, Abraham asked God, "How can I know that I will gain possession of it?" Abraham believed but still wanted assurance. And God didn't rebuke him—He provided a sign.

There's a difference between asking for confirmation and asking for proof. The religious leaders of Jesus' day were skeptics who demanded signs despite already seeing plenty of evidence. Abraham, on the other hand, already believed; he just needed a little help being completely convinced because the promise seemed so unbelievable.

Sometimes we believe but don't fully understand. Sometimes we believe but things seem way out there, and we ask God to give us something to confirm what He has said. That's okay. We can have strong faith but still need confirmation regarding certain things.

2) Leaning on Our Own Understanding

Genesis 16 tells the difficult story of Abraham and Sarah's lapse in faith. After ten years of waiting with no child, Sarah proposed that Abraham have a child through her servant Hagar. Abraham agreed. The decision made sense to them—Sarah was past child-bearing age, and Hagar was younger. But it was a decision made without seeking God.

This was a classic case of leaning on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Abraham believed God would do what He said, but he didn't inquire of God as to how to go about it. They were impatient. And the result? Hagar conceived, despised Sarah, Sarah mistreated Hagar, and Hagar fled. The fallout from this decision continues to this day—the conflict between Isaac and Ishmael's descendants is still playing out in the Middle East.

Like Abraham and Sarah, we can believe God's word but then come up with our own plan to carry it out. We can see God doing something through a character in the Bible and conclude that it automatically pertains to our situation. But we need to seek the Lord rather than lean on our understanding. It takes faith to be patient and wait on God.

3) What's with All the Laughter?

In Genesis 17, when God reiterated the promise and specifically named Sarah, Abraham fell facedown and laughed. In Genesis 18, when the Lord appeared again and said Sarah would have a son, Sarah laughed to herself.

Commentators believe Abraham's laughter was one of delight—joy and amazement at what God was about to do. Romans 4:19-22 confirms that Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise. Sarah's laughter, however, appears to have been rooted in skepticism. The Lord confronted her, asking, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"

Sarah doubted, but God was gracious. The KJV translation of Hebrews 11:11 says Sarah "received strength to conceive seed... because she judged him faithful who had promised." Sarah became convinced that nothing was too hard for the Lord.

When the promise finally came to pass, the laughter was different. Genesis 21:6 records Sarah saying, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." The laughter of doubt became the laughter of joy.

4) The Promise Fulfilled

Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90—15 years after the announcement in Genesis 17 and 25 years after God's original promise. God was gracious to Sarah even though she had a bout with doubt. Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses. He rebukes us for lack of faith, but He is gracious at the same time.

Abraham stayed committed to God because he believed in the promise even though it was far off. He persevered through years of wondering, waiting, and struggling. Abraham had great faith, but he didn't have perfect faith. And that gives us hope.

A Word of Encouragement

The heroes of Hebrews 11 had great faith, but that doesn't mean they had perfect faith. Abraham had moments of doubt, moments of leaning on his own understanding, moments of impatience. Yet God still called him righteous because he believed.

We don't need to have perfect faith to have great faith. We can have moments of uncertainty along the way. We can ask for confirmation. We can struggle with impatience. But through it all, we keep believing in the God who is faithful to His promises.

Key Takeaways:

• Great faith doesn't require perfect faith
• It's okay to ask God for confirmation when we believe but need help
• Leaning on our own understanding leads to complications
• Impatience often leads us to make decisions that aren't God's will
• God is gracious even when we struggle with doubt
• Nothing is too hard for the Lord
• Faith requires perseverance—sometimes for many years

A Question to Ponder:

Is there an area where you're leaning on your own understanding instead of waiting on God?

"Nothing is too hard for the LORD." — Genesis 18:14

Next week, we continue our study of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Don't miss it!

📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:11-12, Genesis 15:1-8, Genesis 16:1-6, Genesis 17:15-19, Genesis 18:9-15, Genesis 21:1-7, Romans 4:19-22, Proverbs 3:5-6

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Welcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining one of the most remarkable stories in Scripture—Noah. Hebrews 11:7 tells us that Noah, "when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family." Noah's faith demonstrates what it means to commit to the seemingly impossible.

Imagine being told to build a massive boat—450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high—in a land that had never seen rain. Imagine spending 75 years on a project while people mocked you, all because God told you judgment was coming. Noah's faith wasn't passive; it was active, persistent, and unwavering. And his example challenges us to trust God even when His commands don't make sense to the world around us.

In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:

1) Noah Was Warned

Genesis 6:9-22 reveals that Noah was "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." God chose Noah because of his righteousness—which came through faith. Noah was close to God, and that closeness enabled him to live righteously in an unrighteous world.

God warned Noah of the coming judgment and told him exactly what to do. Noah obeyed. When God gives us warnings—through His Spirit, through uneasiness, through circumstances—we have a choice: heed them or ignore them. Noah also became a "preacher of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5), warning others of what was coming. Our faith should compel us not only to heed God's warnings but also to share them with others.

2) Noah Was Moved by Holy Fear

This wasn't a paralyzing fear; it was reverence and respect for God and His Word. Noah's faith enabled him to trust what God said and act on it. The task was impossible by human standards:

• Nothing like this had ever happened before
• No one had ever built a boat this massive
• It took roughly 75 years to complete
• Two of every animal species would have to find their way to the ark

Yet Noah's "holy fear" told him, "I believe what God said is going to happen, so I better prepare." God's Word was all Noah had, and God's Word was all Noah needed. For 75 years, that Word kept him dedicated. As Pastor Don shared, Dr. Percy Ray obeyed God's call to dig footings for a large assembly hall in Mississippi—and God provided when a man from Memphis was led to give a large donation. When we have a healthy fear that reveres God and His Word, we will have the faith to believe and act upon the impossible.

3) By His Faith He Condemned the World

Noah's words and actions condemned the world—not because he had authority to judge, but because his faith was a living testimony. Every day he built, he was preaching. Every hammer strike was a warning. 1 Peter 3:20 tells us God waited patiently while the ark was being built, giving people time to repent.

God is still patient today. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that the Lord is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." When we grow impatient waiting for the Lord's return, we should remember that His delay is actually mercy—giving more people time to come to Him.

4) Noah Became an Heir of the Righteousness That Comes by Faith

Righteousness comes through faith, not works—but true faith is always accompanied by action. Romans 1:17 tells us, "The righteous will live by faith." Noah lived out his faith, and he inherited the blessing of righteousness.

Pastor Don asks us to reflect: How often do we grasp the magnitude of being among the "few" who find the narrow road? Matthew 7:13-14 warns that many will follow the broad path to destruction. Do we grieve over the lost, as Jeremiah and Jesus did? Do we rejoice when one sinner repents, as heaven does? A faith that declares us righteous also produces a heart that cares about what God cares about.

5) It Takes Faith to Believe the Impossible

We will all face challenges that seem impossible—moments when faith demands we believe what the world considers foolish. Pastor Don shared how stepping into the sole ministerial role of his church seemed impossible, but God made a way.

Noah faced 75 years of jeers, second-guessing, and temptation to quit. But he stood firm and completed his mission. And while the world called him crazy, history proved him right. Today, we still have the same evidence Noah had—God's Word. We have fossilized fish in mountains, the Grand Canyon, and other evidences, but the ultimate authority is Scripture. Until someone can undeniably prove the Bible false, we will believe everything within its pages.

The Application for Us

We don't have to worry about those who reject or criticize what God has called us to do. We just need to stay true to the task we've been given and persevere until the end. The Lord will provide authenticity to His truth; He will silence the foes. We just need to have the faith that Noah possessed and continue to build our ark.

Key Takeaways:

• God warns us—we must listen and sometimes share those warnings
• Holy fear produces reverence that leads to obedience
• Faith believes and acts on the impossible
• True faith condemns the world by its witness
• Righteousness comes through faith and produces action
• God's Word is sufficient evidence for what He has promised
• Perseverance in faith honors God, no matter how long it takes

A Question to Ponder:

What "ark" is God asking you to build—and are you willing to commit to it for the long haul?

"The righteous will live by faith." — Romans 1:17

Next week, we continue our study of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Don't miss it!

📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:7, Genesis 6:9-22, 2 Peter 2:5, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 1:17, Matthew

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Welcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining one of the most significant figures in all of Scripture—Abraham. Known as the father of the Israelites, Abraham was credited with righteousness because he believed God. He was called God's friend, and his life stands as a powerful example of what it means to trust God completely.

In Hebrews 11:8-10, we see Abraham faced with a staggering command: leave everything familiar and go to a place God would show him—without telling him where that place was. Abraham's response? He obeyed and went. His faith didn't just believe in God; it acted on God's Word. And that's the kind of faith that God honors.

In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:

1) It Takes Faith to Step into the Unknown (vs. 8)

Abraham was seventy-five years old when God called him to pack up his entire household—his wife, servants, livestock, and all his possessions—and leave Haran. God didn't give him a destination map; He simply said, "Go to the land I will show you."

Think about what God was asking:

• Abraham was prosperous and comfortable
• He had built a good life for himself
• Leaving meant uprooting everything familiar
• The journey was hundreds of miles through unfamiliar territory
• He had no idea what awaited him

Yet Abraham obeyed. As A.W. Tozer said, "The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith."

The story is told of a father who jumped into a bomb crater during war and called for his son to follow. The terrified boy cried, "I can't see you!" The father replied, "But I can see you. Jump!" And the boy did—because he trusted his father. Abraham couldn't see where he was going, but God could. And Abraham trusted Him.

2) It Takes Faith to Commit to a Future Promise (vs. 9-10)

After arriving in Canaan, Abraham didn't settle down permanently. He lived in tents—the dwelling of a nomad, not a landowner. When his wife Sarah died, he had to purchase a burial plot from the Hittites because he owned no property of his own.

Abraham was a "stranger in a foreign country," yet he stayed faithful to God. Why? Because he understood something profound: this wasn't his ultimate home. As Hebrews 11:10 tells us, "he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

Abraham committed to a promise he wouldn't fully receive in his lifetime. The true inheritance would come to his descendants. But Abraham's faith looked beyond the present to the eternal. He knew that God's promise was sure, and he patiently waited for its fulfillment.

E.M. Bounds captured it perfectly: "Earth is but a pilgrim's stay, a pilgrim's journey, a pilgrim's tent. Heaven is a city, permanent, God-planned, God-built, whose foundations are as stable as God's throne."

The Application for Us

God calls us to the same kind of faith. When we come to Christ, we are called to leave behind our old patterns and step into a new kind of life. Sometimes God calls us out of comfortable situations to follow Him into the unknown. Sometimes we're asked to work faithfully without seeing the full reward in our lifetime.

But Hebrews 6:12 reminds us to "imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Abraham had faith and patience. He had obedience and determination. That's what works for us as well.

Key Takeaways:

• True faith always leads to obedience
• God often calls us to leave our comfort zone for His purposes
• We may not see the full fruit of our obedience, but we can trust God's promises
• This world is not our permanent home—we are pilgrims passing through
• Through faith and patience, we inherit what God has promised
• Abraham's example shows us that it's never too late to step out in faith

A Question to Ponder:

What is God calling you to leave behind so you can follow Him into the unknown?

"The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience." — A.W. Tozer

Next week, we continue our study of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Don't miss it!

📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:8-10, Genesis 12:1-5, Acts 7:2-4, Genesis 23:1-6, Hebrews 6:9-15

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Welcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining one of the most extraordinary figures in Scripture—Enoch. Hebrews 11:5-6 tells us that Enoch was "taken from this life" without experiencing death because he pleased God. But what made Enoch so special? And what can we learn from his walk with God?

Unlike the repeated refrain in Genesis 5—"so-and-so lived... and then he died"—Enoch's story is uniquely different. He didn't just live; he walked with God. And instead of dying, God simply took him home. Enoch's life challenges us to examine the depth of our own relationship with God and ask: Am I walking with Him? Am I pleasing Him?

In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:

1) Enoch Walked with God
Genesis 5:21-24 reveals that Enoch walked with God for 300 years after becoming the father of Methuselah. The Hebrew phrase used here is translated in the Septuagint as "pleased God," which connects directly to Hebrews 11:5. Enoch's life wasn't just about existing—it was about intimate, ongoing communion with his Creator. He had confidence in God, lived in communion with Him, opened his heart to Him, and consulted Him as a bosom friend.

2) To Walk with God Is to Be in Agreement with God
Amos 3:3 asks, "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" Walking with God means being aligned with His will and His ways. Enoch's faith gave him confidence in God's ability, wisdom, and love. Even when God allows things we don't understand, walking with Him means trusting that His ways are higher than ours. When we disagree with God and separate ourselves, we lose joy and peace. When we agree with Him, we experience the blessings of a close relationship.

3) To Walk with God Is to Be in Step with God
Enoch lived in increasingly wicked times—soon after him, God would send the flood. Yet Enoch maintained his integrity and chose to live by the Spirit. Jude 14-15 tells us Enoch was also a prophet, warning his generation about God's coming judgment. Walking with God means keeping in step with the Spirit—not running ahead in impatience or lagging behind in procrastination. It means allowing the Spirit to produce His fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

4) Then He Was No More, Because God Took Him Away
Enoch's departure is one of only two such events in Scripture (Elijah being the other). While Elijah's translation involved chariots of fire and a whirlwind, Enoch's was quieter—but no less miraculous. What's striking is that Enoch lived only 365 years, while his father Jared lived 962 and his son Methuselah lived 969. Why would God take a man who walked so closely with Him so "early"? The answer: his work was finished. Sometimes we don't understand God's timing, but faith trusts that He knows best.

5) Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please God
Hebrews 11:6 makes this crystal clear: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Enoch's faith produced works, prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. And God testified—perhaps directly—that Enoch pleased Him. Romans 8:16 tells us the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. These confirmations sustain us when the enemy tries to steal our assurance.

A Critical Warning

Pastor Don also addresses a dangerous assumption: some people think they are pleasing God when they're not. They attend church, read their Bibles, but live the rest of their lives according to selfish desires. They've created a god of their own design—one that suits their comforts rather than the true God who calls us to surrender. Romans 8:5-8 reminds us that those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. True faith expresses itself through love and obedience.

Key Takeaways:

• Walking with God means being in agreement with Him
• Pleasing God requires keeping in step with the Spirit
• You don't have to understand everything to trust God
• God rewards those who earnestly seek Him with assurance and peace
• True faith produces works prompted by love
• It's not just the length of your life, but the depth of your walk

A Question to Ponder:

Does God testify that you are pleasing Him? Are you earnestly seeking Him?

"Without faith it is impossible to please God." — Hebrews 11:6

Next week, we continue our study of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Don't miss it!

📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:5-6, Genesis 5:18-24, Amos 3:3, Galatians 5:16-25, Jude 14-15, Romans 8:5-8

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Welcome back to Season 11! This week, Pastor Don continues our journey through Hebrews 11 by examining the very first example in the "faith chapter"—Abel. In Hebrews 11:4, we learn that Abel offered a better sacrifice than his brother Cain, and by faith he was commended as righteous. But what made Abel's sacrifice superior? And what can we learn from Cain's tragic mistake?

The story of Cain and Abel isn't just ancient history—it's a mirror that reveals the condition of our own hearts when we come before God. Pastor Don unpacks the critical difference between a sacrifice given by faith and one offered out of mere duty.

In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:

1) It Takes Faith to Make a Right Sacrifice
Cain brought an offering, but Abel brought the best of what he had—the fat portions and firstborn of his flock. The distinction is clear: Abel brought the first; Cain brought the rest. As Proverbs 3:9 reminds us, we are to honor the Lord with the firstfruits of all we have. Faith enables us to give God what is right, not just what is left. Malachi's words echo this truth—God's people were robbing Him by bringing partial offerings, much like Cain did.

2) It Takes the Right Heart to Make a Right Sacrifice
Making the right sacrifice isn't just about money or material goods—it's about ourselves. Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Cain's offering was rejected not because of the gift itself, but because of the heart behind it. Warren Wiersbe wisely noted, “Cain wasn't rejected because of his offering, but his offering was rejected because of Cain: his heart wasn't right with God.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver, not one who gives reluctantly or under compulsion. Faith changes our motivation from obligation to joyful devotion.

3) The Consequences of a Wrong Sacrifice
Cain's bad attitude spiraled into bitterness, envy, and eventually murder. When God confronted him, Cain refused to repent and instead lied about his brother's whereabouts. Sin begets sin—one wrong sacrifice led to hatred, then murder, then deception. Cain's punishment was severe: the ground would no longer yield its crops, and he would become a restless wanderer, cut off from God's presence. When we withhold what God deserves, we risk spiritual fruitlessness and restlessness.

4) A Faith Sacrifice Is Honored by God
Abel was the one who did right, yet he was killed. Where is the honor in that? Pastor Don explains that Abel's ultimate sacrifice—his very life—was honored by God. His faith still speaks today, even though he is long dead. Abel's legacy inspires millions to stand firm in their faith. And while Cain's punishment was to be hidden from God's presence (which he found unbearable), Abel's reward was eternal righteousness. Sometimes the righteous suffer, but God sees, honors, and rewards their faithful sacrifice.

Key Takeaways:

• A right sacrifice gives God the best, not what's left over
• The condition of your heart matters more than the size of your gift
• Half-hearted devotion is a form of arrogance—we don't get to rewrite God's standards
• Wrong sacrifices lead to spiritual fruitlessness and restlessness
• Faith sacrifices are honored by God, even when they cost us everything
• Abel's silence in Scripture speaks louder than many words—what legacy is your faith leaving?

A Heart Check:

• Are you giving God your first and best, or your leftovers?
• Is your worship driven by faith and joy, or just religious obligation?
• Are you trusting God enough to honor Him with all you have?

"Give God what is right; not what is left."

Next week, we'll continue our study of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Don't miss it!

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Welcome to Season 11! We're kicking things off by diving into Hebrews 11—what many call the "faith chapter." Throughout this chapter, we see repeated examples of Old Testament figures who demonstrated extraordinary faith, and their stories challenge us to examine our own walk with God.

In This Episode, Pastor Don Explores:

What Faith Really Means
Faith isn't just wishful thinking—it's being "sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Pastor Don unpacks how faith operates in the unseen realm, distinguishing between believing in someone you can see versus believing in God whom you cannot physically point to. Interestingly, even atheists operate by faith—they believe God doesn't exist without being able to prove it.

Faith Requires Hearing
Drawing from Romans 10:14-17, we discover that faith comes through hearing the message of Christ. You can't have faith in someone you've never heard about. Pastor Don emphasizes that faith doesn't require understanding everything—we may never fully comprehend the Trinity or God's eternal nature, but we can still believe.

Two Kinds of Faith
Using James 2, we examine the critical difference between:

• Dead faith—intellectual belief that doesn't change how we live
• Saving faith—belief that produces action and transforms our lives

Genuine faith demands action. As the poem reminds us: "The faith of the head is the faith that is dead; the faith of the heart is better in part. But the faith of the hand is the faith that will stand."

Living by Faith, Not by Sight
Pastor Don shares the powerful illustration of the African impala—a creature capable of jumping over 10 feet high but kept confined by a 3-foot wall because it won't jump where it can't see its feet will fall. How often do we stay trapped because we can't see what's on the other side? Faith means trusting God in advance for what will only make sense in reverse.

Key Takeaways:

• Faith believes in what we cannot see
• Faith comes through hearing God's Word
• Faith must be accompanied by action to be genuine
• Faith frees us from fear and enables us to step into God's plans

Pastor Don closes with Ruth Morgan's beautiful poem about walking by faith, not sight—reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God is guiding our steps.

"Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible." — Martin Luther

Join us next week for Part Two of "It Takes Faith" as we continue exploring the heroes of Hebrews 11!

📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1-3, Romans 10:14-17, James 2:14-19, 2 Corinthians 5:7

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We've reached the final gear of our Full Throttle series—Sixth Gear: All Access! And today we're talking about the incredible truth that through Jesus, we have full, unrestricted access to the presence of God.

Too many Christians live like outsiders. We linger in the courtyards, hang out in the neighborhood of God, maybe sit on the front porch—but we never actually enter His presence. Jesus didn't die so we could live in the neighborhood. He was beaten, bruised, and crucified so we could have ALL ACCESS to the Father!

Under the Old Covenant, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year with blood to offer sacrifice for sins. But when Jesus died on the cross and cried, "It is finished," the veil in the temple ripped from top to bottom—signifying that every believer now has direct access to God's presence. No more barriers. No more separation. All Access!

Hebrews 10:19 says, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus..." We don't approach God like trembling worms begging for scraps. We come with confidence! The blood of Jesus is so powerful that past, present, and future sins are already paid for. When you confess your sin, God remembers it no more (1 John 1:9). He doesn't know what you did!

All Access means:

• We enter without hesitation through the blood of Christ's salvation. No need for documentation—it's our habitation. We have the authentication because we're a blood relation.
• We worship without reservation because we have His affirmation. The Bible is God's love letter to us. If we can celebrate men in tights carrying a ball across a line, we can certainly celebrate the Most High God who saved our souls! Worship is a time to celebrate, to surrender, to demonstrate our love, and to give.
• We receive without limitation our rightful allocation. Everything the Father has is ours. Philippians 4:19 says God will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory. We don't approach with "if it be Thy will" timidity. My kids come to my house and eat my food without asking—because they're sons and daughters, and all I have is theirs!

The Story of the Sinful Woman (Luke 7):

A woman known as a prostitute came to Jesus while He was eating with Pharisees. She brought an alabaster jar of expensive perfume—worth a year's wages—and poured it on His feet, weeping, wiping them with her hair. The very thing that defined her life, the tool of her trade, she gave to Jesus. She risked her life to come to Him because she knew He wouldn't reject her.

Somewhere, somehow, she had encountered Jesus before—maybe when He said to the woman caught in adultery, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." She knew that no matter where she'd been or what she'd done, if she came to Jesus, He would accept her, embrace her, love her, and forgive her.

I don't know what you're facing, but bring it to Jesus. That habit, that thing you don't want to do—bring it to Him and say, "Jesus, I don't want this to interfere between You and me anymore."

ALL ACCESS: We enter without hesitation through the blood of Christ's salvation. No need for documentation—it's our habitation. We have the authentication because we're a blood relation. Don't need a qualification—made holy by His beautification.

Run to the presence of God! Don't shy away. When you're tempted, run to the One who beat temptation. Jesus was tempted in every way, yet He overcame. He empowers you to say "no" too! Come fearlessly, confidently, and boldly to the throne of grace. Rest in the Father's arms. Abide under His wings.

You have All Access. Go FULL THROTTLE into His presence!

Key Scriptures: Hebrews 10:11-22; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 4:16 (AMP); Luke 7:36-38; Romans 8:16-17; James 4:8; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:19; 1 John 1:9

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We're staying in Fifth Gear and pushing deeper into the No Limits life! Today we're looking at three more keys to living with no boundaries, no ceilings, and no retreat.

3. Vision is ignited through prayer and God's Word.

How do you get a vision? You get in the Word! Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). As you feed on Scripture, it fills your heart with faith to take action. But prayer is where you see it before it happens. In prayer, God births the vision in your heart. Jonathan had to see himself climbing that cliff and defeating the Philistines before he ever took one step. He saw it in his spirit, and that vision gave him the courage to act.

If you can see it in faith, you can take hold of it in reality.

4. We take bold, daring steps of faith.

Once God births the vision, you have to move. Jonathan heard the Philistines say, "Come up to us!" and he climbed. David stood before Goliath and declared, "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel" (1 Samuel 17:46). He was bold! He spoke to the giant.

Some of you need to start speaking to the giants in your life! Declare God's Word over your situation: "I will live and not die. I am an overcomer. I will not be defeated. I will win!"

God's will is not an insurance plan—it's a daring plan. I would rather fall on my face trying to do something big for God than sit on my butt doing nothing. The path of least resistance makes rivers and people crooked. Goals are dreams with targets on them. Put a bullseye on your dreams and go after them!

Stop looking for excuses. Start looking for opportunities. Why not give God a chance? Why not go up and take the land?

5. We charge at what we fear the most!

1 Samuel 17:48 says, "As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him." He ran at his giant! Peter got out of the boat. Jonathan climbed the cliff. David ran at Goliath.

What's the thing you fear most? Run at it!

If you take this path, it's going to be lonely. Most people are content to sit in the shade with King Saul. When you decide to live a No Limits lifestyle, people will call you crazy. I'd rather they call me crazy than call me normal! If you fear man, you'll offend God. If you fear God, you'll offend man. Choose this day whom you will serve!

What do you need to yell "CHARGE!" at?

• Your marriage? Attack your marriage and say, "I'm going to make this better!"
• Your job? Go above and beyond.
• Your future? Run at it!
• Your fear? Charge at it!

We serve a God with NO LIMITS. Let's live like we are His offspring!

Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:45-48; Romans 10:17; 1 Samuel 14:6-15; Matthew 14:29

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We've reached Fifth Gear—and today we're talking about living with NO LIMITS!

We serve an unlimited God. He has no boundaries, no limitations. He is the God of more than enough, the God of plenty, the God of abundance. But too often, we limit Him. We put lids on what He can do in us and through us.

The way to live a No Limits lifestyle is to tap into a No Limits God through faith. Faith is the title deed—the proof of what we cannot yet see (Hebrews 11:1). Without faith, it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The same faith that got you saved—believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth—is the same faith that unlocks every promise God has for you (Romans 10:8-10). Mark 11:23 says, "If anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done."

So how do we live a No Limits, Full Throttle life? Let's look at Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14.

1. We must play offense.

Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree, playing defense, just waiting. But Jonathan said to his armor‑bearer, "Come, let's go over to the Philistine outpost. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6).

Jonathan didn't wait until everything was perfect. He stepped out, climbed the cliff, and trusted God for the victory. Two men took on twenty—and God sent panic through the entire Philistine army. One decision, one step, one "why not give God a chance?" changed everything.

Saul was playing not to lose. Jonathan was playing to win. Which one are you?

If you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting the rest of your life. Faith believes and therefore acts. Don't play defense. Get off your hindends and go possess the land!

2. We remove the lids.

What lids have you put on God? "God can do this, but I don't think He can do that." "I don't know if God can work that out."

When you come to an intersection that says "Easy Route" or "Impossible Ahead," the impossible path is exactly where God lives. Because now it's not about your ability—it's about His. When you tap into God's ability and let go of your own, you live on a whole other plateau!

David took the lid off. Moses took the lid off. But when the Israelites faced giants in the Promised Land, they screwed the lid back on. Don't make that mistake! You are a son or daughter of the Most High. Your Daddy has no lack, no shortage. Don't be intimidated by sickness, disease, lack, or any problem. Your Daddy is on your side!

At our church, we've been seeing God do incredible things—planting churches, paying off debt, planning new buildings. We serve a God who is more than enough. Whatever report you hear, God's report is greater!

It's time to play offense. Remove the lids. And live with no limits!

Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1, 6; Romans 10:8-10; Mark 11:22-23; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Samuel 14:1-15, 23; James 2:17

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We're staying in Fourth Gear and continuing our pursuit of maximum potential in Christ. Today we're looking at two more keys to reaching everything God has for you.

TWO: We learn to draft behind Jesus.

In NASCAR, cars align themselves bumper‑to‑bumper to reduce wind resistance. The lead car punches through the air, and the cars behind experience almost no drag. They can go faster with less effort.

Spiritually, we need to align our lives with Christ. When we position ourselves behind Him, the resistance of the world, the flesh, and the enemy is drastically reduced. The more I put myself in alignment with God's Word, the greater potential I reach in my life.

The problem is, too many people take the opposite approach. They want to see how far they can get from God's Word and still maintain salvation. That's not Christianity—that's playing games. Christianity is about aligning ourselves with God's Word and living our lives in Christ.

So what does that look like practically?

We Face‑the‑Book. Not Facebook. If we spent as much time facing the Bible as we do on social media, we'd be spiritual giants! God's Word is a mirror for our souls. We check our natural reflection every morning—we need to check our spiritual reflection too. Psalm 1 says the person who delights in God's law and meditates on it day and night is like a tree planted by streams of water—whatever they do prospers. How do you prosper? You face the book.

We need to die and hide. Colossians 3:3 says, "You died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Most people live their lives in a mud hole of sin—going "cannonball!" into the mess, then wondering why they're miserable. Jesus washes us, cleanses us, forgives us, and sets us free. But what do we do? We get cleaned up, then we wander back to the edge of the mud hole, tempted to jump back in.

Why are you hanging out at the cesspool of sin when Jesus set you free? Cling to the Word. Cling to the Life of God.

Can I be blunt? Too many people are just fans of Jesus, not followers of Jesus. A fan watches from a distance. A follower aligns their life with His—through thick and thin, through trials and tribulations. When I can't feel His presence, I walk by faith. I hold fast. I hide myself in Christ so that when people see me, they see Jesus.

THREE: We never quit or give up.

Winners never quit, and quitters never win. Paul said we are hard pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Why? Because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Paul finished his race. He kept the faith. And he declared, "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:7-8). That same crown is waiting for everyone who longs for His appearing.

So here's my challenge: Double up on your time in the Word. If you spend five minutes, go ten. If you spend thirty, go sixty. Go big or go home with Jesus. Align your life so close behind His that people can't tell the difference between you and Jesus.

This year, I told God: "I want to go all out for Jesus. I don't want there to be a drop, a hint, a piece of glitter on me that isn't for Your glory." Let's go all out together!

Key Scriptures: Colossians 3:1-3; Psalm 1:1-3; John 15:4; Hebrews 12:3 (MSG); 1 John 4:4; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; 2 Timothy 4:7-8

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