So what are you afraid of? Perhaps health issues, economic collapse, global crises... The list goes on and on. In today's message, Pastor Bill shares the story of a boy who chose faith over fear. David was a shepherd boy who took on the giant Goliath when all the soldiers of Israel were too afraid to do so. His faith in God was stronger and mightier than his fears. Do not let the enemy use your fears against you and hold you back from the work of the kingdom. Trust in the Lord and in his plans for you.

In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches about the time when Samuel took a stone called Ebenezer and set it up as a reminder to Israel of God's faithfulness and help. Are you struggling to see God at work in an area of your life? Maybe it's in your marriage, your finances, or your spiritual journey. Think back to the times when you saw God clearly at work. Pick something symbolic that you can look at to remind you of his goodness and his faithfulness during hard times. Let it be an encouragement to you.

Do you have any idols in your life? An idol is anything that you put in the place of God. It could be your career, your wealth, or even your relationships. In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches of the time Israelites were suffering under the Philistines. The Israelites had made idols out of foreign gods. Peace and prosperity were not given to Israel until they repented and turned from their sin. If there is something in your life that you are idolizing; repent, ask God for forgiveness, and give Him His rightful place in your heart.

Are you experiencing bitterness? Perhaps you're being faced with job loss, relationship issues, or health problems. You are not alone. In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches from the book of Ruth. In the story of Ruth, we learn of a woman named Naomi who experiences great hardship that leaves her bitter. The story ends with her being redeemed by her kinsman, Boaz. Her bitterness is healed. You can find hope in knowing that you too have been saved and redeemed by your kinsmen redeemer, Jesus.

Are you experiencing bitterness in your life? Make an effort to get back to the Lord and stick close to the Godly people in your life during this challenging time. In today's message, Pastor Bill teaches through the book of Ruth. In the story, there is a woman named Naomi who has turned bitter after experiencing many hardships. Her loyal daughter-in-law, Ruth, sticks by her side through it all, and in the end, their story is redeemed. In your struggle, find people who will point you to Jesus. He is your hope.

Our gods are the things we depend on for life. We always serve the thing we feel will support and sustain us through this life. And when your god is something physical—money, beauty, health, family—it's fleeting. As Pastor Bill said, anything on this earth can be taken away from us. And if our hope rests on those physical things we are left with nothing. But! If our hope rests in the king of kings, nothing can take him away from us. And when everything else is stripped away, we still have true life.

We have a problem. Our problem is ourselves and our own propensity to do whatever it is we want to do. We don't think about the long-term consequences of our small choices, but those small choices keep piling up, one on top of another, until we are buried by them. Then the small, seemingly innocuous, choices become a very big problem for us. But like Pastor Bill says, “if you have a king who tells you what to do, problem solved!” You aren't bound to your own desires when you have a king!

Israel doing whatever they want to do left them subject to invaders and conquerors. Pastor Bill said that even today doing whatever you want to do will leave you in a miserable dead-end life. But we have an escape! We have been given a King and not just any king. He is the King of Kings. Because we have a king our lives don't belong to us. We can't just do whatever we want to. Our lives belong to Jesus and when we submit to him and his plans for our lives, we end up with abundant life!

Samson did some pretty great things for God and for the nation of Israel, and yet his story is a sad one. The choices you make in this life will decide if your story is one of victory, or if you, too, will end up with a sad story like Samson's. Samson continually responded to the siren call of pride and lust and was eventually defeated by it. What is the siren call in your life? What sin calls you back, again and again, asking you to indulge just one more time? Runaway as far as you can and into the arms of Jesus.

God has done everything he can to set you up for success. He died for you, rose from the dead, and invited you to do the same and to live with him! He has washed you clean and made it possible for you to be a vessel of honor in his kingdom. But as Pastor Bill will point out today, all of that comes with a choice. It comes with daily choices, actually, to act as a golden goblet or to be more like a dixie cup! Your choices matter! Choose today to be the golden goblet. Follow Jesus and pursue holiness!