Pastor Bill tells us today that even though our salvation is secured by the sacrifice of Jesus, what we do with it does have an eternal effect. When we cleanse ourselves from the sins that try to trip us up and hold us back, when we pursue holiness, when we pursue Jesus, we set ourselves up to be a vessel of honor. You're saved by the blood of the Lamb, now what are you going to do with it? Will you passionately pursue holiness? Will you follow the King with single-minded purpose and enthusiasm?

The walk of faith isn't an easy one and God knows how frightening it can be! He knows you're afraid to tell your coworkers that the answer to every problem is to surrender their life to Jesus. He knows it makes you nervous to go downtown and bring food and clothes to the homeless. He knows the walk he's called us to is one of faith and not sight. But Pastor Bill tells us today he also knows the right moment to speak to your heart. He knows exactly how to encourage you because he knows you!

It's often our own insecurities that get in the way of God's plan. He gives us directions and we start to ask questions. Moses did it when God sent him to free the Israelites. In our story today, Gideon will do the same thing. Pastor Bill tells us that God does care about our questions, but that there's a time for questions and there's a time for action. When it comes to the school of faith, it's time for action. There's a dying world out there and they don't have time for our questions to get the way. Time to Go!

Pastor Bill asks a tough question today! How would you respond if Jesus came to you and said, “The Lord is with you, you mighty woman or man of valor!” Do you feel like a mighty person of valor? I think deep down even the people we see as courageous or valiant don't feel that way. Are you willing to let God tell you who you are? Gideon wasn't a mighty man of valor when the angel of the Lord told him that he was, but he allowed himself to be defined by God's word instead of his own ideas.

Pastor Bill brings a simple but profound message today; use your gift! Each of us has been given gifts by the Spirit of God. It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, young or old, or what color your skin is. You have a gift. And each gift has been given so that we will use them. The church needs your gift! The people around you need your gift! Stop waiting for permission and start using them to build up and encourage the church and to call the world to follow Jesus!

Pastor Bill reminds us today that God has a purpose in everything, even the enemy in your life. Do you have an enemy? Maybe it's your boss that doesn't treat you fairly or a parent who never speaks a kind word. Maybe it's a teenage son or daughter who is rebelling against you. All of these things and so many more can all be used by God to draw you to himself. When things go well we forget. But when the world starts pressing in, we run to him. We cry out to him. And he is ready to deliver us!

In the time of the judges, the Israelites didn't know God. They hadn't been through the parting of the seas like the generations before them. They didn't watch Jericho fall with the sound of trumpets. So when they saw the people around them worshipping the gods of money and sex, they followed right along. Pastor Bill will point out that if you haven't experienced the goodness and the greatness of God for yourself, you, too, will be tempted to follow the world's gods of money and sex.

Have you tried to keep the commandments? How long do you think you could keep ALL the commands that God has given us? Well, I know I probably wouldn't last very long before I found out that my efforts “Don't Work”. Pastor Bill is dissecting Joshua's words and will point us to our need for Jesus. He will also point out that in spite of our inevitable failure, we can still make the commitment to follow and serve God with bold confidence. We can be like Joshua, and be strong and courageous!

Joshua made the statement “As for me and my house... we will serve the Lord!” Have you echoed that sentiment in your own life? Pastor Bill will give us some insights into what serving the Lord looks like in our day and age, and why we will need courage and strength in order to follow that calling. More than that, he will share that unless we are empowered by God to keep serving, we will fall hopelessly short. If we had the ability to follow God fully, we wouldn't need Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Bill will be looking today at Joshua's final words to the nation of Israel. Joshua had seen the faithfulness of God in the desert as well as in the promised land. Joshua said that Israel should fear the Lord and serve him, however, Joshua had seen the fickle nature of Israel in his many years, and he knew that there would be issues if they departed from that relationship. Do you make the bold declaration that you and your house will serve the Lord?