The Open Word (Audio)

Be sure that you acknowledge Jesus and His power. Allow yourself to get lost in Him and His Word often enough that you can confidently place your trust in Him. Today Pastor David reminds you that Jesus is with you no matter how hard things may become. He encourages you to trust Christ with the small things so that when you need Him for the big things there's no hesitation. Allow Him to be your comforter and your king. Confidently place your life and dreams in His hands.

History has consistently proven that churches that shy away from Godly doctrine will ultimately fail whereas Churches that get Jesus and His message right flourish. Today Pastor David reminds you just how important it is to know the Bible and to implement it's teachings unapologetically. You must take this to heart in the way that you live your life and your Church must also. Don't take part in a congregation that sugar coats Gods Word. Be sure they know it preach it and encourage all to live by it.

Paul was originally one of the great enemies to Christianity. Yet as time progressed he became one of the most important leaders in the the Christian movement. Today Pastor David teaches you that Pauls conversion was unexpected and unexplainable to those who knew him. They were all dumbfounded upon his conversion. From this you learn that there's power in turning from your old ways. When you allow Jesus to influence and change your life you become a testament to His power and glory.

Don't be fooled into thinking that to become a Christian means that you'll become perfect. As a Christian you'll still make mistakes and fall into sin. The difference is that as a Christian you'll be willing to recognize those sins, take them to the Lord, and try to do better next time. Today Pastor David reminds you that you'll always be a sinner. On your journey as a Christian you'll make mistakes. Don't hide those mistakes from others but instead be honest about them and allow them to become learning opportunities.

Some people are spiritually blinded by the lies of Satan and His darkness. Pastor David says that when God’s light shines in, it bothers them. Christians tend to hate these people, because they are going against God. It’s easy to immediately move into this attitude, but this is not an attitude of Christ. You need to pray that someday they come to see the truth and are able to accept Christs’ calling. Someday they may be the ones to share the truth to others who are blinded. Today, let’s listen to how God turns Terrorists into Evangelists.

We need to be listening for God’s voice and say, “Here I am Lord!” Our world is a very noisy place. Often, we can’t hear His voice because of the chaos. Pastor David reminds us that if we don’t slow down or stop to listen we may miss His calling to us. You need to take time out daily to get quiet before the Lord and listen to see if He is calling your name. That might mean you have to leave the house or go to a coffee shop with head phones and your bible. Today Pastor David will encourage you to take that time to be still.

Today Pastor David teaches that Saul kicked long and hard at the calling that God was trying to put on his life. God kept calling to him. “Saul, Saul, Saul”. Saul must have had a hard time listening. Has God ever called your name? Did you listen? Often you hear it at work, at home, or in your neighborhood. Many times you hear the truth but don’t surrender. Don’t be like Saul. Surrender immediately when He calls your name the first time!

You won’t regret it!

Today Pastor David is teaching about the word convert. He says the closest Christian definition is; to change something into a different form or to transform. It’s more than a change of character. True Christian conversion is a total transformation. You put away your old life and old ways. You do your best to become like Jesus. It isn’t always easy. The old saying, “Old habits die hard”, is very true. We are comfortable in our old ways, but those ways had nothing to do with Jesus, so we need to put them away for something so much better!

Often times people are content with their rituals of attending church, reading a chapter a day, and placing a check in the offering each month. But, for some, this isn’t enough. Are you too easily satisfied with a stale, ritual religion instead of a personal, true relationship with God? Today, Pastor David will encourage you if you want a closer relationship with God. Dig into scripture, ask questions and seek to know him more. God is faithful and will meet you and reveal himself to you in powerful ways!

Some people who are sincere, curious and searching for God may feel too different, too broken to be accepted. They desire to know Him but may feel confused by the bible. They know something is missing but are shunned or rejected by those in the church building. Today, Pastor David wants to encourage you with the truth that God knows you, fully and intimately. And He loves you deeply – enough to send Christ to die for you. Respond to those desires to know God. That’s the Holy Spirit drawing you to Him!