The Open Word (Audio)

The grace of God fully impacts one’s life and salvation. No one can come to God on their own apart from God’s initiating action. Not only is this amazing, Pastor David also encourages us today to consider how God’s grace continues to be active in our lives after our salvation. Christians are called to run this race of life by faith which requires responsibility working within the power of God. It takes responsibility on the part of the Christian to continually turn toward the ever present love of God.

Pastor David explains a conundrum of living as a Christian today. As a follower of Christ, one is called to be both separate from the world yet also influential with the love of God to those who are far from Him. A Christian must ask God for wisdom to discern when and where to protect oneself from destructive influences, and then, also seek clarity for the times that will allow for an authentic impact with the love of God. The love of God is a gift that is meant be shared through you!

An incredible mystery of God’s wisdom is that He chooses to use flawed human beings to carry out His perfect will in this world. Many times, people make great mistakes with this responsibility, but according to Pastor David, God has given us an ability and power with which to navigate this life. This power is God’s love in our hearts which can manifest itself in the peace of our soul and our actions toward others. God’s love can bring healing to your own heart and animate how you treat others.

Today Pastor David does an excellent job showing us Paul’s deep yearning for Christians to fully embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. The grace of God has been bestowed upon all believers, and it is available for all people. That torrent of grace opens the flood gates of God’s love and allows all people into a relationship with God! Therefore, it is God’s desire to see His people staying close and growing in faith that they may be an effective witness to this world

There is a cost to following Jesus. Sure there are great promises which you can embrace and believe in, yet when you decide to follow Jesus, you will face pressures in this world to turn away from God. Pastor David shows us today that God changes our perspective as He changes us. When our perspective changes, then we can understand that any difficulty we face in this life is worth it for the sake of following Jesus. God never promised an easy life as a Christian and our trials increase His strength in us!

In heaven, God promises that we will have a new body, no more crying or pain. Believers will be in God’s presence and all longing or need will be completely fulfilled. Compared to the present sufferings of this life, that sounds amazing. Pastor David encourages you today though to remember that until that time you have a mission. Don’t cut short God’s presence that you can experience now, and don’t miss out on enjoying the calling God has for you and the blessing you can be!

Today Pastor David reminds us of our eternal perspective as believers. The reality is that all people are guaranteed to die one day, and in much of this life, our bodies are wearing down and wasting away. However, the scriptures tell us that our earthly bodies don’t compare to the new bodies promised to us in eternity when we will be fully in God’s presence. Until then, God has made you for this time, in your place, and among those around to share in His mission for this world!

Apostle Paul’s life and ministry are hard to fathom. Can anyone imagine surviving imprisonments, shipwrecks, snake bites, beatings, hunger and more? How can one go through this and not lose their mind? Pastor David reveals how Paul could survive these incredible natural circumstances. It was only because of the supernatural at work in him. Due to the work of God in him, Paul had an eternal perspective that fueled his endurance, and God’s Spirit is shared by all believers!

Today Pastor David preaches about the perspective of Paul regarding his ministry. His viewpoint was focused on glorifying God and drawing people to God. Paul was not concerned about himself being acknowledged, but he defended himself because he did not want the true gospel of Jesus Christ he preached being forsaken. Is your perspective in life directed by and focused on Jesus Christ? Jesus alone holds the keys to life and happiness now and forever.

How an event is interpreted depends on one’s perspective. Much like the old question, “is the cup half full or half empty?” Today Pastor David teaches us about Paul’s perspective on life due the transformation that God brought about in him. Paul was changed from persecuting Christians to preaching for Christ. God can give us a perspective adjustment so that our worldview is shaped by a Godly, eternal vision rather than a temporary, worldly way of living.