The Simple Truth

Pastor Dion is excited today, about what it means to be born again. Here's the amazing thing about it. Before you were born again, supernaturally, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you were in a different family. You were descended from Adam, and your inheritance was the curse of sin and death. But, because your spirit is revived, you have a different Father. He is God! Yes! And your brother is Jesus. That means your inheritance is the same as Jesus has inherited. In Jesus, YOU WILL NEVER DIE!

God has provided all that we need for our journey of faith - to walk victoriously. But, if you don't do your part, it won't be effective in your life. You need to listen to Pastor Dion, today, as he tells you that you must immerse yourself in Jesus. That means integrating, with the body of Christ, being built up by your brothers and sisters, and being used to build them up. Praying continually, and feeding upon the Word of God. By doing this, the devil loses any advantage, he might have on you.

Salvation is a free gift from God, of that there is no doubt. But, today, Pastor Dion says, get ready. Because there is a price to pay for accepting that free gift. Jesus said you must count the cost. It can cost a lot in your life, in the here and now. But, the reward far outweighs the cost. Yes, some may turn away from you, and mock you. They did that to Jesus, first. It might cost you your prestige, or even your job. Count the cost. Is the reward of everlasting life, worth the cost of losing worldly things?

You can do much to protect yourself from hard situations, even to the point of physically shutting yourself away from the world. But this can’t protect you from your own negative thoughts and anxieties. Today, on the Simple Truth, Pastor Dion examines what Jesus hoped to impart to his followers before returning to His Father. After reminding them of his constant presence, Jesus calmed their spiritual and emotional anxieties by giving them His peace. Only God’s Peace settles souls and provides real rest.

It’s startling that even when surrounded by lots of people, you can feel totally alone: unknown and unprotected. Well, in today’s message, Pastor Dion teaches that after Jesus was resurrected, He intentionally made his presence known to his Disciples. He was reminding them that He would never leave them, that He’s always there. And Jesus, says Pastor Dion, wants you to know the same thing: that no matter what your circumstances or situation, God is near and He cares.

Being grateful changes your perspective and can change your entire life. Mary Magdalene exemplifies this. In today’s edition of The Simple Truth, Pastor Dion shares that when Jesus cast out the demons that possessed her, the entire focus of Mary’s life changed. She was so grateful for what Jesus had done for her that she became a faithful follower. Pastor Dion teaches that Mary always remembered how Jesus had rescued her and she responded in love and service to him and others.

What do you do when you’re sick? You may try your own remedies for a while but when you get really bad, you most likely see a doctor for help. In today’s teaching, Pastor Dion reminds us that Jesus is the doctor for our souls. He didn’t come for the healthy but the sick. To Jesus, it doesn’t matter how bad or good you are, you need His healing work in your life. Pastor Dion teaches that like Nicodemus, the prominent leader, and the thief on the cross, Jesus wants to rescue everyone.

You, like most people, may have some kind of guilty pleasure that you don’t tell many people about because you might be afraid of what others will think. Maybe you’re unsure of what they’ll say or do, maybe you’re just embarrassed. Nicodemus and Joseph could relate. In today’s teaching, Pastor Dion tells us about how, for a time, these 2 members of the Sanhedrin secretly believed that Jesus was the Son of God but were too afraid to openly follow him. At some point, though, they, like you, had to make a stand.

You’ve probably done it: ran around your house frantically cleaning things up before company came over. Why? Because you want to seem put together and responsible. You want people to think well of you. In today’s teaching, Pastor Dion says that you don’t need to do this with God. When Jesus died on the cross, the necessity to follow certain rules and participate in rituals died with Him. What you do or don’t do doesn’t matter. Jesus implores you to come as you are, mess and all, so you can find rest.

Today, Pastor Dion continues in Luke 23 as you study the last hours before Jesus dies on the cross. He reminds you that when the cross comes rumbling into your life you have a choice to make. Like Simon, the thief on the cross, and the Centurian, will you admit that you don’t have it all together, that you’ve made so many mistakes, and ask God to forgive you? Or will you continue to try to make life work on your own terms, experiencing none of the freedom and joy that God offers?