At the start of many races, a flag is dropped to indicate the beginning. Flags are also used as ralling points to gather people together. Today, as we begin our ministry year, we rally around the banner of Christs love. Isaiah 11:1-101 John 4:7-12 Luke 5:17-32

Loving your enemies is harder than you think. Today, we take Jesus' direction in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is the only access to the Father and is rather clear on that fact. Yet, he teaches a strange teaching that causes many to abandon his ranks. What is that teaching and how does it affect us every day? Psalm 34:12–22 John 6:51–69

God's Got The Power! He's got the power to comfort, forgive and to love us forever (e.g. from VBS)Nehemiah 9:13-17John 3:1-16

Words can be offensive. On one side, they can hurt other people, in essence offending them. On the other side, they can thwart attacks. In our spiritual battle, the word of God is the only offensive weapon and God calls us to know his word -- which is truth -- and be prepared to talk about the unshakable hope that we have in Christ. [The Sword of the Spirit} Psalm 70:1-4 1 Peter 3:13-17 Luke 21:12-19

One of the biggest tactics of any warfare is attacking the mentality. One enemy with try to intimidate or discredit the other which causes weakness and ultimate defeat. In Christ, we have the sure reality that we are saved and when attacked, we simply remind ourselves of that fact, creating confidence in the midst of doubt. [The Helmet of Salvation]Isaiah 121 Thessalonians 5:1-8Luke 2:25-32

“Sticks and stone may break my bones but names will never hurt me” is a jingle we are taught as kids. But is it true? Our enemy accuses us constantly. He tells us -- and we believe him -- that we are worthless, flawed and not worthy of Christ’s love. How can we extinguish these lies? What does our faith say to us about our identity? [The Shield of Faith]Zehcariah 3:1-72 Cor. 5:11-17John 15:12-17

Shoes are more than a fashion statement - they are a necessity. Without them, we can damage our feet which causes immobility. Today, we see that the shoes with which God fits us give us freedom to live in Christ and give us the mission of sharing peace to all nations. [The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace]Psalm 41 Peter 3:8-15John 14:1-9

When feeling defeated, claiming a truth can bolster our confidence. The truth that we claim is that because of what Jesus did, we are declared loved, forgiven and empowered to live as children of the Almighty. [The Breastplate of Righteousness]Psalm 112:1-9Revelation 12.10-11.John 10:7-10

Have you ever played a game where one of the players makes up their own rules? Usually, those “modified” rules benefit the one making them up. Many people try to live life like that -- making up their own rules. God assures us that the best way to live is to know and follow His truth which defeats the devil at every turn. Truth holds it all together. [The Belt of Truth]Is. 11:1-5Ephesians 4:11-14, 25John 17:13-19