Jesus wants you to be a shrewd Christian. After telling the Parable of the Dishonest Servant, he said, “The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:8-9). Jesus went on to explain what he meant: A shrewd Christian loves God over money. A shrewd Christian uses God’s money to gain friends for eternity. And a shrewd Christian trusts in salvation by faith in Jesus. I hope you can listen to this sermon about one of Jesus’ most surprising parables: “The Shrewd Christian.” Jesus loves you!

“God helps those who help themselves.” That’s one of the most common statements that people like to say. In other words, if you want God to help you, you better be doing something yourself!Is that true? Thankfully, no! Instead, the Bible says, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6,8).I hope you can listen to this short devotion about God’s grace to undeserving sinners like you and me.God loves you!

Do you know what the most precious treasure in the world is? You! You are the most precious treasure in the world. Know why? Because God wants you. God wants you so much that he sent Jesus to die on the cross for you. But God isn’t the only one who wants you. Satan does too. Satan wants to tear your soul away from Jesus. Every day, there is a battle going on for your soul. Every day, Jesus seeks to pull you closer to him through his Word, while Satan seeks to pull you away from Jesus with false teachings. That’s why Jesus gives Christians this warning and encouragement: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15). I hope you can listen to this sermon: “The Battle for Your Soul.” Jesus loves you!

Was Jesus just a good teacher? That’s often how people today talk about Jesus: He was a “good teacher.” Is that really what Jesus came to do?We learn Jesus’ true purpose from his name. When an angel said what Jesus’ name would be, he explained: “He will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about how Jesus is more than just a good teacher. He’s our perfect Savior!Jesus loves you!

It’s so easy to take God’s blessings for granted. Here’s one example: Food. Every day, we have food to eat, often even more food than we need to eat. We assume that we can take care of ourselves. Is that really true? The Bible reminds us, "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing" (Psalm 145:15-16). Whom does everything come from, including food? God! When we realize that even the simplest things of life—like daily food to eat—come from God, he invites us to realize that he fills us with more than food. Just like our bodies hunger for food, our souls long for forgiveness and love and purpose. Where do all those things come from too? God! We have a gracious God who fills the hungry with all that they need for body and soul. I hope you can listen to this sermon, “God Fills the Hungry.” Jesus loves you!

We’re all searching for righteousness. We all strive to feel good about ourselves. We all hope that by doing the right things, we’ll be good people. Do you know what Jesus says? “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Those are shocking words! Unless you are more righteous than the most righteous people around, you won’t enter heaven. Ouch! How could we ever make it to heaven? Only by realizing this: True righteousness doesn’t come from us and our works. True righteousness comes through faith in Jesus. Our goodness doesn’t depend on us. It depends on Jesus and his salvation. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “True Righteousness.” Jesus loves you!

Is faith just saying the right words? Faith is at the heart of Christianity. We’re saved by faith! Is it just a matter of knowing the right words to say?The Bible says, “No!” Faith isn’t just knowing the right words to say. Faith is trusting in Jesus in our hearts: “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about faith and be encouraged by God’s Word to trust in Jesus in your heart.Jesus loves you!

Do you know what type of people Jesus chose to be his first disciples? Fishermen. Jesus could have chosen anyone from any occupation, but he chose fishermen to be his first disciples. Jesus explained why: “From now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:10). Becoming Jesus’ disciples didn’t actually change their occupation. They were still fishermen. Instead of fishing for fish, however, they were now going to fish for people. That’s what Jesus calls all of us to do: Fish for people. Like a fisherman casts out his line over and over again, never knowing which cast will result in a fish, Jesus calls on Christians to cast out God’s Word over and over again, never knowing when God will use his Word to miraculously change hearts and lives. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Let Down Your Nets.” Jesus loves you!

Does God have a plan for me? That’s a heartfelt question. We sometimes have days filled with doubts and guilt and emptiness. Does God have a plan for me?The answer is, “Yes!” God’s promise to his people long ago is also true for you and me: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about God’s plans for his people in the past and God’s plans for you right now. Jesus loves you!

Is it a sin to get angry? You get angry sometimes. All of us do. Is it wrong to get angry?While there is such a thing as righteous anger, the Bible gives us this encouragement about our anger: “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about God’s righteous anger and God’s encouragement to you and me to learn to forgive.God bless your day!