Face Your Fears With Confidence

Jim Leffel
Psalms 27:1-14

This psalm describes the experience of someone who is in the midst of fear. We will learn how to move from fear to confident trust in God by speaking truth to ourselves and expressing our feelings, beliefs and petitions to God. Sean Fitzpatrick shares his experience with trusting God in the midst of fear.

Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God's Word

Gary DeLashmutt
Romans 12:2

We can read the word of God but how often do we ponder it deeply in meditation? Biblical meditation is not about emptying your mind but instead interacting with and understanding something deeply. We need God's help in a world that never stops moving and where we intake information at higher speed than ever. Being connected to God through His Word in meditation promises to grow us and root us deeply in Him. \r\n

Keys to Effective Prayer

Mike Sullivan
James 5:13-18

There are many ways to grow a prayer life. Three keys to effective prayer include: 1) cultivating a lifestyle of ongoing individual prayer; 2) confessing your sins to one another and praying for one another; 3) praying for a commitment to God's Will.

Judging, Reconciliation and Prayer

Dennis McCallum
Matthew 7:1-12

Still dealing with the self-righteous Pharisees, Jesus continues to teach on how our interpersonal relationships should look. He says that we should avoid the self-righteous judgment of the Pharisees, who's ultimate judgment is coming. In addition, Jesus tells his audience to perceive a humble view of self in light of seeing sin in others lives, as well as learning boundaries within relationships and extending forgiveness to others. Lastly, Jesus gives insight into seeking after God through prayer and that our lifestyle should be characterized by a commitment to others.

Where God Leads, God Provides

Jeff Gordon
1 Thessalonians 5:17

Once Nehemiah decided he was going to go God's way, he needed permission from the King of Persia to go to Jerusalem. As he stepped out in faith, he learned that where God leads He also provides and changes hearts. Our role, as followers of God, is to pray and be willing to go where He leads. While we pray we can actively prepare because we know that God will lead the way.\r\n

Against the Flow; Nurturing the Inner Life in a Fast Paced World

Mike Bullmore
Matthew 6:6

A biblical case for solitude is presented, a necessary time where we feed our inner person. God has made His Word available to us, but we have a responsibility to create opportunities to exercise this nourishing effect. This goes against the grain of our culture, and thus requires us to schedule this time into our lives and turn off the distractions around us. This is a time to unplug and enjoy extended time with the Lord. Bullmore provides some practical suggestions of how we can best utilize this time. \r\n

Feeding on God; Cultivating a Fruitful Life in the Word

Mike Bullmore
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Without God's Word, we will remain a spiritual infant, but with it, we can experience sincere growth in our spiritual lives. We must hold several convictions in our heart as we feed on God's Word. First, we must believe that Scripture is God-breathed. Second, it is necessary that we hold that Scripture is understandable. Furthermore, we must hold that it is useful and that God can accomplish His work through Scripture. It is God's intention to nurture us by His Word, but our responsibility is to create opportunities for Him to do this. Once we have humbled ourselves under the authority of Scripture, there are numerous practical ways that we can create these opportunities.

What Does Spiritual Maturity Look Like?

Dennis McCallum
Ephesians 4:3

Our culture believes that the path to personal peace is based on our good circumstances and developing an inner sense that nothing is bothering us. The Bible, however, says that personal peace comes from a relationship with God and is the sense of security and purpose that comes from trusting in God's love. This peace is accessible to all believers no matter what their circumstances, and anxious believers can experience it through practicing gratitude.

The Work of Prayer

Jim Leffel
Daniel 9:1-19

Great works of God are accomplished by the disciplined intercession of God's people. Prayer is an opportunity to participate in the supernatural and to bring praise to God. Daniel repeatedly pleaded with God in a way that shows three principles on the subject of prayer: 1) pleas should be specific; 2) pleas should be confident; and 3) pleas are rooted in grace.