Dan River Church Podcast

How do we have extraordinary love this Christmas season? Extraordinary love lets go of bitterness, listens carefully to God's wisdom, recognizes there is only one name that saves, obeys immediately and completely, and sacrifices personal desires and agenda.

How do we find real joy this Christmas season? We realize that the light of Jesus is for everyone. We are not surprised when people are indifferent to or intimidated by Jesus. We worship what is true, use our gifts to honor God, and walk in a new direction.

How can we be truly grateful this Thanksgiving? We must remember: There is nothing we can do that will ever stop God from loving us. The faithful love of the Lord protects us when we are fearful, guides us when we are lost, and strengthens us when we are weak.

How can we have an attitude of praise and thanksgiving? We connect with God's people, meditate on God's works, and rejoice in God's character. God is our gracious, merciful, powerful, just, good, trustworthy, generous, holy provider. That's why we respond with gratitude.

How can we have gratitude in our darkest hour? We celebrate God's goodness, knowing we lack nothing and we are filled with the joy of the Lord. We call on God's power, knowing He frees us from fear and saves us from trouble. We desire God's peace by speaking well of others and doing good to others.

How do we prepare for the end times? We must know the signs, prepare to live somewhere forever, place our hope in Jesus, not in man, and focus on relationships.

Courage is not an act; it is a habit. What are the essentials to developing a lifestyle of courage? Reject jealousy, choose integrity, live prayerfully, and trust God always. We cannot control the outcome, but we can choose to surrender control to God.

In a culture of compromise, people fail to recognize the warning signs of God. If we want to stand firm, we must learn from the sins of others, honor the holiness of God, and realize the brevity of life. The writing is on the wall: If we don't get our lives in balance, we will lose what matters most. Stand firm.

What can we learn from the life of King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4 of Daniel? A life of pride leads to a life of chaos ... when I rely on what I have, give myself the credit, and focus on what is temporary. But a life of humility leads to a life of sanity ... when I look up to heaven, acknowledge that God's ways are always right, and exalt Jesus as the King.

Difference makers are risk takers. Courage is the ability to do something in the face of fear or that causes pain. If we want to live with courageous conviction, it is essential that we have godly friendships and complete allegiance to God, and that we worship God's identity. The result: It changes the hearts and attitudes of others toward God.

We can't make a difference unless we're willing to be different. Our culture will always try to change us by isolating us from God's people, indoctrinating us to cultural beliefs, and identifying us by a new name and leader. The decisions we make today determine the actions we take tomorrow. The results of our willingness to be different: God rewards, and people recognize the faith of His servants.

As Christ-followers, we are to pray for those in authority so that we can live in peace, and we are to honor those in authority because of our fear of God. These two actions put us in the right position to do three things: submit to those in authority because they have been placed there by God, because they are servants of God, and to keep a clear conscience; disobey carefully and biblically those who are in authority when we are commanded to do what God forbids or when we are forbidden to do what God commands; and give what we owe to those in authority.

How do we approach this question? We hold firm to what is clear. We recognize the lies and do everything with love. And we remember our worth and Who defines us.

Have you wondered why the Bible is different? The content of the Bible has been overwhelmingly confirmed through manuscript, eyewitness, and archeological confirmation. The prophecies of the Bible have been astonishingly fulfilled. And the outcome of the Bible has been dramatically observed.

Maybe God isn't answering us because we stopped asking or believing ... or because we have unconfessed sin ... or because we have unforgiveness ... or because we have selfish motives ... or because He has a better plan. When there are no answers, keep on seeking, remember God's faithfulness, and trust in God's grace.

Life is rarely lived in a straight line. Detours are part of God's divine plan to help us reach our destination. To reach your destination, rely on God's presence even when you're alone, choose integrity even when you're tempted to sin, use your gifts even when you're discouraged, and give forgiveness even when you're bitter.

It only takes one person, who finds favor with God, to change eternity. For us to find favor, we must listen to and obey God's commands, endure God's timing, share God's message, and celebrate God's faithfulness.

To pass the test, we must stand ready for whatever God asks of us, worship when we don't have all the answers, set the example for those who are watching us, surrender what we are tempted to hold onto. God's commitment to us is greater than our obedience to Him.

Genesis 3 begins with the question from the serpent: "Did God really say?" Genesis 3 causes us to ask ourselves two questions: "Where am I really?" and "What will I choose?"

For those who belong to Christ, there are bold declarations to cling to. Because God is so powerful, we have nothing to fear. Because God is so generous, we have nothing to worry about. Because God is so righteous, we have right standing with God. And because God is so loving, we have overwhelming victory.