Dan River Church Podcast

We have an enemy, and he has a strategy. But we can trust in God's Word, God's Spirit, and God's people to triumph over him.

How do we make our love for God known? These are the signs. Supernatural love connects and cares for God's family, expects and endures difficulty, makes generosity a habit, puts words into actions, trusts in God, and prays boldly.

What are three life-changing truths we need to know to prepare for Christ’s guaranteed return? Jesus will return. Not everything about heaven is known. And everyone is a child of someone.

We never have as much time as we want, do we? The enemy is already here, but the Spirit of God is all-powerful. The eternal is promised ... and can be enjoyed by all.

Everybody craves something. Only God fully satisfies and never expires. Have you ever really experienced the love of God? When we really experience the love of God, we love all God’s family the way Jesus does, grow and live the Word of God, and desire eternal promises more than temporary pleasure.

How can we follow Christ well? We have a model of how to live. We have a command to obey. And we have a warning and good news about sin: Sin is always present, but it is not all-powerful. Sin has an accuser, but we have an advocate. And sin has a cure, and everyone needs to hear it.

Life can be full of joy when we receive the truth of God, connect with followers of God, and confess our sins to God.

Two truths to impact the next generation: Everybody has the responsibility to reach the next generation. Parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children; they love by example and teach Christ constantly. We respond to the next generation by recognizing their role in the kingdom, confirming them before criticizing them, and not running away from them.

The right habits come from having the right heart. To break free from bad habits, we must be willing to endure temporary pain. We must not minimize small steps. We must change the way we think about ourselves. We must initiate healthy relationships. And we must rely on a power greater than ourselves.

The truth about relationships: God created us for relationships. The one who created it has the authority to define it. The ultimate goal of any relationship is to become like Christ. In relationships, if we don’t win, I don’t win. Godly relationships (especially in marriage) honor, nurture, and celebrate your marriage.

Can I lose my salvation? To answer that question, we must first ask, "Has there ever been salvation?" Genuine faith causes real change. Superficial faith looks good but does not endure. And eternal faith cannot be defeated; therefore, we can walk in confidence.

Everyone who is born will also die … and then comes judgment. So, what happens when we die? Everyone must answer the question of Jesus. Everyone without Jesus will realize the agony of separation. Everyone with Jesus will see the glory of heaven. Everyone must feel the urgency of today.

Because Jesus sat down, we can look up. We look up to greater purpose, look at greater peace, and look forward to a greater promise.

What is the myth of joy? The more I have, the happier I’ll be. What is the secret to joy? Learn to be content. Biblical contentment: the inward state of perpetual joy, peace, and strength in every moment, regardless of the circumstances. So, how can we be content? We must be grateful when it is natural to compare, Christ-dependent when it is natural to be self-reliant, and generous when it is natural to be greedy.

How can we have peace in the chaos of life? We must resolve our conflicts by not confusing minor issues with major ones, taking the first step, quickly forgiving, speaking with love and grace, and remembering that we're teammates. We must release our worries by talking daily with God and not trying to control the outcomes. And, we must renew our thoughts by rehearsing the truth and getting in the habit of praise.

The secret to joy is to live every day as if we haven't arrived. How do we move toward the prize? We stop living in the past, imitate the right people, beware of the roadblocks, and set our minds on the eternal.

How can we have a life that counts? We must choose our advisors carefully, stop trusting in our own ability, make knowing Jesus our greatest treasure, and exchange our life for Jesus' life.

What are the keys for facing your giant? First, remember God's faithfulness. Know who you are by standing out from the crowd in faith, not trying to be someone else, and guarding your heart. Finally, adjust your perspective.

Are you driven or just merely livin'? Commitment is powered by personal surrender. Commitment is standing out in faith. Commitment is persistent faithfulness and faith over fear. And commitment is always rewarded.