Gentleness is the demonstration of strength and self-control. Life and its stress and pressure can tempt us to react with frustration and anger. It’s easy to fly off the handle and say things we don’t mean. We can project a false sense of strength by being brash and outspoken. But true strength keeps our spirit under control.

Main Points:

1. It’s possible that you and I could think of the character trait of gentleness and equate it to weakness. We might consider gentleness to be the opposite of strength and power. Yet, as we serve God, sometimes our greatest strength reveals a heart of gentleness to those in need.

2. The world around us doesn’t usually applaud gentleness. It seems to recognize those who speak loudly and forcibly in public and on social media. But God honors gentleness.

3. Gentleness involves humility and gratitude toward God. It is polite, restrained behavior toward others.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 4:5 - “Let your gentleness be known to all. The Lord is at hand.”

Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Matthew 7:16 - “By their fruit, you will recognize them.”

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Unfortunately, one of the characteristics of humanity, even followers of Christ, is that our strength is exhaustible. We are not superhuman creatures. Our strength runs out and we face the common problem of weariness.

Main Points:

1. We’ve sometimes bought into a misunderstanding that in order for you and I to be strong we must have good conditions. However, it seems that most of our spiritual growth occurs when times are difficult. It’s in these hard times we learn God is faithful and dependable. It’s in these times we gain much-needed strength from the Lord.

2. What we decide to do in our times of weariness is critical. I’ve seen people who were tired, become discouraged, they failed to reach out for God’s strength, and eventually, they gave up on their faith – they quit. This is what the devil would like to have to happen to each of us.

3. While we must face the reality that all of us must deal with weariness, there is hope from the Scriptures of a deeper reality in which we can tap into the inexhaustible strength of God. It’s here that we discover a source of strength for those who trust in and wait upon the Lord.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 40:31 - “…those who wait on the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Psalm 27:14 - “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

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Work out your salvation. Put your salvation to work. Let it be evident in every area of your life. Allow your salvation to transform your thinking, your attitude, your words, and your behavior. Let Christ be exalted in every area.

Main Points:

1. The forgiveness of our sins does not come through our own works and good deeds. In other words, we could never earn our salvation.

2. Works do not save us, but they are the evidence of our salvation. We do not work to be saved. We work because we are saved.

3. Having received such a powerful and gracious salvation from our heavenly father, we want to serve Him. We want to live the life of a believer he has called us to. We want to use our time, talents, and treasure to advance the kingdom of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 16:30 - “What must I do to be saved?”

Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Philippians 2:12-13 - “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

James 2:26 - “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”

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The love of money is a heart issue. It’s called greed. Greed is one of the enemies of our hearts. Very quietly it slips in and begins to guide and direct our decisions. The Bible calls greed sin because it can lead us to push God out of our lives. Greed is dangerous because it blinds us to what is truly important.

Main Points:

1. The problem with the love of money is that it is never satisfied. When will you have enough? It doesn’t matter how much we possess, we still want more. The love of money can motivate any evil on this earth. There is no sin that cannot be committed for the sake of money.

2. Jesus identifies the love of money as a heart issue. Here is an important biblical truth: Satisfaction can only be found in Christ. Contentment can only be gained through a relationship with Jesus. Apart from living for Jesus, our hearts wander in search of fulfillment, only to never find it.

3. We rid ourselves of greed and materialism when we treasure Jesus above all things. He is our ultimate treasure. When we have Jesus we have everything we need. This is how we guard our hearts against the root of all evil.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Timothy 6:10 - “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Luke 12:34 - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

1 Timothy 6:6 – “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

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We discover that God cares about the heart. God wants us to love Him, value Him, and esteem Him above all things. When we serve the Lord out of sincere hearts, wanting to please Him, and wanting to give Him the glory, he rewards us only a loving Heavenly Father can.

Main Points:

1. In Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount he speaks to the heart of what we do for God, not just what we do for God. We learn that it’s not just the act of serving God that pleases the Lord, but our motives matter to Him as well.

2. I believe this is one of the things that distinguishes Christianity from every other world religion. You see every world religion is about what you do. It’s about your work. Salvation is earned by your diligence to hard work and keeping rules.

3. In Christianity, it’s not that Jesus doesn’t care what we do, but he is more interested in those intentions that are hidden from human eyes. He’s after our heart.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:1 - “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16 - “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Psalm 26:2 - “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.”

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As we grow in our faith, we aspire to be Christians who know what we believe. Our beliefs have stood the test of time. These truths have become deep convictions in our hearts. We know them to be true because God has revealed them to us in His Word and by His Spirit. Others may choose to believe other things, but we live with the deep assurance of the truths of God.

Main Points:

1. Let me ask you, “Do you have a deep conviction about the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are you thoroughly convinced the Word of God is true? Are you letting the scripture not only inform your life but also change your life?”

2. Our faith is anchored in the steadfast character of God. He does not change. His Word is forever true. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Generations come and go. Seasons come and go, but the Word of God is the same forever.

3. You might be thinking, “Loren, why is it essential that we have a deep conviction about the Word of God?” It’s so common today for people to express the idea that they are open-minded. As if this is a virtue. They don’t want to seem dogmatic. They don’t want to appear rigid in their thinking and beliefs. But this is exactly what our enemy wants. Without conviction, we are prey to false teaching, idolatry, and falling away.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Thessalonians 1:5 - “our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.”

Romans 14:5 - “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”

Romans 4:21 - “…fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

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Here’s what I have come to believe. God has blessings planned for your future that you don’t even know about yet. God is actively initiating blessings. His blessings are not an afterthought. They are not the results of leftovers from someone else’s blessings. No God has designed plans to bless your life.

Main Points:

1. Have you ever experienced a blessing from God that you weren’t expecting? I’m sure you have. Maybe you thought, “Wow! I didn’t see that coming.

2. As you navigate these challenges of life, it’s here that you see the goodness and mercy of God. In sickness, he provides strength, peace, healing, and recovery. In the family, he provides forgiveness, restoration, peace, and guidance. In financial struggles, he makes a way where we couldn’t see a way.

3. Psalm 23 calls for faith and a belief in the goodness of God. Will we trust Him? Let’s choose to believe that his goodness and mercy are following us every day.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 23:6 - “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”

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Here’s what I am learning: It’s easier to avoid temptation than it is to fight sin. If possible, we should avoid being in places where we know we will be tempted. But sometimes, temptation seems to come out of nowhere. What do we do?

Main Points:

1. We must deal with the temptation immediately. Don’t wait. Don’t linger. Don’t think about it. Don’t entertain the possibility. The longer you wait, the weaker you become.

2. This means that we take immediate action against those thoughts which would lead us away from God’s will for our lives. We cannot give place to thoughts of temptation. Let me say it again. The longer you wait, the weaker you become. We must become fierce in the battle against temptation.

3. Maybe as you listen to this episode, you acknowledge you’ve done a poor job in the battle against temptation. I get it. I’ve been there too. So, where can we find strength? We find strength in three things: God’s Word, God’s presence, and in community with other believers.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Corinthians 10:5 - “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

2 Peter 1:3 - “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him…”

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