Walking According to the Spirit

Ben Foust
Romans 8:16-39

In this section of Romans, Paul instructs us to walk in accordance to the Spirit in the context of suffering. He describes different lenses to view our suffering through, which will let God near to us and allow the Spirit to help us through our trials.

Living Hope

Ben Foust
1 Peter 1:1-12

The Apostle Peter teaches us that we can live well as resident aliens in a fallen world, full of trials, where we can have hope because we are citizens of heaven.

Responding to Opposition

Patrice McCormac
Nehemiah 4

As Nehemiah rallied the people to rebuild the walls surrounding Jerusalem, he encountered fierce opposition from local rulers. Though the people were afraid, Nehemiah brought God into the situation. He prayed by himself and with others. Then he got back to work. He did not focus on the problems but on the work before them, trusting God was with them.

The Tenth Plague

Conrad Hilario
Exodus 11:12

The powerful way God foreshadowed the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross by the tenth plague of the deaths of the first-born sons in Egypt is a prophetic reminder through the ages of God's desire to save us. God gave the Passover message to strengthen our faith in Jesus and to give faith to those who are not yet Christians.

Relating to God During a Crisis

Dennis McCallum
Exodus 12-15

After God unleashed the plagues on Egypt and Pharaoh let God's people leave, there were still more challenges to the people's faith in God. They still had to cross the Red Sea. As the people panicked, Moses gave three directives to the people:Do not be afraid, Stand firm (the Lord will fight for you), and Be still (stop complaining).

God Prepares Moses

Conrad Hilario
Exodus 4:29-7:6

In the process of preparing Moses for the great he would eventually do, God had to teach him some lessons on failure. Moses needed to learn to not be careless with the words of God, to say exactly what God said. Moses needed to learn to follow God despite rejection, whether from Pharaoh or his own people. Moses learned that fear of failure is opposed to faith, but he can go to God when he does fail. Moses discovered El Shaddai is the God who is sufficient for our personal inadequacies.

Three Practical Guidelines for Prayer

Gary DeLashmutt
James 5:13-20

James has three practical guidelines for prayer. He encourages the cultivation of the habit of ongoing individual prayer. Involve other Christians in your prayer life. And pray for straying Christians.

The Calling of Moses

Conrad Hilario
Exodus 2:11-4:20

For the first forty years of Moses' life, he thought he was a somebody. God used the next forty years to teach Moses he was a nobody. When God was ready to use Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, He did not make Moses adequate for the job, but told him He would be with him. God's ways are different from our ways. If God can use Moses' rod, He can certainly use us.

The God Who Is Faithful

James Rochford
Exodus 1:1-2:10

The Exodus narrative of Moses being rescued from the Nile River to become second in command of Egypt is the story of the God who is faithful. Biblical faith is trusting the God who is trustworthy even through suffering and persecution, with our plans, with our doubts, when we cannot see the full picture, and for the future. Moses' mother demonstrated biblical faith when she placed Moses in the basket and entrusted him to God.