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Temptation is something every believer will face, but we do not have to face it unprepared. In Luke 4, Jesus shows us what it looks like to stand firm when the enemy attacks. The enemy often targets our identity, exploits our weakest points, offers shortcuts that require compromise, and even tempts us to test God. But Jesus responds with the truth of God’s Word, demonstrating that Scripture is not merely something we read, but a weapon we prepare to use when temptation comes. In this message, we’ll learn how to recognize temptation, prepare for it before it arrives, resist compromise, and follow Jesus’ example when we are under attack. We can have victory over temptation when we follow Jesus’ example.

What does it mean to be born again? In this message, we examine the truth that our own efforts, sacrifices, and religious works can never solve our greatest problem: sin. Malachi exposes the insufficiency of what we offer God, while John points us to Jesus as the only spotless Lamb who can take away our sin. Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be born again. But what does that new birth look like, and is there evidence of it in our lives? The gospel is not about becoming a better version of ourselves. It is about the finished work of Jesus Christ and the new life He gives to those who believe in Him. Only Jesus can provide eternal life!

God has called His people to holiness, but we will continually face invitations to compromise, get distracted, or step away from the work He has given us. In Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah’s enemies repeatedly invite him to “come down” from the work, but he refuses to be pulled away from God’s mission. The enemy’s invitation often begins by simply asking us to consider another option. Compromise can seem small, harmless, or justified, but even small compromises can pull our hearts away from God’s purposes. Instead, we are called to recognize the invitation, refuse to come down, remain consistent in resisting temptation, rely on God for help, and refuse to let fear lead us into compromise. When God has called us to something, we don’t need to come down. Keep going. Keep building. Keep pursuing holiness.

Following God does not mean opposition will disappear. In Nehemiah 4, God’s people face ridicule, threats, fear, and constant pressure, yet they refuse to stop the work God has given them. Opposition often begins by attacking our identity, our abilities, and the value of what we are doing. But when the enemy tries to discourage the worker, God calls us to keep going. We keep communicating with our Commander through prayer, keep working together in humility, stay watchful, guard our weaknesses, remember our Lord, and do whatever it takes to remain faithful. The battle may be difficult, but we can keep going because God is greater than every enemy we face.

You are not where you are by accident. You are not living in this moment of history by coincidence. Just as God placed Esther in a specific place at a specific time, He has placed each of us where we are for a purpose. In this message, we discover that God’s plans are never dependent on our obedience, but He graciously invites us to be part of what He is doing. Following Jesus means saying yes to Him, even when that yes requires us to say no to comfort, complacency, or compromise. God’s sovereignty never excuses our obedience. It gives our obedience purpose. And one of the greatest joys of the Christian life is being used by God to accomplish something only He could do.

Conviction or condemnation? In this episode, we look at biblical correction, self-examination, and how Christians should respond when another believer falls into sin. Scripture calls us to pursue holiness, speak the truth in love, and restore others gently, not publicly humiliate them. Before you post, pray. Check your own heart. And ask: Am I correcting to restore, or am I posting to tear down?

What does it actually mean to surrender your life to Jesus? A life changed by Christ should produce a growing hunger for God’s Word, a desire to tell others about Jesus, and a willingness to serve. Salvation is not simply about escaping judgment and going to heaven. It is about belonging to Christ and saying, “Lord, here’s my life. Whatever you want to do with it, use it for Your glory.” Ultimately, the question is simple: Are we living according to our agenda, or are we willing to surrender everything to the King?

In Part II of our discussion surrounding the Netflix docuseries The Death of the Pastor’s Wife, we continue examining the difficult questions it raises about spiritual abuse, pastoral authority, accountability, repentance, and the responsibility of the church. Join us as we continue the conversation and consider what Scripture actually teaches on these matters. #TheDeathOfThePastorsWife #SpiritualAbuse #PastoralAuthority #ChurchLeadership #Accountability

Sin leaves us guilty and defiled, but God’s grace does more than just pardon us. He cleanses us, restores us, and gives us a new purpose. In Zechariah 3, Joshua the high priest stands before God covered in filthy garments while Satan accuses him. But instead of leaving Joshua in his guilt, God graciously removes his filthy garments and clothes him in clean garments. This powerful picture points us to the greater work of Jesus Christ, the promised Branch, who provides the cleansing and restoration we could never accomplish on our own. Grace doesn’t merely rescue us from our past. Grace restores us to God’s purpose.

What happens when pastoral authority crosses the line into control? In this episode, we discuss the Netflix docuseries The Death of the Pastor’s Wife and the difficult questions it raises about spiritual abuse, pastoral authority, accountability, repentance, and the responsibility of the church. The Bible teaches that pastors have real authority to lead, teach, correct, and shepherd the flock. But that authority is not their own. Pastors are under-shepherds, and the church belongs to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. So where is the line between biblical leadership and spiritual control? What should repentance and restoration actually look like when a pastor falls into serious sin? And how can believers make sure they are following Scripture rather than simply following a personality? *This discussion addresses allegations and events presented in a documentary. We were not present for the events discussed and are not presenting allegations as established fact. #TheDeathOfThePastor'sWife

What does the way we live reveal about what we truly value? In Haggai 1, God calls His people to take “a good honest look” at their lives and consider their ways. Their misplaced priorities had caused them to focus on building their own lives while neglecting what mattered to God. Our actions reveal our priorities. Our dissatisfaction can reveal when those priorities are out of order. And sometimes the answer isn’t that we need more, but that we need to realign our lives around God.

What does it mean to be a fool? Daniel 5 gives us a sobering picture of a man who knew about God, knew what God had done, and had every reason to learn from the past, yet chose to live as though God did not matter. The problem is not simply that we don’t know God’s way. The greater danger is knowing God’s way and refusing to live God’s way. We often know what God’s Word says about forgiveness, reconciliation, purity, prayer, evangelism, marriage, money, worship, priorities, and our words. But knowing the truth and obeying the truth are not the same thing. It is foolish to live independently of the God upon whom we are completely dependent. And it is dangerous to mistake God’s patience for God’s permission.

Our failures do not cancel out God's promises. In 2 Kings 24-25, we find that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our performance, our circumstances, or our ability to see what He is doing. His promises rest on His character. Just because you cannot see how God is keeping His promise does not mean He isn’t keeping it!

What makes a testimony a true testimony of a transformed life? In this episode, we walk through Paul’s testimony in Acts 26 and identify three essential parts of a biblical testimony: who you were before Christ, your encounter with and surrender to Jesus, and the transformed life that follows. Your testimony isn’t ultimately about a feeling, an experience, or simply becoming a better person. It’s about Jesus. He pursues us, saves us, transforms us, and empowers us through the Holy Spirit to become His witnesses. Whether you’ve followed Christ for years or you’re still wrestling with what it means to surrender your life to Him, this episode will challenge you to consider: Do you have a biblical testimony, and are you sharing it with others?

Everything we have is ultimately God’s. Our time, abilities, resources, opportunities, and spiritual gifts have been entrusted to us for a purpose: to glorify God and advance His kingdom. In this episode of Truth For Today, Terry Fant walks through Jesus’ Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 and challenges us to think differently about what it means to be a good steward. God doesn’t ask us to have someone else’s gifts or produce someone else’s results. He calls us to faithfully use what He has placed in our hands. Are you investing what God has given you, or are you burying it out of fear, comfort, or distraction? The goal isn’t to impress God with what we accomplish. It’s to faithfully steward what He has entrusted to us and one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Listen today and ask yourself: What has my Master placed in my hands, and what am I doing with it?