Dan River Church Podcast

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.

What's the good news in bad times? God promises that suffering has an expiration date. God's presence helps us in our weakness. And God's purpose continues in spite of our circumstances.

To be adopted is to realize that you were made for another world and for another person. You were made for God. When the Spirit of God lives within you, you will be able to escape sin, you will walk a different path, you will leave fear in the past, you will have the assurance of love and salvation, and you will have a glorious inheritance.

A breakdown of Romans 8:1-11 -- For those who belong to Christ, we have been forgiven and set free from our sins. How can we live out what we've been given?

Just as the car will eventually stop when the gas tank is empty, our lives will eventually stop when we are empty. When we're feeling empty, our standards are lowered, our passions are gone, and our tempers are short. To get refueled, we need to rest our bodies, replenish our souls, readjust our priorities, remember our relationships, and rediscover our joy.

The greatest battle we will ever face is between our ears. We must realize the impact of our thoughts on who we become and where we go, on whether we please ourselves or God, and on our ability to live with hope, joy, and peace. Then, we can change the focus of our thoughts to communication with God, the truth of God, and the praise of God.

Who are the three friends everyone needs? We need someone who will stay until the end, someone who will strengthen our faith, and someone who will speak the truth.

What reminders do we need on the road? Remember, you are not alone. You are in a race, so run your race and eliminate excess baggage. You are following your Savior, so lock your gaze on Christ and stay amazed. After all, you're not home yet.

Everyone has a choice between which of the two roads they will travel. The highway to hell will always be where more people are. Many people will be surprised and confused, will continue to live in sin, and will have good works and right words, but wrong motives. The gateway to life will always be difficult and lonely. Few people are willing to turn from their sin, to surrender control, and to humbly serve others.

There comes a time when time runs out. How do we make the most of the time we're given? We commit to living prayerfully, walking wisely, and speaking graciously.

A new life = a new belief + a new behavior. What are the signs that Jesus Christ has changed your life? A new life looks to eternity, leaves the past, and lives with holiness.

It's time for the church to change its culture instead of being changed by its culture. A church that impacts its culture is united in love, confident in truth, firm in the faith, overflowing with thanks, and complete in Christ alone.

Jesus is the One and Only in His relationship to the Father, to creation, to the Church, to the cross, and to each of us individually. He reveals God because He is God. He is the firstborn of all creation. He is the head of the body, the firstborn from the dead, and the preeminent One. He is the fullness of God, the One who reconciles all things to Himself and makes peace between us and God. He presents us blameless to the Father and sends us out with a great hope for the world.

Like Esther, if we want to be overcomers, we must use the platform God has given us, realize the urgency, seek God's guidance, and live with humility. Remember, we may not be able to see the hand of God, but we can always trust the heart of God.

Overcomers do not see the adversity; they see the opportunity. How can we be overcomers? Just like Joshua, overcomers trust and obey when they are confused, persevere when they are tired, and celebrate when they are tired.

Courage is the antidote to fear, and it always requires the right heart. To overcome the giants in our lives, we must listen to God's truth, desire God's glory, recall God's faithfulness, and trust in God's power.