This week, Dudley and Sam talk about biblical misconceptions that shape modern Christian thinking. Are we turning faith into self-help, or misinterpreting God’s intent for morality and grace? The guys explore why the Gospel isn’t about being “better” and how prescriptive morality often replaces true reliance on Christ. We also uncover the subtle ways Christians engage in negotiating with God in prayer, expecting blessings in exchange for obedience. They also tackle the misconception that generosity guarantees material blessings, emphasizing that God’s provision isn’t always about wealth but about aligning our hearts with His purpose. Dive deeper into understanding faith, grace, and the real Gospel message beyond works-based theology. Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley and Sam explore Christian views on forgiveness and justice, diving into the powerful role that forgiveness plays in healing and restoring peace. They discuss the role of mercy in forgiveness, especially when deeply hurt or betrayed, and how embracing forgiveness aligns with God’s justice and love. True forgiveness can be challenging, but it’s a vital step toward finding peace through forgiveness and spiritual freedom. They also address the complexity of letting go of grudges through faith, understanding that forgiveness is an act of trust in God’s ultimate plan for justice. Because at the end of the day, God is the one who will make everything right.Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley and Sam talk about the deconstruction movement and reconstructing faith in spite of doubt. They dig into how questioning your beliefs can be both healthy and transformative, especially for those raised in the church. Through the conversation, they give practical guidance on how to navigate doubts and rediscover solid ground by understanding who holds the final word in your life. Dudley also provides faith crisis support for parents, offering guidance for those concerned about their children or grandchildren exploring their beliefs. He emphasizes the importance of reaffirming faith and identity by recognizing the deeper calling and truths instilled in them. Whether you're questioning your beliefs or supporting loved ones through their spiritual journey, this episode highlights how to move forward with faith and resilience. Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley brings us his Monthly Message: The Prepared Place. In this Bible study, Dudley dives deep into John 14, providing a comprehensive explanation of Jesus' teachings and their significance for Christian living. He explores the profound concept of eternal life, as well as what it means to truly know God as Father. Dudley helps us discover how Jesus' message invites believers into an intimate relationship with God, offering a life marked by divine purpose, resources, joy, and peace. This study reveals how Jesus prepared a place for us to experience an abundant life  now while we learn how to live as disciples reflecting God’s love and partnering in His mission. Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley continues his conversation with Sam as they explore how Christians can overcome fear and find peace, especially when facing the many uncertainties life throws at us. They talk about staying fixed on God’s promises in spite of worldly threats even amid global unrest and daily anxieties.Drawing from both personal experiences and biblical stories, Dudley and Sam discuss practical steps for conquering fear as a Christian man, pointing to the peace that comes from trusting God’s plan even when life feels overwhelming. They share insights on building a deeper relationship with Jesus and choosing faith over fear in every situation.Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley continues his conversation with Sam as they explore how Christians can overcome fear and find peace, especially when facing the many uncertainties life throws at us. They talk about staying fixed on God’s promises in spite of worldly threats even amid global unrest and daily anxieties.Drawing from both personal experiences and biblical stories, Dudley and Sam discuss practical steps for conquering fear as a Christian man, pointing to the peace that comes from trusting God’s plan even when life feels overwhelming. They share insights on building a deeper relationship with Jesus and choosing faith over fear in every situation.Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley continues his conversation with Sam as they talk about common misconceptions around end times prophecies in the Bible. Many people today are confused about whether or not events like wars, earthquakes, and natural disasters are signs pointing to the end of the world. They look at Matthew 24 to bring clarity to what Jesus actually meant when He talked about “the birth pangs of the end times,” explaining how He was describing the end of the Jewish era and the beginning of the Church age. While some people focus on current events as indicators of the end times, we search for clarity around what the Bible actually teaches about the last days and the importance of understanding prophecy in its historical and spiritual context. Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley continues his conversation with Sam about marriage. They discuss the challenges of maintaining a strong covenant marriage in a world where it is increasingly redefined by culture. They explore the importance of selflessness in marriage, highlighting how a focus on individual happiness can often undermine lasting commitment. Marriage is about more than personal fulfillment - it's about growing together as "iron sharpens iron," allowing conflict and compromise to strengthen the bond. They talk about how to navigate crisis and conflict, emphasizing that you’re not alone and that others have walked the same path. Whether you're struggling or simply seeking wisdom for your marriage, we pray this message will encourage, challenge, and transform. Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode, Dudley and Sam sit down to talk about the complexities of covenant marriage and how challenges can strengthen the bond between spouses. Dudley draws from over 50 years of experience, and drives home the importance of selflessness in marriage and the joy found in serving your spouse. Dudley and Sam discuss how, in marriage, “iron sharpens iron,” and the fact these moments of friction can lead to personal growth and deeper unity. Whether you're newly married or have decades of experience, this episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement for nurturing a healthy, Christ-centered marriage.Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley brings us his Monthly Message: Gospel of Living Hope. We dive into the current gospel drought facing churches today and the importance of returning to the fullness of the gospel found in the Apostles Doctrine. In this Bible study, Dudley explores how modern sermons often focus on principles and formulas, but miss the transformative power of the gospel. We'll discuss the fulfillment of God’s promise through Jesus, the kingdom of heaven, and the importance of faith purification in the life of believers. Using examples from Peter and Paul, Dudley uncovers the true essence of the gospel and its power to change lives. Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley continues his conversation with his daughter, Karis. They talk about the challenge of balancing God's sovereignty with our desire to prevent bad things from happening. Looking at Jesus' journey and Paul's unwavering faith, we learn the importance of trusting God's plan, even when it leads to hardship - and the role that hearing God’s voice plays in that process. Spiritual growth comes from daily hearing God's voice, not just in mountain top or valley moments, but by daily and consistently pursuing him through Bible study and prayer. Through personal stories and biblical insights, Dudley and Karis discuss how that consistency causes us to continue desiring God, which leads to hearing his voice.Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley sits down with his daughter, Karis, to explore what the word "Kerygma" really means and why it’s central to the ministry of Kerygma Ventures. They discuss the importance of discipleship, not as a method or set of rules, but as an announcement of the gospel message - the monumental truth of who Jesus is and how His coming changed everything. Dudley emphasizes that Christian living flows from hearing and believing this message, which leads to true repentance. Rather than focusing on discipline or regulations, believers are called to respond to what Christ has already accomplished. Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode Dudley continues his conversation with Leigh Scarborough, CEO of Sheild of the Children, and they dive into the complex relationship between the gospel and culture. They discuss how the gospel transcends cultural boundaries and they confront misconceptions about Western Christianity, Eastern Christianity, and more. Leigh shares his experiences from Indonesia and Australia, highlighting issues like church practices that exclude people and the influence of the prosperity gospel, which distorts true teaching of the Gospel. Together, they explore how the Gospel creates its own culture of love and inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of understanding what agape love truly means—unconditional, divine love that shapes authentic Christian community. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ For more information on Leigh’s work at Shield of the Children, visit https://raiseyourshield.orgFollow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this week’s episode, we hear Dudley’s Monthly Message: The Mystery Explained in Temple Terms. Dudley takes us on a journey through Ephesians Chapter 2 to uncover the profound concept of the household of God. He addresses a question that confuses many believers: Will the temple be rebuilt in Jerusalem? Dudley reveals that the true temple of God is not a physical structure but a spiritual household comprised of believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. By tracing the biblical narrative from creation, through the Old Testament, to its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, we learn how God's plan to restore Eden and defeat evil culminates in the formation of a new, living temple — His people. This mobile temple brings God's presence to every corner of the earth, fulfilling His eternal purpose. Join us as we unpack this deep theological mystery and discover our role within God's grand design.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, Dudley continues his conversation with Leigh Scarborough, CEO of Shield of the Children to discuss the challenges of faith and miracles in the face of darkness, specifically addressing the ongoing fight against human trafficking. They explore deep theological questions about God's will and human suffering, especially when prayers seem unanswered. They each share personal stories of miracles and the heartbreak of loss, emphasizing the importance of daily prayer and trust in God's ultimate plan. This conversation will inspire you to seek a closer relationship with God, understanding that while we may not always comprehend His ways, we can trust in His goodness.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ For more information on Leigh’s work at Shield of the Children, visit https://raiseyourshield.orgFollow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode, Dudley continues his conversation with Leigh Scarborough, CEO of Shield of the Children to discuss Leigh’s remarkable journey in missionary work, particularly his efforts to combat the darkness of human trafficking. Leigh reveals how the availability prayer — a daily commitment to ask God, "What do you want from me?" — prepared him to take bold action in what God was calling him to do. Dudley and Leigh talk about how the calling on each of our lives is big, discussing the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself, highlighting that this foundational principle opens doors for deeper service in God’s mission. They talk about how every Christian has a unique role to play in God's plan, encouraging all of us to embrace our callings with faith and courage. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ For more information on Leigh’s work at Shield of the Children, visit https://raiseyourshield.orgFollow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, join Dudley as he sits down with Lee Scarborough, CEO of Shield of the Children, to discuss his powerful journey from military intelligence to leading anti-human trafficking operations in Southeast Asia. Lee shares a life-altering encounter in Vietnam that led him to dedicate his life to rescuing children from the horrors of trafficking. Discover how forgiveness played a crucial role in Lee’s mission and how he balances justice with compassion as he works to bring perpetrators to account. This heartfelt, eye-opening conversation dives into the complexities of fighting human trafficking while staying grounded in faith, forgiveness and justice. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ For more information about Shield of the Children, visithttps://raiseyourshield.org/Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week, we’ll hear Dudley’s Monthly Message, Distinctively Christian. He delves into 2nd Timothy 3, where Paul writes to Timothy during challenging times around 68 AD. Paul describes the Christian persecution of that day from both Jews and Romans, leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Amidst this turmoil, Paul instructs Timothy on living as a distinctive Christian, emphasizing the importance of scripture, the transformative power of encountering Jesus, and the importance of moving beyond knowing just the lesson to getting to know the teacher. Paul’s message remains relevant today, urging believers to maintain their faith and identity in Christ despite societal pressures. Join us in this Bible study teaching as we explore Paul's timeless wisdom and its application in our lives.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

This week we’re featuring a powerful message from our 2024 EPIC Conference. We’ll hear Alan Write as he talks about perseverance, faith, and overcoming challenges. Looking at Galatians 6, he unpacks the importance of sowing and reaping, highlighting how our actions shape our lives. The episode emphasizes the gospel message, encouraging listeners to continue doing good and trusting that the fruits of their efforts will manifest in due time. Join us for an uplifting discussion on resilience, faith, and the power of not giving up.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode, Dudley continues the conversation with his guest, Tallon Mauderer and they dive into the topic of evangelism and its true essence. They talk about the difference between treating evangelism like a sales target versus sharing your faith genuinely through building relationships. This conversation highlights personal experiences, emphasizing the fact that authentic evangelism should be a true expression of the good news, not a numbers game. Whether you're sharing your faith with friends or strangers, it's about letting the gospel's power shine through your genuine interactions and ultimately, your life. Join us as we explore how to live an inspired life and how to share the gospel naturally and meaningfully. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode, Dudley continues the conversation with his guest, Tallon Mauderer where they discuss the art of balancing responsibilities in life. They explore how to maintain hopes and dreams while navigating the challenges of adulthood, starting a family, and pursuing personal dreams. Dudley unpacks God’s design for decision making and how to keep our faith from becoming too tame. You’ll gain valuable perspectives on overcoming obstacles, staying passionate amidst daily routines, and finding purpose in every season of life. Whether you're looking for guidance on managing life's demands, seeking inspiration to keep your dreams alive, or practical tips for spiritual growth, we pray this message encourages and challenges you.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode, Dudley and his guest, Tallon, have a conversation around the power of mentorship for the younger generation. They discuss the dangers of not creating space to learn from and sharpen each other, and Dudley reminds us of the powerful principle of sowing and reaping. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode, we hear Dudley’s Monthly Message and it is on the topic of Eternal Life Now. Dudley brings us to the Gospel of John. John’s account is highlighted for its portrayal of Jesus as the eternal Word of God, bringing life beyond mere biological existence (Bios Life) and introducing a divine life (Zoe life). Dudley explores how the transformative power of Jesus serves as a sign pointing to His identity as the Messiah and the giver of eternal life, and Dudley gives us a practical look at how we can live out that eternal life now. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode, Dudley Hall and Eric Morgan explore the importance of being aware that our society values human performance and human production, yet we shouldn’t let that drown out the message of the Gospel. Their conversation starts with asking the following two questions. Why is modern teaching obsessed with behavior that maximizes human effort? And why does modern teaching minimize the cross when the cross is the only real agent of change? They also discuss the importance of encountering the life of God in Christ for true repentance and change.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch with Dudley Hall" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

At various times in our lives, we all face enemies who are bigger than us. In this episode, Dudley and Karis explore stories from the Bible that feature giants as formidable enemies of the people of God. Despite these giants being powerful, they are ultimately defeated by those who rely on their faith in God for victory. Dudley and Karis also discuss Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:12 about how we are fighting against rulers, authorities, and the spiritual forces of evil. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch with Dudley Hall" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message

In this episode, Dudley Hall and Eric Morgan explore trusting Jesus' sacrifice, the power of the gospel to transform lives, and the connection between sin and dissatisfaction. They also discuss the need to stop focusing on ourselves and instead look to Jesus for transformation and freedom.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

As we go into June 2024, Dudley shares his monthly message on Jesus’ version of the Gospel. As we all know, unfortunately there are various conflicting interpretations and versions of the Gospel in our world. This can make it difficult for us to understand Jesus' true message correctly. So, what is Jesus’ version of the Gospel, and why is it important? In this episode, Dudley explores that very question. In doing so, he highlights Jesus' arrival and impact on humanity. He also discusses how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies and promises. This episode is a reassuring reminder for us to trust in Jesus and open our eyes and ears to see and hear the truth of the Gospel.To nominate a young man age 16-25 for the Leadership Expedition, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/event/leadership-expedition/ For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, Karis and Dudley explore the importance of understanding the Bible's narrative as it relates to living out our faith. How can we prioritize Biblical literacy and interpretation in order to navigate the complexities of every day life?For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, Dudley and Eric have a lively discussion about how we as Christians sometimes rely too much on our personal abilities, and how that can lead to self-serving behavior, instead of living from a place of gratitude that recognizes God's grace. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on the importance of knowing and acknowledging that Jesus is the final authority over our lives. With the rise of modernism and our culture claiming that science has the last word, it’s becoming increasingly important for Christians to remind ourselves that Jesus has the last word on everything. In this conversation, Dudley and Karis explore various authorities—including the government, pastors, and even the individual—who at some point have incorrectly assumed that they have the last word on our lives. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

As we go into May 2024, Dudley shares his monthly message on what it means for us as Christians to live in constant triumph. Occasionally, even in our own communities, the idea of living in constant triumph is misunderstood. When we talk about the victory of the Christian life, that doesn’t mean we’ll never feel pain, be persecuted, or get sick. We’ll face all of those difficulties and troubles-—yet we’ll do so while living in the constant triumph provided by Jesus Christ.  Also, the book Dudley mentions in the beginning of the episode is, Orphans No More: Learning to Live Loved, which you can get the book from our store: https://kerygmaventures.com/store/ For more information and resources, visit the Kerygma Ventures website: https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode Dudley Hall and Eric Morgan have a conversation about dealing with failure and finding forgiveness through Jesus. Eric kicks off the conversation by asking Dudley: "What do you do when you've done the right thing, but things still go wrong?Dudley and Eric then go on to discuss our Lord being a God of mercy who forgives and transforms us through our failures. They also reflect on the importance of teaching children about God's mercy and forgiveness as essential to their growth and maturity in Christ.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, we’re sharing with you a sermon that Daron Babcock gave at the 2024 EPIC Conference organized by Kerygma Ventures.Daron’s sermon delves into his awe-inspiring journey, including his personal struggles and redemption that led him back to God. From a Texas upbringing to finding purpose in serving underprivileged communities, Daron shares his poignant story, emphasizing the power of making disciples and the transformative nature of faith.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, we’re sharing with you a sermon Dudley Hall gave where he reads from and discusses the book of Hebrews. From the New Testament, this book helps us interpret the whole Bible. Often we perceive the Bible as a book of instruction about how to live. But it’s so much more than that. In this episode, Dudley reveals how the Book of Hebrews can help us read the Bible correctly, thus giving everything in our lives meaning. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on the Gospel’s answer to the problem of loneliness. Recently, Karis read that today’s generation of kids is the loneliest generation in centuries. That spurred her on to discuss with her father the causes of loneliness, the search for meaning, the importance of community and relationships, and Jesus' promise to never leave us. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/ Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

As we go into April 2024, we share Dudley’s talk at the EPIC Conference held last month at Sojourn Church in Carrollton, Texas. In this talk, Dudley explores the grand story of life and history, as interpreted by the Bible. We now live in the reality of that day that changed everything. As we live our lives this side of the cross of Jesus, we get to be God’s earthly instruments who claim that accomplished victory. During this talk from the EPIC Conference, Dudley discusses how the story of the gospel of Jesus has changed everything. You can watch all sessions from EPIC Conference 2024 here:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmmat8bNVQ7REshffiX4kIKH1TV8e7XDU&si=vTJqfBJDb7uIQkdlFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, we’re sharing with you a sermon Dudley Hall gave on the 5 Pillars of New Testament Discipleship. Upon these pillars we can build a stable and fruitful life following Christ. The five pillars are:  1. Enjoying God. 2. Discovering truth. 3. Managing our lives. 4. Engaging with our culture. 5. Embracing our destiny. In this episode, Dudley focuses on the first pillar. In doing so, he answers the question: What does it mean to enjoy God? For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on how we can approach parenting adult children with grace, understanding, and love in our heart? In other words, how can we parent our adult children while recognizing their autonomy while still offering guidance and support?Join Dudley and Karis as they discuss the process of moving from the early stages of parenting to the later stages, where adult children are learning to share their lives and receive grace from others.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

If someone has hurt you, can you forgive them? Also, can you trust them again? In this episode, Dudley and Sam explore how forgiveness and trust are intertwined. Forgiveness can only happen when there is a willingness to move forward and rebuild the relationship. Forgiveness births new life, but moving forward requires healing and trust restoration.Dudley and Sam discuss the importance of forgiveness and trust in relationships, explaining that forgiveness is about turning someone loose and taking responsibility for their actions, while trust must be reestablished through consistent behavior.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

As we go into March 2024, Dudley shares his monthly message on how we live in our time in history. We are part of the story, but which part are we in? When we talk about the end times, what exactly are we talking about? We don't know when Jesus will come back. But we do know the story. And it’s important for us to know when and where we are in the story—because that helps us to live the right way. In this episode, Dudley’s going to dive into all of that, plus interpreting Scripture, spiritual revelation, reading the Bible with an open heart and mind, the importance of interpreting the Bible correctly, and much more. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

In practical terms, what should men do with their lives? In this episode, Dudley and Sam emphasize the importance of identifying and taking care of your "garden" at every stage of life. This includes a discussion about the importance of setting goal-oriented decisions in life, particularly in developing one's gifts and talents.Dudley and Sam also explore the importance of long-term thinking and planning for the future, particularly in the areas of finances.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on how our thinking about the End Times has changed in recent years. In the first half of this episode, Karis and Dudley discuss the growing dissatisfaction with the "left behind" theology and biblical interpretation of the End Times. They also discuss the theological framework dispensationalism, and how that has influenced beliefs about Jesus' return and the End Times.In the second half of this episode, Dudley emphasizes the importance of faith in Christ Jesus as the only means of salvation, regardless of race or geography. Also, Karis emphasizes the importance of living and causing change, rather than waiting for Jesus to return.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

In this episode, Dr. Steve Brown talks about the Jesus movement, the importance of laughter in Christian life, and the concept of control and letting go of things you can’t fix. This talk was recorded at the 2023 EPIC Conference put on by Kerygma VenturesBe sure to join us for the 2024 EPIC Conference: https://kerygmaventures.com/event/epic/  The grand story of history interpreted by the Bible has a grand resolution: the blood of Jesus securing the restoration of all things. We now live in the reality of that day that changed everything. As we live our lives this side of the cross of Jesus, we get to be God’s earthly instruments who claim that accomplished victory. During the EPIC Conference, we’ll be exploring the implications of this great resolution to human history. The story of the gospel of Jesus has changed everything. Join us for the 2024 EPIC Conference: https://kerygmaventures.com/event/epic/  Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

As we go into February 2024, Dudley shares his monthly message on being a doer of the Word. Indeed, it’s important to act on scripture, not just hear it.In this message, Dudley explores how people who read the Bible regularly are less likely to struggle with loneliness and more likely to share their faith with others. He also discusses the limitations of reading scripture without understanding its deeper meaning. Dudley talks about the book of James, including the following line from James 1:22: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."  For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on why Christians who believe that we’re in the end times have vastly different ideas and responses related to the end of the world. Some people who believe we’re in the end times still need guidance about what all the symbols and numbers mean. Other people think it’s best to hide and wait the end times out. Still, others believe we need to recommit to changing our culture and get various politicians elected. Dudley and Karis explore these various approaches, the human desire for control, how our beliefs about the future impact our decisions and actions now, and much more. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

As a husband or wife, how do you really know if you’re doing a good job in your marriage?In this episode, Dudley and Sam explore husband-wife relationships. Sam discusses learning to surrender and initiate in his marriage. Dudley emphasizes the importance of being on the same side of an issue and working together as a team to resolve conflicts. Sam also talks about the importance and value of meditating on a proverb a day. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

We know that the church is like a body, that every part is needed, and that all the parts exist to serve one another. Yet how do we, as a body, agree to disagree with other people, yet still function and work together? In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on cancel culture, church unity amidst doctrinal disagreements, the significance of core beliefs and interpretations of the Bible, and the importance of shared belief in Jesus as Messiah and Lord.Listen to this episode for insights into navigating challenges within Christian communities and fostering an environment of open communication and mutual respect.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

In this episode, Dudley and Sam explore the question: How can young Christian men spiritually lead their families? Sam opens the discussion by expressing concern about his role as a spiritual leader, and Dudley advises on the importance of communication in aligning expectations. The discussion extends to parenting and family leadership, acknowledging the need for compromise. The episode also explores self-analysis within a Christian context, stressing the importance of grace. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

As we go into January 2024, Dudley shares his monthly message on navigating a world filled with hopelessness, and finding hope that will not fade. In this episode, Dudley talks about hope in a truth-relative society. He also explores Scripture in which Paul discusses hope in Titus. In those passages, Paul warns Titus—and us—about the dangers of a truthless society vulnerable to dictatorship. Dudley also emphasizes the inclusive nature of grace and discusses the meaning of grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comImani Creative: https://www.imanicreative.com/

In this episode, Dudley delves into the fourth week of Advent, focusing on the theme of love. Over the past three weeks, we've explored the facets of hope, joy, and peace, each represented by a candle lit in anticipation of Christmas. Today, we illuminate the fourth and final purple candle, symbolizing the profound significance of love in the Advent season.In this episode, Dudley explores the idea that God's love was the catalyst for creation. Despite being complete in Himself, God chose to share His abundance by creating everything, including humanity, out of love.Thank you for joining us on this Advent journey through hope, joy, peace, and love. May your Christmas be filled with the warmth and joy that comes from understanding and sharing the incredible love of God. Merry Christmas!For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com

In this episode, Dudley delves into the heart of the Advent season, celebrating the third week with a unique touch of joy. As Dudley lights the distinctive pink candle alongside the traditional purple ones, he explores the symbolism behind each hue, understanding how they represent royalty and the unparalleled joy brought by the incarnation.Embrace the unshakable joy that comes from knowing that God has intervened, changing everything for eternity.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com

In this episode, Dudley continues journeying through the Advent season, lighting candles that symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love. Today marks the second lighting of the Advent candle, focusing on the theme of peace.Reflecting on the biblical story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, Dudley explores the profound significance of their actions in fulfilling ancient prophecies.Dudley also discusses CS Lewis’ Christmas quote: “Once in our world a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.”For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com

As we go into December 2023, Dudley shares his monthly message on how to see the truth about lies. In this episode, Dudley delves into a thought-provoking question: How can we reconcile the existence of a benevolent, all-powerful God with the prevalence of suffering and evil in the world? To address this, Dudley embarks on an in-depth exploration of the Psalms of Asaph, commencing with a detailed analysis of Psalm 73. Through this examination, he juxtaposes the apparent state of the world—wherein malevolence appears to triumph—with the deeper reality that God, in His justice, remains in control of all aspects of creation.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.comBen Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/

In this episode, Dudley embarks on a meaningful journey through the Advent season, exploring the significance of each candle in the Advent wreath.In this episode, we focus on the first candle, the Candle of Hope, symbolizing the anticipation and royalty associated with the prophecy and fulfillment of the coming of Christ.Dudley’s reading from 1 Peter 1:10 emphasizes the role of the prophets in foretelling the grace that was to come.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question Watch our “Dudley’s Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message This episode was produced by:Ben Crenshaw: https://www.bencren.com/ Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com

How can we as Christians feel safe so that we can flourish in our lives? In this episode, Dudley and Sam discuss feeling safe with Jesus, knowing He fully knows and loves us. They also explore the importance of focusing on Jesus' love and compassion when people make mistakes, rather than upbraiding them. Dudley and Sam also dive into some distinctions related to Holy Spirit conviction and self-condemnation.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on whether certain Biblical principles can be rightly interpreted as not applying to some Christians.  They explore the justifications and ramifications of a Christian who loves Jesus, yet claim that some parts of the Bible — such as passages about sins of the flesh — don’t apply to them, since they know they’re going to Heaven anyway. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

This episode serves as a reminder of God's unwavering love, the solace He offers in tough times, the significance of community in our faith, and the wisdom of patience and kindness. Remember, with God by our side, we find hope, strength, and the support of a loving spiritual family.In this episode, Dudley and Sam discuss how no matter what struggles we face, God's love knows no bounds. Your addictions, your pain, your trials – they're not too much for God to handle. Our hosts also remind us to find solace in the knowledge that God understands the longing in our hearts. He is always willing to be with us during difficult times. We are never alone in our battles, and in His unwavering love, we can find strength and solace. With God by our side, we will be okay.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

As we go into November 2023, Dudley shares his monthly message about the end times. In this episode, Dudley explores answers to the following questions: What did God start? And what is He going to finish? By diving into those topics, we learn about how the blood of Jesus is the ultimate cleanser and sanctifier, making us holy and pure. Indeed, our past mistakes and brokenness are being untainted and made new by His grace.In this episode, Dudley also discusses how, in Christ, we find hope and assurance, for the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within us!For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, Dudley and Karis acknowledge that, in some parts of the world, in some denominations, church attendance is going down. But those sad statistics relate to physically attending church. If people watch a live church service on their laptop while they’re at home, are they “attending” church? The Bible says don’t forsake the gathering (Hebrews 10:25). If you’re watching a live video feed of your pastor, are you with him, or are you forsaking gathering with your brethren? The convenience of watching a church service online has become increasingly popular in today's digital age. It allows individuals to partake in worship and listen to a sermon in the comfort of their own homes. However, as Dudley and Karis explore in this episode, it is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the real reasons why it’s imperative that we attend church. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

Some Christians who have experienced something devastating, give up and find themselves turning to alcohol, an illegal substance, or porn. What kind of messages do they need to hear to bring them back to God?In this episode, Dudley and Sam explore the difficulties and necessities of having a walking, talking relationship with Jesus, even when times are tough. When we feel emotional pain and we’re scared, we need to remind ourselves of God's love and promises. Instead of turning to vices, we can turn to prayer, reflection, and seeking support from fellow believers. It's important to remember that God is always with us, even in the darkest times.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on what the Bible says about depression. As Christians, we’re sometimes expected to only have a rosy view of life. It’s almost as if we’re sometimes not allowed to be sad or have negative feelings. With that in mind, sure people in Biblical times experienced emotional struggles, but did they also experience depression? And if so, what does the Bible say about depression? For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

Why do some Christians turn to addictions and vices instead of turning to Jesus for comfort? In this episode, Dudley and Sam grapple with why some Christians turn to substances to cope with pain, despite believing Jesus is sufficient. Perhaps some of us have misunderstood the Gospel? We know that Jesus has unconditional love for us, and that He is the source of joy and fulfillment in our lives. Yet, when we struggle with feelings of sadness and loneliness, we sometimes find it hard to keep our faith and find comfort in relationships with others.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

As we go into October 2023, Dudley shares his monthly message on being transformed by the mercy of God. In this episode, Dudley shows us how the church is God's chosen instrument of transformation. It is the church that has the message and the power to transform a human being from being a self-centered, sin-conscious, guilt-ridden person who is full of shame and fear, and transform them into a liberated person, the way God designed humans to be. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation about what Jesus said in Matthew 20:16: “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” This verse reminds us of the importance of humility, empathy, and recognizing the worth of every individual. It teaches us that our society should not be defined solely by who stands at the front, but by how we uplift those who are at the back. It's a beautiful reminder that being chosen is not about being in the spotlight but about making a positive impact, no matter where we stand in the lineup.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this podcast episode, hosts Dudley Hall and Sam Downe engage in a thoughtful conversation about topics ranging from compassion for individuals navigating gender identity issues to the concept of legacy in the context of Christianity. In this episode, Dudley and Sam explore the following questions. As Christians, how should we express our concerns for children facing issues related to gender identity, such as puberty blockers and surgeries? As Christians, how should we view the concept of legacy? For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on what it means to pray from a certain point in history. As Christians, praying from a point in history helps us connect with God while considering a specific event, person, or period in the past. This practice reminds us that God's involvement in history is ongoing and that we can draw inspiration and guidance from the experiences of those who have come before us.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

As we go into September 2023, Dudley shares his monthly message on the indestructibility of hope, and how in times of despair, we can find solace in God's promise of redemption.In this episode, Dudley explores how, with faith and perseverance, we can overcome any adversity. Let's engrave this truth in our hearts and embrace moments when God's mercy shines brilliantly in the darkest hours. In the midst of life's trials, remember that His sacrifice on the cross has secured our salvation. All wrongs will be made right, and all sadness will become gladness.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

When we talk with people who don’t necessarily believe what we as Christians believe, how can we talk about the truth if they believe in a different version of the truth? In this episode, Dudley and Sam express their frustration with being told by some people—including Christians, at times—how they should and shouldn’t react to various social issues, such as abortion and transgenderism. Also discussed in this episode: * The difference between being a slave of sin and being a slave of righteousness.  * The inability of some Christians to make valid arguments against abortion or transgenderism because they just get mad. * How God has revealed His order in the Scriptures, and when we submit to Him, it’s as if we’re saying, “You are the final authority in my life.”* Whether it’s helpful or problematic for pastors to be outspoken on social issues. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on finding rest. In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In our hectic lives, we can get caught up in the chaos and feel overwhelmed by our burdens. But in the midst of it all, there's a comforting promise from Jesus that reminds us we're not alone on this journey.Jesus offers us a refuge of rest, a place where our hearts can find solace and peace. It's a reminder that we don't have to carry our burdens alone; we have a Savior who understands our struggles and wants to offer us His restorative grace.If you're feeling weighed down by life's challenges, listen to this episode in which Dudley and Karis remind us to take a moment to pause, breathe, and turn our gaze towards Jesus. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

What is the church's role in addressing transgenderism? What can Christians do to help educate our kids? In this episode, Dudley and Sam explore the intersection of faith, truth, and the transgender movement.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on how secularism, which as a religion, has spread the belief that life can be lived without mentioning God and without considering Biblical truth. Most importantly, Dudley and Karis explore what Christians can do about it. American public schools were once bastions of support for family values. As Christians continue to advocate for an education system that fosters an atmosphere of moral integrity and reverence for our faith, it’s essential that parents recognize the importance of instilling faith, compassion, and moral principles in our kids from a young age. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

As we go into August 2023, Dudley shares his monthly message on how we can’t lose hope while fighting various spiritual battles between good and evil, light and darkness, truth and deception. In this episode, Dudley discusses how this spans various realms, encompassing sexual identity, transgender issues, gender roles, and the borders of our nation. As always, we must be aware of the enemy's tactics and stay rooted in the truth of God's Word to protect ourselves.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

What truly defines a man and a woman? In this episode, Dudley and Sam explore gender identity and the role of fathers in shaping their children’s understanding of what it means to be a man or a woman. Discussed in this episode: * The importance of asking what a real man is. * Cancel culture.* Why it’s time for men to create communities among their own friends and relationships. * What is unique to masculinity and unique to being a boy? * Being God's partner. * The key differences between men and women.* Focusing on what is common between people. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

The EPIC Conference, put on every year by Kerygma Ventures, explores the deepest longings of the human heart and helps people discover gospel answers to life’s biggest questions. At this year’s conference, held at Sojourn Church in Carrollton, Texas, our special guest speaker Dr. Steve Brown: * Explores why we think and feel that we’re missing sin* Discusses how we’re all messy, dirty sinners* Reminds us that, even though we’ve sinned and we’re lonely and think we’re failures, Jesus says, "Welcome. You've come to the right place."* And more For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation exploring the narrative of God's plan of redemption. We pick up where we left off, with God using human instrumentality to accomplish His purposes. Israel becomes the lineage through which the promised Messiah, Jesus, would come. But despite the covenant, Israel, like all humanity, failed to live up to it. To solve this problem, God sent Jesus as a representative of humanity and Israel. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the covenant, obtaining all the blessings and promises made to Abraham. He didn't just get land or a temple, but everything God had created. And through His sacrifice, Jesus formed the body of Christ made up of believers. As members of the body, we are called to continue Jesus' mission on earth.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

As we go into July 2023, Dudley shares his monthly message on simplicity and how there are two vastly different stories being told about life. It might seem like life has gotten more complex and confusing lately. There might seem to be more depression, oppression, and hopelessness. You might even be someone who says, “It’s all just too complicated. I can't figure out what's right and wrong, what's true and false.” Dudley discusses these sentiments in this episode, and explores how the particular story you listen to will shape your entire life.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

The EPIC Conference, put on every year by Kerygma Ventures, explores the deepest longings of the human heart and helps people discover gospel answers to life’s biggest questions. At this year’s conference, held at Sojourn Church in Carrollton, Texas, our special guest speaker Tom Hall: * Reminds us that we’re all saints in Jesus Christ. * Discusses why God desires a special and intimate relationship with us, regardless of our background or circumstances. * Explores how we each belong to God and why this has such significant spiritual implications.* And more. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on the importance of understanding our place in God’s story, which includes the period of time before Christ’s return to earth (known as the “end times”). Dudley and Karis also discuss the repercussions of people having believed that they are part of the last generation ever on this planet, the joy and importance of learning where we as individuals fit within the Biblical story, and “The Late Great Planet Earth,” a 1970 book by Hal Lindsey. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation about how many of us view our current times as the worst it’s ever been, yet we strive for hope. While each day brings its own challenges, there is an optimism in knowing that, with God as our guide, each challenge fosters growth. While we are living in a divisive time, it’s important to continue to think Biblically and keep focused on human dignity and divine sovereignty. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/kerygma-ventures-google-podcasts Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our "Papa, I Have A Question" series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question

As we are approaching the half-way mark of 2023, June’s Monthly Message is about something critically important in our lives: hope.Government can’t give you hope, the world can’t give you hope, money can’t give you hope. But believers have eternal and unshakeable hope because of Jesus. Today, Dudley talks about what it means to live with hope and why the hope we have inside us has the power to defeat the darkness and sin we see in our world. We pray this monthly message encourages you and we encourage you to share it with someone you think needs a reminder of the hope Jesus has given us.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and Subscribe:Apple - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our Conversations At The Ranch series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our Papa, I Have A Question series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Sam for a discussion on how we can be more gracious and follow God’s example during difficult conversations with those we love. Whether we are talking about race, politics, or marriage, it is important to approach these conversations with love and grace, however difficult it may be. We may not always agree with each other on these topics, but that doesn’t mean we love each other any less. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and Subscribe:Apple - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our Conversations At The Ranch series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our Papa, I Have A Question series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question

In this episode, join Dudley and Karis for a conversation on the Jesus Movement, and what it was like to experience the Lord moving in new ways during that time. They’ll get into the similarities and differences between this movement and others Dudley has experienced, why the turmoil of those times had people calling out to the Lord for guidance, and how we can learn so much about Him through the history of the church.  For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and Subscribe:Apple - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our Conversations At The Ranch series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our Papa, I Have A Question series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

In this episode, join Dudley and Sam for a discussion on the age of information and how it has changed the way people view religion. They’ll get into raising children to know and love God, turning your heart towards God and feeling His guidance, and knowing that we all have the ability to question the world around us, but that we must always choose to submit to God’s final authority. For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and Subscribe:Apple - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our Conversations At The Ranch series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our Papa, I Have A Question series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.

As we go into May 2023, Dudley shares his monthly message on how to understand the Awakening taking place all around us. In this episode, Dudley emphasizes the importance of asking God to align our perspective with His about what is going on within our own lives and the lives of those around us, for we must ask for His guidance as we navigate this world and live by the Gospel. Join Dudley as he clarifies the new paradigm of grace, explains the nature and purpose of the cross, and explores how we can experience new life in Jesus.For more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and Subscribe:Apple - https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our Conversations At The Ranch series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our Papa, I Have A Question series: https://bit.ly/papa-I-have-a-question

In these days we are trying to discern what God is saying, not only by studying the written word (which is relevant at all times), but in the events we are watching both in the church and in the world. His ways are beyond finding out by those whose eyes are blind, but to those admitting hunger, thirst, and desperation, He shows himself and His ways.Learn more:www.KerygmaVentures.com

For a relationship to flourish, each person must know how the other sees it. In the greatest relationship mankind can have—with God, we should know how He views it.Invest in Kerygma Ventures:www.KerygmaVentures.com

The American culture is convulsing now as a result of conflicting ideological agendas vying for supremacy. Wokeism, CRT, LGBQT-plus, Progressivism, Trump- ism, Anti-Trumpism, Pandemic over- reach, Immigration...Without the message of the gospel, the world is moving toward darkness and corruption. Only when the church rightly identifies itself and begins to act like who we are is there any hope for finding answers to the questions that plague us and the problems that confound us.Invest in Kerygma Ventures:www.KerygmaVentures.com

When a new administration comes to power, the list of values of that administration will be different than the previous one. When Jesus came on the scene, He announced that a new administration (kingdom) had come, and this administration was the final one. No other power would ever rise to replace it.Invest in Kerygma Ventures:www.KerygmaVentures.com

God completes whatever He begins! He is not at the mercy of human fickleness to get His enormous and majestic plan done. We hope for what we are sure of but can’t yet see. There is tension, but it is full of hope.Invest in Kerygma Ventures:www.KerygmaVentures.com

Each time you meet someone you can be sure of this: You are looking into the face of a person who desperately wants to be known, to be loved, and to be valued. We are designed for those longings to be met. When they are unmet, we are not only unsatisfied, but dangerous to ourselves and to our society.Invest in Kerygma Ventures:www.KerygmaVentures.com

We often cling to the belief that being a good person is the goal, and that God’s favor is dependent upon our being good. The New Testament gospel (the kerygma) counters that belief system, and the implications of Christ’s finished work become mandates for our ethic. Invest in Kerygma Ventures:www.KerygmaVentures.com

When a person sees the cross as the center of the Bible story, it is either the best news ever… or the worst. From Paul’s point of view, the cross of Jesus Christ is the crux of the matter, the climax of the story, and the only hope of eternal life.Invest in Kerygma Ventures:www.KerygmaVentures.com/give

Dudley's Monthly Message for August 2022Learn more:www.KerygmaVentures.com

It is important that we get a proper view of holiness because God is holy. He is the most liberated person in the universe. He is the most fulfilled. He is the most fun. If he is holy, it must be a good thing. Learn more:www.KerygmaVentures.com

There is no magic formula we can work to force God to send the revival we order, but there is a distinct pattern of how God has worked to bring life to dead situations. We can align with His pattern and trust Him to do what He longs to do through us.Learn more:www.KerygmaVentures.com

To repent is to bring our minds in line with the reality that Jesus now is the Lord over all things and that He is the full and final hope of Israel and the world.For more information, please visit:www.KerygmaVentures.com

We know that the life of Christ being manifest in believers makes us either attractive to those who are thirsty for life or scary for those determined to eliminate God from their existence. We either emit an aroma of life or death. For more information, please visit: www.KerygmaVentures.com

Because the gospel as proclaimed by the New Testament apostles is the only power able to transform people, the purity and clarity of it is the most critical issue of our day. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he addresses the importance of the gospel of grace in initial salvation and in living as God’s people now and forever.Learn more: www.KerygmaVentures.com

It has always been true that the good news from God to mankind is offensive. It seems strange because, after all, it is good news. Typically we like good news. When the stock market goes up or the weather forecast is sunny and mild or the kid’s report card has “A’s”- we love it. Why then does the natural mind react to the news that God has acted in history to save us and that His mercy is behind it? To learn more, visit: www.KerygmaVentures.com

The inevitable fruit of gracein a person’s life is graciousness toward others.We are living in a time when graciousness is rare. Vitriol and contention are the more common modes of relating. Efforts to solve this growing cancer in our society don’t seem to be effective. It’s not that we can’t see the problem. It’s that we can’t see the deep root that is producing it. For instance, racism is not primarily about color of skin or societal structures that still show evidences of it. It cannot be solved by coming to the table of reason unless that reason is informed by grace. We could tear down all the systems and structures that we have put in place to make society work and replace them with new ones, but soon enough they would be exposed as faulty because selfish, fearful hearts made them.For more info: www.KerygmaVentures.com

We are people of promise. The Law did its part. We honor it. Now we glorify His glorious grace.According to the biblical narrative, people are designed to live in the blessing of the good and sovereign Creator. That blessing includes the consciousness of His presence, the abundance of His provision, the guarantee of His protection, and the privilege of working as His partners in the development of creation. When the first humans chose to yield to the seduction of the devil, the blessing was forfeited and a curse came on them as well as the creation they were assigned to manage. But the same God who graciously created all things was there to make promises that would reverse the curse and ultimately produce a people who exult not only in the unimaginable greatness of His power, but also the unsearchable beauty of His grace. For more info, visit: www.KerygmaVentures.com

The bedrock foundation of truth is the news that God has acted in grace. Our redeemed life is totally a gift and does its work only when it is received as a gift from God with no strings attached. For more information, visit: www.KerygmaVentures.com

I’ve had several personal conversations recently that centered around questions and problems related to the doctrine of election. For centuries, Bible students have debated the Calvinist/Arminian positions regarding this precious doctrine. Whole denominations have been created because of a particular position, and, sadly, some Christian brothers and sisters have treated each other like enemies because of their inability to find common ground. This message is not trying to settle the propositional battle, but is an attempt to present the majestic perspective that we are His because we are chosen.For more information visit: www.KerygmaVentures.com

There are some things that we can enjoy best in moderation. Ice cream is better if tasted in small bites rather than gorging. Wading in a cold mountain stream is better if taken by degrees. Other things require total commitment.The gospel life is like that. It can’t be enjoyed in moderation. It is all or nothing.For more information, visit: www.KerygmaVentures.com

Humanity has a history of misidentifying reality and creating stories that often destroy millions of lives or lead societies down paths of fantasy and deception. Stories abound trying to explain the sounds we hear and the sights we observe. It is very confusing, unless there is an exclusive story that interprets the others and makes sense in the core of our being. There is! For more information about Kerygma Ventures, visit us at: www.KerygmaVentures.com

Recent surveys reveal that 52% of American workers feel burn out, which has spiked during the Covid-19 era. A myriad of factors contribute to it, but an obvious one is the vulnerability of individualistic isolation. The old western civilization icon of the self- made, self-sufficient, enlightened human is being exposed as the fraud it has always been. Leaders in all spheres, including the church, are suffering from burn out, flame out, and fall out...Yet shouldn’t Christ-followers pause long enough to ask if God’s assignments should lead to such depletion?For more information about Kerygma Ventures, visit us at: www.KerygmaVentures.com

The level of angst today in society in general and western civilization in particular suggests a deep longing for spiritual renewal and cultural reset. The people who believe that God acts in history in conjunction with the prayers of His people are engaging in prayer and asking: “What might a new awakening look like?” I offer a suggestion and a fervent hope: the kerygmatic option.For more information about Kerygma Ventures, visit us at: www.KerygmaVentures.com

The war between truth and deception rages in our culture in such an obvious way that one must hide to keep from seeing it. Some may be so distracted by self-absorption that they don’t bother to notice the battle, but most are aware... and nervous. Never in the history of this nation has the intensity been so high.

In Psalm 12, David describes the alarm we sense when accosted by the noise filling the air around us: “Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind. They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak...those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are ourown—who is our master?” (Psalm 12:1-4 NRSV).What are we seeing in these days? We can be sure that our God has not forgotten us or gone on a vacation. He is not quarantining in fear of being infected by COVID-19. He is acting to awaken His people to the real war that  is going on, and He is empowering them to wake up and shine as lights in a dark world.For more information, log on to www.KerygmaVentures.com!

Storms should not surprise us when they come, yet we often find ourselves overwhelmed by their ferocity or rapidity. Like a child playing in the surf who is hit by an unexpected wave, before we can get up and wipe our face another one comes crashing in. Jesus predicted that storms would come into all of our lives, and that they would expose the foundations of what we are building. Jesus’ emphasis in this discourse was the necessity of building on “these words of mine.” All previous words from God had been partial and predictive. Jesus fulfilled the promises, prophecies, and predictions of the Old Testament spokesmen. His word is full and final. Building on anything less is certain foolishness. The storms of life serve to expose the false security we seem to accrue and the false theology we inevitably develop.

The Christmas trees had many packages piled underneath for days before the big day. Now the floor is empty except for a few gifts left for family or friends who haven’t gotten theirs yet. Wouldn’t it be a shame if we left the big one with our name on it unopened - admired and anticipated, but left untouched? What if it contained the last will and testament of a rich uncle who left enough money to pay all of our obligations and secure our financial future, and we just left it there while continuing to live under the daily stress of crushing debt? Sadly, this is happening with the biggest gift ever given. Salvation is a big package and includes benefits most have never even conceived. Unopened, it neither blesses the Giver nor the receiver. This is what the Apostle Paul is addressing in Philippians 2:1- 13. He says that if something is in the package, open and use it.

As believers, we celebrate the finished work of Jesus, emphasizing that He initiated and carried out redemption through His incarnation, perfect obedience, sacrificial death, miraculous resurrection, and majestic exaltation. We rejoice that there is nothing we can do to add to the full salvation He purchased for us. It is indeed glorious to meditate on the redemption story carried out in the life of Jesus. However, some have concluded that since His ascension to Heaven, He has taken a break from or even permanently retired from His work on our behalf. That assumption is a huge mistake, for He is still at work: Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25 NRSV).

The recent election has revealed a tension many Christians feel as citizens of both heaven and earth. Some have concluded that, since we are born from heaven, we have little or no business trying to influence such matters as politics and civil government. Others have felt so connected to our earthly responsibilities that they have put too much hope in the civil structures of society. In the middle of the confusion, we have been susceptible to defining our preferences by the reputation or disposition of the individual candidate. We long for a clear word from our Lord about living in two kingdoms at the same time.

As Jesus came to save (heal) the brokenness of the fallen world, He released the power to accomplish His purpose and extended that mission through His corporate body. The doctrine of suffering has been neglected in understanding the Christian experience. Yet, sacrifice is the core expression of love that transforms. Having a consistent doctrine of the mission of the church, which includes suffering, is essential for our implementation of a community that extends Christ’s healing in the world.

We are designed to live in connection to a leader. As created beings, we properly respond to our Creator as One who is worthy of worship and trust. It was only when we bought into the lie that we can be our own leaders without submission to anyone that we as the human race lost our way. Scripture relates a time in Israel’s history when the people were doing what was right in their own eyes and feeling frustrated. Discontented with Yahweh as their king, they longed for a human leader...

2020 has certainly been surprising to us all, and that surprise has manifested in a lot of different ways: Angry people are shouting, fearful people are fretting, predators are pouncing, and almost everyone is scratching their heads, wondering what is really going on. All the while, it seems as though the wise and mature are ignored as they stand in the shadows, leery of offering what they know is not welcomed. Take a moment and listen to this dynamic message!

The awareness of the existence of something greater, just out of reach, plagues all of humanity. C.S. Lewis recognized this when he spoke of having desires that nothing in this world can satisfy. His conclusion was that these unmet desires are evidence that we are made for another world. This is why fantasies captivate us. To learn more, take a few minutes and listen to this exciting message.

It is universally common to want to have a better life. No one sets out to have a bad life or a lesser life. As we read the Bible, we find words and concepts that grab our attention because they seem to offer ways to find that place of blessing. It has always been relatively easy to misinterpret what that means. We long for victory over our enemies both external and internal. We see promises of prosperity, and eagerly seek to find ways of having it. The apostle Paul speaks of “always being led in Christ’s triumphal procession” (see 2 Corinthians 2:14). We know from reading the Gospels that Jesus paid a supreme price to purchase for us a kind of life that is worthy of his payment. Surely, he didn’t purchase a life of subpar existence. It must be better than the “toil and struggle” perspective that seems all too common. All of this leads us to ask the important question: What can we expect now?

Amid all the bad news and global disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a surge of speculation about the “last days” and the end times. If you’re like me, you’ve heard and read numerous things in recent days comparing the current viral outbreak to the plagues mentioned in the book of Revelation, usually accompanied by a suggestion that we are living in the last few moments of history. So, are we really living in “the last hour”? The answer is, “yes” and “no.”

Throughout the years, biblical scholars and theologians have searched for the historical Jesus. They have sought to know all they can about Jesus in his historical context. While this can certainly be a worthwhile and profitable study, I contend that there is another search that is more universal: searching for the essential Jesus.

God’s purpose in creation is to rule through his human partners. Adam and Eve were designed to tend the garden with a view to tending the whole earth. They had everything they needed to do just that. Their fall into sin left them afraid of the God who loved them, ashamed of the bodies he gave them, and dismayed at the task he assigned them. The story of redemption is the answer to each of these problems and provides the means for God to again have a community on earth that will display his image accurately and co-rule with him.

THE NATURE OF HIS NAMEThe apostle John closes his gospel account by recording the very last discourse Jesus had with his disciples. John recounts the prayer Jesus prayed to the Father after revealing intimate insights to the disciples about sharing the life of God. He prays that they (and we) will know in fullness the joy of sharing his very life. Jesus relates that he has made known to them how he was sent from the Father, how he revealed the true nature of the Father, and how he has kept them in the Father’s name. He asks the Father to continue to keep them in his name as they embrace the full meaning of being loved completely as humans who share eternal life. It is noteworthy that his prayer is not about them behaving better or being more religious. He wants them to know what it’s like to be “loved humans.” The human experience proves that a focus on simply behaving better, though perhaps temporarily satisfying, does not transform anyone.

As we approach this new year and decade, we hear many voices encouraging us to feel positive about our future. I have heard some playing on the idea of 20/20 eyesight, saying that 2020 is a year of corrected vision and clear perspective. Others build their hopes on positive thoughts and words that they believe will actually create circumstances that are better...

The deliriously happy couple married and expected to live to a ripe old age enjoying grandchildren and savoring their twilight years together. Cancer! She died at age 27. He was devastated. Another young man studied hard and received good grades in hopes of getting a job with the large firm. Another less qualified candidate knew the CEO personally and was hired instead. He was downcast. It happens to all of us. What we expected didn’t happen. What we wanted was not granted. Life surprised us with an unexpected turn. Our face fell. Our shoulders slumped. It’s natural. We are not in control of everything, and we don’t always interpret our hopes correctly. It is natural, but it is also dangerous. In that critical moment, we are faced with a choice, and the consequences of that choice are far-reaching. We are faced with an opportunity to identify as a victim, villain, or victor.

The whole human race is caught up in a frantic search for peace, harmony, purpose, and pleasure. In other words: joy. What most have not yet discovered, however, is that God designed us for that very thing. Even the wiring of the human brain is controlled by a center that is motivated by joy.

Who among us has not been alarmed by news reports of how divided our society has become? People on both sides of the political aisle roll their eyes when they hear those on the opposing side demanding safe places and refusing to even listen to opposing views (much less allowing them space on their Facebook news feeds). It seems we have become so fragile that we can’t endure the tension of being challenged to think beyond our own opinions. While certainly not a sign of a healthy culture, this fragility does reflect the deep need for all people to find a safe place. Rapidly growing discoveries in the field of brain science are confirming what Jesus declared a couple thousand years ago. In fact, Jesus was simply elaborating on what the mega-story of biblical history has emphasized for thousands of years.

The Way Of The ThornSuffering is often demonized in the current climate of “feel good” religious dogma. In an effort to attract more followers, leaders tend to over-emphasize the idea of pleasure and comfort afforded those who believe while neglecting or even rejecting the role of suffering. This is very dangerous.It leaves the sheep of God’s pasture vulnerable to the stalking predator who is seeking someone to attack.“. . . Like a roaring lion our adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NRSV)Spiritual leaders are responsible to equip believers to survive and thrive in the battle with the devil and his purposes. Those who are not aware of the strategic role of suffering in the Christian journey become easy prey for the prowling lion. In fact, neglecting the role of suffering contributes to the exodus many churches are experiencing. Many who turn their backs on the Christian message have been blindsided by trouble they were never equipped to expect and thus grow cynical about the entire message.

When what we see suggests that evil is winning and that life is random; that God is, at best, disinterested in our plight; that when our hopes and dreams seem to be crashing around us and prayers are seemingly ignored—we long for an audience with God. The ancient Job did, and so did Habakkuk. “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous—therefore judgment comes forth perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2–4, NRSV) The prophet lived during a time when the most wicked nation that had ever existed was rising to consume everything in its path. The evil powers that ruled Babylonia were straight from the bowels of hell. The tyranny and terrorism was unmatched in prior days. Yet, God was allowing the powers of evil to capture and enslave his own people, who admittedly were violating his covenant, but were not even close to the depravity of this godless nation. Habakkuk didn’t understand. How could God be still or be silent when such injustice was rampant in a world he founded upon justice?

There is a growing number of church leaders who, having a heart of a true pastor, recognize the attractional model of the church is not getting the job doneThe metrics of our consumerist culture are not those of the kingdom of heaven. When we measure the success of our ministry primarily by attendance, money, and the Sunday experience, we have missed the point. The called-out ones that comprise the church Jesus is building are marked by an overwhelming passion for knowing him, a love and submission to his word, an appreciation for the majestic doctrines of salvation, a participation in the community of faith, and a longing to expand the influence of Christ’s rule in all the world.It is increasingly popular to complain about the consumer-church, but we continue to promote it because it gives us some basis for boasting in our own works. We continue to buy into it with only a few minor tweaks.

Lincoln Steffens went to Russia after the Russian Revolution and saw the new collective form of government, known as communism, being tried. Things looked so good in the early days that he reported back home, “I have seen the future and it works.” Of course, by 1989 the country was in big trouble, having witnessed millions of people dead in the tragic experiment. However, the scriptures testify that we can see the future and it really does work.If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)In the real world described here, the spiritual and natural intertwine. When Jesus appeared, the eternal invaded the temporal; or speaking from a linear perspective, the future broke into the present. Jesus announced, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” A new era was beginning. A new age was dawning. Though the willfully blind can’t see beyond the temporal and thus live based on observation and intuition, those born of the Spirit can see through the temporal to the eternal. In the mystery of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, believers share the very life of Jesus the Christ—called “eternal life.” They share his past, present, and future. Because they are “in him,” they are wherever and whenever he is. The apostle Paul is not talking nonsense when he says, “Your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

LUKE 15 - When we share the life of God, we find ourselves celebrating what he celebrates. It is an awesome thing to share the life of the Triune God. Jesus made the nature of God clear and real. He is a Father who loves to show his love for his own. We often reveal that we are either not conscious of our shared life, or that we are still trying to live in a way that will be acceptable to God. God designed humans to be joyful. That is part of what it means for us to be his image bearers. We are created to enjoy God just as he enjoys himself. It was the intrusion of sin that introduced angst and fear into human life. Still, people long to celebrate—to find something that brings them joy. We celebrate our heritage if it is a good one. We celebrate our wealth if we have it. We celebrate our accomplishments when we can. We celebrate our morality when we feel righteous. But, the life we share with the Father celebrates what he celebrates.

What is the deal with temptation? Are we just playthings that God is watching as we struggle with an enemy that is invisible and amazingly deceptive? Does he enjoy seeing us get trapped and fail? Are we being tested with some vast rewards going to those with the best score, but most of us feel like the perpetual “D” student?  The Bible tells of three battlegrounds with three different human representatives. We gain invaluable insight as we examine these. We begin with the presupposition that is clear in scripture: God has chosen to do his earthly work through human instrumentality. Humans have been privileged to share the cosmic battle that has been waged by the devil for longer than we have clear history. When scripture alludes to the rebellion in heaven, it implies that the angel, Lucifer, rebelled against God. Though he was cast out of heaven, he did not give up on his quest to dethrone God. After creation, heattacked the first humans with accusations against God, in order to gain the authority to rule in the human’s stead. But the story is not about the devil. It is about the God who created humans to share the very life of their creator, displaying the nature and character of the Father, Son, and Spirit. We are privileged to demonstrate the truth that defeats the liar; the compassion that defies the murderer; and the peace that makes the riches of this world only tools rather than treasures.

I have mentioned in earlier messages how confusing all the discussions about the end of the world had been to me during college and seminary. The coffee shop debate often brought out charts and maps. The pressure was on to declare your stance on the issue of “pre-,” “post-,” and “a-.” If you didn’t experience the intensity of those discussions in your journey, the issue was about whether Christ’s return would occur before the beginning of the millennium (“Pre-” as in Premillennialism), after it (“Post-” as in Postmillennialism), or if there would not be a literal 1000 years of Christ’s physical reign on earth (“A-” as in Amillennialism).

It seems that some have missed the point of the apostle Paul’s warning about pow- erless religion because they have delayed it to some future last days. He is clear that he is not speaking of some distant future, but the last days that were present then and are present now. Paul was living in the last days of the Old Testament era, as it was being fulfilled in Jesus and his new people. This era officially ended in 70 AD when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Rome. Paul also is aware that the last days of history began with the resurrection of Jesus and would extend until his final consummation. During these last days, the powers of hell would come against the truth of God’s finished work through Jesus, the final sacrifice and reigning king. He spent much time warning the early believers to watch out for the wolves that would come in to devour the freedom of the new believers. The Jewish leaders who rejected Christ were relentless in their efforts to thwart the growth of the people of God. Governments ruled by demonic ideologies tried to marginalize and mock the group they called, “The Way.” We are still in these last days. The battle over the truth of God’s word still rages. Though the authority of the principalities has been stripped by Jesus’ death and resurrection, they seek to dominate by deception. Only the truth as revealed in Christ can displace the lies.

It is common to hear of someone going off the rails with a temper tantrum and justifying it by their pent-up anger but seldom do we diagnose our inner frustrations as coming from pent-up love. I think we should consider it. One of the blessings we receive by sharing life with Christ is the love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

In a culture where the economy is largely based on people being discontent with what they have so that they will buy something more, contentment is a rare state of mind. Too many of us have bought the lie that more stuff will mean less misery. We are captives of materialism, which demands that we measure our happiness by what we have, compared to what some others have. We already have so much that we must rent storage space to house our stuff. Sadly, much of the stuff we pay to store will be sold at garage sale prices by our children who consider it useless. Surveys show that even the very rich are not content. They don’t worry about having enough to provide for their needs, but they fret over what to buy to enforce their standing among their peers. They compete with symbols of wealth that they hope will ensure their standing. The amount of stuff we have doesn’t seem to matter, though we continue to gather it. The one thing we have tried to gain by accumulation we have missed: contentment.

The public’s perception of Christians is not very good. Various surveys reveal that many have bought the description of Christianity offered by secularism and have focused on the failings, mistakes, immaturity, and imperfections of Christians. We should expect this since our culture seems to be obsessed with distorted caricatures of those we don’t want to know. The common complaints regarding Christians are that we are hypocritical, judgmental, and unloving. Where those criticisms are true, we should quickly repent. But we should also note (with humility rather than snark) that we never claimed to be perfect; so when we fail, we aren’t hypocritical, just needy. We confess that we need a Savior, not only to go to heaven, but to live. When we believe that there is a standard of right and wrong, we aren’t being judgmental, we are acknowledging God. When we try to stop people from destroying themselves and the culture, we are not necessarily being unloving. But it is futile trying to defend ourselves by arguments. We just need to be who we are.

Spiritual warfare has been dragged through many pits of distortion in an effort to establish how we relate to the forces of evil in the world. It seems that every 20 years or so, there is another outbreak of “deliverance ministries” focused on how we gain victory in our own lives over the influences of demonic powers. Those of us who have been through some of those cycles can remember screaming at demons in the middle of the night, arguing with voices that claimed authority beyond ours, and realizing that such an approach was not featured in the early church. War stories of demon bashing often resurface as we remember the days of discovery.There is much about the powers of darkness that we don’t know, and we are not encouraged to know, but what is unmistakably clear from the New Testament is that we are God’s chosen force against the powers of darkness on earth, and we fight by standing in the victory won by Jesus at the cross.

It is significant that the first 11 chapters of the book of Romans do not give many instructions. In fact, there are basically two imperatives in that section. One is in chapter six when Paul tells us to reckon ourselves dead to sin, alive to God, and yield our members as instruments of righteousness instead of wickedness. The other is in chapter 11 where Gentile believers are warned not to be arrogant toward Jewish prospects. But, chapter 12 opens the floodgates to the instructions regarding the kind of life the gospel produces:

On our journey with Paul through the theological fulfillment of Israel’s trip from Egypt to the promised land and exile in the book of Romans, we come to chapters 9-11. Some biblical scholars see these chapters as sort of a parenthesis where Paul feels the need to address the true identity of God’s Israel. Personally, I think this discussion fits in perfectly with his timeline, explaining the theological significance of the Red Sea experience, the Law at Sinai, entrance into Canaan, and now the exile after Israel’s removal from the land of promise. The Jews, including Paul, had embraced the wrong story of history. It is understandable that they could have heard the words and observed the events without interpreting them correctly

The latest embarrassing eruption of incivility in the public eye has been reported recently including several people in President Trump’s administration being harassed by those holding different political views. But it has been escalating for some time, with multiple universities shutting down divergent political voices that might question the prevailing sexual revolution’s agenda. Late night TV is rife with vitriol, and public dialogue is becoming more difficult each day. Many are uncomfortable with what is going on, but mostly we shrug it off as a sign of the times. That’s a bad mistake! What we are seeing is more dangerous than just a disturbing trend.

A friend recently spoke of the prevalence of “Adam’s itch” in all of us. He was talking about the compulsion to do something to get back into the good favor with God—back in the Garden of Eden—back to where we can be the recipients of God’s blessing rather than the object of curses. Like all itches, Adam’s itch begs to be scratched, and it feels so good for the moment, but later causes further inflammation and infection. It seems that we will go to any length to hear another clever way to pull the blessing lever. We are vulnerable to religious offers of knowledge, rites of passage, and mystical experiences. Some peddlers of novel interpretations of scripture have built multimillion-dollar kingdoms from scratching the itch. They have honed their sales pitch to convince enough people to buy in. Everyone wants to somehow please God enough to get his blessings. The gospel eliminates the itch by means of a mediator. Jesus came as a human to be obedient to God’s requirements and receive the blessings commensurate with perfect human obedience. He alone gets the covenant blessings promised by the covenant God. We are given the privilege of enjoying these blessings when we are in Christ, trusting him alone for favor.

In the eighth chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul is describing what living in the promised land looks like since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. He skillfully uses the story of Israel’s exodus and occupation in Canaan as a template for us. The Spirit leads us rather than an actual cloud and pillar of fire. We share the full inheritance, which is the life of Jesus rather than a small piece of real estate. We share not only in his access to the Father and the assurance that we are now identified as sons of God, but we share in his mission on earth.

Acts 4:20 - The state of current American Christianity is generally rather shaky. For generations, we have spent the capital of moral strength we had stored up from generations that preached and practiced the gospel of transformation. We have tried to maintain a moral society without the infusion of passion that comes only from believing in the resurrected and ascended Lord. When we look at the model of New Testament believers in comparison to contemporary Western Christians, we are astounded. It causes us to wonder if we can expect to live the same way. Were they living in an easier time? Was the Spirit more available to them than to us? The demeanor of the New Testament Christians is not an unreachable ideal. It is the norm for those whom God has given the ability to see his kingdom. The question we must ask is: What had happened to those disciples that so changed their lives and emboldened them to confront the powerful entities of evil in their day with remarkable confidence and effectiveness?

Acts 2; Hebrews 1:1-2 - When I was a teenager, the big question at church youth camp was whether it was possible to know Jesus as Savior and not as Lord. Many of us wanted the assurance that we were “saved” from the penalty of our sins, but we weren’t sure we wanted Jesus to be the Lord (Boss) of our lives. Little did we know how dangerous it is to confess Jesus as Lord. There is good news: Jesus is Lord. It is true—and dangerous. Since Jesus is Lord, and he has spoken, his word carries ultimate authority. Jesus is Lord—and he has spoken! What he says is profound. Listen. Build your house on it.

News today is suspect. We aren’t sure there is any source we can trust. What we hear is mostly bad news, and it comes with such a spin, we can barely get hold of it. We know that the American dollar bears the weight of such debt that it is threatened by currencies of other national economies along with multiplying crypto-currencies. The American dream has dimmed in the eyes of a young generation realizing they probably won’t even have the prosperity of their parents. They cringe at the debt they have been left with and sneer at the premise of the baby boomers who believed riches can make you happy. The American destiny is being reinterpreted through the eyes of secularism. And though we used to snicker at the obvious spin of the used car salesman, it has been adopted and honed to a new luster. The Media, the Congress, the Presidency, and even the pulpit have bought in. We could use some good news!

We all like to be comfortable, but probably don't consider what is involved in such a state. We think of quiet, soothing, non-judgmental treatment. If we should think of a church service that is comforting, we might imagine an affirming message promoting how wonderful we are despite our missteps. That is a pretty popular approach of many trying to attract the contemporary consumer, but the word "comfort" used by Isaiah to describe what God had in mind for the remnant of Israel is much stronger. Instead of promoting how wonderful the audience is, he promotes how wonderful God is.

Isaiah is one of the most important figures in the Bible. His writings are some of the very best, not only in the Bible but in history. His influence on the revelation of the gospel is unparalleled in the Old Testament. His story is fascinating. He was reared in an aristocratic environment. His family was well respected, and he was well trained as an elite in society. He was a faithful Hebrew having been taught the basics of Israel’s covenant with God. He lived in the last half of the 8th century B.C. when there was rampant apostasy among the people of God and a gathering storm of military threat. Uzziah had been a prosperous king for the southern tribe, but suddenly he died. Life had been good, but the prospects of the future were at best, uncertain. For whatever reason, Isaiah was in the temple during this sad and shocking time and experienced a radical encounter with the God he had only known conceptually. This encounter launched him into a ministry that confronted both the rebellious Jews and the pagan powers with the word of God. Later, he also became the voice of God for comfort to the remnant that would come out of exile.

Considering the apparent increasing darkness swirling across the land, many church people are talking about the need for another Great Reformation. This has been a good year to talk about the Reformation. It was 500 years ago this year that it began. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg Germany noting the issues he had with the corrupt Roman Catholic Church. Historians mark that date as the beginning of a move of God that eventually affected the whole world, especially Western Civilization. There is good fruit beyond measure. But, it was tumultuous. Blood flowed down the streets of many European towns. Hundreds were beheaded. Men, women, and children were killed. People were boiled in oil, burned at the stake, drowned, and thrown off high cliffs. Kings were dethroned. Empires fell. It was not a gentle reformation. Do we want a new reformation?

I was extremely blessed in my early years to know a businessman who loved to share Jesus with men who claimed not to be interested in salvation. He called it “winning souls.” He was very good at it as he would not try to convert someone who was not being convicted by the Spirit. One day he approached a man and offered to talk with him about his relationship with God. “I don’t want to talk about God. Anyway, I’m no worse than half the people down there at the church, even the deacons,” he bellowed. Mr. O’Neal was gentle and firm in his reply. “Ok. You are a man God can’t save.” The man wanted to argue. “Yes, he can.” Mr. O’Neal shook his head and began to walk away. The man followed him. “Why do you say that God can’t save me?” Mr. O’Neal stopped and said, “God can only save sinners, and you don’t think you are a sinner.” The man opened up and finally prayed with his new mentor.

While surveying the current landscape of voices telling us what we can do to move God in our direction, I was confused and appalled. I wasn’t sure if I should send money to the speaker, fast more, pray harder (whatever that means), denounce my citizenship, lobby for Israel, or go to the mission field. One thing was evident: the subject of interest was about moving God to act on our behalf. Individuals want God to act in liberating them from debt, depression, sickness, and poverty. As a nation, we want God to move on our behalf and save us from foreign enemies, internal decay, and certain judgment. The answer to what it takes to move God is certainly not a consensus among Christian voices.

We haven’t lost the desire to know the times and seasons of God’s calendar. Books flood the marketplace, offering clues to the end of time and the meaning of certain political decisions and astronomical occurrences in the heavens. It has been true since the first couple ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. We still clutch to the notion that if we knew everything God knows, we would be fine. So, we speculate. As the book of Acts opens, Jesus has spent 40 days since his resurrection appearing to various groups of disciples. His topic during that period was the kingdom of God. As he approached his ascension, his disciples asked a calendar question. “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus answered, but not with a simple “yes” or “no.” He answered the question they needed to ask and gave them the information they needed for the season they were in. He had earlier demonstrated that mankind does not need to know the specific dates on God’s calendar when he said that even he (as man) didn’t know. (See Matthew 24:36.) In his answer, he redefined the concepts of Israel, the kingdom, and restoration. They had pictures in their minds regarding all of these things that needed to be replaced by greater and clearer pictures.

We continue to get confusing definitions of what a Christian is. It is not uncommon to hear some person make an off-the-wall statement and then back it up with, “because I am a Christian.” Dr. J. I. Packer has long been a trusted voice for evangelical Christianity. He says that a Christian is one who has God as Father. In his classic standard, Knowing God, he goes on to say that Father is the Christian name for God.

2 Timothy 3:17 - All Christians are aware that we are called to be disciples of Jesus. Many of us don’t know what that means. We have gotten lost in trying to plant and grow local churches, seeking to influence our culture, and holding civil leaders accountable to their callings. We have tried to apply the industrial revolution’s assembly line approach to our own demise. We have often settled to have church attenders who think more like the secular culture than Bible-based believers.

1 CORINTHIANS 10 - How does the story of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the promised land relate to us? In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 10, he uses their experiences in the wilderness as a warning for Christians to reject idolatry, moral impurity, and grumbling. But there is much more that we miss if we only value their journey as a lesson in morality. God isn’t just saying, “They really messed up in these areas, and the consequences were dire. You had better learn from their mistakes, or you will end up with people being bitten by snakes and worse.” Of course, warnings against disobedience are there in that text, but Paul is making the point that THAT story is OUR story.

2 CORINTHIANS 6:14–18 - Cultures clash over the narrative that defines them. Every culture has its story, and those whose story coincides with reality as God defines it in the Scripture have the potential to flourish. Those who neglect or contradict God’s story are doomed to failure. We in western civilization are increasingly being influenced by secularism and its God-denying narrative. The dominant theme of secularism is that there is no overarching narrative—that there are many stories with each one having more or less the same claim on reality. We are called to live in our culture with allegiance to the story that culminates with the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. As we do, there is a clash. We should try to have dialogue, but we can never mix the stories for the sake of peace.

TITUS 2:11–14 - One of the participants in an event at the ranch confessed, “I have read your books and listened to other teachers saying what you’ve said, and I know it is right. But I’m telling you, grace is hard.” I chuckled at the irony of that statement but had to agree. When we have been programmed to live with guilt and shame, grace is hard. It is both counter-intuitive and counter-cultural. As many have said, “It is too good to be true.” Why is it so hard?

PSALM 2, HEBREWS 8:6-12 - We live in a day of a self-proclaimed identity crisis. It seems that the whole society is trying to figure out how we decide who we are. It is true that authenticity requires that we act out of who we are. No one can find their destiny trying to be another species. No matter how much a dog tries to improve in its meowing, it will never be a good cat. We have obsessed with our own identity markers. Without dismissing the importance of knowing who we are, I suggest that there is a more important question.

Who among us values prayer so much that we make daily ethical decisions based on how it affects our prayers? This seems to be what the apostle Peter is suggesting—and even instructing us to do. In his discussion of the husband’s attitude toward his wife, he adds, “ . . . so that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). In writing about living a blessed life, Peter emphasizes the eyes and the ears of the Lord being open to our prayers as we consider what we say and how we behave (1 Peter 3:10–12). Even later in the letter, he states how our eschatology (concept of last things) affects our prayers (1 Peter 4:7). For Peter, the privilege and power of prayer is so important that it should be considered as a primary goal of life. We are God’s partners on earth, and our part is first of all prayer.

Since the tragic fall in Eden, humans have been confused about identity. We weren’t made to live independently from God. Feeling alienated from God, our forebears began to incorrectly name things. In the divine design, Adam and Eve were given the ability to name the animals. This meant they had the capacity to see the essential difference in created things and thereby had the ability to manage them. To misname is to mismanage. When they were cut off from God, they lost the insight necessary to properly identify themselves along with other things. And they quickly made such a mess of the created order that by the time of Noah, God concluded the Flood was the best solution.

Revelation 18:4 -- In the final book of the Bible, the Revelation—amidst all the symbols and visions—there is a scene where the world system is described as Babylon. The word of God to his people in that situation is: “Come out of her, my people.” Could that apply to God’s people now?

More than ever in my lifetime, I am hearing people ask each other who they are voting for. I once asked my dad that question, and he reminded me there was a reason for that curtain around the voting booth. It seems people are less sure now about their voting, and some are wishing God would simply give them the right name. Well, he has already voted. This is not simply a cute way of trying to be relevant in an election year. Rather it is essential for us to recognize how God approaches government.

When God’s people live by trusting him, they experience joy in any circumstance that is attractive to those whose taste buds have dulled by all the substitutes for joy. All mankind is hungry and thirsty for the satisfaction found in trust. As the people around us watch us live in love with the unseen but very real Jesus, they too might be open to hear the message we carry. All the while we are walking in the midst of an unjust fire but without the smell of smoke.

There is plenty of angst in the country. The Democrats tried to focus on the positives at their convention, but I don’t think most people are doing that. There seems to be a sense of hopelessness hanging like a heavy cloud over much of the land. Christians are crying out for revival, but not many are defining what that means beyond wanting policies and platforms to align with their own personal agendas. If we are willing to trade the illusion of taking back our land by political maneuvering for the counterintuitive exercise of preaching the gospel, we can legitimately hope for revival.

Christians often speak of living the “blessed life” in an effort to demonstrate the benefits of following Christ. Books are written; sermons are preached; spiritual guides are offered, all in an effort to help us leverage the benefits of living right. There is some confusion, however, regarding how obedient one must be in order to get the benefits. For instance, does partial obedience gain partial blessings? Does God accept our best efforts even when they are grossly imperfect? Why was it necessary for Jesus to achieve perfect obedience for our salvation?

I am dizzy! Just trying to figure out what has happened and how fast it has occurred is a disorienting experience. Just a few years ago, we were celebrating diversity of opinion. We were boasting that open discussion and debate were privileges in a nation where liberty is prized. Now, there is an atmosphere of shock. There is a host of sincere morality-loving citizens who are in a quandary as to how to respond to the choices we have for president this year—two people who seem to treat truth as a primitive myth. Lies, exaggerations, spin, insinuations, and false accusations are daily fare. Politics seems to have created its own world where moral values have been excluded. Added to that is the insanity of current discussions regarding gender identity and which bathrooms and showers our children must share. The definition of marriage has been co-opted by the federal government, and liberty of conscience seems under mortal threat. A nation that once prized the value of freedom from oppression has itself developed a culture that is oppressive toward all who dare to challenge the gods of secular religion. Christians in particular seem perplexed as to what to do. Will God help us?

Someone has said that we have not truly believed truth until it affects our muscles. That is another way of affirming that theoretical truth is not transforming. Only when we have so embraced truth that it determines what we think, affects how we feel, and influences how we choose can we be called believers. There are many who know the grand story of the gospel but have never entered the story. It is still external to them. It is another story and maybe even the best story, but it has not been adopted as their own story.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 - With all the anger being exposed in recent months toward what is happening in the world as well as in our own country, many so-called spokesmen for God are declaring that his anger has been stoked to an all-time high. According to them, God has had just about enough of our shenanigans. God’s wrath is bubbling hot in the cauldron of justice and will soon be poured out in prophesied fashion. There are so many holes in that thinking that we can’t deal with now, but it does bring into question the nature of God’s wrath. Is God angry? The bigger question is: What is God really like?

Romans 7:13-20 - The seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Romans is famous for describing the struggle Paul has with sin (or, for that matter, the struggle of anyone who wants to live righteously). Paul confesses he knows what is right but doesn’t do it, and he is not ignorant of what is evil, yet he practices it. He concludes that the culprit is neither the Law, which points out sinful behavior, nor the individual, but sin that dwells inside.

1 Timothy 1:12-16 - The kingdom of God exploded in the first century A.D. owing in large part to God’s work through a converted terrorist. It should encourage us that people and circumstances don’t have to be good in order for the kingdom to progress. God’s purpose is being accomplished because his grace triumphs over evil.

MATTHEW 16:13-20 - Polling is a good way to discover what people are thinking, but not a good way to determine the truth. Sadly, leaders today often make their decisions based on polling the populace rather than hearing what the Father says about reality. Observation is good, but revelation is essential if we are to live in the truth. We are notoriously bad at interpreting what is happening, since we have limited perspective, com- plicated by troubling emotional baggage.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:3–4; 9:6–10 - I’m confessing: I love the Christmas season. I know it has been commercialized and materialism runs rampant, but I love the excitement and joyous spirit that seems to grip most of us. Who doesn’t enjoy little ones running toward Santa, thinking of flying reindeer, waiting for the big day? I know; I should be offended at all this hype when the real issues are the birth of Jesus and the cosmic ramifications of his incarnation. And, believe me, I don’t for a second want to diminish that. But I also love the focus on giving gifts. Again, I am aware that marketers manipulate us to buy ridiculous things for people we might not even like. But I like the giving and receiving.

PSALM 2:1–6 - It seems that our society is becoming increasingly vitriolic. Instead of listening and responding, we resort to talking over each other and demonizing our opponents. I suppose that is what can be expected when we deny the possibility of spiritual warfare and thereby conclude that our enemy is solely flesh and blood. In a purely secular society, where demons, angels, and God are mocked as primitive myths, we shouldn’t expect an acknowledgment that we have a common spiritual enemy who seeks to deceive and destroy God’s good creation. That leaves us fight- ing each other, even willing to destroy our opponents in order to establish our own viewpoint. But it should be different in the community of faith where belief in spiritual reality is common. We are aware that we don’t fight against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers emanating from the devil himself. Yet we rage. When we fight like the devil, we yield to him. We should fight him but not with his tactics. We confront the Liar with the Truth. The church representing the kingdom of God is to be the salt and light in a society, but when it has become the voice of the shifting culture rather than a voice to it, the wholesociety begins to rot in egoism and grope in darkness.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - The life of victory does not consist of temptation-free living. It is all about revealing the glory of one who daily offers his grace to overcome as we learn to live by the words that come from the cross. “It is finished,” he said. All that is needed for mankind to live and work in the presence of God has been done. We now get to apply that to the many trials and temptations that assault us.

Luke 4:5-7 - Satan confronted Eve and Adam in the Garden. He engaged Israel in the wilderness. He even tried to cut a deal with Jesus in the desert. According to the apostle Peter, he is still stalking around looking for someone who will deal. Has he found a taker in the modern American church?

Ephesians 3:14-19 - Recently a poll asked young people what they wanted to be when they grew up. The most popular answer: famous. Of course, that begs other questions, such as, with whom? Or for what? One could aspire to be famous among the most evil people who have lived, but I can’t imagine hell providing much honor. The honor that our soul craves cannot be found in the fame that this earth offers. The Bible mentions a hall of fame for those who have lived by faith. These people lived extraordinary lives full of adventure and passion. They shocked cultures, defied odds, and brought heaven’s order to earth.

Revelation 21:23-24 - I’ve been surprised to see how surprised many were by the decision handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States regarding same-sex marriage. Did we think that American democracy was equivalent to the Kingdom of God? Have we shifted our hope of justice and peace totally to the structures of the state? Have we not seen the shift toward magnifying human dignity while ignoring the creator and Lord? Did we think that these choices would not have consequences?

Psalm 139-22-23 - If you are tired of being tormented by the enemy within, venture the request for God to search your heart. Every deficit he exposes will be an opportunity to embrace his grace, which he has been storing up since before the world began. He only wants to give what you desperately need, but cannot afford.

FIGHT, ADAPT, RECLAIM, OR WITHDRAW? -- The word “Christian” is overused as an adjective these days. We hear about Chris- tian music, Christian ethics, Christian education, and Christian culture. It is not uncommon to hear some pundit speak of the “Christian response” to a given social or political issue. However, if you listen to Christians, you will hear all kinds of answers to the questions relating to how we are supposed to relate to our culture. There is no monolithic Christian view.

John 13-16, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Just before his betrayal and the events surrounding his death, Jesus met with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal, inaugurating a whole new era. As they gathered, he did something that none of them fully understood at the time. He washed their feet. As an act of humility it could stand alone as a model for their future, but there was more to it than that. Jesus was dealing with defilement. The disciples had been walking the filthy streets of Jerusalem, and they needed their physical feet washed, but they were also part of a race that had been defiled in the Garden of Eden and needed to be washed spiritually. That washing would happen in a few hours as his blood flowed down a cruel cross and cleansed them from a defilement that went deeper than the skin.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - The Christian gospel is truly good news. It declares that sin and Satan have not won the battle for the ones God created in honor. God offers his own life to those who want to be a new kind of human. The problem never has been primarily sexual- ity. It has always been idolatry. When that problem is fixed, all other issues are aligned. When we live for his honor, our dignity is restored. Without guilt and shame, we can live according to the purpose and design of our Creator.

1 Timothy 2:1-6 - Christians have the challenge of being citizens of two nations. We are sons and subjects in the Kingdom of God, and we are also part of the nation on earth in which we hold citizenship. Paul wrote to Timothy, who was leading the citizens of the Kingdom in their responsibility as citizens of their earthly society.

The TV screen was filled with the red-faced spokesman for his cause drumming up followers who would agree that this was the defining issue of the times. Of course, the very next story featured another upset victim of society, declaring that all who didn’t march with her were unconcerned about justice. It seems that there is conflict everywhere. Sometimes we get confused as to where the battlefield is and what we are fighting over. There are issues of concern affecting almost every area of our lives. Physical war is taking the lives of thousands on several different fronts, devastating societies that have existed for centuries. Ideological battles are being fought in the media. Government agencies are stalemated because of partisanship. The religious world is fraught with battles over who is right and what that means. Social media has exacerbated the divide as blogs, posts, and tweets, hidden behind the wall of supposed anonymity, blurt out hateful opinions and accusations.

Matthew 6:5-11 - What difference does the arrival of the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ make in mankind’s praying? All men pray. Prayer is endemic to the human race. If not universal, it is global. Men everywhere pray. Even a large percentage of professed atheists admit to praying. The concepts of God may change, but there is something inside that prompts all people at some point to pray. But how do Christians pray?

Galatians 2:20 - In Paul’s farewell address to the elders of the church at Ephesus, he quotes Jesus saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). More than once I have heard this quote being used to exhort people to give—but adding that the reason it is more blessed is that you will receive more. Isn’t that saying the blessing is in the receiving? Actually, in most contemporary Christian teaching, the focus is heavily on the receiving. Though there is obvious truth in the planting and harvesting dynamic, that is not at all what Paul is talking about in his sermon to the Ephesian elders. He is referencing a higher dynamic. He is speaking about the kind of giving that is a fruit of the gospel.

JEREMIAH 9:23–24 - We are experiencing a collective angst regarding the perceived loss of a previous moral culture that we remember as being better than today. In any culture, the morality standards are set by the values that the particular society celebrates. So, technically, we have a moral culture, but we are not satisfied that it is a GOOD moral culture. What does a good moral culture look like? The great temptation is to take a short- cut and focus on conforming behavior, but morality doesn’t start with behavior. Morality includes behavior on the way to something even better. We want a better culture, and so we try to be better and get others to be better the same way we do. But when life is defined in “mere morality” terms, real Christianity is lost. However, when we move beyond mere morality, we move from being good to being loved. That really is better.

1 Corinthians 15:1-10 - The debate continues. What part do the choices of mankind play in the purposes of God? Is salvation a work of God or a choice of man? Is there a difference in God’s role in initial salvation and the part he plays in our lives lived as rescued people? Is it a work of God and mankind? Is it a work of God through mankind? What has been done, and what remains to be done? 

Isaiah 39:8 Can you remember the days when social politeness deemed it proper to comment on others in a group picture before you mentioned yourself? It's not a secret that all of us quickly look to find ourselves in the picture and usually wish we had postured differently or smiled bigger. Now, however we are taking pictures of ourselves and sending them out to everyone connected to social media. Has there ever been a more blatantly self-focused culture? What about Hezehiah?

Matthew 12:43-45 Reform is dangerous! When things aren't working, we clamor for change. Often we are willing to accept change--in any direction--to escape the tentacles of bandage the current state offers. If the pain of the present is great enough, passions get riled and people are ready to fight for quick and radical change. But the answer is not as simple as voting out the present administration or instigating a coup d'etat. True freedom comes from heaven, and when we ignore that, we do so to our own destruction.

Mark 1:15 - Much to the chagrin of many who have grown up in a culture that was basically friendly to the values and language of Christianity, we now must face the fact that Christendom in America is dead. The culture that grew up around the mixture of Christian language, biblical values, and American civil religion is breathing its last gasping breath. The grief is taking its usual forms. Some are in denial. Some are angry. Most are sad. The enduring hope is that out of the ashes will arise a gospel-oriented community that is both persecuted and powerful, like the original community of Christian faith in the first century. It will undoubtedly be made up of people who are intentionally repenting on a regular basis as they choose to align their decisions with the message known as the Kerygma: the apostolic gospel.

Luke 4:16-21 - The remnant of Israel had been looking for a day of vindication for more than 400 years. That is a long time; approximately 100 generations. They expected it to look like previous battles when Israel’s army was energized under King David and the enemies were subdued. But it was different. A lone figure out by the Jordan River was preparing the way. He was a little strange and preached a hard-line message about repentance. Then one day he introduced the one who would fulfill all the hopes of God’s people. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus was not what they expected, and many did not believe.

Matthew 6:9-13 - We often confess that living is hard—even Christian living is hard. Sometimes especially living the Christian life is hard. Where is the rub? How does that sync with Jesus saying that his yoke was easy and his burden light (Matthew 11:30)? Is it hard to be good when we are people infected with sin? Sure! If the goal is being good. Is it hard to love God when we are desperately trying to love ourselves? Yes! Especially if we are not conscious of being loved. Is it hard to believe that God’s grace abounds where sin thrives? Uh huh! It just doesn’t seem right. Does the lure of sinful pleasure, irresponsible behavior, and independence continue to exist? Of course! So, what does salvation include when it comes to daily living?

Colossians 2:13-15 - Every viable religious system in the world admits that there is something that needs fixing in mankind's existence. Polytheists try to appease the gods. Pantheists try to lose individuality in order to emerge into the oneness of reality. Naturalists believe that time will eventually produce a better species. Monotheists seek to align with the god they worship. All operate from the proposition that there is a problem on earth.. The gospel gives the only solution to the problem, but it is controversial.

Colossians 2:1-3 - In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul emphasizes the necessity of Christ being the center of all relationships. There is a war going on in the heavenly realm. The enemy wins to make Jesus' role less than it really is. We are still looking for better ways to solve the problem of chaos in our world, so there are many causes vying for our attention. But there is only one that merits our allegiance: Jesus Christ.