Posts with the tag “jam-patterson-sermon”

The Winds Are in His Hands DevotionalBefore the beasts ever rose from the sea, the four winds were already stirring. This detail is easy to miss, but it's profoundly comforting: chaos doesn't precede ...  Read More

God Sees History Differently DevotionalWhen Daniel looked at the kingdoms of his world, God showed him beasts—not monuments of human achievement, but creatures driven by appetite and violence. The wor...  Read More

Prepared Before the BattleKey Verse: Ephesians 6:14-17 NIVStand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted w...  Read More

When Your Faith Becomes Your FaultKey Verse: Matthew 5:11-12 NIVBlessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, ...  Read More

The Power of Unchanging HabitsKey Verse: Luke 16:10-11 NIVWhoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with m...  Read More

Excellence That Cannot Be HiddenKey Verse: Daniel 6:4b NIVThey could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.DevotionalDaniel didn't promote himself—his...  Read More

Key Verse: Daniel 1:15 NIVAt the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.DevotionalDaniel's greatness didn't begin in the lions'...  Read More

You Knew BetterKey Verse: James 4:17 NIVIf anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. DevotionalDaniel's words to Belshazzar pierce through the ages: "You kne...  Read More

Equipped, Not Just EntertainedKey Verses: Ephesians 4:11-14 NIVSo Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, s...  Read More

Recognizing the BattlefieldKey Verses:1 Peter 5:8-9 NIVBe alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in th...  Read More

Inheriting More Than PossessionsKey Verses: Deuteronomy 6:20-21 NIVIn the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?...  Read More

The Danger of Refusing to LearnKey Verses:Daniel 5:22-23a NIVBut you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of he...  Read More

Questions to think about:What is my heart set on?What do I expect to find when I find God? Does this expectation motivate me, or hold me back from looking for him?Sample prayer:Dear Father, I want to ...  Read More

Questions to think about:Is my loyalty divided between God and the world?How can I come closer to God today?Sample prayer:Dear Father, I don’t want anything between you and me. You have given me a gre...  Read More

Questions to think about:What things in my life am I tempted to take full credit for?What is the purpose that most often drives my decisions?Sample prayer:Dear Father, I’ve been impressed and proud of...  Read More

Questions to think about:What could cause a Christian to think they are wealthy and honorable when they are not?Why was Jesus so eager to come to these Christians?Sample prayer:Dear Father, help me to...  Read More

Questions to think about:Do my blessings tend to draw me closer to God, or to forget him? Do they motivate me to obey or to disobey?How can I cultivate a healthy, careful attitude about what God has g...  Read More

Questions to think about:How am I impacting the faith of the next generation, for good or for bad?What patterns do I need to start putting into my daily routine to help me not only draw them to Christ...  Read More

Questions to think about:Who is God?How can I love him?Sample prayer:Dear Father, help me to know you more. There is a lot I don’t know about you, but I know that you are good, you are all-powerful, a...  Read More

Questions to think about:Do I desire Jesus enough to delight in sharing in his suffering?What things of the past do I need to lay aside so that I can press on to take hold of the goal?Sample prayer:De...  Read More

Questions to think about:What is my motivation for serving God?Sample prayer:Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of serving you. I know you have called me, and that’s something I didn’t deserve. ...  Read More

Questions to think about:What are the “even if” scenarios I’m struggling with?Sample prayer:Dear Father, I want to trust you. You know the fear I’m feeling about ___ . Sometimes, I feel like if you ar...  Read More

Questions to think about:What does this verse mean by “the world”?How can my life demonstrate friendship with God?Sample prayer:Dear Father, help me to recognize the things around me that hurt you, th...  Read More

Questions to think about:In what situations am I tempted to appease people rather than obeying God?How can I set my determination or safeguard my steps to make sure that my loyalty is with God alone?S...  Read More

Questions to think about:What feelings and attitudes are draining my mind and body?What steps can I take toward freedom from these things?Sample prayer:Dear Father, you see my struggle with ____ . You...  Read More

Questions to think about:How does this verse say that true worship is expressed?Am I offering my whole self as a living sacrifice to God? Why or why not?Sample prayer:Dear Father, I want to be yours a...  Read More

Questions to think about:What does my culture encourage me to worship?Do my friends know what I worship?Sample Prayer:Dear Father, give me the wisdom to know what truly deserves worship. Guide my hear...  Read More

Questions to think about:Have I been giving in to the temptation to focus on what is visible, or to believe that what is temporary is most meaningful? In what ways?How can I practice valuing and setti...  Read More

Questions to think about:Who am I in Christ?Why does citizenship in God’s holy nation make me a foreigner and exile on earth?Sample Prayer:Dear Father, thank you for not only changing my status, but a...  Read More

Questions to think about:What does it mean to be a citizen of heaven? What can I do to live like a citizen of heaven?What will change when my Savior comes back?Sample Prayer:Dear Father, thank you for...  Read More

Questions to think about:How does it change my perspective when I realize that the church will never be defeated?How does this change my focus?Sample Prayer:Dear Father, I believe that your church wil...  Read More

Questions to think about:If others could see inside of me, what would they see?What thoughts, attitudes, or actions do I need to confess and renounce?Sample Prayer:Dear Father, sometimes it’s easy to ...  Read More

Questions to think about:What words have been spoken into my life that may not be correct?How can I test the words I’m hearing?Sample prayer:Dear Father, some things I believe about myself and my situ...  Read More

Questions to think about:Who gets to enjoy the benefits mentioned in this verse?Who is responsible for making sure these benefits come true?Sample prayer:Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of be...  Read More

Questions to think about:Why can the helpless take heart?What will I praise God for today?Sample prayer:Dear Father, I praise you for ____ . You are ____ . I want to know you more. Thank you so much f...  Read More

Questions to think about:Do I sometimes resist God’s peace because I don’t understand it? What protection am I missing out on because of that resistance?What situation am I thinking about, but not pra...  Read More

Questions to think about:When do I find it difficult to feel peace?What aspect of God’s character helps me really grasp that I can have peace, regardless of my circumstances? Or, what knowledge would ...  Read More

Questions to think about:If I truly believe this promise, what deep things would I ask God to help me understand?Am I making it a priority to spend time learning from him?Sample prayer:Dear Father, yo...  Read More

Questions to think about:How can I know the voice of God?How can I intentionally listen to him?Sample prayer:Dear Father, thank you for calling me by name and leading me. Help me to know your voice. G...  Read More

Questions to think about:Why do hardships help us grow?When I’m facing troubles or challenges, how do I respond? Can I thank God for helping me grow, even when he does it through suffering?Sample pray...  Read More