Faith that Speaks— Anytime, Anywhere

The book of James was written to scattered Jewish believers who needed encouragement to live faithfully amid life’s challenges. In James 2:1–13, James focuses on a vital aspect of that life: that for the follower of Christ, mercy must triumph over judgment, leaving no room for prejudice in the church. Friend, as you examine your own heart today, is your love for others dictated by the glory of Christ, or are you still measuring people by the superficial standards of the world? Join Tom Pennington from James 2 as helps us identify the dangers of Pride and Prejudice.

In Ephesians 1, the apostle Paul models how to pray for spiritual growth in Christ. The Bible teaches that genuine faith in the Lord Jesus should move us to pray that all Christians grasp the hope, riches, and power that are already theirs in Christ. Paul reminds those first-century Christians and us as believers today that even those who have everything still need our prayers. Join Tom Pennington as he helps us understand the need of Praying for the Person Who Has Everything.

The Bible teaches that all people are bound by sin and unable to rescue themselves from its power and consequences. Therefore, all people are in desperate need of redemption. In Ephesians 1, the apostle Paul deals with the solution to our sin problem by explaining God’s eternal plan of salvation. And while doing so, he focuses on the work of Jesus Christ, who entered human history to redeem a people—purchasing our freedom, forgiving our sins, and releasing us from the bondage we could never escape on our own.

Christians often ask: if we're children of God, why do we still suffer? In this series from Pastor Tom, he explains from Scripture how we live in a decaying universe marked by cosmic catastrophes, natural disasters, and personal trials. And then he highlights from Romans 8 that the sufferings of this present time cannot be compared with the glory that awaits us. While God never promises exemption from life's troubles—even His own Son, Jesus Christ faced hardship and death—He has destined believers for something far greater. Join Tom Pennington as he explains from Romans 8 that Christians are Destined for Glory!.

In the midst of unimaginable suffering, the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, found hope in God by deliberately calling certain truths to mind, reminding himself to stop listening to his despair and start speaking truth to his soul. From Lamentations 3, we discover that when tragedy surrounds us, we can find hope by remembering that God's character hasn't changed—His steadfast love and compassion never cease; they are new every morning. Join Tom Pennington as he explains from Lamentations 3, specifically Hope From Ashes: Responding to Tragedy.

In the New Testament, particularly the book of Acts, we find the core biblical priorities that every true follower of Jesus Christ should be engaged in. But what makes these priorities so important? And why should every Christian organize their lives with these priorities in mind? In this brief 2-part series, we discover how believers must prioritize that which is truly important for the Christian life and why our lives must be intimately connected to Christ and His church and the glory of God our Father. Join Tom Pennington from the book of Acts as he explains The Essentials.