Hope Chapel Westside

Commentary through the whole book of proverbs. This Session Pastor Dave discusses chapter 4

Walk through all 30 chapters of proverbs with Pastor David Wilson. Proverbs are wise sayings and riddles that have practical use in everyday life. From relationships to finances, this nearly 3000-year-old writing holds powerful wisdom for anyone willing to apply it.

Hard times come for us all but there is something we can do about them when they come. Elijah was a prophet in some of the most difficult days of Israel. He had to learn to live by faith and completely trust in God even when he couldn't see God's plan for his life.

Walk through all 30 chapters of proverbs with Pastor David Wilson. Proverbs are wise sayings and riddles that have practical use in everyday life. From relationships to finances, this nearly 3000-year-old writing holds powerful wisdom for anyone willing to apply it.

Where do you get your advice from? Friends, those older than you? Solomons's son Rehoboam took advice from his childhood friends and lost an entire kingdom. We must be wise in these days in which we live and not discount what older generations have to offer and learn to discern between Godly and worldly wisdom.

There is a lot we can learn from King Solomon. God blessed him and gave him incredible wisdom but he also let his heart be turned from the Lord and allowed himself to be caught up in the ways of this world. to say that his life was complicated would be an understatement. Perhaps we can learn from him to appreciate what God has given us and not stray to the fruitless ways of this world

Everybody seems to be offended about something these days and there are things that we should be offended about but what happens when fellow believers, that is Christians offend each other? is there a way forward, a way of healing?

It's frustrating to play by the rules when you see your adversaries seeming to have the victory. However, when you adopt an "ends justify the means" mindset far more is sacrificed than you can ever imagine. Our God has called us to a life of integrity and often that means standing your ground even when it's unpopular and being patient especially in times of great emotional upheaval and trusting Him.

Feelings are not facts. Perhaps you have heard this before. Feelings are important but a feeling doesn't tell us what is true. As Christians, we need to rely on the Bible as our source of truth.

When David entered the valley of Elah he had no idea he would be facing a seemingly unbeatable enemy. Facing goliaths has become a common metaphor in our lives for the often overwhelming and intimidating circumstances in our lives. There are some real gems in this passage of scripture that can help us have victory no matter what we are facing.

How you view the book of Genesis will determine the shape of your worldview.

A recent survey of pastors in America revealed that only 37% percent hold to a Biblical Worldview. That might sound shocking to many but not for those who have been following cultural trends with eyes wide open. Our worldview has a direct effect on how we raise our kids and what we value and where we spend our time and energy. For Christians developing a Biblical worldview is essential if we are to make an impact in our time

Being a husband, a Father, and even just being a man in today's environment can be challenging at times. Especially for those who hold a Biblical worldview. It is more important than ever that men know where their identity is rooted. The scripture is clear about defining manhood and The Apostle Paul has some advice as he encourages his Christian brothers in the Church of Corinth. It is some timely advice that is desperately needed in a society that seems determined to redefine men in their image.

What really needs to happen for God to move once again in our nation? Is this it? are we about to experience everything we read about in revelation or will there be a revival? We live in that tension between anticipating Jesus' return and desiring to see him move once more in the hearts of so many. Either way our hope is in Christ

Even in times of moral decline and godlessness stories emerge from a remnant of those who follow the Lord that encourage us that God is still on the move and nothing can stop his plans. One such story is that of Ruth an ordinary person that encountered the goodness of God and found love and family in one of Israel's harshest times

Tearing Down Altars- Judges 6:11-35 God told Gideon to tear down the Altar of Baal and Ashtoreth in the middle of town and then use the remnants to build an altar and make a sacrifice to God. In order for the church to have influence again in the culture, we must be willing to take a bold stand for Jesus which means we must deal with the modern-day baals and Ashtoreth, the false idols in our culture. But even before that the church much with the idolatry in her midst

It seems we are living in an upside-down world where right is wrong and wrong is right at least for those of us who hold to a Christian worldview or have ethics that are aligned with the Bible. The time of the judges in Israelite History was a time that their nation forgot God and as a result, encountered oppression from their enemies until they called out to God. We need to return to the only one who has the answers and that is our deliverer Jesus Christ.

After wandering in the desert for 40 years the Israelites were finally ready to cross into the promise land but crossing the Jordan river would require having faith in God's leading. Believing in God is one thing. Trusting him to lead you in your life choices is another. Are you ready to cross your Jordan?

What does it mean to have true courage? Living out your Christian convictions in a world that seems not only blind to evil but insists on doubling down on the deception can be a challenge. But God has called us to be strong and courageous. to have moral fortitude in the face of adversity and to stand for what is right.

The division that we are seeing in our nation and the world today has many on edge and wondering why all this is happening. While we are trying to sort through what is true and what is "misinformation" let us not miss the bigger picture of What God is doing and what our role is in it.

No matter what you are going through at the moment let this hope be an anchor for your soul. Jesus Christ has won the victory over sin and death and you can trust as he rose from the dead you also will be raised to be with him if you place your faith in him.

We live in a world where it is so easy to take the difficult things that happen in our lives and make everything about us. to let personal pain bear the fruit of bitterness and vengeance or self-pity but when Jesus was dying on the cross we see non of these things. in fact, the gospels record some of the most selfless words that Jesus ever spoke giving us a glimpse of the heart of God

What does it mean to Love God with all our heart soul and might?