Salvation was bought not by Jesus' fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love.- AW Tozer

For the follower of Jesus, it's glory to glory for the rest of eternity. It's really going to be worth it. It doesn't end at His return. It doesn't end after the millennium. It doesn't end in a new Eden. It just never ends. -Derek Kistner

"When we believe a lie, we empower the Liar." -Bill Johnson

"Every great move of God's Spirit has been preceded by a great movement of prayer." —Allen Hood

God’s throne is a fiery flame (Daniel 7:9). Not that the throne makes God a flame; God makes it a flame. -Bob Sorge

I've never heard a politician say we should lay down our life for our enemies. Yet Jesus says if we don't, we cannot even be His disciples. -Joel Richardson

The only true victory is not the resolution of our circumstances, but in becoming like Jesus in the processes of life. -Graham Cooke

“The main lesson about prayer is just this: Do it! Do it! Do it!” - John Laidlaw

“You will certainly carry out God's purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John." -CS Lewis

"The task of leading worship is not just a musical task. It's a theological task." - Sinclair Ferguson

There is a dying in the hiding. 

Jesus wasn't surprised and shocked by Peter's shortcomings. He knew Peter. He made Peter. He knew what He was getting into. Same with us. -Derek Kistner

“An ounce of sin can harm us more than a ton of suffering.”- Tim Keller

The Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell... forever Psalm 132:13-14

As the crucifixion of Christ demonstrated the mercy of God to His enemies, so also will the consummate last days crucifixion of His Church. -Joel Richardson

"We are not to judge motives. God alone reserves that right. We are to judge fruit." -Rob Waldo

"Labor to get a sense of the vanity of this world. And labor to be much acquainted with heaven.” Jonathan Edwards

He makes those just who are unjust, forgives those who deserve to be punished, and favors those who deserve no favor - Spurgeon

I've never met a Christian who had it all turn out like they thought it would. Jesus invites us into an adventure, not onto a treadmill. -Derek Kistner

"Power doesn’t corrupt; power gives your corruption an opportunity to shine." -David Sliker

Ultimately, "peace on earth" is realized via the in-breaking of justice at the return of the rightful King of Israel, Jesus of Nazareth. -David Sliker

"We should never be content with anything less than what is described as possible to the Christian in the New Testament." - Lloyd-Jones

The saints will be emboldened in persecution by the certainty of the resurrection and eternal rewards (Daniel 12:2-3) -Mike Bickle

When the word 'repent' returns to the vocabulary of the church, it's an evidence that the kingdom of heaven is prevailing on earth. -Derek Kistner

When Jesus said He wanted to gather Jerusalem around Himself, He declared Himself the Lord God and King of Israel. - Saphir

Christ said it is better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like I know that is true. -Francis Chan

fall 2015 vid

The world says love yourself, grab all you can, follow your heart. Jesus says deny yourself, grab your cross and follow me. -Francis Chan

"We do not have time to waste our lives on a nice, comfortable, Christian spin of the American dream." -David Platt on missions

Maybe I need to become more preoccupied with Jesus plan for the earth, and less preoccupied with his plan for my life. -Luke Wood

We have only a short period of time, seventy or eighty years, to have the testimony that we gave our love to the Lord in the midst of opposition. -Mike Bickle

If you wish to know God, you must know His Word - Spurgeon

It is the chief office of the Holy Spirit to glorify Christ - Spurgeon

Galatians 6:14 God forbid that I should boast except in the cross...by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. When I look at the world, may I see nothing that tantalizes me as potentially life-giving, but may it be totally dead in my eyes. -Bob Sorge

Paul quotes the Septuagint of Isaiah 2 and 66 in describing the day of the Lord Jesus in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. Stunning revelation of the majesty of Christ. -Stephen Venable

By no means is heaven ethnically homogeneous. In the age to come, people from every tongue, tribe, and nation will worship God as a Jewish man. -Joel Richardson

John (Luke 3:18), the 12 (Luke 9:6), and Jesus (Luke 20:1) all preached "the gospel" before the cross. Yes, Jesus died, but there's much more. -Joshua Hawkins

Make His praise as glorious as you possibly can. Even so, you do not match the heights of His glorious name. Nehemiah 9:5. -Bob Sorge

Joy is one of those things that is contagious. We have the ability to bring life or death to a situation. -Francis Chan

Sin and riches are both "deceitful" (Mark 4:19, Hebrews 3:13) The pleasure they give seems innocuous when it's actually choking and hardening our soul. -Stephen Venable

The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable. But it’s up to us whether or not we grow in them. -Justin Rizzo

Stare at God. If we don't stare at God, we'll spend our time staring at lesser things. Namely, ourselves. -Francis Chan

Life is about Jesus. We are not here to tell our story, but His. We are here to live His story, not ours. -Francis Chan

The atmosphere of heaven is ubiquitous holy worship. And Jesus instructed  us to pray that heaven would be expressed on earth. | Matthew 6:10 -Derek Kistner

Jesus isn’t just a king with power, forcing us to do what He wants. He is a Bridegroom King with desire for wholehearted voluntary love. -Mike Bickle

When will all the kings of the nations fear God's glory? When He appears  and builds up Zion at the appointed hour. Psalm 102:13-16 -Stephen Venable

One of our greatest acts of warfare in the middle of this chaotic  generation is prayer and fasting/silence and solitude. -Corey Russell

“Not even dying a martyr’s death is classified as extraordinary obedience  when you're following a Savior who died on a cross.” – David Platt

“The Christians of the 1st generation kept pressing into the unevangelized  regions—It was apparently the rule to enter open doors.” -J R Mott

There are two ways for the believer to behold Jesus. The first is by faith  in this age. The other is by sight in the next age. John 17:24 -Allen Hood

“Prayer is awe before an infinite force, and yet it's intimacy with a personal friend.” -Tim Keller

The collective intelligence of humanity is a drop in the bucket compared to this Man from Nazareth. He endlessly exceeds our imagination. -Derek Kistner

If we saw the effect that even our weakest prayers have we would probably pray a whole lot more. Short 30 second prayers are so powerful. -Justin Rizzo

I think the biggest thing the enemy has stolen from us in America is our faith in the supernatural. -Francis Chan

"Transformation comes through the adoring gaze of the heart on the person of Jesus." —Allen Hood

Whether the world grows atheistic or devout, our duty and our joy are the same — we are to magnify the Lord our God - Spurgeon

In the same way that God Almighty chose to forever incarnate Himself in the flesh of a Jewish man, so also has He forever chosen Jerusalem. -Joel Richardson

Psalm 3:2 "Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah. When you are holding to promise and standing on God’s word, most people around you have it wrong.-Bob Sorge

Our greatest place of authority, honor, and dignity is found in prayer. -Mike Bickle

Preach Christ or nothing: don't dispute or discuss except with your eye on the cross - Spurgeon

Proverbs 27:7 A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. Sometimes God starves you out, until even the bitter aspects of the gospel become sweet to you. -Bob Sorge

“They went after worthlessness, and became worthless.“ Jeremiah 2:5. Pursue One who is infinitely worthy and become worthy. -John Piper

Christ is the cause of the greatest division, but He is also the medium of the greatest union - Spurgeon

In time, men become either angels or demons. The middle ground will eventually be gone. -Bob Sorge

If you’re hungry enough, you’ll find the contents of a challenging message sweet to your soul. -Bob Sorge

Our old history ends with the Cross; our new history begins with the Resurrection. -Watchman Nee

“Don’t let the sands of time get into the eye of your vision to reach those who sit in darkness. They simply must hear.” Jim Elliot

My teaching on Jesus' story from Philippians 2 is available here.

God called us to be the Church, not just gather in a room and listen to a sermon. -Francis Chan

"Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all Egypt.” Genesis 45:26 Jesus is alive, and he is ruler over all. Period. -John Piper

Ever Be (Full Video) \\ Kalley Heiligenthal \\ We Will Not Be Shaken

Music bypasses all the intellectual barriers and when the anointing of God is on a song, people will begin to believe things they wouldn’t believe through teaching. -Bill Johnson

When you come into the presence of the Lord, all agendas have to be put aside. -Bill Johnson

Martha was distracted with serving, Mary was distracted with Jesus. What distracts you? -Bob Sorge

In a culture where truth seems to evolve there is an old road that never changes and leads to life. Stay on that narrow path. -Ryan Kondo

"He knows every aspect of the human experience and loved us to the fullest." —Allen Hood

Does the world satisfy thee? Then thou hast thy reward and portion in this life; make much of it, for thou shalt know no other joy- Spurgeon

The doctrines of grace are Gods sweet lullaby wherewith he singeth his children to sleep, even in storms - Spurgeon

My message on the Glory of Jesus' Divinity from Isaiah 40 is available here.   

We can never glory in the cross too much. -Mike Bickle

Have in yourselves the same attitude as Jesus who although God Almighty, creator of the Universe, chose to serve His enemies even unto death. -Joel Richardson

The children of God get to spend eternity with their Father; the same is true for the children of the devil. -Bob Sorge

American witness of Christ: Jesus loves you no matter what. Book of Acts: Christ has risen, repent, fear God and be baptized. -Isaac Bennet

There's Only One Worthy - Jonas Park (Official Lyric Video)

"Prayer and missions are as inseparable as faith and works; in fact, prayer and missions are faith and works." -John R. Mott

The basic premise of religion–that if you try hard to be good, things will go well for you is wrong. Jesus lived perfectly yet suffered. -Tim Keller

We need to get down very low before God and cultivate that sense of emptiness, impotence and dependence that Jesus called poverty of spirit. -J.I. Packer

“By the Spirit you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30. Think about that sealing and that day. -John Piper

For any interested: I will be teaching on the divinity of Jesus from Isaiah 40 at the Greater Peoria House of Prayer this Saturday evening October 3rd.

6-7 Worship/Prayer
7-8 Teaching
8-9 Worship/Prayer

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When you feel yourself to be utterly unworthy, you have hit the truth - Spurgeon

My master is also my servant. My God is also my slave. Who is like You, Jesus? May I be found awake and waiting for You. (Luke 12:35–37) -Joshua Hawkins

One of the ways we overcome cynicism toward the church is to study the verses about her glorious intended end such as Ephesians 5:27.-Derek Kistner

Once again I am seeking from the Lord the grace to “convince” my generation of the wisdom of seeking Christ (2 Timothy 4:2). -Bob Sorge

The more I interact with parts of the church unlike my sphere, the more I appreciate its beautiful diversity of thought and perspective. -Derek Kistner

2 Timothy 4:11 shows how Paul softened toward John Mark in his latter years. Fathers get soft with maturity. I think Abba Father is a softy. -Bob Sorge

If your heart be cold in prayer, do not restrain prayer until your heart warms, but pray your soul unto heat by the Spirit - Spurgeon

"Blacks, Whites, Chinese, and Jews attended the services. The color line is washed away in the blood!” -Frank Bartleman

To teachers, preachers, and worship leaders: You win it in prayer before you win it on the platform. -Bob Sorge

summer 2015

How contradictory it is that so many of faith are uncomfortable with the Holy Spirit when His very nature is to comfort. | Acts 9:31 - Derek Kistner

Don’t despise the tiny things in the kingdom—they can grow into the greatest of plants. Matthew 13:31-32 -Bob Sorge

One way we gaze on God’s beauty is by thinking much about the details of Jesus’s life, death, resurrection, and eternal reign. -Mike Bickle

The primary (not only) hope for us is not that things will improve in this age, but that unspeakable good awaits us in the age to come. -Stephen Venable

"You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him." —Teresa of Avila

Gifts are free, but maturity is expensive. -Bill Johnson

"Every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God’s Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me." -Bonhoeffer

He (Jesus) will reign over you, either by your consent, or without it - Spurgeon

One essential key to obeying Jesus’ radical commands is believing deeply in reward beyond the grave. Luke 14:14; Matthew 5:12 -John Piper

He bestows His righteousness as a gift, and then rewards you when you've got it, 2 Samuel 22:21. What kind of grace is this? -Bob Sorge

Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it to you - Spurgeon

If a man can preach one sermon without mentioning Christ's name in it, it ought to be his last - Spurgeon

Far better to love Jesus and be unknown by the world than to love the world and be unknown by Jesus. -David Perkins

Our constant danger is that we cry, 'Behold this new opportunity,' 'Behold our new methods'... and forget to cry, 'Behold the Lamb of God!' -Samuel Zwemer

Job cried, “I’m blameless!” Then, when he saw God, he cried, “I’m vile!” Perspective is everything. -Bob Sorge

Regular reading of scripture delivers us from the delusion that our experience of Christianity in the 21st century western world is normative. -Stephen Venable

To the degree that one views the kingdom of God as now, they will gravitate toward the view of the cross as a vending machine. To the degree that one views the kingdom of God as yet to come, they will militate toward the view of the cross as something to be embraced. -Joel Richardson

We abide in God BY loving one another. It's a communal command. Jesus never lets us love Him apart from loving people. -Francis Chan

We will marvel when we behold what God will bring to pass in Zion - "Glorious things are spoken concerning you, O city of God." Psalm 87

Conflict is causing an unprecedented migration of souls out of nations hostile to the gospel into regions where missionaries can work freely. -Stephen Venable

Let your humility be like an iceberg. Whatever qualities people might see in you, may they be but the upper 10% of a deep life in God. -Bob Sorge

According to Scripture, we'll sing forever, and one of the things we'll sing about forever is God's mercies. | Psalm 61:8, 89:1 -Derek Kistner

The most important appointment of your life is yet future; it’s the day you stand before Jesus and He rewards you according to your works. -Mike Bickle

Jesus warned of a long delay, yet surely at midnight - even in deep darkness - there will be a cry: "Behold the Bridegroom!" Matthew 25:5-6 -Stephen Venable

God hates something more than sin, namely causing others to sin. Luke 17:1; John 19:11 -John Piper

It cannot be that there is high appreciation of Jesus and a totally silent tongue about him - Spurgeon

"Salvation is not mainly the forgiveness of sins, but mainly the fellowship of Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9)." - John Piper

Many churches today welcome ministers who warn of the threat of Islam, but not those who teach us to love Muslims. -Joel Richardson

Hypocrisy is pointless. For: “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” Luke 12:2 -John Piper

We can offer our body as a living sacrifice in this age only through the hope of the resurrection of our body in the age to come Romans 8:23, 12:1 -Stephen Venable

"The Psalms are given us to this end, that we may learn to pray them in the name of Jesus Christ." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Praying more does not compensate for un-repented sins that we deliberately continue to commit. -Mike Bickle

“If you love deeply, you're going to get hurt badly. But it's still worth it.” -CS Lewis

With nails in His hands and feet and a spear protruding from His sides, He proposes to you. “Marry Me. Abide in My love.” -Bob Sorge

The more holy a man becomes, the more conscious he is of unholiness - Spurgeon

Dying changes nothing for the believer. We keep doing the same thing we did on earth—seeking to please Him well, 2 Corinthians 5:9. -Bob Sorge

Fathers bring definition and storyline to their sons and daughters, cultivating the great gardens of identity in their lives. -Lou Engle

Islam, the Goliath of our day, will not be defeated by military might. The strategy of the Lord is to send an army of innocent lambs. -Joel Richardson

From every text of Scripture there is a road to Christ - Spurgeon

"Provocation doesn't make me ill-tempered: it only shows me how ill-tempered I am." -CS Lewis

"God's command 'Go ye...' was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant." — Elisabeth Elliot

"I have read through the whole Bible about 100 times and I always find it fresh when I begin again." George Müller, age 71

Self-denial is not so much an impoverishment as a postponement: we sacrifice a present good for a future, greater good. -Müller

"The content of apostolic preaching is Christ. The fuel of apostolic preaching is divine love." -Allen Hood

Each time Paul gave a witness to rulers, he was a prisoner. The call to be a "speak before kings" is usually a call to prison and suffering. -Samuel Whitefield

Repentance which has no tear in its eye, and no mourning for sin in its heart, is a repentance which needs to be repented of - Spurgeon

"In the kingdom, every test is an open-Book exam." -Chris Wood

“It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.” -Tim Keller

The fear of God remains absent if the Word of God remains unread. -Derek Kistner

"If He who in Himself can lack nothing, chooses to need us, it is because we need to be needed." -CS Lewis

The cross is the wisdom of God, let it be your wisdom too. -Bob Sorge

"The harvest will not wait. If the Gospel is ever to be given to our generation, it must be done at once." — A. B. Simpson

The happiest state of a Christian is the holiest state -Spurgeon

"The boat rides the Student Volunteers took were longer than short-term missions trips young people take today." -Brian Kim

Whatever subject I preach, I do not stop until I reach the Savior, the Lord Jesus, for in Him are all things - Spurgeon

"When Job was prospering, he prayed. When he was suffering? He still prayed." --Timothy Keller

Jesus is not our mascot for Christian missions. He is the unsearchable riches of God's glory and the mystery of God made known. -Stephen Venable

"It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to." -CS Lewis

Multitudes of former haters will come to Jerusalem and say: "You are the city of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel!" Isaiah 60:1-14 -Joel Richardson

The biblical narrative centers on a marriage with Jesus; earthly marriage is just a shadow. -Francis Chan

There was a day when Anna and Simeon only "saw" by faith, but then they held a Child in their arms. Jesus is really going to return. -Stephen Venable

When the love of Romans 8:28-39 fills you, you gain the grace to love your fellow countrymen with the extreme love of Romans 9:3. Not only was Paul willing to lay down his life down for his countrymen, he was willing to lay down his eternal life for them. The highest description of God’s love in Scripture (Romans 8:28-39) is followed by the highest description of love for fellow man (Romans 9:3). -Bob Sorge

He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of him yet - Spurgeon

“Don't have your concert first, and then tune your instruments; begin the day with the Word of God and Prayer.” -Hudson Taylor

When there’s something in the Bible that churches don’t like, they call it legalism. -Leonard Ravenhill

“Leisure and I have taken leave of one another.” -John Wesley

"I have one desire now - to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it." Elizabeth Elliot.

Steph and I's teaching on Ephesians 5 is available here. -david

It takes about 70 hours to read the Bible from cover to cover. That's less time than the average American spends watching TV each month. -Justin Rizzo

The greatest challenge in preaching the Gospel, is preaching truth that you yourself are in the same need of. Often times more in need of. -Zach Hensley

If there’s still some life in you, there’s no hope of resurrection. He resurrects only the dead. But hey: Never too dead for resurrection.-Bob Sorge

May it be that because of your obedience many will be made righteous (just like Jesus, Romans 5:19) -Bob Sorge

“We preach Christ crucified” 1 Cor. 1:23. Never change the message. We have no other. -John Piper

The American church is a difficult place to fit in if you want to live out New Testament Christianity. -Francis Chan

"We must meditate, brothers. These grapes will yield no wine till we tread upon them." Spurgeon

"Prayer turns theology into experience." --Tim Keller

"O that Christians would learn to live with one eye on Christ crucified and the other on his coming in glory!" — Richard Baxter

Preacher: inspirational messages are enjoyable but rarely serve our victory over sin and enjoyment of God. We must know and believe truth. Our culture often seeks out clever, inspirational messages; yet knowledge of God-based teaching impacts the deepest and bears the most fruit. Impactful preaching is:

1. Simple truth 2. Delivered by weak, broken people 3. By the power of the Holy Spirit 4. That causes love to abound

-Dave Sliker

hero cover by steph and I

If we receive God’s love and love Him in return, then it is only a matter of time before we will begin loving people more deeply. -Mike Bickle

“Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty” (Isaiah 33:17). Live this day in hopeful anticipation of that day. -David Platt

The message of the cross is, lose everything and you’ll gain everything. -Bob Sorge

"Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel." CH Spurgeon

We should be so joyful from God’s grace that others would respond by saying, 'I wish I had your God.' -Francis Chan

Prophets prophesied Jesus' 1st coming, as well as His glorious return. Israel was central to the 1st, and will be no less central to the 2nd. -Bryan Purtle

"Let us press on. All Africa must be won for Christ. Though a thousand missionaries die, send more." — Andreas Riis

Mephibosheth, grandson of the arch adversary, lame in both feet, feasting daily at David’s table. A mercy we may hope for. -Piper

"Faith is believing that He sees and believing that He rewards." -Misty Edwards

Believer, when you are on your knees, remember you are going to a king. Let your petitions be large - Spurgeon

Steph and I will be teaching at the Greater Peoria House of Prayer on Saturday June 13th.  We will teach on Christ, the Church, and Marriage in light of the Cross from Ephesians 5. -david

Jesus weeps, but not like us. We do so because we lack perspective. He does so because He knows all things. -Derek Kistner

spring 2015

"For when the earth experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness" Isaiah 26:9

Marriage is quite a wondrous humility barometer. We may fool others with pseudo-meekness, but not our spouse (and children). -Derek Kistner

There is no motive for holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Jesus - Spurgeon

"There's absolutely no place that you cannot go and openly proclaim Jesus Christ—if you're not concerned about ever coming back." — Piper

Above all I commend the study of Christ. Let Him be your library - Spurgeon

The closet is the best study. The commentators are good instructors, but the Author Himself is far better - Spurgeon

"Speaking from a pulpit is so easy compared to life." -Heidi Baker

"Religious people find God useful. Christians find God beautiful." -Tim Keller

Who Would Dare to Love ISIS? (A Letter from the People of the Cross)

Our best performances are so stained with sin, that it is hard to know whether they are good works or bad works - Spurgeon

ONE Soul won to Christ, is better than a thousand "merely moralized" and still sleeping in their sins! - Spurgeon

When God calls you righteous because of faith, get ready for nobody to agree with Him. Even your own conscience can falsely accuse you. Satan looks at your life and is offended, “God, how can you overlook such blatant rebellion and sin?” People looking at you can’t always see a difference. But in the eyes of God, you are the righteousness of God by faith. -Bob Sorge

Our passion for the preeminence of Christ in all things shows whether we are actually in agreement with the passion and plan of the Godhead. -Stephen Venable

God is incredibly intense, and facing Him is the most intense, fiery, soul-searching encounter you will ever experience. Therefore, I would rather that He be more intense with me now (in chastening) than at the last day (in judgment). -Bob Sorge

Biblical commands to pray are given in the same way as those for love, humility, and holiness - for the entire church, not a select few. -Stephen Venable