Word Alive Lawton Pastor Danny El Kouri

If someone was to look at your checkbook, what could they tell about you based on the way you spend your money? In what ways have you been tempted to love and serve money? What steps can you take to ensure you are serving God and not money?

What is a spiritual gift? A spiritual gift is simply a supernatural ability given to all Christians to do God’s work on earth. It’s an ability given by God, to all of God’s people, to make a difference first, if you read Scripture, first in the church and then overflowing into the world.

The Holy Spirit is like the wind of God. Sometimes he comes as a gentle breeze, other times he is a mighty, rushing wind of power.

Who you say Jesus is will determine everything about how you follow Him. If you think Jesus was a good teacher, you will follow Him like you would a good teacher. If you think Jesus merely had some good ideas, then you will listen to what He says every once in a while. If you think Jesus was a good example, then you will try to follow His example. However, if you believe that Jesus was and is the promised Messiah who came to the earth to save us from our sins, to conquer sin and death, and to reign and rule over all as Lord, then that changes everything about how you live. The church is made up of people who believe in that Jesus and know Him intimately. Do you know Jesus intimately?

Trials knock at our heart and surround us. Temptations set in, hoping we’ll feel the pressure. Tough times come right after a moment of joy or small victory. This is life in the world. It requires a continuous and active choice to choose God. To keep faith. To say, “I’m sorry.” To move ahead in hope rather than despair and stand strong in the faith!

When you are a young Christian, you want the blessing. But as you grow, you just want God. That is a mark of maturity. We need to continue in the faith when the skies are blue and also when they are filled with clouds. We must press on when our health is good and also when it is not what it used to be. Because we know in that final day it will all be worth it.