featured | Heartstone Journey

Are You A Cultural Christian Or A Biblical Christian?

At our church we are walking through Jesus’s messages to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Had to hit the pause button on the church of Pergamum — the compromising church.

This message really hit home, because today the church is losing its biblical fidelity. A quick click of the remote or browse of the Internet, the headlines are revealing a disturbing trend of the church bending towards cultural norms rather than standing in the truth of the Word of God. More and more people, who call themselves “Christians”, are compromising core biblical values to avoid being stigmatized or persecuted.

With the attacks on religious liberty increasing we are seeing a large percentage of pastors, churches and “so-called” Christians bowing to pressure and allowing the norms of today’s culture to become the new “truth” for Christianity.

Ok, so whats the big deal?

Why The Enemy Has Your Affirmation In The Crosshairs

There is an epic battle going on for the human heart because rescuing your heart is everything. God is pursuing your heart with an invitation of life — to become fully alive with a new name, a purpose and a mission.

This is the theme of Heartstone Journey, but it’s also the backdrop for our story too. The mistake many of us make is being blind to the battle over our lives. There is a God who is after our heart with the invitation of life; and there is an enemy who will stop at nothing to take you out! Until we come to terms with this, we will misinterpret most of what is happening around us — and to us.

Are you tracking with me?

Our enemy is cunning and is systematically hunting us down, carefully watching every move we make so he can take the shot. Once you come into clear focus he takes the shot delivering a paralyzing blow. The worst part…we don’t even know what just hit us.

Let’s start unpacking this tactic of the enemy as so many of us find ourselves centered in these crosshairs and are taken out with a single shot. The good news is that God gives us access to the battle plans and we can learn how stay out of the crosshairs and walk a victorious life.

Let’s step into the narrative of Jesus’s third test in the wilderness.

Continue Reading (on bradandres.com)

What Most Millionaires and the Apostle Paul Have in Common

Have you ever desired to make millions? After all, having tons of money comes with tons of benefits right?

Having money gives you freedom. You can go do things that most people can’t afford. You can also give away all the money you make if you want.

If you don’t have to spend all day every day working to “make a living,” money can provide time to spend with your family. Having lots of cash can even buy you the time to go on missions trips. It provides you the opportunity to serve Jesus in ways many people cannot.

My Goal

Well, I have a desire to make millions. Here’s why:

Why Following The Yellow Brick Road Is Bad Advice

The words home-home tell us a little of what Jesus was meaning when He said, “…apart from Me…nothing.” He wants to be our home-home. Not our summer place, not our vacation retreat, not somewhere we go from time to time, but the place we are when we want to be home-home. He is saying that we will never be at home until we are at home in Him. For there is no life apart from the source of life and He is the source. When He says “apart from Me,” He is not just talking about what we do. He is asking us where we live.ⁱ

Wanting to come home is a desire in each and every one of us, but how we get there is another matter. There are so many small voice telling us to follow the yellow brick road. You know how the story ends. You come to a place that appears to look good just to find failed expectations hiding behind a curtain.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

—Matthew 7:13-14

Why is following the yellow brick road bad advice?

How To Hit The Target — All The Time!

As our church men’s group worked through week nine of our Stepping Up series, we learned the metaphor of the arrow in reference to having a clear vision for our family and specifically our children.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

—Psalm 127:4-5

Have you ever shot an arrow? You take an arrow out of your quiver, you place it into position on the bow, you pull back looking down the length of the arrow…waiting for the target to come into focus before you launch it. It’s awesome! Hitting your target with an arrow requires skill, strength, patience and a calming focus. The destiny of the arrow is completely dependent on many factors.

Ok, so what does this have to do with vision or children for that matter?

Are You A Cultural Christian Or A Biblical Christian?

Why The Enemy Has Your Affirmation In The Crosshairs

What Most Millionaires and the Apostle Paul Have in Common

Why Following The Yellow Brick Road Is Bad Advice

How To Hit The Target — All The Time!

Favorite Quotes

Cool Scripture

Never Out Of The Fight!

Resources