http://www.pastordanwalker.org Truth from Life Church St Louis Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:02:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Truth from Life Church St Louis Pastor Dan's Blog no Truth from Life Church St Louis http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.pastordanwalker.org http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/01/seeing-gods-goals-for-you.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/01/seeing-gods-goals-for-you.htm#comments Sun, 16 Jan 2011 21:50:33 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=631

Setting Wise Goals

Hearing God’s Direction

Understanding Your World

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/01/seeing-gods-goals-for-you.htm/feed 0 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/01/hope-for-the-new-year.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/01/hope-for-the-new-year.htm#comments Sun, 02 Jan 2011 22:36:06 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=636

Jesus Brings Hope

Discover Hope For Your Life

Seeing God’s Goals for You

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/01/hope-for-the-new-year.htm/feed 0 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/why-motives-are-important.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/why-motives-are-important.htm#comments Sun, 24 Oct 2010 19:09:36 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=619

Character Qualities of a Disciple of Jesus

Overcoming a Judgmental Attitude

Why Relationships Are Important

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/why-motives-are-important.htm/feed 0 Jesus,message,purpose Today my message is called “Jesus on Motives.” Motives are the inward thoughts or reasons behind our words and behaviors. Other people can’t see your motives, only you and God truly know the motives behind your actions. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/101024.jpg)Today my message is called “Jesus on Motives.” Motives are the inward thoughts or reasons behind our words and behaviors. Other people can’t see your motives, only you and God truly know the motives behind your actions. Motives have a lot to do with our hearts. As we are going through the Sermon on the Mount, we are seeing that Jesus had a lot to say about our heart attitudes or motives. Why should you be concerned with your motives? We’re going to see today that when you do the right things with the right motives, God will bless you. If you do the right things with the wrong motives, you get zero blessing. And of course if you do the wrong things in life, things won’t go well with you. Sometimes people wonder why God blesses others who appear to be doing the same things they are, but they aren’t blessed. One of the possible reasons could be motives. We are carefully studying Jesus’ words, because as we learn to follow them with God’s help, our lives will be blessed in increased measure. Matthew 6:1 (NIV) "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. This statement by Jesus sums up everything we’re going to be talking about today. He says the His disciples must not do good things before others with the motivation to be seen by others. If you have this wrong motivation, you will get no blessing or reward from God. Now, if you’ve been following this message series, we talked earlier about Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5:16 (NIV) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Isn’t that a contradiction? In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us to let others see our good deeds and in Matthew 6, He says don’t do your good deeds before men. No, it’s not a contradiction, it’s a difference of motives. In Matthew 5, the motivation in doing good deeds before people is so that God is praised. In Matthew 6, Jesus warns us to not do our good deeds before men in order to be seen or praised by them. Jesus is warning us against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who had wrong motives. John 12:43 (NIV) for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. That is a wrong motivation for good deeds. So what we have here is truth in tension. We are to do good deeds before others, so God is praised. Yet, we must be careful not to do those same good deeds in order to receive praise for ourselves. In this passage, in Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus is going to instruct us about three kinds of good deeds. In each instance, Jesus begins his instruction by saying, When you … and then goes on. Jesus is assuming, or perhaps we should say commanding every follower to practice these three things in their lives. But when we practice them, we must have the right heart attitude or motivation in order to be rewarded or blessed by God. Listen to my October 24, 2010 message "Jesus on Motives." [flashvideo file=http://www.lifechurchstlouis.org/images/stories/video/101024.mp4 stretching=fill /] Pastor Dan's Blog no 27:12 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/why-go-to-church-2.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/why-go-to-church-2.htm#comments Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:04:46 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=601

A Church of Prayer

Connecting With A Church Family

St Louis Church Directory – A Tool For Finding A St Louis Church

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/why-go-to-church-2.htm/feed 0 community,message,purpose Life is getting busier and more hectic with each passing year. How many would agree with that? It seems as though the time in a day is shrinking every month. The night arrives before we have time to get everything done. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/100926.jpg)Life is getting busier and more hectic with each passing year. How many would agree with that? It seems as though the time in a day is shrinking every month. The night arrives before we have time to get everything done. So it’s important that we spend the time that God has given us doing the most profitable things. One of the things that God has designed to help you be successful in life is church. Yet even in the days of the Bible, people had a problem with going to church. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. God’s Word tells us not to give up on going to church, because we need the encouragement that church brings us. And the Day of Christ’s return is closer now than ever. In America, 84% of adults claim to be Christians, yet only 20% of adults regularly attend church. The number one reason that people don’t regularly attend church is that they are too busy. What does it mean when someone says they are too busy to do something? It simply means that the thing you are too busy for has a low priority in your life. You don’t see much value or benefit in it. I really believe that’s why the vast majority of people in America do not regularly attend church. They see no real benefit to it, it’s just a waste of a Sunday morning. This morning, my message is entitled “Five Benefits of Church.” We’re going to look at the Bible together and see five main reasons to go to church. Knowing these five reasons will also help us make good use of our time in church. Knowing these five reasons will help you pick a healthy church family to be a part of to begin with. If the Bible says that being part of a church family is important, then there must be something to it. This morning we’re going to concentrate on one passage in the book of Acts. The book of Acts in the New Testament tells the story of how the church got started. It’s not just a lesson in history though, the model found for the church in Acts is one that God desires the church of the 21st century to follow as well. There are 28 chapters in the book of Acts. We want Life Church to be an Acts 29 church. An Acts 29 church is a church that is committed to extending what started in the first 28 chapters of Acts right into St Louis in 2010 in our own Acts 29 chapter. Acts 2:41-47 (NIV) Those who accepted his [Peter’s] message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. From this passage we’re going to discover five reasons why the church exists and why you should be a part of it. Listen to my September 26, 2010 message "Five Benefits of Church." [flashvideo file=http://www.lifechurchstlouis.org/images/stories/video/100926.mov stretching=fill /] Pastor Dan's Blog no 33:35 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/10/looking-forward-with-faith.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/10/looking-forward-with-faith.htm#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:59:55 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=486

Faith Drives Away Worry

Faith That Wins

Grow Into A Woman Of Faith

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/10/looking-forward-with-faith.htm/feed 0 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/10/looking-up-for-guidance.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/10/looking-up-for-guidance.htm#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:58:30 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=483

Following God’s Guidance

Your Children And God

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/10/looking-up-for-guidance.htm/feed 0 discipleship,purpose Who knows what tomorrow holds? Not you, not me, no human being knows what tomorrow holds. Oh, people can make general predictions, but even those often turn out to be wrong. Virtually no one predicted the financial meltdown of 2008. Who knows what tomorrow holds? Not you, not me, no human being knows what tomorrow holds. Oh, people can make general predictions, but even those often turn out to be wrong. Virtually no one predicted the financial meltdown of 2008. Will 2010 be the end of the recession or the beginning of an even greater depression? No one knows. I believe the world is entering into a phase of every increasing changes and challenges. Daniel 12:4 (NLT) But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase. We are living in the time of the end. The pace of life will continue to increase, as will knowledge. Increases in knowledge lead to constant change. How can we navigate such uncertain times? A lot of people think if they just keep on doing what they’ve always done, everything will work out. Well, it’s not going to work out for them without the right guidance. Where can you go for guidance about future decisions? Only God knows the future, so we must look, not within, but up to receive guidance for the future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God knows the future and He has a plan for you to navigate successfully through that future. Each of us has important decisions to make about our future, about our finances, about our jobs. In order to receive God’s guidance, we need to hear God speak to us. Yes, God still speaks to people today. Jesus said … John 10:27 (NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Every believer is able to listen to Jesus’ voice and follow His direction. Listen to my October 11, 2009 message "Looking Up For Guidance" ( (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/090906-message-notes.pdf)message notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/091011-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/how-to-face-adversity.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/how-to-face-adversity.htm#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:30:36 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=433

Seeing God’s Goals for You

Bouncing Back From Failure

Life In Light Of Eternity

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/how-to-face-adversity.htm/feed 0 life issues,purpose A believer will face all kinds of adversity as they seek to follow Jesus Christ. For some, this comes as a rude shock. They thought that God was going to solve all their problems and give them the easy life. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/090712-facing-intimidation.jpg)A believer will face all kinds of adversity as they seek to follow Jesus Christ. For some, this comes as a rude shock. They thought that God was going to solve all their problems and give them the easy life. Believers who do not develop deep roots in God do not last through the difficulties that God allows into their lives. Mark 4:17 (NIV) But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The adversity that comes may be external trouble or persecution. This type of adversity can discourage you and cause you to turn your back on God. Other types of adversity may be more deceptive in luring you away from God. Mark 4:19 (NIV) but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. The types of adversity that Jesus mentions in this verse are basically distractions from God's plan for your life. Worry is a distraction. Money and any other kind of desire for things that are wrong will lead you away from God's purpose for your life. The end result is that you do not produce any fruit for God, which proves your belief was not real in the first place. All temptation begins with a distraction away from God's plan for your life. What is the answer to facing adversity and it's distractions? The answer is to keep your eyes on Jesus and His plan for your life. A believer is fundamentally a follower of Jesus Christ. The phrase "follower of Jesus" has become a cliche with little meaning for many. However, a follower of Jesus Christ is someone who doesn't let themselves become distracted by adversity. Whether the adversity is external trouble or internal temptations, a true believer will keep their eyes on Jesus and refuse to be distracted. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus faced adversity by keeping His eyes fixed on God's plan for His life and fulfilled that plan completely. As you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, He will strengthen you to accomplish the purpose you were created for. Listen to my July 12, 2009 message "Facing Intimidation" based on Nehemiah 6, to learn how to face adversity in your life (message notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/090712-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/overcoming-opposition-when-following-jesus.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/overcoming-opposition-when-following-jesus.htm#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:46:58 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=422

Jesus Dispels Fear

Jesus Brings Hope

Overcoming a Judgmental Attitude

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/overcoming-opposition-when-following-jesus.htm/feed 0 Jesus,life issues,purpose Whenever anyone makes a decision to follow Jesus and God's plan for their life, there will be opposition. A lot of people are surprised and dismayed when following God turns out not to be the easy road they thought it was going to be. In fact, (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/090624-overcoming-opposition.jpg)Whenever anyone makes a decision to follow Jesus and God's plan for their life, there will be opposition. A lot of people are surprised and dismayed when following God turns out not to be the easy road they thought it was going to be. In fact, the Bible promises that when you follow Jesus, there is going to be opposition. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV) In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, Notice that persecution or opposition happens to those who strive to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. Opposition is not the consequences of wrong things that you have done. If you run a red light and get a ticket, that is not persecution, it is simply reaping what you have sown. Most of the negative circumstances in believers lives in America are caused simply by failing to follow biblical principles. However, even if you are living a godly life, there will be opposition. Who is behind the opposition? The being behind the opposition to believers carrying out God's plan for their lives is Satan. Now, I realize that many people do not believe that Satan is a real being, but simply a symbol of evil. Nevertheless, the Bible clearly teaches that Satan is alive and well and out to destroy you and your family. Those who ignore or don't believe in Satan's reality or power are the ones who are most easily overtaken by him. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. So, if you're a believer, you've got a prowling enemy looking to destroy you and your family. In fact, Satan is looking to destroy everyone, not just believers.  However, believers are his special target, since not only are you not going to join him in hell, but as a believer you are committed to rescuing others from his clutches. So, how to overcome Satan's opposition in your life? Be self-controlled. To be self-controlled is to basically keep your life under God's control. One essential part of self-control is seeking God's protection in prayer. Secondly, you need to be alert to what Satan is trying to do to destroy you and your family. Don't compromise in any area of your life. Stay away from bad influences, whether people or various media. Pour yourself in living 100% for Jesus Christ, not just on Sunday, but everyday of your life. Listen to my June 28, 2009 message "Overcoming Opposition" based on Nehemiah 4, to learn principles on overcoming Satan's attacks in your own life (message notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/090628-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/06/gods-plan-for-fathers.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/06/gods-plan-for-fathers.htm#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:52:46 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=420

Influencing Your Children

Fulfilling God’s Purpose As A Father

A Father’s Importance For A Child’s Spirituality

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/06/gods-plan-for-fathers.htm/feed 3 purpose,relationships Fathers are an incredibly important part of God's plan. God has created fathers to be leaders and protectors in multiple spheres of responsibility. In the book of Nehemiah, the fathers helped to build the wall around Jerusalem. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/090618-fathers-builders.jpg)Fathers are an incredibly important part of God's plan. God has created fathers to be leaders and protectors in multiple spheres of responsibility. In the book of Nehemiah, the fathers helped to build the wall around Jerusalem. The wall provided protection and security. Today's father must build three walls in order to be successful in God's purpose for their lives. 1. Build your personal wall The personal wall of a father involves your character. Your character is the kind of person you are when no one is looking. In order to build your personal wall of integrity, you must build your relationship with the Father, God Himself. 1 John 2:13a (NIV) I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. Knowing God, your heavenly Father, is essential to becoming the father God created you to be. Your model of a father is God Himself. To grow in integrity, you must grow in prayer and understanding God's Word. Your personal walls must be strong to withstand temptation in today's world. Last week's revelation of the extra-marital affair of Senator John Ensign of Nevada  and today's revelation of an affair by Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina show what can happen when your personal walls are in rubble. You'll make no progress in the other areas of your life unless you are building your life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. 2. Build your family wall A strong personal wall lays the groundwork to build a strong wall of protection around your family. The essence of a biblical family is the marriage relationship between one man and one woman. So, a father's first task in a family is to build his relationship with his wife. 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. This surprising verse reveals that if a husband has a poor relationship with his wife, his relationship with God and his prayers will be hindered. Also notice that for a strong family wall, both husband and wife must be believers and committed to the Lord. The second aspect of building the family wall is to train his children in God's way. Ephesians 6:4 (NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. The father has the chief responsibility in the family to train and instruct his children walking with God. Children must come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and then grow in that relationship by learning from their father's example. All too many fathers fall short in this, either through not having strong personal walls or pushing off the training responsibility to their wives and church only. 3. Build your church wall The final wall of protection that a father needs to build for his family and others is the church wall. Contrary to popular belief that you can go to any or no church at your own pleasure, God has one church in your area that He has chosen you to be a part of. When you as a father faithfully participate in that church family, God will protect and bless your family greatly. 1 Peter 2:5 (NIV) you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. To build your church wall, you must not only have a vertical relationship with Jesus, you must have a horizontal relationship with other believers in God's family in the church. You help build your church wall through participating in ministry, not just being a spectator. When you take responsibility as a member of the church family, your wife and children will follow. The church wall is a source of great protection in today's world and no believer should be without it. Unfortunately, Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/05/bouncing-back-from-failure.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/05/bouncing-back-from-failure.htm#comments Tue, 26 May 2009 00:53:24 +0000 Pastor Dan http://192.168.1.100/wordpress/?p=207

Overcoming Failure

Looking Back With Thanksgiving

How To Get Your Life Back On Track

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/05/bouncing-back-from-failure.htm/feed 2 life issues,purpose Everybody fails in life from time to time. How can you bounce back from failure without it destroying your life? To answer that question, we need to look at what failure is all about. True failure is always caused by sin. Everybody fails in life from time to time. How can you bounce back from failure without it destroying your life? To answer that question, we need to look at what failure is all about. True failure is always caused by sin. The Greek word for sin is hamartia which means to miss the mark. The picture here is of an arrow missing the bull's eye of the target. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 (NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Here the picture of sin or failure is of falling short of what God created you to do, falling short of the glory God intended to receive from your life. So God is not happy when we fail to follow his plans for our lives, but He wants to help you escape from failure mode and get back on track with His purpose. When people fail in life or face very adverse circumstances, they generally respond in one of two ways. Some people feel defeated, they lose hope, they feel paralyzed and depressed. Oftentimes, they look for someone else to blame for their problems, maybe even God Himself. They have a victim mentality and believe they are powerless to change their circumstances. People who lose hope  and are full of fear have great difficulty in bouncing back from failure. On the other hand, when other people fail in life, they have a hope for life beyond their failure. They look to learn from their failure and see it as an opportunity to grow and do better in the future. Failure actually energizes these kind of people to work harder, to try something new and rise to the challenge. How can you have hope and bounce back from failure like this second kind of person? Only through God's help and presence. In Matthew 14, the disciples were in a life threatening circumstance. They were stuck in a ferocious storm in the middle of a lake in the middle of the night. In their time of great need, Jesus came to them walking on the water. He spoke to them and said: Matthew 14:27 (NIV) But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." In the midst of your difficulty, whether your fault or not, you need to fix your eyes on Jesus. Notice that He commands the disciples to both take courage and not be afraid. The only reason these commands made any sense was because Jesus was there with them. So, whatever you're facing today, give it over to God. Ask Him to fill your heart with hope and courage. Ask Him to take away your fear and worry. When Jesus is with you, He is always ready to forgive and give you a fresh start in life. As long as you're breathing, God has a plan for your life. He has a next step to take you out of your failure. Seek Him and He will help you bounce back from failure. Listen to my May 24, 2009 message "Bouncing Back From Failure." Pastor Dan's Blog no