Waiting on the Lord Series: Preparing While Waiting
September 18, 2024
Transcript: When you faced a big test at school when you were younger, your success depended on preparing for it. As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. How does this apply to our spiritual lives? Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. Scripture calls us in Matthew 24:42 to “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Keeping watch, however, is an active command. We don’t sit around and do nothing. Instead, we are to be about our Father’s business. In a time when many are giving up in despair, believers are challenged to live for the Lord and to share His message of hope with all who will listen. Don’t fail to plan. Keep watch, looking forward to the time Christ will take us to be with Him forever. Discover more encouraging resources at American Pastors Network dot net.
Waiting on the Lord Series: Be Still and Know
September 17, 2024
Transcript: Our nation is filled with anxiety and stress. We face unprecedented times like endless pandemics, corrupt politics, and complicated personal lives. In times like these, how can we find peace in our relationship with God? Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. In Psalm 46:10, we are told to, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We often think of being still as being idle and inactive, yet this passage offers a different perspective. Instead of worry, we are challenged to reflect on God’s power and control of our lives. When we are weak, He is strong. When we face frightening waves, He controls the sea. Nothing is beyond His power. The Psalm ends with God being called our fortress. He protects us from harm, just as the hymn from the reformer Martin Luther wrote when he faced attack and wrote “A mighty fortress is our God.” Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.
Waiting on the Lord Series: Waiting for the Coming of Christ
September 16, 2024
Transcript: We live in an instant culture that does not like to wait. Yet Scripture often calls us to wait for the Lord. How does this apply to our lives today? Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. Psalm 24:14 teaches us to, “be strong, and let your hearts wait for the Lord!” The context of the Psalm was a response to pain and to overwhelming enemies. When we face challenges in life that we cannot control, we don’t give up. We look up to the One who can save us. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul calls us to encourage one another with the words of Christ’s any-moment coming. Patience does not equal passivity. Waiting for the Lord includes active obedience, knowing we must do all we can before His return as we seek to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Judgment Series: Judgment or Favor?
September 13, 2024
Transcript: People often say, “Don’t judge me,” but are what they really saying is, God, don’t tell me what to do? In God’s plan, blessings or judgment hinge on fearing God and keeping His commands. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. This week, we’ve looked at examples of national blessings turned to national judgment. As God said in Deut. 28:1-2, fear Me and keep my commandments and My blessings will overtake you. But he says in Deut. 28:15, disobey me and My cursings will overtake you. The choice was clear to Israel and should be to us. Lender or borrower? Leader or follower? Freedom or bondage? Feast or famine? Respect or shame? Head or tail? America was founded by people who believed God. God blessed. Today, we’ve forgotten God and God has turned blessing to judgment – just as He said. The sooner God’s people look to Him and live holy lives. the sooner God’s blessing can return. Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Judgment Series: Rejected
September 12, 2024
Transcript: Rejection and loneliness is not only personal but national. In Deut. 28:10, God told Israel, if you fear and obey Me, I’ll establish you a blessed nation. Your enemies shall stand in awe of you. But turn from me and I’ll turn my blessings to cursings. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. Deuteronomy 28:37 told the Israelites they would “become a horror, a proverb, and a byword among all the peoples.” Other nations shall despise you and when you are in need, no one will come to your aid. It’s costly for any nation who says ‘in God we Trust’ to then despise that God, legislate against Him and glorify what He hates. Israel knew God but they turned away. America knew God. But we’ve turned away. Israel went from the head to the tail from lender to borrower from victor to defeated from admired to rejected. Look in the mirror America. Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Judgment Series: Military Defeat
September 11, 2024
Transcript: Victory in battle or national defeat is a choice. God has an answer for victory for all nations who will listen—and obey. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. In Deuteronomy 28:7, your enemies will come against you and flee 7 ways. But Deut. 28:25, God told Israel, “The Lord will cause you to be defeated by your enemies.” So what’s the difference? The difference was disobedience. When the people obeyed, the nation was blessed. When the people and leaders disobeyed, they lost. Obedience to God brings personal and national victory, security from the enemy and peace. But when pride, arrogance, and disobedience becomes embraced, God will bring military defeat, enemies will arise from within, lawlessness will increase and freedom turned to bondage. It was true for Israel. It happened. It’s true for America today. It’s also happening. May God’s people turn to Him in repentance today. Discover more encouraging resources at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Judgment Series: Despair
September 10, 2024
Transcript: Ever feel our national efforts aren’t producing national success? The reason might not be our work, but our walk. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. As Americans, we expect our collective efforts and policies to produce prosperity. When it doesn’t, we start to wonder why. Scripture teaches that national economic blessings are directly linked to our spiritual lives. Deuteronomy 28:38 says, “You shall carry much seed into the field and shall gather in little.” This passage speaks of God’s national blessings turning to cursings when we disobey Him. When we cut out God, He’ll frustrate our efforts, make our seeds not grow, rain not to fall, drought and fires to increase. God wants us to remember that obedience brings blessings abundant. But, disobedience, pride and idolatry will bring judgment and despair to our work. Remember, in God’s eyes, our economic work and our spiritual walk are directly connected. Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Judgment Series: The Borrower
September 9, 2024
Transcript: America sits on the precipice of bankruptcy and financial collapse. But is national debt a choice alone or perhaps a sign of God’s judgment? Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. Last week we highlighted God’s national blessings. But what about God’s national judgments? When it comes to judgment, one of the most destructive can be the consequences of arrogant spending and debt. Deuteronomy 28:44 says the nation that overspends disobeys the Lord and will be forced to borrow from others. God sends judgment by making this nation become “the tail” not “the head.” Rejecting God’s commands will turn God’s blessings into cursings. God’s judgment on a disobedient and proud nation will be seen in debt followed by economic collapse and poverty. God’s blessings result from obedience. That nation will become the head. When we forsake Him, our debt will skyrocket and economic collapse will come and we’ll become the tail. It was true for Israel. America’s no different. Discover more leadership resources at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Blessing Series: God’s Favor
September 6, 2024
Transcript: Can our nation be blessed once again? Yes, if we again glorify God in our lives, laws and culture. When that happens, God’s blessings flow. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. This week, we’ve looked at the traits of a nation blessed by God. These blessings include health, abundance, peace, and respect. They result when God is honored, revered and obeyed by our people and our leaders. As a nation, Israel was highly blessed by God. America was once also. Deuteronomy 14:9 says, “The Lord will establish you as the head not the tail – if you obey My words.” It’s one thing to read Scripture; it’s another to live it. It’s one thing to say, In God we Trust. it’s another thing to mock the God who blessed us. A nation blessed of God will be a nation who honors God and is grateful to Him. Blessed is the nation, whose God is the LORD. Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Blessing Series: Respect
September 5, 2024
Transcript: Once America like Israel was respected by the world. Today we are mocked. How can our nation again earn the respect of those around us and make the godly impact our Lord desires? Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. Deuteronomy 14:10 says “all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you.” God worked so powerfully among the Israelites that it earned the respect of the people around them. So it once was with America. How can that respect be renewed? The answer is found in the verse before: “keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in his ways.” When we do, people will see His Spirit living through us. For America, it did not happen in a day. To happen again, will require God’s people living it day by day. Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Blessing Series: Peace
September 4, 2024
Transcript: How can our nation experience security within and peace with our enemies? God’s Word has an answer, but only if we will listen—and live out—what Scripture says. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. Deuteronomy 14:7 says, “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.” The Israelites experienced defeat when they disobeyed God and victory when they obeyed Him. The same happens in our nation today. When the people of nation fear the Lord and our leaders fear the Lord, God says that He will make our enemies to peace with us. Lawlessness, fightings within and enemy threats from abroad are marks of God’s removal of blessing. Like all of God’s promised blessings, they hinge on our personal and national obedience to His word. Want peace? Obey the Lord. Discover more encouraging resources at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Blessing Series: Health
September 3, 2024
Transcript: Many products claim to prolong or improve our health, but what is God’s emphasis for an abundant life? It may be less complicated than you think. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. Many people seek vitamins, medications, or other products to extend life. Yet God’s Word offers clear advice for abundant life. Deuteronomy 14:11 says “the Lord will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your womb.” This isn’t just about money; it includes a healthy life that results in children and grandchildren. God said the way of healthy living is holy living. When we follow God’s ways, it enhances many areas of lives, including our health. Paul wrote physical training is of some value, but godliness has value in every way. Today, perhaps the best way to improve your health would be to spend time in God’s Word—and to obey it. Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.
God’s Blessing Series: Leadership
September 2, 2024
Transcript: How can we once again experience God’s blessing in our nation? The Bible offers a clear explanation—if we will obey it. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. God told Israel as a nation “the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God.” The process of experiencing national blessing then or now is not a secret. It’s the result of obedience. If we desire that our nation once again leads the world in integrity, we and our leaders must once again choose to be led of the Lord. The righteous hold the key. When we become more like our culture than God, we become the tail, not the head. If we wish to impact our world, we must stop being like it. Instead, our call to living like Christ will transform the lives of those in our communities and our nation. Discover more leadership resources at American Pastors Network dot net.
Things to Put Away Series: Put Away Bitterness
August 30, 2024
Transcript: How can we become more kind and forgiving? The answer is found in putting away sinful habits. Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. This week, we've discussed the importance of putting away evil to grow in our walk with God. Ephesians 4 concludes by teaching us to, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” The words contrast the previous verse that reminds us to put away bitterness and wrath. As believers, we don’t simply put away wrong habits. We replace them with godly ways. This process of casting on and casting off is a key part of our spiritual maturity. We do more than simply live by a list of dos and don’ts. We seek to flee from sin as we grow more like our Savior who offered His life as the perfect example for us today. Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net. [what evil have you put off recently? What Christlike way have you put on?
Things to Put Away Series: Put Away Doing Evil
August 29, 2024
Transcript: A clean life does not begin with better clothing or a new haircut, but with a clean heart. What is the key to living a clean life before the Lord? Hello, I’m Sam Rohrer with another Stand in the Gap Minute. In Isaiah 1:16, the prophet told his readers to “make themselves clean.” How? They were told to “cease to do evil.” Jesus offered a similar teaching. He noted it’s not what we put into our body that makes us clean, but what comes out of it. Our hurtful words and actions come from a heart that responds from anger or bitterness. The answer is to fill our hearts with God’s love through His Word. When we focus our lives on what is good, we are more likely to honor the Lord. Our heavenly Father empowers us toward a holy life, but we must be willing to put away doing evil. Discover more at American Pastors Network dot net.