Shatterproof
The Promise of Salt
Defying the Odds
May 20, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
This is Graduate Recognition Sunday – a time of celebration to honor over 50 high school students who have reached a milestone in their lives. In the message today, Dr. Wilton uses the life of Noah to challenge the graduates as they move into another season of their lives. Noah lived in a time when the earth was spinning as it is today. He was asked by God to do build a boat in a dry land. Noah trusted God and obeyed his command despite the circumstances. Although all of us may not consider ourselves “graduates” as these students are, we never stop graduating in live, moving on to the next phase and on to a new vision for tomorrow. Dr. Wilton challenged the graduates and audience not to mess with God or try to reason why things happen. We are to keep growing in Christ and stay on track. Listen to the message as Dr. Wilton shares some important times when people have defied the odds by trusting God. These times happen to all Christians and we must continue to seek to live an obedient life according to God’s Word. Amid all our accomplishments in life we are nothing if we do not give ourselves to the Lord and trust God totally.
The Promise of Praying for Others
May 6, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
Have you ever promised to pray for someone and then failed to do it? We all have. But prayer is a powerful tool that we should utilize to the fullest. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we have forgiveness of sins and direct access to the Father. We have freedom to boldly present our personal requests, and those of others, to God with the assurance that He hears and answers. While answers may not always come in a time frame that seems appropriate to us, we gain confidence in knowing God is at work in our lives and His abilities far exceed anything we can imagine. Prayer is a privilege. Have you promised to pray for others. Do it and you will receive a blessing.
God's Promise to the Slow of Heart
April 1, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
After Jesus' resurrection, he appeared to a number of his followers, including two on the road to Emmaus. As they walked, they talked about the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion. Suddenly, Jesus appeared and walked with the, but they didn't recognize him. It's often the same in our lives. Jesus is right there with us in joy and sorrow, in pain, disillusionment, and struggles, yet we are slow to recognize and benefit from his presence. When the Emmaus Road travelers reached their destination, they in invited Jesus to join them for a meal. As they engaged in this everyday event, they suddenly recognized Jesus. He is still with us today, in the fabric of our daily lives. Open your eyes. Recognize his presence and accept His saving power. Don't allow distractions and procrastination to slow you down.
The Promise of a Personal Testimony
March 4, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
Many don't share their personal testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ because they feel their experience isn't dramatic and won't be effective. But ever testimony is unique and can have an impact. You don't have to be a great evangelist like Billy Graham or have a Damascus Road experience like the apostle Paul to share your faith with others. Your testimony is powerful, not because of how effectively you tell it, but because of the way God uses it to draw others by the power of the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is be prepared and obedient when the opportunity arises and the Spirit prompts.
The Promise of the First Find
February 25, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
Our loss was Heaven’s gain this week as Dr. Billy Graham met Jesus face to face. While we miss Dr. Graham, we know undoubtedly that he now is sitting at the feast table of the King! Today Dr. Wilton reflects on his long friendship with Dr. Graham and continues his “Shatterproof” series on the promises of God. One can’t think of Dr. Graham without recognizing the significance of just one person’s witness. Dr. Graham shared with millions the promise of a loving Savior. Consider, also, John the Baptist who knew Jesus as the Reconciler, the Cleanser, and the Mediator. John proclaimed Him as the “Lamb of God.” Or the disciple Andrew who, when he found Christ, ran to tell his brother Peter. Through Andrew’s witness, Peter came to Christ. Our prayer today, as a body of believers, is that many would give their hearts to Jesus. As John said, “I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). Do you know Him today?
The Promise of the Only Way it Can Happen
February 18, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
Jesus had just announced to His disciples that He was going away. The disciples were perplexed and did not know what they would do without Him. Jesus promised them the only way they could continue living. Often there are times in our lives when we feel just as the disciples that Jesus has gone away from us and we do not know how to make it on our own. We lose loved ones who are so important in our families and in our lives and we do not know how we can cope without them. The truth is we cannot. Jesus promised His disciples that he would send a “Helper,” the Holy Spirit that would be with us in these situations. Without the Holy Spirit, we are helpless and hopeless. The Holy Spirit also convicts us of our sin and shows us how to live right. What a blessing! Despite all the struggles in this life, we do not have to handle them on our own. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. That is the first step- give our hearts to Jesus. Then we will be obedient and pray that others will do the same. Take God at His Word! Claim His promise of the only way live can be abundant. Enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Then pray that others will do the same.
The Promise of a New Day (Part 2)
February 11, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
What challenges are you currently facing? Perhaps you're in bondage to addiction; feel crushed by financial or health issues; or you're wounded by divorce, job loss, or abuse. When life events overwhelm, it is hard to believe things will ever improve. But circumstances change and the challenges you face don't last forever. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, God gave Joshua instructions and a reminder that the enemy had already been defeated and Joshua didn't have to face the uncertainties that lay ahead alone. Perhaps you yearn to experience change in your life and no longer feel you can handle things in your own strength. You don't have to. Start by confessing your sin and inadequacy to God and asking for help. He is ready and waiting to infuse your life with love and forgiveness and give you the promise of a new day, a new life in Christ.
The Promise of a New Day
February 4, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
What challenges are you currently facing? Perhaps you're in bondage to addiction; feel crushed by financial or health issues; or you're wounded by divorce, job loss, or abuse. When life events overwhelm, it is hard to believe things will ever improve. But circumstances change and the challenges you face don't last forever. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, God gave Joshua instructions and a reminder that the enemy had already been defeated and Joshua didn't have to face the uncertainties that lay ahead alone. Perhaps you yearn to experience change in your life and no longer feel you can handle things in your own strength. You don't have to. Start by confessing your sin and inadequacy to God and asking for help. He is ready and waiting to infuse your life with love and forgiveness and give you the promise of a new day, a new life in Christ.
The Promise of God's Pledge
January 28, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
When we hear the word “pledge,” perhaps we think of the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. Or maybe a Scout pledge from childhood comes to mind. But did you know that Jehovah God also made a pledge, and he made it to us as believers? Today Dr. Don Wilton continues his message series Shatterproof and teaches about a God who desires a personal relationship which each of us and guarantees eternal life with Him to each person who confesses Jesus as Lord. This hope is an anchor for our lives because God long ago made a pledge, not only to Abraham but to believers today. Because of God’s pledge those who believe have hope and can all stand firm on every promise of God.
The Promise of a Prodigal's Future
January 21, 2018 • Dr. Don Wilton
When we think of prodigals in the Bible, we usually think of the prodigal son story in the New Testament. However, the Israelites were prodigals throughout their journeys in the Old Testament. We learn from them that God is a loving God who always welcomes us back home after we have strayed. Where are you in your spiritual life? What is most important to you in your relationship with the Lord? Have you strayed from God or do you have a close friend who has strayed from God? People all around us are crying for help because they are prodigals whose relationship with God is not what it should be. Despite the fact that we know God’s love for us, our pride keeps us from experiencing the abundant life God has promised. Dr. Wilton shares the principles that God gave to the Israelites, God’s chosen people, who needed to return to God. These same principles apply to us today if we are far from God or principles that we can share with people we know are prodigals. What can we do? We can lay down the past and turn it over to God. Then we can take hold of His righteousness and start a new life. This is a promise of God.