Finding encouragement to live victoriously while advancing the Kingdom of God.We do not own the rights to the songs played.

Enjoy this message from Rev. Dr. Darryl A. Burton.

Before Isaiah gives us the beautiful vision of the coming Messiah and the restored creation, he first shows us the reality of Israel's condition. The image of the stump of Jesse, is not sentimental, it is tragic. What was once a strong nation has been reduced to a lifeless stump.However, God is not finished. Our hope is not in political systems but in the King who came and the King who will come again. But it starts from the stump.

The Advent season begins with Hope, reminding believers that God keeps his promises and meets us in the places where life feels incomplete, broken, or longing for change. Luke 17:11-17 reflects this spirit of hope. Ten Lepers, isolated and without a future, stood at a distance and cried out to Jesus. They had no guarantees, only the hope that Christ would hear them and respond. The one who returned to give thanks reminds us that Hope is fulfilled most deeply in relationship with Christ, the One who brings wholeness, restoration, and new beginnings.

Abel's faith-filled offering still speaks today, teaching that God honors worship rooted in faith, obedience, and surrender. Cain's path warns us about worship done on our own terms, without repentance or a yielded heart. Ultimately, the story points us forward to Jesus, whose blood, "speak a better word" than Abel's and brings us into truise acceptance with God.Faith, Obedience, Surrender, Repentance, Worship, Offering, Jealousy, Heart posture.

The Setup: Abraham takes his young, but almost grown, son up on the mountain. He has the fire, the wood, and the knives but his son does not know that he will become the sacrifice. This was the ultimate test of Abraham's faith. A paradox of remembering what God promised many years ago but now Abraham has to reason with sacrificing that promise.The Revelation: God provided a substitute for Isaac and they return from the mountain the same way they went up, but with a renewed sense of purpose and faith in God.The Application: Do not allow the contradictions of what you see, challenge your conviction. We must place our faith in God, knowing that he will test us.

Finding encouragement to live victoriously while advancing the Kingdom of God.