Faith Is…
Every Sat/Sun 8 AM ET
We believe God wants us to understand the Bible. So we’ll approach the Bible with eager anticipation, confident that God will show us the truth. Then, he’ll show us how to live in these sometimes confusing and discouraging times. Join us as we make the complicated simple, cooperate with grace, and stretch toward God’s high calling.
Every week we’ll take a fresh look at the Bible and discover that Faith Is . . . absolute confidence in the trustworthiness of God.
Born a Buckeye in southwestern Ohio, Pastor Rick Stevens has served churches from Oklahoma to New Brunswick, Canada. He has been a pastor, youth pastor, and church music director. Since January of 1997, he has been the pastor of Diplomat Wesleyan Church in Cape Coral, FL. He is married to Jan and has two children and four grandchildren. His most unusual travel experience was visiting the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station in Ukraine; the site of the world’s worst nuclear power accident.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – Don’t rush into Christmas. That phrase sounds like the title of a poem someone should write. It’s also true. Don’t rush into Christmas. Instead, take the weeks of Advent one by one and allow the grace of hope, peace, and joy to restore your soul. Then, step up and be the visible presence of God in the world today…
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – Simple things amaze me. Consider this week’s outrage overlying. Amazing! Or consider the decision to open a shop and trust people to pay for what they buy without someone watching. Amazing! There is something powerful influencing us these days! Then consider the message of the Second Sunday of Advent: peace. God wants to give you the gift of restoration and wholeness. He offers Shalom! Receive His good gift.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – We often ask, “Where is God when it hurts?” Based on the book of Daniel, God asks, “Where are you when it hurts?” Even under great duress, Daniel and his friends demonstrate loyalty to God throughout the book. When it came time to stand, they stood firm. Daniel could have avoided the lions’ den. Instead, he chose loyalty. We can choose loyalty as well. Daniel’s loyalty to God influenced the…
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – Is God in charge or in control? The church’s great gift to our world. And handwriting on the wall of the Babylon palace. Once again, God gives Daniel the answer to the mystery. It’s not an answer anyone wants, but it’s a warning we all should heed.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – The church thrives despite challenges! I share a call to stand against government overreach threatening an alive church. We, as God’s people, must embrace our responsibilities, rise to His challenge, and seize this divine opportunity. Together, we defend the faith and embody the church’s mission. The Lord is with us—let’s step up with courage and conviction!
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – God is much more interested in solving our problems than punishing us for our nonsense. Even Nebuchadnezzar, a king with an enormous problem, discovered that God told the truth about him, acted justly toward him, and handled his problem appropriately. God will do the same for us if we heed his warning and change our lives. It’s called mercy. God has given us another opportunity to do right…
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – Research reveals that 32 million church-going Christians plan to sit out this election, despite a biblical responsibility to vote. With so many capable of influencing outcomes, this inaction affects our nation’s direction. Inspired by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we’re reminded to stand firm in faith and fulfill our duty as believers.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – In a world where solid foundations seem to vanish, it’s vital to stand firm on the Solid Rock. Our liquid society drifts away from truth, but with courage and confidence in God, we can fulfill our responsibilities and make a difference. Let’s embrace common sense, stand boldly, and seek grace through Jesus.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – God calls us to live with unwavering faith and trust in His promises. When we are faithful, others will notice and begin to see the truth in their own lives. Our faithfulness is a powerful witness, revealing God’s truth to those around us. Embrace the grace of faithfulness and let it inspire others to see clearly.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – In life, we often look ahead with worry, seeking God’s help in tough times. Yet, true gratitude also means looking back, recognizing and thanking Him for past support. Developing confidence in God involves critical thinking and a renewed mind. Today, I reflect on how trusting and cooperating with Him strengthens my faith and resilience.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – We often take freedom for granted, but true freedom demands defense and understanding. Drawing from the story of God delivering His people from Egyptian slavery, we gather at Sinai to reflect on what this experience teaches us about God and freedom. We are challenged to develop a deeper, Sinai-inspired vision of freedom today.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – In a world full of anxiety and uncertainty about the future, Nebuchadnezzar’s story offers profound insight. His crisis of confidence highlights the deep need for answers that only God can provide. Through Daniel, God reveals His mysteries and shows us that we can put our fears aside and embrace the confidence He offers about the end of time.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – When an irresistible force meets an immovable object, contradictions arise. In the biblical encounters between King Nebuchadnezzar and the One True God, power and authority are tested. What happens when a faithful follower of Yahweh refuses to obey a king’s command? This sets the stage for a powerful lesson in faith, obedience, and divine supremacy.
FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – During Instant Sermon weeks, we think out loud about things that are on our minds. So, we consider why we vote for candidates that will lessen evil rather than good, even godly character candidates. How is Bible reading like medicine? How can we handle the barrage of politics? It’s too much! Why don’t pastors speak up about the moral and biblical issues we face?