Christ United Fellowship

09/03/2026

The hidden links between Noah’s Ark and Jesus. Dr. Brinkerhoff dives deep into Scripture to bring you eye-opening insights you’ve likely missed. Listen here!

The Ark, the Flood, and the Foreshadowing of ChristAugust 30, 20...

09/02/2026

What Are We Allowing Into Our Hearts and Minds?

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Have you ever found yourself singing along to a song without knowing all the words? Maybe you heard it in the car. Maybe it played in the background at the store, or maybe it was a song you grew up with. Before long, you know the chorus. You know the beat. You know the melody.

But do we always know what we are singing?

Music is extremely powerful. God created music, and throughout Scripture we see music being used to worship, praise, celebrate, mourn, remember, and proclaim truth. David played music. The Psalms were songs. Heaven itself is described as a place of worship and singing. There is something about music that reaches places in us that ordinary words sometimes cannot.

And that is exactly why we need to be careful about what we allow into our hearts and minds.

Many Christian commentators believe that before being cast out, the Enemy had a special connection to music or worship in Heaven. This idea comes from Ezekiel 28:13, where some translations describe “timbrels” and “pipes” being prepared for him. Ezekiel 28 also describes this being as an “anointed cherub” who was in God's presence. Some interpreters have therefore believed that Lucifer had a significant musical or worship-related role before his rebellion.

Though we are not for certain of the Enemy’s role in heaven before his rebellion, we do know music matters. And if music has the ability to draw our hearts toward God, it also has the ability to influence our hearts in the opposite direction.

Think about how easily a beat can change our mood. A song can make us feel happy, nostalgic, angry, confident, peaceful, or even rebellious. And sometimes the words aren't even what initially draws us in. It's the rhythm. The beat. The melody. The feeling.

And that's where we need to stop and ask ourselves a difficult question:

“What exactly am I allowing this song to put into my mind and heart?”

So many times, we say, “I don't really listen to the words.” But eventually, we learn them. Then we sing them. We repeat them. And whether we realize it or not, those words are entering our hearts and minds.

Maybe the song glorifies sexual immorality. Maybe it celebrates drunkenness, revenge, pride, materialism, violence, or a lifestyle completely contrary to God's Word. Maybe it makes sin sound attractive, and holiness sound boring. And yet, we sing along because we like the beat.

But here's something worth considering: If the song’s message celebrates what God calls sin, who is being glorified by that message? We have to be honest with ourselves. We can't claim to want our hearts and minds filled with God's Word while, at the same time, filling our hearts and minds with messages that contradict God’s Word.

Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. That doesn't mean every song we listen to has to be a worship song. Music itself isn't the enemy. God created it. A beautiful melody, an instrumental piece, a love song celebrating marriage, or a song about life and friendship isn't automatically wrong.

The question is: “What is this song celebrating, and would I be comfortable singing these words if Jesus were literally with me?” Because He is. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."

So, perhaps the bigger issue isn't simply, “Is this song sinful?” Perhaps the most important question is: Is this song helping me become more like Christ, or not?

We live in a world that constantly tells us, “It's just music. It doesn't really matter.” But Scripture tells us to guard our hearts. And if we are willing to carefully consider what we watch, what we read, who we spend time with, and what influences our children and grandchildren, shouldn't we also consider what we repeatedly put into our ears?

Music can become the soundtrack of our lives. So, let's choose our soundtrack carefully. Let's fill our homes, our cars, and our minds with music that lifts our hearts and minds rather than slowly pulling them away from God.

And the next time we hear a song with a great beat but questionable lyrics, maybe we should ask ourselves: “Does this song honor the One who gave me the ability to hear music in the first place, or not?”

Our worship belongs to God. Our hearts belong to God. Our minds belong to Him. And even the songs we sing should point to Him.

Beginning today, please join me in asking ourselves, “Would I still choose this song if I paid close attention to every word?” It’s an important question. Why? Because sometimes the things we think about least are the very things shaping us the most.

Grace and Peace,
Austin

08/25/2026

In this powerful message, Pastor Dave Buckley tackles a tough question: “Do you and I speak up for Christ when we should?”

Speaking truth can be intimidating, especially when we fear being disliked or labeled by family, peers, and our community. Drawing on a personal story, Pastor Dave shares practical, Biblical insights on what it means to stand up as a true follower of Christ.

In this powerful message, Pastor Dave Buckley tackles a tough quest...

08/22/2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Every one of us has fallen short of God’s glory and will continue to do so. All of us have failed and will fail. And sometimes those failures cut so deeply they shake us to our core. Peter knew exactly what that felt like.

In Luke 22:31, we read that Jesus warned Peter that Satan had asked permission to “sift” Peter like wheat. Now, in the ancient world, sifting wheat was a violent process. Grain was thrown into the air, shaken, beaten, and tossed until the worthless chaff blew away in the wind. So, Satan was asking Christ for permission to shake Peter so fiercely that his faith would fracture and fall apart.

Peter was not one to lack confidence. After all, he was the disciple to declare that Jesus is “The Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). In fact, he was so confident that he would never fail Jesus that he declared, “Even though all may fall away, yet I will not” (Mark 14:29).

But Peter's problem was this. His confidence wasn’t rooted in God’s strength but in his own. And that was exactly where the Enemy struck, at the one place where Peter believed he was untouchable.

Please be aware that when Satan sifts believers, his goal is never merely to tempt us. His aim is to damage our faith so deeply that we step back from God’s calling, mission, and kingdom. While the Enemy often goes after our weaknesses, he also goes after what we think are our strengths. The very places where we feel untouchable, secure, and invincible.

Peter’s loyalty to Jesus was real, sincere, and passionate. But he also took great pride in it. And pride always paints a big target on what we think are our greatest strengths.

When the Enemy strikes at our strengths, shakes our confidence, and convinces us that our failure now defines us, the disappointment can feel overwhelming. The shame can feel paralyzing. The failure can feel final. And it is then when we begin to believe lies like “God is completely done with me,” “I’ve ruined everything forever,” or “I’ll never recover from this.”

But we do not have to stay there. If we are repentant and submit ourselves to the Lord, He will take even our worst failures and use them to reshape us for His glory.

Peter’s denial of Christ didn’t disqualify him, and his failure wasn’t the end of his story. It was his turning point.

Jesus forgave him for it, and rebuilt within Peter what pride had broken. And by the grace of Christ, a shaken disciple became a pillar of unshakeable faith who stood strong before councils, preached Christ to thousands, carried the gospel across the world, and laid down his life for the One who restored him.

And this is where Peter’s story meets ours. How? Because his restoration is not just a testimony. It’s an invitation to you and me.

The same Jesus who lifted Peter from the ashes of his failure is the Jesus who lifts us out of ours. The same grace that rebuilt him also rebuilds us. The same Spirit who empowered him also empowers us.

Because of Jesus and His love for us, our failures do not define us. They do not defeat us or finish us. They simply remind us where our true strength will always be found. Not in ourselves. But in Christ, and Christ alone.

Grace and Peace,
Austin

08/21/2026

Thank you Christ United Fellowship for your donation of school supplies! We are so grateful for your support of our teachers and students! 💛🐨



Jamie M. Haynes, School Board Member District 1, Volusia County Schools Volusia County Schools

08/19/2026

Known… Loved… Claimed… His…August 16, 2026Scripture Reading: Psa...

08/18/2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We Christians say Jesus is our Lord. We call Him our Savior. Some of us say He’s our best friend. But if that’s true, it’s worth pausing long enough to ask ourselves honestly: Are we actually spending real time with Him in our daily living? Not just a quick prayer before a meal. Not just showing up for a Worship Service on Sunday morning. I mean the kind of ongoing, intentional time that builds an actual relationship. The kind of time that shapes us, anchors us, and draws us close to His heart.

Because here’s the truth: many people know about Jesus, but far fewer know Him intimately. And intimacy doesn’t happen accidentally. It doesn’t simply occur. It happens when we intentionally choose Christ over the noise.

These days, it’s not uncommon to wake up and step straight into the noise of life. The TV hums in the background even when no one is watching. The radio fills the silence in the car and elsewhere. Our phones constantly remind us they are on. And before we know it, the day is gone, and our hearts once again feel strangely empty.

It’s not that any of those distractions are necessarily wrong or bad. They’re just distractions. Distractions from what? Our intimacy with God. Maybe that’s why God tells us in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

That’s where God wants us to be and where we so often need to be. We need to be still. Why? Because it’s in the quiet stillness where we become aware of God’s nearness, hear His voice, and remember who we are in Him.

The Enemy knows this. That’s why he is so intent on keeping us distracted, comfortable, and numb. He will put anything and everything in our path to keep us from slowing down long enough to sit with Jesus, breathe deeply in His presence, and remember who we belong to.

But here’s the beautiful thing: Jesus isn’t asking for hours of flawless devotion. He’s asking for moments of genuine attention. A quiet cup of coffee with Him before we begin the day. A few minutes in the car with Him, with the radio off. A Bible verse read and prayed over. A whispered prayer while folding laundry. A prayer of gratitude between our daily chores.

Time with Jesus doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be intentional.

If Jesus truly is our Lord, our Savior, our Master, and our closest friend, He deserves more than the leftover scraps of our day. He deserves our sacred time, when our hearts can breathe in His glorious presence.

As I shared last week, this centers on Ruach, YHWH. The breath, the presence, the life of God Himself. For you and me, this means trading our noisy, rushed routines for intentional stillness in His presence. It means choosing depth over distraction. It means cultivating a relationship with the One who loves us more than we can comprehend.

Imagine what would happen if our entire church family did this together. Imagine the unity, the clarity, the joy, the power. Imagine the spiritual growth that would rise among us if each of us carved out quiet space for Jesus every day. Not perfection. Just presence. Not performance. Just our undivided attention.

May we at Christ United Fellowship be a people who don’t merely talk about Jesus but walk with Him, sit with Him, listen to Him, and love Him with our time and attention each and every day. And may His glorious presence always be the loudest voice in our lives.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me pay attention to how I spend my time each day. Please show me where I’ve filled my life with noise instead of Your glorious presence. Teach me to slow down, quiet my mind, and turn my full attention to You. Help me use the time You have given me to reflect my sincere love for You.

In the name of my Lord, Savior, Master, and best friend, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

08/13/2026

Have you ever wondered if there will be laughter in heaven? Listen as our pastor, Dr. Brinkerhoff, shares what God’s Word says.

Have you ever wondered if there will be laughter in heaven? Listen ...

08/11/2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

There is a quiet holiness in the way our lives begin with our very first breath, even before we leave our mother’s womb. Scripture reminds us that this breath is a gift given directly by God Himself, who knit us together in our mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)

In the beginning, long before God knit us together in our mother’s womb, Genesis 2:7 tells us, “the LORD God formed man (Adam) from the dust of the ground and 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒅 into his nostrils the breath of life.”

The Hebrew word for breath in this verse is 𝑹𝒖𝒂𝒄𝒉. It is a word rich in meaning. It means breath, wind, or Spirit and describes the very essence and life force of God.

What Scripture is telling us is this: 𝑹𝒖𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆. And wherever His Spirit moves, all creation responds. Our breath, then, is not random. It is the continuation of God’s own life force moving in and through us.

Many theologians and Hebrew scholars have reflected on something both beautiful and profound. The sound of human breathing closely resembles the name Yahweh, the sacred name God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14.

In Hebrew, God's name is written with four letters, YHWH, often called the Tetragrammaton. And for the Hebrews, the Tetragrammaton is so holy that ancient Israelites would never speak it casually, if at all. Yet every inhale and exhale seems to whisper it.

Think about that. From the moment we enter the world, our bodies whisper the name of the One who created us. Even before we can form words or grasp the joy of faith, our breath declares our Creator’s presence.

And for the Christian, when life reaches its final moment here on earth, when our last breath leaves our bodies, it’s not a defeat. It is a return.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 tells us, “the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” So, the Ruach God breathed into us returns to Him. The name we have whispered thousands of times every day is the one we exhale as we step into eternity with the Lord.

Our first breath is not simply the moment air fills our lungs. It is Yahweh Himself giving life, long before we ever breathe on our own. And our last breath is Yahweh receiving the life He first gave, gathering us back to Himself. Every breath in between is Yahweh sustaining life. And this means that every part of our existence, every joy, every sorrow, every ordinary moment, is held within God's intention and faithfulness.

Just think about it. You and I have never breathed alone. We have never taken a breath that God did not orchestrate. We have never lived outside of God's life-giving and sustaining Ruach.

So, please join Kristin and me as we pause to pay attention to our Inhale and Exhale. And, as we do, let's let that quiet, life-sustaining rhythm remind us that every breath we take is a gift from God to you and me, and held by God for His purposes as long as we live on this earth. He is the God who breathed His life into us. He is the God who walks beside us as we take every step on this earthly journey. And He is the God who will one day welcome us safely home to be forever with Him.

The truth for us Christians is this: Every breath we take (Inhale = YH, Exhale = WH) is our testimony. Every breath we take whispers His holy name. And every breath we take reminds us that YHWH is even nearer than the breath we breathe. To God be the glory!

Grace and Peace,
Austin

08/05/2026

Have you ever considered that there was once a time when we did not exist—yet there will never be a time when our souls cease to exist? Listen as Dr. Brinkerhoff shares about our greatest possession.

Have you ever considered that there was once a time when we did not...