Vanns Lake Baptist Church

09/02/2026

September 2, 2026
Bringing Others to Jesus
When we answer the call to discipleship, we can’t help but share the good news with others.

John 1:35-42
When the disciple Andrew asked Jesus, “Rabbi ... where are You staying?” (John 1:38), he revealed he was hoping to spend time with the Messiah and learn from Him. That desire for sweet fellowship with the Lord wasn’t something Andrew kept to himself. His devotion to Christ naturally deepened his desire to share that joy with others—and he did so at every opportunity.
We find evidence of his mindset throughout the Gospels. Immediately after meeting Jesus, Andrew found his brother Simon and brought him to the Savior (John 1:41-42). Later, when a great multitude was hungry, he came across a boy who was willing to share his lunch. Andrew connected him with the Lord by means of the five loaves and two fish (John 6:8-9). And when some Greeks wanted to meet Christ, Andrew and Philip made the introductions (John 12:20-22). The disciple’s actions show he clearly saw the importance and the blessing of knowing the Messiah.
When Andrew answered the call to discipleship, Jesus said he would be catching men instead of fish (Matt. 4:18-19). As followers of Christ, we also have this same wondrous goal. Though our personalities, circles of influence, and opportunities to do so may vary, we’re each blessed with the chance to bring others to Jesus.

09/01/2026

September 1, 2026
Listening to God
God gives us many means to hear His voice and see His work in our life.

Proverbs 2:1-5
Learning to listen to God is an essential part of following His will. He speaks to His children through …
• Scripture. The Bible is a rich revelation of who God is—His character, His promises, and His purposes (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is an invaluable source that can help Christians discover what He is like and develop trust in Him. As we take in His Word, we can listen for the ways He might be directing us to apply it.
• Prayer. God designed prayer to be a conversation, not a monologue. When we bring our heart to Him, we should linger—making space for Him to speak into our stillness (Ps. 46:10).
• Circumstances.Throughout Scripture, the Lord revealed His ways to men and women through their circumstances—and He hasn’t stopped. Situations change, but our God does not.
• Others. Pastors, friends, and mentors can all speak truth into our life. The Lord places believers in community so they can be encouraged, challenged, and helped.
In order to reach His children, God uses all four of these avenues, often working through two or more simultaneously. Our part is to stay attentive—always remembering that a message from the Lord will agree with His Word. What might He be saying to you today?

09/01/2026

August 31, 2026
An Honest Expression of Faith
The Lord isn’t looking for perfect words—He simply wants your honest prayer.

Psalm 13:1-6
If you’ve ever brought a prayer to God and heard only silence in return, you’re in good company. The psalmists knew that experience well.
What’s remarkable about these songs to God is their honesty. David doesn’t tidy up his pain before bringing it to his heavenly Father. He cries out, complains, and even argues: “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Ps. 13:1). There’s no performance here, no careful phrasing. This is the honest cry of a man laying his anguish before the One he trusts with it. That trust is the thread that runs through the psalms, even the ones written in the darkest moments.
Lament in Scripture is never simply complaint—it’s complaint addressed to Someone. The grief is real, but so is the conviction that the One who hears is present and capable of acting. The psalmist doesn’t lose sight of who God is, even when he can’t see what the Lord is doing. This is the kind of prayer God invites. Not polished words but honest ones. Not certainty that everything will resolve the way we hope but, rather, faith that He is with us in the waiting—and that He is good. When we don’t know what to say, the Psalms give us words. And they remind us that crying out to God is itself an act of faith.

08/28/2026

Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand . . .”
1 Samuel 17:17-18

When God wanted to bring down a mighty giant who was terrorizing the nation of Israel, He sent someone who was weak in the flesh. Think about it. In the eyes of the world, what could be weaker against a trained and fearsome soldier than a young boy who had no formal military training, no armor, was dressed in a humble shepherd’s garb, and did not even carry any real weapons other than a sling and five smooth stones from a brook? It is no wonder that Goliath mocked this young shepherd boy and his strategy. When David stepped into the battlefield, Goliath asked him sarcastically, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” (1 Sam. 17:43).

The implications of this battle were massive. It was not just a duel or contest between two individuals. The Israelites and Philistines had agreed to each send a warrior who would represent their nation. The defeated warrior would commit his entire nation to become servants to the other nation. It would be an understatement to say that a whole lot was riding on this one fight. And who does God send to represent Israel? In natural terms, He sent possibly the most unqualified person onto that battlefield in the Valley of Elah.

David was not even a soldier in the army of Israel! Do you remember how this shepherd boy ended up at the battlefield to begin with? David was there to deliver bread and cheese to his brothers who were in the army (1 Sam. 17:17-20)! And yet, David found himself standing on the battlefield as Israel's representative against the haughty Goliath. From delivering bread and cheese, he was now called upon to deliver the entire nation of Israel.

David was at the right place at the right time because he humbled himself and submitted to his father’s instructions to deliver bread and cheese to his brothers. Beloved, this is something you need to understand. Submission to God-appointed leadership will always cause God's favor to flow in your life, and you will find yourself, like David, at the right place at the right time!

The Bible says that we should not despise the day of humble beginnings (Zech. 4:10). There is nothing glamorous about delivering bread and cheese, but David did not despise it. And that put him right in the Valley of Elah, the wind blowing in his hair—a young shepherd boy with no military experience representing the nation of Israel against a mighty giant who was a man of war from his youth.

This is what God loves to do. He loves to take the foolish and weak things to shame the wise and mighty things of the world. So beloved, humble yourself and submit to the authorities that God has placed above you. And when you are faithful to carry out small tasks assigned to you, His favor is released in your life and you might just find yourself doing great exploits for God!

08/26/2026

August 26, 2026
The Truth Will Set You Free
God’s Word reminds us of the joy and freedom of belonging to Jesus.

Ephesians 1:3-6
What does it mean to belong to Jesus? This question gets at the heart of our identity as believers—and understanding the answer brings profound joy and peace.
God made a way for us to be part of His family. Before the foundation of the world, He planned our redemption so that we who were far from Him could be brought near through Christ. This reality defines our identity as God’s children. It stands as a rock that stabilizes us when fears and anxieties threaten to overwhelm us.
In spite of this, many believers become unsettled when they think about their sin nature. Knowing that the Lord opposes sin, they become fearful and ashamed. We need to remind ourselves of God’s Word, which assures us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).
Keep in mind that the Father has welcomed you as one of His own. And that means you are somebody very special to God. In fact, you are so dear to Him that He sent His only Son into a sinful world to die on the cross so you could be near to Him. This is pure, unadulterated grace—God’s love poured out for us.

08/25/2026

August 25, 2026
Building Intimacy With God
Every small step toward God can lead us into deeper intimacy with Him.

Psalm 139:1-4
Intimacy with God doesn’t just happen. As is true of any meaningful relationship, closeness with Him requires intentionality and ...
• Honesty about where we are. We can’t build intimacy while pretending everything is fine. God already knows our struggles, doubts, and failures. He wants us to bring our real self to Him rather than a polished version. Confession isn’t about informing God of something He doesn’t know; it’s about agreeing with Him about the truth of our condition.
• Willingness to trust in His character. Intimacy grows when we understand who God truly is. The more we know His faithfulness, goodness, and love, the more confidently we can draw near. Trust doesn’t mean we never question; rather, it means we anchor ourselves in what we know to be true about Him.
• Vulnerability before Him. We’re to open our heart to God—in other words, let Him see our fears, disappointments, and longings. Unlike other relationships, where vulnerability can lead to rejection, the Lord knows us fully and loves us still.
God designed us for intimacy with Him. He’s always available, always present. Even small steps toward Him—a moment of honest prayer, reading His Word, sitting quietly in His presence—draw us closer (Ps. 145:18). He meets us wherever we are.

08/24/2026

August 24, 2026,
Jesus Is Stronger Than Our Fears
Though storms may rage around us, Jesus is still present—He is our calm within the storm.

Mark 4:37-39
The evening Jesus calmed the fierce gale on the Sea of Galilee, His disciples were terrified. Watching a storm from shore is one thing—dramatic but distant. But when you’re in the boat with waves crashing over the sides and rain pelting your face, fear becomes very real.
We all face storms of some sort: physical crises, relational ruptures, financial pressures, overwhelming circumstances. When troubles hit, we might find ourselves crying out, “God, where are You?” He is where He’s always been. The problem isn’t His absence; it’s that fear can make it hard to see Him clearly.
Remember, this is Jesus, whose voice commands nature itself. He is sovereign over every type of storm we face (1 John 4:4). Our Savior knows we are frail (Ps. 103:13-14), and He doesn’t stand at a distance critiquing our panic. He is present with us in the chaos, and He speaks peace into our heart even when the circumstances haven’t changed yet.
With three words, Jesus calmed a storm instantly. Sometimes He calms our storms just as quickly. Other times, He calms us in the midst of them, giving us His peace while the waves still rage. Either way, He is faithful. When we turn to Him in trust, we discover that His presence is always more than enough.

08/23/2026

08/20/2026

The Source of Jealousy
Where jealousy takes hold within us, God offers contentment in its place.

Galatians 5:17-21
Jealousy is one of those emotions that can catch us off guard. We might not even realize we’re feeling envious until we notice ourselves comparing our circumstances to others’—their success, their relationships, their opportunities. It’s a common human struggle, but that doesn’t make it any less corrosive.
The answer to where jealousy comes from may be surprising; it springs from within, not from external circumstances. We might tell ourselves, Well, they just shouldn’t have that. They don’t deserve it, so I’m perfectly justified in feeling this way. But that reasoning reveals the real issue: Jealousy is rooted in our own sense of entitlement or insecurity. In Galatians, Paul lists jealousy among the works of the flesh—attitudes and actions that stand against the character and work of God in our life (5:17-21).
Covetous feelings can lead to unhealthy comparison, which often grows into a competition with others. Left unchecked, envy breeds resentment and damages relationships.
Though jealousy is a common struggle, it has no place in a believer’s life. When we notice envious thoughts, we should bring them honestly to the Lord. He understands our struggles and offers grace to help us find contentment in what He’s given us rather than fixating on what others have.