The Sign of the Dove

09/11/2026

Join us tonight at 7:00 PM for our Friday Night Service!

09/11/2026

Daily Devotional: “Founded on the Rock”
Written by: Kevin Randle

Read Matthew 7:24-29

As we conclude this final day of fasting and prayer for September, we find ourselves in Matthew 7:24–29. Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount by telling us about two builders and the foundations upon which they built their lives.

Both builders constructed houses. From the outside, the houses may have looked strong. But one builder built his house on the rock, while the other built his house on the sand. Then the rain fell, the floods rose, and the winds blew and beat against both houses. Only one house remained standing—the house founded on the rock.

Life is like that. The rain falls, floods rise and the wind blows. Difficulties, disappointments, loss, temptation, and uncertainty will come and push against our faith in Christ. When the storm is over, will you still be standing? Scripture teaches us that it is foolish to build our lives on things that are not strong enough to hold us. We cannot build our lives solely on what we know, our careers, our status, our money, our relationships, or our achievements. How fitting it is for Jesus to conclude the Sermon on the Mount by letting the listeners know that He is the Rock and that He is what they’ve longed for. When the storms of life come, may we be rooted and be founded on the Rock, which is Christ alone. (1 Corinthians 10:4)

Reflection:
- Take time to continue to sit with this passage, the questions, and take time to pray through them.
- What is your life built on currently? The sand or Jesus?
- When the storms of life come, how do you stay rooted in Jesus?
- Pray that we follow the word of God.

09/10/2026

Daily Devotional: “Watch Their Fruit”
Written by: Jeff Spencer

Read Matthew 7:15-20

In Matthew 7:15-20 the Lord gives us a warning. He says of false profits that we should be careful to “watch out” for them.

Growing up I remember my mom telling me when walking across the street to watch out for cars driving in my direction. She’d also say when walking on the sidewalk that I should watch out for uneven concrete. When I ironed my clothes she said to watch out for the heat.

She wanted me to be careful so I wouldn’t get hit by a car, trip and fall or burn myself or my clothes. Those were all warnings meant to protect me from harm. Jesus does the same in this passage. The only difference is his warnings are aimed to protect my body and soul.

Jesus, focusing on false profits, warns his disciples to watch their fruit. He knows we have a tendency to allow our eyes to be distracted by things that don’t really matter. He metaphorically points out that they come in “sheep’s clothing” but are “ferocious wolves.” It’s an interesting observation that he used clothing to illustrate his point.

Clothing can be extremely deceptive even in the natural sense. A person can easily dress up to look important or authoritative. A suit or uniform can transform a person’s appearance to make others think they have the title and credibility that they in actuality don’t have.

Clothing is for the outer appearance but what really matters is what’s in the heart.

Why would anyone want to pretend to be something they are not? There are many reasons and one of which is to gain control. In this context it’s the false prophet dressing up in the influence of the prophet title to gain control over people who would otherwise not follow them.

He says, “If I can get them to believe I hear from God then I can have so much influence that I can get them to do anything I want.” He says, “I can take whatever I want including their possessions and relationships.” He says, “If I dress up like someone important then I will be important.”

Jesus also uses something as simple and relatable as a fruit tree to illustrate his point even further. Bad trees don’t bear good fruit and good trees don’t bear bad fruit. As with trees you need to pay attention long enough to see a person’s true product. This means listen and watch long enough to know if the so-called prophet’s words and life truly line up with scripture no matter how good he appears and charismatic sounds.

Sooner or later the light of truth will expose the darkness in a person’s heart. Let’s take heed and be careful to see the outcomes before we jump to fall in line behind anyone. Let’s examine all teaching, prophecy and works according to scripture and proven doctrine. Let’s be led by the Holy Spirit and not a phony spirit.

Reflection:
- Have I been careful to judge the messages heard over the radio, internet and books according to scripture?
- Am I myself regularly examining my own life to be sure I’m staying close to the word of truth?
- Lord thank you for your grace and mercy that gives me the opportunity to produce good fruit. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that guides me into your truth and may I continue to walk according to your way. Amen

09/09/2026

Daily Devotional: “Locked In?”
Written by: Brent Stackhouse
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

One of the most terrifying car rides I’ve ever had was traveling through the mountains of Mexico. The road was barely big enough for one car, yet somehow two vehicles managed to slither through the sharp turns and steep inclines without the safety of guardrails. There was a harsh reality that a lapse in judgement or focus could lead to death. I remember counting the number of crosses and flowers I saw on the side of the road, I lost count after 200 during that 3 hour drive.

Traveling that road required focus and caution. There wasn’t time to look at your phone, sing and dance to your favorite song, drive with your knee while eating a cheeseburger; you had to be locked in. It’s the same in the spirit.

When we find ourselves getting distracted by any and everything, we lose sight of the Father and his plan and purpose for us. What we desire becomes the focus, and we become less sensitive to his voice and his yearning for our hearts. We begin mistaking our belief as following, but to follow requires submission.

Many want the results of a disciplined life without the sacrifice of a disciplined life. In the same way, many want Heaven without wanting the sacrifice of walking in obedience to Christ. Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:12 “…I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Paul’s focus was to please Christ.

The broad road is full of people who believe they have liberties they don’t really have as true followers of Christ.

Reflection:
Take time to continue to sit with this passage, the questions, and take time to pray through them.
- What are things that have been keeping you from going deeper with God?
- Do you find yourself justifying your actions when you feel convicted?
- What does it mean to live a life focused on God?

09/08/2026

https://youtu.be/9H0vuZekJ7g?is=U2KZeuKty7TeOx7r

The Sign of the Dove Church- Waukegan, IL

09/08/2026

Daily Devotional: “The Golden Rule?”
Written by: Nicole Hartman
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

Part of this verse is often quoted around the world as the “golden rule.” It’s universally known and appealed to as a moral code of living.

But to actually really live this is much harder than we expect. Our sinful fallen nature is inherently selfish and self-absorbed. We are focused on ourselves and our gain rather than obeying God and serving others.

In Luke 10:25-27, Jesus tells a parable about the “Good Samaritan.” Please take a minute and read that short story. It is a beautiful picture of what it truly looks like to really fulfill this verse. Personally, If I was the one beaten, half-dead on the road, I would want someone to treat me like the Samaritan did! But why do I often find myself being like the priest and Levite?! Help me Lord! This verse (Matthew 7:12) makes me think of that parable.

LeTay wrote beautifully on Matthew 7:7-11, the verses preceding Matthew 7:12. This was all about prayer and how good God is. What I learn from those verses and Matthew 7:12 is that without prayer, ‘doing unto others as I would have them do to me’ is not possible. It sounds nice but is impossible without being connected intimately with our heavenly Father. It is also not possible without knowledge of God’s word. The “Law and the Prophets” Jesus quotes in verse 12 is the Bible or majority of the Old Testament then. We must continue to apply ourselves to learning it so that we may live out what He has called us to be!

Reflection:
Take time to continue to sit with this passage, the questions, and take time to pray through them.
- Ask God to show you where you might have selfish blind spots.
- Ask God to help you identify one person in your life that you could grow in treating more like you would like to be treated.
- Ask God to help you humble yourself to follow Him and His ways.

09/07/2026

Daily Devotional: “Ask. Seek. Knock. Trust”
Written by: LeTay Jervis
Read Matthew 7:7-11
Take a few minutes to sit quietly before the Lord and meditate on this passage.
What comes up for you? How is he encouraging you, challenging you, and/or correcting you?
Take a few minutes to write down what you feel the Lord is bringing up for you as you meditate on this passage.

There are four things this passage encourages the believer to do: ask, seek, knock, trust.

Ask. Let’s start with the “ask and it will be given to you” (verse 7). Asking can be motivated by various things: wants, desires, hopes, or needs. The Lord knows the motives and intents of everything we put before him, and to be honest, he is still gracious at times to answer in the ways we want. The invitation here is to put our requests before the Lord with humility and recognition of our need for HIM, not merely for what he can do for us (he’s not a genie in a bottle—James 4:3). If we ask for Him and His will, he will never withhold himself from us and what he has for us. What have you been asking for?

Seek. Seeking the Lord is the reward because we have the promise of finding Him. Seeking is more than just taking a quick look for something, but it is to be in search of. Have you been looking for God or seeking Him? The invitation here is to seek Him because you will find him.

Knock. Knocking is a sure way to let someone know you are there and waiting. It exhibits a persistence that is intended to let the person on the other side of the door know that you are there, and you want to be recognized/acknowledged and welcomed in. The invitation here is to knock on God’s door; He wants us knocking. He doesn’t tire of our persistence to be in His presence. How persistent are you in your pursuit of God and His kingdom principles?

Trust. God is good. He is perfect. He is faithful to His word and promises. He doesn’t want to withhold good things from us. He is better than us (verse 11). The invitation here is to get to know Him, trust Him, and expect GOOD from Him.

Reflection:
- Take time to continue to sit with this passage, the questions, and take time to pray through them.
- What do you need to ask God for and TRUST Him? Commit to keeping this before the Lord.
- Where do you need to seek God and not just look for Him? Make time to intentionally seek Him.
- Where do you need to become more persistent?

09/07/2026

Today, Pastor Jason shared a powerful message on “Do You Have Good Discernment?” A great reminder to love people, walk in wisdom, and trust God with the outcome.

Love people. Discern well. Trust God.

09/06/2026

Sept.6, 2026 Sunday Service

09/04/2026