Listening to hear: listening with a purpose

Healing starts with a broken heart (Part 1)

In the first installment of a two-part message, Brother Alan Simmons uses two passages of scripture, Psalm 34:17-18 and Psalm 147:1-8, as the focus of a powerful reminder of the need to praise the Lord and how our pride can often get in the way of our spiritual health. Rather than calling on the Lord when we realize we need His guidance, we usually rely on ourselves. Sometimes it is a lack of faith, but usually it is our sense of pride - the "I don't need anyone's help, I can do this on my own!" Bro. Alan explains that while the Lord desires to deliver us when we find ourselves in these situations, He will not intervene as long as our pride stands in the way.  (This message is from July 27th, 2025.)

Guarding our thoughts in the age of AI

In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins with 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11 and shares observations on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be a tool that makes our lives easier or a tool of great evil. He highlights how both apostles Paul and Peter warn us to be sober-minded, or clear-thinking, when we are confronted with so-called "Christian messages" generated by AI. AI is not of God, but is programmed by sinful human beings, many of whom are not called by God. So why are so many believers and pastors willing to use new translations, Bible study aids, sermons, and music created by AI? Who do so many believers fall for the AI-generated "Christian-themed" Facebook reels, TikTok, and X reels, and other social media posts without any hesitation? Listen as Bro. Alan points out the dangers of AI, why Bible study is increasingly important, and why we must start weighing what we see against what the Bible teaches.  (This message is from January 4th, 2026.)

A message of faith in uncertain times

In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins with a reading of Daniel 3:12-18 and focuses on the story of three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego. Carried away into captivity by the Babylonians, who made them eunuchs, and they served in the royal court of Nebuchadnezzar.  The other royal court officials who despised them devised a plot to rid themselves of the three Hebrew men. Bro. Alan examines how the attitude of the Babylonian court officials who saw the Hebrew men as a threat are much like those today who see the followers of Christ as a threat to their agenda.  (This message is from March 9th, 2025.)

Listening to hear: listening with a purpose

In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins with a reading of James 1:19-26, and begins with an introduction of how easy it is to listen without hearing what's being said. We've all experienced this where someone will say something to us and we react without listening to what is being said. Often, our reaction is one of action, feeling the need to do something when all the other person really wanted us to do was to listen to them. Bro. Alan shares how we can often do this to the Lord and it can have disastrous consequences as believers. Often mistaking the leading of the Holy Spirit on our hearts and minds, we can often make hasty promises, jump to the wrong conclusions, and take action that the Lord never intended us to do, claiming we were doing it because we felt "led by the Spirit." Yes, the Spirit was leading us, but the Lord wanted us to listen to hear, and not jump to conclusions or into action immediately. (This message is from September 22nd, 2024)

When the church needs to pray

In this message, Brother Alan Simmons shares how the book of James has a dual message for the believer and the church - the assembly of believers in the same chapter! Using chapter 5, Bro. Alan explains how the chapter is focused on how we, the individual believer, is to live a life as if we are ready for Jesus to return at any moment. He explains how this mindset is important because it affects everything we do. He discusses how it helps us face those who mock the faith we have in our Lord, just as it did in Enoch's day and in the days of the first century church. But James' epistle doesn't stop there. He discusses the importance of prayer - and Bro. Alan explains how many churches do not set aside time to come together as a congregation to pray. He asks a rhetorical question based on James' statement - the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, how much could the church accomplish if the congregation gathered and lifted their voices in prayer? (This message is from September 29th, 2024)