Duane Sheriff Ministries - Feed

In part five of "Unconditional Love," Duane Sheriff explores God's unconditional love and its connection to holiness. Holiness isn't about following strict rules to earn God's love but rather the fruit of having a close relationship with God. This shift in perspective can free us from legalism and condemnation, allowing us to embrace the beauty of God's holiness. Romans 6 explains that when we accept Christ, we are no longer controlled by sin. This means that we don’t have to work hard to be holy to please God. Instead, holiness comes naturally when we understand how much God loves us. When we truly understand God's love for us, we often choose not to sin, not because we have to but because we want to. Our actions come from our love for God, not from trying to earn His love.

God is Love. His love is given without conditions, limits, or expectations, not based on our actions or worthiness but on His boundless grace and mercy. In part 4 of "Unconditional Love," Brother Duane explores unconditional love and teaches the what, why, and how of being Holy.  Holiness results from our relationship with God. As we experience an inner transformation through His Spirit, it becomes evident in our actions, reflecting a Christ-like character. The beauty of God's Spirit shines through when we demonstrate kindness, patience, and goodness.The reason for living a holy life is explained in John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commandments." Holiness arises from our love for Jesus, not a desire to earn His love or approval.

God loves you unconditionally and has forgiven all your sins. So, does that mean sin doesn't matter? Does God ignore sin? Duane Sheriff teaches that Christ's eternal sacrifice covers our past, present, and future sins. However, this does not mean we can ignore sin, as God desires and expects His children to pursue holiness. God's chastening and correction are expressions of His love, not His wrath, aimed at helping believers partake in His holiness. Instead, we are loved, forgiven, and invited into a life of holiness. Examining the parallels of the Israelites' journey from Egypt as an analogy for the Christian journey, Duane connects God's unconditional love with His desire for our sanctification. Holiness is not about earning God's love but becoming more like His image. 

In the tenth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff concludes his series by focusing on the final five principles necessary to lay a strong foundation. Parents should teach children about God's love, the importance of developing a healthy work ethic and understanding financial stewardship. He also emphasizes helping children develop a strong identity in Christ.The parallels between child-rearing and archery highlight the intentionality and precision required to guide children into adulthood. Among his many compelling points, Duane encourages parents to make prayer simple and engaging by suggesting short, faith-filled prayers that connect children with God's heart and learn to say, "I'm sorry." Extending grace to others is essential for healthy relationships and personal growth.

In the ninth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff discusses the importance of teaching foundational Christian principles to their children before they leave home. These foundational truths include God's love, His support, the fear of the Lord, the authority of Scripture, and a healthy self-esteem rooted in understanding their identity in Christ.Our role as spiritual mentors is to communicate God's love, help our children understand their need for salvation, and guide them in embracing Jesus as Lord. Knowing God is for them, not against them, will dramatically impact how they view challenges and setbacks in life (Romans 8:31).

In the eighth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff discusses the important role parents play in guiding their children's friendships and social interactions. He emphasizes the dangers of peer pressure and the necessity of parents to actively monitor and guide their children's social circles, particularly during their formative years.According to 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Bad company corrupts good character." Children are highly susceptible to peer pressure, which can lead to destructive paths. Parents have a responsibility to monitor their children's social interactions, especially social media. Teach children to be friendly while helping them discern between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Reinforce their relationship with God and family remains constant even when friendships change.

In the seventh episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff discusses the challenges of raising children in today's sexualized culture, emphasizing the importance of teaching children about sexuality within the context of God's design for marriage. In the teaching stage, we must help our children understand their identity in Christ and that God loves and accepts them. This foundation will help them resist constant peer pressure. As we prepare our children to be "arrows" launched into a dark world, it can be challenging to protect their moral innocence. 

In the sixth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff explains the teaching stage from ages 8 to 20. This stage equips children with essential life skills and establishes God's Word. Hosea 4:6 warns that God's people perish for lack of knowledge. This applies to parents and mentors, not just to our children. We must instill a strong sense of God's love and acceptance, enabling our children to withstand rejection and maintain their faith and integrity despite peer and societal pressures.Love isn't a fleeting emotion but a constant, defined by God's nature, according to Titus 2. By understanding and teaching our children divine love, we prepare our children to face life's challenges with strength, wisdom, and the confidence to seek God's approval rather than man's.

Psalm 127 likens our children to arrows in the hands of a mighty warrior. In the fifth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff explains how parents are responsible for teaching their children about boundaries and consequences while avoiding provoking their children to anger. Our children are not our own but a heritage from the Lord. We are called to be watchmen, diligently shaping and guiding these precious gifts from God. We should view parenting as a divine calling rather than a mere duty. As we nurture our children, we're not just equipping them for success in life, marriage, and careers but equipping them to be a spiritual warrior. Are we aiming them toward their destiny and God's purposes?

In the fourth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff discusses the biblical approach to disciplining children, emphasizing the importance of using " the rod" of correction with love and wisdom. According to the book of Proverbs, discipline is an act of love, not hate, essential for a child's growth and future success. Discipline is not punishment, but when applied with love and consistency, it is a crucial act of care that shapes a child's character and future. Proverbs 22:15 reminds us that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away."

In the third episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff teaches that parents have a role in training, teaching, and transitioning children into adulthood. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to "train up a child in the way he should go."  In this episode, Duane highlights the stages of development. Stressing the importance of consistent training, especially in the early years, and the need to understand God's timeline for accountability and adulthood. The training stage is from birth to 10. The teaching stage is from the age of 10 to 20 years of age. When a child is older than 20, it is the time to release them to God's direct guidance. By understanding these stages, parents can nurture their children's spiritual growth and shape them into God's "arrows."

In the second episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff teaches a biblical perspective on raising children, emphasizing the importance of viewing them as gifts from God and preparing them for their purpose in life. Using Psalm 27, we explore the metaphor of children as arrows. This imagery illustrates our role as parents in shaping, aiming, and eventually releasing our children into the world. The arrow's shaft represents the time we have with our children, the tip symbolizes their God-given purpose, and the feathers signify the guiding principles we instill. This perspective encourages us to view parenting as a sacred responsibility, shifting our focus from merely caretaking to intentional preparation. Are we actively shaping our children's character and faith, preparing them for their unique calling and destiny?

"Children are a heritage from the Lord....like arrows in the hands of a warrior." (Psalm 127:3-4). Duane Sheriff teaches how to raise our children according to scripture and recognize the unique stages of "parenting" children through the wisdom found in Psalm 127. Children are gifts from God, entrusted to us to raise in partnership with Him. Many churches have become silent from discussing marriage and parenting due to cultural controversies. In Genesis 18, God chose Abraham because He knew Abraham would instruct his children in His ways. God thinks and works generationally.Duane stresses the importance of the nuclear family and highlights the significant role of parents and grandparents in nurturing and guiding children. We are called to be spiritual warriors, fighting the good fight of faith to protect our children's moral innocence.

Nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). Brother Duane teaches how God's perfect love can cast out the four common fears that often block our faith: fear of people, fences, foes, and failure.The fear of faces - concern over others' opinions and rejection, leading to conformity rather than obedience to God. The fear of fences - life's obstacles and hardships that seem to block God's will. The fear of foes - spiritual opposition from demons and evil forces that can paralyze believers. The fear of failure - reluctance to step out in faith due to potential disappointment.As 1 John 4:18 states, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." By embracing and understanding God's unconditional love, believers can overcome the fears that everyone faces.

As we reflect on the miraculous birth of Jesus, we're reminded of the profound humility of our God. The Christmas story isn't just about a baby in a manger; it's about the Creator of the universe choosing to enter His creation in the most humble way imaginable. Born in a barn, laid in a feeding trough - this is our God, demonstrating a level of humility we can scarcely comprehend. The virgin birth, as prophesied in Isaiah, is the cornerstone of our faith. It's not just a miraculous event but the very means by which God entered the world to redeem us. As we celebrate this first advent, let's also anticipate the second one with equal joy. Just as the remnant in Israel eagerly awaited the Messiah's first coming, we too should be filled with excitement for His return. This Christmas, let's renew our wonder at God's plan of salvation and His incredible love for us. Merry Christmas!

In the tenth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff explains that we must take control of our five physical senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell to combat unbelief.The disciple Thomas in John 20:24-29 insisted that he felt Jesus' wound before it transformed his unbelief into belief. Even the sound of God's Word can transform doubt into faith. Romans 10:17 states: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."Christians should not allow their physical senses to dominate their faith. Instead, they should align their sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell with spiritual truths. This practice will cultivate a life filled with faith and the peace of God, remaining steadfast despite the circumstances of the world around us.

In the ninth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff discusses the four types of unbelief: rejection of Jesus, lack of knowledge, wrong knowledge, and carnality. In this episode, he focuses on carnality, which he defines as being influenced by our five physical senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.When we allow our physical senses to dominate our thoughts and actions, we risk falling into the trap of unbelief, preventing us from fully experiencing God's power. Romans 8:6 teaches that "to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Carnality is a common struggle among believers, often leading them to doubt God's word. The only way to overcome this unbelief is by disciplining our senses through fasting and prayer. Shifting our focus from the physical to the spiritual aligns our hearts and minds with God's truth, allowing us to walk by faith and not be swayed by our circumstances or feelings.

In the eighth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches from Mark 9:24, where a father cries out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" All of us, at times, grapple with doubt. While the rejection of Jesus is the most severe form of unbelief, we can struggle from a lack of knowledge or even the wrong knowledge about God. Do we have strongholds hindering our faith or relationship with God?Strongholds are like mental castles built in our minds through false beliefs and lies. These strongholds provide places where the enemy, Satan, can find refuge, thus preventing us from fully embracing God's truth. According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against these strongholds. By embracing truth, we dismantle these strongholds. The truth exposes the lies entrenched within our minds and empowers us to trust God's promises, which leads to freedom.

In the seventh episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches three types of unbelief that can hinder our spiritual growth: the rejection of Jesus, a lack of knowledge, and the wrong knowledge. The rejection of Jesus is described in the Bible as the 'unpardonable sin,' a serious reminder of the importance of accepting Christ's sacrifice.A lack of knowledge can be overcome through consistent exposure to God's Word, as Romans 10:17 reminds us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." The most harmful form of unbelief is wrong knowledge. One example of wrong knowledge occurs when we accept worldly philosophies and traditions contradicting Scripture.Colossians 2:8 warns us to "beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit." As we live out our faith, it is essential to cultivate a love for the truth and stay rooted in Christ by allowing His Word to transform our minds and hearts.

In the sixth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches the importance of overcoming unbelief through faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "without faith, it is impossible to please God." Unbelief can be a barrier to experiencing God's power and promises. Romans 10:17 states, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This means that we must listen to and understand God's Word to grow in our faith. As we meditate on the teachings in the Bible, our faith increases.Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, "But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Understanding God's promises gives us the confidence to seek Him, as He rewards those who pursue Him.