Higher Aim with Dr. Curt Dodd

Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, wrestling with a deep, unsettling question: “Am I truly saved?” Maybe you can recall a moment you prayed a prayer, but life’s struggles, personal failures, or the simple passage of time have planted seeds of doubt. You might wonder, “Did I say the right words? Was I sincere enough? Could God really stay with me through all of this?” This is not an uncommon struggle; in fact, it’s a...

Many of us remember the cultural phenomenon of the movie Frozen. Beyond the catchy songs that our children or grandchildren may have sung, there is a powerful message in the story. The character Elsa struggles to embrace the power she possesses. She hides herself away, afraid of what might happen if she lets others see the unique abilities within her. It is a narrative many of us can relate to, the fear of shining too brightly or t...

Have you ever looked the part, but not felt the part? It is easy to put on the right clothes, say the right things, and show up at the right places. We can look spiritual, carry a Bible, and attend church, leading others to assume we know exactly what we believe. But the truth is, many people who look the part are on shaky ground when it comes to their own faith. Biblical ignorance is at an all time high in our culture.

This is ...

We live in a world where cultural tides shift rapidly, but God's truth remains steady. As believers, we must know exactly what we believe and why we believe it. We do not anchor our lives in what is shifting, but in Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This sermon will help you reflect on the foundational truths of our faith. We will explore the absolute lordship of Jesus Christ, the unwavering authority of Scriptu...

Many of us grew up hearing things from our parents that stuck with us, for better or for worse. Maybe you were told not to walk under a ladder or that a black cat crossing your path was bad luck. These ideas, repeated over and over, can take root in our minds. In the same way, we often carry theological beliefs from our childhood that are based more on tradition or superstition than on the solid truth of God’s Word. In a world of s...

My first year in seminary was an interesting one. I decided I wanted to learn how to play golf, but I did not have any clubs. I went to a pawn shop and found a full set, a bag, and even a pair of shoes for only $40. I was so excited. I called a friend, and we went to a local course. I had all the right gear, a golf shirt, polished clubs, and shoes that almost fit. I grabbed a club, took my first swing, and immediately hooked the ba...

On Easter, we celebrate the great reset button of human history. All across the world, Christians gather to honor the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This single event makes all the difference. Without the Resurrection, the cross is a tragedy, and our faith is meaningless. But because He lives, we have hope. We have the promise that we will see our loved ones who know Christ again, and most importantly, we will see Jesus face...

We all know the feeling of hitting a wall. It might be a limitation in our career, a struggle in a relationship, or a personal weakness we cannot seem to overcome. In these moments, the world tells us to try harder, to dig deeper within ourselves. But what happens when our own strength is not enough? This feeling of being stuck is a universal human experience, but it is not the final word for the believer.

The Christian life offe...

Many of us carry a quiet assumption that if we are truly following God’s will, life should be smooth and free from trouble. We think alignment with Jesus means universal approval and a lack of problems. But often, the opposite is true. The most profound ministry is not born from comfort but forged in the crucible of opposition and pain. God does not waste our suffering; He uses it to prepare us for a purpose greater than ourselves.

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If you have turned from sin and placed your faith in Christ, you are a child of God. But it does not stop there. God has also called you into ministry. This calling is not reserved for a select few who are ordained; it is for every believer. The local church is a body of individuals who represent Christ to a world that desperately needs Him.

This is not a temporary assignment, but a lifelong calling. Your ministry will continue ...

You are very important to God. It does not matter who you are or what you have gone through, God has a plan to use you as a key part of His kingdom. Many of us may not see how everything unfolds, but we can trust that He knows our past, present, and future, and He knows how to put us in the right place at the right time. Your life has a destiny, and God wants to use everything about you to accomplish His will.

In his letter to t...

In 1621, the Pilgrims and a local Native tribe came together for the first Thanksgiving. This gathering was more than a meal; it was the celebration of a new relationship, a treaty born from mutual need. The Pilgrims needed survival skills, and the tribe needed protection. Their relationship, built on shared purpose, created a bond that lasted for decades.

This historical moment reminds us of a timeless truth: nothing is more im...

If we want to be people God blesses, we must embrace and embody the characteristics described by Pail in First Thessalonians. Paul was writing to a church he had only spent about a month with, yet during that short time, he discipled them in a tremendous way. My prayer is that what we are studying will be more than information for you. It must become life-changing wisdom. Scripture tells us plainly how this church lived, what they ...

Thessaloniki was a city in Greece where Paul had a short ministry, but it was a powerful ministry. Even though Paul was only there for about a month, the Gospel stuck, and the church continued to thrive. Throughout this series, we have been studying the kind of church God loves. God loved this church because of how they lived and who they were. They brought God pleasure. They impacted their lives, their community, and the surroundi...

As we have been studying “The Church God Loves,” we have already seen what kind of church captures God’s heart. As we resume our study, there is something more to uncover. I want to remind you of Ron Popeil, the father of infomercials, who famously said, “But wait, there is more!”

That phrase fits perfectly here. As we move forward in 1 Thessalonians, we uncover more phrases and beliefs we need to embody. As we look at them, we...

Last year, as I sat on the ground against a stump during a hunting trip, reading from the Greek New Testament and taking notes on my phone, I suddenly looked up and realized a buck was standing just a few steps away from me, staring at me. It caught me completely off guard. I realized there are times when things will catch us off guard, and I pray that the book we are getting ready to study would catch you off guard in a good way a...

Scripture tells us this tension should not surprise us. God is pouring out His Spirit in the last days, yet Scripture also says terrible and evil times will come. These realities are not contradictions; they are complementary. As believers, we must live in this tension, trust God to be God, and anchor our lives not in political systems or cultural movements, but in King Jesus. This brings us to Acts chapter 2, where we see a clear ...