721 Ministries Talk Radio 660

Jesus said he came to give us “Life to the full.” The Holy Spirit, through Paul, talks about “the life that is truly life.”  We call it,  “The A+ Life.”  But what does this life look like – and how to know if I am even close to living it?

Did you know the Hebrew word for “hear” is the same word as “obey”? Jesus asked many times, “Are you listening with your heart as well as your head? Is what I am saying sinking in? Is it making a difference in your life?” How would you answer Jesus if he asked you the same questions?

Jesus gave us several very clear messages, the most important of which is “I am coming back.” Will you be ready for his return? And is there a 7 year tribulation and 1000 year aspect to his return? I say no, there is not. Tune in to find out more!

The disciples, now turned apostles, gave several sermons in the book of Acts – and none of them mentioned Jesus' teachings, parables, or even his miracles.So what did they talk about?  Tune in to find out!

After his resurrection who did Jesus appear to and why did he appear to those particular people?  Did he have a specific message for them – and for us?

Did you know that we know a lot about the seating arrangements around the table at the Last Supper – and the teaching lessons Jesus was employed by the arrangement of who sat where?  Tune in to find out!

As we approach and prepare for Easter, we take a look at everything Easter. What is Easter?  Is it about the crucifixion and death of Jesus or the resurrection of Jesus?  What is our preparation for Easter?  In these next 3 episodes, we dive into the events and details that lead us to Easter. 

Imagine you have someone in your group – be it business, social or Bible Study - who is openly defying the rules and mores of the group. Unapologetically and unremorseful. How would you handle it? Today we look at how the Apostle Paul handled just such a dicey situation in Corinth: Tough love then soft love.

Even though Jesus admonishes us not to judge others, he does ask us to “help them take the speck out of their eye.” How do we reach out to someone to help them see their blind spot? With lots of grace, sprinkled with the truth.

Who was the worst dad in the Older Testament? In our last episode, we looked at the best dad in the New Testament- the father in Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Dad.   Today we contrast the best with the worst.

In this episode, we relook at the parable of the prodigal son and focus on who it may really be about....the dad?  We look at it from a different perspective as we continue in our series on judging.

Are you in a prison of a judgmental heart? What if you could free yourself and learn to live freely in the non-judgmental Kingdom of Jesus' world? The key to unlock the door? Look in the mirror before judging.  

October 7, 2023 - The Hamas terrorist attack was Israel's “911.”  I, Sam, a Christian, traveled with 14 Jews, none of whom I knew beforehand, but all of whom I came to love, to war-torn Israel on a “solidarity“ trip.  Join me as I relate my experiences with freed hostages, wounded soldiers, military officers and high ranking government officials, amidst earth-shaking artillery, and emotionally draining yet incredibly inspiring encounters with victims and heroes.

What if you could have a heart that never judges? A heart that is open, soft, free of negativity? Wouldn't that be a wonderful to live.  Today you will see the ill effects of judging and how to start to free yourself from its prison.

When a couple is getting married the man typically thinks he is adding an addition to his house (i.e. his life). But the woman thinks, “We are going to have a whole house renovation for our new lives together.” When it comes to our walk with Jesus, we tend to think the same way as the man. But Jesus wants to renovate our whole lives, not just be added on as an addition.

Are there areas in your life that are holding you back from being your best self? You have tried to rid yourself of them, but they still have a mastery over you? How to free yourself? Guardrails! Today we explore why we need guardrails, where we might need them, and what they might look like.

What does how we treat our bodies and our minds have to do with getting closer to Jesus? Tune in to find out!

If Jesus has become a part of your life, you will look different than your previous self, and people will notice. Yes, you will be changed, and even more so you will be transformed. Have you been? Are you any different? Today, we ask and answer the questions that indicate change and even transformation!

To live the A+ Life Jesus wants for us, we want to “Bump our Trajectory.” Where and how to start? Start with just that one thing. Ridding yourself finally of that one thing that you know is not helpful, that is holding you back. Or perhaps adding that one thing you know is missing.

The times in our spiritual journey when we “bump our trajectory” always enhance our growth, as well as lead to a new richness in our lives. Today we talk about how to and what it looks like to bump your trajectory.

I am the luckiest person on the planet. I am.Can you say this?  And mean it?If not, I want to issue you a challenge: Why do you think you are not?Today we will look at a wonderful Hebrew word – Dayenu. It means “It would have been enough.”When we realize all the Lord has already done for us we will begin to live a life of gratitude– Dayenu!

Jesus tells us not to judge and then advises us to look in the mirror at ourselves before we even think about judging someone else.But before he gives us this advice, he warns us of the consequences of judging others: “You too will be judged.”

When I asked the men, “Do you have a problem with judging?” - one replied, “No, actually I am pretty good at it.” That about sums it up, doesn't it? Jesus warns us: “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged ….” Who among us is comfortable being judged in the same way we judge others? 

When I read Jesus' parable about the four soils in Matthew 13, I see four very distinct descriptions of the men and women we have encountered over the past twenty years of 721 Ministries. And it is often not pretty.

God designed our human experience to be in partnership with him. Do you … can you possibly… think of yourself as a partner with God Almighty?? Yes you can! Tune in to see why and how!

Do you ever think of yourself as in partnership with God and with Jesus? You may be surprised to learn that this is exactly the way God set up our role in this world: Not to be employees, but actual partners. What would it look like if you learned to live this way?

In Acts 15, we see Paul and Barnabas in sharp dispute with the Jerusalem Pharisee Christians, who insist that all new Gentile Christians must be circumcised. Paul blows up at this, and thus, the showdown we call The Jerusalem Council. Is baptism the new circumcision?

Do you love Jesus? Are you loyal to Jesus? And if so, how does this influence your day-to-day living?  When I am tempted to do what I should not do or not do what I should, I ask myself, “What would my gratitude, and my love and my loyalty to Jesus mean in this situation?”  The answer is always and immediately obvious.

“I think I will be okay when I stand before St Peter.” Have you ever uttered the above, perhaps with a nervous chuckle?  Can we do better than “I think … I hope?” Can we have confidence in a wonderful reception from the Lord our Day before him?  The answer is absolutely “Yes.”  But how, and if so, why?

As we seek to understand Our Part & God's Part, can we “Be Still” and “Get Moving” at the same time? Yes! But how and what would that look like. To find out tune in!

Yes, we are saved by faith alone, but not a faith that is alone. (Augustine) What is our part and what is God's part in any given situation? Do we act on our own, or can we always be led by the Holy Spirit? Can we actually tap into the Holy Spirit's power in our work and play?  Tune in to find out.

What is the balance between God's part in our lives, and our part? Do we sit in a closet and pray and expect God to work out all the details in our day-to-day lives, or are we responsible for those details? What is the balance, and how to know Tune in to find out!

Nehemiah tells us that against a known threat, they prayed for God to help them. But did they just pray and expect God to take care of all the details? No, they prayed, and they posted a guard. They asked God to do his part, but they also were proactive in doing their part.

Jesus tells us we will be pruned. But why would our loving Heavenly Father prune us? Why would he allow difficult things to come into our lives? Is it because he loves us … perfectly?

Do you live in a “Got to” world or a “Get to” world? Are you compelled by the love Jesus as shown you are controlled by your Self? Imagine how it would transform your spiritual life, as well as your day-to-day life, if you changed your perspective to “I get to” instead of “I got to.”

Jesus tells us we will be pruned. But why would our loving Heavenly Father prune us? Why would he allow difficult things to come into our lives? Is it because he loves us … perfectly?

Jesus tells us that if we love him we will obey his commands. The Apostle Paul says he is compelled by the love of Christ. Are you? Do you seek to obey God's commands because you love him, or perhaps because you do not want to get in trouble with him?

On his last night with his disciples, Jesus tells them – and us? – they will do what he has been doing and do even great things. Really? What did that look like then, and what would that look like for us today?Tune in to find out!

Jesus has one last night with his disciples. What is on his mind at this incredibly important time? What does he want to communicate to his beloved friends this one last time?  Tune in to find out

On Friday, Jesus tells the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” But on Sunday morning, he tells Mary Magdelene, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father?” It seems clear that he did not spend the weekend in heaven with God the Father. So where was he? Tune in to find out!

Did you know that we know a lot about the seating arrangements around the table at the Last Supper – and the teaching lessons Jesus was employed by the arrangement of who sat where?  Tune in to find out!

Can you be still? Can you be still while moving through a busy schedule of responsibilities? Can you be still in a storm? This week we watch as Jesus “is still” as he moves from Jericho - with a full schedule - to Jerusalem for Palm Sunday and the impending storm of his crucifixion. 

I wanted to live like the monks, so I locked my cell phone in my car and was not tempted to look at it once. I did not miss TV, Instagram, or my sports feed, but during those days at the Abbey in silence and solitude, the lack of any stimulus left me both bored and distracted. I was distracted because there were no distractions!! 

I spent the past week at Mepkin Abbey. It is truly a paradise. I was overwhelmed by the natural beauty. Huge ancient, moss-covered oak trees everywhere. I did not sign up for this Monday afternoon to Friday morning retreat because I needed to retreat from the world – and certainly not to retreat from my life. No, I signed up for this more as a test: to experience an extended time of silence and solitude. And … to see if I could do it.  Here is what I learned.

Jesus tells us not to worry, and we ignore him. We just don't believe he is in touch with our reality. We see all the problems in life as Goliaths, and so we quiver with fear. Jesus would tell us to see him, and his ever-presence, and therefore there is no reason to fear. Can we trust him? Tune in to find out!

Jesus told us not to worry, but instead to trust that our Heavenly Father would take care of us. Most of us will not take Jesus at his word in this, and instead we seek first our needs and wants. But what if we took Jesus at his word and refused to worry? Is that even possible? Tune in to find out!

In Matthew 6 Jesus gives us three binary choices:1.    Treasures on earth or in Heaven2.    Generous eyes or stingy/suspicious eyes3.    God or mammon as our MasterBut we argue, “No, it is not that simple. I can manage a balance between the two!”Can you? And how are all three of these related? Tune in to find out!

Jesus unequivocally states, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Is he right?  Of course he is. So how to identify our hidden treasures?  In the same statement, he also says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth … 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven ….” Are your treasures earthbound or heavenbound? Tune in to find out!

What do you want to see when you “see you” in five years? This is the question we are asking as we start 2024. Today we let Galatians 5:22's “Fruit of the Spirit” guide us as to how and in what areas we want to grow … starting not five years from now, but today, tomorrow morning, this week.  Tune in to learn more

I was renovating houses when I turned forty-five. I asked myself, “Do I want to be doing this when I am sixty-five?” The answer was a definitive, “Not no, but absolutely no!” But let me drill down a little more on that question, with an eternal perspective in mind: “Do I want to see myself in five years as the same “spiritual Sam” I am now?”

Did you know there is another Christmas story in the Gospels – apart from the familiar ones found in Matthew and Luke?  It begins with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” But what does “the Word” mean, and how does this relate to the Christmas story? Tune in to find out!