FaithBridge Church Podcast

At a job interview, the prospective employer wants to know your work history, your skills and abilities. The one being interviewed is being evaluated on how he acted previously. Today, Pastor Rich will show from Joshua 24 that since God has been faithful in the past, He will be faithful today and in the future. He is Lord over your family, Lord over rulers, Lord over nature, Lord of all. Even in the middle of pain and hardship you can depend on God. Joshua 24:1-13

The state motto of NH is taken from a famous quote by Revolutionary General John Stark "Live free or die, for death is not the worst of all evils." John Stark, along with many others fighting during the American Revolution realized that there were certain things that were worth the sacrificing your life. In their eyes, death was better than not being free. Today Pastor Rich will share Joshua's last words that he gave the Israelites before passing away. Joshua 23

Has there been a time in your life that you were right on the edge of disaster? Maybe that disaster was the result of your mistakes, or perhaps it occurred outside of your control. God uses these times of near crisis to strengthen us. In today's message, Pastor Rich will discuss how the Israelites nearly started a civil war over mistaken motives. Joshua 21:45 - 22:34

Have you ever done something you instantly regretted? Have your actions caused physical or emotional harm to someone else? Did you make a mistake while driving that caused an accident? Even though you deeply regret the action, the sincerest apology won't take away the hurt and pain you caused. Today, Pastor Rich will discuss justice & reconciliation as he discusses the cities of refuge. Joshua 20

Have you ever had to wait for something? Not so easy is it. Most of us want things as soon as possible. Sometimes God calls us to wait for His will. Today, Pastor Rich will look at Caleb's faithfulness to wait 45 years for the fulfillment of God's promises. Joshua 14:6-15, Numbers 14:30-38

Why are you listening today? Are you seeking God secretly hoping no one notices? Are you seeking God merely because you think you have to? Are you here completely by accident? Today as Pastor Rich discusses Jesus' rising from the dead and his appearances to men and women, may Jesus make Himself known to you through the Bible, through prayer and through this podcast. 1 Corinthians 15

Put yourself in the place of the Israelites on that first Palm Sunday as Jesus is riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. What would your response be? How about today? What is your response to Jesus, the King? Are you all in, fully committed to Him and His mission? Are you letting the worries of this life distract and pull you away? Perhaps you're antagonistic, and want nothing to do with Jesus. Check yourself - how are you responding to the King? Matthew 21

Life can be a battle. As we fight through the battles of life, how can we live well and live wisely? Today, Pastor Rich will share some lessons that Joshua, leader of Israel discovered as he led the Israelites to take possession of the land God had promised them. Joshua 10-11

Have you ever made a decision, then sought God's wisdom afterwards - only to discover you made the wrong decision? We might do this because we're in too big of a hurry to stop and seek the Lord. Sometimes, we always say yes so that we don't have to disappoint anyone. Maybe we make the wrong decision because our default answer is always no. How do we move past the regrets of making wrong decisions? Today, Pastor Rich will show what happened when Joshua and the leaders of Israel made a decision without asking the Lord. Joshua 9

How do you respond after a defeat, or a set back? How do you make progress and not let failure define you? Today, Pastor Rich will show how Israel had to overcome a major defeat and learn to depend on God again. Joshua 8

Sin affects everything and everyone around you. Today, Pastor Rich will discuss how one person's sin caused chaos and destruction for an entire nation. Joshua 7

If you've ever spent time in kids programming in church you've probably heard about the "Battle of Jericho" and how the "walls came tumbling down." What this story really shows is that God had a plan to accomplish and chose to use the Israelites to be part of His plan. Today, Pastor Rich will discuss how to look for God's plan and be a part of what He is doing. There might be barriers and obstacles that God allows in order to get our attention - causing us to look and see where God is working. When life is difficult, we are more likely to seek God. Joshua 6

There's a leadership principle that says "change or die." This is true of organizations and individuals. If someone is diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, or serious food allergies, they must change how they live, or they will die. Are you missing out on God's blessings for your life due to a fear to change and do something different? Today Pastor Rich will show how God led Joshua and the Israelites to change and experience His blessings. Joshua 5

When it comes to seeking counsel in our lives, whom do we turn to? Do you turn to your horoscope, call a pastor, ask a friend, or seek advice from a coworker or a family member? Counseling centers have more business today than they have ever had. Today, Pastor Jim will show that the first place we should turn is God and His Word. Joshua 1:8

Do you have any tricks for making sure you don't forget something - perhaps you write it on your hand, set a reminder in your phone, write yet another post-it-note and stick it somewhere? Physical reminders are helpful, yet too many can get cluttered, and the message can get lost. Today Pastor Rich will discuss how Israel set up a physical reminder of His powerful work among them. Joshua 4

Is God still active in our world today? How do I see where God is working? How do I know what God wants me to do? Is the Bible simply full of stories, or does it show me how to live my life today? Today, Pastor Rich will show that just as God was faithful to provide for Israel in the past, so He will be faithful to provide for us today. We will discover how to prepare ourselves to see God at work in today's world, and be challenged to take action. Joshua 3

Do you have things in your past that you're ashamed of? Do you ever think "How could God use me after all that I have done"? Maybe you compare yourself to others and think that you're too inferior to be of any use to God. Today Pastor Rich will talk about a famous prostitute that God used as the Israelite were getting ready to cross into the promised land. She even became the ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ. God can use anyone who is willing to be used. Joshua 2

If you've ever worked with kids as a teacher or coach you'll know that some kids give 100% effort, some kids give as little effort as possible, and others work hard sometimes. This last group can be the most difficult. You know what they are capable of when they try (you've seen it a few times), and it breaks your heart to see them waste their lives in mediocrity. In our passage today Pastor Rich will discuss the tribes that chose to live outside of the promised land. Through them we can learn the dangers of taking the easy way out and be encouraged to be strong and courageous in our lives each day. Joshua 1:10-18

Joshua's life of 110 years can be summed up with the word "faithfulness." He faithfully served God first as Moses' assistant, then as the leader of Israel as they crossed the Jordan and possessed the promised land. Today Pastor Rich will discuss God's exhortation to Joshua to be strong and have courage. We need to have this same faith. We need to grab ahold of the truth of God and faithfully carry out God's commands with strength and courage. Joshua 1:1-9

God is sovereign over all things, yet has chosen to work through the prayers of His people. There are things that God has not done simply because we haven't asked Him. Fasting is a focused time of prayer where you forsake food for a certain period of time and devote the time you would be eating to seeking God in prayer and Bible reading. Matthew 4:2, 6:16, Acts 13:3

Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Are you planning to workout, lose weight, stop smoking/drinking, change your career, deepen friendships, get out of debt? These are the most common resolutions that Americans make. How are you planning to grow in your spiritual life this year? Today, Pastor Sam Taylor will encourage us to "close the door on 2024." Philippians 3:13-15

It's easy to think of missionaries as belonging to the realm of history: old people, who went to old places, doing old things. Today we'll look at the lives of missionaries who gave their lives in the early 2000's while on the mission field. For more information check out the book Lives Given, Not Taken: A Story of 21st Century Baptist Martyrs, by Erich Bridges. Matthew 16:24-26

At Christmas we celebrate how God sent His Son Jesus to earth to seek and save the lost. The name Emmanuel means "God with Us." Just like Jesus, we have been sent as God's ambassadors to take His life changing gift of hope to a lost and hurting world. Today, Pastor Rich will look at the life of C.T. Studd, missionary to China, India, and central Africa. He lived between 1860 and 1931. This well known Cricket player, born into a wealthy family in England came to Christ at the age of 24. His desire was to "run a rescue shop within a yard of hell." Hebrews 12:1-2

Christmas is a celebration of God, the creator of the universe, taking on human flesh and coming to dwell with us. He felt pain, got tired, experienced hunger, was tempted yet never sinned. He could relate to everything that we experienced. As God sent His Son to dwell with us, He has called and sent all of us to be His representatives to others where we dwell. Some folks God gives a special call to leave where they dwell and go to others who are lost in darkness and need to hear the good news. We call these folks missionaries. Over the next few weeks we will look at three examples of missionaries who left their homes and took Jesus to dark communities. We will see how we can apply their examples to our lives, and we will ask ourselves if God might be calling us to go like they did. Today, Pastor Rich will examine the life of Charlotte Digges Moon "Lottie Moon", whom our special Christmas missions offering is named after. Galatians 5:13-15

As a Bible-based family of believers, our mission is to make disciples, serve our community, and send out faithful followers of Jesus to share the Gospel in our neighborhoods and throughout the nations. Ministry is messy, and missions can be a glorious mess. No matter what happens or who happens, we keep pressing on amid the chaos of life. As we do so, we see God work and move, even when things don't go according to our plans. Today, Pastor Rich will examine the final section of our vision statement. 2 Timothy 4:9-22

As a Bible-based family of believers, our mission is to make disciples, serve our community, and send out faithful followers of Jesus to share the Gospel in our neighborhoods and throughout the nations. Colorful leaves, majestic mountains, rushing rivers, sunset over a landscape covered with freshly fallen snow as the northern lights shine in the sky -- creation shouts out God's glory. When we take it all in we are moved to give glory and praise to our Creator. This attitude of praise and thanks should lead us to joyful acts of service. Today, Pastor Rich will take us through the 3rd phrase in our vision statement Serve Our Community. Psalm 100

As a Bible-based family of believers, our mission is to make disciples, serve our community, and send out faithful followers of Jesus to share the Gospel in our neighborhoods and throughout the nations. Discipleship, making disciples, isn't solely a New Testament idea. This has been God's plan for His people for all of time. God desires us to share His goodness, love, and grace (etc...) with each generation. The church is always one generation away from extinction. All it takes is for one generation to not share the gospel with others - the church would cease to exist. However, the greatest reason to make disciples is so that others will be blessed and find joy through Christ. Today, Pastor Rich will discuss the 2nd part of our vision statement, Make Disciples. Deuteronomy 6:1-9

As a Bible-based family of believers, our mission is to make disciples, serve our community, and send out faithful followers of Jesus to share the Gospel in our neighborhoods and throughout the nations. We're taking a look at our mission statement for the next few weeks. Today we'll look at the first part, a Bible based family of believers. In our passage today Paul (the writer of 2 Timothy) talks about three types of people: • Those who are growing in faithfulness to Christ • Those who think they're godly but aren't • Those who are without God As you look at these categories, where do you find yourself? No one is beyond hope, God can redeem and change anyone. As we walk through the passage Pastor Rich will discuss the beauty of the church - having others to walk alongside you, helping you stay on the right path. You can't walk through the Christian life on your own - God created us to live in community. 2 Timothy 2:20-21, 3:1-17

Sin is like cancer - it destroys and devours everything. Like cancer, to treat it you must destroy it all. One day God will completely destroy the cancer of sin in this world, and recreate the world in a much better way. Zechariah 14

Have you ever had a child or pet that got so completely dirty that you didn't know where to start to get them cleaned up? When you do start, you know that you will be covered in their mess as well. Today, Pastor Rich will discuss how the filthiness of our sin can be cleansed by the grace of God. God's holiness demands that He judge sin. Through His grace and mercy He provided a way for us to receive forgiveness. Zechariah 13

If you've ever been horseback riding, you learn that though you may have the reigns, you really aren't in control. Should something happen to spook the horse, it will panic, lose control, ignore your commands & take off running. Some of our lives resemble being on the back of a panicked horse - holding on for dear life as things quickly escalate out of control. You're desperate to get off, but unsure how to do so. Often your own choices have led to this predicament. In today's passage, Pastor Rich will show us that God is in control of all creation. He sends His Son to bring peace and wholeness into our lives - even the hardships we bring on ourselves. Zechariah 12

Throughout the Bible leaders are often characterized as shepherds. Good shepherds strive to help their sheep prosper by rewarding good actions and punishing bad actions. Bad shepherds only care about their own welfare, ignoring the needs and dangers their sheep face. In today's passage, Pastor Rich will share how Jesus is the good shepherd who leads His flock through discipline during times of rebellion, and protection when they return and seek Him. We'll also look at the foolish shepherd who seeks only personal gain and see how the Anti-Christ will one day fulfill this prophecy. Zechariah 11

Ever been in a tough situation that leaves you questioning how you got there in the first place and is it worth continuing? Israel had received permission to return to their homeland and rebuild. However, it turned out to be more difficult than they anticipated. Their progress had stalled and they needed some hope. In today's passage, Pastor Matt will show God's message of hope to them (and also to us). Zechariah 10

Amidst the judgement of God, there is mercy and hope for the future. Today, Pastor Rich will share God's heart for Israel and for the nations. We will see God's grace in His righteousness and in the promise of the Messiah. Zechariah 9

All of us have a sense that there should be justice and peace, though none of us have fully experienced it. Even little children have this inborn desire for justice and peace ("it's not fair"). Today, in Zechariah 8 Pastor Rich will show us how we can live in a sin wrecked world while we look forward to the day that we experience true justice and true peace for all eternity. Zechariah 8

The movie Chariots of Fire is based on the true story of British runners in the 1924 Olympics. One runner refused to run the race he had prepared for because the race was scheduled for a Sunday. Instead he ran a different race that he hadn't prepared for, and won the gold. He felt a calling to run because "God made him fast" and he sought to please God with his efforts. God has made each of us with a purpose - to please Him. Today Pastor Sam will show us from Colossians 1:9-12, three specific things we can do to please God. Colossians 1:9-12

Rituals don't release God's power. Mindlessly going through the motions will not accomplish God's will. Today Pastor Rich will discuss how God wants our love and obedience - service to Him because of love NOT empty, loveless actions. Zechariah 7:1-14

Are you struggling with anxious thoughts? Uncertainty about the future can cause anxiety. Today Pastor Rich will discuss how God's promises for the future can bring us peace and assurance today. God's promises are sure and steadfast. God never breaks His promises. Zechariah 6:1-15

On July 8, 1741 Jonathan Edwards preached "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" in Enfield, MA. He described folks living in comfort & ease yet hanging off of a spider web over the pit of hell. They didn't realize the great danger they were in. Today Pastor Rich will show from Zechariah 5 that apart from the grace of God we are in a similar danger. We need God's grace at work in our lives because our own best efforts are feeble and temporary (like a spider web). Zechariah 5

Have you ever looked at your to do list in exhaustion and wondered how you would ever get it all done? No matter how much you do, there's still more undone and you're running out of strength and willpower? In Zechariah 4 we'll see that God gives us strength to accomplish what He has called us to, no matter how impossible it may seem. Zechariah 4

Have you ever found yourself standing before an authority figure (parent, principal, boss, police etc...) knowing that you're guilty and deserving of punishment? In Zechariah 3 Joshua the high priest finds himself standing guilty in heaven's courtroom while Satan accuses him before God. Today, Pastor Rich will show how through the grace of God we can find our righteousness in Christ. Zechariah 3

In Zechariah you see the tension of "now but not yet" - the reality of today contrasted with the promises of tomorrow. God promised Israel that one day the Messiah would be on the throne of David and would bring peace and prosperity - however that promise has not yet been fulfilled. Like Israel we also have this tension - we're living in a fallen sinful world, struggling with our own fallen desires, while longing to be with our Savior in heaven one day. How do we live and survive in this tension? Today, Pastor Rich will answer this as we look at Zechariah 2. Zechariah 2

Prophecy points to God's faithfulness, promise keeping, and sovereignty. It is meant to be an encouragement to us - that we serve and have been redeemed by a promise keeping God. Prophecy is meant to give us a hope for the future - that our amazing God is in control and is guiding everything according to His plan. A right view of prophecy should compel us to increase our evangelism - this king is coming back you need to believe in and worship Him before He returns. We should ask ourselves "Is that how I'm living out these words?" Does prophecy increase your obedience or does it fill you with anger or anxiety? Today, Pastor Rich will discuss the four horsemen and the four horns, how they relate to Israel and what we need to do about it.

Have you ever felt like you were coasting through life, struggling to just survive? The book of Zechariah was written to Israel during a time of great uncertainty. Israel's seventy year exile to Babylon had ended, and God had allowed them to go back to their homeland as He promised. However, things were difficult. Many Israelites had grown comfortable in Babylon and were reluctant to go. Those that went faced a homeland in ruin that needed to be completely rebuilt. In addition, Israel had to fight off enemies within their homeland that wanted to thwart and kill them. So for sixteen years they stopped rebuilding the Temple and were merely coasting through life, trying to survive. Today, Pastor Rich will show us that like Israel after their exile, God doesn't want us to coast through life, merely surviving. He wants us to be a light to others, pointing them to Him. Zechariah 1:1-6

Today, Jim Gardner will show us what the Bible teaches about dinosaurs, dragons, and how they fit into the Bible's teachings.

One of the most difficult things to deal with in this life is loneliness. Tough situations are made tougher when one doesn't have a support system. Even in our prison system the worst level of punishment someone can get (other than capital punishment) is solitary confinement. We realize that there is something grievous about isolation - and isolation is a killer. Isolation brings death and destruction because we were created for community. God exists in community with Himself (the Trinity), and as image bearers of Him, He wired us to thrive in community. Today Pastor Rich will discuss that ministry, like life is a team sport - it goes much better when you have a team around you for encouragement and support in good and bad times. Colossians 4:7-18

Do you have a friend, family member or co-worker that you enjoy hanging around with because they're a source of encouragement - bringing a bit of sunshine to every situation? Everyone likes to be around these type of people. Today Pastor Rich will show us from Colossians how to be sources of encouragement to others, pointing them to Jesus. Colossians 4:2-6

Have you ever seen a fairytale that depicts a 2 headed dragon? In most of the story lines this makes for a dysfunctional beast, not capable of making the best decisions, rendering it vulnerable to attack by the right opponent. Just like the dragon, an organization doesn't function using the "2 headed" plan. There is an ordering in society and the family. Even the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) has an order. As you saw the Son (Jesus) during His earthly ministry, He submitted to the will of the Father. They were coequal in glory, majesty, power, and as members of the Trinity, but Jesus submitted to His Father. Today Pastor Rich will discuss what order looks like in a Christian home, and how our homes can best represent Him. Colossians 3:18-4:1

Whether you're in a changing room at the beach, a changing room at the department store, or in a public restroom stall - when someone comes and rattles the door, it often is a nerve wracking experience. You're in a period of transition that you want no one to be a part of. As we grow in Christ some of the most precarious times are when we commit to forsake sin, and are in that transitional "now what" time period. During this time it is important to know what to do next. God, in His grace and mercy, has spelled out a process for us. As we take off sin (greed, lust, sexual immorality) we put on Christ. In our passage today, Pastor Rich shows us what it looks like to become more like Christ and less like our old sinful self. Colossians 3:12-17

Have you ever been invited to go to church and had the thought that you needed to get your life cleaned up before you could go? The thing is, Jesus is the only one who can clean up your life - and church is a great place to find Him. It's like needing to go to the Emergency Room, but stopping to get ready first (take a shower, pick out a nice outfit, fix your hair etc...). Some things are so urgent that when you need to go, nothing else matters. As we look at Colossians 3:1-11 we see that we are transformed by Jesus - and as we are being transformed we begin to live differently.

How do we live a "bold humility" like our Savior? In the midst of a chaotic, spiritually dark land, are we pointing others to Christ or partnering with the world? Colossians 2:16-23