GDLC Audio

The first Christians made a point to devote themselves to “the apostles' teaching”. Why? Because the voices we most listen to tell us the things we believe. In a world full of noise and novelty, we need more than the latest trends. We need lasting truth to ground us, and God's Word tells us who we are. Devotion to Scripture shapes our minds and our hearts; it directs the way we think, live, and love. Just as Jesus had the scriptures to reject the lies of the devil, so we too can be unshakeable with God's Word. 

The first Christians made a point to devote themselves to “the apostles' teaching”. Why? Because the voices we most listen to tell us the things we believe. In a world full of noise and novelty, we need more than the latest trends. We need lasting truth to ground us, and God's Word tells us who we are. Devotion to Scripture shapes our minds and our hearts; it directs the way we think, live, and love. Just as Jesus had the scriptures to reject the lies of the devil, so we too can be unshakeable with God's Word. 

As we reflect after Christmas, we turn to the journey of the Magi—wise seekers drawn by a star and led to the Savior (Matthew 2:1–12). Their worship reminds us that Jesus came not just for one nation, but for the world. In Psalm 86, David declares that no other god compares to the Lord, whose steadfast love extends to all who call upon Him. This week, we remember that God's grace reaches across every border and barrier. Hope is not limited—it's global, generous, and gracious. As the Magi knelt in awe, so too we are invited to bow before the King who welcomes all and that is our Thread of Hope. 

As we reflect after Christmas, we turn to the journey of the Magi—wise seekers drawn by a star and led to the Savior (Matthew 2:1–12). Their worship reminds us that Jesus came not just for one nation, but for the world. In Psalm 86, David declares that no other god compares to the Lord, whose steadfast love extends to all who call upon Him. This week, we remember that God's grace reaches across every border and barrier. Hope is not limited—it's global, generous, and gracious. As the Magi knelt in awe, so too we are invited to bow before the King who welcomes all and that is our Thread of Hope. 

In the quiet of night, hope drew breath and heaven kissed the earth. Jesus—Immanuel—was born into our weary world, fulfilling promises centuries in the making. From Isaiah's prophecy to Mary's obedience. From Joseph's confusion to shepherds' amazement. God is painting a picture of divine hope taking on human form. This is not some mere sentiment—it's the reality of our salvation and the only source of hope that endures.  

In the quiet of night, hope drew breath and heaven kissed the earth. Jesus—Immanuel—was born into our weary world, fulfilling promises centuries in the making. From Isaiah's prophecy to Mary's obedience. From Joseph's confusion to shepherds' amazement. God is painting a picture of divine hope taking on human form. This is not some mere sentiment—it's the reality of our salvation and the only source of hope that endures.  

The news of the Savior's birth didn't go first to kings or priests—it came to shepherds in the fields in the most unexpected way. Shepherds working a lowly job and who, probably felt forgotten by God and the community of believers. Isaiah reminds us that even the weary can soar like eagles when their hope is in the Lord. These unremarkable men were the first to hear the remarkable news: Hope had come, not for the elite, but for the ordinary. God's kingdom arrives where we least expect it—but always where it's needed most and that is our Thread of Hope.  

The news of the Savior's birth didn't go first to kings or priests—it came to shepherds in the fields in the most unexpected way. Shepherds working a lowly job and who, probably felt forgotten by God and the community of believers. Isaiah reminds us that even the weary can soar like eagles when their hope is in the Lord. These unremarkable men were the first to hear the remarkable news: Hope had come, not for the elite, but for the ordinary. God's kingdom arrives where we least expect it—but always where it's needed most and that is our Thread of Hope.  

A backwater village. A stable. A feeding trough. These unlikely details were foretold in Micah and fulfilled in Luke. Hope didn't arrive through palaces or power—but through poverty and humility. God's promises remind us that He often works in the small, forgotten places to bring about His biggest plans. Bethlehem's obscurity became history's turning point and that is our Thread of Hope.  

Mary's yes to the angel wasn't about ease or comfort—it was about surrender. In a world that prizes ease and comfort over obedience, Mary's humble acceptance reflects 1 Samuel's truth: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Hope isn't just received—it's lived out. Mary's obedience opened the door to God's greatest gift, showing us that real hope grows where trust leads the way and that is our Thread of Hope.   

Mary's yes to the angel wasn't about ease or comfort—it was about surrender. In a world that prizes ease and comfort over obedience, Mary's humble acceptance reflects 1 Samuel's truth: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Hope isn't just received—it's lived out. Mary's obedience opened the door to God's greatest gift, showing us that real hope grows where trust leads the way and that is our Thread of Hope.   

Joseph was caught in the middle of confusion, scandal, and heartbreak—until the angel spoke hope into his uncertainty. Just as Proverbs 3 urges us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, Joseph trusted in the Lord and became part of the greatest redemption story ever told. Hope doesn't always make sense—but it always makes a way and that is our Thread of Hope.  

Zechariah and Elizabeth waited a lifetime to see their prayers answered. Scripture tells us that they were “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” Their story echoes the heart-cry of Psalm 130 as they waited for the Lord with complete reverence and humility. They waited in mature hope until God's timing was perfect and fulfilled their deepest longing by giving them a son who would also be the fulfillment of a 400-year-old prophecy from Malachi. Delay is not denial when we wait on the Lord, and that is our Thread of Hope.  

Zechariah and Elizabeth waited a lifetime to see their prayers answered. Scripture tells us that they were “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” Their story echoes the heart-cry of Psalm 130 as they waited for the Lord with complete reverence and humility. They waited in mature hope until God's timing was perfect and fulfilled their deepest longing by giving them a son who would also be the fulfillment of a 400-year-old prophecy from Malachi. Delay is not denial when we wait on the Lord, and that is our Thread of Hope.  

After Malachi's final words, God fell silent for 400 years. For 400 years God gave no new vision, prophecy, prophet or word. But is silence the same as stillness? God's promise to send Elijah (fulfilled in John the Baptist…the text for next week) lingered in the background. Peter later reminds us that God is not slow in keeping His promises, but patient. In seasons of silence, God is preparing hope to break through. God's timing is always perfect even when it feels delayed, and this is our Thread of Hope.   

Long before the manger, hope was declared through the prophets. Some 700 years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah spoke of light dawning in darkness and a child born who would reign in peace and justice. And as Peter reminds us, these promises were not just for then, but they pointed forward to a salvation we now see in Jesus. Hope is not accidental, but it's God's long story of hope unfolding for our joy, even when we haven't yet seen the full picture, and this is our Thread of Hope.   

Long before the manger, hope was declared through the prophets. Some 700 years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah spoke of light dawning in darkness and a child born who would reign in peace and justice. And as Peter reminds us, these promises were not just for then, but they pointed forward to a salvation we now see in Jesus. Hope is not accidental, but it's God's long story of hope unfolding for our joy, even when we haven't yet seen the full picture, and this is our Thread of Hope.   

A heart of gratitude is a gift of the Holy Spirit that recognizes all the blessings God has poured into our lives. No matter the blessing it originated in the love of our God who freely gave to us. We look around our lives and see His blessings everywhere. From the water we drink, food we eat, material possessions we own, freedoms we enjoy, relationships we love and the list is endless. These are amazing blessings but we also recognize that they are finite and temporary…so on this day we celebrate the greatest gift that God ever gave and that was His steadfast love shown to us in Jesus.  

It's no secret that everyone feels better when we're grateful, but ingratitude is difficult to see in yourself. We believe thanksgiving should feel authentic, not forced when it's insincere. Yet too often we let dissatisfaction weigh us down. We can justify our bad attitudes, why we deserve better for our life, but the truth is there's no moving forward without gratitude. Thanksgiving is the truth, that life is more about what we've received than what we've achieved. It takes a village to make us who we are, and gratitude frees us. Will we choose to be thankful even on the days when we don't feel it, and let the truth set us free this Thanksgiving? Because the perspective of all of what God has done for us is beyond what we could ever ask or imagine. May we give thanks to the Lord for He is good, because no matter your circumstances, His love endures forever! 

It's no secret that everyone feels better when we're grateful, but ingratitude is difficult to see in yourself. We believe thanksgiving should feel authentic, not forced when it's insincere. Yet too often we let dissatisfaction weigh us down. We can justify our bad attitudes, why we deserve better for our life, but the truth is there's no moving forward without gratitude. Thanksgiving is the truth, that life is more about what we've received than what we've achieved. It takes a village to make us who we are, and gratitude frees us. Will we choose to be thankful even on the days when we don't feel it, and let the truth set us free this Thanksgiving? Because the perspective of all of what God has done for us is beyond what we could ever ask or imagine. May we give thanks to the Lord for He is good, because no matter your circumstances, His love endures forever! 

If you asked people today what it means to find true freedom, the answers always seem to point back to you. “Love yourself.” “Treat yourself.” “Take care of yourself.” “Believe in yourself.” But if we can be prisoners of our own struggles, like anxiety, and addiction, and despair, are we really the answer to setting ourselves free? To dig a little deeper behind our belief in self-fulfillment: is happiness what life is all about? While it's natural for parents to want happiness for their children, God wants holiness for you and for me. Instead of fitting in, God calls us to stand out, we are wholly fulfilled in Him. Have you discovered the freedom of abiding in His love? Because holiness is “Christ in me”.   

If you asked people today what it means to find true freedom, the answers always seem to point back to you. “Love yourself.” “Treat yourself.” “Take care of yourself.” “Believe in yourself.” But if we can be prisoners of our own struggles, like anxiety, and addiction, and despair, are we really the answer to setting ourselves free? To dig a little deeper behind our belief in self-fulfillment: is happiness what life is all about? While it's natural for parents to want happiness for their children, God wants holiness for you and for me. Instead of fitting in, God calls us to stand out, we are wholly fulfilled in Him. Have you discovered the freedom of abiding in His love? Because holiness is “Christ in me”.   

The days that we're living in are called “the age of anxiety”, where people are crippled with worry and fear. While people boast on social media the best versions of themselves, inside we feel that we're never enough. There's always someone prettier, there's always someone more successful, someone more confident, someone more powerful, everyone else seems to be competent on their own. No matter how hard we try, deep down we feel a void. We can be afraid to admit that we need help, that we're not enough. When God calls you to stand strong, it's about freedom, not pretending. He never created us for the purpose of making it on our own. Are we living for the goal of independence, or will we find freedom in trusting where He leads? Because true strength depends on the One who cares for you.  

The days that we're living in are called “the age of anxiety”, where people are crippled with worry and fear. While people boast on social media the best versions of themselves, inside we feel that we're never enough. There's always someone prettier, there's always someone more successful, someone more confident, someone more powerful, everyone else seems to be competent on their own. No matter how hard we try, deep down we feel a void. We can be afraid to admit that we need help, that we're not enough. When God calls you to stand strong, it's about freedom, not pretending. He never created us for the purpose of making it on our own. Are we living for the goal of independence, or will we find freedom in trusting where He leads? Because true strength depends on the One who cares for you.  

How many of us feel the need to describe ourselves as “busy”? That even though it may be true of your schedule, is it a defining characteristic of who you're proud to be? “I'm the kind of person who's busy!” We live in a world that celebrates efficiency, where productivity is value number one. But have we become products of performance, where we're addicted to achievement? Does what we do tell us who we are? Too often we listen for freedom in the approval of our accomplishments, but the God of the universe claims He knit you together - His Word should tell you who you are. The road to freedom doesn't begin with our doing, but “being still and knowing He is God.”  

How many of us feel the need to describe ourselves as “busy”? That even though it may be true of your schedule, is it a defining characteristic of who you're proud to be? “I'm the kind of person who's busy!” We live in a world that celebrates efficiency, where productivity is value number one. But have we become products of performance, where we're addicted to achievement? Does what we do tell us who we are? Too often we listen for freedom in the approval of our accomplishments, but the God of the universe claims He knit you together - His Word should tell you who you are. The road to freedom doesn't begin with our doing, but “being still and knowing He is God.”  

On Reformation Sunday, we remember that nothing must stand in the way of the Gospel. In John 6, Jesus declares, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry,” reminding us that He alone is the Bread of Life—our source, our hope, our unity. In Romans 1, Paul proclaims that he is “set apart for the Gospel of God” and unashamed of its power to save. Unity isn't just about getting along—its about moving forward together. We are bound together by the mission of Jesus to bring His good news of salvation to all people. As the Reformers boldly stood for truth, we too are called to rise with one voice, one heart, and one soul—united in the Gospel that brings life to the world. 

On Reformation Sunday, we remember that nothing must stand in the way of the Gospel. In John 6, Jesus declares, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry,” reminding us that He alone is the Bread of Life—our source, our hope, our unity. In Romans 1, Paul proclaims that he is “set apart for the Gospel of God” and unashamed of its power to save. Unity isn't just about getting along—it's about moving forward together. We are bound together by the mission of Jesus to bring His good news of salvation to all people. As the Reformers boldly stood for truth, we too are called to rise with one voice, one heart, and one soul—united in the Gospel that brings life to the world. 

The Church is the body of Christ on earth. As a body we have many members with different gifts/functions; and yet, called to work in harmony as one. In Romans 12, Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to serve with the unique gifts God has given them, not for personal glory but for the good of the whole. In Mark 3, Jesus calls a diverse group of disciples to be with Him and to be sent out together. Unity of body means valuing every part, honoring each other's role, and functioning as a team with one mission. When the body works in Unity, the world sees Jesus more clearly.  

The Church is the body of Christ on earth. As a body we have many members with different gifts/functions; and yet, called to work in harmony as one. In Romans 12, Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to serve with the unique gifts God has given them, not for personal glory but for the good of the whole. In Mark 3, Jesus calls a diverse group of disciples to be with Him and to be sent out together. Unity of body means valuing every part, honoring each other's role, and functioning as a team with one mission. When the body works in Unity, the world sees Jesus more clearly.  

Unity begins in the mind—how we think about God, ourselves, and one another. Philippians 2 calls us to “be like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and of one mind”. But Paul also warns against the enemies of unity: selfish ambition, vain conceit, grumbling, and divisiveness. These behaviors hurt our unity by fracturing our community and distorting our witness of Jesus. Instead of this we are invited to adopt the mindset of Jesus—humble, obedient, and self-giving. In John 10, Jesus speaks of being the Good Shepherd who draws all people into one flock under one voice. True Unity of mind doesn't mean uniformity—it means living with our Shepherd at the center, aligning our thoughts with His love and mission, and resisting the pride and division that could pull us apart.  

Unity begins in the mind—how we think about God, ourselves, and one another. Philippians 2 calls us to “be like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and of one mind”. But Paul also warns against the enemies of unity: selfish ambition, vain conceit, grumbling, and divisiveness. These behaviors hurt our unity by fracturing our community and distorting our witness of Jesus. Instead of this we are invited to adopt the mindset of Jesus—humble, obedient, and self-giving. In John 10, Jesus speaks of being the Good Shepherd who draws all people into one flock under one voice. True Unity of mind doesn't mean uniformity—it means living with our Shepherd at the center, aligning our thoughts with His love and mission, and resisting the pride and division that could pull us apart.  

Before going to the cross, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one—united in heart just as He and the Father are one (John 17). This unity isn't based on sameness, but on shared sacrificial love, shared grace and shared purpose. In Romans 15, Paul calls believers to bear with one another, welcome each other, and glorify God with one heart. In a divided world, the Church is called to live with hearts knit together in the grace, humility and love of Jesus. Our unity is not optional but essential for our witness as we reflect the oneness of the Trinity in our Unity on earth.   

Before going to the cross, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one—united in heart just as He and the Father are one (John 17). This unity isn't based on sameness, but on shared sacrificial love, shared grace and shared purpose. In Romans 15, Paul calls believers to bear with one another, welcome each other, and glorify God with one heart. In a divided world, the Church is called to live with hearts knit together in the grace, humility and love of Jesus. Our unity is not optional but essential for our witness as we reflect the oneness of the Trinity in our Unity on earth.