GDLC Audio

God is the main character of the biblical story. He is the Creator, and we are His creatures. But our God is not like other “gods” people know. The fact that He's sovereign means that He is in control, and yet this God is personal and cares about our troubles. So much so that He entered our world as humanity and made Himself known through the person of Jesus… “Who is this, that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” The Ruler of the Universe is personal and powerful, and He has a Word for you: “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) Will we submit our lives to His authority, or will we believe that we're competent on our own? 

God is the main character of the biblical story. He is the Creator, and we are His creatures. But our God is not like other “gods” people know. The fact that He's sovereign means that He is in control, and yet this God is personal and cares about our troubles. So much so that He entered our world as humanity and made Himself known through the person of Jesus… “Who is this, that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” The Ruler of the Universe is personal and powerful, and He has a Word for you: “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) Will we submit our lives to His authority, or will we believe that we're competent on our own? 

 This week we'll be reminded of the truth…the truth that is at the heart, the soul, the center of the book of Ruth.  This book is about redemption!  Boaz paid the price to redeem Ruth…and in doing so, redeemed Naomi too!  And of course, his actions in their lives point us to the price our Lord Jesus would pay to redeem us…not just in time, but for eternity!  

 This week we'll be reminded of the truth…the truth that is at the heart, the soul, the center of the book of Ruth.  This book is about redemption!  Boaz paid the price to redeem Ruth…and in doing so, redeemed Naomi too!  And of course, his actions in their lives point us to the price our Lord Jesus would pay to redeem us…not just in time, but for eternity!  

We're planners at heart.  Even the least planning person in our midst has some amount of plans in the works.  Sometimes however, that can be our undoing.  Are we making plans without consulting, leaning into, and trusting what God has planned?  Are we running ahead of Him and His will for our lives?  This week we'll remember that we need to seek God first and then trust Him and trust His plans for us since His plans are always, always perfect! 

We're planners at heart.  Even the least planning person in our midst has some amount of plans in the works.  Sometimes however, that can be our undoing.  Are we making plans without consulting, leaning into, and trusting what God has planned?  Are we running ahead of Him and His will for our lives?  This week we'll remember that we need to seek God first and then trust Him and trust His plans for us since His plans are always, always perfect! 

This segment of Ruth is especially interesting because Naomi says something that is something we would think or say if we were in her shoes. She was bitter about her life, and she was straight up about her bitterness. So, what do you do when the world deals you a lousy hand? What do you do when it seems as if even God is against you? Do you proclaim "Just all me 'bitter'"? No, this week we'll remember that, in fact, God is for us, even when it seems He's not. Remembering that wonderful truth, we'll gain some perspective on handling and managing the inevitable pain that comes our way.

This segment of Ruth is especially interesting because Naomi says something that is absolutely something we would think or say if we were in her shoes. She was bitter about her life, and she was straight up about her bitterness. So, what do you do when the world deals you a lousy hand? What do you do when it seems as if even God is against you? Do you proclaim "Just all me 'bitter'"? No, this week we'll remember that, in fact, God is for us, even when it seems He's not. Remembering that wonderful truth, we'll gain some perspective for handling and managing the inevitable pain that will come our way!

The last missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to share with them our story. The greatest gift we can give to another is the gift of the Gospel. The Gospel is the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done in our lives. The best way to share this news is by sharing with someone our story (testimony) of what Jesus means to us personally. When a person has experienced our prayers, our listening, our fellowship, and our service they will be open to truly listening to the greatest BLESSING that God has given and that is a personal relationship with Jesus Himself.  

The last missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to share with them our story. The greatest gift we can give to another is the gift of the Gospel. The Gospel is the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done in our lives. The best way to share this news is by sharing with someone our story (testimony) of what Jesus means to us personally. When a person has experienced our prayers, our listening, our fellowship, and our service they will be open to truly listening to the greatest BLESSING that God has given and that is a personal relationship with Jesus Himself.  

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to serve them. To serve another person is to put their needs ahead of our own. We see Jesus engage man with leprosy by giving him a double blessing. First he reached out touched him and then healed him. This requires a mindset that prioritizes others and makes a choice to help other with compassion and generosity. It requires us to look beyond just our own needs and cares and to be of tangible BLESSING in the life of another just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.    

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to serve them. To serve another person is to put their needs ahead of our own. We see Jesus engage man with leprosy by giving him a double blessing. First he reached out touched him and then healed him. This requires a mindset that prioritizes others and makes a choice to help other with compassion and generosity. It requires us to look beyond just our own needs and cares and to be of tangible BLESSING in the life of another just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.    

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to make time and space to eat together. Throughout the ministry of Jesus food played a large role in how He would spend time with others. In our culture the heart of hospitality is one that as lessened in its priority but offers a great reward for those who engage it. Very few things communicate a heart that is open like a shared meal around a table, a backyard cookout and the simple, yet profound, gesture of a hand, heart and home open to others.   

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to make time and space to eat together. Throughout the ministry of Jesus food played a large role in how He would spend time with others. In our culture the heart of hospitality is one that as lessened in its priority but offers a great reward for those who engage it. Very few things communicate a heart that is open like a shared meal around a table, a backyard cookout and the simple, yet profound, gesture of a hand, heart and home open to others.   

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, happens as we listen and engage others. You have heard the old saying that God has given us two ears and one mouth so we should use them proportionately. In order to BLESS others, we need to listen to understand what the needs, cares and concerns are of this person and engage what they say with compassion, thoughtfulness, and wisdom. The deepest desire of any person is to be understood by another and this week we look at the reality that one of the greatest blessings we can give to another person is simply a heart that truly cares.     

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, happens as we listen and engage others. You have heard the old saying that God has given us two ears and one mouth so we should use them proportionately. In order to BLESS others, we need to listen to understand what the needs, cares and concerns are of this person and engage what they say with compassion, thoughtfulness, and wisdom. The deepest desire of any person is to be understood by another and this week we look at the reality that one of the greatest blessings we can give to another person is simply a heart that truly cares.     

The first missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to begin in prayer. It begins in prayer because this is the mission of God and so we need His guidance, His wisdom and His power to accomplish what He is calling us to do. We see this in the life of Jesus, and the disciples, as they devoted themselves to prayer and seeking God's will together. We pray that God would open doors, open hearts, open opportunities and align our desires with His through prayer.  

The first missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to begin in prayer. It begins in prayer because this is the mission of God and so we need His guidance, His wisdom and His power to accomplish what He is calling us to do. We see this in the life of Jesus, and the disciples, as they devoted themselves to prayer and seeking God's will together. We pray that God would open doors, open hearts, open opportunities and align our desires with His through prayer.  

Thankfully, at some point, Jesus will return for us!  When Jesus returns, the Bible is clear, He will make us new for eternity!  We know we are a new creation in and through Him right now, but we also struggle with the effects of this broken world and look forward to that Day when He returns and makes us new forever!  Today we remember from God's Word that we've been given “The New Future You” in and through our faith in Jesus! 

Thankfully, at some point, Jesus will return for us!  When Jesus returns, the Bible is clear, He will make us new for eternity!  We know we are a new creation in and through Him right now, but we also struggle with the effects of this broken world and look forward to that Day when He returns and makes us new forever!  Today we remember from God's Word that we've been given “The New Future You” in and through our faith in Jesus! 

One of the current hallmarks of our society is centered in answering the question “What's your passion?”  In other words, displaying and living what you are passionate about.  What drives you and moves you in this world?  While Christians might answer those questions in a variety of ways, there is one central “passion” that every Christian has and will talk about, and that's bringing Jesus to people and people to Jesus!  Today we remember from God's Word that we've been given “The New Passion” in and through Jesus!  

One of the current hallmarks of our society is centered in answering the question “What's your passion?”  In other words, displaying and living what you are passionate about.  What drives you and moves you in this world?  While Christians might answer those questions in a variety of ways, there is one central “passion” that every Christian has and will talk about, and that's bringing Jesus to people and people to Jesus!  Today we remember from God's Word that we've been given “The New Passion” in and through Jesus!  

Being a “new creation” in Christ means being different from the rest of the world that does not know Him as their Savior…and…Lord.  For us who have been made new in Him and through Him know that we are de facto different, but what that means then, is that we also act differently in this world.  Our inward “newness” brings an outward expression of that “newness” to those around us.  Today we remember from God's Word that we have been given in and through Jesus “The New Attitude”! 

Being a “new creation” in Christ means being different from the rest of the world that does not know Him as their Savior…and…Lord.  For us who have been made new in Him and through Him know that we are de facto different, but what that means then, is that we also act differently in this world.  Our inward “newness” brings an outward expression of that “newness” to those around us.  Today we remember from God's Word that we have been given in and through Jesus “The New Attitude”! 

One of the dearest and clearest marks of our Christian faith is having peace in and through Jesus, even in a broken, frustrating and fear-filled world!  Jesus has put us at peace with God!  The Bible is clear…broken and busted sinners, are at peace with the Holy, Righteous, Pure and Perfect God through Jesus!  But once given that peace with God, we are then people of peace, living peacefully ourselves and giving that peace to others as well!  Today we remember from God's Word “The New Peace” that Jesus has given to us! 

One of the dearest and clearest marks of our Christian faith is having peace in and through Jesus, even in a broken, frustrating and fear-filled world!  Jesus has put us at peace with God!  The Bible is clear…broken and busted sinners are at peace with the Holy, Righteous, Pure and Perfect God through Jesus!  But once given that peace with God, we are then people of peace, living peacefully ourselves and giving that peace to others as well!  Today we remember from God's Word “The New Peace” that Jesus has given to us! 

This first week we'll explore the foundation of “newness in Christ” and what it means for us who are hamstrung by the “old Adam” within us.  What does it mean that we're “born again” or “a new creation” in and through Christ?  What does it mean for our now…and what does it mean for our future?  Today we remember from God's Word “The New You” given in and through your baptism into Christ!