GDLC Audio

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.   

The fourth type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that rich and ready for unbelievable growth. This soil portrays a person who hears, understands, and receives the Word and then allows the Word to accomplish its result in their lives. This life understands what truly leads to a rich life and it has nothing to do with material possessions, worldly wealth or personal power. This heart beats for the things of Jesus and desires to give to others the grace that has been given to them.  

The fourth type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that rich and ready for unbelievable growth. This soil portrays a person who hears, understands, and receives the Word and then allows the Word to accomplish its result in their lives. This life understands what truly leads to a rich life and it has nothing to do with material possessions, worldly wealth or personal power. This heart beats for the things of Jesus and desires to give to others the grace that has been given to them.  

The third type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that appears to be fertile and ready for good growth. This soil receives the seed and growth begins in their lives but this soil is plagued by other growth that impedes the good growth. This soil is full of weeds, thorns and plants that choke the good plant, so it does not receive the light it needs. This is a heart full of riches, pleasures, lusts and cares and concerns of worldly things leaving no time or energy for the things of the Kingdom and leads to an unfruitful life.   

The third type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that appears to be fertile and ready for good growth. This soil receives the seed and growth begins in their lives but this soil is plagued by other growth that impedes the good growth. This soil is full of weeds, thorns and plants that choke the good plant, so it does not receive the light it needs. This is a heart full of riches, pleasures, lusts and cares and concerns of worldly things leaving no time or energy for the things of the Kingdom and leads to an unfruitful life.   

The second type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that shallow and full of rocks that don't allow the roots to grow very deep. The immediate growth leads to excitement, joyful praise and acceptance but the moment trouble arises they quickly abandon faith. This soil needs to be cared for as God tills up the false trusts of their lives to allow room for deeper and richer growth of roots that can withstand in times of trouble.   

The second type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that shallow and full of rocks that don't allow the roots to grow very deep. The immediate growth leads to excitement, joyful praise and acceptance but the moment trouble arises they quickly abandon faith. This soil needs to be cared for as God tills up the false trusts of their lives to allow room for deeper and richer growth of roots that can withstand in times of trouble.   

The first type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that has been hardened by the treading of the world. The Sower throws seed on this heart soil, and it is instantly snatched away by Satan and never allowed to grow. Suffering of the world, sin in ourselves and from others, and the constant treading of others has a hardening effect on our hearts. This ground needs love, care and attention to be softened, tilled and receptive to the new growth of the Kingdom of God.   

The first type of soil that Jesus describes is soil that has been hardened by the treading of the world. The Sower throws seed on this heart soil, and it is instantly snatched away by Satan and never allowed to grow. Suffering of the world, sin in ourselves and from others, and the constantly treading of others has a hardening effect on our hearts. This ground needs love, care and attention to be softened, tilled and receptive to the new growth of the Kingdom of God.   

God stands alone without an equal or a rival, “His light shines in the darkness” and will not be overcome (John 1:5). The desire of God is that we would place our full faith in His character, power and love and yet we have an enemy who seeks to deceive us and lie to us about God's character, God's power and God's love. While God stands victorious through the resurrection power of Jesus, we are prone to give up the battle of faith and give into fear and temptations. How will we learn to trust God's promises over what we see with our eyes in trials and temptations? God calls us to put on His armor, to stand strong on His Word, and the Lord will fight for you. Will we heed the command of the Word from Hebrews 12:2 “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”.  

God stands alone without an equal or a rival, “His light shines in the darkness” and will not be overcome (John 1:5). The desire of God is that we would place our full faith in His character, power and love and yet we have an enemy who seeks to deceive us and lie to us about God's character, God's power and God's love. While God stands victorious through the resurrection power of Jesus, we are prone to give up the battle of faith and give into fear and temptations. How will we learn to trust God's promises over what we see with our eyes in trials and temptations? God calls us to put on His armor, to stand strong on His Word, and the Lord will fight for you. Will we heed the command of the Word from Hebrews 12:2 “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”.