NMC Audio Podcast

If there's anything we can expect from Jesus, it's honesty. He tells people they have “little faith” while affirming others who have “great faith.” He calls out hypocrisy in those worried about being religiously correct, and He speaks straight to those who don't seem to care about God at all. At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells a story of an impending storm. His parable invites us to look honestly at all the angles of the story and place ourselves in it. His honest description of the coming storm isn't intended to make us worry—He wants us to respond.

Jesus paints a stunning picture of the Father's heart through the story of the prodigal son—not just a tale of rebellion and return, but a radical revelation of God's compassionate love. When the son who squandered everything finally comes home, the father doesn't meet him with anger or shame. He runs—runs—to embrace him, robe him, and restore him. This is the love of our Heavenly Father: not earned, but freely given; not cautious, but extravagant. We're invited to receive this love without hesitation, letting it heal our shame and rewrite our story. And once we've been embraced by such grace, we're called to extend it to others with the same open arms, the same lavish mercy, and the same joy in seeing the lost return home.

Luke 14:25-33 challenges us to count the cost of following Jesus. Discipleship isn't casual—it demands total surrender. Jesus calls us to lay down everything, even what we hold most dear, to truly follow Him. This passage asks: Have we counted the cost? Are we willing to give Him our all?

We're often content with appearances, but Jesus calls us to something deeper: true spiritual life. In Revelation 3, the church in Sardis had the reputation of being alive but was spiritually dead. This message is a wake-up call to shake off apathy, remember the gospel, and return to a life marked by repentance, power, and purpose. It's time to wake up, strengthen what remains, and walk in the purity and victory that only comes through Jesus.

Examples of faith and faithfulness, like we see in Ruth and her family, are awe-inspiring. They remind us how incredible people actually are and how ordinary people can make phenomenal impact. Looking on, we wonder how they do what they do and how they risk what they risk. But we're not intended to be spectators of faithfulness. Rather we're created to be risk-taking, faith-stepping participants in a story that's more than meets the eye.

This powerful promise from Scripture finds a living example in the story of Ruth. When she humbly approached Boaz and asked him to be her kinsman redeemer, she stepped out in faith—boldly yet respectfully requesting what was both within God's provision and Boaz's power to give. Ruth's story reminds us that sometimes what we need most is already within reach—we just have to ask. God honors courage rooted in trust, and He often moves when we move in faith.

As those created in the image of God, we're not just shaped by His hands, we're shaped to reflect His heart. One of the most profound ways we mirror our Creator is by living out hesed—the rich, covenantal love God continually shows us. Hesed is more than kindness; it's a deep, loyal, and sacrificial love that never gives up, even when it's undeserved. When we show hesed in our relationships and our communities, we don't just talk about God's love, we reveal it. This is what it means to live as His image-bearers: to love as He loves, faithfully, relentlessly, and with grace.

The story of Ruth is built on the key themes of loyalty, boldness, and generosity. But laced in and out of those confidence-building themes are the realities of tragedy, famine, and disobedience. In the first chapter of Ruth, the people who would become her family and Ruth herself face many factors outside. They, just like us, are faced with the question of how to respond.

In Colossians 1:15-23, we're given a breathtaking vision of Jesus Christ—one that lifts our eyes beyond the ordinary and into the Holy of Holies. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the One by whom and for whom all things were made. In Him, all things hold together. This passage invites us to see Jesus not merely as a teacher or moral example, but as the preeminent Lord of all—supreme over creation, sovereign in redemption, and reconciling all things to Himself through the blood of the cross. It's a vision that anchors faith, inspires worship, and redefines everything.

You may be carrying a heavy load this Easter season. The stresses of life, worries about finances, mental health battles, pressures at work, and on and on... But there's good news! Jesus Christ has risen from the grave, and He offers salvation, rest, joy, and peace to anyone who comes to Him. It's gonna be okay because Jesus is alive!

Sometimes we don't understand what God is doing—and that's okay. In John 12, even Jesus' closest followers didn't fully grasp what was happening. The crowds cheering at the Triumphal Entry had no idea their Messiah was riding in not to conquer by force, but to lay down His life. Confusion and unmet expectations swirled all around. But Jesus was still moving toward the cross with purpose. Just because they didn't understand didn't mean God wasn't at work. When life doesn't make sense, we can rest in the truth that He sees the whole picture, and it really is going to be okay.

In 1971, a man from central Indiana penned the lyrics of a gospel song called, "Because He Lives." When Bill and Gloria Gaither first sang the lyrics, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow," they were echoing the belief and hope of centuries of Jesus followers. Because of Jesus, we have hope that things are actually gonna be okay. But how does Jesus show us that truth, and how do we do offer the same for others? Let's get up close and personal and see what we discover.

Praying with eyes open means being fully aware of the needs around us and responding with compassion and action. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches that serving others—especially the hungry, thirsty, stranger, sick, and imprisoned—is a direct reflection of our service to Him. The passage reminds us that faith is not just about words or rituals but about actively meeting the needs of those around us. When we see a need, we're called to meet it, demonstrating God's love through tangible acts of kindness. Praying with eyes open invites us to see the world through God's eyes and respond with a heart of service.

We love the expressions and exploration of a child learning to talk. We crave hearing from the person with whom we're falling in love. But on the other hand, we get tired of too many words. We describe some people as "chewing our ears off" or "babbling on" or "flapping their gums." We were made to communicate, and followers of Jesus are called to tell others about Him. While you may be wary of what to say and how to say it, Jesus wants each of us to name what is right in front of us, and in doing so, the world will hear about Jesus.

We're all called to be water-walkers. We're not called to the comfort of the boat, but a life on mission—walking on the water with Jesus and doing the impossible. ---Whether smuggling Bibles, feeding lepers, or working amongst a Muslim people group, Mick Veach's commitment to share the love of God has taken him all over the world. As the Global Partners' Area Director for Central Asia and the Middle East, he has presented the gospel in more than 60 countries. Mick serves as the lead pastor of Kentwood Community Church in Michigan.

Every person's heart is constantly trying to fill itself with something other than God. The trouble is it never works. Nothing in this world is ever enough. Jesus offers us a different path to a blessed life: the path of the pure in heart! ---Brad Bullock grew up in a non-Christian home, but his life was radically transformed as a teenager when he began to attend NMC with a friend. As he grew in his relationship with Christ, he felt the call to full-time ministry. Brad, his wife Kelsey, and their three kids live in Fort Wayne where he serves as the executive pastor of next generation at Pathway Community Church.

Just as for Gideon, God's presence with us is the key to victory. ---Geoff Eckart lives in Grand Rapids with his wife Arianna and their three daughters. He's the lead pastor at Daybreak Church in Hudsonville, MI, and the founder and CEO of Never The Same, a national youth ministry organization with a vision to see new generations transformed in Christ. Geoff is also the chairman of the board for the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

We were created to enjoy rich community with others, but how can we as Christ-followers dive deeper in relationship with each other? In the midst of a solitude and loneliness epidemic, followers of Jesus have a roadmap in the Bible of how to “one-another.” ---Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and CEO of Growing Leaders, a nonprofit organization created to develop emerging leaders. His work grew out of 20 years of serving alongside Dr. John C. Maxwell. He has written over 35 books, been featured in multiple articles, and appeared on national broadcasts to talk about leading multiple generations in the marketplace.

Praying with ears open is about more than just speaking to God; it's about creating a space to truly listen. In our prayers, we often pour out our hearts, but it's equally important to pause and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. When we open our ears to God's voice, we invite His guidance and direction into our lives. The Holy Spirit speaks in different ways through different means, leading us on a path of wisdom, peace, and purpose. Listening in prayer allows us to align our hearts with God's will, trusting that His direction will always lead us toward His perfect plan for us.

We have the benefit and pleasure of reading the stories of the first followers of Jesus. Through the pages of Scripture, we see them as they rise and fall. We watch as Jesus interacts, teaches, and sends them to represent Him in the world. As we examine them, we wonder: "Will they see the world as Jesus hopes they will see it? Will they see how to represent Jesus and His kingdom in the world?" Great questions. And really, these are our questions. Will we see as Jesus sees? Will we see how to represent Him in our communities?

In Matthew 16:21-26, Jesus shifts the focus of His ministry, revealing to His disciples that He must suffer, die, and be resurrected. Jesus then calls His followers to take up their cross and deny themselves to truly follow Him. This is an invitation for any follower of Jesus into a radical way of life—one that disrupts comfort and security. To follow Christ means to embrace the path of self-sacrifice and choose difficult obedience. The way of the cross isn't easy, but it's the way of transformation, love, and eternal life.

God's presence has a profound way of disrupting the fear that often holds us back from sharing our faith. He can transform our hesitation into boldness. When we trust in His power rather than our own limitations, we find courage to speak, knowing that He equips us for every moment. In His perfect love, fear is cast out, leaving space for us to confidently share the hope we have in Christ.

Righteousness can be described as a vehicle for God's love. It's the transport mechanism of God's mercy and justice. God acts in just and good ways as He moves toward us. It's who He is, what He does, and we are better because of it. Not only that, we are to be a reflection and continuation of His right actions in the world. But what happens when we forget? You guessed it, a divine disruption of our self-righteousness. 

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, sometimes the secret to greater success lies in doing less. By focusing on what truly matters and eliminating distractions, we create space for God to do His best work in and through us. Embrace simplicity, cut down attachments, and watch how much more Kingdom impact will come. Less truly is more when it's done with intention.

Regular checkups are important, whether for your car, your health, or your relationships. They help ensure everything's working well, fix what's off, and keep things running at their best. Today, let's do a church checkup. Do you understand what the church is meant to be, how it should function, and your role in it? Are you actively contributing to help your church thrive?

Do you have someone in your life who just seems to drain the joy out of you? Someone who tests your patience to the limits and makes you pray for their relocation. We all have “those people” in our lives, but what if God has a purpose for keeping them there? Maybe He's using them to do something transformative in us.

Not only is it important to develop our relationship with God, we must also take note of the ways we've developed a relationship with not-gods, what the Bible calls idols. It doesn't matter who we are, how we're raised, or where we're from, we all have the power to create competing gods in our lives. But God, by His grace, has given us the ability and opportunities to choose to trust Him.

We're all works in progress on the journey we call life. Where's your journey taken you previously? Where do you find yourself currently? What's your desired destination in the future? The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the churches in Corinth, challenges apprentices of Jesus not to be aimless or lose focus. Instead, train hard, live with great purpose, and keep your eyes fixed on a specific destination. 

Few would be willing to part with what's most precious to them in life. For a parent, can there be anything more precious than their child? Now, imagine the deep emotion of the Father as He gave His one and only Son, Jesus. He gave. As we conclude this series on generosity, we must ask ourselves: “Is there anything we're withholding from God when He calls us to give?”

The story of Jesus' birth is familiar and is the reason we celebrate. We wish you a Merry Christmas! But, although It's familiar, we don't want to overlook this story. Not only do we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we welcome His generosity, looking at His life in order to live generously toward others like He has for us. 

When you think about the future, how do you feel? Anxious? Confident and expectant? Or perhaps somewhere in between? It's entirely human to feel uneasy about what lies ahead; the uncertainties of tomorrow can often be overwhelming. However, we can find inspiration in the remarkable example of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who generously entrusted her future to Christ and His Kingdom.

What's your reputation? What are you known for by other people? In the Christmas story, we're introduced to a man named Joseph with a reputation for being a righteous man. In obedience to God, Joseph puts his reputation on the line for Christ and His Kingdom. Does God call on all His followers to give their reputations for His purposes?

William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, once wrote, "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." There are only so many hours in a day, weeks in a year, and years in a lifetime. How will we steward the time the Lord has given us? What might it look like for you to be generous with the time you've been given? 

The heart of God is summed up in the word GIVE! From Genesis to Revelation, there's a constant stream of God's attribute of being a "giver." We are most like our Father when we practice generosity in every area of our lives.

We weren't created to live alone. We need each other. In a world filled with brokenness and abandonment, there are burdens too weighty to carry alone. It takes a village to raise a child. Who will be the village for children in the foster system or for children waiting for adoption? Who will be the village for families who answer the call to care for these children? The need is great, but the Church, empowered by God's Spirit, can meet the needs.

We know recovering from a physical injury takes time and attention. Similarly, to get back to normal after a relationship breakdown requires intentionality and healing. Likewise, to feel right again after committing sin often involves a season of humility and restoration. Thankfully, it's in those sensitive, soft areas where the hope of Jesus makes all the difference. He delves into the deep tissue of our lives to get us to take steps with Him again. 

Our mission is to meet Jesus' call for all believers in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to make fully committed disciples. Today, we celebrate the goodness of God through the Let's Give It All Away offering and sharing stories of Kingdom impact through our local, regional, and global partners!

At the close of his letter, the Apostle Paul sums up everything he has been communicating to the churches in Ephesus and the larger Asia Minor area. He gives a clear, repetitive message to the community of faith: “STAND.” There will be opposition from the enemy, so the response of the Church is to STAND. We're to put on the full armor that God makes available to us through His Son Jesus Christ and STAND!

If there was anyone in history who “called it like they see it,” we would agree the Apostle Paul fits the description. He is adept at describing Jesus, grace, human relationship, and deep truths about God's love for His creation. His writings often give clear contrasts between the best and the worst in our world. But more than simply pointing out what's wrong, Paul gives a message of accessible hope and doable practices for how to live out our everyday lives.

In the first three chapters of Ephesians, we fix our gaze on what God has done. BUT GOD! These first three chapters set the stage for the last three chapters. In light of what God has done, we—the Body of Christ—are called to live a life worthy of that calling. Chapter four lays out practical implications for what it looks like to live as a part of the new society God is creating.

Paul's letter to the churches around the city of Ephesus repeatedly invites them to take a long look at the life-changing work of God. Jesus has done more than offer salvation from sin. His life and love have made a radical shift in how all things work together. Consider your favorite gadget or tool. Try to imagine your life without it. Just like how that device empowers your everyday existence, Paul communicates that Jesus is transforming our lives and our world. 

It appears we can't help ourselves from creating division and building walls. Some do this to protect themselves, others do it to maintain power over others, and some may do it purely out of animosity. Whatever the reason, Christ's life, death, and resurrection were meant to tear down walls and grant all access to the Father. So, Church, why the walls?

Where do we turn when darkness draws near, when our fleshly desires rage within, and when the enemy entices? There is a power. There is a power that reigns far above any other power, ruler, or authority. There is a power that can resurrect the dead. There is a power!

Chances are there are parts of your story that you love and, if you're honest, parts of your story you'd rather not bring out. There are parts of our story we broadcast through a team jersey, the car we drive, the ink on our skin, or the grey in our hair. Other parts of our story get tucked away in a journal, in a prayer, as a secret, or lost in memory. God is a composer of a story. The Apostle Paul reminds the church in Ephesus, as well as believers today, that regardless of the story we've lived in our personal lives, all those in Christ share a common story with a common purpose.

Introductions tell you a lot about a person. Introductions are an opportunity for you to give others insight into who you are. So, who are you? What makes you you? Whether using a social media bio, a meet and greet, or an autobiography, how do you identify yourself?

Jesus, the master teacher, instructs us that when we pray, we're to ask forgiveness for our sins. Confession is one of the keys to having a vibrant prayer life. Unfortunately, in a battle with our flesh and the condemnation of the enemy, we often fail to confess. Can you imagine the life and power available to us if we operated from a place of being forgiven consistently? 

We can all fall into the trap of approaching God through prayer and treating Him like a magic genie or a vending machine. On one side, it's about those three lucky wishes and making them count. On the other, it's about giving God the correct payment (good works, good words, lots of words, etc.) and getting from Him what you want. But what if prayer is much more than that? What if prayer involves the learned skill of back and forth communication, just like in the best relationships you have in life? 

It's common to ask others for help. It may have happened in your life this week when your car broke down, when you needed a pen at school, or as you were running behind on a project at work. It's also very normal to ask God for help. We seek His direction, His healing, and His gifts. It's not wrong to ask—in fact He tells us to do so. However, we've all experienced unanswered prayers. How do we respond when He doesn't seem to be responding? 

Throughout the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation, we see God's heart to work with His people to carry out His purposes. What if our greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God is our prayers? What if God's desire is for us to stand in the gap for others with intercessory prayers?

Prayer is essential to the Christian faith. Some may even say that prayer is life—that prayer is more than just something we do—it's a lifestyle to embody. The Apostle Paul encourages followers of Jesus to pray without ceasing. Why, then, do most of us seriously struggle to have a vibrant prayer life? Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the Great Teacher, and learn how to pray.