Press On with Aaron Rios

Joining me today is Mark Sowersby - Author of Forgiving the Nightmare, his story of abuse and trauma and how Jesus has helped him overcome victimhood and established him as victorious!

Goliath thought his battle was against a mere shepherd boy. He was wrong. When the Philistine picked a fight with Israel, he picked a fight against God. You are not battling alone. The enemy that is coming against you is coming against your God, so remember the fight is fixed, and victory is certain!

Jesus is our Hope. When the world seems unstable, what is the source of your hope? What do you trust in that will make your circumstances better? Are you waiting on a promotion or for a person to change? Perhaps you're waiting to become a certain age, and you believe THEN things will get better?   Today, Jesus wants to be your hope. He wants to be the one you look to. He wants to be your refuge and stronghold. Hope brings us security. Hope is evidence of greater love within us.

In discussing the love of God, we must put aside our own presumptions in order to receive God's revelation.

What were you expecting? There is so much around us influencing our expectations and the outcomes. Perhaps we should surrender our expectations to the one who indeed holds the 

Who are you looking to for an answer? In the last election, Evangelicalism took a hit. With a high percentage of evangelicals, being supporters of Trump, and a slew of almost every recognized prophetic voice declaring Trump the winner, what are we to do when the trusted words of the prophet do not come to pass? We must remember that even when man's failure does not! Mans's flaws and unfaithfulness will never negate God's faithfulness. King David is the representation of God. Faithfulness amidst man's failure.

Jesus, in as much as he is the author of peace, hope and joy is also the originator of division. Jesus draws a line in the sand and calls to us to step over - abandoning an old life. The problem man Christians face is trying to tote the things Jesus died to save and free us from with is into a new journey, thereby, making no measurable distinction between a life before or after coming into faith.   You have to ask yourself this question: 'has Jesus made a difference in me?' 

What can we learn from Korah and his rebellion towards Moses? Perhaps that ground that swallowed him up, is the same ground that sprouted a remnant generation birthed in humility and service to God!   I believe God is preparing to call the rebellious back to himself. We will see revival and restoration of prodigals. God will make himself known in the hearts and the lives of our families and our children.

When is the last time you caused someone to feel a little uncomfortable because your presence upset the imbalance of Godlessness? That might sound a little pious or 'holier than thou', but that should be an intrinsic response as God's people are ambassadors of the Holy Spirit. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of always feeling a little uncomfortable. I think it's time that believers be light and cause darkness to become uncomfortable.

The enemy wants to wear you out, but God's plan and desire for you is to overcome. Belief in Jesus must lead to actions and imperatives, not simply professions. Because faith without works is dead.  Let me encourage you today to be empowered by the call - the fact that God has called, commissioned, and holds incredible plans for you should bring the humility needed to position yourself under God might hand that he may lift you up in due time. You will see the type of victory for which only He can receive the glory.   God is raising up a generation prepared to fight.

John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Understanding that this deep area within us is not merely where Gods presence dwells, but the originating point. The move of God must begin within us. The river spoken of is a powerful, rushing current that saturates, purifies, and satisfies. Jesus made it clear that He alone is the source of the refreshing, life-giving water. He alone satisfies us through and through.

Face your giant in the valley. 1 Samuel 17:3 tells us, Israel and the Philistines assembled on opposing hilltops. From there, Goliath arrogantly shouted blasphemous statements. How did God's people respond? They halted all advancement because of fear. Let's consider the hilltops. From there you might have a greater vantage: clear visibility, the greater reach of your voice, and perhaps an intimidating view of the opposition.   It was from the hilltops that Goliath was able to stop the Israelites, not in combat and not face to face - but simply by his threats.   Keep in mind that Israel was skilled at war. I am not sure we give Goliath enough credit. It would seem that the greatest threat was not the Philistine army, it was Goliath. That is how intimidating he was. Nothing makes a giant larger or scarier than a hilltop for a platform; and God's people spectated and retreated.   Enter David, the anointed shepherd. God does not want spectators, he wants conquerers with slings.

God has better things in store. Do not allow the obstacles today to rob you of tomorrow's reward! If you don't know your purpose then you will forget the point of the struggles - but when you know your purpose, you will understand that obstacles are purposeful.    

Do you expect to receive from God? Consider your prayers and the manner in which you approach God. Do you come with defined needs, or do you default to ‘if it's the Lord's will”? The story of the woman with the issue of blood found in - Matthew 9:20–22, Mark 5:25–34 and Luke 8:43–48, reveals that Faith does not function alone. Faith must be accompanied with expectation; or as the Bible states, faith without action is dead (James 2:17). Expectation is an action.

Posture Dictates Position. This is what Peter is Teaching us in his letters to the early believers. 1st Peter 5:6 states:  “Humble yourself, and God will lift you up." If you want victory - it must be found on your knees. Why? Because You will never experience victory in the public square until you first conquer yourself and until Christ conquers you! In this new season, it is evident that God is directing his Church, to humble herself in order to be elevated to the positions of authority and empowerment that God has ordained; particularly the resilience to survive and thrive through persecution.

The character and nature of God is demonstrated through fire. The fire of God ought to keep us in constant awe and wonder of who HE is. God is calling back to embrace his presence and let the fire re-ignite our hearts once again.

Many are waiting for a personification of the antichrist, all the while they are being misled by the influence or spirit that permeates throughout culture - also called ‘antichrist’.

When we arrive at this passage, Jezebel has been killed the kingdom is being purged, Jehu is on the war path - he has met a man by the name of Jehonadab who will help bring down the renaming baal worshippers, and thus he speaks these words: “Come and see my zeal”

King Josiah could have fallen victim to his earthly heritage, but He discovered his future would be dictated by a Godly seed in his past which determined his steps for his future.

From the Least to the Greatest!All great things begin small - conceived as simple ideas - from the least often come great things. The dream is the first step in the process. Where are you in the process?Are you still in the dream phase, hoping to arrive, or be one day something that you currently are not?Does it feel like you are always in motion but never arriving?God has more for you.

Persistently Pursue His Presence - as we leave 2020 behind an head into a new year do not sink into stagnation, complacency or the mindset of "well, I guess this is it".Persistently pursue his presence, his vision, his goals, and plans for you and your family!Favor Grows, as intimacy grows. Greater favor = Greater intimacy.Do you need God's favor in your life? You need Greater intimacy with God.

Reading from: Numbers 13:25-33An 'af·front' is defined as -  an action or remark that causes outrage or offense.- We are living in a sensitive time, where people’s feelings are easily offended by not merely another person's action - but by the perception of an action, political affiliation, or perceived inherent traits and systems.- All of the adversities of today are striking at the root of the greatest matter ever-present before humanity - that is, bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus.-The affronts we face are distractions - I wonder if you can see it? It doesn’t mean that the matters at hand are not of grave importance - they are, but none are more valuable than the matter of the heart being reconciled back to God.

There is power in crying out to Jesus - Some of you are not experiencing the fullness, because your keeping your mouths shut - when you ought to be crying out! This is the lesson we learn from blind Bartimeaus, as we examine Luke 18:35-43.

I PrayEphesians 1:18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people We often are not experiencing the fullness, because of our lack of understanding of how to prayPrayer is a function and activity that involves and includes the fullness of God.

change a·gent/CHānj/ /ˈājənt/1. Chemical that disrupts the static and causes a new byproduct to rise from what was previously thereActs 1:88 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”    

Many of us want the manifest promises of God, but not necessarily the price associated. We point to the cross of Jesus and receive what He has done, but what happens next? God is calling us into new experiences and new expressions of his grace, but to arrive, we must journey. It's in the journey where new stories -new testimonies are birthed. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

What was in Jerusalem? The cross. This is the purpose and the point of it all. In all of our day-to-day activities, we cannot lose sight of the main thing - the Cross. What have you set your face towards? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

If your purpose is "meeting need" then you will get burnt out because you cannot meet everyone's need. If your purpose is based on how people 'respond', you are going to get hurt, struggle with bitterness, and feel ineffective at times. If your purpose is based solely on people, then you will never be content or feel a sense of fulfillment. But, if your focus is Christ... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

When facing any and every conflict, we really only have two options in our response - the path of righteousness, and the path of unrighteous. Sounds simple, but we get caught up and sidelined by the details the, "He Said -She Said"… What are the things that convolute our ability to recognize this is the right path - let me stick to it? I submit the greatest adversity in recognizing the RIGHTEOUS RESPONSE is our self. James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? Will you be able to take the path that leads to the "RIGHTEOUS RESPONSE" - you can if you make Christ the goal. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

Join us over the next several episodes as we sit with various leaders throughout New England and learn how to develop as a Christ centered Leader. This Episode, Features Pastor Timothy Cruz. Join us as we discuss holiness. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

Join us over the next several episodes as we sit with various leaders throughout New England and learn how to develop as a Christ centered Leader. This Episode, Pastor, Author and Evangelist, David E Stewart jr, Pastor of Newlife Church in Leominster, MA returns to discuss practical steps to effectively influence others as leaders. . --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

Join us over the next several episodes as we sit with various leaders throughout New England and learn how to develop as a Christ centered Leader. This Episode we speak with Pastor, Author and Evangelist, David E Stewart jr, Pastor of Newlife Church in Leominster, MA. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

Matthew 5:1-2 Do you find God ordinary or do you recognize his holiness? How are you preparing Gods work in you? How are you responding to Gods work in you, through you and around you? How do you receive his word? Have you received Jesus? Do you want God to move you to the place of discipleship? In our culture we take oaths, something to add veracity and verity to the ordinary. Oaths are symbolic, established and intended through process to become sacred. Have you ever noticed our proclivity to "de-sanctify", make ordinary and average - "normalize" much of what is around us? Does it seem we are not interested in anything "special"? What is special to you? What is holy, sacred, valuable? Is there anything in your home that you truly hold of value that would be willing to fight to protect? Take Away: God is calling us back to the sacred things - not the religious things. But the sacred places where his presence should dwell. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

The pattern of this world: Romans 12:1-2 By Age 4 children are well on their way to identifying shapes and patterns. A child's ability to recognize shapes and patterns allows them to better interact and understand the world around them. Shapes and patters leads towards a better grasp on the geometrical world, the "3-d" word...the "REAL WORLD". In Romans 12:2 the New International Version, the word "pattern" introduced, to further drive home the point that the Apostle Paul was trying to make- some translations simply say "conformity to the world", or "conformity to the age". The distinction is not on what this world is doing- but what we are being called too - BE transformed. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

Faith is a community response. Luke 7 provides instances of faith - GREAT FAITH, something we can all learn from. A centurion sends out those within his community to make an appeal to Jesus - the religious and his friends, people beneath him, servants to a man of authority. Doubt and the sense of feeling unworthy can still exemplify great faith, as long as we do not allow our shortcomings to keep us from coming to Jesus. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

Mark 14 Whats in the box? The story of the alabaster box has in fact been told countless times as Jesus said it would. When we bring Jesus into our religion its going to cause a riot, when is the last time that Jesus has caused a riot in your religious observances? What does God want to say to you today form the famous passage? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

"The Distraction of Doubt" - We will look at Matthew 14:22-31 and examine the Events that Precipitated Peters Doubt. I believe we share the same struggles. Doubt, the assault on faith, masquerades as reality checking and cynicism, but true faith reaches out to the hyper reality - the greater reality that only through God are things possible.  I want to challenge your faith to grow, and challenge your heart - to know that God is calling you to be a man and woman of Faith - that we might be people who truly PLEAE GOD.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

"The Distraction of Doubt" - We will look at Matthew 14:22-31 and examine the Events that Precipitated Peters Doubt. I believe we share the same struggles. Doubt, the assault on faith, masquerades as reality checking and cynicism, but true faith reaches out to the hyper reality - the greater reality that only through God are things possible.  I want to challenge your faith to grow, and challenge your heart - to know that God is calling you to be a man and woman of Faith - that we might be people who truly PLEAE GOD.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support

In this Episode we discuss a Jewish boy and the decisions he made that led him to the pig pen, in the familiar story of the prodigal son which we find in Luke 15. No one ever plans for ruin. No one wakes up in the morning and say’s “today is the day I’ll wreck my life”. What would drive us detach from the ‘fathers house’, or in our language, our marriages, friendships, church environment, or literal homes, wish our pasts “dead”, and seek to better ourselves? Perhaps the relationships and circumstances are not meeting expectations? Do not let the older brothers in your life run you form the presence of the father. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-rios/support