Walk Through The Word

For many years I struggled with some of the Christian-ese... You know, words we use as Christians, but are not understood, really. Grace, Faith, and Justification were some of those words, and they are ALL found here in Romans 4. I always felt like faith was something I could increase, or aspire to, but also understood that we could never "do" enough "good works" to become righteous. I felt like a hamster in a wheel. The first few verses of Romans 4 states that Abraham was not justified by works, but by faith. In this episode, we'll discuss this, and what expectations we should have on ourselves as Christians today!

In Romans 3, Paul puts an exclamation point on what he wrote in the first 2 chapters. Just when all hope is lost for having any salvation by our own standards, we cry out "How Can I Be Saved?" And in verse 21, Paul begins to expound upon the hope we have in the Gospel with the statement: "But Then!"

The first chapter of Romans saw Paul talking about "THEM..." those that have not committed their lives to the Lord, but still know the righteous Judgement of God is fair. Romans 2 shows him flipping the tables and speaking about US! There is absolutely NO partiality with God, so pay attention!

What if I were to tell you that every person on the planet already KNOWS in their heart that there IS a God? Further, they know that they are deserving of His righteous judgments! Would you believe that? As we discuss Romans 1, verses 18 - 23 in this episode, we will see the truth of these statements, and the purpose for this knowledge. These scriptures reveal not only did God deposit the truth of His power and divine nature into the hearts of men, but that, by suppressing the Truth, mankind will fall further and further away from the Light of this Truth. As Christians, Paul doesn't share this knowledge for us to use it as a sword against people, but as a confidence for us to to understand those walking in darkness and the power we have, in Christ, to give them Hope!

Take a deep dive into Romans 1, verses 1 through 17 with us as we learn not only the deeper meanings of well known Christian words, but also how they apply to our daily lives today.

Pastor Chuck Swindoll wrote that “The letter to the Romans stands as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in all the Scriptures.” During Week 1 of our study of this amazing Book of Romans, Don shares an overview of the book, and lays out a few scriptures and thoughts on the why and how to read, study and meditate on God's word, in preparation of our study.

Suffering, and "bearing reproach" are not the best terms to use if you are "marketing" a lifestyle change to someone, yet those are exactly the phases used to describe how we are to live as Christians. Deliberate sacrifice should be a way of life for us, and in this final chapter of the Book of Hebrews we are encouraged to do just that. Follow along with us as we Walk Through the Word!

In this episode we learn that the "chastisement of God" is NOT the same thing as the "Punishment of God..." but how do we react when Godly correction comes to our lives? Do we DESPISE the chastening? Do we become DISCOURAGED when the rebuke comes? These reactions are common, but are they beneficial to our running the race in such a way as to win the prize? Come along with us and find out, as we Walk through the Word!

Hebrews 11, verse 6 tells us that "... without faith it is impossible to please (God)," but what is faith? As Christians, I believe we were created to Love AND Please our creator... so this verse says that faith makes pleasing God possible. In this week's study, Don takes us into a deep dive of Hebrews 11:1, and explains that until we understand THIS verse, we can't understand the rest of the chapter. And, once we DO understand it, faith becomes the gateway to our future testimonies. Join us as we again "Walk Through The Word...." (NOTE: Word Study of Faith mentioned in this podcast can be found at https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm)

Did you ever wish a favorite book character could walk off the pages and interact with you? Who would you choose? Willy Wonka, or Wonder Woman? Captain Jack Sparrow, or Captain America? Huckleberry Finn, or Tom Sawyer? How would you react if this happened? In Hebrews Chapter 10, we are reminded how Jesus walked off the pages of the entirety of scripture - and it was to do the Will of His Father. If the First Century Christians could falter in their faith, having seen that, is there any hope for us? Follow along with us to find out!

Hebrews 9 speaks directly of 3 main points: the limitations of the Earthly Sanctuary & Earthly Service; The Heavenly sanctuary in the Person of Jesus; and the absolute necessity of the Greater Sacrifice that is available to us in Jesus alone. God offers us entrance into a covenant relationship with Himself, but the Testament of Christ (His will) can only become a Covenant of Hope (promise or binding contract), by our willing acceptance of the terms of His offer.

Jesus is the High Priest of our New Covenant - but does that make Him distant and unreachable? In this episode we look at a brief side-by-side comparison of the Old and the New, and show not only WHY the New Covenant was needed, but how it impacts our Walk today!

Jesus is our High Priest FOREVER, in the order of Melchizidek; our eternal intercessor; our better covenant.  But what does that mean to us, and how do we walk that out in our lives TODAY?  In this episode we take a look at "two trees in the garden," and the choices that are before us as followers of Christ.  Whatever we focus on we reproduce... so let's focus on making good choices!

Did you know that Jesus, Himself, had to learn obedience? And then, only after He did so, He was perfected and became the author of salvation to those that obey Him? Do you think that, since Jesus was perfect, there is no way I can attain such a lofty goal? Did you realize that God has told us to be perfect? Ouch! Is that even possible? In this episode, we discuss what perfection is, and how do we indeed can, and NEED TO attain it in our own lives. As Christians, we can choose to feed only on milk, and take the sluggish and easy way through life, or we can press on to the high calling that is on our lives. Join us as we walk through these chapters together!

We have all heard of the "Rest" of God, but what does it mean? Where is it? How can I get there? In this episode, Don reveals answers based on his OWN testimony! You CAN miss the Rest of God - but you don't HAVE to! Mentioned also in the beginning of this episode is a discussion of the Rest of God from the Messianic Sabbath website. See how God's Rest was designed for us from BEFORE the beginning of time, and how His intention is for us to enter that rest and reside there... Month 7 – The Feast of Trumpets & the New Moon - https://messianicsabbath.com/2019/10/01/feast-of-trumpets-the-new-moon/ Blessings - Don

Verses 12 & 19 speak of an unbelief that kept the Israelites from the Promised Land, flowing with Milk & Honey. But are we in danger of this same sin? What is the unbelief that keeps us from the rest of God TODAY? The writer of Hebrews knew that it is not enough to believe IN God, but we must also believe that He is a REWARDER of those that DILIGENTLY seek Him...

Jesus, who we now know is better than the Angels, came to Earth, as man, because that is the only way He could come! This episode contains a brief exhortation to remember what we have heard, and a reminder that God is still confirming His Gospel today, in signs & wonders. There are several questions asked of the group to "prime the pump" of discussion at the end of the recording - and a reminder to read, meditate and STUDY His Word!

This Book of Hebrews is a call to remembrance for the Hebrews that were losing hope in The Way… It was written as an encouragement to them, AND TO US… because we can all fall “into the abyss” of doubt and despair! In Chapter 1 we learn how Jesus is "better than the angels." This discussion focusses on verses 1-3, and the importance of REMEMBERING the goodness of the Lord to fend off despair and discouragement.