Podcasts about njamochwafs

When a young man appears to some scared women at Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning, he announces Jesus’ resurrection and then gives the women a mission: “Go, tell His disciples and Peter” (verse 7). Peter is listed separately from the disciples because Peter walked away from Jesus as a disciple. He made Himself an outsider. Maybe you walked away from faith when you were younger. Like Peter, Jesus is inviting you back to a life of hope.

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit My spirit." When He had said this, He breathed His last.

The night before Jesus goes to the cross, He celebrates the Passover with His disciples, the night God passed over His people and struck down the firstborns of the Egyptians. It is critical to understand that God did not pass over His people because they were without sin, but in spite of their sin and because of a sacrifice. When Jesus shares this Passover a final time with His disciples, He is pointing to His final work on the cross.

When Jesus rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds shout, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9). Their perception of blessing, however, is that God’s blessing will lead Jesus to take on their enemies. God’s blessing, however, will come through cursing His Son.

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

The night before Jesus goes to the cross, the disciples are afraid at what will transpire. But Jesus explains how His death is actually the ultimate expression and creation of the friendship we have with God. When we are fearful at what is to come, we can remember that Jesus has already gone through the most fearful experience imaginable and is still our friend. This means that He will never leave us no matter what fearful experiences we may face.

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

The words we use are powerful. It is important, then, to choose them carefully. Every words we speak has the potential of drawing someone closer to Christ or leading them further from Christ.

Jesus is loved by Mary at a visit to Mary and Martha’s home. She expresses this love by giving Him an extravagant gift. When Judas hypocritically complains that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor, Jesus calls His disciples to truly care for the poor, noting that they will have plenty of opportunities to love those who have little.

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

Sometimes, the most powerful witness that we can offer is not in the words we say, but in the things we do. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus emphasizes the importance of being a merciful neighbor.

Those who are grieving need a friend. They can often feel like people forget their losses or simply stop caring. Jesus expresses His deep care to Mary and Martha after the passing of Lazarus. He not only raises Lazarus, He loves Mary and Martha.

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

Paul is doing his best to share the gospel, but he keeps meeting resistance. This, however, does not dampen the joy given him by the Holy Spirit. How can we have joy even when we face opposition sharing our faith?

When someone offends us, our reflexive reaction can be often to strike back. But Abigail shows David and his men a different way when they are offended by Nabal. She stands between two angry parties to make peace. Christ can be our peacemaker when we feel locked in a world of angry debates.

Jesus is a friend to those who think they already have plenty of friends! Nicodemus would be an example of one such person. A member of the Jewish ruling council, he was well-connected and comfortable. But his comfortable life blinded him to what God was offering in His Son.

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

What happens if you feel like you just can’t forgive someone who has hurt you in a relationship? In this message, we discuss practical strategies to move from bitterness to forgiveness.

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

Marriage is meant to be a beautiful picture of how Christ loves His Church. Because of sin, however, this picture can be distorted and, tragically, sometimes even destroyed. How do we recover the picture of love God desires and has designed for our marriages? Paul answers, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

The most needed asset in a relationship is forgiveness. When two sinners get together, there are bound to be bumps and bruises along the way. In Luke 7, Jesus teaches us that much forgiveness leads to much love. Conversely, unforgiveness can destroy a relationship.

When couples first marry, they often carry different – and sometimes unspoken – expectations into their marriages that come from their backgrounds. The Pharisees had certain expectations of who the Messiah should be that blinded them to who Jesus actually was. How can we understand and properly align our expectations?

The Gospel of Mark focuses on the cross and Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem. This close reading of Mark 11-16 will highlight the gospel’s themes Christ’s faithfulness to his promises—in the first century and the future—in the midst of the challenges of following him.

New Years’ resolutions often revolve around caring for our bodies. But though we can start strong, we can regularly quickly lapse into old, unhealthy habits. Paul speaks of the taking care of our bodies not just of the sake of our physical health, but for the sake of our witness. If we can keep our bodies in check, then we can keep our spirits in check. If we can reshape our bodies, then we can reshape our very selves as we seek to share our faith (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

New Years’ resolutions often revolve around caring for our bodies. But though we can start strong, we can regularly quickly lapse into old, unhealthy habits. Paul speaks of the taking care of our bodies not just of the sake of our physical health, but for the sake of our witness. If we can keep our bodies in check, then we can keep our spirits in check. If we can reshape our bodies, then we can reshape our very selves as we seek to share our faith (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

When God appears to Solomon at night, He warns Solomon that Israel will meet tough times. But during these tough times, God shows Solomon a way forward through humility, prayer, and focus. During the tough times we face at this moment in our nation's history, this can be the Church's way forward, too!

When life gets busy, often one of the first things we neglect is the life of our minds. When Solomon felt overwhelmed, however, he devoted himself to wisdom rather than simply trying to make it through by his own grit. In this message, we’ll discuss strategies for doing the same.

When life gets busy, often one of the first things we neglect is the life of our minds. When Solomon felt overwhelmed, however, he devoted himself to wisdom rather than simply trying to make it through by his own grit. In this message, we’ll discuss strategies for doing the same.

True refreshment begins with our relationship with God. It begins spiritually. As Peter puts it in Acts 3:19: “Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” In Psalm 51, David speaks to God and asks him to “renew a steadfast spirit” (Psalm 51:10) within him. When we feel spiritually empty, God can refresh us and make us spiritually full.

Happy New Year! 🎉

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations When wise men come to bring gifts to Jesus, they come to bring gifts to God’s greatest gift. The gift of Jesus is the heart of our faith. If Jesus is not a free gift, we have no hope. Will you trust that God has given you a perfect free gift in Christ?

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations In the Bible, darkness is a common metaphor for sin. But darkness can be easily pierced by light. Jesus comes to shed light on our sin and bring light for our lives. Will we walk in His light?

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations After a choir of angels appears to some shepherds, they rush to gather around a manger to see a newborn King. The manger became the center of their lives. Is the manger the center of our lives?

A crackling fire is often part of a picturesque Christmas gathering. But, as we know, fire can be dangerous. It certainly was for Peter. It was around a fire where Peter denied his Lord. But Peter’s toughest moment eventually proved to be a turning point in his faith. Our toughest moments can be turning points in our faith, too.

A crackling fire is often part of a picturesque Christmas gathering. But, as we know, fire can be dangerous. It certainly was for Peter. It was around a fire where Peter denied his Lord. But Peter’s toughest moment eventually proved to be a turning point in his faith. Our toughest moments can be turning points in our faith, too.

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations Enjoy hearing the origin story of some of your favorite Christmas songs and carols, along with with a devotion from Pastor Tucker!

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations The tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations One of the most common images in the Old Testament for the Messiah is a branch. In Isaiah 11, from what appears to be dead wood comes a new, living branch. Are there things in our lives that are “dead wood”? Even when we feel as though something is lost, Christ can bring new life!

One of the most common images in the Old Testament for the Messiah is a branch. In Isaiah 11, from what appears to be dead wood comes a new, living branch. Are there things in our lives that are “dead wood”? Even when we feel as though something is lost, Christ can bring new life!

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations Hannah’s deepest desire was to have a child. When the Lord blesses her with a son, she is so thankful that she dedicates him to Him. When we live thankfully, we also live generously, for we want to share our bounty and blessings with others, honoring the Lord who has given everything to us.

Hannah’s deepest desire was to have a child. When the Lord blesses her with a son, she is so thankful that she dedicates him to Him. When we live thankfully, we also live generously, for we want to share our bounty and blessings with others, honoring the Lord who has given everything to us.

Entitlement is the enemy of thanksgiving. When we assumed we are owed something, we are unlikely to be thankful for something. The lepers cried out for mercy, but nine of them were more bitter at God about their disease than they were thankful for their healing from God. What blessings do we miss that we assume we deserve?

Paul is clear that we should “give thanks in all circumstances” (verse 18). There is not a moment in our lives when we have nothing to be thankful for. When we do not live thankfully, we are outside of God’s will and are, as Paul says in verse 19, of quenching of the Spirit.

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations Paul is clear that we should “give thanks in all circumstances” (verse 18). There is not a moment in our lives when we have nothing to be thankful for. When we do not live thankfully, we are outside of God’s will and are, as Paul says in verse 19, of quenching of the Spirit.

Sometimes, we get so caught up worrying about what we have stored up, we forget that, no matter how much or how little we may have on this earth, God has something fantastic in store for us – nothing less than a crown of righteousness. In a world that test and try our faith, we can be confident that our faith will be vindicated when Christ returns.

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations Stewardship involves faith that conquers fear. During an especially fearful time, Jesus’ Parable of the Bags of Gold reminds us that we’re nevertheless called to invest what He has given us for the sake of His work in the world.

The first principle of stewardship is this: no matter what we may store, it ultimately belongs to God. Any store house is finally God’s house. To help us understand this, God has given us a tithe. In the tithe, we not only give to God, we give back to God, since everything we have comes from Him in the first place. When we give back to God, we learn that God continues to give us what we need and even beyond what we need.

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations Joseph is entrusted by Potiphar to steward his estate. Joseph does everything right, but things still go terribly wrong. In this season, what do we do when we try to do the right thing, but things still go really wrong with our finances and in our lives?