Podcasts about your christian

The mysterious power of "God moments" - those unexplainable divine encounters that leave us certain of God's presence - frames this exploration of how the Holy Spirit actively works in our lives today. Drawing from the dramatic events of Pentecost Sunday described in Acts 2, we discover the three-fold pattern of how the Spirit transforms everyday Jesus followers: filling us for intimate relationship, forming us into Christ's image, and sending us out with purpose.Against the backdrop of our instant-gratification culture where we've become "disciples of the internet," this message unpacks the countercultural spiritual practice of waiting - not with passive resignation but with expectant hunger. The disciples in the upper room teach us that powerful encounters with God often begin when we embrace our emptiness rather than rushing to quick fixes.What would happen if you approached your spiritual life differently? Instead of constantly asking God to change your circumstances, what if you allowed Him to use those circumstances to change your character? The Holy Spirit doesn't just comfort us in our struggles; He empowers us with boldness to speak up, stand firm, and serve others.Your Christian walk will always feel somewhat empty until you prioritize consistent time with God. This isn't about perfect performance but about positioning yourself to receive. God isn't looking for flawless vessels but for available ones He can fill with His presence and purpose.Whether you're feeling spiritually dry, facing insecurities that drown out your decision-making, or sensing a call to forgiveness that you've been resisting, the Holy Spirit is extending an invitation today. Open yourself to His work - to be filled, formed, and sent - and discover the adventure of following His lead.Support the showMade a decision to follow Jesus? We want to know about it! Fill out our connect card here: https://local.churchcenter.com/people/forms/115766Thank you for your generosity. For information on how to give, visit https://localvineyard.church/give.

Preparing His Bride | Apr 5, 2025 You are part of a covenant - a sacred, blood-sealed agreement that defines your relationship with God. This isn't just a casual promise but a binding commitment with specific terms and responsibilities that you must understand and honor. Your covenant identity wasn't something you chose - it began with Abraham and continued through generations. Your Christian heritage isn't vague or undefined; it's built on solid principles with terms that guide your life. When God says "thou shalt not," these aren't arbitrary restrictions but the terms of the agreement that lead to your blessing and beautification. Consider that Jesus (Yeshua) demonstrated perfect covenant faithfulness. He didn't break away from His agreement even when it led to the cross. His sacrifice renewed the covenant, establishing the communion table as a reminder of the blood shed for you. In response, you're called to present your body as a living sacrifice - not because you're forced, but as a willing participant who understands what's been done for you. Remember that covenants are generational. What your spiritual fathers established affects you, just as your choices will impact those who come after you. This is why honoring your fathers and mothers isn't optional - it perpetuates the covenant blessings through time. Your life isn't meant to be lived recklessly or without purpose. You have a specific role in this divine agreement. Every prayer, every act of worship, every choice either honors or violates the covenant. Live with this awareness, understanding that there's always a time frame, always terms to fulfill, and always a purpose being worked out through your life as you remain faithful to your covenant God. Learn more : http://caveadullam.org/ Subscribe to our Podcast on iTunes : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Check us out on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/02wUJ3W... or download the Podcast episodes for free : https://hearthis.at/caveadullam-hl/#t... Follow us on Facebook & Instagram Facebook Cave Adullam : / caveadullam.org Ministers Rest : / ministersrest Preparing His bride : / phbfellowship #STNG : / securingthenextgeneration Instagram Cave Adullam: / caveadullam #STNG : / securingthenextgeneration

Christian core values formulate a code of conduct and mission statement for the spiritual life. Your core values summarize your thoughts, and your thoughts determine your actions. Core values such as love, obedience, trust, faith, patience, and humility motivate you to fulfill God's plan for your life. Your Christian core values must be enforced every single day. Download Transcript: https://rhem.pub/core-values-cf0de0

Your Christian friends might sometimes be facing tough moments. Satan stirs up a bit of chaos in all our lives. Did you ever think about how much your support and kind words can mean to someone else? Today, Pastor Richard shares a heartfelt reminder to spread some encouragement to those around you. Why not share all the wonderful things God's doing in your life with them? It could help them rejuvenate their own spiritual journey!

Your Christian friends might sometimes be facing tough moments. Satan stirs up a bit of chaos in all our lives. Did you ever think about how much your support and kind words can mean to someone else? Today, Pastor Richard shares a heartfelt reminder to spread some encouragement to those around you. Why not share all the wonderful things God's doing in your life with them? It could help them rejuvenate their own spiritual journey!

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” (James 2:14–16 NLT) Most people have hidden facets—skills, accomplishments, or sides of their personality that they don’t make known. Some are truly surprising. For instance, Hedy Lamarr was one of the most popular actresses of the 1940s and was often called “the most beautiful woman in film.” What most people didn’t know—and didn’t learn until after her death—is that she was also an inventor whose pioneering work led to Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth technology. Chances are, you have hidden facets, too—things about you that most people don’t know and might be surprised to learn. Your Christian faith shouldn’t be one of them. That’s the message James sends loud and clear. The Lord doesn’t intend for your Christian faith to be a private matter. He wants it to spill out in every area of your life. He wants it to splash over everyone you know and everyone you encounter. He wants your faith to make a real difference in other people’s lives—not with just your words, but with your actions as well. If you’re married, that difference-making starts with your spouse. In Ephesians 5:21–33, the apostle Paul compares the relationship between a husband and wife to the relationship between Jesus and the Church. That’s how seriously God treats marriage. And that’s the reason your spouse should see your faith in action every day, in big things and small. We’re not talking about Christian platitudes—the marital equivalent of “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well.” As James puts it so succinctly, “What good does that do?” We’re talking about tangible acts of love and sacrifice. About putting your faith into action to make your spouse’s life better—which, in turn, makes your relationship better, stronger, and more durable. You show your Christian faith in the way you use your words with your spouse. You resist the urge to criticize and complain. Instead, you look for opportunities to give sincere compliments and encouragement. You also show your faith in the way you deal with conflict. You use words not to attack or blame, but to resolve. You show your faith by listening to your spouse and offering comfort, empathy, or silence, as needed. You show it by making your spouse feel seen, heard, understood, respected, and loved unconditionally. You show your faith by sacrificing your own needs and putting your spouse’s needs first. You show your faith by being faithful—to your marriage vows, of course, but also in smaller things. In the promises you make—to finish a household chore, to pick up a kid from practice, or to go out for a date night. Make your word mean something to your spouse. And you show your faith by prioritizing God’s Word. By studying it together. By praying with and for your spouse every day. Faith in action, like charity, begins at home. Reflection question: How will you show your faith to your spouse or loved one in a tangible way this week? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My sister and I team up to answer YOUR Christian woman questions in our Christian Girl Q&A!  We talk about making Christian friends in your 20s and at church, people pleasing, leaving church jobs without being afraid to disappoint people, being type A and type B, transitioning from high school to college, and our thoughts on Christian women reading spicy books! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roy Harley loves surfing and Christian ministry, but he's learned the importance of putting his family first, even when it seems unreasonable. In this conversation, Roy shares practical ways he's created meaningful connections with his kids. He also opens up about navigating the uncharted teen years with his kids and looking to God as the ultimate example of fatherhood.   Key Takeaways   Your family comes before your ministry.  The pathways you lay in your child's first 11 years are the most crucial. Train up your child in the way God has designed for them to go, and then allow that to flourish.  Your Christian faith must be your center of gravity, not a distant satellite.  Bring your full heart to every season of parenting, leaning on God and your community when you don't know the roadmap.   Roy Harley   Roy Harley is the International Director of Christian Surfers. He was the pioneering national director of CS South Africa and has been in full-time ministry for over 30 years. Roy is married to Sharon with daughter Cailyn and son Nathan.   Key Quotes   20:58 - " I love that phrase, the way you put the phrase, because I won't back down. There might be times when you need to soften. Once recently, I had to say to my daughter, She's 21 now, baby, I'm sorry because I stepped in and was your dad. I went all dad on the situation. I didn't acknowledge that you're an adult and I should have come to you because it was your choice, when I'd just went in guns blazing because I thought someone was going to hurt you, so I just didn't back down. Recognizing that probably the wisdom would have been to not back down, but in not backing down, in this situation, would have been something different. In this situation, would have been I have got your back, I'm behind you. But you're the adult, you need to take the step." 42:31 - "We all have to evaluate ourselves. The most practical thing on a daily basis I'd say is Jesus is too big to be a satellite in our world. He is way too big. We can't have Christianity as this thing that we have in the top right or left hand corner or orbiting whatever else we're doing. The simple fact of the way that God, our Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit works is He realigns everything around His gravity."   Links from Today's Conversation   Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Get 20% off the entire DadAwesome Store with code THANKSGIVING2024 10 Questions with Roy Harley — Christian Surfers  Fathered by God: Learning What Your Dad Could Never Teach You by John Eldredge The World Needs A Father by Cassie Carstens Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff  The Surfers Bible  Christian Surfers YouVersion Bible Plans   Connect with dadAWESOME   Make a Donation to dadAWESOME Join the dadAWESOME Prayer Team Receive weekly encouragement by texting "dad" to 651-370-8618

 Jesus is near to us, not in the flesh but in his Holy Spirit.For more on the topic of this issue, use GNM's WordByte: "Your Christian vocation" @ https://wordbytes.org/evangelization-ministry/your-christian-vocation/ The text of this podcast can be found on our website @ https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-11-17/   Subscribe to receive the Good News Reflections delivered to your email inbox or texted to your phone @ https://gogoodnews.net.

Your Christian heritage extends beyond your family tree to the early church. United in Christ, the church’s story is also your story.

Your Christian life is a function of your spiritual sight—how you see yourself in Christ (your understanding of your spiritual identity). You cannot live, operate, or function well as a new creation in Christ if you still see yourself as an old creation in Adam. You cannot live a blessed life in Christ if you continue to see yourself as one still under a curse. You cannot live like a saint if you still see yourself as a poor, wretched sinner. Part 2 of this enlightening teaching series stresses the significance of seeing yourself as God sees you in Christ.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Sunday morning, the 25th of August, 2024, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to the Gospel of Mark 8:34,”When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” It's a costly business, following the Lord Jesus Christ. It requires a change of lifestyle. When I first left school, I worked as an apprentice printer in a daily newspaper. Now, if you are working at a daily newspaper, that means the newspaper must be printed in the evening, so when all my friends went to work early in the morning as the sun was rising, I was going home to sleep, and in the evening as the sun was going down I was going to work and it cost me. It became very lonely. My friends were going out together to parties and to play sport and I was going to work.The other day, I was talking to some of my grandsons and they said, ”Sometimes it becomes lonely to be a follower of Jesus Christ.” You become excluded from some friends. You are no longer popular because you have made a definite change. Your Christian belief has cost you. What do we always say at Shalom? If it has cost you nothing, it's worth nothing. There's always a price to pay for anything worth having in life. If you want to pursue a certain career it's going cost you. If you want to be a follower of Jesus Christ, with all your heart, it will definitely cost you. Oh but my friend, I want to tell you something, it is so very worth it and it will pay off handsomely at the end, so don't despair, and you are not the only one that is walking tall for the Lord. There are many others, you just need to find them, but the most important thing is that you are prepared to change your lifestyle and to live a life of holiness, in order to achieve what God has in store for you, and He has so much in store for those who will put their total trust and their lifestyle in His hands.God bless you and have a lovely day, Goodbye.

How would you feel if you stubbed your toe on a diamond? Your Christian lifestyle can be a stumbling block for others... in a good way! Continuing our study of 1st Peter with this message from Pastor Josh Floyd, learn what it means to be a "living stone" like Jesus. We need to come to Jesus as a living stone whom we can receive life from and build our lifestyles after. Everywhere we go, we can cause people to stumble over how we represent Christ and redirect their path to His mercy and grace. | Watch more of Pastor Josh and Pastor Steve's Sermons at TheRoad.org/Sermons and read his blog at SteveHoltOnline.org

Today on Bold Steps Minute, Pastor Mark talks about how Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. Your Christian family may be more connected than your biological family because there is a connection on a spiritual level that can go deeper than a physical one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Christian life isn't hard. It's impossible. So impossible, in fact, you cannot do it on your own. But that's okay.In this episode of Live the Bible, Jesus gave His disciples some impossible commands in Mark 7, and then He taught them how to do them with His help. One of the miracles Jesus performs is the ONLY miracle included in all four gospels, except for the resurrection. Its application for us is that important.God's greatest work in your life is not what He does through you— but what He does in you. Support the show

TODAY'S HOMILY IN BRIEF. A true Christian is distinguished by his/her perseverance and consistency in the practice of the Christian faith. Today, Jesus Christ insists on the need for Christians to remain steadfastness, persistent and consistent in the life of grace, faith and righteousness in spite of the circumstances of life. Your Christian way of life should not be a function of your life circumstances. Instead, your Christian way of life should determine how you handle the circumstances of life. Kindly listen to today's episode of my podcast for details of today's homily.                                                                                                 Please follow, subscribe to, like, share and comment on our YouTube channel and Facebook page   @ Eternal Word of Life Ministry-#FadaPeterBenson, our Facebook, Instagram, Blog and Twitter @ FadaPeterBenson and our website @ https://ewlm.org.                                                                                                                                                                  Be assured of my prayers and blessings always.                                                                                                                              @FadaPeterBenson                                                                                                               @Eternal Word of Life Ministry-#FadaPeterBenson                                                                                               @https://ewlm.org

Your Christian witness is dependent not merely on what you say but on who you are.

A man who takes the word of God to heart is one who does the word of God and is blessed by it. Your Christian experience should always be in line with the revelation of God's word. Praying should be beyond a practice for us to share our needs and move on, there is a way to pray and this can be taught. Praying the right way helps us make the most of our time in fellowship and communicating with God.  Listen to the second part in the Flaming Sunday series by Pastor Nelson and be edified.

Your Christian life began with two seemingly contradictory events, the day you were born again to walk in 'newness of life' while at the same time being baptized into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus on the cross made the payment for your sin with God's blood, but He had to die to make that payment. Salvation is a free gift, but the moment you receive it you start the 'dying process' that Paul calls our sanctification. Life is short, death is sure, sin the curse and Christ the cure. So much of our Christian lives are about perspective, and when we lose focus on the Lord we lose our perspective. Imagine for a moment that you are lying in a hospital bed with tubes running in and out of your body, perhaps you've been hit by a car, or a stroke, and suddenly your whole world has changed. How important in that moment would be the things that consume you today in worry, disappointment and heartbreak? Well, I know people right now that would trade places with you in two literal seconds, and they would be beyond ecstatic to have the problems you have, to them it would seem a trifle. They'd be grinning from ear to ear. That's the difference that perspective makes. What's the proper perspective for the blood-bought child of God? That's my message today on this NTEB Sunday Service.

Much of life is about finishing things well. Your Christian walk is no different. The Galatians were in danger of shipwrecking their faith because they were turning away from the gospel of grace and turning toward a false gospel of works and self reliance. So, in Galatians 3:1-9, the apostles call all Christians to finish their race well by relying on the Holy Spirit and by trusting the Word of God.

Your Christian testimony is more than just the words you say. People all around are watching how you act and respond to what life throws your way. Their eyes are hearing your story about Jesus. Visit https://JackHibbs.com for more information and resources.

Starting out on a long road trip to the beach can be exciting! It's something you've been looking forward to and you just can't wait to get there. And then as Pastor Ray describes you hit the mid-point. With no beach in sight yet all you can see is a long stretch of highway. Your Christian faith can be much like this…you're looking forward to that exciting ministry destination or spiritual breakthrough and it seems like a long, long way off. So, how do you keep going? Through Him who lives inside of you.

Your Christian life is nothing until Christ is being revealed in you. Christ cannot be revealed in you until He is formed in you. The Christ who is being revealed to us should also be revealed in us.

1-11-04   Scream the truth and live it even louder!   I don't take showers! Yeah we know!     A friend mine growing up was one of the strongest men in the world.  When I first met him he told us all sorts of stories about lifting weights.  One day we were in a sports store and they had an Olympic barbell set on the floor as a display.  My friend Donny looked at mike and said “I'll give you 10 bucks if you curl this” he bends down and curls it 6 times.. and quietly walks away and says you owe me sixty bucks!     Your actions speak so loud that it doesn't matter what you call yourself your actions will name you! Kids growing up that had certain actions that gave them nick names *egg – his head looked like an egg *booger *Linda redders bind us together *if you go to school and people call you a druggy, jock, brain – they are because of their actions       Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life”  The power behind this statement is simple if you know the secret!    What is the secret about the truth?  The power only comes when you live it… it has no power by just saying you believe in it!     "If we are strong, our strength will speak for itself.  If we are weak, words will be of no help."  John F. Kennedy     Thomas Edison is known for inventing the light bulb… he did not discover it (duh- meaning he found it under a rock somewhere) he tried one thousand things (now if that is me I don't even know if I could come up with a thousand things… cheetahs?) to use as an element that would heat up and give off light… maybe you have heard that!  But did you know in the process of discovering light from a light bulb he destroyed his laboratory over one hundred times!  And never gave up until he discovered light!  THOSE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.       Why do you suppose out of all the writings in the bible, of all the apostles nowhere do you read of their goals, ideas, intentions or desires.  Yet they dedicated a whole book on the “acts” of the Apostles.  There actions truly spoke louder than words.   The life of Christ was not a story about what he said.. as much as it is a story about what he did!   Our generation today has been more vocal about their faith than any other generation, but have had less “action” than any other generation.       “Incredible as it may seem, ‘accepting Christ' and making a profession of faith makes little to no difference in a person's attitudes and behaviors. The majority of our churched people are adopting ‘a Christianity' but it is not true Christianity.”     In the last 12 months   Cheated 76% - 74% Lied to teacher  85% - 83% Lied to parent  93% - 93% Physically hurt someone when angered  67% - 63% Who was satisfied with their character and ethics  90% - 91%   I call them the two percent'ers!  The Christian kids are only 2% different in their response then that of the non Christian kids.     Practical ways to scream the truth!   1. An accountability trio - one adult and one more person your age. 1 Thes. 5:  11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.    Pradeepan preaching at the theatre.   Encourage one another… do you encourager?  Do you have someone who will encourage you?   Rusty … crippled walking to school with his hand held crutches on his first day to school  and it was a snowy day.     2. Realize your potential.  Phil.4:12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.      One of People magazines biggest sellers this past year was an issue on the richest kids in America. Olson twins - 76 million Athina Onassis - 800 million Eric and Ivanka trump - 1.9 Billion Amanda and Lydia Hearst - 5.2 Billion   Were enamored at their potential to have fun, do whatever they want, go anywhere etc…      We focus on what we think we need - the truth is all we need is God and his strength.     What do you really need?  Food water shelter and God!   You will never live a life that screams Jesus unless you know your potential.   What we can do as Christians is utterly amazing… what we typically do is utterly dismal!   A man was once asked late in his life if he could live it over who would he want to be.  He said slowly… I would want to be the man I could have been!   Your Christian walk is not like Pizza Hut… it does not deliver.  You must go out and get it!       3. Feed the fire:  fires are out of control… they only try to contain it.  If you simply try to contain it - you will burn out.  You must feed it!     Someone once said if you are on fire for God 3 things will happen 1. Someone will watch you burn 2. Someone will try to put you out 3. Some will help you burn   The more you try to spread the fire the more you will be on fire.  There is one way to really be on fire… spread it!  You cannot witness to others and not stay lit for Jesus!     Your friends will not be one over by your words…but by your actions Let me read a portion of a teen devotional I just read this week!     Teen Witch:  Most witches practice what we call daily devotions, where we take at least 5 to 10 minutes twice a day to reaffirm our faith and talk to spirit.  Sometimes we do our daily devotions at our altar (you don't need to cast a magic circle for this) or we may walk outside and do our devotions, as long as you do them. Your devotions can begin with a prayer you have written yourself or you can just relax and talk to God your own way.  Some witches sing, hum or chant. Good (students) witches practice discipline. Good (students) witches don't use drugs or alcohol. These are the steps to becoming a great witch!   Are you taking steps to be a great Christian?     Get out your pictures! In about 2 months these pictures are going to start showing up at youth group… ahh yes graduation pictures!  Anyone have a purse or wallet that has pictures in it from friends.  How many people have pictures that have writing on them!   What do they write about?     Has anyone's life screamed the truth so loud that your friends wrote about it?         As you read those… has anyone written on the back how much they see Jesus in your life.

Your Christian life is a function of your spiritual sight—how you see yourself in Christ (your understanding of your spiritual identity). You cannot live, operate, or function well as a new creation in Christ if you still see yourself as an old creation in Adam. You cannot live a blessed life in Christ if you continue to see yourself as one still under a curse. You cannot live like a saint if you still see yourself as a poor, wretched sinner. Part 2 of this enlightening teaching series stresses the significance of seeing yourself as God sees you in Christ.

There is a word that means the difference between lukewarm and on fire. It is the difference between dull and exciting, the difference between wasted and accomplished. And that word is "dynamic."A dynamic life is a life worth living as opposed to one that is dull and futile.Now, picture Your Christian life as being dynamic. First of all is it? Secondly, do you want it to be?This message will help you to ramp up your life spiritually and hopefully help you to attain what you've been looking for in life.

There are spiritual battles going on around us all the time. Aren't you glad you don't know about or can't see them? Jesus knew Peter would cut a man's ear off later that night, He also knew that he would deny him three times. We should be doing something that the devil wants to attack. The devil doesn't care about those that don't work for God. It's only when you're working for God that he will come after you. Satan wants to destroy your life because he is your enemy. As the scripture states, he wants to sift us as wheat. Satan desires to have you yet he can't have you if you've been born again. The enemy has no power over God and His children. In this reading, Jesus tells Peter that Satan desires to sift him as wheat. In the very next verse, Jesus gave him the solution, the stopping of Satan's power. Satan can desire all he wants to but he can't have a Christian. Jesus told Peter that he prayed for him. This may seem simple but think about what this really means. When Jesus spoke, things happened. Jesus spoke and a dead man became alive. Hebrews 7:25; Jesus is able to save. Jesus prays and makes intercession for you. Always! Because He prayed for you there is nothing that you can't have. Your Savior's checkbook will never bounce. Romans 8:34; Yet again we see that Jesus intercedes for us, always. He wants us to get this! Romans 8:27; Not only do we have Jesus praying for us but we also have the Holy Spirit praying for us. Where does the Holy Spirit live? He lives inside of us, with us, always. Not only do we know Jesus prays and the Holy Spirit prays but other Christians, the church prays for us. We've been given a commission from God to love one another and if you follow God then you will pray for one another. James 5:16. We also pray for ourselves. It might be our most said prayer, “Help me!”. Do you know what happens when you pray for yourself? Usually, God speaks back. You will never go down when you are praying. This means you should always be praying. If you are always praying then you shouldn't turn your back on God. Your Christian life should always include praying. The Word of God, the Bible will never fail. This means what He said is true and will never fail. He plainly said He will never forsake you or leave you.

  God's Plans or Your Plans   God's plans never fail and always lead us to a happy ending, but that doesn't mean we won't get scared or feel like giving up. Feelings are real and can take over your mind, giving you second thoughts about continuing with what you believe is the right path. However, if you keep listening to your fears, you will never know what God has in store for you. If we let fear control our actions, we might miss out on the great things that are waiting for us around the corner. Whatever challenges come our way, trusting God is the most important thing we must do to succeed. With these inspiring quotes about trusting God when everything feels off, you will be able to remind yourself that it's not about your plans or His plans but rather His plan for your life.           Change your perspective When everything feels off, and you're second-guessing every choice you make, you might want to consider changing your perspective. We can all change our perception of an event, situation, or person and start seeing things differently. If your life is feeling off, start looking at things with a new perspective. You might discover that you have nothing to worry about. You can change how you feel by changing how you look at things. If you are stressed out and feel things aren't going well, try looking at the situation differently. Break down the problem into smaller pieces, and focus on the positives. By changing your perspective, you might realize everything is going according to plan.       Don't be afraid to fail. When you're walking through life, there will be moments when you will feel like everything is going wrong. You may feel like you're failing at life and don't know where to go from here. You may feel like giving up and quitting everything you've been trying to achieve. At these moments, you must remember not to be afraid to fail. If you forget this one thing, it doesn't mean you're a failure as a whole. Everyone fails at some point in their lives. All great people who have ever walked the face of the planet have failed. This is how we learn to grow and get better. If you don't make mistakes, you can't learn from them. Failing at something doesn't make you a failure; it makes you human.       It's not about you Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives and plans that we start to forget that it's not about us. It's about what God has planned for us. We will make mistakes. We will feel lost and lonely. We will question our faith. This is all part of our journey, and it's OK to feel this way. When you get overwhelmed with your feelings, remember that it's not about you. It's about God. God has a plan for your life, and he has your back. He sees you when you are in the depths of despair, and he hears your cries for help. He is there for you. He wants you to know that he is with you through the ups and downs of life.       God won't give you more than you can handle There will be moments in your life when you feel like you're being tested. You will face many obstacles, and you will struggle to find a way to get past your fears. You will feel like giving up and want to walk away from your journey. This is when you must remember that God won't give you more than you can handle. Every situation you encounter is meant to help shape who you are as a person so you can grow into a better person. You are not meant to go through life without facing any obstacles. They help you grow and become a better version of yourself. You can get through anything you're faced with. Remember that God won't give you more than you can handle.       Take time to reflect. When the universe feels turned upside down, and you want to give up, take time out of your day to reflect. Reflect on your past and experiences, or even those who have played a role in your life. Think about the things you have learned and how you have grown. Reflecting on your past can help you realize that you can do great things. You have what it takes to make it through the tough times and succeed in whatever journey you're on.       Bottom line The universe is a crazy place, and it will throw us curve balls regularly. It can be hard to know what to do when everything feels off. You might get scared and feel like giving up, or you might have to force yourself to move forward. Regardless of your thoughts, you must remember that it's not about your or God's plans. It's about God's plan for your life. Never let fear make you question your decisions, as God's plans always result in a happy ending. Even if we get scared or feel like giving up, when we follow God's plans, they will lead us to a good place. When you listen to your fears, you will never know what God has in store for you. Whatever challenges arise, trusting God is the most important thing you can do to succeed. We must heed God's plans rather than our own if we wish to achieve. In these inspiring quotes on trusting God despite everything going wrong, you'll be able to remind yourself that it's not about His plans versus your plans, but rather His plan for your life. In the book of Galatians, Paul challenges the church to "Stand firm and do not be intimidated." In verses 17-19, he encourages them by reminding them of who they are in Christ. As believers, we have an identity in Christ that is much more than what we were before salvation. We are saved and set free from the penalty of sin, but we also have a new identity. In this booklet/podcast, you'll learn about your identity in Christ, how it changes everything, and how it should impact everything. Read on to discover more about your new identity in Christ as a follower of Jesus.     What does it mean to have an Identity in Christ? The first part of Galatians 4:4 reads, "In Christ you are..." This is your identity in Christ. It is the place you find yourself as a believer. To have an identity in Christ means having an identity in relationship to Jesus. Your identity in Christ is an excellent reminder of what you were, who you are now, and who you are yet to be. First, it reminds you of what you were. Before salvation, you were a slave to sin. You were captive to the power of sin, held by its grip, unable to break free. The Christian life is not about trying to live a perfect life. You were not saved to try and be good enough. Instead, you were saved from being set free. With God's help, you've been free from sin's power and given power over sin. Second, it reminds you of who you are now. As a believer, you are set free from the power of sin. You are no longer a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness. You are not just set free from the penalty of sin; you are also set free from the law of sin and death. No longer are you held captive by its power. You have been adopted as a child of God and have a new identity as God's child.   You are no longer a slave to sin. First, you are no longer a slave to sin as a believer. Sin has a hold on all of us. Sinful desires and tendencies are a part of our fallen state. Because of the fall, we are all born with a sinful nature. That sinfulness is directed toward our relationship with God. We are sinful and want to do sin. We want to do what is against God and His word. We want to live our lives our way and on our terms. We are in an ongoing struggle with our sinful nature. In Christ, you are no longer a slave to sin. You are free from its power and have the power to fight it. In Christ, you have been given the ability and capacity to defeat sin and to live above it. You have been given a new nature, a new heart, and a new spirit. You are now a new person because the older person has been crucified with Christ. You have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. He lives in you, empowering and enabling you to live above sin and be set free.   You are set free from the law of sin and death. Second, as a believer, you have been set free from the law of sin and death. Law is a rule or standard. The law of sin and death refers to the practice or standard given in the Old Testament. It is a rule written on the hearts of humans that they failed to live up to. The law of sin and death refers to the power of sin and death holding humans back from eternal life. In Christ, you have been set free from the law of sin and death. You are set free from the power holding you back from your potential and the life you were meant to live. The law of sin and death was a rule written on your heart. It was within you holding you back from being all that God created you to be. In Christ, you have been set free from the law of sin and death. In Christ, you have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. He lives in you, empowering and enabling you to live above sin and be set free.   You have been adopted as a child of God. Third, you have been adopted as a child of God as a believer. God, the author of life, created you and has great plans for you. In Christ, you are adopted as a child. This means that God has adopted you into His family. You are no longer just a friend or a companion but a child of God. Through His Son, Jesus, God has adopted you as His child. You have been given a new identity as God's child. You have also been given a new name. Your name is no longer the one your parents gave you. Instead, it is the name of a son or a daughter of God. God gives you His name and an identity as a son or a daughter. You are God's child, and you are called to represent Him.   How does your Christian Identity change everything? Your identity in Christ is everything. It is where you find yourself and how you see yourself. It is your past, present, and future. In Christ, your past has been forgiven and forgotten. Your present is transformed, and your future is filled with hope and promise. You were saved and set free from the penalty of sin, but you also have a new identity. You are no longer a slave to sin, set free from the law of sin and death, and adopted as a child of God. Your Christian identity changes everything. Everything changes because you have an identity in Christ. The Christian life is not about trying to live a perfect life. It is about living above sin and being set free. It is about living in light of your new identity. You no longer have to live a life that is frustrated and caught up in the power of sin. You can live a life set free from the penalty and law of sin and death. You can live a life empowered by the Holy Spirit and live above sin, and be set free. Your identity in Christ should lead you to live in light of your new identity. As a child of God, you should live like one. You were bought with a price and are no longer an enslaved person but a child. You were adopted into God's family. You were given a new name and a new identity. You are no longer a slave to sin. You've been set free from the law of sin and death. You are a child of God, adopted and given a new identity. Your Christian Identity changes everything.   It should lead you to live in light of your new identity. Your identity in Christ should lead you to live in light of your new identity. You are not saved to try and be good enough. You are dedicated to being set free. God has set you free from the penalty of sin and the law of sin and death. He has adopted you as His child and given you a new identity. You are no longer a slave to sin but a child of God. You are no longer just a friend or companion but a child of God. You were bought with a price, and you are no longer a slave but a child. The Christian life is about living as God's child. It is about living above sin, being set free, and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is about living in light of your new identity.   And finally… The first part of Galatians 4:4 reads, "In Christ you are..." This is your identity in Christ. It is the place you find yourself as a believer. To have an identity in Christ means having an identity in relationship to Jesus. Your identity in Christ is an excellent reminder of what you were, who you are now, and who you are yet to be. That identity is everything. It is where you find yourself and how you see yourself. In Christ, your past has been forgiven and forgotten. Your present is transformed, and your future is filled with hope and promise. You were saved and set free from the penalty of sin, but you also have a new identity. You are no longer a slave to sin, set free from the law of sin and death, and adopted as a child of God. Because of your identity in Christ, everything changes. Your Christian life is not about trying to live a perfect life. It is about living above sin and being set free. Your identity in Christ should lead you to live in

Pastor Andy Davis returns to the Parable of the Soils in Mark 4:1-20 to discuss further the one Jesus implied the most important of his parables. - sermon Transcript - Turn in your Bibles now to Mark 4. It’s the second week we're going through this passage. Psalm 139 ends with these words, "Search me, oh God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there's any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." I'll never forget the events of June 21st, 2020, Father's Day, almost two years ago now, as I woke and got dressed for church that day, a Sunday, getting ready to preach. I had no idea that by the end of the day, my life would be in the hands of a cardiologist, that I will have had a heart attack. I had no feeling, no sense of the danger within. One of the significant arteries in my heart was 90% blocked. Another lesser artery, a hundred percent blocked. I had no idea. I had no sense, no feeling of that. I thank God for the skill of the cardiologist and also the diagnostic tools that are available in this day and age, to probe the inner workings of my physical heart to let me know what was actually going on. Actually, to let the doctor know what was going on, so that my life would be spared. Do you know what's going on in your spiritual heart? Are you aware of where you're really at spiritually? Jesus is presented in the New Testament as a physician of the soul. He said, "The healthy do not need a doctor, but the sick. I've not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." How does this physician of the soul, probe and diagnose our spiritual hearts? I think essential to our salvation is that we would want him to do so. That we will want to layout on his diagnostic table and say with Psalm 139, “Search me, oh God, and know my heart.’ Show me what's really going on in the core of my being.” How does he do that? He does it by the ministry of the word, by the power of the Spirit. He does it by every scripture, that's been inspired by the Holy Spirit. All of it has the ability to search us and probe us and show us our true condition. That's the attitude I want us to take as we come for the second week into the Parable of the Soils, for these soils represent different heart conditions, different people, and different heart conditions, as they hear the word. The most significant moment of our lives is the moment we hear the Word of God. What do we do with it? What happens when we hear the scripture proclaimed? Our eternity depends on what we do with the Word of the Gospel. Whether we spend eternity in heaven or hell, all comes down to that one moment in our lives. I understand we have many such moments to hear the Word, but that singular moment of the Word coming in, what happens with the Word of God? I believe it's vital for us to understand each of these soils and to use each one, to say, "Search me, oh God, and know my heart." I think also just as a Christian parent, I think it's beneficial for parents who are raising their children in the nurture and admonish of the Lord from infancy up through the various stages of life, that you would prepare your kids. That they would be able to hear the Word of God. That they would know what's going on in their hearts. That they would understand how hostile the world is to our faith. For you as parents, as evangelists and disciples of your own kids, that you would understand these various soils and what could be happening in the hearts of your kids as they grow up, so that's in my mind as well. Soil 1: The Path Let's walk through these for the second time. I'm not going to read over the scripture because we're going to walk through it, soil by soil. Let's look at the first soil, the hardened path. Look at verses 3-4, "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path and the birds came and ate it up." Then the interpretation, verses 14-15, “the farmer sews the Word.” Some people are like seed along the path where the Word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the Word that was sown in them. This first soil is the normal response to the Word of God worldwide, every day, sadly. Every single day, the gospel message is preached. Paul summarizes it in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, "What I received, I passed on as a first importance, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day, according to the scriptures." That's the basic facts of the gospel and there's many other aspects beside. Every single day, that Word, the Word of the Gospel, is proclaimed all around the world by messengers. Millions of people hear that message and utterly reject it. They reject it out of hand. They reject it without hesitation. They reject it instantly. Jesus liken them to seed that falls on a hardened path, a path beaten down, day after day, by traffic and by the heat of the sun. That path is like concrete. We would understand it like a concrete sidewalk. The seed falls and bounces, no penetration at all. Because of their hard hearts, the people feel no fear at all concerning the coming judgment of God, the Judgment Day, that is most certainly coming. They have no concern about spending eternity in hell. These terrifying topics mean literally nothing to them. They hear the words of warning with arrogant confidence. I think about wicked King Jehoiakim, who heard the terrifying words of prophetic warning from the scroll of Jeremiah, his prophecies, and he cut the scroll, line by line, and burned it in a fire pot to warm his hands. Jeremiah 36:24 says, "The king and all his at attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes," a sign of repentance. Jesus highlights Satan's activity in all this. Satan's active in this. In the parable, the birds eating the seed represent Satan's activity, snatching away the word. The Gospel of Matthew uses that exact term, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.” This is a seed sown along the path. This shows the power that Satan has over the hearts and minds of unbelievers. Satan seizes this Word. He removes it powerfully from their minds. They do not think on it at all. Perhaps they mock it. Perhaps they twist it or pervert it. Others blaspheme it and resolve to war against it, like Saul of Tarshish did before his conversion. He said in Acts 26:9, "I was convinced that I should do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth." But others, I think just disregard it. It's like, they'd never heard it. It's like the whole encounter never happened. Moments later, they don't think about it, take it to heart. This is part of the way that Satan seeks to thwart the advancing kingdom of God all over the world. Some years ago, I read to my kids a very powerful biography of Adoniram and Ann Judson, missionaries to Burma, called to the Golden Shore. There's a very powerful moment in that account. On January 27th, 1820 Adoniram Judson, missionary to Burma, and one of his fellow missionaries, James Coleman, traveled up the Irrawaddy River in Burma, to the Royal city of Ava, to secure an audience with the Emperor of Burma, King Bagyidaw. They went to ask for religious toleration so that they could preach the gospel in Burma, but Judson's deepest desire was to lead this man, this king, to faith in Christ. The Royal palace and Ava were overwhelmingly ornate. The hallway they went down was covered with gold leaf. The audience chamber, where they met with the king, covered with gold leaf. It was overwhelming and radiant. When the king entered the room, all of the Burmese people fell down on their faces as if a God had entered the room. Missionaries just knelt with respect, and Judson gave the king his petition for religious freedom in Burma so that they could preach the gospel unhindered. But then, he gave him a tract, explaining the gospel in culturally understandable, relevant words, good language, so he could understand it. The tract is still used apparently in Burma. As he hands him the tract he prays, "Oh Lord, have mercy on Burma. Have mercy on her king." Bagyidaw read the opening lines of the tract. "There is one being who exists eternally, who has exemption from sickness, old age and death. Who is, and who was, and who will be, without beginning and without end. Besides this, the true God, there is no other God." That's how the tract begins. King Bagyidaw read the first few lines and then just let his arm fall to the ground, drop the tract out of his hand, stepped across the paper and out of the room to go review some troops. They never saw him again. There's no evidence that man ever came to faith in Christ. Satan does this kind of work, snatching away the seed, as soon as it's sown, all over the world. I need to stop right now and ask all of you, what is happening in your heart concerning the gospel? You've heard the basic elements already this morning from me, that Christ died for our sins and that he was buried and that he was raised. Then if you have repentance and faith in him, your sins will be forgiven and you'll spend eternity in heaven, not in hell. Those are the basic facts. What are you doing with that? What's going on in your heart with the gospel? I want to say something to Christians. I'm going to do this for each of the four soil types. Is Satan at work in the hearts of Christians too, in a similar pattern? That's a question. A possible interpretation of the soils is not just that this is permanently representing four different categories of people. I think that's standard interpretation. But also occasions as well, at times we hear the Word, and Satan is at work. In that case, Satan can snatch away the Word as though you never heard it on that particular day. Before you go on and say, I just don't think that's a proper hermeneutic or approach, let me ask you a question. As you look at the other soils, for example, the rocky soil in which persecution comes and the seeds don't respond well to the persecution, and wither and die. Or the other one about the danger of wealth, worldly wealth, and the danger of that crowding it out. Can you look at those soils and say, "Well, thank God. I don't have to worry about those. I know I'll be fine with persecution. I've got a good deep root system." Or, "I have no problem with wealth. I'm fine in that regard." Can you speak that kind of blessing on yourself, so you can exempt yourself until you get to the final soil type? I would say, no. Don't do that. "Search me, oh God, and know my heart." So I'm going to extend it to all of them. I think it cannot do us any harm. What happens every time we hear the Word of God? Do we take it to heart or does Satan snatch away that Word, so that it has no effect on us. We are a distracted people, we can be inattentive. Therefore I think we need to be aware of times in which the Word of God has made no impact on us at all. Evangelists and missionaries, pastors would do well to pray in light of this normative response to the gospel. Say, "Oh God, may the gospel work that we've done today, not be like the seed sown along that hardened path. May you take the word and plant it deep in people's hearts." Pray knowledgeably. Christian parents, pray that your kids would not be hardened in their hearts toward the word of God. Pray knowledgeably. Pray for yourselves, "Oh God, that I would not develop a hardened heart that doesn't hear your word." Soil 2: The Stony Ground The second soil type, the stony ground. Look at verse 5-6, "Some fell on rocky places where it did not have much soil, sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root." Then he interprets it in verse 16-17. "Others like seed sown on rocky places hear the word and at once, receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word they quickly fall away." Even though Satan is not mentioned in this soil by Jesus, I think we know in a broader teaching, Satan is very active in this matter of persecution around the world, bringing trouble on Christians because of the Word. He is active so we need to see his activity in this and in the next soil as well. Satan is battling against the Word of God, all over the world. In the stony ground, Satan keeps working on people after they've initially responded with great joy and passion, so that's noteworthy in this. The initial response is with joy, with passion. It's often surprising to people when they see individuals who at one time were extremely emotional and passionate about the Word of God, who are filled with joy and energy and commitment, who say all the right things and have the right facial expressions and the body language and the right emotions, but then who later renounce the faith and apostatize it. How could that even be? Is that even possible? We're enamored with passion, as like absolute evidence or proof that God's Word is at work in that person's life. We think on the other side of the equation, a more reserved, cold, calculating thinker who makes a verbal ascent to Christ, who speaks accurate doctrines, but who seems to lack passion, we're not surprised if that person later walking away. But if someone's face is lit up with joy, if their whole demeanor is crackling with passion, if they sing the songs loudly and they put their hands in the air, we think all that passion proves God is at work in that person's life. No doubt about it. Not so, necessarily. Maybe. Passion's a good thing. We need to have it. As a matter of fact, if you are passionless, you're not born again. I believe that, but just because there's an outward show doesn't mean necessarily that the person's regenerate, that they're born again. This stony ground here, it says, they sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. They had nowhere to go but up. Remember that stony ground talks about a sub-layer, sub-strata of impenetrable limestone or something like that. Not just individual rocks that the farmer can take out. This is almost like the hardened path of which we spoke. The rock itself is heated up with the sun. There's a lot of warmth and as I said, the seed has nowhere to go but up, and it goes up quickly, like a weed. They seem to make amazing progress in Christianity but the real test is about to come. The shallowness of this person, the shallowness is comprehensive. They're shallow in their doctrine, they're shallow in their conviction of sin, they're shallow in their relationship with Christ. Shallow. They have no root system. Then the sun comes up in the parable. Jesus says the plant lasts only a short time. He doesn't specify how long that is. That's kind of the terrifying point. He doesn't say after one day it withers and dies, or after a week it withers and dies. So if you make it past a week, you get to eight days, you're good. After a year, it withers and dies. If you get to a year plus one day, you're home free. He just says a short time. What's a short time to the Ancient of Days? I don't know, but at any rate he says a short time, but doesn't specify. It could even go on for years in this shallow pattern. But the individual has up to that point, never had to pay a price for his or her faith in Christ, and there's been no need to count the cost because life as a shallow Christian has been comfortable. But Jesus said, there's a time when trouble or persecution comes because of the Word. At that point, they quickly fall away. "This is a warning to comfortable Christians in America. Biblical Christianity and American culture are on a collision course." This is a warning to comfortable Christians in America. Biblical Christianity and American culture are on a collision course. For many years, America, some in America, claimed that America's a Christian nation. It's nothing of the kind, never has been, but it is true that Christianity affected the national politics and government, and culture and media, and entertainment, perhaps debatably more than almost any other nation in history; a tremendous leavening effect in a positive way. That is true, so that Christianity in American culture've had somewhat of a comfortable relationship. I believe I perceive this is coming to a screeching end. More and more, Christian convictions on sexuality, on gender, on the exclusivity of Christ, on the inherency of the Bible and many other vital theological topics, will be in direct opposition to American culture. Christians more and more will have to choose between their convictions and their jobs, or their friendships, or their extended family relationships, or their ability to participate in the public square, or to be accepted at certain colleges or programs or continue in those programs and on and on. It's going to get worse and worse. It's going to get hot. So the warning to all of us is to develop a root system, as soon as you possibly can. Develop a root system in God's Word. Many verses speak to this. Colossians 2:6-7 says, "So then, just as you receive Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith,” [that's Christian doctrine], “as you were taught, overflowing with thankfulness." Steep your mind and your heart in God's word. Develop a root system doctrinally. Develop a root system of intimacy with Christ, of closeness with Christ, of a love relationship with Jesus. Ephesians 3 speaks of that in verse 17-19 when Paul prays, "I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. And that you would know that love, that surpasses knowledge. That you would be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." That's a root system of love that you would know how much Jesus loves you. Those two together will keep you in good stead when heat comes. Deep doctrine and deep, deep intimacy with Christ. Again, Christian parents, please get your kids ready to suffer. Don't presume that their experience in Christianity will be the same as what it's been for you over the last few decades. It's going to be harder. Prepare them to be counter-cultural on the issues I listed earlier. Get them rooted with biblical truth on those things. God's never changed his mind on any of them and he never will. Get them ready to suffer. Soil 3: The Thorny Ground Soil number three, the thorny ground, verse 7, "Other seed fell among the thorns, which grew up and choked the plant so that they did not bear grain." Jesus interprets it in verse 18-19, "Still others, like the seed sown along the thorns, hear the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things, come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." Again, each of these soils represents heart conditions, as people hear the word of God. Here we get to the dangers of the world's allures and enticements. Whereas the stony ground here wilted at the world's abuse, the thorny ground here dies at the world's allures. Jesus lists the world's allures in sweeping terms; the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things. Why not commit those to memory friends. The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things. All of these have to do with immediate worldly concerns. Some of them are positive things the person desires. Others are negative outcomes the person fears, but they all have to do with the comfort of life in this world. They have a vision for a comfortable, prosperous, successful life in this world, and they're worried that's not going to happen or they're running after that to make it happen. The problem in this scenario is these weeds grow up and choke the Word, making it unfruitful. They block the sunlight so they don't get the needed sunlight, they steal the nutrients from the soil. Those weeds, they're greedy, and they take the nutrients from the soil so the plants don't get it. They steal the water and the moisture in similar fashion, so that the seed doesn't get what it needs to bear fruit. But the weeds do not bear fruit, but grow. This is one of the greatest dangers for us in prosperous America. This is a warning. I think I find it haunting. The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things. What other things? Anything other than the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. Anything other than that. It could be good desires, like a single person wanting a spouse, or a childless couple wanting a child, or an unemployed person wanting a job, or a person beginning time in college, wanting a career. All of those are good things. There's nothing wrong with any of them but if they grow to idolatry proportions, they become the dominating theme of that person's life. Or it could be bad desires that the Bible condemns, such as wanting to get rich. At any rate, the issue is these other things, these worries of this life and deceitfulness of wealth, grow up and choke the Word. They block out the Word so that the inner life with Christ withers and dies. "These worries of this life and deceitfulness of wealth, grow up and choke the Word. They block out the Word so that the inner life with Christ withers and dies. " Specific warnings concerning wealth are found in 1 Timothy 6. These are Paul's warnings to rich Christians. First of all, lesson one, seek godliness with contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6-8, "Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing in the world and we can take nothing out of it but if we have food and clothing, we'll be content with that." That's advocating for keeping your life simple materially. Lesson number two, watch out for the love of money, which equals greed, which equals idolatry. 1 Timothy 6:9-10, "People who want to get rich, fall into a temptation, into a trap, into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin in destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Is that not a perfect description of a thorny ground here? It's exactly what Jesus is talking about. I'll read it again, 1 Timothy 6, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Lesson number three, do not put your trust in money, but in God. 1 Timothy 6:17, "Command those who are rich in this present world, not to be arrogant, prideful about their money, or to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Paul's not advocating an aesthetic life in which you never enjoy any of the things we can enjoy in America, but you're in danger. All of these things put us in danger if we're not careful, spiritually. Lesson number four, give away lots of money. 1 Timothy 6:18, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share." The more you sacrificially give, the less money will have a grip over your heart. That I think, is the remedy. If you want to know what is the remedy to thorny ground, 1 Timothy 6 is your chapter. Christ also gives clear commands against the worries of this life in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6, “Do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat? Or what should we drink? Or what shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well." As a pastor, out of love for you, I would consider this to be one of the greatest dangers that faces our flock. We are wealthy Christians, we are, therefore, in danger, biblically. I'm not saying you can't be saved as a wealthy Christian. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying you're in danger. It's hard for rich people to be saved, Jesus said. The book of Ezekiel says, "If I don't warn you, your blood is on my head." So I'm warning you to not be thorny ground here. Is anything distracting you from the kingdom of God? What is distracting you from the kingdom of God? We are, by electronic devices, almost constantly immersed in the world. I was at a stoplight the other day and I looked around me and every stopped driver, thank God they were stopped, every stop driver was on their device. I'm not saying whether they stayed on their device once they hit the gas pedal, but all the stopped ones were on the device. All of the people crossing, the crosswalk were on devices. All of the people waiting on the sidewalk were on devices. Everyone's immersed all the time, like we're on a pic line, an IV line of the world, flowing into our blood vessels. Beware. Just look at this soil type and beware and don't speak a false blessing on yourself saying, "I don't need to worry about this. I know I'm not a thorny ground here." The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things. Soil 4: The Good Soil Soil number four, the good soil, Mark 4:7,“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop multiplying 30, 60, or even a hundred times." Jesus interprets it in verse 20, "Others like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it and produce a crop, 30, 60, or even a hundred times what was sown." This is pretty straightforward. The interpretation's almost exactly the same as the original statement. I think we know what this is, but we didn't know what Luke tells us. The good soil, as I mentioned last week is clearly described Luke 8:15. "The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart who hear the Word, retain it and by persevering, produce a crop." Hallelujah. A noble and good heart. This is quite stunning. Jesus himself said to the rich young ruler, "Why do you call me good? No one is good, but God alone." Jesus also said this in Mark 7:21-23, talking about the natural human heart, “For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thought, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly." All of these evils come from inside. That is from the heart and make a man unclean.” That's the native state of our heart. How then do any of us get a noble and good heart that accepts the Word, understands it and by perseverance, produces a crop? I'll tell you the answer to that - only by the sovereign power of God through the Holy Spirit. Amen. If you're a Christian today, Luke 8:15 says, "You have a noble and good heart." You should be in awe. You should fall down in thankfulness to God saying, "How did I get one of those?" How it happened is the Holy Spirit took out that stony heart of yours and put in a living heart to respond to the word of God. What is the essential attribute of that noble and good heart? I zero in on this one statement in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, "When you receive the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but as it actually is the word of God, which is at work in you who believe." That's what a noble and good heart looks like in this issue. When you hear the word, you know you're hearing God speaking to you, not a man. God is telling you this and you're taking it seriously. You know this is important for you. It says by persevering, you produce a crop. Perseverance really in the end, perseverance in the gospel, is the greatest single mark of being born again. You persevere year, after year, after year, in Christ and you produce a harvest. Now, what is the harvest? What is the crop? The living and active word of God always produces fruit. That's what we're talking about here. Good fruit is the test of genuine Christianity. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, "By their fruit, you will recognize them." He also said, importantly, in John 15:2, "He cuts off every branch of me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Hold on to that because I'm going to circle back to that one more time. What is fruit? One pastor divided it into two categories; attitude fruit and action fruit. I like both. Both of those will be part of a true Christian life. What is attitude fruit? It's like heart fruit, stuff that's inside you. It begins with the transformation of our heart, so that we obey the law of God. We love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and we love our neighbors ourself. That's internal heart affections, flowing out into actions, a transformed heart that loves God and loves neighbor. That's fruit. Also, of course, you could go to the fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22, "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." You look at that. Do I see that cluster of virtues in me by the Holy Spirit, do I see that fruit inside me? Or again, the beatitudes, "Blessed are the spiritual beggars, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they'll be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they'll inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful for, they will be shown mercy. Blessed of the pure in heart for they will see God.” The Holy Spirit works this cluster of humble virtues in a genuinely converted person. They know that they're spiritual beggars. They have no chance to save themselves. They mourn over their sin. They are meek, essentially meek, not arrogant, boastful people. They hunger and thirst for righteousness. They yearn for it and they're merciful to other people. They see suffering in the world. They want to alleviate it, and they do seek to alleviate it, and they're pure in heart. They have a yearning for internal purity of holiness of heart. That's all attitude fruit. Then there's action fruit, just good works, things you do in obedience to the commands of God, like evangelism. People you win to Christ, that you lead to Christ, will be fruit for you on Judgment Day. You'll have people that you can even call, like Paul does, the crown in which you will glory on that final day. So winning people to Christ is action fruit. Your Christian family, and a well-ordered family, a healthy marriage, godly Christian parenting; these things. Your prayer life is action fruit. Your financial life, actual money that you give to the poor and needs to the church. Your work life, your worship life, all of the works that you do in obedience to the commands of God. Going back to 1 Timothy 6:18, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and generous and willing to share." Wouldn't you love that to characterizing you, rich in good deeds. It's not long before you look back to the 30, 60, a hundred times, what was sown to say, that sounds like rich in good deeds. That's what I want. "Winning people to Christ is action fruit." Now why the variability of harvest? 30, 60, even a hundred times, what was sewn. I mentioned last time, one interpreter said, "You need to understand the ancient near Eastern farmer would hope for at best five to seven fold return." This is bumper crop language, no matter what. Even if you're a 30, yield, it's astonishing. Why such big language? Because if you're a genuine Christian, the fruit that you do for the kingdom of God, will last for all eternity and it has the power to multiply in the lives of others, to have a ripple effect across generations. So it's huge, no matter what, but why are there some 30, but some double that 60? Others a hundred? It's just true that not all Christians are equally fruitful because not all Christians are equally faithful. Not all Christians are equally obedient, sacrificially obedient. I love church history and there are some brothers and sisters in Christ whose lives are worth studying centuries after they have gone, just because of how they lived. I think about George Whitfield. I have no idea how many sermons I preached. I can estimate, somewhere around a thousand maybe, in this pulpit, I guess. George Whitfield preached 18,000 sermons in his life. I can't carry his shoes. I'll be in awe when I meet him in heaven. 18,000 to over 10 million hearers in colonial America, sometimes he preached over a dozen times in a single week. It's like two full sermons a day, seven days a week. Then there's George Müller. Some of you have a heart for foster kids or for adoption. He and his ministries cared for 10,000 orphans in his life. Then there's the Irish missionary, Amy Carmichael, who served in India for 55 years, without ever leaving the field, going on furlough, 55 years of caring for young Indian girls. Hudson Taylor took responsibility for reaching the inland regions of China with the gospel and oversaw a mission agency that placed 825 missionaries in 300 mission stations winning 25,000 converts by the time he died. Those are the heroes of the faith. We're going to honor them forever in heaven. My desire with this last category is to stimulate you to want to have more return in your Christian life, greater return. To give you a holy ambition, a fruitful ambition. Going back now to John 15:2 where I'll close. "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, so those branches wither and die and are burned." So those are... they're not Christians because there's no fruit. "Cuts off every branch of me that bears no fruit. While every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." That's that movement from 30 to 60. Lord, I want to be even more fruitful. What do you need, Lord, to cut out of my life so that I'm more fruitful? What do you need to cut out of my life, so that I'm even more fruitful? So that it doesn't draw off time, energy, mental, emotional resources out from the central call of God in my life? Close with me in prayer. Lord, thank you for the power of this parable. It's a gateway parable. He said, "How will you understand any parable if you don't understand this one?" Help us to understand this powerful message. Help us to put it into practice. Help us to take the Word of God and bear maximum fruit with it. Every word, not just the gospel, but all the teachings that we get in the Gospel of Mark, in the New Testament throughout the Bible. Help us, oh Lord. Help us to bear fruit for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Are you asleep on the job? Your Christian job that is! Are we fulfilling our responsibility as Christians in light of the Resurrection? Acts 1:4-8 "And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

  Wake the Faith up Slayer… This is Garth Heckman with the David Alliance and you can reach me at TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com    Brought to you by wellbuiltbody.com Gym Apparel for men and women that rocks and shocks and ain't for everybody - but just might be for you. wellbuiltbody.com   July 9th - Saturday - A Father Daughter/Son conference called PROTECTOR! Speakers on how to protect your son and daughter Emotionally, physically, sexually, socially and spiritually. Ages 10 and up if you feel your student is mature enough. Price $100 per family. At HillSpring Church New prague south of the Twin Cities Just landed a speaker who will challenge you how to keep your kids safe from human trafficking… you say well my kid will never fall into that… oh not so fast. You obviously don't know what you are talking about… so get ready to sign up!     Steve Jobs of Apple once said that the definition of a superbly designed product is you want to lick it!… So my question to you today is… Your Christian walk… do people want to lick it?     Gross… Ok, the point of Jobs quote is that if something is really desirable you want more of it, You want to fully experience it. I love guitars… yes i play them, but I also love the design of them. A great car can be called sexy… and I have heard people say things like “it was so exciting… I would eat it”.    Maybe you have something that you just love the design of it. I have a really cool knife… yes it is sharp,,, but the design of it is so radical. It is wood, gray steel, curved, with notches in it, and a cool dovetail, with a knurled back end… But Im not going to lick it… LOL, lose a tongue…. but it is so much more then a knife.   And I also love a great pair of cool looking boots… weird I know. But I have had some boots that have two layers of soles, with two layers of leather binding, with outside steel toes and killer stitching up the sides and back. A wicked thick still zipper on the sides and the eyelids are extra big and silver and the laces are super thick rugged nylon black and silver …. I could eat dessert out of it… Don't even get me started on motorcycles… My wife and I were looking at a custom bike and it was so flawless and beautiful I just calmly said “I would make love to you on that bike… weird right? Yea she thought so… but It just popped into my head and out of my mouth.   It begs me to ask myself what would make my Christian walk one that people look at and think… wow! That is amazing… or what would make people look at my life and say … I want that life…it seems so desirable.   Here's a clue. It has very little with how much you know the bible, or how much you go to church… It has a lot to do with Fruit… Who doesn't like fruit? Back in the time of Christ fruit didn't exactly come in huge bountiful quantities… the land was dry, most fruit was a dry date type. Really exotic fruits like bananas and berries and coconuts etc… were almost unavailable… So when God uses fruit as an example he is stating how desirable and how rare it is in todays world.    Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.   “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” –Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)   When our lives are filled with the fruits of the spirit… we become so desirable… Ever see that popular person who just doesn't get rattled by what people say or do… he just loves them anyway. They have an air about them that makes them desirable.  We live in a world where it is ok to practice recreational hate and sarcasm and rage…. We don't have to necessary preach the gospel every where we go if we just simple practice the fruits… We will stand out just by being loving… yes of course we share Jesus, but even outside of that we practice the fruits. What makes my Christianity desirable? Its filled with fruit… rare exotic delicious fruit. May the goal this week be that someone looks at our life and says… wow that life is designed so well… I want to lick it. 

Your Christian friendships are worth fighting for. Discover why and how in this episode featuring Kelly Needham, along with Grounded favorite Robyn McKelvy.

Surrender – the key to victory 1      Promises not being experienced There are many places in the Bible where God promises a victorious life, including 2 Cor 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ… 1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Eze 36:27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. However, few Christians experience that. What are the possible reasons? These include: Actually, still being unsaved Not wanting to stop sinning Self-will Trying in own strength Unbelief 2      So, what is the solution? The solution is so deceptively simple, that you may have difficulty in believing it. So, I am going to take you there via two books about people who have found and applied the solution in their lives. 3      The Hiding Place “The Hiding Place” describes how the Ten Boom family hid Jews in a secret room in their house during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. They were betrayed, arrested, imprisoned and ended up in a concentration camp where they conducted illegal Bible studies and ministered to other prisoners. How would we have acted? Would we even have taken the risk of helping the Jews? What about in normal life? Are you prepared to stand with the unpopular kid/colleague? In the concentration camp they experienced a number of miracles. God does miracles as necessary, not as a show to entertain us. That may be one of the reasons why the persecuted church experiences more miracles and healings. Firstly, they are often in a better spiritual place than we are. But they also do not have the support system or access to medical facilities – so they really need the miracles. In Corrie's case they experienced a “weduwee se kruik” (widow's jar of oil) type of miracle [1 Kings 17], with medicine. They chose to share the medicine and it miraculously lasted end lasted… But interestingly, the day they got an alternative source the medicine bottle dried up. They were able to live 1Thess 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”.  They certainly experienced the truth of Rom 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”. Even a flea infestation helped them in that guards avoided that area so they could hold their Bible studies undisturbed! We also see an illustration of supernatural love and forgiveness. Even in the camp Corrie's sister felt sorry for guards because they did not know Jesus and foresaw a reconciliation ministry after war. After the war Corrie came face to face with her SS guards and Dutch collaborators and had to forgive. But how? Read Luke 12:11-12. Corrie's father explained to her that in the same way as when she was a child, he only gave her her train ticket just before the journey, God will supply the strength, ability, and endurance to face trials and tribulations “just in time”. But what is our role in this? We know we can't “work it up” in ourselves. We know that the power and faith come from God and the Holy Spirit. Our role is to SURRENDER. Real, and true and full surrender to God – an attitude of whatever You choose will be fine with me. While we were still digesting this, we listened to another book which drove the point home. The book “God's Smuggler” is about Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors. In the book he describes his adventures smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain as well as evangelizing there. He emphasizes the importance of total surrender to God and relying on God only. Also being tuned into the Holy Spirit. He describes having to meet a contact in large city and not having any idea where. He went to a side street, prayed, saw a pedestrian approaching and it was the person he was looking for!  Once while smuggling Bible's through a border post he sensed the Holy Spirit telling him to remove the Bibles from the carefully constructed hiding places and place them on the seat next to him. He was waved through while the cars before and after him were taken apart in searches. He also says the moment you try to be clever yourself – or rely on yourself at all – you have problems. 4      Why does God want us to surrender? Charles Stanley says there are three main reasons: He loves us. As long as we hold something back from God, we cannot know Him completely or fully experience His love. When we surrender to Him, we get all of Him. He wants our service to be effective and fruitful. The closer we draw to God the more impact our lives will have. He waits for the freedom to bless us. God is omnipotent, but He will not violate His own principles. He draws us to Himself so we can experience His love and forgiveness. He asks for our willing surrender so that He can give us the best blessings He has to offer. Blessings to an un-surrendered person would often do more harm than good! Andrew Murray says the condition of God's blessing is absolute surrender of all into His hands. Surrender is key to resisting the devil James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Notice the sequence – surrender is key. You need God's power, not your own. Surrender and submit to God and resist the devil. Many people are in effect fighting on two fronts. They want to do their own thing and please themselves, so they are not surrendered to God and then try to fight the devil as well. Doesn't work – yes God gives the victory, but He does so on His terms. Surrender to God is really the key to victory over the devil and sin. Surrender is key to abiding and praying John 15:4-5: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” 1 John 5: 14: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: That if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” John 15:7: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” Andrew Murray says we use “if it is your will” in prayer as a copout, because then we do not have to conclude that God did not keep His promise AND we do not have to look for the fault in ourselves. He points out that John 15:7 does not contain any such qualification. If we are truly abiding, what we ask for will be what God wants. In my experience an improper motive slips in very easily. Again, I think the abiding begins with total surrender. Surrender is key to faith Great faith = Great surrender as Andy Stanley says. Jesus said: John 5:30 NIV: “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.” John 6:38: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” Jesus' agenda was to do the will of Him who sent him. Surrender leads to more faith – the heart condition where the Holy Spirit can bless with more faith. Surrender prevents compassion fatigue If you try to be compassionate in your own strength you will get to “stuff this” very quickly. 5      Why don't people surrender? Pride – thinking you know better than God. Fear and Mistrust – thinking that God will make you do what will make you miserable. But: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” [Rom 8:32] And Psalm 84:11 says He will withhold no good thing from those walking uprightly + Jer 29:11 says he has good plans for us for our welfare and to give hope and a future. 6      Surrender is logical God loves you Jesus died for you God wants what is best for you God knows what is best for you God can be trusted Then why have your own agenda? It is senseless not to want to surrender to him totally, when we know He will accept us and that He wants what is best for us. If you believe God is a loving Father who knows best and can be trusted, why would you have your own agenda? That is illogical. Surrendering to God and going His way is simply the logical way to live your life. The logical response is surrender, not having a life of your own. 7      What does surrender entail? Accept Jesus as Lord (not only as saviour). This means turning control of your life over to Him. Surrender is not less of self; it is nothing of self Self must die This is what makes surrender difficult Total surrender; total dependence Just like Jesus John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing… If Jesus could not do anything of Himself, how much less can we? In Christ we died to sin. Think of the sin you are struggling with – would a dead man struggle with it? Jesus is willing to take total charge of you. Obedience is still essential under the new covenant, therefore entrance into the full enjoyment of the new covenant has often depended on a single act of surrender, something your conscience accuses you of. You cannot pick and choose what you want to surrender and what you want to retain for yourself – e.g. “work I'll handle on my own”. Confess and Renounce all known sin and anything keeping you from full surrender (1 John 1:7) Is there anything you are not willing to lay down or give up? The real issue is whether you trust God To want what is best for you Do you really believe He loves you totally? Forgiving others Eph 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”  Col 3:13 “…bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”  Matt 6:14-15 “Want as julle die mense hulle oortredinge vergewe, sal julle hemelse Vader julle ook vergewe. Maar as julle die mense hulle oortredinge nie vergewe nie, sal julle Vader julle oortredinge ook nie vergewe nie.” Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." Forgiving others is a clear command. You are not surrendered if you are unwilling to forgive. It is difficult, but you can also bring that to God as Corrie did when she came face to face with one of her SS guards after the war. Ask God to cause you to want to. The first step is to know and admit that you should. Forgiveness does not mean that what was done to you was OK. Luckily it is a decision, not a feeling. Corrie says thoughts about what was done to you may still arise, but don't dwell on them; act out the forgiveness, renewing of mind. God will even provide the love for our enemies if we are fully surrendered. 8      Surrender results in VICTORY So, if you are tired of fighting sin, temptation, wrong attitudes, prayerlessness and all the rest, you are actually much closer to victory than the person full of energy who still thinks he can do it in his own strength. Cast your burdens on the Lord. “God does not ask you to give the perfect surrender in your strength or by the power of your will. God is willing to work it in you” – Andrew Murray. A word of hope: As Philippians 2:13 says “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure”. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all say: The things that are impossible with man are possible with God. Luke 1:37 says nothing is impossible. So why would making you a surrendered person be the one and only exception? Andrew Murray: Just say “My God I am willing that you should make me willing” Your Christian life will be a series of impossibilities (like forgiving others and surrendering totally) that is made possible by the very power of almighty God. “The cause of weakness in your Christian life is that you want to work it out partly and to let God help you. And that cannot be. You must come utterly helpless, to let God work. He will work gloriously.” – Andrew Murray

Your Christian walk begins in "Justification"... What does this mean? In this episode, we begin looking at the journey of our Christian walk, with more episodes to come!  Thanks for listening to the End Time Podcast! Do you have comments, questions, or feedback? We would love to hear from you! Our email is below, and follow us on Instagram for extra encouragement!  Email: etpodcast@etmtab.com  Instagram: @endtimepodcast

Your Christian costume, inside and out. Bishop Richard F. Stika delivers the 9 a.m. homily at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

Your Christian life is a function of your spiritual sight - how you see yourself in Christ (your understanding of your spiritual identity). You cannot live, operate, or function well as a new creation in Christ if you still see yourself as an old creation in Adam. You cannot live a blessed life in Christ if you continue to see yourself as one who is still under a curse. You cannot live like a saint if you still see yourself as a poor, wretched sinner. Part 2 of this enlightening teaching series stresses the significance of seeing yourself as God sees you in Christ.

Allowing your sin nature to control your life disqualifies you for service in God's plan. Your Christian life ceases with unconfessed sin because you've quenched the Holy Spirit. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to live the supernatural Christian way of life. Using rebound resolves the problem of sin and restores you to fellowship with God. “If we confess [name] our sin [through silent prayer] He is faithful and just to forgive us and to purify us from all wrongdoing” (1 John 1:9). Simply put, when you bounce out of fellowship with God by committing sin—something you think, say or do—you bounce back by confessing your sin. That's using rebound, God's problem-solving device number one. Full Transcript: https://rhem.pub/rebound-review-ba170 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rick-hughes/message

Paul's prayer for Christians is that they would grow in discerning love to choose and be what's best for God's glory. May your Christian love grow in wisdom. As you grow in discerning love you will transform into a transparent Christian witness. Your Christian witness through perceptive love is all to give God due glory and praise. Grow in Love to Glorify God.

11 This is going to be a reflective and discovery episode. If you are tuning in for the first time, thank you.The Christian walk is simple, but it isn't easy. If you have ever thought, I'm a Christian, why is this happening to me?Here are a couple of verses I want you to hearMatthew 7:13,14Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.You will need to battle many false beliefs in your Christian walk, but life being easy after you get saved is not in the Bible.You could argue it's the exact opposite.To be successful in any area of your life, you must make up your mind to do something regardless of the cost.I am going to use this podcast as our example. I'm eleven episodes in, and I've only begun my journey. IF I start comparing myself to other podcasters who have been at this for years, I will fail.Your Christian walk is the same. We all start as babies in ChristOne more example:Do you think Jesus ever struggled with life being difficult?Read Matthew 26: 37-39And He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death, stay here and watch with Me."He went a little farther and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.Jesus had already made up His mind, but the "struggle" is real. There is an incredible power to a made-up mind, and that is what I want you to get out of this lesson today.

Sermon Manuscript: Galatians 2:11-21 Series: Why it Matters Title: You know better   Galatians 2:11-12 (NLT) 11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision.          Point number 1 in your notes: Our actions and our words must match.     Acts 15:6-11 New Living Translation (NLT) 6 So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. 7 At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. 8 God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. 10 So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? 11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”       Galatians 2:13-14 (NLT) 13 As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?     Point number 2 in your notes: Your Christian faith is of great concern because others are following your lead and example. Don’t lead them to Hell.       1 Corinthians 9:20-23 (NLT) 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.     Galatians 2:15-18 (CSB) 15 We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” 16 and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. 17 But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.        Point number 3 in your notes: If you have come to Christ, and your actions still say you are loving your old life, then you have a lot of spiritual growing up to do.       Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT) 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.     Galatians 2:19-21 (CSB) 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.       Point number 4 in your notes: Why it matters is because Jesus died for you. He gave himself for you. If we are to die for Christ, who do other people see when they look at you? You or Jesus?

Your Christian walk is not small potatoes- Sacrificial submission in our relationships demonstrates the power of the gospel on earth, and it bears witness to the victory of Christ in the heavenly places-

Knowledge is powerful; a proper understanding of the knowledge received is more powerful. Your Christian journey will be barren of fruits and be in confusion if you miss the understanding of certain vital foundational truth that acts as the base of your Christian living & exploits in life. With this audio message get the understanding about living according to the will and reality of God. Isaiah 55:8 KJV: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/eccn-podcasts/message

Your Christian life is not all about suffering and waiting for the next crisis to happen....there will be sufferings and hardships for sure...but there will also be great JOY'S!!! Enjoy the hills, not just living to wait on the next valley.... Scripture References: John 16:33 1 Peter 5:8 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/erica-brown24/message

Your Christian life isn’t hard. It’s impossible. So impossible, in fact, you cannot do it on your own. But that’s okay. In this episode of Live the Bible, Jesus gave His disciples some impossible commands, and then taught them (and us) how to do them with His help. One of the miracles Jesus performs is the only miracle included in all four gospels, except for the resurrection. Its application for us is that important. God’s greatest work in your life is not what He does through you— but what He does in you.

Your Christian testimony. Are you wearing Christ's name and showing your true testimony.

" I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life " We are not being called to turn off the darkness, we are called to turn on our light! Pastor Brian Daly continues this study into the book of Acts. The boldness of Paul should inspire all of us to walk worthy of our calling. This message can also be heard on the church website at ccsanramon.org and viewed on YouTube. Tune in Monday - Friday from 11:00 am to 11:30am for Hydrate Radio on KEPT 96.9 FM. A study through the book of Ephesians will conclude and a new study "The 4 E's" will begin. Your Christian walk is all important. If you need prayer or would like to speak to someone, call or email. Thank you for your support of this Church and helping to spread the Word of Salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. God bless your journey Christian.

Your Christian assignment of "exhorting one another daily" is this simple.

When we read the scriptures we often come across terms that most saints do not have a clear working understanding of: temptations, tests, and trials. Consequently, they intermingle these terms and come up with some very inaccurate conclusions. Your Christian life and your perspective will become very confusing if you do not understand the difference between the three. For example, if your bible-based belief is that God will send cancer to you to test you, why would you even attempt to receive healing? Your faulty thought process would conclude: Why should I pray to God to take away something that he sent to me? A test is when God places you in a situation with the objective of conducting an audit, so that you can have a clear picture of where you stand in an area. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted. The goal in a test is to pass, and the agenda is to produce a positive outcome. A temptation is when satan entices you to do evil, and the objective is to produce a negative outcome. The goal when we are tempted is to take the way of escape. A trial is an inevitable part of life that exists because of atmospheric sin. We will have many trials in life. We live in a fallen world, and life has not been problem free since chapter two of Genesis. Consequently, we have to deal with difficulties and challenges. The goal is to endure the trials with a good attitude.

When we read the scriptures we often come across terms that most saints do not have a clear working understanding of: temptations, tests, and trials. Consequently, they intermingle these terms and come up with some very inaccurate conclusions. Your Christian life and your perspective will become very confusing if you do not understand the difference between the three. For example, if your bible-based belief is that God will send cancer to you to test you, why would you even attempt to receive healing? Your faulty thought process would conclude: Why should I pray to God to take away something that he sent to me? A test is when God places you in a situation with the objective of conducting an audit, so that you can have a clear picture of where you stand in an area. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted. The goal in a test is to pass, and the agenda is to produce a positive outcome. A temptation is when satan entices you to do evil, and the objective is to produce a negative outcome. The goal when we are tempted is to take the way of escape. A trial is an inevitable part of life that exists because of atmospheric sin. We will have many trials in life. We live in a fallen world, and life has not been problem free since chapter two of Genesis. Consequently, we have to deal with difficulties and challenges. The goal is to endure the trials with a good attitude.

When we read the scriptures we often come across terms that most saints do not have a clear working understanding of: temptations, tests, and trials. Consequently, they intermingle these terms and come up with some very inaccurate conclusions. Your Christian life and your perspective will become very confusing if you do not understand the difference between the three. For example, if your bible-based belief is that God will send cancer to you to test you, why would you even attempt to receive healing? Your faulty thought process would conclude: Why should I pray to God to take away something that he sent to me? A test is when God places you in a situation with the objective of conducting an audit, so that you can have a clear picture of where you stand in an area. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted. The goal in a test is to pass, and the agenda is to produce a positive outcome. A temptation is when satan entices you to do evil, and the objective is to produce a negative outcome. The goal when we are tempted is to take the way of escape. A trial is an inevitable part of life that exists because of atmospheric sin. We will have many trials in life. We live in a fallen world, and life has not been problem free since chapter two of Genesis. Consequently, we have to deal with difficulties and challenges. The goal is to endure the trials with a good attitude.

When we read the scriptures we often come across terms that most saints do not have a clear working understanding of: temptations, tests, and trials. Consequently, they intermingle these terms and come up with some very inaccurate conclusions. Your Christian life and your perspective will become very confusing if you do not understand the difference between the three. For example, if your bible-based belief is that God will send cancer to you to test you, why would you even attempt to receive healing? Your faulty thought process would conclude: Why should I pray to God to take away something that he sent to me? A test is when God places you in a situation with the objective of conducting an audit, so that you can have a clear picture of where you stand in an area. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted. The goal in a test is to pass, and the agenda is to produce a positive outcome. A temptation is when satan entices you to do evil, and the objective is to produce a negative outcome. The goal when we are tempted is to take the way of escape. A trial is an inevitable part of life that exists because of atmospheric sin. We will have many trials in life. We live in a fallen world, and life has not been problem free since chapter two of Genesis. Consequently, we have to deal with difficulties and challenges. The goal is to endure the trials with a good attitude.

I was just beginning to get sick when we did this podcast, so I apologize for the sniffing! Relationships are important to us as humans, we crave for them on a daily. So, what should all kinds of relationships look like in YOUR Christian lifestyle? Find out what myself and my friend Thomas talk about on this episode of Time for a Cuppa! And don't forget to enjoy a nice cup of tea of your own! Check out Asher's Films on YouTube for my other Christian Content! All of the episodes are first live streamed on Youtube, so if you would like to be a part of the podcast and ask a question you can go Asher's Films on YouTube listen to my monthly podcast there! If you want to find any songs used in this podcast, go to my YouTube for Credits in the Description of this Episode. Co-Hosted Podcast Series, Ep. 2 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/asher-roland/message

Edmund BrooksDo you ever wish that you had someone to show you how to do spiritual things? Your Christian walk, like most things in life would benefit if someone was modeling spiritual essentials to you. In this section, Paul gives us good examples to follow.RADICAL JOY - Learn By Example study guide

Key Question: What about the poor and injustice? I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me. Matt 25:40 Key Verse: Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:3-4) 35 passages of scripture about the orphan. Over 2000 passages of scripture about the underdog. Key Idea: I believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to people in need. The continuum of compassion begins with involvement moves toward identification. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.. Luke 10:33 (ASV) Involvement Step #1: Stop, Notice and Come Near. Where do you start? Wherever you are. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.. Luke 10:33 (ASV) Involvement #2: Be Moved with Compassion There are approximately 24 specific, unique events where Jesus emotions are explicitly recorded. The emotion Jesus is described having the most? Compassion. When you read in the Gospels that Jesus was moved with compassion, it is saying that His gut was wrenched, His heart torn open, and the most vulnerable part of his being laid bare.  The ground of all being shook, the source of all life trembled, the heart of all love burst open, and the unfathomable depths of the relentless tenderness was laid bare. Your Christian life and mine don’t make any sense unless in the depth of our beings we believe that Jesus not only knows what hurts us, but knowing, seeks us out whatever our poverty, whatever our pain. His plea to His people is, 'Come now, wounded, frightened, angry, lonely, empty, and I’ll meet you where you live. And I’ll love you as you are, not as you should be, because you’re never going to be as you should be.' Do you really believe this?  Brennan Manning As I receive Jesus’ compassion for me, I will release Jesus’ compassion to others. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5 NLT Involvement Step #3: Do Something Turn to pg 138, 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' Luke 10:34-35 (NIV) I don’t have to do everything, I need to do something. Turn to page 139 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’” Matthew 25:34-36BELIEVE books available here.

Your Christian friend is struggling and seemingly cannot change. Something has caught them (Galatian 6:1-2). Do you believe your friend can change? Perhaps that person is your spouse, child, or parent. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/do-you-believe-a-sinning-christian-can-change/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here rickthomas.net/donations/

Its wonderful unity, fulfilled prophecy and sustaining power confirm that Scripture is the very breath of Godas truly as if God Almighty stood in the pulpit and spoke the words. Your Christian life depends upon your assurance that the Bible is the Word of God. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/135/29

When we think of Christian faith we often think of those heroes past and present whose lives reflect the courage and fortitude needed to stand up for Christ in the face of an opposite world.  We recall their drive, experiences and actions and  feel inspired. What zeal! Then we look at our own lives, and it is at this point that we can often get totally depressed!  Where is the passion, the conviction and the heroic stand of MY faith?  How is it that life seems to keep getting in MY way, and I don’t always feel or act in accordance with the living faith I see in others?  Is there something wrong with me?  Is my faith genuine, and if so, then what do I have to do to put it in its rightful place regarding my daily life experiences?  Is it even possible for me to become a “hero of faith” even in a small way? How do I relight faith? The word “zeal” in the Bible means “heat.”  The most common misconception about zeal is that it depicts emotion.  It does not.  When Jesus cleared the Temple of the moneychangers he was recognized as fulfilling the prophecy (Psalm 69:9) that said, “The zeal of thine house hath consumed me.”  This scene was NOT describing Jesus barreling through the Temple tossing tables and smashing THINGS in an angry fit of rage.  No – his motivation was far deeper, stronger and more focused than simple anger…Jesus saw corruption and thievery against the common people.  It was happening in the Temple, a place devoted to solemn praise and worship of God.  He could not allow such disrespect to be given without standing in its way and proclaiming the holiness of God’s house.  That is zeal. Many of us believe that if we do not have the courage Jesus displayed and an opportunity for a dramatic expression, we must be lacking in passion.   This is the second common misconception about zeal, as it is not usually expressed with such public vigor.  Actually, Christian fervor is expressed in many different ways and on many different levels.  It is developed and expressed internally as well as externally, and therefore may not ever be blatantly recognizable to those around you. The third misconception about Christian zeal is that it is a self-perpetuating power.  This could not be further from the truth.  Christian passion and focus need help every step of the way, as there are many life circumstances that can derail or diffuse it.  Check out our August 6, 2018 podcast, “How do I Relight the Fire of My Christian Faith?” for more on this.  We look at several biblical examples of those whose zeal got lost or overshadowed and follow what they did and what happened to rekindle their fire.  Understanding their dramatic experiences of lost zeal provides us with several valuable tools to apply in our own lives to our own fervor.  Your Christian zeal is important – it can and should define you. Listen in and relight that fire!

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today's Show:We have a Spiritual Spoiler Review of Marvel's Black Panther Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions: http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/movie_ministerFollow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister Music Credits: 9th Wonder “Made in Black”Released: May 31, 2017℗ 2017 It's a Wonderful World Music Group

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today's Show:We are discussing the "Me Too" movement Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions: http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/movie_ministerFollow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister Music Credits: 9th Wonder “She Chose Me”Released: May 31, 2017℗ 2017 It's a Wonderful World Music Group

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today's Show:We break down the animated film "Coco" Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions: http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/movie_ministerFollow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.pageFollow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister Music Credits: Onra “Legacy”Released: March 10, 2017℗ 2017 All City Dublin

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today's Show:We breakdown The Last Jedi (Joined by special guest: Chris Mathis) Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions: http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/movie_ministerFollow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.pageFollow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister Music Credits: Onra “Lesson With the Master”Released: March 10, 2017℗ 2017 All City Dublin

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today's Show:We finally breakdown Rogue One: A Star Wars Story! (Joined by special guest: Jose Meza) Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions: http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/movie_ministerFollow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.pageFollow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister Music Credits: Mura Masa “...Girl”Released: Nov 17, 2014℗ 2014 Jakarta  

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today's Show:We discuss what I am currently doing to deepen my walk with God. Links:Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes (https://goo.gl/xBzCLL)Kid's Media (https://appsto.re/us/tBkgE.i) Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions: http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/movie_ministerFollow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.pageFollow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister Music Credits: Mura Masa “Lotus Eater”Released: Nov 17, 2014℗ 2014 Jakarta  

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today we discuss the story points of the movie Arrival directed by Denis Villeneuve. Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions: http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/movie_ministerFollow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.pageFollow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister Music Credits: Wax Tailor “Que Sera”Released: Sep 20, 2005℗ 2006 Lab'Oratoire  

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today we talk about the movie "Doctor Strange" directed by Scott Derrickson   Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions:  http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop   Follow Me on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/movie_minister Follow Me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.page Follow Me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rsbuckner   Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Today we discuss why it took me so long to upload the latest podcast!   Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions:  http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop   Follow Me on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/movie_minister Follow Me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.page Follow Me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rsbuckner   Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister

Your Christian walk may have started with believing in Jesus but it does not stop there, you have to keep moving up in God

4th of July, 2016 Live as a Christian Where You Are.  If you have more Freedom in America as a Christian then more is required of you. Individual responsibility = Freedom.  The moment you hand your individual responsibility to a government you lose that freedom and become a slave to that government.  Moral Laws are all you can enforce as a government.   Murder, Lying, con-artist  Stealing:  embezzling  Governments carry the sword for a reason.  When a government creates laws to prevent a sin before it happens, that is when you lose your freedom and no government can manage what they create.  Thought Laws:  “hate crimes”  “hate speech”   God's Plan for the Local Church [Eph 4:11 ESV] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [Eph 4:12 ESV] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, To What End?  To Grow Up.  [Eph 4:13 ESV] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [Eph 4:14 ESV] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [Eph 4:15 ESV] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [Eph 4:16 ESV] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Don't do what the world is doing.  [Eph 4:17 ESV] Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. [Eph 4:18 ESV] They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. [Eph 4:19 ESV] They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. Heads Up Christian! [Eph 4:20 ESV] But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- [Eph 4:21 ESV] assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, [Eph 4:22 ESV] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [Eph 4:23 ESV] and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [Eph 4:24 ESV] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Your New Action Plan [Eph 4:25 ESV] Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Anger is not Sin.  [Eph 4:26 ESV] Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, [Eph 4:27 ESV] and give no opportunity to the devil. Individual Responsibility . . . there it is.  [Eph 4:28 ESV] Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Watch your mouth. [Eph 4:29 ESV] Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. rotten, putrefied  For the Christian, the Holy Spirit is IN YOU.  [Eph 4:30 ESV] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Don't carry dung in your heart and mind. The opposite of forgiving.  [Eph 4:31 ESV] Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [Eph 4:32 ESV] Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Your Christian work this week.  Read Ephesians 5 once a day, every day.  Freedom's Cost More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it.   Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions:  http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop   Follow Me on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/movie_minister Follow Me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.page Follow Me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rsbuckner   Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it.Today's Show:I give my Spiritual Spoiler Review of 10 Cloverfield Lane Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions: http://www.twitter.com/jezuspopFollow Me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/movie_ministerFollow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.pageFollow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsbucknerHere is my personal ministry YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinisterMusic Credits: Apollo Brown “The Reset Instrumentals”Released: Aug 24, 2010℗ 2010 Mello Music Group

When we read the scriptures we often come across terms that most saints do not have a clear working understanding of: temptations, tests, and trials. Consequently, they intermingle these terms and come up with some very inaccurate conclusions. Your Christian life and your perspective will become very confusing if you do not understand the difference between the three. For example, if your bible-based belief is that God will send cancer to you to test you, why would you even attempt to receive healing? Your faulty thought process would conclude: Why should I pray to God to take away something that he sent to me? A test is when God places you in a situation with the objective of conducting an audit, so that you can have a clear picture of where you stand in an area. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted. The goal in a test is to pass, and the agenda is to produce a positive outcome. A temptation is when satan entices you to do evil, and the objective is to produce a negative outcome. The goal when we are tempted is to take the way of escape. A trial is an inevitable part of life that exists because of atmospheric sin. We will have many trials in life. We live in a fallen world, and life has not been problem free since chapter two of Genesis. Consequently, we have to deal with difficulties and challenges. The goal is to endure the trials with a good attitude.

When we read the scriptures we often come across terms that most saints do not have a clear working understanding of: temptations, tests, and trials. Consequently, they intermingle these terms and come up with some very inaccurate conclusions. Your Christian life and your perspective will become very confusing if you do not understand the difference between the three. For example, if your bible-based belief is that God will send cancer to you to test you, why would you even attempt to receive healing? Your faulty thought process would conclude: Why should I pray to God to take away something that he sent to me? A test is when God places you in a situation with the objective of conducting an audit, so that you can have a clear picture of where you stand in an area. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted. The goal in a test is to pass, and the agenda is to produce a positive outcome. A temptation is when satan entices you to do evil, and the objective is to produce a negative outcome. The goal when we are tempted is to take the way of escape. A trial is an inevitable part of life that exists because of atmospheric sin. We will have many trials in life. We live in a fallen world, and life has not been problem free since chapter two of Genesis. Consequently, we have to deal with difficulties and challenges. The goal is to endure the trials with a good attitude.

When we read the scriptures we often come across terms that most saints do not have a clear working understanding of: temptations, tests, and trials. Consequently, they intermingle these terms and come up with some very inaccurate conclusions. Your Christian life and your perspective will become very confusing if you do not understand the difference between the three. For example, if your bible-based belief is that God will send cancer to you to test you, why would you even attempt to receive healing? Your faulty thought process would conclude: Why should I pray to God to take away something that he sent to me? A test is when God places you in a situation with the objective of conducting an audit, so that you can have a clear picture of where you stand in an area. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted. The goal in a test is to pass, and the agenda is to produce a positive outcome. A temptation is when satan entices you to do evil, and the objective is to produce a negative outcome. The goal when we are tempted is to take the way of escape. A trial is an inevitable part of life that exists because of atmospheric sin. We will have many trials in life. We live in a fallen world, and life has not been problem free since chapter two of Genesis. Consequently, we have to deal with difficulties and challenges. The goal is to endure the trials with a good attitude.

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Tweet your questions or Pop-talk suggestions:  http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/movie_minister Follow Me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.page Follow Me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister

When we read the scriptures we often come across terms that most saints do not have a clear working understanding of: temptations, tests, and trials. Consequently, they intermingle these terms and come up with some very inaccurate conclusions. Your Christian life and your perspective will become very confusing if you do not understand the difference between the three. For example, if your bible-based belief is that God will send cancer to you to test you, why would you even attempt to receive healing? Your faulty thought process would conclude: Why should I pray to God to take away something that he sent to me? A test is when God places you in a situation with the objective of conducting an audit, so that you can have a clear picture of where you stand in an area. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted. The goal in a test is to pass, and the agenda is to produce a positive outcome. A temptation is when satan entices you to do evil, and the objective is to produce a negative outcome. The goal when we are tempted is to take the way of escape. A trial is an inevitable part of life that exists because of atmospheric sin. We will have many trials in life. We live in a fallen world, and life has not been problem free since chapter two of Genesis. Consequently, we have to deal with difficulties and challenges. The goal is to endure the trials with a good attitude.

Your Christian filter for everything pop-culture. Whether movies, sports, news or politics, we talk about it. Tweet your question or Pop-talk suggestions:  http://www.twitter.com/jezuspop Follow Me on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/movie_minister Follow Me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rsbuckner.page Follow Me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rsbuckner Here is my personal ministry YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieMinister

I had two conversations this week that prompted the topic of today's podcast. One had to do with weird Christian views about money, and the other had to do with a question about the business mission of my company. This episode is going to be like one big Spiritual Foundations segment… So, if you're not into that, you might want to skip out until next week. However, if any of the following apply to you… You ever wonder if it's okay to want to get rich. Internal conflicts about money seem to slow you down. Your Christian brothers and sisters judge or criticize you because you're so enthusiastic about business and success. You wonder about how to reconcile the gospel with your desire to succeed in life. The question of how to integrate your spiritual life with your business life seems to come up a lot. You'd like an explanation of just what exactly my weird business is all about. … Then this episode is definitely for you! And if you're one of those people who loves it when somebody is WRONG ON THE INTERNET…  and you feel it's your job to set them straight… this is your show! You may disagree in the comments, but no name-calling, etc, Please disagree agreeably. Announcements: And here we go… You Have Permission to Prosper He sat across from me and stared me in the eye. “It is scripturally wrong for a Christian to try to be rich.” He looked at me defiantly. I gently tried to explain that he might not have the entire picture, but he was going to hear none of it. This is a slightly fictionalized account of several conversations I've had over the last year or so. The other person in this story represents people who, when told what I do in my business, are quick to want to school me on why I'm wrong. Worse, some of them told me that I'm leading people to hell. This disturbed me somewhat. Then I had a conversation with someone very close to me, in just the last week. This person, a member of my family, began to describe to me what they thought my business was about: “You write copy, and you teach other people how to write copy, and you sell a bunch of Internet marketing stuff.” Well, no. The answer to both of these misunderstandings is actually the same. So today, I'm going to revisit a post I made previously on this blog, and spell out very carefully what is the purpose of my businesses… what we do… and how it ties together with this conundrum of Christians and cash. I really have one basic premise to offer you, and it is this: as a follower of Jesus you are entitled to prosper in every way. And that includes money. You have, straight from the pages of Scripture, permission to prosper. My Marketplace Mission: 1,000 Millionaires. I feel that God has prepared me for this very time to help demolish the mindsets of both poverty and greed that have a grip on so many. I am privileged to be called to be part of the solution. Our mission going forward, here at Ray Edwards International, Inc, is a very simple one: to mentor, foster, and lead 1,000 people to become millionaires. Not to become millionaires for the reasons the world normally supposes people want to be rich. Not so that they can buy the biggest house, or the fastest sports car, or acquire the “most toys”. Our aim (and my personal mission) is to develop “Kingdom millionaires”. People who seek to accumulate wealth in order to do the work of God’s kingdom. “Millionaire Missionaries”, if you will. Leading 1,000 people to become millionaires means bringing one billion dollars into God’s Kingdom – money that will be used for His purposes. Over the last few years, I’ve had the great privilege of working with many well-known marketers and thought-leaders. Some of my clients are household names. I’ve been able to contribute to their success, and my work has been responsible, in part, for bringing millions of dollars into those businesses and those personal fortunes. Today, we continue to serve by bringing practical wisdom on how to start, run, and grow business period we do this through consulting services, coaching programs, seminars and workshops, instructional products, in writing books. I have dedicated my work-all of it-to the building of God’s kingdom. How? By continuing to help people and businesses create more wealth – but now with a renewed and more accurately-focused purpose. By being dedicated… To the destruction of the poverty and greed mindset. To the creation of new wealth. To the alleviation of suffering, sickness, and poverty. We are in a world at war. It’s Good against evil. While evil wants to take over, we resist the idea of giving up a single inch of ground. This is the sound of a revolution. If You’re Receiving This Message, You Are The Resistance If this resonates with you, if you want to be part of this revolution, I invite you to stick with me. As dark as some people think tomorrow looks, we have a different view. We believe the future is pregnant with promise, and we are committed to taking back tomorrow from the “gloom and doomers”. So how can you join in? First, and absolutely of most importance, make sure you are following Jesus. Accept Him as your Lord (your Master) and as your Savior. It’s not complex. All that is required: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 Next, if what I’ve said here seems to draw you toward it, then this is your place! Subscribe to this blog, if you haven’t already. Our values are reflected in the articles we publish, the podcasts we produce, the information products and books we make available. I just got word that my new book has been accepted by the publisher, and we have an event scheduled for April 8-10. Both are called Permission to Prosper. My teaching and materials reflect the principles of helping you build wealth from a foundation of Kingdom principles – for Kingdom purposes. We will be together on the journey of true prosperity. And like John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, I want you to prosper, even as your soul prospers. I look forward to contributing to your success. We have some exciting things in store for you. In the meantime… May you prosper wildly, and may you be radically blessed. Question:    Have you struggled with any of the issues brought up in this podcast? Click here to leave your comments.  

2006-05-14-1030 Pastor Loran Livingston is the speaker this morning May 14, 2006 in the 10:30 service.Scripture Ref: Hebrews 12:18-24Topic: JoyNotes:- We're no longer under judgement, should be secure, victorious, joyous- Our joy is in Jesus, let's us live as over comers- Enjoy: prefix en means to put on or get into, to make (encourage-to put courage into, enforce-to put force or authority to)- Church staff, elders, choir can begin to dread church as a job; Church should be free, exciting- When church becomes obligation, it becomes religion- It is sometimes hard to be a Christian, just want to do other things (golf, fish). Used to feel guilty, couldn't cultivate 24 hr/day prayer life- We are to serve with gladness, enjoy all things, be balanced- God isn't trying to get us to do something for Him, but to enjoy what He has done for us.- We shouldn't feel guilty when we don't come to church; condemnation is not the spirit of Jesus- Referenced sermon on boats: Your Christian walk can be related to one of three kinds of boats: speed boat, row boat, sailboat.

2006-05-14-0830 Pastor Loran Livingston is the speaker this morning May 14, 2006 in the 8:30 service.Scripture Ref: Hebrews 12:18-24Topic: JoyNotes:- We're no longer under judgement, should be secure, victorious, joyous- Our joy is in Jesus, let's us live as over comers- Enjoy: prefix en means to put on or get into, to make (encourage-to put courage into, enforce-to put force or authority to)- Church staff, elders, choir can begin to dread church as a job; Church should be free, exciting- When church becomes obligation, it becomes religion- It is sometimes hard to be a Christian, just want to do other things (golf, fish). Used to feel guilty, couldn't cultivate 24 hr/day prayer life- We are to serve with gladness, enjoy all things, be balanced- God isn't trying to get us to do something for Him, but to enjoy what He has done for us.- We shouldn't feel guilty when we don't come to church; condemnation is not the spirit of Jesus- Referenced sermon on boats: Your Christian walk can be related to one of three kinds of boats: speed boat, row boat, sailboat.