NMC Audio Podcast

The wise sage, John, abruptly ends his letter to the church. His final words are short and to the point. He tells the beloved disciples of Jesus to keep themselves from idols. That’s it. Why would John choose to finish his letter that is full of assurances in such a way? 

It’s a great learning moment when an old, wise sage sits down in his chair and shares seasoned wisdom with the children. That’s exactly what John does in 1 John. As he comes closer to the end of his life, he wants those new in the faith to experience God’s perfect love flowing through them. He wants them to experience incredible joy. Most importantly, he desires for them to know freedom from the t...

Who doesn’t want to be loved? There is an innate desire in all of us to be seen and known in an intimate way. Our souls crave the love of God, but there is also a need to be loved in communion with our brothers and sisters. That loving communion with brothers and sisters is what John describes as evidence that we have relationship with God. So why do we often get it so wrong?

John describes in stark contrast the present circumstances of a group of believers in Jesus. His words accentuate the pressure they face, he reminds them time is ticking away, and he encourages them to apply the truth they have accepted to their everyday life. But a choice remains. The hours of our days are not unlike theirs, and we too have the same choice—Option A or Option BE.

Abide. Remain. Dwell. Live in. Stay. Over twenty times, John writes of this idea in his short letter to the church. This state of being or concept of remaining directly connects to John 15, where Jesus also encourages his followers to stay connected to him. So, Church, what does it look like to abide, remain, dwell, live in and stay with Christ? 

The book of 1 John is a challenge and encouragement to the Church. John is reminding the Church of the sufficient work of Christ on the cross and the implications for holy living. John is encouraging the faithful followers of Christ to hold steady in the face of opposition and false teaching. We are people of light and love.

Seeking Jesus is an incredible gift from God. Along the way, it means dealing with questions and frustrations. It could even mean we will overlook Him from time to time. That’s not surprising knowing our own shortcomings. But what if it is Jesus who is being elusive? What then? Will we be motived to seek and find Him even when it is difficult?

A first-century pagan named Epictetus once wrote, “While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy; he cannot give peace of heart, for which man yearns for more than even outward peace.” Today, we all are still searching for that peace. Who is able to offer mankind the peace that they are seeking?

Two simultaneously stunning aspects are true of God. First, He is involved in our lives. How sweet that is! Second, we don’t automatically see His involvement. Ugh! However, as we continue seeking Jesus, we discover how God is at work. Through the snapshot of two individuals in the Scriptures, we see how God is at work in, through, and for us.

More than two thousand years ago, a baby was born in Bethlehem, and nothing has been the same since. Regardless of what you personally believe, no person has ever come close to the kind of impact that Jesus of Nazareth has had on our world. Jesus forces every single one of us to make a decision. Will you be compelled or repelled by him?

Do you ever feel like the middle has no meaning? The middle of the road trip, the middle of the line, the middle child, the middle of my education/career/life… The middle can leave us wondering, "What’s the point of all this?" The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth helps us know what to do and what to expect as we continue seeking Jesus, even in the middle.

Jesus once said, “Give back to God what is God’s.” So, the question becomes, "What is God’s?" Could it be that God is calling each of His followers into a radical mindset switch and lifestyle? God is challenging us to adopt a new posture, one that shifts the conversation from ownership to stewardship. Ultimately it comes down to trust!

What comes to mind when someone says, “Give God your best”? Do you start acting better, giving extra, trying harder, attending more? Perhaps it’s opposite — you back away feeling like you don’t have much to offer. The Bible repeatedly expresses to us that God’s best is revealed out of the people and places where nothing good seems possible.

We're celebrating the goodness of God through the Let's Give It All Away offering, Feed My Starving Children week, and stories of Kingdom impact through our local, regional, and global partners!

Most of us have multiple nagging fears in our minds such as, “What if there isn’t enough for me?” or “What if I miss out on an opportunity?” Or maybe even, “What if this God stuff isn’t real?” A scarcity mindset, a fear of missing out mindset, or an Epicurean mindset motivates us to hoard, to hurry, and to focus on self. What if there was another way—the way of Jesus?

Pray earnestly. Pray often. Pray when you are in trouble. Pray when you are full of joy. Seek prayer when facing all kinds of illness. Pray with clean hands and pure hearts. The prayer of the righteous is powerful. Pray with God’s name, God’s Kingdom, and God’s will as your focus. Don’t stop praying!

We live in an economic system that preys on our lack of self-control and mindless consumption. We give advertisements, our neighbors, and social media facades permission to sow discontent in our souls and cultivate an insatiable desire for more. James cries out like the prophets of old and warns the Church of the dangers of wealth and challenges us to live, instead, with radical generosity. 

They say life, like football, is a game of inches. Each of us face “little things” or “final details” which can make all the difference in our lives. The biblical author, James, makes a big deal about a small thing in hopes that we will trust God with the big and small parts of our lives.

The Africa Gospel Church (AGC) Baby Centre in Kenya is one of NMC’s major international partners. From the beginning, the goal was not to be an orphanage, but rather a place for orphaned and abandoned babies to find restoration in a forever home. Since the first babies arrived in 2006, more than 500 children have come through the Baby Centre—500 lives rescued, redeemed, and restored by the work of...

An underlying theme in the book of James is a general concern that the Body of Christ is failing to put their faith into practice. To James, this life matters, and what we do in this life matters. So, the question asked of the early church and the question that should still be asked today is “What are you doing?”

Regardless of your faith (or lack of faith) in Jesus, we experience pressure, strain, loss, and struggle. We face "trials of every kind." The invitation from James is to welcome wisdom. But what kind of wisdom? The result of that choice will make all the difference in our world, our communities, and our closest relationships.

Jesus was abundantly clear with His followers when He said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Jesus is telling His followers to brace themselves, there will be resistance to those who align themselves with Christ and His kingdom. Here, James offers significant insight into how followers of Jesus are to understand and face trials of many kinds.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave clear instruction on living as a citizen of the kingdom. He ends with a strong warning to those who believe they are following Jesus. Many will miss it. As the rain falls on the just and the unjust, the foundations will be exposed and what is in our hearts will be revealed. Listen to the words of Jesus and put them into practice.

When one kingdom rises, others will react. Jesus brings His kingdom toward the kingdoms of our world and our personal lives. He knows there will be resistance – but resistance can become the very thing Jesus uses to bring God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.