Abide and Respond Podcast

What kind of a worshipper are you? God is seeking people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Does Jesus have your attention, affection and devotion? Jesus uses the contrast of responses between a sinful woman and a self-righteous Pharisee to lead us to Him. People who are forgiven much love much. People who are in denial and reject forgiveness do not love much. Let’s abide with Jesus and...

Have you felt like you are running out of resources? Where do you turn when you cannot find a solution? How do you keep pace with the needs that surround you? Jesus nourishes people physically and spiritually. The disciples learned to rely on the Lord and offer to Jesus what they have as a step of faith. Jesus takes small acts of obedience and transforms them into a colossal provision and demonstr...

How ready are you for Jesus to return? Why is preparation important? What changes would improve your life? Purity and repentance make room for God’s presence in our lives. Generosity changes lives and builds God’s kingdom. Humility and serving display the love and character of Jesus.

How would you define leadership? What are the most important characteristics of a solid leader? How can you grow in your influence? The character of a leader is formed by having a healthy reverence for God. Being a good steward of your influence will lead to transformed lives. A dependable leader has relationships that are consistent, intentional, and inspiring.

Here are some reflection questions designed to how you draw near to God: 1) Are you defining God’s love based on your expectations about life or refusing to take His love for granted? 2) Are you questioning or believing what God is clearly communicating? 3) Are you bringing God leftovers or joyfully offering your best?

In obedience to God's call through Haggai, the Jews built & dedicated the 2nd temple. However, those who were old enough to have seen Solomon's temple were totally discouraged and wept because the second temple looked very insignificant compared to the magnitude of the first temple. Then, the prophet Haggai proclaimed God's message to these people not to lose heart and to stand strong (2:1-5). A m...

What is God’s plan? How does He mobilize His people? What vision has God placed in your heart? There is a calling on your life to build in specific ways. The calling is full of love and will includes sacrifice. The calling involves a community of people and a quality of work. The calling of God is God's presence as He stirs your spirit and equips you.

Have you ever had a friend who deeply disappointed you? Has it happened with your family? How do you recover during those times? Jesus is loyal to you. Your relationship with Jesus will shape every relationship you have. God gives you love, discernment, and grace every day. May we be faithful and reject betrayal.

What is your perception about how God sees you? Have you ever seen a parent singing over their child? How can God quiet you with his love? God loves you. God is with you. God strengthens you. God sings over you. God delights in you. These powerful truths are the basis of a healthy identity and a secure relationship.

What is pride? When is it unhealthy? How are self-centeredness and arrogance deceiving and unfulfilling? Pride and shame are inseparable and cruel. They are not from God, and we often have more of them than we realize. Jesus wants to set us free so that we can worship God and love our neighbors.

Though we are not to judge, God will. He loves us. And there have been times throughout history that God passes judgement and makes corrections in our world to bring us, his creation, back to him. Mankind has and will wander from God. We will look at a time when God said, “Enough is enough”. It should remind us that what matters most is having, and keeping, God first in our life.

How do you know when God is leading you to do some thing? Do you listen closely to his voice? Will you trust him as you step in to new territory, rolls, and adventures? Our calling is not to live a comfortable life! The greatest joys often come in times of incredible challenge and even hardships. Jesus walked this path, and the eternal glory far outweighs the temporary trials and pain.

We are in the middle of a spiritual battle. Everyday, we make significant choices, as we decide between good and evil, darkness and light, God and the devil. We can try to deny these realities, but denial does not lead to transformation and fruit. These realities should drive us to reliance on Jesus, His power and protection. The Holy Spirit inside of you is greater than the temptations that surro...

Do you feel exhausted by the pace of life? Do you take time to stop, think, and pray? When was the last time you had a spiritually refreshing experience with God?

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the nation and calling them to return to God. What is the condition of your soul? Jesus is the cure for our sin and rebellion. Jesus heals deep wounds. Jesus brings hope when you feel despair. The invitation from God is trustworthy. His kindness leads you home. There is one voice that is strong, true and reliable. What will it take for you to repent and lead other...

There is a calling on your life from God. This calling has three elements: your personal relationship with God, your character, and your influence. Isaiah was called by God to bring a message to people with hard hearts. Our role is to be faithful, and trust God with the results. Do you not focus on what you cannot control. God has given you many talents, resources, and opportunities. God is glorif...

The judgment of God is personal and national. The faithfulness of God is our only hope. The mercy of God is the song of the redeemed. Do you ever wonder when specific people and nations will have to answer to God? How does God have the final say within justice? Will prosperous cultures who rebelled against God and bring destruction simply get away with it?

Where do you go to meet your essential need for comfort on a daily basis? Who or what do you turn to? What is God’s comfort, and who needs it? Isaiah prophecies a word of comfort over God’s people who are tired, broken, wearied, and exiled. They desperately needed God’s promise of comfort. And despite their lack of faithfulness, God remains faithful for his sake and for his glory to be known. We w...

The more that you focus on God, the more that your life will be fruitful. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and in all places.

Is God going to provide what you really need? Can you trust Him fully? What does it look like to rely on God moment by moment? God’s greatest provision comes, when we are surrendered and ready to receive. The Israelites were struggling and stubbornly refusing to turn to God. Isaiah speaks tenderly to their hearts, and remind them of the goodness of God. Our souls and our nation needs to turn to th...

The Savior of the world meets our needs, lays down his life, and is faithful to Father God. It is uncommon for a king to be the one who serves everyone. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords yet he died on the cross to pay the full price for our sins. This is the ultimate in servant leadership. Serving is your calling. Whoever is truly great serves other people well. It is better to give th...

God is a redeemer. He pursues, rescues, in basis back through Jesus. We all have a great need for God’s redemption. Will you admit how much you need the Lord? Will you receive the grace that He wants to shower on redemption. Will you admit how much you need the Lord? Will you receive the grace that He wants to shower on you? Will you extend God’s love to the people in your life?

Only Jesus can satisfy the thirst of the soul

Love includes sacrifice. There is no greater love than to lay down your life for someone else. Jesus demonstrated this love when He died on the cross to pay the full price for our sins. How did Isaiah prophesy in the Old Testament the suffering of the coming Messiah? How did Jesus fulfill this specific prophecy in great detail? What is the full significance of the atoning death of our Savior?

Jesus restores devastated people who restore devastated places. God wants to restore you and build you up as an instrument of restoration. Our nation needs God’s restoration. Have you noticed places in your city that are devastated? Have you noticed the souls of people who are devastated? Do you trust God who has the power and love to restore?