Adventurous Living - The Meadow Springs Community Church Podcast

The psalms are a collection of songs, poems and prayers that serve to direct God's people to Him in times of grief, joy, praise and lament. They serve as a tool box of sorts when we need to bring all the things to God... whatever all the things look like. But as for me, how good it is to be near to God!" vs. 28a

Power, position, status... this terrible beast is wreaking as much havoc as possible, but he’s on the clock and deception and lies are all he's got. Many will, in fact, be deceived. Given this ultimate evil and it's deadly outcome, how do believers discern where and how evil is present? In our lives? In the culture?

The book of Revelation, up to this point, has unveiled a cosmic war between good and evil that serves as the backstory of human history. Chapter 12 steps away from the war and toward the warriors. Who are these spiritual entities driving the conflict? They might begin to sound a bit familiar...

It's here... the seventh trumpet. "The whole world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever." Other than happily humming the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah, how does this make you feel? Relief? Finally... from the ancient promise of redemption and the ongoing battle between good and evil to the victory on the cross, resurrection and eternal lif...

Cue the dramatic pause... It's the interlude between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets. This short but intense chapter shifts focus back to earth... it's a last chance. "There will be no more delay," God says, referring to His long-foretold plan for judgement upon the earth. In a world of constant upheaval, we often need to be reminded that God's prophetic message is still true and ca...

One of the shortest chapters in the bible, Psalm 131 consists of just three verses. These verses, though, carry a profound message about contentment and quiet trust in God. Because we are human and God is, well, God... there are things about His reign over the earth that we will never understand. "I do not concern myself," David says, "with matters too great or awesome for me." Even as one of the...

The fifth and sixth trumpets sound and introduce severe demonic plagues upon the earth. The intensity of God's final judgement increases sharply from damage to the physical environment to direct, agonizing torment and mass casualties inflicted upon rebellious humanity. Even though they actually witness these terrible events, the folks that remain still refuse to repent. Go back and reread chapter...

Where is God in the cosmic chaos? Prayers seem to go unheard, and worse, unanswered. Justice rains down on the earth (hence the chaos) because he absolutely hears the prayers of His people and acts on their behalf. Often times, His answer is “wait”. Do not let your faith be wounded by prayers that are not answered in the “right way “or at the “right time”. God hears all of our prayers and He will...

Revelation 7 is a 'time out' before the seventh seal and answers the question of 'who can stand' following the judgement of the whole world. God acknowledges those now in His presence, the saints who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb that are now serving and worshipping Him...dwelling with Him. Oh what a day that will be!

The first command in Psalm 37 is "do not worry...". What follows are forty verses that encourage believers not to fret over the temporary success of the wicked, but to trust in God's justice. It is a wisdom poem attributed to King David that offers counsel on how to respond when evil people seem to prosper while the righteous suffer.

Someone recently commented that Revelation 6 is a "pretty dreary chapter". And while it does depict the unfolding chaos of the end times—war, famine, death—it also affirms Christ's sovereignty over history and promises justice for martyrs. It shows that even amidst catastrophic judgment, God is in control. This is very good news for believers and a terrifying prospect for those that resist him.

We are beginning the next phase of our series in Revelation. Chapters 5 through 11 serve as a dramatic, loud, and universal celebration of Jesus' victory and authority. The text is filled with interesting and mind-bending images and accounts that begin to reveal things to come - heaven is initiating divine judgement - and it all starts with Jesus.

Redemption is the theological cornerstone of Paul’s letter, declaring that humanity is justified freely by God’s grace through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Despite universal sin, believers are bought back - redeemed - from the penalty of sin and declared righteous through faith, not works. What a wonderful promise to keep in the forefront of our hearts and minds as we continue to celebra...

There is no more desolate a place than the desert, and it remains dry and barren without water. In this 'resurrection' account, God gives Ezekiel a vision where He brings back to life an entire valley of old, dry bones. This miraculous reassembly points us directly to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. We ask the question even now; “Can these bones live?” What a beautiful hope and a future w...

I am Redeemed: An Easter series | What Money Cannot Buy The book of Psalms speaks frequently about our position before God in trials and rejoicing, in prayer and thanksgiving. It gives us life... but what does the book say about our death? It says that rich or poor, virtuous or corrupt - nobody gets out of here alive. Death, though, looks very different for believers in Jesus; our ultimate redempt...

What happens to the Israelites in this portion of scripture is... what is it? Preparation... persecution... protection? All they know is that God has made them a promise of freedom. How it goes down and what happens afterward is the beginning of the story of ultimate freedom and redemption for all Christians.

What happens to the Israelites in this portion of scripture is... what is it? Preparation... persecution... protection? All they know is that God has made them a promise of freedom. How it goes down and what happens afterward is the beginning of the story of ultimate freedom and redemption for all Christians.

The supreme worthiness of Jesus Christ and the unfolding of the final purposes of God... that is what we see in Revelation 5. There is something for everyone... action, a hero, a treasure not-yet revealed, and unparalleled visual descriptions of fantastical heavenly beings. Popcorn recommended! It is the story of the greatest price paid by the greatest redeemer that anyone could imagine.

8 "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty, the One who was and is and is to come... 11 You are worthy , O LORD our God, to receive glory and honor and power..." . God, You are worthy indeed! Let our hearts and voices ring out with praises to our LORD!

Perhaps the most recognized and quoted piece of scripture, Psalm 23 encompasses the heart of God, our Good Shepherd. He promises to provide rest, peace, strength, protection and blessing when, not if, we face hardship. He promises this: His goodness and unfailing love will be what sustains us.

The last two of the seven churches receive letters containing harsh rebukes - their people and practices are not cutting it. "You have the reputation for being alive, but you are dead. Strengthen the little that remains, for even what is left is at the point of death." Ouch. "You are lukewarm" (at best), Jesus says, and "you don't realize you are wretched and miserable." Double ouch. "Saving the b...

Love God and love others ... these are the greatest biblical commands. While 1 Corinthians 13 is probably the most familiar scripture about love, are we missing - or even misunderstanding - it's true meaning? How does God want us to love Him and love others both in the world and in the church?

Jesus acknowledges and addresses these two churches in a very personal way. He recognizes their small fellowship and lack of wealth, but commends their richness of faith! It's definitely upside down when compared to who are considered winners and losers by today's metrics. Do we count ourselves winners or losers in God's view?

We are bringing back, by popular demand, our study in Psalms on the first Sunday of each month. This year, we are camping on Psalm 23 and others that speak of God's comfort when things get hard... and let's face it, a lot of things in life are just hard. The Psalms provide deep and sustained encouragement from writers who are themselves pouring out their hearts to God. They praise and they lament....

A "compliment sandwich" - criticism layered between two compliments. To these 2 churches, Jesus says, "You have refused to deny me," and "I see your patient endurance." Ok, well done. But then, Jesus gets right to it. "And yet I have a few complaints about you." Jesus was bringing to light all the ways some in these churches were missing the mark... tolerating sin, idolatry and evil deeds. Those w...