Canyon Ridge Christian Church Podcast

Doesn't it feel great to be told you were wrong? Nobody likes to be corrected, but good friends offer healthy correction because they know better things are ahead. The Bible is full of examples of how Jesus offers healthy correction to His friends. His correction always made sure that the relationship was more important than the problem they were facing and helped his friends become better. H...

Who in your life has shown up really well for you? Better friends endure! Endurance is putting one foot in front of the other again and again, counting on what God will do next. Think of how you can become the type of person who endures with God and others, especially when life gets hard! Maybe, start by thinking of a story of God's faithfulness in enduring with the people in your life.

What do you call it when only one person is committed to a friendship? Stalking! Friendships only deepen and grow stronger when both people are committed to partnering, working, and being together. The Bible is full of stories where God invites people to partner with Him to do things they never thought possible and grow their friendship with Him. How have you seen this play out in your own life? W...

Think about the first time you introduced your best friend as your friend. Something about calling someone a "friend" is a powerful affirmation and commitment. So, what about your friendship with Jesus? In the book of John, Jesus called you His friend! He is committed to you! So, how would you define your relationship with Jesus?

Do you trust people easily? It can be easy to build walls and defenses to limit people's access to really know you, but something special happens when you open up and allow people to get to know you. Vulnerability creates deep friendships! God wants this type of friendship for you, and he also wants this type of friendship with you! God already knows, and the best part is, He still loves you!...

How well do you know your best friend? That didn't happen by accident. There is a difference between knowing someone and thinking we know someone. Friendships take time, proximity, and curiosity to really grow. Now think about your friendship with God. Do you approach your friendship with Him the way you do with your best friend? What would happen if you started thinking about knowing God the...

How do you look at your relationship with God? Some people look at God as a sort of boss or coach, looking for good behavior or solid performance. What would happen if you began to see Him as a friend? Look at what Jesus says in John 15. This passage shows that Jesus lived life with his friends and called it what it was-friendship! And He wants to have that same type of friendship with you! Changi...

What is your resolution for 2022? If these past few years have taught us anything, we NEED each other! The book of Hebrews gives a great reminder that you need good people in your life who will point you in the direction of Jesus! Life can be challenging, and it can be too easy to compromise your character or convictions when you try to do it alone. This year, resolve to find good people who will...

Have you ever bought a gift that you couldn't wait to see someone open? Generally, when you give a gift, you are giving a snapshot of your relationship with that person. The Christmas story, like a gift, stands as a symbol of much more than the event itself. It stands for how God can be relied on and has good in mind for you! May this Christmas remind you of how God has shown up in your life...

Peace is the heart of the Christmas story. The army of angels burst into praise because with the arrival of Jesus came the promise of peace, the righting of wrongs, the full definition of Shalom. And so, these speak this blessing over mankind: peace on earth.

Think about a moment when you were glad to be with the people around you. The word "joy" can best be defined by your experience when you are glad to be together with the people around you. The best part is that God is glad to be with you when experiencing joy. In fact, God had joy in mind for you and the people in your life! This Christmas season, take a look around your life and look fo...

The story of Mary and Joseph is such an excellent example of faith in what God is up to and faithfulness to the people you love. It is also a wonderful illustration of how God's faithfulness gives you the confidence to walk toward whatever life throws your way with hope. How can you use your faith in God to keep walking with the people you love, even when things are hard? How can you show up...

Have you ever met someone and known that they followed Jesus from the first meeting? People will see that you are walking with God when they see the evidence, or "fruit," of His Spirit in your everyday life. People will see God in your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If you surround yourself with people who share this fruit in t...

What makes a good friend? Everyone needs good people in their lives. People who love you enough to accept you the way you are, but too much to let you stay that way. That's the type of friend God wants to be for you. He has good in mind for you and wants to help you become the best you can be. Couldn't you use a friend like that?

Everyone wants someone by their side. There are so many places in the Bible that says how much we need each other. When diversity and unity are both embraced, it's POWERFUL! Especially when your community is dependant on God's Spirit. The Spirit shapes the character of Jesus in you to live out the calling of Jesus around you. You have a contribution and something to bring to the people a...

If you follow Jesus, you know how good and life-bring that decision can be! The best part is, the good you experience now is just a taste, just a hint, just the beginning.  And not just for you, but for all creation! Paul says in Romans, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." That means there is not a SINGLE person, or part of creation for that matter, that can'...

Have you ever tried to stop a bad habit? Or have you ever failed on a diet? It can seem like no matter how much you want to do good; you can't will yourself to do it. Good News: The struggle is real. That doesn't sound actually sound that good, but at least you aren't crazy! Romans 7 explains how even if you can focus and try to win in one area of life, it's easy to end up comp...

Imagine the month AFTER you graduate, going back to high school like nothing ever happened. That's how many followers of Jesus live- like they are still slaves to sin instead of being set free by the Good News of Jesus Christ. Well, the Good News is you don't owe anything anymore! When you receive and trust what Jesus has done, you enter a new relational commitment. And with it, you rece...

Relationships are hard! Think about the last time you had to fix a broken relationship because of something you had done. It happens to everyone! The Good News is that Jesus has paid for anything you could have done that could separate you from a personal, relational connection to God, and He is here to help you become the sort of person you deeply long to be. You no longer have to try and be perf...

You don't have to spend very much time online to notice that it seems like everyone is mad. Mad about masks, inflation, politics, or just the general state of the world. It makes sense that God would be mad too. The Good News is, God is not mad! Romans 5 is all about how God is FOR you, loves you, and wants to help you through whatever you are going through. What would your life look like if...

When you look at a picture of the Earth, everything looks peaceful and perfect. It's only when you zoom in that you see the problems and brokenness. The same is about every person. On the outside, things look put together, but there is a brokenness that separates each person from God when you look closer. But, there is Good News! The problem has a solution! Romans says that God "freely m...

Does it ever seem like no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to lift the weight of the world off of your shoulders? You don't have to do this alone! The Good News of the Bible is that the story of your life is a God-story, not a you-story. All you have to do is trust that God is up to something and participate in what He is up to. Good News! It's not all on You! God sets things...

Does picking up a paper or turning on the news ever ruin your day? Sometimes it seems like every story is full of bad news. The story of Jesus is a story of Good News that is good for everyone! God wants more good FOR you than you can possibly imagine. As we believe and respond to what Jesus is saying, he restores us and others for better! 

How busy or frantic does your life feel right now? Who or what is setting your pace? This series has been looking at what life with Jesus is like as a leader and king. In the book of Matthew, Jesus says that if you seek His kingdom first, He will give you a loving, generous, patient, helpful, challenging, present pace. Isn't that what everybody is looking for? So, what must change for you to...

Have you ever taken a stand for something you believed in? Even when it wasn't right? You're in good company! Albert Einstein once said, "What's popular is not always right. What's right is not always popular." Jesus also said we are blessed when we desire and pursue right in us and around us! In fact, in the book of Matthew, Jesus says he will prepare you for hardshi...