Church on the Move West Podcast

Fear of God is intended to create closeness with our Father as we move further into a relationship with Him. When we get close, God will reveal his character and heart to us as he did to Moses on Mount Sinai. Healthy fear is the foundation of wisdom that makes us look and act more like Jesus.

Proverbs is an excellent source of principles and practices for our lives. It's easy to approach these with a "put on" or "self-help" mentality; however, trials and pressure will always bring what's rooted in us to the surface. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, so we need to be filled with the word of God. Life change moves from the inside out, so the question is, what's really...

Pride makes it impossible to submit to God. When you can't submit to Him, it is difficult to trust, seek, and fear the Lord. James 4:6 says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble," so we should  stop  our arrogant thinking. From a place of humility, we can  collaborate  with the Holy Spirit, and when we  listen (obey),  He will lift us up in honor. 

We often don't get the weight to which our words matter. There are times when we should refrain from speaking and times when we should have difficult conversations. But how do you know when & how to speak? Luckily, Proverbs gives us a roadmap for navigating these nuanced situations with wisdom.

Physical maturity is inevitable; however, emotional maturity is optional. Proverbs is a book intended to help you and others  become  more like Christ. Through this process of growth, we learn to humble ourselves correctly and, more importantly, how to appropriately fear God. Maturity does not come by reaching for more responsibility or authority. It is developed by embracing God's process of  bec...

Our guest Jack Harris, world missionary and evangelist, speaks about the importance of divine positioning. When God calls you to do something you don't understand, it's an opportunity to step out in faith. Fear will keep us paralyzed, but God positions us according to his will. Obedience in His positioning propels us towards wisdom and effective ministry.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 NIV

God never speaks and gives a word without giving a confirmation. Joseph received confirmation from God time and time again and rose to the challenge of staying diligent no matter how challenging his circumstances got. Spiritual laws give us a pathway to both vindication and success. There are going to be times when you do the right thing but don't get your just reward. Take heart: your breakthroug...

Forgiveness and reconciliation are two concepts not only central to the story of Joseph, but central to the Christian faith.  Forgiveness is about coming to the Lord with the fullness of your feelings and trusting Him with them. It's an inner work between you and God. Sometimes, this inner work leads to repentance and reconciliation with others. What God desires above all, is reconciliation with y...

In Genesis 42-44, Joseph tests his brothers. He gives them a chance to enter back into relationship with him on the basis of trust. We all have to face different tests and trials that form something in us. God never tempts you, but he does allow you to walk through difficult seasons. Tests reveal who you truly are, and give you the chance to truly change. When you pass the test, you're released in...

Whether in prison or the palace, Joseph served others and glorified God.

God has a way of bringing us to in-the-meantime seasons – a place where you feel stuck in the middle of where you used to be and where you want to go. In Genesis 39,  this is where Joseph is at. God often does His most significant work in our lives during this time if we let Him. But it can be hard to trust that He's working even when we don't see it. What God has for you is better than what you c...

The story of Joseph is the story of a family and God's faithfulness to them. What does it mean to have God working in and through your family? The reality of family is that you're connected to a people whether you realize it or not, and where you come from shapes you in significant ways. Unless you allow your relationship with God to shape and refine you, all of your outward faith will have very l...

"Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." That statement implies a realistically ideal goal that Jesus' disciples are to  pursue  with restful dissatisfaction in this life until their  final perfection  in eternity.   -Michael Wilkins 

Easter 2023 at Church on the Move West

Prayer is not a burden of religious obligation but a gift of relational connection. When Jesus prayed, He taught us to be honest about how we feel and what we want, but most importantly, to surrender our desires to God's plan. Prayer is a safe and personal place we've been given to get our hearts and minds right and to align our lives with the will of the Father. 

Spiritual disciplines like fasting help us stay obedient in the present. It reveals what is most important to us and prepares us to meet and receive from God. Seasons like these are also excellent for intentionally entering into times of prayer, and in Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus gives us a structure to follow.

Have you ever made a vow to yourself that you'd never do something, only to do that very thing? In Mark 14, we see this happen to Peter. Our culture prioritizes comfort, which is why spiritual practices of self-discipline, like fasting, are important. We voluntarily enter into a crisis before the unavoidable realities of life. When done properly, these seasons will focus our attention on and move...

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus invited the disciples to, "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41 ). It's all too easy to live life on autopilot, but what if you're missing something important because you're not fully awake? People of prayer are a people who are aware of their need. Whether it's busyness, distra...

When you're a Christ-follower, you're not just a follower of teachings; you have become a new person. You being reborn in Christ was a miracle, but the renewing of your mind is a process that you have the responsibility to see through. Luckily, you have the power to do this living inside you through the Holy Spirit. In partnership with the Holy Spirit we need to: Remove old broken thoughts, Replac...

One of the enemy's favorite strategies is isolating you from all that is  Godly  and surrounding you with all that is  worldly.  This is why in Galatians 6:1-3, Paul encourages his brothers and sisters to "Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." To fight as a family, we need to know and be known by one another.  West@churchonthemove.com Subject: I need help  or  I want...

There's a cost to following Jesus. You have to deny your flesh, but you'll never succeed in your own strength. Living by the Spirit is the only way to win the war against fleshly desires. The Spirit of God gives us power for new life, and if you're a child of God, you have everything you need to be led by the Holy Spirit. Learn his voice, listen, and obey.

In Ephesian 2, Paul reveals our three enemies: the flesh, the world, and the devil. This week, Pastor Whit details how you can combat Satan: the father of lies. Before you can defeat the devil, you have to understand that he is real, his goal is destruction, and his weapons are lies. How do you fight lies? You fight them with the truth: the truth that God speaks in His word.

There is a struggle within you. Paul understood what this felt like: "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out" (Romans 7:18) . Paul would tell you this war isn't just physical; there is a spiritual battle happening both inside you and around you. And this war of wills can leave you wondering, Have I changed at all? But take heart: this war is winnable. Galatians 5:16  s...

In John 9, Jesus heals the man born blind. Faith gives us new eyes. By faith, we receive the work of Jesus, see the work of Jesus, and join the work of Jesus. God is always working and moving, and we have to train our eyes to see Him. Our world is intentionally designed to numb us from the awareness of God. So we must be counter-formed through spiritual practices to train our spiritual eyes.