Family Fest Speaker Podcast

Forgiveness is a decision of our will. We can choose to forgive or not. When we don't forgive someone, we are the ones that get hurt over and over. Unforgiveness is an open wound. When we choose to forgive other's failings, our Heavenly Father forgives us ours. 

Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. Forgiveness is a one way street that is your will and reconciliation is a two-way street with another. Reconciliation requires the other person to come "eyelash to eyelash". You can forgive and not be reconciled.  Often we need to suffer a little in order to be open to reconciliation.

Heaven awaits. This world is not our home for we are made for more. We don't know the how or the when so we need to prepare. We can use this life to practice for our life in heaven. We will improve on anything we practice. What are you practicing for in this life? Selfishness, forgiveness, centering Jesus?

God created us to be with us. After humanity messed up, God became human to be one of us. Never think you are invisible to Christ. When we create time and space and invite Jesus in, he will show up. God wants to be with us.

We have the ability to amaze Jesus with our faith. Jesus performs miracles in many different ways, through big asks, humbled asks and even when we don't ask. God wants more of us than we know how to ask for.

Jesus is always with us but he doesn't engage with us until he is asked. 

Jesus came from perfection into brokeness. Miracles should make us nervous. Obedience should make us nervous. Forgiveness should make us nervous. Because we're stepping into something we don't do naturally. The miracles all around us aren't to make our lives better, they're to help us know how good God is.

If you love Jesus, go look for him. When you look for him, you will find him. He wants to be found by us.

Eve was distracted by the snake in the Garden of Eden. We need to watch out for the "snakes" in our modern world. Snakes of Comparison, Busyness, Casual Holiness, Keeping Silent, Competence, Control and Significance distract us from building a close relationship with God.

In the journey of life, what road are you on? Who are you journeying with? Ask questions as a way to invite discussion so that those that we are walking with can build a life of faith through their own experiences.

What does freedom look like? When we experience God's love in all it's greatness, there is healing, renewal and the gift of grace. Freedom from condemnation, to see things differently, to see yourself as loved and valuable, freedom to not sin again and to lay down the stone and let God do the healing.

God's advice to Joshua is very basic: #1 I am in control, #2 I am with you, #3 I expect something of you. If we want to be the leaders God called us to be we have to believe in his control and presence and let our actions represent the person he called us to be. How is your strong and courageous meter?  

When we're stuck on the treadmill of life, we keep working hard but not going anywhere. God is the power source we need to recharge our batteries. Like starting a fire, the ember of life will not come alive without giving it air. Spending time with God gives purpose to our lives.

Life is hard, marriage is hard, parenting is hard, young adulting is hard, middle school is hard. We all face challenges but remember the sun shines on everyone. If you have to know "the why," you will never know peace. God wants us to surrender and trust in him. Surrendering to God doesn't weaken you, it will strengthen you.

It's easy to trust when you see. Faith happens outside of our comfort zone. When our life is anchored in the Lord, it's ok to fall. He will catch us. Victory comes when we surrender and experience God's peace.

God doesn't need us to be perfect. He takes our flaws and imperfections and makes beautiful things. If you want to be restored, spend more time in relationship with Jesus.

God is present in all living things. He speaks to us through earth and sea. Jesus went to nature alone to pray. He modeled a beautiful rhythm of prayer in solitude and nature leading up to ministry. We need to follow God, our true North. He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is a friend of silence.

Are you living your life so that you get your hands dirty? Follow Jesus' lead and be hands on. Our souls are hungry for meaning and purpose not fame, comfort, wealth and power. God designed us to make a difference.

Testimony Sunday morning by Aakash Chandarana

We are all the beautiful creatures of a kind and loving God who wants us to live our life to the full. He invites us to remain curious. What do you want?

Jesus sees us for who we are created to be not the way we see ourselves or others see us. Jesus sees YOU.

"Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone." None of us are exempt from sin and death. But what if sin is good news? Once something is named, we know that there is a solution to it.