FBC Independence Podcast

God has created us for greatness!   Years ago, a man named Johannes Guttenberg had an idea that would change the world.  While working on a piece of jewelry in his shop, it occurred to him that he could make a letter out of metal, and somehow use it to print letters for notes on paper.  He worked and toiled for months – he fiddled with different metals to use for the letters, then experimented wit...

The air was crisp and cool, and my motorcycle ran great that afternoon. I sped up to the legal limit, which was far slower than I wanted to go, and for several miles, I just drifted along, taking in the scenery and the pleasure of a good ride. And then I came upon a long, smooth straight on the road, and again I began to fight with the urge to ‘give it the gas’ and hear the roar of my motor flying...

Focus, focus!   I heard the young mother repeat this to her toddler over and over. She was trying to get him up the steps, and he, every bit of 18 months old, was having some trouble. He was working on the steps and leaned down to touch a dead bug in his way. The steps were hard – because he couldn’t yet focus on them! After the mother said ‘focus,’ he looked up and smiled and was immediately dist...

I heard the little voice cry out through the car door, “But I don’t want to grow up!”   I could relate – sometimes, I would rather do whatever I want, and just not ‘grow up;’ but because I am no longer a small child, I don’t really have a choice! Sometimes, though, people resist growing up, don’t they?   In a passage in the book of Hebrews, the author tells the people in the early church that it i...

Following Jesus is easy and clear – until it isn't! When someone first receives Jesus as Savior, the issue is usually very simple: "Do you want to be forgiven of your sins and commit to following Jesus?" The answer is usually, "Yes, I do." However, at some point, when the new convert begins to struggle against the sin that is their life, or they struggle with biblical teachings that challenge them...

God has blessed our nation!  Every day I enjoy the blessings that God has showered upon our nation:  Freedom, safety and security, a stable governmental framework, the list is endless!  These blessings came to us not because we have earned it or are better than anyone else, but because God chose to bless us.  We understand, of course, that when our lives generally follow biblical teachings God ble...

Jim and Shelly Myrick provide care for the children of missionaries in Africa. Their work allows the parents to continue their work sharing the gospel in villages and cities throughout Africa. Jim is sharing his experience with us today and how you can help support their ministry needs. If you would like to contribute to Jim and Shelly's Mission, you may do so by clicking here https://usgiving.aim...

This life can be a battle!   In one famous Old Testament story, a powerful soldier named Naaman had everything in life – but he was a leper. This was a then-incurable and disfiguring disease, and he had spent considerable time and resources trying to find a doctor or healer who could help him, but there was nothing anyone could do! One day a young slave girl tasked with caring for Naaman’s wife me...

God calls us to a life of honesty and integrity! This means that we speak the truth, and what we say we believe is supported by our words and actions. This is extremely important to God! In the early church, there was a practice of selling your possessions and giving the proceeds to the church so that all would have food and clothing. One couple intended to do this but lied about the money they re...

Don’t waste what you have been given!  I remember the first time I heard this in a sermon, and it stuck in my head.  The pastor was talking about our spiritual gifts, as well as the other things of value in our lives.  His point was that Christians needed to live ‘responsible,’ lives.  It was alright to have fun and goof off, but there does need to be a serious side of life, devoted to serving God...

While attending my son’s graduation, I was inspired by the decorated caps of some of the graduates. They tried to summarize their college experience in a few words, funny phrases or clever sayings. It got me thinking, as did the commencement speaker, that we all have a story. Our circumstances, decisions, faith, people we meet, and events that take place influence us along our life’s journey. Jose...

We have all made mistakes! Sometimes others know what we’ve done. At other times we get caught, and everyone knows who we really are. It can be a terrible experience!   One day, while Jesus was teaching in the temple, an angry mom brought to him a woman caught in adultery – they wanted to kill her!     They put Jesus to the test – would he join them or not? If he joined in, the crowd would reject...

God is always at work – even when you cannot see it! At one point in the Apostle Paul’s life, he traveled with a group of preachers to a distant land to share the gospel message. At first, things went well, and a wealthy woman converted to the Christian faith. A few days later, though, Paul offended some of the wealthy businessmen, ended up being beaten by an angry mob, and thrown into prison. God...

We’ve all had bad days, haven’t we? Something goes wrong, we have a conflict with a family member or co-worker, and we’re upset or ‘off’ the rest of the day. We go on, though, and the next day is usually better. How do you react, though, when something happens of a more serious nature? Do you fret and worry, even cry? Do you talk to others? Or does it put you in a bad mood, to the point where you...

One of the most significant challenges of the resurrection is living ‘the resurrection life!’ This is what following Jesus is all about! You see, it’s one thing to say you have received Jesus as Savior and go through the ritual of baptism, but it’s quite another to allow God to change your heart and affect the way you live your life.             When Paul wrote his letter to the church at Rome, th...

Jesus is alive!  Those words rang out from two women very early that first Easter morning, causing everyone to take notice.  When people die, they stay in the grave – that is the course of us all.  Jesus, though, was different.  He had predicted that he would rise again, to be sure, but people really didn’t know what to think when he said it; no-one comes back from the dead! The story of the resur...

God loves us! If the message of Easter says anything at all, it is that simple message: God loves us; He always has, and he always will! Because of his great love for us, God continues to reach out to us all and extend a hand of forgiveness and fellowship and eternal life. When we consider the story of the cross, several ideas come to mind: God pursues us, even in our sin; 2) Only God has acted to...

God wants to help us in this life! In the early church, people struggled with their old, sinful ways of life. They were saved, to be sure, but they still struggled to understand what actions were sinful and how those sinful actions and thoughts could hurt them and those they loved. Paul taught them what actions were sinful, ungodly, and inappropriate for those who followed Jesus. Too, he explained...

God wants us to live a godly life – and He will teach us how to do that!              In the early church the Christians were still very much “pagan” in their practices – they had received Jesus as Savior and were learning what to believe, but they needed more.  The Apostle Paul knew their situation, and taught them to live a different kind of life – a life that was based on the Truth that was in...

God loves us and wants to help us in this life, and one of his gifts to help us is. . . government! God’s plan for humanity was for people to live in a relationship with each other, in love and peace. Because we resist his teaching, He gave us government – to instruct us, to unite us, and yes, to punish us and ‘keep us in line.’   God’s power over us allowed Him to establish governments and use th...

Have you ever had the perfect fast food experience? An experience where the line moved quickly the food was ready quickly and it was actually correct?! How does a trip through the fast food drive-thru line usually go? We wait forever in line. The order is wrong and sometimes not even fresh. As Christians we will see in 2nd Timothy chapter 4 that we need to be ready to serve up the hot fresh Gospel...

God wants to use us in ministry – and He often gives us special ‘gifts’ to enable us to serve his kingdom well!  Most of us have heard the term ‘spiritual gifts,’ but we may not know what they are.  Simply put: ‘Spiritual gifts are abilities and characteristics in the Christian’s life that enable God to use them in the most effective ways possible.’  Some of these gifts have to do with the more pu...

Rev Kev was feeling under the weather, so Associate Minister of Student Ministries Russell Peirce preached in his stead. We are grateful Russ was able to step in last minute and preach on Discovering True Love   The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.   We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You c...

What does God Want Me to Do? “I Want You to Control Yourself” Galatians 5 God wants our lives to be stable and fulfilling, and He wants to help us have that kind of life! In the early church people were having all sorts of problems: they were fussing amongst themselves, struggling with sexual temptations in a very pagan culture, and living lives that were no different than their non- Christian nei...

It is always a challenge to get a group of people to work together on a task: especially when they are ‘butting heads’ over who’s in charge, and tempers flare!  I’ve seen this at home and in the workplace, at schools, and yes, even at church.  Working together can be hard work!   James was writing to Christians who were throughout the Roman Empire, and they were just trying to make a living, all t...