Grace for New Life

Memories from the past often direct us in the future, but that future can go awry because we tend to remember our pain and past failures. While we cannot choose what memories we have, we can choose which memories we emphasize. God is inviting us to make and mark new memories based on his faithfulness. Those God-given memory markers can be signs of hope and encouragement for the future for us and f...

It is not uncommon for us to become anxious when faced with an overwhelming, no-turning-back decision. But as we let God speak into our lives and hear the knowledge and vision he has for us, we are able to make challenging decisions and act on them, confident in God because he partners with us as we move forward in faith. (Based on Joshua 3:7-17.)

Sometimes life can beat us down so hard that it is hard for us to believe that any good of lasting significance could come from our life. The story of Rahab shows us that God works through anyone to accomplish great things. With Jesus’ loving kindness as the foundation of our life, we are able to move forward with faith over fear. (Based on Joshua 2:1-14.)

It is one thing to realize that we need to change and to want to make that change. But how do we make the changes in our lives that we have never done before? God will help us. By remembering that what he has done in the past applies to us in the present, we are able, with his help, to make the changes we need to make now to better reflect his love into the world. (Based on Exodus 13:1-16.)

Memories can be a great comfort to us in challenging times. But some challenges are greater than the memories of our past experiences. That’s why it is important for us relive the memories of what Jesus has done for us. By making the past present, we can be people of hope for the world.

Jesus’ own family were sometimes puzzled by what he said and did. Some of the scribes even accused him of being aligned with Satan rather than God. The best way to make sense of all this is to see that Jesus’ mission is to rescue and renew our often confused and corrupt world, so that we can participate in the kingdom of God. (Based on Mark 3:20-35).

Are you up against more than you can handle? How can you win when the battle is much more difficult and even more dangerous than you imagined? Let’s explore what the Bible says about us wearing and using the whole armor of God at all times, 24-7.

On July 17, 2021, Lisa Olding interviewed Pastor Karl Keller at his farm. Listen in as Pastor Karl shares about starting Walnut Grove Lutheran Church, sharing the Gospel and encountering demon possession on the mission field. (Part 2 of 2.)

On July 17, 2021, Lisa Olding interviewed Pastor Karl Keller at his farm. Listen in as Pastor Karl shares about starting Walnut Grove Lutheran Church, sharing the Gospel and encountering demon possession on the mission field. (Part 1 of 2.)

Many of us would like a fairy tale ending to life where good things happen to us, even though we don’t deserve them. Why should we dare to hope for such an ending? Because God’s faithful lovingkindness is with us. (Based on Psalm 23.)

Our fears can prevent us from preparing a thoughtful response to the challenges we face in life. But Jesus helps us to set a course in this life that leads to eternity with him in glory. As we release into his care the fears that hold us back, we realize that we are forever safe with our Savior. (Based on Ps. 91:1-16.)

Time travel may not be possible yet in a practical sense, but we can travel back in time to gain knowledge to help us today. Our beliefs about the future help us to accurately interpret the present. Will our knowledge about the past and our beliefs about the future serve us well when we experience tough times? From the past and for the future, Jesus gives us hope. With that hope, we have peace. (B...

We all have times when it feels like we don’t fit it, but when this feeling of rejection endures, we can end up thinking something is wrong with us. Thankfully, Jesus came to love and save those on the margins of society. With the love, acceptance and hope he gives us, we are able to confront those lies of rejection and unworthiness with the truth of full forgiveness and acceptance in Jesus. (Base...

Life can seem hopeless when we find ourselves in a pit of despair, for it seems like there is now way out. But God’s love is deeper than the deepest pit we could ever be in. Because of the love, forgiveness and compassion of Jesus, we always have the hope of redemption. (Based on Psalm 130:1-8.)

We all have times when the challenges before us threaten to overwhelm us. But the God who created us and all things is powerful and wise enough to bring something good out of our hard times. Through the encouragement of creation we know that he is with us. Through the encouragement of the Bible we know that he loves us and has saved us. (Based on Ps. 19:1-14 & Isa. 40:18-31.)

We cannot control what impressions others have of us, but we can live a life that has the potential to draw others into a rich, full life with God. As we begin and end with God, both in our interior and exterior world, God can work through us to draw others into life with him. All this is possible because of Jesus, who came down from heaven to lift us up and redeem and restore all things. (Based o...

Living a worry-free life may seem impossible, but that is what Jesus is inviting us to live. It begins by changing our life-focus and looking up to the God who satisfies the hunger in our soul. As we grow in becoming the person that God has redeemed us to be, our worries will disappear for Jesus loves us and is with us. (Based on Mt. 6:25-34.)

By nature, we tend to avoid serving others in demeaning ways. But Jesus showed us that, with his great power and love, we are able to humbly serve others. Through his power and love and our service, we are able to love people to fulfillment in Jesus. (Based on John 13:1-17.)

It’s human nature for us to love things and use people, but it is toxic for us and others when we do that. Jesus is inviting us to come home to the unconditional love of our heavenly Father. He will restore us and help us to be people who love others and celebrate when they return home. (Based on Luke 15:1-2, 11-32.)

Anything worthwhile in life will involve pain, but if the goal is worth it to us, we willingly endure the pain. This truth is even more significant when applied to the larger question of what our main goal in life will be. By nature, we yearn for autonomy, but Jesus invites us into a life of love. Yes, there is pain, but it comes when all that holds us back from love is stripped away. (Based on Lu...

The main source to which we go for love will shape our lives and direct our future. When our mind is combined with faith in the God of love, the floodgates of heaven will open up and pour into our lives more love than we can contain. That love will naturally spill over out of our lives in the form of love for God with our entire being and love for the people around us like we love ourselves. (Base...

When confronted with the looming presence of God, we tend to stumble over or turn away from Him. Yet God is inviting us into a new way of living through His Son, Jesus Christ. With Jesus as the Cornerstone of our life, He makes us part of His beautiful Body that shines His light into the world around us. (Based on 1 Peter 2:4-10.)

To step into the fullness of life, we need to know who we are and what we can do. Jesus is offering us a life that is greater than what we could ask or imagine as we use the gifts he has given us for his mission in his Body, the Body of Christ. That’s how we grow. (Based on Ephesians 4:7-16.)

[We apologize for the audio quality during this podcast.] We may wonder why other people do the things that they do, but if we thought like they thought, we would do what they do. Therefore, the key question is “Who is forming the way that we think?” As we respond to God’s mercy by fully giving ourselves to him, he transforms our thoughts, emotions and will so that we passionately love God and hum...

We tend to measure the worth of ourselves and others by what we see with our own eyes or what is reflected back from others. But such a worldly mirror will never give a true sense of human worth. Only by using Jesus as our mirror can we see the true value of ourselves and others in his Body. (Based on 1 Cor. 12:20-31.)