Jesus is Real Radio with Daniel Fusco

BECAUSE I SAID SO. A lot of us have heard this spoken to us as a child, and it’s meant to communicate that we don’t need to understand what we’re being asked…we just need to obey. The authority of our parents is enough. But, even as adults we don’t escape that demand for obedience, we are under authority from so many places. Pastor Daniel will help us navigate that sticky issue, so we can submit.

Going about your life as if you are the expert, as if you have all the knowledge…it’s folly. But, as we’ll hear in today’s teaching…so is listening to EVERYBODY. There is a balance, and you can find it by turning a deaf ear to the things that aren’t loving or edifying…and receiving those things that are words seasoned with grace. This discernment is found in the Word.

If you’ve ever caught yourself, inwardly condemning someone because they don’t attend church as often as you do, or know the Bible as well as you do…then you’re not alone. We all have a tendency to strive…to create perfectionist goals of living like Jesus. But, as we’ll see today…none of those goals achieve salvation, only self-righteous legalism. The key…is simply, Jesus.

Typically, a person in the ninth grade is going to have more knowledge than one in fourth. That’s how it works…you learn and grow. As believers, we need to seek out wisdom in others if we want to grow spiritually. If we’re satisfied with a superficial understanding of God, we’ll never fully know Him. Today, we’ll hear about this and more keys from Scripture about how to live a better life.

The rush of first love, driving off the lot in your new car, graduating with a degree…you can vividly recall the intense excitement you felt in those moments. But, where is that excitement now? Emotion is fleeting, and today we’ll hear of the folly in seeking fulfillment outside of Jesus. Something changes in you when you’re walking with Him, when that emptiness has been filled.

There’s that little voice in your head…”When I’m making a little more money…then I’ll give.” We all want to feel financially secure, but God is our only true refuge from life’s uncertainty. Today, we’ll hear Pastor Daniel urge us that the time to be generous is now. Maybe you’ll never get that raise…but you can give what you do have. In your faithfulness, the Father provides.

Words can be soothing, and they can be harsh…words can uplift or break down someone’s spirit. The words you say are your choice…but they all make an impact. As we’ll hear today from Pastor Daniel, God cares about what we say…and whether or not we follow through with our words. Before we say anything, we should be asking the Lord to hear from Him…to listen and obey.

Have you ever brought an idea to a group of people, and the more they contributed their ideas…the better it got? If you would have stopped with just your initial thought…it would have been mediocre. God wants us to embrace community for just that reason. As we’ll find in today’s message, the more people support each other, the stronger each individual becomes.

You may not realize it, but you have a lot of power. Every day, you make choices to treat people with either kindness, or contempt. God created us for relationships, but we’re not naturally good at it…because we’re selfish. Relationships are where we learn to act like Jesus. Every time we serve someone else, we’re making a powerful choice, one that will heal and not hurt.

Our motivations, our actions…they’re often carried out with primary consideration given to our own desires, or to please others. When that’s the case, we don’t have a proper respect for the authority of our Father. Don’t give preference to the world. Today, as Pastor Daniel teaches from Ecclesiastes three, we’ll discover the beauty of fearing God, and being governed by Him.

Working in a monotonous job doesn’t feel like a gift. Struggling with cancer doesn’t feel like a gift. But, LIFE is a gift from God. As you’ll hear today, we can EXPECT beauty, mystery and eternity in Him. Our struggle is with timing…we don’t understand it, but God creates purpose from everything. Be encouraged, as Pastor Daniel takes us through the hope of human experience in a life lived for God...

When it’s a sweltering ninety-five degrees outside, we complain. The memory of a cold, snowy winter is long gone. We complained about that, too. When you’re in a new season of your life, you forget about the past seasons of stormy turmoil. Sometimes, that means you forget about God, too. Today, we’ll see why, in rain or sunshine…God must remain at the center of our lives.

A car, a house, a 401 K, college…there are a lot of things we work for, that we invest countless hours of our lives. We should experience the life God has given us…but there is a tipping point where you can start living more for now than for eternity. Today, Pastor Daniel will help us find that line, and shift our priorities heavenward.

It’s a driving force for people in their lives, to seek meaning in their lives…and, when we feel a void, we want to fill it up. Today’s message will flip that approach on its head, as we learn that happiness really SHOULDN’T be our goal. Happiness is a fruit that comes from living for something greater than ourselves.

If you have a thirst for knowledge, then you’ll relate to Solomon’s request to God for wisdom. We have a great advantage in being able to see what Solomon did with that knowledge…and how he viewed his life at the end. Today, Pastor Daniel tells us why there’s only one pursuit in life that won’t leave you empty: relationship with the Father.

A car, a house, a 401 K, college…there are a lot of things we work for, that we invest countless hours of our lives. We should experience the life God has given us…but there is a tipping point where you can start living more for now than for eternity. Today, Pastor Daniel will help us find that line, and shift our priorities heavenward.

It’s a driving force for people in their lives, to seek meaning in their lives…and, when we feel a void, we want to fill it up. Today’s message will flip that approach on its head, as we learn that happiness really SHOULDN’T be our goal. Happiness is a fruit that comes from living for something greater than ourselves.

Think of the person you're closest to, and back to the time you first met them. You probably have a very different image of who they are now compared to then. As we'll hear today, God wants to reveal Himself to, in and through our lives...and He did that through every detail associated with the Savior's birth...a gorgeous picture of His love for us.

Here's the classic story: A penniless street kid uses his wit and ingenuity to rise above the titans of industry, amassing great status and wealth. That's not the story you'll hear today, but a better one: A Son comes into the world, poor. He lives His life in humility and grace, giving everything He is so we can have life.

It's our nature to build up walls of security around us...in whatever way is specific to our individual comforts. But, at some point in every life, those walls come crumbling down. Exposed, defenseless, vulnerable...we frantically try to build again. But, today, we'll find an alternative...how in Jesus, we can accept the rubble and as He rebuilds us anew.

You've heard it said, that a true test of faith comes when God is moving you in a direction that goes against your own desires...and few are a greater example of humility and obedience than Mary. In today's teaching, we'll hear how this woman accepted God's plan for her, and whatever trials would come.

When God tells us, in His Word, that we should not fear...it seems impossible, right? God knows that there is nothing in our control, and once we know that...we can accept that we've found His favor. He'll work through our lives if we let Him. Today, Pastor Daniel will challenge us to acknowledge that it's our own fear holding us back.

There is messiness that happens in life when a person accepts that Jesus is the Messiah...you have to put aside your own plans and life maps and humble yourself to His. Our hearts on our own can lead us down a destructive path, but Jesus is the ultimate safety net...even if it's not always easy, His plans end in life.

We spend our whole lives preparing...getting ready for a job after finishing school, planning weddings, preparations for having a child...with all that planning, we know that things don't always go as planned. Today, Pastor Daniel takes us through the beginning of Joseph and Mary's life together...and an unexpected child that changed the world.

Many families, friendships, even nations have been divided over petty things...insignificant things. The church should not participate in divisions when they're not backed up by the Word. As we'll find out in this teaching...God's people can do amazing things, but could do even more as a united body of believers in Jesus.