Pea Ridge Audio Podcast

Through Jesus's teachings we know that we commands us to forgive others and ourselves, just as He forgave us. As Christians we need to remember the importance of forgiveness in our everyday lives.

Christians in our culture seem to be best known for what we are against. But following God has never been about just avoiding evil ... it's always been about pursuing a relationship with the Lord that will lead us to do what is right.

We serve a God who is all knowing, all powerful, loving, just, merciful and forgiving. He is with us. If we believe this, then it's time to stop lamenting the state of the world and start sharing God’s love WITH the world.

God's desire for Israel was to walk with Him and experience His blessings. But He would not force them ... they had to choose. We face that same choice, and we can only choose to walk with the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's law set Israel apart from the rest of the nations in the ancient world. As we study this law, we see some themes that apply to those of us who have been brought into God's family through faith in Christ. But, what it does it mean for us to be set apart? The Apostle Paul gives us an idea in his letter to the Colossians.

What does it mean to be part of the kingdom of God? In Deuteronomy, one aspect of this was the effort of conquering the people who already lived in the land of Canaan. However, when Jesus came into the world, he made it clear that the kingdom of God was no longer physical, but spiritual. And citizens of that kingdom are called not to a physical battle, but a spiritual work.

Our God is generous, and He gives good gifts to His children. His commands to ancient Israel to give generously also extend to those of us who follow Him today. Loving God and loving others means giving generously back to Him and giving to those around us who are in need.

God's people were instructed to love Him with all their heart, soul and might. Jesus added that believers are to love their neighbors as themselves. But what does it look like to love God and love other people? We do not have to guess, because God spells it out for us in His Word.

"God has a plan for your life." Though this statement is true, we need to look deeper into the Word to discover what that plan entails. As we find His purpose for us, we see clearly that the empty cross and empty tomb offer a life that is full.

God set up cities of refuge for His people ... safe holding places for people who were accused of taking another human life either by murder or by accident. This law points to the truth that salvation comes only through the person of Jesus Christ.

What are the characteristics of a true leader? We see examples throughout Scripture, but they all point to the only one we are to follow: Jesus Christ.

It's not easy for us to trust in someone. In fact, it's not easy for us to even trust in the Lord. But when we remember who God is and what He has done, and when we truly hear His voice, we are able to walk by faith and trust Him along the way.

When we allow fear to be our focus, we move closer to disobeying God. Choosing faith in the Lord over fear brings us into God's will and gives us the confidence to take the next step in our walk with Him.

Numbers 6 contains a blessing given by God to Aaron and his sons so that this blessing could be spoken over the people of Israel. In Jesus, we see this blessing fulfilled not just for Israel, but for all of us. And through Jesus, God gives us peace.

Jesus has called us to bear fruit in our lives, and to do that we must remain connected to him. Paul Bock walks through our Savior's teaching about the vine and the branches to help us see how our lives can reflect God's glory.

God places a high value on remembrances which call His people to be reminded of who He is and what He has done for them. What "God moments" do you need to intentionally remember in your life?

God commanded Israel to be holy, because He is holy. He gives us the same command through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. For those of us under the new covenant, what does it mean to be holy?

The law deemed that people with certain health conditions were "unclean." But there would come a day when God Himself would reach across this barrier and restore people who were classified as unclean ... a new era ushered in by Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh.

What is the role of obedience in the life of a Christian? We can gain some insight from the role of the Old Testament priest, who was responsible for following the Lord's commands and leading Israel to walk with Him. The connection comes through Jesus who is our great high priest, and his commissioning of us as priests as well.

The Old Testament law is still relevant for followers of Jesus Christ. As we spend time reading and studying the law, it reveals that God is holy, righteous, just, loving and merciful. In fact, the law can help us better appreciate what Christ has done for us!

Israel's disobedience at the foot of Mount Sinai teaches us the valuable lesson that seeking our own way leads to serious consequences. Instead, we must seek God's way and then go with Him.