Wake Before the Day

In Romans 11 we're reminded of God's faithfulness even when we are not. While Romans 12 is an often quoted chapter, we can't understand the full magnitude of it without first reading this chapter.

God, and the free gift of salvation, is opposed to "earning" but is not opposed to "effort". Like any relationship we are called to put effort into it! How is the Spirit inviting you into "obedience" today?

Episode #104 addresses the question, "How were people saved before Jesus?" We root our response in Romans 4 where the Bible teaches us that Abraham (who lived way before Jesus) was saved by faith. Romans can be dense but the deeper we dig the greater gift it becomes!

When we profess Jesus as our Lord and savior our sin was nailed to the cross. When the Spirit gave us a new heart we too resurrected with Christ. When one gives their life to Jesus based on an emotional experience, there is a good chance that person will leave the faith when that emotion fades. Lastly, we'll discuss the meaning behind Paul's teaching to love and submit in the household.

Episode #99 is a reminder that not only are we saved by God's grace but that he also invites us into his kingdom as family members! We will also talk about the gift of 'belonging' and why our souls need it!

Episode #98 is focused on identifying false teaching and teachers. Jesus calls them wolves in sheep's clothing! One of the ways false teaching spreads today is through "word theft" - people use Biblical words but redefine them to fit their own agenda.

Matthew 25 forces us to ask some serious questions! Are we ready for Jesus to return and for the final judgment? Am I using all that God has given to me to grow God's kingdom? One day you and I will give a final answer to these questions.

In episode #92 we discuss the G.O.A.T. debate! No, not MJ vs LeBron but actually Jesus' definition of "greatness"! We also are reminded to be aware of those we're around so that we will help those avoid sinning and last but not least our favorite, church discipline! (Just kidding about that being our favorite)

In episode #89 we discuss John the Baptist's doubts, how 'wake up calls' and 'reality checks' are often a gift of God's grace and lastly Matthew 11 reminds us of who God is!

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that God can use to transform our hearts and lives. If we fast without a spiritual purpose it's a diet that leaves hungry, angry and even worse ... hangry! If we fast with a spiritual purpose expect to meet God in a transforming way!

Revelation 21 reminds us that God's greatest desire is to be with you! From Eden, the Tabernacle, the Temple, Jesus himself and now His Spirit in the believer's heart, God is with us.

Revelation 14 is a good reminder that the standard for life and salvation is simply whether or not one believes in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Join us as we identify "who is who" in this story and what the implications are for us today.

I think we can all agree its great news that Jesus offers eternal salvation and protection for those who believe. But when you sit in the imagery of the hardship and judgement to come it can bring about different emotions. Are you eager for the judgment or afraid of it? As we wrestle with this, we end the chapter clinging to the hope that comes with a promise given where there will be no more pain...

In this podcast we zoom in on a conversation Jesus has with his disciples, the teachers of the law and others regarding the law. God cares about more than our behavior, he cares about our heart. Join us as we look at Jesus' teaching in Mark 7.

In Mark 2 we notice Jesus' rhythm of life - both quiet and action packed. In one particular situation he heals a man but before doing so he says, "your sins are forgiven". Does that mean the man's body was affected by his sin? Join us as we unpack this chapter in light of the other scripture passages.

Why are there so many different Bible translations? Which one should I read? These are the questions we respond to today. It really is incredible that God not only gave his word to us through the Biblical writers but that he also oversaw the compilation of the Bible that contains approximately writings from 40 different authors over the course of 1500 years!

In episode #38 we address this question, "How do we find balance between submitting to God's will in our prayer life and then at the same time pray boldly with confidence that God will do the thing we're asking? How much does our confidence/faith affect God's actions?

In wrapping up Hebrews we discuss angels in disguise, living a life of praise and praying for a full equipping to do with will of God. Let's go!

Confidence. Assurance. Unswervingly. No giving up. This chapter is packed full with POWER statements. All of these are describing the promise and security we have in Christ and his promises because of his victory on the cross. So what holds us back from believing in God's promises? Living spiritually confident? Let's discuss.

Episode #26 discusses our journey to listen and learn from our African American brothers and sisters in the wake of tragedy. While we pray for racial reconciliation in our country we are stepping into intentional repentance, a reminder of God's justice and righteousness and call for God's people to desire the same.

Lots to unpack in Acts 3 - what do you give someone when you don't have much time or resources? A prayer in the name of Jesus! We also unpack the statement "your faith has healed you" which is found throughout the Bible. What happens when we pray but there is no healing? Does that mean I didn't have enough faith? Let's discuss!

In Luke 20 we look at "authority". Jesus is continually asked, "By what authority are you doing these things?" Jesus responds by telling a parable in which the heart of humanity is revealed but so is the heart of God. Tune in to hear all about it!

In Luke 18 we focus on Jesus' teaching on prayer. He starts off with a story about a woman who would not stop praying and was eventually granted her request. So we're encouraged to keep praying but we happens when our prayers aren't answered in the way that we hoped?

When we hear "repent" we should be accepting this as a great gift! The reality is God has given us a way to get rid of the junk we are carrying ... that we weren't created to carry! Later in the chapter Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God with small and mundane examples (seeds & yeast) and the beauty of these mundane examples is that we live 99.9% of our life in the mundane and God meets us there...

Let's talk about prayer and eyesight. When the Bible says the "eye is the lamp of the body" it is essentially saying the eye is the entrance to your heart. The eye is the gateway to your soul. What you look at is given the keys to what "runs" you, your heart! What have you been reading, watching, looking at and how has that shaped your thinking and believing?