Calvary Chapel Redeeming Grace: Recent Episodes
Calvary Chapel Redeeming Grace
Introduction - Burnout and Dependence Stress and burnout plague many and many are on the look out to prevent or avoid stress and burnout. It doesnt only plague job, home and relationships but also ministry. Many when called by God into ministry — yes this includes pastors, missionaries and the like but…
Introduction If I were to ask you what the greatest problem facing the world today what would you say? Maybe poverty, dictators, threat of world war or nuclear war, globalism, food scarcity, politics, racial tensions? Actually the greatest problem facing the world today and all men alike is the problem…
Introduction A year ago in May my family and I went on a trip to Freeport/Surfside beach just outside Galveston. The area we were at was literally beach side, the houses were on stilts in order to accommodate the occasional floods and what not. One of the days we were there especially after a couple…
Introduction Last time we looked at the first two of Zechariah’s strange night visions as we concluded chapter 1. The major focus of both those visions is the message from God to His people of comfort and assurance. The Lord would restore His presence among them and He would judge their enemies and deliver…
Introduction The purpose of an anchor is to keep a ship safe and secure at a desired location, or to help control a ship during bad weather. We all need anchors as well. Adversity and deep sorrow can come as a great storm to blow us off course and threaten to cast us against rocks, drag us out to open…
Introduction Many times the full extent of the damage of sin is never fully contemplated. Only the immediate fulfillment of our flesh. It has been said by more than a few of sin - that sin sin always takes you further than you expected to go, costs more than you wanted to pay, and keeps you longer than…
Introduction Its easy to feel overwhelmed in this life. We live in a fallen world and things are not for certain and with all the uncertainty we can get discouraged and begin to wonder where God is. Especially if we had recently failed, or been corrected or under the discipline of the LORD. During these…
Introduction We have spent several weeks looking at Psalm 37 . This Psalm is a rather lengthy Psalm written in the form of not only an acrostic poem but also in the form of many proverbs strung together. The Psalm has a distinct contrasting form between wickedness and righteousness. The context is that…
Background Zechariah is the longest of the Minor Prophets or one could say the least minor. Genesis, Psalms, and Isaiah are the most quoted books in the New Testament, and when you consider their lengths and contents it is really not that shocking. Maybe what would shock you is that 14 chapters of Zechariah…
Introduction Water ALWAYS takes the path of least resistance. It is easy to walk down the road when there are no troubles and there is no danger. There is also little growth on that path and there is little life. Any dead fish can float down stream, but only the live ones can turn around and swim against…
Introduction For such a small book Haggai has really caused us to need to “think carefully about our ways”. In the first message from Haggai challenged to examine our priorities. Next we were instructed on how to properly shape our expectations. Last week we were reminded about the principles and effects…
Introduction Contamination is an event that can occur and has the potential to cause catastrophe up to and including physical harm and even death. We do much to prevent contamination - we have tamper proof lids, plastic seals, etc. We have process by which we test products to check for contamination.…
Introduction It is tough when you look around and see people doing wicked things and getting ahead. It amplified when we ourselves are striving to live righteously and we are afflicted and needy. The truth is that though we may face difficult times and circumstances we must learn to be content in the…
Introduction Have you ever noticed when you recall stories or memories from the past we always tend to exaggerate it, and romanticize it? This is where the joke about the fish that was caught comes from, because it was always bigger in our memory. So when we recall the past or we desire to do something…
Introduction Psalm 37 is another Psalm that is “of David”. This Psalm is written by David and is a different kind of Psalm. It is an acrostic which that in itself does not make this Psalm unique but this Psalm is a wisdom Psalm and because of this some doubt David wrote it. This wisdom Psalm is an acrostic…
Background In 538 B.C. Cyrus King of Persia allowed the exile Jews to return to Jerusalem after 70 years in captivity. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel about 50,000 Jews left Babylon and went back to Israel and two years later 536 B.C. construction on the temple began. After two years and much opposition…
Introduction The myth of a spring that restores the youth of one who drinks it has captivated imagination of many. It is the fountain of youth and I first learned about this myth when studying the Age of Exploration in history. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon the first governor of Puerto Rico. He…
Introduction To have wounds and hurt inflicted by others purposefully is traumatic to say the least. To have those same wounds inflicted by a trusted friend is a greater trauma - possibly the greatest trauma. Rumors going viral that have their starting place of your best friend. A co-worker sabotaging…
Introduction - Promises How many of us keep every single promise we have made? No one?! How many of us have made promises off the cuff without thinking them through? Everyone?! Our promises are usually made with the best of intentions - we make promises to do something or to not do something, to be somewhere…
Introduction This Psalm is an acrostic Psalm written by David. This Psalm is concerning David when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech (king of the Philistines) who drove him out and he departed to the cave of Adullum. 10 David fled that day from Saul’s presence and went to King Achish…
Introduction Ignoring warnings comes with consequences. Warnings are meant to do just that - warn - to ignore them is to disregard their entire purpose. Maybe you can think of times where you ignored a warning, and later had regrets about it. Other times you have listened to a warning and steered clear…
Background Zephaniah is the most likely author for the book. Believed to have been written around the 7th century B.C. during the reign of king Josiah. Zephaniah is the least known of all the twelve minor prophets. He was the one who broke the long period of silence following the famous 8th century prophets…
Introduction The Psalm before us tonight is untitled and no author is attributed, but this Psalm is nonetheless just as powerful as those with titles and identified authorship. In fact this Psalm teaches us about praise - why we praise, how we praise and what praise does for us. The verbs in this Psalm…
Introduction At the start of Habakkuk we found the prophet in what we might call “down in the valley” perplexed in his faith with questions while wrestling with the will of God. Last week Habakkuk went to get alone in a quiet place with a quiet heart waiting and expecting to hear from God - while living…
Introduction Perplexed Faith - last week we looked at perplexing problems. When you look around and take in what you see. It is bewildering and perplexing to consider God’s providential working in the world around us. We are in the company of Habakkuk and the Psalmist Asaph when we are perplexed that…
Introduction Tonight we come to Psalm 32 . The second of the so-called penitential psalms. This psalm is also the first of 12 psalms that bear the title of Maskil, which has been interpreted several ways i.e. “a skillful song, a song of instruction, a contemplative poem.” It is an instructional psalm…
Background Information Habakkuk is a late seventh century prophet, which places him pre-exilic time period and post Northern Kingdom. Right between Nahum and Zephaniah and a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. It is likely that he knew a young Daniel and Ezekiel. The prophet does not state his age…
Introduction As we open to Nahum chapter three, we are going to close out the book with this final chapter. We turn from the fact of the judgment to the reasons for it. More precisely to the justification of it. God in declaring judgment against Nineveh (and Assyria) is just. God is just in declaring…
Introduction One of the strongest ailments affecting us today - pressure, stress, or anxiety. A symptom of living in a world wrought with much difficulty. Nothing in which we have control but we desire to and we strive to. The more we try to be in control the higher the pressure, our stress and our anxiety.…
Introduction Last week as we opened the book of Nahum we were confronted with some of the characteristics of God that we had to deal with and could not ignore. We looked at the jealousy of God, and His vengeance as well as His wrath; and through those attributes Gods care and comfort for His people comes…
Introduction A song of enduring hope. As painful as a season may be, it is only a season. Life has twists, turns, ups, and downs, and, although we may suffer through dark nights, morning will come. We are to sing to God and worship and praise Him. When we are silent and our hearts turn away from worship,…
Background Information The book of Nahum contains the prophecies given by Nahum the prophet. These prophecies were given to both warn Nineveh and also to encourage Judah. The name Nahum is a shortened version of Nehemiah (Comfort of Yahweh) - and the shortened versions means “comfort” and this coupled…
Introduction A topic we have talked about before and will talk about again as it pertains to the heart and to the Psalms is the problem of patience and persevering in prayer in our trouble. Tonight we are going to look at two Psalms and while they were not specifically written together; through their…
Introduction Tragedy struck this week in Uvalde Texas, and unfortunately this side of heaven it wont be the last time either. Hurricanes, Terrorist attacks, active shootings, drive-bys, murders, kidnappings, car-accidents, sicknesses, abandonment, etc - the list goes on. Whether it happens to us individually…
Introduction Sometimes when our situation has a bleak outlook we cannot see it changing and we feel trapped in it without any sense of hope. Even more so when that situation perhaps is one which we have made for ourselves. We are powerless to change it - sometimes those in judgment over are powerless…
Introduction Hiking like any other outdoor sport comes with some inherent risk. It is not the flat and easy paths that bring the most danger and require the most caution. It is the path wrought with twists and turns, steep inclines, loose rocks, and other terrain that create instability as one traverses…
Introduction Corrupt leadership over the people leads to governing and ruling in injustice. In our country and in our government we see corruption and we cry out at the injustice around us. Our culture and way of life is permeated through and through with injustice. Evil seems to prevail and justice…
Background 1 The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Moreshite—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. The book of Micah and Micah’s message was declared to come from the word of the LORD. Now there are about 18 Micah’s in the scripture,…
Introduction We all have to make decisions in life. Some sources suggest that the average person will make 35,000 choices per day. Assuming a 7 hour sleep schedule that means 2,000 decisions per hour or even more finely refined one decision every two seconds. You and I have been given free-will and a…
Introduction Resentment is bitter indignation or anger that someone feels about something - usually in regards to unfair treatment (insult, injury or wrong). Essentially resentment is born from undealt with anger creating bitterness and when bitterness has taken root it becomes full blown resentment.…
Introduction This Psalm is simply titled a Psalm of David. Most would put the writing of this Psalm around the time when the Ark of the Covenant entered into Jerusalem from Obed-edom, during the reign of David recorded in 2 Samuel 6 . Yet Spurgeon aptly commented “The eye of the Psalmist looked, however,…
Introduction It is a difficult thing to obey. Obedience requires us to put aside what we want to fulfill the request of another. Obedience comes however with reward. As we have been going through this study with Jonah we have seen him start off with disobedience. Disobedience of God at its very definition…
Introduction - All We Like Sheep Has it ever crossed your mind why you are compared to sheep in the Bible? Why not something more graceful or powerful? Here’s a hint it isnt because we are necessarily cute and cuddly, yet Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. After some digging around I found…
Introduction On Sundays we are going through a series - Majoring in the Minors. This series is a walk through the 12 minor prophets. In this series we are learning and seeing that God not only spoke long ago through those prophets, but that God through those same prophets speaks today. Right now we are…
Introduction This Good Friday we are going to turn in the Psalms to Psalm 22 . Good Friday is about remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us. This Psalm is specifically quoted by Jesus while He is on the cross in the fourth of seven statements Jesus is recorded making during His…
Introduction Have you ever felt that you have messed up so bad it cannot be fixed? Perhpas you are in a situation today of you own disobedience to God and feeling like there is no way out and no way back. By our own rebellion we have put ourselves in a situation and we have no one to blame but ourselves.…
Introduction Last week we talked about “In God We Trust”. What it looks like to actually trust in God as we face our battles. As we turn to Psalm 21 this evening we come to the sister Psalm of Psalm 20 . Psalm 20 was praying to God for the battle - yet to be fought and Psalm 21 is written after, the…
Background Jonah‘s name means DOVE, and he was a servant of the Lord from Gath Hepher a town in the tribe of Zebulun. Jonah is the son of Amittai, and he was and he remained to be the only Old Testament prophet to attempt to run from God. One of four prophets whose ministries were specifically referred…
Introduction Our country’s motto is inscribed on our money lest we forget. “In God we trust”. Every time we take a dollar out to use it and every time we receive even a dollar we are reminded that our trust is not in things, and not even in the money in our hands, but our trust is to be in God alone.…
Introduction - Background With only 21 verses to its length Obadiah is the minorest of the minor prophets but his message is no less important and no less applicable for us this morning. For many this book remains obscure and the most interaction you have had with it comes from the short video we just…
Introduction It is one thing to make promises and an entirely other thing to keep them. Promises may get people to support you and trust you but if you dont keep the promises you lose the trust and no one believes anything you say any more. We are finishing the book of Amos this morning and we have seen…
Introduction Many times it has been questioned that “if there is a God, why doesn’t He speak and make Himself known?” Another popular one is “Why has God hidden Himself?”. On the surface these look like valid questions because we cannot visibly see God and we do not audibly hear God and therefore we…
Introduction You have all the time in the world until the deadline. Deadlines are the hard stopping point. I grew up being a crastinator and into late teens and early twenties I became a PROcrastinator. The longer away the deadline the more I delayed working and moving towards accomplishing whatever…
Introduction Measurements are used for many different methods and purposes - but the one thing all measurements are for is to measure up. To see how something compares. When building something the measurement standard matters and therefore the measurement distinguishes between that which fits and that…
Introduction There is a tendency to cling to God in trouble and to ignore God in the victory. Praise is an exercise that we must do in the victory to protect and guard our heart from turning from the Lord and forgetting what He has done for us. This Psalm tonight is a long Psalm - the longest we have…
Introduction David is well known for the Psalms he has written. Most Psalms are songs or hymns, tonight we come to a Psalm that is explicitly listed as a prayer. Many read the exploits of David’s life and desire the victories he experienced throughout his life. Those victories however were born out of…
Introduction Complacency is a danger that is always lurking and waiting to rear its ugly head and come and take up residency in our attitudes and lives. It is something that must be battled constantly for with it comes grave consequences and misery. The greatest potential threat of falling into complacency…
Introduction Why is contentment so hard to have? It seems that if you just fulfill your desire then it would be satisfied right? I mean if you scratch the itch it goes away right? Well not all things bring the ability to be content and not all things truly satisfy. Ever since the garden we have seen…
Introduction - Portraits Portraits are helpful, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Menu items without a picture I do not order, I like to have an idea of what it is I am getting. Portraits reveal details and allow evaluation, examination and comparison also. Well tonight we are covering two…
Introduction Funerals are not a fun time, no one enjoys attending funerals - especially perhaps - the one for whom the funeral is for. It is a time of mourning and pain and deep felt grief. In the pain and grief however of a funeral there is an openness to hear about things usually we dont like to speak…
Introduction Tough times in our walk with God usually sends us to Psalms or at least it should. The Psalms as we are learning are songs and poems written from the heart and for the heart. They address a myriad of human emotions and experiences in the different circumstances of life that the psalmists…
Introduction Confrontation is a word that most are uncomfortable with. Many people avoid confrontations because they just feel uneasy about them. Without confrontation though there is no conflict-resolution. Confrontation is necessary to improve the quality of our relationships with one another. Confrontation…
Introduction Many times upon the Gospel being presented or shared sometimes the idea that when you come to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation your life will now be problem free. You got problems in your life or your life is filled with trouble well come to Jesus and that will be fixed and your problems…
Introduction Position brings privilege but what do you do when someone abuses the privilege they have been given? We all enjoy seeing - those who come from a place of privilege get theirs when they try to abuse or flaunt their privilege. Abuse of privilege is described as the wrongful or unlawful misuse…
Background to Amos 1 The words of Amos, who was one of the sheep breeders from Tekoa—what he saw regarding Israel in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. 2 He said: The Lord roars from Zion and makes his voice heard from Jerusalem;…
Introduction This Psalm is the first in a while without a title in the original Hebrew ( Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 ). This could be because it was considered one Psalm together with Psalm 9 . We however are taking it as it is as a separate Psalm. Like Psalm 9 this Psalm is about God’s justice however there…
Introduction Once again we are looking at a Psalm of David, and this one is one of the first of nine Psalms that is what is known as an acrostic. Each line beginning with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet. This one deals with only the first half of the alphabet. Now Septuagint has it together with Psalm…
Introduction This is a basic philosophic existential question. What is man? What is man in the totality of things? Depending on your focus you could answer that question differently. Following the theory put forth by Darwin man is essentially insignificant. If you focus only on the natural world or “everything…
Christmas came at a time in which it was bleak outlook for the Jews, God's promises seemed all but forgotten and He Himself had been silent for over 400 years. At a time when the days were darkest came the hope that was promised - the Light of one whom would be their savior. Christmas isnt just about remembering a savior came, but that His Light shines today as well.
Introduction In life we face trouble sometimes and eventually we will face troublesome times. As we continue in our journey through the book of Psalms we arrive at Psalm 6 and 7. Both of these Psalms are prayers and I lumped them together because they are both prayers of David in troublesome times. What…
Introduction Because you never know when the day before is the day before… prepare for tomorrow. Bobby Akart. The future being unknown we plan and prepare because to fail to plan is to plan to fail. We spend time money and effort to plan for things we postulate could most likely happen. How differently…
Introduction Here we are with another of Psalm of David’s. Now the timing of this psalm is unknown and unlikely to have come directly after psalm 4, but it could have and here in the book of Psalms it does. We recognize that it does that by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 4 was a psalm for…
Introduction Something that is imminent is something that is soon to happen, however the word carries a bit more meaning than just soon. It is not just soon but could come at any time now - but it IS coming so it is also a sure thing. The Day of the Lord IS coming and IS near but not only is it near…
Introduction - Book of Joel Joel is the next book of the minor prophets and one of the ones where it is true that they are not minor is message just in the length of their message. Joel is a short prophetic book only three chapters long. The book of Joel uses a locust invasion to prophetically foreshadow…
Introduction - Trouble Falling Asleep Have you ever had trouble falling asleep? Are you plagued with issues falling asleep regularly -if so you need to seek some help, just kidding, but maybe perhaps maybe you have trouble falling asleep because you are not able to just rest easy. Now I also want to…
Introduction This chapter is such a wonderful chapter and a blessing that God put this chapter at the end of the prophecy of Hosea. Though His people have turned away from Him, God will not abandon them. He has shown that He will discipline them, but He true to His covenant and His promises. 13 if we…
Introduction Psalm 2 is closely connected to Psalm 1 and in fact both Jewish and Christian tradition leaves some indication that they were at one time one Psalm. In our Bibles today they are separate and that is how God has led me to treat them. These two Psalms however we can look at them as two parts…
Psalms Background The book of Psalms is a collection of songs, prayers, hymns, laments, and poetry. Directing the praise of God, encouraging faith, and giving a voice to real raw human emotions such as sorrow, fear and joy. The book of Psalms has a much wider scope than any other book of the Bible. Its…
Introduction Discipline is a necessity of love and it well demonstrates it. Amazingly this is something that the world also agrees with, although the world does not agree what discipline looks like and to what situations it should be applied. God in His word says that discipline is a necessity of love,…
Introduction How could Hosea’s unfaithful wife Gomer ever question her husbands love? He continuously demonstrated it by seeking her out, pleading her to come home, and even paying the price to purchase her back. How could Israel ever question God’s love? How could they persistently refuse to respond…
Introduction Hosea continues to speak the sentence from God to the nation of Israel. Israel was unfaithful to God in their heart. It was a heart problem with them. They didnt hate God just because they didnt love God. Most people incorrectly believe that the opposite of love is hate - but the truth is…
Introduction Probably could have been happy closing the book of Revelation with what we saw last week. Just imagining what it will be like. Satisfied knowing what is promised to us and all we have to do is wait. The problem with that is that God didn’t give this revelation to John to just consider and…
Introduction Last week we learned choices have consequences - whether good or bad they are the results of the decisions made previously. As we come to Hosea 9 this morning that it is time for the nation of Israel to face the music. Facing the music is an idiomatic expression that simply means that you…
Introduction After the Millennial Reign has been completed or accomplished and the final rebellion squashed and death and Satan dealt what possibly is next? This next chapter of Revelation answers this question for us. In this chapter time becomes history and eternity is about to begin and usher in whats…
Introduction Every choice and action in life has consequences. Not all consequences are negative as a consequence is the result or effect of an action or condition. Choices we make in life have consequences. God speaking through the prophecy of Hosea tells Israel (and Judah) the consequences of their…
Introduction Here at Revelation 20 we are catapulted into the Millennial Reign of Christ. Which after studying history of the rule of men and living through even what is considered one of the best forms and flavors of government - Christ on the throne reigning is a breath of fresh air. The Bible as we…
Introduction Remorse is a necessary component in order for there to be genuine repentance over the crime committed. Defendants said to be unremorseful have their character judged to be unfavorable and usually do not get the mercy of the jury or the judge. Now some may disagree that remorse has any place…
Introduction In criminal cases there are several pieces of the picture that need to be put together in order to obtain a stronger likely hood of conviction. Means, Motive and Opportunity. Means is the ability one had to commit the crime. Opportunity is whether or not one had the chance to commit the…
Introduction As I have stated throughout this study in the book of Revelation, Hollywood cant touch the excitement and crazy happenings that have played out. Although Hollywood has made quite a few movies centered around the end of days, end of the world, Armageddon, the Apocalypse - etc. These movies…
Introduction - Claiming Ignorance If you break a law that you are unaware of, you are still liable and responsible for having broken the law. Thomas Jefferson said “Ignorance of the law is no excuse in any country. If it were, the law would lose their effect, because it can always be pretended.” How…
Introduction It was a dark year in 1929 when the industrialized world experienced the greatest downturn in history. This economic depression lasted 10 years but some of the effects lasted longer. A third of all banks failed unemployment was around 25% and homelessness increased exponentially. Housing…
Introduction One of the most misunderstood words of today is also one of the most sought after qualities of life. It is also one of the most basic needs of every person. Babies who are not held, nuzzled and hugged enough can actually stop growing, and if the withholding of love persists they will even…
Introduction When talking to parents or children and asking what their favorite part of the relationship is, I am often surprised and astounded because no one has ever once told me that their favorite part of growing up was receiving discipline or their favorite part of raising children was disciplining…
Introduction We come to the final plagues, the seven bowls. With these seven the wrath of God is completed. This is a subject that consumes a great part of the book of Revelation and is a truth taught throughout the Bible. 11 God is a righteous judge and a God who shows his wrath every day. However it…
Introduction - Series - Majoring in the Minors In Jewish tradition there is a collection of writings from 12 prophets known as the book or scroll of the Twelve, and we know them as the minor prophets. They are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and…
Introduction This chapter forms the last section of the third interlude of Revelation. It is imperative to remind ourselves that this material is NOT chronological in that it does not continue on the next events of the Tribulation. The purpose of this is to give us a preview of key events that lie ahead…
Introduction The hardest thing to get children to do is to rest, and the second hardest thing to do as adults is to rest. Most of us look forward to rest, although at the same time most dont know how to rest. Dont believe me think about vacations - supposed to be a time for rest but usually by the time…
Introduction John’s vision in Revelation 12 was mainly one of heaven. The scene in Revelation 13 shifts its focus to the earth. Satan has been cast down and his time is short and he knows it. Essentially John sees the dragon assembling his unholy trinity. A created being he cannot create only copy and…
Introduction - Reality of Spiritual Warfare Though the trumpet was recorded in chapter 11 verse 15 as having sounded, I remind you the details of that trump blast will not be disclosed until chapter 16. Chapters 12-15 reveal end time prophecies through personages or signs. The key to understanding chapter…
Introduction Discouragement can cause fear, anxiety, confusion, sadness, anger and may just plain cause us to quit or leave. It is literally the opposite of inspiration and being encouraged. Discouragement usually hits when we are feeling pretty good about a situation and something or someone comes along…
Introduction By now it is probably obvious that if you are not crossfit and you desire to reach crossfitness that you must make permanent changes. Temporary changes produce temporary results. The old ways must be done away with in fact you might even consider them dead habits. It is only through this…
Introduction Not everything equals crossfit. There are certain things required to be crossfit certain things that go into it. Without these elements it may be fitness but it is not crossfitness. Taken from google here is what makes crossfitness different. crossfit is hardcore crossfit is not for the…
Introduction A trial is a period in which something or someone is tested or assessed to see if they fulfill the necessary purpose or satisfy. Even crossfitness gyms have a trial period - money back guarantee. Most people are so concerned with losing money on something that the money back guarantee is…