Things I Preach To Myself About...: Recent Episodes
Rich Vangen
The word “Hebrew” means to cross over. Abram (Abraham) crossed over to follow God above without question, leaving family and friends in obedience. Many have gone against the grain of family and society to follow that which they know is truth. There are challenges and worries about giving up all we know to follow Yahweh complete as He calls us to do. Today, we talk about my journey…so far!
“The devil made me do it!” Always someone else’s fault? We cannot blame others for our own transgressions of the law. If we know the law, we also know to follow the law. But did the law of the Bible go away because of Jesus? No. He showed us how to keep the law, so he obviously didn’t do away with it! Today we discuss this controversy.
Why do we break down and falter in our journey? What is needed to maintain our drive? Well, the Messiah has called us to follow Him, but He also tells us what we need and how to do it! To rest in Him, learn from Him, and simply walk in His steps! Today we look at casting off the burdens of this world and embracing Messiah’s ways instead.
Humanity is rolling downhill to destruction and many are enjoying the ride! But some who get out of the rolling snowball fall victim to the devil’s plan. Can we survive leaving what we know and still have hope and regain trust in Messiah? Let’s find out!
Is our hope built on sinking sand or solid rock? It is one thing to have solid knowledge to stand on, but just having pieces can still be unstable unless they are all held together! It's important to cement our faith on the entirety of His Word, the complete Bible...not just snippets! Where do you stand? Is your ground solid, or rolling?
We love to do things our own way! It's just part of our nature. But when we are told to do something in a manner we don't completely agree with, we tend to push the limits and change the rules to fit our desires. Yet, this can conflict with our obedience to God above when we know we should be following His Words completely and yet don't. God doesn't have a "half" option to His commands...it is all or nothing. So, do we follow completely? Maybe it's time to reassess our walk!
To take a journey there is planning. But planning doesn't mean anything if you don't actually start the trip! In order to get to your destination, you actually have to follow the map that shows you the way! Deviating from the map will get you lost. Making up your own route will get you lost.
Thus it's important to not only trust the map, but actually follow it!
So much of the chaos around can knock the wind out of our sails, drag us down, make us feel weak and without control. When we have those blah moments, we can also become a target of our spiritual enemy as well. How do we strengthen our resolve and get back into the battle? We train daily and cling to the instructions of our Lord! Let's take a look at how we battle the moods we face!
When even a king can be humbled, we should be aware that our time will come as well! Sometimes God takes us out to the wood shed for some lessons in humility, to knock us off our throne, and remind us who we are to be before the true King! Here is such a story.
We see them everywhere, but do we pay attention to them? Signs on the highways and also in our homes through the various media are always trying to sway us one way or another, but do we just ignore them, like we often ignore the many signs from God above? Did you know that His Word is our greatest sign from Adonai Elohim? We should do best to take heed to ALL He has to say to us!
Rest in peace Topol! Tradition! Such a great song from the amazing musical, Fiddler On The Roof! The traditions of the Jewish faith are wonderful and so important, but before we can practice outwardly, we must make sure we are inwardly walking with Adonai Elohim! Let us look within to see if "who we are" is walking aligned with what God has commanded.
To many, the Bible is archaic and out of date for our culture and times. Yet the God of the Bible has never changed His decrees and laws for people to follow. So, are we in a cultural war with God? How do we rectify the times of old with who we are today? As we look at the degradation of society, we can see that our ways are not working too good! Well, the Good News is that we can still walk in His ways! His Torah still applies to us all! Let’s take a look at that!
Are we walking in faith as a true disciple, or are we walking in our own ways? God instructs us that His ways are not our ways, so maybe it is time to shed ourselves and follow Him in all His ways! Let’s look at what a disciple is and what the Scriptures teach us about the men and women of the Bible.
There is clear truth that God commands all people everywhere to believe and obey Him, yet many who deny this will face consequences for their actions. But there are people who are waking up to the truth of His Words and are making a mass exodus from the church today because they see the truth is not being taught, but instead is continually being changed or ignored...as has been for centuries. But do we continue on just because it has been the status quo? The exodus of believers leaving modern churches are seeing a true promised land, not because of man’s doctrines, but because they choose to follow Yahweh Elohim fully and completely! Let's sojourn together!
On the "new" journey of rethinking my faith, I am discovering more of the ways God has truly called us to worship Him, as revealed within the Bible. There are so many factions of beliefs and confessions and creeds in the Christian realm these days and it all makes Christianity look like a smorgasbord! But is there one "right" way to walk with God in Jesus? How does God want His people to worship Him? As I look through the myriad of "faithful" walks, it is important to remember the source of His instructions to us and to read His Word in the context and perspective He intended it all!
From the early/first believers to the current state of the Christian church, much has changed from those first days of Christianity. But were the changes correct? Why were the changes made? Are we actually worshiping God the way He intended, taught, and commanded? This has created a lot of contention for many and I, for one, am in the thick of questioning it all! Let’s look together at where we were and where we are today!
Practically script free, I ramble a bit about my failing faith…faith in man’s doctrines and ideologies. It’s time for a fresh, new, bold approach to the Bible…by reading without a single influence of previous “-isms” I’ve studied under all these years! Reading from a 1st century set of eyes and heart…like the first church did...I invite you to come along with me as we “re-learn” the roots of our faith in the God of the Bible through his son Jesus!
What you may think might not be the truth! Many may think that they are walking right with God, but reality may be completely different. Salvation is not by man’s interpretation, but by God’s alone. It’s imperative that we know our true standing before it’s too late!
How easy it is to make excuses! I have many that seem to justify my lack of daily Bible study and prayer. But are they truly justified? Are we all guilty of this? Today we discuss my confession and what we need to do to remedy the problems of our neglect of God and His Word.
Feeling like you are traveling this life alone? Perhaps life’s map has you lost. There is only one map we need to truly get from here to there…God’s map! Clinging to the Scriptures instead of the offers of this world may not smooth the roads, but it will assure us that we are on the right path by God’s Spirit and guidance! We should trust in His ways instead of our own!
Broken can either be repaired or thrown out. God gives us the opportunity to be restored before Him instead of cast out, yet we still want to cling to the very world that broke us in the first place. Like the Israelites, even though we continually turn our backs on God, He is remains faithful in love to save us. Today we look at forsaking our ways for His ways and surrendering our idols for God’s Living Waters!
Without a complete study of the Word of God, we might be missing out on our full spiritual growth. Our souls need to develop and grow, but cannot if we are only being fed “spiritual milk” instead of “spiritual meat”. The Bible is clear that we need to be equipped completely and growing in the knowledge of God!
Does the Christian fellowship flourish or suffer when Theological debates rise up to contentious levels? Have we solved definitively the matters of Scriptural understandings after all these centuries? Today we look at the affects of “-ism’s” and “-ologies” that permeate the Christian world inside and outside of the Church body.
Amazing Grace is the gift of God for our salvation! He opens our eyes to His truth and opens our ears to hear His Word. But to each, He meets us where we are in life. There is no set manner or way. He heals us of our infirmities on an intimate level. By two examples in Scripture, we will explore how God tailors His amazing grace through Jesus Christ to each one differently.
What is seen on the outside may not be what is inside! We might be able to convince ourselves and others of our pious standing as Godly people, but God truly knows the heart. We must be careful not to think ourselves more than who we really are, because He will be the judge solely of that!
The world is filled with evil chaos, yet we act surprised or shocked. But the Bible is clear that this is nothing new under the sun. Have we missed God’s message? Is our church attendance busied with worldly things more than God and His Word? It might be time to stop and listen to God for a change!
Why do I repeat certain themes? Why cover again the same core topics? Well, I’ll tell you why in today’s “free-style” rant as to why my podcasts have common threads and similar subject matter. We have one God, one Way, one Spirit, and one Word by which we are to live!
When the world comes at us with fire and chaos, how should we respond? The times, they are a-changin’ and not necessarily for the better! With all that has been happening, we can easily be overwhelmed and anxious, but God’s Word tells us how to get through: Pray more and worry less!
What ’tis the reason for the season? Why do people have such disdain for this supposedly joyful time of the year? It could be that the focus of this observation has devolved into a festive merriment of gifts and gatherings instead of understanding what God has given us…Immanuel! The greatest gift of all is the gift of salvation and a right relationship with God through Jesus!
Continuing from the previous podcast, we look at our obligations to God when we receive the free gift of salvation, accepting His covenant with us through the saving work of Christ Jesus. We submit ourselves to Christ in all that we say and do, growing in the grace He gives. We are to love God and our neighbors. Through our submission to His Word, His love will strengthen us and shine through us to this dark world! We are to walk in His light!
When we agree to something, we are striking a deal that requires both sides to fulfill obligations. But what happens when one side breaks that deal? There are usually penalties or repercussions. Unfortunately mankind has a problem with breaking agreements with God over the centuries. Despite our shortcomings, God has always been faithful. Today we look at covenants made by God and our role and obligations with them.
Evil is prevailing and we seem to be left without recourse or vengeance when it hits our life. The frustrations that we feel when we are wronged can send us down many different paths, but which path should we be on to deal with the situation? Today, we see what the Bible says about dealing with being wronged and look at it through the eyes of someone that knows all about being wronged...Jesus.
Sins of our past, sins we battle now, and sins that we may yet commit…all part of the life we have on our journey to Heaven. And we all need constant encouragement to keep moving forward, always learning along the way! So how do we do that? Obviously books, sermons, and teachings can edify us, but so can simply preaching the Word of God to ourselves…daily! Today we take a look at doing just that.
We are told to “contend for the faith”. But what does that really mean? Are we standing firm in our beliefs or do we sway with whichever way the wind blows? Today, more than ever, we need to be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give an account for the hope that is in us, because the world has a different view than God!
Every day we are bombarded by influencers. People and things that push a narrative, idea, product, and thought to sway you. Social media has become the strong platform. But does all this come with a cost? As the Word of God loses influence in society, the enemy gains ground. The church has joined in the influence, but where is God’s Word? Today we look at what our real source of influence should be!
Do we linger under God's wrath or do we take His free gift? The world has one set of plans for us, but God has an alternative to that path leading to destruction! But it isn't simple yes/no. Accepting God's path is a daily, moment-by-moment decision! There is no coasting to the Celestial City! We have to work hard to battle against the world's pull...a pull that contradicts God and His Way! Who are you (really) before God?
Feeling trampled on in life? There is a trampling coming that many will not escape!
Today, I discuss the reality of God's wrath and how so many people (even within the church body) want to avoid or ignore accepting this Biblical reality.
It shouldn't be something to fear, if we keep ourselves secured in the knowledge and saving faith of Jesus!
Are we comfortable with our salvation assurance or do we question if we are saved? It has been a struggle in my walk of faith as to whether God, at times, has let me go. Can we lose salvation? There is no absolute answer, but there are Scriptures that we must heed! Let’s look together!
What takes precedence in your life? Do the ways of the world entice you? What you are placing your priorities on could make an eternal difference!
Today we look at how the idols in our lives distract and destroy our relationship with God.
When modern pulpits remove the reverence of God and relevance of His Word, what’s left? The fallen world all around shows the result of dismissing the Bible in worship and even secular society. God is clear; that He wants us to return to His Word of truth! We must return to the ancient paths!
God IS...therefore we need to know our position before the God of the universe! But do we? Understanding who God is gives us a proper perspective on life!
Christians are forgiven, but what about our forgetting? Do we have the necessary Words of God memorized? Perhaps it is time to start meditating on His Words!
Most have one; maybe even several! but do you know how to use it? Do you know where it is? Today, we talk about the importance of learning to wield the Sword of the Spirit!
After the previous year’s chaos and testing, we look forward to a refresh. Are you looking in the right place? Look no further than God and His Word!
Waves of life sometime take us off the course we were planning. But our focus has to be the same no matter what. Today, I’ll share my different course that I was thrown into!
The world is complacent and often affects our walk with Christ. This is part of the battle plan of the enemy. We must be aware!
The apostasy of today’s churches give alarm to the growing disdain of the Word of God - The Bible. Today, in part 2, we examine how dismissing the Word is parallel to dismissing God Himself.
Is it apostasy to twist, ignore, denounce the Bible as the Word of God? Today in a two part podcast, we’ll delve into the problems with the Church and the Bible as the Word of God.
To introduce a bit about me is to share my testimony. How does my story compare to yours? Let’s explore what a testimony is and why it is so important!
Part of the necessary equipment to make it day by day is having a sword: The Word of God! We need to be ready every minute to stand in this battlefield we exist in.
The ups and down struggles after becoming a Christian are many, with many paths you can take. Today we discuss two wrong paths I’ve ventured on before.
Podcast introductions. Figuring out what God is trying to tell me is often a difficult task. As lights come on, I hope to share my learning process with you to help you grow with me!