Enduring Christianity: Recent Episodes
Billy Hyer
Discussing the joys AND challenges of sincerely following Jesus. Salvation in Jesus is a gift, but Jesus warns us of the temptations that can lure us away. Jesus said "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my word endures forever." and "Only those who endure until the end will be saved." If your goal is ONLY to get to heaven then maybe despite your good intentions you're heading in the wrong direction? Maybe the direction is faithfully FOLLOWING Jesus and the result is Him? No, this is not a works based podcast! No, this is not an, "I go to Heaven because I earned it." This is a conversation about loving Jesus because he deserves my all.
In this conversation we speak with our special guest Chuck Flunker. Chuck is a personal health coach who also happens to be a Christian. Chuck's reputation for getting results had become well known in our little circle and by the time of this release, all three of the trio hired him with fantastic results. During our journey with him it was impossible not to notice the correlation between a physical health journey and a biblical, spiritual health journey. Both journeys begin with the simple logic, "I need help and the only way to improve is through truth, encouragement, discipline and resisting the cravings of the flesh."
We can want to change in some way or another, but at some point if we don't begin to "pull our own weight" what hope is there for transformation?
We hope you enjoy this conversation from both angles as we discuss the truth of subjects such as; enjoy the journey, if nothing changes - nothing changes, control what you can control, progress over perfection, and the results of consistency.
And don't forget to check Chuck's health coaching out on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/482067569836766?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=1149666649743518
DISCLAIMER: This podcast platform and any/all of its affiliated personalities do not condone throwing your faith leaders into a cistern or any other similar treatment.
Now that that’s out of the way… enjoy our 2nd episode with "Words and How We
Use Them," as the Trio sits down with returning guest Pastor Jeremy Husby. It’s an idiom rich episode with Biblical origins followed by meaningful discussions about sanctification, grace, mercy, and the depths of God’s love. We hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did!
What happens when the Trio invites one of their pastors to sit down and talk about words? They “pull out all the stops” and get in to “unsoiled soil”, “the pits of Sheol”, social media, and much more! Choosing words carefully is a big part of pastoring and shepherding a flock. But, the importance of words and how we use them is not just the pastor’s responsibility, it is also a responsibility in all of our own lives as we live it out for Christ, leaning and sharing His message.
When the word "idol" is mentioned it is often visualized as a carved statue, an object that we pray to or bow down to. But idolatry is more about our heart than it is about an object. The moment we begin to give or treat anything with more attention, effort and time verses God is the moment we begin to enter into idolatry towards God in our hearts.
One of the most important things to understand about idolatry is that it often has nothing to do with the object. Most commonly idolatry enters into our life as a result of God not being the priority in our life. When God is diminished in our life something else will fill its void. These things in and of themselves may not be bad things, such as our career, kids, or even going to church. But again the reality of idolatry is not how important we make something, the reality of idolatry is when anything becomes elevated in our life more than God.
God must come first, so that no matter what we say or do, we do it to the Glory of God.
Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me."
“What Does Living for Jesus Look Like?”
Many of our discussions have recognized the fact that we are only enabled to love Jesus because he first loved us. But, if we are true recipients of his love, we are not merely recipients, we are also a people who become compelled by it! As recipients of Christ love, it changes us from what we were and begins to shape and mold us into who he created us to be, a godly people who reflect his own heart and ways.
So, what does that look like? Does it mean you never miss a church service or church event? Does it mean you read the Bible 3 times a year? Does it mean you only have Christian friends? Does it mean that you rarely sin? Join our discussion in this episode as we attempt to unpack the surface of some points to what living for Jesus actually looks like.
May God bless you and this time!
In our world today, the common message of Jesus is that he came to die and rise again for our sin and this is absolutely true. But, this alone is not the entire message of truth. Jesus also came into the world with the purpose of revealing our sin, so that we would turn away from it and turn to him instead.
On the mount Jesus said, "You have heard it said do not commit murder, but I say to you that if you hold onto anger against your brother in your heart you have already committed murder." In Luke 13:3-5 Jesus also said"Unless you repent, you too will perish" - Yes, this type of language, "unless you repent, you too will perish" can be off putting, but if so, why? Is it because it becomes uncomfortable for us to face the reality of denying our sinful desires?
Hopefully you know, Jesus does not leave us alone to fend for ourselves against the sin of this world as though our salvation of repentance was totally up to our own strength and will power. No, Jesus said, "It is better that I leave so that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, may come to you and the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin for the purpose of training in righteousness." When we begin to understand that becoming aware of our sin is the first step in being trained in righteousness, we learn to rejoice in the truth and the kindness of God that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). And when becoming aware of our sin becomes less "off putting" and more joyous, we come to understand the scripture in Luke 15:10. "There is more joy in the presence of the angels in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety- nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
The simple reality is that if we believe Jesus is the BEST, then the BEST possible thing for us is to become more like Jesus. But in order to become more like Jesus, the process demands the awareness of sin. So let's dive in.
Jesus died for your sins and has forgiven you, now what? Are we suppose to just sit around and believe in Jesus like Dorthy in the "Wizard of Oz" -we just click our heals three times and believe everything is all good? Or, is there more to the statement "all who believe in Jesus will be saved"?
Jesus said "I am the truth, the way and the life, whoever believes in me shall be saved." If we believe in Jesus, then we believe every Word He has ever spoken! This is why Jesus says, if you love me (If you truly believe in me) then you will obey me.
When Jesus was told that his mother and brother were looking for him, he responded with, "who is my mother, who are my brothers and sisters. The one who does the will of my Father is my mother, brother and sister. "
So, If you BELIEVE in Jesus, its not a matter of "now what" - It's a matter of diving into God's word in order to understand and obey it - The now what is to believe the truth of Jesus himself and every word he spoke, which has the power to renew, transform and save!
Do you ever find yourself asking “What’s the point?” as you relive another repetitive task, or face the same challenges of which you faced yesterday and will inevitably have to face again tomorrow... and the day after that... and the day after that? For many of us, the redundancy of each new day feels nothing like a "new day," just the same tasks as the days before. At times it can become too easy to conclude that everything is meaningless, and eventually lead us to feel as if we ourselves are meaningless too - "What's the Point?"
In these moments we can relate to the writer of Ecclesiastes when he says “there is nothing new under the sun - everything is meaningless, meaningless”
The author of Ecclesiastes writes 12 chapters to prove how meaningless this life is, but then after proving how meaningless everything is, he ends with these words! - "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."
Join the Trio as they discuss the reality of how every person faces the feeling of being meaningless and encourage each other to stop “flying by the seat of their pants” when it comes to placing their time and efforts on "meaningless" tasks and instead placing their focus on what really matters - To fear and love God by obeying Him!
**In a world that anxiously looks for ways to excuse sin, we will often find ourselves being influenced by the same excuses. The world regularly influences us to accept beliefs that boldly contradict who God has told us to be through His Word. As followers of God, we need to actively seek God's truth and to take guard of pop culture sayings, or catchy phrases that do not align with the will of God. Words have meaningful effects, and if we fail to take specific phrases captive, or write them off as "not a big deal, everyone says it" we may very well become deceived by them ourselves. We invite you to listen in on this episode to consider your words and the effect they may have on those around you. We hope it begins to open your eyes to how often the words of the world attempt to contradict the ways of God and that phrases such as, "you do you" begin to really “get your goat” when you hear them so often referenced.
Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."**
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 - "Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing!"
Prayer can be challenging and there can seem to be an endless amount of reasons that stand in the way of a healthy prayer life. One minute we’re focused and then suddenly “at the drop of a hat” we abandon communication with our Lord, drifting off into a world of distractions. The problems that stand in the way of a regular prayer life all stem from one place: our independent - sinful nature.
Listen in as the guys confess their own challenges with prayer. Have a relatable laugh with the ridiculousness of what occurs in their own heads when it comes to prayer, and discuss how to overcome the problems (us!) with prayer. Always reminding ourselves to enter His courts with thanksgiving. For the things we pray for are often temporary, but the things we praise Him for are eternal!
In this episode we talk about prayer, using the Lord’s Prayer as our guide. It is a prayer most Christians are able to recite by memory, but reciting something by memory does not always translate to an understanding of what it means and how to live it out.
The Trio also attempts to put “A Feather in their Cap” by guessing the origin of several idioms. They soon figure out that it’s no “Piece of Cake” guessing the origins to these idioms! We hope you enjoy this episode and that it encourages you to speak more Word of God with the people in your life.
Why do you go to church? Are you prepared to answer that question? Is your answer a good one? Join us for that conversation and more in this episode as the Trio navigates through not only giving reasons for going, but also on the honest feelings of not always being excited for Sunday mornings. Listen in and share this episode alongside your honest reasoning of why you go to church.
- Do you see your place of work as an opportunity to live out your faith? Do you see your place of work as the mission field? Or do you “turn a blind eye” to the opportunities the Holy Spirit provides to let your light shine? In this 2nd season of Enduring Christianity, we’re excited to introduce the “Trio” to you. Peter, Billy, and Adam are just regular men who are enjoying intentional time together discussing God’s Word and how it applies to their lives. We hope you enjoy our discussions and God’s blesses this time!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
In this episode we speak with Katie, who shares her testimony of Christ saving her from a life of anger and substance abuse. In grade school, anger entered into her life when her parents divorced, then drugs became a way of escaping her reality by the time middle school hit. Her mother prayed and pleaded for God to save her from the direction she was heading in finally came true after many years of hard decisions.
Katie's life went in many directions, but eventually after the death of a friend, who overdosed, she finally gave into God being the answer.
We hope you take the time to listen in as Katie shares a very personal journey in her life. A journey that many could wish to forever hide, but she shares openly giving all the glory to God for making her into a new creation in Christ.
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
If it were not for our problems, how would we know Christ in the way we testify of Him today? It is in our weakness we are taught gratefulness for His strength. It is in our foolishness that we become grateful for His wisdom. It is through our problems, not in the absence of our problems that the Holy Spirit reveals to us our need for Him. Without an awareness of our problems how could we ever be molded with humility, how would we ever come to know Jesus in the way He desires to be known? Which is with genuine adoration, praise, and gratefulness.
No one wants problems, but the fact remains that God uses problems in our life as life's continual greatest lesson, I NEED Jesus! A life without problems is not my concern. My concern is a life without knowing I need Jesus everyday! Therefore I am grateful for my problems, because they dictate to me my need for Him.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6)
In this episode we speak with Richie Reese, the directory of counseling at Crossway Ministries in Anderson, SC. He shares with us how the vision of christian counseling is not to fix , but to heal and how he challenges people to appreciate their problems, because your problems are meant to lead you to Jesus.
The relation between words and imagery are at the core of our existence. With a word God created us, and with the word He created us for the purpose of being in His IMAGE. What separates us now from the likeness of God is not our correct definition of who God is, but our sinful failure to imitate the likeness, or IMAGE of who God is.
Instead of a life which is meant to imitate an imagery of selflessness, sin's desire for us is a life of selfish imagery. Instead of an imagery of kindness and patience, sin's desires is for us to live a behavioral life which gives imagery to rudeness and insisting on our own way. This is why the Word of God directly speaks to the utmost importance of our behavior and dying to self. Because our behavior is the image of which others see and ultimately our behavior gives witness to whom we belong. The Word of God commands us how to live, because how we live will either reflect an imagery of self, or an imagery of God. Ultimately the imagery of which we live will give proof to a love of self, or a sincere love for God.
Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35.) What powerful imagery! It is an imagery of which the truth of the word is proven in the lived out imagery of the word, love. This is why love and faith require action. If love and faith are only spoken words, then they have no claim to an image. This is why it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6), because without the action of faith we give no credibility to the image of which we claim to represent.
"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
(Mathew 15:8)
In this episode we discuss with Teresa Bauer on how her love for words and how the power of their correct visualization completely changed her life. She shares with us her practical processes of discovering the deeper meaning of words in both her private and public life.
To check out her book go to Teresabauer.com
Throughout the Bible there are many examples of prayers recorded for us to lean how to pray. There are prayers of pleading, direction, forgiveness, blessing and confession. But, there is no more of an important prayer than to pray for the Fathers will to be done. “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).
Ultimately, life is about knowing and fulfilling Gods will. This was the example of Jesus, to do the will of the Father. This is the purpose of the Holy Spirit, to empower us to fulfill Gods will. Apart from God we can do nothing, and this is why we pray, “your will be done.”
The role prayer plays in the reality of fulfilling an active faith in Gods will is the reality of our participation in a personal relationship with God. We were made to be in fellowship with God that we might know Him and there is no greater way to be in relationship with Him than through the way He designed it to happen- through His word and in personal prayer with Him,
In this episode we continue our series with the life of Isaac and in particularly the specific prayer he prayed for Gods will to be done. What we learn from Isaacs life is that a prayer for Gods will to be done is to become a participant in Gods will being done. Through prayer we are in fellowship with Gods spirit and it is in fellowship with Him that we learn to trust in Him and the way He chooses for His will to take place.
The greatest joy and comfort a person can have in life is to be joined in a forever growing relationship with the Father. All things were made for the intention of His glory and wherever we are He is there. The only question then becomes, do we take notice of Him, or are we too regularly allowing our own desires, routines and concerns of the world to whither the greatest gift imaginable, a consistent and ever growing relationship with the Father?
“Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalms 46:10)
Yes, it is far too easy and way too common for us to replace a security in God's plan with what we may consider to be more comfortable, or "safe". But the reality of a relationship with the Father is not founded on our own desired comfort. Rather it is founded in the reality of fully placing our trust in the Father.
Like most things in life which God designed, our trust, much like our relationship with Him, is intended to continually mature and grow. Through the joys of life, we praise Him. Through the trials of life, we trust Him. Always coming to know with confidence that whatever comes our way, He is always with us to see us through.
In this episode we speak with Bill and Laura Putnam whose entire life is a living testament to the words of Jesus; "Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32:33)
It is my hope that listening to this discussion will encourage your faith in knowing that whatever storm may be in your life, always keep your eyes on the Father.
When we come to first believe in Jesus as our LORD and savior it is always done so on the premise of needing Him. We need to be washed by the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins and we need Him because He alone is the source of eternal life. However, as we continue to follow Jesus we learn it is not only His blood we are in need of, we are also in need of His word. As Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life." (John 6:69).
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1). Throughout God's word He clearly tells us that in order to be in relationship with Him, forgiven and freed from our sin we must repent. Or in other words, we must come to an end of ourselves. "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
Sometimes our repentance is only seen in secret, while other times it is seen in public. But either way, repentance is always the result of coming to an end of ourselves in which turns from our selfish ways to an obedience of Jesus's word.
In this episode we speak with Pastor Allen Cothran of Newspring Church in Anderson, SC who shares a personal story that led him to a sincere end of himself and in return a full redemption in Christ. We hope you listen in as he shares how his repentance not only saved his life, but also his marriage and redeemed his ministry in a way that is now more powerful than before.
"Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." (Titus 2:14)
There is a popular quote which states, "we don't appreciate what we have until it's gone." It's sad, but true, and too often it is no less true of the gifts which God has so generously placed in our lives. A selfishness for what WE want, or for how WE feel comfortable, can narrow our sight and lead us to become dismissive to the gifts God has placed in our lives. At times, the best thing for us is to painfully lose what we have been given in hopes of it being rebirthed with a greater sincerity of love for that which He has given.
Yes! God gives abundantly for our enjoyment! But specifically He gives for the purpose of our benefit. The benefit of His will being done in our lives may not always seem enjoyable, but take heart, the purest level of joy is found in the result of our Godly benefit. But, if our love grows cold, then often enough the moment of our greatest benefit is to then lose what we have been given, in order to birth in us again, an unquenchable love for that which God has given.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, but He also takes away for the very intention of rebirthing it in our lives. This is what we see when Jesus laid down His life; it was given back to him in the resurrection. And this is what we see in this episode of, "Born Again."
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)
Throughout Abrahm's life he had been tried and endured because of his true faith in God. Yet still after all the testing of his faith, "Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am." (Genesis 22:1). God said to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:2)
On the surface, to most this may seem mean of God to require such a thing of Abraham to prove his devotion to God, but this is the very thing God would do, where one day Jesus would die on a cross as an act of devotion of His love for us.
Abraham's relationship with God was at such a confident depth that he knew the nature of God is not mean, but loving. And in this relational knowledge he obeyed, believing in God. "Abraham, concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead." (Hebrews 11:19)
While most have heard the story of Abraham's faith to sacrifice his son Issac, few have been taught the magnitude of meaning and significance to this story. We truly hope you dive in alongside us, as we discuss the high significance of what there is to learn from this story of true faith, belief and worship.
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12) This verse really sums up the beginning to every prodigal story. Between the nature of our sin, combined with the devil's influence, it really doesn't take much to lure us away from a Godly life. In the end we are all in one way a story of the prodigal. Whether we are led astray for only a short moment, or by a great distance, all of us are in need of the loving grace of God that brings us back to Him.
Maybe we are led astray by deception, or maybe we are led away by our own obstinate choices, but one thing is clear, there is a way that leads to death and a way that leads to life, there is no path of neutrality. How a believer is to behave in a reality such as this is found in Ephesians 5:15-16, "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil."
In the Gospel of Luke, the "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" the moment that turns the son around is when Jesus describes the son as acknowledging the path that seemed right was actually leading to death. "I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you". When the son does return, we find the powerful truth to the words in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land".
This is the story of the prodigal, the one who sees the error of their ways, and RETURNS to their Fathers House. This is the story of your life, my life and the testimony of which we hear in this episode.
Whatever you have done or are doing, turn from your ways and return to the enduring love of your Father in Heaven, who rejoices in your repentance. "There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:7)
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3)
Prayer is not a one sided conversation, it is a two way interaction. It is a gift that allows personal interaction with the living God in a way that we not only speak to Him, but He hears and responds. The intention and exception of this interaction is to be great, for there is nothing greater than personally knowing and interacting with God. His desire is for us is to not only know Him, but to be personally joined to Him and the most common way He allows this to take place is through prayer.
In this episode we speak with "Joe" who grew up in a Buddhist home in Singapore. Although his upbringing and surrounding culture were Buddhist, his spirit and mind wrestled with the notion of there must be more. At the age of 14 he responded towards this wrestling in the the only way he knew how, prayer. Not yet knowing the God he was praying to he simply asked, "God show me who you are." This is a story of Jeremiah 33:3, calling out to God and in return God revealing great and hidden things not yet known. It is a story of relational salvation through prayer, a relationship that not only he would come to know, but also his parents, siblings and generations to come. I hope this story stirs in you the power of prayer and the love of our God towards us. As Jesus prayed himself in John 17:21, "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. "
We continue our series of studying how God interacts with His people through enduring trials and testing. In this episode we continue our discussion on Abraham and his love for Ishmael. Before Isaac was born, Ishmael was Abraham's son who he loved. Although he loved his son, Abraham was told by God to drive Ishmael out, because Isaac was the chosen heir of God's chosen people. We may have all heard this story before, but this is the first time I had ever paused to consider the trail it was for Abraham. To obey God meant he had to drive out his son who he loved. The story of Abraham and Ishmael gives great insight to the reality of putting God before all others and it also brings some meaning to Jesus' words in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple."
Before God calls us to love people, He first calls us to love Him. No matter who a person is in our lives, God must always come first, and this is the story of Abraham and Ishmael.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)
In this world we will consistently face trials and struggles. But one of the greatest gifts we have is learning through it all, to trust God. Lessons of trust are always taught in the moments of when trust is required. Like Peter walking on the water, the storms of life are real and although fear is present, God is greater. He is greater not only because he calms the storm, but because he uses the storm to teach us something greater than the storm itself, to trust Him everything.
In this episode Hope shares with us one of these moments in her life. During her first ultrasound with her third son Christian the doctors discovered a heart defect that would require surgery immediately after birth if he was to survive. With the support of her family and church, they immediately began to unite in prayer, "Lord, heal Christians' heart." By the time of the next ultrasound Christians' heart was completely restored. This is a story of prayer, Gods power and learning to truly trust Him with everything. Our Father God is loving and no matter the circumstance, or outcome, it is always His intention to teach us to rest in the fact that He's got this.
Pornography is one of the rare subjects in which statistics reveal most people are willing to participate in, yet few are willing to openly discuss or admit to. Maybe this is because sexual behavior is by natural design a personal and intimate activity that should be kept private, or maybe its reason is because it is an enemy of God that desires to be kept hidden in the dark? Whatever the reason maybe, it is the conclusion of this platform that pornography, like all sin, is a deception of comfort and pleasure with a result of death and destruction. It has been proven to kill intimacy, relationships, self worth and most importantly it destroys the purposeful design of which God intended sex to be.
In this discussion we speak with Pastor Caleb from the ministry "Conquerors Through Christ." A ministry that directly walks alongside those who battle the temptation. The vision of the ministry is not only to shine light on the harm of sin, but to ultimately lead people to a fulfillment in the love of Christ. A love that satisfies all needs and never disappoints!
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
(Romans 8:37 )
At the age of 17, as an only child of two Christian school teachers, Emily and her parents went to the doctor to treat what they thought were simple symptoms of the flu. After some blood work and a longer than anticipated wait, they received some of the hardest words they would ever hear, "Emily has cancer."
That night Emily immediately began taking chemo treatments and her fight against Leukemia began. Although the emotions were real and the family's fears were legitimate, they immediately placed their hope and trust in God.
Today Emily is cancer free, but it did not come without a long and painful journey. They learned many things along the way, things which included the power of empathy and encouragement, but possibly the most important reality they learned was the weight of the words, "Your will be done."
Sometimes I believe we can think of God's will being wrapped up into a single moment, but most often God's will includes a long journey. God's will involved a journey for many lives in the Bible including the life of Abraham, Moses, Joseph and many more. I believe it is important to realize that God's will is often a journey, the most important journey being the transformation into the likeness of Christ.
As Paul said in Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." In a very similar way, see Emily's story as that, a life that continues to press on for the will and purpose of Jesus. She is able to empathize with those who are suffering and to share the gospel of Jesus wherever she goes.
We continue our series of studying how God interacts with His people through enduring trials and testing. In this episode we continue our discussion on Abraham and the promise he received from God to receive a son. When God revealed that the son would come through his wife Sarah, Abraham laughed, for both he and his wife were well beyond their natural reproductive years (Genesis 17:17) The laughter of Abraham was a response of absolute belief in God's word. "Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6) Twenty-five years after God spoke his promise, Abraham and Sarah gave birth to Isaac, which means laughter.
Listen in as we discuss the journey between the promise and the delivery, plus how works play a vital role with faith.
The popular message of the day is typically how to remove the hard, not to sit with the hard. We long to know how to solve troubling circumstances and not to sit in them. But what happens when the hard is immovable, and our only option is to learn how to live through it? What happens when an incurable diagnosis is given and life as you knew it, can never, will never be the same? While these are the types of trials no one desires to receive, it is these types of trials that anchor us into a trajectory of learning to fully rely on God. It is these types of trials that God teaches us how to sit with the hard. And if we humble ourselves to His loving purpose we will come to know that there is no expense we are not willing to pay if it personally teaches us how to truly abide in His enduring love.
In this episode we speak with Meagan and Chris who walk us through their discovery and journey of parenting their young daughter who was diagnosed with type one diabetes. Their family plans and a life they had envisioned for their daughter was forever altered by this life threatening and incurable diagnosis. But through it all they would not change a thing if it meant not knowing the Father in the way they have come to know Him. There is much to learn from this family, I hope you take the time to listen.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” The words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 are so comforting to read. It is a declaring promise that Jesus is with us and will help us in our time of need. God created us to be in relationship with Him and the most common practice of our relationship with Him is in awareness of our need for Him.
In this episode we talk with Andrew and how an unexpected event of his wife being hit by a truck taught him of his limitations. We discuss how we can not allow the stress of our limitations to become our focus. Rather in times of stress we are to align our focus on our help, God. Jesus asked for help in His time of need, it is only proper then for us to do the same.
We continue our series of study on how God interacts with His people throughout the Bible. In this episode we begin with the call of Abraham, the meaning of a name and how the call of God required Abraham to leave the land he knew. This is a story of the past, but is there a relevance to our story today? It would be easy to go about concluding a call in our own life if we already knew the outcome, but the reality is that when God calls, we do not yet know the outcome. Sometimes, as in the story of Abraham, the call requires us to leave what is familiar or comfortable. The wrestling with a call can include leaving our familiarity or worldly comfort. The point of a call from God is that it comes from God, and so to respond appropriately, it is vital we learn to trust God more than our own understanding. But before we place our faith in the call, we must know that the calling is from God. Listen in further as we discuss believing and responding to that which God has led us to act.
It's easy to get caught up in the race of life, filling our schedules with chores, sports, school or working long hours. Maybe our schedules become overflowed because the things we prioritize are important, but what happens when the busy things fail to make enough room for the best things God intended for us? Do we pay attention to the details of how a good work ethic can lead to working too many hours? Do we realize how the amount of hours affect the more precious things such as our children, spouse, or other family members?
In this episode we talk with Adam, who was blessed with a great career, yet at some point came to the realization that his work life was overshadowing a priority of his family. It was then that he knew he needed to prioritize his priorities and make a change. When he made a change, he not only had more time with his family, but God began to work in his heart in deeper and unexpected ways.
Jesus said His return will be like in the days of Noah. While the return of Jesus is the best thing that could happen to a believer, it is also the worse thing for those who are not. While the most common topic of Noah maybe the ark, animals and a rainbow, the harsh reality is that all died in the flood except for a single family. This reality should bring a very serious tone to how Jesus described His return. It should give us a fear of God that honors what He is worthy of, our allegiance and obedience. The patience of God and the love of God is not to be taken for granted. He has given us His word for a single reason, to obey it. The kingdom of Heaven and Satan are real, and if we fail to realize just how real, we truly begin to fantasize versus believe. The hour is coming when none will know, so be ready at all times. Do not grow weary, but be ever present in your allegiance to Him.
"And as were the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall be the coming of the Son of man." Mathew 24:37:39
Before he became a pastor, Randy served active duty Army combat ops. Although he grew up in a Christian home and went to church on a regular basis, it was not until he experienced two bullets swoosh by his head during the Black Hawk Down mission that made Jesus become ever so real. Finding himself in the humble trenches of war, brought forth the reality of death and a true need for Jesus. Listen in as he shares not only his story, but wonderful advice for a growing relationship in Christ.
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
We continue our study of endurance in the Bible with Cain and Abel. In this episode we specifically look at the effects of sin in Cain's heart and how sin ultimately is an active hatred of God. Something that stands out to me in this study is how God remained patient with Cain, even after he killed his brother Abel. It is a reminder of not only the power of sin, but the amazing patience and grace of God towards us while in our sin. It is a patience that is provided with hope that we repent from our exposed sin so that we may graciously return to what is best for us, God himself.
"If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
In this episode we speak with Ryan, a hospice chaplain, who regularly deals with death and spirituality. We discuss the power of a person's testimony and how our greatest spiritual joy is celebrated in death.
Our bodies will die but our spirits live on, and this is why Godly spirituality is so important. Our humanity may not enjoy talking about death, but it is our belief and trust in Christ that has freed us from death. "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5).
It can be difficult to explain spirituality with physical words and it is impossible to see or understand unless it is revealed to us by the Spirit. But yet this we know, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (Romans 8:5).
In the beginning was God!
Since the beginning God has been and will forever be the supreme authority of all things. Sadly, since the beginning of humanity we have taken issue with this. From a lack of patience or forgiveness, to an out right insisting on our own way in replace of Gods'. Insisting on our own way has led to a self determination of what is right and wrong in our own eyes, proclaiming an elevation of selfish concern above an all consuming love for God's will being done on earth as it is in Heaven. God does not hide His will from us and we know this because He has graciously revealed it to us through His word. It is apparent that humanity is in grave error and in need of Jesus as a Savior, but what is also apparent is our grave need of the Holy Spirit to transform us into a lover of God rather than a lover of self. Listen in as we discuss the story of Adam and Eve and the importance of Jesus' words; "If you love me, you will obey me."
God's desire for us to know Him will always be greater than our desire to know Him. From the cross to our mother's womb, God's desire is for intimacy with us. While there are specific moments in our life that stand out in a growing relationship with Christ, every moment in life is meant to draw us near to Him. In this episode we discuss how every moment, including the womb, is a life moment for God to draw us near. While our eternal salvation is made possible in the cross and resurrection of Jesus, we must always remember that eternal life is about a continual understanding of personal relationship with Him.
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3
The Bible is filled with stories and some of its stories may leave us wondering, “Why did that happen”? While the question of why can be a common question of Bible stories it can also be a common question of our own lives as well. We can tend to fixate on the tangible practical’s, missing the practical process of a relationship being built. This is a story from my life, giving proof to God reaching out to me in a way to grow a joyful, FUN relationship.
If there is one thing guaranteed in life it is the experience of unexpected trials. We can say that we trust God, but it is in the unexpected trials of life that we learn to trust Him. God desires for us to learn how to walk through life with Him. Trials in life often bring no warning, they appear in our life in a way that draws our heart to the surface.
Listen in as Alissa walks us through her journey of not just one trial but more so; compounding trials piling one top of another beginning with the dire news of having breast cancer. Her beautiful faith and trust in the Lord shines bright as she shares intimate details of how God taught her to know Him in a deeper way than she could have ever imagined, in the midst of her trials.
This is a true story from my life of which I call my "Lions Den" experience. Although there are no lions involved in this story, it could only have been God who rescued us this day. Listen in as I tell of this rescuing story during a YWAM missionary trip in South Africa dating back to 2001. Yes that's over 20 years ago... but His love endures forever.
"For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth." Daniel 6:26-27
God uses people in different ways according to His will and often with that calling places a specific burden for it within our hearts. While we can think of the word "burden" as a negative connotation, this is a reflection of God's heart empowering us to reach His people, for His purpose.
Listen in as Jay tells us how God revealed Himself to him and then placed a specific burden to reach the poor and homeless. I hope you enjoy listening to his journey as Jay not only carries the burden for the lost, but daily and actively lives it out despite the obstacles. Let us pray for God to help Jay in his ministry to reach more and more people for God's glory.
So often we focus on what we want to receive from God and yet fail to realize what we must give up in order to receive it. This is what we find with Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler in the book of Luke.
"Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of Godwill fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:26:30
As a child, Kyle endured life altering exposure to violence, substance abuse and the unintended consequences of a broken family. The behaviors of which he was exposed not only impacted his adolescent years, but as he grew began to shape his own behavior. Listen in on how the sins of the past continued to be a curse of his present, and how God redeemed it all through a simple prayer from jail. "God, if you are real, if I follow you, will you meet me halfway." And God did, quite literally meet him halfway. We hope you choose to listen to this remarkable testimony of God's amazing grace and how following the word of God not only changes one life, but the lives of a generation to follow.
Join in on the conversation with my wife Rachel and I as we discuss the everyday opportunities of following Christ's teachings through the practice of patience from driving to the grocery store to shopping at the grocery store, and everywhere in between. While patience is openly recognized as a Godly characteristic, how many times during our normal day do we acknowledge frustration's opportunity to love? If we are willing to take every thought captive and just pause in every moment of presented frustration, we will find the opportunity to abide in patience. The reality is we are presented with frustrations all through the day and although frustrations are naturally undesired, they are also our greatest opportunity to die to self in order to display Christ's character.
Listen in on the conversation of Lauren's testimony as she shares the most trying season of her marriage. Going beyond just the event, she extends to us the treasure of God's enduring promise of faithfulness. And it was at her lowest moments where God did His best and most important work in her. She now speaks of these testimonial truths not just with us now, but in one on one ministry opportunities with others who are going through trialing times. God's great promises of the Bible times still ring true today and are overflowing into our lives when we trust Him. When our reality is lived in His reality, we then can be a cup that overflows onto others.
Although love is vital to our walk with Christ, and love is good, loving is not easy. Instead of loving, we often choose ourselves. This is why Jesus gave us his one command: "Love ." Now surely, you and I are able to love here and there, but is a here and there a representation of a command, to love? In this episode we will discuss what we believe to be the most common reason we choose not to love, which is the same reason we choose to avoid most things in life: frustration. To justify the urge of our selfish frustration is the moment we most often deny the command to love. Instead of patience, we justify impatience. While frustrations are an everyday undesired experience, frustrations are also our most common opportunity to die to self. They are a moment to lean into and grow into a deeper relationship with our perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.
Listen in on our very first "Modern Day Bible Story", hitting hearts at the ultimate enduring level, the loss of a child. In this real story, Wes delivers a humble and powerful understanding of an enduring faith in God's love, through the hope that he will once again be united with his son Drew with Christ in Heaven. I pray that listening to his story will put our priorities into perspective, knowing that the easy life on this earth isn't what God promised, but He did promise to be near us and love us no matter what trials come. Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Isaiah 48:10 "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction." Often we can limit our understanding of God's love to only the things we consider to be good. But what if the things God considers to be good are the moments of which we consider to be our greatest struggle. Listen in as we discuss the relation of love and frustration and how enduring our hardships are the opportunities of growing in the likeness of Christ. James 1:2-4 "Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
What do you want more of in your life, love or frustration? The easy, obvious and also correct answer, is love. But have you ever stopped to take pause and notice how often frustrations in life present themselves to you? All throughout our day, frustrations continually show up without invitation or warning. While frustrations are normal to experience, it's vital to ask ourself, at what point do frustrations evolve into the absence of love? This episode teaches a brief insight that God has taught me over the last few years, if frustration rules then love is absent; but if love rules, frustration is silenced.
Get to know who we are and what we are about in this short overview of Enduring Christianity.
This episode provides an expanded insight to the importance of endurance in our christian walk of faith. We invite you to not only sit back and listen, but to consider this question: Can our Christian faith even exist without the reality of endurance?
A 3 minute intro to E.C. We invite you to not only sit back and listen, but to rise up and participate along side us, in a living relationship with God. A relationship that not only declares Him Savior, but most importantly, Lord of our lives.