The Bible for Everyday Life: Recent Episodes
Summit Northwest Ministries
Welcome to The Bible for Everyday Life, where we explore the big questions in the Bible but only have some of the answers. If you’re like us, you’ve come across stuff in the Bible that just seems weird. Sometimes the more people try to explain it the weirder it gets. Maybe you’re just skeptical about Christianity, the Bible and organized church. We get it. So are we.
If you’re looking for straight talk, no clichés, and a logical discussion to all things scriptural, consider subscribing to this podcast, where we go beyond the easy answers, the weird answers and cliches, to discover what God really intends for us, in the 21st century, to learn from the Bible.
Join us as we raise questions, challenge the status quo, and discover a loving God who is crazy about His kid's everyday lives. Each week we’ll publish a new episode that will be easily searchable by seasons. Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss out on a user friendly, non-crazy approach to discovering The Bible for Everyday Life.
Don’t let baggage regarding keeping the Sabbath keep you from enjoying this most wonderful of spiritual disciplines/gifts that we have the privilege of enjoying. Do the things that you don’t have time todo during the rest of the week. Slow down, rest, enjoy, play, live and love. It’s a gift from this amazing God who is and always has been crazy about His kids.
If you’ve been struggling with your spiritual life. If you’ve wondered if perhaps you aren’t passionate enough in your spirituality. Start now ... celebrate joy! I know, I know, not everything is going to be happy and stress free and naturally full of joy filled moments. But that’s why it is so important ... to celebrate joy! Practice joy! Live with joy!J oin us as we discover God’s wish for all of His kids to experience and celebrate joy.
Jesus came to this earth to confront us with a choice. Are we going to commit to following him, or are we going to drift along? The good news He says, is that it is possible to follow him, to be transformed. Again, this is not about how to be saved, this is about how to live our lives in such a way that people see Jesus through us. On our own we don’t naturally drift into that kind of life. When Jesus lived that kind of life it was a shock to the world. But the good news is, this God who is crazy about us, He haspromised to help us live this amazing life for which we were born to live. That is the secret to trainingsmarter and not harder.
Christianity has lost much of its power because we really don’t expect anyone to change as a result of being a Christian. At least we don’t expect them to be more loving and more tolerant and more positive. We aren’t surprised if a person becomes a Christian and they get grumpy. But that’s not what God has called us to do.
What happened on the cross was not some legal transaction to satisfy a blood thirsty god who needed for somebody to die before He could let us live. It is so much more than that ... but what is that more and how does it change everything?
It is a sacred moment to be there when somebody breathes their last breath, and their heartstops beating. It is also a sacred time to be there when people are facing the end, and they know it. Frequently they share what is on their hearts, their hopes, their disappointments, their frustrations andtheir fears. Jesus’ last words to his followers before he died and left this earth carry that same weight andimportance. There is so much to learn from last words.
We have talked a lot about God and how he can be trusted. We have looked at the life of Christ and how it affirms the loving, trusting, compassionate nature of God. The question today is, “Will you actually trust him with your life?” Maybe you are like me, and you still don’t have it all figured out. Maybe there are some parts of the Bible that still seem squirrely. Maybe you still have unanswered questions, but you’ve seen enough to begin ...
In our 21st century minds we are obsessed with making sure we believe the right things. This focus on believing the right things is not new. It really started to build momentum during the Renaissance period, Age of enlightenment or reason. It was an important development in our history, but as with most things ... the pendulum often swings well passed center before it returns.
When we turn our eyes on Jesus and see how he loved, then we understand the OT better. You see, The Eyes Have it. What are we focused on? If we keep our eyes focused on God as a God of love, if we keep our eyes on Jesus living that example of love, then when we see weird things in the Bible and it looks like God is mean or unfair, or just crazy ... if we keep our eyes on this God of love, then we know that somehow there is more to the story. If it looks unloving, then we’ve got it wrong, because God is love. If it looks crazy and unbelievable then we are missing something, because God is anything but crazy ... except ... it’s true God is crazy in this one thing. He’s crazy about you.
We all agree that sin is bad, but we are often more sympathetic toward sin than we are towards God. What I mean by that is this. If sin ends up killing somebody, we understand that. It makes us sad, but we expect it. After all, Paul tells us in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, ...But if we perceive that God has killed somebody for sinning, we get really upset about it. How can God do that? Sin can kill, and it’s understandable. But God? ... that makes us angry.
Let’s talk about Easter. It’s the Superbowl of Christianity. Without Easter nothing makes sense. Without Good Friday, Christ’s death on the cross, we have no hope and without Easter Sunday, the resurrection ... Good Friday is meaningless. This is it. The Superbowl ... the big showdown between Christ and Satan. It was a close call. On Friday night ... it looked like Satan had won. Christ was defeated. That Sabbath 2,000 years ago was truly a Black Sabbath, way before Ozzy Osbourne sang with the group.
SeasonTwenty-fourPodcast SynopsesWhen You’re not sure you want to believe1.Title:E24:01–Romantic Love is Crazy ... in a good way!Synopsis:As we are going on this journey to find faith again, to become more passionate in ourspirituality, consider this. Think loving thoughts, toward your spouse, toward your family, your neighbors,those you don’t even know, and toward God. Do loving things. It’s the best way to build loveandto buildfaith. Romantic Love ... it’s God’s gift ... it’s not always easy, but ... it’s probably one of our best insightsinto how much this amazing God is crazy about His kids.
Not everybody relates to God in the same way. Did you know that there are at least 9 different spiritual styles? We all have our primary style in which we most easily connect with God, and we all have ways in which it is harder. None are more right than any of the others. They are just different. Maybe you’ll discover why you see God differently than your friends and family and maybe ... together you can discover even more about this amazing God when you learn to see Him through the eyes of other people.
Our church, Summit Northwest Ministries, took a survey on church health. The survey is put out by Natural Church Development. In this episode I share the results of the survey with our church family. Listen in as we discover a bit about ourselves.
As we started 2024, I asked Panel of Collegiate Young Adults some questions about their generation and the church. Questions like: What do you wish other generations new about you? What arethe biggest challenges that Christian young adults face? Why aren’t more Young Adults excited about God? What do you value in Church Community? What drew you to our Church community? Tune into hear their insightful responses.
God never changes … it’s comforting and intimidating at the same time. Does this mean that all the harsh rules of the OT are still in effect? Does this mean that we need to do church just like they did 100 years ago? What does it mean that God doesn’t change? And what part of God doesn’t change? When we read the OT to find out stuff about God, it is quite a bit different than if we read it to find out what we are supposed to do. Let’s discover together and amazing message about an amazing God who always has and always will be crazy about His kids.
Shalom! The world needs more Shalom. It’s what the angels came to sing. “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.” And yet, this world has been anything but peaceful through out its history. And we aren’t even in the worst of times. Find out about God’s desire to bring us more peace and how His peace is different than the peace offered by anyone or anything else.
Christmas and Hanukkah share similar space on the calendar, but is there more than that? Join us as we learn a lot from our Jewish brothers and sisters about God’s desire to deliver his kids from the pain of this world. Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas, but there is so much for us to learn and be inspired by this great story of God’s crazy love for His kids.
Christmas is the best time of the year. People all around the world in some way or other are told the story of Christmas, the story of a baby born in a manger. But what about all the pagan origins of our favorite Christmas traditions? Are we really supposed to avoid them at all cost or only celebrate them with some level of shame or embarrassment as Christians? What about the beloved Christmas Tree? How do we celebrate and remember Christianity and enjoy the spirit of the season? Join us as we discover how to handle those pesky pagan origins in a biblical manner.
Judge not … you’re so judgmental … don’t judge me … we hear it. Maybe we even say it. Are Christians really not supposed to judge? But then there is a verse about judging people in the church … what about that? Join us as we make our way through the minefield of judging.
We comfort each other with these words, don’t we? I’ve heard myself say it. “He’s in a better place now.” But what does that mean? And are they in a better place? What if we promise they are in a better place, but they really are going to hell? And what about Hell anyway? Is there even such a place?
It’s better to be lucky than good … but who brings the luck? Football players pray before games, hoping for a winning outcome. We pray when we buy a lottery ticket. God promises to be with us, but does that mean He will bring us good luck? What is God more interested in than providing us with good luck … or is there anything else?
We are told to believe in ourselves, to trust ourselves. It’s in the movies, especially the ones for kids. But can we trust ourselves? Is our conscience a reliable guide? How can we make it more reliable? What can we count on? Join us to find out more.
We hear it everywhere. It’s on mugs. It’s in the movies. It’s on memes and Church bulletins. Well-meaning family members say it to grieving people. But is it really true? Does God orchestrate everything so that they turn out for good? Let’s do a deep dive into what scripture really says.
God promises that if we raise up a child in the way they should go, even if they stray, they’re promised to return to their training. Or does He promise that? Find out what it means to train up a child and what that verse really says.
We pray for God to show us the way. Should we take this job or that one? Should we marry this person, or that? Should we buy this house, or the other one? Discover what God is really interested in and what He just doesn’t care about.
Is this what God expects of us, to Forgive and Forget? Is it possible? How do you forget some hurts that are so painful? Discover what theBible really says about forgiving and forgetting.
Faith, Believe, Trust ... all mean different things to us, but do we understand how they are used in the Bible? Is faith enough? Discover how we live by faith, but we are saved by grace.
When something goes wrong, we tend to try and make or enforce laws to make sure it doesn’t happen again. What can possibly go wrong? Find out what Job has to say about not only the nation of Israel, but about us and this amazing God who is crazy about His kids.
God gets a bad rap in the book of Job. How could he cause or allow so much hurt to Job? Satan never gets accused of anything and yet ... it’s Satan’s nature to hurt God’s kids and then get them to blame God for the pain.
The Book of Esther turns our understanding of scripture upside down. God isn’t mentioned, prayer isn’t mentioned ... Is there even a God watching over the Jews in Persia? Back home, yes, for sure, but here in a foreign land? Discover the good news found in this paradoxical book.
Nehemiah means Comforter. There are so many parallels to the New Testament it’s hard to keep track. But Nehemiah also acts in very uncomforting ways. His great leadership devolves to leadership by violence and enforcing of civil laws. What can this possibly tell us about grace?
It’s the story of Israel sandwiched between two periods of exile. The first is a return from bondage in Egypt. The second is a return from captivity in Babylon. Discover what these two major events have in common and what amazing message of grace they have for us today.
You are to be excused if you had not noticed the Prayer of Jabez before Wilkinson came out with the book. It’s very easy to overlook. Not only is it a one verse prayer, but it is also stuck in the middle of a bunch of names. One of the longest genealogies in the Bible. It’s boring. ... And maybe it isn’t really about what it is made out to be.
There is so much more to names in the Bible than most of us realize. After all, we don’t speak Hebrew. Elijah’s name gives insight into the ancient near east and its religions. It points to a loving God and reveals the truth about God the Father and God the Son.
Ahab was a bad guy, no doubt about it. But did you know that for all his faults and in spite of all the horrible things he did, he humbled himself before God and God blessed him forit. It’s an amazing story.
Solomon ruled over the Glory Days of Israel. It didn’t get any better than it was during his rule. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, the bigger they come, the harder they fall. But this isn’t a story about Solomon’s fall, this is a story about an amazingly patient God who is just crazy about His kids.
There is a book in the Old Testament called, Jesus. We know it as Joshua, but it’s the same word from Hebrew to Greek. Since we are lookingfor Jesus in the OT, what better place to look than in a book that bears His name. It also tells the story of a miracle that happened, that really didn’t need to happen.
If there is anything in the Old Testament that creeps us out the most about God, it has to be the sacrificial system. How can a loving God command the destruction of so many animals? And why would He do that? And why does He appear to like it so much? It’s a pleasing aroma? Seriously … God likes barbecue? Or is there something deeper? Discover how ‘A Pleasing Aroma’ is one of the most comforting phrases in the Bible, instead of one of the creepiest.
It’s the stuff of legends, myths, and movies. One cannot overstate the significance of the Ark of the Covenant to the Jewish nation. There is so much about the ark that we don’t understand, but its very physical appearance begs us to focus on mercy rather than the law. Discover the meaning behind the not so hidden truth of this amazing piece of sacred furniture.
Moses is confronted by God at the burning bush. It’s Jesus in disguise. He reveals His name to be “I am.” Jesus claims the same identity and is crucified because of it. There is something about that name. It’s as full of questions as it is answers. What does ‘I am’ mean? Join us as we travel back in time to be with Moses on the mountain with ‘I am’ as it is revealed what the name really means.
God saves His children from the Egyptians. They have been in slavery a long time. Ten plagues and the last one kills all the first born. God saves His kids, but He looks like a monster in the process. That can’t be right. Let’s take a closer to look at the story to see the details we often miss. God isn’t a destroyer; He is a deliverer.
Let’s face it, Genealogies in the Bible are boring. Long lists of strange names that we can’t pronounce. Why are they even included? But when we learn the names, hear their stories, all of a sudden … this genealogy in particular is anything but boring. Find out how this once boring geneology becomes a very unboring message of the Gospel.
There is so much more to the story of Joseph than first meets the eye. He is amazing. He is always faithful. He always does the right thing. He never does anything wrong. Joseph is the only character in the Bible, other than Jesus, whose narrative covers more than a few verses who is never recorded as doing anything wrong. He never sins. Who does that? Other than Jesus … maybe Joseph deserves a closer look.
Jacob’s ladder, we love singing about it. We love telling the story. But there is so much more to it than a comforting dream for a deceitful man. The Gospel is in that Ladder. Assurance is in that Ladder. There is comfort for worrying Christians in that Ladder.
There are no legalists. Just ask anybody, they’ll deny it. We all know legalists, but none of us are legalists. So, what does it mean? Join us as we discover what it means to be a legalist and how to avoid falling into that trap.
God has a sense of humor. If you don’t believe it reread the story of Abraham, Sarah and baby Isaac. Sarah laughed and sometimes she gets called out for it, but you know what? They all laughed. Even God was in on the joke. In the beginning God had a sense of humor.
If all you had were the first three chapters of Genesis you would have the full gospel story. Discover how the Messiah shows up in those three chapters. And it isn’t just a prophecy about the future. The sacrifice, the atonement, the love and passion it’s right there. All you need to hear the Gospel is found in the very first chapters of the. Bible.
If we know what God was like before sin entered this world, then we can have an idea of what God will be like in eternity after sin and the originator of sin have been finally destroyed. In the beginning God’s first command to mankind is recorded like this, God blessed them and said, Be fruitful and multiply. God wants us to be happy. Join us as we discover God’s amazing desire for us to be happy … before sin had a chance to ruin it all.
In the beginning was mystery. As Christians we get freaked out by big numbers, millions and billions of years. But in the grand scheme of eternity … it’s a blink. The Beginning is a mystery and we are glad it is. Creation and the God of creation are mysteries that we get to explore for all eternity. We don’t need to be afraid of big numbers. We have a bigger God.
In the last chapter of the Gospel of Luke we hear Jesus say these incredible words to the discouraged disciples as they made their way home to Emmaus. Lk 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Jesus just proclaimed that the whole Old Testament told the story of Jesus. It wasn’t just bits and pieces; it was Moses and all the Prophets in all of the scripture. Join us as we retrace this amazing journey to find Jesus in the OT.
What do Star Wars and the Gospel story have in common. As it turns out, quite a lot. But Star Wars misses it in one key way. Discover why Jesus came as a baby and not as a Jedi knight. May the Force be with you as you embrace the truth of the Baby Jesus.
Matthew 1 has to be one of the most boring chapters in the whole Bible ... or is it? When we get below the surface a whole new world comes to life. Jesus came to save his people from their sin. Take a journey with us into the most boring chapter to find the most exciting news about how you just might be included in that promise.
Jesus lived a life of Grace for us. What does that mean? He was baptized for us and he defeated the devil for us. It’s an amazing life He lived ... for us.
You’d be surprised aboutwhat Jesus spoke about the most. Matthew 24 contains some of his discussion on the topic. Chances are that if you’ve heard a sermon on Matthew 24 before it might have missed an important sign. Lots of things aren’t signs, but Jesus reveals a sign that youcan’t miss.
Christ died the cruelest death possible. He could have called in legions of angels and avoidedthe whole thing in a mighty show of force, but he didn’t. He refused to fight back. He loved so much that he didn’t fight. He didn’t insist on his own way. And they killed him for it.
This is one of the hardest things to believe ... that somebody actually raisedfrom the dead. How would you tell that story? Who would be the hero of your story? Matthew chooses to tell the story in the most unlikely manner possible, not because it increased his credibility; it didn’t. He told it like it happened and it was incredible. Those who saw the risen Christ all did the same thing. They told somebody. That’s what you do with amazing stories.
One of the most natural things to do when you find something you love, is to share it. Just as Deuteronomy is about to conclude there is a wonderful praise song that is worth checking out. The children of Israel have landed. God has blessed. What do they do next? They sing. They praise. It’s the most natural thing to do. We could learn something from that.
We live for God by living for others. What does that mean? And did you know that living for others is actually good for you? God wants us to gather together to worship Him, but He doesn’t want it to stop there. As it turns out, Living the Promise for others is one of the most exciting things we can do.
We all want to live for God, don’t we? But what does that mean? Let’s discover the truth about showing God reverence and truly living for Him.
God didn’t give us his promises and commands so we could keep score regarding who is doing it best. God gives us His promises so we can do something with them. Join us as we figure out what that is.
God gave us promises. He gave us signs. Why do we need them? Can’t we just figure out what works for us and do that? What happens if we disrespect God’s signs? Are they still valid? Let’s dive in to see what those promises and signs are all about ... and maybe we’ll find that we do need them after all.
Have you noticed how sometimes God comes across a little bit cranky, especially in the Old Testament? Some of us have quit reading the Old Testament altogether ... it’s just creepy. But let’s take a look from a different perspective. Maybe we can salvage it yet.
Face it. Nobody wakes up and says, “If only I understood Deuteronomy better today, my life would be complete.” So why study it? Did you know that noOld Testament Book has exerted a greater influence on the formation and development of both Jewish and Christian thought and practice than Deuteronomy? That’s right and furthermore, Jesus loved Deuteronomy. He studied it. He quoted it. It was one of his favorites. Good enough for me. Let’s dig in.
We all live in Chaos. So, does it matter what we do? God wants us to delight in the gifts he has given us. There is whooping and hollering up in heaven when one of God’s kids turns from a life of pain to embrace a life of joy. That is what God wants for each one of us ... a life of Joy ... it’s how you live in Chaos.
In this hurry up, no time to sleep world we live in, often it is our kids who suffer the most. What is it our kids are missing out on when we try so hard to give them everything. It’s a fine balance between not being busy enough and being too busy. How do we know where to land?
Lessons from the Costco Connection. Is it possible to do more by doing less? Find out from Costco, NFL Coaches and assassins .. you heard that right, even assassins know how important it is to get some rest. The Bible has been telling us that for thousands of years. Maybe we’re finally catching up.
For many of us the Circle of Life looks more like a Rat Race, on a treadmill. We are addicted to being busy while at the same time we complain about it. It’s kind of a humble brag ... Is it possible to slow down? Or is the Circle of life our destiny?
We are a nation that fights to protect our freedom. It’s important. But on a person level when we fight for freedom, are we doing it the way God wants us to? Join us as we answer three exam questions to find out about how we can really have the freedom that God wants us to have.
Near the end of David’s life David records one of his favorite Psalms. He sang it often through his life and in his last days it takes on special meaning. David is held up by a God who shows him his unfailing kindness. It’s the same message over and over again. God is crazy about his kids. He was crazy about David and he is crazy about you.
At some point in your life, you will come under attack. King David knows what that is like. Sometimes he got it right. Sometimes he got it wrong. Let’s discover the better ways to handle the attacks that inevitably hit us all.
It’s a horrible story ... perhaps the most horrible story in the Bible. The story of Uzzah and the Ark. But what if we have been reading it wrong? What if, just like in other parts of the Bible, the Bible writers got it wrong, and we get to figure it out. Learn how a correct reading of this horrible story changes everything
King Saul was undone by his insecurities. He feared losing control and that resulted in him actually losing control of his actions, his life, his crown and his legacy. God made us with incredible brains and minds that can choose calm and resist fear. We can literally change the shape of our brains by what we think about and focus on. Discover God’s amazing gift to help us overcome our insecurities about Him.
We strive to be in control. We expect God to be in control. He isn’t. At least He doesn’t control things on earth. Not everything happens according to His will. Discover how it is more important to let God be in charge of your life than in control of it.
Everything doesn’t happen for a reason. Sometimes bad stuff just happens. God doesn’t hurt his kids to teach them a lesson. God doesn’t cause sickness to get his kids to behave better. God is with us when things go wrong. He doesn’t cause the wrong to happen. When you’re feeling powerless, it isn’t because God is mad at you. God is right there helping you get through the tough times.
We have some crazy ideas about Atonement and what it is. Most of the ideas make God look really bad. How about if we start from the beginning and rethink this? What if God doesn’t hate us, unless somebody dies? What if ... God is actually crazy about His kids, and He can’t wait to save them? If so, then that changes everything.
Making friends and developing community isn’t as easy as it sounds. We expect church to provide that sense of community, but ... it isn’t always the case. Is there something wrong with the church? Or something wrong with us? Or maybe we just need a different approach.
There is so much wedding language surrounding the return of Christ to this earth. When we read the scripture regarding Christ’s second coming we can’t help but fall in love with a God who is anxiously waiting to return for His bride.
How do we know if we are understanding the Bible correctly? There are so many ways of looking at things in scripture, which way is right? Which way is wrong? Or ... are there multiple ways of looking at what has been written? Or ... is that just a copout?
The single most important message that propelled the New Testament Church forward was this, “He is risen indeed.” They could not unsee what they had seen. It’s still the most powerful message that can be preached.
We are supposed to grow in our faith, but what does that mean and what does it look like? What happens if we change the way we view things? Are we losing faith when we no longer believe what we were once taught? Or ... are we actually growing in our faith, while at the same time we feel like we are losing our faith?
Too much of our religious experience is driven by fear. Why do we fear a God who proclaims His love for us? Is there a way to live without fear?
It’s become a thing, “I’m spiritual but not religious.” It even has its own Wikipedia page. What does it mean in practice? Can you really do that? How do you live that way?
We talk about conversion like it is an easy process and all you have to do is accept Jesus. But the reality is that everybody’s conversion experience is different ... and that’s where the problem begins.
There are a few times where it is recorded that Jesus wept. What broke Jesus’ heart? Does the same thing break our hearts? Would we live our lives differently if our hearts broke over the same things that broke Jesus’ heart? In this sermon we discover that Jesus’ entry in to Jerusalem is really a metaphor for his desire to come into our lives ... and maybe that is why he wept.
We like to be in control. In fact, it isn’t good to be out of control... but then sometimes we try to control too much. Let’s explore this issue of control together and find out the best way to control ourselves and whatever we can.
We don’t battle demons like they did in Bible times. ... At least not usually. So why even talk about it? Or do we battle demons ... in different ways? Or do the demons just appear to be different, but we battle them in the same way ... find out a sure fire way to push back the darkness ...
If you want to love Jesus, love people. Not just the people closest to you, love the people Jesus loves, which is everybody, yes, those closest to you, but also the outcasts, the ones with leprosy, figuratively and literally, the homeless, the marginalized, the unlovely,...
Face it, a lot of what is written in the Bible is weird. Stuff that is written about Jesus is ... weird. But what if ... instead of trying to figure out who is right, or what the right way is to understand it ... what if we entered into the weirdness to see what it has to say about a loving God who is beyond our ability to comprehend.
What if when people heard the word Christian, instead of thinking judgmental or proud or something like that, they just thought joyful? People who are able to laugh at themselves. People that were fun to be around. People that gave energy rather than sucking the life out of you. What if when people thought of church that is what they thought?
We tend to think that we’ll be sadder when we give things away and happier when we get things. Find out what Science and Scripture have to say about that.This is probably the least manipulative sermon you’ll ever hear on giving, because it is not about giving more, but about increasing your joy.
We often consider giving thanks after having received a gift, but the truth of matter is that Giving thanks, an attitude of gratitude is a gift in and of itself. We give thanks at Thanksgiving time, but really, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Find out why living thanks is as important as giving thanks.
God has designed you to be plugged in to other people. He made you that way. God never intended us to be alone. Find out how science and the latest psychological studies prove this is just as true today as it was back when Jesus created this earth.
Joyful people aren’t lazy about joy. Joyful people aren’t necessarily prone to be more happy than others, but often they are just more intentional about seeking joy. In this sermon you’ll find out how you, too, can be more intentional about not only having more joy, but about livingGod’s abundant life. You, too, can have more of God’s joy for your life.
God wants you to be happy. Not just happy, He wants you to be full of joy! He really does. That is why he made this earth and why he came to die.This episode looks at practical ways God helps us to live the life of joy He desperately wants each of us to live.
The Lord’s Supper ... we practice it so often it hardly means anything. But consider this. You have been called. You have been invited ... to a supper celebrating the King of the Universe. That is high honor for the likes of you and me.
Nobody likes anybody else to tell them how they should spend their money. So, what gives Jesus the right to tell us how to spend our money? But wait, ... what if this isn’t so much a command as it is a gift? And what if this gift brings more satisfaction to our lives than money can buy?
This has to be one of the hardest things Jesus asks us to do. What does it mean to love our enemies? Do I love my enemy like I love my wife or kids? What if I don’t love my enemies, what then? What can it hurt?
Many assume that the Christian life has to be a gloomy life. But Jesus tells his followers to rejoice and leap for joy. Find out if it is OK to laugh in church and have fun ... and still be a Christ follower.
It seems rather simplistic and perhaps a bit arrogant of God to ask us to believe in Him, when there are so many other options out there. Find out what Frankenstein and Mr. Hyde have to tell us about worldviews and salvation.
Being a born-again Christian has some baggage attached to it. But what if being born again, isn’t just something Jesus says we should do, but it is actually one of the greatest gifts he gives us
Spiritual Blindness doesn’t result from stubborn obstinance to avoid God. Sometimes spiritual blindness comes about because we are doing what seems right. Sometimes doing what is obviously the right thing to do causes us to miss out on what the right thing really is. Is it possible that we need to learn to listen to the voice of God, more than to the obvious counsel of others?
Life doesn’t always go as we have planned. We pray for healing,and it doesn’t always happen. We pray to find our missing car keys and sometimes they stay lost. How do you have faith when God lets us down. The disciples on the road to Emmaus know how you feel. Trusting God at times like this is hard
What if you not having enough faith is not your problem? What if ... the pace of your life is making it hard to trust in God? Discover how slowing down is one of the greatest gifts God gave us and how slowing down just might result in having more faith.
Part of the reason trust in God is so hard is because we don’t really understand faith. And part of the reason understanding faith is so hard is that faith looks different at different stages of life. Discover how it might just be possible that you have more faith than you realize. You grow and change ... guess what? So does your faith.
Anxiety and Stress is a regular part of life. It isn’t anything new. Daniel’s three friends certainly faced it as they stood before the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to worship. The furnace was heated 7 times hotter ... anxiety and stress got 7x worse. But it was then that they saw Jesus. In the middle of your anxiety and stress filled life, is it possible that you, too, can see Jesus? Discover that you are not alone.
Depression is a reality for many of us. It is nothing new. Daniel and his three friends faced it. There are no easy answers. A good counselor and anti-depressants might be a big part of the answer, but don’t rule out God’s word. If you suffer from depression, or know somebody who does, God’s word lets you know that you are not alone and that you are loved by God.
When life gets to be too much, it doesn’t mean that God is mad at you. Daniel, arguably one of the most spiritual men in the bible had a rough life. How did he handle that? What did Daniel know that we should?This well-known story is just as relevant today as it was back then.
By understanding Jesus as the first Advocate we better understand the Holy Spirit as the second Advocate. The first Advocate desires for us to know who God is. The second Advocate desires for us to know who we are. Understanding these two Advocates brings clarity to what God really wants for
us.
Three of Jesus’ closest followers have a hard time believing he has actually raised from thedead. If they have a hard time res
ponding to the risen Christ, no wonder it’s so hard for so many of us.
Your courage will be strengthened as you discover, along with Peter, John and Mary what it means to respond to the risen Christ.
For his first miracle at the Wedding of Cana, Jesus makes enough booze to keep a whole village partying for a week. That’s a lot of booze, but more than just being a miracle, this miracle tells us a lot about Jesus and how he passionately wants to make our world right today.
Jesus’ best friend Lazarus has died. He could have done something sooner, but he didn’t. He shows up, both sisters say the same thing, but they both get different responses from Jesus. Once again, differences reveal a common truth that we all need to hear.
In this face to face encounter with Jesus we meet two unlikely pairings. Two stories that are almost never told together, but two stories that have everything to do with each other. The insider and the outsider have face to face encounters with Jesus and in their differences we see a common problem that we are still facing today
Nathanael is one of the most intriguing characters in the Bible. He is a skeptic.He isn’t sure that any good thing could come out of Nazareth. And then he meets Jesus. Discover what happens when the skeptic meets the source of his skepticism, and his world gets turned upside down as he discovers where to find answers for his big questions of life
God calls us to transform us. He has no interest in leaving us wounded and broken. He wants to change us and in doing so to change the world. Paul tells us not only that God has challenged us to change and to change the world, but God has gifted each of us so that we can have fun doing it. Who said serving others has to be painful and boring? Certainly not God!
We have no idea how revolutionary Christianity was ... it still is. When every other World View tried to separate and destroy, only Christianity said let’s take down the barriers and come together as fellow citizens of this earth and as children of a loving God. No wonder they wanted to kill Paul. He was too revolutionary for his time and his own health and safety.
In some of the most succinct language in all the Bible Paul tells us why God does what he does. Paul reveals God’s motives and his methods in the clearest terms possible. And it is because of these methods and motives of God that we can trust God to be the source of our faith.
The letter to the Ephesians is possibly best summarized by that great protest song of the ‘60s by Peter, Paul and Mary, “If I had a hammer.” Paul writes this letter to the saints in Ephesus, but he might as well be writing it to us in the 21stCentury. “If I had a hammer, I’d hammer out a warning. I’d hammer out danger. I’d hammer out a love between my brothers and my sisters.” It’s just as relevant today as it was back then.
How do we know if we have understood itcorrectly, or if we have focused on the wrong things. As our brief study in Revelation comes to a close, let’s make sure our focus is on what the Bible says we are to focus on,and not just on what we want the Bible to say. Truth wins out. Evil is destroyed. Hope and love win out. Can you see the groom, anxious for His bride? It’s a love story, right down to the end.
The plagues are bad, right? Or are they? There is a beautiful message of hope and deliverance in the outpouring of the seven last plagues. Discover the seven last plagues, not something to fear as we have been told, but something that is there for our protection. But wait ... there is more ... In the beginning things were good, then it went bad, ... then it turned Ugly ... but in the Good, the Bad and the Ugly we discover a God who is just crazy about his Kids.
At the center of Revelation is Jesus. At the center of the Gospelis Jesus. At the center of Revelation is the Gospel. Wherever you find the gospel you’ll find the Easter Story.Join us as we discover the most amazing story ever told in the middle of Revelation.
Perhaps no message is more intriguing and grabs more attention than the message about 666 and the Mark of the Beast. Movies, TV Shows and countless books have been written. Its identity has been studied and proclaimed. But what if we have been wrong? What if 666 is not what we think it is? What if ...? Join us as we uncover the vital truth about what 666 means,and discover a message of hope we all need to hear.
Three angels appear in heaven. They give a message for all mankind, regardless of the age in which they live. But wait ... it isn’t three angels,there are actually more. Discover the message of hope and encouragement these messengers from heaven proclaim to all of us.
John looks right up into heaven and he sees a scene that is one of the most comforting and encouraging scenes a first century Christian could imagine. Join us as we discover the awesomeness of heaven and what living there will actually be like.
John was told to write a letter, a revelation about Jesus and mail it to the seven churches of Asia Minor, modern day Turkey. It’s a fascinating letter and they are fascinating cities. Join us as we discover that the message for those ancient cities is just as relevant and just as inspiring today as it was back then.
Instead of beasts and mysterious prophecies, join us as we discover that the Book of Revelation is really all about Jesus. From the first page through to the last it is a Revelation of Jesus, about Jesus and from Jesus. Join as we discover the truth about Revelation and along the way we’ll learn why Martin Luther changes his mind about this book he once hated.
Revelation is all about beasts and creepy things, isn’t it? Actually, it isn’t. It is a love story. It starts with Jesus and it ends with a wedding. It’s a love story. Join us as we uncover the truth about this often-misunderstood last book of the Bible.
God appears to be schizophrenic. The God of the Old Testament is mean and angry. The God of the New Testament is loving and kind. Did God take Prozac? How do we trust a God that can’t make up His mind? Do we act like the God of the Old Testament or the New? Or do we ignore one or the other? Join us as we discover an overarching theme of love throughout all of scripture.
Nobody likes to be judged. Or do we? People go on reality shows just so they can be judged. We have a love hate relationship with judgment. But seriously, nobody likes judgey people. We really don’t like a judgey God, especially not a judgey God who has the ability to destroy us if we don’t go along with his judgments. Join us as we discover the truth about our God who judges with love.
People understand love differently at different stages of life. We react to rules, regulations, life and death itself, differently at different stages of life. How does this apply to the Law of God and to the Love of God? Discover why so many people see it differently and why they often have a hard time understanding each other on these vital topics.
We talk about the Law of love, but is it really a thing? If the law of love is a real law, then we should see it in action, not just in words on a page. Join us as we discover this amazing truth about the Law of love that keeps not only our lives, but our world and our universe from shriveling up and becoming extinct. Yes, there really is a law of love
Christians don’t live all the differently than non-Christians. The rates of divorce, abuse, addictions, pornography and suicide are pretty much the same for those professing to be Christians as for those who have nothing to do with Religion. There is a problem. Why is that the case? Join us we discover truths about the law of love that is meant for all of us.
There is so much confusion in the last couple of chapters in Daniel. Who is the king of the North? What about the king of the South? And what on earth does that have to do with us? Through all the meaningless cycles of earth’s history as human agencies keep making the same mistakes over and over again, catch a glimpse of God’s comforting message of hope for Daniel and for you and me. Rest, Reward ... God’s promise is real.
Have the messages of the prophets caused you to be afraid? What about all the beasts and creepy things? Do they cause you to fear? Join us as we learn the truth behind the use of images and beasts in Bible prophecy and how they are to do the exact opposite of how so many of use them. Do not be afraid. The message of the beasts is actually a message of hope and comfort. Don’t believe it? Join us to find out.
The story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den is one of the best known stories in the Bible. Join us as we learn a lesson that is often forgotten in the telling of the story. It is more than just a great children’s story. It is a message we can all take comfort in.
So many people distrust God. They find him harsh and vindictive. Why is that? Could it be that we need to learn the same lesson that Daniel learned, that Nebuchadnezzar finally learned? God is not like Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadnezzar finally figures that out. The message is clear. We have a good God. You can trust a God like that.
Let’s face it Daniel lived a long time ago. He wrote about stuff that happened a long time ago. Is there really a message in there for us, in the 21st Century? Join us as we discover not only why prophecy was given, but the first of many truths out God that it reveals. We have a big God ... just like Daniel.
Every year it seems, we hear about tragic events and they all are a sign of the end. Biblical scholars match headlines with scriptures and claim to have insight into what is coming next. How do you know? What is the purpose of prophecy in the Bible? Was it given to us so that we would know events before they happen? Are they a travel plan to let us know when we’re getting to our end destination? Or is it something more. Join us on this journey to discover why prophecy was given and what the message is for us today.
Everybody has pain in their lives, some more than others. Can we move forward best by just forgetting the past? Is that possible? Listen to this exploration about what the Bible has to say about our everyday struggles with pain from the past.
We study to know the truth, but is it enough? Learn what the Bible has to say about knowing the truth and living by the truths we know.
Everybody needs a kick in the pants, you should do better than you do. But is that really the best approach? Listen to this message of hope that explores what the Bible says about shoulding on yourself.
Many people claim that if you do what God says, you won't have any problems and sin will be easy to resist. Listen to what the Bible really has to say on that.
If you’re a good Christian you have to be completely unselfish and take care of everybody else, even at the expense of your health, wealth, and well-being. Or do you? Listen to a message of hope that reveals that it is not just OK for us to have our needs met, but it is God’s desire for us.
Too often when we share our struggles with fellow Christians we are told to just “let go and let God.” How do you do that? Can you do that? In this healing message, we learn that dealing with problems in our lives isn’t as simple as just leaving them with God but recognizing that God is in the problems with us.
Welcome to The Bible for Everyday Life, where we explore the big questions in the Bible, but only have some of the answers. If you’re like us, you’ve come across stuff in the Bible that just seems weird. Sometimes the more people try to explain it the weirder it gets. Maybe you’re just skeptical about Christianity, the Bible and organized church. We get it. So are we.
Join us on our journey of Everyday Life without all of the weird stuff.