Lady of Light: Recent Episodes
Rebecca Ricker
It is clear in the gospels that God's love overcomes sin and darkness. Yet there has been a false pretense of holy love throughout the church for years. How so? Look at how dark our world is and how many people are enslaved to sin. Listen to how we can discern between the false holy love and a real holy love that flows from the heart and Spirit of God.
When we read about the religious leaders in the scriptures, we automatically think we couldn't be one of them. I would dare say in a culture where we have defined truth by what we prefer, we very well could be on the wrong side. Jesus always corrected the religious leaders before he corrected the sinners. Find out how you can make sure you are pursuing a loving relationship with Jesus and not empty religion.
What I have seen happening with the Church throughout the years, is that it is constantly trying to fight with human wisdom. The Body of Christ is trying to force the Word of God into the issues of culture. But the Word of God was never meant to speak to or fight on the surface level.
Let's be honest, we live in a culture of self where everything is about what we want or love. How do we make sure the culture of self is not being forced upon the church? And what should we really be focused on as the body of believers? In a society that cancels or erases others because of differences, how do we love and serve one another as Jesus commanded us to?
Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy 4 that the time will come when people will not endure sound teaching. How do we as believers make sure that we are staying grounded in truth? How do we make sure we are reading, interpreting and living out scripture based on truth and not according to our own preferences and passions?
I would argue that idolatry is more prevalent today then in Biblical times. The Word of God tells us that the days will grow darker and deception will increase. There are so many things to steal our time and devotion. Learn how you can discern the idols in your heart and be encouraged in making God the first love in your life.
In a world where people are driven by their emotions and self-sufficiency, worldly wisdom has infiltrated the church to draw in a bigger crowd. How do we know if we are actually being fed with the Word of God or just positive self-motivating messages?
This powerful scripture in 2 Peter proves that God's Word is all we need in order to live a life of faith and godliness. In a culture where people desire a quick fix or man-made formulas, learn how God's Word is the cornerstone in which we build our lives.
The Lord revealed these Four Pillars of Truth to me and has been solidifying them in my own life. What happens when we know our value in the Lord, walk in forgiveness, endure through the hardships, and allow Him to build character in our lives? We become strong leaders whose lives are truly build upon the rock of Jesus Christ.
What the early Church looked like as described in Acts 4:32-37 is unheard of with the Church of today. How did they love and take care of each other so deeply? Do we understand the importance of being truthful and walking in the fear of the Lord? The story told in Acts 5:1-11 causes us to see how important honesty and truth is to the Lord.
Wisdom is knowing what is right and doing it. Listen in as we go through Proverbs 24 as it shows us the importance of why we need wisdom to get through adversity and our everyday life.
The world is constantly telling us to have more confidence in ourselves. But the truth is as believers our faith and confidence should be in the Lord and not in ourselves. John 3:30 says," He must increase but I must decrease." We must empty ourselves to be filled with the Lord. Most of us think that our faith is strong until we are tested. Then we can clearly see if our faith and confidence is in our self or in the Lord.
Our hearts become hard when we allow sin to build up with in them. In Ezekiel the Lord says that He will remove the hearts of stone and give a heart of flesh. Hearts that are soft are able to feel the presence of God and release His love to those around them. In our culture where we are challenged daily to prove ourselves, it creates more frustration that can only lead to a hard heart. Which in turn keep us from fulfilling the purpose that God has for us. Our hearts should be soft and pliable in the hands of our Creator so that we can walk in the purpose that He has for us.
In Luke 14:1-6 we see where Jesus offends the minds of the Pharisees to expose their hearts. And in verses 7-11 we are given a glimpse of what it means to not seek honor from men. And in verses 12-24 we see where many are invited to partake in the Kingdom of God but have excuses such as their possessions, work, and relationships. Where is your heart and what excuses might you be making to not whole heartedly serve the Lord?
When we diligently seek the Lord for answers, He reveals truth to us. Sometimes the truth hurts and is hard to receive. But when we lay down our pride, surrender our hearts, and receive the truth it sets us free. The only way we can walk in freedom is to receive the truth and walk in it. The choice is yours.
How can we as individuals and families help create a culture of honor and respect? There is so much to learn from those who have lived before us. The Word of God is clear that we are to show honor and respect to whom it is due. It breaks my heart to see the lack of respect and gratitude shown toward those who serve our nation and communities. To those who carry the responsibility and pain of being a defender and protector in this way, may the Lord pour out His healing upon you.
How do we get in the game as Christians? How do we shine the light in this dark and divided world? There are simple steps that we can take each and every day to walk out our faith.
Many of us have heard the parable about building our life upon the rock or the sand. But when the waves of life come crashing down upon us, we are tested to see just how strong our faith is. Listen as I share when one of the biggest waves of pain and hurt came crashing down upon me and how I held on to the Rock of my Salvation Jesus Christ.
Remember the story of the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears? It's amazing that one act of humility that she performed has caused her to be remembered thousands of years later. What about us? How do we know if we are walking in humility or pride?
Why did Jesus teach using parables? My friend and leader here at The Waterfront Church, Owen Fields, shares his heart and perspective of the parable of the sower. What is the condition of the soil in your heart and are you willing to make room for what God wants to do in your life?
When we look at the world and our nation, we see nothing but darkness and brokenness. The walls have been broken down just like in the days of Nehemiah in the Bible. What we see happening in the physical has already been happening in the spiritual. Learn how we as believers can build up the walls for the Kingdom of God.
How desperate are we to hear the voice of God in our life? Are we willing to cut out the distractions, silence the noise, and create a space to hear our Heavenly Father speak to us? There is nothing of more value or more rewarding then hearing the Creator of the Universe speak.
My dear friend Loraly and a leader at Waterfront Church shares her story of where she tried to find her identity before knowing Christ. She also shares her revelation of John 15. Many of us want to live out parts of the Bible that are easy and adaptive to our lifestyle. Dare we live out the whole Gospel Truth?
Our world is so divided and it's easy to look around and feel hopeless that things will never change. When we look at the life that Jesus lived, He was always willing to cross the divided lines to show the love of God without compromising His character. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Are we willing to put down our walls and cross the divided line so that the love of God can shine through?
My heart and prayer for the young people is that they would see they're value and worth in the One who made them. To know that living a life of forgiveness is a way in seeing truth in a dark and divided world. And to not live life guided by emotions but to persevere for there is always hope.