Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:08 — 44.6MB) | Embed
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:08 — 44.6MB) | Embed
It has been said that what comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. Your view of God—right or wrong—will define your entire relationship with Him, so make absolutely sure it is based on truth. Our tendency is to create a god who is just like us; one we can manage and manipulate. But the God of heaven is not confined by our limited intellect or controlled by our expectations. The complexity of His glory extends far beyond our wildest imagination. Have you reduced God to something He is not? Have you created a god in your own image? You need a fresh look at who God really is and allow His vastness to bring you to your knees before Him!
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Why does it seem like evil men prosper and get away with everything, while Christians who are living for God seem to suffer and struggle without relief? It’s dangerously easy to become disillusioned with life when we get our eyes off God and begin looking at people instead. Our natural tendency is always to compare ourselves with others and conclude that everyone else has it easier than we do, but there’s a vital truth we must never forget. By turning our focus back to God and the truth of His Word, things will become clear once again as we remember that the pleasures and possessions of this world are only temporary. The joys and glories that await true believers cannot be compared to anything in this life, so when you’re tempted to think God is being unfair, just remind yourself that the best is yet to come, and everything will be made right in the end.
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God has been so trivialized in our modern culture that even His name is used as a common curse word! But here’s a sobering truth: What we truly think of God is so absolutely critical that it literally shapes everything we say and do, and it will ultimately determine the outcome of our lives. So, pause for a minute and ask yourself honestly, “What do I really think of God?” Both Isaiah and Job loved and respected God, but the instant they were given a glimpse of His blazing holiness and terrifying power, they fell to their knees in repentance, and their lives were never the same again. May God give us a genuine vision of Himself that will burn away our casual view of Him and forever transform us to worship Him in the fear and reverence He deserves.
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If God gave us a worship checkup, how well would we do on that test? Our worship services may attract big crowds, may be exciting, and may even be the talk of the town… but does our worship actually please God? After all, His opinion is the only one that counts! Are we worshipping from the heart or simply out of routine? Are we worshipping with sin in our lives and assuming it doesn’t matter? Our worship is a direct reflection of the condition of our heart, so let’s ask God to show us what it really looks like through His eyes, and then be willing to surrender anything that is hindering us from offering pure worship to Him.
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We attend church faithfully every Sunday. We sing the songs, we serve in various ministries and we give our tithe. As far as we’re concerned, those things prove that we’re a “good Christian.” But the Bible says we can do all those things and more, and not be godly at all. That’s the problem with religion. It fools us into believing that as long as we’re checking things off our spiritual todo list, we must be right with God. The only true and accurate assessment of our spiritual condition is when God measures us against His perfect holiness. That’s when we suddenly recognize our true condition and our desperate need to be found in the righteousness of Christ! So, what benchmark are you using to determine your standing before God?
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No parent enjoys disciplining their children. It grieves us when they sin and have to be corrected. Throughout history God has disciplined His wayward children in hopes of bringing them back to Him. They refused to listen, so eventually God had to give this heartbreaking conclusion: “You have not returned to me… now prepare to meet your God!” That is a sobering statement, and we all need to be prepared for that day! When God looks at your life, would He have to conclude that you have not returned to Him? Why not come back to Him today while He is still calling?
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Paul’s letter to the believers in Colossae is packed full of encouragement for them, warnings about false teachings, and instructions on relating to one another. Join us as we step through this powerful letter and apply the truths found here to our own lives, church, and relationships.
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When Jesus calls us to follow Him and become His disciple, He requires nothing less than a total commitment. He said that everyone who would follow Him must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. We cannot negotiate the terms of this call. We must be willing to sign a blank contract and let Him fill in the terms later. Are you following Jesus with this kind of total commitment, or are you still holding some areas of your life back from Him?
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Did you ever try to assemble a complicated piece of furniture without using the instruction manual? When you’ve got five screws and a hinge left over, you realize you should have followed the directions. Messing up a home project may be bad, but it’s nothing compared to messing up your life! God has given us the Instruction Manual for life, and if we choose to ignore it, we don’t stand a chance. So, what are you using for your directions?
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How would you react if you went in for major surgery and the doctor came into the operating room with filthy hands and rusty instruments? Just the thought of it is unsettling! While cleanliness is important in the physical realm, it is far more important in the spiritual realm. Even though we are already completely righteous through Christ, sin still hinders our daily walk, and it breaks our fellowship with God. Thankfully He has provided a way for us to be cleansed and to restore our communion with Him. Are you using this simple tool He has given us to constantly maintain your fellowship with God?
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Imagine being brought to trial for committing a horrible crime, and being given the death penalty. Then suddenly, someone jumps up and says they want to die in your place. The judge agrees, but orders you to perform the execution! Could you do it? In a sense, that’s exactly what we did to Jesus. It was our sin that put Him to death and made Him suffer God’s judgement! How often do we remember just how much He loves us that He would willingly die so that we could live?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:31 — 28.3MB) | Embed