Seeing Lesson 1

Today's Lesson is on Seeing the Spiritual. Click HERE to Listen.

Hearing Lesson 4

Our fourth and final lesson on Hearing can be found here.

Hearing Lesson 3

Today's lesson talks about how God hears us!

Click HERE to Listen

Hearing God lesson 2

Our second lesson on Hearing God can be found HERE!

Hearing GOD!

Today's lesson is about Hearing GOD! Listen HERE.

How to Love God part 3

The lesson today looks at how we Love God by acknowledging Him! Listen HERE

How to Love God part 2

Listen to our second lesson on How to Love God by clicking HERE!

How to Love God

This is the second lesson in our series on Love. I’m sorry to say the first message did not record. This lesson focuses on How we can Love God. To hear todays lesson click HERE!

Hope Lesson 5

This is the final lesson in our series on HOPE. You can hear lesson 5 by clicking HERE!

Hope Lesson 4

This is the fourth lesson in our series on HOPE. Listen to todays lesson HERE.

Hope Lesson 3

This is our third lesson in our series on HOPE. Today's lesson is all about application. To listen to today's lesson click HERE.

Hope Lesson 2

This is the second lesson in our new series on Hope. Today's lesson talks about what our HOPE is based on.

To hear today's lesson click HERE

Hope Lesson 1

To hear today's lesson on HOPE click HERE

This world is not my home

Listen to todays lesson "This world is not my home" by clicking HERE

How do I know if I'm walking by faith?

I had to post this weeks audio lesson in two parts because the file size was just a little too big. Don't worry, the lesson size is just about the same as normal!

Click Here for Part 1

Click Here for Part 2

Let there be LIGHT!

Listen to today's lesson HERE

God said let there be light and there was LIGHT! God did not create a wimpy unsubstantial light. This week I've been impacted by the Sun which God spoke into existence. Apparently, the sun began shinning too powerfully on the mountains this week. The snow pack began melting at an alarming rate. Streams turned into raging rivers. Sunday night as I slept, unaware of what was happening, volunteers began placing sandbags in front of our home and the homes of our neighbors.

What were normally trickling steams became dangerous. It was said that if you fell into one of these streams you would most likely not be coming out. What caused all of this? The Sun!

When God says “let there be light”, He means it. When God says “Let there be light” I get out my sun screen and sun glasses.

That's why I am so blown away when I read 2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. NIV

If the Sun that God created is powerful then how powerful is HIS light? How powerful is the light of God that shines in our hearts? I'm convinced that we could not contain such a light. As Christians, the light of God should be reflecting off of us with great intensity.

I hope that as Christians we are exuding the light of Christ today.

Let There Be Light!

Listen to Todays lesson on Walking by Faith by clicking HERE

Are you walking by faith or sight?

I know that I am walking by faith because everything is great, no one is complaining, people like me, good things keep happening, and most of all I know that I'm walking by faith because other people tell me I'm doing a great job!

It is easy to fall into the habit of judging our spiritual lives with physical eyes. How do we judge the faithfulness of Stephen in Acts 7 When he stood by faith and proclaimed Jesus? Did he do the right thing? Was he walking by faith? Did his message become less faithful when the crowd dragged him out of the town and began to crush him with stones?

Sometimes the physical result of our daily walk is not the best identifier of faithfulness.

If we look to the physical for affirmation we are training ourselves to walk by sight and not by faith.

Was the old woman who gave her last two coins in Luke 21 faithful in her giving? Jesus seemed to think she was faithful. But what if she were to run out of food at the end of the month? What happens if there is an emergency? She gave everything she had! Maybe she should have only given one coin and saved the other in reserve, in case of emergencies. Maybe she was TOO faithful!

Walking by faith has less to do with seeing physical results and more to do with trusting in a powerful God to accomplish His will in our lives. Lets worry about physical results less and trust in God more.

Listen to a lesson on staying dead by clicking HERE

You know you're in a horror movie if you have to ask this! "Why won't you just stay dead?!" Scary movies tend to be about people or things who should be dead, and yet, are up walking around, tormenting the living. The plot of this kind of movie is for the hero to kill the thing that is already suppose to be dead. Romans 6:1-4 reminds us that when we were baptized with Christ we were baptized into his death and DIED to self & sin. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, we too may live a new life. NIV I realized 17 years ago that I was not going to be able to save myself. I realized that sin separated me from God and I opted to die in order to be unified with God. God saved me through his grace. Sometimes as Christians we forget that we are dead and we wander around trying to ressurect the old man. We are not told that by killing the old man, we will never struggle with him again. And there may be times when we find ourselves shouting "WHY won't YOU stay Dead?!!!!" I pray that it always scares me when that old man begins to crawl out of the grave. It should scare me, not because grace has lost its power to save, but because it is a reminder that I am drawing away from the new life I've committed to God. "Fight the good fight. . . ." and keep putting that dead man back in the grave, living your life, instead, to God.

Click HERE to hear last weeks lesson on FEAR.

Luke 12:4-5

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of the is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. NIV

How can a verse that reminds me that God has the power to throw man into hell bring me such comfort?

Comfort comes from knowing who's I am.

Later in Luke 12:8 Jesus says “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the son of man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.”

I know who's I am. I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I acknowledge that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

(I acknowledge that)Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:3)

I acknowledge that Jesus Christ “being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8

I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and so I have very little to fear.

I enjoy how casually Jesus deals with Death in Luke 12:4 “do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” He takes man's biggest fear (DEATH) and puts it to the side. So man can kill you? Then what? What else can man do? NOTHING! God is much larger than the physical. We should fear God enough to trust Him. We should stand in Awe of God in such a way that it moves us to do what he says. But the only time we need to be afraid of God is when we find ourselves opposed to him or maybe more specifically, when we find ourselves denying him.

Listen to todays lesson about fear HERE.

If you want to listen to the sermon first click HERE

I don‘t believe in Fairies.

If you are familiar with the story of Peter Pan you will know what happens when you say the words “I don't believe in fairies”. What happens? Peter Pan tells us that a fairy somewhere drops to the ground dead.

All one has to do is say “I don't believe in fairies” and a fairy will die.

There was a moment in the last Peter Pan movie (spoilers ahead) when Tinkerbell is poisoned and dies. It is a sad moment but as all hope seems to be gone the lost boys begin to say “I do believe in fairies, I do I do, I do believe in fairies, I do I do.” Then Wendy and her brothers begin to shout “I do believe in fairies, I do I do. Even the Pirates join in “I do believe in fairies I do...” And guess what happens? She comes back to life!!!

And I am SO thankful that my God is nothing like that!

A person could stand all day long shouting “I don't believe in God, I don't I don't”, he could say it over and over again. He could shout it from the mountain tops from morning till night. He could find a thousand friends who would do the same. They could all stand on the mountain from morning till night shouting “I don't believe in God, I don't I don't” and guess what? God would still be alive.

What you and I think about God doesn't change who God is!

If you haven't read Job chapter 38 recently it may be worth your time. God speaks to Job out of the storm and has some pretty sobering words. To quote but one verse 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?” NIV It is easy to realize how small we really are when compared to a God who created the earth.

God is alive whether you believe it or not. God is alive whether you like it or not. God is.

I always desired super powers. After watching Star Wars for the very first time I remember going to my room, eyes closed, hand out-stretched, mentally trying to move stuffed animals (which I called stuffed de animals) from one side of the bedroom to the other. It didn't work! I was devastated.

I remember the day I read:

Matthew 17:20 “He replied, Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." NIV

“YES! I can have super powers! Wait until my brothers see this!” I stretched out my hand and thought faithful thoughts but those stuffed animals still didn't move. I didn't understand but I chalked it up to a lack of faith.

How often in the Bible do we see a promise from God that says if you believe in Me, I will give you super powers so that you can glorify yourself? Doesn't God seem to prefer it when we are giving Him the glory?

I really think I misunderstood the verse. I don't think the point is if we have enough faith we can have super powers and glorify ourselves. The point seems to be that our God is a God who can move mountains. The question we have to ask ourselves is, do we believe it? Do you believe God is alive? Do you believe that our God can move mountains? If you do believe this, then understand that you have faith (no matter how small it may be) in a God that can move mountains. The power is not so much in your faith but in the One in whom you have faith.

I choose not to put faith in myself but in a powerful, loving God, Who can move mountains.

If you would like to listen to the sermon before reading this post click HERE

How would you like to have been among the disciples in Matthew 17:14-20?

They've just tried to heal a demon possessed boy but have been unsuccessful. When the disciples approach Jesus and ask Him why they could not cast out the demon Jesus says: “Because you have SO LITTLE FAITH.” He then explains if they even had faith the size of a mustard seed they would be able to move mountains. Not a great day for the disciples.

What would Jesus tell you about your faith?

This lack of faith becomes even more amazing when we realize where the disciples had been earlier in that chapter.

Jesus brought a few of the disciples up with Him on the mountain. While on the mountain Jesus begins to GLOW. His clothes become WHITE like light. Moses and Elijah appear. A voice from the cloud that envelopes them declares: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him”.

Shouldn't these events have built faith? Wouldn't you think any one of these events could build a lifetime of faith? Instead, the disciples come down from the mountain and the next thing we hear is that they are trying to cast a demon out of a boy and failing because of their lack of faith.

I hope that we can remember all of the amazing things God has done. I hope we can look at God's creation and always see, with wonder, a God who is alive and have faith that He can move mountains in our lives.

We all remember the thrill of those first moments, waiting in anticipation. The day you got up the courage to make the call. It was nerve-racking. What would she say? Finally the response came as you waited with breath held tight.

Mr. Wiist? You have been approved for a $1,500 credit limit.

I loved that card and all of the possibilities it offered. I remember walking through the electronics store, thinking I could buy just about any computer I wanted.

Those were the good times. I remember when I turned platinum. A proud moment in our relationship. My limit was high enough to buy a new car. Good times. We were in love and inseparable.

Then the rocky point of our relationship hit. The limit had been raised, and I met that limit. $18,000 of credit card debt. But what was this? Hundreds of dollars owed in monthly minimum balances? It was safe to say that things weren't the same between us anymore. I just didn't feel the love, the freedom, the bliss. We were drifting apart. We didn't have the same interests any longer. I still wanted to travel and buy electronics but my platinum card just wanted me for my money. Is that all I was? A paycheck? An account number?

I had to make a different kind of call this time, the break-up call. It was awkward. “I just don't think this is going to work out” Visa seemed confused. “I'm going to have to break this off! I just don't FEEL the way I used to.” Visa's response: “I'm sorry you feel that way, if you'd like to pay off your balance the total is 18,000. Would you like to take care of this over the phone?”

“Let's not make this any harder than it has to be” I replied. “its over! I just don't feel like I owe you anything any longer. We had some good times, but I think we can agree, things just aren't the way they used to be. Let's both just walk away, make a fresh start.”

It was sad really. The inability for Visa to accept the break-up and move on, I still get letters, I never respond. It's always about money. Visa just can't seem to move past it. Not like I did. I walked away, but this debt, this debt just won't leave me alone!!!!

CAN YOU IMAGINE? I think we all understand that credit cards don't work that way but how many times have we treated PEOPLE like this? Spouses? Friends? Even enemies?

Romans 13:8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law.” NIV

As Christians we owe a debt of love to our fellow man. That means our spouse. That means our enemies. We have a debt that will NEVER be paid off. Are you ready to pay up?

You will never fall!

Have you ever asked yourself the question,

“Will I ever turn away from Christ and give into the world?”

I remember one afternoon, flying thousands of feet above Texas soil, asking myself that question. “Would there ever be a time in my life when I would become unfaithful to Jesus?” The thought terrified me. I prayed immediately that if a time like that was coming he would just take down the plane and kill me in that moment. Then, of course, I realized that a lot of innocent people would probably die if that were to happen so I prayed a prayer which was a little less destructive to those around me.

Have you ever asked yourself a question like this?

Well there is good news! God tells us that we can be confident. If we add to our faith certain attributes we can be sure that we will never fall!

2 Peter 1: 5-10

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - NIV

Did you catch that? If you follow the Lord’s instruction you will NEVER FALL! You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom.

Good news, you don’t have to pray that the Lord would take you now for fear you will become unfaithful later. We just need to continue adding to our faith.

How does 2 Peter 1:5-10 make you feel?

Early Warning Detection System!!!

How important is it to set up an early warning detection system for our spiritual lives?

Times are difficult, jobs are scarce, life always has its struggles. It is important to have a plan of action in place to protect our spiritual lives in those moments when worldly pressures surge in and threaten to take over. Over the next few posts we will look at some specific ways to guard ourselves from the pressures of the world.

The words of Jesus in his sermon on the mount are so precious and important for daily living. As the world

pushes, it would benefit us all to remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 -34:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

New International Version

Are you bold enough to look in the face of the world and all of its trials and proclaim:

“I'm not going to worry about my life today! Today I'm going to live by faith!”