Jesus is Lord. He sits at the right hand of the throne of God, which is the position of highest power and authority in ALL of God’s glorious creation. This position was not thoughtlessly given. It was awarded to Jesus because his loyalty to and reverence for the heavenly Father were and are without equal. This position of unfathomable power and glory was attained by Jesus as a result of his willing submission to a grueling test of loyalty. This test was not only unique, but it was also profoundly necessary for the good of God’s angelic creation, as well as for the future of the entire human race. This test required Jesus to experience change, hardship and uncertainty. It required him to learn, adapt and grow while always being exactly on target with fulfilling God’s will. So, how did he do this? When Jesus came to earth as a man, he essentially wrote a new chapter in history. Never before in all of God’s creation was one sent from the spiritual realm to become human and live a human life. This change would mean leaving all the glory behind and replacing it with the simpler, lower-level existence called humanity. If this wasn’t enough of a shock to the system, Jesus would also be required to give up any and all human ambitions and focus only on doing what God would instruct him to do. Let’s think about all that is involved here. Jesus was given a perfect human body with its natural physical limitations. His mind would also have human limitations, even though it was perfect. When Jesus went to be baptized by John, God gave him His holy spirit. This power and influence would aid him with not only discerning scripture, but also with reading other’s hearts and performing miracles. This was all a completely new and completely untested combination. A physical body, a physical mind and the power of God’s influence driving you. No wonder he needed to learn obedience! So, how did these lessons in obedience take place? Right from the start, Jesus learned by being engaged. Immediately following his baptism, he went to the wilderness to fast and pray. His objective was to be in full harmony and understanding with what God had sent him to do. It is in this environment that Satan came to him with the focused objective of derailing him from accomplishing his God ordained mission. Jesus’ learning had begun with a massive confrontation! Check out our recent podcast, “Why Did Jesus Need to Learn Obedience?” for more. We trace the “why” of his learning obedience by linking the sins of Satan with the sin of Adam and Eve. We dig deeply into the details of how his responses to his experiences were in stark contrast to all that had been done before him. Join us on this revealing pathway to understanding what true obedience looks like. Let Jesus’ example inspire you to daily and steadily rising to higher heights of Christlikeness.

When Jesus taught, he made many profound and life-changing statements. Here we are thousands of years later, appreciating how what he said can daily lift us up and inspire us. As beautiful as this is, it only scratches the surface. Our theme scripture is a classic example of this. It is awe inspiring to know Jesus is the "bread of life" that vanquishes hunger for all who truly follow him. Now let’s think more deeply. Let’s ask why. Why did Jesus say this? What was the deeper meaning that not only inspires but transforms our lives? Let’s check the context. The scriptures preceding this saying, tell us Passover was coming. In Jewish culture, this time of year brought anticipation for remembering the greatest deliverance in Israel’s history. Jesus would capitalize on this and show them something even greater. Looking for Jesus? Jesus had just miraculously fed over 5,000 people with five barley loaves and two fish. This was after performing miracles of healing as well. That night his apostles got into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus went into the mountains for solitude. In the middle of the night he came down, walked on the water and rescued his apostles from a storm as he delivered them across the sea. That next day, many who had been fed could not find Jesus and crossed the Sea of Galilee to find him because they had questions! They found him. Jesus could read their hearts and knew the magnetic pull they felt towards him was based on his miracle of feeding thousands and not on his real message. His first words to them were to stop pursuing the physical advantage they perceived could be theirs by following him. Instead, he instructed them to pursue the “food that would endure to eternal life” he would give them. Jesus had offered them something powerful and unique. Their response was not, “Let’s follow;” rather, it was to ask him for a sign. They offered the manna from heaven God had supplied to Israel in the wilderness as an example. Didn’t they just see Jesus work miracles and feed thousands the day before? Jesus didn’t miss a beat. He told them he was God’s "bread of life" that came from heaven, and this began to unsettle them. Then he went further. He talked about eating his flesh and drinking his blood as a requirement to follow him. Why would he say that? Check out our August 26, 2024 podcast, “Why Is Jesus Called the Bread of Life?” for more. We follow this entire teaching as it was unfolded in John chapter 6. We pay special attention to the profound reasoning Jesus gave for being this bread of life. It's easy to observe the growing unrest and anger that built within his audience. Join us on this uncertain journey as we learn how easy it is to see powerful truths from the wrong perspective. Jesus IS the bread of life. The question is, are we being nourished by him?

The subject of eternal torment can be volatile, as there are so many variations in its explanations. Aside from all of the questions and debates regarding the interpretation of Scripture, there’s one fundamental question that often gets overlooked: If a hell of torment is the ultimate consequence for sin, did God’s people always know that? Think about the power of this question. For the many Christians who see the eternal torture of hell as a deterrent from sin, wouldn’t God in His justice have given all of His people through all of history ample knowledge of this overwhelming consequence? Is the doctrine of eternal torment plainly revealed throughout the whole Bible? When do we see this teaching revealed in any ancient pagan belief systems? What is the history of hellfire? The biblical account of Adam and Eve speaks volumes. It is a straightforward way for us to understand how the principles of justice emanate from the mind and hand of God to the human race. God creates Adam and then Eve. He puts them into this garden to cultivate and gives them everything they need for a perfect and eternal life. God gives them the rules and plainly expresses that death is the penalty for disobedience. They disobey. They are removed from the Garden and the dying process begins. God had said that they came from the dust of the ground and to that dust they would return. Such a clearly defined explanation of life and death at the very beginning of humanity’s course SHOULD be the basis for any conversation about the doctrine of eternal torment. Our first important question: If such an eternally painful and horrifying consequence did come from God, why would He not proclaim it from the beginning? Why would God tell Adam he would return to the “dust of the ground” if he was to be eternally tortured? Built upon this first question are two further fundamental questions: Why in the almost 4,000-year history of Old Testament writings is a hell of torment never referenced? Why would God be silent with so much at stake? What did pagan history during that same period of time teach in great detail about afterlife torture? In how many different pagan cultures did these afterlife torture teachings appear? Check out our recent podcast, “Did a Belief in Hell Always Exist? (Hellfire Series Part IV)." We delve deeply into these three questions. We trace pagan history in great detail. This history of hellfire reveals clear and incontrovertible evidence of afterlife torment and torture in many cultures. We compare the timeframe in which these beliefs were relevant with what was simultaneously happening in biblical history. The conclusions the evidence presents are more than just thought provoking, they are profound. Join us for this amazing and factual journey through questions rarely asked. What is at stake is our comprehension of the very character of God. What we find are glorious answers!

The teaching of a burning hell as the end result for those who reject Jesus is widely accepted in many Christian circles. Our emphatic belief is that this teaching is not based on the Bible, but rather on traditions that have misinterpreted what the Bible teaches. In the first two parts of our series, we addressed what “unquenchable fire” in Scripture does and does not mean, as well as how to understand the true meaning of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Here in Part III, we examine what Jesus meant in his teaching about the Rich Man and Lazarus. Of all the verses in the Bible, some of the descriptions in this teaching can most easily be accepted as supporting being consciously tortured in flames. So, what’s the answer? Can being “tormented in this flame” be clearly and biblically explained?

The world of politics IS our world. It is incredibly difficult to go through a typical day of interactions and online activity without being BOMBARDED with some form of political activism or opinion or outrage. With political victory comes power, and with power comes authority. With authority comes the ability to shape the lives and directions of the masses. Because of where we are in the stream of time, the grip of politics is not likely to let up at all. On the contrary, it is likely to grow and dominate. So, what is our role as Christians? Should we apply ourselves to get involved so we can bring sound thinking, righteousness and integrity to the process for the greater good of all people? Or should we stay away from the whole process, knowing it is ultimately going to fall apart anyway? Politics even back then Israel, just as any other nation, always had to deal with political wrangling. In Jesus’ day, we find the nation was entrenched in the iron grip of Roman rule. They were allowed to govern themselves as long as they faithfully paid their taxes and didn’t cause trouble for the empire. Even under such limitations, Israel’s politics were obvious and thriving. Three of the several politically driven “ruling class” sects were: the scribes, who were experts in the Mosaic Law; the Pharisees, who were the “champions” of the written and oral Law; and the Sadducees, who strictly adhered to the five books of Moses. While these three groups, along with others, worked together, they also spent a lot of time debating over their disagreements. What about today? We as Christians need to know what kind of role to play in today’s political environment. The best place to start is to look at the role Jesus played in his day. This is a fascinating investigation. Not only were there political gyrations in the ruling class, but there were also other subgroups that developed as a result of Roman rule. Two of these groups - the Publicans, who were tax collectors for Rome - and the zealots, who wanted to overthrow Rome - also stirred the pot. So, what did Jesus do with all of these groups? How did they treat him, and how did he act towards them? What can we learn from all of this? Check out our August 5, 2024 podcast, “Should Christians Be Politically Driven?” for answers. We define each of these groups and examine how they looked at Jesus. Remember, in many ways Jesus was a rebel in his day and was NOT generally well-received by those with influence. In fact, many ruling class groups ended up seeking to kill him, as they saw him as a direct threat to their positions. This one conclusion should have us pause and consider as we look at our political world today. Are the Christian principles we stand for today as strong and integrity driven as Jesus displayed? Join us for this intriguing and challenging look at Jesus, politics and our stand as modern-day Christians!

If you look at any cross section of our present-day society, you will find that most of humanity suffers from physical or emotional maladies of one kind or another. It doesn’t matter what people’s belief systems are, suffering is universal. Who amongst us wouldn’t want to have some of that suffering taken away in a miraculous fashion? Who wouldn’t want their arthritis healed or their cancer cured, or their hearing or eyesight restored? The Christian teaching of faith healing some groups of Christians adhere to can be a very attractive and exciting proposition. If I have enough faith, and if I go and see this or that preacher who can wield the power, praise God, I can have relief! As attractive as this might be, we need to ask the fundamental questions. Is this what Jesus taught? If not, what do we do with it? The miracles really were miraculous! Jesus performed many miracles. His most frequently performed kind of miracle was that of healing. He could by his mere touch or words or attention grant healing for a wide variety of physical and mental ailments. Throughout the Gospels, there was not a single ailment that came before him that he did not or could not heal. What is even more dramatic is that some of those who were healed were not even in his presence. He spoke the word to someone who knew the ailing individual and the healing took place. What about faith? The next amazing observation is that faith was NOT a driving force in his healing. One dramatic example of this was when he healed the ten lepers. All they did was ask for mercy. All Jesus did was tell them to go before the priest, and as they were on their way, they were healed. Nine of those men didn’t even come back to express gratitude for their restored lives. This healing episode, along with several others, shows us the worthiness of the person being healed was not a relevant consideration. Why then were they healed? Because Jesus had God’s spirit working though him, and he had deep compassion on our sinful and ailing world. The disciples of Jesus who were granted this gift of healing (which incidentally was a small number) all operated exactly in the same way that Jesus did. They healed because God’s spirit was in them, and they too had compassion. Here is the big question: When we look at those who claim the title of faith healers today, do we see more similarities or differences when compared to Jesus and the apostles? Do today’s healers do their work in public? Do they “heal them all” the way Jesus and his disciples did? Is the delivering of healing based on God’s spirit and deep compassion, or do they require faith? Check out our July 29, 2024 podcast, “Should Christians Expect to Be Healed?” for more. Join us as we ask the hard questions and search through the sound biblical principles of the gift of healing. The answers we find may cause you to pause and consider!

Most people know something about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The core thought that is well known is the concept of helping a total stranger in a time of their great physical need. Think about it, there are laws in place to protect those who engage in helping strangers in case something goes wrong, called "Good Samaritan laws." There are organizations in place to promote these kinds of acts of brotherly kindness. There are ministries and hospitals that bear this name. As wonderful as all this is, the message Jesus was giving when he spoke this parable is far deeper. The bottom line is, if we work on understanding and actually applying his true message, we will learn to become not only true neighbors, but we will also grow to be that much closer to the image of Christ. Nice try, Pharisees. During his ministry, Jesus had many conversations with the scribes, Pharisees and lawyers who were experts on the Mosaic Law. On one occasion, one of these lawyers engaged Jesus about inheriting eternal life, which led to a very piercing question. The lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?" This query was put in place to attempt to trap him into a theological debate as a way of hopefully exposing a weakness in Jesus. The result was the exact opposite. Jesus took the question and told a story that in the end would settle that debate once and for all. The story was one of Jesus' more famous parables about a man who is robbed, beaten and left near death along the road. While walking that road at separate times, a priest and a Levite came upon this beaten and dying man. They both avoided him and continued their journeys. Then a Samaritan man saw him and saved his life. The compassion, kindness and selfless giving this Samaritan showed is inspiring. The power of this story merely begins with travesty of the priest and the Levite ignoring the wounded man. The parable’s true impact is in the hero of the day being a Samaritan man. This would have been surprising and even repulsive to Jesus’ listening audience. Why? The fact is the Jewish people and the Samaritan people were dire enemies. This mutually divisive opposition developed over several hundred years and for a myriad of reasons. It was so bad that one very dramatic insult among the Jews of Jesus’ day was to say to a fellow Jew that they were a Samaritan and had a demon! Are YOU my neighbor? Jesus chose a Samaritan as the hero of the story for many powerful reasons. Check out our recent podcast, “What Does Being a Good Samaritan Really Mean?” for more. We not only detail the rivalry between these two peoples, we also dive into all of what Jesus was teaching about being a true neighbor. Join us as we uncover the priceless treasures of what being a "neighbor" really means. This is one lesson that we all need to hear and apply!

In Part I, we looked into what Jesus really meant when he talked about “hell" and "unquenchable fire.” Gehenna, the Greek word Jesus used for “hell,” describes a valley in which horrible acts of idolatry occurred. God proclaimed this valley would be known as a valley of slaughter, a valley that would symbolize utter destruction. Further, we discovered that when Jesus spoke of “unquenchable fire,” he was referring to Old Testament fires of destruction that would burn until there was nothing left to be consumed. While these realizations take the eternal torture and flames out of the concept of hell, we still have other words of Jesus to consider. What about all of the times that Jesus said some would experience “weeping and gnashing of teeth”? What was he describing? Seven times Jesus specifically spoke about "weeping and gnashing of teeth" seven different times. This tells us several important things. First, we see he was relaying a very important message. His words were a warning to his listeners to be aware of themselves so they would be able to avoid having this reaction. Second, we need to know who was being addressed. It turns out there were several categories of people being spoken to. There were the Jews of his day, and Christians - both true and false - throughout the whole age of gospel message going forth. Then he also addressed those at the end of the age, when the "time of trouble" will descend upon the world. Jesus’ message was comprehensive and attention-getting! What does it mean - and what DOESN'T it mean? Next, we need to be aware of what this “weeping and gnashing of teeth” phrase meant and what it didn’t mean. This is a deeply important point, as many Christians instinctively associate it with the concept of a burning hell. The problem here is simple. As we discussed in Part I, the idea of torture in everlasting fire is not at all scripturally accurate. That being the case, we need to have a crystal-clear understanding of how Jesus used this particular phrase. By understanding the words and their context, this begins to become clear. Next, we need to face the fact that most of the time “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is used, it is within the context of parables. Parables by definition are symbolic, and we need to honor that basis in our understanding. So many details and so little time! Check out our July 15, 2024 podcast, “What Does Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth Mean? (Part II)” for more. We systematically go through an overview of all seven times Jesus spoke these words. We identify the "who" and "why" of each instance. Finally, we then highlight the similarities and point out the differences as we compare them. What we find is a sobering and comprehensive lesson Jesus taught to anyone and everyone who would come to know him. Join us to see how weeping and gnashing of teeth makes incredible sense as a learning experience and not as eternal torture.

To the critical observer, modern Christianity is confusing as we have countless denominations and their countless ways of interpreting Scripture. These widely varied interpretations give birth to widely varied traditions that support those interpretations. As a major subset of this, we have wide discrepancies regarding the destiny of unbelievers. Several times, Jesus plainly taught about the consequences of hell. The enormous question that needs answering is, did he teach hell was a place of agonizing and eternal torture from which there is no escape, or were his several references to hell pointing to a very different meaning? Our focus is on the primary New Testament word Jesus used to describe hell. If we understand the word and its context, we will understand Jesus’ meaning. Is the fire REALLY "unquenchable"? Whenever Jesus spoke about hell, it was usually accompanied by descriptions of fire. Not only was there fire involved, but this fire was described as unquenchable. To make things even more dire, there were times when Jesus added descriptions of worms that don’t die. When we put this all together, it looks like we have descriptions of some kind of cataclysmic place, event or time that is wholly unpleasant. Jesus spoke about these things to get our attention. The question is, what was he actually showing us? For many the answer seems obvious, and their conclusion is that all of this is describing the fiery torment of an eternal hell from which there is no relief. This widely held interpretation has been around for many generations. We would like to respectfully suggest what we consider to be several glaring inconsistencies with this reasoning. Where is hell, exactly? The first question arises when we understand what the word for “hell” means in these teachings of Jesus. “Hell” is the Greek word Gehenna. Gehenna literally translates to “The Valley of (the son of) Hinnom.” This was a literal valley outside of Jerusalem that in Joshua’s day was passed on to the sons of Hinnom. So, this is a piece of real estate. Why would Jesus use a physical piece of land in these graphic descriptions? The sad answer is because of the idolatry that took place in the days of Jeremiah. Israel not only worshipped idols, but they burned their children alive to these idols as sacrifices. In the book of Jeremiah, God plainly stated that such torture had never entered His mind. Why would God eternally torture people when by His own words he so vehemently condemned it? This is just one of many questions that need asking. Check out our July 8, 2024 podcast, “What Did Jesus Mean When He Talked About Hellfire? (Part I).” We dig deeply into this question, as well as the glaring questions about unquenchable fire, undying worms and Gehenna. The source for the answers to these queries is the Bible. No speculation, no tradition; just scriptures put in place to explain other scriptures. Join us as we walk down this biblical road in search of God’s clearly stated truth.

Everyone wants to be heard. Being heard is not only an acknowledgment of our existence but also confirms our value. Being listened to helps us find a place of significance in whatever social order we happen to be engaging in. To be heard - to be truly paid attention to - is to be recognized as the individual you are. Because so much rides on our ability to be heard, how do we enhance that ability? How do we better place ourselves in this position of mutual respect and contribution? Do we speak louder? Do we elevate our passion, or raise our voice or talk faster? Many of us likely have little to no idea how to enhance this ability of communication, and what we think we know are in many cases backwards. As we look at this question through the eyes of biblical principles, the answers will become obvious! To best understand how to be heard as someone who contributes value, we need to understand what methods and motivations to adopt, as well as which ones we need to be rid of. We cannot expect to become great communicators by simply adding a few catch phrases or expanding our vocabulary. Taking the negatives away needs to be one of our primary focal points. One example of a communication destroyer is gossip. Think about being in a situation where important things are being discussed, and the person relaying these things is a known gossip. How seriously do you take their input? Do you ever wonder if engaging with them with make you the subject of future gossip? True communication ability depends on having strong credibility, and let’s face it. Gossip is a credibility drainer. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are several other very negative speech habits that derail our ability to be heard. Let's enhance our communication methods. On the other side of the issue, there are also several foundational communication enhancing methods of approach. When applied, these draw those listening to become more fully engaged. One example here is authenticity. When we are truly authentic, we are clearly representing ourselves as being fully and sincerely committed to what we are saying as well as how we are saying it. Authenticity is not very common and when people see it, they are drawn to it. Check out our July 1, 2024 podcast, “How Can I Get People to Listen When I Speak?” for more. We label and discuss seven detractors from effective communication. We examine them scripturally to expose the depth of their damage. As a remedy, we also dwell on four solid foundations for effectively communicating. Embracing these foundations draws us away from those other damaging habits. One more thing. There is another amazingly powerful secret to truly valuable communication most of us just don’t think about. Join us as we assemble all of these pieces and learn how to elevate our ability to be heard and to be effective!

Habits are BIG! In many ways, habits - whether they are good or bad for us - dominate our lives. The odd thing is we are not even generally aware of how deeply rooted they are and how much control they really have. In Part I of our 2-part habits series, we looked into the habits that define our personal lives, those things we do that may or may not impact those around us. In this episode, we look into the habits that define our public lives, those things we do when others are watching or engaging. The science of habits tells us the human brain is capable of being rewired through our conscious efforts. While this truth might be surprising, it also offers us a foundation for change. The Christian question here is, do I present myself in public in a way that brings glory to God, or do I have work to do? How are my social habits? In Part I of this 2-part series, we focused on two things: We learned about how the brain’s neuroplasticity contributes to the forming of habits. New habits can replace old ones. We focused on our personal habits and assessed whether or not they should be replaced in order to glorify God. Here in Part II, we took things one step further as we considered our public habits. When you think about it, these public practices say a lot about who we are to others. Do they show our Christianity or display our fallen humanity? Likely the unfortunate answer to this question is that our habitual behavior in public is generally designed to feed our human inclinations. Because these behaviors are not usually designed with God’s glory in mind, our need to work at changing them becomes evident. Where do we start? The first thing to realize is that how we act in public depends upon what type of people are in our present circumstances. If we are among fellow Christians, our often-repeated behavior will fall into a specific category. If we are situated among family, friends or associates of some kind, our habitual natural responses will probably look different. Finally, if we find ourselves among those who would stand against us, our habitual responses would undoubtedly be very preservation-oriented and different once again. What do we do with all of this? Check out our June 6, 2024 podcast, “Do My Habits Glorify God? (Part II)” for answers. We assess each category of our public habits. Next, we establish what the thought process needs to be to systematically replace any of our subconsciously engrained public habits. We then match this thought process with the science of habit-changing behavior. We end up with a remarkable message! As Christians, we are called upon to reflect godliness at every turn in our lives. As we combine Scripture and science, we see the pathway to this higher godliness unfold. Join us! Changing our lives to better honor God is not only possible, but also joyful as well!

Human beings are undeniably creatures of habit. Let me dramatically oversimplify the whole habit thing for a moment to make a point. Habits are formed as tools to bring us comfort, reward and what we believe we want in life. Little kids test this all the time. A child with a very focused mind wants to do things their own way. Instead of listening, they argue and even rebel because doing it their way is what they find the greatest reward in. Another perhaps less stubborn child will fight and argue for their own way and then back off because their parent’s approval or recognition gives them a greater reward. This oversimplified comparison helps us see that our human habits are ultimately self-driven. How do we as Christians deal with all of this? What habits should be changed or left alone? Habits can be really good things. They can protect us from danger and enhance our lives by being able to do many things without having to consciously focus. However, when we look at the other side of the issue, we can see how our ability to “mindlessly” do things can be a serious detriment. The great news here is our minds are capable of changing such “mindless” activity into positive and productive habits. This capacity for change is not necessarily an easy fix, but it can be a powerful one. We can do this because our brains have something called "neuroplasticity." Neuroplasticity means your brain has the ability to change throughout your life. The fascinating thing is that our brains are always changing. We continually and subconsciously develop new habits in relation to our daily experiences. As Christians, our big challenge is this: Develop new God-glorifying habits we consciously choose to replace old habits that are ultimately detrimental. There is so much to this, as the prospects can be both exciting and scary all at once. So, where do we start? Check out our June 17, 2024 podcast, “Do My Habits Glorify God? (Part I)” for more. We break down this complex and important subject into its basic pieces. First, there is the understanding of the how and why of our brain functions. Then there is the understanding of what steps actually take place when a habit is being formed. Once we understand these steps, coupled with how our brains reward us for behavior, the whole habit thing becomes clearer. Now comes the life-changing part. We delve into clearly identifying our God-dishonoring habits. We then lay out the necessary steps for making the kinds of changes that will replace them with better, God-honoring habits. While this may not be easy, it is hands down a thrilling and practical lesson to learn. Join us for this episode as we focus on our internal, private habits. This will set the stage for Part II when we examine our public habits which govern how we act around others.

As human beings, we all know what it's like to get fired up about something. We see a circumstance unfold or read about something controversial, or our team wins the game no one thought they could. And we react! We become passionate or energized and feel that adrenaline rush. Suddenly there is no mountain too high or ocean too broad. We’re up for the challenge! Yeah, we all know what that’s like. The question is, is that what "having our lives on fire for Christ" looks like? Before we get too excited, let’s consider a simple question. What was David referring to when he wrote, “For zeal for Your house has consumed me” in Psalm 69:9? Was he talking about being consumed by a moment and reacting, or was he writing about having his very being consumed by a lifelong desire to honor God? Compare today The 21st century version of getting fired up is a far cry from what was known as “zeal” in the Old and New Testaments. For us here and now, it really ends up being all about emotion. Being fired up can be either a good thing or a bad thing. The dramatics of such a surge of feelings can easily push the borders of personal control. Interestingly, this is the greatest similarity between modern-day fire and scriptural zeal. In the Bible, the word is often used to describe things like jealousy and even hatred. However, on the positive side, it is frequently used to depict a powerful, disciplined and long-lasting burning desire - just the kind of Christian zeal we want. David, Paul, Jesus When we look at biblical individuals like King David, the Apostle Paul and Jesus himself, we can begin to understand what this burning desire looks like. When Jesus cleared the moneychangers out of the Temple in John 2, he was described as having the same kind of zeal King David had relating to that very Temple. What was that zeal? David spent many years of his adult life dedicated to getting the Temple built. Even though God told him that because he was a warrior it had to be built by someone else, David was unphased. He planned, he gathered materials, and he taught his son Solomon what needed to be done. THAT is zeal. That is what a burning desire looks like according to the Bible. How can we even relate to that kind of zeal? Check out our June 10, 2024 podcast, Is My Life on Fire for Christ? for more. We uncover some startling realizations about how Jesus learned zeal, and how he himself expressed it in different parts of his life. We break down several other biblical examples of zeal and then use them as a basis to formulate what our Christian zeal should look like. Finally, we compare the burning desire of zeal in the Bible with our emotional versions of it today. What we find is revealing! Join us and see how true zeal for Christ can change your life!

Most of us are likely familiar with what shame feels like. We know all too well that it has the capacity to be a debilitating weight that can cut us off from others and reduce our lives to a cycle of hiding and self-contempt. Such a cycle can bring us to a living space where the ceaselessly droning voices of regret and unworthiness echo in a continuous loop. Even if we are repentant, shame can make forgiveness seem not only undeserved and impossible, but entirely unreachable as well. Our shame now grows into a malignant tumor. Unchecked, it can drain away the goodness and value of our lives. What can we do to battle against and overcome its debilitating characteristics? Fortunately, the Bible shows us many principles to transform shame into a tool for growth! Feeling shame has a long history within the human race. We can actually trace it back to its beginning. As we do, it’s important to observe what it looked like and why it appeared. Adam and Eve were direct creations of God and the beginning of our human family. As such, Genesis tells us they were naked and unashamed. We know they were given clear guidelines for living and ended up choosing to follow Satan’s suggestions rather than God’s proclaimed truth. Once they committed to this sinful act, something unique happened. Adam and Eve felt shame. They covered themselves. They hid from God. Their shame was a function of their consciences. It was a tool of the mind to let them know that their previously perfectly balanced lives were now off center. They were out of harmony with their Creator and consequences would follow. This shows us that in its best application, this can be something very positive. It can serve as a sort of alarm to alert our minds that corrective action needs to be taken. Shame as a weapon Unfortunately, in our world this very positive purpose for shame barely exists. Why? Because we have taken to using shame as a weapon. Instead of it being based on the purity of godly righteousness, we have based it upon our rivalries and our desire to exclude “those" people. Shaming is now a great way to close down arguments and send those on the other side into hiding. Added to this shaming by others is the fact that many of us bring unjustified shame upon ourselves. We perceive ourselves as "less than" or unworthy and proceed to hide ourselves away. None of this is good, healthy or godly. So, what do we do? Check out our June 3, 2024 podcast, “How Do We Cope With Feeling Shame? We break shame down into its varied applications and find scriptural remedies. We examine an incredibly powerful account of shame in the New Testament and observe how Jesus - with just a few words - changed it all. Join us for these important and inspiring lessons. They just might add valuable insight to your perspective!

Jesus plainly taught that the vast majority of humanity is traveling on the "broad road that leads to destruction." Further he taught that there is a narrow way that leads to life, which is only found by few. For anyone who truly cares about humanity, this can be a very troubling thought. Why would God, the Creator of all things, set up a plan that's such a losing proposition? Was Jesus really saying there are only a few who will ultimately be saved? If true, then what about all those scriptures that say Jesus died for ALL? If this is not the true understanding, then what does this "broad road to destruction" actually refer to? Fortunately, this can all get sorted out by putting several pieces of biblical reasoning together. Clear or misconstrued? When we read Jesus’ words, we would like to believe they were always clear, understandable and to the point. However, by his own teaching, Jesus informed us differently. He told us he taught in parables. He also told us there were parts of his teaching that simply were not yet ready to be understood. Often times his words have been misconstrued, and as a result, many of his statements have fallen into a category of assumed meaning. Jesus teaching about the fact that many are on "the broad road to destruction" falls into this category of assumed meaning. As we begin to unfold this saying, it is important to put our easily drawn assumptions aside and focus on what these words really meant. So, where do we start? Let’s begin with the context. Matthew chapter 7 is part of the Sermon on the Mount. A careful examination of this shows us that Jesus is teaching his closest disciples while thousands of others are listening in. The 7th chapter is several short teachings one right after the other, and this two-verse lesson is part of that. Jesus tells his followers there is a broad road and a narrow road. He is teaching his disciples they are of the few who are privileged to navigate the narrow road. The basic comparison is that if you become a true follower of Jesus, you are spared from the road to destruction. All well and good, but where did this road to destruction begin and where does it lead? The answer here is actually simple. All we need to do is determine when and where this road began. Check out our May 28, 2024 podcast, “What is the Broad Road That Leads to Destruction?” for details. We put this all in the context of the first part of Romans 6:23, “For as in Adam all die…”. We trace how and why this broad road to destruction is linked to this simple statement about Adam and build the case from there. What we find is surprising, as this road to destruction becomes clearly defined as a definitive part of God’s master plan for reconciliation. Don’t miss this!

Our world can be confusing and scary. Sometimes it’s hard to know what is true, and sometimes it’s hard to know who to trust. For Christians, coping with this uncertainty should always come down to God’s word. What principles are we given in Scripture that will shine the sure light of truth on whatever dilemma we perceive to be in our way? Some Christian groups have taken to label much of the rampant darkness of our world as the work of “monitoring spirits.” The suggestion here is that these spirits are firmly connected to Satan, and their work is overwhelmingly focused on spying on and disrupting the lives of Jesus’ followers. As we look into this belief, we will ask the same question we always ask: what scriptural basis is there for these conclusions? What exactly is a “monitoring spirit”? The belief system here is that they are demons who have a high priority objective to spy on Christians. They look to steal thoughts, abundance and spiritually important messages from the unknowing and innocent. This is done by watching our movements, listening to our conversations and intervening in our dreams. They bring all they learn back to Satan for the purpose of undermining and destroying the lives of as many Christians as possible. Are evil spirits actively stealing your blessings? We had not been aware of this teaching until it was recently brought to our attention as a question. With honest examination, we can see a basis drawn from some sound scriptural principles. First of all, those who believe in monitoring spirits believe Satan is actively seeking to undermine the lives of Jesus’ true followers. This is a sound and easy-to-prove scriptural concept. We know Satan is called “a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” The truth of Satan’s objectives should provoke any and every Christian to being alert. However, just because a teaching by a Christian group has a basis in sound scriptural doctrine does not mean the teaching is sound itself. We need to be very careful here. Satan himself is an expert on using foundations of truth to deceive. Consider his deception of Eve. He rightly said that eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil would open their eyes of understanding. In this way, they would be like God. This truth, coupled with the lie of not dying for this sin, was enough to destroy the harmony in the Garden of Eden. We see the monitoring spirits teaching in this same light. Be wary. Check out our May 20, 2024 podcast, “Are Monitoring Spirits Watching Us?” for more. We listen to the reasoning behind this particular belief system. This includes people believe our dreams can be stolen while we sleep, resulting in brokenness. We then test all of this against clear Scripture. We find overwhelming evidence that helps us see what is right and acceptable in God’s sight regarding these well-publicized teachings. Don’t miss this important and revealing journey!

Fasting is a practice that has endured for thousands of years and appears often in the Bible. Among other things, it is used as a tool of focus, an expression of grief and a sign of humility. What seemed to have been a common occurrence in ancient days has now become far less mainstream. So, do all of the biblical references to fasting in both the Old and New Testaments mean we as Christians should be engaging in this practice regularly? If we should be participating, what circumstances bring on appropriate times to fast? Just as important, how should we fast? Are there time frames that should be kept? What about drinking water during a fast - is that appropriate? So many questions! Fortunately, the Bible gives us many practical answers, and some are VERY surprising! Old Testament fasting Fasting was a common occurrence in the Old Testament and was implemented for many reasons. Surprisingly, fasting was only proclaimed once as an annual national observance in the Law of Moses. It was to be done on the Day of Atonement and it was to be done by ALL of Israel. This was a solemn ritual designed to bring the hearts and minds of God’s people to a place of sober gratitude as sacrifices were made to God on their behalf. In relation to the Law, fasting was a means of stopping all activity and refocusing all energy on the magnitude of God’s favor. Other Old Testament occurrences were related to grief, hope, discipline, and focus. Generally, it was an outward way to put outward experiences into a godly context. New Testament fasting As we open the New Testament, we find a very different approach to fasting when we look at it as followers of Christ. Jesus fasted for 40 days immediately after being baptized and receiving God’s spirit. His fast was not as a result of some outward experience happening around him. On the contrary, it was a result of his desire to focus himself entirely upon precisely accomplishing his Father’s will going forward as the Messiah. Jesus taught his followers about fasting as a tool of Christianity in the Sermon on the Mount. His instruction was very personal. It was also very specific regarding the necessity to keep our times of fasting from becoming rituals for public observation. Interestingly, fasting does not play a major role in New Testament Christian writings. So, what role should fasting play in our Christian lives? Check out our May 13, 2024 podcast, “Should Christians Fast?” for answers. We address the value and the danger of fasting. We examine each instance in the New Testament where it occurs. Then we look at the how and the why of those experiences and then dig into the several questions that so many of us have. When should we fast? How long should we fast? Are we allowed to drink water when we fast? Don’t miss this opportunity to uncover many little-known biblical pieces to the fasting puzzle!

Our world is such a cynical place. Sometimes it feels like every time you turn a corner, you’re met with frustration, unrest and a lack of trust. Because we have so many platforms through which we can speak, we do. When we speak, our words and sentiments are often full of accusation and vitriol. We harshly address “those people.” You know the ones. "Those people" on the other side of this or that issue whom we often label as uneducated or ignorant, as members of the wrong party, wrong belief system, wrong ethnicity or wrong culture. We speak to be heard, and we neglect speaking so others will listen. We are cynical, and this cynicism is to the detriment of all. As Christians, we should NOT participate in this damaging interpretation of free speech. So, is it possible to be cynical in a positive way? The Bible gives us many examples of cynicism. Perhaps the simplest example is the words of Nathaniel when Phillip told him that Jesus was the Messiah. Nathaniel answered with that well-known phrase, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” While this statement is on the milder side of cynicism, it absolutely captures the power of cynical thoughts and comments. First, this statement was likely a common saying in Jesus’ day, as Nazareth’s reputation didn’t carry the highest levels of honor and credibility. It was like our saying today that this or that person came from “the other side of the tracks.” We are implying that location “over there” is simply not a good place, and you certainly don’t want to have anything to do with it. Second, Nathaniel’s statement was a gross generalization about Jesus. In this case, the assumption states that who someone is or can be doesn’t matter if they are from THAT place. It proclaims one’s origin unequivocally determines one’s permanent station in life. It implies there can be no honor or greatness in any individual with such a background. The implanted thought is that we should not waste our time even considering such a person! This is what cynicism can look like, and we can perpetuate it by simply repeating things others have said. Can cynicism ever be appropriate? Check out our May 6, 2024 podcast, Am I Too Cynical or Not Cynical Enough?” for more. We look at several scriptural examples of the many ways being cynical can creep into our lives. These examples give us clear direction regarding the lines we need to draw in our own hearts and minds. We focus on how our responses to cynicism can either contribute to hurt or healing. We also look into what appropriate cynicism looks like. Yes, that’s right, there is such a thing as "appropriate cynicism." We know this because the Bible actually gives us a clear example of what it looks like and how it works. Don’t miss this important and revealing conversation that directs us to think about what we are thinking about!

In our last episode, we talked about the great power of the solemn promises in the Bible called covenants. We observed how God had made several of these solemn promises, and that several are specifically labeled as “everlasting covenants.” As we look at Bible history, we can see that all of God’s promises have already been made and are already functioning - except for one. This one promise yet to be unfolded is the “New Covenant.” While this promise is clearly defined in Jeremiah, it is alluded to in several other books of the Bible. So, is the only difference between this New Covenant and God’s other promises the fact that it is yet coming, or are there more pieces to this puzzle? Why would God need to make a "new" covenant anyway? When we realize the Scriptures link this new promise to the Law Covenant given to Moses, several key questions arise. The first questions have to do with this connection. Does this imply God made a mistake with the Law? Did He change course and have to readjust because the Law failed to bring His chosen people to Him? Not at all! The Law was given to Moses as an unmistakable guide to live righteously and be in God’s favor. It was built upon the basis of sacrifices because God’s people, as part of the human race, were inherently sinful. These sacrifices could not take away their sins. They demonstrated the people’s willingness to make offerings to God and were an acceptable bridge to His favor. The New Covenant replaces all of that. The Bible plainly tells us Jesus is this New Covenant’s mediator. Why? Because his personal sacrifice did, once and for all, pay for the sins of the people. All the people. The Law Covenant, therefore, was a steppingstone to bring us to the New Covenant. The next set of questions revolve around the question of “who." Who is this New Covenant made with? Many Christians believe this new promise has been made with Jesus’ followers after his death. While this might sound logical, there are several details that bring us to a very different conclusion. Several prophecies specifically focus the New Covenant as not only being with the nation of Israel but being focused on their physical land as well. Though this may be a surprising conclusion to many, its scriptural basis deserves further exploration. Check out our April 29, 2024 podcast, “Is the New Covenant Different From God’s Other Covenants?” for more. We examine how this New Covenant is profoundly attached to God’s other everlasting promises. We dig into the how, the when, and the why of its inauguration. What we find is a stunning biblical account that not only explains the New Covenant, but it also explains the unfolding of God’s plan right from the start. Don't miss this deep and revealing journey that connects many prophecies and biblical teachings. The word of God has amazing answers!

As Christians, we take great comfort in knowing that God is a God of unfathomable wisdom and integrity. We may be faced with things in life we never saw coming, but God is never caught off guard. With His foresight and eternal wisdom, He is not only prepared for anything, but He has preplanned for everything. God is also always as good as His word. He does not make a promise and then haphazardly decide not to keep it. In the Bible, covenants are really solemn promises. Throughout Scripture, God has made many of these promises with the description of being “eternal.” One such covenant was the Law given to Moses. It seems the Law was described as everlasting, and yet the New Testament tells us it loses its validity. Did God change His mind? Rainbow Covenant and Abrahamic Covenant When we think of God and His eternal promises, there are two that often come to mind. The first is the promise that God made to Noah when he and his family stepped off of the Ark. God’s promise was to never again flood the earth, and it was symbolized by a rainbow. In giving this promise, God was emphatic: He meant what he said. The second promise that likely comes to mind is the Abrahamic promise. Though far more comprehensive in scope, the bottom line of this promise that most remember is the blessing of all the families of the earth through Abraham’s lineage. Taken individually, these two promises are highly significant, as they are pointed statements from God. Both of them have to do with an eternal future, and both have to do with things outside of our human control. This is significant because it means that God has unilaterally taken responsibility for their eternal fulfillment. There is great comfort in being able to rely on God’s specifically stated words for the rest of eternity. An everlasting covenant? As good as this is, it only scratches the surface. God made other promises that were also labeled as "everlasting covenants." He promised that an eternal ruler would come from the lineage of King David. He also promised there would a “New Covenant,” a “covenant of peace” that would be everlasting as well. Here’s the amazing part - all of these promises are not individual statements about individual events. They are all fundamentally related to one another. They all tell parts of the same path that God revealed to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Check out our April 22, 2024 podcast, “Do the Covenants of God All Last Forever?” for more. Along with these promises, we examine the Law Covenant given to Moses. It will come as a surprise to many that the Law was NOT labeled as "everlasting." In spite of its temporary nature, we dig into the details of how it is one of the vital and interlocking pieces of God’s everlasting plan for humanity. Don’t miss this unique and revealing journey!