Adventurous Living - The Meadow Springs Community Church Podcast

The last two of the seven churches receive letters containing harsh rebukes - their people and practices are not cutting it. "You have the reputation for being alive, but you are dead. Strengthen the little that remains, for even what is left is at the point of death." Ouch. "You are lukewarm" (at best), Jesus says, and "you don't realize you are wretched and miserable." Double ouch.  "Saving the best for last" does not apply in this case.  

Love God and love others... these are the greatest biblical commands.  While 1 Corinthians 13 is probably the most familiar scripture about love, are we missing - or even misunderstanding - it's true meaning? How does God want us to love Him and love others both in the world and in the church? 

Jesus acknowledges and addresses these two churches in a very personal way. He recognizes their small fellowship and lack of wealth, but commends their richness of faith! It's definitely upside down when compared to who are considered winners and losers by today's metrics. Do we count ourselves winners or losers in God's view?

We are bringing back, by popular demand, our study in Psalms on the first Sunday of each month. This year, we are camping on Psalm 23 and others that speak of God's comfort when things get hard... and let's face it, a lot of things in life are just hard. The Psalms provide deep and sustained encouragement from writers who are themselves pouring out their hearts to God. They praise and they lament... all to the glory of God because he hears our cries. 

A "compliment sandwich" - criticism layered between two compliments. To these 2 churches, Jesus says, "You have refused to deny me," and "I see your patient endurance." Ok, well done. But then, Jesus gets right to it. "And yet I have a few complaints about you." Jesus was bringing to light all the ways some in these churches were missing the mark... tolerating sin, idolatry and evil deeds. Those who weren't? "Hold on tightly until I come back", he says. 

Imagine being a mail carrier... good 'ol USPS. Blue shorts (no matter the weather) and sturdy black shoes. You have a very important letter to deliver that contains an urgent message for some folks that don't yet know they need it. But forget going house to house or even street to street... you are walking 40-50 miles to deliver this letter. Oh, and then go do that 6 more times. What could possibly be so important?   We look forward to worshipping with you!

αποκάλυψη (apokálypsi) - apocalypse; the revealing of something previously hidden. We are diving into the book of Revelation - what it is and what it definitely is not - and what a wild ride it's going to be! Imagine John, having seen the entirety of what was to come, being tasked with communicating it all. Sometimes, that old phrase aptly suits... "You just had to be there."

We are shifting gears... a new year, a new focus for our hearts and a deeper appreciation and understanding of God and for His word! Apocalypse... tragic ending or exciting beginning? We are looking forward to an in depth and eye opening series in Revelation. Buckle up!

From "In the beginning..." all the way through "Yes, I am coming soon", the scriptures narrate such profound truths and sacred promises. It is the story of God's LOVE - His profound, sacrificial love for humanity, exemplified through the birth, life and death of Jesus. But LOVE, even that which is divinely inspired, has its joys and challenges. May we live now, in the light of this LOVE until He returns. "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"

There is nothing more joyous than the birth of a child. You plan... you wait. In the case of Abraham and Sarah, they waited and waited... and then waited some more. Twenty five years of waiting. They were already a bit long in the tooth before God promised them a child, but age, time and circumstance did nothing to extinguish their JOY.  Laughter became the only suitable response in light of God's great faithfulness to them. 

A child born to save our fallen, sinful humanity "will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David."  (vs.7)  We may not see much of it these days, but PEACE is what we long for... peace in our homes and families, peace among our friends and in our own hearts. Because we known the LORD will return one day and reign in the chaos, we can have peace in our hearts and proclaim "Glory to God in the highest, and PEACE on earth to all whom God favors." (vs. 14)

"May the word of the LORD ring out from you to people everywhere, for wherever we go, we find people telling us about your faith in God. ...they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's son from heaven - Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us..." 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 There is no greater HOPE to be found than that of a promised King and Redeemer. Come, LORD Jesus!

Perhaps one of the most recognized of Jesus' parables is the wise man vs. the foolish man and where each of them chose to build their house. The practice, even back then, was certainly to find the most secure footing on which to build your home, lest it fall into a heap of rubble at the first deluge of wind and waves. Does this parable, though, speak more about our own personal and spiritual foundation than sand vs. stone? 

Some people learn by reading about things; some by hearing about them. It seems a good way, though, to really learn and take in information is by doing and engaging in the process.  How often has a parent taught something new to a small child... "practice makes perfect", they say. It's not really about perfection, but the doing itself... especially when it serves another. How great it would be to really get good at doing for others?   

Persistence is an admirable quality... ask any toddler. The widow's persistence against an unjust judge in Luke 18 is exactly the persistence needed by Christians today... prayer, prayer and more prayer for justice and for Jesus' second coming. This is not a "change God's mind" or a "God, I'd really like..." kind of prayer, but constant prayer that sets our eyes on that glorious day when Christ returns. This active faith trusts in God's character and plan, and is crucial for maintaining hope in a struggling world. 

"And I assure you of this:  If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I, the Son of Man, will openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God's angels."  v. 8 NLT The right sort of fear can save your life. As believers, we know the fear of the LORD refers to the awe and amazement we experience when we draw close to and worship God. But things go sideways when the wrong kind of fear creeps in... fear of men and circumstances. The truth of Jesus, His love and gift of salvation is ALWAYS the best response to someone's pain and hurt. Don't let the fear of man rob you of even one chance to win someone for His kingdom.  

It is an amazing thing when the words of Jesus meet the action of humans. We live in a very broken world which is home to 8 billion broken people. We know God's word is the balm every human soul desires, but might our own person interactions - showing the love of the Creator to others - be the actual glue that begins to repair and make strong again what is shattered?

"'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, follow him.' But the people were completely silent." The world makes us choose to follow something... Jesus desires for us to choose Him!

So many folks were anxiously awaiting the 'Kingdom of God' and paying close attention and listening to Jesus' thoughts on the subject. What they actually heard, though, was entirely unexpected. What did they do with what they heard? What do we do as we continue to wait?

Who would've thought so much discussion could surround taking time, after the work is complete, to purposefully rest during the week? But what constitutes work? Conversely, what constitutes rest? Consider the work of creation and redemption... the two most important works in human history. Where did rest fit in?