God Centered Life

Perhaps you're feeling that God has lost sight of you. Perhaps you're frustrated that others who you know aren't following Christ seem to have an easier time than you. God has a word of comfort for you. We need to live in the light of the future hope of the Messiah's return. Zechariah 1:7-17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When a word appears twice consecutively in the Bible, it’s meant to emphasize that word. In the Old Testament, God’s people have just been told they’re going into exile. And yet, the prophet Isaiah says “It’s going to be okay.” The Word of God raises us above our circumstances, both then and now. Comfort, comfort. Isaiah 40:1-2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christ also gives comfort and shelter. He shelters from outward wrath and gives comfort for inner weariness. Are you feeling innerly weary? In Christ, you'll find comfort. You're never alone.  Luke 10:23-24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the spiritual privilege that comes of going on mission for Jesus? It's important that we know what is given to an individual and what is special about following Jesus, so that we can extend it to anyone else. Luke 10:23-24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Until a man is converted and knows it, he is not the slightest use to God. Are you converted? Do you know it? Do you have the assurance of your faith? If so, you are released to get out and serve. Luke 10:22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The real, true God must be bigger than my mind can comprehend. So if I have any view of God that I can entirely comprehend, it must be a false god. It is so important that we have in our minds who God actually is, not just what we think he is. Luke 10:22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Israelites are back in the Promised Land, but are they returning to their bad habits? God sends his prophet Zechariah to say there's hope beyond their current situation—and hope of another Promised Land far in the future with the Messiah. Zechariah 1:7-17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The way to achieve joy is not to focus on our feelings. The focus on the negative creates unhappiness. What is even worse is that the focus on the self generates the unhappiness of narcissists. It's a self-esteem nightmare! Joy is a wonderful fruit of a vital relationship with God, even in the midst of turbulent waters. Luke 10:20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is standard, accepted truth in the world today that we are all good, and we do not need saving. Of course this is not what the Bible teaches. But long-time believers can have a tendency to assume they've heard teachings before rather than letting the gospel drive their daily behavior and shape them. And once you assume the gospel, you are that much closer to abandoning it. Luke 10:9-12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The messaging has shifted down through the years on the cross and what it means. Some have a clear understanding, but others think of a piece of jewelry or a religious symbol. The message has gotten blurred. Luke 10:9-12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To offer prosperity if we believe enough is pastorally cruel. It raises unrealistic expectations and it's experientially naive. It's counter to the teaching of the Bible, most obviously in the book of Job, not to mention the cross of Jesus himself. Most of all, to offer prosperity is to offer too little. Luke 10:5-8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever feel like you're hanging on by your fingernails? This message is designed to be an encouragement for your faith to help you know that you can trust God in these times. We can know that we will be provided for. Luke 10:5-8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We get this totally the wrong way around. The greatest blessing we can have is God, not what God can do for us. It's a really common misunderstanding that the most important thing you can get out of God is cool stuff—whether that means material things or a perfect relationship. God himself is our highest blessing. Zechariah 1:1-6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many would say that our feeling of urgency or hurry is a product of our modern life. Is there a right kind of hurry with a biblical basis? Or is hurry merely an unwanted aspect of contemporary life? Luke 10:4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our lives are not simply about having a healthy work-life balance. What's the point of having a healthy life if it has no meaning? If you are a follower of Jesus, you are on his mission. Your life is a great gospel adventure—be brave! Luke 10:3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

God's sovereignty is a difficult idea for us to grasp. But for progress in Christlikeness, understanding of his sovereignty is key.  Luke 10:2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clearly there are problems out there and those of us who follow Jesus are experiencing pressure. But a problem is also an opportunity. No one wants to suffer, but we can reframe our difficulties into opportunities to pray, to trust, and to feel God's good purpose behind the hard things in life. Luke 10:2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"This message will self-destruct" because there's an urgency to it. We all know that our lives will come to an end, and time is short. There's an offer given to us in this life to turn to Jesus and bring others to him. What could be more urgent than that? Luke 10:1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zechariah is an important book that can speak into someone's situation when they're feeling a little down. It then gives the true hope that centers on Jesus Christ. Zechariah 1:1-6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Often in Christian communication today, we hear the phrase: God, family, country. Josh Moody often wonders whether God is really coming first. This reversal can happen because we don't always have clear in our minds how good God is, so we put other things that we think are better in his place. Luke 9:57-62 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices