Advancing Word Podcast

In Chapter 6 of his prophecy, Isaiah embraces his call to ministry after encountering the second member of the Trinity. In a transforming vision in the temple at Jerusalem, he experiences “his-story” as a creature, a sinner, a servant and a sheep in the revelation and radiance of the glory of God.

The wise admonition of King Solomon in Proverbs 14:12 is viewed as spiritual signage at the intersection where human reason meets Divine revelation. It is a timeless warning to life’s travelers to exercise caution because our decisions have consequences. 

In the eighth century BC, the great and noble King Hezekiah of Judah was faced with an insurmountable crisis. Despite his faithfulness to God’s covenant, the nation he led was threatened by an invading army. His trust in God was on trial! Because of his confidence in the prophet of God, the presence of God and the promises of God his trust was vindicated. His example of faith is timeless. 

In Genesis Chapter 32, the patriarch Jacob is cornered. At this point in his life, he is better known for grifting and grabbing than for grace and generosity. The shadow of past transgressions had caught up with him. In his hour of desperation, he prays and learns that despite his sins and shortcomings, he is  still covered by God’s unconditional love. God still looks beyond our faults and sees our needs!

In honor of Clergy Appreciation Month, Dr. Stubblefield shares biblical perspectives about the office of pastor-teacher based on Jeremiah 3:15. This timely and relevant message focuses on the measure, model, ministry, and motivation of the pastor.

In Genesis Chapter 26, Isaac returns to the wells that his father Abraham dug in the Palestinian soil. The lessons we learn encourage us to embrace healthy tradition with the dependency we must acknowledge, the debt we must accept, the difficulties we must anticipate and the discovery we must appreciate. 

In Chapter 18 of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shares a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector who went into the Temple to pray. The prayer of the tax collector prevailed because he focused on reality not ritual, appeal not applause and mercy not merit. What is the focus of our prayers?

In Part 2 of this message, Jesus’s love for Mary, Martha and Lazarus is a timeless reminder that God weeps with us, offering His presence for our prayers, His promises for our perspectives and His eternal person for our provision. All this is bound up in His declaration that all who lives and believes in Him, shall never die.

In Chapter 11 of the Gospel John, two sisters send an urgent message to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Jesus arrives in their small village four days later, weeps at the tomb of their brother and then raises him from the dead. In the reality of painful paradox, He still shows up in our difficulties, weeps with us and reveals His unlimited power.

At the heart of the Christian faith is the conviction that failure, however daunting, discouraging, or depressing, is not the last word.  Through the grace of God, no matter how far you fall, you can still get up!  In the tragic life of Samson recorded in the Book of Judges, Chapters 13 – 16, failure meets favor. This message helps us to understand the face, fact, folly, and forgiveness of failure.