Canyon Ridge Christian Church Podcast

Generosity is one of the easiest ways to identify if somebody is a follower of Jesus. The earliest disciples modeled what it means to live generous lives by sharing everything they had and giving to those in need. But why is generosity so important for followers of Jesus? As followers of Jesus, the answer to "Why we give?" is best answered by looking at whose kingdom you are building with your generosity. When you live a generous life, your life and actions are not just for yourself. They are building up the kingdom and pointing people in the direction of Jesus! 

When is the last time you remember being “in awe” of something? All throughout Scripture, there are stories of signs and miracles that point people to the living God and cause people to be in awe of who he is. The early church in Acts 2 was a devoted group of people who were being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and all people were taking notice. How would living in awe of God transform the people around you?

Take a second to think about the things you do every day. Now, ask yourself if those habits will help you build the type of life you want. As a follower of Jesus, you're called to live an Uncommon Life, characterized by a different set of priorities and marked by different habits and devotion. When you devote yourself to creating the habits that Jesus has called his followers to have, you'll experience the benefits He has in mind. So, look at your everyday habits and ask, "Will this help me live a TWO FEET IN kind of life?"

It seems like anytime there is a tragedy, people send "thoughts and prayers" It happens so often that many people have forgotten how important and powerful prayer actually is! If you want to live an Uncommon life, you have to think about prayer in a completely different way. What would your life look like if you actually believed that you were talking to the God who created the Universe when you prayed? As a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit in you, giving you everything you need to pray bold prayers. So let's be expectant, dependent on God, and see what He can do through your prayers!

Have you ever wondered how meals and tables play a significant role in the story of God's people? Look at your table and see how meals, stories, and lives are shared! The Communion table is what brings people together in remembering Jesus' sacrifice, examining your heart to reflect his, and extending his invitation to people in your life. If God has space for every kind of person, including you, to sit and feast in the company of many others, what might he be inviting you to do with your table?

Have you ever heard the quote that you are the average of the people you spend most of your time with? When you look at your life, it's easy to see that the people you surround yourself with shape who you become. If you want to live an uncommon life, surround yourself with uncommon people. The Bible is full of stories of people living, giving, and going together to bring life to the people around them. In fact, whenever Jesus sent people out, he would send them together. So, who are the people walking with you as you become an uncommon person?

Have you ever heard a really great story that you can't help but share with someone else? Sharing stories of what's happening in your life is one of the best ways to communicate and build relationships. So, can it be so hard to share stories from the Scripture with the people in your life? Uncommon people don't stop at discovering God together and doing what he says. They share everything they've been handed with others people in their lives. We don't want to just keep all of the good God has given to us for ourselves. We want to share it and give it away constantly!

Every parent knows how important obedience is to a relationship. When your children obey you, it shows how much they love and respect you. It's the same in your relationship with God! When you take what you learn from him and put it into action, you show him how much you love him. The uncommon change Jesus is offering you warrants an uncommon response. Take what you learn and put it into action!

Have you ever felt halfway devoted to something? Working out sounds like a fantastic idea until it's time to wake up early, head to the gym, and put in the work. The same is true for your relationship with God. Are you one foot in and one foot out? It's time to be two feet in, fully committed to discovering what God has for your life.

Have you ever been white water rafting? You'll often be given a map at the beginning of the journey, but a static map can be tricky to use when you're paddling through rapids. You need an experienced guide to help you navigate the treacherous waters when you're actually in the boat. That's a great illustration of how the Holy Spirit wants to guide you through your everyday life! You don't have to do it alone! The best part is that the more you follow him as your guide, the more you become like him.