Canyon Ridge Christian Church Podcast

Have you ever bought a gift that you couldn't wait to see someone open? Generally, when you give a gift, you are giving a snapshot of your relationship with that person. The Christmas story, like a gift, stands as a symbol of much more than the event itself. It stands for how God can be relied on and has good in mind for you! May this Christmas remind you of how God has shown up in your life and how glad He is to be with you.

Think about a moment when you were glad to be with the people around you. The word "joy" can best be defined by your experience when you are glad to be together with the people around you. The best part is that God is glad to be with you when experiencing joy. In fact, God had joy in mind for you and the people in your life! This Christmas season, take a look around your life and look for people you could share joy with.

The story of Mary and Joseph is such an excellent example of faith in what God is up to and faithfulness to the people you love. It is also a wonderful illustration of how God's faithfulness gives you the confidence to walk toward whatever life throws your way with hope. How can you use your faith in God to keep walking with the people you love, even when things are hard? How can you show up for your people?

Have you ever met someone and known that they followed Jesus from the first meeting? People will see that you are walking with God when they see the evidence, or "fruit," of His Spirit in your everyday life. People will see God in your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If you surround yourself with people who share this fruit in their lives, it grows even more in your own! That is what being "Sent Together" is all about. 

What makes a good friend? Everyone needs good people in their lives. People who love you enough to accept you the way you are, but too much to let you stay that way. That's the type of friend God wants to be for you. He has good in mind for you and wants to help you become the best you can be. Couldn't you use a friend like that?

Everyone wants someone by their side. There are so many places in the Bible that says how much we need each other. When diversity and unity are both embraced, it's POWERFUL! Especially when your community is dependant on God's Spirit. The Spirit shapes the character of Jesus in you to live out the calling of Jesus around you. You have a contribution and something to bring to the people around you. So, how will you respond to the reality that you are God's Spirit has empowered you to join with others? We experience life with the Spirit when we ALL use our strengths together.

If you follow Jesus, you know how good and life-bring that decision can be! The best part is, the good you experience now is just a taste, just a hint, just the beginning.  And not just for you, but for all creation! Paul says in Romans, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." That means there is not a SINGLE person, or part of creation for that matter, that can't come alive because of the Good News of Jesus! You can be Good News because your story is Good News! How will you share this Good News?

Relationships are hard! Think about the last time you had to fix a broken relationship because of something you had done. It happens to everyone! The Good News is that Jesus has paid for anything you could have done that could separate you from a personal, relational connection to God, and He is here to help you become the sort of person you deeply long to be. You no longer have to try and be perfect in your relationship with God and others! Jesus is here to help!

Imagine the month AFTER you graduate, going back to high school like nothing ever happened. That's how many followers of Jesus live- like they are still slaves to sin instead of being set free by the Good News of Jesus Christ. Well, the Good News is you don't owe anything anymore! When you receive and trust what Jesus has done, you enter a new relational commitment. And with it, you receive a new identity. He is good, and you are loved!

Have you ever tried to stop a bad habit? Or have you ever failed on a diet? It can seem like no matter how much you want to do good; you can't will yourself to do it. Good News: The struggle is real. That doesn't sound actually sound that good, but at least you aren't crazy! Romans 7 explains how even if you can focus and try to win in one area of life, it's easy to end up compromising another. But you aren't alone in this! Jesus is here to restore friendship with God and help you with the presence of his Spirit. You don't have to struggle to live perfectly anymore. You can find peace in friendship with him and know that He has overcome the world.