Celtic Preacher

God uses dreams, visions, friends, coincidence, circumstances, music, scripture, and a hundred other things to communicate with us. The ancient people were familiar with God using visions and dreams to speak to them. Today we will look at Ezekiel's vision of The Valley of the Dry Bones and hear a timeless promise we all need to hold onto, especially when we find ourselves in a place or position we would rather not be. Pod 169

We Can't Rush Spiritual Growth.

It's helpful to recognize our personal biases. Jesus never used such language, but he constantly models the need to go toward people, conflict, or suffering we would rather avoid. He dragged his reluctant students more than once into uncomfortable situations where they felt pretty out of their depth. It's during times when we lack confidence clarity is found. The text is John 4, The Women At The Well Pod 167

It doesn't seem fair that you can do all the right things and still be left wanting. You can't entirely secure what you think you need and want. Jesus taught that trying to do the right thing isn't the primary thing. Developing a trusting relationship with God is the first concern. Trust is the foundation for transformation and inner change, and God oversees that life project. Nicodemus tried to live a good life; he wasn't a bad person but was still unsatisfied. Like, Nico, we can spend a lot trying to do the right thing and be a good person while feeling like it's getting us nowhere. Pod 166 John 3

Yes, we will be tempted because we are human. Even Jesus was tempted. Being tempted isn't always an enticement to do something wrong it could just as easily be avoidance, denial, minimizing, withdrawing, or procrastinating. Subtler forms of temptation are equally effective in breaking relationships, causing us to doubt God and giving us much inner turmoil. The text is Matthew 4. Which covers Jesus' response when being tempted. Pod 165

One of the main struggles Jesus' disciples (and us) have is fear stops us from living the way God desires us to live. Fear of loss, change, health, dreams, death, and countless other things are familiar to us. Fear has a debilitating effect. Jesus addresses this in today's teaching. Matthew 16 The Transfiguration POD 164

Since Jesus spoke a lot about relationships, he had to cover the topic of anger. We cannot live in this world without getting angry, nor would we want to, but there is a particular anger that is destructive to ourselves and others. We get stuck carrying anger when we excuse ourselves, deny it, or are unaware of our offense. Today we cover Jesus' wisdom on anger and what to do with it. Sermon on the Mount Part 3. Matthew 5:21-26 Pod 163

Change must first happen within us before we can expect improvement in a troubled or complex relationship. Jesus taught extensively about preserving and protecting relationships. A beginning point is to check our motives. Pausing and taking inventory of why we decide on a particular action can redirect us and give us deeper insight into how to help rather than hinder a situation—part 2 of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5  Blessed are the Pure in Heart. Pod 162

Peace is something we all want. No one likes to be stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed with life. Jesus taught us a lot about our inner peace and our capacity to bring peace to those around us. Peace is certainly not something that drops from the sky. To be at peace with ourselves,  other people, and our circumstances take intentional living. The text is, Blessed are the Peacemakers, from Matthew 5, The Sermon on the Mount Part 1.           Pod 161

Following Christ isn't about going anywhere; it's more about being or becoming the person God created you to be. Whatever situation we find ourselves in today, good, bad, challenging, miserable, or happy, the call is always the same. Model yourself after me. Let us look at this day, this situation, your life, as I would, Jesus said. That's following me. The text is Matthew 4. Pod 160