Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast brought to you by the First Congregational church here in Torrington, CT. I’m Jonathan Gouthier the Associate Pastor and podcast producer and I am sitting here with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr as we dive into the topic of seizing tomorrow today. This episode is all about dreaming, but not just any dream. It is about dreaming and putting into action the dream God has for your life. So, let’s get started. 

In this episode you'll discover:

• How can our dreams can often conflict with God's dream for us
• Why determination is needed to put our dreams into action
• How can we leave our dreams as a legacy to those who come after us
• Why it is important to root our dreams in history

God has a dream and purpose that is common to each one of us, that is to be made into the likeness and image of His one and only son, Jesus Christ. The cost was paid upfront by Jesus so that dream could be fulfilled in us. It is worth the cost when the dream is God’s dream for you.

 We know there are a lot of podcasts you could be listening to and we are so thankful you’ve landed on the Faith First Podcast. Your next step is to connect with us by hitting the notification bell below so that you’re alerted to when the next episode is launched. Until then, God’s dream for you is to walk in this world faith first.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast. Do you dream? well, yes you dream, but do you remember them? Are they dreams that get you excited to implement or do you not know what God’s dream is for you? Well in today’s episode, our Lead Pastor Steve Darr brings a message about our god-given dreams and how we can seize tomorrow today. Let’s listen in.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why having a dream is vital to our Christian walk
• How to root your dreams in history
• Why you must reinforce your dream with action
• What reluctance we may have while going after our God-given dreams

Having a dream is vital to our Christian walk of faith. Not just a dream to do well or succeed in life, but a dream was given to each of us by God to make a difference in the world in which we live. Some dreams become iconic while other dreams go relatively unnoticed. It is not the size of the dream but rather the source of the dream that matters.

 We launch a new episode of the Faith First Podcast every Tuesday so make sure you hit the subscribe button and be alerted to when the next episode is ready for listening. Until then, its time to work on the dreams God has given to you faith first.

Hello, and you’re listening to the Faith First Podcast. Today, I sit down with our Lead Pastor Steve Dar to talk about Tireless Praise. Scripture reminds us to rejoice always. Let me ask you, do you praise God in the midst of trial and triumph? 

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The ways we can praise God each and every day
• What is at the root of our praise and worship of God
• How to praise God in difficult times
• Why praise and worship are a benefit for our faith journey

As we praise God in the everyday details of life when problems surmount, disappointments come, and prayers seem unanswered, we may be surprised at what happens. It just might be that in the midst of our praising and glorifying God and giving Him thanks we might even find ourselves dancing with utter joy! 

Maybe this episode came to you at the right moment and lifted your heart. We’d love to connect with you and you can do that by heading over to our website www.firstcong.com where you can find out more about First Church in Torrington. You can watch sermons, send prayer requests, and even connect with either Pastor Steve or myself, Pastor Jonathan. Well, until next time give praise to God faith first.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast. Is it easy for you to give God thanks and praise? How about in those lean and desperate times of life, do you praise Him more? In today’s episode, we’ll be listening to our Lead Pastor Steve Darr talks about Tireless Praise. It is not only for Thanksgiving but for every moment of every day. Let’s listen in…

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How we experience the joy and wonder when we think of God
• Why praise and thanksgiving is always a choice
• The ways we can praise during hard and difficult times
• What indicators are there to show the importance of God in our lives
• Why verbalizing our praise is so important

Praise and thanksgiving are always a choice. Even in difficult times, we can choose to praise God. We can choose to allow fear and worry to control our hearts and minds or we can choose to praise the Lord and confess that He is in control. Lifting our voice amid difficult times is not always easy, but it is a choice. Let your praise be made known to the God who knows all things.

We are so glad you have stopped by to listen in on the Faith First Podcast. If you’ve been a regular listener, we say thank you! And if you’ve just joined us, we launch a new episode each week, so hit the subscribe button to be notified when a new episode is posted. Until next time, praise God with all your heart faith first. 

Welcome and hello, you’ve joined us here at the Faith first Podcast where we help to guide you in steps to take to live out your faith first in this world. In today’s episode, I am sitting down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr as we dive into the topic of fulfilling our commitment. If you’re a Christian, there was a time in your life you chose to stand up and surrender your life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The day after we must be willing to seek to fulfill the commitment we made to God with joy. 

In this episode you'll discover:

• The definition of true joy
• How to fulfill your commitment to Jesus Christ
• What you can do if you don't think you have enough time, talents, or resources to do anything for Christ
• Why testing always comes when we give our all to Jesus

When we truly love and obey God we delight to serve Him in whatever way He asks of us. This leads to full dependence upon Him. The call of God cannot be fulfilled in our own strength, will, or ideas. We need the wisdom of God to overcome all the obstacles that come against us and He gives it to those who are committed to Him totally.

We hope that you are getting something out of the Faith First Podcasts. We launch a new episode each week so, hit the subscribe button below and be notified when a new episode is available. Until next time, commit every plan to God faith first.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast. Part of my testimony is that at age 9 I went forward to accept Christ as my Savior but truly looking back, I was afraid to go to hell. Years later, I recommitted my life to Jesus and it’s never been the same. Sure I, like you have had hills and valleys to go through but now I find I go through them with joy knowing that Jesus is the one who gives me the strength to help me fulfill my commitment. In today’s episode, our Lead Pastor Steve Darr brings a message about us Fulfilling Our Commitment to Christ. Let’s listen in.

In this episode you'll discover:

• What we truly believe about God and how it reflects in our commitment to Him
• Why the Church in America is getting weaker rather than stronger in Christ
• The many ways we can be committed to Jesus and His Kingdom
• What the measures of commitment are
• What warning comes with being committed to God

We can commit ourselves to the cause of Christ in different ways. It begins by serving Christ with all our time, abilities, and energy. Each day we are provided with the opportunity to be devoted to Christ and His Kingdom. The world would seek to catch you in the trap of self-seeking and self-fulfillment. Yet the greatest happiness is not found in getting our own needs met but in giving to meet the needs of others. Tireless, reckless abandon to the will and work of God is a characteristic of a fully devoted Christian.

In every episode of the Faith First Podcast, you’ll experience ways for you to get closer to what God wants for you in your life, so you’ll not want to miss an episode. You can be informed when a new episode launches by hitting the subscribe button below. And until next time, be devoted to God faith first.

Hello, you’re listening to the Faith First Podcast. We welcome you. In today’s episode, I sit down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to dive a bit deeper into having hearts on fire. It takes more than a passion to use the Spiritual Gifts God has given each one of us. It takes a heart on fire for the plans and purpose of God. The Lord wants us to be His first and only love but as life flows on we may lose that fire. We’ve come together to talk about reviving the fire in our hearts. 

In this episode you'll discover:

• How to define a heart on fire
• Why our passion or fire dwindles over time
• The first step to take in order to regain a fire in our hearts
• How do we recognize our true condition

Christ can renew our commitment to living for Him. We can begin a new, asking God to set our hearts on fire. Ask Him to show us how we can best use our Spiritual Gifts. Are you ready to shine your light?

There ya go! Now don’t lose heart, don’t go back, God has something special in store for you. Keep your light-blazing faith first.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast. I’m so glad you tuned in today because we are going to hear a message that I think all of us could benefit from especially on these weary days. It’s hard to be passionate about things today because of all that is happening around us, but God calls us to have hearts on fire for what He is doing. Let’s listen in as our Lead Pastor Steve Darr begins this message.

In this episode you'll discover:

• What it takes to use our spiritual gifts for God
• Why do our hearts grow dim
• Learn the steps to get rekindled
• How to never lack zeal for the things of God

When we recognize that God wants our love like when we first gave our hearts to Him, the passion returns and we get energized. We see it is not about us or how it used to be, it is about getting reconnected to Him and using our spiritual gifts to serve Him with new vigor and with joy in our hearts.

If you’re a regular listener to the Faith First podcast maybe there is a friend who needs to hear this message today that God is passionate for them and they too must be passionate for Him. Let them know of the Faith First podcast and you can be notified about the next episode when you hit the subscribe button. Until next time, pursue God with a heart on fire faith first.

Hello and welcome! You are listening to the Faith First Podcast. Today, I am sitting down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to continue our series on Spiritual Gifts. Our topic is being plugged in for life. How are you plugged into the Body of Christ to be equipped and to use your Spiritual Gifts? The Bible offers many reasons why we need one another, so let’s dive into today’s topic. 

In this episode you'll discover:

• What keeps us from connecting with one another as the Body of Christ
• How you can stop thinking you don't need the church
• Why it is more of a relationship than a religion
• How we are adopted into God's family
• Where you can start to become connected and use your spiritual gifts

Each member of the church, the body of Christ is called to action and participation in the church, not just its leaders. We all must catch the vision as it is laid out and be willing to be extensions of the body of Christ. That is being plugged in.

We encourage you to get in touch with a Bible-believing church. One that stands upon the word of God and allows the Holy Spirit to lead them. Let us invite you to connect with First Church of Torrington. You can do that by going to our website www.firstcong.com. You can also check out our YouTube Channel by searching for First Congregational Church of Torrington and find our past services and studies geared to equip you and your walk with Christ. Until next time, get plugged in faith first.

Let me ask you a question, “Are you plugged in?” Are you part of the Body of Christ? If you answered Of Course! I’m listening to the Faith First Podcast, aren’t I? Sure, but that doesn’t mean your plugged in. Hello and Welcome to the Faith First Podcast. Being plugged in is relational not a religion and often times we think we are plugged in like having friends on Facebook or some other social media platform. All those who you’ve connected to aren’t all friends, nor are they all a part of the Body of Christ. Today our episode is on, you’ve guessed it, being plugged in for life. Let’s listen in to our Lead Pastor Steve Darr.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why it is important to come together and serve
• Why we don't intentionally connect with one another
• How relationships are central to building up the Body of Christ
• What it means to grow deeper and richer through being people on a mission

When we truly desire to follow Christ we see that the Church is a place that is special to God and should be special to us. Coming together to worship services to get plugged in is the only answer that will cure our desire to remain isolated and anxious about tomorrow. If we look at the early church gathering to worship we can see the beauty of what the church was called to be— a group of people demonstrating unity and doing the work of the Lord on earth.

Maybe you are plugged in, that’s great! Next up is to come alongside those in the Body and use your gifts to benefit the body and give glory to God. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button below and be notified when a new episode is launched. We do it weekly to help you walk in this world faith first.