Fully Alive: The Official Podcast of Northland Church

As believers, it is important to know when and how to say "no" and when to say "yes."  By saying "no" at appropriate times, we are able to say "yes" to other options that are beneficial and meaningful, as we strive to live lives that are pleasing to God. Kevin Harney shared, "I hope you will learn that no is a beautiful word. Say it often. Speak it well. And mean it when you say it. But never forget that as beautiful as it is to say no, there is an even greater beauty in the freedom to say yes." 

The book of Ruth isn't just about how God redeemed Naomi and Ruth, but ultimately it is a book that points to Jesus—the Cosmic Redeemer. God's powerful redemption is only found in Jesus and He leads His people to be a redemptive community empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we realize God's powerful redemption, we understand that God is more than enough!

Whether disciplining by the Lord or experiencing the effects of living in a fallen world, there will be seasons where we've been dealt a bitter and bad hand. By realizing that God is enough, we are able to trade bitterness for boldness and experience God's betterness, where betterness is defined as the quality of being superior. This confidence that God is enough enables us to risk it all because God is all that is needed!

While circumstances and situations look like we have been dealt a bad hand, with God, even the worst hands can be turned into one of the best hands because God’s sovereignty works to deal “more than enough” hope and blessings. 

As believers, when we go through a bitter season, if we run away from God, our lives will be more bitter and not better. Even if we can't fully see God's present goodness, we must still run towards our God in faith and not away from Him. We know that God will show up in that bitterness and He will show us how He is better. As encouragement, in our bitter season, we know we can cling to the truth that we have a better Savior who loves and cares for us.

We are called to occupy the place God has placed us. We have the promise that no matter where God has placed us, we know that Jesus is coming soon, and we are to pray, care for others and share our faith as we occupy until He comes. 

As we live the Christian life, we will inevitably face storms and difficult situations. Preparation to weather these storms requires learning to wait on God and rely on Him to provide help and give grace to remain faithful and steadfast in our faith. 

In experiencing the Christian faith that goes the distance, our goal is to finish well. We want to hear Jesus say, "Well done! Good and faithful servant!"  In order to finish the race well, we continually offer our lives for God's glory. Perseverance will be practiced so we can cross the finish line and be victorious. Looking forward. we envision future glory through all that Jesus has done for us. As we finish the Christian life, we will know we began it by loving Jesus and we have ended it well with loving Jesus.  

The Christian life is one long race, and we want to make it to the finish line and run the race well. In order to maintain the pace throughout the race, as believers, we need to arm our faith to overcome the obstacles we will face and fuel our faith throughout our race. As we run the race, we see how the treasure of God's kingdom is gained by dying to our will and living for God's will and God's ways as we worship God supremely.