GSLCVA Podcast

In verse 8 of today's reading from Romans chapter 4, Paul's encouragement is deceptively simple: think on whatever is right, on whatever is good, on whatever is best. That's about it. Simple, indeed. Join Pastor James as he discusses how when we know God and His holy word, there is no shortage of good and true and beautiful words and images for us to think on to shake off the bad, false, and ugly thoughts that cross our minds, and how that's a lovely way to live rejoicing.

Do you love God or hate God? He has provided us with life and all that we need. It is up to us to determine if we will cherish these gifts or abuse them. Join us today, as Pastor Johann discusses how people find it difficult to accept that God's will and theirs might differ, dismissing Him as irrelevant. God is incredibly merciful and patient with us, but not infinitely so. The time to realign our hearts with Jesus is now, focusing on a relationship with Him sharing His gift of love and grace.

In today's gospel text from Matthew, the religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority to teach and preach, particularly in the Temple. Listen as Pastor James explores Jesus' question to the religious leaders and that His answer pushes us to the point of reflection that the real issue is not about authority. It is about the extent of God's grace. That God invites us once again to see, accept, actualize, and respond to God's amazing grace and live into the future that God has prepared for us.

We all struggle with life in one way or another, at one time or another, and live in ways that seem best to us rather than in faith and love as Jesus teaches us. Through Jesus, God calls us to repent, to turn away from our self-centered lives, to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Through His saving love, we can bring the good news to people, including those outside of our fold, sharing His grace and giving us true life through Jesus.

Forgiveness is rarely easy to do, and there is not a simple formula for living it out. Join Pastor James as he talks about how this business about forgiveness is not about a particular requirement or a number of times at all. Rather that forgiveness lies at the heart of our faith in God and our love of one another and that it is not something we do, but a way of being in a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Conflict is a part of relationships and life in community. Join us as Pastor Johann discusses how Jesus' words from today's gospel are often used in situations having to do with church discipline. The prophet Ezekiel tells of warning the wicked to turn from their ways, and Paul reminds us that love is the fulfilling of the law. We gather in the name of Christ, assured that He is present among us, and with gifts of peace and reconciliation.

In today's Gospel Jesus discusses the importance of being ready for His return, and how we can prepare ourselves. This reminder of faithfulness to Jesus is important as it is truly easy to lose sight of what is important in today's world. Join us today as Pastor James discusses how we are either standing with Jesus or against Him, there is no middle ground. If we seek a life of worldly possessions we will lose them, if we live a life of devotion to God and service to others, we will find life in abundance and salvation.

Choices. They have been with us from our birth. Choice is one of those elements that makes us uniquely human. One day Peter made one of those crucial choices for Christ. It was a momentous day. Join Pastor James today as he asks, "how about you?" What choices have you made and/or are ready to make? What affect have they have had, or could they have on you? Your choices, and the changes they create, are ultimately no different than they were for Peter and his choice for Christ.

God uses everything in our lives, good and bad, to teach us and cause us to grow. Join us today as Pastor Johann discusses what is required to have great faith; a great need, knowing Jesus alone can fill that need, and a persistent trust in God even when failure seems imminent. Great faith is not about being worthy, but instead about grace and the simple gift of God's love and relying on Him.

Do you fear that you will be unable to do great things? And falter when times are tough? Join us today as Pastor James discusses how the root of all fear is spiritual, connected with sin, and knowing that we are not all right. It is only through our faith that we see the power in the Word, and God's promise. He will never give up; He is with us and for us, doing what we cannot. His promise and action overcome our fear and send us out armed to live and share His abundant life, love, and grace.