Mineral Springs Church of Christ Podcast

Our faithfulness is determined by how we live life day to day. Lee Henson uses Romans 8 and verses from Ezra to show us what a life walked in and by the Spirit will look like. How will we be remembered? It probably will not be by some great thing we've done but by the simple everyday practices that impacted others day by day. 

**Note - The audio did not record correctly at the beginning of the lesson; therefore, the audio begins a few minutes into the lesson. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Kelly Neill, a professor at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, addresses anxiety and worry using the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 6. Neill reminds us that Jesus directs our attention to the birds and to the flowers and the care that God provides for them then tells us that since we are worth much more than flowers or birds, we can count on God to take care of us. God does not take care of the flowers or birds or any other creatures because of what they do for Him. Neither is our worth in what we do. Jesus goes on to say, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." God will take care of you!

Harding University professor Kraig Martin uses the story of Hannah in the book of first Samuel to illustrate the way we can find true joy in our lives. First and foremost, he says, is to remove idols from our lives, whatever they may be. He goes on to contrast Hannah's approach to God with Eli's. Their approaches were different, and their outcomes were as well. Hannah's outcome was triumphant, but Eli's was tragic. Choosing joy means choosing to make the hard decisions in life. Decisions like the ones Hannah made.

Dustin Finch of Jonesboro, Arkansas, reminds listeners of their place in God's story by outlining the story from the beginning until today to show the evolution of God's kingdom, God's plan for His people. Finch begins with the creation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden showing the pattern of the kingdom. Adam and Eve's sin results in the the perished kingdom. With Abraham begins the promised kingdom. When Israel comes out of Egypt, we see the partial kingdom. As Israel turns to false gods, God's prophets warn them to turn back to God and look forward to the prophesied kingdom. With Jesus' arrival, the prophesied kingdom has come. He initiates the present kingdom, the age during which we now live. Living in this story, we have the opportunity to look forward to God's perfected kingdom, which is yet to come. 

God told Abraham to leave his country and most of his family and travel to a place he didn't know. He made promises to bless Abraham, telling him He would make of him a great nation. Abraham moved forward by faith, waiting 25 years before the promise of a child was fulfilled. Willie Williams III, minister at the North Colony Church of Christ in The Colony, Texas, says the first step is the hardest, the step that signs us up for commitment to walk in the way of Jesus and encourages listeners to take that first step of faith into a lifetime commitment to Christ. Are we willing to be an Abraham, to listen to God and move when our lives aren't going the way we planned, when church doesn't look the way we think it ought to look, when the world isn't how we thought it was supposed to be? Are we willing to take the first step? Are you?

Jerrie Barber of Nashville, Tennessee, encourages listeners to do what they can with what they have where they are. Using the text of Mark 14 that tells of the criticism a woman receives for anointing Jesus with an expensive perfume, Barber reminds the audience that Jesus quieted the critics and told them, "She did what she could do." She did what she could do with what she had where she was. Everyone's service will not look the same. The widow gave her two mites; Dorcas made clothes for those in need. Jesus expects us to serve however we can with whatever we have wherever we are.

Steven Morris of River City Ministries in Little Rock, Arkansas, talks about the importance of letting ours lights shine in our daily life. Using scriptures from Matthew and Ephesians, he reminds us that we as Christians show the world who we are through our words and actions.

Harding University professor Kraig Martin uses the text of Philippians 2 to outline the keys to joyful living. Connection to others, creative work, obedience and humility on the way to the cross, conformity into the likeness of Christ, and completion of our obstacles and struggles will help guide us on the path of a joyful Christian life.

Matt Carter, the Director of Admissions at the Harding School of Theology in Memphis, Tenn., uses the story of Bessie Coleman and Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 to discuss how we use the various times and seasons of our lives. Asking what we can pour our lives into right now that has never come  before and will never pass this way again, he concludes by urging listeners to live well and wisely in the present, for this is the gift of God.

Brent Franks, minister from the Antlers, Oklahoma, church of Christ, shares thoughts about faith: what it is, and what it is not. Using Ephesians 3 as a text, he shows how Paul ties faith and love together, praying this prayer in Eph. 3:14-21 (NIV): "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."