New Hope Christian Chapel Podcast

Have you ever had a friend share something burdensome in their life with you...but not known what to say? You don't want to be trite or just spout cliches...You don't know the answers to their questions...You can't solve the problems they are facing...it can seem impossible to know how to help!

Well, the good news is that God knows what each of us need, and Jesus showed us that He knows how to meet every need, and the Holy Spirit is ready to give us the words, actions, prayers, and love we need for ANY situation! So what are some of the skills that God might have us use to bear one another's burdens? Are there practical ways to be helpful, and not make matters worse! Yes!

Consider with Pastor Dave these six skills of apprentices of Jesus that God can call on us to use as we come alongside others to lighten the load that they are carrying: humility, listening, helping, having hope, speaking truth, and seeking healing. And may you be the God-sent relief that someone else needs this week!

What if you woke up years from now and realized that you had thought you were being a disciple of Jesus, but actually were being discipled by the internet? What if you woke up one day and realized you had substituted the wisdom of the Holy Spirit for the power of a search engine or AI? What if it eventually dawned on you all the things you "hadn't done" while you were preoccupied with your phone, computer, TV, and technology?

Did you know that a Harvard study found that in 2025 the #1 usage of generative AI was for therapy and self-help?...and the #3 usage of AI was for finding purpose and meaning in life?

Who is discipling you?

What sort of king or ruler sacrifices himself, refuses personal power, doesn't feel the need to prove himself, doesn't try to control people, prioritizes love over money, treats the poor and marginalized as more important than the wealthy, and trusts God not military might to win battles? And if this is the sort of King Jesus is...what sort of citizens is He looking for? Jesus is a different sort of King, and His kingdom that He invites people to join is unlike any other kingdom!

Why do some temptations seem impossible to resist? Why do some temptations seem to have control over us and force us to fall for them? Is this truly the life that Jesus has to offer us? Is helplessness in the face of some temptations really what a Christian life of "freedom" is supposed to look like?

What if...all the challenges, temptations, and problems in your life could become your greatest victories instead of your biggest sources of regret? Is there actually a benefit to temptations and times of testing? Is all temptation bad? What advice does the Bible have to give us? What example does Jesus have to show us? What victory does the Holy Spirit have to offer us?!

Take a few minutes to hear the life story, missionary calling, and encouraging testimony of Pastor Kamara. From his growing up in Liberia, to coming to know and love Jesus while studying to be an Islamic Imam, to experiencing the transforming power of simply loving family and neighbors into their own experiences of God...this is a message that is sure to both bless and challenge you as to what it means to truly love your Muslim neighbors!

Confession without power is simply regret. Too many times we can approach faith as simply a solution to our problems, rather than a starting point to moving forward in an amazing life with God! Is there power in your faith, or only forgiveness? The Bible says that the gospel comes "not only in word, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with full conviction!" (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5) Is that your experience? Do you want to experience MORE?!!

Our family history does NOT get the final word in our lives, our future, our peace, or our potential...God gets the final word! And His kingdom is made up of sinners and strangers, even Jesus' own family genealogy points to this! Even from the most tragic, dire, or misguided situations, God can make a way! This is the gospel! God rewrites our family history as He adopts us into His family tree through Jesus!

Take a moment to consider the vital importance of spiritual health and wellbeing with Rob Basler as he shares his experiences serving the homeless community in Brockton and observing first-hand the powerful impact of the love of Jesus on spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing.

Faith isn't just a belief, nor is it a specific action...it is anything done with complete confidence trusting in God! Faith has stages! Faith grows! Faith is rewarded! What stage(s) of faith are in you in today?