NMC Audio Podcast

Jesus rebukes and reminds His disciples that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to those like children. Kids are small windows into a very big reality. The innocence, the blind faith, and the curious wonder of a child are signposts to experiencing God. Protect kids at all cost. How might God be calling our collective body to care for kids?

Today, we welcome David Brickner to NMC. David is the CEO and executive director of Jews for Jesus, the leading Jewish mission and evangelistic organization in the world. He has dedicated his career to sharing the hope of the gospel with Jewish people worldwide.

Jesus’ invitation is beautiful. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What are you carrying?

To both the religious insiders and the moral outsiders, Jesus gives a goal—a better way to orient our lives. Some people pursue the correct church behaviors, while others are just living for what the weekend has to offer. But what if there’s a better way? What if we were created for more than the weekend? If we’re willing to learn it, Jesus has a life lesson for all of us.

Paul writes to young Timothy, encouraging and exhorting him to stay the course, keep sound doctrine, and steer the early church in Ephesus. This was a difficult task in a pagan city. The cultural pressures inside and outside the church were mounting. Paul gives Timothy three pictures (or three keys) to keep the faith.

Elijah experienced the epic mountain top victory on Mt. Carmel, defeating the prophets of Baal and revealing YAHWEH is the ultimate authority in heaven and on earth. However, immediately following this great victory, we see the great, faith-filled prophet plummet. Elijah hits an all-time low. Elijah’s story offers us perspective into how we should approach our own low valley moments.

It seems like nothing could be worse than nothingness. Seriously, what good could ever come out of being alone, being in the dark, being out of the loop, being the last one standing? How can something come out of nothing? In counterintuitive ways, God repeatedly teaches Elijah a valuable lesson—a lesson that gives him the perspective he needs to face what is in front of him.

Elijah is one of the most well-known Old Testament figures in the Bible. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Elijah shows up as the representative of all the prophets who came before. As prominent as he is, the Scriptures give us only a few snapshots of the events of his life. But one thing is for sure: Elijah knew how to pray untamed prayers. Do you?

If anyone has a reason to praise or to have a heart overwhelmed with gratitude, it is the follower of Jesus. Thank You, God, for loving us so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for dwelling among us, teaching us how to live, and ultimately for taking our sin and our shame to the cross. Thank You for the promise of Your Spirit and for future resurrection. We have a reason to praise. Thank You, Jesus!

It’s an (almost) impossible thing to imagine that the God of the universe is interested in people like us. And not only is He interested, but He extends an invitation to us to participate! What could we possibly offer that would please Him? The answer may surprise you, but it won’t disappoint you.