NMC Audio Podcast

In life, there are many things that are important. Our parents taught us values. Our teachers gave us an education. Our coaches taught us teamwork. All of these are valuable, yet the most important thing in life is the gospel. It’s the good news that this life isn’t all there is. We can be totally forgiven. We can live a guilt-free, shame-free life. Our eternity need not be stamped with hell as our final destination. There is hope. Jesus made a way. Our future, both here on earth and eternally, can be bright.

How can we read the book of Acts and not feel a holy restlessness? The stories of the Early Church are both faith-building and faith-challenging. There is a Holy Spirit boldness. There is a power and authority in the ministry of the followers of Jesus. There are miracles. There are new converts. There is movement! How does God want to move today?

It’s about living the good life! Everyone is interested in improving the quality of life. Advertisers tell us you can get there if you have the newest appliance, wear better clothing, get in better shape, drive a newer car, experience the ultimate vacation. While those things have value and merit, the only path to true life is through Jesus. He is the true life-giver. Knowing Him not only gives us eternal life but quality living each day.

In the Great Commission, Jesus calls His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Jesus is asking the disciples to take others on the same journey that He took them on. A baptism moment lasts only a few minutes; it is immediate and does not take a whole lot of time or effort. On the other hand, being taught to obey everything Jesus said is a long journey; it is a massive commitment of time and effort. Jesus’ call to discipleship is a lifelong journey that demands sacrifice. Will you pass the test of discipleship?

Have you ever been driving and hit a roadblock? It can be incredibly time consuming, frustrating, and even defeating to try to find a way around the obstacle. The same thing can be true of our relationship with God. This is why Paul writes in Hebrews, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." What’s in your way?

When racial tensions were reignited in America, I sensed a need to dig deep into the core of my own soul. Is there anything in my heart that’s not right? What would Jesus say to me regarding this issue? What needs to happen for me to be a healer? Today, you are going to hear a direct, honest conversation that I recently had with two African American brothers, Pastor Ricardo Taylor and Lynn Coleman, who have graciously and humbly walked beside me. Each of us is deeply committed to Jesus. We are committed to living out His Word and teachings in our lives. We are not interested in political correctness. It’s all about Jesus, the healer of every divide—Jesus, the hope of the world.

It’s not just about the destination: it’s about the journey. Today, we start the journey of reading through the New Testament in 90 days. We don’t do this to say, “We did it!” We do this so that the Spirit of God applies the Word of God to our hearts. We are not exploring mere ideas or simple Bible stories. Together, we discover God speaking to us through His words—His divinely breathed words. This allows us to live to the fullest.

We’ve all heard the saying, “You reap what you sow.” This saying actually originates from the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia. We’ve also heard variations of this sentiment like, “You get what you put in” or “You are what you eat.” But what happens when a righteous man like Hosea receives a painful calling from the Lord? Is he reaping what he has sown?

What you see is not always what you get! Appearances can be far different than reality. Just as the Israelites had the appearance of being God’s followers, yet utterly failed in their obedience, the same can happen to us. It’s possible to look the part, but not be the part. That’s why Hosea calls people to repentance. The call to return is as real today as it was then.

It often seems like we remember the things we should forget and forget the things we should remember. Over time, we have a propensity to forget commitments we’ve made. Vows made in youth are forsaken in adulthood. God’s faithfulness in the past is forgotten. Because of this, spiritual drift happens. Hot hearts become cold. The book of Hosea is about God’s relentless pursuit to restore our relationship with Him. Let’s remember His faithfulness and stay true to our commitments.