NMC Audio Podcast

“The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
but with an overwhelming flood
he will make an end of Nineveh;
he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.”
– Nahum 1:7-8

Nobody gets excited about the fake and artificial. We feel ripped off when we discover that what we’ve purchased is a cheap imitation of the real thing. That’s exactly how God feels with fake, superficial religion. It sickens Him. He won’t tolerate it. Going through the motions of following God without living it out daily is totally unacceptable. God isn’t looking for a cheap imitation, but real religion lived out daily by real people walking with Him.

It’s an amazing story. It’s not a fable or a myth, but a story of a real man who battles with the call of God and struggles to learn that God always wins. Just as Jonah struggled, we do the exact same thing. Instead of surrendering to God’s best for our lives, we desire to have our way, follow our plan, and do our own thing. But in the end, it’s God who is the winner—every single time!https://player.vimeo.com/external/233675682.hd.mp4?s=6e210ccb094d673731673d038df937805f2b3743&profile_id=175

The Bible is an amazingly mysterious book. It has the ability to speak back in time, over all time, and into our specific time all at once. The Minor Prophets consistently do just this. In the book of Obadiah, we see a big problem among the people of Edom that is a big problem among all mankind. If we’re honest, it’s also a big problem for each of us.

It’s like a bucket of freezing water that hits you in the face on a cold day. The words of the prophet Amos are not for the faint of heart. They echo clearly and loudly with deep passion and conviction. The spiritual status quo will not work. The time for playing religious games is over. Sin is called sin. Judgment is imminent. It’s time for a change. Listening and responding to the prophet’s call is the first step toward spiritual health and wholeness.

Amidst utter hopelessness, there is hope when we do life God’s way. No matter what you face, no matter what your past might hold, placing your life and your challenges in God’s hands takes you to an amazing place called HOPE! In Christ, your past can be behind you. Your future can shine brightly in front of you. Your today can be full of authentic joy

August 6, 2017 | 2 Chronicles 26
God’s desire is for His children to experience everything He has for them. Sometimes we settle for less than His best. What starts as a great journey doesn't need to stop short of its final destination. Destined for greatness, Uzziah ends up on the junk heap of life—lonely, cursed, and forgotten because of pride and sin. His destiny need not be ours.

Joshua was the leader of Israel after the passing of Moses and was tasked to lead the people through many battles. Some battles were won; others were not. We may not find ourselves in physical battles, but life is full of battles. Some are big while others are small. We learn about how to battle from Joshua and the Israelites.

Acts 4:29-31 Something happens when God’s Spirit shows up. The disobedient are convicted. The discouraged are encouraged. The timid become bold. What God did in the book of Acts is what God wants to do today. He wants to save us, fill us and empower us to be bold and courageous for Him. It’s time to take a bold step!

This morning, we are joined by Michel Khalil, founder and president of Step Forward Ministries.