Reaching For Real Life with Sean Azzaro

Steve Arterburn is the founder of New Life Ministries and host of New Life Live on 200 stations including Sirius XM. His modern classic Every Man's Battle is followed up with something deeper in his latest release "Every Believers Thought Life. Pastor Sean's conversation with Steve Arterburn is one that will change the way you think about they way you think.

After the opening fun topics of Sean's new hat, football smack, and how to pick a church, Sean shares the story of Ivan Provorov - the Russian Hockey Player who said "no" to participating in the pre-game pride night activity which had all players to wear a rainbow jersey. His comment to the press was it was his desire "to stay true to myself and my religion...I respect everyone. I respect everybody's choices." Sean talks about as believers dealing with the issue, and also dealing with the person. There's a big difference.

Did you hear about the guy who was asked to leave the Mall of America for wearing a "Jesus Saves" T-Shirt? That was the headline...but did you read the story? There's a bigger one for you if you read between the lines and past the media's agenda. How are we supposed to witness, and share our faith? Pastor Sean has some advice for you that comes from the Word - and it's two words - Gentleness and Respect.

It's a new year, and Pastor Sean strongly encourages you to be in relationship with God, you must be in the Word to hear God's voice in your life. We present to you the plan!

1) Where to Start: Use A Bible Reading Plan - https://reallife.org/get-involved/bible-reading/

2) How To Study God's Word via REAP: Read, Examine, Apply, Pray

Read

-         Prayerfully read through your daily reading. Ask God to speak through His word!

-         Make note of any sections or scriptures that particularly stand out to you, which may be the prompting of the Spirit – make note of these verses in your journal. (Keep a journal)

Examine

Look more deeply at the passages. Ask and answer some key questions:

1.   Who was this passage written to? Who is being addressed?

2.   What would they have understood this passage to mean? (Get a Study Bible)

3.   What am I to understand this passage to mean? (What does God want me to know?)

4.   What does God want me to do (How am I supposed to obey God’s voice in this passage?

5.   What does this passage teach me about God and His nature, Jesus and my salvation? (Give Him thanks for who He is and what He’s done!)

Apply

-         Make note of what God would like you to do in response to what you’ve read.

-         Make a plan to obey!

Pray

-         You may write out parts of your prayer in your journal.

-         Take some time talking to God about the things He has spoken to you… listen for His voice.

-         Pray the key elements of the Lord’s prayer – Worship, Spiritual Surrender, Petition, Confession, repentance, forgiveness, intercession, guidance, protection, etc.

-         Pray through your day, inviting God to lead and speak.

-         Ask God to bring His word to your mind all throughout the day. Meditate on His word!

It's always great when Pastors Sean and Lauri Azzaro join in conversation together and hear how this couple does Real Life together. You'll hear an interview with them both as they talk about how they process the new year...what's the vision, what are the goals, how do they measure success/failure. And after you get the vision/set the goals, then what? Lots of great advice, wisdom, and practical take-aways for you for 2023! Happy New Year!

Freeze Navidad...the Cattle are Freezing...The Herald Angels Freeze! But Christmas is still coming so don't miss it. Pastor Sean has some ideas on how to slow down - get connected - listen and love this season. Plus how to let your faith shine when it's sometimes hard with Cousin Eddie in the house.

Spend Christmas Eve in community at River City Community Church - Friday at 7pm / Saturday at 4:30pm and 6pm.

If you're in new ministry or business, growing pains are part of the plan when growth comes. How do you raise new leaders and how do you let go? Pastor Sean shares his personal experience and shows the model given to us in the Word.

LISTEN TO THIS ONE! Spiritual Warfare - more Christianese or is it real? Are there really battles happening over countries in the heavens? What's happening in the world today with wars, rumors of wars, scandal, deception, and corruption here on Earth, Sean says it's almost like a Frank Peretti novel...there is a war on...it's spiritual - there is evil - and we have a weapon...and that's prayer.

Spiritual Warfare - more Christianese or is it real? Are there really battles happening over countries in the heavens? What's happening in the world today with wars, rumors of wars, sandal, deception, and corruption here on Earth, Sean says it's almost like a Frank Peretti novel...there is a war on...it's spiritual - there is evil - and we have a weapon...and that's prayer.

Pastor Sean has some fun breaking down some old-school "Christianese" and some of the truth behind it, followed by the Christian perspective on the Respect For Marriage Act and the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.