If you really want something, You are going to have to do more than just want it. We don't get results from wishful thinking. But what if there was a reality in which wanting it was all that it took. Imagine if you simply desired something and you got it. When I listen to the words of Jesus, I think there are circumstances in which that reality exists. 

Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled".

So if you are not filled with righteous, what is the real reason why?

Have you ever listened to someone pray a fancy prayer? You know, the prayers with big words and lots of emotion. Were you impressed? Do you think God was impressed?
 
Jesus said, "when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him". 
 
Stop praying to get attention! You don't need to get the attention of people. This path is littered with pride and hypocrisy. And you don't need to get the attention of God, because, well, you already have it. Just talk to him!

It is easy to claim the excuse that we can't live with spiritual abundance when our culture is marked by spiritual corruption. Don't let culture set your spiritual temperature. Let the Holy Spirit do that!

This episode was originally shared on the Palmer SDA Church Podcast. 
https://palmersdachurch.podbean.com/?s=these%20are%20the%20days%20of%20elijah

Pursue better goals for 2023 by understanding the relationship between “who goals” and “do goals”!

Which is more formative, who or do? Who we are shapes what we do and what we do shapes who we are. Both are true. Habits build our identity. If you are disciplined in the act of study, you eventually might become a scholar. The reverse is true. Our identity shapes what we do. If you are a scholar, you are the type of person who has behaviors like writing academic articles. Habits shape identity and identity drives behavior. 

There is some level of circular influence here. Who shapes do and do shapes who. Both are important. But which one is more formative?

Consistently in Scripture the “who” drives the “do”.

This episode explores this Biblical pattern in Ephesians 2:1-10. 

Here is a link for the episode I mentioned from the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. Check it out! I value his teaching. 

https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/high-impact-habits-for-successful-leaders/

There is no question about God’s ability to heal us. The question is about our desire to be healed. In 2023, Jesus has a question for you, “Do you want to be healed?”

When you are ready, you can be sure that he is too. 

The Christmas story is an invitation to step into the vulnerability that the gospel requires. This episode is a Christmas special featuring three stories about how others have stepped into that vulnerability. As God calls you deeper into his story, there will be some steps of vulnerability. It is our hope that these stories will help you follow God right into his story.

A quick warning, this episode includes some sad and graphic descriptions of homelessness. If you are listening with children, we suggest you preview this first story to see if it is appropriate for your situation. The sections you might want to especially check are from 8:45 to 11:20 and from 17:00 to 19:00. 

Story 1 Links

https://www.facebook.com/A-Black-Sheep-Ministry-Inc-102188248811795

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-matsu-valley-homeless-warming-center-2022

https://ablacksheepministry.org/

https://www.valleycharities.org/

https://familypromise.org/

Stop seeking glory! Start enjoying peace!

When the host of angels appeared to the shepherds, the lyrics of their song described a sacred rhythm of eternity: glory to God, peace to men. Forever, God gets the glory. Forever, he gives us peace. When we choose not to live in this rhythm, it hurts. When we seek the glory for ourselves or give it to something other than God, it never ends in peace. The truest, deepest, and most wonderful peace is experienced when we give all the glory to God. 

This episode was originally shared on the Palmer SDA Church Podcast, Episode 132, on December 19, 2021. There is so much over there. Occasionally, one of these messages shows up on the Speak Lord feed. Head over there to check out over 150 previous episodes of Speak Lord and all of Pastor Ryan’s Sermons. 

https://palmersdachurch.podbean.com/

or search for Palmer SDA Church wherever you get podcasts!

Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

We are the people who live in the land of darkness. Jesus is the spiritual sunrise that changes everything! 

There are times when we don’t understand ourselves, times when we have good intentions that don’t get done, and times when we do the exact thing we didn’t want to do. That is what Paul was struggling with in Romans 7. Listen to his words. They sound a bit frustrating, even discouraging. But they describe an experience we all have, and they point us toward hope.  

We would make better life decisions if we made a habit of asking ourselves, “How will this end?” Sure, there are times that we don’t know the answer to that question. And if we always did, making decisions would be easy. But if we are honest, most often we do have a pretty good idea how things will end, we just don’t take the time to ask the question.

Romans 6:20-23 makes pretty clear how things end. Listen to the episode! Start making better choices by considering their end.