In this episode of The Well podcast, Pastor Phil and host Les Norman are joined by Olivia Poettgen, the content writer at Abundant Life. They talk about the story of Ruth and how God is in the details of our story and redeems our grief and suffering.

In the Book of Ruth, a miracle was in the making. But sometimes miracles happen so slowly and subtly that you can’t see them. The miracle in this book was redemption. God was in the details of Naomi and Ruth’s lives, redeeming their stories in ways they could not see or understand.

No one is exempt from pain and suffering. When life doesn’t go like you thought it would, you can be tempted to become embittered. Naomi changed her name to Mara, meaning “bitter.” She was so grief-stricken she could not see past her bitterness and heartache. But Ruth’s story reminds us that what we can see isn’t everything. God is weaving a greater story behind the scenes and He is orchestrating every detail.

Faith isn’t just sitting around and waiting for God to do something. It requires action. Ruth trusted God to provide for her, but she used the resources He had given her to put that faith into action. Her story demonstrates how God is in the details of our lives, working behind the scenes to redeem and restore what is lost.

Jesus is our only hope of redemption. In the midst of grief, sadness, and heartache, don’t forget to make worship the center of your celebration. The key to walking through grief and suffering is thanksgiving and praise. Worship is our weapon against bitterness. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of God's goodness and character because He is the only one who brings comfort, healing, and joy.

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

In this episode of The Well podcast, Pastor Phil and host Les Norman talk about God’s forgiveness and Rahab’s faith in Joshua 2.

Rahab was a pagan Canaanite prostitute living in Jericho. God had promised that city to the Israelites, but because they were fearful and lacked faith, they wandered in the wilderness outside Jericho for 40 years. While the Israelites lived in fear of the Canaanites, the Canaanites lived in fear of the Hebrew God.

Fear always distorts reality and keeps us from seeing what God has promised us and has in store for us. Rahab had heard about the Hebrew God and knew about Him drying up the Red Sea, destroying the Egyptian army, and leading the Israelites out of captivity. She believed in this God, and her faith eventually saved her and her family from being destroyed by the Israelite army.

Rahab knew that her Canaanite gods were false gods. She believed in God and in His power before she met the two Hebrew spies she hid in her house. God used Rahab to demonstrate that your works and life change are the reflection of your salvation in Christ. Rahab’s faith in God was authenticated by her willingness to jeopardize her own life to save the spies. Hiding the spies didn’t save Rahab, but it revealed that she was saved by Jesus.

God wants us to know that where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. There’s no sin so great that God’s forgiveness can’t cover it. If God can save a pagan prostitute, He can save anyone from their sin.

Learn how Rahab’s faith and God’s forgiveness give us hope that God’s grace can save and redeem anyone!

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

In this episode of The Well podcast, Pastor Toshaun and Pastor Nick are back with Pastor Chad to talk about God’s redemptive plan for man. God’s plan to redeem and restore us to a relationship with Him is clearly illustrated through the five women Jesus’ genealogy.

We often think that God uses clean, moral people to accomplish His purposes, but that is not the case. The Bible is full of stories where God redeems terrible, negative circumstances for a person’s good and His glory.

It’s okay to not know or understand why God does something, but we need to understand His character and sovereignty. If we allow ourselves to wrestle with Him through tough circumstances, then we’ll come out on the other side with a stronger relationship and faith in Him

If we’re going to allow God’s redemptive work to play out in our lives, we must recognize our need for Him. God is making all things new in our lives, and we need to be reminded of the truth of His promises in His Word. He is in the business of redeeming and restoring, and His name will be glorified regardless of the situation or circumstance.

Take hope that your story isn’t over! If you’re still breathing, God still has plans for you, and He isn’t done writing your story. God’s redemptive plan is to make you new in Jesus. He can take all your broken pieces and turn them into something beautiful you could never become on your own.

Our God is a shepherd, and a shepherd walks with His sheep. He draws near to the broken-hearted. Join the pastors as they talk about how God’s redemptive plan is clearly seen in the life of Tamar.

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Web: Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/

Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/

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Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

In this episode of The Well podcast, Pastor Chad is joined by Pastor Toshaun and Pastor Nick. The pastors share how they were called into ministry and how to discover God’s call for our lives.

As a believer, your primary call is to intimacy with God, not ministry. If you are trying to discern God’s call for your life, you need to draw near to Him and go where He’s leading you. Ultimately, God is calling you to trust Him.

God puts a calling and gifts on our lives that are irrevocable. Once you discover those things, you need to walk in them!

How do you discover what you’re called to do?

-look at personality and position

-step into various opportunities that the Lord opens doors for

-don’t try to be someone you’re not!

Questions to ask to discover God’s calling:

-God, what have you called me to do?

-What is a problem in the world that I just have to fix or have to solve?

If you want to know God’s call for your life, you need to draw near to Him. His character is revealed, and as you read God’s Word and discover more about Him, you will discover more about yourself.

Thanks for joining us this week!

Listen to The Abundant Life Family Podcast ↴

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Connect with us on Social Media ↴

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/

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Connect with Pastor Phil ↴

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/

Web: Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/

Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/

More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

#AbundantLife

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#Godscall More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

In this episode of The Well Podcast, Pastor Chad and host Les Norman talk about the rewards of saying yes to God.

Pastor Chad and Les are joined by Pastor Bill and Jeremy, who are on staff with the Live Sent ministry at Abundant Life. They share an update on how many kids were sponsored during Compassion Sunday and their vision for sponsoring 1,200 kids in Tanzania.

Pastor Bill reminds listeners that you can’t take the gospel to the wrong address. It always needs to go a little bit further. The disciple Thomas had a “little bit further” mindset. He said yes to God and surrendered his life to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

People often use skepticism to justify their doubt and unbelief. But Thomas didn’t do that. He wanted to see Jesus the way that the other disciples did, and Jesus gave him the proof he desired. If you seek Jesus, you will find Him. If you ask the questions, He will give you the answers.

All authority belongs to Jesus. That means we are commanded to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples and taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. God calls us to leave our “yes” on the table and wants us to serve Him with willing and obedient hearts.

Missionaries are not made overnight. They are just ordinary people who said yes to God.

Because Jesus is alive, His love and forgiveness are alive, and we can be at peace with God. We can live sent right where we are if we’re willing to do it and say yes to God.

Sign up for the spring Live Sent class: https://livingproof.co/get-involved/outreach...

Join our mission by sponsoring a child in Tanzania today through Compassion International!

https://livingproof.co/get-involved/outreach/compassion/

Thanks for joining us this week!

Listen to The Abundant Life Family Podcast ↴

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Connect with us on Social Media ↴

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Connect with Pastor Phil ↴

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/

Web: Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/

Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/

More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

In this episode of The Well podcast, Pastor Phil, Pastor Chad, and host Les Norman discuss living out the gospel through Abundant Life’s partnership with Compassion International and the church plants in Peru.

Compassion deeply cares about people's physical and spiritual needs and is focused on releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Pastor Phil shares some stories from his recent trip to Peru, where he visited the Compassion resource center and church plants with which Abundant Life has partnered. He and several church members met and spent time with the kids they sponsor in these areas.

We’re all called to live sent and carry out the Great Commission. You can live out the gospel and take it to the nations by sponsoring a child in poverty. Who knows how many lives can be impacted through their lives?

You never know what God can do with your yes! Jesus has prepared good works for us to do, and if we are simply obedient to what He asks us to do, He can write a wonderful story. A changed life changes lives.

None of us will know on this side of heaven what difference our “yes” made. We will only know in heaven. But we know God will reward our obedience if we’re faithful to follow Him.

Will you be obedient to invest in the life of someone younger than you and give them opportunities to foster the gifts and talents God has given them? Living out the gospel may be costly, but it is worth it for people to know Jesus!

Thanks for joining us this week!

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Connect with us on Social Media ↴

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/

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Connect with Pastor Phil ↴

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/

Web: Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/

Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/

More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

#AbundantLife

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#Christian More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

In this episode of The Well podcast, Pastor Phil, Pastor Chad, and host Les Norman discuss some of the threats to our freedom as Christians and American citizens. In a time of high emotions, we must think biblically, not politically.

Religion shapes culture, and culture shapes laws. Godly people in power bring godly outcomes. But when godly people do not influence the institutions that shape our country, you get ungodly outcomes.

We all have a responsibility to understand the history of our country and the values that our Founding Fathers established our country on. We must be ready to defend our freedom, which includes being informed.

When God is minimized, government is maximized. We must remain self-governed by God and be reminded that our liberties and rights come from Him, not from government.

Voting is a kingdom issue, not a political issue. It is important to vote and stand up to defend our freedom. But we must also recognize that a political leader cannot save our nation. Only God can save our nation. Our job is to pray for our leaders and vote based on kingdom-mindedness.

Thanks for joining us this week!

Check out Founded in Faith to be equipped to engage in conversations and think biblically, not politically ↴

https://www.youtube.com/watch...

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Connect with us on Social Media ↴

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Connect with Pastor Phil ↴

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/

Web: Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/

Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/

More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

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#Liberty More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

In this episode of The Well Podcast, Pastor Chad and host Les Norman talk about raising children to have a biblical worldview.

It is a parent’s responsibility to raise their kids and teach them a biblical worldview. You never finish educating your kids. You need to be committed to raising them up to know God’s ways, His voice, and His word so they can develop a biblical worldview.

Chad shares some practical things parents can do to pass their faith onto their children:

-Seek the Lord in private

-Sing to Him in public

-Eat around the table together

-Pray as a family

Part of teaching our children a biblical worldview is teaching them who they are in Christ. Parents are responsible for pointing their children to Jesus as their source of identity. In Christ, they are a new creation, fearfully and wonderfully made.

We are the primary faith trainers of our children. If we don’t educate our kids, the world will. Good parents give attention. Great parents give intention. Teaching, training, educating, and discipling kids to have a biblical worldview takes effort and requires sacrifice. But it is so worth it!

Thanks for joining us this week!

Check out Founded in Faith to be equipped to engage in conversations and think biblically, not politically ↴

https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Listen to The Abundant Life Family Podcast ↴

https://www.youtube.com/playlist...

Connect with us on Social Media ↴

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/

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Connect with Pastor Phil ↴

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/

Web: Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/

Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/

More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

#AbundantLife

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#Biblicalworldview More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

God instituted civil authority for the peace and prosperity of society, apart from which there would be anarchy. We are called to obey governing authorities (Romans 13:1-4), but God is our ultimate authority.

God’s primary purpose for human government is to protect its citizens from violent offenders. The biblical responsibility of government is to maintain order and peace in society.

Paul wrote Romans to help people understand who they are in Christ and how to live justified and sanctified in a secular culture. Faith has always intersected with politics because religion shapes culture, and culture shapes laws. If you want to change laws, you have to change the religion that shaped them.

A nation’s legislation is always a reflection of that civilization’s worldview and religion. Our culture was born out of a Judeo-Christian mindset. Faith has intersected politics in every civilization from the earliest moments of human civilization.

We need to be filled with the spirit of God to go out and be bold in our respective spheres of influence. Christians involved in ungodly government can bring godly outcomes. Regardless of who is in the White House, it all comes back to the church house.

Without civil authority, our country would fall into anarchy. We need to put our hope in a spiritual revival. Trusting Jesus and knowing God’s Word is the only way to experience peace in this time of frustration, division, and fear.

Thanks for joining us this week!

Check out Founded in Faith to be equipped to engage in conversations and think biblically, not politically ↴

https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Listen to The Abundant Life Family Podcast ↴

https://www.youtube.com/playlist...

Connect with us on Social Media ↴

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/

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Connect with Pastor Phil ↴

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/

Web: Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/

Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/

More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

#AbundantLife

#Podcast

#TheWell

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#Civilauthority More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.

In this episode of The Well Podcast, Pastor Phil, Pastor Chad, and host Les Norman discuss the next figure on the National Monument to the Forefathers: Morality.

Morally, our society reflects the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the church reflects the life of Lot in Genesis 19. Lot knew God, but he fully embraced Sodom’s immoral culture.

Romans 3:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. Morality must come from within. It’s something God must give us when we repent of our sins and turn to Him.

As the church, we are to be the salt of the earth and stand in the way of decay. We’re called to be the conscience of society because we live by a higher moral authority.

The story ends with Abraham’s intercession for Sodom, which should be our posture: praying for salvation and not judgment for the unbeliever.

Our job is to pursue the lost and build relationships with them. But you’ll never have a burden for what you’re not praying for! Have you prayed for the lost people around you? Have you had a conversation with them?

Morality comes from the hope of the God of heaven. The win is living a life that is holy, because that is how you experience the abundant life!

Thanks for joining us this week!More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/

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Abundant Life exists to see lives changed by Jesus by being living proof

of a loving God to a watching world.