"God trieth our hearts." "The trial of your faith is more precious than gold that perishes". "He shall purify the sons of Levi". "When I am tried, I shall come forth as gold." There should be no debate: Christian character is going to be tried in the crucible of God's oversight and training. But how often do you hear that from the pulpit? 

In this presentation we will examine seven scriptures that teach this principle of Christian character growth. Though the trials often feel intense, we can rest assured that God is teaching us in love, challenging us for our good, and protecting us with his grace so that our hopes for success can be rooted and anchored in his promises of safekeeping. 

This new podcast is meant for serious Christians -- people who are focused on following Jesus faithfully, until death. The trials are real, but the joys are beyond expression. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard ... the things God has been preparing for those who love him supremely.

The more we pay attention to the terms of discipleship and predictions of the actual deeds of Jesus' truest followers, there have not been many humble, meek Jesus followers who made it into the pages of history. Most genuine, obedient Christians have been laboring in anonymity, ignored or even hounded by the powerful forces of the outwardly respectable, "orthodox" Christian geopolitical system.

For the most part, the true followers of Jesus were not famous, they did not have official recognition, they did not seek or gain political power, and often they were oppressed, persecuted, neutralized in this life. Probably, few made their living as "ministers of the gospel". They were like the ancient prophets of old
-- men and women who suffered for their faithfulness-- "of whom the world was not worthy."

But the future era will be different. Jesus will exalt his obedient followers. They will be revealed by him as having been victorious in his eyes. He will promote them to places of power and influence in his future "government of the world, when the times are ripe for it." (Ephesians 1:9,10 -- Weymouth translation.)

To become a Christian, we face the simplest of tasks. And the most profound: to present our body as a "living sacrifice". Continuing in the theme defined by Romans 12:1 and 2, we now turn to 1 Peter 1 to discover another, even more detailed corroboration of what our life entails, what obedience will require, and what rewards and blessings we might hope for at the end. The answers are stunning, exciting, and sobering. It turns out that faith comes as the result of growth, and growth comes as a result of allowing God to change the way we think and act. It is a team effort: us and the Heavenly Father. 

This will be an in-depth study of 1 Peter 1:1-9.

This new podcast is meant for serious Christians -- people who are focused on following Jesus faithfully, until death. The trials are real, but the joys are beyond expression. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard ... the things God has been preparing for those who love him supremely.

The more we pay attention to the terms of discipleship and predictions of the actual deeds of Jesus' truest followers, there have not been many humble, meek Jesus followers who made it into the pages of history. Most genuine, obedient Christians have been laboring in anonymity, ignored or even hounded by the powerful forces of the outwardly respectable, "orthodox" Christian geopolitical system.

For the most part, the true followers of Jesus were not famous, they did not have official recognition, they did not seek or gain political power, and often they were oppressed, persecuted, neutralized in this life. Probably, few made their living as "ministers of the gospel". They were like the ancient prophets of old
-- men and women who suffered for their faithfulness-- "of whom the world was not worthy."

But the future era will be different. Jesus will exalt his obedient followers. They will be revealed by him as having been victorious in his eyes. He will promote them to places of power and influence in his future "government of the world, when the times are ripe for it." (Ephesians 1:9,10 -- Weymouth translation.)

"Judge not." "If we judge ourselves, we will not be condemned".. "I do not judge myself". "Can't we judge the smallest matters?" "Don't you know the saints will judge the world?" "We shall judge angels" So many Bible verses. So many seeming contradictions.
How can a Christian operate in this confusing set of principles?

In Episode 4 of We Are Near we take a stab at sorting out the confusion. To do so, we revisit Romans 12:2, a pivotal verse discussed in Episode 2. The Greek word used in this verse is dokimazo.... a key concept we need to understand to be successful and consistent as a Christian. 

Dokimazo is a command to both test or discern, and then approve the "golden" portion of what we find. Much more than a critical or fault-finding, skeptical outlook, dokimazo calls us to submit every issue and situation to a careful test of content and principles. "Just the facts, ma'am." But it doesn't stop there. Once the "golden" thread of principle and ethics can be seen clearly in contrast to the perfect divine standards of love and justice, we are then tasked with acceptance, active submission, patient participation with imperfect people and situations in the process of finding the best outcome possible under the circumstances we have been presented with in the providence and grace of God. 

This is heavy lifting. It is the attitude that can write a hymn, "It is well with my soul", after losing loved ones in a tragic disaster. It is the strength we find to go on in the face of health problems or personal loss.

There are always people who can point fingers and say "I told you so." What Christians are tasked with learning, is how to live with tragedy and look forward to the time when God will show us how to forgive, show love toward the offending person, and continue fighting for what is good and noble, without disillusionment. 

This new podcast is meant for serious Christians -- people who are focused on following Jesus faithfully, until death. The trials are real, but the joys are beyond expression. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard ... the things God has been preparing for those who love him supremely.

The more we pay attention to the terms of discipleship and predictions of the actual deeds of Jesus' truest followers, there have not been many humble, meek Jesus followers who made it into the pages of history. Most genuine, obedient Christians have been laboring in anonymity, ignored or even hounded by the powerful forces of the outwardly respectable, "orthodox" Christian geopolitical system.

For the most part, the true followers of Jesus were not famous, they did not have official recognition, they did not seek or gain political power, and often they were oppressed, persecuted, neutralized in this life. Probably, few made their living as "ministers of the gospel". They were like the ancient prophets of old
-- men and women who suffered for their faithfulness-- "of whom the world was not worthy."

But the future era will be different. Jesus will exalt his obedient followers. They will be revealed by him as having been victorious in his eyes. He will promote them to places of power and influence in his future "government of the world, when the times are ripe for it." (Ephesians 1:9,10 -- Weymouth translation.)

When God called you to be a Christian, he already knew that you are not a conformist. And he knew that being human, you'd probably like to be. It's in our nature to pick our attitudes, dress, values, and words from the people we are around the most. 

Wouldn't it be great if we could just align ourselves with the people we WANT to copy? Not rock the boat; not disagree on matters of priority or values or morals? Being a Christian involves a personal commitment to be better than the world we live in.  

We cannot outsource our daily decisions about what we think, say and do to our spouse, parents, pastor or favorite celebrity. Yet living as we do in a world where people are constantly sending signals of their choices and values via social media, there has never been time in history when it was more difficult to be a Christian. That's why the book of Revelation calls this era "the hour of temptation". We NEED to be better each day.

Easier said than done. So in this short episode we focus on the command of Romans 12:2, and reflect on how Jesus set us an example in that regard. If you are eager to be successful in the Christian quest, this podcast may offer simple, straightforward baby steps toward doing those things that help you grow.

This episode focuses on just one phrase in Romans 12, at the beginning of verse 2. "Be not conformed..." Are you ready to think about it in the same way Jesus did? 

This new podcast is meant for serious Christians -- people who are focused on following Jesus faithfully, until death. The trials are real, but the joys are beyond expression. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard ... the things God has been preparing for those who love him supremely.

The more we pay attention to the terms of discipleship and predictions of the actual deeds of Jesus' truest followers, there have not been many humble, meek Jesus followers who made it into the pages of history. Most genuine, obedient Christians have been laboring in anonymity, ignored or even hounded by the powerful forces of the outwardly respectable, "orthodox" Christian geopolitical system.

For the most part, the true followers of Jesus were not famous, they did not have official recognition, they did not seek or gain political power, and often they were oppressed, persecuted, neutralized in this life. Probably, few made their living as "ministers of the gospel". They were like the ancient prophets of old
-- men and women who suffered for their faithfulness-- "of whom the world was not worthy."

But the future era will be different. Jesus will exalt his obedient followers. They will be revealed by him as having been victorious in his eyes. He will promote them to places of power and influence in his future "government of the world, when the times are ripe for it." (Ephesians 1:9,10 -- Weymouth translation.)

 This episode focuses on what it is to be a Christian: renewal, transformation, and discernment.

We dive into a deep examination of Romans 12. 

Being a Christian is primarily a transformation of mind, heart and character which God directs when we “present ourselves”, mind and body, to be a living sacrifice for Him. The discussion touches upon the process that begins with repentance, and renews our mind, attitudes, and actions from the day we surrender our hearts to him.

The transformation that happens in this spiritual process is complete. Some have called it a “gradual bending heavenward” of that which naturally bends earthward. The host also explores the usage of the Greek term 'Dokimazo', suggesting it implies a process of testing, questioning, and ultimately approving of the circumstances that emerge under God’s guidance. It is God who works within us to will and to do His good pleasure. 

Lastly, the episode underscores the notion of testing or experimenting to discern God’s will, and then approving or accepting the will of God.

God, it turns out, is not a perfectionist — he forgives and loves us until we become a vessel suited to the great work of mediation and mutual edification that he plans for us to engage in as the world of mankind is taught the principles of life in the future. 

00:07 Introduction to the Series

00:09 Understanding Christian Growth: Renewal, Transformation, and Discernment

01:39 Exploring Romans 12: Using the Blue Letter Bible

02:10 Deep Dive into Romans 12:1-2

06:25 The Concept of Discernment in Christianity

08:28 Marks of a True Christian: Growth and Change

13:36 Overcoming Evil with Good: A Christian Perspective

13:55 Revisiting Romans 12:1-2: The Meaning of Sacrifice

04:54 Understanding Worship in Christianity

26:13 Interpreting 'Age' in Biblical Context

27:21 Exploring the Greek Word 'Aeon'

28:06 The Concept of 'Ages' in Biblical Perspective

30:17 Christianity and the Future Age

31:52 The Process of Transformation in Christianity

37:33 The Concept of 'Dokimazo' in Christianity

47:08 Understanding God's Will: Good, Acceptable, and Perfect

51:47 The Role of Christians in the End of the Christian Era

This new podcast is meant for serious Christians -- people who are focused on following Jesus faithfully, until death. The trials are real, but the joys are beyond expression. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard ... the things God has been preparing for those who love him supremely.

The more we pay attention to the terms of discipleship and predictions of the actual deeds of Jesus' truest followers, there have not been many humble, meek Jesus followers who made it into the pages of history. Most genuine, obedient Christians have been laboring in anonymity, ignored or even hounded by the powerful forces of the outwardly respectable, "orthodox" Christian geopolitical system.

For the most part, the true followers of Jesus were not famous, they did not have official recognition, they did not seek or gain political power, and often they were oppressed, persecuted, neutralized in this life. Probably, few made their living as "ministers of the gospel". They were like the ancient prophets of old
-- men and women who suffered for their faithfulness-- "of whom the world was not worthy."

But the future era will be different. Jesus will exalt his obedient followers. They will be revealed by him as having been victorious in his eyes. He will promote them to places of power and influence in his future "government of the world, when the times are ripe for it." (Ephesians 1:9,10 -- Weymouth translation.)

Victorious Christians are nearing the end of their journey. Never has the fulfillment of their promises been so close; but never have sincere Christians needed more encouragement. 

In this inaugural episode of We Are Near!, we open with a few of Jesus' promises of special service for Christians -- his assurance that his followers will actually share in the future government of the world. Then we examine a passage in the book of James, describing the trials that Christians should expect to suffer now, and note that, if faithful, we will "be a kind of firstfruits of God's creatures." What surprising and inspiring words those are!

Finally, we dive into Psalm 15 to examine the character qualities of those who "sojourn in God's tent" -- who walk with God at the present time and are taught by God himself as he holds our hand along our long and often lonely life journey as disciples of Jesus.

This new podcast is meant for serious Christians -- people who are focused on following Jesus faithfully, until death. The trials are real, but the joys are beyond expression. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard ... the things God has been preparing for those who love him supremely.

The more we pay attention to the terms of discipleship and predictions of the actual deeds of Jesus' truest followers, there have not been many humble, meek Jesus followers who made it into the pages of history. Most genuine, obedient Christians have been laboring in anonymity, ignored or even hounded by the powerful forces of the outwardly respectable, "orthodox" Christian geopolitical system.

For the most part, the true followers of Jesus were not famous, they did not have official recognition, they did not seek or gain political power, and often they were oppressed, persecuted, neutralized in this life. Probably, few made their living as "ministers of the gospel". They were like the ancient prophets of old
-- men and women who suffered for their faithfulness-- "of whom the world was not worthy."

But the future era will be different. Jesus will exalt his obedient followers. They will be revealed by him as having been victorious in his eyes. He will promote them to places of power and influence in his future "government of the world, when the times are ripe for it." (Ephesians 1:9,10 -- Weymouth translation.)