Word of Life Church Podcast

Once we understand that Jesus is image of God, the exact imprint of God’s nature, and the only perfect theology, we can answer some important questions about God that in the past we humans have often gotten wrong.

Does God send the storm? No. He calms the storm.

Does God cause famines? No. He feeds the hungry.

Does God inflict sickness? No. He heals the sick.

Does God shun sinners? No. He welcomes them.

Does God condemn the guilty? No. He saves them.

Does God blame the afflicted? No. He shows them mercy.

Does God resent human pleasure? No. He turns the water to wine.

Does God take our side in our hostilities? No. He humanizes the other side.

Does God kill his enemies? No. He forgives them.

Does God return with revenge on his mind? No. He comes with words of peace.

Martha was distracted and worried about many things. But Mary had learned the secret of Real Presence. If we don't learn how to be really present to the Real Presence, we will be constantly harassed by pain from the past, distraction in the present, and anxiety about the future. In our age of distraction learning to practice Real Presence will bring much needed peace and healing to our souls.

When Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61 at his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, he says the Spirit of the Lord is upon him to proclaim good news, liberation, restoration, and the year of God's favor. But Jesus omits Isaiah's line about "the vengeance of our God." Was it was a mistake? No. From what Jesus says next we know it was clearly intentional. Jesus came to bring the mercy of God and close the book on vengeance.

Whether it’s a flood, a famine or a Pharaoh…God will deliver you! When you’re facing a Goliath or in a lion’s den…God will deliver you! Even if the wine runs out, the boat is begins to sink or Lazarus begins to stink…God will deliver you! The point of salvation history is that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. But faith doesn’t mean that everything will always turn out just the way you want it to. Shall we say that God failed to deliver these heroic sufferers and faithful martyrs? Of course not! God delivered them through the testing of their faith, not from the testing of faith. Isaiah sawn asunder was not less delivered than Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego.

When we follow the example of Stephen we discover a life filled with the Holy Spirit as we remain open to God in prayer, acknowledging his presence with us and his love for us.