Keith's Podcast

On this Mother's Day, we are reminded of the volume of wisdom given from the Bible concerning the importance of motherhood and the honor we must render to our mothers.

The last letter from Jesus to the churches of Asia minor, was to the church at Laodicea. A somewhat scathing letter to a group that could not find full commitment to their Lord. Jesus make clear that less than 100% devotion places one against Him.

The sixth letter from Jesus found in Revelation 3 extols the faithfulness of the church in Philadelphia. This was a church that kept the commands of Christ and continued to persevere through persecution.

The fifth letter from Jesus in the series of seven is addressed to Sardis, another church in Asia Minor. Another troubling description for many who thought the reputation of doing good was enough despite the reality of being far from it. Jesus said He knew their works and how they thought they were alive, but actually they were dead.

John records the fourth letter of Jesus to the churches of Asia, this one to Thyatira, laying out their problems of sin and the need to repent. As in each letter, though, they are given encouragement and solace for the return of the great Redeemer.

Our third letter in the series of Asian churches being "written" a letter by Jesus stresses the point that they do not live in a vacuum, their sin is known, and to continue to tolerate some who do continue to sin, will be disasterous!

This is the second church in this series that Jesus has 'written' a letter, admonishing them of certain issues, praising their strengths, and providing encouragement for the troubles they face and the reward of victory - great reminders for us today!

As recorded by the apostle John in the book of Revelation, Jesus 'sent' letters to the churches in Asia minor in the latter part of the first century. These letters spoke of their strengths, their problems, and their remedy. This is valuable instruction for us, even today, especially in light of the direction we, as sinners, can sometimes take.

In fact, the news IS good, BECAUSE He was crucified. There is, therefore, a shining hope of salvation, an eternal promise given as a gift in a supreme act of love to us, if we can only accept it and be buried with Christ, resurrected in His purity.

As familiar as the story of Jonah might be to all of us, there are real impossibilities that we must each face in this lesson that are well beyond the real belief of a man living inside a large fish!

A fortunate opportunity awaits us all - to willingly accept the change that following God's Will can bring to each of us. God never forces anything upon us, but graciously extends the chance when we can lower our arrogance and accept the mercy that only He can provide through the forgiveness found in His Son, Jesus Christ. A profound change awaits...

A quick self-examination should give cause to asking ourselves some important questions. Where is your heart? What do you represent? If you don't respond to God's work, who will? We need to focus our faith and life to the work and the will of our heavenly Father.

Do not let your reliance on God stop with only knowing about God. There is a danger in not knowing God, not understanding God, and not knowing His Son. Never knowing God means never knowing love and never finding righteousness. Come to know Him through His Son, Jesus, and all of these can be yours.

We are faced with a simple choice in this life, to believe and abide by the teachings of God in His Word, or to disbelieve that. As for me, give me the Bible!

Any athlete can tell you the steps to accomplishing the goals of competition. For the follower of Christ, the mission is the same - reach the goal. But in order to run the race, you must actually enter the race first. And the only way to win the race is to actually persue and accomplish the finishing of the race.

God's Word as His Living Spirit, speaks to us in living Word. We must first listen and not be hearers only. The only requirement following our listening is to act upon that knowledge - you must also do that in what He says. Knowledge requires obedient action!

These are three great lessons of healing the much dreaded disease of leprosy. Not only does this show the great healing power of God over leprosy, but it also demonstrates the power over sin God's mercy of forgiveness can provide. As unclean as sin can be for all of us, Jesus Christ has the healing touch!

Forgiveness is difficult for any of us when it comes to being hurt by someone. It is also difficult to teach and learn to forgive, but we can see the finest example of forgiveness when we look at Jesus' actions - "Father, forgive them..."

In scripture, there are literally more than a hundred names and descriptions used to reference Christ Jesus. But whatever name or description you use to describe the Savior of mankind, know that it would be difficult to encompass all the varieties of strength, power, understanding, and peace that are available through Him to God our Father.

It's easy to understand that God knows us and certainly knows what troubles us. Afterall, He created us. What would God tell us about ourselves after examining our heart? Here's how you can examine your heart and make it worthy for God.

While not exactly a concern for the temperature outside, it is a question that concerns the work and faith of the church. It goes on to reflect each Christian's work and faith, also. God requires that we be on fire for His word and message to us!

Admittedly, forgiveness is a concept much easier to teach and explain than it is to practice. But nothing could demonstrate a christian's true compassion other than to forgive others of wrong committed to one another. Jesus' teaching is less about the counted acts of forgiveness and more about the continual condition of forgiveness that is shown in your life beginning with your heart. The highest example we have is Jesus Christ's heart as He hung on the cross providing forgiveness for all of us.

During this month of thankfulness, we see many reasons to be thankful every day. From the Bible, we also see the source of our thankfulness and the reasons to be so thankful. The Words of God instructs our lives and provides the pathway to salvation.

Perhaps, our thankfulness needs to begin with the expression for which we have the ability to be thankful for a way to be forgiven of our sin - the true resurrection of our Savior. That conquest over death provides a way to eternal life that our thankfulness will always prove inadequate. Giving our life sacrificially to Him, though, enables His ever-present grace in our life.

So many important aspects of our lives here on Earth are centered around the development of family and the family unit. True to that God-given design is the family of God and the construct of His church. Do we uphold the loving relationship as we should in the church as the bride of Christ? The family depends on it!

Next Page