Coastal Church Podcast

<p>For a gift to be complete it must be received. Christmas is all about God extending His gift to us. As Christians, Christmas is more than a nostalgic feeling, it is a time to reflect deeply on what God truly gave us.</p>

<p>Christmas is about the light coming to earth. In the Gospel of John, we find the beautiful proclamation that encapsulates the essence of Christmas: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”. - John 1:5, ESV</p>

<p>Exploring the account of the Wise Men in Matthew chapter two, we discover an enduring lesson that speaks directly to all of us on how we too can respond to the extraordinary gift of God sending His Son.</p>

<p>Christmas is a huge celebration in our homes as we gather with loved ones, especially if it includes the sounds of children! God designed home and although not perfect, they are a gift from God.</p>

<p>We are living in a time where there is a thick darkness on the earth and yet a thick powerful glory of the church. We are moving into biblical times and must be ready for it. Though, we do not know how long this time will take, we understand that the world is changing at a high speed and we see signs of what the Bible describes as the end time and restoration of the Church.</p>

<p>The power of a gift is simple; it is LOVE. We are wired for love.</p><p>Because LOVE is the most powerful force in the universe, a gift has the possibility to transport this power into the lives of those around us. God demonstrated the power of a gift when He gave the greatest gift of all times.</p>

<p>This week we were privileged to have Roar Sorenson share at our School of Missions and our weekend services. His rich experience and expertise having studied and lived in Israel and currently teaching Jewish Studies at the Scandinavian School of Theology comes to us at a timely moment.</p>

<p>In a world saturated with the clamor of daily life, we need to pause and remember that true freedom, whether national or spiritual, is not a given; it must be remembered, cherished, and anchored in truth.</p>

<p>The English word ‘worship’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon ‘weorthscipe’ which literally means to ascribe worth to something. If something captivates our heart’s affection, our mind’s attention and our soul’s ambition, it effectively has our worship. Our ultimate purpose is to worship God. Until we discover our purpose in God, we will never be satisfied.</p>

<p>This last great act of faith we see from Abraham is the finding of a wife for his son Isaac. The fulfillment of the promise God gave him, that through his seed he would bless the nations, depended on Isaac finding the right wife.</p><p>Likewise, one of the greatest steps of faith we will make in our lives is choosing who we will marry. The courtship of Isaac and Rebekah provides valuable wisdom of how we should go about looking for a spouse.</p>

<p>Abraham’s test of faith is one of the most well-known accounts of his life and one of the most challenging to understand. To learn from Abraham’s example we must understand the following:</p><p>Understand the difference between a test and temptation.</p><p>Understand there are options in taking the test.</p><p>Understand that faith is obedience and unwavering trust in God’s goodness.</p><p>Understand the end your heavenly Father has in mind.</p><p>Understand that Jesus passed the ultimate test for us.</p><p><br></p>

<p>Throughout the Bible, believers are urged to pray for one another, to lift up the needs and concerns of others in prayer, and to intercede on their behalf. Intercession is a powerful way to express love and care for one another, following the example of Jesus, who interceded on behalf of humanity.</p>

<p>This year our theme has been The Journey. As believers we are called to journey of faith, and a crucial aspect of this journey is our continual thanks to our Heavenly Father, even before our prayers are answered.</p>

<p>Just as the disciples faced a life-threatening storm, people today encounter various storms in their lives, be it personal challenges, global crises, or uncertainties. The story reminds us to have faith even in the midst of adversity, trusting that God is capable of calming the storms we face.</p>

<p>We live in a society where promises are easily broken, so we find it hard to believe God would keep His Word. However, God is a covenant keeping God who never changes and we can fully put our trust in His promises.</p>

<p>God is bigger than your mountain, more powerful than your suppressor, greater than your depression and has given you victory over all things! However, without FAITH we can receive nothing from God! Faith takes courage, for the blind to see, cripple to walk, for your life to be radically changed, to see your breakthrough – it requires you to take a step forward.</p>

<p>We all make mistakes. Just as it takes faith to step out and follow God, it also takes faith to turn back to God after we have made a mistake. Abraham’s journey of faith is not only noted for his incredible obedience, but also for his human frailty. In Genesis 12:10-20, we find a pivotal moment in his life when he ventured to Egypt during a time of famine and there lied about his wife Sarah.</p><p>Through Abraham’s experience, we can learn some valuable lessons on how to overcome our shortcomings and embrace God’s grace.</p>

<p>Abraham’s journey teaches us that a life of faith begins with responding to a call from God. This call involves obedience, trusting in God’s promises, navigating challenges, enduring trials, and ultimately surrendering to God’s will. His story resonates throughout the pages of the Bible, echoing the message that faith is the foundation of our relationship with God.</p>

<p>The book of Jeremiah carries a broader message about divine purpose, predestination, and the idea that God has a plan for each of us, even before we were born! We each have unique talents and abilities, and it’s up to us to discover and fulfill the calling God has for our lives!</p>

<p>Saul was a man who was chosen by God to be king over Israel. Saul’s journey is a sobering reminder of how even those who are anointed for a specific calling can veer off course due to disobedience, insecurity, and jealousy. Saul’s actions had a huge impact on Samuel and the nation of Israel but God had not forgotten them. He would raise up King David, they could dream again and certainly the “best was yet to come”.</p>

<p>In a world that often questions the relevance and significance of the church, a world that encourages individualism, we must recognize the goodness of God that is manifested through the vibrant life of the church.</p>

<p>In a world that bombards us with messages that challenge the value and integrity of family relationships, we must not neglect the importance of nurturing healthy family dynamics and remind ourselves that God’s design for family is rooted in His goodness.</p>

<p>As recipients of God’s goodness, we are now sent by Jesus to share with others the Good News (the Gospel) in word and in deed.</p><p><br></p>

<p>God is more interested in your character than your comfort and there are times we will experience suffering as we wait for God’s plan to unfold. In those times of difficulty it's important to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness, which ultimately brings blessings and fulfillment.</p>

<p>In a world plagued by strife, brokenness, and insecurities, it is crucial we understand that God fashioned us in His image of goodness to do good. Despite our fallen world, God has a masterplan to restore all of us to His goodness.</p>