The Living Streams Church Podcast

Joshua’s life exemplifies obedience to God, leading to victory and peace, unlike the pride and greed that result from self-reliance. In his exhortations, Joshua calls Israel to serve the Lord with sincerity, meaning wholehearted commitment, avoiding compromise, and obeying God’s commands fully. Sincerity in both the Old and New Testaments involves authenticity, humility, and a sincere pursuit of holiness, shaped by the Holy Spirit.

In Joshua 14 and 15, Caleb asks Joshua for the land of the giants, which God had promised him 45 years earlier. Despite Israel not yet conquering the hill country, Joshua grants Caleb the land, and Caleb, trusting God, drives out the giants and takes possession of the inheritance. This story reminds us that God has given each of us an inheritance, but it often requires us to clear and cultivate the land, overcoming obstacles such as spiritual rebellion and brokenness, which can manifest as personal struggles like anger, addiction, or pride. Like Caleb, we are called to wholly follow God, trusting His promises and remaining dedicated to Him. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome the "giants" in our lives, turning chaos into something fruitful for future generations.

In chapters 1-10 of the book of Joshua, the Israelites have successfully conquered several cities in Canaan, including Jericho, Ai, and Gibeon, and defeated the southern kings. In chapter 11, the northern kings, led by Jabin of Hazor, gather a massive army to fight against Israel. Despite the overwhelming force, God reassures Joshua not to fear, promising victory and instructing him to hamstring the horses and burn the chariots. This act symbolizes trusting in God rather than relying on human strength. While the chapter’s language may seem harsh, it reflects God’s judgment on the wickedness of the Canaanites. The Israelites' victory marks the fulfillment of God's promises made to Abraham, Moses, and Joshua, bringing them into the promised land. Like Joshua, we face battles in our own lives, whether personal struggles or challenges. Yet, God promises to fight for us, urging us to trust Him, obey His guidance, and believe that His strength will prevail even in our weakness, leading to victory and the fulfillment of His promises.

We often think that God's goodness is only present when things are going well, but scripture invites us to embrace both a broken world and a beautiful Savior who "makes all things new" (Revelation 21:5). Psalms 42 encourages us to face our pain, imperfections, and longing for God. In a world that pushes us to avoid these struggles, the psalmist reminds us it's okay to be human, as Jesus understands and has compassion on us (Hebrews 4:15). By confronting our pain, we find healing, understanding our limits, and discovering that Jesus, the "living water" (John 4:13-14), offers rest and restoration for our souls (Matthew 11:28).

In this deep-dive episode, Pastor Alec Seekins and CJ Bergman unpack the powerful themes in Joshua 9-10, exploring how God remains faithful even when we make unwise commitments. They discuss the Gibeonites’ deception, the audacious prayer of Joshua for the sun to stand still, and the profound foreshadowing of Christ’s victory over sin. Along the way, they wrestle with difficult questions about God’s justice, the nature of biblical warfare, and what it means to trust Him in the battles we face today.

We often admire those who boldly ask for what they want, and this audacity reflects a deeper spiritual truth—God invites us to ask for what we need with the same boldness. In Joshua 10, Joshua makes an audacious request, and God makes the sun stand still, showing that when our hearts align with His will, He responds beyond human limitations. The Gibeonites deceived Israel instead of asking for mercy, much like we sometimes try to earn God’s favor. Yet, God honors Joshua’s faithfulness, proving His steadfastness even when we make mistakes. This passage challenges us to confront idols like success and wealth and trust in Jesus, who offers full redemption—already paid for. We just need to ask.

In this episode of The Living Streams Podcast, we discuss Joshua 7 and explore the weight of hidden sin, the justice of God, and how blessings often come through seasons of hardship. CJ Bergman joins the conversation to discuss sermon preparation, leadership challenges, and the tension between God’s promises and life's difficulties. We also reflect on David Stockton’s personal struggles and how they mirror biblical themes of faithfulness and endurance. Plus, a candid look at prosperity gospel pitfalls, church accountability, and the unexpected ways God refines His people.

This week, we reflected on Joshua’s journey and how it reveals God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. God assured Joshua that He would be with him as He was with Moses, and through bold leadership and courageous faith, Joshua saw waters part, walls fall, and the promised land conquered. Yet, the journey was not without setbacks—when Israel sinned by taking what was devoted to the Lord, they faced defeat, leaving Joshua heartbroken and confused. But instead of despair, he sought God, removed the sin from the camp, and was restored to victory. The promised land life is not without battles, but true victory comes not just in reaching the promise, but in being shaped by the journey. Like Joshua, we walk in courage by trusting that God’s promises are greater than our problems, and when we fail, we repent, rise again, and trust the Promise Keeper—knowing that in Christ, we are always led in triumph (John 10:10).

In this episode of the Deep Dive Podcast, we explore the power of missions, redemption, and God’s ability to use anyone for His purposes. We’re joined by Cliff Caesar and Ali Simpson, who share insights from the recent Dan Murrow Family Mexico Mission Trip, the incredible impact of Living Streams in Rocky Point, and the stories of those who encountered God along the way. We also dig into the biblical story of Rahab, the meaning of repentance in Hebrew, and how God transforms lives—no matter their past. Whether you’re new to missions or wrestling with your own faith journey, this episode is filled with encouragement and deep biblical wisdom.

This week, we reflected on the story of Rahab and how it relates to those of us trapped by the consequences of our choices and circumstances. Rahab, a prostitute living in a violent culture, found hope when she realized her victory wasn’t in Jericho defeating Israel, but in escaping Jericho itself. Through unwavering strength and courage, she saw the vision that the God who freed Israel could deliver her too. By making a covenant with God, Rahab courageously left her life of brokenness, and through her lineage, became part of the line that led to King David and ultimately, Jesus Christ. Rahab’s story reminds us that to escape our own struggles, we must trust that God is greater than our circumstances and remain faithful to Him, for He is always present to help and save.

Alec Seekins, Cliff Cesar, and Renee Bergmen discuss taking risks, stepping out in faith when it feels scary, and Paddington Bear.

When we reflect on the life of Joshua and his generation, we see God's promises fulfilled, victory over sin, and a courageous people who aligned their desires with God's will. To experience victory in Christ, we must take steps in faith, partnering with God’s perfect will. This includes sharing God's promises with others, seeking confirmation, stepping out in obedience, setting up memorials to remember His faithfulness, believing that God is working even when we can't see it, and dedicating our hearts through repentance and consecration. Through this process, we mature in faith, step into God's promises, and learn to live in alignment with His will.

Alec Seekins, David Stockton, and Kurt Cotter discuss revival, The Superbowl, and the promised land that God describes in the Book of Joshua.

Born in Egyptian slavery and trained under Moses, Joshua was chosen by God to lead Israel, and at nearly 90 years old, he guided them to conquer the Promised Land and divide it among the 12 tribes. God fulfilled His promise to Abraham's descendants. Just as Joshua pressed forward to claim the land, Christians are called to advance in their faith, actively resisting the forces of sin and worldly distractions. Jesus defeated sin and death not for us to live in spiritual slavery, but to be free and help others find that freedom. Like those who cast lots at the cross, we must not take Jesus lightly, but strive to run the race with purpose, shedding the distractions and sins that entangle us, and fully embracing all that Christ offers through His sacrifice and the Holy Spirit.

Alec Seekins and David Stockton recap Alec's sermon from Sunday, the team talks about the Kansas City Chiefs, President Trump's Inauguration, and habits.

This week, we focused on Matthew 6:13, which asks God to "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." While God doesn't tempt us, He may allow trials that expose us to Satan’s attacks, as seen in Job and Peter’s experiences. To resist sin, we need to remember our identity as God's children and live in a way that reflects His holiness. Fleeing from temptation is key, as relying on our own strength is not enough. Instead, we must depend on God’s power to stand firm. As we run from temptation, we should pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Ultimately, Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s help, knowing He provides a way out of temptation.

Pastors Alec Seekins and David Stockton join special guest, Mark Buckley, founding pastor of Living Streams Church in a discussion about forgiveness, debts, and trespasses.

Jesus not only taught forgiveness but exemplified it, even on the cross, when He prayed for His persecutors' forgiveness (Luke 23:34). Through His sacrifice, He paid the full penalty for sin and opened the door to mercy, showing us that forgiveness isn’t about feelings or excusing wrongs, but an act of obedience that leads to healing. As followers of Christ, we are called to forgive as He forgave us, empowering us to seek justice, not vengeance (Romans 12:19). Whether the wrongdoer is repentant or not, we are to extend forgiveness and reconciliation, showing compassion as Christ did. True forgiveness, fueled by the Spirit, frees us from bitterness and reflects God’s love to the world.

David Stockton, Alec Seekins, and Dan Riccio share insight on "daily bread" and what it means to live on the bread of today, to sustain our faith through God here on earth.

The Lord's Prayer starts by addressing God as "Abba, Daddy," emphasizing His loving, fatherly care for us. This reminds us that God knows what’s best for us and provides what we need according to His perfect will. By recognizing Him as our Father, we learn to trust and submit to His authority. The phrase "Give us this day our daily bread" teaches us that God is the true provider, and we must approach Him with humility, recognizing our dependence on Him. The prayer encourages us to focus on today, trusting that God will meet our needs for the present, rather than worrying about the future. It also reminds us that our daily bread is just enough for today, teaching us not to hoard or rely on our own strength but to trust in God’s faithfulness as He provides exactly what we need for each day.

How do we engage with prophecy in a way that’s rooted in love, builds the church, and avoids the awkward pitfalls? In this episode, David Stockton, Ryan Romeo, and Alec Seekins break it down—sharing real stories, biblical insights, and what it looks like to hear God’s voice today.If you’ve ever wondered how to approach prophecy in a way that honors God, strengthens the church, and avoids unnecessary weirdness, this episode is for you. It’ll leave you inspired to lean into the Spirit’s voice in your own life.

Prophecy is a gift from God that serves to encourage, console, and build up theChurch. Rooted in Scripture and aligned with God’s Word, it is a powerful way forthe Holy Spirit to speak to believers and unbelievers alike. The Apostle Paul teaches us that prophecy is available to everyone and should be earnestly desired. It builds up the Church, brings conviction to unbelievers, and gives us a glimpse into God’s will, even if only partially revealed. Prophecy operates within order and guidelines to ensure that it honors God and edifies His people.

The hope God offers is unshakable, rooted in His unchanging promises and the assurance of Jesus' return to make all things new. Revelation 21 reminds us of the coming restoration: an end to pain, tears, and mourning, replaced by eternal justice. Romans 5 assures us that this hope is grounded in God’s love, poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and it will never disappoint.

As Christmas approaches, we reflect on the profound Advent theme of Love. While earthly love can feel temporary and self-centered, God's love is eternal, sacrificial, and transformative. This week, we explore how to receive and embody divine love, as seen in the Christmas story and Scripture. God's love treasures, ponders, and pierces: it delights in the good of others, seeks their well-being, and sacrifices even at the cost of a broken heart. This love is embodied in Mary's journey, Simeon’s prophecy, and Jesus' sacrificial death. To access such love, we must be willing to love deeply, even when it makes us vulnerable, reflecting the heart of God.

In this episode, Jeff Gokee, CJ Bergmen, and David Stockton discuss CJ's sermon on Peace, finding true peace, and understanding surrender.

Peace is something we all long for, yet it often feels fleeting. True peace, as described in Scripture, is more than just the absence of stress; it is the fullness of God’s blessing, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual restoration. The peace brought by Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comes at a cost. It requires surrender—giving up self-focused pursuits to make room for Christ’s peace. This surrender is challenging, as it involves letting go of what we hold dear. Ultimately, the greatest act of surrender is Jesus’s sacrifice, which brings us peace with God. Through this, we are invited to reflect on what we need to release in order to experience the fullness of His peace.

David Stockton, Jeff Gokee, and CJ Bergmen discuss joy, causing a major distraction in the back pew of our church services, and dressing up as Billy Sunday and Martin Luther for Halloween.

David Stockton, CJ Bergmen, and Jeff Gokee sit down to discuss hope, Psalm 42 , and holiness tied to hope.

Joy is a central theme in the Christian life, rooted in fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rather than in circumstances. It has existed since creation and accompanies us through both joyful and difficult times, sustained by the Holy Spirit. Scripture teaches that joy is a fruit of the Spirit now and a future hope, found not by striving but by walking closely with God and dwelling in His presence. Eugene Peterson writes, “Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship; it is a consequence.” It is a natural outcome of dwelling in God's grace.

Through the story of Simeon, the waiting saint, we learn what a life of hope looks like. Often, we treat hope like a reward, thinking that as long as we're "good," we will get what we long for. This mindset leads to despair for many, as hope is not about the fulfillment of our desires, it’s dependance on the one who can fulfill all our desires and trusting his providential plan. Hope is found in God's promises, fulfilled in Jesus. Henri Nouwen reminds us that "Life is Advent," and true hope is recognizing the Lord’s continual coming into our lives.

Dalton, Alec, and David share their thoughts on Thanksgiving, thanksgiving scriptures, and being grateful to the Lord for things in our life.

This week, Pastor Mark Buckley encouraged us to cultivate thankfulness in seven key areas of life: giving thanks to God, for our spiritual family, for our circumstances, for our food, for our family and friends, for our government leaders, and for our spouse. The Lord calls us to be people of gratitude, and we are reminded to be thankful in these areas and beyond.

Lead Pastor David Stockton and Founding Pastor Mark Buckley discuss the different types of mercy in The Book of Jude, president-elect Donald Trump, and share stories of how God showed mercy in their lives over the years.

This week, we focused on God's mercy and the need for it in light of sin. Jude warns against people who cause division, live like the world, and lack the Spirit. He advises us to be discerning, especially when others are divisive or show no evidence of spiritual fruit. Jude encourages us to pray in the Holy Spirit, stay rooted in God's love, and wait for His mercy. He also outlines three ways to extend mercy: by helping those who doubt, rescuing people from spiritual danger, and showing mercy with fear, which involves loving someone while distancing ourselves from their sinful behavior.

Pastor David and Alec Seekins reflect on the 2024 Presidential Election, sin in the community through The Book of Jude, and nicknames.

The book of Jude urges us to take sin seriously, both personally and within our community, emphasizing the need to balance love with truth. Without truth, empathy can become enabling and toxic. Jude warns against false teachers, citing the sins of Cain (anger), Balaam (greed), and Korah (dishonoring authority). He also highlights the story of Achan in Joshua 7, where one person's hidden sin caused suffering for all of Israel. Ultimately, God calls us to pursue holiness not just for our own well-being, but for the benefit of those around us.

Lead Pastor David Stockton and Pastor Alec Seekins discuss calling sin for what it is, unpack The Book of Jude, and the upcoming presidential election in 2024.

Jude, the younger half-brother of Jesus, emphasizes the importance of recognizing sin for what it is in his letter. He reminds us that Jesus, our Savior and Judge, offers mercy while holding those who reject it accountable for their sins. Jude warns against various sins that people attempt to normalize, and Pastor David highlights modern sins that society often overlooks. Acknowledging these sins is crucial for moving toward the greater life that God offers us.

Alec Seekins and Dan Riccio discuss The Book of Jude, The Book of Enoch, and being careful with prophetic words in modern times.

This week, we began studying the book of Jude, a brief letter from Jesus' half-brother addressing the church about the dangers of false teachers promoting antinomianism—the belief that sin can be freely indulged due to forgiveness. Jude's message serves as a warning and a call to action, urging the church to confront these issues rather than ignore them. We discussed how to find the strength to address overwhelming challenges, noting that Jude reminds readers of their identity as invited, beloved, and kept in Jesus. For those feeling burdened, starting with time spent with Jesus, can provide strength and guidance to tackle these challenges step by step.

Alec Seekins and Dan Riccio discuss ideas found in Jesus and The Powers by N.T. Wright and ideas of unity for union among the believers.

The future of the Church lies in unity, a divine calling for both connection with God and with one another. This transformative journey can be likened to the changes experienced in marriage, encompassing both ease and challenges. Spiritual formation unfolds through cycles of Awakening—recognizing our separation from God; Purgation—removing obstacles to that union; Illumination—gaining God’s perspective; and finally, Union—achieving oneness with Him. This cyclical process deepens throughout our lives, fostering a collective unity among all believers as we draw closer to God.

Alec Seekins and David Stockton discuss living life on mission in South Asia during Covid-19, living in Belize, stepping out in faith when it seems scary, and staying devoted to The Church, it's people, and the gathering.

In Acts Chapter 2, we see that the early Church experienced a powerful outpouring of faith and revival. Their remarkable growth stemmed from their deep devotion to the Word, each other, the Lord, and their gatherings. This devotion can be likened to the roots of a tree, which grow deeper and stronger when faced with adversity. Just as strong roots support a massive tree, deep devotion sustains a robust faith. Even when our natural inclination is to view difficulties as burdens rather than blessings, we should reserve judgment, as the Lord often uses these trials to bring about growth and blessings. Deep devotion, is essential for sustaining great faith.

David Stockton, Alec Seekins, and special guest Mark Buckley discuss the future of The Church, how it will be holy, and how unity requires diversity.

Pastor Mario Benavides emphasized that while human visions for the future church often prioritize advancements in technology and personal comfort, God's vision centers on creating a holy, united community that proclaims His glory and operates with spiritual power. This growth in maturity, as highlighted in Ephesians 4:13—"This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ"—requires intentional commitment, shifting our focus from personal preferences to seeking God's calling, ultimately aiming for transformation where every knee bows and every tongue confesses His truth.

Join Lead Pastor David Stockton, Founding Pastor Mark Buckley, and Adult Ministries Pastor Alec Seekins as they discuss celebrating 40 years of Living Streams.

In Israel's history, after 400 years of slavery, the people rejoiced in God’s faithfulness, celebrating their newfound freedom in Exodus 14:31 – 15:21. As they prepared for a challenging wilderness journey toward the promised land, they faced uncertainty and battles ahead. Similarly, Living Streams reflects on 40 years of God’s provision, healing, and challenges, urging the church to celebrate with joy and worship as they look forward. With faith in God’s goodness and promises, they are encouraged to embrace the future, knowing that Jesus will always be with them, guiding them through both trials and triumphs.