In the face of his unjust arrest, Paul begins to share his testimony of his coming to follow Jesus Christ. His testimony highlights the power and necessity of the gospel; for it is the only thing that can rectify the effects of sin. This includes (and is especially true) of injustice in our lives and in the world

In reading the account of the apostle Paul’s arrest found in Acts 21, we are provided a window into the injustice of the past that still runs rampant today. To begin to deal with injustice, we must first understand what God says about it before we can be ready to do what God asks us of.

When things don't go our way we can try to take control and manipulate the situation. But, God reminds us that His way is better. It is there we find ourselves in better hands when we are not in control and surrendered to our God who is not only the Almighty God but also our loving and tender-hearted Abba Father.

How do you finish well? The key is to live well! And the amazing twist is that living well in relationship with Jesus, completely changes what we mean by “finish.” Hallelujah!

The only way to grow, is to be willing to move beyond what is comfortable and take the risk of falling. The same God who sees you when you are exhausted, overwhelmed, and in despair, is the very One who invites you to take the risk of following Him, that He might give you rest and life.

Where have we been cheating on Jesus and then accusing Him of doing the same in our lives? We will not walk in true spiritual authority until and unless we live with integrity in our relationship with Him and deepen our intimacy there. When we do that, however, the ungodly systems in our world will begin to crumble!

Growing as a Christian is a Process that Challenges Our Practices with Firmly Rooted Principles. Where is God calling us to deepen our roots in His Word and Spirit, so that we can grow in knowing Him and walking in the light of His truth?

Not even Sin City is safe, when God sends His church on mission! No matter how bad our culture might seem to be, God still has many in this city!

What do you want God to do for you? So often in our lives, we carry the weight of our pain and loss, not because we have to, but because we will not put it down. Today, Jesus invites us to be honest about what we are carrying, and to receive freshly His invitation to lay it down.

Why are we afraid of the unknown? Because that which is not known to us threatens to be master over us. In Acts 17:16-34, the apostle Paul comes up against this very reality preaching to the Athenians. He teaches them (and us) that our humility, purpose, security, and focus isn’t found in “out there”, but in the only God who has made himself known.

The love of power produces violence in our lives and in our world, but the power of love produces the victory that sets us free!

In this passage, we see at least 2 different people in need of saving (the slave girl and the jailer). Paul and Silas' interactions with them highlight the full scope of the salvific power of the gospel. It contains the power to save us from evil/darkness, from ourselves (both our pasts and in our present), and from our sins. Are we captivated by this gospel of Jesus Christ? Where do we need the Holy Spirit to apply his work through the gospel in our lives today?

The fruit of life only comes through the pain of planting. As Paul returns to the very city that just attempted to take his life, we are freshly confronted with the invitation of our Jesus to see our lives as seeds that need to die in order to produce a harvest of life in those God has called us to love.

When we step into Mary's story and experience as she faces the cross, we are reminded that we too are met by Jesus in our grief, brokenness, and wrestling. When Jesus meets us at the cross, he speaks into our pain in a way that brings his presence through his family, a union that will bring comfort and companionship even when it feels like God isn't near. This family both reminds us that the work done on the cross is good and also creates space for us to wrestle with where our reality and our hearts tell us otherwise.

True love removes stumbling blocks so that our lives can be transformed. What are the tripping hazards from your heritage, your family, or our present culture that Jesus wants to remove so that you can grow in freedom and joy today?

Episode description not available.

Episode description not available.

Episode description not available.

Episode description not available.