dailyreflections's Podcast

We all experience times in the valley where life hurts and the answers to our pain don't come easy, if they come at all.  Does time in the valley mean I've made a mistake?  Valley times generate questions about God: "If God is loving then why do people suffer?"  Listen today to find encouragement for your time in the valley.

Northampton UMC sermon content.  Check us out on the web: www.numchurch.org.

This sermon reminds us that ministry is a partnership between pastors and the people they lead.  We need each other for the ministry of the local church to be truly effective.  The Mission of Christ is accomplished as the Church works together to bring the love & grace of Jesus to hurting people.  Thanks for listening, God bless!

This sermon explores how the human emotion of grief can be a gift that prepares us to move into a new leg in life's journey.  Transition and loss are never easy but if we put our hope in God through those times we learn that our grief gives way to God's joy and blessing.  Thanks for listening.

Today we journey with Abram and Sarai from their home in Haran to the land of Canaan.  Sometimes God has to uproot us in order for his plan and purpose for our lives to be realized.  Abram's obedience and trust opened the door for God to bless him.  Thanks for listening and God bless!

This week we explored the wonder, mystery, and promise of the Empty Tomb.  It is the linchpin of Christian theology and it is what our faith rests upon.  Without the empty tomb, Jesus would just be a dead rabbi.  The Empty Tomb affirms the reality that he is the Messiah of God.  Thanks for listening and God bless!

This week we journey with Christ into Jerusalem.  We rehearse these stories and experiences every year so we can keep our eyes focused on Jesus instead of on the things of this life.  As Jesus descended the Mt. of Olives and into the city of Jerusalem he was the only one in the crowd who knew why he was going into the city-to die.  As you listen may you experience the impact of this story with fresh insight and be open to what God wants to say to you. 

This week's message is part 2 on Jesus' prayer for the believers.  Jesus prayer is very relational and continues to reveal his heart of love for the believers.  Thanks for listening.

This week Jesus' prayer turns toward those who will believe in Him as a result of the disciples' ministry.  We are those believers and this prayer is wonderfully revealing of Christ's true heart for his followers.  Thanks for listening and be blessed!

Today's message is part two in a series on the prayer of Jesus in John 17.  Today we look at Jesus' prayer for his disciples.  This prayer is the heart-felt expression of Jesus for the disciples he loves.  It was prayed for his initial disciples but its message applies to us as well.  Christ's ministry of intercession for the church continues even now.  Thanks for listening & God bless.

Today's message moves us into the season of Lent.  Lent is a time of spiritual preparation for our celebration of Easter.  During Lent we closely examine our hearts and lives and invite God's Spirit to reveal blindspots, sins, and areas in need of God's transforming touch.  We do soul work during Lent so as Easter arrives our connection to and appreciation of the resurrection of Christ fills our hearts with hope and joy.  This message takes us into the intimate life shared between Jesus and God the Father.  You can learn a lot about a person by listening to their prayers.  This week, we get a glimpse into the conversational life between God and Christ.  Thanks for listening and God bless! 

Today's message challenges us to a persistent life of prayer through the example of the woman in Mark 7:24-30.  She believed that Jesus was the answer to the problem her daughter (who was possessed by an evil spirit) faced.  Listen today to learn how to cultivate a persistent prayer life by learning from this mother's passionate and persistent faith.  Thanks for listening.  Go to the Faith & Life Discovery Journal website to download this week's faith formation journal.

This week's message challenges us to learn the lessons of waiting patiently on God in times of prayer.  Waiting teaches us to listen, to discern, and to trust.  Thanks for listening and may God bless you as you apply His Word to your life.

This week's sermon was about The Power of Prayer.  We discovered that prayer invites God's action, moves God's heart, and empowers us to express our heartfelt hopes & desires to God with honesty and confidence.  May God bless you as you listen today.  To dig deeper into this theme go to: www.discoveryjournal.wordpress.com for a five day a week spiritual formation experience that helps you apply this message to your everyday life in practical ways.  Thanks for listening!

For a daily spiritual formation journal that follows the theme of Sunday's message go to: www.discoveryjournal.wordpress.com.  Each day (Monday through Friday) covers a topic that expands on Sunday's sermon to assist you in applying the lessons of God's Word to your everyday life.

Today we explore the seven phases of biblical conflict resolution that emerge from this passage.  If you are currently facing a difficult situation of conflict or whether you've been there before this message will speak to your heart and equip you to face conflict in healthy ways.  Thanks for listening.

This week we explore the way Nehemiah led the people of Israel to continue rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem despite the threats and the ridicule they faced from those who opposed the project.  Adversity knocks on everyone's door at some point or another.  Nehemiah gives us an example for overcoming the adversity we face in our lives and in the church.  Thanks for listening.

Today's message called us into the Old Testament world of Nehemiah.  If you read the book thinking its about rebuilding a wall you're only partly right.  The core message of the book is rebuilding the heart of the people of God.  Thanks for listening and God bless!

Today's sermon calls us to be filled with joy at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Christ entered the human sphere to save us and make us fully alive again.  His death restores the possibility of relationship with God once again and if we respond to his grace and receive it into our hearts we are united with God in Christ.  Thanks for listening.  May God bless and inspire you as you listen!

This is the Christmas Eve message from Fairhope United Methodist Church.  Pastor Eli challenged us to see Jesus for who he is and not let the culture define our understanding of Christ.  Jesus came to save us, to equip His church to reach the world, and to establish His Kingdom in human hearts.  Thanks for listening and may God bless you as you celebrate and remember the birth of Christ!

Today's sermon address the issue of spiritual quest.  The song asks a question, "What child is this who...?"  The question is one of identity.  Throughout the Bible we encounter people seeking Jesus.  God honors the spiritual curiosity and desire of those who seek him.  What are you seeking this Christmas...a few more gifts under the tree or the soul-satisfying love of Jesus Christ that will never fail you, leave you, or change on you?  Thanks for listening and may God bless you!

Today's sermon is the third in our Advent series.  We've been looking at the rich theological treasury of the hymns of Christmas, unpacking them to discover the depth of meaning contained in these familiar words.  If you're interested in expanding your experience of this message you can participate in a daily spiritual formation journal that follows along with the themes of each Sunday's message by going to the Discovery Journal on-line.  Thanks for listening and God bless!

Today's sermon introduces us to several different biblical names/titles for Jesus.  No one in history has been given more names/titles than Christ.  This week's hymn calls us to remember the ways in which these names reflect our experiences with Christ in relationship.  Thanks for listening and may you have a blessed Advent season.

To expand the impact of these sermon podcasts we have created a daily spiritual formation experience as a companion to assist listeners in applying and integrating the message into their daily lives of faith.  For a daily spiritual experience that includes a brief commentary, a daily scripture reading, and a series of thought provoking and spiritually engaging questions go to: Discovery Journal online.

Today's message begins our Advent series.  This year we will be looking at the theology of the hymns of faith we sing during Advent.  Each week we will look closely at a specific Advent hymn and mine it for its rich, theology and worshipful content.  Listen each week and then join us for a Monday through Friday journaling experience by downloading the weekly Faith & Life Discovery Journal at: www.discoveryjournal.wordpress.com.  God bless you and thanks for listening.