Life Stone Wesleyan Message Podcast

Every day people turn to Google to answer questions of different magnitudes. Religion, politics, fashion, family, health, business - Google knows it all! From "Are we alone in the universe" to "How do I get a passport?" to "Where do babies come from?" to "Is it bad that I talk to myself?", 3.3 billion questions are entrusted to Google each day. That is 1,375,000 questions per hour asked to a search engine. The omniscient Google answers 22,916 questions per minute and 382 questions per second. These aren’t just "How do I remove a shoe scuff?" type of questions. People turn to Google to answer "What is my purpose?", "How do I overcome anxiety?", "Why am I so angry?", "Am I unlovable?" What would we do without Google? Maybe that is the problem? We’ve made a search engine insensible while putting the Creator of the Universe on hold. Maybe we wish God was more like Google? That He would just answer our questions and not bring up anything we don’t want to talk about. That He could be an app on our smartphone that w

Jesus told us He would "build his church", but sometimes we forget that he said he would build it on a man. We brainstorm, program, and promote. We hire, renovate, and upgrade. We mimic, borrow, and compare. The results either overwhelm or underwhelm. We desire conversion growth but settle for transplant growth. The mission to "go make disciples of all nations" and "be my witnesses" to the ends of the earth has taken the back seat to building bigger buildings, Sunday discipleship, and lukewarm Christianity. It seems to me that we are either looking at the wrong blueprint or don't want to build what we've been empowered to build. We have lost sight of this biblical truth: we are His blueprint. Jesus is going to build His church through your life, but what does He want to build?

Jesus told us He would "build his church", but sometimes we forget that he said he would build it on a man. We brainstorm, program, and promote. We hire, renovate, and upgrade. We mimic, borrow, and compare. The results either overwhelm or underwhelm. We desire conversion growth but settle for transplant growth. The mission to "go make disciples of all nations" and "be my witnesses" to the ends of the earth has taken the back seat to building bigger buildings, Sunday discipleship, and lukewarm Christianity. It seems to me that we are either looking at the wrong blueprint or don't want to build what we've been empowered to build. We have lost sight of this biblical truth: we are His blueprint. Jesus is going to build His church through your life, but what does He want to build?

It's natural. It’s natural to be self-aware, and self has been the priority since that dark day in Eden. It’s natural to be self-involved. Since the moment Adam and Eve tried to cover up the mess they found themselves in, we haven’t stopped our involvement. It’s natural to self-pity, and we haven’t come out of hiding since Adam and Eve started the game. We can describe our lives as self-centered, self-satisfying, self-medicated, self-nurturing, and self-helping. A life lead by self has led us to self-harm, self-neglect, and self-victimization. What we try to build up, Jesus has called us to lay down. In fact, He has asked us to do more than that because He has asked us die to self. It isn’t until self dies that Christ can live through us. Growing in faith is trusting Jesus enough to put to death specific aspects of our life. Join us as we discuss how to put self to death. It is scary yet freeing; uncomfortable yet satisfying. It takes surrender that is life changing. It will challenge all that is natural to y

It's natural. It’s natural to be self-aware, and self has been the priority since that dark day in Eden. It’s natural to be self-involved. Since the moment Adam and Eve tried to cover up the mess they found themselves in, we haven’t stopped our involvement. It’s natural to self-pity, and we haven’t come out of hiding since Adam and Eve started the game. We can describe our lives as self-centered, self-satisfying, self-medicated, self-nurturing, and self-helping. A life lead by self has led us to self-harm, self-neglect, and self-victimization. What we try to build up, Jesus has called us to lay down. In fact, He has asked us to do more than that because He has asked us die to self. It isn’t until self dies that Christ can live through us. Growing in faith is trusting Jesus enough to put to death specific aspects of our life. Join us as we discuss how to put self to death. It is scary yet freeing; uncomfortable yet satisfying. It takes surrender that is life changing. It will challenge all that is natural to y

It's natural. It’s natural to be self-aware, and self has been the priority since that dark day in Eden. It’s natural to be self-involved. Since the moment Adam and Eve tried to cover up the mess they found themselves in, we haven’t stopped our involvement. It’s natural to self-pity, and we haven’t come out of hiding since Adam and Eve started the game. We can describe our lives as self-centered, self-satisfying, self-medicated, self-nurturing, and self-helping. A life lead by self has led us to self-harm, self-neglect, and self-victimization. What we try to build up, Jesus has called us to lay down. In fact, He has asked us to do more than that because He has asked us die to self. It isn’t until self dies that Christ can live through us. Growing in faith is trusting Jesus enough to put to death specific aspects of our life. Join us as we discuss how to put self to death. It is scary yet freeing; uncomfortable yet satisfying. It takes surrender that is life changing. It will challenge all that is natural to y

It's natural. It’s natural to be self-aware, and self has been the priority since that dark day in Eden. It’s natural to be self-involved. Since the moment Adam and Eve tried to cover up the mess they found themselves in, we haven’t stopped our involvement. It’s natural to self-pity, and we haven’t come out of hiding since Adam and Eve started the game. We can describe our lives as self-centered, self-satisfying, self-medicated, self-nurturing, and self-helping. A life lead by self has led us to self-harm, self-neglect, and self-victimization. What we try to build up, Jesus has called us to lay down. In fact, He has asked us to do more than that because He has asked us die to self. It isn’t until self dies that Christ can live through us. Growing in faith is trusting Jesus enough to put to death specific aspects of our life. Join us as we discuss how to put self to death. It is scary yet freeing; uncomfortable yet satisfying. It takes surrender that is life changing. It will challenge all that is natural to y

"It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish." A phrase we have all heard at some point in life. "Finish what you start." A great sentiment, but difficult to do when all we can do is look at the starting block. It is difficult to think about the finish when we are struggling in the here and now. The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul reminds us to run for the reward. What awaits us at the finish line should determine how we are currently running this race. Paul says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Following Jesus will require perseverance and effort. The race set before us is not known for its smooth terrain. Keeping the faith is the only way to continually move forward. Ask yourself this, "Is what awaits me at the finish line worth fighting for?" Jesus has rewards for each of us, but we must be willing to run the race to the finish. You may have started the race, but what does it take for you to finish?

God doesn't leave us wondering what He desires of us. He spells it out pretty clearly in the Bible. We know individually what He desires of us, but just as important, He reveals what He desires of His Church. He provides us with vision. Vision reveals what God wants us to accomplish, what direction He wants us to go, and what our focus should be. This is what makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ the most powerful influence this world has ever known. However, if we don't know His Vision we usually end up accomplishing what we want, choosing the direction to go, and focusing on lesser things. We aren't His Church without vision. We can know God's vision but if we aren't operating by His values the vision is an unattainable dream. Values define how we interact with God and in the world. Values define where our time, efforts, and resources are spent. Values determine what we have a heart for, our character, and what we are aiming for.

God doesn't leave us wondering what He desires of us. He spells it out pretty clearly in the Bible. We know individually what He desires of us, but just as important, He reveals what He desires of His Church. He provides us with vision. Vision reveals what God wants us to accomplish, what direction He wants us to go, and what our focus should be. This is what makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ the most powerful influence this world has ever known. However, if we don't know His Vision we usually end up accomplishing what we want, choosing the direction to go, and focusing on lesser things. We aren't His Church without vision. We can know God's vision but if we aren't operating by His values the vision is an unattainable dream. Values define how we interact with God and in the world. Values define where our time, efforts, and resources are spent. Values determine what we have a heart for, our character, and what we are aiming for.

God doesn't leave us wondering what He desires of us. He spells it out pretty clearly in the Bible. We know individually what He desires of us, but just as important, He reveals what He desires of His Church. He provides us with vision. Vision reveals what God wants us to accomplish, what direction He wants us to go, and what our focus should be. This is what makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ the most powerful influence this world has ever known. However, if we don't know His Vision we usually end up accomplishing what we want, choosing the direction to go, and focusing on lesser things. We aren't His Church without vision. We can know God's vision but if we aren't operating by His values the vision is an unattainable dream. Values define how we interact with God and in the world. Values define where our time, efforts, and resources are spent. Values determine what we have a heart for, our character, and what we are aiming for.

God doesn't leave us wondering what He desires of us. He spells it out pretty clearly in the Bible. We know individually what He desires of us, but just as important, He reveals what He desires of His Church. He provides us with vision. Vision reveals what God wants us to accomplish, what direction He wants us to go, and what our focus should be. This is what makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ the most powerful influence this world has ever known. However, if we don't know His Vision we usually end up accomplishing what we want, choosing the direction to go, and focusing on lesser things. We aren't His Church without vision. We can know God's vision but if we aren't operating by His values the vision is an unattainable dream. Values define how we interact with God and in the world. Values define where our time, efforts, and resources are spent. Values determine what we have a heart for, our character, and what we are aiming for.

God doesn't leave us wondering what He desires of us. He spells it out pretty clearly in the Bible. We know individually what He desires of us, but just as important, He reveals what He desires of His Church. He provides us with vision. Vision reveals what God wants us to accomplish, what direction He wants us to go, and what our focus should be. This is what makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ the most powerful influence this world has ever known. However, if we don't know His Vision we usually end up accomplishing what we want, choosing the direction to go, and focusing on lesser things. We aren't His Church without vision. We can know God's vision but if we aren't operating by His values the vision is an unattainable dream. Values define how we interact with God and in the world. Values define where our time, efforts, and resources are spent. Values determine what we have a heart for, our character, and what we are aiming for.

God doesn't leave us wondering what He desires of us. He spells it out pretty clearly in the Bible. We know individually what He desires of us, but just as important, He reveals what He desires of His Church. He provides us with vision. Vision reveals what God wants us to accomplish, what direction He wants us to go, and what our focus should be. This is what makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ the most powerful influence this world has ever known. However, if we don't know His Vision we usually end up accomplishing what we want, choosing the direction to go, and focusing on lesser things. We aren't His Church without vision. We can know God's vision but if we aren't operating by His values the vision is an unattainable dream. Values define how we interact with God and in the world. Values define where our time, efforts, and resources are spent. Values determine what we have a heart for, our character, and what we are aiming for.

God doesn't leave us wondering what He desires of us. He spells it out pretty clearly in the Bible. We know individually what He desires of us, but just as important, He reveals what He desires of His Church. He provides us with vision. Vision reveals what God wants us to accomplish, what direction He wants us to go, and what our focus should be. This is what makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ the most powerful influence this world has ever known. However, if we don't know His Vision we usually end up accomplishing what we want, choosing the direction to go, and focusing on lesser things. We aren't His Church without vision. We can know God's vision but if we aren't operating by His values the vision is an unattainable dream. Values define how we interact with God and in the world. Values define where our time, efforts, and resources are spent. Values determine what we have a heart for, our character, and what we are aiming for.

“...The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Do you believe that? How does your life testify to that? We love to reference that scripture, yet Christians continue to allow people and circumstances they face to have greater impact in their lives than the one who lives within. We allow the worry of finances to be greater than our worship of tithing. We allow the busyness of life to be greater than our attentiveness to God. We allow our personal preference to be greater than God’s inclination. The greatness of God isn’t something we just observe in the beauty of scripture and creation. The greatness of God can be experienced in every facet of life, but in order for that to happen John 3:30 has to be the appetite of your life. ​ "He must become greater, I must become less" For Jesus to become greater in your life, you have to view Him as greater than what life offers. If experiencing pleasure is greater than pleasing God how does John 3:30 become real in your life? If comfort is greate

We put so much effort in moving forward in this life. We look to further our education, career, family, and bank account. However, we can’t help but see other people moving forward and naturally begin to desire what they have. Our efforts can breed entitlement and we begin to think we deserve what others are experiencing. We reach points where our attitudes, words, and actions scream “King me!” What we pursue takes authority over our lives and until our entitlement is satisfied we think others are holding us back. However, entitlement is never satisfied ​and will only lead to discontent. In Israel, there came a point where the Israelites looked around and wanted what others had, a King. They demanded a King and when Samuel warned against it they refused to hear him. To desire a king from this world is to reject the king of the universe. When it came to the Israelites. Samuel told them that their sons and daughters will serve the King, The King gets pick of their best possessions, and they will pay taxes. Wh

We put so much effort in moving forward in this life. We look to further our education, career, family, and bank account. However, we can’t help but see other people moving forward and naturally begin to desire what they have. Our efforts can breed entitlement and we begin to think we deserve what others are experiencing. We reach points where our attitudes, words, and actions scream “King me!” What we pursue takes authority over our lives and until our entitlement is satisfied we think others are holding us back. However, entitlement is never satisfied ​and will only lead to discontent. In Israel, there came a point where the Israelites looked around and wanted what others had, a King. They demanded a King and when Samuel warned against it they refused to hear him. To desire a king from this world is to reject the king of the universe. When it came to the Israelites. Samuel told them that their sons and daughters will serve the King, The King gets pick of their best possessions, and they will pay taxes. Wh