Don't Turn Back

The "He Gets Us" Super Bowl ad attempted to show people Jesus, and it sparked a lot of strong reactions.  The question is, what Jesus did the ad actually point to, and, in the cultural context portrayed in the ad, do we understand who Jesus really is?  This episode looks at the story of Jesus washing feet, and what the ad gets right, what it gets wrong, and what uncertainty it leaves behind. 

In Genesis Chapters 1 and 2, God lays out ten truths about creation.  n this episode, we will explore truths 6 through 10, where else in the Bible they are supported, and what it means for us today.  Hear are truths 6-10 that we cover in this episode, along with the Bible verses used:6.   God created male and female Gen 1:27, Gen 5:2, Jer 30:6, Mark 10:6, Lev 15:16-337.  God gave specific value and purpose to life in the womb Gen 1:28, Eph 2:10, Ps 139:13, Ps 51:5, Is 49:1, Jer 1:5, Luke 1:13-17, Luke 1:43-44, 1 Cor 3:16-178.  God placed man above animals Gen 1:28, James 3:7, Ps 8:3-8, Lev 16, Gen 3:21, Matt 6:26-30, Matt 10:29-319.  God established and blessed a day of rest Gen 2:3, Ex 20:8, Mark 2:27-28, Rev 1:10, Heb 4:9-11, Mark 6:31-32, Col 2:16-17, Rom 14:5-810.  God established marriage between a man and a woman and sex between a husband and a wifeGen 2:24, Matt 19:4-6, Mark 10:6-7, Eph 5:25, 1 Cor 6:16, Rom 1:27, Lev 20:13, Lev 18, Lev 20, Gen 19.

In Genesis Chapters 1 and 2, God lays out ten truths about creation.  In this episode we will explore the first five truths, where else in the Bible they are supported, and what it means for us today.  Here are the 5 Truths we cover in this episode, along with the Bible verses used:There is a God   Gen 1:1, John 8:54-58, Luke 9:28-35, Mt 3:16-17, Rom 1:20 God is the Creator of our world and everything in itGen 1:1, Ps 33:6, Is 37:16, Is 45:18, John 1:1-3, Heb 11:3, Rev 4:11, Amos 4:13, Ps 19:1-2, Heb 3:4  God is the Master of creation Gen 1:9, Ps 33:7-9, Ps 74:16-17, Col 1:16-17, Jb 38:4-13, Is 45:9-12, Mt 6:30, Is 40:21-26, Mt 8:23-27, Rev 4:11  God created mankind Gen 1:26, Is 42:5, Gen 6:5-6, Dt 4:32, Is 45:12, Mt 10:30   God created mankind in His image Gen 1:26, Gen 5:1, Gen 9:6, 1 Cor 11:7a, James 3:9, 1 Cor 6:19, James 4:5Come back for Episode 7 where we will cover truths 6 through 10!

We all face challenges in this broken world, and where we turn to for life and vitality is closely connected to the kind of fruit we produce in the word.  Episode 5 uses Jeremiah 17:5-9 to look at three key questions:What is your source?Do you dwell, or are you planted?How do respond to "heat" and "drought"In this episode, we use the passage to look closely at difference between the one who is connected to the world and the one who is "planted" in the Lord.  

Genesis Chapter 24 we see a remarkable story of faith, prayer, service, and a willingness to act when God calls.  Rebecca and Abraham's servant lay out a simple model that will help us to act when God calls us and not wait:Start again from a place of faith -- not just to know who God is, but to really know HimBe specific in your prayer, with patience and persistenceNo matter the answer, do the work of serving othersAct when God calls you to actUltimately, we need to let our faith and not our skepticism drive our response to what God is calling us to do.  God Bless!

This episode looks at the healing of blind Bartimaeus.  In this short encounter with Jesus, Bartimaeus shows 5 things everyone on their journey to Christ should show:He started from a place of faithHe was persistentHe recognized that Jesus' call changes everythingHe responded when he heard the callHe humbly and boldly askedAs you start this new year and think about the changes you would like to make, ask yourself this -- are your ready to let Jesus not only change your circumstances, but to all change your life? 

Episode 2 focuses on the iconic story of David and Goliath which serves a metaphor about not only facing the "giants" in our own life, but also as foreshadowing of the work Jesus did on our behalf on the cross.  Deeper within the story of a boy, a giant, and a slingshot, we find a model that David leaves us that can help us have the faith and courage to run into our battles, just throw our stones, and trust God to land them where He needs them.   As you listen to Episode 2, think about these important lessons:Recognize the battle to which you have been calledKnow who God is and what He means to youStay anchored in God even in the midst of challengesFight with the weapons He gives youRun into the battle and throw your stoneGod can do miraculous things on His own, but often He is looking for those with the faith and the willingness to walk along side Him and join into the battles of life.

In the namesake lesson of the Don't Turn Back podcast, we look at Matthew 14:22-33 where Jesus and Peter walk on the water.  Often we are told that the the key lessons of the passage are:  1) Jesus shows His divinity, 2) Peter's zeal causes him to get into another difficult situation, 3) Peter's lack of faith gets him to trouble again, and 4) Jesus has to bail Peter out.  While each of these interpretations can be supported by the text, familiarity and repetition have stripped this story of important context that can also help us see that in the midst of failure, Peter succeeded immensely, and in doing so, left us an important model to follow in our own journey of faith.  As you listen to the podcast, consider these questions:How did Peter get to a place to so easily recognize Jesus and the power He had?Do you recognize Jesus's presence in your life and what He's done for you?What does the boat represent in your life?In your own moments of crisis or challenge, are you more likely to turn to Jesus or to turn back to the boat?If you have questions, need prayer, or simply want to reach out, I can be reached at [email protected].  You can also find me on Twitter at @dontturnbackpod and on Instagram at @DontTurnBackPodcastThanks, and God Bless!