The Modern Methodist

Think you're too old for change? Real transformation isn't limited by age but by your willingness to surrender and embrace new possibilities. Are you ready to let go and become who you're meant to be? For more information visit RGMCA.ORG

Pastor Leonardo Haro explores the tension of transition through Jesus' words in John 16:7, "It is to your advantage that I go away." Using his personal experience coaching soccer and losing key players, he illustrates how God's transitions rarely feel like blessings initially. The sermon emphasizes that proximity to God doesn't guarantee transformation, and that God never intended His presence to be tied to places but to dwell within people. Jesus invested in people, not buildings, and the church's legacy will be the lives transformed, not structures built. This transition isn't about losing God's presence but moving from God being "with us" to "within us" through the Holy Spirit.The pastor challenges the congregation to trust God when "better doesn't feel better" and to embrace transformation rather than just transition. He emphasizes that while a new building may come, it won't define the church—what God does within the people will. The key question isn't whether they're transitioning (they already are), but whether they're being transformed and willing to release what was to receive what God is doing now.

Pastor Jason begins a three-week series called "Transformed" by examining how God uses change to transform His people. Using the story of the Israelites in the wilderness, he shows how God provided manna for 40 years as a daily test of obedience and trust, then changed their provision when they entered the Promised Land. The sermon emphasizes that while no one likes change, God works through change to transform us, and we must choose between being transformed by God or conformed to the world.The message connects the Old Testament manna story to Jesus declaring Himself the "bread of life" in John 6, showing how God's provision is always tied to His purpose of transformation. Pastor Jason challenges the congregation to surrender their grumbling and resistance to change, trusting that God's faithfulness remains constant even when His methods change. He emphasizes that we are either moving toward God through transformation or away from Him through conformity to worldly patterns.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

This Easter sermon explores the account of the women visiting Jesus' tomb in Luke 24:1-6, focusing on the question 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?' The pastor emphasizes that Easter is not just a seasonal celebration but a return to the fundamentals of faith. The message reveals three key truths about resurrection: it requires death (surrender for us since Jesus died in our place), it resets our expectations when we encounter the unexpected empty tomb, and it transforms seekers into finders. The sermon challenges the tendency to look for life in dead places - whether through money, relationships, careers, or other pursuits - when true life is found only in the risen Christ who actively pursues us with His grace.For more info visit rgmca.org

Pastor Jason explores the posture of praise through the lens of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and David's dancing before the Ark of the Covenant. He emphasizes that Christians come from a long line of 'rowdy worshipers' who were willing to look foolish in the eyes of others because God is worthy of all praise. The sermon challenges believers to abandon concerns about what others think and embrace wholehearted worship, even if it appears silly or inappropriate by cultural standards. Using examples from Dancing with the Stars, Pastor Jason illustrates how the most powerful moments come when people stop caring about appearances and simply give their all. The message culminates in the truth that God's presence is the catalyst for our praise, and if His people don't respond, even the stones would cry out.For more info visit rgmca.org

Have you ever felt like God was nowhere to be found? You're not alone. Many believers experience seasons where heaven feels silent and God seems distant. Often, this happens during our most painful moments—when we're grieving, afraid, or walking through uncertainty. Jesus understands this feeling intimately. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He experienced such intense anguish that He sweat drops of blood. Even the Son of God felt the crushing weight of emotional and physical pain. Yet in this darkest hour, something remarkable happened—He didn't run from the pain or pretend it wasn't real. The truth is, God isn't absent during our difficult seasons. He's actually present in our grief and sorrow. We feel disconnected because our natural instinct is to pull away from pain, to avoid it or find an escape route. But what if staying present in our pain could actually draw us closer to God? Jesus shows us that acknowledging our struggles doesn't make us weak or faithless. He was honest about His anguish, yet He remained connected to the Father. When we stop running from our pain and instead bring it honestly before God, we often discover He was there all along, waiting to meet us in our deepest need.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

Picture Jesus walking into the temple courts, seeing the chaos of commerce where worship should be. This wasn't a moment of lost temper - it was holy zeal in action. The merchants weren't evil people; they provided necessary services. But they had transformed God's sacred space into a marketplace focused on profit rather than prayer. This scene reveals something powerful about Jesus' heart. He has an intense passion for what belongs to God to remain set apart for God's glory. Nothing else will do. When we see Jesus overturning tables and driving out the money changers, we're witnessing divine love in action - love that refuses to let anything diminish what was meant to honor the Father. The same zeal Jesus displayed in the temple, He has for your life today. He sees the areas where other things have taken priority over His glory, and His heart burns with desire to restore what was always meant to be His. This isn't anger directed at you - it's love fighting for you.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

Picture this: Jesus stands on a hill overlooking Jerusalem, and instead of triumph or anger, tears stream down His face. In that moment, we see the heart of God revealed - not a distant judge, but a loving Father who grieves when His children miss what could bring them peace. Jesus wept because the people He loved couldn't see that He was their answer. They were so focused on their religious routines and self-sufficiency that they missed the very presence of God among them. His tears weren't just for Jerusalem's future destruction, but for every heart that remains closed to His love. Today, God's heart still breaks when we choose our own way over His. But here's the beautiful truth: His tears are evidence of His deep love for you. He doesn't weep because He's disappointed in you, but because He knows the abundant life He wants to give you. When you feel distant from God, remember that He's not angry - He's reaching out with the same compassionate heart that wept over Jerusalem.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

Picture the scene: Jesus, the Rabbi, the Messiah, rises from His place of honor at the table. In a world where position and status mattered everything, He does the unthinkable. He takes off His outer garments, wraps a towel around His waist, and begins washing dirty, dusty feet. The room falls silent. This wasn't just unusual - it was scandalous. In that culture, foot washing was reserved for the lowest servant in the household. It was the job nobody wanted, the task considered most demeaning. Yet here was Jesus, the one they looked up to, the one they followed, willingly taking on this humiliating role. Sometimes love looks nothing like what we expect. Sometimes it's messy, uncomfortable, and challenges everything we think we know about power and position. Jesus showed us that true greatness isn't found in being served, but in serving others - even when it costs us our pride.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

Communication experts tell us that over half of all communication is nonverbal - our posture speaks volumes before we ever say a word. In our spiritual lives, the posture of our hearts matters even more than our words or intentions. When we raise our hands in surrender, we're not just making a gesture; we're exposing our most vulnerable places to God's care while showing we have nothing to hide. This posture of complete openness and vulnerability is where transformation begins. It's the difference between managing our faith and truly living it. Your spiritual posture today - whether it's self-reliance or God-reliance - will determine the direction of your journey. The beautiful truth is that God is waiting for us to assume this posture of surrender, not to control us, but to free us.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

We experienced some technical difficulties this week. The audio quality is not very good, but we hope you are blessed all the same. Discover more at RGMCA.ORG

Have you ever wondered if you truly matter in God's kingdom? Perhaps you've looked around at others and felt like you don't have anything significant to offer. Today, I want to remind you of an incredible truth that can change everything about how you see yourself and your place in God's family. God has intentionally equipped you with something special. It's not an accident that you're here, and it's not a coincidence that you have the particular heart, perspective, and abilities that you do. Christ has been generous with you, giving you a unique spiritual gift that no one else can express quite the way you can. Maybe you're someone who naturally cares for others when they're hurting. Perhaps you have a gift for explaining complex ideas in simple ways, or you find yourself naturally sharing your faith with others. You might be someone who sees the bigger picture and helps organize things, or you have insights about what God is doing in current situations. Whatever your gift is, it matters deeply. The church isn't complete without your contribution. When you step into your gifting, you're not just helping yourself grow—you're helping the entire body of Christ become healthier and more effective. Your gift isn't meant to be hidden or minimized. It's meant to be discovered, developed, and deployed for the good of others and the glory of God. Today, take a moment to consider how God might be calling you to use what He's given you.For More Info Visit RGMCA.ORG

Drawing from Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12, this message explores the gifts of the Spirit—not as badges of spiritual worth, but as manifestations of God’s grace given for the common good. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation are all named, all needed, and all empowered by the same Spirit.Here’s the crucial truth: none of these gifts are given to validate us. They do not define our value or prove our holiness. When spiritual gifts become about self-importance, the foundation is off. Paul reminds us that God distributes these gifts as He wills, so that the church may grow into maturity—lacking nothing.If you confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, welcome to the Body of Christ. You belong. You are equipped. And you have a role to play.

Think about your morning routine - brushing your teeth with toothpaste that actually works because of its active ingredient, fluoride. Without it, you're just going through the motions. The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. We can attend church, read our Bibles, serve in ministries, and check all the religious boxes, but without love as our active ingredient, we're just going through spiritual motions. Paul reminds us that even the most impressive spiritual gifts - speaking in tongues, prophetic abilities, mountain-moving faith, generous giving, and ultimate sacrifice - amount to nothing without love. This isn't about adding love as a nice bonus to our faith; it's about recognizing that love is what gives power and substance to everything else we do. Many of us have experienced the emptiness of religious performance. We've served out of duty, given out of guilt, or participated out of habit. But when love becomes the driving force, everything changes. Our service becomes joyful, our giving becomes generous, and our participation becomes authentic. God isn't looking for perfect performance; He's looking for hearts that are genuinely motivated by His love. When love is the active ingredient in your life, your faith becomes powerful, your relationships become meaningful, and your spiritual journey becomes transformative. The question isn't whether you're doing enough spiritual activities - it's whether love is powering what you're already doing.

Have you ever wondered what God was doing before He created the world? Before there were stars, mountains, or people to love, God existed in perfect love within the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shared a love so complete and beautiful that it needed nothing else to make it whole. This changes everything about how we understand God's love for us. His love isn't something He developed because He needed someone to care for. It's not conditional on our performance or dependent on our response. God's love existed in its fullness before you were even a thought. When we grasp this truth, it frees us from the exhausting cycle of trying to earn God's affection. You don't have to prove yourself worthy of His love because His love was perfect long before you existed. The same love that flows between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the love He extends to you today. This eternal love is your foundation. It's not something you can lose or something you need to work harder to obtain. It simply is, and it's yours. When you wake up tomorrow morning, that same perfect, eternal love that existed before time will be waiting for you, unchanged and unwavering.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

Have you ever tried to describe something so magnificent that words just fell short? That's what happens when we attempt to grasp God's holiness. It's not just that God is good or pure - it's that He is completely unique, utterly set apart from everything else in existence. When we think of holiness, we often picture a list of do's and don'ts, but that misses the breathtaking reality. God's holiness means there is absolutely nothing like Him. He stands alone in His perfection, His love, His power, and His character. This isn't about following rules - it's about recognizing the stunning uniqueness of our Creator. This truth should fill us with wonder rather than fear. The God who spoke galaxies into existence, who knows every star by name, who holds the universe together - this same God calls you His beloved child. His holiness isn't a barrier between you and Him; it's the very foundation of why you can trust Him completely. When you understand that God is truly one-of-a-kind, it changes everything. You realize that His ways are higher than your ways, His thoughts beyond your thoughts. You can rest in knowing that the One who loves you is absolutely trustworthy because there is no flaw, no weakness, no shadow in His character. Today, let this truth sink deep into your heart: you serve a God who is completely unique, perfectly holy, and utterly devoted to you.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

Have you ever looked in a mirror and wondered who you really are? Beyond your physical appearance, beyond your accomplishments or failures, there's something profound about your identity that goes back to the very beginning of creation. You were created in the image of God Himself. This isn't just a nice theological concept - it's the foundation of who you are. When God breathed life into humanity, He didn't create robots or servants. He created image bearers - people who would reflect His character, His love, His grace. The best attributes of your Creator were built into you from the very beginning. Yes, sin has marred that image, but it hasn't erased it. You still carry within you the capacity for holy love, grace, and goodness because you bear the image of the One who is perfectly holy. This truth changes everything about how we approach our relationship with God. Instead of starting from a place of shame and unworthiness, we begin with the incredible reality that we were designed to reflect God's character. This doesn't minimize our need for Jesus - it actually magnifies the beauty of what He came to restore. He didn't come just to forgive us; He came to restore us to our original design as image bearers of the holy God.For more info visit rgmca.org

For More info, visit RGMCA.ORG

For more info, please visit RGMCA.ORG

God delights in you because he loves you. God does not love you because you are delightful.Have you ever wondered why some days you feel closer to God than others? Often, it's because we've confused God's love with His delight. We think God loves us more when we're having a good day, when we've read our Bible, or when we've been kind to everyone around us. But this creates an exhausting cycle where our sense of being loved depends on our performance. The beautiful truth is that God's love isn't based on how delightful we are. His love is constant, unwavering, and completely independent of our behavior. When we have this backwards - thinking we need to be delightful to earn God's love - we miss the security and peace that comes from understanding His unconditional love. This Christmas season, as we prepare our hearts for celebrating Jesus' birth, we're invited to rest in a love that doesn't fluctuate with our moods, mistakes, or achievements. God's love for you today is exactly the same as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow. You don't have to perform for it, earn it, or maintain it. It simply is, because God is love. This foundational truth changes everything about how we approach our relationship with God and others. When we're secure in His unchanging love, we're free to love others without keeping score or expecting them to be delightful all the time.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

Have you ever noticed how some people seem to carry a light within them, regardless of their circumstances? There's something different about them—a quiet confidence, a gentle strength that doesn't waver when life gets difficult. This is the mark of biblical joy, and it's meant to define every follower of Christ. Joy isn't the same as happiness. Happiness depends on what happens to us, but joy runs much deeper. It's rooted in who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us. When the angel announced Jesus' birth, he proclaimed "good news that will cause great joy for all the people." This wasn't just about a happy moment—it was about a fundamental shift in reality. From the very beginning, Jesus was associated with joy. Even before His birth, John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother's womb when Mary, carrying Jesus, came near. This wasn't coincidence; it was prophecy in motion. Joy and Jesus are inseparable. As believers, we're called to reflect the character of Christ. If joy defined Him, it should define us too. This doesn't mean we're always smiling or pretending everything is perfect. It means we carry within us an unshakeable confidence in God's goodness and faithfulness, regardless of our current circumstances. Today, consider what defines you. Is it your struggles, your successes, your relationships, or your circumstances? Or is it the joy that comes from knowing you belong to Jesus? Let that joy begin to reshape how you see yourself and how others see Christ in you.For more info, visit RGMCA.ORG

Have you ever noticed how hard we try to earn peace? We think if we just work harder, make better choices, or fix all our problems, then we'll finally find that elusive tranquility we're searching for. But here's the beautiful truth that changes everything: peace isn't something you earn—it's something you receive. Jesus made this crystal clear when he said, 'My peace I give to you.' Notice he didn't say 'My peace you can work for' or 'My peace you can buy.' He said 'I give.' Peace is God's gift to you, not a reward for your performance. This is revolutionary because it means your peace doesn't depend on having a perfect life, making flawless decisions, or being good enough. It doesn't matter if you've made mistakes, if your circumstances are messy, or if you feel unworthy. God's peace is offered freely to you right now, exactly as you are. Think about the best gifts you've ever received. They weren't earned—they were given out of love. That's exactly how God offers his peace to you. Not because you've been perfect, but because he loves you perfectly. Today, instead of trying to manufacture peace through your efforts, simply open your hands and heart to receive what God is already offering you.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

When Giving Thanks Is Hard: Finding God in Difficult SeasonsLife has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. While Thanksgiving approaches and we're surrounded by messages about gratitude and joy, the reality is that not everyone feels thankful right now. Some of you woke up this morning not with "hallelujah" but with heaviness in your heart.Psalm 137 gives us a powerful picture of what it looks like when gratitude feels impossible. The Israelites sat by the rivers of Babylon, weeping as they remembered their homeland of Zion. They had hung their harps on the poplar trees - their instruments of worship and joy were silent.Their captors demanded songs of joy, asking them to "sing us one of the songs of Zion." But the people responded with raw honesty: "How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?"This psalm reminds us of something crucial: faith does not silence grief, and God never asks us to fake joy.The answer is yes. Just like the Israelites who couldn't bring themselves to sing for their captors, sometimes our hearts aren't ready to shout "thank you." And that's okay with God.Consider this real story: A man experienced a devastating week where his relationship ended unexpectedly, his son revealed a struggle with alcoholism, a close friend withdrew their support, and his great-nephew was diagnosed with cancer - all within 36 hours. In that moment, he wondered, "What do I have to be thankful for this week?"First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to "give thanks in all circumstances." Notice it doesn't say "for all circumstances." We're not called to be thankful for pain, loss, or hardship. But we can find ways to be thankful even while walking through difficult seasons.The Israelites had forgotten something important about God's presence. When they built the tabernacle, it was to ensure God could dwell among them. But God is not limited to space or time - He cannot be confined to a specific building or relegated to only the "good times" in our past.Whether your season is cloudy or bright, God adapts His presence to what you need. In darkness, He sends fire to let you know He's there. In overwhelming light, He provides a cloud for protection. He tabernacles with us wherever we go, in whatever season we're experiencing.Many of us try to rely on past events when God felt closer or more active in our lives. We look at old photos and wish we could return to "better times." But God is not limited to operating only in our past - He can meet us powerfully in our present circumstances.Sometimes the most authentic worship happens when we're honest about our pain. Just like the Israelites refused to play their instruments for their captors because their hearts weren't there, we don't have to pretend joy we don't feel.Even if your heart isn't ready to shout "thank you" this week, you can still offer quiet, honest moments of gratitude:A whisper of thanks for one thing that held you up this weekA simple acknowledgment of God's presence in your struggleRecognition of the community that surrounds you during difficult timesThat's still worship. That's still giving thanks. And sometimes that small step opens the door for joy to grow in seasons ahead.Out of approximately 150 Psalms, most talk about giving thanks, being joyful, and expressing gratitude. But God knew that between Psalm 1 and Psalm 150, there would be times when we wouldn't feel good enough to give thanks.We're not forced to fake joy in front of our church family. Too often we pretend we're doing okay because we don't want to be vulnerable or appear to be the only ones not experiencing victory.For more info visit rgmca.org

This week, challenge yourself to practice hospitality that makes you uncomfortable. Look for opportunities to extend kindness, welcome, or help to someone outside your usual circle - someone who can't repay you or benefit you in return.Maybe it's the person at work who seems difficult, the neighbor you've never talked to, or someone at church who doesn't fit your typical friend group. Practice hospitality without strings attached, expecting nothing in return except the blessing that comes from obedience to Christ's teaching.Ask yourself these questions: Who in my life represents the "out group" that I've been avoiding? What expectations do I carry that rob me of gratitude when receiving hospitality from others? How can I make room at my table - literally or figuratively - for someone who cannot repay me? Am I willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of showing Christ's love to others?Remember, we were once the outsiders, the enemies, the ones who couldn't repay God's kindness. Yet He made Himself uncomfortable to welcome us. Now we're called to do the same for others.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

How Practicing Hospitality Creates Awareness of God's PresenceHave you ever wondered why you feel God's presence more strongly in church than in your everyday life? The answer might surprise you. It's not that God is more present in church—it's that we expect to encounter Him there. But what if we could live with that same awareness of God's presence throughout our entire week?Before diving deeper into hospitality and gratitude, we must understand a fundamental truth: our provision is found in the presence of the Good Shepherd. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." Everything we need is met simply by the shepherd being who He is.This creates a simple equation: Need + Hospitality = GratitudeThe provision of the shepherd—making us lie down in green pastures, leading us beside still waters, preparing a table before us—is best understood as the hospitality of God. When we recognize God's hospitality toward us, gratitude naturally follows.Think about encountering a famous person in public. You might walk right past them without noticing until someone points them out. The excitement doesn't come from their magical presence—it comes from your awareness of their presence.The same principle applies to God. He exists in every movement of wind and is reflected in all creation. We experience His presence in church services because we expect it there. But shouldn't our awareness of God's presence extend beyond our weekly gatherings?The Foundation: God's Provision Meets Our NeedWhy Don't We Always Feel God's Presence?

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). The ultimate expression of God's hospitality isn't just meeting our daily needs - it's laying down His life so we could know Him and be with Him forever.This sacrificial love is the foundation of all gratitude. When we understand that our deepest need - reconciliation with God - has been met through Christ's sacrifice, every other expression of His hospitality becomes a reason for thanksgiving.This week, practice acknowledging your needs instead of hiding from them. When you feel thirsty, hungry, tired, lonely, or uncertain, pause and recognize these as opportunities to experience God's hospitality. Thank Him for meeting your needs, both big and small.Start each day by asking yourself: "What do I need from the Good Shepherd today?" Then watch for how He provides rest, sustenance, care, and direction throughout your day. End each day by reflecting on how your needs were met and responding with gratitude.Consider these questions as you develop this practice:What needs am I trying to hide or meet on my own?How has God shown hospitality to me this week?Where do I see His provision in the midst of difficult circumstances?How can I extend hospitality to others as a response to God's hospitality toward me?Discover more at RGMCA.ORG

In a world that often dismisses the supernatural, many Christians find themselves caught between doubt and faith when it comes to miracles. Are miracles real? Does God still intervene in our daily lives? These questions challenge believers to examine what they truly believe about God's power and presence in the modern world.For more into visit RGMCA.ORG

When God shows up, it looks remarkably similar to what we find in the pages of the New Testament. Lives are radically changed, the impossible becomes possible, and heaven's resources become accessible through prayer. This isn't about creating distinctions within the body of Christ, but recognizing that all believers have access to the same God who wants to work through us today.A charismatic Christian is simply someone who believes that God is still doing extraordinary things and that the spiritual gifts mentioned in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, and Ephesians 4 are still in operation today.For more info visit RGMCA.ORG

Have you ever wondered if God still performs miracles today? In a world that often demands scientific proof for everything, it's easy to become skeptical about supernatural intervention. Yet countless testimonies and documented cases suggest that the God who parted the Red Sea and raised the dead is still actively working in our world today.RGMCA.ORG

In our modern world, it's easy to fall into a pattern of living as if God is merely a concept rather than a living presence. We may attend church, read our Bibles, and even pray, but do we truly expect God to show up and act in our lives? Many of us have unintentionally adopted what could be called 'functional atheism' – conducting our lives and even our faith as if God doesn't actively participate in our world. Yet Scripture paints a dramatically different picture. Jeremiah boldly proclaims that the Lord is not just a philosophical idea or a historical figure, but "the living God and the everlasting king." This isn't merely poetic language – it's a fundamental truth that should transform how we approach every aspect of our lives. God is not distant or disinterested. He is alive, active, and engaged with His creation. Jesus himself affirmed this when he said, "My father is always at his work to this very day, and so am I." God didn't create the world and then step back to watch it run. He continues to work, to move, to heal, to transform, and to guide. When we begin to truly grasp that God is living and active, it changes everything. Our prayers become expectant conversations rather than ritualistic monologues. Our worship becomes an encounter rather than a performance. Our daily lives become adventures of faith rather than exercises in self-reliance. Today, let's challenge ourselves to move beyond a theoretical faith to a living relationship with the God who is present and active in our world.At age 18, after suffering from mononucleosis for over five weeks with fever, chills, body pain, and loss of appetite, a desperate two-hour prayer session resulted in immediate healing. The fever broke, hunger returned, and wellness was restored instantaneously.Discover more at RGMCA.ORG

You cannot become more like Jesus without practicing vulnerability and confession. This is a bold statement, but it's true. When we keep the reality of our hearts hidden, those things will eventually be exposed in painful and unwelcome ways.Think of Adam and Eve in the garden—their first instinct after sinning was to hide. That's our natural response too. But God calls us to a different way.When we practice vulnerability and confession as part of our regular Christian life, we allow God to transform us into the image of Jesus without having everything we've built around us destroyed. It's a better way to grow.The challenge is simple but profound: find a way to practice vulnerability and confession, not only with the Lord but with other believers as well.Discover more at RGMCA.ORG

There are three key components to a healthy Scripture practice:Acts 17:10-11 tells us about the Bereans who "received the Word in all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if things were so." They investigated and studied what was then Scripture (the Old Testament) to confirm what the apostles taught.The church today, especially in the West, does well with studying. We have Bible studies, book clubs, and Sunday schools. We should be studying Scripture every day.Psalm 119:10-11 says: "With my whole heart I seek you. Let me not wander from your commandments. I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."When we memorize Scripture, it gets locked into the recesses of not just our mind but our being. Some people memorize by book, chapter, and verse references. Others memorize through the narrative of what's happening in the passage. Find whatever method works for you.Memorizing Scripture is the intentional practice of retaining truth so it's easily accessible in every moment of every day. When we stop thinking of it as text on a page and start seeing it as truth—even truth we don't fully understand—memorization becomes easier.Psalm 1:1-2 says: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."The Hebrew word for "meditate" is "hagah," which means to murmur, to utter softly, to ponder. It describes an animal chewing its prey—making an audible eating sound. It's about reveling in the truth and beauty of Scripture until it vibrates within us.Meditating on Scripture is like savoring a perfect bite of cheesecake. You're not worried about anything else in that moment—you're just overwhelmed by the goodness.1. Study Scripture Daily2. Memorize Scripture3. Meditate on Scripture

Have you ever thought about how automatic breathing is? Most of us don't consciously think about each breath we take. It just happens. Yet without it, we couldn't survive for more than a few minutes. In our spiritual lives, prayer functions much like breathing. It's not meant to be an occasional emergency measure when we're in trouble, but rather the constant, life-sustaining rhythm of our relationship with God. When God created Adam, He formed him from dust and then breathed life into him. That divine breath transformed lifeless clay into a living being. In a similar way, Jesus breathed on His disciples after His resurrection, saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This wasn't just a symbolic gesture—it was the transfer of divine life. Just as we breathe automatically in our physical lives, prayer should become the natural rhythm of our spiritual lives. Not just formal prayers at designated times, but a continuous connection with the Spirit who dwells within us. Today, consider how often you're "breathing" spiritually. Are you waiting until you're spiritually gasping before you pray? Or is prayer becoming the natural rhythm of your life with God?Discover More at RGMCA.ORG

God Uses What We Have to Provide What We NeedThroughout Scripture, we find countless stories of God doing the impossible with limited resources. From the widow's last portion of flour and oil that lasted for years, to another widow whose small amount of oil multiplied enough to pay off debts, to David defeating Goliath with just a sling and stones—God consistently uses very little to accomplish the extraordinary.The story of five loaves and two fish in John 6 demonstrates this principle perfectly. When faced with feeding 5,000 people, the disciples calculated that even 200 denarii (equivalent to about $36,000 in today's money) wouldn't be enough to feed everyone. Yet Andrew brought forward a boy with just five loaves and two fish—clearly insufficient by human standards.This pattern appears throughout Scripture, including in Gideon's story. God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men, then equipped them not with swords and shields, but with clay jars, torches, and trumpets. Through this unlikely strategy, God delivered victory.What Does the Bible Teach About God's Provision?Discovery More at RGMCA.ORG

The most important thing to remember is that God loves you, and nothing can change that. This love is the foundation for everything else. From this place of security, consider these questions:What is God asking of you right now? Be honest with yourself about whether you're being fully obedient - not giving a penny more (trying to make things happen in your own power) or a penny less (not trusting God fully).Are you presenting yourself as more committed than you actually are? Remember, this isn't about impressing others but about your heart position before God.Are you missing the joy of participation? Like the Ephraimites who flooded down to help, or like Succoth who refused, your response determines your experience of God's work.What would it look like to be "all in" with what God is doing? Not out of obligation, but out of love and trust in a God who has proven faithful.This week, commit to being honest with God about where you are. If you've been holding back, remember that His grace is sufficient. If you've been trying to do too much in your own strength, rest in His power. The goal isn't perfection but participation - joining God in what He's already doing, with a heart fully surrendered to Him.Discover more at RGMC.ORG

Have you ever noticed how we tend to define ourselves? We say things like "I'm a parent," "I'm a teacher," or "I'm a musician." These labels aren't wrong, but they only scratch the surface of who we truly are. In Judges 6, we find Gideon hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat to keep it from the Midianites. He's afraid, insecure, and certainly not acting like a hero. Yet when God appears to him, He doesn't address Gideon based on what He sees. Instead, God says something remarkable: "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." God didn't call Gideon by who he was in that moment, but by who he would become through God's power. This wasn't just a nice compliment—it was a divine declaration of Gideon's true identity. This pattern appears throughout Scripture. God doesn't wait for us to become something before He calls us by that name. He speaks our identity into existence, just as He spoke the universe into being. Today, consider what labels you've accepted as your identity. Are they based on your past mistakes, your job title, your relationship status, or your bank account? God wants to speak a new identity over you—one that isn't earned through performance but received through relationship with Him.Discover more at RGMCA.ORG

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.com

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.com

This week, identify one area in your life where you've been relying on your own strength or resources rather than trusting God. It might be in your family, work, finances, or ministry. Take a deliberate step to surrender that area to God, acknowledging your limitations and inviting His power to work through your weakness. Journal about what changes in your perspective when you approach this situation with a 'Gideon spirit' - recognizing that when you are surrounded by challenges, God has the enemy right where He wants them.Discover more at RGMCA.ORG

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.com

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.com

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.comThe message of Romans challenges us to live differently this week. Consider these questions:Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? Make a list of people you know who might not have a relationship with Christ.How can you step out of your comfort zone this week? Could you visit a different store, talk to someone new, or change your routine to be more available to God's leading?Where are you resisting harmony in the body of Christ? Are there differences you struggle to accept in other believers? How might yielding in love create a more beautiful harmony?This week, commit to asking at least one person, "Do you know Jesus?" Remember, our differences as believers aren't obstacles to overcome—they're essential elements of the beautiful harmony God is creating through His church. When we embrace our differences while remaining unified in Christ, we display God's love in a way the world desperately needs to see.

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.comThis week, be on guard for false doctrine, but also be careful about your heart's posture. The step from standing firm to launching a full-out attack is thin. When you find yourself in attack mode over a secondary issue, pause and ask: "Lord, where are you in this?"If we react to past pain by swinging to rigid extremes, it will take decades to return to modeling unity and love within the body of Christ. Instead, let's war with our tendency to elevate secondary issues and allow the Lord to shape us.Ask yourself these questions:What secondary issues have I elevated to primary importance in my faith?How might I be weaponizing truth rather than standing on it?In what ways am I judging others based on my cultural expressions of faith rather than our shared foundation in Christ?How can I better distinguish between standing firm on truth and attacking those who differ from me?

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.comThe good news of God's love isn't found in our understanding. If all we offer people is our understanding of God, we're offering something less than God Himself.This week, consider these questions: Is my faith built on my capacity to understand or my willingness to let go of the need to understand? Can I worship God when I don't understand His ways? Can I proclaim "You are perfect in all Your ways" without crossing my fingers—even in the face of the unknown, heartbreak, or betrayal?The challenge is to worship God not because we understand Him, but in spite of our limited understanding. We're called to proclaim the truth of who He is even in the face of doubt, uncertainty, and circumstances that don't make sense.We don't worship what we understand about God—we worship a God who is beyond our understanding. And the beautiful paradox is that this incomprehensible God is right here with us, in our midst, working through the people and circumstances around us.

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.comWhat if our freedom from sin, our desire to see the Holy Spirit manifest in incredible ways, our ambition to be "sin ninjas for Jesus," our longing to be shining beacons of God's love and righteousness, and our hope to see people come to know God by the thousands—what if all these things began because we first learned to accept our identity as God's children?What if we stopped striving for greatness and learned to trust the Holy Spirit alive and at work in each of our lives?Ask yourself this week:Do I have the foggiest idea how loved I am right now?Am I trying to overcome sin in my own strength or through the power of the Holy Spirit?What fills my thoughts most days? Do they reflect life and peace?When was the last time I simply sat in the reality of being God's beloved child?

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.com

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.comEven the Apostle Paul struggled with sin! In Romans 6-7, he confesses: 'I want to do what is right, but I don't do it.' What makes Christians different isn't sinlessness—it's how we respond to our failures. Are you hiding sin or bringing it into the light? Discover the freedom of 'no condemnation' while still pursuing transformation.

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.comPaul's message in Romans 5 addresses the fundamental misunderstanding many Christians have about grace. He contrasts the wage earner with the gift receiver to illustrate that God's grace cannot be earned—it must simply be received. Many believers accept God's gift of grace initially but then spend their lives trying to prove they deserve it through good works and religious activities.Paul explains that sin entered the world through Adam, affecting all humanity, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings justification and life to all who believe. This understanding of sin is crucial for Christians because without properly acknowledging our sin, we cannot fully appreciate our Savior. When we minimize or justify our sin, we reduce our perceived need for grace. The good news is that God's grace is already at work in us even before we recognize our sin—what Methodists call 'prevenient grace.' When we truly receive God's grace rather than trying to earn it, our suffering can produce endurance, character, and ultimately hope.

The Modern Methodist Podcast is the overflow of Resurrection Global Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. If you live in the area, we would love for you to join us for service every Sunday, where we gather to worship, encourage each other, and discover the heart of God through Scripture. For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resurrectiongmc.comIn addressing the Roman church's conflict between Jewish and Gentile Christians, Paul unveils fundamental principles about authentic faith that remain relevant today. The tension in Rome arose from differing approaches to practicing faith, with some emphasizing strict religious observance while others embraced a more relaxed attitude toward spiritual standards. Paul challenges both extremes, showing that true faith transcends these approaches. Instead, genuine faith establishes a transformative relationship with Christ that naturally shapes behavior and choices. When faith is authentic, it develops a spiritual sensitivity that helps believers recognize and respond to things that separate them from God. This sensitivity leads to conviction rather than shame, motivating believers to seek help from God and fellow Christians. The result is a faith that produces genuine righteousness through relationship rather than rigid rule-following.