Canyon Ridge Christian Church Podcast

Every parent knows how important obedience is to a relationship. When your children obey you, it shows how much they love and respect you. It's the same in your relationship with God! When you take what you learn from him and put it into action, you show him how much you love him. The uncommon change Jesus is offering you warrants an uncommon response. Take what you learn and put it into action!

Have you ever felt halfway devoted to something? Working out sounds like a fantastic idea until it's time to wake up early, head to the gym, and put in the work. The same is true for your relationship with God. Are you one foot in and one foot out? It's time to be two feet in, fully committed to discovering what God has for your life.

Have you ever been white water rafting? You'll often be given a map at the beginning of the journey, but a static map can be tricky to use when you're paddling through rapids. You need an experienced guide to help you navigate the treacherous waters when you're actually in the boat. That's a great illustration of how the Holy Spirit wants to guide you through your everyday life! You don't have to do it alone! The best part is that the more you follow him as your guide, the more you become like him.

Marriage, graduation, and adoption are all ceremonies that mark a significant shift in your life and show you are no longer the same person. Baptism is a ceremony like that! Jesus began his ministry by being baptized and then commanded his disciples to go and baptize others. Baptism is a practice that helps you do what Jesus did, but that's not the finish line! It's the beginning of a new life, following Jesus and pointing others in his direction.

Change to anything “normal” can be unsettling, but God always has more and better in mind for you! God wants you to live a flourishing life, one that is better than normal. This uncommon kind of life in Jesus’ direction is marked by an uncommon kind of change in you and in the people around you. God intends for you to experience a life lived with the Spirit in you and his people around you. 

Easter is first and foremost about Jesus! But make no mistake, his resurrection has massive implications for everyone who takes him at his word. It changes the way we see Jesus… AND it changes the way we see others AND ourselves. If there is hope even in death, there is hope for EVERYONE. That means you! Now through Jesus, new life can take place. Your story can change. There is hope for the better!

What's so good about Good Friday? When you think about the story of Jesus, it doesn't look so good. One week after entering Jerusalem, Jesus was betrayed, imprisoned, and killed. Instead of setting up a kingdom on earth, he dies a criminal's death. But that was all according to God's plan! When God created humanity, he did it to have a relationship with him- but sin ruined that relationship. Jesus wasn't here to set up a kingdom. He came to restore our relationship with God! That's why Good Friday is so good!

Think about the places you go to every week. Maybe you frequent a coffee shop or go to the gym a few times a week. What are you imagining or dreaming for that place or the people there with you? What do you think God is expecting from your time there? God wants to partner with you where you're already showing up, and he wants you to expect that he will show up with you when you show up well!

Have you ever left your house without your wallet? It can ruin your entire day! Just like your wallet, there are a couple of basics that people who want to live their calling can't leave home without! To really show up well in the name of Jesus, you need to surround yourself with people who will pray for you and have something to say when you have an opportunity to share with others. These two things will help you show up well for the people in your life, connect with them, and ultimately point them toward Jesus.