Monthly Archives: August 2015

YOUR “Get Out of Jail Free” Card

Posted on August 30, 2015 by deweybertolini

My goal in this PODCAST? Simple: To keep you out of jail. 

Yes, this story in Matthew 17 is THAT positively practical.

It’s interesting to me that of the four Gospel writers (for reasons that we’ll get into in the podcast), only Matthew records this particular story about (of all things) an obscure Old Testament reference to an otherwise obtuse Moses-mandated responsibility, one that Jesus had apparently overlooked or outright rejected.

It’s not surprising to me that Matthew records this. But given the significance of the story, and its practical implications for our lives today, it is very surprising to me that none of the other Gospel writers makes any reference to this curious little episode.

An ever-so-brief snapshot into the life/heart of Jesus.

There’s quite a lot going on here. So we’ll now pick it apart and see what it all meant to Jesus back then, and what it means to us today.

Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play.

God bless you as you listen.

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The Wonder of It All (or if you prefer, Embracing Paradox)

Posted on August 23, 2015 by deweybertolini

Believe it or not, there is in the Bible a grand total of (Are you ready?) 31,102 verses.

And, as you are about to hear in this PODCAST, of these 31,102 verses, the one verse that best summarizes the state of my relationship with God is this one verse here in Mark 9.

In all honesty, this is right where I live.

And, were the truth to be told, I’d be willing to wager that most of us live here too.

The words you are about to hear, uttered by the desperate dad in this story, could well be my words, my plea, my prayer…

…Every day in every situation.

And I rather suspect they could be yours as well.

Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed it may take up to 60 seconds for the podcast to begin to play.

God bless you as you listen.

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How to Know God’s Will for Your Life (It Truly is This Easy!)

Posted on August 16, 2015 by deweybertolini

As you are about to hear in this week’s PODCAST, knowing God’s will for you life is far easier than you may have been led to believe — Far easier. Uncomplicated. Abundantly knowable. Readily understandable.

In a word, God WANTS you and me to know His will for our lives.

The reason for this discussion this week is the fact that last week I inadvertently created a vacuum. I made a point last week (not even the main point of the message, but a valid and timely point nonetheless). Last week we discussed the fact that we have come to a place in our day where far too many Christians rather cavalierly throw around the phrase,

“God told me…” “God spoke to me and said…” “God is telling me…”

or its equivalent. Does that ring a bell?

And we noted then that, Look, words mean things.

When we or others invoke such phrases as, “God told me…” “God spoke to me and said…” “God is telling me…” what are we really claiming? Did we hear an audible voice, such as the voice heard in our passage for this podcast?

And what is the person to whom we claim, “God told me…” supposed to do with that?

More to the point, if God does not reveal His will to us through an audible voice, how then does He reveal His will to us?

How am I supposed to know where God wants me to live? Where am I supposed to work? Do I go to college? Join the military? Get married and start a family?

How does God reveal His will for my life, and YOURS?

After you hear this, there will be no doubt as to the answers to those and many, many other questions. This really is a practical and straightforward as it gets.

Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play.

God bless you as you listen.

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“Remember, Don’t Forget”

Posted on August 9, 2015 by deweybertolini

Defining moments.

There aren’t many of these throughout the course of someone’s lifetime. But when they occur, as you will hear in this PODCAST, they are utterly unforgettable.

We are talking about game-changing moments; history-altering moments; LIFE-altering moments.

Rare snapshots of seminal events, frozen in time, after which your world will never be the same again.

Welcome to one such defining moment, courtesy of Jesus, after which the disciples — three of them — were never the same again.

And maybe, just maybe, after considering this spectacularly significant sequence of events, with all of its ramifications for our world today… Maybe, just maybe, we too won’t ever be the same. Let’s find out.

Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play.

God bless you as you listen.

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A Life-Changing Approach to THE Life-Giving Book

Posted on August 2, 2015 by deweybertolini

The Bible is THE one and only Life-Giving Book. But how to approach it?

In this PODCAST, you will be given the answer to that question! Courtesy of Jesus, we will learn how to read it! With all of its 66 books, printed in minuscule font, with no pictures, strange names, weird customs, unfamiliar geography, violent history, where do we even start? What’s the first step?

More to the point, what is our connection to this great book?

My friends, the answer to that question is startlingly simple. Hear my approach to the Bible, one that has literally revolutionized by understanding of and love for God’s Word.

It may just revolutionize yours as well.

Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you as you listen.

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