1. How to Change Your Life and Your Nation in Six Months
John Avant
In order to experience true change in our lives, we need to choose to be examples of God’s power. When we choose to allow His power instead of idols to fill our lives, oth- ers will see His example of love, faith, and hope in us. Change must begin in us. When our churches and lives are characterized by unceasing prayer, and by more concern for advancing the gospel of Christ than our own agendas, the world will step back and see that there’s a new King in town! During these difficult days, we must choose to walk in the joy of Jesus despite the suffering we are experiencing.
2. How Movements of God Happen
John Avant
In order to experience true change in our lives, we need to choose to be examples of God’s power. When we choose to allow His power instead of idols to fill our lives, oth- ers will see His example of love, faith, and hope in us. Change must begin in us. When our churches and lives are characterized by unceasing prayer, and by more concern for advancing the gospel of Christ than our own agendas, the world will step back and see that there’s a new King in town! During these difficult days, we must choose to walk in the joy of Jesus despite the suffering we are experiencing.
3. God Trusts You with the Most Important Assignment!
John Avant
God loves us! He approves of us and has entrusted His grace and peace to us to share with the lost world. But He will allow testing in our lives in order to refine us and remove all impurities out of our hearts. He wants us to be able to say no to the Safe Life. The cross is not a safe place. He also wants us to say no to the Cynical Life and to the Self Life. When we choose to say no in these three areas, we will fall in love with lost people. We will join Him in His mission. It is time to stop slow dancing to the demonic lullaby and choose to say yes to Him.
4. How to Re-Prioritize Your Life
John Avant
When we choose to follow Jesus, His gospel actually chooses us! But are we choos- ing to walk worthy of this calling placed on our lives? We will have to choose daily to make His priorities our own. We must acknowledge Him as our one and only King! How do we simplify our lives and priorities daily? We must first ask God daily to show us where He is working, and then join Him in His work. Next, we must learn from where He is working currently: suffering churches. Finally, we must prioritize showing and sharing the gospel every day. When we make His priorities our own, we will find significance in life. We will live our life with no regrets. No one ever regrets saying no to anything that allows us to be a part of His YES!
5. Revival through Real Community in Real Crisis
John Avant
God’s only plan to bring the gospel to the world is the church. Our churches are meant to be unstoppable communities of love on mission for His king- dom. In the crisis of our day, our churches must be revived communities. What is a revived church characterized by? It will first be indispensable to the life of its members. It will be a place of community—a family that people are committed to, not a place we just show up to when it’s convenient. It will be a place to help you feed others, not just a place where you are fed. We are to be chefs and servers to those in our church family, not binge eaters ready to feast at a spiritual potluck. We are to be God’s Special Forces unit, ready to take the hill for the gospel. Finally, the revived church is to be known for and empowered by prayer. Without the power of prayer in our churches, we will be unable to accomplish the mission of advancing His kingdom. It is time to restart our churches, revived and ready to take the hill.
6. The Power of Love
John Avant
In order to revive and restart our churches, we must understand the lavish love of God. This lavish love is the only thing that will draw others to Christ. Others must see this love in the people of God! Paul describes the church in Thessalonica as being filled with this type of love, even though it was comprised of different races and cultures. Love flowing from Spirit-filled followers of Christ is the only thing that will destroy the racial divisions in our day. To see this type of love, we must make some radical decisions. Begin by listening to others and grieving with them as they share their stories of pain. Give grace to others by choosing to win people, not arguments. Serve each other tirelessly. What if every church in America made the decision to help rebuild communities that have been destroyed, or mentor children who have no father or mother? The love of Jesus lived out through us is a powerful weapon. His love will win every single time!
Resolving Conflict
Brent Paulus, Maggie Paulus
Opposites attract…until they don’t. Those cute little things that were so attractive about your spouse can eventually become really frustrating differences that can get us irritated really quickly. In this episode of Let's Talk, Brent and Maggie talk about how we recognize the unique ways we are wired and maximize those differences in our marriage.
7. Why Sex is Such a Big Deal
John Avant
As we grow in our love for Christ, we want to know how we can please Him and what His will is for our lives. First Thessalonians 4:1-8 tells us clearly that there is one area we can be certain we know His direction for our lives: sex. God created sex for our pleasure within the marriage relationship. Just as with everything He created, He has a perfect plan for how we experience sex. He also knows that this area is a struggle for many of us and has become a battle in our lives. To experience His victory and pleasure in this area, we must clearly identify the things that tempt us. We must choose to live more passionately for Christ than for sexual temptations that can literally destroy us. If we will choose to pursue honor over what brings us sexual pleasure, then He will give us His treasures of ministry, family, and a witness to others. We aren’t meant to fight this battle alone, but with the family of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. As battles are won, we will be set apart wholly for His kingdom work as we prepare for His return.
Helping Kids Face Fear
John Avant, Donna Avant
Children are deeply affected by fearful times, differently than adults. Out of many years of teaching on marriage and parenting, John and Donna Avant will guide you practically and biblically, to help the children in your life run to God with their fears.
8. When Christ Comes | Part 1
John Avant
The heart of the study of 1 Thessalonians is “Jesus is coming again!” While many can get caught up in when and how the second coming will occur, it is important to know that Jesus is more concerned with the who and with what we are to do until then. Paul knew that the Thessalonian believers were fearful because they were suffering and separated from those they loved. Paul wanted to reassure them about the second coming, and also give them a gracious theology of death so they wouldn’t live in fear. Death is a gracious gift that ushers us into God’s presence. If we have chosen to follow Christ, then we are a part of God’s family. When we close our eyes in death, we will lift our hands in life to experience a glorious reunion with Christ and those who have gone before us. We will also receive a new body. Until He returns, Christ desires for us to encourage everyone we encounter to be ready for His coming. It is impossible to follow Him and not share this amazing news with others—today could be the day of His return!
