S10E9 - Come To Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
When Jesus appeared on earth He engaged 100% in His mission. He was sent by His Father (Father-Son-Holy Spirit) to buy back the lost souls of mankind and to offer escape to every son of Adam and daughter of Eve. He extends Kingdom partnership to any and all who see the need and live out the same heart of rescue Jesus embraced. This is the nature of deep connectivity with the purposes of our King. Let's break down Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-29. These words give us incredible practical insight into experiencing...
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S10E8 - Believe In Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Knowing Jesus is very personal. Even though millions have and will believe in Him, every relationship is individual. Unique. Filled with potential for personal honor. Jesus' disciple John watched all of this unfold with his own eyes, and several decades later wrote down his gospel so that we, too, could experience belief that would be able to sustain us in this life and carry us into the life to come. This growing belief (faith) helps us to interact for our own personal spirituality. John used the word "believe" to describe this in his gospel and his letters. Believe means to entrust...
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S10E7 - The Mysteries
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
How do you navigate true mysteries? What things are already known? What is becoming known as the story unfolds? While the Word of God is plain concerning most things, there are also aspects of God's will which are filled with unfolding mystery. This occurs on a global scale (no man knows the hour or the day) while throughout time things continue unfolding personally - generation after generation (such as people awakening to God). About God mystery: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8/the first...
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S10E6 - Eyes to See
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
What does it mean to see with spiritual eyes? Because we are created in God's image we have body, soul, spirit, heart, mind, and conscience. From this amazing mixture comes our ability to live out His greatness. When Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord God we dishonored Him. Our inherent greatness would now become a millstone of self-perpetuation and arrogance. We would no longer see the world through our God-eyes. Paul summarized this well: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which...
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S10E5 - I Am Here/Turn to Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
For many the image of the word "repent" has negative connotations. Finger pointing. Judgment. Fear. But what if the original word itself is consulted? We then find that repent means a change of mind. A change of purpose. A new perception. John the Baptist: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 Jesus the Son: "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 So it appears that our turning away results in a freedom of turning toward. We leave one focus and begin to turn the eyes...
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S10E4 - Kingdom Roots
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Probably the best Kingdom example we have from history is found in King David's story from the Bible. David was a "type" of the One Who was to come. This is why his story prepares us not only for the arrival and nature of Jesus - the King of the earth, but also for the Kingdom His followers will share with their king. We will reign with Him! There are many specific prophecies and words that prepare the Jews (and the entire earth) for the coming King. What is cool about this is that David experienced a heart unique in scripture and among the world of kings. This is why so many of his...
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S10E3 - The Kingdom and Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
If you look up the meaning of the word organic you will find “living, animated, and authentic.” The word Kingdom means “a realm of influence - both of living organisms or groups of people.” Over the last several years we have learned some things we would have preferred to experience in a tech download. It appears, however, this part of our journey was meant to occur in order to acquire deeper wisdom. Those who read the words of Jesus and His Father know that knowledge is a life-long journey gift, but wisdom arrives through deep testings of the soul and many experiences. Challenges...
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S10E2 - What Is Kingdom Organic?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
This podcast season may be a stretch for you. It is for many. For context we must keep in the forefront what we learn from Jesus in His gospels about His Kingdom. Church is only mentioned a couple of times in the four gospels while the Kingdom is spoken of over 100 times. So everything Jesus said and did concerning the church flows from this pattern: King First - then Kingdom - then Church. Kingdom Organic traces the unfolding roots of the calling out and purifying of the Bride of Christ. The King of the earth has arrived to save the souls of mankind. Mankind had failed. God's people (the...
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S10E01 - What Am I Looking For?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
What am I looking for right now? What is it that is not working? In what ways am I disillusioned? Hungry? Thirsty. Fearful? At peace? THIS IS BIG: How do hope, fear, and faith overlap? √ Where does true hope originate? It is a supernatural gift given by God. √ In what ways does fear kill hope? We are predisposed (our human nature) to choosing fear - which consumes our hope. √ In what ways does faith unlock personal peace of mind? There is a time-tested and quite effective mechanism for people to find hope. It can help settle fears, find clarity, and stimulate freedom...
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S9E14 - Song Of The Wind
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) There are reasons Jesus uses this descriptive analogy. If we are to find God we must do so through God's wind - His Holy Spirit. This God Story thread begins in Genesis 1:1,2 and completes in Revelation 22:17. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." "The...
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This diagram tracks the recurring woven threads throughout God's Word (over 62,000 connections!). As you consider your personal strategic plan for spirituality we have considered:
√ King First - then Kingdom - then Church/what Jesus taught about spirituality
√ Cultivating Deeper/skills for unlocking the Word
Today we discuss the big picture on the Word of God, and what we like to call Jesus-Centric. What this means is that the entire Bible revolves around the person Jesus. Genesis 1-11 and the human story. Genesis 12-52 and God's choice of Abraham (Israel) to redeem the nations through Messiah (Savior, satisfaction for our sin, and Son of the Living God). Through the words of Moses (imperfect deliverer and the one who encountered Yahweh within the burning bush) - Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Then we add the conquest via Joshua, the Judges and Ruth, and the Kings and the prophets.
400 years of silence and then the appearance of King Yeshua (Jesus) and His Kingdom which was finally "at hand." Next the launching of the Church who would be prepared through the centuries to eventually become the spotless Bride of Christ. The letters (Acts - Revelation) give us encouragement and perspective, as well as representing the clear realities of who we are to be and where we are headed.
Jesus Centric is an academic and experiential journey through the One Woven Story. From such pursuit we learn to allow the Bible to interpret itself. NOWHERE in either the old or new testaments are they called the old and new testaments. This is often transposed with the old and new covenants found in Jeremiah 31:31; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; and Hebrews 8:8,13; 9:15; 12:24. This is a perfect example of one of the woven threads we are talking about, and a classic example of exceeding what is written. There are not two stories. Only one.
How many people do you know who have consulted the Word of God apart from religious pursuit? Many people have read through the Bible, but in our experience fewer have reasoned through the Bible. The Word of God is true. It is clear. It is supernaturally connective. Jesus Centric is 28 study episodes which help you make use of the entire God Story as backdrop for your personal spirituality, and to help others make sense out of their own journeys.
Even as you read this there is a slim chance you will be one of whom Jesus calls a scribe of the Kingdom - but you CAN BE!
And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matthew 13:52)
√ A scribe is motivated to understand and apply truth.
√ A head of a household steps into his or her spirituality.
√ What is treasure new and old?
Let's find out!
Dave and Burnadette Nadler
If you wish to discuss this and come up with your own plan, reach out at 4@fourthstream.com