S10E19 - Am I Experiencing True Community?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
What does real community actually look like? In this episode, we explore Jesus’ prayer in John 17, where He reveals the foundation of true community—oneness with the Father that leads to meaningful connection with others. Isolation is common today, but Scripture shows that authentic community grows from truth, shared faith, and a deep relationship with God. In this episode: What Jesus’ prayer in John 17 reveals about community Why truth is essential: no truth, no community How oneness with the Father leads to unity with others Recognizing people in our lives as gifts from God ...
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S10E18 - How Does Spirit Happen for Me?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
How Does Spirit Happen for Me? How does the Holy Spirit become real and active in your life? This episode explores what Scripture teaches about embracing Jesus, receiving the Spirit, and learning to live by His power. In this episode: One God, three persons — understanding the Trinity Why John 14.6 defines the starting point Receiving the Spirit as the pledge of our inheritance (Ephesians 1) The Spirit’s intercession in Romans 8.26 “Not by might… but by My Spirit” — Zechariah 4.6 A clear, Scripture-rooted foundation for spiritual growth and real transformation. 🔗 Read the...
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S10E17 - Do I Know God?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
🎧 Do I Know God? A personal and searching question. In this episode, we reflect on what it truly means to know God—not just in theory, but in heart, action, and honor. In this episode: The connection between knowing God, hearing His voice, and pleasing Him Why humility (Matthew 5) is the doorway to a pure heart The role of honor in the two great commandments (Matthew 22.37-40) Faith and works in James 2 Building life on the rock (Matthew 7.24-27) Four reflection questions to examine your own pursuit Knowing God is not a moment—it’s a lifelong quest of honor, obedience,...
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S10E16 - Is Jesus My Healer?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Is Jesus My Healer? Jesus healed in the Gospels—but does He still heal today? In this episode, we explore what it means to call Jesus my healer—personally, spiritually, and relationally. In this conversation: Jesus’ authority to heal in the Gospels Emotional and spiritual healing through relationship Freedom from bondage (John 8) Entering through the Shepherd (John 10) The healing thread of Isaiah 61 & Luke 4 “Two or more” and the pathway to freedom (Matthew 18) God’s declaration: “I am your healer” (Exodus 15.26) Living with eyes fixed above Healing...
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S10E15 - What Is Connectivity With God?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
It is one thing to know ABOUT someone but we go much deeper when we connect through personal knowledge and shared experiences. What are the keys to finding personal connection with God? Is it indeed possible to "hear God's voice" as some people talk about? Are we truly able to walk side by side with God? This is key: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Knowing God...
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S10E14 - What Is God Treasure?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
God Treasure is Kingdom Treasure After teaching His incredibly transferable Kingdom parables (the Sower, the Wheat and the Weeds, the Seed, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Costly Pearl, and the Dragnet) Jesus makes a curious statement and asks His disciples a question in Matthew 13:51-52. “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” 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.” Let's give this some careful thought as we...
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S10E13 - Clarity Within The Chaos
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
To our Fourthstream Friends! It seems timely to dive once again into the Turbulence and Imperfection which appear to be chasing the human family. You can find our book on this subject under Fourthstream.com/Learning/Books. Clarity from Chaos Several weeks ago we were rear-ended by a semi on I-80 traveling to share Jesus things at an awesome conference in Cedar Rapids, where we were to speak in the hearing of many serious-minded young men and women. In one moment our entire world turned over. Focus and clarity of purpose were consumed by chaos. Yet our lives appeared to have been spared by the...
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S10E12 - What Is The Real Battle?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
PURITY IN HONOR AND SURVIVAL AND VICTORY IN LIFEWARNING - THIS IS A LONG AND INVOLVED CONVERSATION - BUT WORTH YOUR TIME! “I am in my early 70’s. Much has changed in the realm of what is pure and what is impure during my lifetime. But then, of course, information has exploded (Daniel 12:4). We struggle like never before when it comes to our sexuality, our intimacy, and our oneness as a man and a woman. You know this. Those with open eyes understand. There are several anchors in God’s Word which are able to help deliver us from being consumed by impurity and lust. This is tricky. But take...
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S10E11 - Will You Reign With Me?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Throughout the entire Word of God the idea of reigning means God has, does, and will always have dominion. Rulership. He IS the King. His Kingship was displayed throughout all of history and humanity when King Jesus arrived on earth to conquer death. Paul explains to Timothy that the following statement can be counted on because it represents the truth expressed throughout the Word of God - a "thread" if you will. "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are...
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S10E10 - What Is Real First Place?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Doesn't it feel great to come in first place? And it so seldom happens! There is only one first place in any event or competition. Has this happened for you? Exhilarating. Rewarding. For most of us (such as myself) a never experienced event. No matter how attainable it is the promise of the prize that motivates. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run...
info_outlineFor 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 of our heart toward another. For one who follows Jesus - this literally connects us with the power of God so we may return to our original identity and purpose lost in the fall of Adam and Eve.
Why is this important? For one, it is very personal, and allows us to reach outside of ourselves for help. It also allows us to escape any misplaced hope in religion or other deficient man-promises. And finally, it invites us to enter into a life of moving in and out within our supernatural connectivity with God.
So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (expansively)." John 10:7-9
I am here. Turn away from the futility of self. Turn toward Me. Come to Me and I will give you rest. I will share your burdens and carry you when you are weighed down. Sound familiar?
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Oxen were yoked together in pairs to maximize strength and cooperation. Jesus is literally saying He is willing to be "yoked" with us so our weights are distributed with His power to pull the load of our lives. So amazingly cool.
Some key spiritual steps:
√ Invite Jesus to be Lord over your life.
√ Begin to read about Him in the Gospels.
√ Find a printed Bible that makes sense for you.
√ Begin to ask God with what it is He wants you to know about yourself and about Him.
This will enhance and simplify your process of turning away and turning toward. Easy peasy.
If you are just getting started go here.
If you want a bigger backdrop go here.
If you want a deeper talk with God go here: 40 Days in the Gospels.
If you are looking for a Bible that matches up with Fourthstream click here
God is deeper than we can possibly imagine - yet He is incredibly accessible! Go to the coaching tab if you would like to talk through your own plan for going deeper.
Enjoy and grow deep roots!
Dave and Burnadette