Fourthstream - Finding Hope
What is truth? In this episode, Dave follows an amazing biblical thread through Jesus’ words to Thomas, His conversation with Pilate, and the repeated phrase, “I tell you the truth.” • Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life - John 14.1-6 •Pilate asks, “What is truth?” - John 18.33-40 •Before Abraham was born, I AM - John 8.58 •Jesus as the gate for the sheep - John 10.1 and John 10.7 •The kernel of wheat and new life - John 12.24 •The messenger, the Father, and greater works - John 13 and John 14 •Truth, grief, joy, and asking the Father - John 16 •Suppressing...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Is there only one true God? In this episode, Dave explores how God reveals Himself through creation, Scripture, the woven threads of the Bible, and ultimately through Jesus, the Word made flesh. Creation and the one true God - Genesis 1 No other gods before Him - Exodus 20 The prophetic Word made sure - 2 Peter 1 All Scripture inspired by God - 2 Timothy 3 The I AM and the Ancient of Days Jesus, Abraham, and the Father - John 8 Christ reigning until all things are subject to Him - 1 Corinthians 15 The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit revealed through Scripture God speaking through His Son -...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Where did the Jews Come From? In this episode, Dave walks through the biblical story of Israel, Abraham, the written Word, the Messiah, and why the Jewish people matter in God’s purposes for the nations. • Genesis 1-11 and the human story before Israel • Abraham chosen and the promise of faith - Genesis 12 • God swearing by Himself - Genesis 15 and Hebrews 6.13-14 • The Jews entrusted with the oracles of God - Romans 3 • The righteous branch of David - Jeremiah 33.15 • The apple of God’s eye - Zechariah 2.8 and Psalm 17 • Israel, covenant, and mercy - Ezekiel 16 •...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Am I a Kingdom Scribe? In this episode, Dave explores Jesus’ words in Matthew 13 and what it means to become a scribe, a disciple of the Kingdom, and the head of a household who brings out treasure both new and old. • King first, then Kingdom, then Church •The Bride of Christ and the Kingdom of God •Every scribe who becomes a disciple - Matthew 13 •Becoming a disciple of the Kingdom of Heaven •The head of a household and spiritual responsibility •Bringing out treasure, things new and old •Doing good, sharing, and building up the Kingdom - Hebrews 13 •Inheriting the Kingdom...
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What are kingdom rewards? In this episode, Dave explores how kingdom reward is not a spiritual lottery or self-centered prize, but something inseparably linked with honor, faith, humility, and the promises of God. Adam and Eve, dishonor, and death - Genesis 3 The promise given to Abraham - Romans 4 The promise by faith in Jesus Christ - Galatians 3.22 God swearing by Himself - Hebrews 6 Partakers of the divine nature - 2 Peter 1 Faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love - 2 Peter 1.5-11 The promise of eternal life - 1 John 2.25...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Why submission of self? In this episode, Dave explores why humility, decreasing, and surrendering first place are central to living in the kingdom of God. John the Baptist and "He must increase" - John 3 The fear of the Lord and the hatred of pride - Proverbs 8.13 Pride, dishonor, and wisdom with the humble - Proverbs 11.2 Pride before destruction - Proverbs 16.18 The lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life - 1 John 2.16 Nebuchadnezzar humbled before the King of heaven - Daniel 4 Jesus as first place over all creation - Colossians 1 Choosing humility instead of self-kingship Watch next:...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
What is kingdom courage? In this episode, Dave explores how courage is not self-generated strength, but something formed in us through the power and presence of God. God revealed as warrior — Exodus 15 Courage flowing from the Father — Luke 12 Waiting on God for strength — Psalm 27 Jesus as victorious king — Revelation 19 Spiritual warfare and the armor of God — Ephesians 6 Fighting with purity, truth, patience, and love — 2 Corinthians 6 Paul finishing the fight faithfully — 2 Timothy 4 To read the full notes and learn more:
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
How do we actually live gratefully when life is difficult? In this episode, Dave explores how gratitude is deeply connected to the Kingdom of God, eternal purpose, and a transformed heart. Why thankfulness is foundational to Kingdom living Hebrews 13 and the “sacrifice of praise” 2 Corinthians 4 and the “eternal weight of glory” How gratitude impacts our relationships and daily choices The connection between belonging to God and living honorably Psalms, worship, and rejoicing through difficulty Why thankfulness prepares believers to reign with Christ Scriptures Referenced: ...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Suffering and honor are deeply connected in the life of faith. This episode looks at how choosing honor before God can shape the way we endure hardship, follow Jesus, and keep eternal perspective. Suffering is not always evidence of failure or deficiency Jesus suffered because He was honorable and obedient to the Father Humility comes before honor — Proverbs 15.33 Honoring God is central to spiritual identity Faith tested by suffering can result in praise, glory, and honor — 1 Peter 1.7 Present affliction is temporary, but eternal glory carries weight — 2 Corinthians 4.16-18 To...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Humility is more than a virtue—it’s a key to the Kingdom. In this episode, we explore how Jesus reveals humility as a pathway to freedom, honor, and true life. “Poor in spirit” → spiritual dependence (Matthew 5) Repentance = turning from bondage → toward freedom (Matthew 3–4) Humility unlocks the “door” (John 10) Pride traps; humility frees through Christ David’s life models returning to humility (Psalm 51) Jesus gives “keys” to the Kingdom (Matthew 16) God opposes pride, gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5) Jesus ultimately holds all authority (Revelation 1.18) To...
info_outlineKnowing 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 ourselves to Him and have confidence in the power and truth of His Words. In this podcast we contemplate what it looks like to have growing faith in Jesus. It doesn't matter what background story you have - your ability to believe is a gift from God - if you want it!
To do this we follow some of the "thread" John includes in his Gospel. This can help us unfold the hundreds of examples and teachings through the stories found in the Word of God.
JESUS IS THE FOOD & WATER OF LIFE
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." (John 6:35)
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38)
In short (and long) Jesus is the One Who sustains us. We can come to Him for spiritual food (see John 6) and by believing in Him have received the water of life which has been placed within us. This allows us to live lives of continual reconnection with our Father-Creator.
THE GROWTH OF OUR FAITH
"...but if I do these works, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:38)
When speaking with the woman at the well: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25) So He feeds us spiritual food in this life, sustains us with living water placed within us (the Spirit), and gives us the gift of resurrection after this life is finished. We will NEVER die!
THIS PROCESS BEGINS THE MOMENT WE BELIEVE
We now move into a life based upon Light rather than darkness. No longer are we groping around - we have the lamp of God showing us our path through darkness and into light.
“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." (John 12:46) This includes living above and beyond fear, which is a huge gift found through believing. In John 14:1 Jesus says “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me."
WE BECOME CONDUITS OF LIFE TO THOSE AROUND US
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 17:20)
This is cool:
“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:24-31)
Belief in Jesus is a life-giving process that once begun - never ends! I begin to learn about my Father through my believing Jesus connection, and over and over again find myself "...drawing near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
Lots of turbulence around us for sure!
Peace to your believing heart!
Dave and Burnadette