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_outlineDoesn'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 in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
SO SELF-CONTROL APPEARS TO BE KEY. FOCUS. DILIGENCE.
THE ULTIMATE FIRST PLACE
But guess who gets them all!? Every first place. This is probably why it feels so good to win at anything. We are emulating something locked into the image of Adam - and within our Rescuer for sure.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." Colossians 1:15-20
HOW HONOR BRINGS US INTO FIRST PLACE
Jesus' whole purpose was to honor His Father. His focus was to always place His Father's will above His own. It is the same for us. It is why: “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48
Our whole purpose is to Honor Him. We find the path of honor by becoming less. “He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30/John the Baptist - cousin of Jesus.
√ How do we find honor with God?
√ How do we give true honor to people?
√ What causes us to live an honorable life?
√ What does honor bring to the life to come? (2 Timothy 2:12)
This kind of honor is character-based - woven with resolve and deep belief about my importance and my worth.
Perhaps first place requires a humility that more often looks like last place.
Dave and Burnadette
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Honor
First Things First