562. Why Jesus Taught Two Covenants (Part 19): In Him - The New Ministry of the Spirit of God

Although much of Jesus' ministry was for those under the law of the first covenant, He also shared about some things to come when the New Covenant would begin after His death. Jesus spoke of how He would go away and the Holy Spirit would come to help us. So what are some of the things the Spirit helps us with? We take a look at just a few examples that will hopefully bring some peace and comfort to you.



   

Growing in Grace Together - Lucas Miles - Good God

A while back I had Lucas Miles as a guest on the podcast. Lucas is the President of the Oasis Network for Churches (OasNet), and he has written a soon-to-be-released book called Good God - The One We Want to Believe In but Are Afraid to Embrace.  Lucas is back as a guest on the podcast to talk about the book, and why many people struggle to embrace this God that we claim to be good, but yet He is blamed for so many bad things - even by those in the church.

A common question that people ask is, "Why does God allow bad things to happen?"  Lucas shares some radical thoughts on this, including tackling the premise that God "allows" bad things to happen.  Also, does God put sickness on people, or put them through problems and "trials," so that He can teach them a lesson or so He can then swoop in and "get the glory" for healing and helping? 
It's amazing how many people think that God is like this, and Lucas does a great job at showing how the nature of God is always good, and that He never harms us.

The book has received praise from many people, including Kevin Sorbo (actor, God's Not Dead), James B. Richards (author, The Gospel of Peace), Joanna Beasley (American Idol semifinalist and Christian recording artist), Paul Ellis (author, The Hyper-Grace Gospel) and many more.  I sure hope you enjoy this conversation about our good God, and that you're left with a much better understanding of and appreciation for the love and goodness of God.

To find out more about Lucas Miles, check out LucasMiles.org.



 

179. God's Discipline - Loving Teaching and Correction, Not Punishment

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This week we look at the words "chasten" and "discipline" in Hebrews 12, and discuss how these words don't mean "punish," as the words are often wrongfully taken to mean. As legitimate children of God, He teaches us and corrects us in His love - not impatiently and not fearfully or out of anger - to help us to know His love and to trust Him and to walk as the children of God that we truly are.

It's interesting that the writer of Hebrews, leading up to this, would write so many words to help get people rooted and grounded in Jesus Himself bearing the sin of the world, being the once-for-all perfect sacrifice,that we're not under the wrath of God, that we should hold fast our hope in Him, and that we look unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... and then suddenly, according to various interpretations of this, the writer tells us God is angry and impatient with us, and beats us and punishes us???

If God's "perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us" (1 John 4:18, The Living Bible), then we must know and be encouraged that He never harms us or punishes us. He disciplines us (teaches us, corrects us) in loving ways, for our own good, not as a display of anger or wrath.