Looking back at the ways God showed up and spoke to us in the past year helps us trust Him for whatever we face in the coming year. Reflecting lets us recognize the incredible faithfulness and goodness of God - something worth celebrating!

At Christmas we tend to focus on all the fun, exciting and celebratory moments of the season, even while pain, hurt, and sorrow may exist. It would be easy to push aside those things for the sake of the season but God offers the gift of comfort, healing, and peace. This Advent season are we willing to be honest about our hurts, bringing them before Christ, and accept His love, care, and compassion so we might find healing and restoration?

Joy comes in the presence of God (Ps. 30, 16). The good news of the gospel John exhorts (Luke 3:18) is the presence of God with us, Emmanuel (Jesus). We can have joy now because God has promised redemption and reconciliation. Happiness is dependent on circumstances, Joy comes from God. This Advent season, does your joy overflow to your circumstances or do your circumstances dim your joy?

In the context of 1st century Israel, fear and anxiety is the reality of everyday life. God desires to work through Zacharias and Elizabeth to prepare the way of the Lord. Their son, John lives a unique life, unbothered by the fear and anxiety of the present day. He is completely committed to the mission God has designed, making the present temporary and the eternal primary. This Advent season, do we recognize that peace is not the result of a world without chaos, but rather a deep trust in the God who prepares the way?

Christmas Inside Out - Hope in a culture of fear, apathy, and unbelief.

Do we hope for the redemption of the world, for the deliverance of our souls? Jeremiah reminds us of the branch David promised to God’s people for rescue, return and redemption. Jesus is the fulfillment of this hope and in Luke 21 we read the hope we hold onto. This is a promise not just of future glory but God’s goodness in the here and now. This Advent season, do we hold onto the hope of Jesus or do we feel the fear, apathy and unbelief in the waiting?

Is our focus on God's Kingdom breaking in and our invitation to be ready with God? Or have we been sleeping, going through the motions, seemingly with nothing at stake? We are reminded to be on guard and keep watch for the return of Christ. This readiness changes how we live everyday. Will we accept the invitation to partner with God and live with Kingdom readiness?

Mark 13:1-8 Do not be surprised when the impressive things of this world crumble, when chaos surrounds you. Do not be alarmed. Do not be distracted or discouraged. Follow the way of Jesus and keep a Kingdom Focus for His Kingdom is coming. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Be encouraged, Jesus has made a way for us.

With a Kingdom focus on God, faithfulness helps us to be obedient in whatever season we find ourselves in, being faithful to a faithful God. Whether in abundance or in need, God is faithful to His followers. Are we faithful to a faithful God?

What is the greatest commandment? What is the most important? To Shema is to hear and do. The Kingdom of God is near when we love God and love others. Where have we missed this?

Our vision can be restored like Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) as we are faithful to cry out to God, 'have mercy on me.' Will we humbly come to the Father desiring vision of God's Kingdom mission.

The way of Jesus does not elevate glory, position, status. Jesus came to serve not to be served. Where is your focus? Do you see those around you who are in need or are you preoccupied with position, glory and status?

Big Idea: Are we aligned with Kingdom priorities, or do other things capture our focus? Scripture: Mark 10:17-31 Do we desire to inherit eternal life so badly we miss the opportunity to be with Jesus, to follow him in the here and now?

A child’s trusting spirit and willingness to be dependent and receive from others. This is the way of Jesus, an invitation from Jesus without strings attached. ‘Come to me,’ is what we hear from Jesus and we can offer the same invitation. Where am I creating a boundary around the presence of Jesus? Am I gleefully running towards Jesus and excitedly bringing others with me as a child would? Where am I still trying to earn the Kingdom inheritance vs simply receive? These questions and much more in this episode, come join us.

Who are we? What is the Beyond Sunday Podcast all about? Why are we doing this? As we launch into this new journey, we invite you to come along with us.