Episodios

  • Ten Words - Week 6: Honor Them!

    Ten Words - Week 6: Honor Them!
    Aug 13 2025

    Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1-3, Lue 2:51, 1 John 3:1, Matthew 11:28-30

    Do the ten commandments feel like just a negative list of “thou shalt nots?” Or like God’s trying to take away your fun, or trying to limit your enjoyment of life, trying to make you feel guilty?

    Well, nothing is further from the truth. God is good and He is gracious! Today’s commandment doesn’t have a “shall not,” but it does have a promise:
    Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

    As it comes with a promise, God considers this an important command. Family is of primary significant importance. We even see that when the Living God took on flesh as Jesus, He came to a family. And we see Jesus obeying this command in Luke 2:51 “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Even the incarnate son of God was obedient to His parents. Clearly it’s important to our Creator but also important to our culture.

    The Family Is God’s Design
    Application:
    ⁃ Authority - by God’s authority He tells us to honor our parents. Mom and Dad are His representatives on earth to nurture and raise their children.
    ⁃ Act Honorably - Kids are told to honor parents but parents are told they are to act honorably, too, in a way that gives God glory, sharing faith with their kids, giving godly love and discipline and modeling honoring God.
    ⁃ Honor Them - we honor our parents no matter how old we are - that doesn’t end when we leave home, we are to honor them always - even as they age.

    We live in a day and age where families are falling apart - where people are trying to re-design the family -

    When families disintegrate so does the culture. What do we do to deal with dysfunctional families and homes? We go to God’s Word - the Bible - a book filled with dysfunctional families. One example we can learn from is the story of Joseph. His father had 4 wives, siblings had anger issues, there were rivalries, bitterness, jealousy and hatred between siblings. But what we learn is that Joseph broke the chain! He had 1 wife and raised a godly family.

    There is hope for every situation in life because our God is a God who redeems the parental wounds of neglect, absence, abuse and withholding of nurturing.

    Restoration is available:
    ⁃ It is God the Father’s heart to love - 1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” By faith in Jesus we are the Father’s children. In Him is healing - in Him life is renewed.
    ⁃ Jesus’ invitation - No guilt - what is offered is an invite to hope. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.” His invite is to come to Him - the one who forgives, gives strength, gives healing and gives hope. There is no limit to what God does. No limit to his grace.
    ⁃ Forgive and Release - the Bible gives a path to restoration and reconciliation in Colossians 3:13 we read, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” One of the most important steps in healing, particularly from parental wounds, is to forgive. This doesn’t mean their behavior is justified - it does mean that just as we have been forgiven by the Lord we forgive those who have hurt or wounded us. Saying, “Lord, I forgive them as You have forgiven me” is an important healing step.

    Forgiveness changes everything - and this too is part of this commandment to honor our parents - even if they were bad parents.

    Honor makes a huge difference in our lives, the lives of our family members and even into our culture.

    Lord may we recognize the goodness of our heavenly Father’s heart in this command. May we hear Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and may we forgive as we are forgiven.

    Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

    Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/ten-words

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    Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
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    25 m
  • Armor of God #11 - Full Armor

    Armor of God #11 - Full Armor
    Aug 12 2025

    We are to be strong in the Lord (with His strength), and to put on the full armor of God (His equipment), so that we are both prepared and equipped for spiritual warfare!
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    25 m
  • Ten Words - Week 5: Remember!

    Ten Words - Week 5: Remember!
    Aug 12 2025
    Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 2:27-28, Colossians 2:16-17, Romans 14:5, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8. Is going to church what this commandment is about? Or is there something deeper than simple church attendance? Is this command requesting Compliance with an order without the Comprehension of who God is? How do we “remember” the Sabbath Day? By worshiping and praising and acknowledging God as our Lord, King and Savior. However, some have a false understanding of worship. In the Old Testament they see worship as attending Saturday Synagogue and in the New Testament they see it as attending Sunday Church. The Sabbath is all about RESTING - let’s take a dig into what resting means and is. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stand at the crossroads and look: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Rest for one’s soul is found in God, in His truth, in who He is, in what He has done. Jesus says the same things in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.” True rest is not found in a building - it is found in Him - in a relationship with the Living God. Digging deeper into the command, “Remember the Sabbath Day.” The Resurrection of Jesus was on a Sunday. While many in Jesus’ day went daily to the temple to Praise God for what Jesus had accomplished in the resurrection, Sundays became their sabbath and each Sunday was a mini Resurrection Day celebration in honor of Christ’s victory of the grave. In Colossians 2:16-17 we read: “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” This verse tells us it’s not about worshiping God on a specific day or way. This verse tells us that Jesus is the genuine Sabbath! Rest is found in Christ! He is rest. In Him is rest. Rest is a precious gift found in Christ. Mark 2:27-28 tells us, “Then Jesus said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’” Even though the New Testament day of worship became a Sunday for believers in Jesus, Romans 14:5 tells us that God does not command us to set aside one particular day - though we are free to do that - like we continue today to gather together on Sunday’s in memory of Jesus’ resurrection. But that doesn’t mean we all have to do that - in fact the New Testament doesn’t say to worship on any specific day of the week. What we are told is to worship God ALL the time; worshiping Him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind and worshiping, praising and thanking Him in all situations Jesus tells us that He is the one who is rest and who brings rest. How do we practice the command to “remember,” how do we do what we are called by God to do? Here are some New Testament Essentials: ⁃ We are called to worship - worship is to be a life-style, it’s the way we live. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 Daily worship is the heart of our lives - relationship with Him brings forth worship. ⁃ We are to be in God’s Word - allowing it to transform us - to be made new in Christ. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” We are to allow the Word of God to be part of our lives and to allow His Word to change our lives. ⁃ We are to practice godly Wisdom. Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” We also worship God when we wisely take care of our bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” God calls us to rest - Jesus is Rest - Resting in Him is something that is good for our souls, our hearts, our bodies and our minds. We aren’t to go through the motions of rest one day a week - that’s RITUAL. We are to live in Him and ...
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    25 m
  • Ten Words - Week 4: God's Name

    Ten Words - Week 4: God's Name
    Aug 11 2025

    Scripture: Exodus 20:7, Exodus 3:14, John 8:58, Matthew 15:8-9, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 50:15, Psalm 145:18, Leviticus 19:31, Romans 10:13, John 17:6, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14

    Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

    This means we are to understand that God’s Name is powerful, God’s Name is Holy. This is the only one of God’s Ten Words/Commandments with a threat and no promise.

    God’s Name is a 4 letter tetragrammaton and we aren’t even sure how to pronounce His Name because by 200 BC the Jewish people no longer spoke God’s Name for fear of misusing it. The Jewish people still today will not speak His name and simply refer to God’s Name as “Ha-shem” - “The Name,” though others pronounce it in several different ways: Yahweh and Jehovah are a couple.

    God takes His Name seriously - it is not a swear word - His Name is the revelation of Himself. In His Name God reveals His identity and character to us. His Name speaks of His goodness, mercy, love and His awesome and profound holiness.

    We dare not treat Hm or His Name lightly, In Exodus 3:14 God says to Moses, “I am who I am.” Deliver. Guide.

    In John 8:58 Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!” Jesus is the Living God who has taken on human flesh to deliver us all. We are all sinners and sin, deserving the punishment Jesus took for us on the cross.

    In John 17:6 Jesus is praying to God the Father saying, “I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me and they have obeyed Your word.” In these words, Jesus is the revelation of the character and identity of God. If you want to know what the invisible God is like you look at the visible Son of the Living God - The One through whom all things were created. God’s character is summed up in His Name. His Name is wonderful, holy and worthy of praise.

    What is the misuse of God’s Name?
    1. By cursing, speaking threats, judgements and swearing. Romans 12:14 tells us that we are to “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
    2. Through the occult - horoscopes, ouija boards, séances, eastern mysticism that open a destructive door in one’s life. Leviticus 19:31 tells us “‘Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
    3. By deception - professing to be godly but in reality living a double life having a veneer of religion but having lives that deny it. Matthew 15:8-9 says, “‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” We should not use His Name to deceive others or to try to deceive God. We are to use God’s Name to give Him honor and to express understanding of His character.

    What are some proper uses of God’s Name?
    1. Receiving Him - Romans 10:13 tells us, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” God offers forgiveness, restoration, redemption, hope, peace and joy to all who repent and call on Him saying, “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner, I receive what You offer to me through Jesus, my Savior.”
    2. Relying on Him - Psalm 50:15 says, “Call on Me in the day of trouble;
 I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” Psalm 145:18 tells us that “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” When we go through difficult times we are to call on His Name - to rely on Him - because He is near, He is not distant.
    3. Rejoicing in Him - In Psalm 40:3 we read, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.” We properly use His Name when we use it to give Him honor and praise and thanks. God’s Name deserves our praise and rejoicing. As we live a joyful life, especially in a world that is often falling apart - it causes others to be drawn to Him as well! THAT is an excellent way to use His Name - in sharing it with others!


    Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

    Check out the video from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/ten-words

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    Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
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    25 m
  • David and the Heart of God - Week 7: Strength

    David and the Heart of God - Week 7: Strength
    Aug 10 2025

    Scripture: 1 Samuel 27:1-7, 1 Samuel 30 1-6, Psalm 23.

    This teaching dives into Psalm 23, a Psalm written by David, and the evidence we see in his life of the heart of God. We will see insights into David’s faith that will provide incredible encouragement to our faith lives as well.

    Have you ever been in a situation where everything seemed hopeless? Or have you ever come to a point where you feel that you’re all alone? No one to turn to, no one to help you? There is much to learn from David’s life that reveals where genuine strength comes from.

    David again is in need of escaping Saul and returns to the Philistine territory. The king of Gath, Achish, gives David the town of Ziklag, along the southern portion of the Philistine Empire along the coast of the Mediterranean.

    About a year and four months into living in Ziklag, David returns from a meeting with Achish, to find his town of Ziklag destroyed by fire and his and his men’s wives, sons and daughters taken captive. They were devastated and their grief was so great they wept until they had no strength left to weep.

    David faces a Life-Threatening Situation:
    ⁃ His men blame him for their loss and talk of stoning him; but David finds strength in the Lord his God.
    ⁃ David is abandoned, his men have turned on him, everything appears to be collapsing around him. He found strength in the Lord.
    ⁃ How did David find strength when there was no one else to turn to? David found strength because he knew the One we can always turn to.

    We move into studying Psalm 23, written by David. Pastor shares a personal testimony of finding strength in this psalm during a difficult time in his life.

    PSALM 23 - David knew the Messiah was coming, the One in whom we find strength!

    Verse 1 - God is the ultimate shepherd, the Good Shepherd, the One who can always be relied upon and in this psalm, David realizes he is not alone. And the Shepherd provides us with anything and everything we need (John 10:11).

    Verse 2 - David understood that sheep need a shepherd to guide and lead them (John 7:37).

    Verse 3 - Our Shepherd gives us hope, a future, assurance and righteousness (received by God’s grace). We receive strength to face difficulty, to leave the past behind, walk in a way that gives glory to God (John 14:27).

    Verse 4 - Even in the darkest day, we do not need to be afraid. We are to rely on our Shepherd who guides and protects us (John 14:6).

    Verse 5 - David knew that even in the face of the most persistent and evil enemies, God provides and God strengthens and restores us and gives us all that is needed (John 6:35).

    Verse 6 - David understood that life is short, and he knew that eternity is forever. He knew that what God promises His own, is that we will be raised on the last day and will live forever with Him. Our troubles are momentary and God IS faithful, He will deliver His own, and He will restore His people and that day is coming when evil will be defeated and righteousness will reign forever (John 11:25).

    We can rely on our Good shepherd with absolute confidence. David understood that, David found his strength in the Lord, his God, in the One who will fulfill everything He has promised in our lives.


    Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

    Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/david-and-gods-heart

    Join us Sundays
    https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

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    25 m
  • Rescued by Truth: Week 32

    Rescued by Truth: Week 32
    Aug 9 2025

    Synagogues were places for community gatherings and reading of the word, which began to spring up following the destruction of the Temple. Galilee, a place Jesus ministered and taught in, had an abundance of synagogues. In the excavations at Capernaum, you can stand above the foundation of the synagogue where Jesus preached in Mark 1:21-27. Yet Capernaum was one of three Galilean towns condemned by Jesus for unbelief in the face of miracles (Matthew 11:20-24). The ruins at Capernaum remind us that Jesus is the only sure foundation of faith and salvation.

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    25 m
  • Two Year Gospel Study Week 84

    Two Year Gospel Study Week 84
    Aug 8 2025

    The Gospel of John Week 6
    Scripture: John 3:22-4:30, Jeremiah 2:13, Ezekiel 47.

    Today we look at the character of Jesus and into His identity in the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well.

    Great Points from Today’s Study:
    Jesus is the groom and His people are the bride
    Jesus is above all!
    God gives the Spirit without limit!
    Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life
    Tensions amongst the people were high so Jesus heads to Galilee and decides to go through Samaria on the way.
    Jesus always has purpose and follows what The Father tells Him
    This woman didn’t know it but she needed something from the Lord. She didn’t know that Jesus was going to change her.
    Pastor shares about who the Samaritans were. The basic difference in their beliefs with the Jews was a difference in where they were to worship. Though the rest of their beliefs were the same the Jews did not like the Samaritans at all and would not associate with them or even talk to them.
    The meeting with the woman happens at Jacob’s well in Samaria, at noon
    The time is important as women typically went to get the water for the day early in the morning. But it was noon when this woman was coming to the well. Why was she at the well at noon when other women were not there? We surmise it is because she maybe is shunned based on her lifestyle
    Jesus sits down by the well and proceeds to talk to the Samaritan woman, something that is just not done because men did not speak to women in public let alone a Samaritan woman
    Jesus asks her for a drink
    She’s surprised Jesus talks to her.
    Jesus is not a rule follower!
    She asks why He would ask her for water. Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
    God is the giver of Living Water (Jeremiah 2:13) - Jesus is claiming deity.
    Jesus tells her that anyone who drinks the water He gives will never thirst again.
    Jesus is speaking spiritually
    He alone quenches the thirst of our souls - He wants to fill up her needy soul with His Himself!
    Jesus told her much about herself - He knew her - He know all about her life
    He knows us too!
    Jesus tells her “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)
    It is by the Holy Spirit that we understand who Jesus is. The Holy Spirit is the comforter, counselor and advocate.
    Real worship isn’t where you go, it’s who you know
    Real worship is not a matter of a place, real worship is a matter of a Person.
    Real worship is knowing the Messiah and the Holy Spirit that He gives.
    Real worship is not about ritual of where one worships, worship is about relationship with the one we worship!
    Jesus declares to her that He is the I AM. He is the Messiah - He is God! The Living God! The Living Water.
    She returns to town - forgetting that she probably is seen as an outcast, and shunned and instead tells everybody about Jesus! She can’t help herself but to share all about Him!

    What we learn:
    No one in need is ever turned away by Jesus.


    Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com

    Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper

    Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01

    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.
    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible. Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most “Gentile/Greek” of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before.

    Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!
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    1 h y 6 m
  • Ten Words - Week 3: No Idols!

    Ten Words - Week 3: No Idols!
    Aug 8 2025
    Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6, Psalm 115:4-8, Matthew 6:24, Exodus 18:20, Deuteronomy 24:16, Colossians 3:5 Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” We are to worship God. Pastor begins today’s teaching by talking about the different numbering of the commandments and how it does’t matter how we number them, what matters is whether we listen to them and apply them to our lives. Exodus 20:4-5 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” So is this saying we have to take down pictures on our walls, or throw out figurines? This is not what God is saying. Pastor shares biblical examples supporting that God is not talking about banning all artwork. What God’s talking about is idolatry - something that’s become more important to us than He is. What does it mean - God is a “jealous God?” Pastor explains that this doesn’t mean God is sinfully jealous. God means that His desire, as our Creator, is that we know Him, worship Him and do not worship other objects or things. He wants us to worship Him alone and to place nothing else in front of our devotion to Him. The verse speaks of the “third and fourth generations…” and the consequences of individuals and especially parents, on how setting an example to the children ends up getting passed down to the next generation and the next. This is why it’s important to teach them about God and show them by how you live. Exodus 18:20 says, “Teach them His decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.” But if individuals and parents choose not to live in faith to God and instead live as being part of the world, with all its idols, the next generation is taught idolatry and that gets passed down. God says this in Deuteronomy 24:16 says, “Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.” A child will not be condemned as an idolator if they come to know Jesus as their Savior. God’s desire is that all people turn to Him and belong to Him. Idolatry and the consequences of it are important to understand because when we worship God and follow Him, there is an amazing blessing. Exodus 20:6 “but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” What a powerful promise from our God who is merciful and gracious and who desires to bring blessings upon individuals, families, and generation after generation. IDOLATRY Psalm 115:4-8 summary: Idols are lifeless and they make their worshiper as dead as they are. We can look at these verses and say as a believer, “I don’t have an idol set up in my household. No statues, I don’t offer incense before a statue and I don’t bow down to poles or chant incantations.” But… Is there more depth that needs to be understood around the meaning of idolatry? John Calvin’s quote: “The human heart is an idol factory.” As part of our fallen nature we worship things over God. There are many contemporary idols. Here’s a sampling of six: APPEARANCE - becomes an idol when we’re more concerned about how we look, how people perceive us, and how we appear before others, than how we appear before God. There’s nothing wrong with looking nice - it’s good to take care of ourselves, but appearance can become an idol when its one of the most important things in one’s life, outstripping the concern of what God thinks of us. EDUCATION - is a good thing but it can easily become a god in our lives where it becomes the most important thing, where we boast about our educational achievements, or put education above the what and who of God in our lives. ENTERTAINMENT (sports, music, TV, movies) - can become the most important thing in our lives when we worship what’s on the TV screen, worship the latest pop star, when icons are who we dream of or dream of becoming, when we try to look like, talk like, act like them…. Entertainment can become an abject of worship that crowds God out of our lives or reduces Him to an after thought. MONEY - can become a dominant force in our lives. Matthew 6:24 says we cannot serve both God and money. The love of money - greed - can become our motivating source for our actions, desires, our future, our work and God ends up being left behind. POWER - is the desire for influence, to be recognized by others, to be in control, but God is the One who is in control. We are to serve and respond to Him through faith in Him, not faith in ourselves. SEX - It’s morally neutral but can become an idol, especially in our sexually crazed environment today: wide spread pornography, sexual immorality not just...
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    25 m