First Assembly Nlr Audio Podcast

Prejudice: It's an ugly subject, and it makes people uncomfortable. In the book of Acts, the apostle Peter received a very clear message from God on this subject. Pastor Rod Loy looks at this passage and asks the question: Is there room for prejudice in the church?

It can happen when you least expect it. Everything is rocking along fine. Your business is doing well. Your relationships are solid. Your family is together. Then, it all changes. Rod Loy examines what to do when you find yourself under attack.

How do you increase your hunger and desire to grow? Rod Loy looks at what it takes to become what God wants us to be.

One of the central themes of the Bible is this - nothing is impossible for God.  God is not intimidated by our difficult circumstances.  What seems impossible for us is entirely possible for God.  He has no limitations.  In this message, Rod Loy looks at the story of Jehoshaphat and the army of Israel.  Surrounded by enemy armies in battle, he put the choir in front of the warriors.  What was that all about?

In this special podcast, we feature our Music and Creative Arts Pastor, David Richards, as he speaks about what he learned during his fight with cancer.  

The Bible is our guidebook for living.  In the story we look at today, we discover that there have always been people who created their own gods.  It's not a new conflict.  It's not a new way to think.  In fact, these gods are put to the test over and over, with the same result.  Rod Loy looks at the story of Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal.

What is a miracle?  Is it a grilled cheese sandwich bearing an image of the Virgin Mary?  Is it finding a good parking spot at the mall?  Is it your boss finally giving you a raise?  We look for miracles in a lot of different places.  Are they real? Do they still happen?  Rod Loy looks at the subject of miracles.

It happens every year before football season starts.  Every team talks about how this is their year to win the Super Bowl.  At the end of the season, though, only one team wins.  The battle, the game, proves who is the better team.  It's that way in life, too.  The battles we encounter make us better.  Great moments are preceded by tough moments.  Do you feel like you're in a battle right now?  This is your chance for a great moment!

When you fail, God doesn't see your failure and run away. He isn't up in heaven waiting to club you over the head.  Instead, when you fail, God initiates releationship with you.  God is not focused on the failure.  He is focused on you.  Rod Loy looks at God's response to failure.    

You choose whether or not to do right.  It's not God's fault, your friend's fault, or Satan's fault.  It's your choice.  (Wow, pretty strong statement!) Rod Loy continues this look at the story of Adam and Eve and what we can learn from their decisions.  

Rod Loy looks at the topic of depression.

Some of us try to do life on our own.  People who aren't in a relationship with God  often struggle.  If you want to enjoy the blessings of God, you must be in a relationship with God.  Rod Loy looks at the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and how it applies to us today.    

You have a plan for your life.  God has a plan for your life.  But, there is one other factor in the equation - one other plan that exists for your life.  Satan has a plan for you as well.  His plan is predictable and is really the same for all of us.  Rod Loy examines these tactics, that have worked from the beginning of time to today.

There is a myth when it comes to families:  time heals all wounds.   It would be nice if this was true, but it's not.  In fact, time often makes wounds worse. How do you move beyond the hurts of the past and truly find healing? 

Rod Loy continues this look at the ten things that every family needs.  This week:  every family needs, fun, flexibility, and balance.  No family is perfect, but every family is different, and utilizing our different strengths makes for a stronger family.    

We live in a society of disposable commitment.  It used to be that nothing was more important than a person's word.  Now, we have treated our word too lightly, whether in marriage, business, or relationships.  In this message, Rod Loy examines the importance of commitment.

If your toilet breaks, you call a plumber.  If you're sick, you call a doctor.  If your car is having problems, you call a mechanic.  So why is it when our families need help, we think we can handle it on our own? There is no perfect family!  In this message, Rod Loy examines when families should call for help.  

How much is enough?  It's your choice. Are you going to spend the rest of your life fighting greed and suffering the consequences, or are you going to think about your stuff in a completely different way? 

Pastor Randy Jumper looks at the difference between knowledge and wisdom, and how you can grow in both.

Complete this sentence:  If I only had a ________, I'd be happy.  No society has as much stuff as we do.  The bottom line of every advertisement is: "You can buy happiness."  Can you?  Rod Loy looks at where our increasing desire for "more" takes us.