Northeast Christian Podcast

Seeking control is not the solution to the human condition. It's the problem. Fear happens when you feel out of control. So how do you overcome fear? The logical answer may be to seek more control over every little detail of life, micromanaging until there is nothing left to fear. But this "control" is an illusion, and all it takes is one unexpected turn to feel afraid and out of control all over again. The solution? Be honest about your lack of control and lean in to the grace of "withness" through prayer. Prayer is simply being with God, sharing your unfiltered thoughts with him. If you want to overcome fear and control, you can't do it alone; you must learn the practice of "withness".

Even though "cultural Christianity" has largely lost social power and influence, it's clear that people still long for the transcendent. People still long to know God and access spiritual power in their lives. As followers of Jesus, we know that true spiritual power comes from prayer.

This week we're learning from James 5:7-20 about how to persevere through hard times with patience.

This week, we learn from James 3:13-18 about how to mature in wisdom. Worldly "wisdom" is not the same as godly wisdom. How do we know the difference? How do we ensure we're walking in godly wisdom?

This week, we're learning from James 1:1-18 about overcoming suffering and trials.

"Consumer Christianity" says that "God, the world, the church, and everything else orbits around me. They exist for my desires and my problems". The Way of Jesus, however, defies Consumer Christianity. Jesus had compassion on crowds, but he also strategically resisted them so that he could invest in his core of committed followers. Jesus invites all people to "come and see", but at some point we must decide whether we will truly follow him in sacrifice.

Jesus was never in a hurry. When you look at his life and ministry in the gospels, you see that he took the time to be where he was, never rushing himself or his disciples along to the next thing. In this series, Next Steps, we're looking at five different ways you can "take a step" in your faith. This week, the invitation is to slow down and live your life at the pace Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 says, "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus walked". If we are going to walk as Jesus walked, we have to match his pace. We're not running, we're not hurrying. We must learn to step BACK and evaluate what matters most, then step forward unhurried and ready to prioritize seeing and loving others like Jesus did. This week, take the step of daily praying, "God, help me to slow down and walk with you so I can be intentional with what matters most."

So you came to church... now what? The first step to making a change is deciding not to stay where you are. Going to church doesn't make you a disciple of Jesus, but it's a great first step. 1 John 2:6 says, "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked." Wherever you find yourself in your spiritual journey, you have a next step. In this new series, we're exploring five steps you can take right now towards being a mature disciple of Jesus. If you're new to Northeast, your next step is Northeast Basics. Getting connected in a new church can feel overwhelming, especially in a place the size of Northeast. We’re making it painless for you to take your next step at Northeast with our four week course, Northeast Basics. Northeast Basics will answer the foundational questions: Who is Northeast? What do we do? How do we do it? How can I help? Northeast Basics is offered every weekend so you can easily hop in when you’re ready to get connected. Visit necchurch.org/basics to register today.

Celebrate Easter with us at Northeast!

Guilt is a feeling that says "I did wrong". Shame, however, says "I AM wrong". The experiences of healthy or unhealthy shame are only healed by God's amazing grace through Jesus Christ. Are you carrying the heavy burden of shame? Jesus invites you to lay it down today.

We all experience guilt in varying degrees, sometimes as the very first emotion of the day when that snooze button is hit one too many times. What should we do with our guilt? Is there such a thing as "good guilt"? What's the difference between guilt that leads to anguish and conviction that leads to repentance? This week, we're learning the difference.

For centuries, followers of Jesus have been marked by their counter-cultural confession and repentance. Colossians 1 reminds us that through Jesus, we can be reconciled to God. Each day, we're given the opportunity to act as reconcilers in the world, offering forgiveness to others just as Jesus has forgiven us.

In this season of Lent, we look back at our past sin so that we can remember our need for a Savior. We search our hearts for all of the ways we’re currently living out of step with the Holy Spirit. We confess and repent, preparing our hearts to celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection.

This weekend, Tyler sits down with his mentor, Richard Stearns, to discuss the importance of being ambassadors for Jesus in the workplace. Whether your workplace is the home, in school as a student, or in a vocation, most of our time is spent "at work" in one way or another. How can we live with Jesus, being faithful to the calling to be "ambassadors for Christ" wherever we work? Richard Stearns, a past president of Parker Brothers and Lenox, Inc., and of World Vision United States, an international Christian relief charity, offers wisdom from his career that will give you practical inspiration to Love the 'Ville in your workplace.

Life can be complicated, and you want to get it right. We’re here to help you take back control of your time and attention so that you can take back control of your heart and mind. In this series, we’re walking through everyday rhythms to help you live an unhurried life in the Way of Jesus. These rhythms are spiritual practices that invite us to recenter and slow down so that we can live every moment with God. Today, we're finishing the series with the rhythm of communion. In order to experience the fullness that God intends us to enjoy during communion, we have to step back and remember where the practice originates and why the elements are significant for followers of Jesus.

This week, we have the honor of learning from Reverend Damian Thompson of Emmanuel Baptist Church about the importance of fellowship. For more resources to create unhurried rhythms in the way of Jesus, you can visit www.necchurch.org/portfolio/rhythms

Jesus lived life on mission, but unhurried. This week, we're learning to keep a regular rhythm of time with God. Jesus prioritized time with his Father to rest and recover, to deal with overwhelming emotions, and to face down temptation. As followers of Jesus, we want to follow his example of Sabbath.