Life is Hard, God is Good

Kaz did not grow up in a Christian home, his family actually did ancestor worship. After getting trapped for 4 hours in the aftermath of an earthquake and being rescued, Kaz’s life was changed. He made some Christian friends who invited him to church. It started out as Kaz’s little secret, but then he finally invited his sister to join at Christmastime.They both ended up giving their lives to Jesus through a Bible study led by a construction worker who shared his testimony. When their mom found out that they became Christian, she was upset that they were not continuing the ancestor worship. But Kaz asked her about her reason for worshiping the ancestors and it made her think… then through both Kaz’s mom and Kaz’s dad having cancer at different points in life and hearing the gospel through their children and through friends, they had to decide for themselves. Listen to the episode for more!If you like listening to the podcast, please rate, write reviews, and share with your friends!You can follow us on instagram @lifeishardgodisgoodpodcast or join our Facebook group!Have a great week! May the LORD bless you and keep you!

I’m so excited for you to hear Mami’s story of how she encountered Jesus.In Japan, only 1% of the population is Christian, so Mami had the rare & miraculous experience of growing up in the church. She knew about God, but it wasn’t until later that she actually felt God’s nearness and knew His love in her heart.With having Jesus in her life, God guides her life and she knows that He is with her.Many Japanese people are seeking happiness - so they work hard and try to build meaningful relationships, but there is still an emptiness... there are not many places in Japan to hear about God, but it is good to have an open heart to Jesus.Check out the episode to hear more!Thank you to Mami for sharing her story and thank you to Drew for translating!If you like listening to the podcast, please rate, write reviews, and share with your friends!You can follow us on instagram @lifeishardgodisgoodpodcast or join our Facebook group!Have a great week! May the LORD bless you and keep you!

I'm so excited to share Julie's story with you! The Lord has been so faithful to her from a young age. Originally, Julie was not interested in going to Japan at all, but God worked in her heart, and she ended up becoming a missionary in Japan! Through being a missionary in Japan, Julie shares some amazing stories of loss & forgiveness, falling in love & getting married, and trusting God's guidance through it all.Julie has known Jesus most of her life, and because of knowing Jesus:she trusts God to lead hershe prays for othersshe can feel His presence she loves to worship Himand much more!You will not want to miss this episode!

Hello friends! This week, our Bible study leader, Andrew, shares his story of how he encountered Jesus.Although he grew up in a family that attended church, Andrew tried to seek faith on his own and as a teenager, he ended up turning his back on God.He called himself an atheist and really wrestled with some tough questions:Does life have any meaning?What happens when we die?Is love real or just chemical reactions?Did God create the world?How can God be real if there is so much suffering?Through some “coincidences,” Andrew was able to wrestle with answers to those questions with a Christian friend. Not only did he find truth in God, but he discovered that “the God of the universe loves me, a broken sinner.”  After giving his life to Jesus, Jesus changed (& is still changing) Andrew over time…from being selfish to loving others from being a broken sinner to being saved & set freefrom searching for meaning to life making sensefrom being unsure about life after death to having hope in eternal lifeLooking at his life now, Andrew realizes that life is so much more than what he used to think: “it’s not fate, it’s not accidental, there’s a beautiful story being written with my life - all the broken pieces are being put into this beautiful water and it’s making something extremely beautiful, interesting out of something that was such a mess, out of such a messy person.” Without God, nothing makes sense. “We can’t make sense of anything as humans on earth without God.”And the gospel is not just that Jesus died for our sins, but we have the hope of an eternal future with God for those who believe. “Christianity without the resurrection, is not Christianity… Jesus has made a way for us to live with Him for eternity.” Do you know Jesus personally? Not sure where to start? Feel free to send us a message on Facebook or Instagram @lifeishardGodisgoodpodcastThanks for listening to the Life is Hard, God is Good Podcast! Be sure to rate, write reviews, and share with your friends to help others find this encouragement!Have a great week!

Zoe is one of the most joyful people you will ever meet, but she wasn't always that way.Zoe first heard about God when her mom was bedridden with a spinal disease, and some Christians came to pray for her and she was healed.She discovered God's power and attended church & Christian activities, but she did not know God's love until she met some very loving Christians. Her relationship with God developed over time - learning how to pray, starting to enjoy reading God's word, hearing God's voice... She also noticed a difference in her relationships. Family that she once hated, Zoe now had empathy for them and she wanted to show them love.From a young age, Zoe believed that she was negative and gloomy, but a Christian lady spoke to her that her gift is JOY and that people would come to know Jesus through her JOY. Zoe believes the truth that she has JOY and shares that with everyone she meets.“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

Taylor grew up knowing about God, but she felt like she had to be a good Christian girl because she was afraid of God and afraid of messing up.When she heard the story of the prodigal son in a new way, God worked in her heart and changed her life. For the first time, she met Jesus. Taylor realized how much Jesus loves her and wants not religious acts, but He wants a relationship with her. Even when going through some dark times, God provided for her in the form of supportive friendships and encouragement from reading God’s word everyday.The beautiful thing is that He is always with us and we can talk to Him. Any questions or doubts, we can bring to Him. So if you aren't sure, just talk to Him.Jesus is pursuing you and wants a relationship with you. Bible Passages:Luke 15:11-32 | the story of the prodigal sonHebrews 4:12 | the word of God is living and activeJohn 1:43-51 | “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.Hebrews 12:1-3 | running the race with our eyes set on Jesus

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”Ola found God because she heard His voice. He spoke to her, and her life has never been the same.Through Him, she found freedom, forgiveness, and joy. God has worked through Ola in incredible ways all around the world. The same as He has done for Ola, He does for us: God opens doors and leads us in unexpected ways.It doesn’t matter where you are or what circumstances you face, you can serve the Lord.If you’re not sure about Jesus, just try talking to Him.Resources to check out:John 10:1-18Ezekiel 16The Blessing (Japan) by Kari Jobe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b74EymT_0GA

Trigger warning: s*xual assault, su*cideMy friend, no matter what you are going through right now, please know that you are not alone and that you are so loved.Even in the face of hardship, God is good. It seems that in the most dark, difficult times, God met Rosie. God protected his life, God gave him friends to encourage him at just the right time, and God helped him find a new home church.Rosie has the biggest heart for people. He invests himself in helping students grow. Because of what he has experienced, he makes a huge impact in the lives of those around him. I hope you will have a positive impact from listening to Rosie's story too.

Church hurts. Cancer. Family health crisis. Loss of parents. Loss of a friend. How can you find God in the midst of such hardships?Gené wrestled with the logic of Christianity until her world came crumbling with the decline of her mom's health. She gained faith in God and He miraculously healed her mom. With having God by her side, Gené knew she was not alone even when she later lost her dad, her mom, and her friend in a short amount of time.Gené shares: "I realized that God is God and I am human. And I cannot expect to understand everything about Him. And moreover, faith isn't about understanding Him. If I could understand and explain everything about God, there would be no need for any faith. Faith requires that you to step out without evidence, that you step out without proof. [It's like saying] 'I don't understand, I don't have answers, but I trust You anyway.'"

Check out this episode to hear how Jesus changed Isabelle's life. She grew up in a home with different religious views and was not sure what she believed for herself until a new friend offered to do a Bible study with her... After learning more about Jesus and how He truly died for our sins and rose to life again, Isabelle has been given new life and a fresh perspective through Him.

Dustin once lived a very different life. But then he encountered Jesus. After walking with the Lord and learning about His love & His word, he is now one of the most servant-hearted people you'll ever meet.Listen to hear how God transformed Dustin's life! Now it is hard to imagine what he was like before knowing Jesus.Thanks for listening!

Hey friends! Jesus has the power to change lives. Before knowing Him, we were once dead in our sins, but now because of Him, we are alive in Christ. The purpose of this podcast series is sharing stories of people who have been marked and changed by Jesus. They once lived one way, and now they have new life.“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Often we do not want Jesus to be Lord of our lives because:we do not want someone else telling us what is right and wrongwe want to be in control of our own liveswe don't understand how a good God could allow evil to existBut when we see His heart, we see:A holy & worthy Lord who lives up to His own standards and helps us when we fall shortA compassionate Creator who shows us the best ways that are beneficial to usA sovereign Lord who is so good that He gives us the choice - thus allowing evil to exist if that is what we chooseWho is lord of your life? Jesus is the holy, worthy, compassionate, sovereign Lord - will you make Him Lord of your life?

A tale of three atheists who argued against God and instead found evidence for Jesus:1. C.S. Lewis | atheist turned Christian theologian who wrote many books:Mere ChristianityThe Problem of Pain2. Dr. Jay L Wile | atheist nuclear chemistry PhD turned Christian who shares science as evidence for creation:Science BlogApologia Science Textbooks3. Lee Strobel - atheist journalist turned Christian author:The Case for Christ (book & movie)Passion City Church Podcast - The Case for Christ

Jesus claimed to be God & man, claimed to die & raise to life again, and said some other really strange things... how do we know He's not a lunatic?Join us as we find answers in His word and in who He is is.

A lot of people think Jesus was a liar because of the things that He claimed while He was on earth. In this episode, we find what scripture says about His claims:1. He claimed to be God and man2. He claimed to fulfill scripture3. He claimed to die on the cross and raise to life4. He claimed that He is coming backThanks for joining us! 

With Christmas approaching, it's important to remember why we are celebrating and why we believe what we believe. Especially as conversations arise with your family over holiday meals, when co-workers ask about your faith, or your friends share their different beliefs. In this Advent series, we are exploring C.S. Lewis' argument that Jesus claiming to be both God and man either makes Him a Liar, a Lunatic, a Legend, or Lord. In addition to the 4 Ls, we are exploring how Jesus and Santa Claus are not the same. If both are always watching your behavior and reward by your behavior, how are Jesus and Santa Claus different? Check out this episode to find out!Thanks for listening! Stay tuned for upcoming episodes and feel free to join us on Instagram & Facebook! May the LORD bless you and keep you.

Let's abide in Him. The Father is the Gardener, Jesus is the Vine, we are the branches. We can bear fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) only by remaining in Him. John 15:1-17Acts 17:24-28Colossians 1:16-17Galatians 5:22-23John 13:35

Hello my friends! The more we learn about creation, the more we can see Who our Creator & Lover is. Just as the rain comes from heaven to water the earth and does not return empty, God's Word always accomplishes what He desires. Let's dive into scripture to hear more about why rain is important and what it reveals about God's nature.He reveals His invisible qualities to us through the visible creation so we are without excuse. 

Some say they know the oceanBut they’ve only seen picturesSome say they have seen the ocean but have only driven past a beachSome say they have been to the ocean but have but merely dipped their toes in the foam of the wavesSome say they know the ocean but have barely touched itThe ocean is vast, how can anyone know it?The same with His loveIt is so vast, how can we know it?Some say they know His love but have merely heard it in church on SundaysThey have not dived in and been truly immersed and covered by His powerful wavesWe cannot fully understand the depths of the mysteries of His loveBut may we dive in and seek as much as we can