The FirstLove Podcast

In our episode this week, we continue to go through Matthew 24, a pivotal and profound chapter in which Jesus talks to His disciples about His return. It doesn't take much to see that the world is in chaos. We are living in uncertain and unprecedented days and yet Jesus told us that when this happens, not to be afraid. Join us for this conversation today and reach out if you are needing encouragement and some help with looking up!

On this podcast, we continue our discussion about the parable of the rich fool from Luke 12. We see that he was materially blessed and resourceful with what he had, but he failed to use what he had for an eternal purpose that was greater than himself. God calls us to a life lived for others and lived with eternity in mind.

This week we are beginning our discussion on the Rich Fool from Luke 12.It's a short but powerful parable on our eternal priorities.We begin our discussion talking about Jesus' issues with the heart of the Pharisees and the seven things He held against them. This context helps us understand Jesus' audience but also gives opportunity for us to examine our own hearts.

This week's episode is all about the Prodigal Son. Such a prolific parable that Jesus tells, detailing the youngest sons fall from grace, and how quickly the loving father forgave and restored. This is the truth about the God we serve, He is slow to anger and abounding in love and mercy, running to restore us back to His love.

Welcome back to our series “Parables - Understanding the Secrets of the Kingdom” where we dive into some of the parables of Jesus' - multi-layered and faceted stories that still hold incredible truth and meaning for us today. The Lost Sheep, the first of three parables told in succession, shows us the heart of our Father and the lengths that He would go to in order to rescue us. In this episode we discuss four fundamental needs that a sheep has in order to experience rest.

Matthew 24 goes into very specific detail regarding what to look for when we consider the coming of Jesus. Persecution and deception will be rife. It is vital that we anchor ourselves to the Word of God. Read it, study it, pursue it so that we can know God and know His truth so that we will not be swayed by deception and false teaching.

Matthew 24 goes into very specific detail regarding what to look for when we consider the coming of Jesus. In this episode we cover the first four things that Jesus mentions and give real time examples of what we see going on in the world today.

In this episode, we introduce a new series, "LOOK UP" in which we will be discussing all things current world events, Jesus' return, the tribulation and everything in between. When it seems like all hell is breaking loose on earth, Jesus told His disciples to look up, not to worry, or look around, or look down but to look up. Even when things around us seem dark, we have this hope that our Saviour is in control and that He is coming back.

Welcome to our brand new series “Parables - Understanding the Secrets of the Kingdom” where we dive into some of the parables of Jesus - multi-layered and faceted stories that still hold incredible truth and meaning for us today. The Good Samaritan is one of the most commonly known and loved parables. In this story, Jesus explains who our neighbour is and teaches us how to treat those around us, no matter their race or religion. He shows that compassion and kindness are traits that mark those who love God.

The problem with the church of Laodicea was that they sat comfortably in the middle of their faith. Not too hot, not too cold, but living a luke warm kind of life with self in-mind. Thats the challenge, when we fail to surrender our lives completely, giving Jesus Lordship, we tend to be mediocre and apathetic. In this episode, our last of the churches, we discuss this epidemic and how this kind of living is still so evident in the church today and how we can ensure that we stay hot and on fire for the Lord.

Philadelphia, the faithful church, who celebrated their weakness knowing that His strength would be made perfect. This was the church who lived faithfully before God. They did not receive a rebuke, but rather further encouragement to continue to step through the open doors. They were positioned at such a pivotal location to spread the Gospel and although it would have been easier to shrink back, they chose the narrow road, they chose surrender to HIs will and cause, they chose Jesus. Many of us are increasingly faced with the persecution that comes with standing for His truth and not backing down. Be encouraged as you walk through these doors of opportunity that He will be your reward.

The church of Sardis had a reputation! Reputation does not have to be a bad thing. If you have a reputation for being kind and generous, thats great! The problem comes when your reputation does not match up to the way you're living. For the church of Sardis, Jesus challenged their reputation for being ALIVE because unfortunately for them, they were dead on the inside. Similar to the Pharisee's that Jesus rebuked, they looked the part on the outside only. In this episode, we chat about how Jesus is way more interested and invested with the inside of our lives and hearts, the hard but worth it process of pruning and refining and how with Him, there is always still a second chance.

It has been so much fun to share the podcast with my husband, Greg. This week we chat about the Church of Thyatira and it may have been our funnest, most vulnerable and raw conversation yet. Our prayer is that these episodes drawer you deeper into His love and that despite being challenging, these letters challenge you to pursue Jesus and live completely devoted to Him.

The Church of Pergamum receives a stern letter. Jesus addresses them as the double edged sword so you know that this is going to be a letter that cuts deep. Pergamum, where Satan had his throne, an evil oppressed city and yet God calls His church to live above reproach and to not conform to their environment. The Church of Pergamum had allowed for compromise and this letter serves as their reminder to repent and to turn back to Jesus. The same stands true for us today. If you have compromised and turned away from the Lord, He is calling us back to Him and all we need to do is to REPENT. Join us for an episode of laughs, fun and a challenge to passionately pursue the purity of the Gospel.

Life can be hard, and sometimes God allows it! He allows us to walk through trial and hardships as it not only purifies us, but glorifies Him. The church of Smyrna suffered persecution. Jesus commends them and encourages them to hold on and be faithful, even unto death. In this episode we dig a little deeper into the hard seasons of life and talk about how to keep holding on.

A famous church in a famous city and to be honest, a church most of us would want to be part of. The worked hard and did good deeds, the took the responsibility of building God's house seriously. An alive and active church and yet Jesus had this against them... they had forgotten their first love. They were so busy doing that they neglected being. Their works became more important than their worship. This is something that each one of us can easily fall prey to. We are so busy with our Fathers work that we actually forget to be with our Father. God is more interested in relationship with us than anything we can do for Him. The tension for us is to not be idle and lazy with what He has commissioned us to do, but also not neglect the most important thing in our lives and that is the person of Jesus. "Whoever has an ear to hear, let him hear..."

I truly believe that there is so much within the letters to the seven churches that Jesus wants us to see and know and understand for right now.When John wrote these letters, the church was riddled with idolatry, immorality and false teaching. In His love and mercy Jesus appealed to each church challenging them but also giving them the road map to live faithfully till the end.I believe these three issues are still rampant within the church and that in His mercy and love Jesus is challenging us to get right before He returns.Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting a church each week but for this week I am joined by a guest as we delve into the introduction of these letters. “Whoever has ears to hear...”

In the book of Revelation, Jesus addresses 7 churches each of which carry a challenge and encouragement which applies to us today. The church of Laodicea had fallen into apathy, neither hot nor cold when it concerned their faith in Jesus. This is heart breaking and an easy path for any of us to take. We love Jesus so much, but just enough that we can still have fun in the world and live how we see fit. Living life like this just doesn't work and God requires that we are either hot or cold but not living in the middle. Yet the reward for those who repent and turn back is by far the most beautiful. If you find yourself in this space of apathy and compromise, be encouraged by the words of Jesus and allow Him to draw you back unto Himself.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus addresses 7 churches each of which carry a challenge and encouragement which applies to us today. The church of Philadelphia, the faithful church, were the only ones who did not receive a rebuke from the Lord. Positioned as a missionary church, they lived faithfully for the cause of Christ and Jesus only encourages them to continue to step through the open doors that He has provided.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus addresses 7 churches each of which carry a challenge and encouragement  which applies to us today. The church of Sardis had the appearance of being alive but they were dead inside. It's easy for any of us to fade into apathy, but Jesus wants to breathe new life into us so that we can finish strong what He has purposed for us.