The Calhoun Church of Christ Podcast

Finding Peace In The Storm

According to statistics, most of us deal with stress and worry every day.

But Jesus forbids his disciples to worry: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life..." (Matthew 6:25 NIV)

So, why do we still struggle with this? Because we have a 'sin problem'.

Walking away from God's will, brings one under 'the curse of the law', which causes "curses, confusion, rebuke, disease, fever, inflammation, boils, tumors, sores, itch, madness, blindness, confusion of mind, oppression, poverty, anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart." (Read Deuteronomy 28:15-67)

Thank God that Jesus "redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" according to Galatians 3:13.

So why do we still struggle with anxious thoughts, fear, dread, and worry? Listen to this episode and find some peace in this stormy world.

Keeping Prayer Alive! -5 "In My Name-2"

Names matter! God warns us against using his name in trivial ways (as in 'Oh, my God!' when you aren't praying) in Exodus 20:7. And he warned Israel not to rebel against the angel he was sending to lead them into the Promised Land because, "My Name is in him". (Exodus 23:21)

Even more important is the name of his son, Jesus. In the Book of Acts we see Jesus' name bring about miracles. Disciples baptized new believers into his name. Healings happened in his name. They preached the Gospel in his name. Salvation came through his name. They revered His name above all other names.

 Christians literally wear his name. "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." (1st Peter 4:16 NIV)

Don't you want to know more about that name?

Keeping Prayer Alive! -4 "In My Name"

Keeping your prayer life alive depends on having the right foundation. And Jesus gave us that foundation in his last conversation with the disciples on the night before his crucifixion.

Six times in that teaching, Jesus used the phrase "in my name" as the basis for their prayers.

While we often use that phrase "in Jesus' name" to end our prayers, he never meant it to be merely a closing phrase, but a way of life.

"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:23-24 NIV)

Listen and learn how to experience this new level of effective praying through Jesus' teachings.

Keeping Prayer Alive-3

Why pray? Isn't God in control... of everything?

If so, why vote? And why pray for God's will to be done in our nation if he's going to do what every he wants to do, anyway?

Prayer matters. Even in an election environment. So how should we pray? For 'our side' to win? For 'their side' to lose?

God has a better idea: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1st Timothy 2:1-2 NIV)

Listen and learn the scope of what this Scripture says about praying for our nation, whether in an election year or not.

Keeping Prayer Alive-2

Why pray? Isn't God in control... of everything?

Then why does the Word say, "You do not have because you do not ask God." in James 4:2?

Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." (Revelation 3:20 NIV)

Why doesn't he just kick the door down and go in? Because God never forces himself on us. He waits for us to ask, to invite him in.

And he limits his giving when we limit our asking. Learn more about how this phenomenon of how God works with us to answer prayer.

"Keeping Prayer Alive" Prayer Workshop 2024 #10

How do you keep your prayer life fresh and alive? Why is it so easy to quit praying? Why do we get discouraged with our praying?

Listen and learn more about how to keep your praying alive by looking at Bible characters and their prayer lives.

"Why Prayer Matters" Prayer Workshop 2024 #9

Why does prayer matter?

Have you ever noticed in the Bible how many people, and nations, fell into terrible disasters because they didn't pray.

Listen and you'll hear about several of the 'disasters of prayerlessness'.

"The Spirit of Prayer (2)" Prayer Workshop 2024 #7

Why and how does God 'limit' himself to the 'law of prayer' (the principle that you "do not have because you do not ask")?

The Spirit of Prayer impacts us because God gave the whole planet to mankind and made us rulers over it (Psalm 115:16 & Psalm 8). But when Adam and Eve listened to Satan and sinned, the Evil One gained control of the world. Therefore, God waits to be asked before he intervenes in lives here on earth. 

Even Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." (Rev. 3:20 NIV) 

Listen and learn more about the Spirit of Prayer and the laws that govern it.

"The Spirit of Prayer (1)" Prayer Workshop 2024 #2

This session from our 2024 Prayer & Spiritual Growth Workshop features a message on experiencing the 'spirit' of prayer.

How have past revivals been sparked by prayer and how can the modern church to see a greater outpouring of God's presence in this broken world?

Teach Us To Pray

The prayer life of Jesus fascinated his disciples. When they heard him pray, they asked to be taught how to pray... how to pray as he prayed.

So, he began with that request and taught them his own revelations about how the disciples should approach this amazing experience of talking in person with the Most High God - his own Father.

In this podcast we look at three major sessions where Jesus personally taught them (and us) to pray.