The Calhoun Church of Christ Podcast

Why do some people live peaceful lives while other constantly have sorrow and trouble? Are some "blessed" and some under a "curse"? What is a curse, and how can you avoid it?

The Bible speaks of curses 178 times in the New International Version. From Adam and Eve putting the world under a curse by sin (Genesis 3:17) to Jesus cursing a barren fig tree (Mark 11:12-14), the idea of cursing something or someone appears often in the Bible.

Even the Apostle Paul mentioned it: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole (tree).'" (Galatians 3:13 NIV)

So, what is this "curse of the law" and how does Jesus save us from it? Listen and you'll find some truly good news.

Did you know that Jesus said he didn't come to bring peace world peace?

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34 NIV)

His presence didn't always bring peace, it divided people. As his disciples preached about him, they were hated and resisted. They didn't find peace in this anti-Christ world.

But he did promise his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV)

The only true peace in this life is to serve Jesus as your only Lord and stand up for him in this turbulent world.

Would you like to hear more?

 

Why do so many people have so little peace? Because there's a price for peace of mind.

Isaiah the prophet wrote this 700 years before Christ's birth: "the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)

The prophet predicted Christ's life 700 years before he was born, giving stunning details of his crucifixion and resurrection. And Isaiah said that a large part of what Jesus paid for on the cross is our peace.

Peace has a price, and he paid it. You'll never have true peace until you allow Jesus to give you his peace (John 14:27).

Let this podcast introduce you to more good news about real and lasting peace.

How can Jesus be the "Prince of Peace"? Since he went back to Heaven in his resurrected body, the world still has no peace. War abounds.

"Peace" in this temporary world will never last. But the Prince of Peace said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV)

Check out the podcast and learn more about this amazing, lasting peace.

Doesn't the Bible often say things that stretch your imagination? Here's one:

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1 NIV)

The Contemporary English Version puts it this way: "If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won't be punished."

This is finding peace in the storm - finding forgiveness, a clean record before God. In spite of all the guilt-producing things we've said, done, and thought, they're all removed and placed on Christ's cross! Now that's freedom.

Listen and learn how to understand and enjoy this amazing benefit given by God.

Finding peace in the storm means finding the gospel of peace... from the Prince of Peace.

Our peace comes from the one man who has authority to forgive our sins - the sin that kills our peace.

From the woman caught in adultery, to the paralyzed man whose sin had frozen his body, to the woman who loved Jesus so much that her tears drenched his feet, these three people found freedom from guilt and release from their sin burden.

Listen and learn how they found peace in a storm of guilt and regret.

You need a big anchor for a big storm.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV)

Our hope isn't just in things we can see, but in a person. Christ, the Son of God, has entered into the Father's throne room, accessing it by his own blood (life) given for us. And he's there on our behalf to erase our sins and give us supernatural hope. 

Listen and find out how this hope brings peace in your own 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.

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 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.