The Christians Hour

All this month we have been unpacking the Bible’s answers for coping with rising spiritual floodwaters.  As we have considered how to NOT drown in these overwhelming waves in life, it does beg the question; “what about suffering?”   Is it from God, is suffering the result of sin, is it just the natural consequence of our actions?  Does God punish us?  In today’s message, “Flood of Discipline”, our teacher, Bob Russell, addresses this difficult subject.   This month, our teacher, Bob Russell, has been unpacking how to deal with life when it gets overwhelming, much like the crush of “Rising Spiritual Floodwaters”.  Bob Russell is a retired senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he served for 40 years as “Southeast” became one of the largest churches in America.     Today, Bob couples a wayward, rebellious prophet from the Old Testament of the Bible with a passage from the Bible’s New Testament to help us wrap our minds around suffering and how to face it.  So, here’s Bob to help us see the “Flood of Discipline” through “Spiritual” 3-D glasses.

It has been observed that no people in history have had ever had more possessions, better health, or greater freedom than we, yet we complain about what we don’t have.  It’s almost like many of us are drowning in the rising flood waters of discontent!  Guess what; that is NOT God’s design for our lives.   This month, our teacher, Bob Russell, is unpacking the empowerment of believers, via the Holy Spirit during challenging times, such as when “spiritual floodwaters” rise.  Bob Russell is a retired senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he served for 40 years as “Southeast” became one of the largest churches in America.     Just what would it take to make us content?  Perhaps a refocusing of what is important in life… and death?  Something deeper than just physical “things”?  Well… here’s Bob Russell to offer a “spiritual rescue helicopter” so to speak, to lift us out of the “Flood of Discontent”:

While there is an air of anticipation as we make our way into the new year; you know; new opportunities, new events, new projects, new resolutions.  But, it is January and statistics tell us mental health challenges can be significant.  The short days, the long winter CAN play into dimming our outlook, perhaps ever making us feel “boxed in” without a clear way out?   This month, our teacher, Bob Russell, is unpacking the empowerment of believers via the Holy Spirit during challenging times, such as when “spiritual floodwaters” rise.  Bob Russell is a retired senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he served for 40 years as “Southeast” became one of the largest churches in America.     In today’s message, Bob tackles the “Flood of Despair”.  God has made it clear that He will always walk beside those who believe and acknowledge Him; in this message Bob sheds light on three things we can do to cope with the threat or flood of despair.    So, here’s Bob Russell with a flashlight of hope, helping us see our rescuer in the Flood of Despair…

It has begun!, welcome to the New Year… in some ways kinda exciting; envisioning new opportunities, new events, new projects that might lie ahead.  At the same time, for some of us, the very thought of dealing with the New Year can be a monumental challenge.  Maybe even a bit overwhelming, kind-a like being washed over by rising floodwaters?!    This month, Bob Russell is unpacking the empowerment of believers through the Holy Spirit during challenging times, such as when “spiritual floodwaters” rise.  Bob Russell is a retired senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he served for 40 years as “Southeast” became one of the largest churches in America.     Does it ever seem to you like “bad” people get ahead while “good” people endure hardship?  Almost like there is a “flood of evil” rising all around you?  Ever wonder; “where is God in all this?”  In today’s message Bob explains how it’s not time yet for God to “deal” with all those who are evil, yet; He promises to sustain us through the flood.   So, here’s Bob to throw out a “life preserver” for your spirit…

The holidays will soon be over and then the New Year looms ahead.  Kinda exciting, envisioning new opportunities, new events, new projects that might lie ahead.  At the same time, for some, the very thought of dealing with the   New Year can be a monumental challenge.  Maybe even a bit overwhelming kind-a like being washed over by rising floodwaters?!   This next month, Bob Russell will be unpacking the empowerment of believers through the Holy Spirit during challenging times, such as when spiritual floodwaters rise.  Bob Russell is a retired senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he served for 40 years as Southeast became one of the largest churches in America.   Okay, ever had the feeling, like maybe you’re drowning in a “Flood of Doubt”?   In today’s lesson Bob offers some practical steps in both identifying what’s happening and how to combat it.  So, here’s Bob with a rescue boat in a flood with your name on it!

It’s Christmas time; let the battle begin!  Battle? Buring the holidays please say it’s not so!  Yet for most people the days leading up to Christmas are filled with a battle between the stress of the holidays and the Joy we know we should feel with the celebration of the birth of the promised messiah!  In fact our speaker this month, Rick Atchley, contends that, just like when Christ was born, fear and stress are major players during the Christmas season.   Maybe that’s why four times in the Bible’s birth narratives the angels say “Do not be afraid!”   This month, Rick Atchley, lead minister with the Hills Church in Fort Worth Texas, has been unpacking why, despite all the anxiety and stress, Christmas should make us bold… because, there’s something about Jesus coming that makes fear shrink back.  Today’s message is entitled “Fearless Joy.”   So, here’s Rick with the keys for finding the Joy that comes when we really “get” Christmas

“We Wish You a Fearless Christmas!”  That’s a Christmas greeting I  can’t say I ever recall seeing on a Christmas Card, or ever heard, for that matter.  And yet our speaker this month Rick Atchley contends that, just like when Christ was born, fear and stress are major players in our lives during the Christmas season.   Maybe that’s why four times in the Bible’s birth narratives the angels say “Do not be afraid!”   This month, teacher Rick Atchley is unpacking why, despite all the anxiety and stress, Christmas should make us bold… because, there’s something about Jesus coming that makes fear shrink back.  Rick Atchley is the lead minister with the Hill’s Church in Fort Worth, Texas.  Today’s message is entitled “Fearless Obedience.”   Rick’s favorite character in the Christmas story is, well, maybe not who you think, but is a great example of Fearless Obedience.  So, here’s Rick with an unveiling of sorts, and, a challenge of obedience. 

“Have yourself a Fearless Christmas!”  Now there’s a greeting you hardly ever hear… let alone say.  Can’t say I’ve ever seen that one on a Christmas Card either.  And yet our speaker this month Rick Atchley contends that, just like when Christ was born, fear and stress are a major component in our lives, even, yes, at Christmas time.   Yet the words announcing the birth of Jesus are punctuated with the assurance; “Do not be afraid!”   This month teacher, Rick Atchley is exploring why Christmas should make us bold; because there’s something about Jesus coming that makes fear leave.  Rick Atchley is the lead pastor with the Hill’s Church in Fort Worth, Texas.  Today’s message is entitled “Fearless Surrender.”   The Bible’s book written by John in the very first chapter says: “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness…”  here's rick to shed some of that light on how to be boldly fearless and dispel darkness during this Christmas Season…

The Christmas season is full of joy, but it is also full of stress.  And that’s how it was when Christ was born—born into a scandalous situation, into an occupied nation, under an oppressive regime, ruled by a maniac - murderous, governor, forced to escape as a refugee to a foreign country - a time of joy and anxiety.  Perhaps that’s why four times in the birth narratives the angels say “Do not be afraid.”   This month teacher, Rick Atchley is exploring why Christmas should make us bold; because there’s something about Jesus coming that makes fear leave.  Rick Atchley is the lead pastor with the Hill’s Church in Fort Worth, Texas.  Today’s message is entitled “Fearless Faith.” So, what do Christmas, fear, answers to prayer, and a mute old man all have in common?  Here’s Rick to unwrap it all…

With everything that is always going on around us, good OR bad, God’s desire for us is “all good”!  Most of all, God wants us to take on the image He designed just for us, one that resembles His image.  Given where all of us start this requires a big, big change, perhaps better described as a complete makeover, re-imaged into who He designed us to be.   This week our speaker is Bob Russell., This message is one shared by Bob during his 40-year ministry with Southeast Christian Church.  Southeast, one of the largest churches in America is located in Louisville, Kentucky.  This week’s message; “The Grace of Gratitude” is a fitting conclusion to our series “Re–Imaged”.   Have you ever noticed that some of the most thankful people are those who have the least?  You might observe; the origin of a thankful heart is not so much special things that happens to us, as it is a conscious decision to appreciate the life God has given us.   So, as we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving, here’s Bob Russell with a recipe for gratitude that can be, well, life changing!