Key Takeaways:

• God-Centered Focus: Ensure that the church honors God, with leadership that demonstrates a love for God and openness to the Holy Spirit.

• Community Connection: Look for a church where you feel accepted and can build genuine, trusting relationships.

• Purpose Alignment: Choose a church that supports and nurtures God's purpose for your life, allowing you to grow in faith.

• Church Is People, Not Place: Understand that a church is not just a service or a building but a community of people on a spiritual journey together.

• Listening to God's Call: Sometimes, God's guidance may lead you to a new church community for your spiritual growth and fulfillment.

Notable Quotes:

• “Is God honored in this church? Does the leadership love God and follow Jesus?”

• “The church is not a service or a building. It's a group of people in relationship to God and each other.”

• “For your life's purpose to be fulfilled, sometimes God calls you to move churches.”

• “It was about the people God was connecting me to and who I could learn from and grow with.”

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize that the church is made up of flawed, sinful people on their path to becoming like Jesus.
• Pastors and leaders, although held to a higher standard, can also make mistakes and should not be confused with Jesus.

• Forgiveness is essential in dealing with church hurt, as it lies at the heart of Christian beliefs.

• Shift your focus from the imperfections of the church and its leaders to Jesus, whose character is unchanging and faithful.

• Churches often face and navigate complex issues; the guiding principle should always be love.

Notable Quotes:

1. "You don't have to be in church long to find yourself being hurt or offended."

2. "Some walked away from the church. They had confused Jesus with Jesus followers."

3. "God alone is worthy of our trust. His character alone is unchanging and faithful."

4. "If we don't forgive others, we won't be able to receive His forgiveness."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• The diversity within Christianity can be compared to different online chat room groups merging together, showcasing various backgrounds and interests.

• Historically, the Church was unified as the Catholic (universal) Church until significant splits occurred, first between the Western and Eastern branches and later during the Protestant Reformation.

• The variety in denominations—such as Baptists, Presbyterians, and Pentecostals—stems from differences in doctrinal emphases, organizational structures, and theological interpretations.

• Despite numerous denominations, the core unifying factor among all Christians is Jesus Christ, transcending individual differences in doctrine and practice.

• Understanding the historical and theological reasons behind the proliferation of denominations can enhance one's appreciation of the rich tapestry within the global Christian community.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Where else do you find such diversity of people? As humans, we tend to gravitate towards groups of our own type. Only God and technical hitches can bring us together."

2. "The church is built on one truth that unifies all God's people: the good news about Jesus."

3. "In Jesus there's neither Jew nor Greek, nor male nor female, neither slave nor free."

4. "The one core issue that makes us one has never changed, and that's Jesus."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Church is not just a building; it is a community united by the Holy Spirit.

• Attending church helps believers know God in new ways through shared experiences.

• Real relationships and community foster spiritual growth and transformation.

• The early church's model of community over meals included worship, teaching, and sharing.

• Finding a suitable church where you feel part of a spiritual community is essential for personal growth and encouragement.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you a hamburger."

2. "When you meet with others who know God, you get to know the fullness of God more."

3. "Jesus modeled this for us. He spent time with his disciples, ate meals with them, and generally did life with them."

4. "We need our spiritual brothers and sisters to teach us, to encourage us, to comfort us, and strengthen us through life."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• The church is not merely a physical building; early Christians gathered in homes and temporary spaces.

• Institutional structures and leadership are tools for organization, not the essence of the church.

• The church transcends political and national boundaries; it is rooted in a spiritual kingdom based on love, joy, and peace.

• A true understanding of the church focuses on the followers of Jesus and their collective faith and practices.

• Diversity in worship styles and church structures reflects the varied expressions of faith among Christians.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The church is not a building. Did you know that church buildings didn't exist until the third century? The early Christians met in the temple or in synagogues."

2. "We are the church, we are God's building."

3. "The church is not an institution. It's not the programs, services, policies or leadership structures."

4. "The church is not a political or national entity. The Holy Spirit only dwells in people, not entities."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Divine Justice & Human Forgiveness: We reflect God's image through our innate desire for justice, yet we are called to forgive and trust God's ultimate judgment.

• Forgiveness is Not Condoning: Forgiving a perpetrator does not mean excusing their actions; it means entrusting justice to God.

• Restorative vs. Retributive Justice: Tania explains the profound difference between punitive justice and healing, restorative justice.

• Real-life Example: The transformation of Andrew Chan and Mayurin Sukumaran in an Indonesian prison serves as a testament to the power of forgiveness and restorative justice.

• Following Jesus’ Example: As believers, we are prompted to follow Christ's teaching of turning the other cheek and extending forgiveness as we have been forgiven.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Our desire for justice is one of the ways we reflect God's image. It's a divine quality."

2. "We must never make our capacity to forgive dependent on the justice that may or may not follow."

3. "God's justice is always restorative, not retributive. There's a profound difference."

4. "As they were led to the firing squad, the power of restorative justice was evident."

5. "Forgive others as your heavenly Father has forgiven you."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Generosity Beneficial for Health: Scientific research shows that people who give meaningfully tend to live happier and healthier lives.

• Motives Matter: True generosity should stem from love and compassion, not the desire for recognition or material reward.

• Biblical Perspective: Jesus emphasized giving in secret and from the heart, focusing on God’s glory rather than personal gain.

• Story of Compassion: The response of Gander, Canada, during the 9/11 attacks is a powerful example of selfless giving leading to long-term rewards.

• True Reward of Giving: Authentic generosity, motivated by selflessness, inevitably leads to blessings, though they may not always be material.

Notable Quotes:

1. "People who contribute meaningfully to the lives of others will generally live happier, more gratifying, more resilient, healthier, and even, on average, longer lives."

2. "God wants us to give because it reflects his heart. He wants us to have love and compassion for those in need."

3. "Our giving needs to be motivated by selflessness and love. True generosity never comes with strings attached."

4. "Even though God's promise reward, our giving should never be motivated by selfish gain."

5. "It is more blessed to give than receive, but we don't give to get."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Historical Perspectives: Medieval monks, like Saint Francis of Assisi, believed that renouncing material wealth brought them closer to God.

• Prosperity Gospel: Modern teachings often equate monetary wealth with spiritual blessings, suggesting that God desires us to be rich.

• Biblical Insights: Paul's letters highlight the importance of spiritual wealth, noting that Jesus became poor in spirit so others could become spiritually rich.

• The Root of All Evil: Both Jesus and Paul warn that the love of money can lead to various forms of evil and spiritual destruction.

• God's Kingdom Economics: Material wealth is not an end but a means to fulfill God's purposes, emphasizing generosity and stewardship.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Saint Francis of Assisi saw the futility of his riches and gave them all away to become a monk."

2. "In God's kingdom, eternal things are more important than material."

3. "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."

4. "God wants us to have as much money as we need to fulfill His purpose faithfully and to bring Him glory."

5. "It's not money itself that's the problem; it's our attachment to it."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.