Part I: REWIND Season - Past, Present, & Future Series
- casttheword
- May 26, 2020
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 7, 2020
Notes from the REWIND season (Episodes #13 - 16)
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Recently, we started a brand new Podcast series titled Past, Present and Future.
The idea of this series is to separate it out into seasons dedicated to the past, to the present, and to the future. We just wrapped up Part I of this series where we focused on the past in a season titled REWIND. The purpose of this season is to look in the past, specifically classic Biblical stories that we all know and love from the Old Testament. In these episodes we discussed Abraham and Sarah, Samson, Jonah, and we ended with Moses.
Part II of the Past, Present, and Future series began Tuesday, May 26, 2020 focusing on the Present in a season titled PLAY/PAUSE.
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Believing in the Impossible (Part I - REWIND)
In Part I of the REWIND season we discussed the story of Abraham and Sarah. The story of Abraham and Sarah's level of faith really teaches us how to believe in the impossible.
Abraham and Sarah were both elderly, past the childbearing years, and Sarah herself was also barren. Yet, God made a promise to Abraham that he would have a child, and that he would also be the father of many nations. God told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.
In the natural, this was impossible. Abraham and Sarah were extremely advanced in years and Sarah was physically unable to have a child. But as is the case in many other stories in the Bible, we see that what is impossible with man is possible by God. And the same is true in this story. God gives Abraham and Sarah Isaac, and throughout the Bible our Lord is referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which consistently reaffirms God's covenant and fulfilled promise to Abraham.
This story to me is such a faith builder. It teaches us that if God is on our side then anything is possible.
This episode was published on May 12, 2020.
If you missed this episode, you can listen to it here.
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Breaking the Cycle of Defeat (Part II - REWIND)
In Part II of the REWIND season we discussed the story of Samson from the book of Judges. The book of Judges as a whole teaches us how easy it is to find ourselves in a cycle of defeat.
During this time in Israel's history, we see a cyclical pattern of sin, slavery/bondage, and salvation. Israel definitely understood the concept of lather, rinse, and repeat. The book of Judges also shows us the power of God's long-suffering; offering us grace and mercy even when we don't really deserve it. Thank God for the gift of His mercy!
Samson's story teaches us so many things. Similar to Samson, in the spiritual sense we as followers of Christ are called to be different just as Samson's life was to be lived following the Nazarite vow. His story also teaches us that humans are weak: and that includes me and you! But in order to break the cycle of defeat it is imperative for us to understand what our weakness is and instead of following our pet sin, learn to follow God. Samson's story also teaches us to use the gift God has given us for His benefit. Samson had the gift of strength when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Him. Let the gift God has placed on your life be a way to glorify His name!
This episode was published May 14, 2020.
If you missed this episode, you can listen to it here.
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Are You Ghosting God? (Part III - REWIND)
In Part III of the REWIND season we discussed the story of Jonah. Jonah's story is so fascinating, and just like the previous episode, highlights some similarities to how we are today.
Jonah is so relatable to me. How many times has God wanted us to go right and instead we go left? God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and instead of Jonah trying to argue with God, he ghosted Him and instead got on a boat to head to Tarshish. Jonah's disobedience and blatant ignoring of God's command landed him in the belly of a fish for 3 days.
And just like Samson, Jonah too, offers us many life lessons. Below are a couple points discussed in this episode (not all inclusive).
#1 - God knows you have a gift, and he wants to use it
Sound familiar? We are all unique in this life, and can all contribute to grow the Kingdom of God. God wanted to use Jonah, but Jonah didn't want the gift God placed in him to be used. We discuss this point more in the episode. Check it out!
#2 - Even if you’ve messed up, you can still fix it
Man, what encouragement this is. We read throughout the Old Testament, specifically, that God uses people time and time again that have royally messed up at some point. Isn't that great encouragement? We talk about this even more in Part IV.
This truth means that your story is not finished yet. Despite your past mistakes, you can still be used for God's glory. Sometimes your mess-ups can even be used as a testimony to give others hope about what God did for you. Ask God to forgive you of your past mistakes, and watch what He will do for His glory!
This episode was published on May 17, 2020
If you missed this episode, you can listen to it here.
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From Egypt to the Promised Land (Part IV - REWIND)
In Part IV of the REWIND season we discussed Moses. In this episode, we wrap up the REWIND season by outlining some spiritual lessons we can draw from Moses' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Moses was a great man of God, and witnessed the hand of God move on his behalf so many times. He definitely had some of the coolest experiences throughout the Old Testament, in my opinion.
Moses went from living as a Prince in Egypt, to living in the wilderness, to delivering the people of Israel from Egyptian slavery, to witnessing the Red Sea being parted in two, and to seeing the glory of God on Mt. Sinai. What a story... And that list is not all inclusive!
Aside from the amazing things Moses got to witness, we can also draw so many lessons from his journey. In this episode, we discuss 10 points we can learn from Moses' journey. I have provided 5 of them below. Check out the episode if you want to see the reamining points discussed.
#1 - We all sometimes find ourselves in a world that is not our home
Moses was a Prince of Egypt but he understood that was not his home, and he made the decision to live with God rather than living in the wealth and prestige offered in Egypt. There is a spiritual parallel here for us today. We, too, live in a world that is not our permanent home. We should keep this in the front of our mind and check ourselves every now and then to not get too attached to the "things" of this world. We can't take anything with us when we go. So, instead, we should strive to live our life for Christ, love our neighbor (friends, family, strangers, etc.) as ourself, and ultimately love God!
#2 - Don't let your mistakes cripple your faith
Moses witnessed a Hebrew getting beaten by a slave driver when he was a Prince of Egypt. He took pity on the Israelite and attack and killed the Egyptian. He fled Egypt after this took place. Moses killed a man, but God still used him. God's mercy and grace is so overwhelming.
We don't deserve it, and we can't earn it by ourselves. It is a gift. And we need to accept that, ask for forgiveness of our sins, and commit our lives to Christ. Once you've done that, then don't look back again. Forgot those things behind, and reach for those things which are ahead!
#3 - We can all have a Burning Bush moment
Moses' unforgettable moment in his life had to have been the Burning Bush moment. The reason I think that is because that was the point of no return for Moses. This experience arguably changed him from that point forward. It was an experience of a lifetime, and it was the beginning of the majestic wonder that God would continue showing Moses throughout his life.
For us believers, our burning bush moment had to have been the moment of salvation. But there is so much more God wants to show us. Learn to push forward. Don't just accept the bare minimum in your experience with God. Call upon Him, and He will show you great and mighty things that you've never seen!
Which leads me to the next point...
#4 - Find time to get alone with God
We must remember to find time to get alone with God. Moses cried out for God to show him His glory. And He did. Ask God to show you His glory, and I believe He will. I believe God is looking for a people that wants to get alone with God and pray for Him to show us His glory.
#5 - When you're in the wilderness - trust God to lead the way
And finally, when we find ourselves in the wilderness just like the children of Israel, let's be quick to lean on God to show us the right path. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean no on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our path" (Proverbs 3:5-6). God did it for the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, and I believe He will do it for us when we too are in our own wilderness.
But while we're in this wilderness press forward. Don't be complacent and content. Don't spend 40 years in the wilderness before you find peace and rest in the land flowing with milk and honey! There is peace in His presence! Run to it. Seek it out. And when we get lost be quick to call upon Him for help and direction.
This episode was published on May 21, 2020.
If you missed this episode, you can listen to it here.
#exodus #moses #redsea #burningbush #egypt #promisedland #fromegypttopromisedland #pastpresentfuture #glory
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