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Based in Hillsville, Virginia, this is the podcast of ReCreate Church. We are a community of Life and Love.
Episodes
Thursday May 16, 2024
Thursday May 16, 2024
Moma Fixes the Mess.
Today, Pastor Michael shares a powerful story from the Old Testament, a time of great turmoil. It’s the story of Moma Fixes the Mess, a testament to the profound wisdom of God and the importance of allowing Him to guide us in challenging times.
In this story, the hero is a Moma, Deborah. Sisera, the commander of King Jabin, is going around the nation doing bad things, and the nation of Israel has a mess. The Israelites went to Deborah as a prophetess for her advice during these times, and she told them to summon Barak, take 10,000 soldiers to Mt. Tabor, and fight against Sisera, as the Lord was on their side and would deliver a victory to them.
A bunch of shepherds went against an army that had iron chariots, the most advanced military machines of the day. On the surface, this appeared to be an almost suicide mission. Yet, the Lord routed Sisera’s army totally! The Lord was with the Israelites!
The world still underestimates the power of a Mother.
(CSB Bible Notes) As God’s appointed representative, Deborah summoned Barak to lead the fighting. She also gave him the Lord’s battle plan, deploying ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun on Mount Tabor, a strategic location at the northeast corner of the Jezreel Valley. Further, she assured him of the Lord’s victory over Israel’s enemies.
Verses can be found in Judges 4: 1 - 23.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Thursday May 16, 2024
Thursday May 16, 2024
Mother's Day, 2024
Our pastor, Michael Shockley, asked Diane Crook to give a special message this Mother's Day, from Proverbs 31.
Enjoy!
Monday May 06, 2024
Monday May 06, 2024
Simple Faith for a Complex World.
Today, Pastor Michael is drilling down on the complexities of modern life. We like complexity until it becomes overwhelming, but it is a real part of modern day-to-day living.
God did not make a world that was overly complex. He put people in a situation that was pretty idyllic and low-key. But we, starting with Adam and Eve, pretty much messed that one up! Now more than ever, we wish for a simple life, that world that God created before disease, sickness, and bad fortune. But:
Good news!
The same God who created that simple life is going to bring it back. But we’re in the messy middle right now, and it’s a struggle. So lets jump into the study:
We’re with Jesus in this lesson from the book of Mark, where He talks about the end times. “Let the reader understand” is important in this passage, probably inserted by the author Mark for future generations. Herein, they’re talking about the Abomination of Desolation, which is when someone in authority reaches the end of the sacrifices in the temple in an abominable way, causing desolation, happening in the middle of a covenant. This prophecy has three fulfillments to it. Two are partial and temporary, and one is complete and forever.
In the first fulfillment, Antiochus, a truly evil man, entered an altar and sacrificed a pig in their temple, defiling it utterly. Eventually, the temple was cleaned and restored. When Jesus arrived, the temple was humming along. Hannukah came about during this restoration, an interesting historical fact. The second fulfillment, also partial, occurred during Roman times. Revolts were now occurring against the Romans, and so in marches the Roman army right into Jerusalem, and they knocked down the temple, disrupting the sacrifices, which is still not occurring to this day.
The ultimate fulfillment is the third one, the AntiChrist, who will broker the seven-year covenant. Seemingly, a peace treaty will be made with Israel and its neighbors, and the temple will be rebuilt. He will then break that covenant at the halfway mark and will defile the temple yet again.
A complex world calls for a simple faith—a faith that is thought out, reasoned through, and returns to simplicity. We’re in the middle, and it can be overwhelming, but God will make it simple again!
You CAN trust God!
(CSB Bible Notes) 13:14 The abomination of desolation is drawn from Dn 9:27; 11:31; 12:11 (cp. Mt 24:15) and was used to describe the desecration of the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 BC (see the apocryphal book 1Macc 1:54). Jesus’s reference may be to some event prior to AD 70 or to the “man of lawlessness” (2Th 2:3-10; cp. Rv 13:1-10,14-15). Mark did not identify the location for standing where it should not be, but Matthew (Mt 24:15) said “in the holy place,” meaning the temple’s sanctuary (cp. 2Th 2:4).
Verses can be found in Mark 13: 14 - 23.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Tribulation = Time to Trust.
Today, Pastor Michael is talking about tribulation. What is tribulation? What is THE Tribulation?
The dictionary defines tribulation as a state of great trouble or suffering. Health, loss, confusion, and generally rough times are also tribulations. So, what do we do when we go through a period of tribulation?
Jesus spoke a message to a group of people about “THE” tribulation, and the last half of that being the “GREAT” tribulation. Here at Recreate, we don’t dwell on the tribulation and end times too much, but the world does talk about it, and we will confront it today.
It’s important to differentiate between the general concept of tribulation, which we all experience in life, and the specific biblical event known as the Tribulation period. We firmly believe that those who trust in Jesus in this age will not face the Tribulation period, but we will still encounter tribulations in our lives. However, these tribulations can be seen as opportunities to deepen our trust in God.
What is the Tribulation period? A seven-year period of intense global turmoil and divine judgment first prophesized in the book of Daniel but most famously described in Revelation. There will be widespread famine, chaos, natural disasters, and generally, really, really bad times. A charismatic leader called the Antichrist who will rise up, and Jesus will return at the end of the seven years, destroy the Antichrist, bind the Devil, throw him into the bottomless pit, and establish an earthly kingdom that will resemble the earthly garden of Eden.
It’s going to get really bad but really good, too. That’s a good general description of the Tribulation period. The Tribulation is a time of trust. Trust in Jesus, and those who do will be removed before the Tribulation in the Rapture. In the twinkling of an eye, they will be called up to heaven to be with the Lord. Enoch and Elijah are the only two who avoided death and went straight to heaven, but there will be a lot more in the Rapture.
Michael drills down into the Rapture across many verses, so be sure to check the verse catalog below.
And as previously stated, believers will suffer tribulations. You will have some tribulation just because you follow Jesus, but it is worth it. Trials and tribulations occur to everyone, so Mark 13: 9 - 13 speaks to believers in the future.
Three promises to consider:
- If you trust Jesus, you won’t have to face the Tribulation.
- You will face periods of tribulation.
- If you trust in Jesus He will help you through any tribulation you might have.
Trust in Jesus!
(CSB Bible Notes) 13:13 You will be hated indicates the animosity unbelievers often feel toward Christians because of the name of Jesus (cp. 1Pt 4:16). Jesus did not warn his followers so they could seek safety but so they would endure faithfully.
Verses can be found in Mark 13: 9 - 13, Revelation 3: 10., 4: 1 - 2, 4: 18, 1 Thessalonians 1: 10, 4: 16 and 5: 9, 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 2: 6 - 8, 1 Corinthians 15:52, Daniel 9: 24
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Don’t Be Afraid of Tomatoes!
Today, Pastor Michael discusses the importance of not fearing as a believer. He draws a parallel from history, when people in the past, many centuries ago, were afraid of tomatoes because they were called ‘poison apples.’ They believed tomatoes were lethal, but in reality, the acid in tomatoes was reacting with lead from pewter plates used in those days. Just as a prepared soul has no fear of the end, we, too, should not fear the unknown. Remember, this message is not just about tomatoes; it’s about our faith and how we face the unknown.
It’s Wednesday evening, and the apostles are leaving the temple, having spent three days there. They are commenting on how impressive the buildings were there. By this time, the sun is going down in the west, silhouetting the temple and making quite the impression. Jesus told the apostles that not a stone would be left of these buildings, and this made the apostles question the reasoning of that statement, asking Him privately when that would happen. They mistakenly equated the end of the buildings with the end of the world.
Jesus replied, in His longest teaching on the end times, describing events and conditions that are the beginnings of sorrows. The early indicator that something major is coming.
Getting back to our theme, don’t be afraid; the problem is not the end times, the problem is the fear in us. If you are a follower of Jesus, you do NOT have to be afraid!
(CSB Notes) Jesus prophesied (announced, not merely predicted) the destruction of the great buildings. Symbolically in the withering of the fig tree (11:12-14,20-21) Jesus had already prophesied their end. Some question the accuracy of not one stone will be left upon another because some stones remain today in the Western Wall, but this was not part of the temple itself but the foundation that supported the platform on which the temple stood.
Verses can be found in Mark 13: 1 - 8.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Monday Apr 15, 2024
You Can’t Outgive God.
Today, Pastor Michael is expanding upon where Jesus cleaned the temple out of all the folks doing business inside, instead of worshipping. He runs them out and comes back on Tuesday and the religious leaders come out to meet Him, wanting to know what on earth He was doing back at the temple. The next day, Wednesday, they try tripping Him up again. So now, we’re at the point where Jesus is betrayed and arrested.
Jesus knows this. All of it.
So He just sits down on one of the low benches, around the Temple. There were a bunch of offering boxes around and He saw many people coming and going. He watched quietly until one special woman, a widow, approached the boxes. She reaches out and deposits two tiny little coins, and Jesus turns to His disciples and says, “She is giving more than anyone else.”
His disciples marveled at that assessment, wondering where it came from. Jesus taught them that she gave all she had; others simply give out of a surplus.
The core idea of this message is: You Can’t Outgive God!
(CSB Bible Notes): Stewardship is measured by the sacrifice we make, not by the amount we give. The widow’s willingness to give all she had represented better stewardship than the large gift of the rich who retained abundant resources. The amount left after the gift is a more significant figure than the amount of the gift. Christian stewardship involves sacrificial giving that counts the need rather than the availability of resources for personal use.
Verses can be found in Mark 12: 41-44.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
Toxic Leadership.
Today, Pastor Michael talks about something we universally seem to run into: Toxic Leadership.
Everyone seems to have a story or know someone affected by Toxic Leadership. But it hits closer to home than we think. The biggest group of people who should answer to their role in leadership are YOU and I. While we may not have the “title” of “Leader,” leadership is really and truly about power and influence.
Today’s core theme, knowing that, is: Truly leadership seeks to serve, not to be served.
In today’s lesson, we’re with Jesus about 48 hours before he will be crucified. He is talking to His disciples about toxic leadership; those leaders (the ‘scribes’ in those days) were more concerned about being served than serving others. Their love of recognition is what Jesus is calling them out for.
All pride is ugly, but spiritual pride is extra ugly.
So what can you do? Lead. But be a leader like Jesus, all about serving OTHERS.
Verses can be found in Mark 12: 38-40.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
The Offense of the Cross.
Today, Pastor Michael is talking about Easter, the biggest day in Christianity! And bluegrass music in Peru, but that’s another story.
The cross is a symbol found everywhere. The cross of Christ is everywhere but misunderstood, and Michael wants us to see it in a new way. A writer, the Apostle Paul, said the cross was offensive. He was writing to a group near Galatia, and they were treating Christianity as ‘just another religion.’
If a person feels good works can you into heaven, a cross is an offense.
The cross is not a symbol of self-will but of a willingness to give up self. The cross is also offensive to human pride. The cross is offensive to human reason.
The offense of the cross paid the cost!
Verses can be found in Galatians 5: 11, Philippians 2: 8, and Colossians 2: 13-14.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Sunday Mar 24, 2024
Sunday Mar 24, 2024
Refuge at The Lord’s Table.
Today, Pastor Michael is talking about so many things: regrets, sins, finances (or lack of them!), relationships, and how the world can turn all of that into a rough place. We need a refuge, a shelter from all of that. We need a place to go when we are hurting, stressed and confused. Is there a refuge like that?
Yes, God has made that place and welcomes you into it.
The core idea today is this: “Chaos in my situation, contentment in my soul.”
(CSB Bible Notes) 23:5 The image shifts from shepherd to friend. The identification of the Lord with a shepherd emphasizes his care and protection, but he is much more than that for a person who is in close fellowship with him. While protection from enemies is still implied, it is intensified with the image of a banquet (table) that is served while the enemies look on. In Jewish society oil was a symbol for rejoicing (104:15) and was also used in the welcoming of guests.
Verses can be found in Psalm 23.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
The Chosen One.
Today, Pastor Michael will tell us a story about a “Chosen One.” We seem to love stories about somebody special who shows up to save the day!
The idea of the Chosen One has been around so long that it’s almost become a cliche, but there are historical roots. God gave us paradise, and we messed it up by violating His one and only rule. But God sent His Chosen One to fix what is broken in US. The brokenness, bitterness, jealousy, anger, pride, and all the secrets that tear apart relationships take your peace and separate you from God.
The point is that when we try to fix ourselves, we might get some things fixed for a while, but then something else gets broken. So, we do need a hero; we need a Chosen One.
Good news: God sent one!
The Chosen One has chosen YOU. Will you choose HIM?
(CSB Bible Notes) The scribes identified Messiah as David’s son (vv. 35-36), but David identified Messiah as his Lord. Therefore, Messiah was not just a descendant of David. He was David’s Lord.
Verses can be found in Mark 12: 35 - 37.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.