Walnut Grove Lutheran Church Podcasts

It is not uncommon for us to become anxious when faced with an overwhelming, no-turning-back decision. But as we let God speak into our lives and hear the knowledge and vision he has for us, we are able to make challenging decisions and act on them, confident in God because he partners with us as we move forward in faith. (Based on Joshua 3:7-17.)

Sometimes life can beat us down so hard that it is hard for us to believe that any good of lasting significance could come from our life. The story of Rahab shows us that God works through anyone to accomplish great things. With Jesus’ loving kindness as the foundation of our life, we are able to move forward with faith over fear. (Based on Joshua 2:1-14.)

It is one thing to realize that we need to change and to want to make that change. But how do we make the changes in our lives that we have never done before? God will help us. By remembering that what he has done in the past applies to us in the present, we are able, with his help, to make the changes we need to make now to better reflect his love into the world. (Based on Exodus 13:1-16.)

Memories can be a great comfort to us in challenging times. But some challenges are greater than the memories of our past experiences. That’s why it is important for us relive the memories of what Jesus has done for us. By making the past present, we can be people of hope for the world.

Jesus’ own family were sometimes puzzled by what he said and did. Some of the scribes even accused him of being aligned with Satan rather than God. The best way to make sense of all this is to see that Jesus’ mission is to rescue and renew our often confused and corrupt world, so that we can participate in the kingdom of God. (Based on Mark 3:20-35).

Are you up against more than you can handle? How can you win when the battle is much more difficult and even more dangerous than you imagined? Let’s explore what the Bible says about us wearing and using the whole armor of God at all times, 24-7.

On July 17, 2021, Lisa Olding interviewed Pastor Karl Keller at his farm. Listen in as Pastor Karl shares about starting Walnut Grove Lutheran Church, sharing the Gospel and encountering demon possession on the mission field. (Part 2 of 2.)

On July 17, 2021, Lisa Olding interviewed Pastor Karl Keller at his farm. Listen in as Pastor Karl shares about starting Walnut Grove Lutheran Church, sharing the Gospel and encountering demon possession on the mission field. (Part 1 of 2.)

Many of us would like a fairy tale ending to life where good things happen to us, even though we don’t deserve them. Why should we dare to hope for such an ending? Because God’s faithful lovingkindness is with us. (Based on Psalm 23.)

Our fears can prevent us from preparing a thoughtful response to the challenges we face in life. But Jesus helps us to set a course in this life that leads to eternity with him in glory. As we release into his care the fears that hold us back, we realize that we are forever safe with our Savior. (Based on Ps. 91:1-16.)

Time travel may not be possible yet in a practical sense, but we can travel back in time to gain knowledge to help us today. Our beliefs about the future help us to accurately interpret the present. Will our knowledge about the past and our beliefs about the future serve us well when we experience tough times? From the past and for the future, Jesus gives us hope. With that hope, we have peace. (Based on Psalm 46.)

We all have times when it feels like we don’t fit it, but when this feeling of rejection endures, we can end up thinking something is wrong with us. Thankfully, Jesus came to love and save those on the margins of society. With the love, acceptance and hope he gives us, we are able to confront those lies of rejection and unworthiness with the truth of full forgiveness and acceptance in Jesus. (Based on Psalm 33:13-22.)

Life can seem hopeless when we find ourselves in a pit of despair, for it seems like there is now way out. But God’s love is deeper than the deepest pit we could ever be in. Because of the love, forgiveness and compassion of Jesus, we always have the hope of redemption. (Based on Psalm 130:1-8.)

We all have times when the challenges before us threaten to overwhelm us. But the God who created us and all things is powerful and wise enough to bring something good out of our hard times. Through the encouragement of creation we know that he is with us. Through the encouragement of the Bible we know that he loves us and has saved us. (Based on Ps. 19:1-14 & Isa. 40:18-31.)

We cannot control what impressions others have of us, but we can live a life that has the potential to draw others into a rich, full life with God. As we begin and end with God, both in our interior and exterior world, God can work through us to draw others into life with him. All this is possible because of Jesus, who came down from heaven to lift us up and redeem and restore all things. (Based on Mt. 28:1-10, 16-20.)

Living a worry-free life may seem impossible, but that is what Jesus is inviting us to live. It begins by changing our life-focus and looking up to the God who satisfies the hunger in our soul. As we grow in becoming the person that God has redeemed us to be, our worries will disappear for Jesus loves us and is with us. (Based on Mt. 6:25-34.)

By nature, we tend to avoid serving others in demeaning ways. But Jesus showed us that, with his great power and love, we are able to humbly serve others. Through his power and love and our service, we are able to love people to fulfillment in Jesus. (Based on John 13:1-17.)

It’s human nature for us to love things and use people, but it is toxic for us and others when we do that. Jesus is inviting us to come home to the unconditional love of our heavenly Father. He will restore us and help us to be people who love others and celebrate when they return home. (Based on Luke 15:1-2, 11-32.)

Anything worthwhile in life will involve pain, but if the goal is worth it to us, we willingly endure the pain. This truth is even more significant when applied to the larger question of what our main goal in life will be. By nature, we yearn for autonomy, but Jesus invites us into a life of love. Yes, there is pain, but it comes when all that holds us back from love is stripped away. (Based on Luke 9:18-27.)

The main source to which we go for love will shape our lives and direct our future. When our mind is combined with faith in the God of love, the floodgates of heaven will open up and pour into our lives more love than we can contain. That love will naturally spill over out of our lives in the form of love for God with our entire being and love for the people around us like we love ourselves. (Based on Mark 12:28-34)