Local Church St. Pete Podcast

An update from Fidel & Charo Corrales on Casa de Esperanza's mission to open a second home in Bolivia.

Between an urgent request and an aching heart is a story of God’s fingerprints; of his providence at work through someone whose name we’ll never know. In Genesis 24 we find an ordinary person, moving forward with an extraordinary task. He does it mindful of God’s presence and dependent on his power - modeling for us what it looks like to live aware of God’s fingerprints.

What happens when the thing God asks is unsettling, outrageous and even offensive? How should we respond when he turns our whole world upside down; when it doesn’t make sense in the moment? That’s where we find Abraham in Genesis 22. In the midst of the tension and unanswered questions he moves forward with a radical obedience; a faith that echoes in every generation and is ours to emulate.

A promise can be a powerful thing. But a promise is only as good as the word of whoever makes it. For all those who have experienced crushed dreams and broken promises, we long for something we can rely on and someone we can believe in. In Genesis 21, we see a God who, against all odds, keeps His promises.

Do you feel defined by your failures? Have you ever repeated the same mistake over and over? Genesis 20 is the story of Abraham making the same mistake, again and encountering God’s grace, again.

Stories of injustice, violence, oppression and abuse are coming at us every day. There’s a moral compass built within us that screams, “Something isn’t right; something is broken!” Genesis 19 is a disturbing diagnosis of humanity’s brokenness and a sobering warning of God’s just response to it. In the middle of it all is a stubborn mercy bent on rescue.

Maybe you’re caught in what feels like a riptide of cynicism, brought about by years of hurt and unmet expectations. Things are not happening the way you imagined and you’ve pulled back in your relationship with God. Genesis 18 is the intimate story of divine intervention and full disclosure; of God lifting Sarah out of cynicism and inviting Abraham to be who he is called to be.

Have you ever taken things into your own hands? Convinced yourself that what you were doing was “OK with God” when in reality you weren’t so sure? That’s where we find Abram in Genesis 17. God doesn’t push him away, instead he reaffirms his commitment and invites Abram into a moment-by-moment intimacy; a way of life that shapes his decisions and redefines his future.

Local stories are stories of God's grace at work in the lives of those who are a part of Local Church St. Pete.  We want to highlight his activity and celebrate his grace.

Have you ever felt tired of waiting? In moments of impatience, we can be tempted tomove ahead in our own wisdom instead of depending on God. Genesis 16 shows usthat God sees what we cannot see, and our effort can never produce what only God’spromises can.

Have you ever opened up to God about your disappointments, frustrations or fears? Have you brought honest questions to him, not out of irreverence but out of a desire for reassurance? In Genesis 15 Abram asks for the reassurance we all long for and demonstrates the faith we need. In the midst of it all he’s given a picture to carry with him and a pledge to find rest in – so are we.

Times of renewal or re-commitment are almost always met with difficult decisions involving people, places and possessions. Genesis 13-14 is a story of renewed faith and the choices it produces; choices of reliance over personal preference and allegiance over compromise. These choices are held up for us to compare and contrast; to decide if we’ll make them our own.

Local stories are stories of God's grace at work in the lives of those who are a part of Local Church St. Pete.  We want to highlight his activity and celebrate his grace.

Have you felt like you’ve ruined God’s plan for your life? That your failures or faithlessness is the final word on things? Genesis 12 is the unfiltered story of Abram taking things into his own hands and coming up with a deceitful plan that backfires. Despite Abrams’ fear and failure, God intervenes to send Abram back to the land of promise, back to the altar, back to the start. As if to say, “Your failures are not the final word, my promises are.”

Have you ever questioned God’s goodness? Have you ever examined your life and concluded that maybe God doesn’t have your best interest in mind? We’ve all fallen into this trap and according to Genesis 3:1-7 it’s an age-old lie whispered into every human heart. Where are we most vulnerable to give into that lie? How do we answer back? 

Outrageous promises of blessing, provision and purpose spoken against a dark backdrop of brokenness. Promises spoken into a culture searching the stars for answers, spoken to a man with all kinds of family drama, grief and tension. Genesis 12 is the story of God’s call on Abram to leave what he knows and hold onto what’s been promised. The courageous faith that follows is what we’re invited into.

Have you ever carried a phrase or even one word around with you? Maybe it was anexpression of affection or word of encouragement. Something spoken in a moment youneeded it most? In Ephesians 6:21-24 we hear three words spoken over our lives;words of blessing and desire that sum up the entire letter - words we’re meant to carrywith us; words that challenge us to keep loving Jesus with a love that outlasts deathitself.

An update on Local Church St. Pete's partnership with A Door of Hope from Billy Babbino. 

We’ve all experienced the strength that comes to us through human relationships; whether a word of encouragement or a friend’s presence in the midst of trials. According to Ephesians 6:18-20, the strength to stand against spiritual forces of evil is found through prayer - an ongoing, highly relational lifestyle of dependence.