Jonathan Shradar

In Psalm 107 we are called to tell of the redemption of God and as Christians, we know the redeemer personally. He is the steadfast love of the Lord! [audio https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/Fmfn+episode+25.mp3] Listen here.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV) Paul doesn’t have much else to preach to the Corinthian church, or to anyone for that matter. It is the gospel, the good news of Christ, first of all and only. That Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead, all promised and foreshadowed in Scripture. We miss the point when we make other things of first importance. It is even interesting how we attempt to bring other things to the table to tie this gospel. But they are all a secondary or pointless without the gospel. It was what Paul received from Christ himself and it is what he delivers to us. And now, following his model, we make it of first importance. The thing is, I don’t always live or preach this way. I run after other distractions, some good, some evil, when the gospel is e

Creation is waiting, for your redeemed to see your face.  http://youtu.be/OJsx3GtXgxI 

Ours is a faith of redemption for the lost. Of restoration of broken things. Of a reclaiming for God what others would discard and refuse. This is the gospel. That Jesus would give of himself to rescue those abandoned by their own sin. This is the message we take to broken places. To the abandoned venues and forgotten paths so that some might be free. I am thankful for those called to replant church and turn the soil of new works where the tending had long been forgotten. In a subcultural that screams platform and celebrity, God is using men and women, whose names we will never know, to proclaim Jesus in forgotten places. Proving that they are not forgotten by the One who redeems. It is no easy work. It is tearing out dead wood and clearing overgrown gardens. It is adorning passageways once covered in soot. But they do it with purpose and power that the name they preach brings. So today please pray for those preaching in forgotten places. That they would be encouraged and supported as

Psalm 16, contentment and confidence in Christ. All that is his is ours when we believe in him. [audio https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/Fmfn+episode+24.mp3] Listen here .

“Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (Exodus 4:11–12 ESV) Moses the stutterer can’t believe that God would choose him to speak on his behalf to the Hebrews enslaved in Egypt but he does. And in his choosing there is equipping and empowering. Moses won’t have to figure it out himself and God will even use Aaron alongside his brother to be the mouthpiece. This is a great account of God working redemption of his people with the most unlikely of characters. There is a message here for you too. You are an unlikely character. God has called you to live and pursue certain things that will seem ridiculous, as if he should find someone else. But he has chosen you and as the Creator, can you doubt that he will “be with your mouth,” or whatever else it is of you he will use for his glory. So jump in. Live out that calling,

“By placing us under the protection of God, it makes us not only to live in the enjoyment of mental tranquility, but, what is more, to live joyfully and cheerfully… to rejoice calmly is the lot of no one but the one who has learned to place confidence in God alone and to commit his life and safety to his protection. Therefore, when encompassed with innumerable troubles on all sides, let us be persuaded that the only remedy is to direct our eyes toward God; and if we do this, faith will not only pacify our minds but also replenish them with fullness of joy.” - John Calvin on the Psalms. Look to Jesus friends. He is our only remedy.

Psalm 15 paints a high bar for being in the presence of God. Thankfully we know someone that meets the standard on our behalf. Jesus. [audio http://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/Fmfn+episode+23.mp3] Listen here .

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge — even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you — so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:4–8 ESV) The opening prayer in this letter to the Corinthian church is one of thankfulness. Because they have been given grace by God in Jesus. Paul prays that they would be enriched in the faith and not lack. Then comes the gems — Jesus will sustain you to the end and in him you are guiltless. These words are not only for this first century church, they are for you today if you believe in Jesus. For the journey of life, the ups and downs, the path that is before you — in all of it, Jesus will sustain you. He brings you to the end on purpose and empowered b

This week I had the pleasure of being in LA for a taping of Sports Jeopardy. A good friend was a contestant and you can see his performance on Crackle March 16. The experience was entertaining and confirmed for me that I am more likely to do well on regular Jeopardy over the sports edition! One thing that stood out for me was the importance of pressing the clicker just right to buzz in first. It seemed like everyone was brilliant - they knew their stuff - but the one with the quick finger would win every time. Certainly this must give us some insight into life! Here we are living, most of us, with significant answers. If you are a Christian you know of salvation, the truth of Christ's work for you and what it means to stand before a perfectly holy God. You know what kind of life you are called to. You can read your purpose right on the pages of the Bible. But we don't always click in do we? We are intellectually equipped, we know the stuff, but we don't live like we know it

The King declared in Psalm 2 is Jesus and blessed are those that take refuge in him. [audio http://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/Fmfn+episode+22.mp3] Listen here .

“But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” (Romans 10:21 ESV) Romans has some great news for Gentiles, those not part of Israel, have been invited into relationship with God by the grace of Jesus. By his sacrifice lives are claimed and sin is covered. At belief, you are saved. But God’s plan for Israel is not yet finished, and even that news is good for Gentiles and everyone in between. All of humanity, lost in rebellion and sin are “disobedient and contrary people.” Yet “all day long” God holds out his hands. His hands of grace, of welcome to the enemy humans in a need of a Savior. Perhaps you have already grasped that hand. Rejoice in it. In God’s loving kindness that led you to repentance, a turning away from him and turning to Jesus. There is nothing more than to obey and be given the empowerment to do just that. Perhaps you have yet to embrace God’s gracious hand. Today could be your day. Realize the gift of Jesus’ life, d

Everything in your life is meaningful and is part of a grander story being told. It is the story that God is weaving together and you get to play a part in it, that is if you recognize you are just part not the main character. Jared Wilson's recent offering of The Story of Everything: How You, Your Pets, and the Swiss Alps Fit into God's Plan for the World helps us recognize the story and the value of all the things, the everything, and God's purpose in them. Wilson follows the words of the preacher in Ecclesiastes and gives us a clear sense of the weight we could be placing on things in our lives and exactly how meaningful they are in light of the love of the Creator and his care for us. There is something for everyone in this enjoyable book. For the young woman planning a life after school, to the husband living for things other than his wife and family, for the pastor looking to leave behind a lasting legacy. All will be challenged and comforted by the grace and glory o

Wednesdays are usually really good days for me. Everyday I try to begin the day with Scripture and reflection on the gospel, but this is as an individual and while good, it doesn't bring new angles or perspective always. But on Wednesdays I head out a little early and meet some guys to study the Bible together. It is tremendously encouraging and often provides the appropriate reminder of biblical truth at the perfect time. Whether it is good for the other guys I don't care as long as I am refreshed by it! Last week we were reading Hebrews 3 and the point of the text matched this reality in my life and it is one I think we have lost a flavor for in the church. "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end." (Hebrews 3:13-14 ESV) What happens on Wednesday morning is exhortation. It is reminder,

It depends on faith. Since it is faith that is counted to us as righteousness we can totally face the day differently. The burden is lifted, have faith. [audio https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/Fmfn+episode+21.mp3]   Listen here .

“And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:34–35 ESV) They say that Jesus is doing miracle by the power of the devil and he has corrected them warning on the unforgivable sin, to suggest the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of demons. You can imagine his mood. All through Mark’s gospel Jesus is a bit more “edgy.” We have to remember however that he never sinned. I can’t pull it off. My edginess is usually motivated by sin… So here he is and his family, his mother and his brothers came to get him. This was not a supportive family. They were more worried he had lost his mind than convinced he was the Messiah. Jesus is with the people that listen to his message, that believe in him, ‘who are my mother and brothers?’ Now this is not to be read as an encouragement to disregard our biological family, but it is significant that we have new family; a family i