Faith & Growth Episodes

Life throws its share of curves, from learning to drive stick shift without formal lessons to navigating the trials of college life. Just like gripping the wheel of my old plush car, this episode steers you through embracing the simplicity and sufficiency of Jesus' teachings. Reflecting on biblical figures like Martha and Mary, we uncover the profound impact of maintaining our focus on Jesus, finding strength in the midst of life's challenges, and growing deeper in faith through every bump in th...

Together with Guest Minister Nathaniel Saint-Eloi, we unwrap the profound lessons hidden within Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, as recounted in Luke chapter four. It's a journey that promises to deepen your faith and empower you with the Holy Spirit's guidance. With prophetic insight and heartfelt messaging, we address those feeling the heavy yoke of oppression, heralding a breakthrough and deliverance. We dissect the devil's misuse of scripture, underscoring the imperative of arming ourselves...

Unlock the spiritual fortitude to hold fast to your God-ordained visions and aspirations while resisting the pull of societal conformity. Be inspired as we share heartwarming stories of faith. Exploring the essence of returning to our first love for Jesus, we delve into the importance of establishing a solid personal and familial spiritual routine. Worship, the Word, and witness form the pillars of this intimate journey as we discuss the impact of an authentic, non-transactional approach to God...

This episode invites you to understand the profound roles and meanings that light has played, both in the masterstrokes of French Impressionists and the guiding words of Jesus Christ. As we traverse the landscapes of art and faith, we uncover how light symbolizes truth and life, inspiring us to shine with good deeds that reflect the glory of God. It's a conversation that promises to brighten your perspective and challenge you to live out your calling as a light of the world. Discover the art of...

This episode is a heartfelt invitation to join us in creating your own trail of stones to remember the phenomenal ways God has moved this past year. We've witnessed the birth of new ministries and the spiritual growth within City Light Church. As we share these stories, you'll be encouraged to look back with gratitude and forward with expectation. Our journey through the Scriptures has been both enriching and enlightening, offering a deeper understanding of God's word. As we cast vision for the...

Could you imagine choosing faith over sight in a world obsessed with facts and figures? This episode takes you through a personal journey of embracing faith, a path marked by gratitude and the tranquility. The narrative weaves through the chaos of Black Friday at Walmart, contrasting it with the peacefulness of holiday simplicity and the timeless tale of the first Christmas. It's a story about finding humor and lessons in the most unexpected places, reminding us that life's plans often unfold in...

Prepare yourself for a journey into the heart of the Christmas season. This episode promises to illuminate your understanding of this meaningful holiday, unraveling its profound significance and addressing the controversies surrounding its pagan roots. We'll be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, but also acknowledging the lesser-known holidays of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. It's a deep dive into the wonder of God becoming human and dwelling among us that will leave you in awe. We then turn our at...

Prepare to redefine your understanding of fasting as we journey through an exploration of its deeply spiritual significance. We promise you'll be enlightened to view fasting not as a weight loss method, but as a transformative practice that purifies faith, enhances spiritual sensitivity, and brings about divine visitation and spiritual breakthroughs. Our discussion unravels the myriad ways fasting can change your life, from fostering a more intimate connection with God to fortifying spiritual st...

Settle in for a transformational journey as we navigate the fascinating transition from the law-abiding old covenant to the grace-filled new covenant from the book of Galatians. Discover how the journey to righteousness has shifted from personal efforts to the salvific work of Jesus on the cross. Embrace the challenge of maintaining robust relationships within the Christian community and remaining steadfast in the face of worldly trials. As we move forward, we'll delve into the profound signifi...

Get ready to unravel the mysteries of the Old and New Covenants in the Bible. We promise you an enlightening journey where you will comprehend the importance of living under the New Covenant, as opposed to mixing it with the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant symbolizes the law - a mirror to show humanity their inability to reach God’s holy standard. On the other hand, the New Covenant, embodied by Sarah, represents grace - a finished work that assures believers their acceptance and approval by God....

Ready to unshackle the misconceptions about the Old and New Covenants of the Bible? We promise an enlightening discussion that will not only deepen your understanding of these Covenants but also spotlight the freedom that the New Covenant brings. We journey through the profound contrast between the Old Covenant's requirement for human striving for God's approval and the New Covenant's unconditional acceptance based on Jesus Christ's sacrifice. We dive into the misunderstood terrain of the Old T...

Can you believe that an outreach inspired by the movie 'God's Not Dead' could draw a record-breaking crowd of 478 students with 23 dedicating their lives to Jesus? This is only one of the miraculous stories we share as we recount our mission journey with City Light Church to the University of California, Berkeley. We also touch upon the moving tale of a skeptic who, intending to 'drill some holes', unexpectedly found herself surrendering to the Lord, and the transformative story of a young man c...

This episode will change your perspective on faith, by exploring the essential difference between living under the old covenant, rooted in human effort, versus the new covenant, a grace-filled life where God's approval is already ours. We discuss the dangers of mixing the two covenants and how the old covenant breeds insecurity and a performance mentality, while the new covenant provides freedom to enjoy our relationship with God. Strap yourself in as we dig deeper, examining the implications o...

Navigating through the aftermath of a family member’s recent car accident, Pastor James Chavez shares a profound realization. The ordeal of dealing with insurance companies and visits to the motor vehicle departments opened his eyes to an almost mundane yet significant aspect of life: self-perception and authenticity. The driver's license photo experience, often full of cringe and discomfort, reflected a deeper question: are we courageous enough to bare our true selves and confront the person in...

Prepare to embark on a transformative journey as we unravel the profound power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, through the inspirational teachings of Galatians and the New Covenant. Get ready to gain a renewed perspective on Jesus as the commander of the Lord's army, and contemplate the significance of aligning with the right side. We'll also reflect on the remarkable influence of Jesus in making the one true God of Israel known globally during his short yet impactful ministry, and discuss the ...

Unlock the timeless power of faith and the far-reaching promises of God's covenant in this episode. We take you on a journey through the Gospel of Mark and Paul's letter to the Galatians, shedding light on the life-altering teachings of Jesus and the transformative power of grace. Engage in an enlightening heart-to-heart as we discuss the disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' teachings and the Galatians' risk of mixing the old and new covenants. By the end, you'll see the law in a new light, not...

Experience the power of faith, obedience, and praise as we journey through the biblical narrative of Paul and Silas's second missionary venture. You'll gain insights into their miraculous earthquake experience and the significance of trust in God. We promise to shed light on their undeterred commitment to follow the Holy Spirit's directives, regardless of immediate gain or perceived opportunities. Transitioning to another intriguing encounter of Paul and Silas with a demon-possessed woman, you'...

Prepare to unlock the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Join us in a heartfelt exploration of faith, community, and the sheer tenacity of City Light Church. Despite the adversities of COVID and people moving away, City Light Church has emerged stronger and more united than ever before, reflecting the strength and resilience of our faith as we march towards 2023. Witness the profound impact of covenant relationships on spiritual growth, embodied in Jesus himself. Ponder the d...

Get ready to be enveloped in the transformational power of God's presence. Brace yourself as we journey together to amplify the potency of our prayers and uncover the significance of living under the new covenant. Let's immerse ourselves in a dialogue about gathering collectively, embracing the grace and love that envelops us, and how even a nugget of divine wisdom can recalibrate our perspectives. Prepare to experience how the presence of God can leave all of us- believers and non-believers- in...

Have you ever considered the power behind your first words or reactions? How can your initial response in the face of adversity, especially when it is praising God, bring about a change in your life? Join us as we journey to discover a life-altering lesson from a car accident and marvel at the miraculous power of praising God. We shed light on the importance of passion-filled worship and how it can serve as a catalyst for breakthroughs in our lives. Get ready to experience Christianity from a ne...

Prepare to unlock profound truths about the goodness of God and leading in life. Witness how God's love, grace, and hope are perpetually accessible and how Jesus Christ, coming to destroy the devil's works, performs miracles that fundamentally change people's theology. We also journey deep into the mystery of spiritual communication, exploring how God speaks to us through his Spirit. Uncover the secret behind the scripture "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide...

What if the secret to unlocking God's mercy lies in our ability to connect and to approach with boldness? A daring statement but, we tread these spiritual waters in our latest podcast episode. We dive deep into the truths of mercy and grace, painting a vivid picture of Satan as the accuser and Jesus as our merciful intercessor. We explore how Jesus' prayers help us maintain our faith, even in the face of adversities and the accusations that we deserve judgment. This journey brings us to the ver...

Have you ever stopped to consider the potential of a 15-second Instagram video? In the blink of an eye, it can spark conversation, captivate attention, and even begin a conversation about Jesus. We're taking an in-depth look at the power of these brief moments, from the history of Instagram to the rise and fall of Vine and its six-second video. We're sharing tips on getting that perfect shot and examining the paradox of silence. Why we're enthusiastic about sharing our lives on social media yet ...

Discover the true meaning of grace and the dangers of deception in our faith journey as we unpack the significance of keeping the Gospel of grace at the forefront of our minds and the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. In this episode, we address the question of whether a person's salvation can be lost and the perils of apostasy. Trust us; this is an episode you don't want to miss. Next, we tackle the rising global religion of Wokeism and its attempt to pervert the Word of God. We'll d...