Living Spring Podcast

Jesus tells us, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). In this context, meekness does not mean weakness or passivity, but strength under control—humility, gentleness, and a willingness to trust God rather than force our own way. True meekness is power surrendered to God’s purposes, and it brings the blessing of His peace and the promise of His kingdom.

This reflection on the Beatitudes highlights Jesus' teaching that those who mourn will be comforted, challenging the cultural tendency to avoid pain. It emphasizes that God's role is not to make life comfortable but to offer comfort amid suffering, as seen in Jesus' own anguish in Gethsemane. By embracing our grief, we allow the Holy Spirit to heal and empower us to comfort others. Ultimately, it portrays suffering as a pathway to ministry, revealing strength through vulnerability in God's upside-down kingdom.

This week we focus on Jesus' words 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' This isn't about material poverty, but a spiritual posture of complete dependence on God. We're invited to consider how our cultural values often clash with Kingdom values, and how true transformation comes through humility and brokenness before God.

Jesus is referred to as the Lion and the Lamb. Too often we want the Lion and He gives us the Lamb and vice versa. In this series we go over the beatitudes that often call us to be just as counter culture as He is.

Jesus calls us to the radical command to “love your enemies,” reflecting God’s impartial love for all. This means praying for those we oppose, moving from criticism to grace, like the father in the Prodigal Son story. Loving our enemies transforms us—changing hearts, not just behavior—as God’s love flows through us.

In the Gospel of Luke, a lot of people see Jesus do amazing things and yet don’t perceive who he is or what he is up to. In this sermon, we take a close look at a blind man who sees Jesus for who he really is.

This week we welcome Mike Chong Perkinson who shares deeply personal experiences with depression and suicidal thoughts, emphasizing that we can love God and still struggle. This authenticity breaks down the façade of perfection often present in church culture. The key lesson is that hell has no power over blood-bought believers except what we allow. We're encouraged to let God 'drive' in our lives, even when His path seems confusing or slow.

This week as we hear from Pastor Kari Morris-Guzman, we are called to live fully as God’s beloved—chosen, blessed, broken, and given. Drawing from Jesus’ baptism and His breaking of bread, it reveals a pattern for embracing our true identity: receiving God’s love, facing our brokenness, and giving ourselves to others. Living from this truth frees us from feeling “stuck” and transforms how we see ourselves and engage with the world.

This week as we continue in our Voices series, Jon Sato invites us to examine our values through Christ’s transformative love. The parable of the lost sheep reminds us that God celebrates each person who turns to Him. Are we valuing purity over relationship—or embracing connection that transforms? Christ calls us to welcome the marginalized and bring His love to all.

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the transformative power of surrendering our lives to God's guidance. The central theme revolves around the prayer 'Lord, orchestrate my steps for your glory,' emphasizing how this simple act of faith can lead us on unexpected but divinely appointed paths. We explore Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 2:10, which reassure us of God's good plans for our lives and our identity as His masterpieces.

In our continuing Voices series, we hear from our Associate Pastor Michell Ramage about the significance of communion through the lens of Jesus' table fellowship. We're reminded that Jesus' ministry centered around eating with people - sinners, outcasts, and even those who would betray Him. As we approach communion, we're invited to see it not just as a religious ritual, but as a powerful means of grace where we are welcomed, fed, forgiven, and sent out to be Christ's body in a hungry world.

This week we hear a powerful message about living a life with a God-Sized vision in a giant-sized world from Dr. Robert Marshall. He takes us through the story of David and Goliath in a intriguing message that addresses the “giants” that are in our lives.

We are happy to welcome Pastor Kevin Boyce from Light & Life Church of Downey. He brings the message today about 6 practical ways we can remove the barriers between us and our compassionate Savior, Jesus Christ.

This week, we hear from Refugio Sanchez who talks about surrendering our way to Jesus’ way. Far too often, we get caught up in our own selves and Jesus has such a better way for us if we just follow Him.

This week, we hear from Charles Latchison about our Sacred Influence. We are chosen by Jesus to proclaim his good message and we are all “preachers” to proclaim the Gospel.

This week, we hear from Dr. Dane Aaker about not giving up on things we have been praying for over time. Persistence matters!

As we wrap up our series on relationships, we’re reminded that God didn’t design us to live in isolation. He created us for connection, not just with one another, but with Him and His Church. This week, Pastor John leads us through what it truly means to be part of the body of Christ.

We are instructed in several places in the Bible to listen first. As hard as that is to do, especially in today’s culture that we live in, it is sound advice to nurture the relationships we have in our lives.

In the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10, Martha becomes frustrated when Mary doesn’t help with the preparations, revealing the weight of unspoken expectations. Jesus gently redirects her, affirming that Mary has chosen what is better—being present with Him. This moment reminds us to communicate our needs with grace and to value relationship over assumption.

Life is full of distractions, and it can be hard to give our full attention to the people we care about most. This week, we’re talking about the importance of being truly present with those we’re in relationship with - whether it’s a spouse, a child, or a friend. Being present doesn’t require perfect words or big actions - just our time, our attention, and our care.