More Fruit

“Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river.” (Ezekiel 47:12) These fruit trees are you; you are called to bear fruit to God. It goes on to say “Every month they will bear fruit, because…” Wait, because what? For a tree to bear fruit every month, something magical is happening. Most fruit trees give you fruit once a year. I want to be fruitful like this! So, because what? You ready? It says, “Every month they will bear fruit because the water from the sanctuary flows to them.” This whole chapter is about the new church, the church that Jesus spoke of, His church, His bride, the gathering place of those who are called out, the city whose architect and builder is the Lord. When you plant yourself in God’s house, and you get that water from the sanctuary every week, then you’re in the river of God’s Word and His Spirit. And it comes with a promise, not just of promised land that you are on, not just the glorious riches that are in the saints, not just the hidden mysteries of God, but also extra fruit. Do you need more fruit? Then get planted in God’s house, rooted and established in Him.

Click here to see the entire teaching!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

New Stuff

In John 4 Jesus tells a woman that the water from her well will just leave her thirsty again, but that the water He has is living water and anyone who drinks it will never thirst again. In verse 11 she asks Him, “Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself?” Jesus is offering some new water, but she’s like, “Hey, the old water is better.” And she is referring to really old, like Jacob old; he dug that well over 1000 years ago! It’s funny to us, because here is the Messiah, literally the son of God, telling her that he has something new, and she wants to stay with the old stuff. Jesus has something entirely better—something that works—and she wants to stay with the same old thing that doesn’t work. She is living in the past and maybe pulling from the well of her history. She has a checkered past, and maybe she is letting shame hold her back. Let’s make sure we’re not holding on so tightly to the old that we entirely miss the new. Jesus is a new well of living water. Let’s drink from that!

Click here to see the entire teaching!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Not Ashamed

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed.” (Philippians 1: 19-20) Paul is in prison, and he points out that his deliverance is tied to his earnest expectation and hope that “in nothing I shall be ashamed.” Shame can have such a crippling force in our Christianity. Imagine if your spiritual leader were in prison. Your friends would all be like, “Well what’d he do?” And to be honest here, before he was this great apostle, Paul led a life of persecuting and killing Christians. So really, he had plenty of reason to be ashamed. But he knew that shame is the real prison from which we need freedom. He believed that he shouldn’t be ashamed of anything. How often do we carry around regret, thinking we should have done this thing, or we shouldn’t have done that? But your sins were separated from you, set aside, and nailed to the cross. Today, let’s let go of any shame and let our prayer be like Paul’s—that because of Christ, in nothing I shall be ashamed.

Click here to see the entire teaching!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Godly Wisdom

Paul had some trouble in Athens when he preached there. The people were more about the entertainment of philosophizing than caring about real truth. Acts 17:21 says, "All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas." The Athenians considered themselves the "intellectually elite." They had an arrogance about them that prevented them from actually learning the truth. Does that sound like some cities in the U.S. today? Do we have those who consider themselves so advanced in science and technology that they refuse to listen to the old story of the cross or about Jesus? The Bible is clear: the Word is salvation to those who believe it and foolishness to those who are perishing. Every few years what man sees as wisdom changes. Just imagine, for instance, going into the hospital and having them attach leaches to you to get the “bad blood” out. Remember? That was the apex of medical science, just a few generations back. What man knows, compared to what God knows, really isn’t a lot. Man’s wisdom will change again and again. God’s wisdom is constant. He Loves You!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

It Is Finished

When Jesus was on the cross, He spoke. In John 19:30 it says, "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." This is not a statement of loss, but a statement of victory. Jesus knew that His death would do some important things for us believers. First and foremost: Jesus died in our place, so that we might have an abundant life. He took the cost of our sin, which is death, and paid it in-full. He redeemed us from the curse that Adam's sin had brought upon the world, and Jesus’ work is finished! There is nothing else that needs to be done. Salvation is His free gift to all believers. Secondly: He destroyed the work of the evil one. We do have an enemy, but he is a defeated enemy. When Jesus laid down His life, He made the Holy Spirit available to all of us. We no longer fight alone against our enemy, but God's Holy Spirit works inside of us and fights with us. When Jesus cried, "It is finished," He meant it! Receive your victory today!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

He Cares

In Luke 19:41-43 it says, “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace―but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.’" Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, because He knew the trouble and pain that would be coming upon the people there. Later we read that this happens because the people did not recognize that Jesus was from God. In Luke 19:44 Jesus says, "They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Sometimes we think, “God, do you see my suffering? Where were you? Do you care?” But Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He wept when Lazarus died. He does care, and He cares very deeply. Jesus was moved to tears in this passage and lamented what was to occur to the people. He didn’t cause it; He wanted the people to receive Him. He did care. He cares.

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

We Can Do This!

Do you feel proud when you see your kids playing nicely with each other―sharing their toys and watching out for each other? Well, our Heavenly Father also appreciates it when He sees His children treating each other with love and kindness. Jesus said in Luke 6:27-28, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Remember: He lived these very words out on the cross, praying for those that had participated. God's way is clear and is much the same as what we teach our children: share, play nicely, treat each other with respect. And God's way is even more encompassing; it includes loving and caring for those that are difficult to love. This is, of course, not easy. Just think how often we mess that up? But what if we Christians made an extra effort this week to be kind, quick to share what we have, and quick to help others―even those that we might not call "friends"? It’s the kind of love to which God is calling all of us. It’s how He loves us, and it’s how Jesus loves us. We can do it!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Are You Blessed?

In Genesis 26:24 God says to Isaac, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase your number for the sake of my servant Abraham." Sweet. God blesses Isaac―but why? God says, "for the sake of my servant Abraham." Isaac is being blessed by God, not because he did something magnificent, tried real hard, or has a certain special something; it’s happening for one simple reason―he is Abraham's son. That's it. He can't mess that up. No matter what he does, he will always be Abraham's son. This story is for us. God has blessed us with this same exact blessing. And it is for the same reason. We aren’t blessed because of what we did or didn't do, or how tall we are. We are blessed because we are children of God, by faith in Jesus Christ. I'm not saying this makes life perfect; Isaac still had some problems, but he overcame them. There will still be battles, but fear not, you are blessed. God did not abandon you because of something you have done. He is with you and will never leave you. Are you blessed? Say “Yes.”

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Same Team!

In 2 John 1:7 it says, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." There are warnings in the New Testament about the evil people who teach false doctrine. These false doctrines, if you keep reading, are always those who will say that Jesus isn't really God's son, or He didn’t really come in the flesh. When you change something fundamental about Jesus, well, this is bad. He is the only begotten son of God, who came in the flesh and died for our sins. These truths are not debatable. Have you noticed there are many little things that Christian churches disagree about? It's been happening for centuries. But we shouldn't call each other evil over the small stuff. Let’s stop biting on each other and just love each other. Same team! If the Jesus-believing church up the street doesn't teach the same exact message you heard on Sunday, well, be okay with that. Love that other church across town. We may not all agree on everything, but let us all agree that if someone is preaching about the Jesus we believe in, well then, they’re alright with me.

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Peace Be with You

II Thessalonians 3:16 says, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way." So who is the Lord of peace? Jesus is. Peace is different than not peace. If you don't have peace at your job then you won't want to go to work. If you don't have peace in your marriage or with your family then there is fighting and no one is happy. Peace here means tranquility, safety and prosperity. Our Lord is the Prince of Peace―the prince of tranquility, safety and prosperity. Jesus told us that He gives us His peace, but in how many ways does He give us peace? Here it says our Lord wants to give us peace in every way. Not just peace in one place, but in all places of our life. And guess what? Only He could possibly accomplish that. So how do you get this peace that He is promising you? What do you have to do? Act a certain way? Jump through some hoops? Nope. Actually, it's a gift. It is something that He is giving you, which means you can’t earn it. But when you have it, people will say, "Hey, how come you're not all freaked out?" And then you'll be like, "My Lord is the Lord of peace, and He's giving it away like it grows on trees.”

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

God-Believing Weirdos

Jesus says, in Mark 8:38, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Notice that it says, "in this adulterous and sinful generation." You see, it’s pretty easy to talk about Jesus and His words, when we are around believers or at church. But how are you around the world? Do you change your behavior? Do you try to "fit in" to the crowd? Do you slink down a bit when someone asks where all the Christians are? In this generation the world tries to say that if you believe in Jesus that there must be something wrong with you―that you are weak or that real smart people know better. If society thinks that people who believe in God are weird, then be a God-believing weirdo. You are not an outcast; you are a child of God, a joint heir with Christ Jesus, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. It may not be politically correct or culturally acceptable to share your faith in Jesus, but when did Jesus ever worry about being culturally acceptable? Share your faith, ‘cuz people need Jesus.

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Comfort in Trouble

2 Corinthians 1:4 says that God is the God of comfort, "who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we are comforted by God." So first of all, we see here that God does not wish for you to be troubled. Sure, trouble comes. But our God comforts you in trouble, so that way trouble isn't um... troubling. Instead, you are rested, not nervous or stressed, and trusting God. And you get some comfort, so that when others are in trouble, it’s that comfort that you got from God that you can share. So we’re all like, "Hey. Relax bro. Keep the faith―keep praying and believing." Giving what God has given is how we love others best. We as Christians receive that comfort, and we become the rock-solid, anchored people in times of trouble. And remember, if God is comforting you in your trouble, then you can be sure He didn't bring it to you. It's tempting to say, "Oh, God brought me this trouble." But God wouldn't be working against himself. He's the God of comfort. So the next time trouble comes, don’t sweat it―just get ready for some comfort.

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Take His Word for It

Romans 4:20-21 tells us that "Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what God had promised God was also able to perform." Everyone has access to God's promises for our lives through our faith in Jesus Christ. But you know, we don't all experience the promises. But Abraham did, and a secret is given to us from his example. Abraham did not waver in unbelief, but he was fully convinced that God would do what He said. I don't know what is going on in your life today, but sometimes life brings us some stink. And stink can bring us fear and doubt. So this wisdom is for you. Keep the faith. Don't accept everything you see, but instead, stick with what God has said. Don't let that unbelief creep in, and don't accept things that aren’t what God has promised. Instead, today, be fully convinced of God's promises for your life. He promises that you are blessed―blessed in the city and the country, blessed coming in and going out. You are more than an overcomer, and no weapon formed against you will prosper. But don’t take my word for it, take His word for it.

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Help Me, Jesus!

In Hebrews 2:18, we’re told that "Because Jesus suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Wait. Jesus suffered from being tempted? The suffering in the Bible that Christians are called to isn’t some kind of torture or disease. It’s more like enduring.  Longsuffering: it means saying no to something that you are being tempted to do. So when the Bible refers to suffering, think of it as saying no to something that is tempting you. It’s kind of like saying no to a piece of cake, even though you really want it. Ugh! And if you start thinking about how everyone else is eating cake, well, now you’re really suffering. Fortunately, eating cake isn’t a sin, but I think you get my point. Now, Jesus is our help in times of temptation. The last place we might want to take our temptations is to Jesus, since we might be kind of ashamed. "Hey Jesus, give me a hand here, help me be strong." But it’s when we try to beat temptation on our own that we fail. When temptation comes, keep your thoughts on Jesus, and ask him for help. Say it out loud, “Help me, Jesus!”

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Who's Your Boss?

Romans 6:18 says that “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Before you know Jesus, you are still a slave to sin. Sin is your boss. Sin says, "Hey, come on, let’s sin." And you're all like, "Okay." But by putting your faith in Jesus, you are now a slave to righteousness. I like that. Righteousness is now your boss. Righteousness says, "Hey, love that person." And you’re like, “Okay.” And even when we do something we shouldn't, righteousness is right there pulling on us, saying, "Hey stop that." Sin is no longer your boss! According to Romans 7:4, we’ve all "died to the law." Dying to the law is what freed you from the power of sin. Think about it—someone who dies is no longer under the law. A judge cannot issue a penalty if the accused is dead. So the without the law, there can be no sin. Then, and only then, you are able to become a servant of righteousness, which will lead you to live a better life. The right voice has all the power. You see, this way you are free to serve God and run your race for Him. Now hop to it.

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

A Big Army

There is a story in 2 Kings 6 about a whole army that shows up to attack just two guys. Well, not just any two guys―one of them is a great prophet named Elisha. His servant is pretty freaked out, but Elisha says, “There are more with us than there are with them.” Then he asks God to open the servant’s eyes. Now, his servant’s eyes weren’t actually closed, but I think you get the idea. Anyway, sure enough, the servant looks again, and he too can see the massive army of God that is surrounding the attacking army. So, what can we learn from this? Well, we can be like Elisha, who, at a time that looked bad, stayed in hope. He kept his head high. He didn’t say, “Oh poor me. Where’s God now...?” Instead, he trusted God, despite what things looked like. This is an example for us. The world sometimes has trouble, but we need to be a voice of hope. We are children of God. We are the ones that trust God and say, "Hey, don’t sweat it. There are more with us than against us." Trust, boiling up from our hope, will bring us the win!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

No Works Attached

We’re told in Proverbs 20:30 that “Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.” Okay, so line up all you sinners for a good flogging. Which one of us is innocent of all impurity―sinless, blameless, holy? Who doesn’t need a hearty purging? Well, the truth is that Jesus took all of this on our behalf. He was beaten for our sins, bruised for our iniquities. Jesus is the one who stood in line for us and cleansed away our evil, and His beating purges our inmost being. You are the pure, the holy, the blameless and the righteous. These things are unattainable, and yet if you put your faith in Christ, they are a free gift to you. You may still be tempted to punish yourself in your guilt, and you might think it will help you. You might be thinking, “Well, I really deserve every bad thing that happens to me,” but that isn’t God’s strategy. If we could become “good” without Christ, then He wouldn’t have come. We can’t. It’s when you receive Him as your Savior that you are free from evil, and the inner part of you begins to change. Jesus came and brought us life. Praise Jesus!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Something To Celebrate

On Passover, the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan, Jesus died for us. Three days later He was resurrected, and this is the day the world celebrates as Easter. Well then, happy Easter! This event— Jesus dying for us—is the single biggest event in human history. It changed everything. Before Jesus' death, things between God and man were very different. When sin happened someone had to pay, and the wages of sin is death. Jesus paid this debt with His life. So when you read the Bible, ask yourself the question, "In this story, has Jesus died yet?" It may be that you are studying how things used to work, before Christ died, like the story of Job, about a man who had no redeemer. This isn't you. You have a Redeemer. So what am I saying? When you read the word of God, always see it through the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus died. He got what you deserved. So now, by faith, you have access to all that He earned. You can live in His righteousness, in His holiness, and that’s something we can all celebrate!

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Feed Your Happy

Psalms 1:2 talks about the man who is happy and says that he is like a tree that is bearing fruit. I want to be happy; I want to be like this tree. So he gives me the secret to this man's happiness and blessing—"His delight is on the law of the Lord, and on it he meditates day and night." This man is “feeding his happy” with the word of God. So the secret to “feeding your happy” is to love reading the Bible so much that you’re thinking about it all day and night. Now lots of people don't like reading the Bible. Others do. When I think about what I like, it seems like I don't have a choice. I think I was born not liking vegetables, and I don't like country music. But according to this, you can change what you like. God wouldn't just leave you without a chance to do what this happy guy does. God has placed in you the desire to like His word. You just have to stir up that desire. The word of God has the wisdom you need to live a happy life. You are designed to be delighted by God's word. So get out your Bible and “feed your happy!” #feedyourhappy

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee

Happy Is The Man

The very first Psalm in the Bible (Psalm 1:1) begins by saying, "Happy is the man," and then it goes on to talk about the things that a happy man shouldn't do, and some things that he should. God is teaching us how to “feed our happy.” So I have to ask, does God want us to be happy? Sometimes the world and even some Christians think that it is better for Christians to be miserable. But if God is giving us instructions on how to be happy, He must want us to be happy. The world will tell you that happy comes from what you have. “Well, if only I had the perfect house,” or “a bigger pay check," or “the perfect spouse,” but God's way is different. Here in Psalm 1, He is explaining that we “feed our happy” by what we do, not by what we have. I believe God wants you to have nice stuff, you’re a child of the King and a joint heir with Christ, but your happiness doesn’t hinge on what you have, but instead, on what you do. "Happy is the man who delights in the word of God." Yeah, happy is THAT guy. So get out your smile, and then get out your Bible and “feed your happy!” #feedyourhappy

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee