Key Takeaways:

• The wise men of the Christmas story anticipated a grand king but found a humble child in a manger, embodying the values of a new kingdom.

• While Jesus did not bring a new political system, he revealed a profound new understanding of God's nature.

• True spiritual searches lead to a personal encounter with Jesus, rather than wealth or ideological rules.

• Listeners are urged to follow their own "star risen in the east" as a metaphorical call to seek God with their whole heart.

• The Christmas narrative is presented as an invitation to find meaning and purpose through a personal relationship with God.

Notable Quotes:

• “The wise men's search led them to a God who was personal—an almighty creator who came in a form that we could understand.”

• “In Christmas, we see that God has already come to seek us.”

• “The journey for God won't lead us to riches, rules, or an ideology, but to a person, one who takes our burdens.”

• “This was God's way of communicating the values of a different kingdom.”

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Consistent Seeking: The stories of Simeon and Anna teach the value of maintaining a lifelong commitment to seeking God’s presence and purposes.

• Spiritual Fulfillment: Believers are reminded that finding God and experiencing Jesus personally transforms one's life indefinitely.

• Expectancy in Faith: The narrative emphasizes the need to remain expectant and open to God’s timing and revelations, even after years of waiting.

• Personal Spiritual Journey: Tania shares her own journey of moving from second-hand beliefs to a personal encounter with God, illustrating a universal quest for authentic spiritual connection.

• Boundless Divine Treasures: You are invited to seek out the boundless treasures of wisdom and insight available in a deeply personal relationship with God.

Notable Quotes:

• "There seems to be a need in each one of us to find meaning and purpose in our lives."

• "Our temptation is that as time goes by, we stop seeking. We get a little lazy and passive."

• "You will be found by me, God said, when you seek me with all your heart."

• "There are boundless treasures in God for those who seek."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• King Herod's destructive self-interest never led him to find true purpose or fulfillment.

• A self-seeking journey ultimately leads to a dead end and personal ruin.

• Contrastingly, Bill Gates' use of his achievements for global good exemplifies finding meaning through altruism.

• Our greatest meaning is found when we connect with God and bless others, reflecting a purpose beyond ourselves.

• "When we seek things only for ourselves, we'll never find what we're looking for," is a central message of this episode.

Notable Quotes:

• "Everybody's looking for something, the Eurythmics once sang. There seems to be a need in each one of us to find meaning and purpose in our lives."

• "A self-serving journey will never lead us there. We will become like the Herods of history."

• "When he (Bill Gates) and his wife eventually achieved that, they channeled all of their success into a purpose beyond themselves."

• "God calls us on a journey to find him and in doing so, to bless others."

• "He never found the newborn king. God had warned the wise men in a dream not to report back and tell him what they'd seen."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• The wise men and other figures from the first Christmas story exemplify different paths of spiritual seeking and discovery.

• God's presence and guidance can appear in unexpected ways, transcending cultural and religious backgrounds.

• Seeking God requires openness of spirit, transcending intellectual pursuit to engage with spiritual insight and revelation.

• Prayer and heartfelt pursuit of God involve not only our efforts but also God's initiative in revealing Himself.

• The process of seeking uncovers true motives and prepares our hearts to receive divine insights.

Notable Quotes:

• "But it's not because God hides himself. We see this with the wise men in the Christmas story."

• "God is giving signs of his divine presence, drawing people towards Himself."

• "Revelation and understanding comes via the spirit, not the mind."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• The search for meaning and purpose is a fundamental drive in human life, comparable to the journeys of the wise men and other biblical figures around the time of the first Christmas.

• The wise men's journey underscores the courage needed to pursue spiritual and existential questions despite uncertainties and hardships.

• Personal spiritual quests can be initiated through prayer and openness to divine guidance, as demonstrated by Harris's own experience.

• The journey of seeking God is supported by divine promises, such as those found in Jeremiah, which assures us of prosperity and hope.

• Engaging in everyday God conversations can provide direction and clarity in one's life journey.

Notable Quotes:

• "Everybody's looking for something, the Eurythmics once sang. It seems that within each of us there's a need to find meaning and purpose in our lives."

• "When we seek, we will find. It's sometimes frightening to embark on that spiritual journey, but we remind ourselves that the risk is grounded in the goodness of God."

• "They had little to go on, yet they ventured far, enduring hardships, all seeking to find something beyond themselves."

• "If we search for God, we will find Him. The wise men certainly did."

• "God is calling us to seek him. And when we do, we'll find what we're looking for."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Conflict is inevitable in close relationships and should not be feared.

• Handling conflict openly and respectfully can strengthen relationships and build trust.

• Conflict can reveal underlying assumptions and values, prompting necessary discussions and affirmations.

• Engaging with conflict can lead to creative and innovative solutions.

• Jesus' teachings emphasize the priority of reconciliation and resolving conflicts before worship.

Notable Quotes:

1. "If we're not disagreeing, it's probably because our relationships aren't that close."

2. "Conflict is embarrassing, awkward, and really uncomfortable. Many of us have learned to fear it."

3. "When handled well, conflict can have the opposite effect of our fears."

4. "It highlights our assumptions and values and the drivers underlying our motivations."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Conflict is Normal: Disagreements are an inevitable part of relationships due to different backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives.

• Healthy Disagreement: Addressing conflicts openly can strengthen relationships instead of damaging them.

• Biblical Insights: Even early church leaders like Paul and Barnabas experienced sharp disagreements, demonstrating that conflict does not equate to failure.

• Unity vs. Uniformity: True unity embraces diversity and differences rather than forcing everyone to think alike.

• Effective Conflict Resolution: Engaging in respectful and honest dialogue is crucial for resolving conflicts and fostering deeper connections.

Notable Quotes:

• "Healthy conflict is a sign of intimacy."

• "Unity doesn't mean uniformity. It's not all thinking the same way."

• "Even the most godly people in the world experience conflict."

• "We must learn not to avoid conflict, but to do it well."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• God-Centered Focus: Ensure that the church honors God, with leadership that demonstrates a love for God and openness to the Holy Spirit.

• Community Connection: Look for a church where you feel accepted and can build genuine, trusting relationships.

• Purpose Alignment: Choose a church that supports and nurtures God's purpose for your life, allowing you to grow in faith.

• Church Is People, Not Place: Understand that a church is not just a service or a building but a community of people on a spiritual journey together.

• Listening to God's Call: Sometimes, God's guidance may lead you to a new church community for your spiritual growth and fulfillment.

Notable Quotes:

• “Is God honored in this church? Does the leadership love God and follow Jesus?”

• “The church is not a service or a building. It's a group of people in relationship to God and each other.”

• “For your life's purpose to be fulfilled, sometimes God calls you to move churches.”

• “It was about the people God was connecting me to and who I could learn from and grow with.”

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.