Calvary Christian Center Yuba City Podcast

Have we lowered the bar?? In this critical time, it is imperative that we continue to ask ourselves this question - and keep our standards high! Pastor teaches the critical need for healthy barriers to protect our lives and families and to keep us prepared for the Christ's return and separated from the deadly results of compromising sin.

Are you tired yet?? There are many factors in this life that cause weariness - especially in our souls. But Jesus called to those who are weary and beckoned us to come and find in Him the only true and lasting rest that we will ever find: a vibrant, ongoing and personal relationship with Him!

King Hezekiah led his wayward nation into a spiritual Great Awakening by addressing the 2 main reasons behind their society's decay: They had neglected both their relationship with God, and the House of God. As a nation, we have done the same today and also face a crumbling culture. But if we follow the example of Hezekiah and position our hearts once more toward God's Presence and His Temple - a Great Awakening is sure to happen once again!

Everyone is familiar with Adversity. The key to overcoming? Never quit! God has promised us that we will reap a harvest and a reward will come - if we don't lose heart and give up. So be encouraged, remember that God is on your side and choose faith!

When the Philistines finally captured the mighty Samson, he was weak and powerless - because they cut his hair. However, when they brought him into their temple later, they failed to notice one very critical detail... his hair had grown back, along with his lethal strength! Sin works much the same way - we may "shave it" away one day, but we must always be on guard... because it will always look for a way to grow back ... and kill us spiritually in the process.

The only way to be effective for Jesus... is to fall in love with Him. But so many Christians have settled for less, and have become content in the trap of self-deceit and pretense, allowing themselves to live with what they don't love.. and become lukewarm. In this challenging message, we are reminded: "Don't settle! Return to your First Love!"

Christopher Columbus went blind from spending a lifetime squinting and looking into the horizon. He had the spirit of discovery - a constant hunger for more. And it is that same spirit that must drive us in these challenging days - constantly looking beyond the common and comfortable as we seek God for a walk with Him that reaches beyond the horizon!

The Book of Jeremiah begins with a powerful call from God on a young man's life. And it is in these 7 verses that God also teaches us about His unique assignments for each of our lives and the critical need for us to listen to His voice, identify His call and do what it takes prepare for our assignment!

Godly Men of Steel are an endangered species. We are in a cultural train wreck due to the incomprehensible impact of fatherless homes in our nation. Never has our nation needed Men of Steel to rise up in true strength, leading our homes and communities back to safety and stability. Pastor teaches the examples for men found in heroes, such as the classic fantasy hero, Superman, and the ultimate and very real Man of Steel, Jesus Himself.

God will always take us through a process before He uses us for His glory... and in that process, we will discover our spiritual D.N.A.: the 3 major steps in the life-transforming process that prepares us for leadership in God's Kingdom.

In this powerful message about families, Pastor teaches various reasons why people, including our own family members, resist surrendering their lives to Jesus and live in spiritual darkness. Many of these reasons keep people from coming to church at all... therefore, we must go to where they are!

The Holy Spirit's work in our lives brings us to salvation... and so much more! God sent us the Holy Spirit for several powerful reasons, including: to reveal Jesus in our lives and to be His witnesses in this world. And it truly takes God's supernatural power to live victoriously in this world!

Jochebed was a woman of faith. She built an ark - a fortified wall of protection - around Moses to protect him from the ravenous crocodiles of the Nile. Today, although our children are targeted by hell itself, our Moms - and Dads - must also stand in faith and work diligently to build an ark around our own children that no enemy can penetrate!

God has given us pastors to be watchmen - men and women who will boldly and lovingly declare God's truth, judgment and mercy. Pastor Ciociola delivers a message of both compassion and conviction: There are no shortcuts in our walk with God! In order to make it in these dangerous times, we must be continuously cleaning out the sin in our lives and seeking God's face.

God set the tone for the entire universe - and our own lives - with the first 4 words of the entire Bible: "In the beginning God." God First - it is the very first of all principles. It is the foundation of all of Creation and the foundation of all Truth. And no matter the storm, it is the only foundation on which a victorious and successful family and life is built.

Sooner or later, you will face your own 9/11/01, or 4/15/13. And when tragedy strikes, will you know what to do? David was faced with a sudden, heartbreaking moment in his life - in one crushing moment, it seemed that he had lost everything. But it was in that critical moment that David took 4 key steps that transformed a time of tragedy into a time of triumph.

Sometimes our journey toward God's destiny for our lives... takes us for a season in the opposite direction! And these detours will take you through deserts - times of loneliness, pain and challenges that will make you or break you. But through it all, we are being prepared and strengthened for everything God has in store!

David almost made a critical mistake before becoming king... until a beautiful and wise woman intervened and straightened out his thinking. Today, we have the church - also beautiful, wise and sent by God to get our thinking lined up with His Word and the big picture of His promises. Learn in this message how to avoid the trap of majoring on the minors!

Have you ever wondered why Easter matters? The power of Jesus' resurrection changed so much... it changed EVERYTHING. The message of Easter is that nothing can separate you from God's love... not even death itself. In your darkest moments, greatest struggles and weaknesses... always remember that Easter is for you. Jesus got up from the grave - for you!!

Life is not behind you - Life is in front of you! There are many beautiful and powerful depictions of the cross of Christ and what it means to us in our lives found in the Old Testament. Pastor Ciociola teaches from some of these stunning portraits the charge that we are given: to not touch dead works of the past and to move forward in the new life He purchased for you with His blood!