Sunday Sermons

A Little Help from My Friends

Tue, 26 May 2026 13:17:16 GMT

Wounded And Weary - Week 6
A Little Help From My Friends
Exodus 17:1-13

1. We were never meant to fight our battles alone.

1At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually, they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. 2 So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?

3 But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”

Panic and exhaustion cause a profound spiritual amnesia.
Spiritual Amnesia blinds you to your own historywith God.

4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!”

5 The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. 6 I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.”

Do not face this crisis in isolation. Bring your community with you.”

6b“So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. 7 Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”

8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them.

2. The enemyrarelyattacks when you arestrong and prepared.

9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.

Sometimes, what we think will be an easy task becomes the very thing that threatensto break us.

11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up.

12b So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.

3. Aaron and Hur didn’t wait for Moses to ask them for help.

We have to start payingattention to the people in our circles of influence.

"Teamwork makes the dream work." -John Maxwell

13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

4. Victorycame because of teamwork.

Isolation is the enemy'sabsolute favoriteplayground.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is an admission of your humanity.

5. Weary people do not have the energy to make the phone call- Be proactive. Pay attention.

Falling Asleep in the Window

Mon, 18 May 2026 14:08:04 GMT

Wounded and Weary - Week 5 - May 17, 2026

Falling Asleep in the Window

Acts 20:7-12

7 On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight. The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps.

-Acts 20:7–8

Convenience gathers crowds. Commitment builds disciples.

1. ASSUMPTION MAKES US TAKE GOD’S PRESENCE FOR GRANTED

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. -Hebrews 2:1

What used to be hunger - turns into habit.

“You don’t love me or each other as you did at first.” -Revelation 2:4

Assumption doesn’t just change what you believe—it changes how you engage.

2. THE WINDOW IS A DANGEROUS PLACE TO LIVE

9 As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. -Acts 20:9

The window gave him access without surrender.

Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. -James 1:8

The enemy doesn’t always try to remove you from church… sometimes he just wants you comfortable in the window.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. -Matthew 6:21

Whatever consistently has your attention eventually shapes your affection.

3. WHAT YOU KEEP IGNORING WILL EVENTUALLY OVERCOME YOU

Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below -Acts 20:10

The longer you ignore conviction, the quieter conviction becomes.

“Wake up, sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” -Ephesians 5:14

Small compromises grow quietly before they collapse loudly.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil… -1 Peter 5:8

4. YOUR LOWEST MOMENT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR LAST MOMENT

Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said, ‘he’s alive!’ -Acts 20:10

Jesus meets people in broken places, not just perfect places.

Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. -Psalm 37:23–24

Falling is not the same thing as being abandoned.

If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path… -Galatians 6:1

Restoration begins when we stop hiding and start responding.

Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly relieved. -Acts 20:12

The Process of Healing

Mon, 04 May 2026 13:50:19 GMT

Wounded and Weary - Week #3

The Process of Healing

Ezekiel 37:1-10

3 types of pain:

1. Physical

2. Emotional

3. Spiritual

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. Ezekiel 37:1-2

2 options of why the bones were there:

1. Because of something they did

2. Because of something that was done to them

2 Key words:

a. Forgotten

b. Useless

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Ezekiel 37:3-4

God’s Word always brings life

God's word always builds up, it never tears down

This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” Ezekiel 37:5-6

Odds of being struck by lightning = 1 in 700 thousand

Odds of getting attacked by a shark = 1 in 11.5 million

Odds of winning the lottery = 1 in 175 million

Odds of being born = 1 in 400 trillion

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Ezekiel 37:7-8

Healing is a process

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. Ezekiel 37:9-10

What needs to happen for us to enter the healing process?

1. We need to understand that God sees us where we are

2. We need to understand that God wants to bring healing into our lives

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Bad Decisions

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:13:14 GMT

Wounded and Weary - Week #2

Bad Decisions

2 Samuel 24:18-25

Week #1

Two types of scars: those we give ourselves and those we get from others.

Healing begins in the House of God with the help of others.

Today

A bad decision does not have to be the definition of your life.

There are always consequences for sin

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”2 Samuel 24:14

On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”19 So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad. 2 Samuel 24:18-19

If you’re in Christ, God will not bring up your past

In Jesus, you can step out of the prison of your past and into the potential of your future in Jesus

When Araunah looked and saw the king and his officials coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. 21 Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” “To buy your threshing floor,” David answered, “so I can build an altar to theLord, that the plague on the people may be stopped.”22 Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever he wishes and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood.23 Your Majesty, Araunah gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.” 2 Samuel 24:20-23

The biggest temptation for a follower of Jesus is to do what is easy rather than what is right.

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to theLordmy God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. 2 Samuel 24:24

The people that God uses the most are the ones who hang on to the least.

Then Solomon began to build the temple of theLordin Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunahthe Jebusite, the place provided by David.2 He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign. 2 Chronicles 3:1-2

Scars

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:24:35 GMT

Scars

Genesis 25, 27, 28, 29

2 TYPES OF SCARS:

1. The kind we give ourselves

2. The kind we get from others

2 OPTIONS IN REGARDS TO OUR SCARS:

1. We can let our scars tell our story

2. We can allow our healing to tell our story

The Savior can take away our scars if we will simply give our scars to our Savior.

Healing begins in the house of God with the help of others.

This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Isaac. Abraham became the father of Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aramand sister of Laban the Aramean. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” 24 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau.

26 After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. 28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Genesis 25:19-28

The Bible is not a book about how awesome people are. The Bible is a book about how awesome God is.

Our pain often leads to pretending.

When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 Isaac said, “I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. 3 Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. 4 Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.” 5 Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’ 8 Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: 9 Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. 10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.” 11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin. 12 What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.” 13 His mother said to him, “My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.” 14 So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. 15 Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. 16 She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. 17 Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made. 18 He went to his father and said, “My father.” “Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?” Genesis 27:1-18

Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” Genesis 27:41

Pretending always leads to conflict

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. Genesis 28:10-11

Jacob is a grabber, a deceiver and a pretender

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”Genesis 28:12-22

Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. 2 There he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well. 4 Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We’re from Harran,” they replied.5 He said to them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?” “Yes, we know him,” they answered. 6 Then Jacob asked them, “Is he well?” “Yes, he is,” they said, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.” Genesis 29:1-6

4 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF TODAY:

1. Are there any scars in your life that need healing?

2. Are you tired of pretending?

3. Would you like to receive God’s grace instead of trying to earn it?

4. Do you feel like you’re all alone and need to talk?

Misconceptions

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:07:29 GMT

Rooted - Week 7
Misconceptions
Acts 16:6-30

Four Misconceptions about Christianity:

1. Following Jesus will always be easy

Following Jesus is always the right thing to do; it's not always the easy thing to do

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. -Acts 16:6-10

2. Resistance is always from the Devil

Often times, God’s “no” is redirection, not rejection

From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:11-15

3. The middle of God’s will is the safest place you can be

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. -Acts 16:16-24

4. Because I am wounded, I am worthless

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. -Acts 16:25

Paul was so confident in his calling that he refused to let the criticism crush the calling out of his life
People that walk around as victims never walk in victory

26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” -Acts 16:26-30

The Resurrection (Easter 2026)

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:49:55 GMT

Easter 2026
The Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his follower at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. -1 Corinthians 15:1-9

But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. -1 Corinthians 15:12-14

3 REASONS WE CAN BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS ALIVE:

1. Jesus said it would happen

After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. 23 He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief. -Matthew 17:22-23

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. 18 “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Manwill be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. 19 Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” -Matthew 20:17-19

2 cornerstones of Christianity are: Jesus is God, and Jesus came back to life.

2. The Resurrection cannot be reasoned away

4 FALSE THEORIES AGAINST THE RESURRECTION:

a. The Disciples “Stole the Body” Theory

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. -John 20:19

So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” -Acts 4:18-20

b. The “Roman or Jewish Officials Stole the Body” Theory

c. The “Wrong Tomb” Theory

d. The “Jesus didn’t Die” Theory

3. The resurrection = changed lives

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. -Acts 1:14

WHAT DOES “JESUS IS ALIVE” MEAN FOR US TODAY?

1. In Christ I can have hope

2. In Christ I can have a new beginning

Rooted in Hope

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:18:51 GMT

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” Matthew 21:1-3

1. True success in life is the result of continual and complete surrender to Jesus

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” Matthew 21:4-5

2. God’s word is true and can be fully trusted.

23 The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.” -Deuteronomy 31:23

3. When we work together, the movement of God is undeniable.

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:6-9

- Hosanna means: please save, or save now.

4. Jesus always wants to save us from way more than we realize.

- God didn’t put us on the planet to make a point, He put us on the planet to make a difference.

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:10-11

Rooted in a Living Faith

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:19:21 GMT

Rooted - March 22, 2026
Rooted in a Living Faith
Romans 10:8-13 (NASB 1995)

8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -Romans 10:8-13

WHAT IS FAITH?

The only faith that justifies is "Fides viva" -a living faith. -Martin Luther

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. -Hebrews 11:1-2

1. A living faith has content.

2. A living faith has substance.

3. A living faith has application.

4. A living faith requires self-examination.

5. A living faith requires attention to it.

A. Information is not enough

"Information must lead to transformation" -Pastor Ryan

B. Knowledge is not enough to believe with our heads

Heart change is required

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. -Ezekiel 36:26-27

“Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock? -Jeremiah 23:29

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. -1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Sovereign grace in election is required

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” -John 6:37-40

HOW CAN I KNOW IF I'M SAVED?

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
-Romans 10:9

The "_____________________" part, hinges on the "_______________" part, and the word "____________” implies the importance of the latter, in order to perform the former; otherwise it’s only lip service.

10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” -Romans 10:10-11

"It isn't the 'profession' of faith that saves, its the 'possession' of faith that saves"- R. C. Sproul.

Rooted in Forgiveness

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:59:40 GMT

Rooted Week #3

Rooted in Forgiveness

Matthew 18:23-35

One of the main problems in our relationships today is that forgiven people forget (and refuse) to forgive.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. John 2:9-11

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22

Forgiveness is not a onetime thing
You and I as followers of Jesus Christ need to consistently have an attitude of forgiveness

1. The example of forgiveness has been set for us to follow.

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. Matthew 18:23-27

2. The example Jesus set must be followed

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. Matthew 18:28

We cannot be recipients of the love and the grace and mercy and forgiveness of God and not extend it to other people

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:29-35

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." Matthew 5:23-26

Progress Over Perfection

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:22:06 GMT

Rooted Week #2
Progress over Perfection
John 8:1-11

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. John 8:1-3

Religion discriminates against the people that aren't doing what the religious claim to be doing

Religion is selective
If we're not careful we'll slide into selecting certain sins we are against, certain sins that we hide, and certain sins that we champion

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. John 8:4-6

Religion always demands an answer

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:7-11

Until you understand you need Amazing Grace, you will never see it as Amazing Grace

3 things we will celebrate at Central:

1. We will celebrate you more than a stance

“Jesus liked people that were nothing like him and people that were nothing like him liked him.” -Andy Stanley

2. We will celebrate safety over shame

Shame has silenced more people and set them on the sideline more than just about anything else in the world

3. We will celebrate progress over perfection

Jesus changes condemnation into celebration

Be Like Jesus

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:30:37 GMT

Rooted Week #1

Be Like Jesus

Matthew 14:13-21

One of the most challenging things about Christianity is becoming more like Jesus

The call of Christianity is to be more like Jesus

The closer I get to Jesus, the more my life is changed (for the better)

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:13-21

A Formula for Success:

Being Compassionate + Having Concern + Being Generous + Doing Church = Being Like Jesus

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Get Focused

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:54:08 GMT

The Best is Yet to Come - Week #7

Get Focused

Luke 13:10-17

1. Our focus has to be up.

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Luke 13:10-13

* Religion is when we make much of us, Christianity is when we make much of Jesus.

2 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:12-13

* Jesus did not die on the cross so you can live an average, ordinary, normal life.

2. We have to focus on giving some things up

Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” 15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” Luke 13:14-16

WE NEED TO GIVE UP 2 THINGS:

a. Our Comfort

* God did not call the church to be safe; he called the church to be dangerous.

After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:6-7

b. Our Conditions

* We cannot place conditions on God

* When we place conditions on God as a church, we begin to do ministry without Jesus.

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Acts 19:13-16

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing. Luke 13:17

Fully Devoted

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:25:56 GMT

The Best is Yet to Come Week #6

Fully Devoted
Acts 2:42-45

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. Acts 2:42-45 

We are called to be fully devoted to Jesus.

A 99% commitment to Jesus is 1% too short.

Can you say today that you are you are fully devoted to Jesus or is there a secret section of your life that nobody knows about?

Secrecy will eventually lead to destruction

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened. Acts 5:1-11

Ananias and Sapphira tried to justify their secret lives by doing 3 things:

1. They tried to justify it through involvement

2. They tried to justify it by comparing themselves to others

3. They deceived themselves.

Some of us do these same things! And, when we do, there are 3 things we tell ourselves:

1. It’s my life

2. It’s my sin and it affects me and no one else

3. God is a holy, loving and merciful God who will just get over it.

Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. 25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. 26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Proverbs 26:24-26

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8

How do we turn from the secret life and be truly devoted?

1. Confession

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9

Confession is agreeing with God that we’re wrong and that we don’t want to live this way anymore.

2. Repentance

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:13-15

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”“No,” they answered. John 21:1-5

My Next Step

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:52:50 GMT

The Best is Yet to Come Week #5

My Next Step

All of us have a next step to take in our walk with Jesus. However, each of our steps look different!

A growing relationship with Jesus is intentional not accidental

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:30

Desire plus discipline makes the difference

It takes effort on our part to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus.

A lot of people want to expect great things from God, but they don’t want to put the forth any effort in making those great things happen.

Don't fall into the trap of praying instead of obeying!

2 COMMON REASONS PEOPLE SAY THEY CAN’T TAKE THEIR NEXT STEP:

1. I’m great right where I am!

If you and Jesus were standing next to each other, would anyone mistake you for twins?

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:10-14

2. God will never ask me to do anything difficult.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

Everyone wants to be blessed, but will you take a difficult next step to get that blessing?

9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” Genesis 17:9-14

If you want to follow Jesus, sometimes He is going to ask you to take a very difficult next step!

Why would God trust us with what is next when we won’t do what he’s telling us to do now?

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

It’s not easy to take the next step sometimes, but it’s always right.

Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.” 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.” 10 “Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God. Exodus 8:8-10

Why would you spend one more night with the frogs?

What is my next step _________________

What Robs Us of Peace?

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:05:31 GMT

The Best is Yet to Come Week #4

What Robs Us of Peace?

Mark 3:1-6; John 11:45-48; Matthew 26:39; Matthew 27:45-46

Peace is not an absence of problems, but rather perspective on how the story ends

4 things that rob us from the peace of God:

1. A hard heart

A hard heart is somebody that knows what God wants to do in them and through them, and says, no

The more religious your background, the more likely your heart is to be hard

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Mark 3:1-3

Jesus doesn’t tear you down, Jesus builds you up

Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. 5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! Mark 3:4-5

Religious people don't mind if miracles happen, as long as it fits within their system

At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. Mark 3:6

Religious people don't mind breaking God's commandments when you break theirs

2. Control

Control is the greatest illusion in the universe

Following Jesus is about freedom. Religion is about control and manipulation

Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.” John 11:45-48

So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. John 11:53

3. Misunderstanding

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

4. Dishonesty

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Matthew 27:45-46

You cannot step into healing until you’re honest

Jesus, I Need You to Move

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:58:50 GMT

The Best is Yet to Come - Week #3

Jesus, I Need You to Move

Mark 4:35-41

It’s a tragedy if we move as a church but Jesus isn’t moving in our lives individually

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” Mark 4:35

Spiritual activity doesn't always relate to intimacy

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” Luke 17:5

When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” Luke 9:54

When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Matthew 28:17

You are not less than anything or anybody

Jesus will always tell us our next step. However, He won't tell us two or three or four steps down the road, because if He did, we might not do it.

So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Mark 4:36-37

Jesus will allow us to go through the storm to teach us something, to make us stronger, or so we can see Him more clearly

If you're following Jesus, the enemy is going to try to send a storm to shut you down

Storm Cycle = Distraction > Discouragement > Doubt > Despair

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” Mark 4:38-41

The area that I need for Jesus to move the most in my life is ____________________________________

Onboard People

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:25:43 GMT

The Best is Yet to Come - Week 2 - January 18, 2026

Onboard People

Daniel 3:13-30

To make it in life, we need the help of Jesus and other people.

When it comes to taking steps forward, spiritually, we is greater than me.

Are we going to blend in, or are we going to stand out?

Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will bbe thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Daniel 3:13-15

Who are your ONBOARD people?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

When it comes to people in your life, it;’s not what they say or if they pray , it’s whether or not they stay.

Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. Daniel 3:19-20

Don’t give in to the breakdown , Hold on for the breakthrough.

So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. Daniel 3:21-23

But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Daniel 3:24-25

Sometimes we don’t see His presence until we step into the fire.

What the enemy put on them, Jesus took off of them, with the thing that was meant to destroy them.

Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:26-30

The Best Is Yet To Come-Spiritual Growth in 2026

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT

1. Go to Church

But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. Psalm 73:2

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Psalm 73:17

Central Church is a church where people, all people, experience the presence of Jesus every single week

You cannot come into the presence of Jesus and stay the same

2. Grow in Church

How do I grow in church?

A. Serve

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, Matthew 20:26

B. Give

3. Show the Church

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with
you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

4. Know that the best is yet to come because immeasurably is coming

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is
at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

What Are You Chasing?

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:15:52 GMT

January 4, 2026
What Are You Chasing?
2 Timothy 2:22

1. Delayed Obedience Becomes Disguised Disobedience

“Flee the evil desires of youth…” -2 Timothy 2:22

What you don’t run from will eventually run you.

She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and RAN out of the house.. -Genesis 39:12

Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength. -Judges 16:15

God never calls us to run from something without also calling us to run toward something better.

2. The Heart Moves in the Direction of Its Attention

“…and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace…” -2 Timothy 2:22

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. -Proverbs 4:23

You don’t wake up one day changed—you slowly become who you’ve been watching.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:21

Your heart follows what your eyes repeatedly fix on

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. -Romans 12:2

Direction matters more than intention—because attention sets direction.

3. Habits Form Character Before Character Feels Fixed

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. -Galatians 6:8

Habits shape character long before character feels fixed.

4. Hunger Drives the Chase

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. -Psalms 63:1

What you chase reveals what you crave.
Misplaced hunger leads to misplaced pursuit.
God doesn’t shame desire—He redeems it.

5. God Uses Pursuit to Shape Destination

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me -Philippians 3:12

Your pursuit shapes your destination and who you become along the way.
The direction you pursue today is shaping the person you will be tomorrow.

The Greatest Story Ever Told - Christmas sermon

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:27:32 GMT

Week #4

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Luke 2:8-20

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:8

The Shepherds were messy

The Shepherds were lonely

The Shepherds were uncertain

The Shepherds would soon find peace

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:9-20

1. Peace is a process that begins with Jesus

We can’t have true peace apart from Jesus

2. Grace is not something we achieve, it’s something we receive.

Who was at the Table?

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:15:34 GMT

Unstoppable Week #6
Who was at the Table?

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

It is impossible to pursue Jesus and sin at the same time

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. 2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), 3 Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, 4 Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Matthew 10:1-4

When we get our eye off the past and onto Jesus, we become unstoppable

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. John 20:24-28

Bitterness always comes to the surface

“Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.” 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” 36 “What is your request?” he asked. 37 They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” 39 “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” Mark 10:33-39

Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Mark 15:27

On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,‘ God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. Matthew 26:31-35

Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself. John 18:18

When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. John 21:9

Unstoppable Salvation

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:36:30 GMT

Unstoppable Week 5

Unstoppable Salvation

Mark 1:16-18

Sin is when you and I decide to deny Jesus.

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:16-17

Jesus isn’t searching for perfect people

When God saves us, He saves us completely

Our sins are paid for: past, present and future!

At once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:18

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter) Mark 3:13-16

When you and I become a Christian, Jesus Christ changes us

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. -2 Corinthians 5:17

You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” Mark 14:27-30

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. Mark 14:43-54

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:66-72

1. I’m a greater sinner then I thought.

We’re not saved because we’re good, we’re saved because Jesus Christ paid for our sin on the cross

2. He’s a greater Savior than I thought.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1

Q&A Extra

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:04:45 GMT

This is our Extra Q&A session with our pastors. This allowed us to answer every question that was submitted.

Please watch the other videos from our Q&A, as there were different questions at each service.

Check out Central Church Sunday mornings at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 - located 1/2 mile east of the Carroll country club.

Q&A-8:00 Service (11/9/25)

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:44:38 GMT

This week, we wrapped up our Q&A session with our pastors.
Please watch the other videos from this Sunday, as there were different questions at each service.

Check out Central Church Sunday mornings at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 - located 1/2 mile east of the Carroll country club.

Q&A-9:30 Service (11/9/25)

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:41:43 GMT

Q&A-11:00 Service (11/9/25)

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:34:14 GMT

Q&A-8:00 Service

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:51:19 GMT

This week, we had a special presentation of questions and answers by our pastors.

Please watch the other videos from this Sunday, as there were different questions at each service.

Check out Central Church Sunday mornings at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 - located 1/2 mile east of the Carroll country club.
#yourcentralchurch

Q&A-9:30 Service

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:47:16 GMT

This week, we had a special presentation of questions and answers by our pastors.

Please watch the other videos from this Sunday, as there were different questions at each service.

Check out Central Church Sunday mornings at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 - located 1/2 mile east of the Carroll country club.

Q&A-11:00 Service

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:43:29 GMT

This week, we had a special presentation of questions and answers by our pastors.

Please watch the other videos from this Sunday, as there were different questions at each service.

Check out Central Church Sunday mornings at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 - located 1/2 mile east of the Carroll country club.

You Can't Out Run God

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 13:17:03 GMT

Unstoppable Week #2

You Can’t Out Run God

Jonah 1-3

1. You can run from God but you cannot out run God

The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” Jonah 1:1-2

God speaks through His Word and His Spirit

2 types of revelation:

a. General revelation

b. Specific revelation

The more submitted we are to God's general revelation... the more aware we become of His specific revelation.

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Jonah 1:3

Every time we run from God it will cost us

When we run from God we do stupid things

There are 2 types of runners:

a. Outside runner

b. Inside runner

But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. 5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. Jonah 1:4-5

When we run from God, it not only costs us, it costs other people

Our sin always affects other people

2. God is not trying to get you back, He’s trying to bring you back

The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?” 12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.” Jonah 1:10-12

When we run from God, we always wind up in dark places

Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. Jonah 2:1

Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach. Jonah 2:10

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” 3 This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. Jonah 3:1-3

"It" Happens

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:12:28 GMT

Unstoppable Week #1
“It” Happens
Genesis 37-41

Don't quit because God can use ‘it’ to make a difference in your life unlike you could ever imagine

This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Genesis 37:2-9

“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” Genesis 37:17-20

So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. -Genesis 37:23-25

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” -Genesis 39:9

When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. -Genesis 39:19-21

When we lose our compassion for other people, more than likely we've lost our connection to Jesus

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. -Genesis 40:23

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, -Genesis 41:1

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” -Genesis 41:16

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. -Genesis 41:33

Maybe that ‘it’ that you're going through is preparing you

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. -Genesis 41:37-42

God always give us back more than we lost

Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground -Genesis 42:6

It's Complicated - Reconciliation & Restoration

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:58:38 GMT

“IT’S COMPLICATED” Reconciliation & Restoration
2 Corinthians 4:1-18, 5:14-21, 6:3-10

Equally valid observations from differing perspectives can appear to be contradictory.

2 Corinthians 5:14-20

14 For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died. 15 And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised. 16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way. Even if we have known Christ in a purely human way, yet now we no longer know Him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

We no longer see people as just humans, but as souls with infinite, eternal worth.

RESTORATION is “dealing with the OUTWARD,” RECONCILIATION is “dealing with the INWARD.”

Reconciliation is putting out the fire; Restoration is rebuilding the bridge.

2 Corinthians 4:1-181 “Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. 2 Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not

walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;

9 We are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory. 16 Therefore, we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is Eternal.

The road of reconciliation and restoration is not an easy one, but one that is worth it.

2 Corinthians 6:3-103 “ We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. 4 But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties, 5 by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, 6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the message of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left, 8 through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true; 9 as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look—we live; as being disciplined yet not killed; 10 as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything.”

Bridges require work to rebuild, hurts must heal, and trust takes time to regain once lost.

Take a bent-knee approach instead of bringing a bat to the conversation.

Forgiveness- It’s not for them, it’s for you, and it does not excuse their behavior. It simply prevents their behavior from destroying your heart..

Resolution- It focuses on solving the immediate problem at hand and addresses the 'what' of the situation.

Reconciliation- It addresses the 'how' and 'why' the situation happened.

Restoration- Is the process of repairing a relationship to a healthy state, which usually involves significant change and time to make it happen.

Living A Legacy

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:46:29 GMT

Living a Legacy Through Influence
Proverbs 13:20

20. Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

POINT 1 – Wisdom Requires Relationships

2 Timothy 1:5:
5. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

Faith is inherited, not invented

Your circle defines your ceiling

Alone is risky. Idleness + Isolation = Destruction.

Philippians 2:22:
22. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

Core Idea: Wisdom is not a sprint—it’s a slow burn of consistency, encouragement, and real-life modeling.

Point 2 – Multiplying Influence Through Faithful Investment

2 Timothy 2:2
2. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

Multiplication is about action, not age.

Influence is contagious

Your faithfulness today becomes someone else’s breakthrough tomorrow

1 Timothy 4:12, Paul encouraged him:
12. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Core Idea: You can’t grow God’s way alone. Wisdom multiplies when you walk with the right people.

Point 3 – Leaving a Spiritual Mark

Legacy is a marathon, not a selfie.

2 Timothy 4:7–8:
7. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day…”

2 Timothy 2:2
2. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

Proverbs 13:20
20. Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

You don’t just leave memories—you leave momentum.

Core Idea: Legacy isn’t just about influence today—it’s about shaping faith that will echo into tomorrow.

Parenting

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:18:23 GMT

Relationship Status Week #4

Parenting

Isaiah 39:1-8

3 THINGS WE CANNOT DO IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR KIDS:

1. Forget that your kid is a blessing from God

Soon after this, Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent Hezekiah his best wishes and a gift. He had heard that Hezekiah had been very sick and that he had recovered. 2 Hezekiah was delighted with the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them everything in his royal treasuries! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. -Isaiah 39:1-2

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. -Psalm 127:3

Forgetting that our kids are a blessing leads to 2 things:

A. Frustration

B. Negativity

The reason we correct our kids is to instruct them, not to degrade or devalue them.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. -Ephesians 4:29

2. Neglecting our kids for other things

Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did those men want? Where were they from?” Hezekiah replied, “They came from the distant land of Babylon.” 4 “What did they see in your palace?” asked Isaiah. “They saw everything,” Hezekiah replied. “I showed them everything I own—all my royal treasuries.” -Isaiah 39:3-4

Neglectful parents have the tendency to become one (or more) of 3 things:

A. The Passive Parent

B. The Denying Parent

C. The Alternate Solution Parent

3. Being complacent about God’s Word to my family

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: 6 ‘The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the Lord. 7 ‘Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.’” 8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.” -Isaiah 39:5-8

We're not okay on our own

Change is possible

Divorce

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 13:34:41 GMT

Relationship Status Week #3
Divorce
Matthew 19:3-9

* If you've ever gone through a divorce, you don't feel celebration, you feel condemnation

* The Bible is 66 books with 1189 chapters and 31,102 verses

* Divorce is always bad, but it’s not always wrong

* Divorce is always bad, but it’s not always a sin

Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Matthew 19:3

When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus. John 12:9-11

“Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him. Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes a document of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house. 2 When she leaves his house, she is free to marry another man. Deuteronomy 24:1-2

“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” 5 And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” 7 “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked. 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. Matthew 19:4-8

* If a marriage is going to not just survive, but thrive, it takes two people with an open heart towards whatever God wants

And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.” Matthew 19:9

“For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” Malachi 2:16

3 REASONS FOR DIVORCE:

1. Physical abuse

2. Unrepented adultery

3. Abandonment

During the reign of King Josiah, the Lord said to me, “Have you seen what fickle Israel has done? Like a wife who commits adultery, Israel has worshiped other gods on every hill and under every green tree. 7 I thought, ‘After she has done all this, she will return to me.’ But she did not return, and her faithless sister Judah saw this. 8 She saw that I divorced faithless Israel because of her adultery. But that treacherous sister Judah had no fear, and now she, too, has left me and given herself to prostitution. Jeremiah 3:6-8

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

* Jesus loves you just like you are, but he loves you too much to let you stay that way

Seek First

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:55:58 GMT

Relationship Status Week #2

Seek First

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

What is your plan to put Jesus first?

Nobody has ever accidentally drifted closer to Jesus

What do I do that helps you feel first or important in our marriage?

3 things happen when you put your spouse at the center:

1. They will disappoint you

2. You set your spouse up for failure

Your spouse cannot handle the weight of your worship, only Jesus can

3. Substitution

When you put kids first:

1. Romance goes out the window

Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine. 3 How pleasing is your fragrance; your name is like the spreading fragrance of scented oils. No wonder all the young women love you! 4 Take me with you; come, let’s run! The king has brought me into his bedroom. Song of Solomon 1:2-4

Strengthen me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am weak with love. 6 His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. Song of Solomon 2:5-6

My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. Song of Solomon 2:16

You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace. 10 Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices. Song of Solomon 4:9-10

My lover has gone down to his garden, to his spice beds, to browse in the gardens and gather the lilies. 3 I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine. He browses among the lilies. Song of Solomon 6:2-3

How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O queenly maiden. Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of a skilled craftsman. 2 Your navel is perfectly formed like a goblet filled with mixed wine. Between your thighs lies a mound of wheat bordered with lilies. 3 Your breasts are like two fawns, twin fawns of a gazelle. 4 Your neck is as beautiful as an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the sparkling pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim. Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus. 5 Your head is as majestic as Mount Carmel, and the sheen of your hair radiates royalty. The king is held captive by its tresses. 6 Oh, how beautiful you are! How pleasing, my love, how full of delights! 7 You are slender like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters of fruit. 8 I said, “I will climb the palm tree and take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like grape clusters, and the fragrance of your breath like apples. 9 May your kisses be as exciting as the best wine— Yes, wine that goes down smoothly for my lover, flowing gently over lips and teeth. 10 I am my lover’s, and he claims me as his own. Come, my love, let us go out to the fields and spend the night among the wildflowers. 12 Let us get up early and go to the vineyards to see if the grapevines have budded, if the blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love. There the mandrakes give off their fragrance, and the finest fruits are at our door, new delights as well as old, which I have saved for you, my lover. Song of Solomon 7:1-13

2. Your desire becomes to control your child’s life

3. You set yourself up for long term frustration

3 things that are true if you don’t know Jesus:

1. No joy

2. No peace

3. No hope

Is Jesus first in your life?

Rock vs. Sand

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 13:35:03 GMT

Relationship Status - Week 1
Rock vs. Sand
Matthew 7:24-27

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

1. Sand = excited about the wedding
Rock = excited about the marriage

2. Sand = seeks to change
Rock = seeks to understand

* Would you rather have a spouse shaped in your image or God’s image?

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:73.

Sand = taking
Rock = giving

* Ask your spouse/partner--- what do I do that adds value to you?

4. Sand = blame
Rock = ownership

5. Sand = led by emotion
Rock = led by The Holy Spirit

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

My Redeemer Lives

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 21:26:23 GMT

August 31, 2025

My Redeemer Lives

Malachi 4:5-6; Luke 15:1-2

“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. Malachi 4:5

The people of God must get back to standing on the Word of God

You must not steal

You must not murder

You must not lie

The Word of God is not archaic, it is timeless

For some people, the next coming of Jesus will be great, and for others it will be dreadful

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. Luke 15:1

People who weren’t welcome in the Temple were welcome with Jesus

This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! Luke 15:2

His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Malachi 4:6

85% of teenagers with behavioral disorders do not have a father

70% of adolescents in drug and alcohol treatment centers have no father

90% of homeless and runaway children have no father

Children without a father are 900 times more likely to drop out of school

Over 90% of people in prison have no relationship with their father

If we are not careful, we will project the image of our earthly father unto our Heavenly Father

Jesus is proof that God has a heart for us

Jesus help me have a heart that fully belongs to you

The essence of Christianity is not what we do for God, it’s what God has done for us

The Power of the Shepherd

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:08:39 GMT

More than Conquerors Week #7

The Power of the Shepherd

Psalm 23:1-6

And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 1 Peter 5:4

- What does Jesus want to change in me?

1. Jesus, make me more aware of who you are

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1

- God is Holy

- Holy = perfect and without sin

2. Jesus, make me be aware of your ways

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:2-3

- We don’t draw lines, we draw circles

3. Jesus, make me aware of your presence

- We tend to not see the presence of Jesus in the middle of dark seasons

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me Psalm 23:4

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5

4. Jesus make me aware of your blessings

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:5

- Many times, we cannot focus on the feast because we are focused on the fight

5. Jesus, make me aware of your pursuit

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

The Power of Restoration

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:13:34 GMT

More than Conquerors - Week #6
The Power of Restoration
Matthew 12: 9-13

Things that are hidden cannot be healed

We will never find healing as long as we feel like we have to keep stuff hidden

Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) 11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! -Matthew 12:9-13

Confession is not telling God that you're doing something wrong, it's agreeing with God that what you're doing is wrong

You cannot be healed until you stop hiding. But when you stop hiding, God doesn't want to bring retribution, He wants to bring restoration

The Power of a Connected Church

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 13:51:04 GMT

More Than Conquerors - Week 5
Sunday, August 10, 2025
The Power Of A Connected Church

1. Connection
- Common Ground
1 Corinthians 9:22b: ”Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”
- Fellowship
Acts 2:42: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”
- The Body Of Christ
Colossians 1:18: “Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.
1 Corinthians 12:12 “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.”
- Joints and Ligaments
- Healing
James 5:16a: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Go to God for forgiveness, get to each other for healing. God uses people, but it still comes from God. It’s the process and our obedience that allows us to heal.
2. Discipleship- Discipleship begins in rows but comes alive in circles.
Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
- What starts in a row takes root in a circle.
- Discipleship becomes relational, not just instructional.

3. Protection
- Protection Is God’s Design
1 Corinthians 12:21-26: “21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes forharmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
- Life is hard, and we need a group that’s willing to cary us when we can’t walk through it.

-Community
- Meets Needs
Acts 2:44-47: And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple 2 each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

4. You’re Within Reach
1 Corinthians 9:22b: “Yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.”
- God changes lives in sermons, but He cements that change in relationships.
- Don’t underestimate the power of common ground.

The Power of the Stone

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:21:11 GMT

More than Conquerors Week #4

The Power of the Stone

1 Samuel 17:17-51

Be careful about making agreements with the enemy

1. Walking with Jesus is a journey

Spiritual growth is a process

Every reference to spiritual growth in the Scriptures is agricultural

One day Jesse said to David, “Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers. 18 And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.” 19 David’s brothers were with Saul and the Israelite army at the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines. 20 So David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the gifts, as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. 1 Samuel 17:17-20

2. There will always be obstacles

Soon the Israelite and Philistine forces stood facing each other, army against army. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel. 24 As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. 1 Samuel 17:21-24

Jesus always turns obstacles into opportunity

“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” 1 Samuel 17:32

3. There is victory in Christ

Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” 1 Samuel 17:41-44

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. 1 Samuel 17:48-51

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. Matthew 28:1-2

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

The Power of a Giving Church

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:45:11 GMT

More than Conquerors Week #3

The Power of a Giving Church

Matthew 6:19-24

1. What does the Bible say about money?

Q. Why does the Bible have so much to say about money?

A. Because money is the #1 competitor to your heart when it comes to you following Jesus

Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Genesis 4:2-5

3 ways you can give:

1. The Tithe— 10% of your gross income every year

2. The offering— anything above the tithe.

3. Generosity— when you see a need and you meet it.

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it Malachi 3:6-10

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:23-24

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Matthew 23:23

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:10-15

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. John 12:1-6

All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:44-45

that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:34-35

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:2-3

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

- You can’t out give God

2. Who or what does my wallet say that I worship?

- Worship is the core of who we are

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

We want to help you pray through one of three steps today:

1. Surrender

2. Strategy

Financial Peace University (Offer no longer available)

3. Sacrifice

The Power of a Serving Church

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:14:46 GMT

More than Conquerors Week #2 The Power of a Serving Church Mark 1:21-34

Do I really want to walk closer with Jesus?

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. 23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil[h] spirit cried out, 24 “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. 26 At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. Mark 1:21-26

The enemy never gives up without a fight

Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” 28 The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. 29 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. Mark 1:27-31

Serving is worship

That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. Mark 1:32-34

You can serve because:

1. You are gifted 2. You are qualified

3. You have time

4. You will grow in your walk with Jesus and change the world one person at a time

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

If YOU are ready to start serving, visit http://yourcentralchurch.com/serving

The Power of a Praying Church

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 06:39:58 GMT

More than Conquerors Week #1 The Power of a Praying Church Acts 12:1-17

Sometimes bad things happen to good people

But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 1 Peter 3:14

About that time King Herod Agrippa[a] began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) 4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. Acts 12:1-4

The enemy always wants us to feel overwhelmed and hopeless

But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Acts 12:5-7

God’s Word is stronger than the chains the enemy tries to use to hold us back
Prayer and participation go hand in hand

Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered. 9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. 10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him. 11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders[c] had planned to do to me!” 12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.” 16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place. Acts 12:8-17

Here Comes Trouble

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:58:36 GMT

I Love This Church Week #7 Here Comes Trouble Luke 4:14-30

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. Luke 4:14-16

The Spirit of God and The Word of God work together

The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day. Exodus 32:28

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. Acts 2:41

The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Luke 4:17-19

If we would lean into The Word of God and The Spirit of God, we will never have to live an unguided day in our life

and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” 20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” 22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” 23 Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown. 25 “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, Luke 4:19-29

We will never love a view more than we love you
If we are not open to what Jesus wants to do in us, we will become bitter, callous and miss out on His best for our lives

but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way. Luke 4:30

Rescued from Wrath

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 07:06:20 GMT

I Love This Church! - 6/29/25 Rescued from Wrath Ephesians 2:1-7 (NASB 1995)

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. -Ephesians 2:1-3

1. From God

2. By God

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, -Ephesians 2:4-6

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8

9 Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. -Romans 5:9

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. -Romans 5:10

3. For God

7 so that the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. -Ephesians 2:7

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; -1 Peter 2:9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. -Ephesians 2:8-10

The Prayer of Salvation

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:18:42 GMT

I Love This Church - Week #5 The Prayer of Salvation Matthew 7:21-23

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ Matthew 7:21-22

Christianity is not about what we do for God, it’s about what God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ

But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:23

Our relationship with God is not based on our performance, it is based on His love

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3

You can be born physically once. You can be born spiritually once.

The Prayer of Salvation:

“Jesus Christ”

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“I know that I am a sinner and I need forgiveness”

Every inclination in us is towards sin

As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. Romans 3:10

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

“And I need you as my Savior”

“I believe you died on the cross”

“And rose from the grave”

And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 1 Corinthians 15:14

“To pay for my sins”

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

“Right now, I confess you as Lord”

When we say this, 2 things happen:

1. There is an immediate change

2. There is ongoing change

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

“Come into my life and take over. Be my Lord, my God, my King and my Savior. All of me for all of you. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name I pray”

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

Jesus Christ, I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I need you as my Savior. I Believe you died on the cross and rose from the grave to pay for my sins. Right now, I confess you as Lord. Come into my life and take over. Be my Lord, My God, My King and my Savior. All of me for all of you. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name I pray...

Substitutionary Atonement

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 07:00:47 GMT

I Love This Church - Week #4 Substitutionary Atonement Genesis 2:15-17

Substitutionary = substitute Atonement = to pay for

The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” -Genesis 2:15-17

The enemy wants us to focus on what we can’t have and lose sight of how blessed we are

And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. -Genesis 3:21

But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time. -Exodus 12:13-14

“Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. 25 When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. -Exodus 12:24-25

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! -John 1:29

Jesus is the Lamb of God

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” -Luke 22:7-8

Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” -Luke 22:17-19

Somebody had to pay for our sin

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. -Luke 17:20

Communion is an opportunity to: 1. Look back 2. Look around 3. Look ahead

Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” -Matthew 26:29

Connected to the Head and the Body

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 07:39:44 GMT

I love This Church - Week #3 Connected to the Head and the Body Matthew 16:13-19

There is nothing that has the potential to bring change to the world like the local church

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” -Matthew 16:13

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” -Matthew 16:14

The strength of our nation is not necessarily who is in Washington, but more specifically who is in our churches

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” -Matthew 16:15

Jesus always makes it personal

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” -Matthew 16:16

Messiah = Savior
When Jesus died on the cross, He gave us power over sin
Sin is too big to take on by ourselves

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. -Matthew 16:17

We need the help of God and the help of others

How could one person chase a thousand of them, and two people put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the Lord had given them up? -Deuteronomy 32:30

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” -Matthew 16:18-19

Vision

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:53:10 GMT

I love This Church - Week #2 Vision Acts 19:8-10; 23-27

1. Do I want to become a better person?

2. Do I want Carroll to be a better community?

Our Vision: To create an environment where people, all people, can experience the presence of Jesus every single week
It is impossible to experience the presence of Jesus and stay the same
Jesus did not die on the cross so the church could establish a behavior modification program
Before we change externally, Jesus changes us internally

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Acts 19:8-10

About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” Acts 19:23-27

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Sun, 25 May 2025 10:50:26 GMT

I Love This Church! Week 1 - May 25, 2025 Different Strokes for Different Folks Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-5

5 Different types of people:

1. Someone in need

2. Someone who cares

Compassion = taking action

3. Someone who is unaware

We can never be so focused on one thing that we lose sight of the focus of Jesus, which is, people far from God

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5

Jesus will often give us what we need before He gives us what we want

4. Someone who is critical

The most critical people in the Bible were the religious people

But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” Mark 2:6-12

5. Someone who needs to be changed

The Ember Still Burns

Mon, 19 May 2025 07:33:00 GMT

May 18, 2025 The Ember Still Burns 2 Timothy 1:6

1. Faith Ignited — Peter’s Spark

“Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” -Luke 5:10-11

• When Jesus calls you, He’s not just seeing who you are right now—He’s seeing who you’ll become when His purpose sets your soul on fire.

• God doesn’t light the fire to impress you — He lights it to empower you.”

• The spark is not the destination — it’s the invitation to step into a new season.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” -Ecclesiastes 3:1

“At the proper time, we will reap a harvest — if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9

2. When the Fire Fades – Faith Tested

• “Failure doesn’t extinguish your fire — it reveals what kind of fuel your faith runs on.”

“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’” -Matthew 14:31

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” -Luke 22:61

• Your flame may flicker in fear, but it’s not extinguished in failure.

3. Faith Sustained

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” -John 21:15-17

• You may feel like the fire has dimmed — but God still sees the ember.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. -2 Timothy 1:6

• Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to get a new fire — he says stir up what’s already there.

• Jesus didn’t give Peter a pep talk — He gave him a purpose: Feed my sheep.

4. Faith Refined — Champions Are Formed in the Ember

“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…” -Acts 2:14

• If you want to make a Kingdom impact, stop waiting to be on fire — and start living as the ember.

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” -Acts 2:38

• When you let the ember forge your faith, you stop being just a church attender — and you become a Kingdom sustainer.

5. Faith Mobilized — Be the Ember

“Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand…” -1 Peter 5:6

“Add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control…” -2 Peter 1:5–7

“We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” -Acts 4:20

• “You don’t have to chase revival when you are revival — faithful, steady, burning with purpose.”

• The ember is not the end — it’s the fire that fuels others.

With a Horn and a Torch

Mon, 12 May 2025 07:32:26 GMT

Trapped Week #7 With a Horn and a Torch Judges 7:16-25

1. What do I really want to see Jesus do in and through me?

Why is it we think so small when we have a God who is so big?

2. What is the next step I need to take in order to make that happen?

He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. 17 Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. Judges 7:16-17

We need to stay focused on the vision God has given us

As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’” 19 It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. 20 Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Judges 7:18-20

Gideon had a vision

Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. 22 When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. 23 Then Gideon sent for the warriors of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, who joined in chasing the army of Midian. 24 Gideon also sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down to attack the Midianites. Cut them off at the shallow crossings of the Jordan River at Beth-barah.” So all the men of Ephraim did as they were told. 25 They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders, killing Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. And they continued to chase the Midianites. Afterward the Israelites brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan River. Judges 7:21-25

Into the Enemy's Camp

Mon, 05 May 2025 07:40:26 GMT

Trapped Week #6 Into the Enemy’s Camp Judges 7:8-15

Worship enables us to destroy what the enemy intends to use to destroy us
Gideon probably felt confused, discouraged and filled with doubt

The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon. 9 That night the Lord said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! Judges 7:8-9

Victims never walk in victory

But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. Judges 7:10

The grace of God will meet us exactly where we are, but He loves us too much to let us stay that way
Purah = branch or coverage; one who bears fruit

But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. 11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.” So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. 12 The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! 13 Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, “I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!” Judges 7:10-13

His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!” 15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, “Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!” Judges 7:14-15

When we worship, we start thinking like God thinks and we start speaking like God speaks
Worship enables us to destroy what the enemy intends to use to destroy us

Pruning Season

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 07:58:14 GMT

Trapped Week #5 Pruning Season Judges 7:1-8 God’s thoughts are higher and God’s ways are greater

So Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon) and his army got up early and went as far as the spring of Harod. The armies of Midian were camped north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. Judges 7:1-2

We can either humble ourselves before God or be humbled by God

Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight. Judges 7:3

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. John 15:1-2

Things we fear:

1. Fear of failure

Failure is what happens when we don’t get back up

Failure isn’t final

2. Fear of rejection

3. Fear of the unknown

But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.” 5 When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the Lord told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.” 6 Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream. 7 The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.” 8 So Gideon collected the provisions and rams’ horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the 300 men with him. Judges 7:4-8 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 The consequences of concealment are far greater than the consequences of confession But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness 1 John 1:9

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16

The Power of the Resurrection

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 06:09:41 GMT

Easter 2025 The Power of the Resurrection Luke 22:42-44; 22:54; 23:32-33; 24:5-6

5 Things we can relate to in the Easter Story:

1. Confusion In His time, Jesus will bring clarity out of confusion 2. Stress “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. -Luke 22:42-44

3. Labeled

So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. -Luke 22:54

The enemy will always try to label us

Labels lock us in and lock God out

4. Abandoned

At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. -Matthew 26:56 5. Suffering

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. -Luke 23:32-33

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” -Matthew 27:4 Easter is about the resurrection

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee -Luke 24:5-6 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. -Romans 8:11

The resurrection > confusion

The resurrection > stress

The resurrection > labels

The resurrection > abandonment

The resurrection > suffering

Resurrection = reunion

From the Pit to the Threshing Floor

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 07:26:07 GMT

Trapped Week #4 From the Pit to the Threshing Floor Judges 6:33-40

When it comes to the role of The Holy Spirit in our lives, He’s there, we’re just not always aware

I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matthew 3:11

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:18

1. The Holy Spirit prepares us

Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. Judges 6:33

It is essential to allow The Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts and minds

2. The Holy Spirit empowers us

Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. 35 He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded. Judges 6:34-35

The power of sin is strong
The power of God’s Word and God’s Spirit are stronger than the power of sin

As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. 6 At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. Judges 14:5-6

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

God creates... Satan counterfeits

3. The Holy Spirit guides us

Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, 37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” Judges 6:36-37

Sometimes God brings us from the pit to the threshing floor, and we didn't even notice how far He's brought us

And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew. Judges 6:38-40

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you Romans 8:11

Still Not Tolerant

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 06:59:38 GMT

Trapped Week #3 Still not Tolerant Judges 6:25-31

God’s Grace is Amazing

There is always a way out of the pit

That night the Lord said to Gideon, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. Judges 6:25

Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles. Zechariah 9:12

Then build an altar to the Lord your God here on this hilltop sanctuary, laying the stones carefully. Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.” Judges 6:26

Pride is a sin

Pride is the thing we can’t see in the mirror

Pride is when we obsess over the sins of others, so we don’t have to deal with the sins in our own lives

You cannot separate Jesus and politics

It’s not what we say, it’s how we say it

There are only two genders, male and female, and God decides/assigns the genders

You cannot destroy the property of people just because we don’t like the creator of the product

Men can’t have babies

Men should not be allowed to compete with women

Masculinity is not toxic

A peace keeper appeases everyone. But a peace maker will fight to keep the peace

So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord had commanded. But he did it at night because he was afraid of the other members of his father’s household and the people of the town. Judges 6:27

You can absolutely be a Christian and not be involved in a church, but you cannot follow Jesus and not be involved in the church

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Ephesians 1:22-23

Early the next morning, as the people of the town began to stir, someone discovered that the altar of Baal had been broken down and that the Asherah pole beside it had been cut down. In their place a new altar had been built, and on it were the remains of the bull that had been sacrificed. 29 The people said to each other, “Who did this?” And after asking around and making a careful search, they learned that it was Gideon, the son of Joash. 30 “Bring out your son,” the men of the town demanded of Joash. “He must die for destroying the altar of Baal and for cutting down the Asherah pole.” 31 But Joash shouted to the mob that confronted him, “Why are you defending Baal? Will you argue his case? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal truly is a god, let him defend himself and destroy the one who broke down his altar!” Judges 6:28-31

Patient Not Tolerant

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 06:40:24 GMT

Trapped - Week #2 - March 30, 2025 Patient Not Tolerant Judges 6:15-24

God is patient, He is not tolerant

If Jesus is doing a work in our life, eventually it will be undeniable

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” Judges 6:15

When we start to see Jesus more clearly, we will follow Him more closely

Limitations lead to desperation

The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Judges 6:16

I will be with you and you will be a good spouse

I will be with you and you will be a good parent

I will be with you will be able to take your next step

God will never call you to do what He will not fulfill through you, if you’ll simply be obedient to it

Gideon replied, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me. 18 Don’t go away until I come back and bring my offering to you.” He answered, “I will stay here until you return.” Judges 6:17-18

If you’re not as close to Jesus as you once were... He didn’t move, you did

Gideon hurried home. He cooked a young goat, and with a basket of flour he baked some bread without yeast. Then, carrying the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, he brought them out and presented them to the angel, who was under the great tree. Judges 6:19

It’s when we get in the presence of God that we find His direction

The angel of God said to him, “Place the meat and the unleavened bread on this rock, and pour the broth over it.” And Gideon did as he was told. Judges 6:20

We don’t have to understand God to trust God

Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and bread with the tip of the staff in his hand, and fire flamed up from the rock and consumed all he had brought. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, I’m doomed! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” 23 “It is all right,” the Lord replied. “Do not be afraid. You will not die.” Judges 6:21-23

When we get real and honest with God He will speak into our situation

Repent (metanoia) means- the changing of the mind

And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the Lord is peace”). The altar remains in Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer to this day. Judges 6:24

It is impossible to be worried, anxious or depressed in those moments where we are intentionally focus everything on Jesus

Trapped in the Pit

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:49:04 GMT

Trapped - Week #1 - March 23, 2025 Trapped in the Pit Judges 6:1-14

Nobody likes feeling trapped

The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. 2 The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, 4 camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. 5 These enemy hordes, coming with their livestock and tents, were as thick as locusts; they arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare. 6 So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help. Judges 6:1-6

Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. Judges 6:11

There are two metaphors for The Holy Spirit in the New Testament; Fire and Wind

As we make ourselves available to The Holy Spirit, He will sift us

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” Judges 6:12

Jesus meets us in the pit

Jesus doesn’t speak to our past, He speaks to our potential

“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Judges 6:13

Victims never walk in victory

What would happen if we made ourselves available to The Spirit of God and we allowed The Word of God to direct our steps?

Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” Judges 6:14

When Jesus speaks to us in the pit, He’s speaking affirmation, not condemnation

Jesus... through the power of your Holy Spirit and your word remove from me what does not belong and replace it with all that you want. I am yours. Amen

Following With Gratitude

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:58:23 GMT

Following God into the Unknown - Week #7 Following with Gratitude Exodus 15:22-25; 16:1-4; Numbers 11:4-6; 14:1-4

As followers of Jesus Christ, we should have a consistent attitude of gratitude God will make a way when there is no way

Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. Exodus 15:22

The miracle that God wants to do in and through you is in direct proportion to the problem that's in front of you

When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”). Exodus 15:23

Bitterness and gratitude can't occupy the same space

Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded. 25 So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink. Exodus 15:24-25

Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. 2 There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. 3 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” Exodus 16:1-3

The enemy wants us to glorify the past

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. Exodus 16:4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. 5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. 6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!” Numbers 11:4-6

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Numbers 14:1-3

Right before we step into the Promise Land, the enemy is trying to get us back to slavery

Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” Numbers 14:4

It took 40 days to get Israel out of Egypt. But it took 40 years to get Egypt out of Israel

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Breaking Free: Finding Liberty in the Face of Chaos

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 06:26:11 GMT

Following God into the Unknown - Week 6 - March 9, 2025 Breaking Free: Finding Liberty in the Face of Chaos

How will we respond to the presence of God?

Plague #1 River turned to blood (Exodus 7:15-18)

15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is going out to the water. Stand on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that turned into a serpent. 16 And you shall say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.” But so far, you have not obeyed. 17 Thus says the LORD, “By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile shall die, and the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians will grow weary of drinking water from the Nile.

Everything We Trust in Can Fail — But God Never Does.
When we elevate anything above God, we risk having it exposed as powerless.
Even When Life Feels Out of Control — God Is Moving

Psalm 46:1-2 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Plague #2 The Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15)

3 The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. 4 The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants.

Chaos Invades the Ordinary.

Plague #3 Gnats (Exodus 8:17-19)

17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

God’s hand is at work not just in big miracles, but also in the small, seemingly insignificant moments of our lives.

Plague #4 Flies (Exodus 8:20-32)

20 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.

He calls us to surrender, not negotiate.

Plague #5 Plague on Livestock (Exodus 9:1-7)

1…..“Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the Lord will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.

Holding on to what no longer serves us only deepens our pain and frustration, preventing healing and growth.

Plague #6 Boils (Exodus 9:8-12)

8 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.”

Even when no one else understands, God sees you, knows your heart, and offers His comfort and peace.

Plague #7 Hail (Exodus 9:13-35)

14 For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth…. 20 Then whoever feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, 21 but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field.

The choices we make don't just impact us—they influence everyone around us.

Plague #8 Locusts (Exodus 10:1-20)

16 Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore, forgive my sin, please, only this once, and plead with the Lord your God only to remove this death from me.” 18 So he went out from Pharaoh and pleaded with the Lord. 19 And the Lord turned the wind into a very strong west wind, which lifted the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust was left in all the country of Egypt. 20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go.

Total surrender is what God desires, not a conditional, bargain-driven faith.

Plague #9 Darkness (Exodus 10:21-29)

27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” 29 Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”

No matter how deep the darkness may feel, God promises to illuminate our path and bring us to freedom.

Plague #10 Firstborn (Exodus 12:29-32)

30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead. 31 Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said. 32 Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!”

The reality of sin’s judgment is clear, yet Jesus' sacrifice grants us mercy and eternal life.

Right Now Counts Forever

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 07:55:49 GMT

Following God into the Unknown - Week 5 - March 2, 2025 Right Now Counts Forever Matthew 25:14-30

"Right now counts forever" -R.C. Sproul

The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains,The world, and those who live in it. -Psalms 24:1 NASB

14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents. 17 In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. 19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ 22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ 24 “Now the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed. 25 And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours.’ 26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed? 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ 29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 And throw the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. -Matthew 25:14-30

Stewardship: noun The job of supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property.

It’s about investments
What’s the state of your heart towards Christ and the Kingdom?
Rags to riches to rags to riches

Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom. -Luke 12:32

Following God Through the Process

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 07:17:27 GMT

Following God into the Unknown - Week #4 Following God Through the Process Exodus 1:8-11; 5:1-5; 5:22-23; 6:1-8

God’s power and God’s process work together
God is fighting for me

Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done. 9 He said to his people, “Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are. Exodus 1:8-9

When the people of God start living for the purpose of God and start working together, there is nothing that we can’t accomplish

We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country. Exodus 1:10

The enemy has a plan to keep you from growing

So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king. Exodus 1:11

After this presentation to Israel’s leaders, Moses and Aaron went and spoke to Pharaoh. They told him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go so they may hold a festival in my honor in the wilderness.” 2 “Is that so?” retorted Pharaoh. “And who is the Lord? Why should I listen to him and let Israel go? I don’t know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.” 3 But Aaron and Moses persisted. “The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they declared. “So let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness so we can offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. If we don’t, he will kill us with a plague or with the sword.” 4 Pharaoh replied, “Moses and Aaron, why are you distracting the people from their tasks? Get back to work! 5 Look, there are many of your people in the land, and you are stopping them from their work.” Exodus 5:1-5

Whenever we say that we want to break free from slavery, the enemy is going to fight twice as hard to keep you in bondage

Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!” Exodus 5:22-23

Then the Lord told Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave his land!” 2 And God said to Moses, “I am Yahweh—‘the Lord.’ 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them. Exodus 6:1-3

“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. 7 I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. 8 I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’” Exodus 6:6-8

Doubt always leads to discouragement and discouragement will lead to denial
God will set His people apart in His time

Plugging Into Jesus

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 07:32:06 GMT

Following God into the Unknown - Week #3 Plugging into Jesus Exodus 4:1-17

We are designed to go through life plugged into Jesus

But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Exodus 4:1

People will sometimes cause us to unplug from what God really wants to do in our life

Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. 3 “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. 4 Then the Lord told him, “Reach out and grab its tail.” So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand. 5 “Perform this sign,” the Lord told him. “Then they will believe that the Lord, the God of their ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—really has appeared to you.” 6 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out again, his hand was white as snow with a severe skin disease.[a] 7 “Now put your hand back into your cloak,” the Lord said. So Moses put his hand back in, and when he took it out again, it was as healthy as the rest of his body. 8 The Lord said to Moses, “If they do not believe you and are not convinced by the first miraculous sign, they will be convinced by the second sign. 9 And if they don’t believe you or listen to you even after these two signs, then take some water from the Nile River and pour it out on the dry ground. When you do, the water from the Nile will turn to blood on the ground.” 10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” 11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Exodus 4:2-11

God is not interested in our ability, He’s interested in our availability

God does not call the equipped, He equips the called

Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” 13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” 14 Then the Lord became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. 15 Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. Exodus 4:12-15

You can’t do life alone

Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say. 17 And take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.” Exodus 4:16-17

I AM

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 07:40:25 GMT

Following God into the Unknown - Week #2 I AM Exodus 3:7-14

Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. Exodus 3:7

God says: I have seen; I have heard; I am aware

So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. Exodus 3:8

When you're a slave, you cannot conceive how much freedom you can have in Christ

Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:9-11

1. I’m too bad

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines

2. I’ve ran too far

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. Galatians 1:15-16

3. It’s too late for me

Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. Deuteronomy 34:7

God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” 13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:12-14

Is anyone aware of how much I’m struggling right now? “I AM.”

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Romans 7:15-19

Is anyone able to put my broken life back together? “I AM.”

Is anyone willing to love me in my current condition? “I AM.”

Shoeless on Holy Ground

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:27:50 GMT

Following God into the Unknown - Week #1 Shoeless on Holy Ground Exodus 1-3

Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done. 9 He said to his people, “Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are. Exodus 1:8-9

If a body of believers puts their eyes on Jesus and loves one another we can absolutely steamroll the works of the enemy and the enemy himself.

We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country.” 11 So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king. Exodus 1:10-11

We are in the middle of a spiritual war

But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became. 13 So the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy. Exodus 1:12-13

The enemy wants our minds to work overtime

The enemy has a way of making us slaves

Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.” Exodus 1:22

About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. 2 The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River. 4 The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him. 5 Soon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her attendants walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. 6 When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said. 7 Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” she asked. 8 “Yes, do!” the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby’s mother. Exodus 2:1-8

God take our enemies and use them to promote us

“Take this baby and nurse him for me,” the princess told the baby’s mother. “I will pay you for your help.” So the woman took her baby home and nursed him. 10 Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, “I lifted him out of the water.” 11 Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. 12 After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand. Exodus 2:9-12

If you’re going to live out God’s purpose, you also need to work God’s plan

The next day, when Moses went out to visit his people again, he saw two Hebrew men fighting. “Why are you beating up your friend?” Moses said to the one who had started the fight. 14 The man replied, “Who appointed you to be our prince and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?” Then Moses was afraid, thinking, “Everyone knows what I did.” 15 And sure enough, Pharaoh heard what had happened, and he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian. Exodus 2:13-15

When God removes something from your life, He replaces it with something better

Even though you buried something in the sand several years ago, God still has a plan

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. Exodus 3:1-2

We don’t find God, He finds us

“This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” 4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. 5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. Exodus 3:3-5

Answering the Call

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 07:45:23 GMT

Fully Alive in 2025 - Week 5 - January 26, 2025 Answering the Call Isaiah 6:1-8

OUR PATHWAY TO GROWTH! 1. Attend Regularly And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -Hebrews 10:24(ESV) • When we gather together regularly, we create an atmosphere of encouragement and hope that we can’t experience on our own. • Making church a regular part of my life helps us stay grounded, focused, and connected to what truly matters. 2. Connect Relationally Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11(ESV) • Connecting with others in church creates an authentic, supportive community where we lift each other up and remind each other of our hope in Christ. • Why CONNECT GROUPS? • Connect groups turn church from a place you visit into a community you belong to. 3. Serve Purposefully For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10(ESV) • When we serve with intention, it creates a ripple effect that touches both our own lives and the lives of others. • Faith in action is where it becomes real and tangible. When we show compassion and serve others, we put God's love into practice. 4. Give Generously give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” -Luke 6:38(ESV) • When we give generously, we are unlocking the door for God to do impossible • Faithfulness in generosity allows us to step into God’s provision, trusting that He will supply what we can give. 5. Invite Boldly How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” -Romans 10:14-15(ESV) • Church isn’t just a building; it’s a community of people who belong together. We invite others not just to a service but to a family—a place where they can find support, connection, and growth.

Position Yourself

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 07:34:43 GMT

Fully Alive in 2025 Week #4 Position Yourself John 4:46-54; John 5:5-9; John 9:6-7

Listen to Jesus and do what He says
In order to listen to Jesus, we have to put ourselves in a position where we can hear his voice on a consistent basis

As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die. John 4:46-47

If we want to follow Jesus, we have to, on a consistent basis, position ourselves to where we can hear His voice

Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” 49 The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” 50 Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. John 4:48-50

A lot of the times we miss Jesus’ working because we're not willing to walk in the direction he told us to walk
The enemy always tries to get us to stop walking by throwing discouragement our way

While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. 52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. 54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. John 4:51-54

On the other side of obedience are opportunities for miracles that would blow our minds.

One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, John 5:5-9

Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! John 9:6-7

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Fully Alive

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 07:59:02 GMT

Fully Alive in 2025 - Week #3 Fully Alive Luke 15:1-10

You and I will become fully alive when we connect to the person AND the purposes of Jesus Christ.
Until we buy into what God wants, our hearts will never experience the life that He promised us that we could have.

A church is fully alive when it is relentless in reaching the lost.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. Luke 15:1

People that were nothing like Jesus liked Jesus, and Jesus liked people that were nothing like Him.

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:2

Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:3-10 TO BE A CHURCH THAT IS FULLY ALIVE WE MUST: 1. Realize something is lost

When something of value to us is lost, we’re not passive when it comes to finding it.
Change is not possible until Jesus takes a dead heart and turns it into a live one.

2. Be dedicated to God's call

3. Celebrate what God is doing

Under His Umbrella

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 08:26:56 GMT

Fully Alive in 2025

Under His Umbrella

John 2:1-10

If we would just get under what God has put over us, then we could get over what God has put under us.

1. The Holy Spirit makes us aware of our need for Jesus

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” John 2:1-3

The happiness that the world can bring us will eventually run out
Eventually anything not connected to Jesus will run out

“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:4-5

2. In His time and by His power, The Holy Spirit will change us

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. John 2:6-8

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

3. The Holy Spirit wants the best for our lives

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:9-10

Jesus, Help Me Feel Alive

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 12:41:07 GMT

Fully Alive in 2025 Week #1 Jesus, Help Me Feel Alive Isaiah 55:8-9

Our thinking compared to God's thinking is incredibly limited

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Jesus, give me your thoughts, show me your ways, help me feel more alive

HOW WE CAN KNOW GOD’S THOUGHTS AND WAYS:

His Church

If you love Jesus... church isn’t an option

But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. Acts 8:3

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Acts 9:3-4

Power is attracted to presence

Here are a few things you can commit to:

Attend Regularly ________ Serve Purposefully ________

Connect Relationally________

Give Generously ________ Invite Boldly________

The Word of God

The Word of God is the Will of God

The Word always leads to His Will

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Sign up to commit to the Bible reading group by emailing pastorryan@yourcentralchurch.com

His Spirit

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:16-17

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. John 16:12-13

The Spirit will guide us about our future

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

Unwrapping the Savior

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 06:45:54 GMT

Unwrapping Christmas Week #4 Unwrapping the Savior

3 types of people Jesus came for:

1. The messy

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. -Luke 2:1-8

2. The weak

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. -Luke 1:35

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” -Matthew 2:13

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. -Matthew 2:19

When we resist what God wants to do in us, spiritually something inside of us dies

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

3. The confused

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” -Luke 1:34

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. -Luke 1:38

Mary didn’t understand the “what” but she understood the “who”

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” -Matthew 1:20-21

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” -Luke 2:8-12

Unwrapping the Message

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 07:19:41 GMT

Unwrapping Christmas - Week 3 - December 15, 2024 Unwrapping the Message

In the course of time, Judah arranged for his firstborn son, Er, to marry a young woman named Tamar. 7But Er was a wicked man in the LORD's sight, so the LORD took his life. 8Then Judah said to Er’s brother Onan, “Go and marry Tamar, as our law requires of the brother of a man who has died. You must produce an heir for your brother.” 9But Onan was not willing to have a child who would not be his own heir. So whenever he had intercourse with his brother’s wife, he spilled the semen on the ground. This prevented her from having a child who would belong to his brother. 10But the LORD considered it evil for Onan to deny a child to his dead brother. So the LORD took Onan's life, too. 11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in law, “Go back to your parents' home and remain a widow until my son Shelah is old enough to marry you.” (But Judah didn't really intend to do this because he was afraid Shelah would also die, like his two brothers.) So Tamar went back to live in her father's home. -Genesis 38:6-11

We typically make poor decisions when we are desperate

“What kind of guarantee do you want?” he replied. She answered, “Leave me your identification seal and its cord and the walking stick you are carrying.” So Judah gave them to her. Then he had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant. -Genesis 38:18

When the time came for Tamar to give birth, it was discovered that she was carrying twins. 28While she was in labor, one of the babies reached out his hand. The midwife grabbed it and tied a scarlet string around the child's wrist, announcing, “This one came out first.” 29But then he pulled back his hand, and out came his brother! “What!” the midwife exclaimed. “How did you break out first?” So he was named Perez, 30Then the baby with the scarlet string on his wrist was born, and he was named Zerah. -Genesis 38:27-30

Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. -Joshua 2:1

Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and the others in her house will be spared, for she protected our spies. -Joshua 6:17

Meanwhile, Joshua said to the two spies, "Keep your promise. Go to the prostitute's house and bring her out, along with all her family." -Joshua 6:22

So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. -Ruth 1:22

One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it." -Ruth 2:2

Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” 6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi.” -Ruth 2:5-6

In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. 2Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite." 4Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.” -2 Samuel 11:1-3

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: 2Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). -Matthew 1:1-3

Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba) -Matthew 1:5-6

Unwrapping the Gift

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 07:22:17 GMT

Unwrapping Christmas Week #2 Unwrapping the Gift Romans 5:1-11

8 Gifts Unwrapped

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. –1 Peter 2:24

• Faith is the key to victory because faith is the way we experience being born of God.

For a child has been born for us; a son has been given to us. And the dominion will be on his shoulder, and his name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His dominion will grow continually, and to peace there will be no end on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and sustain it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7

1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. –Romans 5:1(NIV)

• Peace Unwrapped

20 It was through what his Son did that God cleared a path for everything to come to him—all things in heaven and on earth—for Christ’s death on the cross has made peace with God for all by his blood. 21 This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies and hated him and were separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. -Colossians 1:20-21

2. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. –Romans 5:2(NLT)

• Access Unwrapped

3. Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. –Romans 5:2 (NIV)

• Hope Unwrapped

4. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. –Romans 5:3, 4 (NIV)

• Perseverance Unwrapped

5. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts …. –Romans 5:5 (NIV)

• Love Unwrapped

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. –John 3:16 (NIV)

6. The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. –Romans 5:5 (NIV)

• Holy Spirit Unwrapped

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. –John 14:16-18 (NIV)

7. Much more than, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. –Romans 5:9-10 (NIV)

• Deliverance Unwrapped

8. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. –Romans 5:11 (NIV)

• Joy Unwrapped

Unwrapping Restoration

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 08:45:24 GMT

Unwrapping Christmas Week #1 Unwrapping Restoration Matthew 1:19-24; 2:13-21

Listen to the voice of Jesus and do what He says

Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. Matthew 1:19-24

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Matthew 2:13

Sometimes God will call us to go to uncomfortable places

He may call you to tell someone you’re sorry

He may call you to ask somebody for forgiveness

That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” 16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Matthew 2:14-16

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. Matthew 2:19-22

The enemy will always try and hit us with fear

So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:23

An Attitude of Gratitude

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:38:03 GMT

Thanksgiving 2024 An Attitude of Gratitude Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

1. Don’t freak out

Do not be anxious about anything

When we get captivated by a problem, we can’t get captivated by God

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ Matthew 6:31

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:27

2. Talk it out

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

If you don’t talk it out, you’ll act it out

Prayer is simply communicating with God

We need to be thankful

3. You will experience peace

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

***Feel free to join us by using a sheet of paper or blank thank you card***

God, I’m thankful to You for these things in my life...
God, I’m thankful to You for placing these people in my life...
God, I’m thankful for my Church because...

Not a Skin Issue, a Sin Issue

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 07:56:26 GMT

Unpopular Week #7 Not a Skin Issue, a Sin Issue Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

Racism isn’t born, it’s taught

Why do people become racist over time?

1. We were a victim of hatred

2. It was taught to us

3. Arrogance

Arrogance destroys relationships

4. Ignorance

5. Unbelief

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:20

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

If whoever is good enough for God, then whoever needs to be good enough for the people of God
Racism is not a skin issue, it is a sin issue

But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. James 2:9

What do we need to do?

1. Recognize our prejudices

Prejudice = prejudging

2. Seek to understand those who might be different than us

3. Love those who are different from us.

Racism is not the presence of hatred, it is the absence of love

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37

Theory or Truth?

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 07:46:21 GMT

Unpopular – Week #6 Theory or Truth? 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 8:37

Critical Theory = my identity is based on my gender, my race or my sexual orientation

Biblical Faith = my identity is based on who I am in Christ

• First Identity

• Primary Identity

• Jesus didn’t die to be a part of our life, He came and died to be our life

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! -2 Corinthians 5:17

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20

• The word repentance comes from the Greek word metanoia, which means to change the way you think

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. -Romans 12:2

• Critical theory is all about my thoughts

• Biblical Faith is all about God’s thoughts

2 main expressions that come out of Critical Theory:

1. “I’m living out my truth”

2. “If it feels good, do it

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. -Isaiah 55:8-9

God has revealed Himself to us in 2 primary ways:

1. The person of Jesus

2. The Holy Scriptures

Critical Theory = Victim / Victimizer

Biblical Faith = Overwhelmed / Overcomer

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. -Romans 8:37

Politics in the Church?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:13:48 GMT

Unpopular Week #5 - November 3, 2024

Politics in the Church?

Daniel 2:1-19; 24-30; 46-4 Christianity is a personal issue, but it’s not a private issue We are called to be the salt of the earth

There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon. Daniel 5:11

One night during the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had such disturbing dreams that he couldn’t sleep. 2 He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and he demanded that they tell him what he had dreamed. As they stood before the king, 3 he said, “I have had a dream that deeply troubles me, and I must know what it means.” 4 Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “Long live the king! Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means.” 5 But the king said to the astrologers, “I am serious about this. If you don’t tell me what my dream was and what it means, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into heaps of rubble! 6 But if you tell me what I dreamed and what the dream means, I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors. Just tell me the dream and what it means!” 7 They said again, “Please, Your Majesty. Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means.” 8 The king replied, “I know what you are doing! You’re stalling for time because you know I am serious when I say, 9 ‘If you don’t tell me the dream, you are doomed.’ So you have conspired to tell me lies, hoping I will change my mind. But tell me the dream, and then I’ll know that you can tell me what it means.” 10 The astrologers replied to the king, “No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer! 11 The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.” 12 The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. 13 And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. 14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. Daniel 2:1-14

A Christian who has a political opinion doesn't have to be mean

He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened. 16 Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant. 17 Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. Daniel 2:15-17 The greatest form of censorship in America today is self-censorship He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon. 19 That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. Daniel 2:18-19

Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, whom the king had ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, “Don’t kill the wise men. Take me to the king, and I will tell him the meaning of his dream.” 25 Arioch quickly took Daniel to the king and said, “I have found one of the captives from Judah who will tell the king the meaning of his dream!” 26 The king said to Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar), “Is this true? Can you tell me what my dream was and what it means?” 27 Daniel replied, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed. 29 “While Your Majesty was sleeping, you dreamed about coming events. He who reveals secrets has shown you what is going to happen. 30 And it is not because I am wiser than anyone else that I know the secret of your dream, but because God wants you to understand what was in your heart. Daniel 2:24-30

Then King Nebuchadnezzar threw himself down before Daniel and worshiped him, and he commanded his people to offer sacrifices and burn sweet incense before him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.” 48 Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men. 49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court. Daniel 2:46-49 Spirit of God People of God Purpose of God Blessing of God

Dealing with Feelings

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 06:19:49 GMT

Unpopular - Week 4 - October 20, 2024 Dealing with Feelings 2 Corinthians 10:5

Emotional Health- The ability to manage feelings, think, and cope with life events.
When conflict arises, we can have effective confrontations!
Inward-focused tools- Self-Awareness, Self-Belief, and Self-Regulation
Outward-focused tools- Social Awareness, Belief About Others, and Relationship Skills.

1. Think Before Acting

“casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;” -2 Corinthians 10:5 (ASV)

2. Identify Feelings

“Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.” -Psalms 31:9 (NIV)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” -Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

3. Be Aware Of Emotions And Reactions

5. Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit? -2 Corinthians 13:5

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” -Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

4. Express Emotions Appropriately

5. Stress Management

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” -John 14:27 (NLT)

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” -Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

“And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?” -Matthew 6:27 (NASB)

6. Coping Skills

“6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)

“3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” -Proverbs 3:3-6 (ESV)

7. Connecting With Others

“18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” -2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (HCSB)

Connect Relationally
We’ve been lied to or are lying to ourselves.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” -Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV)

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! -Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

Pray for God's wisdom: Ask God to help recognize and evaluate your emotions.
Receive God's grace: Acknowledge difficult days and ask for God's grace.
Ask for help: Don't be afraid to reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor for help. Get connected to someone who can help you!

The Blueprint of Truth

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 06:32:10 GMT

Unpopular - Week 3 - October 13, 2024 The Blueprint of Truth Matthew 16:18

1. The Foundation

“On this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” – Matthew 16:18

Jesus gave us the blueprints for us to live sacrificially and lay down our lives for the glory of God.
God’s Truth is not a suggestion but rather it’s why He created it to protect those He loved.

2. Relentless Pursuit of Jesus

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,….But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, ….For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21

Be bold enough to seek an adventure that can move you to a whole new identity.

“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” -Proverbs 11:24-25

3. Sin and Its Wages

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

It is out of love that God points out our sin.
The reality of God’s destiny for us cannot change simply because we don’t accept it.

“For our struggle is not against human opponents but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.”– Ephesians 6:12

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” - 2 Timothy 1:7

4. The Reward

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 6:1

The Gospel demands that we set our sights on a Heavenly reward and not earthly praise.

A Helper Uniquely Designed by God to be a Blessing

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 06:41:42 GMT

Unpopular Week #2 A Helper Uniquely Designed by God to be a Blessing Genesis 2:21-22; 3:1-21

According to the Scriptures, a Woman is:

1. A Helper

a. Encouragement

b. Trust

It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. Proverbs 21:9

It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. Proverbs 21:19

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; 16 restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. Proverbs 27:15-16

2. Uniquely Designed by God

So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. Genesis 2:21-22

3. A Blessing

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. Genesis 3:1-7

If Satan can get us to feel shame, he will shackle us to our past

“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” Genesis 3:11-13

Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live. 21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. Genesis 3:20-21

A Godly Man

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 06:27:12 GMT

Unpopular week #1 A Godly Man John 2:13-17

Four Qualities of a Godly Man:

1. A Godly man will pursue the Lord

It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. John 2:13

It is a spiritual impossibility to pursue Jesus and to pursue sin at the same time

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7

Real men follow Jesus

2. A Godly man will see as Jesus sees

In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. John 2:14

When we see as Jesus sees, we are more likely to do what Jesus says

3. A Godly man will fight when necessary

A Godly man will always stand and put his life on the line for the oppressed, the weak and the marginalized

Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” John 2:15-16

4. A Godly man will be passionate about what Jesus is passionate about

Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” John 2:17

Breaking Strongholds

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 06:56:26 GMT

It’s All in Your Head - Week #4 - September 22, 2024 Breaking Strongholds Exodus 8:1-10

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go back to Pharaoh and announce to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. Exodus 8:1

God is fighting for you

If you refuse to let them go, I will send a plague of frogs across your entire land. 3 The Nile River will swarm with frogs. They will come up out of the river and into your palace, even into your bedroom and onto your bed! They will enter the houses of your officials and your people. They will even jump into your ovens and your kneading bowls. 4 Frogs will jump on you, your people, and all your officials.’” 5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Raise the staff in your hand over all the rivers, canals, and ponds of Egypt, and bring up frogs over all the land.’” 6 So Aaron raised his hand over the waters of Egypt, and frogs came up and covered the whole land! 7 But the magicians were able to do the same thing with their magic. They, too, caused frogs to come up on the land of Egypt. 8 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, “Plead with the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people. I will let your people go, so they can offer sacrifices to the Lord.” 9 “You set the time!” Moses replied. “Tell me when you want me to pray for you, your officials, and your people. Then you and your houses will be rid of the frogs. They will remain only in the Nile River.” 10 “Do it tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. Exodus 8:2-10

A stronghold is a place in our lives where we have gradually surrendered ground to the enemy to the point where we feel trapped, helpless, thus causing us to accept it as our identity

What are some strongholds?

a. Addiction

b. Anger and bitterness

c. Despair

d. Legalism

Lies the enemy tells us when it comes to strongholds:

a. Keep it a secret

The consequences of concealment are far greater than the consequences of confession

b. It’s not a big deal

c. It’s too late

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

How do we demolish strongholds?

a. Ask Jesus for help

b. Ask for the help of others

You cannot heal yourself

c. Know that Jesus’ strength is greater than the enemy’s stronghold

The Fear Within

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 06:47:41 GMT

It’s All in Your Head – Week #3 The Fear Within Isaiah 41:10

“Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” –Isaiah 41:10

What we see and what we hear has a lot to do with what we fear
Jesus is always with us
Peace begins with a recognition of who God is
We all need the help of God and the help of others
A life with Jesus equals a life with more
Jesus, today, help me to trust You and surrender to Your plans, strengthen me, help me, and remind me I’m in Your hands.

Perfect Peace

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 06:26:06 GMT

It’s all In Your Head - week #2 - September 8, 2024 Perfect Peace Isaiah 26:3

Peace is a state of mind that allows us to stand firm in any situation

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Peace begins with a recognition of who God is
Peace is a promise from God
The area of my life where I am worried the most is also the area of my life where I trust God the least
What we pay attention to the most will consume our thoughts

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Who's Voice Is It?

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 06:39:53 GMT

It's All In Your Head - Week 1 - September 1, 2024 Who's Voice Is It? 1 Kings 19:1-18

LIE- A true Christian will never struggle with mental health issues

Spiritual Pressure

Financial Pressure

Relational Pressure

Physical Safety Pressure

= conflict

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 1 Kings 19:1-3

Solitude is when you just get alone for the purpose of refreshing
Isolation is when you start telling yourself nobody cares

while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 1 Kings 19:4-10

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:11-18

3 takeaways:

1. You are not alone

2. Get other people involved

3. God still has a plan for your life

The video and/or audio clips may contain content copyrighted by third parties but is used as part of education and commentary and therefore subject to the fair use exception under Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107 of United States law. Central Church makes no claims to third party content contained in these clips and no infringement is intended.

Opportunity Takes Perspective

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 11:05:13 GMT

Holy Shift - Week 4 - August 25, 2024 Opportunity Takes Perspective 2 Corinthians 5:7

Perspective sees Obstacles as the greatest opportunities.

for we walk by faith, not by sight. -2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

Opportunities Require Taking Risks

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” -Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

Seeing people in relation to their potential shapes our perspective.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” -Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)

A proper perspective ties the present in relation to God's promises.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14

Your PERSPECTIVE determines your purpose.

“Do not be conformed to the standards of the world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God.” -Romans 12:2

Jesus gives a winning perspective

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” -Matthew 14:15-18

An Acquired Taste

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 06:43:04 GMT

Holy Shift - Week 3 - August 18, 2024 An Acquired Taste John 8:31-59

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need first hand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. I hope the test won’t show that we have failed. But if it comes to that, we’d rather the test showed our failure than yours. We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn’t possibly do otherwise. -2 Corinthians 13:5-9

We don’t just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives. -2 Corinthians 13:5-9 (MSG)

• Embracing Jesus’s word is the cornerstone of freedom, freeing us from the bondage of sin and the illusions of this world.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. -John 8:31 NKJV

• Belief is the beginning, but true disciples are marked by a continuous and living relationship with Christ, not just sporadically.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32

The truth of Jesus is not merely intellectual but life-transforming because it renews and sanctifies us.

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” -John 14:6-7 (MSG)

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. -John 8:33-36

• We need to shift our need for the truth • We need to seek the truth • We need to live the truth in boldness

• Becoming Courageous in Faith

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. -Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG)

• Willingness to stand firm in our faith

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. -Ephesians 6:13-18 (MSG)

• Willingness to step out in faith

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” -John 8:31 (NKJV)

• Willingness to persevere

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12 (NIV)

• Willingness to surrender

““Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” -Luke 22:42

4 Steps to a Holy Shift - Part 2

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 06:34:29 GMT

Holy Shift Week #2

4 Steps to a Holy Shift Part 2

Esther 5:1-14

4 Steps to a Holy Shift:

1. Refuse to settle for your shadow mission

Shadow Mission = a derailment of your true mission

2. Ask for the help of Jesus and others

Just because you’ve stalled, doesn’t mean you’re stuck

3. Believe that God does His best work in His time

On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Esther 5:1-3

God gave Esther 2 things:

a. wisdom

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5

b. self-control

And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.” 5 The king turned to his attendants and said, “Tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet, as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet. 6 And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” 7 Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish. 8 If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.” Haman was a happy man as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the palace gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, Haman became furious. 10 However, he restrained himself and went on home. Then Haman gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 and boasted to them about his great wealth and his many children. He bragged about the honors the king had given him and how he had been promoted over all the other nobles and officials. 12 Then Haman added, “And that’s not all! Queen Esther invited only me and the king himself to the banquet she prepared for us. And she has invited me to dine with her and the king again tomorrow!” 13 Then he added, “But this is all worth nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew just sitting there at the palace gate.” 14 So Haman’s wife, Zeresh, and all his friends suggested, “Set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet[a] tall, and in the morning ask the king to impale Mordecai on it. When this is done, you can go on your merry way to the banquet with the king.” This pleased Haman, and he ordered the pole set up. Esther 5:4-14

When you want more, you cannot be thankful for what you have
Make a shift from entitlement to gratitude

That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. 2 In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes. 3 “What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked. His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 “Who is that in the outer court?” the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared. 5 So the attendants replied to the king, “Haman is out in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. 6 So Haman came in, and the king said, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?” Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?” 7 So he replied, “If the king wishes to honor someone, 8 he should bring out one of the king’s own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden—one with a royal emblem on its head. 9 Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king’s robes and led through the city square on the king’s horse. Have the official shout as they go, ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’” 10 “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!” Esther 6:1-10

So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet. 2 On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request, I ask that my life and the lives of my people will be spared. 4 For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet, for that would be too trivial a matter to warrant disturbing the king.” 5 “Who would do such a thing?” King Xerxes demanded. “Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?” 6 Esther replied, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.” Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen. 7 Then the king jumped to his feet in a rage and went out into the palace garden. Haman, however, stayed behind to plead for his life with Queen Esther, for he knew that the king intended to kill him. 8 In despair he fell on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining, just as the king was returning from the palace garden. The king exclaimed, “Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?” And as soon as the king spoke, his attendants covered Haman’s face, signaling his doom. 9 Then Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, said, “Haman has set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet[a] tall in his own courtyard. He intended to use it to impale Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination.” “Then impale Haman on it!” the king ordered. 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided. Esther 7:1-10

4. Be all about other people

Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews. 4 Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him. Esther 8:3-4

So urged on by the king’s command, the messengers rode out swiftly on fast horses bred for the king’s service. The same decree was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa. 15 Then Mordecai left the king’s presence, wearing the royal robe of blue and white, the great crown of gold, and an outer cloak of fine linen and purple. And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree. 16 The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere. 17 In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them. Esther 8:14-17

4 Steps to a Holy Shift - Part 1

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 07:30:45 GMT

Holy Shift - Week #1

4 Steps to a Holy Shift - Part 1

Esther 1:1-22 4 Steps to a Holy Shift: 1. Refuse to settle for your shadow mission

Shadow Mission = a derailment of your true mission

These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. 2 At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from his royal throne at the fortress of Susa. 3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He invited all the military officers of Persia and Media as well as the princes and nobles of the provinces. 4 The celebration lasted 180 days—a tremendous display of the opulent wealth of his empire and the pomp and splendor of his majesty. 5 When it was all over, the king gave a banquet for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were in the fortress of Susa. It lasted for seven days and was held in the courtyard of the palace garden. 6 The courtyard was beautifully decorated with white cotton curtains and blue hangings, which were fastened with white linen cords and purple ribbons to silver rings embedded in marble pillars. Gold and silver couches stood on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones. 7 Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and there was an abundance of royal wine, reflecting the king’s generosity. 8 By edict of the king, no limits were placed on the drinking, for the king had instructed all his palace officials to serve each man as much as he wanted.9 At the same time, Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. 10 On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas— 11 to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. Esther 1:1-11

If we are not careful, our shadow mission will take us to places we never wanted to be

But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger. Esther 1:12

But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made Esther 2:1 Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. 18 To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone. Esther 2:16-18

2. Ask for the help of Jesus and others

Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. Esther 4:13-17

If we are going to become who God has called us to be, we need God and we need the people of God

Values

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 06:23:32 GMT

I Love Central Week #7 Values Luke 5:33-39

They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” Luke 5:33

Comparison is a dangerous trap to fall into
It’s ok to have personal convictions
Don’t force your convictions onto other people

Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” 36 He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’” Luke 5:34-39

Three things Central will Value:

1. We will value conversation over condemnation

2. We will value maintaining the relationship over winning the argument

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. John 17:20-23

3. We will value honesty over hypocrisy

Focused on His Holiness

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 06:50:24 GMT

I Love Central Week #6 Focused on His Holiness Isaiah 6:1-8

False Idea- I don’t need church to worship Jesus

We all need church if we're going to maximize our relationship with Jesus

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. Isaiah 6:1-2

The first step away from God is a step away from the people of God

It is not information that changes people, it is revelation

They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” 4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Isaiah 6:3-4

Revelation changes our lives

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Isaiah 6:5

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Isaiah 6:6-7

Our past sin may be what we did, but in Christ, it is not who we are

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14

(Video and audio clips in this video may contain content copyrighted by third parties but is used as part of education and commentary and therefore subject to the fair use exception under Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107 of United States law. Central Church makes no claims to third party content contained in this video and no infringement is intended.)

Free from the Words of Others

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 06:19:30 GMT

I Love Central Week #5 Free from the Words of Others John 7:12-44

The reason it often seems difficult to follow Jesus is because it's actually difficult to follow Jesus

Three things to focus on that will set us free from living under the oppression of the words of other people:

1. Ignore their opinions

There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders. John 7:12-13

The crowd replied, “You’re demon possessed! Who’s trying to kill you?” John 7:20

When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” 43 So the crowd was divided about him. 44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him. John 7:40-44

It's possible to know the scriptures and not know Jesus

The quickest way to lose sight of what God says about me is to hyper-focus on what other people say about me

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer Luke 5:16

If Jesus needed some time to get his focus on The Father, then we do too

2. Don’t submit to the standards of others

For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it” Luke 7:33-35

If Jesus doesn't affect everything, then he means nothing to our lives ultimately

3. Talk about celebrations

Central will be known as a church known more for our celebrations rather than our condemnations

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

What can we celebrate?

a. When a Prodigal comes home!

b. When an addict is clean for a day!

c. When people find hope to keep on living!

d. When people meet Jesus!

Where were you when Jesus found you?

How far has Jesus brought you?

What has he brought you through?

How much strength has He given you?

What did He rescue you from?

The Second "Yes"

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 06:04:35 GMT

I Love Central - Week 4 - July 7, 2024

The Second “Yes”

Mark 10:17-22

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”8 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Mark 10:17-20

If we don't have self-awareness we will be self-righteous

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21

I can trust Jesus because He is always speaking out of love

Love is the primary motivator for the Word of God being spoken into our lives

Jesus deals with us one issue at a time

The first “yes” is easy

The reason Jesus comes after things in our life is because He knows what satisfies us now, in the moment, eventually will let us down

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:22

Is Baptism My Next Step?

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:01:39 GMT

I Love Central - Week #3 - June 30, 2024 Is Baptism My Next Step? Matthew 3:13-14

• We all have a next step in our walk with Jesus • Your next step is your best step • Baptism is an outward profession of an inner connection

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13-14

• Opposition is an opportunity to continually say yes to Jesus.

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented Matthew 3:15

• The best time to take your next step is right now

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Matthew 3:16

• Breakthrough comes after follow through

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

• When we take our next step in our walk with Jesus, God is pleased

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

• When the Holy Spirit cuts to our heart, it’s because He wants to do something in us, so eventually He can do something through us.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

• Repent means to turn away from sin and submit your life to Jesus.

• Walking with Jesus is a process

• Repentance is internal, baptism is external

• Baptism is the way that we are given to identify with Jesus

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4

3 POINTS ABOUT BAPTISM:

1. Baptism is always after salvation

• Baptism is symbolic of the fact that we’ve entered into a covenant with God

2. Baptism is by immersion

3. Baptism is everyone’s next step after salvation

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-27

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

If you would like to be baptized on July 14, please sign up at http://yourcentralchurch.com/baptisms (by July 10, 2024)

Ask, Seek and Knock

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 06:17:22 GMT

I Love Central - Week #2

Ask, Seek and Knock

Luke 11:5-10

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 5:18

The Holy Spirit fills us with joy
The Holy Spirit enables us to love other people
The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak the truth
Prayer #1- I want to see God’s Spirit poured out in this church
Prayer #2- I want to see God’s Spirit poured out in me
Resurrection is greater than healing

“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:39-43

When the Word of God is spoken, things happen

And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:44

People that don't know Jesus are always going to live like they don't know Jesus

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16:25-26

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:5-10

What are you asking Jesus for?
Seek means participate in the process
Knock and keep on knocking

...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13(b)

Your Church or Nacho Church

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 06:32:24 GMT

I Love Central - Week #1 - June 16, 2024 Your Church or Nacho Church?

We’re Nacho Church if you’re:

1. Looking for the perfect pastor

Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 1 Timothy 3:1-4

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

2. If you have super high expectations

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

3. If you want the staff to do everything

One of the primary causes of anxiety is people trying to be who others expect them to be and do everything others expect them to do
A church is not effective when the staff ministers to the people. But rather when the body ministers to the body.

4. If you hate a certain group of people

We are for people meeting Jesus and taking their next step as He leads them to take their next step

5. if you don’t love people who are far from God

But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Luke 19:7

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10

We are your church if you:

1. Want to come as you are

2. Want to be who you are

Everybody is welcome. Nobody is perfect. Anything is possible.

3. Want to understand confession does not lead to exclusion

Central Church is a church for misfits, failures and outcasts, led by misfits, failures and outcasts

How to Love Jesus

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:08:29 GMT

How to Love Jesus John 14 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a situation where confusion and anxiety reigned?

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He continues…) 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. -John 14:1-31

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. -John 15:9-11

Commands of Jesus:

Love God
Love your Neighbor
Love one another
Love and pray for your enemies

15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. -1 John 4:15-16

God is love.

5. Treat people as you want to be treated

6. Be reconciled

7. Forgive others

8. Confront your fellow believer in private first

9. Repent

10. Let your light shine

11. Preach the Gospel

12. Make Disciples

13. Don’t Lust

14. Keep guard against sin

15. Don’t Judge

16. Beware of false prophets

17. Be on guard against greed

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” -Luke 6:46-49

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. -James 1:22-25

If Jesus was willing to take all of our sins and suffer on the cross for us, keeping His commands is the least we can do.
We don’t need to try to deal with life’s struggles on our own.
Trust that His Holy Spirit will give us the guidance we need.
He knows exactly what we need and even more so, what we don’t need.
Let’s love Jesus better by following His commands.

Are you willing to go out on a limb for Jesus?

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 06:30:56 GMT

Are you willing to go out on a limb for Jesus?

Luke 18:10-14, Luke 19:1-10

1. We get in a rut of rationalize and repeat.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” -Luke 19:1-10

2. Long before Zacchaeus needed it, God planted that tree.

3. God knows you by name.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— -John 10:14

22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, -Romans 3:22-23

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:21

What is your treasure? _____________________________

Where is your heart? _______________________________

What do you give all your time to? _______________________________

4. Faith = Risk - You must be willing to take risks to follow Jesus.

5. If we are willing to take the first step, God is waiting for us.

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” -Luke 18:1-14

6. Jesus has come to seek and save the lost

Will you step out on a limb for Jesus?

Dealing with Denial

Tue, 28 May 2024 12:54:45 GMT

Dealing with Denial 1 John 1:8; John 8:31-32

6 “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. ~Ezra 9:6 (NIV)

“‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back? 5 Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around. 6 I listen to their conversations and don’t hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done?” ~Jeremiah 8:4-6 (NLT)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. ~Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

14a “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!” ~Jeremiah 6:14a (TLB)

1. Disables our feelings

18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. ~2 Peter 2:18-19 (ESV)

2. Energy lost

3. Negates growth

13 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and gloom and broke their chains apart. ~Psalm 107:13-14 (HCSB)

4. Isolates us from God.

5 “God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” ~1 John 1:5-8 (HCSB)

5. Alienates us from our relationships.

25 What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. ~Ephesians 4:25 (MSG)

6. Lengthens our pain.

2 O Lord my God, I pleaded with you, and you gave me my health again. 3 You brought me back from the brink of the grave, from death itself, and here I am alive! ~Psalm 30:2-3 (MSG)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. ~James 5:15-16 (NASB)

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~John 8:31-32 (NASB)

Waiting in the In-Between

Mon, 20 May 2024 13:24:22 GMT

Waiting in the In-Between Luke 2:51-52

One of the most challenging places in life is the “in-between” moments.” It is that place where patience is required and choices are tested.

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. ~Luke 2:51-52

If we don’t live our lives in the in-between there are two potential outcomes:

A. We could miss what God’s doing

In one of his “in-between-times,” David wrote: Psalm 27:13-14 “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord” (Amplified).

B. We can negate what God’s doing

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. ~Romans 12:2 (NASB)

Three Challenges for Living in the In-Between:

1. Wherever You Are, Be There

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” ~Romans 5:1 (NIV)

2. Don’t allow the Hurriedness to be your priority in your life.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” ~Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

3. God's purposes are found in the in-betweens of life.

“Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.” ~Ephesians 4:1-2 NKJV

“Your “in-between times” are moments where God can build something new, fresh and something wonderful

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

Mother's Day 2024

Mon, 13 May 2024 13:43:57 GMT

Mother’s Day 2024 Luke 1:26-38

1. You’ve got what it takes

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Luke 1:26-28

2. God has an amazing plan for your life

God is not trying to hide his will for us from us

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” Luke 1:29-34

How can we know God’s will for our lives?

a. The Spirit of God

It is impossible to live the life Jesus wants us to live without His Holy Spirit

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

The Holy Spirit does not make you weird or weak

As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. 6 At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. But he didn’t tell his father or mother about it. Judges 14:5-6

You’re stronger than you think by the power of The Spirit of God

b. The Word of God

The Spirit of God and The Word of God work together
When it comes to God’s Word, are you open to His instructions?

What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” Luke 1:36-37

3. You are going to make it through this

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

Filled by His Amazing Grace

Mon, 06 May 2024 13:48:55 GMT

Refueled Week #4 Filled by His Amazing Grace Genesis 16:1-5; 17:1-2; 21;1-7

But Sarai was unable to become pregnant and had no children. Genesis 11:30

Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” Genesis 15:4-5

Three things that drain us of our joy:

1. When we listen to people who do not listen to Jesus, we can lose our joy.

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. Genesis 16:1-2

Be very careful of using the standards of your life to judge other people
The enemy knows what we’re going to wrestle with, so that is the thing he will tempt us with

So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.) 4 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!” Genesis 16:3-5

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” Genesis 17:1-2

2. We are drained of joy by our self–doubt

“Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked. “She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied. 10 Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. 11 Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. 12 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” 13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:9-14

Your situation is not impossible!

3. We are drained of joy when we refuse to take steps of faith

It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. Hebrews 11:11

The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. Genesis 21:1-2

You are not powerful enough to stop the work of God

And Abraham named their son Isaac. 4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. 5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. 6 And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. 7 Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!” Genesis 21:3-7

Fighting to be Full

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:27:47 GMT

Refueled week #3 Fight to be Full Genesis 13:11-13; Genesis 14:11-16

Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. Genesis 13:11

The first step away from God is always a step away from the people of God

So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord. Genesis 13:12-13

The Wrong Question = How close can I get to sin and still be a Christian?

The Right Question = How close can I get to Jesus?

The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. 12 They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned. Genesis 14:11-12

Sin affects more people than just me

But one of Lot’s men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew, who was living near the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram’s allies. Genesis 14:13

We should rejoice that we do not get what we deserve

So many people would rather pray about something so they don’t actually have to do anything When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. Genesis 14:14

Lost people matter to God

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10

Since lost people matter to God, they should matter to the people of God How many Lots do you know in your life? There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Genesis 14:15 Jesus has called us to reach the world

Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives. Genesis 14:16

At Central we will: Be serious about what Jesus is serious about

Continue to fight for people who have been taken by the enemy

See people experience victories that only come from God

Make a difference in the community

See people saved

See people be healed and restored

Watch people be blessed and live a full life

Filled with Mercy

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:56:07 GMT

Refueled Week #2

Filled with Mercy

Genesis 12:10-20

Despite the consequences, the place of your greatest mistake is an opportunity to experience God's greatest mercy

At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. Genesis 12:10

3 key words- Famine Forcing Foreigner

A famine will cause us to feel empty and lose focus

The famine forced them to go to Egypt

Any time we take our eyes off of Jesus and we look at circumstances around us instead of looking to Him, we will wind up in places that we do not belong

As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ Genesis 12:11-12

When we're full, we will make decisions based on faith. And when we're empty, we will make decisions based on fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”

Genesis 12:13

Whenever we walk away from God, and we get empty, we do selfish things that always hurt other people

And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. Genesis 12:14-16

When we walk into “The Devil’s Playground,” we will give up what we want most for what we can have in the moment

But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. Genesis 12:17

God wants to do a work in us. The enemy wants to do a work on us

God will always fight for His children

God does not give up on people

So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” 20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions. Genesis 12:18-20

Living Half Empty or Half Full

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:32:41 GMT

Refueled Week #1

Living Half Empty or Half Full

Genesis 11:27-32; 12:1-7

In order to live full, you have to get full

This is the account of Terah’s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. 28 But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his birth, while his father, Terah, was still living. 29 Meanwhile, Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah. (Milcah and her sister Iscah were daughters of Nahor’s brother Haran.) 30 But Sarai was unable to become pregnant and had no children. Genesis 11:27-30

When we feel stuck, we don’t believe that we can move forward

One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran. Genesis 11:31-32

Anytime we settle, something inside of us dies

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1

If we remain in an environment that labels us, we will never step into what God has for us

I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3

Some people stuck on empty want to stay stuck on empty

So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, Genesis 12:4-5

You cannot get full on your own

Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him. Genesis 12:6-7

It’s not over

No More

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 13:36:20 GMT

Palm Sunday 2024 No More Acts 3:1-8

1. No more ordinary Sundays

When we experience Jesus on a supernatural basis, He transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. Acts 3:1

Many times, the reason we show up at church and receive no revelation is because we have no expectation
When we experience the presence of Jesus, we cannot stay the same

2. No more “less than” people

As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. Acts 3:2

We are all born sinful

3. No more low expectations

What is it that God wants to do inside of you that has not yet happened?

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Acts 3:3

Do not allow your dysfunction to become your identity

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Acts 3:4-6

Jesus will deliver you out of your dysfunction

4. No more pretending we can do it on our own

We need the help of Jesus and each other to make it through life

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. Acts 3:7

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38

Religion pushes you down. Jesus helps you up

5. No more staying silent

He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. Acts 3:8

Church should be a place of celebration, not condemnation

Unstoppable Momentum

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:56:23 GMT

Momentum - Week 2 “Unstoppable Momentum” 1 Samuel 17: 32-54

Unstoppable Momentum is a moving force that overcomes resistance.

Stone #1: Having The Right Perspective.

32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” 33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” 1 Samuel 17:32-33

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Stone #2: Ignore the criticisms of others when your cause is just and your direction is clear.

34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37a The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17:34-37a

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.” 2 Timothy 1:6

Stone #3: Victory or Defeat is determined by what leads us.

37b Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!” 38 Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39 David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. 40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:37b-40

Stone #4: Be confident where you’re at and be courageous in the moment.

41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. 45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” -1 Samuel 17:41-47

Stone #5: Seize the Opportunity

48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. 1 Samuel 17:48-49

“Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” Mark 11:22–23

Stone #6: Preparation creates confidence which produces Unstoppable Momentum

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp. 54 (David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, but he stored the man’s armor in his own tent.) 1 Samuel 17:50-54

“But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you.” Exodus 23:22

David Youth/Shepherd No Armor Staff, Sling, Stones The Lord

Goliath Experienced Soldier Armor and Shield Sword, Spear, Javelin

Forward Momentum

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 14:54:01 GMT

Momentum - Week 1 “Forward Momentum” - March 10th, 2024 Philippians 3:8-9

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ, and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. Phil. 3:8-9

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Phil. 3:12

The life of faith is more about embracing a journey than it is about arriving at a destination.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Phil. 3:12

It's impossible to press on or chase after Jesus with everything that we have if we're living in the past.
The enemy's plan is that it would define you God’s plan for your past is that it would refine you.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Phil. 3:13

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadow boxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Don’t be complacent in how you train for spiritual growth.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:14

Jesus isn't the means to an end Jesus is the end.

Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

Don't give up! Keep chasing after the one who says I hold you at every turn.

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. Phil. 3:15-19

You have a choice who you keep in your view.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Phil. 3:20-21

Jesus Said It... Not Me

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:00:34 GMT

Signs of The Times Week #4 Jesus Said It... Not Me Matthew 16:13-18

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:13-18

The word Ecclesia means- a group of called out people

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. Matthew 16:21

Jesus is coming back for His Bride- The Church

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

1. Let’s get engaged

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 1 Corinthians 12:14-19

2. Let’s ask people to come sit with us

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15

You are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:48

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21

3. Let’s stop making excuses

Bad Christians happen to good people

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. Luke 15:1

People who were nothing like Jesus, liked Jesus, and, Jesus liked people that were nothing like Him

This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! Luke 15:2

If you’re not connected, you’re not fully alive

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. Colossians 1:27

Packed and Ready

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:01:32 GMT

Signs of the Times Week #3 Packed and Ready 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Revelation 20:11-14; Matthew 7:21-23

Are you packed and ready for eternity?

TWO END TIME JUDGMENTS:

1. The Judgment Seat of Christ

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Three things we will be judged on:

A. Time

Time is the great equalizer

B. Talent

With talent comes responsibility

C. Treasure

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be Matthew 6:21

It’s not a money issue, it’s a heart issue

2. The Great White Throne Judgment

And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-14

Who will be there?

A. The Procrastinator

B. The Fearful

God will give you the strength to put down whatever you need to put down so you can pick up what you need to pick up

C. The Casual Christian

There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:21-23

Our salvation depends on Him, not us

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

It's in The Book

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:00:03 GMT

Signs of the Times - Week #2 It’s in The Book Matthew 24:3-12

Seven Signs Jesus gives in Matthew 24:

1. Religious Tolerance

Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. Matthew 24:4-5

A survey showed that 57% of Christians believe all religions teach the same thing
38% of Christians believe that you don’t have to believe in Jesus to get to heaven

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

2. Wars and threats of wars

And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Matthew 24:6

3. Ethnic unrest

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Matthew 24:7-8

4. Famines

5. Earthquakes

6. Persecution

Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Matthew 24:9-11

There is a difference between hate speech and speech that you hate

7. A love growing cold

Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12

Having a Right Focus on The End Times

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:01:59 GMT

Signs of the Times - Week #1 Having a Right Focus on The End Times I Thessalonians 4:16-18; Matthew 24:32-36

Closed handed issues- we have to fight for these

A few examples:

The Resurrection

The Sinless life of Jesus

The Authority of Scripture

Virgin Birth, Sinfulness of man, The Trinity, Deity of Jesus, Faith alone in Christ alone as the only way for salvation.

Open handed issues- Not essential to our salvation

A few examples:

Drinking, Worship Style, Church Government, the day of Worship, how often should you take communion, etc.

The study of The End times is called eschatology

Where Christians and the church Get it Wrong:

1. We won’t talk about the end times

Approximately 30% of The Bible is prophecy
Prophecy is given for two reasons:

a. To encourage the believer

b. To warn the unbeliever

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

The term used for Jesus coming back is the word, Rapture

Three Views on the Rapture

a. Pre- Tribulation

b. Mid- Tribulation

c. Post- Tribulation

2. We set dates

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. 36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:32-36

3. We obsess over the “how,” the “what” and the “when,” and we miss the “who”

The Book of Revelation is primarily about Jesus. The end times are secondary

From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. Revelation 4:5

Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Revelation 4:8

The word Holy means without sin

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” Revelation 4:11

God created what He pleased

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” 13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” Revelation 5:11-13

Chopping Wood

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 17:42:03 GMT

Great Expectations Week #5 Chopping Wood 2 Kings 5:20-6:7

Spiritual transformation takes place as we seek the presence of God, not the presents of God

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” 2 Kings 5:20

When we categorize, we demonize

So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked. ²²“Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.” ²³“By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi. ²⁴But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house. ²⁵When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied. ²⁶But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? ²⁷Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow. 2 Kings 5:21-27

When we move from spectator to participator we will face problems

One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, “As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small. 2 Kings 6:1

Problems often lead to opportunities

Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.” “All right,” he told them, “go ahead.” 2 Kings 6:2

God has called us to move forward

“Please come with us,” someone suggested. “I will,” he said. ⁴So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees. 2 Kings 6:3-4

It is the presence of God not the pressure of man that changes lives

God’s work is more powerful than man’s work

It takes commitment to move from spectator to participator

With opportunity comes distraction

But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!” ⁶“Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. ⁷“Grab it,” Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it. 2 Kings 6:5-7

Please take your envelope and pray over the next week and ask God to show you how you can participate in this campaign. Please bring the envelope back on Sunday February 11, 2024. You can also go HERE to start giving to the campaign online.

From Smug to Servant

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:19:55 GMT

Great Expectations - Week #4 From Smug to Servant 2 Kings 5:15-19

1. When we receive Jesus, the work of God immediately begins in our lives

But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” 11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 2 Kings 5:10-11

Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” 2 Kings 5:15

2. Renewing our minds takes time

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused. 17 Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the Lord. 2 Kings 5:16-17

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

3 ways to renew your mind:

a. Church Attendance

The first step away from God is a step away from the people of God

b. Worship Music

c. God’s Word

When you read God’s Word, you read God’s will

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

3. Pressure does not mean we are losing the fight. Pressure indicates we are fighting the fight

However, may the Lord pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the Lord pardon me when I bow, too.” 19 “Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again. 2 Kings 5:18-19

Two Things to understand today:

1. Jesus is in you

2. Jesus is for you

Hey Now, It's Your Birthday

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:43:44 GMT

Great Expectations - Week #3 Hey Now, It’s Your Birthday 2 Kings 5:9-14

When did you surrender your life to Jesus?

The only thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin that made it necessary

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:9-10

When you surrender your life to Jesus, life doesn’t become easier, but you become stronger

But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. 2 Kings 5:11-12

If you don’t deal with your anger, it will turn to rage

You can be sincere and sincerely wrong at the same time

But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’”2 Kings 5:13

Our next step with Jesus isn’t always easy, but it’s always simple

So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! 2 Kings 5:14

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Don't Allow Your 'BUT' to Get in the Way

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 19:27:28 GMT

Great Expectations Week #1 (1/7/24) Don’t Allow Your ‘But’ to Get in the Way 2 Kings 5:1-5

Your ‘But’ matters to God

The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 2 Kings 5:1

Every gift we have is a gift from God

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. Matthew 5:45

The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 2 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 2 Kings 5:1-2

We live filtered lives

One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:3

Love your enemies

So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 5 “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 2 Kings 5:4-5

When you confess out loud, the power your sin has over you begins to shatter
Why do you matter to God? Because of His Amazing Grace!

Stop Seeking Worldly Solutions to Worldly Problems

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 17:10:12 GMT

Great Expectations - Week #2

Stop Seeking Worldly Solutions to Worldly Problems

2 Kings 5:3-9

If you’ve ever gotten off track:

a. You’re not the only person who has

b. It’s never too late to get back on track

One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 2 Kings 5:3-4

You cannot take what God has put inside of you to someone who doesn’t know Him or know about His presence and His power

Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 2 Kings 5:5

The cross is a reminder that our debt is paid in full

The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:6

Jesus did not die on the cross so He could be a part of our life, He died so He could be our life
God – Government = Chaos
Government – God = Tyranny
God is our Healer, our Peace, our Provider and our Protector

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” 2 Kings 5:7

When we become unaware of God's power and God's presence... the natural result is to freak out

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Even if you're not pursuing Him, He's pursuing you

But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 2 Kings 5:8-9

Two of the words that describe God in the Scriptures are “patient and “kind”

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9

In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people— Isaiah 11:11

Your Voyage Into 2024

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 14:40:57 GMT

Voyage to the Manger - Week #5 Your Voyage into 2024 Psalm 73

Four Simple Steps to Having a great year spiritually:

1. Go to church Attend Regularly

But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. Psalm 73:2

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Psalm 73:17 Central is a church where all people can experience the presence of Jesus every week

2. Grow in church TWO ways to grow: a. Serve Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, Matthew 20:26 (NIV) b. Give 3. Show the church Invite Boldly

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

4. Know that immeasurably more is coming

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

Say "Yes" to the Voyage

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 17:01:39 GMT

Voyage to the Manger - Week #4 Say “Yes” to the Voyage Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:8-15

If we allow other people to label us, it will limit us from the life that God ultimately has for us

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18

God never calls us into our comfort zone, He calls us out of our comfort zone

Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. Matthew 1:19-25

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15

What do I need to say “Yes” to?

A Voyage Thru the Chaos

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 15:51:48 GMT

Voyage to the Manger - Week #3

A Voyage Thru the Chaos

Matthew 2:1-12

Chaos is a really great indicator that we need Jesus
Always anticipate an encounter with the Savior because He’s alive and He’s closer to you than you think

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

Jesus says, ‘Follow me and you will change”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:3-6

Information + Application= Transformation
Do you view Jesus as King?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” Matthew 2:7-8

When Jesus isn’t King, we will use people rather than love them
When we get close to a work of God, the enemy will compel us to try to kill that work of God

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! Matthew 2:9-10

A voyage toward Jesus is a voyage filled with joy!

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

When we know Jesus is King, we worship
When we know Jesus is King, we give

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2:12

You cannot meet Jesus and stay the same

The Shepherds' Voyage

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:15:52 GMT

The Voyage to the Manger – Week #2 The Shepherds’ Voyage Luke 2:2-8

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people Luke 2:8-10

There is a difference between good advice and good news

God wants you to be filled with joy!

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12

The manger is not a symbol of how clean we are, it is a reminder of how dirty we are, and how much we need God’s grace

Christianity is not about measuring up, it’s about opening up

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:13-15

What if we spent half as much time on Sunday preparing our hearts as we did in preparing our appearance?

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:16-20

There is a difference between a person who doesn’t know Jesus, and the person who knows that Jesus is alive

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. Job 19:25

Mary's Voyage

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:28:27 GMT

The Voyage to the Manger - Week #1 Mary’s Voyage Luke 1:30-38; 2:1-7; Matthew 2:1-23

When it comes to following Jesus, the best is yet to come

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! Luke 1:30

God speaks to people in different ways, and in different times, and in different places

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:31-35

You will go insane trying to explain what the Holy Spirit is doing inside your life

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. Luke 2:1-6

Sometimes God has to take us out of our comfortable situation so that we will actually pay attention to how desperate we really are for Him

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:7

God is at work in the Christmas story

God is at work in your story

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” 19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. Matthew 2:13-19

God will handle your Herod

Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:20-23

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Isaiah 6:1-3

Miracles in the Storm

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:35:34 GMT

Master of the Miraculous - Week #5 Miracles in the Storm Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. Matthew 14:22

God loves you so much that sometimes He will take something away from you

After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Matthew 14:23

Are you intentionally spending time with Jesus every day?

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. Matthew 14:24

Some people drive into their own storm

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. Matthew 14:25

When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” Matthew 14:26

Sometimes Jesus takes us through the storm so we can see Him in ways we’ve never seen Him before

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! Matthew 14:27

When we get in the middle of the storm, The Spirit brings in the Word that we need to hear

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Matthew 14:28-30

One of the biggest battles in the Christian life is the battle for our mind

Finally, brothers… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31

What could God do in our lives if we just had a little faith?
Jesus give me the faith to follow you, even when it doesn’t make sense

When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. Matthew 14:32-33

Greater Expectations

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:33:14 GMT

Master of the Miraculous - Week 4 Greater Expectations Mark 6:30-41

30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. 32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. Mark 6:30-32 (NLT)

1. In our weariness Jesus is our Real Rest

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-29

33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:33-34

2. Jesus is moved by compassion

35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” Mark 6:35-36

3. Don’t compare your situations with your own resources

30 “But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” 31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” Numbers 13:30-31

37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” Mark 6:37

4. Focus on the task not the obstacle

38 “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred. Mark 6:38-40

5. Gather in a community

41 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. Mark 6:41

6. You are invited to the miracle

12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. John 6:12-13

7. He didn't just meet the needs of the crowd, he exceeded the needs of the crowd.

Covered by Grace in the House of Grace

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:35:11 GMT

The Master of the Miraculous - Week #3

Covered by Grace in the House of Grace

John 5:1-9

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. John 5:1 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. John 5:2 Bethesda = House of Grace

Central is a House of Grace where we are covered by grace Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches waiting for a certain movement of the water, 4 for an angel of the Lord came from time to time and stirred up the water. And the first person to step in after the water was stirred was healed of whatever disease he had. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. John 5:3-5

When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” John 5:6

Some people don’t want to get well

“I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” John 5:7-8

Don’t accept a label religion tried to put on you

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath John 5:9

Don't Allow the Familiar to Become Familiar

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:45:09 GMT

Master of the Miraculous Week #2 Don’t Allow the Familiar to Become Familiar John 4:43-54

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. 44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown. John 4:43-44

When we let the supernatural become familiar, we miss the miracle

Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there. 46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. John 4:45-46

The individual matters to Jesus

When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die. John 4:47

We often don’t get the miracle because we’re not asking for it
Jesus wants us to bring Him our problems, but he doesn't need our ‘how’

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” John 4:48

If Jesus doesn’t do what you want Him to do the way you want it done, it’s still a miracle

The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” John 4:49

Are you calling Jesus Lord?

Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. John 4:50

The Word of God can bring healing to our lives

The miracle that Jesus wants to do in you and through you is bigger than you

This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. John 4:54

If you are in Christ, the enemy has no power over you

Do Whatever He Tells You

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 13:58:36 GMT

Master of the Miraculous - Week 1 Do Whatever He Tells You John 2:1-10

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. John 2:1-2

People that were nothing like Jesus, liked Jesus. And Jesus liked people that were nothing like Him.

The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:3-5

On the other end of obedience is a miracle

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. John 2:6

Jesus has more for you than you could ever imagine

Jesus used incomplete, unclean vessels for the miracle

Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled... John 2:7

Walking with Jesus is a process

Don’t shortcut yourself by saying “no” to the process

Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. John 2:7-8

Jesus called us to be light into the dark

December 3rd is our last baptism for the year. Go public for Jesus. Sign up at the welcome desk today.

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. John 2:9

Only the servants got to see the miracle

“A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:10

Jesus only has the best in mind for you!

The Hands that Hold the Golden Chain

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 13:32:04 GMT

The Hands that Hold the Golden Chain Guest Speaker: Dave Stephens Romans 9:1-33 (NASB)

29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. ~Romans 8:29-30

1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises; 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. ~Romans 9:1-5

Why do some people believe while others don’t?

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time, I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” ~Romans 9:6-9

10 And not only that, but there was also Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” ~Romans 9:10-13

Establishes divine election.

14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? Far from it! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very reason I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, in that My name might be proclaimed throughout the earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. ~Romans 9:14-18

All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.

Justice demands that sin be punished and the punishment is death.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, you foolish person, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one object for honorable use, and another for common use? 22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon objects of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 namely us, whom He also called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles, ~Romans 9:19-24

That’s not fair!

Is man’s will equal to God’s will?

25 as He also says in Hosea: “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ and her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’” 26 “And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.” ~Romans 9:25-26

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of sons of Israel may be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved; 28 for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, thoroughly and quickly.” 29 And just as Isaiah foretold: “If the Lord of armies had not left us descendants, We would have become like Sodom, and would have been like Gomorrah.” ~Romans 9:27-29

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, but the righteousness that is by faith; 31 however, Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though they could by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” ~Romans 9:30-33

Wasted Worship?

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 18:08:35 GMT

Love and War - 10/15/23 - Week 6

Wasted Worship?

Romans 12:1

That Thing We Do - “It’s what you were made to do. Should you for some reason choose not to give God what He desires, you’ll still worship something- exchanging the Creator for something He has created.”

37 He (Jesus) said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. ~Matthew 22:37

While it’s simplistic to say that worship is love, it’s a fact that what we love most will determine what we genuinely worship.

If we put too much of our time and energy into those things, they can become our idols, the created things start to have more meaning than the One who created us.

4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak. eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them. ~Psalm 115:4-8

If we are not careful, we will become just like those in this scripture. We become worshipers of the created, not the creator.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, 15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:14-16, 27

12 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. ~Romans 12:1

Regardless of our perception, viewpoint, past experiences, or feelings, God is still worthy and will be praised!

39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out! ~Luke 19:39-40

Worship is an action word, it’s something we do!

Serving IS worshipping.

In the Pits

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 14:07:24 GMT

Love and War – 10/8/23 – Week 5 In the Pits Genesis 37, 39

Genesis 37:5-6 “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

Genesis 37:8 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

Don’t lower your standards to someone else’s expectation in exchange for being accepted by them.

Genesis 37:23-24 “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.”

There are moments when betrayal wasn’t designed to break you, but deliver you.

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Genesis 39:2 “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”

Look for God’s Favor to free you

Genesis 39:11-12 “One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”

We need to be committed to where God is taking us that we are willing to leave what we have.

Psalms 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Genesis 39:21 “the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.”

You may feel at rock bottom but start being intentional with where God has you

5 Anchors in a Relationship: 1. Telling the truth 1 Corinthians 13:6 “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 2. Being transparent James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” 3. Keeping your word Matthew 5:37 “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” 4. Offering acceptance Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” 5. Demonstrating sorrow, repentance, and accountability 1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Conquering the Transitions of Life

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 13:22:57 GMT

Love and War - 10/1/23 - Week 4

Conquering the Transitions of Life

Guest Speaker: Raymond Causey

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:1-9 (ESV)

1. There is more to life's transitions than what meets the eye.

2. Life transitions are invitations from God to experience His faithfulness in new ways.

3. During life transitions, in order to appropriate the promise we must meet the challenge with courage.

4. During life challenges, we must intensify our focus on God and His Word

Man Up and Embrace God's Plan

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 14:43:48 GMT

Love and War Week #3

Man Up and Embrace God’s Plan

Genesis 3:6-9

Three questions that every man is asking or will ask at some point in his life:

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:6

1. Do I have what it takes?

To be a man

To be a good husband

To be a dad

To be a good follower of Jesus

2. Can I trust you?

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. Proverbs 31:11

3. Is it too late?

It’s not too late if you understand 2 things:

a. Get honest with God

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6 (NIV)

b. Surrender everything to Jesus

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:7-9

The Attack on the Woman

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:06:05 GMT

Love and War - Week 2 The Attack on the Woman John 4:4-30

He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” John 4:4-9

3 major ways Satan comes after and attacks a woman:

1. Uncertainty

a. Did God really say?

b. Did God really say that to you?

c. Why would God speak to you?

2. Comparison

The enemy gets us to believe “I’m not enough”

Not pretty enough
Not godly enough
Not good enough

3. Condemnation

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” John 4:25-26

Jesus changes uncertainty into clarity
Jesus changes comparison into completion

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” John 4:16-18

Jesus didn’t come to condemn you but to complete you
Jesus turns condemnation into celebration

The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him. John 4:28-30

Keep Jesus at the Center

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:08:50 GMT

Love and War - Week 1 - September 10, 2023 Keep Jesus at the Center Genesis 2:18-25

Men and women are different
God gave us the differences not to divide us, but to draw us closer together

1. God multiplies

Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. 25 God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:24-25

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden Genesis 2:16

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. 23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. 25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame. Genesis 2:18-25

2. Satan divides

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:1-6

A. Satan is a deceiver B. Satan is a liar C. Satan brings shame and blame

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Genesis 3:7-8

Everything we hide behind is so damaging

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” Genesis 3:9-13

Satan is limited. He can influence but he cannot control you

3. Jesus wins

Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15

Proto Evangelium = God’s people will triumph over the serpent

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

Blindsided by Hurt

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:57:59 GMT

Hurt People HURT PEOPLE - Week 2

BLINDSIDED BY HURT

Genesis 25:24-40

And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! 25 The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. 26 Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born. 27 As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Genesis 25:24-28

“From the dew of heavenand the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. 29 May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you. May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed.” Genesis 27:28-29

Esau pleaded, “But do you have only one blessing? Oh my father, bless me, too!” Then Esau broke down and wept. 39 Finally, his father, Isaac, said to him, “You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. 40 You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.” Genesis 27:38-40

Three Ways to Shake it Off

1. Make a decision

Why we can’t seem to make a decision

a. We believe the lies

b. We get comfortable with comfort

Victims never walk in victory

c. We get frustrated

2. Break the strongholds in your life

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4

What are God’s Mighty Weapons?

a. Prayer

Prayer is an opportunity for God to change us

When we see like God sees, we are more likely to do what God says

b. Confession

Until you get real, you can’t get healed

c. Worship

3. Understand you have a future to take

This is the account of the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom). 2 Esau married two young women from Canaan: Adah, the daughter of Elon the Hittite; and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite. 3 He also married his cousin Basemath, who was the daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth. 4 Adah gave birth to a son named Eliphaz for Esau. Basemath gave birth to a son named Reuel. 5 Oholibamah gave birth to sons named Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. All these sons were born to Esau in the land of Canaan. 6 Esau took his wives, his children, and his entire household, along with his livestock and cattle—all the wealth he had acquired in the land of Canaan—and moved away from his brother, Jacob. 7 There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired. 8 So Esau (also known as Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir. Genesis 36:1-8

Alignment with our Assignment

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:31:57 GMT

Hurt People Hurt People - Week #1 Alignment with our Assignment Luke 7:36-50

Do I want to be in alignment with the assignment God has for my life?

To be aligned we need about 5 things:

1. We must be connected to Jesus and His church

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. Luke 7:36-38

We cannot stay in the presence of Jesus and stay the same

Levels of Church involvement:

Level 1- The Casual Attender

Level 2- The Regular Attender

Level 3- The Server

Level 4- The Giver

2. We need to look in the mirror instead of out the window

It's incredibly difficult to judge somebody when you got your eyes on Jesus

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Luke 7:39

But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! Psalm 14:3

3. We need to receive what Jesus is speaking to us

Sometimes we get more obsessed with what God wants to say to somebody else rather than what God wants to say to us

Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. Luke 7:40

4. We need to remember we all need forgiveness

Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver[i] to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Luke 7:41-47

You can know the Scriptures and not know Jesus

5. We must understand that Jesus uses His church to speak peace, not to punish

Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” 50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50

The Fork in the Road

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 16:39:16 GMT

The Fork in the Road

Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (NLT)

#1 Two Gates Luke 13:22, Acts 4:12, John 3:3

The Narrow Gate and The Wide Gate

The path you choose determines whether or not you find the way

#2 Two Roads

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.(John 10:10 NLT).

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. (Romans 1:21 NLT)

The Difficult Road and The Broad Road

Jesus’ rules are not to kill our fun and joy but rather to help us to live a good, stable, productive, and a fruitful life

#3 Two Crowds

“For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NLT)

The Few and The Many

Many come to the door and look in, but never go in because they're satisfied with sitting on the porch.
If we're not careful we can look over at the many and be convinced we are the one that has to change.

#4 The Destination

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave[b] gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (NLT)

Heaven and Hell

Don’t be lured into thinking that there is no afterlife
Your choices, your options, your alternatives, and your opportunities all lead to God!

Luke 19:10-For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. (NLT)

The Amazing GRACE of God

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:20:27 GMT

Acrostics Week #4

The Amazing GRACE of God

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 John 5:12

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Grace is knowing...

Good only takes you so far

Received not achieved

We don’t clean our life up before we come to Jesus

All have sinned

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

Covenant with God

Eternal Life

When we enter into a relationship with God, it is eternal

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1

Standing in UNITY

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:41:58 GMT

Acrostics Week #3 Standing in UNITY Acts 9:1-19

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. ²He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. ³As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” ⁵“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! ⁶Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! ⁸Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. ⁹He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. ¹⁰Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. ¹¹The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. ¹²I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” ¹³“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! ¹⁴And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” ¹⁵But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. ¹⁶And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” ¹⁷So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. ¹⁹Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Acts 9:1-19

Unmistakable Focus on Jesus

Two people who have an Unmistakable focus on Jesus, cannot stay divided

Never Forgetting the way we are Identified

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35

Intentional about Forgiveness

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Thankful for our Differences

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7

Yield Immediately to God’s Plan

An Exercise in GROWth

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:00:47 GMT

Acrostics - Week #2

An Exercise in GROWth

Genesis 28-Genesis 29

Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. Genesis 29:1

Gracious Spirit

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. Genesis 28:16-19

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

Exercise in gratitude:

Write out 3 things you’re thankful for

1.

2.

3.

Gratitude often precedes blessing

Rest

Oftentimes, an increase in stress is directly connected to our unwillingness to rest

Many times, spiritual growth is the result of us stopping and realizing all that God has done for us
Exercise in Rest:

Turn off your phone, computer, etc. for 5 minutes and ask God, “What would you like to say to me?” And just be still

“Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10

Open to God’s Will

Are you open to what God wants to do in your life? Or do you spend time trying to fight Him?

The most out of control area of our lives is probably the area where we’re the least open to what God wants to do
Exercise in Openness:

Write down the area that you feel God is speaking to you where you are resisting Him the most. Then tell Him, “Not my will, but yours”

Worship

The simplest definition of worship is... our response; both personal and corporate to God for who He is and what He has done
Exercise in Worship:

Focus on who Jesus is and what Jesus wants to do in our life

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10

Shame has No Power

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:42:34 GMT

ACROSTICS Week #1 Shame Has No Power 2 Samuel 10:1-18

Some time after this, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king. 2 David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun just as his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent ambassadors to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death. But when David’s ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon, -2 Samuel 10:1-2

God the King has an assignment for your life
We can't let what hurt us in the past hold us hostage for the future

the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, their master, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father? No! David has sent them to spy out the city so they can come in and conquer it!” 2 Samuel 10:3

The assignment that God has on your life was put on your life before you were born

So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame. 2 Samuel 10:4

If the enemy can humiliate you then he can keep you hidden away

The enemy wants to use shame to:

Silence you

Hinder you

Attack your assignment

Manipulate your mindset

Expect you to settle for less

When David heard what had happened, he sent messengers to tell the men, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back.” For they felt deep shame because of their appearance. 2 Samuel 10:5

We can't heal until we're willing to get real

When David heard what was happening, he mobilized all Israel, crossed the Jordan River, and led the army to Helam. The Arameans positioned themselves in battle formation and fought against David. 18 But again the Arameans fled from the Israelites. This time David’s forces killed 700 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, including Shobach, the commander of their army. 2 Samuel 10:17-18

We can know we can be victorious over anything that comes our way because of two things-- the cross and the empty tomb

Drop the Dime

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:31:14 GMT

Be Bold - Week 4

Drop the Dime

Malachi 3:6-12

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Malachi 3:6

God is an unchanging God in a changing world

Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. When it comes to your finances, they are either blessed by God or cursed by God. There is no middle ground. Malachi 3:7-9

You need God’s blessing

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10-12

THREE QUESTIONS WE NEED TO WRESTLE WITH IF WE ARE GOING TO BE FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST:

Why would I trust God with all of my sin, but none of my money?

There is no sin that cannot be covered by the cross of Jesus Christ

There is no sin that does not need to be covered by the cross of Jesus Christ

Do I really believe what God says about money and giving?
What needs to change in the way I handle my finances?

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36

Be Bold in Surrender

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:15:19 GMT

Be Bold Week #3

Be Bold in Surrender

Genesis 28:13-15

Over time, and with the help of others, Jesus can take a mess and turn it into a miracle

There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:13-15

Healing begins in the house of God and with the help of others
God will use other people in our lives to shape our lives

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.” 16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19 Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.” 22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant. 25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” 26 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” 28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. 31 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” 33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon. 34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi. 35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children. Genesis 29:14-35

If you want to encounter the presence of God, stop complaining and start praising

When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” 2 Jacob became angry with her and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” 3 Then she said, “Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.” 4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife. Jacob slept with her, 5 and she became pregnant and bore him a son. 6 Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; he has listened to my plea and given me a son.” Because of this she named him Dan. 7 Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” So she named him Naphtali. 9 When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 10 Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 11 Then Leah said, “What good fortune!” So she named him Gad. 12 Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 13 Then Leah said, “How happy I am! The women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher. 14 During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15 But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” 16 So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night. 17 God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar. 19 Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. 20 Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun. 21 Some time later she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah. 22 Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. 23 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” 24 She named him Joseph, and said, “May the Lord add to me another son.” Genesis 30:1-24

Are you holding onto:

1. Anger?

2. Bitterness?

Until bitterness becomes brokenness, we’ll never experience healing

3. Secret Sin?

4. Competition?

5. Hurt?

Holding onto God's Word

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:40:16 GMT

Be Bold Week #2 Holding onto God’s Word 1 Samuel 16:13

God's word to you is true and can be fully trusted

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah 1 Samuel 16:13

One day Jesse said to David, “Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers. 18 And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.” 1 Samuel 17:17-18

It is essential to have humility in the holding pattern

David’s brothers were with Saul and the Israelite army at the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines. 20 So David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the gifts, as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. 1 Samuel 17:19-20

When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. 7 This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” 8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. I Samuel 18:6-9

The enemy is going to try to come after you to distract you from the promises that God has spoken into you

The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, 11 and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice. 1 Samuel 18:10-11

We always face opposition in the holding pattern
Resistance makes us stronger

When Saul’s men reported this back to the king, 25 he told them, “Tell David that all I want for the bride price is 100 Philistine foreskins! Vengeance on my enemies is all I really want.” But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight. 26 David was delighted to accept the offer. Before the time limit expired, 27 he and his men went out and killed 200 Philistines. Then David fulfilled the king’s requirement by presenting all their foreskins to him. So Saul gave his daughter Michal to David to be his wife. 1 Samuel 18:24-27

So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. 2 Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. 1 Samuel 22:1-2

At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! 4 “Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe.5 But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” 7 So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. 1 Samuel 24:3-7

God always builds our faith in the holding pattern

Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah. When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul 2 Samuel 2:4

Don't ever settle for less than God’s best in the holding pattern

So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. 2 Samuel 5:3-4

Stuck Between an Obstacle and Opposition

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 13:27:50 GMT

Be Bold Week #1 Stuck Between an Obstacle and Opposition Exodus 14:13-28

We wait until we receive a word. And after we received the word, we no longer have the option to wait, unless we want to be in a state of disobedience

Sometimes in life, if we're not careful, the thing we escaped to will eventually become the thing that we need to escape from

A slave is someone who's in a place they don't want to be doing something they don't want to do

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Exodus 14:13-15

Always move toward the obstacle, not the opposition

There is never a reason to go back to the place God delivered you from

Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. Exodus 14:16

Be Bold in confession

Be Bold in authenticity

Be Bold in taking your next step

And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. Exodus 14:17

When God gets glory, you get joy

God will take the opposition coming against you and use that opposition for His glory and your joy

When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!” 19 Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. Exodus 14:18-19

Sometimes God will intentionally lead us to obstacles, so we have to learn to trust Him in that situation

The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night. 21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! 23 Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. 24 But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. 25 He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!” 26 When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” 27 So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived. Exodus 14:20-28

Better Than Normal

Tue, 30 May 2023 14:29:32 GMT

May 28, 2023 Better Than Normal Philippians 4:8

Normal: Behavior that is typical, expected, and adjusts to a standard that society has put in place.
Normal is not always a measure of what is good, healthy, or God-pleasing.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” ~Matthew 6:19-21, 24

The money we earn should be something we use and not something that uses or controls us.
Work is a good thing that God has given all of us.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ~Colossians 3:23

What would it look like if we approached every day as if we were working for Jesus?
Do we build people up with our words, or do we tear them down?
Forgiveness is really tough, but it’s key to walking with Jesus.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. ~Romans 12:9-18

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” ~Matthew 7:12

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ~Galatians 5:16-17

What we focus on is what will grow stronger in our lives.
“If it is important, you will find a way. If it’s not, you will find an excuse.”

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ~Philippians 4:8

To become better than normal, spend some time evaluating the areas of MONEY, WORK, RELATIONSHIPS, SINFUL BEHAVIORS… AND MORE!

Decisions

Mon, 22 May 2023 15:25:01 GMT

May 21, 2023 Decisions John 15:5-8

Decision #1: You’ve decided to do it but will you do it?

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. ~Matthew 3:8 (NLT)

Decision #2: Jesus gives us an offer and we have to decide if we want it

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. ~John 10:10a (NIV)

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ~John 10:10b(ESV)

Decision #3: Are we willing to trust in Christ?

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. ~Psalms 28:7

Decision #4: Even though we may intend what is right, do we avoid the life that would make it a reality?

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ~John 15:5

Decision #5: Are you willing to cut off a branch in order to grow?

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ~John 15:6

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ~Matthew 7:16-18 (NIV)

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ~Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)

Decision #6: To celebrate with joy in the midst of suffering

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ~John 15:7

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ~Acts 16:25

Decision #7: We must keep it before us or we will stray from glorifying God with our lives.

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. ~John 15:8

Fear Vs. Faith

Mon, 15 May 2023 19:48:42 GMT

Flawed Week #5

Fear vs. Faith

Matthew 14:22-33

22 Immediately, He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side while He dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. ~Matthew 14:22-25

Jesus sees you right where you are!

26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. ~Matthew 14:26

27 Immediately, Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ~Matthew 14:27

28 “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” 29 “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. ~Matthew 14:28-29

30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ~Matthew 14:30

Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started focusing on the situation rather than the Savior!

31 Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ~Matthew 14:31-32

Fear is faith in reverse!

Are you willing to take a step of faith, or are you afraid of failure?

33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!” ~Matthew 14:33

Are you going to choose fear today or faith?

Frustrated with Waiting

Tue, 09 May 2023 16:15:23 GMT

Flawed Week #4 Frustrated with Waiting John 21:1-7

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. John 21:1-3

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. Luke 22:31

But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32

Just because you fell, doesn’t mean you failed

Repentance is not changing your behavior, it’s changing your mind

And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72

My current situation is not my final destination

Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” Mark 16:7

When we wait, we often get frustrated

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin) Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. 4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. 6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. 7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. John 21:-7

Are you willing to wait?

Right Then Wrong... Then Right Again

Mon, 01 May 2023 15:20:27 GMT

Flawed - Week #3

Right, Then Wrong... Then Right Again

Matthew 16:13-23

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:13-15

Who do we say that Jesus is?

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Matthew 16:16-17

Three things Jesus told Peter:

1. You heard from God

2. I’m going to use you

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:18

3. I will give you the keys of the kingdom And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Matthew 16:21-23

We serve a God who is into:

Forgiveness rather than fault finding

Restoration rather than retribution

Celebration rather than condemnation

Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Matthew 17:1-2

The Great Healer

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 14:44:14 GMT

Flawed Week #2 The Great Healer Luke 5:12-15

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

“Those who suffer from a serious skin disease must tear their clothing and leave their hair uncombed. They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp. Leviticus 13:45-46

Three Types of Death

1. Physical Death

2. Emotional Death

We were not created to do life alone

3. Spiritual Death

In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Luke 5:12-13

1. Jesus can heal instantly

2. Jesus might heal gradually

Sometimes Jesus doesn’t heal us immediately, but gradually, because He wants us to stay connected through the process

3. Jesus might not heal at all

Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” Luke 5:14-15

... By His wounds you are healed. I Peter 2:24

It’s not by our works, but by His wounds

I Surrender _______

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 16:06:22 GMT

Flawed Week #1

I Surrender_____________

John 1:35-42

In Scripture, the people God chose are the people religion rejected

Will you surrender everything to Jesus?

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. 36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). John 1:35-42

We want Central to be a place where:

1. You can always bring your friends and family

2. We realize we don’t change people, Jesus changes people

After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. 39 Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. Luke 4:38-39

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 41 Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak. Luke 4:40-41

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” Luke 5:1-8

Jesus uses broken and messy people because broken and messy people are all that there are

For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:9-11

3 Options when following Jesus:

1. I surrender this

2. I surrender some

3. I surrender all

Jesus is Alive (Easter 2023)

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:12:27 GMT

Easter 2023

Jesus is Alive

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his follower at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 1 Corinthians 15:12-14

3 REASONS WE CAN BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS ALIVE:

1. Jesus said it would happen

After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. 23 He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief. Matthew 17:22-23

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. 18 “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. 19 Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” Matthew 20:17-19

2 cornerstones of Christianity are; Jesus is God, and Jesus came back to life.

2. The Resurrection cannot be reasoned away

4 FALSE THEORIES AGAINST THE RESURRECTION

a. The Disciples “Stole the Body” Theory

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. John 20:19

So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20

b. The “Roman or Jewish Officials Stole the Body” Theory

c. The “Wrong Tomb” Theory

d. The “Jesus didn’t Die” Theory

3. The resurrection = changed lives

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Acts 1:14

WHAT DOES “JESUS IS ALIVE” MEAN FOR US TODAY?

1. In Christ I can have hope

2. In Christ I can have a new beginning

You Gotta Fight

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:16:31 GMT

You Gotta Fight

Mark 9:14-27

Mountaintop experiences don’t last

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. 16 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked. 17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. Mark 9:14-17

You need to speak what you are struggling with

And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” 19 Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” Mark 9:18-19

Jesus wants the people that nobody else wants

So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. 21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. Mark 9:20-21

The first step in the fight is admitting you have a problem

The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!” 26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. Mark 9:22-27

Jesus specializes in taking dead things and bringing them back to life

Bound by the Golden Chain

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:16:47 GMT

3/26/23

Bound by the Golden Chain

Romans 8:1, 28-39 1995 New American standard version

8 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ~Romans 8:1

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:28-39

How we can know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him:

Foreknew

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” ~Jeremiah 1:5

1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. 5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” 12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. 13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. ~Psalm 139

Predestined

5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, ~Ephesians 1:5

6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 1:6

Called

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ~John 3:3

44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. ~John 6:44

No one = all inclusive
can = has the ability
come to Me unless = requires a prerequisite
the Father who sent Me draws him (the prerequisite);
and I will
raise him up on the last day.

Justified

26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. ~Romans 3:26

Glorified

Close Your Umbrella

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:15:49 GMT

A Simple Choice Week #6 Close Your Umbrella 1 Kings 18:41-46

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:10-11

Do I really want to receive the Word the Lord has for me?

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!” 1 Kings 18:41

Both Ahab and Elijah needed the same amount of rain to sustain their life
People that are far from God matter to God
We get changed as we receive the Word of God

So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees. 43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. 44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’” 1 Kings 18:42-44

Condemnation is meant to shame us
Conviction is meant to change us and point us in a new direction

And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. 46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:45-46

What Cage Are You Stuck In?

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:57:31 GMT

3/12/23 - A Simple Choice - Week 5 What Cage Are You Stuck In? Mark 2:1-12

1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” ~Mark 2:1-12

A time of excitement

Life’s biggest expectation is not always what you should be but what you could be

Every hero has a guide

5 principles to step out of the cage: (v3-5)

They dared to do what was difficult
They dared to do the unusual
They dared to do the costly thing
They dared to not settle for anything less than Jesus
They dared to be Persistent that led to Extraordinary Faith

Sometimes the reason we can’t get out of the cage is because we listen to the wrong information (v6-7)

2 barriers that keep you in the cage: (v8-12) 1. Internal barriers 2. External barriers

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Don’t choose the miracle over the message!

Available to Grow?

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:28:28 GMT

A Simple Choice Week #4 Available to Grow? 1 Kings 18:22-39

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Am I available and do I want to grow?

God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called

Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. 23 Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. 24 Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed. 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls, and prepare it and call on the name of your god. But do not set fire to the wood.” 26 So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made. 1 Kings 18:22-26

Activity does not equal availability

Our relationship with Jesus is built on intimacy, not activity

About noontime Elijah began mocking them. “You’ll have to shout louder,” he scoffed, “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be wakened!” 1 Kings 18:27

Religion = do more; try harder

So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out. 29 They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response. 1 Kings 18:28-29

Without connection, we don't move in God's direction

Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down. 31 He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, 32 and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. 33 He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.” 34 After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, 35 and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. 37 O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” 1 Kings 18:30-37

A lot of people are willing to pray for things, but we're not willing to participate in them

Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”1 Kings 18:38-39

The fire fell because things were prepared

Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. James 5:17-18

God only uses messy and broken people because messy and broken people are all that there are

Sign up at http://yourcentralchurch.com/serving today!

What Holds You Back?

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:44:43 GMT

A Simple Choice - Week #3

What Holds You Back?

1 Kings 18:1-2, 11-21

Later on, in the third year of the drought, the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” 2 So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. 1 Kings 18:1-2

When you’ve prepared for something, you can accomplish it

When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?”1 Kings 18:17

Any time you get ready to step into what God has called you to do you're going to face accusation and condemnation from the enemy

Conviction is from God and it's always good because it's designed to draw us close

Condemnation is always from the enemy and it's designed to push us away

Three Questions to ask when trying to figure out if something is conviction or condemnation:

1. Is it true?

Who you used to be is not who you are today in Christ

If it's true, it's conviction

If it's not true, it's condemnation

2. Is it helpful?

3. Does it draw me in or push me away?

“I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. 19 Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.” 20 So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. 1 Kings 18:18-21

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

Confession is transformational

There is power when we come into agreement with God

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16

Next Steps?

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:01:38 GMT

2/19/23 - A Simple Choice - Week 2 Next Steps? Matthew 28:19-20

Everyone has a NEXT STEP, what’s yours?
Connecting people to Jesus and others.

5 points of connection:

Attend Regularly
Give Generously
Serve Purposefully
Connect Relationally
Invite Boldly

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.” ~Mark 12:30-31

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:19-20

What steps are you taking?
God will often use us and our circumstances to help others that may be going through the same thing!

Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossip, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses stuttered, Zacchaeus was short, Abraham was old, and Lazarus was DEAD! So, you think God can’t use you? Think again!

What is your next step?

We Don't Choose the Drought

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:52:42 GMT

A Simple Choice - Week #1

We Don’t Choose the Drought

1 Kings 17:1–18:1

Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” I Kings 17:1

Israel was agricultural economy

Everybody has a next step. What’s my next step?

2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. I Kings 17:2-3

We often aren’t open to receiving what God says

Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” I Kings 17:4

God can use things some people call unclean to sustain us in our drought

So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. I Kings 17:5-7

Sometimes God will let us run out so we can understand that He is our source

Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” 12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. I Kings 17:8-13

Even Non-Christians have a next step

For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” 15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. 17 Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. 18 Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?” 19 But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed. I Kings 17:14-19

No matter how unclean we think we are, God will embrace it

Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?” 21 And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” 22 The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! 23 Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” I Kings 17:20-23

Whenever God asks you for something, you’re always going to get back more

Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.” Later on, in the third year of the drought, the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” I Kings 17:24-18:1

Grace Leads to Redemption

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:15:02 GMT

From Ruin to Redemption - Week #5

Grace Leads to Redemption

Ruth 4:1-17

You don’t get from Ruin to Redemption without Grace

Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. Just then the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, “Come over here and sit down, friend. I want to talk to you.” So they sat down together. 2 Then Boaz called ten leaders from the town and asked them to sit as witnesses. 3 And Boaz said to the family redeemer, “You know Naomi, who came back from Moab. She is selling the land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 I thought I should speak to you about it so that you can redeem it if you wish. If you want the land, then buy it here in the presence of these witnesses. But if you don’t want it, let me know right away, because I am next in line to redeem it after you.” The man replied, “All right, I’ll redeem it.” Ruth 4:1-4

God’s delays are not always God’s denials

Then Boaz told him, “Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.” 6 “Then I can’t redeem it,” the family redeemer replied, “because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it.” Ruth 4:5-6

If God can use Ruth, He can use you

Now in those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction. 8 So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, “You buy the land.” 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, “You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. 10 And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today.” 11 Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, “We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 And may the Lord give you descendants by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah.” 13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. Ruth 4:7-16

Second chance does not mean second class

The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. Ruth 4:17

Truth without grace has never changed anyone

Grace is what changes us from who we are to who we need to be

Step or Snooze?

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:36:55 GMT

From Ruin to Redemption Week #4

Step or Snooze?

Ruth 3:1-18

One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. 2 Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. 3 Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.” Ruth 3:1-4

If we’re going to take a step of faith, we need to step out of what is comfortable and into the unknown

“I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law. Ruth 3:5-6

God can bring anything form ruin to redemption

After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Ruth 5:7

You and I are not responsible for someone else’s obedience, we’re responsible for our own obedience

Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” 10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. 11 Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:8-11

Jesus doesn't see us the way the world sees us. He sees us in a greater light

But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. Ruth 3:12

Just because we do not see Jesus working does not mean Jesus is not working

Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.” 14 So Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet until the morning, but she got up before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. For Boaz had said, “No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor.” 15 Then Boaz said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured six scoops of barley into the cloak and placed it on her back. Then he returned to the town. Ruth 3:13-15

You never walk away from an experience with Jesus without being blessed

When Ruth went back to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “What happened, my daughter?” Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, 17 and she added, “He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” 18 Then Naomi said to her, “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.” Ruth 3:16-18

We're not waiting on God, He's waiting on us

Keep Walking

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 19:21:17 GMT

From Ruin to Redemption Week #3

Keep Walking

Ruth 2:1-23

Change comes when we embrace progress, not just striving for change

Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. Ruth 2:1

Sometimes God will not give you what you’re asking for, but he’ll connect you with someone that has it

One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.” Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” 3 So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. Ruth 2:2-3

Luck is when hard work meets opportunity

While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied. 5 Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” 6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. Ruth 2:4-6

She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.” 8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. Ruth 2:7-8

Jesus knows about your past and He still pursues you

See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” 10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” Ruth 2:9-10

You’ve never disappointed God

“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” 13 “I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.” 14 At mealtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.” So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over. Ruth 2:11-14

We cannot change ourselves, but as we walk with Jesus, over time, He changes us

When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. 16 And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!” Ruth 2:15-16

Victims never walk in victory

So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it filled an entire basket. 18 She carried it back into town and showed it to her mother-in-law. Ruth also gave her the roasted grain that was left over from her meal. 19 “Where did you gather all this grain today?” Naomi asked. “Where did you work? May the Lord bless the one who helped you!” So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man in whose field she had worked. She said, “The man I worked with today is named Boaz.” 20 “May the Lord bless him!” Naomi told her daughter-in-law. “He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers.” 21 Then Ruth said, “What’s more, Boaz even told me to come back and stay with his harvesters until the entire harvest is completed.” 22 “Good!” Naomi exclaimed. “Do as he said, my daughter. Stay with his young women right through the whole harvest. You might be harassed in other fields, but you’ll be safe with him.” 23 So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz’s fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2:17-23

Moab or Bethlehem?

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:42:28 GMT

From Ruin to Redemption Week #2 Moab or Bethlehem? Ruth 1:8-22

Who or what we are connected to will ultimately determine what we do

But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. 9 May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept. Ruth 1:8-9

“No,” they said. “We want to go with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? 12 No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? 13 Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me.” Ruth 10-13

Solitude is refreshing, isolation is destructive

And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. Ruth 1:14

Orpah chose messiness over a blessing

We have 86,400 seconds in a day

“Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. 19 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked.20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. Ruth 1:15-20

Naomi means sweetheart. Mara means bitter

I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” Ruth 1:21

You getting filled back up is all dependent upon who and what you’re connected to

You can’t get things right until you’re willing to admit that something is wrong in your life

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth 1:22

Get Ready

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 15:11:03 GMT

From Ruin to Redemption Week #1

Get Ready

Ruth 1:1-7

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. Ruth 1:1

Desperate people make dumb decisions

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. Ruth 1:1-2

Bethlehem means House of Bread

Stop settling and turn back to God

Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. 6 Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. Ruth 1:3-6

God is relentless when He pursues us

With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah. Ruth 1:7

Get ready for what God is going to do next

Pajama Sunday (2022 Year in Review)

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 14:30:39 GMT

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If you haven't connected with us "officially", please text welcome to 712-217-2550.

If you feel led to give this morning, please go to http://centralgive.com.

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Christmas List

Sun, 25 Dec 2022 19:00:54 GMT

Christmas Chronicles Week #4

Christmas List

1 Tim. 1:12-17

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.~ 1 Timothy 1:12-17

1. Jesus is a DIFFERENT kind of King

He came because He WANTED TO not because He was forced to.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” ~Luke 19:10

He came because He CHOSE TO not because He was required to.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” ~John 3:16-17

He came because He DESIRED TO not because He was commanded to.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). ~Matthew 1:21-23

He came TO GIVE His Life as a Ransom for Many

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~Mark 10:45

He came TO CALL Sinners to Repentance

“Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” ~Luke 5:31-32

He came TO GIVE Eternal Life

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ~John 14:6

2. Jesus is Approachable

“He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” ~Isaiah 42:2-4

3. Jesus is Accessible

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:38-39

4. Jesus is Available

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ~Matthew 7:7-8

The Power of God

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 15:13:48 GMT

Christmas Chronicles Week #3

The Power of God

Matthew 2:1-12

With the power of God working through you, you can accomplish anything that He has called you to accomplish

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. ~Matthew 2:1-3

He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” ~Matthew 2:4-6

If you’ve ever been “church hurt’” more than likely you were hurt by people who knew the Scriptures but missed the Savior

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” ~Matthew 2:7-8

Be careful who you make agreements with

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ~Matthew 2:9-11

Three Reason to Give:

1. Become more like Jesus

2. Invest in what matters to Jesus

The church is still God’s plan to change the world

3. Giving paves the way to blessing

You can’t out give God

The enemy always wants us to go back the way we came

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. ~Matthew 2:12

You can’t meet Jesus and stay the same!

The Name of Jesus

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:15:24 GMT

Christmas Chronicles Week #2

The Name of Jesus

Luke 1:26-37

Three things we feel get canceled out of our lives:

1. Joy

2. Peace

3. Hope

Three Things the Name of Jesus Reminds us of at Christmas:

1. Power

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! Luke 1:26-30

Another word for favor is the word grace

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. Luke 1:31

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:31-33

God is okay with your questions

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail” Luke 1:34-37

2. Healing

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. Matthew 1:18-19

Often times, when we’re hurt, we will walk away from a move of God because we don’t understand what He is doing

When two people in a relationship are listening to God, eventually He will bring them together and tell them the same thing

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Mathew 1:20-21

Healing begins with the name of Jesus

3. Life

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

God with Us

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 14:56:57 GMT

Christmas Chronicles Week #1 God with Us 2 Chronicles 33:1-13

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 2 He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations that the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had broken down. He constructed altars for the images of Baal and set up Asherah poles. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them. He built pagan altars in the Temple of the Lord, the place where the Lord had said, “My name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5 He built these altars for all the powers of the heavens in both courtyards of the Lord’s Temple. 2 Chronicles 33:1-5

One step at a time we go to “those” places and do “those” things we said we would never do

Manasseh also sacrificed his own sons in the fire in the valley of Ben-Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing his anger. 7 Manasseh even took a carved idol he had made and set it up in God’s Temple, the very place where God had told David and his son Solomon: “My name will be honored forever in this Temple and in Jerusalem—the city I have chosen from among all the tribes of Israel. 8 If the Israelites will be careful to obey my commands—all the laws, decrees, and regulations given through Moses—I will not send them into exile from this land that I set aside for your ancestors.” 9 But Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations that the Lord had destroyed when the people of Israel entered the land. 10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. 2 Chronicles 33:6-10

God is always going to speak to us

Immanuel= God with us

As we’re stepping away, God is looking at us and saying, “Are you sure you want to do that?”

So the Lord sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. 12 But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. 2 Chronicles 33:11-12

When we try to bargain with God, we don’t have a humble heart

And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God! 2 Chronicles 33:13

God is not trying to get you back, He’s trying to bring you back

God is a God of second chances!

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:21-23

From Trouble to the Table

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:47:20 GMT

Thanksgiving weekend 2022 From Trouble to The Table Psalm 23:5-6

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

At God’s table there is:

1. Unconditional love

2. Amazing Grace

Grace is for what you did 15 years ago, and Grace is for what we did 15 hours ago

3. Acceptance

4. Peace

5. Joy

Three Categories of enemies that take our focus from the table:

1. People

The quickest way to forget what God says about us is to focus on what people say about us.

2. The past

Guilt says, “this is what you did” Shame says, “this is who you are”

3. Problems

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

Nobody is exempt from the unconditional love and the amazing grace provided by God at the table

Let the Light In

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:33:42 GMT

11/20/22 Let the Light In

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep […] Genesis 1:1-2

[…] and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:2

God has Always Been & will Always Be Separated from Darkness

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:3-5

The First Step in moving from a life of chaos, disorder, confusion, emptiness, worthlessness, etc is to: Let the Light In

How Do We Let the Light In?

1. Pull Up The Shades

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Have I received Christ? If not, am I ready to receive His grace today?

What other areas of my life are causing me stress or unhappiness?

2. Clean the Windows

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

What have I been holding on to that I need to let go of? How have I been holding myself back?

3. Turn On The Lights

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What am I thankful for in my life right now?

4. Open The Door

23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:23-25

What next steps do I promise to take this week?

But God

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:21:03 GMT

11/13/22 “But God” Ephesians 2:1-10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ~Ephesians 2:1 (ESV)

1. We need a Savior because of our corruption in sin.

in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ~Ephesians 2:2

2. We need a Savior because of our captivity to Satan.

among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ~Ephesians 2:3

3. We need a Savior because of our condemnation to hell.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ~Ephesians 2:4

even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ~Ephesians 2:5

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ~Ephesians 2:6

4. But God

so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ~Ephesians 2:7

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ~Ephesians 2:8

5. Faith in the face of temptation

not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ~Ephesians 2:9

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ~Ephesians 2:10

6. Nothing Is impossible for God

What Are You Holding?

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:54:52 GMT

Empowered Week #5

What are you Holding?

Judges:13, 14, 15

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Luke 24:49

The Holy Spirit lives inside of you from the moment of salvation

And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he lived in Mahaneh-dan, which is located between the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol. Judges 13:25

How does the Holy Spirit stir your heart?

Our burden and our calling hold hands

As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. Judges 14:5

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. I Peter 5:8

At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. Judges 14:6

None of us are a victim to the temptation the enemy throws

Samson said to them, “Let me tell you a riddle. If you solve my riddle during these seven days of the celebration, I will give you thirty fine linen robes and thirty sets of festive clothing. 13 But if you can’t solve it, then you must give me thirty fine linen robes and thirty sets of festive clothing.” “All right,” they agreed, “let’s hear your riddle.” Judges 14:12-13

Don’t make agreements with the enemy

So he said: “Out of the one who eats came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet.” Three days later they were still trying to figure it out. 15 On the fourth[b] day they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband to explain the riddle for us, or we will burn down your father’s house with you in it. Did you invite us to this party just to make us poor?” 16 So Samson’s wife came to him in tears and said, “You don’t love me; you hate me! You have given my people a riddle, but you haven’t told me the answer.” “I haven’t even given the answer to my father or mother,” he replied. “Why should I tell you?” 17 So she cried whenever she was with him and kept it up for the rest of the celebration. At last, on the seventh day he told her the answer because she was tormenting him with her nagging. Then she explained the riddle to the young men. Judges 14:14-17

The enemy is persistent

So before sunset of the seventh day, the men of the town came to Samson with their answer:“ What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?” Samson replied, “If you hadn’t plowed with my heifer, you wouldn’t have solved my riddle!” 19 Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. He went down to the town of Ashkelon, killed thirty men, took their belongings, and gave their clothing to the men who had solved his riddle. But Samson was furious about what had happened, and he went back home to live with his father and mother. Judges 14:18-19

So 3,000 men of Judah went down to get Samson at the cave in the rock of Etam. They said to Samson, “Don’t you realize the Philistines rule over us? What are you doing to us?” But Samson replied, “I only did to them what they did to me.” 12 But the men of Judah told him, “We have come to tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines.” “All right,” Samson said. “But promise that you won’t kill me yourselves.” 13 “We will only tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines,” they replied. “We won’t kill you.” So they tied him up with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock. 14 As Samson arrived at Lehi, the Philistines came shouting in triumph. But the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Samson, and he snapped the ropes on his arms as if they were burnt strands of flax, and they fell from his wrists. 15 Then he found the jawbone of a recently killed donkey. He picked it up and killed 1,000 Philistines with it. Judges 15:11-15

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Grabbing My Attention

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:28:48 GMT

Empowered Week #4

Grabbing My Attention

Isaiah 38:1-6

How is God grabbing your attention?

Sometime God speaks through people, sometimes God speaks through circumstances

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’” Isaiah 38:1

When tragedy hits, we usually do 1 of 2 things; we blame God or we turn to God

When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. Isaiah 38:2-3

Don’t tell God what you need. Instead ask Him what He wants you to do next.

Then this message came to Isaiah from the Lord: 5 “Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life... Isaiah 38:4-5

15= the number of rest

...and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. Yes, I will defend this city. Isaiah 38:6

Fruit of the Spirit

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:58:03 GMT

Empowered Week #3

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

1. Love

God is not in love with some future version of you. God loves you right now, today, just the way you are.

God, teach me to see me, as you see me

2. Joy

Happiness is based on circumstances. Joy is based on who Jesus is.

3. Peace

The peace of God does not prevent the storm from coming. The peace of God allows us to have peace during the storm

4. Patience

Patience is walking in faith knowing that God’s going to bring about His will in His time

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:10

7. Faithfulness

The manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit that pertains to loyalty and trustworthiness

8. Gentleness

What if we were known for our gentleness rather than our condemnation?

9 Self-Control

Jesus, today through the power of your Holy Spirit enable me to _______________

We are Empowered

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 14:06:43 GMT

Empowered Week #2 We are Empowered Acts 3:1-12

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Acts 3:1-6

As followers of Jesus, we are called to speak life over people

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. Acts 3:7

Too many “Christians” will pray for you but wont talk to you
What do you need to put down in order to grab hold of what God wants for you?

He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. Acts 3:8-11

Don’t let anyone identify you by who you use to be!

Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? Acts 3:12

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. Acts 4:1

Jesus is about freedom. Religion is about control and manipulation

These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. Acts 4:2

Religious people always miss the miracle
Through Jesus, there is a resurrection from the dead

They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. 4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000. 5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” 13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. 15 So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves. Acts 4:3-15

Don’t miss the miracle God wants to do in your life

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. Acts 4:23

Empowered by the Spirit

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:11:25 GMT

Empowered Week #1

Empowered by The Spirit

Acts 2:1-4

1. Because of the Holy Spirit we have unity

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Acts 2:1

The devil does not fear a big church, but he does fear a unified church

Five things we have to be unified on:

a. Jesus is fully God and fully Man

b. Jesus was born of a virgin

c. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone

d. I’m messed up

e. Jesus is alive and He is coming back

2. Because of the Holy Spirit we have power

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Acts 2:2

As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. 6 At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. Judges 14:5-6

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

3. The Holy Spirit gives each believer Spiritual Gifts

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. Acts 2:3

The two metaphors given for the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts are wind and fire

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7

Two questions you can ask to help identify your gifting:

1. What do I enjoy?

2. What do I do well?

4. Because of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled

And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:4

Moses told them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” 28 The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day. Exodus 32:27-28

There’s a difference between conviction and condemnation

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. Acts 2:41

Mistaken Identity

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 13:52:04 GMT

Misinformed week #4 Mistaken Identity Matthew 16:13-17

Social media is a tool that we should use rather than a tool that controls us

The misinformation is--- you need to find your identity in the ideas that other people have about you

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? Matthew 16:13

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Matthew 16:14

When we become who “they” want us to be, we’re not becoming who Jesus wants us to be

The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?” John 8:48

Personal attack

Private thoughts

Negative thoughts do not come from God

Negative thoughts are ideas usually that are planted in our mind by other people

Painful Action

We do not have to allow deception to keep us from our destiny

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15

You get to choose who the "you" is for you

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Matthew 16:16-17

Correction is speaking life. Condemnation is speaking death.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

What is true about you if you are in Christ:

You are free

You are forgiven

You are not forsaken

You are blessed

You are victorious

Tipping the Golden Calf

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 14:14:41 GMT

Misinformation week #3

Tipping the Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-6

Three points of Misinformation:

1. The better you are, the more God loves you

2. When I mess up I lose my salvation

3. I’ve got to work my way back

When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” Exodus 32:1

It’s easy to judge someone else’s character when you wear a judge’s robe

So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!” 6 The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry. Exodus 32:2-6

Sin always has more consequences than we could ever imagine

“Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests. 2 Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. Exodus 28:1-2

These are the garments they are to make: a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother, Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me as priests. 5 So give them fine linen cloth, gold thread, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread. Exodus 28:4-5

Three points of the True Information of Jesus Christ:

1. In Christ, there is no disappointment from God towards you

2. God’s love is limitless

If God didn’t love bad people, god wouldn’t love any people

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. Galatians 1:15-16

3. God’s mercy is received, not achieved

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. Jude 1:24

Don't Be Afraid, Just Have Faith

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 14:03:00 GMT

Misinformed Week #1

Don’t Be Afraid, Just Have Faith

Mark 5:21-42

What do I intentionally do on a daily basis to put my focus on Jesus?

Nobody accidently follows Jesus

Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. 22 Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, 23 pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.” 24 Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. Mark 5:21-24

If you ever doubt the desperation of God for you, you need to look no further than the cross

A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. 30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” 31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it Mark 5:25-32

Sometimes, even those closest to Jesus don’t know what He is doing

Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. Mark 5:33

Religion will kill you. Jesus will heal you.

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Mark 5:34

Jesus is not trying to beat us down, He’s trying to lift us up

While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.” Mark 5:35

Misinformation comes from that multiple sources we allow to speak into our lives

While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.” 36 But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” 37 Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. 39 He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” 40 The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. 41 Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” Mark 5:35-41

Jesus values relationship over rules

Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” 42 And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. Mark 5:41-42

The reason we need to pay attention to Jesus instead of the misinformation of the world is because if we pay attention to the misinformation, we'll bury the blessing

What Are You Waiting For?

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:09:17 GMT

Unexpected Week #4

What Are You Waiting For?

Genesis 45:3-8, 50:14-21

When it comes to connecting with others, one of the biggest obstacles in regards to our walk with Jesus is our unwillingness to forgive

“I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. Genesis 45:3-4

But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. Genesis 45:5-8

1. Forgiveness is up to us, not them

Waiting for someone to say “I’m sorry” is not forgiveness, it’s entitlement

After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. 16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. 19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. Genesis 50:14-21

When we learn to forgive, fear begins to disappear in our lives

2. Forgiveness is not a one time decision, it’s a process

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22

3. Forgiveness does not mean complete restoration

You can forgive people but you cannot change them

Some relationships may never be restored

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

4. Forgiveness frees me, not them

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Lost and Recovered

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 15:10:27 GMT

Unexpected Week #3

Lost and Recovered

Genesis 41-42

Joseph got it all back, and then some

3 Things Joseph lost and recovered:

1. Joseph lost his position. But he got it back, and then some!

When we lose our position, we put ourselves in the prison of self-pity

Self-pity always leads to self-doubt, and self-doubt always leads to negative self-talk

“Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. 34 Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. 35 Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities. 36 That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.” Genesis 41:33-36

Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:37-41

2. Joseph lost his covering. But he got it back, and then some!

So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Genesis 37:23

Guilt says that’s what you did, Shame says that’s who you are

Your past may be what you did, it may be what happened to you, but in Christ, it’s not who you are

Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck Genesis 41:42

Joseph lost his robe but he got back robes!

3. Joseph lost his dreams. But he got it back, and then some!

Never let somebody who’s not pursuing their dream, talk you out of the dream that God put in your heart

One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” Genesis 37:5-9

The dream that God has placed in your heart will always bless and benefit other people

Since Joseph was governor of all Egypt and in charge of selling grain to all the people, it was to him that his brothers came. When they arrived, they bowed before him with their faces to the ground. 7 Joseph recognized his brothers instantly, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where are you from?” he demanded. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We have come to buy food.” 8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they didn’t recognize him. 9 And he remembered the dreams he’d had about them many years before. He said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see how vulnerable our land has become.” Genesis 42:6-9

The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost” Joel 2:25

Preparing for the Palace

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 13:23:55 GMT

Unexpected Week #2

Preparing for the Palace

Genesis 39 and 41

What would you be willing to do if you absolutely knew God was with you?

God is with you and He’s greater than anything that you're going through.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:41

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” Genesis 37:5-9

Meanwhile, the Midianite traders arrived in Egypt, where they sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was captain of the palace guard. Genesis 37:36

You don’t know a better route than God

Embrace the phrase- I’m getting ready

When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. Genesis 39:1-3

And Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” Genesis 39:7-9

Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. Genesis 39:19-20

If we can't steward the prison, why would God trust us in the palace?

But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. Genesis 39:21-23

Some time later, Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer and chief baker offended their royal master. 2 Pharaoh became angry with these two officials, 3 and he put them in the prison where Joseph was, in the palace of the captain of the guard. 4 They remained in prison for quite some time, and the captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, who looked after them. 5 While they were in prison, Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and baker each had a dream one night, and each dream had its own meaning. 6 When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset. 7 “Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them. Genesis 40:1-7

When we lose our compassion for other people, more than likely we've lost our connection to Jesus

And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.” Genesis 40:8

Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought. Genesis 40:23

Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River. Genesis 41:1

Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. Genesis 41:14

“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.” Genesis 41:16

Since you absolutely know God is with you, what are you going to do?

Promoted Not Punished

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 13:37:47 GMT

Unexpected Week #1

Promoted not Punished

Genesis 37:2-28

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:41

This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. Genesis 37:2 11= Imperfection, Judgment, Disorder

Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. 5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. Genesis 37:3-5

If you want to be great, you have to be able to handle hate

For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Luke 7:33-35 To get to the mountain, you often have to walk through the valley When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” Genesis 37:18-20

But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken! Isaiah 54:17 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. 23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. Genesis 37:21-24

Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. 27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. 28 So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. Genesis 37:25-28

The Perils of Pride

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:01:58 GMT

7/31/22 - I’m A Work In Progress - Week 8 The Perils of Pride Proverbs 16:18

“‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created, they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade, you have desecrated your sanctuaries.” -Ezekiel 28:12-18

Pride is giving ourselves the credit for something that God has accomplished.

The two types of pride:

Outward pride
Inward pride
Satan poisons our lives with pride, one drop at a time.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. -1 Peter 5:8-9

7 symptoms of pride:

Fault-finding
A Harsh Spirit
Superficiality
Defensiveness
Presumption Before God
Desperation for Attention
Neglecting Others

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. -Proverbs 16:18

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” -Luke 18:9-14

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you -John 15:9-12

Humility is the antidote to pride
While pride divides, humility unites.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! And His ultimate act of humility was obedience to death on the cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. -Philippians 2:1-11

5 Strategies Towards Humility:

1. Thankfulness

2. Confess your sins regularly

3. Accept humiliations

4. Don’t worry about status

5. Listen to others

God is God and I am not.

Reflect on this: (Reflections slide)

What areas in my life have been poisoned by pride?
God, forgive me for my pride. Please help me to understand fully who You are and help me to trust You completely, so that I may be humble before You and others.

Peacemakers 101

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 13:45:25 GMT

Peacemakers 101

James 1:19-21

The Maker knows how it works

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

“If it is possible, as long as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18

Living at peace with others is best for ourselves, our representation of Jesus, and our relationship with God

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21

1. Have the Word planted in you

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

QUICK TO LISTEN

21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21

2. Quick to meekness

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Quick to see the good

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

Quick to own our part

SLOW TO SPEAK

27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. Proverbs 17:27-28

3. As Christians, we do not have freedom of speech.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

When we know who’s paying, we’re mindful of what we’re saying

SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21

orgē: anger, movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger

We’re slow to anger when we loosen our grip

4. To be humble before God is to be patient towards people.

We’re quick to make peace with others when we know God has made peace with us

“If it is possible, as long as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

I Can Cast My Cares

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 13:19:43 GMT

I’m a Work in Progress - Week #6

I Can Cast My Cares

1 Peter 5:7

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs Matthew 6:31-32

Worry and Anxiety come from three places: a. The Past

b. The Present

c. The Future

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Some people find their identity in their anxiety

We are created in God’s image

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

Repent comes from the Greek word metanoia, which means change your mind I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Jesus majors in the supernatural

Jesus in us gives us the strength we need to cast our anxiety unto Him

Morning Mercies

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 11:51:26 GMT

I’m a Work in Progress - Week #5

Morning Mercies

Lamentations 3:22-23

For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 86:13

So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king. Exodus 1:11

Sometimes, what you escape to is eventually going to be what you have to escape from
God often delivers us through a process
When you get set free, there is always a celebration

“If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” Exodus 16:3

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day... Exodus 16:4

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” Exodus 16:11

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” John 6:51

Prayer focus God, may I never lose sight of the wonder of your mercy.

A Reality Check

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 13:36:50 GMT

“A Work in Progress” - Week 4

A REALITY CHECK

Revelations 3:14-22 (NIV)

Christ Is faithful even when we are faithless!

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ~Revelation 3:14

Christ is not interested in those who fake it.

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ~Revelation 3:15-16

4 characteristics that we see from the Laodicean Church:

They were complacent.
They had lost their drive.
They had lost their fire.
They had lost their vision.

There is no one farther from the truth in Christ than the one who makes an idle profession without real faith.”

17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. ~Revelation 3:17-18

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ~1 Timothy 6:10

Christ desires repentance to deepen our relationship.

When we walk through fires of temptation, tribulation, and persecution. God is using the fire to “test” our faith to forge, refine, and purify it. (See 1 Peter 1:3-7)

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. ~Revelation 3:19-20

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ~Revelation 3:21-22

3 Core Components that can set the stage and keep our heart tender, ready, and alert for His calling:

Surrender: Acknowledge your brokenness
Ask God in
Look for Gold

Trust Issues

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:31:31 GMT

I’m a Work in Progress Week #3

Trust Issues

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Even when we’re out of control, God is still in control

Often times, God puts things in our life not to restrict us, but to protect us

The area of our life that is most out of control is most likely the area of life that needs to be submitted to God

Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. 2 But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.” 4 Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from Joshua 2:1-4

Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. 9 “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. 10 For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. 11 No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. Joshua 2:8-11

Before they left, the men told her, “We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions. 18 When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house. Joshua 2:17-18

Meanwhile, Joshua said to the two spies, “Keep your promise. Go to the prostitute’s house and bring her out, along with all her family.” Joshua 6:22

People know your name but call you by your sin. God knows your sin but calls you by your name

The men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brothers, and all the other relatives who were with her. They moved her whole family to a safe place near the camp of Israel. Joshua 6:23

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Matthew 1:1-5

Jesus doesn't just love people that are a mess, Jesus came through people that are a mess

Fear is Contagious

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:39:57 GMT

I’m a Work in Progress Week #2

Fear is Contagious

2 Kings 6:8-18

Fear is forgetting that God is in control

When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.” -2 Kings 6:8

The enemy's got a plan for us and his main weapon is fear

But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.” 10 So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there. -2 Kings 6:9-10

God's plans are greater than the enemy's plans

God reigns... God is supreme... God is in control

There is a spiritual fight for our focus. And where we focus will determine how we feel

The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called his officers together and demanded, “Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?” 12 “It’s not us, my lord the king,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!” 13 “Go and find out where he is,” the king commanded, “so I can send troops to seize him.” And the report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.” 14 So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. -2 Kings 6:11-14

The reason the enemy is trying to intimidate us is because he knows what God can initiate through us

When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. 16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 18 As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please make them blind.” So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. -2 Kings 6:15-18

Lord, help me not to fear by reminding me that You are near

Not If, But When

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 13:43:31 GMT

Work in Progress - Week #1

Not If, but When

James 1:2-4

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:1-2

Isolation is only one step away from destruction

We cannot be healed until we get real

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3

The more we walk with Jesus, the more our endurance builds up

We need to be willing to let other people walk with Jesus at their own pace and build up their endurance

Just because I've messed up doesn't mean that I'm messed up

If you're a Christian, our identity comes from our heavenly father, not our earthly failure

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:4

"Do more" never works

Maturity is not based on more activity but rather deliberate honesty

2 prayers to start praying:

1. "God, help me see things from Your perspective. God, let me see as You see

2. God, show me who can help me see things from Your perspective

Lean In

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 13:31:15 GMT

Lean In

1 Corinthians 13:12, John 11:1-45

12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! ~1 Corinthians 13:12 (MSG)

We must Learn how to be Comfortable being Uncomfortable
The Bible is Meant to Be a Playbook not a Band-Aid

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” ~John 11:1-7 (NIV)

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” John 11:17-24 (NIV)

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” ~John 11:32-37 (NIV)

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. ~John 11:45 (NIV)

2 Ways We Can “Lean In” More Intentionally:

Use your Mourning as Motivation for Movement
Turn your Whys into Hows

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ ” -Mr. Fred Rogers

Busting the Door Wide Open

Tue, 31 May 2022 20:21:47 GMT

5/29/22

Busting the Door Wide Open

Acts 16:16-33

1. Persecution is not new.

Jesus taught us in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” ~ 1 Peter 5:8

2. Persecution can come from multiple angles

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. ~Acts 16:19

3. Encountering the Gospel promotes Questions

...fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is not seen, for what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:18

4. What you are going through is what God is bringing you through!

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ 1 Thess. 5:16-18

5. When you worship, your circumstances get smaller and your God gets bigger.

In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge. ~Proverbs 14:26 amp

6. The Gospel presents a choice

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. ~Acts 16:31-32

The power of God through the Gospel changes lives … ALL lives

Put Me In, Coach!

Mon, 23 May 2022 15:59:53 GMT

Put Me In, Coach!

Matthew 9:35 - 10:1

We’re not called to be spectators, we’re called to be participants.
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. - Matthew 9:35-38

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. - Matthew 10:1

1. Jesus has compassion on those most in need of a shepherd

Splanchnizomai (Greek): to have compassion or deep sympathy

2. We get to be called workers!

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” - John 15:15-17

Despite our rebellion, God redeems us and lets us help with the rebuild.

3. We have power from Jesus that ensures victory.

We are on the winning team. But are you in the game?
The wave always starts in the student section!
In 2017, 75% of kids left the faith from ages 18-29

Since 2007 in the United States…

Suicide rates have increased by 76% for ages 15 to 19
Suicide rates have nearly doubled in teen girls
The highest rate of increase in suicide among all age groups is in kids between 10-14 years old
Depressive symptoms are up 21% in teen boys and up 50% in girls
In early 2020, an estimated 1 out of 4 young adults contemplated suicide
In the 25% that stay, one of the key factors was having at least one-faith focused, consistent adult in their lives other than their parents
“A secure attachment with an adult can not only help heal and rewire the brain… but it can also help decrease the risk for despair and suicidal thoughts in adolescents.” - Chinwé Williams, Ph.D.
Teens need a team.
712 Student Ministry Vision: “To create environments where students can be known and experience God. To partner with parents to help them win in the lives of their students.”
Text “Put me in, Coach!” to 712-214-4319 to learn more about our Youth Ministry and how to apply

“20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ - Matthew 25:20-21

Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Declaring the Good News

Mon, 16 May 2022 14:38:11 GMT

Shattered Week 4

Declaring the Good News

Esther 8-10

Good news by its very nature demands that somebody share that good news

1. Good news should always be shared

The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Mordecai sent the dispatches by swift messengers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king’s service. 11 The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. 12 The day chosen for this event throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes was March 7 of the next year. 13 A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day. 14 So urged on by the king’s command, the messengers rode out swiftly on fast horses bred for the king’s service. The same decree was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa. Esther 8:10-14

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

You need to be a participator, not a spectator

2. When God’s people step up, lives are saved.

Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews. 4 Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him. 5 Esther said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor with him, and if he thinks it is right, and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses the orders of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who ordered that Jews throughout all the king’s provinces should be destroyed. 6 For how can I endure to see my people and my family slaughtered and destroyed?” 7 Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews. 8 Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.” 9 So on June 25 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Mordecai dictated. It was sent to the Jews and to the highest officers, the governors, and the nobles of all the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. The decree was written in the scripts and languages of all the peoples of the empire, including that of the Jews. 10 The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Mordecai sent the dispatches by swift messengers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king’s service. Esther 8:3-10

Esther had two character traits that helped enable her to step up:

a. She was bold

b. She was humble

3. God always uses people to accomplish his purposes

Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the welfare of all their descendants. Esther 10:3

4. Salvation should always be declared and celebrated

Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes, 21 calling on them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days. 22 He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy. 23 So the Jews accepted Mordecai’s proposal and adopted this annual custom. 24 Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim). 25 But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman’s evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole. 26 That is why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the ancient word for casting lots. So because of Mordecai’s letter and because of what they had experienced, 27 the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year. 28 These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants. Esther 9:20-28

This week’s prayer focus: Lord, give me the boldness and humility to share the good news of Jesus this week.

This week’s sermon takeaway: Identify the area where God is calling you to step up... Not anything crazy or spectacular, just something that takes courage and faith.

Blessings in the Pieces

Mon, 09 May 2022 13:26:19 GMT

This week's prayer focus: Lord, give me the strength to celebrate in my walk with you even when pieces in my life appear shattered.

This week's sermon takeaway: Text 2-3 people who have made an impact in your life, either recently or in the past, and remind them of the positive impact in your life. Don't procrastinate on this! Glory to God! (Ephesians 4:29)

Shattered Week #3

Blessings in the Pieces

God’s desire is to bless us, not beat us

“So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked. Esther 1:19

So on April 17 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Haman dictated. It was sent to the king’s highest officers, the governors of the respective provinces, and the nobles of each province in their own scripts and languages. The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Dispatches were sent by swift messengers into all the provinces of the empire, giving the order that all Jews—young and old, including women and children—must be killed, slaughtered, and annihilated on a single day. This was scheduled to happen on March 7 of the next year. The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them. Esther 3:12-13

Too many Jesus Followers carry the weight of the curse

The weight of the curse causes us to be crushed by the phrase; I am not___________ enough

It’s not God’s will that we continue to walk under the curse of the enemy

Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews. 4 Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him. 5 Esther said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor with him, and if he thinks it is right, and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses the orders of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who ordered that Jews throughout all the king’s provinces should be destroyed. 6 For how can I endure to see my people and my family slaughtered and destroyed? Esther 8:3-6

We know we are connected to Jesus when we have a heart for other people

Don’t allow negativity to hijack your mindset

Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews. 8 Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.” 9 So on June 25 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Mordecai dictated. It was sent to the Jews and to the highest officers, the governors, and the nobles of all the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. The decree was written in the scripts and languages of all the peoples of the empire, including that of the Jews. 10 The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Mordecai sent the dispatches by swift messengers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king’s service. 11 The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. Esther 8:7-11

Sometime you’ve got to give it to get it

The day chosen for this event throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes was March 7 of the next year. 13 A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day. 14 So urged on by the king’s command, the messengers rode out swiftly on fast horses bred for the king’s service. The same decree was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa. 15 Then Mordecai left the king’s presence, wearing the royal robe of blue and white, the great crown of gold, and an outer cloak of fine linen and purple. And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree. 16 The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere. 17 In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them. Esther 8:12-17

Picking Up the Pieces

Mon, 02 May 2022 15:04:45 GMT

Shattered Week #2

Picking up the Pieces

There is often a waiting period between the mess and the miracle

On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Esther 5:1-3

Even when everything seems out of control, God is still in control

Victims never walk in victory

And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.” 5 The king turned to his attendants and said, “Tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet, as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet. 6 And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” 7 Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish. 8 If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.” Esther 5:4-7

Rather than running in reaction, walk in wisdom

Haman was a happy man as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the palace gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, Haman became furious. 10 However, he restrained himself and went on home. Then Haman gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 and boasted to them about his great wealth and his many children. He bragged about the honors the king had given him and how he had been promoted over all the other nobles and officials. 12 Then Haman added, “And that’s not all! Queen Esther invited only me and the king himself to the banquet she prepared for us. And she has invited me to dine with her and the king again tomorrow!” 13 Then he added, “But this is all worth nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew just sitting there at the palace gate.” Esther 5:9-13

Bitterness will almost always hinder our walk with God

So Haman’s wife, Zeresh, and all his friends suggested, “Set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall, and in the morning ask the king to impale Mordecai on it. When this is done, you can go on your merry way to the banquet with the king.” This pleased Haman, and he ordered the pole set up. Esther 5:14

One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh—who were guards at the door of the king’s private quarters—became angry at King Xerxes and plotted to assassinate him. 22 But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told the king about it and gave Mordecai credit for the report. 23 When an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. This was all recorded in The Book of the History of King Xerxes’ Reign. Esther 2:21-23

That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. 2 In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes. 3 “What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked. His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 “Who is that in the outer court?” the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared. 5 So the attendants replied to the king, “Haman is out in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. 6 So Haman came in, and the king said, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?” Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?” 7 So he replied, “If the king wishes to honor someone, 8 he should bring out one of the king’s own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden—one with a royal emblem on its head. 9 Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king’s robes and led through the city square on the king’s horse. Have the official shout as they go, ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’” 10 “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!” Esther 6:1-10

We either choose to walk in humility, or God will humble us

So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king’s own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!” 12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated. 13 When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.” 14 While they were still talking, the king’s eunuchs arrived and quickly took Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared. Esther 6:11-14

If we truly believe God is working, worry will have no place in our lives

So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet. 2 On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” 3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request, I ask that my life and the lives of my people will be spared. Esther 7:1-3

We know we have a heart for God when we actually have a heart for others

For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet, for that would be too trivial a matter to warrant disturbing the king.” 5 “Who would do such a thing?” King Xerxes demanded. “Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?” 6 Esther replied, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.” Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen. 7 Then the king jumped to his feet in a rage and went out into the palace garden. Haman, however, stayed behind to plead for his life with Queen Esther, for he knew that the king intended to kill him. 8 In despair he fell on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining, just as the king was returning from the palace garden. The king exclaimed, “Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?” And as soon as the king spoke, his attendants covered Haman’s face, signaling his doom. Esther 7:4-8

God will fight our battles

Then Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, said, “Haman has set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall in his own courtyard. He intended to use it to impale Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination.” “Then impale Haman on it!” the king ordered. 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided. Esther 7:9-10

Even though there are many pieces, God will fulfill His promises

This week's prayer focus:

LORD, help me to be stronger in my obedience to YOU as I surrender the things that have held me back.

This week's sermon takeaway:

John 6:29 says "The work of the Lord is to believe in the One He sent." If belief in Jesus helps us overcome worry and fear in the "waiting period", how do you do the "work" of believing in Jesus this week? Find out what makes you love God more, and do that each day.

Broken Pieces

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 13:54:02 GMT

Shattered week 1

Broken Pieces

On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas— 11 to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. 12 But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger. Esther 1:10-12

“So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked. It should order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from the presence of King Xerxes, and that the king should choose another queen more worthy than she. 20 When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!” Esther 1:19-20

But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made. Esther 2:1

When we are angry, we don’t make wise decisions

So his personal attendants suggested, “Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint agents in each province to bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem at the fortress of Susa. Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, will see that they are all given beauty treatments. Esther 2:2-3

It is not a win when one person benefits and the majority of the people suffer

After that, the young woman who most pleases the king will be made queen instead of Vashti.” This advice was very appealing to the king, so he put the plan into effect. Esther 2:4

As a result of the king’s decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king’s harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai’s care. Esther 2:8

And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:17

God often takes scandalous, shamed, messed-up people, and uses them for His glory, because that’s who He can get the most glory from

To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone. Esther 2:18

Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire. 2 All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect. Esther 3:1-3

Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” Esther 4:10-11

How many times have we chosen the comfortable thing rather than the thing that required courage?

So Hathach gave Esther’s message to Mordecai.13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” Esther 4:12-16

Esther chose to do the right thing over the easy thing

“Lord, give me the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do what is right, even when it’s hard.” -Andy Stanley

Easter 2022 "Because He Lives"

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 17:03:44 GMT

Easter 2022

Because He Lives

Matthew 28:1-10

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life John 3:16

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

What you believe determines how you behave

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? James 2:14

Uncertainty is nothing more than a guarantee that we can't live without Jesus

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. Matthew 28:1-4

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

The stone wasn't rolled away, so Jesus could get out. The stone was rolled away so we could get in

All people don’t go to Heaven, alive people do

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matthew 28:8

A lot of people want a resurrection but they’re not willing to walk through a crucifixion to get it

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:9-10

Forgiven and Free

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 16:16:42 GMT

Forgiven and Free

Genesis 2:16-17

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:7-9

God wants to be connected with you

He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:10-12

We often believe the lie that as long as we blame, we don’t have to deal with the issue

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13

There are always consequences for sin

When it comes to God and sin, somebody has to pay

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21

Salvation is immediate, but if you're going to walk in freedom, it's a process

When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. 24 “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. Exodus 12:23-24

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

Jesus didn't come to remind us of our sin, Jesus came to take away our sin

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” Luke 22:7

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Luke 22:17-18

We should enter communion time with thanksgiving

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:19-20

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

Walking Through My Area

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 13:34:07 GMT

Walking Through My Area

John 4:1-7

Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” John 4:1-7 What if we, as followers of Jesus, were known for our kind words to other people? All of us have to go through Samaria to get to where God wants you to go in life

Samaria= some area

Three things that we need to wrap our minds around as we walk through some area: 1. There needs to be clear repentance

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

2. You need to understand that if God wants you to walk through some area, it might not be easy, but it’s always right

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:9-11 3. You have to be open to walking through the area God wants you to go through

Habits #5: Invite Boldly

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:45:09 GMT

Habits Week #5

Invite Boldly

Exodus 2:1-10

Attend Regularly- The habit of making church a priority

Give Generously- The habit of giving back from what God has given me

Connect Relationally- The habit of experiencing life change by engaging in authentic relationships

Serve Purposefully- The habit of sharing my gifts and talents to further the mission of Central to connect people to Jesus and each other

Invite Boldly- The habit of intentionally and personally sharing Central’s services and events

For the son of man came to seek and save those that were lost. Luke 19:10

Who would you be willing to invite if you knew that God was in complete control?

1. We have to understand that Jesus draws people to Himself in His time, not ours

Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. Exodus 2:1-4

2. We need to trust that God is in control

Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said. Exodus 2:5-6

3. Realize that it's time to take action

Statistics show that 40-50% of un-churched and de-churched people would attend a church if simply invited by someone they know.

Often times, Christians use prayer as an excuse for inactivity

Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”8 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2:7-10

Inviting boldly sometimes requires taking a chance or taking a risk

Who would you be willing to invite if you knew that God was in complete control?

Habits #4: Serve Purposefully

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 15:23:59 GMT

Habits Week #4

Serve Purposefully

Luke 10:25-37

Everybody knows what the church is against, not many people know what it stands for!
Followers of Jesus Christ purposefully serve other people
Every person here is called, gifted, equipped, and empowered to serve

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:25-29

IN ORDER TO “SERVE PURPOSEFULLY”, WE MUST EMBRACE 2 BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES:

1. We’ve got to learn to see people as Jesus sees people.

Followers of Jesus change. If you’re not changing, you’re not following!

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. Luke 10:30-31

Our Bible studies should propel us to action and not arrogance

32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:32-33

2. We’ve got to respond when Jesus leads.

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Luke 10:34-35

3 WAYS TO BE INVOLVED IN YOUR LOCAL CHURCH:

A. Spiritual involvement

B. Physical involvement

3 Questions you can ask to ask yourself in regards to serving:
What do I enjoy
What am I good at
If I could do anything and know I wouldn’t fail, what would I do?
You need the local church to help you develop your gift.

C. Financial involvement

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

Habits #3: Connect Relationally

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:24:29 GMT

3/13/22 - Week 3

Connect Relationally

Galatians 5:13-26; Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Connect Relationally: “The habit of experiencing life change by engaging in authentic relationships.

2 Barriers We Experience Relating To ‘Connect Relationally’:

1. It takes up our unobligated time

2. We’re uncomfortable interacting with new people

We were designed for connection

“To Connect”: When you’re consistently meeting with a group of people who are committed to seeking Jesus and practicing the “One-Anothers” together.

“One-Anothers” of Scripture:

“Love one another…” ~John 13:34

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” ~Romans 12:10

“Serve one another humbly in love.” ~Galatians 5:13

“...Bearing with one another in love” ~Ephesians 4:2

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for each other.” ~James 5:16

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:11

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ~Galatians 5:13-14

1. When we connect, we’re being obedient to God.

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ~John 17:20-23

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ~Galatians 5:16-17

2. When we connect, we begin to value what God values.

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~Ephesians 4:2-6

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. ~Hebrews 10:24-25

10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. ~1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

Jesus died so that we could all be together in His presence

For that reason, we need to practice!

What we value will ultimately determine what we do.

What are we valuing above being together?

3. When we connect, we bear fruit

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. ~Galatians 5:22-26

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. ~Proverbs 27:17

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

4. When we connect, we have support

Question #1: Do you need an Ecclesiastes 4 friend, or are you now called to BE an Ecclesiastes 4 friend?

Question #2: What barrier, misplaced value, or fear is holding you back from Connecting Relationally in the Church?

Habits #2: Give Generously

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 14:44:22 GMT

Habits - Week 2

Give Regularly

Matthew 6:19-24

Give Generously. That is, the habit of giving back from what God has given to me

1. What does the Bible say about money?

Q. Why does the Bible have so much to say about money?

A. Because money is the #1 competitor to your heart when it comes to you following Jesus

When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. Genesis 4:2-5

God doesn’t want our leftovers

3 WAYS YOU CAN GIVE GENEROUSLY:

a. The Tithe. The tithe is 10% of your gross income every year

b. The offering. That is anything above the tithe

c. Sacrificially. That is when you see a need and you meet a need

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:6-10

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:23-24

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Matthew 23:23

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:10-15

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. John 12:1-6

What you value will determine what you do

All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:44-45

that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:34-35

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:2-3

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

2. Who or what does my wallet say that I worship?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:21-24

WE WANT TO HELP YOU PRAY THROUGH ONE OF THREE STEPS TODAY:

1. Surrender

2. Become Strategic

3. Sacrifice

You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving

Habits #1: Attend Regularly

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:52:22 GMT

Habits - Week #1

Attend Regularly

Revelation 2:1-7; Acts 18:8-20; Hebrews 10:25

Attend Regularly- The habit of making church a priority

What we value will ultimately determine what we do

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: 2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. 4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Revelation 2:1-5

1. The Church should value Evangelism

Evangelism is simply telling someone about Jesus Christ

Church culture says, “contain Jesus.” The Bible says, “proclaim Jesus.”

Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. 9 But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord. 11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. 13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. Acts 19:8-16

2. The Church should esteem Jesus

The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Acts 19:17

If we esteem something more than Jesus, we are not going to grow in our relationship with Jesus

What we lift up, we will live out

3. The church should be eager to live for Him

Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. Acts 19:18

We need to be more obsessed with our repentance rather than our reputation

A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. 20 So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. Acts 19:19-20

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the right to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Stepping Out with Courage to Our Destination

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:32:07 GMT

2/20/22

Stepping Out with Courage to Our Destination

When you see what God wants you to see, you can do what God wants you to do.

29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” 32 In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, 33 who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go. ~Deuteronomy 1:29-33

When we see God correctly, it puts our difficulties in perspective.

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ~Joshua 1:1-2

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”

3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ~Joshua 1:3-5

When we move into our next steps, the challenge is to walk in victory rather than being hesitant.

6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ~Joshua 1:6-7

When the finish line seems to be out of sight we need to push ourselves through the obstacle that’s in the way.

8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:8-9

When we are able to contend with the challenges that seem to be beyond our strength to handle; at the moment, we can grow.

16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.” ~Joshua 1:16 NIV

We will never expand our capabilities until we are pushed to and brought face-to-face with our breaking point.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. 6 So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ~Hebrews 13:5-8

The challenge that is before each of us is to step out of our comfort zone and reach the destination that God has for us.

All Aboard the Peace Express

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 16:08:32 GMT

All Aboard week #6

All Aboard the Peace Express

Mark 3:1-6; John 11:45-48; Matthew 26:39; Matthew 27:45-46

Peace is not an absence of problems, but rather perspective on how the story ends

4 things that rob us from the peace of God

1. A hard heart

A hard heart is somebody that knows what God wants to do in them and through them, and says, no

The more religious your background, the more likely your heart is to be hard

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Mark 3:1-3

Jesus doesn’t tear you down, Jesus builds you up

Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. 5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! Mark 3:4-5

Religious people don't mind if miracles happen, as long as it fits within their system

At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. Mark 3:6

Religious people don't mind breaking God's commandments when you break theirs

2. Control

Control is the greatest illusion in the universe

Following Jesus is about freedom. Religion is about control and manipulation

Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.” John 11:45-48

So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. John 11:53

3. Misunderstanding

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39

4. Dishonesty

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Matthew 27:45-46

You cannot step into healing until you’re honest

All Aboard for My Next Step

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 16:59:23 GMT

All Aboard Week #5

All Aboard for My Next Step

Acts 8:26-38

Christianity is not about climbing ladders, but about taking steps

No one who has a defect qualifies, whether he is blind, lame, disfigured, deformed, 19 or has a broken foot or arm, 20 or is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or has a defective eye, or skin sores or scabs, or damaged testicles. Leviticus 21: 18-20

As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Acts 8:26

Sometimes we can miss out on the step God wants us to take because we want an explanation

So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. Acts 8:27-28

Everyone has a next step.

What is your next step?

It would be a tragedy for the church to take it’s next step and us as individuals not take our step

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Acts 8:29

Jesus will always tell us our next step. However, He won’t tell us two or three or four steps down the road, because if He did, we might not do it.

Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31

Do you know:

1. God’s Grace covers you

2. You are not a screw up

3. God still believes in you

If you’re not dead, God’s not done!

The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 33 He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. Acts 8:32-35

At Central, we want people to know what we’re for, not what we’re against

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:36-38

Gracefully Broken

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 16:06:42 GMT

All Aboard Week #4

Gracefully Broken

Mark 6:30-44

Brokenness oftentimes leads to blessing

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. 32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:30-34

We always want Jesus to have compassion on us, we just don’t want Him to have compassion on people who are different than us

Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” Mark 6:35-36

If we’re not careful, we will send the people away that Jesus called us to reach and disguise it as concern for those same people.

But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” 38 “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred. 41 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. 42 They all ate as much as they wanted, 43 and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. 44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed. Mark 6:37-44

The process was: He took it, He blessed it, He broke it, He gave it

All Aboard for a Move of God

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 09:01:13 GMT

All Aboard Week #3

All Aboard for a Move of God

Mark 4:35-41

It’s a tragedy if we move as a church but Jesus isn’t moving in our lives individually

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” Mark 4:35

Spiritual activity doesn’t always relate to intimacy

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” Luke 17:5

When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” Luke 9:54 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Matthew 28:17

You are not less than anything or anybody
Jesus will always tell us our next step. However, He won’t tell us two or three or four steps down the road, because if He did, we might not do it.

Jesus will allow us to go through the storm to teach us something, to make us stronger, or so we can see Him more clearly
If you’re following Jesus, the enemy is going to try to send a storm to shut you down

The area that I need for Jesus to move the most in my life is... ____________________

Onboard with Worshipping God

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:09:55 GMT

All Aboard Week #2 Onboard with Worshipping God 2 Chronicles 20:1-25

Uncertainty is one of the things that brings about stress, worry and anxiety in our lives

In my darkest moments of uncertainty, I can know that Jesus is with me

After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.) 3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help. 5 Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. 9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ 2 Chronicles 20:1-9

In times of uncertainty, we need to look back at all of the times Jesus was there for us

“And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:10-12

Often times, God will allow us to be in a situation that reminds us how out of control we are so that we can see how in control He is

Sometimes things will happen to remind us that we really do need God’s help

O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” 13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. 15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” 18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. 20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” 22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 2 Chronicles 20:12-23

Even when I don’t see it, Jesus is working

So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. 25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 2 Chronicles 20:24-25

Not Alone in the Fire

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 21:17:50 GMT

All Aboard week #1

Not Alone in the Fire Daniel 3:1-30

To make it in life, we need the help of Jesus and other people

When it comes to taking steps forward, spiritually, we is greater than me

Are we going to blend in, or are we going to stand out?

Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Daniel 3:13-15

Who are your ONBOARD people?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

When it comes to people in your life, it’s not what they say or if they pray, it’s whether or not they stay

Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. Daniel 3:19-20

Don’t give in to the breakdown, Hold on for the breakthrough

So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. Daniel 3:21-23

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Daniel 3:24-25

Sometimes we don’t see His presence until we step into the fire

What the enemy put on them, Jesus took off of them, with the thing that was meant to destroy them

Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:26-30

Clear Focus for 2022

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 14:21:46 GMT

January 2, 2022

Clear Focus for 2022

3 Questions to ask as we step into 2022

1. How can I do a better job of _____________ others? So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 How did Jesus love? a. _____________

b. _____________

Jesus _____________ me to see _____________ as you see _____________ When we ________ like Jesus _________ we're more likely to _________ what Jesus _________

2. How can I have _____________ in my _____________ journey?

Without _____________ to Jesus we have no _____________

1. _____________ Regularly- The habit of making _____________ a _____________ 2. _____________ Purposefully- The habit of _____________ your _____________ and _____________ to further the mission of Central 3. _____________ Generously- The habit of _____________ back what God has _____________ me 4. _____________ Relationally- The habit of _____________ life _____________ by _____________ in authentic _____________ 5. _____________ Boldly- The habit of _____________ and _____________ sharing Central’s services and events _____________ and _____________ give us _____________

A _____________ is someone who _____________ Jesus

3. What is the one thing I _____________ I need to _____________ but have not _____________ ? Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom Psalm 90:12

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:21-22

Come Home for Christmas

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 14:10:29 GMT

December 24-25, 2021

Home For Christmas Week #4

Come Home for Christmas

Christmas is about connecting with God

Therefore, go and give this message to Israel. This is what the Lord says: “O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever. Jeremiah 3:12

Movies and songs forget 2 facts of reality about home:

a. No home is perfect

b. No home is permanent

Three Things You Can Expect to Come Home To:

1. God’s love and forgiveness

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

Therefore, go and give this message to Israel. This is what the Lord says: “O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever. Jeremiah 3:12

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

2. God’s peace and strength

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

God literally gives us rest for our soul

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29

3. God’s hope and joy

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Know Jesus, Know Peace

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 16:16:45 GMT

Home For Christmas Week #3 Know Jesus, Know Peace Luke 2:8-14

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 1:8-9

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 1:10-14

In Christ there is the promise of peace

Three reasons we wrestle with having peace in our lives:

1. Past sin

When we rationalize, we usually tell rational lies

In Christ we’re offered forgiveness for our sins fully, freely, and forever

2. Present circumstances Many people struggle with their purpose in life

Purpose in life can be found on the person of Jesus Christ

3. An uncertain future

Home is Not a Place for Disgrace

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 16:54:26 GMT

Coming Home for Christmas - WEEK #2 Home is not a Place for Disgrace Luke 1:5-25 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. Luke 1:5-7

Disgrace often brings doubt and discouragement into our lives

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. Luke 1:8-10

When God communicates to us, He communicates loud, He communicates clear and He communicates consistently

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. Luke 1:11-13

Sometimes God lets the situation get to such an extent, that only He could get the glory out of the miracle that He’s going to bring into our lives

You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” 19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” Luke 1:14-20

Sometimes, God’s discipline is God’s protection

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. Luke 1:21

How many times have we said we wanted God’s presence, but we just really wanted His presents?

When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary. 23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. Luke 1:22-24

The supernatural is when God puts His super on our natural

“How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” Luke 1:25

Peace in His Presence

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:16:58 GMT

Home for Christmas Week #1 Peace in His Presence Exodus 3:1-19

There will never be peace on earth until there is first peace in me

Many people think peace can be found:

a. Somewhere else

b. With someone else

c. In something else

Peace is found in the presence of God and nothing else

But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11

Protest does not equal peace

In Christ, your past does not define your future

But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Exodus 4:1

The quickest way to lose sight of what God says about me is to hyper-focus on what “they” say about me

But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Exodus 4:10

God is not looking for our ability, but rather, our availability

But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” Exodus 4:13

One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ Exodus 33:12

Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” Exodus 33:15-16

Rescue Stories

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 20:26:52 GMT

Central Church wrapped up the "Rescued" series with Rescue Stories - featuring 5 of Central's own, sharing how Jesus Christ rescued them.

Rescued From My Feelings

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:05:46 GMT

Rescued - Week 6 - 11/21/21

Rescued From My Feelings

Colossians 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. ~Colossians 1:13-14

We must learn to separate News from Truth

News: Information

Truth: God’s Word

Our Feelings must be constantly Held Up to God’s Truth

9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ~Jeremiah 17:9

Know God’s Truth

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ~Psalm 139:14

Recognize our Feelings

We don’t have to Feel Good to Know God is Good

33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” ~Mark 14:33-36

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. ~Psalm 112:7

No Shame In Being Rescued

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:28:48 GMT

Rescued Week #5

No Shame In Being Rescued

John 8:1-11

Fine = Frustrated, Insecure, Negative and Evasive

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Guilt= I did something bad

Shame= I am bad

Guilt = I made a mistake

Shame= I am a mistake

Guilt = I didn’t do enough

Shame= I am not enough

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. John 8:1-3

In regards to shame, in order for healing to take place it takes

two things:

1. Vulnerability

2. Empathy

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” John 8:4-5

Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:28

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger John 8:6

When the Lord finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, written by the finger of God. Exodus 31:18

Shame is persistent

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. John 8:7-8

Shame will cause us to run from things we’re actually called to

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” John 8:9-10

Shame is not God’s will for our lives. But vulnerability and transparency are

“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:11

Rescued from Guilty Condemnation

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:47:59 GMT

Rescued Week #3

Rescued from Guilty Condemnation

Colossians 1:13-14

Guilt leads to regret

We can be defined by guilt

Once we let guilt define us, then guilt defeats us

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

THREE TYPES OF CONDEMNATION THAT DO NOT EXIST IN THE LIFE OF A FOLLOWER OF JESUS:

1. There is no God condemnation

2. There is no self-condemnation

3. There is no others condemnation

And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:2

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Romans 8:3

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. Matthew 5:21-22

The grip of guilt will destroy us, but the grace of God will allow us to live in freedom

“I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that HE loves us.” – David Crowder “How He Loves” Song

Transferred Identity

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:27:53 GMT

Rescued Week #2

Transferred Identity

Colossians 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Abram= father of height or exalted father

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” Genesis 17:1-2

God's plans are always bigger than our plans

At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, 4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! 5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. Genesis 17:3-5

Abraham= Father of many nations

I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! Genesis 17:6

Jacob= grasp the heel or deceiver

What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” Genesis 32:27

Nothing in your life can change unless Jesus gets involved

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” Genesis 32:28

Israel= God shall fight

Simon= he has heard

Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”) John 1:42

I am who You say I am

Only Jesus gets to establish our identity

Three names we often associate to ourselves:

1. Unloved

God’s love is unconditional

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

2. Weak

In Christ, you're stronger than you think

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4

3. Fall short or don’t belong

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Rescued

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 14:56:51 GMT

Rescued Week #1

Rescued

Colossians 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

Jesus rescues us from an empty life

As we follow Jesus, we discover our purpose

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. Matthew 14:22-24

Sometimes it takes a storm to get us to see what He wants us to see and know what He wants us to know

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Matthew 14:25-27

Sometimes Jesus calms the storm, sometimes He speaks to us in the storm

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Matthew 14:28-29

The next step is always the right step, but it’s seldom an easy step

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Matthew 14:30

A lot of people drown in the storm because they don’t have the courage to actually ask for help

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31

On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,‘ God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. Matthew 26:31-35

When we do “that Thing” that we said we would never do, we experience 2 emotions:

a. Loneliness

b. Shame

Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” Mark 16:7

Overcoming Addiction - Part 2

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 12:45:48 GMT

Overcomers - Week 9 - 10/10/21

Overcoming Addiction - Part 2

Hebrews 4:15-16

Addiction often leaves us feeling lost and alone

Before the enemy can destroy you, he has to isolate you

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. ~Hebrews 4:15-16

5 things I would like anyone battling with addiction to know:

1. I’m sorry

2. I Understand

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ~Matthew 4:1-3

When we give in to our addiction, we are meeting our own needs

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ~Matthew 4:4

To overcome addiction, we have to be in the right mindset and then understand how the enemy is coming at us and approach it from a scriptural standpoint.

3. Sometimes, people are mean

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. ~Acts 14:19-20

4. Your current path is not sustainable

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 6:23

5. You don’t have to live like this anymore

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. ~Acts 16:25-26

Overcoming Addiction - Part 1

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 11:53:15 GMT

Overcomers Week #8

Overcoming Addiction

Luke 15:11-24

If you step out of an addiction but you only deal with the fruit, not the root, chances are you’ll just step right into another addiction.

Four Steps To Overcoming addiction:

1. Self-Realization

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. Luke 15:11-13

Not getting out of an addictive behavior is going to cost you something

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! Luke 15:14-17

Other people can't decide when you're going to step into healing

2. Confession

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ Luke 15:18-19

3 Reasons we don’t typically confess:

a. Blame

Victims never walk in victory

b. Fear

We typically drift toward things that make us comfortable

c. Shame

3. Understand it’s a Process

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

4. Embrace Community

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:20-24

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

Overcoming Complacency

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:50:19 GMT

Overcomers - Week 7 - 9/26/21

Overcoming Complacency

I’m Complacent in what area:________________________

I’m Committed in what area:________________________

You can be complacent until the need becomes bigger than the want

One of the most dangerous traps that a Christian or a church can fall into is the slippery slide from commitment to complacency.

1 Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. 2 But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. 3 You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. 4 Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. 5 When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” ~Joshua 6:1-5 (NLT)

Commitment results from our dependance on God

6 So Joshua called together the priests and said, “Take up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and assign seven priests to walk in front of it, each carrying a ram’s horn.” 7 Then he gave orders to the people: “March around the town, and the armed men will lead the way in front of the Ark of the Lord.” ~Joshua 6:6-7

Faith is believing and Obedience is proving that you believe it

21 They completely destroyed everything in (Jericho) with their swords—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys. ~Joshua 6:21

Complacency Causes Us To Lose Focus or lose the Desire to move forward.

Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. 3 When they returned, they told Joshua, “There’s no need for all of us to go up there; it won’t take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don’t make all our people struggle to go up there.” ~Joshua 7:2-3

Complacency is one thing that can get into every area of our lives if we stop growing in Christ.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. ~2 Peter 2:5-9

Repentance doesn’t stop the consequences but is the starting point for re-commitment.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” This promise still holds true for all of us even today. So repent, break free from complacency, and bring honor to God. ~James 4:8

Three things that are intended to move us from spiritual complacency to spiritual fervency:

1. Gather together

2. Seek

• The Lord

• Righteousness

• Humility

3. Don’t Compromise

Overcoming Divorce

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 10:49:16 GMT

Overcomers Week #6

Overcoming Divorce

Malachi 2:16

“For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” Malachi 2:16

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: ⁷haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,¹⁹a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6:16-19

7 Things Detestable to God:

1. Haughty eyes

2. A lying tongue

3. Hands that shed innocent blood

A child should never be weaponized against their biological mother or father

4. A heart that devises wicked schemes

5. Feet that are quick to rush into evil

6. A false witness who pours out lies

7. A person who stirs up conflict

All of us are in the same place and all of us need the same grace

3 questions about Divorce:

1. Does God hate divorce? YES

God does hate divorce, but God does not hate you

2. Should divorce be my first option? NO

What does it take to make a marriage work?

a. Forgiveness

b. Ownership

c. Time

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” ³⁷Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. ³⁸But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. ³⁹Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. ⁴⁰Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Acts 15:36-40

3. Is there life beyond divorce? YES

Two words often associated with divorce: failure and defeat
What defeated you does not get to define you for the rest of your life

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. ¹⁷“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— ¹⁸for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” John 4:16-18

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” ²⁶Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah! John 4:25-26

Just because you’re divorced doesn’t mean you’re damaged

You may have gone through a divorce but divorce is not your name. Your marriage may have ended but failure is not your name. You may have not felt loved but unlovable is not your name. You are a child of God completely loved, forgiven and free.

Overcoming Being Overwhelmed

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 12:48:08 GMT

Overcomers Week #5

Overcoming Being Overwhelmed

2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Two words that could describe many of us today: crushed and overwhelmed

Courage + Clarity + Connection + Reflection = Helping me Overcome

1. Courage

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 2 Corinthians 1:8

Three Reasons We Feel Crushed and Overwhelmed

a. Pride

b. Shame

c. Fear

2. Clarity

In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38

Being as clear as possible is essential to getting the help that we really need

In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9

3. Connection

Connection is essential if we're going to overcome being overwhelmed

Connection to God

Connection to other people

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Matthew 26:36-37

4. Reflection

And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 2 Corinthians 1:10

Only when you're vulnerable can you be helped

Overcoming Loneliness

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 12:39:07 GMT

Overcomers Week #4

Overcoming Loneliness

Leviticus 15:19- 23; Luke8: 40-48

There's a difference between being viewed and being seen

There is a big difference between solitude and loneliness

Jesus is:

A Way Maker

A Miracle Worker

A Promise Keeper

A Light in the Darkness

“Whenever a woman has her menstrual period, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days. Anyone who touches her during that time will be unclean until evening. 20 Anything on which the woman lies or sits during the time of her period will be unclean. 21 If any of you touch her bed, you must wash your clothes and bathe yourself in water, and you will remain unclean until evening. 22 If you touch any object she has sat on, you must wash your clothes and bathe yourself in water, and you will remain unclean until evening. 23 This includes her bed or any other object she has sat on; you will be unclean until evening if you touch it Leviticus 15:19-23

Any time we're disconnected, we get misdirected

Then the Lord said to Moses, 38 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. 39 When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. 40 The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God. 41 I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt that I might be your God. I am the Lord your God!” Numbers 15:37-41

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture Malachi 4:2

On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. 42 His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Luke 8:40-43

Religion pushes away, Jesus brings us in

Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. Luke 8:44

We can be around Jesus and not experience Jesus

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. Luke 8:45-47

Sometimes we have to take a risk when it comes to following Jesus

Two things people want when they feel lonely and isolated: love and acceptance

48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48

Overcoming Self Hate

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 12:37:17 GMT

Overcomers Week #3 Overcoming Self Hate Luke 5:8-10; Romans7:24

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:8-10

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Romans 7:24

Reasons for Self-Hate:

1. Comparison

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 6:4-5

2. Criticism

We get so hyper focused on what other people say that we lose sight of what God says

Correction is done out of love, criticism is done out of the desire to be right

Because of the criticism of others, we’ll take their word about us over God's word about us

3. Blame

If we don't stop blaming ourselves we will eventually hate ourselves

4. Shame

Blame is what we say, shame is what we feel

Shame shackles us to our past and doesn't allow us to walk in the freedom that Jesus actually called us to live in

How do we overcome self hatred?

1. Embrace Community

2. Accept Empathy

When we go through seasons of self-hate and shame, we tend to want to run away from God, when in actuality, that should be what draws us to God

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16

3. Understand Value

The value of something is determined by the price that somebody's willing to pay

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

The real reason we wrestle with self-hate is because we know who we really are

Jesus, help me not to hate what you deeply love and what deeply matters to you, starting with me

Overcoming Worry

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:18:45 GMT

Overcomers Week #3

Overcoming Worry

Philippians 4:6-7

Worry left unchecked leads to anxiety

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Too many people are looking for relief instead of peace

What we escape to will one day be what we need to escape from

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Prayer is passing it off to God

Git Rid Of...

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 11:38:22 GMT

Overcomers Week #1

Git Rid Of...

Ephesians 4:31-32

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

To be an Overcomer you need to get rid of:

1. Bitterness

God is always wanting to do something in us and through us but bitterness breaks down that work

2. Rage

Rage is when we have a moment of bitterness that manifests itself and we lose control
A fit of rage can cause lifetime regret

3. Anger

4. Harsh Words

When we use harsh words it’s the result of bitterness, rage and anger built up in our heart

Overcomers should be:

1. Kind to one another

Kindness is giving somebody else the same amount of grace and mercy that you would want if you were in their situation

2. Tender Hearted

3. Forgiving toward one another

Forgiveness is not giving someone permission to abuse you
Forgiveness is saying, “you don't owe me anymore”
You might not get grace and mercy where you gave grace and mercy
Forgiveness is a process that can begin today

Celebrating Baptism

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 11:16:34 GMT

House Party Week #8

Celebrating Baptism

Matthew 3:13-14

All of us have a next step in our walk with Jesus

Your next step is your best step

Baptism is an outward profession of an inner connection

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13-14

Opposition is an opportunity to continually say yes to Jesus.

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented Matthew 3:15

The best time to take your next step is right now

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Matthew 3:16

Breakthrough comes after follow through

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

Whenever we take our next step in our walk with Jesus, God is always pleased

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

When the Holy Spirit cuts to our heart, it’s because He wants to do something in us, so eventually He can do something through us.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Repent means, turn away from sin and submit your life to Jesus.

Repentance is internal, baptism is external

Baptism is the way that we are given to identify with Jesus Christ.

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4

3 POINTS ABOUT BAPTISM:

1. Baptism is always after salvation

Baptism is symbolic of the fact that we’ve entered into a covenant with God

2. Baptism is by immersion

3. Baptism is everyone’s next step after salvation

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-27

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

You're Already at the Party

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 10:18:29 GMT

House Party - Week 8 - 8/1/21 You’re Already at the Party Luke 15

1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” ~Luke 15:1-2

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. ~Luke 15:4-7

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” ~Luke 15:8-10

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ~Luke 15:25-30

31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”~Luke 15:31-32

3 Stories That Keep Us From Feeling Like We Belong:

1. Comparison Game

2. Blame

3. Shame

What Story Do You Need to Let Go Of Today?

Changing Your Family Story

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:41:43 GMT

Rob Chagdes, Family Ministry Pastor from Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, shared this week's message.

House Party - Week 8 - July 25, 2021 Changing Your Family Story Deuteronomy 30:1-6

1. Accept What You Cannot Change

When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come on you and you take them to heart wherever the Lord your God disperses you among the nations, ~Deuteronomy 30:1

You can’t change:

Your Family

The Past

2. Align yourself with God

And when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, ~Deuteronomy 30:2

2 Ways we can align ourselves with God:

Turn to Him

Obey Him

3. Activate a plan for your family

4. Anticipate God working

Restoration is Coming (Deuteronomy 30:3-4)

Then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. ~Deuteronomy 30:3-4

Blessing is Coming (Deuteronomy 30:5)

He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. ~Deuteronomy 30:5

Transformation is Coming (Deuteronomy 30:6)

The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. ~Deuteronomy 30:6

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ~Isaiah 43:19

What’s the new thing God wants to do in YOUR family?

What’s the plan you need to activate for YOUR family?

Celebrating Even If

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 12:52:46 GMT

House Party Week #6

Celebrating Even If

Genesis 34:1-26; Joshua 5:1-8

It’s during the ‘even if’ moments of our life that our faith grows and we see God more clearly than we’ve ever seen Him before.

One day Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area. 2 But when the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw Dinah, he seized her and raped her. 3 But then he fell in love with her, and he tried to win her affection with tender words. 4 He said to his father, Hamor, “Get me this young girl. I want to marry her.” 5 Soon Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But since his sons were out in the fields herding his livestock, he said nothing until they returned. 6 Hamor, Shechem’s father, came to discuss the matter with Jacob. 7 Meanwhile, Jacob’s sons had come in from the field as soon as they heard what had happened. They were shocked and furious that their sister had been raped. Shechem had done a disgraceful thing against Jacob’s family, something that should never be done. 8 Hamor tried to speak with Jacob and his sons. “My son Shechem is truly in love with your daughter,” he said. “Please let him marry her. 9 In fact, let’s arrange other marriages, too. You give us your daughters for our sons, and we will give you our daughters for your sons. 10 And you may live among us; the land is open to you! Settle here and trade with us. And feel free to buy property in the area.” 11 Then Shechem himself spoke to Dinah’s father and brothers. “Please be kind to me, and let me marry her,” he begged. “I will give you whatever you ask. 12 No matter what dowry or gift you demand, I will gladly pay it—just give me the girl as my wife.” 13 But since Shechem had defiled their sister, Dinah, Jacob’s sons responded deceitfully to Shechem and his father, Hamor. 14 They said to them, “We couldn’t possibly allow this, because you’re not circumcised. It would be a disgrace for our sister to marry a man like you! 15 But here is a solution. If every man among you will be circumcised like we are, 16 then we will give you our daughters, and we’ll take your daughters for ourselves. We will live among you and become one people. 17 But if you don’t agree to be circumcised, we will take her and be on our way.” 18 Hamor and his son Shechem agreed to their proposal. 19 Shechem wasted no time in acting on this request, for he wanted Jacob’s daughter desperately. Shechem was a highly respected member of his family, 20 and he went with his father, Hamor, to present this proposal to the leaders at the town gate. 21 “These men are our friends,” they said. “Let’s invite them to live here among us and trade freely. Look, the land is large enough to hold them. We can take their daughters as wives and let them marry ours. 22 But they will consider staying here and becoming one people with us only if all of our men are circumcised, just as they are. 23 But if we do this, all their livestock and possessions will eventually be ours. Come, let’s agree to their terms and let them settle here among us.” 24 So all the men in the town council agreed with Hamor and Shechem, and every male in the town was circumcised. 25 But three days later, when their wounds were still sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, who were Dinah’s full brothers, took their swords and entered the town without opposition. Then they slaughtered every male there, 26 including Hamor and his son Shechem. They killed them with their swords, then took Dinah from Shechem’s house and returned to their camp. Genesis 34:1-26

When all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings who lived along the Mediterranean coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan River so the people of Israel could cross, they lost heart and were paralyzed with fear because of them. 2 At that time the Lord told Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise this second generation of Israelites.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the entire male population of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. Joshua 5:1-3

Moving from “if” to “even if” takes 3 things:

1. Desperation

Desperation can lead us to desire God in a way we’ve never desired Him before

Desperation is a reminder we can’t walk through life alone

2. Sacrifice

Any time God asks us to give something up, it’s because He wants to make room for the immeasurably more that He wants to put back into our life

What is the ‘new’ God wants to do in you?

3. Obedience

So Joshua circumcised their sons—those who had grown up to take their fathers’ places—for they had not been circumcised on the way to the Promised Land. 8 After all the males had been circumcised, they rested in the camp until they were healed. Joshua 5:7-8

Two key words: Rested and Healed

Not My Stance

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:01:44 GMT

House Party Week #5

Not My Stance

John 9:1-35

Five Ways to be connected:

Attend Regularly, Invite Boldly, Serve Purposefully, Give Generously and Connect Relationally

Too many people love their stance more than they love other people

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:1-2

It’s much easier to talk about someone than to actually talk to them

After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. John 9:6

Sometimes we experience the mess before we experience the miracle

“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” John 9:7-9

Some people can’t see you except through the lens of your former handicap

“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” 12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. John 9:10-12

Some people, instead of a celebration, they wanted an explanation

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. John 9:13-16

When you have to agree on everything to love somebody... that’s nothing like Jesus

Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” 26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! John 9:17-28

Anytime we have a stance that makes us feel superior to somebody else, we have absolutely forgotten about the grace of God

We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. John 9:29-34

When people can’t attack who you are, they will attack who you were

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” John 9:35

1. Do you love a stance more than you love people?

2. Have you ever been kicked out, cast aside, put down or thrown away by a group of people that loved a stance more than they loved you?

Celebrating Partnership

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 15:10:17 GMT

House Party Week #4

Celebrating Partnership

Luke 5:5-11

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:5-6

Myth #1- If you pray more, you will worry less

Myth #2- God will never give more on you than you can handle

Myth #3- We are a church for everyone

So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. Luke 5:7

The work that Jesus wants to do in our life is way bigger than our own lives, It’s going to impact other people

What we are not looking for in a partner:

1. The “professional” Christian

Central is focused on Connecting People to Jesus and Each Other
We want this to be a place where you are excited to attend regularly

2. The Plank Eye

3. The Pretender

4. The prejudice person

We are going to see people like Jesus sees people

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:8-11

The message of religion is, change and you can follow me. The message of Jesus Christ is, follow me and you'll change

We're looking for partners who are ready to do five things:

1. Ready to make progress

2. Ready to serve Purposefully

A church is not effective when the pastor ministers to the people. The church is effective when the body ministers to the body

3. Ready to give generously

4. Ready to reach out and invite boldly

5. Ready to connect relationally and celebrate

The world loves to celebrate the temporary, while the church refuses to celebrate the eternal

Celebration over Condemnation

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:31:31 GMT

House Party - Week 3 - 6/27/21

Celebration over Condemnation

John 8:1-11

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. John 8:1-3

Religion discriminates against the people that aren’t doing what the religious claim to be doing

Religion is selective

If we’re not careful we’ll slide into selecting certain sins we are against, certain sins that we hide, and certain sins that we champion

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. John 8:4-6

Religion always demands an answer

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:7-11

Until you understand you need Amazing Grace, you will never see it as Amazing Grace

3 Things we will celebrate at Central:

1. We will celebrate you more than a stance

“Jesus liked people that were nothing like him and people that were nothing like him liked him.” -Andy Stanley

2. We will celebrate safety over shame

Shame has silenced more people and set them on the sideline than just about anything else in the world

3. We will celebrate progress over perfection

Jesus changes condemnation into celebration

Pushing Through to Victory

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:36:24 GMT

House Party Week #2 Pushing Through to Victory Luke 8:40-56

1. Faith Was Born Out Of Need

40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. ~Luke 8:40-43

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ~Hebrews 11:1

2. Faith Demands A Response

44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. ~Luke 8:44

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ~Romans 10:17

3. Faith Cannot Remain Anonymous

45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ~Luke 8:45-47

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 10:32

4. Faith Revealed Is Faith Rewarded

Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” ~Luke 8:48

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” ~1 John 5:14

5. Faith Holds On When Reason Says Give Up

49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” ~Luke 8:49

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” Luke 8:50

51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” ~Luke 8:51-52

53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” ~Luke 8:53-54

6. We Have Access To God’s Favor Through Faith

55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. ~Luke 8:55-56

“Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].” ~Romans 5:2 (Amp. Bible)

The Hope of the World

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 09:15:07 GMT

House Party - Week #1

The Hope of the World

Jesus is the Hope of the world

5 Things we want Central to Be:

1. A place where you are accepted as you are, not as others want you to be

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

What He’s done is greater than what we’ve done

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

Jesus didn’t call Matthew out, He drew Matthew in

2. A place where we can grow in our walk with Jesus at His pace and not someone else’s

When we set higher standards for discipleship than Jesus set for discipleship, we have strayed from relationship into religion

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” Luke 9:51-54

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples. Luke 11:1

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” Luke 17:5

3. A place where we can move from good to great

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant Matthew 20:26

You will feel more like you belong when you volunteer

4. A place where we can see a return on our investment

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

5. A place where we value you more than a stance

People are created in the image of God

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

Stepping into Generosity

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:32:28 GMT

Grave Robbers Week #6

Stepping into Generosity

John 12:1-8

Generosity has a way of impacting our lives

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. John 12:1-2

Serving allows Jesus to do something in us

Serving doesn’t open doors to the church, it opens doors for you

Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. John 12:3

Connection equals direction

When generosity happens, the house is filled with fragrance

Generosity is contagious

Generosity brings connection

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. John 12:4-6

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

You can’t reach the ends of the earth until you reach where you are right now

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:7-8

In Jesus we have great love

In Jesus we have great forgiveness

In Jesus we have great acceptance

In Jesus we have great companionship through The Holy Spirit

In Jesus we have the promise of a great eternity

Freedom in Relationship

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:40:47 GMT

Grave Robbers Week #5

Freedom in Relationship

John 11:45-12:11

Religion can best be described as a system of rules, traditions and regulations created by a group of men for the purpose of control and manipulation through the means of guilt and shame

Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. John 11:45

But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.” John 11:46-48

Religion values rules over relationship

Religion says “those people”

We say those people are our people, because we are all one of those people who are broken and need the grace of God

Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! John 11:49

Religion always has an arrogance to it

You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” 51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. 53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. John 11:50-53

Religious people have no problem breaking God’s commands, when you break their commands

No matter what happens, God can take it and use it for good

As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples. 55 It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” 57 Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him. John 11:54-57

Religion seeks to shame but Jesus seeks to set free

When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus. John 12:9-11

Religion speaks death but relationship speaks life

Religion seeks to kill the miracle

When religion says “no” Jesus says “Let’s Go!”

A relationship with Jesus is ultimately what defines us

Called to Life

Sun, 30 May 2021 10:25:48 GMT

Grave Robbers Week #4 Called to Life John 11:33-44

When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” John 11:33-34

Jesus feels what we feel

No one suffers alone

Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” John 11:35-37

Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. John 11:38

Jesus went to an unsafe/unclean place to reach out to an unsafe/unclean person

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. 15 Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) Mark 2:13-15

“Jesus liked people that were nothing like Him, and people that were nothing like Him, liked Him.” -Andy Stanley

But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum]” 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:16-17

Until we are sick and realize we need a savior, we never actually follow Him

“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:39-44

God doesn’t give up on His children

Allow Jesus to call you to life

Buried Faith

Mon, 17 May 2021 11:23:31 GMT

Grave Robbers Week 3

Buried Faith

John 11:17-34

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house John 11:17-20

Just as healing is a process, getting past pain is a process as well

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” John 11:21-22

Be real with God

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” John 11:23

We serve a God that brings dead things back to life!

“Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” 28 Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” 29 So Mary immediately went to him. John 11:24-29

Healing rarely happens apart from relationship

Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. John 11:30-31

Until we’re real, we can’t ask for what we really need

When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” John 11:32-34

A Simple Yet Difficult Step

Mon, 10 May 2021 11:28:07 GMT

Grave Robbers Week #2

A Simple Yet Difficult Step

John 11:7-16

No matter your situation, Jesus has no limitations

Everyone has a next step. And that next step is always the right step

Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” John 11:7

The next step may be simple, but it’s not easy

But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” John 11:8

Jesus calls us from convenience to commitment

Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” John 11:9-10

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Connection brings clarity

Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” 12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. 14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. John 11:11-14

As long as Jesus is involved, the story is not over!

And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” 16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” John 11:15-16

Our next step is about progress, not punishment

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

No Limitations

Mon, 03 May 2021 11:44:48 GMT

Grave Robbers Week #1

No Limitations

John 11:1-6

Lord, I can’t see you, so help me to trust you

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” John 11:1-3

Three types of Sickness:

1. Physical Sickness

2. Emotional Sickness

3. Spiritual Sickness

Three Reasons We don’t speak about sickness:

a. Fear

The quickest way to lose sight of what God says about me is to hyper-focus on what someone else says about me

b. Shame

Shame shackles us to the past and stops us from stepping into an amazing future

c. We have seen what has happened to others that admitted they’re sick

Religion kicks you out, but Jesus draws you in

But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” John 11:4

No matter your situation, Jesus has no limitation

Three Common Church Myths:

Myth #1- My suffering is for God’s Glory

Myth #2- God doesn’t want me to be happy, He wants me to be holy

God does not want us to be filled with resentful submission, He wants us to be filled with absolute joy

Myth #3- Sickness is simply a lack of faith and effort

So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days. John 11:5-6

Jesus loves us enough to wait

Oftentimes Jesus wants to do way more in our lives than we’re actually asking for

Jesus knows

Jesus cares

Jesus is at work

What's the Point?

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 11:21:04 GMT

4/25/21

What’s the Point?

2 Corinthians 5:17-20, Romans 8:28-30, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 7:17, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.

And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NIV)

1. Your Purpose is about your Relationship not your Resume

2. Your purpose is more about Who you are Becoming than What you are Doing

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)

God wants our Surrender more than our Success

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

3. Your Gifts and your Calling should Hold Hands with the Season you are in

17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:17 (NIV)

Your Message is always the same, but your Mission Field may change

4. Sometimes your calling may be more about Depth than Breadth

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NIV)

The Greatest Upset

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:34:35 GMT

The Greatest Upset

Exodus 14:5-31

1. How quick we are to forget what God has done and demonstrated.

5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. 6 So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops. 7 He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance. 9 The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh’s army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.

2. When we see obstacles, God sees opportunities.

9 The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh’s army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, 11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12 Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

3. We can focus on the problem or we can choose to trust God

13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

4. Prayer is vital, yet sometimes God says, “It’s time to get moving!

15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

5. God will work powerfully on our behalf, but He often asks for our obedience first.

16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. 18 When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”

6. God will stand between us and the enemy. We never fight alone.

19 Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them.

7. The same God who led you in will lead you out.

22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! 23 Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. 24 But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. 25 He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!” 26 When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.”

8. Our God is a God of miracles

31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

9. We need a vision that demands divine intervention that keeps us in a state of desperation to do the impossible.

Luke 18:27: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Don't Walk the Plank

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 13:06:16 GMT

Planks and Specks Week #5

Don’t Walk the Plank

I Kings 19:1-18

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there 1 Kings 19:1-3

Fear will make you say and do things that you ordinarily would not

while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4

Solitude is refreshing, but isolation is destructive

Satan cannot destroy you until he isolates you

while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”1 Kings 19:4-5

Fear > Anxiety > Depression > Self-Harm/Suicidal Thoughts

He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 1 Kings 19:6-7

Healing is a process

So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:8-18

2 Takeaways:

1. God has incredible plans for you!

If you’re not dead, God’s not done

2. You are not the only one

Two Planks & 3 Nails

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 16:50:39 GMT

Planks and Specks - Week #4

Two Planks and 3 Nails - Easter 2021

Mark 16:1-6

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Mark 16:1

The only way to deal with doubt is to get it out

God’s love does not depend on our performance

Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Mark 16:2-3

Too much reflecting can lead to regret

When we're obsessed with obstacles, we often lose sight of the opportunities that God has for us

Jesus proves to us that obstacles can actually become opportunities

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. Mark 16:4

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:1-2

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16:5-6

Jesus has never abandoned anything except an empty grave

You Mad Bro?

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 13:09:02 GMT

Planks and Specks Week #3

You Mad Bro?

Luke 15:25-32

Angry people always miss out on the work that God is doing in the world and the work that He wants to do in them.

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ Luke 15:25-27

Angry people are completely unaware of the work that the Father really wants to do

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. Luke 15:28

When we get angry at someone- they don't miss out, we miss out

When we become angry, we miss out on what God really wants to do in our lives

But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. Luke 15:29

God created us to enjoy a relationship with Him, not endure one with Him.

But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ Luke 15:30

We must never celebrate when people fall, but we must always celebrate when they get back up

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:31-32

Come To Your Senses

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 10:45:53 GMT

Planks and Specks: Week #1

Don’t be Judgy

Matthew 7:1-6

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1 Two reasons people judge others:

1. They are jealous

2. They are self-righteous

Judgment = when you size somebody up and then you write them off Self-righteous people are rarely self-aware people “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 Three Options we have when judging others:

1. We can judge them angrily 2. We can judge them religiously 3. We can judge them mercifully

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3-4 A Hypocrite = somebody that's more obsessed with someone else's sin than their own

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:5-6

If you let other people define you, you will stay defeated Jesus says I am:_________________

Don't Be Judgy

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 11:35:02 GMT

Planks and Specks: Week #1 Don’t be Judgy Matthew 7:1-6

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1

Two reasons people judge others:

1. They are jealous

2. They are self-righteous

Judgment = when you size somebody up and then you write them off

Self-righteous people are rarely self-aware people

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 Three Options we have when judging others:

1. We can judge them angrily 2. We can judge them religiously 3. We can judge them mercifully

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3-4A Hypocrite = somebody that's more obsessed with someone else's sin than their own

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:5-6

If you let other people define you, you will stay defeated

Jesus says I am:_________________

Hiding Never Leads to Healing

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:50:38 GMT

From Wounds to Wins Week #5

Hiding Never Leads to Healing

Luke 10:25-37 Prayer is not for us to change God, but for God to change us

Jesus, teach me to see people as you see people

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. Luke 10:25-30

The enemy wants to strip you of your self-worth, your identity… and the belief that you are loved by God

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. Luke 10:31

There's a difference between being religious and godly

Sometimes, people need our presence more than our prayers

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:32-33

Pity is powerless to change the world

Pity will never work unless it leads to some type of productivity

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:34-37

Hiding never leads to healing

No title

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 12:36:46 GMT

From Wounds to Wins week #4

Healing Can Be Messy

Mark 8:22-26

1. Who do I need to bring to Central Church?

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him Mark 8:22

People who were not welcomed at the temple were always welcome by Jesus.

2. What work does Jesus want to do in me?

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” Mark 8:23

What are you personally doing during your week to connect with God on a consistent basis?

What is that one thing that sets your heart on fire for Jesus

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Mark 7:31-35

Sometimes healing is messy

3. Is there an area where I’m settling?

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Mark 8:24

Honesty brings about healing

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.” Mark 8:25-26

Anytime we have an encounter with Jesus, He changes our direction

Whenever Jesus has something for you, it might not be what you’re used to, but it will always be better

1. Who do I need to bring to Central Church?

2. What work does Jesus want to do in me?

3. Is there an area where I’m settling?

Message in the Mess

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:17:22 GMT

From Wounds to Wins: Week #3 - 2/21/21

Message in the Mess

Acts 13, 2 Samuel 11, Philippians 1, 2 Corinthians 12

1. You might be In a Mess, but you are Not a Mess

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.” ~Acts 13:22-23

“One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” ~2 Samuel 11:2-5

“In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.” So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.” ~2 Samuel 11:14-17

2. Our Messes point to our Need for Jesus

“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~2 Corinthians 12:7-10

3. There is always a Message in our Mess

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” ~Philippians 1:12-14

I Still Love You

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:25:05 GMT

From Wounds to Wins week #2

I Still Love You

Proverbs 17:17

- Social media has not changed us, it has exposed us.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:56

THREE POSSIBLE REASONS THE DISCIPLES RAN:

1. Fear

- God is a giver, God is not a taker

2. Inconvenience

3. Disappointment

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. John 21:1-5

From Wounds to Wins

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 12:22:22 GMT

From Wounds to Wins - Week #1

Healing is a Process

Ezekiel 37:1-10

3 types of pain:

1. Physical

2. Emotional

3. Spiritual

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. Ezekiel 37:1-2

2 options of why the bones were there:

1. Because of something they did

2. Because of something that was done to them

2 Key words:

a. Forgotten

b. Useless

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Ezekiel 37:3-4

God’s Word always brings life

God's word always builds up, it never tears down

This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” Ezekiel 37:5-6

Odds of being struck by lightning = 1 in 700 thousand

Odds of getting attacked by a shark = 1 in 11.5 million

Odds of winning the lottery = 1 in 175 million

Odds of being born = 1 in 400 trillion

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Ezekiel 37:7-8

Healing is a process

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. Ezekiel 37:9-10

What needs to happen for us to enter the healing process?

1. We need to understand that God sees us where we are

2. We need to understand that God wants to bring healing into our lives

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Don't Miss the Love

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:02:54 GMT

Don't Miss the Love

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:28

The Bible is equally inspired, it is not equally relevant

If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, 12 you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity. Deuteronomy 25:11-12

“‘If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, 28 then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over. 29 You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters. Leviticus 26:27-29

‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. Because they have cursed their father or mother, their blood will be on their own head. Leviticus 20:9

I am not a Christian because of what the Bible says, I am a Christian because what Jesus did The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation on which Christianity is built

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Corinthians 15:14

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

Jesus is not in love with some future version of you

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Mark 10:32-37

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

If Jesus can love the Disciples through their mess, He can love us through our mess

If Jesus can love us through our mess, we should love others through theirs too.

Pop Quiz

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 10:03:57 GMT

Don’t Miss This: Week #4

Pop Quiz

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

2 Reasons we consider something a “pet sin”

a. Because I don’t struggle with it b. It allows me to deflect when I need to reflect Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Pop Quiz 1. ______ Wrongdoer 2. ______ Sexually Immoral

3. ______ Idolater

An idol is something or someone that we love and we give more time to than Jesus 4. ______ Adulterer

Adultery = having sex with somebody you're not married to.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 5. ______ Men who have sex with other men 6. ______ Thieves 7. ______ Greedy Greed is when we manipulate a situation to get our own way 8. ______ Drunkard

9. ______ Slanderer

10. ______ Swindler To swindle someone is to take advantage of a situation that plays to your advantage

My Score _____________ out of 10

Two Takeaways:

#1 I failed the test

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

#2 I desperately need the grace of God And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

Who's Your Leader?

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 16:56:00 GMT

Don't Miss This - Week 3 - 1/17/21

WHO’S YOUR LEADER?

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” -Mark 1:14-15 NIV

When we Repent Jesus invites us to change our lives in order to change our Direction.

If you want to change your mind

If you want to change your direction

If you want to change your life

You’ll have to change your king

If you want something to change this year, you need to be prepared to change your leader.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. -Romans 8:5 NIV

The thing that leads you determines where you go.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. -Galatians 5 16-17

Who or what leads you directs what you do

My biggest struggle is__________________________?

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

15 Challenge: Prayer and fasting - we are going to feed the spirit through prayer and starve the body and soul through fasting.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. -Galatians 5:22-23a NLT

The Dangers of Self-Righteousness

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 12:46:46 GMT

Don’t Miss This: Week #2

The Dangers of Self-Righteousness

Unfortunately, Christians are known more for their lectures than their love

Self-righteousness will sabotage our influence in the world.

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. Job 1:1

One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 7 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” 8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” Job 1:6-8

He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Job 1:21-22

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. 12 When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11-13

At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said: 3 “Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived. Job 3:1-3

3 THINGS SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS DOES:

1. Self-righteousness points a finger rather than lending a hand.

Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope? 7 “Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed? 8 My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same. Job 4:6-8

But evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth. 7 People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire. Job 5:6-7

2. Self-righteousness always lacks compassion

Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved. But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, 6 and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. Job 8:4-6

Self-righteousness often causes us to completely misjudge somebody because they're not living up to our standards

3. Self-righteousness delights in false humility

God is powerful and dreadful. He enforces peace in the heavens. 3 Who is able to count his heavenly army? Doesn’t his light shine on all the earth? 4 How can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone born of a woman be pure? 5 God is more glorious than the moon; he shines brighter than the stars. 6 In comparison, people are maggots; we mortals are mere worms.” Job 25:1-6

After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord commanded them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. Job 42:7-9

TWO HELPFUL PRAYERS FOR US ALL:

1. Jesus help me to see the self-righteousness in me

Self-righteousness will cripple the church

2. Jesus heal the hurt the self-righteous have inflicted on me

A Place Where Change Takes Place and Purpose Comes Alive

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:09:04 GMT

Don’t Miss This - Week #1

A Place Where Change Takes place and Purpose Comes Alive

Matthew 14:13-21

Central exists to be a place where the un-churched and the de-churched love to attend. 13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:13-14 When sick people ran after Jesus, He showed up

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Matthew 14:15 We should want to see Jesus change someone’s heart more than we want to change their behavior

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. Matthew 14:16-18

Two Marks of a Disciple

a. A disciple gives Knowledge doesn't equal spiritual maturity True knowledge translates to activity And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. Matthew 14:19 b. A disciple serves We would see an incredible change in our world today if Christians would learn to actually serve the people they've habitually slandered

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:20-21 Jesus will never turn you away

One Church Family... One Church Service (12/27/20)

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 12:32:00 GMT

Enjoy this service! Thank you for your commitment to Central Church!

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Happy New Year!

Misfits in the Field

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 11:06:13 GMT

Christmisfits Week #3

Misfits in the Field

Luke 2:8-20

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:8

The Shepherds were messy

The Shepherds were lonely

The Shepherds were uncertain

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:9-20

1. Peace is a process that begins with Jesus

We can’t have true peace apart from Jesus

2. Grace is not something we achieve, it’s something we receive.

Jesus Changes Misfits

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 11:48:57 GMT

Pastor Ryan shared that only Jesus can change people in his 2nd message of the Christmisfits series.

All Alone with My Doubt

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:45:27 GMT

Christmisfits Week #1

All Alone with My Doubt

Luke 1:26-38

Don't doubt in the darkness what God has declared in the light

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35

Anytime you get the promise of God it's always going to take the power of God to make that promise come to fulfillment

Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:36-38

Three Things Mary Dealt With:

1. Doubt

Self-doubt will sabotage the work that God wants to do in your life

2. Discouragement

3. Death

No word from God will ever fail and God always finishes what he starts

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6

Let's Chat

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 15:42:38 GMT

Armor Bearers - Week 5: November 29, 2020

Let’s Chat

Matthew 4; Matthew 9; Luke 9; Mark 16; Mark 10; Philippians 3

1. I want you to take your next step

We can get wrapped up in spiritual activity and not experience any maturity

When we get immersed in activity apart from intimacy, it always produces pride and arrogance

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God. Luke 9:59-60

2. If you have fallen, I want you to get back up

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again… Proverbs 24:16

3. I want you to be a part of someone giving their life to Jesus.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15

4. I want you to feel safe enough to be honest about where you are

You can’t get well until you admit you’re sick

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:46-48

People that make excuses never make an effort

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:49-52

We can’t get right with God until we’re willing to admit what’s wrong

5. I want you to understand that I’m not perfect

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12

Contagious: Can I really live outside my bubble?

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 12:25:22 GMT

Armor Bearers - Week 4: November 22, 2020

Contagious

Can I really live outside my bubble?

Hebrews 10:19-25

1. Don’t be hesitant to ENTER with CONFIDENCE (Hebrews 10:19-21)

Without the BLOOD there is no FORGIVENESS

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ~ John 14:6

Your most powerful illustration of SALVATION is when your own personal EXPERIENCE with Jesus Christ has GENUINELY entered into forgiveness

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.” ~General Douglas MacArthur

2. Being contagious in your FAITH, sets up opportunities that can change the trajectory of where you can go. ~Hebrews 10:22

FAITH and DRAWING NEAR to God are inseparable.

“Come near to God and he will draw near to you…” ~James 4:8

When you MOVE the marker it eliminates the EXCUSE of why someone else can’t do it.

Matthew 1:14-21

You have to be OK to be UNCOMFORTABLE in sharing your faith.

3. Hold tight to the confession of our HOPE.

Hebrews 10:23

Contagious believers ENTRUST Jesus with their tomorrow.

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

4. Your relationship with Christ becomes the LIGHT in someone else’s struggle. ~Hebrews 10:24-25

You need to take your EYES off yourself and THINK of others

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. ~Hebrews 3:13-14

Jesus is the KEY to a SUCCESSFUL RACE. And if we RUN AS HE INTENDED, we will BECOME CONTAGIOUS.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~ Hebrews 12:1-3

Is the SPARK ignited in you?

Love is a Verb

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 11:45:25 GMT

Armor Bearers - Week 3: November 15, 2020 Love is a Verb Romans 12:9-21 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD . 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. ~Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)

FOUR responsibilities of a faithful Christ-follower:

1. Personal Responsibilities

We must be genuine and authentic in our relationships with others.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8

We need to depend on the Holy Spirit to direct our thoughts and actions.

2. Family Responsibilities

We need to set aside our pride and selfishness to accomplish genuine love.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. ~1 John 3:16-18

3. Responsibilities to others

Sympathy and compassion are powerful tools in the Christian’s “toolbelt.”

God leveled the playing field of status when Jesus died on the cross for ALL of us.

4. Responsibilities to those who consider us enemies

Paul tells us NOT to pay back evil with evil AND to do things in such a way that people see us as honorable.

Three reasons why we need to take care of and bless our enemies: 1) Jesus commanded it. 2) Jesus practiced it. 3) People will notice it.

If we’re willing to see the world through God’s perspective, we’ll be able to discern what is truly good. 8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! ~1 Peter 3: 8-17

This is part of a life-long process of the renewing of our mind (also known as sanctification), where we all grow at our own pace with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Experiencing True Rest

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 12:39:36 GMT

Armor Bearers - Week 2 - November 8, 2020

Experiencing True Rest

Mark 6; Genesis 2, Matthew 11, Psalm 46, John 16

FOUR truths about rest:

1. Rest Is Natural

“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” ~Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

“So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” ~Genesis 2:21-22 (NIV)

God Does His Best Work When We Are At Rest

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

2. Rest Is About Being Rather Than Doing

Rest Can Be Found In The In-Between Moments Of Our Everyday Activities

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ ” ~Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

“Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray” ~Mark 6:45 (NIV)

“Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. (Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,)” ~Mark 6:47-48 (NIV)

To Experience True Rest, We Must Experience Unrest.

“(He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them). Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. (Immediately he spoke to them and said ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’)” ~Mark 6:48-50 (NIV)

3. Rest Is Refusing To Let Our External Circumstances Determine Our Internal Perspective

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33 (NIV)

4. Rest Is Found Only In Jesus Christ

“(because they all saw him and were terrified.) Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed.” ~Mark 6:50-51 (NIV)

Jesus Turns Our Fear Into Faith When We Trust In Him

From the Heart: A Message About Worship

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 12:34:07 GMT

Armor Bearers - Week 1: November 1, 2020

From the Heart:

A Message About Worship

Worship = worth-ship.

We worship God because he is the only One worthy

“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” ~Genesis 22:5

What is worship?

Worship is a response to what God is doing

Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!” ~1 Chronicles 22:1

17 Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to assist Solomon in this project. 18 “The Lord your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations. He has handed them over to me, and they are now subject to the Lord and his people. 19 Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. Build the sanctuary of the Lord God so that you can bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the Lord’s name.”

~1 Chronicles 22:17-19

6 All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the Lord. Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, harps, and lyres at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king. 7 They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them—288 in all—was an accomplished musician. ~1 Chronicles 25:6-7

10 When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed. 11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid. 12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. 13 The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance. ~Ezra 3:10-13

Worship is communication

24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” ~John 4:24

We worship in spirit and in truth

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. ~John 10:27-29

When we worship, we listen, we follow His lead, and we are guided by His word.

Worship is essential

37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” ~Luke 19:37-40

Worship is surrender

31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~1 Corinthans 10:31

Often instead of worshiping God, we worship our modern-day idols

Worship is not Christian entertainment. You have to participate.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. ~Psalm 100:4

Music is a vehicle but worship comes from you.

Turn Back

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 11:33:22 GMT

Recalculating week #5

Turn Back

Psalm 22; John 13; John 16; Matthew 11; Hebrews 12

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.” Psalm 22:1-2

FOUR Reasons we get upset with God:

1. God didn’t give me what I asked for

Some tragedies will never be understood this side of eternity

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7

2. God’s plans confuse me

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me. John 16:16

“When you are standing in a mass grave in Rwanda, the question that came to my mind was not the question that was coming to everyone else’s mind perhaps. I’ve had people ask me, where was God in the midst of all of this?’ But I could sense, at least from Scripture, what I knew of my heavenly Father, was that I knew where God was: He was right in the midst of all that incredible suffering. The more relevant question for me was, ‘Where are God’s people?” – Gary Haugen

3. I misunderstand what God wants from me

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-3 The Message

4. I have a problem with the “people of God”

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

On the other side of Endurance

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 12:31:07 GMT

Recalculating - Week 4

October 18, 2020

On the other side of Endurance

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

~Hebrews 12:1-3

The Purpose of Endurance is to be Empowered on the other side.

As Christians We Are Always On Display.

Don’t allow distractions to steal our time and our heart away from Jesus.

We must run the race with our head up and our eyes fixed on Jesus.

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. ~Philippians 3:14

God never promised a safe journey, He only promised a safe arrival.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ~2 Timothy 4:7

Training is never comfortable and isn’t always enjoyable, but it is necessary to be ready.

God didn’t put us in the race just to start it. He put us there to finish.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. ~Matthew 7:13-14

Don’t let your position determine your faith, let your faith determine our position.

Forward, Not Backward

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 11:40:04 GMT

Recalculating Week #3

Forward, not Backward

John 20:1-18

As we “recalculate” to move forward, we need to remember:

1. God’s Grace covers us in our unbelief

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” -John 20:1-2

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” -Mark 9:20-24

Grace is big enough to cover us during every season of doubt

2. God’s Grace shows us that we are not alone

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. 11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. -John 20:3-14

3. God’s Grace allows us to fully see and understand the desire Jesus has for each of us.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. -John 20:14-18

Storms Change Everything

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 11:31:59 GMT

Recalculating Week 2 Storms Change Everything Acts 28:1-6

1. Storms often carry us to new places

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. Acts 28:1

The storm is evidence that God is with you and He will get you through whatever you're going through

2. Storms often restructure our relationships

The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Acts 28:2

a. Some storms clear people out

b. Some storms bring people in

3. Storms often expose our insecurities

Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” Acts 28:3-4

Accusation brings up a part of your past that’s true, and it begins to pull you down

4. Storms often refocus our purpose

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Acts 28:5-6

God is not in love with some future version of you

Change of Plans

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:45:07 GMT

Recalculating Week #1

Change of Plans

Authenticity is greater than artificiality

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Luke 1:5-7

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:11-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. Luke 3:19-20

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” Luke 7:18-20

Often, bad times cause us to wrestle with faith

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:21-28

When plans change, remember, God loves you, is always with you, and He has greater plans for you!

Back to Church Sunday

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:00:47 GMT

September 20, 2020

Back to Church Sunday

Matthew 16:13-18

Church is not something that should be tolerated, Church is something that should be celebrated

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi… He asked his disciples who do people say the Son of man is? Matthew 16:13

Caesarea Philippi was known as the gates of hell

Jesus is not afraid of messy people

Jesus began the conversation about Himself in an environment full of messy people.

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:14-18

A promise is only as good as the person making the promise

5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

We can believe the promises of Jesus because of the resurrection.

Anchored to Salvation

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 13:59:20 GMT

Anchors Week #7

Anchored to Salvation

Mark 1:16-18

Sin is when you and I decide to deny Jesus.

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” -Mark 1:16-17

Jesus isn’t searching for perfect people

When God saves us, He saves us completely

Our sins are paid for: past, present and future!

At once they left their nets and followed him. -Mark 1:18

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter) -Mark 3:13-16

When you and I become a Christian, Jesus Christ changes us

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. -2 Corinthians 5:17

You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” -Mark 14:27-30

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. -Mark 14:43-54

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. -Mark 14:66-72

1. I’m a greater sinner then I thought.

We’re not saved because we’re good, we’re saved because Jesus Christ paid for our sin on the cross

2. He’s a greater Savior than I thought.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus -Romans 8:1

Anchored in Generosity

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:51:07 GMT

Anchors Week #6

Anchored in Generosity

Genesis 28:18-22

Giving will break the cycle of greed in the life of a follower of Jesus

The early church was known for their generosity and hospitality

Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Genesis 28:18-22

1. If God will be with me

2. If God will watch over me on this journey

3. If God will give me food to eat

4. If God will give me clothes to wear

5. If God will return me safely to my father’s house

Generosity is greater than greed

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Anchored in My Gifting

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 14:54:40 GMT

Anchors Week #5

Anchored to My Gifting

Genesis 28:13-15; Matthew 15:29-38

Compassion is a call to action

If compassion is not the foundation for us using our gifts… then our gifts never will be effective

There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:13-15

We are gifted by the grace of God

Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31

The church is not intended to be a museum for saints, it’s a hospital for sinners.

The church should care about people far from God and people who care about people far from God

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” Matthew 15:32

Compassion is the foundation for the miraculous taking place

His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” Matthew 15:33-34

Two Questions to help you discover your Spiritual Gift :

1. What do I do well?

2. What do I enjoy?

He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Matthew 15:35-37

God always gives us more back than we gave Him in the first place

The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 15:38

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Anchored in Grace

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:57:46 GMT

Anchors Week 4 Anchored in Grace Genesis 25:21-26; Genesis 28:10-22

Runners typically aren’t looking for a safe place, they’re looking for an open space.

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. Genesis 25:21

Sometimes when we pray, we’ve got to be willing to participate in the prayers that we’re praying

22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. Genesis 5:22

God always wants more for us then we want for ourselves

22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” 24 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. 26 After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. Genesis 5:22-26

All of us are born with an innate desire to run away from God

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Genesis 28:10-13

Religion says, “climb up” Jesus says, “I’ll come down.”

Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.[d] 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Genesis 28:14-22

1. When we are anchored in Grace, people meet Jesus

One of the biggest barriers for people meeting God are the people of God.

2. When we are anchored in Grace, we experience life change

Jesus changes people in His time, not our time

Central should be a place where you can be fully known and fully loved

3. When we are anchored in Grace, we can respond to God’s call

Grace saves us and Grace sustains us when we fall down so that we can get back up

Anchored in Prayer

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 14:36:36 GMT

Anchors Week 3

Anchored in Prayer

Psalm 5:1-3

4 reasons we give for not praying:

1) Not sure how to pray.

2) Get bored or distracted while trying to pray.

3) Think your requests are too small for God.

4) Not sure prayers will make a difference.

• Prayer is communicating with God

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:1-3

If we are going to be anchored in prayer, we must:

1) Talk to God with honesty. Be real.

Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” Exodus 5:22-23

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew 6:5-7

2) Talk to God about everything that matters to you

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

3) Talk to God continually

Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Pray

Until

Something

Happens

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

4) Talk to God and listen for His response.

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 1 Kings 19:12-13

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Anchored to Forgiveness

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 16:42:14 GMT

August 8-9, 2020

Anchored to Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35

Being bitter and angry at somebody can rob us of our joy

Forgiveness is not easy, but it is necessary for us to take our next step in our walk with Jesus

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22

Forgiveness is not a one-time decision, but an ongoing process

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. Matthew 18:23-27

Forgiveness is saying, “you don't owe me anymore”

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. Matthew 18:28-30

Unforgiveness holds us back in our relationship with Jesus and our relationship with others

When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Matthew 18:31

You cannot hide bitterness and anger for very long

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. Matthew 18:32-34

Forgiveness is not letting them off the hook, it’s letting me off the hook

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:35

Anchored by Compassion

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 12:30:30 GMT

August 1-2, 2020

Anchored by Compassion

Just because you’ve been wounded doesn’t mean you’re worthless

We must Anchor ourselves to Compassion, not Condemnation

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness ~Romans 1:18

People that are excited about other people receiving eternal punishment are nothing like Jesus

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused ~Romans 1:19-21

Find something to thank God for daily

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. ~Romans 1:21-23

Worship is where we put our time, our energy and our money

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. 28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. ~Romans 1:24-30

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. ~Romans 2:1

For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ~James 1:23-24

The Bible is essentially a mirror

Unfortunately, what has happened in the church is, instead of using the Bible as a mirror, we’ve used it as a window

And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? ~Romans 2:2-3

Jesus changes people in His time, not ours

The church can’t change you, only Jesus can

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? ~Romans 2:4

Don't Swerve from the Impossible

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 12:30:52 GMT

July 25-26, 2020

Don't Swerve from the Impossible

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

Impossibilities don’t stop God from doing the extraordinary.

3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ~ Acts 9:3-6 (NIV)

God will pull purpose out of you where the enemy has tried to stop you.

Your waiting season doesn’t have to be a wasted season.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” ~ Acts 9:10-12 (NIV)

God didn’t send Ananias to Paul until He had made contact with Paul.

God’s timing is always perfect, but it isn’t always easy.

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” ~ Acts 9:13-16 (NIV)

God will never give you a life where He’s not necessary.

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. ~ Acts 9:17-19 (NIV)

When we put Jesus and the word of God at the center, we position ourselves to receive a miracle.

God gives you what He asks you to enact.

Faith is the designed response that God asks of you.

3 things to make impossibilities possible:

1. Keep moving forward

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

2. Keep Believing

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ~ Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

3. Exalt the King

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. ~ Psalm 34:3 (NKJV)

True or False

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 12:30:01 GMT

July 18-19, 2020

True or False

Acts 16:6-30

Four False ideas:

1. Following Jesus will always be easy

Following Jesus is always the right thing to do; it's not always the easy thing to do

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10

2. Resistance is always from the Devil

Often times, God’s “no” is redirection, not rejection

From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:11-15

3. The middle of God’s will is the safest place you can be

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:16-24

4. Because I am wounded, I am worthless

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25

Paul was so confident in his calling that he refused to let the criticism crush the calling out of his life

People that walk around as victims never walk in victory

26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:26-30

A Growing Marriage

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 08:28:19 GMT

Growing Together Week #6

A Growing Marriage

Matthew 5:38-48; Ephesians 4:26-30

You’ve got to work to make marriage work

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. 43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:38-44

Quit focusing on your spouse’s imperfections and focus on your own

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:45-48

The key to a growing marriage is to be dedicated to communication and organization.

We’ve got to be willing to disconnect from the world on a daily basis for the purpose of consistent and intimate communication with our spouse

If you don’t talk it out, you’ll act it out

3 Communication Tools for a Growing Marriage

A. Speak the Truth.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:25-26

You cannot hold your spouse accountable for unspoken expectations

B. Settle the Issue

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29

Do not say things that are intentionally hurtful!

C. Submit to Jesus

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Ephesians4:30

The consequences for concealment are much greater than the consequences of confession

3 AREAS YOU MUST BE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT

1. Money

2 Money Principles to follow:

Put God first

Get out of debt

2. Time

2 Time Principles to follow:

Date Night

Vacation

3. Sex

2 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF TODAY:

Is there anything you need to talk about today with your spouse?

Is there anything you need to change in your marriage?

Embracing Your Gift

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 13:30:03 GMT

Growing Together Week #4

Embracing Your Gift

Judges 3:12-30

Christianity is more than _________________ a ___________________, it’s a ________________ that we need to _____________
If your life is _________________, ___________________ or __________________, it’s not because you ______________________ Jesus to that __________

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -Ephesians 2:10

Four questions we need to ask ourselves to grow into who God has called us to be:

1. What _________________ me?

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. 13 Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. 14 The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years. 15 Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. -Judges 3:12-15

2. How am I _________________?

Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a foot and a half long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. Judges 3:16

Four Passages Regarding Spiritual Gifts:

1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1Peter 4:10-11

3. What _____________________ are in front of me?

He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. 18 After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it. 19 But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.” The king said to his attendants, “Leave us!” And they all left. 20 Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace and said, “I have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, -Judges 3:17-20

4. Am I willing to take a __________?

Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. 22 Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. 23 Then Ehud went out to the porch; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them. 24 After he had gone, the servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They said, “He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the palace.” 25 They waited to the point of embarrassment, but when he did not open the doors of the room, they took a key and unlocked them. There they saw their lord fallen to the floor, dead. 26 While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the stone images and escaped to Seirah. 27 When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them. 28 “Follow me,” he ordered, “for the Lord has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands.” So they followed him down and took possession of the fords of the Jordan that led to Moab; they allowed no one to cross over. -Judges 3:21-28

Many people want to do ___________________ for Jesus that costs them _______________.

At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not one escaped. 30 That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years. -Judges 3:29-30

You’re not going to _________ the ___________ up in you; you’ve got to actually _____________ it out of you.

Find outline answers here: https://yourcentralchurch.com/answers/

Growing Through Serving

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 12:45:38 GMT

Growing Through Serving

June 28, 2020

Serving opportunities at Central Church:

Kids’ Church

Leading the kids of Central towards Jesus with age-appropriate activities and teaching.

Nursery

Takes care of babies and toddlers during worship services.

Connect Team (Hospitality)

Provide a warm and welcoming environment to first-time guests and attenders.

Communion prep

Preparing the communion trays before service.

Prayer Team

The foundation for all our other ministries.

Worship Team

One of Central’s key purposes – magnifying the name of God.

Emergency Response Team

Helps manage the safety of people of Central.

Production Team

Facilitating the sound, video, lights etc. that makes our services run smoothly.

Sunday Van Driver

Picks up attenders prior to the 11:00 service and takes them home afterwards.

Awana Team

Help with our preschool-6th grade Wednesday night program.

(Meets during the school year).

712 Youth Group

Helping 7th–12th graders grow in their faith while having fun! (Including our Friday Night)

Meals Team

Provides meals for our church family during times of need.

Buildings & Grounds

Maintenance, upkeep and upgrading of our church campus.

Cleaning Team

The team responsible for keeping our church campus clean and presentable.

Vacation Bible Experience (VBX)

Volunteers for a week of summer fun and learning about God. (VBX is for preschoolers-4th graders)

To start serving, please text serve to 712-217-2550 or visit yourcentralchurch.com/serve

Whatever It Takes

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 13:30:04 GMT

6/21/20 - Growing Together - Week 2 Whatever It Takes HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! To know Him. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ~Matthew 7:21-23 ~Exodus 3 4 excuses that prevent us from growing: 1. Who am I? But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” ~Exodus 3:11 I’ll be with you. God always has an execution plan when He asks you to go. Exchanging our viewpoint for God’s perspective is essential to winning our battles. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 3:12-16 That Perspective changes both our view and our attitudes. Measure yourself by how God sees you. 2. What if they. Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Moses had some fear, some resistance. “We can’t live in fear of what everybody thinks about us.” Proverbs 29:25 says “the fear of man will prove to be a snare, but those who trust the Lord will be kept safe”. 3. Exodus 4:10 shows that Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” God gives you an opportunity to pioneer something. “I could let the fear that I have never done this, stop me from from what God has called me to do for my destiny” 4. Reluctance. Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” ~Exodus 3:13 I want to convince you that your life will never make sense until you are doing something in your life that really makes a difference for God.

8 Steps Toward Growth

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 11:54:55 GMT

Growing Together Week #1 8 Steps Toward Growth

Christianity is simply a series of next steps

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! -2 Peter 3:18

Discipleship is not a program; it’s a process

There is a difference between attending church and following Jesus.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. -1 Peter 2:1-3

As we follow Jesus, we should change and grow

We cannot walk with Jesus and stay the same.

If you’re walking with Jesus… he’s changing something in you, around you, and through you.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:10-14

Eight Ways we can step into growth: 1) Read Your Bible

We cannot fully understand who God is if we’re not reading His word

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

God’s word is a lamp and a light.

Find Bible reading plans at www.youversion.com

2) Life Groups

3) Baptism

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20

Baptism is after salvation

4) Commit to the Local Church

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:25

5) Confession and Repentance

What is there in your life that is between you and Jesus that you need to confess to God and maybe to others… and repent of? Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? 4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. 5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’ -Ezekiel 14:1-5

6) Giving

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. -Matthew 6:21- 24

If you haven’t learned to faithfully give to God, then you haven’t learned how to faithfully follow Him.

7) Sharing Jesus

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. -Philemon 1:6

8) Serving

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms -1 Peter 4:10

We’re not requested to serve; we’re called to serve

You will never become the person God wants you to be until you start serving

Put a Little Bounce in your Step

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 12:20:56 GMT

Bouncing Forward Week #5

Put a Little Bounce in your Step

Ephesians 1:17-18

SERIES REVIEW:

Week #1 A setback is actually a setup for a comeback which prepares us for a breakthrough

Week #2 If God has called you to it, He will lead you through it!

Week #3 The Grace of God pushes me to go, even when I don't exactly know how things will turn out

Week #4 Don’t Quit

2 QUESTIONS TO HELP US BOUNCE FORWARD:

Question #1- What's my next step?

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Wisdom

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17

When we see God clearly, we’ll follow Him closely.

2 reasons people shy away from getting to know God:

We overestimate how angry He is with us
We underestimate what God wants to do in and through us.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

Insight

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, Ephesians 1:18

Ability

and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength Ephesians 1:19

Question #2- What am I waiting for?

THREE “LEVELS” WHEN IT COMES TO FOLLOWING THE WILL OF GOD”

Information

Inspiration

Transformation

Transformation happens when we stop making deals with God

Transformation takes time!

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)

Don't Quit

Sun, 31 May 2020 11:55:11 GMT

Don’t Quit Ruth 4:1-22

In difficult times, we’re not called to quit, even if life seemingly feels like_____________ Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. Just then the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, “Come over here and sit down, friend. I want to talk to you.” So they sat down together. 2 Then Boaz called ten leaders from the town and asked them to sit as witnesses. 3 And Boaz said to the family redeemer, “You know Naomi, who came back from Moab. She is selling the land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 I thought I should speak to you about it so that you can redeem it if you wish. If you want the land, then buy it here in the presence of these witnesses. But if you don’t want it, let me know right away, because I am next in line to redeem it after you.” The man replied, “All right, I’ll redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz told him, “Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.” 6 “Then I can’t redeem it,” the family redeemer replied, “because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it.” 7 Now in those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction. 8 So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, “You buy the land.” Ruth 4:1-8 God's plans are greater than my plans So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Ruth 4:13 God can restore anyone 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. Ruth 4:14-17 Surrender to His plans

Real joy comes not from being in control, but surrendering to someone who you know is in control

Accept His restoration

Bouncing Into Grace

Sun, 24 May 2020 11:55:15 GMT

Bouncing into Grace Ruth 3:1-18

The Grace of God pushes me to go, even when I don't exactly know how things will turn out

One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Ruth 3:1

No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants for ten generations may be admitted to the assembly of the Lord. Deuteronomy 23:3

The Grace of God allows us to walk in freedom

As long as you live, you must never promote the welfare and prosperity of the Ammonites or Moabites. Deuteronomy 23:6

Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Ruth 3:2

Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. 2 But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.” 4 Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. 5 They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” 6 (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.) Joshua 2:1-6

It’s difficult to categorize people when you can call them by name

When you categorize you demonize

Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.” Ruth 3:3-4

Sometimes what God is leading us into doesn’t make sense

“I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law. 7 After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” 10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. 11 Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:5-11

God is always going to do what is necessary to help us see what our next step is

But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. Ruth 3:12

We may not be prepared for something, but that doesn't mean God's not prepared for what we didn't plan for

Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.” 14 So Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet until the morning, but she got up before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. For Boaz had said, “No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor.” 15 Then Boaz said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured six scoops[a] of barley into the cloak and placed it on her back. Then he returned to the town. 16 When Ruth went back to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “What happened, my daughter?” Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, 17 and she added, “He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” 18 Then Naomi said to her, “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.” Ruth 3:13-18

Left On Read

Sun, 17 May 2020 11:55:21 GMT

Left on Read Ruth 2:1-23

Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.2 One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.” Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” Ruth 2:1-2

Christianity is simply a series of next steps

3 So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. -Ruth 2:3

Life is too short to live for the approval of people

4 While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied. 5 Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” 6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7 She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.” 8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” 10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” Ruth 2:4-10

Entitlement always leads to bitterness

Thankfulness eliminates entitlement

11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” 13 “I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.” 14 At mealtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.” So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over. 15 When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. 16 And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!” 17 So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it filled an entire basket. 18 She carried it back into town and showed it to her mother-in-law. Ruth also gave her the roasted grain that was left over from her meal. 19 “Where did you gather all this grain today?” Naomi asked. “Where did you work? May the Lord bless the one who helped you!” So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man in whose field she had worked. She said, “The man I worked with today is named Boaz.” 20 “May the Lord bless him!” Naomi told her daughter-in-law. “He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers.” 21 Then Ruth said, “What’s more, Boaz even told me to come back and stay with his harvesters until the entire harvest is completed.” 22 “Good!” Naomi exclaimed. “Do as he said, my daughter. Stay with his young women right through the whole harvest. You might be harassed in other fields, but you’ll be safe with him.” 23 So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz’s fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2:11-23

If God has called you to it, He will lead you through it!

More Than A Comeback

Sun, 10 May 2020 11:55:09 GMT

More than a Comeback Ruth 1:1-22

A setback is actually a setup for a comeback which prepares us for a breakthrough

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. 3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. Ruth 1:1-3

We cannot connect to our purpose unless we're connected to the One who created us

Anytime we walk away from God, something dies

4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. Ruth 1:4-5

We have two options as followers of Jesus when we look at somebody else's story:

Condemnation

Compassion

When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. 8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Ruth 1:6-9

Solitude is awesome… but isolation is destructive

10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!” 14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. 15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” 20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” Ruth 1:10-21

People typically won't accept our truth until we've shown them our grace

So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. Ruth 1:22

Trusting Jesus in Everything

Sun, 03 May 2020 11:00:26 GMT

Trusting Jesus in Everything

Luke 24:13-35

God doesn’t want us to trust Him with some things. He wants us to trust Him with everything.

Until we completely trust Him, our lives will never be complete

TWO REASONS WE HAVE A HARD TIME TRUSTING GOD:

The speed of our lives

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. Luke 24:13-14

If we are not careful, we can find ourselves drifting away from Jesus.

It is possible to know information about Jesus but not have intimacy with Jesus.

It is possible to have conversations about Jesus while you are walking away from Jesus

As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. Luke 24:15

We can be so busy talking about Jesus that we don’t recognize him when He shows up

16 But God kept them from recognizing him. Luke 24:16

Sometimes we don't recognize Jesus because we aren't expecting to see him

Where there is no expectation there is very seldom any revelation

Sometimes we get so busy that we don’t even have time to stop and recognize Jesus.

If the Devil can make you busy, he can change your focus and he can stop you from walking with and recognizing Jesus

Where we place our expectations

He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 19 “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. Luke 24:16-21

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” 25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:22-27

Staying grounded in God’s Word will almost always assure that we never walk away from Him

28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! Luke 24:28-31

Our lives should be built on God's promises, not our preferences.

32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” 35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. Luke 24:32-35

We can’t see Jesus and remain passive or indifferent. Because when we see Him for who He is, it always causes some sort of reaction.

When we see Him clearly, we’ll follow Him closely

God is Always With You

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 12:00:35 GMT

God is Always with You

God loves me, is always with me, and has great plans for me.

Often times we allow circumstances to shape our belief in God rather than our belief in God to shape the circumstances that we're going through.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Genesis 37:3-11

THREE BARRIERS THAT MADE JOSEPH QUESTION IF GOD LOVED HIM, WAS ALWAYS WITH HIM AND HAD GREATER PLANS FOR HIM:

The pit barrier

Tragedy doesn’t make an appointment

Sometimes we wind up in a pit in life because of things that happened to us, and sometimes we wind up in a pit because of choices that we make.

Some pits are circumstances… some pits are choices.

“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. Genesis 37:19-23

IN THE PIT WE TEND TO EXPERIENCE 2 DIFFERENT TYPES OF EMOTIONS:

Loneliness

Victims never walk in victory

Doubt

In the pit, we shouldn't ask for explanation, we should ask God for revelation

Don't ever doubt in the dark what God declared to you in the light

The problems barrier

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”

Genesis 39:1-7

Joseph refused to give up what he wanted the most for what he could have in the moment

The prison barrier

Sometimes God puts us in a place that we call prison not to punish us, but to protect us from things

20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Genesis 39:20-23

Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. Genesis 40:1-3

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. Genesis 40:23

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. Genesis 41:39

God will never give us more until we are responsible for what we have…right now

You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him rid e in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Genesis 41:40-43

What you lost in the pit, God will restore in His presence and He always gives us more than what we lost before we went into the pit

Walking Through The Fire

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 11:59:02 GMT

Walking thru the Fire Daniel 3:12-30

Stress and anxiety come from things that happen in our life that are unplanned or things that we are unprepared for.

5 WAYS TO WALK THROUGH AND OVERCOME STRESS AND ANXIETY

1. Understand that God is holy and good.

Our circumstances will never alter his character.

2. Realize God’s presence is greater than your problem.

3. Stop fighting for control

12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Daniel 3:12-15

The enemy will always try to control you through fear, intimidation and manipulation
We cannot be so focused on our circumstances that we cannot focus on Jesus
Make a choice to either be focused on the size of your problem on the size of your God!
Who or what you listen to will ultimately determine what you do.

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Daniel 3:16-23

If you’re focused on the voice of the enemy you’re controlled by fear, and if you’re focused on the voice of God you’re controlled by faith… there is no middle ground.

4. Open your eyes to the size of God, not your circumstances

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Daniel 3:24-25 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t see Jesus until they got in the fire.

When you’re in the middle of stress, and fear, and anxiety, you need to stop praying “Jesus get me out of this,” and start praying “Jesus let me see you.”
When we see Jesus clearly, we will follow Him closely

5. Embrace freedom

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Daniel 3:26-27 Everybody watches how you walk through the fire

What God wants to remove from you in the furnace is what the enemy tried to stick to you before you went in the fire.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:28-30

If you’re going through the fire God’s not trying to punish you he’s trying to promote you.

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Isaiah 43:1-3

Praise Him In This Storm

Sun, 05 Apr 2020 12:59:10 GMT

Praise Him in the Storm Matthew 14:22-34

The one who is in you is greater than what you're going through

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. Matthew 14:22

Jesus is not limited by time

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. Matthew 14:23-25

Storms usually cause us to doubt God

Jesus always sees us in our storm

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. Matthew 14:26

You can’t fit Jesus into a system

Oftentimes, when Jesus shows up, it's in ways we did not expect to see Him

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

Jesus always speaks during the storm

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:28-29

We always have an opportunity to follow Jesus close in the storm

A storm is our opportunity to really put into faith what we said we believe in the first place.

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:29-30

The storm is an opportunity for you and I to realize that we can't make it through this life all by ourselves

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. Matthew 14:31-34

God First

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 12:56:00 GMT

God First 1 Kings 17:1-16

God give me the faith to put you first, so I’ll get your best and not the world’s worse Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 5 So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:1-6

We don't experience the supernatural through the super spiritual, but through simple steps of faith

Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 1 Kings 17:7-8

God doesn’t work in systems, He works in steps

Sometimes God will let us go through a dry season to get our attention, so that we'll know what to do next “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 1 Kings 17:9-13 God wants greater things for us than we want for ourselves

Freedom is not found in the power of suggestion, the freedom really is found in the power of surrender

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 1 Kings 17:13-14

There are two main areas that we wrestle with on a consistent basis when it comes to putting God first. 1) Our Treasure 2) Our Time

She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15-16

It's Time to Say Yes

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 12:00:36 GMT

Battle Ground week #6 It’s Time to Say Yes Mark 5:14-20

We find spiritual success when we say “yes” to Jesus

Success may not come immediately… but it always comes eventually

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. Mark 5:14

We need Church because we will never become the greatest version of ourselves apart from one another

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. Mark 5:14-17

So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:14-25 (NLT)

Jesus does not bring the clean into our life to punish us, but to prepare us for what He has next for us.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.

19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:18-19

When we say “yes" to Jesus, we step into His mercy

So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. Mark 5:20

When we say “yes” to Jesus, it goes further than our own lives

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. Mark 7:31-32

Give In or Push Through

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 12:35:33 GMT

Battle Ground Week #3

Give in or Push Through

Mark 4:47-31

SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE:

1. Jesus hears our cry

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Mark 4:35

Church isn’t supposed to be a castle of condemnation, but rather a basement of grace

2. Jesus is calling us out of comfort

Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. Mark 4:36

Jesus has great plans for our lives, but it always starts with a small step

Asking for help is incredibly uncomfortable

3. The storm is evidence of our significance

The storm is not evidence of our sinfulness

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Mark 4:37-38

One of the biggest mistakes we can make in spiritual warfare is underestimating our enemy.

Don’t let the enemy’s storm cause doubt and discouragement in your life

4. What Jesus speaks is stronger than our storm

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

The Word of God is what calmed the storm

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:40-41

Sometimes the biggest miracle is not when God changes our circumstances, but when He changes our perspective in those circumstances.

Elected, Connected, Protected

Sun, 23 Feb 2020 01:27:51 GMT

We need to acknowledge that Satan wants us to lose and does everything in his power to make that happen.

Jesus changes who we are - if we’ll let him.

As you saw in the cardboard testimonies video, your fellow Jesus followers here at Central showed us how Jesus changed their identity - AND how Jesus sees them. They are allowing Him to work in and through them to experience true life change!

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

~Ephesians 6:13-18 (NLT)

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. ~Ephesians 6:13-18 (The Message)

Temptation is one of the devil’s primary fiery arrows.

We need to remember that a step following Satan is a step away from Jesus.

We must understand that we’re incapable of defending ourselves against the enemies’ schemes on our own.

Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. -Ephesians 6:18 (The Message)

We must remember that we can’t take this faith journey alone.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. -Ecclesiastes 4:12

We’re elected by God to be part of His family, we’re connected as a body of believers and we’re protected from the enemy by God’s power.

A 30,000 Foot View

Sun, 16 Feb 2020 14:36:42 GMT

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” -C.S. Lewis

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41

Sometimes it takes a storm for us to see Jesus more clearly

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. Mark 5:1-3

Religious activity never works when it comes to spiritual warfare

For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. Mark 5:4-5

One of the things the enemy wants us to do is to get ourselves into a pattern where we harm ourselves, physically or emotionally

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” Mark 5:6-9

As long as we identify with our dysfunction, we will always walk in defeat

And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Mark 5:10-15

When Jesus changes people, Jesus changes people.

Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. Mark 5:16-20

We live in a world at war.
Rather than being dominated by fear and uncertainty, we can live by faith
Those who are in Christ are equipped to win

Called to Take Your Next Step

Sun, 09 Feb 2020 02:03:08 GMT

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. - Matthew 23:1-3

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. - Luke 5:27-28

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. - Matthew 4:18-20

Jesus knows that the more we follow Him, the more we’ll become like Him

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FOLLOW JESUS?

You have to see Him to Follow Him

What is it that you do that helps you see Jesus more clearly?

If we see Jesus clearly we’ll follow Him closely... but we’ll never follow somebody that we can't see.

When we figure out what it is that helps us see Jesus clearly, we have to be intentional about doing it.

Nobody has ever accidentally followed Jesus

You have to fully surrender to Jesus

We’ll never surrender to someone that we don’t trust

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. - Matthew 5:29

When we follow Jesus, He's leads us towards joy

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” - Matthew 5:30

When you're following Jesus, don't ever expect that you'll be understood or approved of

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - Matthew 5:31-32

If you're really going to follow Jesus, then we you have to surround yourself with people that are following Jesus.

Jesus called Matthew into a community

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

Called to Let Go

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 18:29:18 GMT

Luke 5:17-26

One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. - Luke 5:17

Do we come to church for evaluation or participation?

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. - John 12:9-11

Religious people always seek to kill a miracle.

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. Luke 5:18

We all need friends who will walk with us no matter what

Jesus said that the world would be able to tell that we belong to Him by the way we love each other

When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Luke 5:19

The bigger the obstacle, the greater the miracle that can eventually take place.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20

God can always do more than what we're asking Him to do

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” ²²Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? ²³Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ²⁴But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ²⁵Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Luke 5:21-25

If we don’t take Jesus at His word, we'll lay paralyzed for the rest of our lives.

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Luke 5:26

Calling Out

Sun, 26 Jan 2020 12:00:19 GMT

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Luke 5:12

"Don't put a period where God has put a comma because that's not the end of your story."

The leper could not go to the temple, but he could come to Jesus

The leper didn't call out for anything superficial, he called out for the supernatural

In order to get well, you have to want to get well

People don't get well until they want to get well and say "I don't want to live like this anymore."

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:13

Jesus is not afraid of our mess; He's willing to step into it, if we're just willing to call out and ask Him to.

Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Luke 5:14

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:15

I Will Answer

Sun, 19 Jan 2020 14:46:42 GMT

To Press Forward

Sun, 12 Jan 2020 17:57:05 GMT

Available for a Call?

Sun, 05 Jan 2020 17:39:44 GMT

Stand Up

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 15:07:08 GMT

Look At The Star

Sun, 22 Dec 2019 09:30:16 GMT

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Seeing The Star

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 09:30:17 GMT

Don't Miss The Star

Sun, 08 Dec 2019 09:30:45 GMT