AgapeSLO

Jesus expects His followers to be GENUINELY ENCOURAGED BY WHO HE IS and their identity in HimJesus will always provide COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE INSIDE-OUT FIRST, not from the outside –in. ·       JOY comes from the inside but HAPPINESS comes from the outside·       Our desire to know and love Him and the energy to serve Him will KEEP FLOWING into and through us AS LONG AS "WE ABIDE IN HIM."·       A believer cannot achieve anything of spiritual value independent of Jesus. ·       The ability to bring the transforming love of Jesus to a world suffering with all these ailments comes from being like branches are connected to the vine. Because Jesus is the True Vine, we are to stay connected to Him and by loving each other!

THE MAGNIFICENT VII I AM “THE GOOD SHEPHERD” Jn. 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” (NKJV)Intro:Honor and Definition of a ShepherdJesus, a great storytellerGood and Bad leadersChap 9:Man born blind, healed by Jesus on the Sabbath, thrown out of the temple. Leaders were spiritually blind, contrasting with Jesus' healing.Chapter 10:Jesus compares shepherds to people in the Middle East. He contrasts the Pharisees' blindness with the healed man. False shepherds (Pharisees) claimed insight but were spiritually blind. Jesus, as the True Shepherd, seeks and heals His sheep. His sheep hear and follow His voice.Jn. 10:1-5Jesus describes Himself as the door of the sheep, warning of thieves and robbers. Sheep recognize and follow the voice of their shepherd.Jesus as the Door:He is the only way to salvation and provision. The shepherd protects His flock and provides for their needs. False shepherds only take from the flock, but Jesus gives abundant life. John. 10:7-10Jesus is the door through which His sheep are saved and find pasture. The thief comes to steal, but Jesus came to give life more abundantly.The Good Shepherd:Jesus is willing to give His life for His sheep (Jn. 10:11).A hireling flees when danger comes, but Jesus cares for His flock and lays down His life for them (Jn. 10:12-13).Jesus has intimate knowledge of His sheep and will gather others, including Gentiles (Jn. 10:14-16).John. 10:17-18Jesus willingly lays down His life; His death is voluntary, and He has power over it. His obedience to God's will brings special love from the Father.Division Among the People: Jesus' teachings divided the crowd, with some claiming He was demon-possessed, while others recognized His power to heal.Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd:Psalm 23:1-6: God as our shepherd provides, restores, protects, and comforts. He takes care of all our needs, especially salvation, which He secured through Jesus' sacrifice.

The Seven “I AM” Statements of Jesus Jesus said – “I am the Door” Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:7-10 NKJV BIBLICAL USAGE OF DOOR OR GATE Greek Word - "thyra" means "door," "gate," or "entrance," used both literally and figuratively. Figurative Meaning: It can also be used metaphorically to represent an opportunity, a way in, or a pathway to something different, something new, a higher place … or to a door of temptation. SIX IMPORTANT DOORS TO CONSIDER The Door of Salvation - “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 The Door of Protection - “I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9 The Door of Opportunity – “See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it” Rev 3:8 The Door of Perseverance – “… 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. Luke 11:5-9 NLT The Door of Temptation – “Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Gen 4:6-7 NLT The Door to Heaven – “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in Heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here ” Rev 4:1 The Invitation - Behold, I stand at the door and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. Rev 3:20 amp

I AM The Light of the World John. 8:12 (NIV) 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.1:1-5 (NIV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John.14:6 Jesus and answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. The Light of His TRUTH, The light of His WORD, The light of ETERNAL LIFE. FIRST PROMISE, His followers will never walk in darkness, 2 Corinthians 4:7 (TLB) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV) “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, . . . 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV) “. . . I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 1 John 1:5-7 (NIV) “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin. SECOND promise is we will reflect the Light of Life. John 8:12 (TLB) “Later, in one of his talks, Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Isaiah 60: 1-3 (NIV) Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. I AM; Child of God; I AM: Redeemed from the hand of the enemy I AM: A new creation. I AM the light of the World Isaiah 60 (AMP) "Arise [from the depression & prostration in which circumstances have kept you -- rise to a new life]!"

MAGNIFICENT VII: The Bread of Life THE BREAD THAT SAVED A LIFE During World War II, a soldier in a prison camp shared his hidden piece of bread with a fellow prisoner, offering life-saving strength. That small gesture symbolized life beyond mere sustenance. John 18:3-6 (NIV) Jesus, knowing His fate, declares “I AM He” (ego eimi), a powerful statement connecting Himself to God's covenant name revealed in Exodus 3:14, affirming His divinity. John 6:28-35 (NIV) The crowd, seeking signs, misses the deeper truth. Jesus corrects their view of manna, revealing that God's true bread, the bread of life, comes from Him. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” BREAKING IT DOWN… The crowd focuses on physical bread, missing the spiritual truth. Jesus points them to eternal sustenance, urging them to seek the true bread from heaven. WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE? Bread is Essential for Life: It symbolizes sustenance. Just as physical bread sustains life, Jesus sustains spiritual life. Jesus Gives Eternal Life: Jesus contrasts physical bread with spiritual bread, offering eternal life. Jesus Satisfies the Deepest Hunger: He satisfies our inner desire for righteousness, purpose, and meaning (Matthew 5:6). THE BREAD OF LIFE – WHAT JESUS IS SAYING TO YOU Jesus is saying He is essential for your life. He offers eternal life, satisfaction for your deepest hunger, and an invitation to come and believe in Him. COMMUNION Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet—He is the Bread of Life that gives eternal life. The question is: Are you feeding on the true Bread that lasts, or settling for what will never satisfy?

SUCCESS MISMANAGED leads to destruction.THE 9 QUESTION PRIDE TEST1.    Do you need a lot of attention? 2.   Do you become jealous or critical of people who succeed?3.   Do you always have to win? 4.   Do you have a pattern of lying? 5.   Do you have a hard time confessing you were wrong? 6.   Do you consistently have conflicts with other people? 7.    Do you feel like rules apply to others? 8.   Are you teachable? 9.   Do you often have an attitude of entitlement? INDICATORS ABOUT PRIDEPride believes holy things can be TREATED LIGHTLY or with DISRESPECT.Pride becomes ANGRY WHEN CORRECTED by godly voices. You either HOLD ONTO HUMILITY and allow God to lift you up, or you PAMPER PRIDE and God knocks you down.

Shame is meant to permanently destroy the faith required to live in the truth of our Identity in Christ. How to Win the SHAME GAME: 1. Confess and surrender to God. 2. Commit to embrace your identity in Christ 3. Seek a supportive community.

Common types of Relational Wounds, their effects and how to overcome them

BURNOUT is a state of EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL and MENTAL EXHAUSTION caused by PROLONGED AND EXCESSIVE STRESS, often related to work or other significant responsibilities.  OVERLOAD – when we are doing too much against the capacity that we have to do it DIFFERENT KINDS OF OVERLOAD- ACTIVITY Overload - CHANGE Overload - CHOICE Overload - COMMITMENT Overload - DEBT Overload - INFORMATION Overload STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME BURNOUT1. PRIORITIZE REST AND SABBATH (Genesis 2:2-3; Matthew 11:28-30)2. RELY ON GOD'S STRENGTH, NOT YOUR OWN (Isaiah 40:31)3. PRACTICE SPIRITUAL RENEWAL (Romans 12:2 )    4. STAY CONNECTED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (Hebrews 10:24-25; Galatians 6:2)

**Prescription for Anxiety:** 1. Ignore basic human needs like sleep, exercise, and nutrition. 2. Seek happiness through material possessions. 3. Compare your life with others. 4. Obsess over global tragedies. 5. Live at an unsustainable pace, leading to isolation. **Objective:** Reduce and manage anxiety, and allow God to work through it for His glory. **Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11 (NIV):** Be alert and of sober mind. The devil seeks to devour. Resist him, knowing others share your struggles. God will restore and strengthen you. **Types of Anxiety:** - Situational Anxiety- Ongoing Anxiety (e.g., phobias, social anxiety)

Mental Breakdown at Cal Poly Disqualified from Cal Poly because of my grades; got an opportunity to see a therapist;THERE IS HOPE IN JESUS” John 5:6 (NKJV) A journey surrounding mental health within our faith community. We are committed to looking to God's Word to guide us in dispelling myths & embracing mental health in accordance with His will and plan. Are you internally battling real depression, real anxiety, can't let go of the stress, & dealing with crippling fear. DEFINING MENTAL HEALTH: Mental Health is probably not the best term to describe what we're talking about because it's more involved that that… When we say “Mental Health” we're talking about spiritually health, emotionally health, & being relationally health How you THINK – IMPACTS – how you FEEL – IMPACTS - how you LIVE Your mental health determines how I handle stress; how I relate to people; how I make choices; how I bounce back from disappointment… [WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH…] John 14:27 (NIV) If you are overwhelmed with fear, overwhelmed with anxiety, You are absolutely human but that IS NOT FROM GOD! Romans 15:13 (NIV) Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) MYTHS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH THAT ARE VERY DESTRUCTIVEMyth #1: Mental Illness is a Sign of Weak Faith Myth #2: Christians Should Not Struggle With Mental Health Elijah: 1 Kings 18-19; David: 1 Samuel 17; Jeremiah (The Weeping Prophet): Whole Book Myth #3: Seeking Professional Help is a Sign of Weakness Proverbs 15:22 (NIV) 1 Corinthians 12:26 Sometimes you will need to learn some tools so that you can walk in the mental health Jesus has paid the price for you to live in. Myth #4: Mental Illness is a Punishment for Sin THREE STEPS TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH Don't Go At It Alone, Find the Support You Need Be Diligent to Address Your Thoughts in a Biblical Way Romans 12:2 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 [John Maxwell…] How Transformational Change Happens: When you change YOUR THINKING, you change YOUR BELIEFS. When you change YOUR BELIEFS, you change YOUR EXPECTATIONS. When you change YOUR EXPECTATIONS, you change YOUR ATTITUDE. When you change YOUR ATTITUDE, you change YOUR BEHAVIOR. When you change YOUR BEHAVIOR, you change YOUR LIFE. ALL LIFE CHANGE STARTS WHEN I CHANGE THE WAY I THINK Remember It All Starts With God and God Is For You Most people overwhelmed with discouragement and depression somehow feel like God is not for them and that He is actually against them.