Avenue Church

Psalm 23 can be familiar and we can sometimes take it for granted, but we can never forget that Jesus is our "Good Shepherd."

It's hard to see those who aren't living for God prosper. This Psalm of Aseph calls us to trust in God's ultimate justice, even when earthly circumstances seem unfair. It emphasizes the value of seeking God's guidance and presence for comfort and understanding during times of doubt. 

The Psalms are an incredibly vivid collection of praises and prayers in poem format that touch every emotion. You can't rush through them. This week, we provide an overview of the Psalms and examine Psalm 1, which offers a description of life rooted in God. 

As Christians, some of our spiritual habits can be practiced alone. However, that doesn't mean we can live out our faith in isolation. Engagement with the local church is essential for our transformation. This involves not only showing up on Sundays but also on Mondays. What step can you take to engage with the community this week?

Bible reading and prayer are not just things that we do as Christians; they are the primary ways we engage with God relationally. Before we seek knowledge, wisdom, revelation, or answers, let's focus on strengthening our relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

Before adding anything else to our schedules and lists, let's create space to hear from God. We live in a culture filled with notifications and busy schedules that makes it difficult to hear from God. This week, we discuss simplicity, fasting, sabbath, silence, and solitude. 

Habits are hard but helpful. They require discipline. If self-discipline is the greatest form of self-love, spiritual disciplines are how we respond to Christ's love. What if we chose to see spiritual disciplines as an opportunity to build our relationship with Christ instead of an obligation to a religious duty or ritual? Do you see spiritual disciplines as an obligation to fulfil or an invitation to connect?

The anchor of our faith is not just in the death of Jesus on the cross, but in His resurrection. We also experience grief, fear, and disappointment in death. Jesus does more than bring comfort, peace, and hope; He gives us new life.

Jesus heals the man who was born blind. This sets off a firestorm of opinions. Why was he born blind? Was he healed? Who gives Jesus the authority? Do you believe who He says He is? Jesus doesn't open blind eyes; he opens our spiritual eyes, too. 

What do you desire most? If it were offered to you, would you accept it or make an excuse for not being able to possess it? After 38 years of sickness, Jesus addresses a sick man's excuses while breaking the fixed religious mindsets of the religious leaders who witnessed Jesus' first public miracle. He also confronts ours. 

Jesus' first miracle wasn't healing, a resurection, or even calming a storm. It was keeping the party going at a wedding. Imagine being the servants tasked with filling the jars with water and offering a cup of water that would miraculously become wine. In this miracle, we are reminded that our lack makes room for God's provision, and our obedience precedes the miracle. 

We often think of miracles as rare moments when God briefly steps into our lives. But the truth is, He is always present, always working. Miracles are extraordinary glimpses of His divine power—meant to stir our wonder and reveal His truth. Yet, how do we wrestle with the tension when the miracle we long for doesn't come?

One of the most critical aspects of faithfulness is obedience. Partial and delayed obedience is still disobedience. We can live with purpose as much as we decide to walk in obedience to God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Obedience is simple, but it's not easy!

Purpose isn't just something we pursue and fulfill; it's a gift that the Gospel brings into our lives. We don't have to chase it; we can begin right where we are. In its simplest form, purpose means to "bring glory to God and enjoy Him forever." Let's learn how to start where we are with faithfulness.

Let'd de-compartmentalize our worship. Deuteronomy tells us to bring "everything" to the temple. Paul echoes that we are to offer our entire life to God as a living sacrifice in an act of worship. We should see our opportunities to give as an opportunity to worship. What we worship determines what we hold onto the tightest and what has the tightest hold on us. 

In the New Testament, most giving is regarded as generosity. In 2nd Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul challenges the church to excel in the ministry of generous giving. He points to the "poor Macedonians" as an example of generosity. If we are not careful, we will see our generosity fueled by the amount we can safely give and the reward we seek. But generosity is best driven by a joyful attitude and a step of faith. 

Are New Testament Christians obligated to give tithes? Before it was a law to follow, tithes were given as an act of faith and in response to God's goodness. Jesus affirmed the tithe but emphasized the heart. It's not really about money but about our hearts. Today, giving is a way to show that we are placing God first in our finances. 

Everything belongs to the Lord. He has entrusted us with everything we have. He is our source and supply. Do we put it to good use or spend and bury it out of selfishness and fear? The amount we have and the actions we take in faithfulness reflect our hearts and test our trust. Let's accept the challenge of using what we've been given well. 

Many voices are speaking to us. How do we know it's the voice of the Shepherd and not my voice, something I heard somewhere else, or even worse...the enemy's voice? Take time to listen and test what you hear against scripture. Ultimately, you will know it is the voice of the Good Shepherd if it leads you closer to him, even in the midst of a storm. 

As we celebrate Avenue Church's fourth anniversary, we want to ensure we are clear on our mission. The reason we exist is more important than what we do.  We want to help you know and follow Jesus, in community for a transformed life. 

Sometimes, the hustle and bustle of life can make it tricky to hear God's voice. Yet, He is always communicating with us, whether through Scripture or other gentle reminders. His voice often comes as a gentle whisper, inviting us to listen closely. This week, we'll explore ways to tune out the noise and truly hear God's whispers in our hearts. 

Learning to listen to God's voice is our most significant ability as believers. It's simple but not always easy. We'll learn from Samuel, the last judge of Israel, how he grew in listening to and following God's voice. 

Mary and Joseph dedicated Jesus at the temple, where Simeon and Anna offered prophecy and encouragement. Their faith in God's promises and dedication to spending time at the temple are examples of living expectantly. 

Two groups, the magi and the shepherds, from polar opposite ends of society, found themselves at the young savior's feet. The invitations were different. But the response was the same. They worshiped!

Things don't always go according to our plans, especially when God intervenes—Mary and Joseph's plans for a typical marriage were everything but that. Even when God disrupts our plans, it winds up being way better. But it requires extraordinary surrender on our part. 

In the opening of our Christmas Series, we look at Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. John would be the voice preparing the way of the Lord. The surprising thing is that Zechariah would be silenced because of his unbelief. But just because things are silent doesn't mean God isn't working. 

The parts of ourselves that we like the least are often the result of unresolved and unhealed wounds. God wants to heal your heart and bind your wounds.

To delight in something or someone is to find joy. God doesn't just want us to fear, trust, and obey Him. He wants us to delight in Him, and then He promises to give us the desires of our hearts. The incredible thing is that as we delight in Him, He changes our desires to match His.

Don't waste your wait! Waiting is never fun, especially in a waiting room. In scripture, God's waiting room is often the wilderness. It can feel like a waste of time, but God uses it to purify us, prepare us, and grow our dependence on Him.

Trusting ain't easy. Trusting in the Lord is easier said than done,  especially when our circumstances contradict our desires. Learning to trust God is the foundation of peace in our life. It allows us to rest in Him as we trust in Him in the chaos of situations.

We can know God's nature. But some postures and attitudes help us anchor our lives in those truths and experience Him fully. In Part 1, we learn how to properly walk in fear of the Lord and enjoy its benefits. 

Part 3 of a 3-part series that helps us navigate the duality of faith and politics. The early church probably never considered being able to vote for who would be their governing authority. As Christians, we should see our vote as a gift from God to steward. But we must also remember that God places all governing authorities in power and removes them from power. 

Part 2 of a 3-part series that helps us navigate the duality of faith and politics. An idol can be anything that we think can give us more than what Christ can give us. During election seasons, it can be easy for patriotism and politics to get the attention that only Christ should get. 

This is part 1 of a three-part series that helps us navigate the duality of faith and politics. Christians are called to live as foreigners and exiles during their time on earth while also doing the work of an ambassador of Christ. How can we do both?

There is something special about God's Anointing. No one recognized that more than King David. What is God's anointing, and how can we walk in it? 

The lists of spiritual gifts in Scripture are not exhaustive but exemplary. There are also no set categories in Scripture. This week, we look at those that might be considered "ministry gifts" and those that might be regarded as "manifestation gifts."

We are connected to The Body of Christ (the church) through our relationship with Him, not because of our gifts. However, being connected to the body gives us a responsibility to use our gifts for those we are connected to. 

Spiritual gifts are given to us by God through the Holy Spirit so that we can serve Him and others. Understanding how and why these gifts are given helps us better understand the One who gives us these gifts.