Crossroads Church Podcast

Run: Week 5 Run for the Long Haul Hebrews 12:12-17 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. - Hebrews 12:12-17 3 Keys to Staying Strong for the Long Haul: 1. Fight for peace in a God-honoring way -- When a fight is necessary – use minimum necessary force. 2. Don't let resentment, unforgiveness, and bitterness build 3. Don't fall for quick fixes that promise immediate relief. He sold his rights for a quick fix. Yeah, yeah whatever, just give me what I want right now.

TEXT: Heb 12:1; 1 Chronicles 11:22-25 TITLE: RUN TOWARD THE ROAR THE WOLF-DOG Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, RUN AWAY FROM Gen 39:12 - Joseph RAN from Pharaoh's wife RUN TOWARDS So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. — 1 Samuel 17:48 ENTER BENIAH = “BUILT BY GOD” 1 Chronicles 11:22-25 (NKJV) 22 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had chased down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 23 And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian's hand there was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he ran down to him with a staff, wrestled the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear …And David appointed him over his guard. THREE ENEMIES WE FACE AS WE RUN OUR RACE MOABITES, EGYPTIANS, ROARING LIONS MOABITES – represents your FLESH ROM 8: 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. EGYPTIANS – represents SLAVERY "In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly (Proverbs 26:11) ROARING LIONS – represents FEARS Be sober- minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil WALKS ABOUT around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist (set against) him, firm (standing firm) in your faith - (1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV TAKE HOME: WHAT LION IN OUR LIFE DO YOU NEED TO CHASE AFTER? WHAT MOABITE, (fleshly appetites) WHAT EGYPTIAN, (old habits) ROARING LION (fears, doubts, anxieties)

RUN HARD...but not ALONE Run in such a way that you want to WIN…” 1 Cor 9:24-27 HIS EYES RUN to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is loyal toward Him. DAVID – Psalm 119:32 – “I run along the path of your word, for you have set my heart free.” ISAIAH 40:29-31 “…those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will run and not grow weary; walk and not faint.” SAMUEL – 2 Samuel 22: 30 - For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. SOLOMON – Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. HABAKKUK – 2:2 - “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. RUNNING OUR RACE 1. SUFFERING – Necessary suffering vs Unnecessary Suffering 2. DISCIPLINE – the foundation of all discipline is “Delayed Gratification” 3. TODAY: DIVINE MENTORS: RUN HARD! BUT NOT ALONE A MENTOR – Someone who can PREVENT you from getting “STUCK”; or help you get UNSTUCK; “ I should have listen to my ____________, then I wouldn't be _____________. YEARLY RITUAL: ONE WORD; ONE SCRIPTURE; ONE PERSON QUOTE: “When the student is ready, the mentors will appear. These heroes and legends have been expecting you.” Rom 15:4 Whatever was written beforehand is meant to instruct us in how to live. The Scriptures impart to us encouragement and inspiration so that we can live in hope and endure all things. MY PRAYER – Psalm 71:18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, RAHAB - Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. RAHABS BACK STORY: 1. Joshua 2. Jericho 3. Rahab Joshua 2:9-14 (MSG) I know that GOD has given you the land. We're all afraid. Everyone in the country feels hopeless. 10 We heard how GOD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt, …. 11 We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and GOD, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below. 12 “Now promise me by GOD. I showed you mercy; now show my family mercy. And give me some tangible proof, a guarantee 13 of life for my father and mother, my brothers and sisters—everyone connected with my family. Save our souls from death!” 14 “Our lives for yours!” Said the men. “But don't tell anyone our business. When GOD turns this land over to us, we'll do right by you in loyal mercy.” Joshua 2:18 here is what you must do: Hang this red rope out the window through which you let us down and gather your entire family with you in your house—father, mother, brothers, and sisters…19 Anyone who goes out the doors of your house into the street and is killed, it's his own fault—we aren't responsible. 20 But if you tell anyone of our business here, the oath you made us swear is canceled—we're no longer responsible.” 21 She said, “If that's what you say, that's the way it is,” and sent them off. They left and she hung the red rope out the window. Joshua 6:15-17 (MSG) 15 When the seventh day came, they got up early and marched around the city this same way but seven times—yes, this day they circled the city seven times. 16 On the seventh time around the priests blew the trumpets and Joshua signaled the people, “Shout!—GOD has given you the city! 17 The city and everything in it is under a holy curse and offered up to GOD. “Except for Rahab the harlot—she is to live, she and everyone in her house with her, because she hid the agents we sent. I AM NOT DEFINED BY MY PAST! 1. GOD SAVES THOSE WITH A PAST 2. GOD USES THOSE WITH A PAST 3. GOD REDEFINES THOSE WITH A PAST God redefined Rahab — From a fallen woman to a CHOSEN woman, from a bad girl to a BRIDE, from a mess to a MOTHER and from prostitute to a PARENT of the Messiah. IMAGINE IF… In 2022: if we approach our bible as an APPOINTMENT WITH OUR MENTOR... TAKE HOME 1. What ONE THING about your past makes you feel WEAK? 2. What's ONE SCRIPTURE about your past that makes you feel STRONG? 3. WHO WILL YOU BELIEVE? YOUR FEELINGS or YOUR FAITH RUN HARD RUN WITH INTENTION BUT WHATEVER YOU DO …DON'T RUN ALONE

Run Week 2 – The Power of Discipline Hebrews 12:1-11 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all…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. “Discipline is the basic set of tools we require to solve life's problems.” - M. Scott Peck Key Point: The foundation of all discipline is delayed gratification.

Run - Week 1

Christmas Unmasked When It's Nothing Like You Expected Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'[b]” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Key Point: When you are faced with a situation that is nothing like you expected choose to bring your best and give it. The Gifts of the Magi and what they may represent: 1. Gold for a king (Jesus as king) 2. Frankincense for a high priest (Jesus us intercessor between God and man) 3. Myrrh for sacrifice (Jesus as the sacrifice that would save the world) Key Point: We focus on the presents, but what if it's about the presence. The Challenge: Create an intentional time for total presence with those around you. Possible ideas for creating presence: Turn off the TV Turn off phones (don't look stuff up) Pull out some old photos Play a board game Ask some pre-planned questions to get conversation going

Title: THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. – Isaiah 53:3 "When we looked at Him, we thought He Was SCUM; But the fact is. IT WAS OUR PAIN HE CARRIED... “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror…but one day, we will see everything with perfect clarity.” – 1 COR 13:12 YOUR GREATEST STRIDES SPIRITUALLY WILL OFTEN COME MASKED OR HIDDEN FROM YOUR NATURAL UNDERSTANDING. “When the INFINITE enters the FINITE, it becomes IMPOSSIBLE to see EVERYTHING THATS IS HAPPENING. THIS IS WHY WE WALK BY FAITH. “If you wait for perfect conditions to seize an opportunity, you'll be waiting till the day you die.” - Mark Batterson Sometimes God gets in the way to show us the way. CHRISTMAS STORY HAS 4-5 STORIES WITHIN ITSELF. JOSEPH – the father or step-dad of Jesus – Matt. 1:20 ZACHARIAS – a high priest who didn't believe – Lk 1:13, 20 MARY – a young virgin who found favor with God – Lk. 1:30 SHEPHERDS – minding their own business – Lk 2:8-20 JOSEPH – Matt. 1:20 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, DO NOT BE AFRAID to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. QUESTION: What's your IDENTITY wrapped in? ZACHARIAS – Lk 1:13, 20 13 But the angel said to him, “DO NOT BE AFRAID, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. Luke 1:63-64 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. QUESTION: Is your LEGACY wrapped in a BUSINESS PLAN? OR IN RAISING A GOD-FEARING FAMILY MARY Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, “DO NOT BE AFRAID, Mary, for you have found favor with God. QUESTION: Will You Allow FEAR to keep you from walking in DIVINE FAVOR? SHEPHERDS Luke 2:9-10 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and THEY WERE GREATLY AFRAID. 10 Then the angel said to them, “DO NOT BE AFRAID, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people QUESTION: Will you allow FEAR to keep you from RECEIVING GOOD NEWS BOTTOM LINE: YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE AFRAID JUST TRUST

Christmas Unmasked: Week 1 - Nothing is What it Seems to Be Story: Going to Australia and all the plans getting blown to pieces. Then findind I've sat through many, many boring sermons. This may be the most impractical message I've ever given. Or it may be the most practical. If this stuff doesn't work in the real world why are we doing it? And honestly I think a lot of preachers don't know how this stuff works in the real world, which is why their sermons are boring as hell. When the infinite enters the finite, it becomes impossible to see everything that is happening. Which is why you have to have faith. Whenever you see heaven touching earth, heaven has to hide itself -- Open eyes if heart to see the unseen – in my kids, in my spouse, in my world Question: What the heck is happening here? Where are you God? Key Point: The kingdom of God must always be sought. Seek first the kingdom…. You have to seek it because his work is always veiled. It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. – Proverbs 25:2 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 Modern man does not see God because he will not look low enough. – Carl Jung God is always at work, but to see his work we have to seek it out – what we see rarely displays what he's actually doing. …. for we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Key Point: If you want to see what God is up to, you can't look at what you see. Nowhere was this exemplified like it was in the life of God in the flesh…. There were even warnings (800 years earlier, 740BC) to look for him in the lowly, desperate places. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. – Isaiah 53:3 Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. -1 Cor. 13:12, NLT Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV

The Lost Art of Gratitude Week 3: The Cure for Comparison Comparison is the thief of joy. – C.S. Lewis Mimetic Desire: The idea that imitation is the force that shapes human desire. People desire things because someone else—a model—did first. Key Point: It's our similarity that causes division, jealousy, and envy -- not our differences. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. – James 4:1-2 What we all want: security, connection, and control. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” – Exodus 20:17 Scapegoat: The person/group a society decides to blame for not being able to get what they want. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Ephesians 5:1

The Power of an Attitude of Gratitude "It was concluded that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties that must be undertaken and overcome with greater courage." "Whatever great dangers and difficulties lie ahead would, through the help of God, with fortitude and patience, be either overcome or endured."

TITLE: GRATITUDE TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV "Give thank in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1. GRATITUDE defined: “eucharistia = “thankfukness”; (eucharist – communion) 2. GRATITUDE is a choice we make to STOP. LOOK. GO. (video) a. Quote: “I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude.” - Brene Brown 3 THOUGHTS ABOUT GRATITUDE 1. WHATEVER YOU DON'T TURN INTO PRAISE TURNS INTO PRIDE a. James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. b. TALMUD - a man embezzles from God when he makes use of this world without uttering a blessing 2. YOUR FOCUS DETERMINES YOUR REALITY a. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. b. Joy is not getting what you want; it's appreciating what you have. It's not changing your circumstances; it is changing your focus. 3. DON'T LET WHATS WRONG WITH YOUKEEP YOU FORM WORSHIPPING WHAT'S RIGHT ABOUT GOD. a. If you want a good night's sleep, don't count sheep! COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! b. GOOD NEWS: You are not defined by what you have done WRONG;Our identity is wrapped up in JESUS DID RIGHT. c. 2 Cor. 5:21- God made him who had no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of Christ i. THE 10 LEPERS “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!' He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.” (Mark 8:22-25) ii. GRATITUDE is going back (a pilgrimage) to your source of healing, strength, forgiveness and giving thanks. Going back to the CROSS! d. Gratitude is thanking God after He does it; But faith is next-level gratitude. i. Faith is thanking God before He does it. It's prophesying your praise. TAKE HOME: Receive Communion: Give Thanks

A Different Spirit: Week 5 - Glorious Humility Key Point: Humility is having an accurate perspective on reality Joshua 14:6-12 And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God…. And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.” Numbers 14:6-10 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel. Translation: “If the LORD delights in us” = I don't know, but I'll be courageous and trust him. James 4:10 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Key Point: Glory is the result humility. Actions Steps: Bored? 1. Take on a project that is way bigger than anything you can do on your own. 2. Learn something new that makes you feel dumb and foolish Overhwhelmed? 1. Lighten up… You aren't that important. 2. Stop trying to control all outcomes. Let God be God.

Different Spirit Week 4: I Love Fear (aka Life is Too Short to Die a Coward) Numbers 13:25-30 At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land…. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.” But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 14:11-12 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.” Numbers 14:14-24 Then the Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. Key Point: Fear doesn't go away. It must be faced in small doses. Then it loses its power. You must learn to do it afraid. 1 John 4:16-18 God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 Corinthians 3:13 …each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Sermon title – Just keep Going “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT “because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:9-14 NLT “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won't become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT The word Endurance in the original Greek means “To bear up under the weight of”, the ability To withstand great pain or hardship, the ability to continue despite fatigue, stress or adverse conditions. “ Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.“ “James 1:2-4 NLT “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:-5 NLT Romans 5:-5 NLT

Iron Chariots "After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, "Who of us is to go up first to fight against the canaanites?" The LORD answered, "Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands." - Judges1:1-2 The LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had chariots of iron. - Judges1:19

Title: ATTRIBUTE OF GRIT ATTRIBUTE OF GRIT Heb 12:2 says: let us run with endurance [fortitude] the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, ENTER CALEB Numbers 14:24 24 But My servant Caleb, because he has a DIFFERENT SPIRIT in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Joshua 14:7-14 – CALEB'S TESTIMONY “I was forty years old when Moses…sent me…to explore the land… I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed…God wholeheartedly…that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance'… So here I am today, eighty-five years old…as strong…as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as VIGOROUS to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this mountain that the Lord promised me…Then Joshua blessed Caleb…and gave him Hebron as his inheritance…because he followed the Lord…wholeheartedly” - Jos 14:7-14 CALEB – possessed these 4 qualities 1. GRIT 2. FOCUS 3. COURAGE 4. HUMILITY GRIT DEFINED: passion and perseverance for very long-term goals; stamina; sticking with your future day in and day out; A HOLY RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY John Wesley Powell In 1869, 35 yr old professor of geology John Powell attempted something thought to be impossible. GRIT putting yourself in positions that will push you past your previous limits. GRIT DOES NOT ALLOW YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES TO GET BETWEEN YOU AND GOD; GRIT LET'S GOD GET BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES Gen 1:9 “Fill the earth and SUBDUE IT.” SUBDUE = KABASH! • To make a path • To bring under control • To conquer Proverbs 16:32 “He that conquers his soul is greater than he that taketh a city.” QUESTION: “Is there an executive order you need to give yourself?” CALEB: he mastered his fears with faith I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed…God wholeheartedly… Two frogs fell into a can of cream Or so I've heard it told The sides of the can were shiny and steep, The cream was deep and cold. “0 what's the use,” croaked Number One, ‘Tis fate; no help around. Goodbye my friends, Goodbye sad world!” And weeping still he drowned. But Number Two, of GRITTY STUFF Dog paddled in surprise The while he wiped his creamy face And dried his creamy eyes. “I'll swim awhile, at least,” he said— Or so I've heard he said; “It really wouldn't help the world If one more frog were dead.” An hour or two he kicked and swam, Not once he stopped to mutter, But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked, Then he hopped out, via butter! HEBREWS 10:35-39 35 So don't lose your bold, courageous faith, for you are destined for a great reward! 36 You need the strength of endurance to reveal the poetry of God's will and then you receive the promise in full. 39 But we are certainly not those who are held back by fear and perish; we are among those who have faith and experience true life! THE BLOOD ROUND Hebrews 12:2 For the joy set before him he endured the cross HEBREW 12:1-2 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” IF GRIT HELPED JESUS ENDURE HIS CROSS GRIT WILL HELP US CARRY OUR CROSS FOR HIM TAKE HOME: 1. Caleb was 40 when He was ready to face his giants and enter the Promise Land; Because of the NEGATIVE CLIMATE he was in, he didn't enter till He was 85. HE WAS JUST AS GRITTY AT 85 that he was at 40. DON'T LET AGE keep you from LIVING DANGEROUSLY TAKE HOME: 2. Is there an executive order you need to give yourself? GRIT begins by conquering our sinful nature by Gods Spirit. IF YOU FALL INTO A CAN OF CREAM THIS WEEK: MAKE BUTTER TAKE HOME: It's never too late to be who you might have been. DO GRIT

Biblical Description Of Purpose: 1) It declares why you exist - captures the heart of why Jesus died for you, why you were put on this earth – for impact. 3) It defines your life—not in terms of what you think but what God thinks about you!. 4) It anchors your life in the character and call of God. 5) My signature life Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. KEY #1 We must shift our way of thinking - Understand who you are, In Christ - understand the power you hold to create change/shift if your life (Divine authority given to you by God!) - Divinity – definition “Devine status, the Creator and Supreme being” Colossians 2:9-10 (AMP version) - You are created in the image of God, infused with His anointing, distinction and Favor, therefore, there is nothing you can't achieve - Eliminate negative toxic thought patterns that keep us from purpose Romans12:2 NIV Ephesians 4:23 - NIV Key #2 Take action towards change - self change Owning your transformation. Set out to reinvent yourself for YOU. No one owns your transformation but you, not even God. God has already given us all we need thru the transformative power of the powerful 3s: 1) His Word (live it out, declare it out) 2) the Holy Sprit to guide us (listen, obey) 3) Power to heal us (embrace it) Some of us need a fourth step in self change: 4) Seek Help from others (Mentors, Pastors, Counselors & Doctors, professionals that can help us work through our trauma or issues) - KEY to my embracing purpose! NO change NO game! KEY 3 Seek out your purpose, never settle or give up on it – DESPITE your odds When we walk in purpose we impact: 1) our family (wife, husband, children) legacy impact – what we leave behind 2) those around us that see our walk (church, workplace, community). Never underestimate your role in the ability to influence someone else's purpose. 3) our eternal destiny – stand before God one day “well done good and faithful servant”. Ultimate reward 1 Peter 2: 9 NIV Romans 8:28 NIV KEY 3 Con' t - Different stages of embracing your purpose Inked By God: Stage 1 – salvation /forgiveness (God to us – us to ourselves – us to others that hurt us) Stage 2 – restoration of relationships, body, mind – God is a God of redemption and restoration Stage 3 – Growth to get us healthy (change I discussed in Key's 1 & 2) & seeking training, education self help – education and development is POWER Stage 4 - Open doors in influence and personal growth , work-place, career, community church service - around you for impact – impact you to others, impact others to you - Promotion & expansion comes from God! Stage 5 – Deeper level of growth in confidence/mind/body – God takes us through levels each phase. Stages 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 – you keep going… mindset of continual growth in every area of your life! Never stop being open to shift, change, learn, expand!

Title: INKED BY GOD INKED BY GOD “How do I know Gods will?” 2 Cor 3:3 As a result of our ministry, you are living letters written by Christ, not with ink chiseled on tablets of stone, but inked by God's Spirit — on the tablets of tender hearts - and we publish it. Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” “COLLECT CALL” or “WALKIE TALKIE” What if God doesn't want to give you HIS PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE; What if God wants to give you A LIFE FOR HIS PLAN “It shall come to pass that before they call I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear -Isaiah 65:24 It wasn't WHAT I found in this book that made the difference, It was WHO I found in this book that made the difference. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. BEFORE GOD WILL REVEAL HIS PLAN; COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT HE IS THE PLAN No love of the natural heart is safe unless the human heart has been satisfied by GOD FIRST - Oswald Chambers “You'll never come SECOND when you PUT GOD FIRST” – Brian Houston Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 1. GODS WORD 2. GODS SPIRIT 3. INNER WITNESS “…IT SEEMED GOOD TO ME…” “…IT SEEMED GOOD TO ME…” Matthew 10:14, 23 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, shake off the dust from your feet and flee to another city. Psalms 37:23-26 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. WHEN YOU SEEK TO KNOW HIM YOUR PLANS ARE IN HIS HANDS… Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. What if God doesn't want to give you HIS PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE; What if God wants to give you A LIFE for HIS PLAN? WHEN I LOOK AT MY LIFE… I WAS INKED TO LOVE…TO LOVE HIM THINGS OUR LIFE IS FOUNDED UPON: HIS LAMP – God's Word - HIS OIL - God's Spirit MY INNER WITNESS - My spirit – “It seemed good to me…” – “... it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,” (Acts 15:25) “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us ...” (Acts 15:28) IN YOUR JOURNEY you will always have: HIS LAMP – as a GUIDE HIS SPIRIT – as a VOICE; YOUR SPIRIT – as a CHOICE APPLICATION His LAMP – God's Word Don't just read it; Let it read you. Seek to know HIM not to get things from Him. His OIL - God's Spirit He will ALWAYS lead you in a way that glorifies Jesus! INNER WITNESS “It seemed good to me…” If your at a crossroads in life, WHAT SEEMS GOOD TO YOU TO DO that is in alignment with His word and His Spirit? “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” - C. S. Lewis

Title: INKED TO LEAD DAVID CONTRERAS Inked to Lead Judges 6:11-18 (NKJV) 11 Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” 13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” 14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” 15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” 16 And the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” 17 Then he said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me. 18 Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You.” And He said, “I will wait until you come back.

Inked to Surrender Luke 9:23-23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die… But we do not want to die, and therefore Jesus Christ and his call are necessarily our death as well as our life. The call to discipleship, the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ means both death and life. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer Key Point: If every act of surrender to God feels a little like something is dying inside of you – you are doing it right. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. Key Point: Surrendering your identity to Christ is the ultimate victory.

Title: INKED BY GOD 2 Cor 2:14; 2 Cor 3:1-3 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go. Do you really need letters of recommendation to validate our ministry, like others do? 2 For your very lives are our “letters of recommendation,” permanently engraved on our hearts, recognized and read by everybody. 3 As a result of our ministry, you are living letters written by Christ, not with ink chiseled on tablets of stone, but inked by God's Spirit — on the tablets of tender hearts - and we publish it. INKED TO ENCOURAGE Psalms 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. INKED BY GOD SO OUR STORY MAY GIVE HIM GLORY 1 Corinth 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” “It's not what happens to you as a child that destroys you; IT'S THE LIES YOU BELIEVE WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU. “ We are “God's handiwork, the work of His hand, and created for the display of his splendor.” Eph 2:10; Is 43:7 Isaiah 49:16-17 “Behold I have graven (Inscribed – Inked ) you upon the palms of my hands. Revelation 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come and eat with him, and he with me. ISAIAH 65:24 It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear! write your story to give Him glory Hebrews 12:2 Remember that God is the Author and Finisher of our faith TAKE HOME: 1. Sign up for children's church – Lets EMPOWER our children with the permanent ink of God's Word. 2. Grab a journal and begin to write 2 things: a. IN BLACK INK, write down the LIES you believe about yourself from time to time. b. IN RED INK, write down the TRUTH of what God says you are. REV 19:16 “On his robe and on his THIGH, HE has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Free Your Father Week 5 – Pass on the Blessing Genesis 48:1-18 After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.' And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. Key Point: Blessing in the future always requires sacrifice in the present. Application: Every generation is called to make a sacrifice for the blessing of those coming after them. Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth… And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn)…. When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” Key Point: You don't get to decide what God's blessing looks like in those who come after you. Application: The blessing will look different than what you idealized. You must recognize the difference and nurture the blessing in your children as part of your inheritance.

Free Your Father Week 4: Reflect Your Father Key Point: We are reflectors of what we are looking at/for. Hebrews 11:1-3, 7-12 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, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 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. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. John 5:19-20 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

Free Your Father Week 3: Complete the Work Genesis 11:31 Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 1. Our parent's decisions can set us back from where we could have been. Alcoholism, gambling, etc. can keep families in financial poverty for generations. And they settle there because they don't know any difference. Or the pain is too great. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Key Point: Abraham should have grown up in Canaan, but he had to be the one to get his family there. When he did what his father could not do, he got the credit for his faith in action. Often, God will call on us to carry on the good works our father did. Psalm 78:1-4 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Free Your Father Week 2 – Honor Your Father and Mother Genesis 9:20-24 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded a to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father's naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked. When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.” Exodus 20:15 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Key Point: Honor = Respect Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Hebrews 11:39-12:3 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. 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, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Free Your Father Week 1: Daddy Issues Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 5:12,17-19 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come… For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion. – Albert Camus

A FIELD OF DREAMS BLUEPRINT BUILD IT, EASE IT, FINISH IT BIG IDEA: HAVING SECOND CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT. Psalms 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. EVER MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT? EVER ASKED GOD TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER CHANCE AT SOMETHING? EVER WANTED TO PURSUE A DREAM YOU RAN AWAY FROM? DREAM KILLERS #1 DREAM KILLER: SELF-SABOTAGE EPH 2:1-10 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 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— 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. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, “IF YOU BUILD IT, HE WILL COME” “EASE HIS PAIN” “GO THE DISTANCE” “IF YOU BUILD IT, HE WILL COME” CLEAR THE MECHANISM English poet John Donne: “I neglect God and his angels, for the noise of a fly,” “EASE HIS PAIN” Your never defined by WHAT YOU DID WRONG; Your defined by WHAT CHRIST DID RIGHT “It's Never Too Late to Be Who You Might Have Been” “GO THE DISTANCE” to do the whole amount; to play the entire game; to run the whole race. TO GO THE DISTANCE, YOU NEED 3 THINGS PHYSICAL ENERGY SPIRITUAL GUTS GOD-SIZE DREAMS Hebrews 12:1-2 - 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Phil. 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; HIT A HOME RUN BUILD IT (If you build it, He will come) GO AFTER A DREAM THAT WILL FAIL UNLESS GOD STEPS IN. EASE IT (Ease His Pain) FACE YOUR WOUNDS. FINISH IT (Go the Distance) PACE YOUR SELF. MAKING IT AGAIN Empty and broken, I came back to Him, A vessel unworthy, so scarred with sin But He did not despair, He started over again And I bless the day, He didn't throw the clay away. He is the Potter and I am the clay Molded in His image He wants me to stay But when I stumble and fall and my vessel breaks He just picks up the pieces, He doesn't throw the clay away Over and over, He molds me and makes me Into His likeness, He fashions the clay A vessel of honor, I am today All because Jesus didn't throw the clay away

At the Movies The Big Year or What Will You Be Know For? “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” ― Pierre Teilhard de Chardin The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” -Luke 10:17-20 Key Point: Who you are inside is more important than what you do, have, or know outside. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come… For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. - 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

I LOVE MY CHURCH Bottom Line: One Bite At A Time Students Testimony JOSEPHINE MOORE “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28) Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. TURNING A VISION INTO REALITY 1.PRAY I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint. (Habakkuk 2:1) 2. WRITE THE VISION DOWN Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. (Habakkuk 2:2) 3. ACT ON THE VISION “…that he may run who reads it. (Habakkuk 2:2) Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: 4. WAIT FOR IT For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it. (Habakkuk 2:3) Andrew Murray wrote: “Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for Him. This patience honors Him greatly; it leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work; it yields self wholly into His hands. It lets God be God.” NUMBERS 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 5. DON'T LOSE FAITH “It will surely come” (Habakkuk 2:2). It may tarry, but “the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4) TURN YOUR DREAM INTO REALITY 1. PRAY 2. WRITE THE VISION DOWN 3. ACT ON THE VISION 4. WAIT FOR IT 5. DON'T LOSE FAITH Acts 2:44-47 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. How do you eat a 380,000 lb. Elephant? ONE BITE AT A TIME Exodus 36:3-7 3 And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, 5 and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much. I LOVE MY CHURCH

Title: FAMILY – Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 1. FAMILY Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Eph. 5 For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus,… —for the same love he has for his Beloved One, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan (FAMILY) brings him great pleasure! 2. FREEDOM Gal. 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. GODS PLAN WAS ALWAYS TO HAVE US WALK IN FREEDOM: Adam Eve Genesis 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed THE SERPENT DECEIVED BY QUESTIONING GODS WORD = RESULT: SLAVERY “Has God indeed said,…” GODS PLAN NEVER CHANGED: Luke 4:18-19 8 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” John 8:31 “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom…liberty I LOVE MY CHURCH It's passion for freedom Mark 5:1-20 1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea and drowned in the sea. 14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled TAKE IT HOME: Fill in the blank: 1. GO HOME TO YOUR ________________. 2. TELL THEM HOW MUCH COMPASSION GOD HAS FOR THEM

RELATIONSHIPS RULE What do we mean when we say, “I LOVE MY CHURCH” DO WE LOVE CHURCH LIKE A RESTAURANT or LIKE A RELATIONSHIP? THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE 1.PEOPLE THAT FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIPS 2. PEOPLE THAT FOCUS ON RULES John 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Galatians 5 - “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.” Galatians 5:6 - “Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. But faith working through love means everything.” Phil 2:3-4 - “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” Submit to one another. Forgive one another. Encourage one another. Restore one another. Accept one another Care for one another Bear with one another. Carry one another's burdens. WHAT DOES LOVE REQUIRE OF ME? ANSWER THESE 2 QUESTIONS: 1. HOW DID CHRIST SHOW ME LOVE? 2. HOW CAN I EXTEND THIS SAME LOVE TO SOMEONE ELSE? Ask yourself - “WHAT DOES LOVE REQUIRE OF ME?”

Title: THANKS POPS! THANKS POPS! “Ecclesia” – a movement with a life-changing mission “Kirche” – a location “LOVE ONE ANOTHER….By this they will know that you are MY DISCIPLES because you have love one for another - Jesus “Tell them how much I love them” Psalms 68:5-6 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. 6 God sets the solitary (lonely, friendless, wandering) in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; “MORE ZIPPERS THAN SKIRTS” LK 15:11-24 11 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. 14 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! 18 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.' 20 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. GENEROUS WITH HIS POSSESSIONS 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. LK 12:32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. “THANKS POPS!” OVERFLOWING WITH HIS COMPASSION 18 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.' 20 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. IS 65:24 “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. QUICK WITH HIS FORGIVENESS 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. TAKE HOME: LETS BE GRATEFUL AND CELEBRATE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER FOR BEING: 1. GENEROUS WITH HIS POSSESSIONS 2. OVERFLOWING WITH HIS COMPASSION 3. QUICK WITH HIS FORGIVENESS

Just Remember Mark 9:14-29, NIV When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 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. Jesus asked the boy's father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “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.” ‘If you can'?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He's dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn't we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer. ” Key Point: If you want faith for what's ahead, look backwards. Look for patterns. Hebrews 11:1-2, ESV Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. Matthew 7:7-8, ESV “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Key Point: What you pay attention to reveals what you worship.

All In Romans 7:15-23 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate…For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Hebrews 2:3-5 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Luke 6:46-49 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

“Willful blindness is the refusal to know something that could be known.” - Jordan Peterson Genesis 18:22-33 The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “ If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Peacekeeping: Do what's needed to immediately calm the situation. Peacemakers: Pursue sustained, long-term peace at any cost. Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Big Dreams and Other Disasters Week 4: Lies and truth Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” - Genesis 12:10-13 But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had. - Genesis 12:17-20 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. ― Psalm 51:6 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ― Colossians 3:9-10 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. ― Exodus 20:16 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ― Ephesians 4:25 Key Point: Lies compromise and weaken you. Weak people prefer lies to truth.

Big Dreams and Other Disasters Week 3 Genesis 12 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. So Abram went, as the Lord had told him and Lot went with him. Key Point: Set your default to YES. Unless, it specifically conflicts with the vision God has given you for your future. Then say NO. Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. Genesis 18:1-3 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. The Law of Entropy: All things eventually fall into disorder. If you ignore a problem, it will not go away. It will get bigger. Key Point: You can pay now or pay later, but it’s always cheaper to pay now.

Special Guest John James former lead singer for the Newsboys shares some of his testimony.

Genesis 12 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you…. Genesis 18:1-3 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him and Lot went with him. Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. Genesis 12:10-13 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” Genesis 18:22-23 The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “ If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home. Failures of Abraham: Passivity Cowardice Deception Willful blindness (ignoring problems) Key Point: Abraham did a lot of things wrong. But he did consistently did one thing right that led to his dream becoming reality: Obedience. Hebrews 11:8,12 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going…And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Title: THE POWER OF A REMINDER: WAKE UP SLEEPER … LET ME REMIND YOU… Eph. 5:14 says, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you BUYING WINE BEFORE SPRITE IS NEVER RIGHT; BUT BUYING SPRITE BEFORE WINE, WILL BE JUST FINE WE ALL HAVE A TENDENCY TO FORGET THE THINGS WE NEED TO REMEMBER; AND REMEMBER THE THINGS WE NEED TO FORGET POWER OF A REMINDER Matthew 8:18 At the sight of large crowds gathering around him, Jesus gave orders to his disciples to get ready to sail back over to the other side of the lake. Just then, a religious scholar approached him and said, “Teacher, I’ll follow you wherever you go!” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no true home in this world.” Then another man spoke up and said, “Lord, I’ll follow you, but first I must take care of my aged father and bury him when he dies.” But Jesus said to him, “Now is the time to follow me, and let those who are dead bury their own dead.” Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “WAKE UP SLEEPER, “Why are you afraid, Have faith in God!” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him? Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. REMINDER #1: JESUS LEADS, DISCIPLES FOLLOW And suddenly a great tempest (a shaking; earthquake) arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. REMINDER #2: FOLLOWING JESUS does not exempt us from OPPOSITION. IT MATTERS NOT HOW HARD THE WAVES HIT THE BOAT; WHAT MATTERS IS WHO’S IN THE BOAT WITH YOU. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” REMINDER #3: EVERY STORM HAS ITS OWN CHALLENGES (be led;) Jesus can Sleep because HE PUT HIS TRUST In The ONE WHO NEVER SLEEPS OR NEVER SLUMBERS… Psalms 121:1-4 1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. But He said to them, “WAKE UP SLEEPER, “Why are you afraid, Have faith in God!” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. REMINDER #4: Jesus is more concerned with BUILDING YOUR FAITH than DEMONSTRATING HIS POWER. Jesus – Lk 10:19 - …Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (MSG) 1 Pet. 1:7 When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. Jeremiah 9:23-24 23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him? Reminder #5: Life is lived FORWARD but UNDERSTOOD looking backward JESUS IS PERSONAL Psalm 34:2-3 “Let all who are discouraged take heart. Come, let us talk about God’s goodness.” HEB 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. On a regular basis, we should go back over the major victories in our life. David - "If it had not been for the goodness of God, where would I be"? Psalm 129 says, "From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me but they have never been able to finish me off". “WAKE UP SLEEPER” HE STILL RAISES DEAD THINGS TO LIFE HE STILL RESUSCITATES DORMANT DREAMS HE’S STILL OUR TRUE REST HE’S STILL IS REMINDING US OF HIS FAITHFULNESS

Mark 4:38-40 38Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!” 39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm. 40 He said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~ Mt 11:28 GOD RESTED: On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing; he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation” (Gn. 2:2-3). CONCEPT: many of us have made work a false deity. Idolization of Work - Why is sleep deprivation such an issue in our modern epoch? MARY MARTHA We don’t know how to be Marys, because we are so accustomed to being Marthas. “It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, to eat bread earned by hard toil— all this God gives to his beloved in sleep” (Ps. 127:2). Resting is an act of trust. Relaxing or taking a break means that we don’t have to control everything, because we are “worth more than many sparrows” (see Mt. 6:26) Resting reminds us to take time out of our hurried lives and slow down.

There are seasons in life when the unthinkable has happened and you're left with the question, "why?" Why did they die?, Why did they leave?, Why does it hurt so much? In the moment, hope is loss, love has ceased, and the enemy immediately comes to place your promise in a cold dark cave. Faith has drifted and you find yourself spiritually sleeping. What do you do when your spiritual appetite has diminished and trusting in God is far from your lips? WAKE UP SLEEPER is a series that will bring hope back to your heart and faith back on your lips. We will look at 4 principles that will restore your faith and make it alive once again.

There are seasons in life when the unthinkable has happened and you're left with the question, "why?" Why did they die?, Why did they leave?, Why does it hurt so much? In the moment, hope is loss, love has ceased, and the enemy immediately comes to place your promise in a cold dark cave. Faith has drifted and you find yourself spiritually sleeping. What do you do when your spiritual appetite has diminished and trusting in God is far from your lips? WAKE UP SLEEPER is a series that will bring hope back to your heart and faith back on your lips. We will look at 4 principles that will restore your faith and make it alive once again.

The Circle Perspective Week 4: The Growth Key Point: Healthy things grow. Philippians 2:3-13 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. 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. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Key Point: The way up is down. 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God. Romans 15:1-2 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Key Point: As we grow, we transcend and include.

The Circle Perspective Week 3 – The Adventure/Challenges Luke 9:57-62 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. Key Point: You must commit to the path and the way will open to you. James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without r reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Key Point: Life doesn’t get easier. We must get stronger. John 6:67-69 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Key Point: Every journey of faith involves Dark Nights of the Soul.

The Circle Perspective Week 2 – The Call 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us… 1 John 3:1-4 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Key Point: You must accept where/who you are. But never sacrifice what you could be for who you are now. Fears That Hold Us Back: 1. Failure 2. Being unqualified 3. Timing 4. Looking foolish An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered. – G.K. Chesterton John 16:12-13 I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Key Point: The Holy Spirit is our guide in the unknown. Key Point: There is no formula. There is only revelation.

The Circle Perspective Part 1: To Destiny or Despair Psalm 23:3 The Lord is my shepherd…He guides me in paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. Key Point 1: Your pain can either lead you to your destiny (redemptive) or to despair (destructive). Romans 8:28-30 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. 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. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. The Call = Face your fear, step into the unknown in faith, and become all God says you are. Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Key Point 2: Don’t ask WHY in the middle of pain. Ask: WHAT am I going to do about it? Meaning is only found looking backwards. Life can only be understood backward; but it must be lived forward. - Soren Kierkegaard Genesis 50:19-20 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. The wound is the place where the Light enters you. – Rumi

More Than Words Week 4 - Tact Proverbs 25:11-12 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Tact (noun) Acute sensitivity to what is proper and appropriate in dealing with others, including the ability to speak or act without offending. Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder. – Rumi Colossians 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Matthew 16:12-13 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Key Point: When you must confront, use minimum necessary force.

More Than Words Week 3 - Timing Proverbs 24:11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot… a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, Matthew 16:12-13 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Matthew 7:5-6 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

More Than Words Week 2 – The Right Tone The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Key Point: Even the most loving message can’t be heard if it’s given in the wrong tone. 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal… Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. 1 Kings 19:11-13 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. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

THE TONGUE TITLE: THE TONGUE BIG IDEA: Words are containers. They have power to change environments. TEXT: It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. MORE THAN WORDS…Key Points: 1. WORDS ARE CONTAINERS – Prov 18:21 Proverbs 18:21: The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. ILL. Children of Israel and the Promise Land - Words held them in CAPTIVITY 2. WORDS ARE CONNECTORS – Prov 12:18 18 Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and to hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal. ILL. Luke 23:34 - Jesus on the Cross - 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[1] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 3. WORDS ARE A CURE – John 6:63 John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. ILL. Psalm 19:14 NASB Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Ephesians 4:29; "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." TAKE HOME: 30 day - GRATITUDE JOURNAL: - the ritual of documenting moments of gratitude (a.k.a. gratitude journaling) is proven to reduce levels of depression, help us sleep better, and improve heart health. 1. Who do I bless? | Who did I Bless? 2. What do I say? | What did I say? 3. How did they respond?