Life Church Africa

When we read the story of Exodus, we see a picture of God's heart for freedom. The Israelites were trapped in slavery, and God sent Moses to lead them out. Pharaoh's pride led to a series of plagues, ending in the death of every firstborn in Egypt. But God made a way out for His people: by painting the blood of a spotless lamb on their doorposts, death would pass over them.Before this moment, God made a powerful promise in Exodus 6:6-7:“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God...”Every Passover, every year, these four promises are remembered, through the drinking of 4 cups Cup 1 – Sanctification“I will bring you out”Jesus calls us out of sin and into life (John 17:14-19)Cup 2 – Deliverance“I will free you”Jesus breaks the power of sin over our lives (Romans 6:6-7)Cup 3 – Redemption“I will redeem you”Through His blood, we are redeemed (1 Peter 1:18-19)Cup 4 – Praise (Fulfillment)“I will take you as my people”Future: Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9)When Jesus shared the cup at the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27-29, He said He wouldn't drink again until the day He drinks it new with us in the Father's kingdom. That Fourth Cup—it's still waiting for us. But while we wait, we testify. We share what He's done. We were blind, but now we see. We don't live like He's still on the cross but we live in the power of the empty tomb.

Spiritual thirst is real and affects many Christians. In this sermon, join Ps Tammy as she teaches us on how to stay thirsty for God and not be saturated by the things of this world. In Isaiah 55:1, God calls out: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!" Just like a marathon runner who loses the feeling of thirst after extreme exhaustion, we can become numb to our spiritual need for God.On the cross, after enduring unimaginable pain, Jesus finally spoke: "I am thirsty." (John 19:28-30). Why did He say this? His thirst wasn't just physical—it symbolized the deep human need for connection with God.

On this International Life Child Day, join Pastor Bruce as he teaches on the importance of taking Jesus's hand like Peter and allowing Him to be our guide. Celebrate International Life Child day with us as well. Visit our website for more info:  https://lifechild.org.za/ Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJV)"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!'"One of the most powerful moments in the Gospels is Peter stepping out of the boat in faith toward Jesus. When fear caused him to sink, Jesus immediately reached out and lifted him. How often have we felt like we're sinking—before Christ and even in faith? Yet, in His mercy, He takes our hand.Romans 5:8 (NIV)"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."He lifts us from despair and sets us on solid ground.Psalms 40:2 (NKJV)"He brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps."The right hand of God represents:Power, trust, and securityRescue, victory, and favorStrength, authority, and promiseJesus now sits at the right hand of the Father, and He calls us to extend our hands to others.Acts 3:6-8 (NLT)Peter, taking the lame man by the right hand, lifted him up—and he was healed!We are saved by faith and led by faith. Jesus was always the first to reach out—so let's be His hands and feet in the world.

As we continue with our vision for the church this year, join Pastor Desiree as she teaches us on the importance of having a friendship with our community but not conforming to the things of this world and the importance of sharing the gospel. The world is our mission field, and we are called to reach people everywhere with the love of Christ. As a church, we have seen God expand our influence beyond our city and into nations. This is our mandate from Scripture.In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them with the assurance that He is always with us. God has given us the authority to bring people to freedom in Christ.From Ephesians 1:17-23 we learn that have the same power that raised Christ from the dead. Colossians 2:15 teaches us that Jesus triumphed over all spiritual forces, and Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our struggle is not against people but against spiritual forces. We must understand this authority to bring healing, deliverance, and transformation to our communities. Jesus demonstrated this by speaking healing, casting out demons, and commanding miracles. We are called to do the same.In Matthew 10:8 Jesus told us to heal the sick and cast out demons and in Acts 3:6 we read how Peter commanded healing in Jesus' name. Mark 16:17-18 teaches us how the signs and wonders follow those who believe. We don't ask God to do what He has given us the power to do! Through faith, obedience, and the Holy Spirit, we can impact lives just as Jesus did.2 Corinthians 5:14-19 shows us that Christ's love compels us to bring others back to God.Biblical reconciliation means restoring peace between God and people. We must not judge from a worldly perspective but see others through God's eyes. Jesus befriended the Samaritan woman at the well, using a word of knowledge to reveal truth (John 4). Her encounter led many in her town to believe. Like Jesus, we are called to step into places and share the Gospel with boldness.Romans 10:14-15 shows us that people cannot believe unless someone tells them.Our community is waiting for us to step into our God-given authority. We must:- Be bold in sharing the Gospel.- Be filled with the Spirit and use the gifts He has given us.- Be willing to cross cultural and religious divides.YOU AND I ARE THE ANSWER TO THE HOW

In this sermon, join Ps Grayson Jones as he teaches on how we can overcome many things through love. Join us as he teaches on how we should love and how love can overcome a multitude of sins.

In this sermon, join Ps Bruce as he teaches on how we can grow in our friendship with the Lord and how that can translate into friendship with others.God's desire for a relationship with us is not based on obligation, religious duty, or transactional exchanges. Instead, He has always pursued us with a consistent, unwavering desire for true friendship. Throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Malachi, through the stories of the patriarchs, judges, kings, and disciples, we see God persistently providing ways to engage with His people. He continually leans in, drawing near to us, inviting us into deeper communion with Him.John 15:15 reminds us of this invitation:"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."In Revelation 3:20, Jesus extends a personal invitation:"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."Even with this invitation, the choice remains ours. Will we accept His outstretched hand? More importantly, which is harder: saying yes to this friendship or truly walking in it?As Christians, followers of Christ who have accepted His invitation, we can sometimes drift into a pattern of transactional prayer. Life gets busy, and our prayers may sound like: Lord, help me today. Heal this person. Protect my kids. While these are valid petitions, they only scratch the surface of what true friendship with Christ entails.1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to:"Pray without ceasing."This doesn't mean simply repeating requests endlessly, it means engaging in an ongoing, dynamic conversation with God. Prayer includes:- Praising Him- Petitioning Him like Jacob- Confessing our darkest thoughts- Offering thanksgiving- Asking: God, what do You want to say to me today? What do You need me to do? Where are You leading me?- Giving Him space to respond.Psalm 46:10 encourages us:"Be still, and know that I am God."1 Kings 19:11 illustrates how God speaks:"The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.'"A key barrier to deeper friendship with God is trust.We struggle with trust in our relationship with God too. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."Even when we desire to trust, doubts creep in: What if God doesn't come through this time?Yet, Psalm 9:10 reassures us:"Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You."Trust grows in any relationship through vulnerability that is reciprocated and protected. Just as marriage thrives when trust is built, so does our relationship with God.Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of friendship: John 15:13:"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."The disciples were meant to see the cross and think: I understand now. He took my place under God's wrath because He views me as His treasured friend.Friendship with Christ is a gift beyond comprehension. There is no greater compass for life than walking in friendship with Jesus.

In this sermon, join Ps Anthony as he teaches on life before Christ's birth and how humanity struggled and why we need a savior. Jesus's birth brought about our redemption and salvation.As Christmas, the celebration of Christ's birth, approaches, over 2,000 years have marked this day as a remembrance of God's intervention and reconciliation with His creation.2 Corinthians 5:17-19 reminds us that in Christ, the old is gone, and the new has come through God's reconciliation. But before Christ's birth, the world faced deep darkness:DarknessIsaiah 9:1-2, 6-7 prophesied the coming of a great light in the midst of darkness. John 1 confirms that Christ, the true light, entered the world to overcome the darkness. Even in the darkest seasons, God's light shines.Spiritual SilenceFor 400 years before Christ, God's voice was not heard. Hebrews 1:2-3 reveals that through Jesus, God spoke again, bringing the brightness of His glory to a silent world.OppressionIsrael lived under Roman rule, both spiritually and physically oppressed. Yet Galatians 5:1 declares Christ's freedom from all yokes of slavery, offering grace and eternal life to those who believe (Ephesians 2:1-9).HopelessnessEphesians 2:12 describes life without Christ as hopeless. Through Jesus, hope is restored (Hebrews 3:6).Identity CrisisBefore Christ, humanity was enslaved to sin. Romans 6:18-23 proclaims freedom through righteousness in Him.As humanity that has been redeemed, we have His Light, His Word, His Freedom from the yoke of Slavery, His Hope and His Identity that He gives to us.All because Jesus was born.

In this service, join Ps Anthony as he teaches on the importance of rest in our lives. We should take the posture of Mary instead of Martha and continue to stay at the Lord's feet.Crowds often characterize Christmas. Shopping centers, roads, airports, and even homes become overcrowded with people, activities, and decorations. Unfortunately, amidst this busyness, Jesus is often forgotten. Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, notes that “noise, hurry, and crowds” are the tools our adversary uses to distract us. This is particularly evident during the holiday season, where excessive activity can pull us away from rest in God.The story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38–42) exemplifies this. While Martha was overwhelmed with serving, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen. Jesus highlighted that Mary chose the "one thing" that truly mattered. This illustrates the importance of inward rest—a posture of faith and trust in God's completed work.Scripture teaches that rest is not laziness but trust in God's provision (Hebrews 4:11). Jesus invites us to abide in Him, producing fruit without anxiety or hurry (John 15:5). He offers peace that transcends circumstances (John 14:27), allowing us to guard our hearts and live free from the burdens of the past or future (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 6:11).In a hurried world, rest becomes a spiritual discipline. Battles are won not by striving but by trusting and feeding on God's Word. As Psalm 23:5 reminds us, God prepares a table for us even in the presence of enemies. True victory comes from sitting in His presence, resting in His finished work, and embracing the now—the time of His favor (2 Corinthians 6:2).Therefore, slow down. Be present. Trust God. Rest is the posture of faith, and in rest, you will find peace, favor, and wholeness.

Join Ps Megan as she unpacks the parable of the soil in Luke and how this applies to our hearts and the word of God.The passage being focused on today addresses soil. Research on soil was conducted because a refresher was clearly needed, which amusingly led to memories of learning about this in school. The different types of soil: silt, clay, sandy, and loam are categorized based on texture. Understanding the type of soil being worked with is important to know how to use it effectively. With clay soil, only certain plants grow because it is compact, leaving little space for roots to develop. Sandy soil, with its large particles, is unsuitable for most plants. However, loam, a balanced mixture of the other types, is considered ideal for growth and is often referred to as a gardener's best demonstrates the significance of choosing the right soil.In Luke 8:4-15 (NIV), the parable Jesus shared is set in a time when many listeners were likely farmers, making it relatable. The soil represents human hearts, and the seed symbolizes the gospel—the good news of Jesus.Several questions arise for reflection:- Has it ever been wondered why some people come to Jesus and later fall away?- Is there someone with whom the gospel has been shared, but they remain unreceptive?- Have life's challenges ever caused anyone to distance themselves from God or become resistant to the Holy Spirit?Each person is encouraged to evaluate the state of their own soil—or heart—because various factors can influence it:- Hardened soil- Rocky soil- Thorny soil- Fruitful soilThree Key Points Regarding the Soil of Others- Pray for their soil (hearts): Prayers should be offered for those who will hear the word, asking that their hearts be prepared to receive it and allow it to take root deeply (Romans 10:1). Prayers should also focus on challenges not choking their faith but drawing them closer to God. Jesus desires people to accept Him and His good news, and those who have received Him are called to desire this for others.- Assist in sowing the seeds: While control over others' soil is absent, prayers can be made for them, and efforts can be taken to sow the seeds of faith. Passages like 1 Timothy 2:3-4 and Matthew 9:37-38 highlight the partnership with Jesus in sharing His good news. Those who believe in Jesus and accept that He died for their sins gain eternal life and a relationship with Him.- Avoid dismissing anyone: Assumptions about the type of soil someone has should not lead to excluding them from hearing the gospel. Some individuals, like Mary Magdalene before her transformation, might easily be discounted. However, Jesus did not count anyone out, and believers are called to adopt His perspective toward others.Three Key Points for Personal Soil- Care for your soil: What is allowed into one's heart significantly impacts its condition.- Prevent dryness: Guard against becoming like hardened soil, where nothing grows, and love for Christ fades and dies.- Feed the soil: It is never too late to nourish the heart. Scripture, prayer, encouragement, and fellowship with other believers provide essential nutrients. Extended isolation risks spiritual dryness.Fruitful SoilFor a garden to flourish, intentional care must be provided. A beautiful garden does not happen by chance; it requires effort. Of the four soils, only one is conducive to growth—the fruitful soil. When hearts and minds remain fixed on Jesus, growth occurs, and fruit is produced in life. As John 15:4 states: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”Are you looking after your own soil?

In this sermon, join Ps Bruce as he preaches on the importance of leaving a legacy, God's faithfulness through generations and how He can use us to build platforms instead of pits. God is good, all the time, and His goodness and faithfulness transcend generations. We know this because of what scripture says:Deuteronomy 7:9 shows me that God is faithful, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations.Psalm 100:5 assures me of His enduring love and faithfulness for all time.Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds me that His compassions are renewed every morning.1 Corinthians 1:9 declares that God is faithful, calling me into fellowship with His Son.Throughout history, God has shown His faithfulness to people like Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, and countless others. His promises never fail, and even when we fall short, 2 Timothy 2:13 tells us He remains faithful because it is His very nature.Faithfulness is both an inheritance and a responsibility. Like David preparing for the temple Solomon would build, what we do today impacts the generations that follow. So are we building a platform for them to stand on or a pit they must climb out of? This challenges us to:- Prepare and include others in the journey. We must explain why we serve, love, and strive, not just lead by example but teach the meaning behind it.- Devote our heart to seeking God. We need to learn and teach how to pray, seek, obey, and trust in Him, ensuring this knowledge passes on.- If you feel like you have no inheritance, start now. You start now to prepare for the future.If we feel like we have no inheritance of faith, we can start building one today. Just as God promised David that Solomon would build His house and establish His kingdom forever (1 Chronicles 22:10), we can trust God to use our faithfulness to bless future generations.

In this sermon about the possibility of a strong future with God, join Pastor Anthony as he takes us through the importance of reopening wells and finishing strong.Before we had a relationship with God life was different. Then, Christ saved us and gave us a new life filled with hope and a future. But, over time, what was once extraordinary and transformative can start to feel routine, like the thrill of starting a new year that fades into complacency by December.There is a need to address the "elephant in the room": the temptation to disconnect—taking a break from church, fellowship, Scripture, and ultimately, Jesus. But we should not live a spiritually mediocre life anymore. Change begins now, and here's how we do it:1. Reopen WellsJust like Isaac reopened the wells his father had dug (Genesis 26:17-18), we need to reconnect with the “living water” Jesus offers (John 7:37-38). Water sustains physical life, and spiritual water sustains our soul. We can't survive without it.2. Reopen DoorsLike King Hezekiah reopened the doors of the temple and cleansed it (2 Chronicles 29:1-11), we must open the doors of our hearts to God again. He's standing at the door, knocking, waiting for us to let Him in (Revelation 3:19-20).3. Reopen Our HeartsLife's challenges, unmet expectations, disappointments, and delays can harden our hearts. But we must remember that God's delays aren't denials. Proverbs 13:16 reminds us, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” To heal, we need to trust in His love, provision, and timing.4. Rebuild the AltarLike Isaac built an altar to worship God in Beersheba (Genesis 26:23-25), we need to rebuild our personal altar—a place of worship, prayer, and connection with God.An altar and a well belong together. To truly change, we must reopen our hearts, our doors, and our connection to the living water. Only then can we live a life full of purpose, hope, and spiritual vitality.

Listen to Ps Ray Menchaca as he teaches us on the importance of changing and allowing the Lord to transform our lives instead of us conforming to the things of the world.God didn't come just to make bad people good; He came to bring new life. God has the power to transform a hardened heart into one full of compassion, to replace a troubled mind with the mind of Christ, and to turn a selfish nature into a selfless one.To change, we first need to see ourselves through God's mercy, as Paul says in Romans 12:1-2: we are urged to live as a “living sacrifice,” transformed by a renewed mind. Real change begins when we understand God's deep, passionate love for us, as shown throughout Scripture. While we were still sinners, God sent Christ to die for us so we could receive the gift of eternal life. This unending love is the starting point of our transformation.Steps to Change:- In View of God's Mercy: Understand the depth of God's love and mercy toward us. Knowing we're loved beyond measure allows us to live with a new perspective.- Guard Your Mind: Focus on what aligns with God's truth, not the distractions of the world. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Colossians 3:2, bring every thought captive to Christ and keep your focus on heavenly things.- Guard Your Heart: Proverbs 4:23 tells us to protect our heart above all, as it is the source of life. Our heart's direction often determines our actions.- Be Filled with the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 5:18 calls us to be continually filled with the Spirit, allowing God's power to work within us daily.Real change comes by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us. It takes time, prayer, and a continual turning of our hearts and minds toward God. So, are you willing to open your life to this transformation?

In this thought-provoking sermon, join Ps Bruce as he teaches on the significance of our lives and walks us through the cycle of grace and the cycle of works and how to be aware of the latter.  At a conference, Pastor Trevor Hudson guided us through his book, The Cycle of Grace. This cycle was inspired by British psychiatrist Frank Lake, who observed that many well-prepared, purpose-driven missionaries returned from their work in India emotionally and spiritually exhausted. Despite their training and support, they came back disillusioned, depressed, and burned out. Lake wanted to understand why Jesus of Nazareth didn't experience the same burnout, despite the intensity of His mission. So, he studied Jesus' life in the gospels, asking one fundamental question: Why did Jesus remain emotionally and spiritually resilient throughout His mission? What Lake discovered was that Jesus lived a balanced life of receiving and giving grace. Here's how this Cycle of Grace looked in Jesus' life:Acceptance: Jesus knew who He was. He began His ministry only after receiving His identity from the Father (“This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased”) and later reaffirmed at the Transfiguration (“You are my beloved”). Grounded in this identity, He was willing to fulfil His purpose, even unto death. - Sustenance: Jesus maintained practices that nourished His spirit, including prayer, fellowship, worship, and immersion in God's Word. - Significance: Jesus' life was a sign from God. He understood that He represented God's presence on earth ("Whoever has seen me has seen the Father"). He had a deep sense of who He was and the significance of His life. - Fruitfulness: In obedience, Jesus lived a life marked by inclusiveness, compassion, and love. Lake and Brunner realized that British missionaries burned out because they operated in a “Cycle of Works” rather than the “Cycle of Grace.”  The Cycle of Works enslaves us to constantly work for approval and acceptance, whereas the Cycle of Grace empowers us to act boldly, rooted in the security of our worth and identity. Dallas Willard once said, “We all live at the mercy of our ideas.” We either live from acceptance or we live for acceptance. This is crucial because, deep down, we all want our lives to matter. Many of us think that if we're successful, then we'll feel accepted—by others, by ourselves, and even by God. We pour ourselves out, giving constantly, yet rarely take the time to receive. We build our lives around a drive for significance, but often, we forget to include God in the equation. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy,... Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” We often rush to seek God's purpose for our lives before first embracing His acceptance of us. When fruitfulness becomes our starting point, we risk devastation when life doesn't go as planned. In John 15:16 (NIV), Jesus says: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” Living in the Cycle of Grace can transform our lives:- God accepts me.- God sustains me through prayer, fellowship, and worship.- My life signifies something beyond what I do; it reflects God. God doesn't want to leave me broken but desires to make me whole. I am not defined by my struggles; I am defined by God's acceptance.- God desires for me to bear lasting fruit. So, your life counts—not because of your achievements or productivity, but because God chose you to bear good fruit.

As we start this new series called Diving Into Romans, join Ps Bruce as he teaches on the importance of reading the word, how the book of Romans applies in this current day and age and we can stay anchored in the Lord.Martin Luther, a German monk, initially believed that God required him to live a completely righteous life to be saved, which led him to hate God for demanding what seemed impossible. However, after reading Romans 1:17, Luther realized that "the righteousness of God" refers to the righteousness given by God through faith, not human effort. This revelation transformed his understanding of God from one of fear and resentment to love and reverence, as he came to see salvation as a gift of God's grace and mercy, rather than something earned by personal righteousness. This transformation happened because of his encounter with God's word in the book of Romans.Paul was passionate about the gospel of Christ. He believed deeply that Christ didn't come just for the Jewish people, but for all humanity. As he wrote in Romans 1:16-17: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last."In Romans, Paul explains that everyone, whether Jew or Gentile, (Christian or secular) faces the same struggles. He talks about the wrath of God and says that if there was no wrath, then why would we need a savior? We can't ignore the evidence that God exists, and if we don't worship Him, we will end up worshipping something else.Paul explains that whether you are an unbeliever or a believer (Jew orgentile) we struggle with the same things.1) To acknowledge the wrath of Goda. But if there was no wrath then why do we need a savior?2) We can't ignore the evidence around us that God exists3) If we don't worship God, well worship something else4) God will give us over to the desire of our heartsPaul lays all of this out so that we can fully understand the weight of the gospel. Without understanding our sinful condition, the rest of the message wouldn't have the same impact. To truly appreciate the good news of salvation, we must confront what we are like without God.So, what are your desires?

As we celebrate family Sunday, join Ps Megan as she teaches on the importance of healthy parenting and how to be children of God.“Before you're a parent, you're a child.” Before we take on any role in life, whether as a parent, student, athlete, or business owner, we're first children of God. Romans 8:14-16 says we are children of God, led by His Spirit. We don't need to live in fear, but in the freedom of being God's children. As His children, we have access to His Spirit, which comforts and guides us. Last week, Pastor Bruce reminded us that our view of God as a Father can be shaped by our backgrounds, but this scripture shows us we don't need to live in fear. We can come to God with open arms, knowing His love will heal our broken places.As parents, we must let God guide and correct us, so we can discipline our children in love. If we've made mistakes, we should be humble enough to say sorry. As parents we've had moments with kids where we've had to admit we were wrong. It's important to allow God to heal our wounds, so we don't react from a place of pain.Children need boundaries, and deep down, they feel safer when they have them. Even if you didn't have the best example of this growing up, God can show you a better way. Remember, before anything else, we're children of God. He is with us, guiding us, and as we spend time with Him, it affects all our relationships, including how we parent. It's from this place of love and security in God that we can pour out love to others.Matthew 18:1-4 reminds us that we need to be like children—trusting, humble, and forgiving—to enter the kingdom of heaven. It's from this place of being God's child that we live our lives and grow in Him.So, how are you trusting God?

As we celebrate our diverse cultures and heritage this month, join Ps Bruce as he preaches on our new found heritage and identity in the Lord and how to walk confidently in that.Last week, we were reflecting on the promises of God. As a children of God, we believe that His promises are for today because of our heavenly heritage. This heritage also gives us an eternal inheritance.Our heritage can come from many things:- Our country- Our culture- Our traditions- Our life experiences (both good and bad)- Our inheritance- Our legacy- Our identity- Our physical, moral, and spiritual developmentWe are marked by our heritage. For some, it may feel like a badge of honor, while for others, it might feel like a burden. But it shapes who we are and how we live, and in turn, how we influence others. Now, we have a new heritage. We are rooted in Christ, accepted by God, sustained by Him, and given purpose through Him. We are called to bear fruit for Him.1 Peter 2:5, 9 (ESV) says, “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”We are part of God's family now, adopted as His children. 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) says, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”Though we've spent a lifetime shaped by our worldly heritage, as followers of Christ, we now have a new heritage. Paul urges in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”There's tension between our old heritage and our new one. We are transformed from the inside out by God's grace, but society tries to conform us from the outside in. The battle for our heritage is real.So, where do you feel the tension between your worldly heritage and your heavenly one—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?Just as it took time to conform to the world, it will take time to conform to Christ. One way to do this is by spending more time in His Word.Romans 6:8-14, 17, 20-23 (NIV) reminds us that we are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.So take time to reflect on how your ethnicity, culture, upbringing, and life experiences have shaped you—for both good and bad.

As we continue with our series on So Much More, join Ps Bruce as he teaches on the promises of God and how they keep us secure and enable us to walk in His purpose for our lives.Hebrews 11:32-34, 39-40 (NIV) tells us about the heroes of faith who did amazing things through faith. They conquered kingdoms, escaped danger, and grew strong in weakness. Though they had faith, they didn't receive all God promised because He had something better planned for them, and for us too.However, today, promises feel less important. We often apologize for not keeping them instead of making sure we follow through. Whether we forget or just don't take them seriously, promises have lost their weight. The book of Hebrews 11 reminds us that while some promises are fulfilled now, others are for the future. Sometimes, we struggle to trust God's promises because we don't fully understand who He is, or we keep His promises in our minds but not in our hearts.Sometimes we struggle with the Promises of God because of: 1) A broken filter2) Bad understanding of who God is3) Head knowledge, not heart knowledgeHere are some of God's promises:1. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.2. Promise of Peace: John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.3. Promise of the Holy Spirit: John 14:16-17 - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.4. Promise of Provision: Philippians 4:19 -And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.5. Promise of God's Presence: Matthew 28:20 - And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.6. Promise of Forgiveness: 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.7. Promise of a New Creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.8. Promise of God's Guidance: James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.9. Promise of Strength in Trials: 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.10. Promise of Victory Over Death: Revelation 21:4 - ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.If we have a broken view of God or don't really know Him, then we struggle to trust these promises. However, if they stay in our heads and not our hearts, then we will be able to trust Him.So, what has God promised you? Do you trust Him? Do you trust in His Promises?

As we continue with our So Much More series, join Pastor Bruce as he takes us through having a desire for God and growing in faith. .Hebrews 11:32 says: What more can I say? There isn't time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Through faith, they conquered kingdoms, brought justice, and received promises. They shut the mouths of lions, survived fire, and escaped the sword. Their weakness turned to strength, and they became powerful in battle, defeating enemies. Even though they were praised for their faith, none of them saw what was promised because God planned something better, which includes us. None of them were perfect—they had flaws, insecurities, and made mistakes, but they still took steps of faith and overcame their struggles.Gideon struggled with his status, Barak had doubts, Samson had weaknesses, Jephthah was the son of a prostitute, and Samuel was separated from his mother. Yet, they overcame their past and trusted God's plan for more.How does this connect to us? 2 Peter tells us that God has given us everything we need for a godly life. By trusting in His promises, we can take part in His divine nature, escaping the world's corruption. We should add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, love, and more. These qualities will help us be productive and effective in knowing Jesus. Without them, we're blind, forgetting we've been forgiven.Think of it like baking a cake: You can have all the ingredients, but if you don't put it in the oven, nothing will happen. Similarly, faith is the seed that activates grace in our lives, leading to growth. Without faith, we become ineffective and unproductive. It's through the process of sanctification, being purified from sin, that we grow in God.Philippians reminds us to work hard in showing our faith because God is giving us both the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and follow me." This means abandoning our old ways and embracing God's will.In the end, there is so much more for us—more than just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. Like those before us, we must trust in God's promises and keep our faith strong. There's more at stake than we realize, just as Jesus knew when He faced the cross.

In this new series called Hot Month, join Pastor Bruce as he teaches on the importance of running your race and reflecting on what disqualified us in our battle. Sometimes when we think of eternity, we feel regret because of all the things we didn't do, however, even in that, we need to see and acknowledge that we are where God wants us to be because there is a battle for our lives. Our battles are different but the biggest battle is the battle for our faith. The accuser wants to disrupt and destroy our faith. That is why it's important to fight our battle because when it's all said and done, we want the Lord to welcome us and say ‘Well done my faithful servant'. That is why we need to focus on the Lord and not lose our faith. When we fail in our faith then those around us or those looking at us become at risk. When we lose our faith, it impacts those we are discipling and leading in our lives. That is why the devil wants to disrupt our faith, he is there to accuse us because if he can disrupt our faith then he can access our truth and our whole armor. A way in which the devil will try to disrupt our faith is through sin. So, when we can't deal with our flesh then seeds of sin will start to grow in our lives. It's important that we don't disqualify ourselves based on seeds of sin. We must choose the right seeds, godly seeds, that are far away from sin. So, what is disqualifying you from the battle? What bad seeds do you need to pluck out before they become weeds?

This Vision Sunday, as we unpack the vision of the church and our purpose, join Pastor Bruce as he recaps the year and how we ought to be.How to love Jesus is what we can learn in church but loving people is what we learn in cell. Being a part of a cell helps us learn and activate the word of God in our lives because it's important to know the word of the Lord and to live it as well. It's important to note that we don't do this on a Sunday only but we live the word of God everyday. The word of God helps us live a life that honors and glorifies Christ. We will always make mistakes but then we continue to strive for a Christ-like way of life. We don't dwell in our mistakes but we surrender all to Christ and allow Him to shape, mold and reprimand us as He sees fit. When He does a work in us, when He molds and shapes us it's because we have a purpose in this world. So when last did you allow Him to mold you? When was the last time you did the work He has called you to do? We all have a mandate and we are all called to make Him known. Therefore in Him we find rest, in Him we have restoration and in Him we can carry on with what He has called us to do. We are not hoarders of His grace, we are dispensers, we share His grace with all. We don't do all this because we are forced to but we do it out of love and reverence. So are you in a cell group? Are you doing the work He has called you to do? 

As we continue with our Kingdom Culture series, join Ps Anthony on the significance of being like Jesus and doing what He does. There is a reason why God rescues us. We need to be rescued in order to be the salt of the earth. Once we are rescued then it's easy to do what He did and still does. In order to do all this, we need to take His hand. In Matthew 6 we learn the importance of prayer and even how to pray. In the Lord's prayer, we ask for Him to bring His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven and therefore we need to know what His kingdom in heaven is like. One of the things we learn about God and His kingdom is that he cares. We see in the book of James where he emphasizes the importance of taking care of those who do not have (widows and orphans). We see this in Exodus 22 verse 22-24.We must learn to be the kind of people who do right, the ones who take up the case for the widows and orphans. We need to show the characteristics of God because that is also another way in which people are able to see the Lord.Justice and righteousness are attributes of God. God cares about the broken. Throughout Jesus's ministry we see His love for people and it's the same love that took Him to the cross. Even in the commandments we are taught to Love God and our neighbor, therefore if we treat each other just and fairly then He will be just and fair to us.When we hear, God Hears UsIf we close our ears to the poor then when we cry out the we will not be heard by God as well. That is why it's important to show compassion and grace to the needy. As our Savior did, so should we. Are you compassionate towards those who are less fortunate? Which characteristic of Christ are you actively trying to work on?

This week as we continue with the series of Kingdom Culture, join Ps Bruce as he teaches on the importance of discipleship and what that looks like in the kingdom of God. Discipleship is one of the most important aspects in our journey with the Lord. To be a disciple means being a follower, a student and a doer. It's about walking a journey with the one who is leading and guiding us. It doesn't happen once but it's a principle of a lifetime and thus as Christians we are Disciples of Christ. We might profess Christianity but only few actually live a life that follows Christ and this is quite alarming. With the advance in times we have become people who follow Christ through our words and not through our deeds. Following Jesus means surrendering our lives to Him and living a life of repentance. We are all on a journey and this journey should be of wanting to be like Him. We have a decision on whether we truly want to follow Him or not and this means we need to deny ourselves. It's not a preference or opinion but a way of life - a principle. So, how can we truly follow Him:By being with HimJesus invited His disciples to follow Him and it's the same today, He invites us to follow Him. (Follow me and I will make you fishers of men). He invites us to be with Him and to be discipled by Him. This shows that Jesus had to be in proximity with His disciples in order to lead, teach and show them the ways in which they should go. Which still applies to us today.So the question here is do we follow Jesus and observe other things or do we follow other things and observe Jesus?Becoming more like HimSometimes we make a decision about Jesus and disregard our families, however, we are not meant to outcast our past. We are meant to reflect what we've been through and let Jesus turn all that around for our good, for His glory. Our past and families and friends are the tools in which Christ uses in our journey. Following Jesus is fulfilling and in order to live a fulfilled life, we need to let Christ shape and mould us. Being discipled by Jesus will shape our lives. Doing what He did and doesDiscipling people means being disciples by Christ. Therefore, if God is the one to disciple us then we will do what He did and live a life that reflects who He is. He disciples us through His word and His Spirit.Like Jesus, we need to spend time with those we are discipling. We constantly need to be at His feet in order to be able to spend time with those we are discipling and teaching them the Lord's way. So who is discipling you? Who are you following, the Lord or the world?

As we continue with our series of Kingdom Culture, join Ps Anthony as he teaches on the importance of living a life of influence.To lead a life of influence, we need to know and understand what it is. A simple definition of influence is having people listen and follow you. We all have influence but the question is,  what kind of influence do we have? Here are some tips to be a kingdom Influencer:Make a decision to lead others in the right direction. We have been called to be the salt of the earth and salt is meant to preserve things and add flavour, so as Christians what does that mean for us? What does it mean to you? As we influence others we need to be good stewards, so what are we stewarding and what kind of influence are we showing? We need to lead others in the right direction. We need to be set apart. Like Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, we should not be intimidated (especially those who are young in ministry), we need to be the example of faithfulness and being honest and true. Having an influence is a big task, that is why we must steward our lives and follow Christ. The truth is that if we do bad then those we are influencing will also follow the same path. Get close to those we want to influenceWe must get out of our clusters and go to those we want to influence. We cannot influence people if we are by ourselves. We need to go to those lost, we must be the light and the salt in those people's lives. Be a strong Christian If salt loses its saltiness then it's weak and cannot be used. So we must be strong in our faith, we must continue to be influenced by Him so that we can influence those around us. If we are not influenced by Him then we will be influenced by the world. So who is influencing you and what kind of an influencer are you?

As we continue with the Kingdom Culture series, join pastor Desiree as she unpacks the importance of having a willing spirit and the importance of serving with a willing heart. As children of God, we are called to be like Him, therefore, this means doing what He did. Christ had a willing heart, we saw this in how He served.We need to have a willing heart in order to serve. We need to serve out of love, obedience and a genuine sense of care. This can only be done if we continue to ask the Lord to give us a serving heart.We must not serve because we are forced to but we must serve because we want to and we care. This not only applies in ministry but in everything we do. So, what kind of a servant are you? Do you have a willing spirit?

As we continue with the series of Kingdom Culture, join Pastor Bruce as he teaches on the importance of the culture of worship and how we can apply that to our daily lives. Though we are in the world we should not conform to it and we must not worship and idolize the things of the world. Worship is meant for God and Him alone. When we worship Him, its a sign of reverence and adoration and this gives Him the ability to shape our morals and values. When we worship the world then our morals and values will be shaped by the world. True worship is not only singing psalms and hymns on Sunday but it is an everyday thing, its a way of life - a lifestyle. Therefore, the only way we can truly worship is if we keen our eyes and focus on Him only.

As we celebrate fathers, join Pastor Anthony as he unpacks and delves into the love of our Heavenly Father and the importance of following our Father's culture. As believers we are called to be the light and we are called to be different and not conform to this world. We should bring our Father's kingdom to the earth, instead of following the world. Our lives should reflect Christ.

For the last part of this series, join Pastor Byron Chicken in this thought provoking sermon with a study of Mark 5 verse 1 to 20.With the story of the man who was demon possessed and then set free, we focus on the town's attitude towards Jesus. They had gotten so comfortable with not facing their issues that when Jesus came cast those demons out of that man they chased Jesus away. Their focus was not on how Jesus saved that man and how He could save them as well but they chose to focus on the pigs. They put more value on the pigs than on the man, the miracle and Jesus.Unfortunately that is what sometimes we do, we chose to cast our troubles aside like how the town cast that man aside but as believers, we need to cast all our burdens to Jesus. He cares for us, He will set us free and He shows us mercy and compassion. In the same story we see how the man who was freed from demon possession chose to follow Jesus. He chose to focus on the one that redeemed Him and that should be our posture as believers.So are you the town or the man? Where is your focus?

In this thought provoking sermon join Pastor Megan as she highlights the importance of evangelism as a witness.We have all been called to ministry, we have been called to share the good news with the world. We are here to spread the Gospel and witness for Jesus and what He has done for us in our lives. However, that takes boldness. The things we go through in life are not to cripple us because God uses them for His glory, that is how we become witnesses. Being a witness means sharing what God has done is your life. It requires authenticity and a real relationship with God. We have called to share our lives, our testimony and bear witness to others and the only way we can do that is through lived experiences. That is how we are able to relate to others and we get to share Jesus with them.So are you a witness? Do you have a testimony?

As we continue with our series of Share Jesus, Share Hope, join Pastor Bruce as he expands on obedience and conviction.As believers we need to operate out of obedience and conviction. We know who we belong to and we know what He has called us to do, therefore we need to operate from that. Unfortunately sometimes as believers we get so comfortable in our comfort zones that we miss what God is calling us to do.We all have been called to be leaders and influences in our lives in some way, shape or form. Therefore, we need to trust in what God has called us to do and be obedient to what He says. Our conviction in who He is is what will keep us obedient to His ways and that's why it's important to get to know Him more, be in His word more.We must not let fear and comfort rule and dictate us.

Join Pastor Tammy in this new series as we Share Jesus and Share Hope. As believers, we need to share Jesus, as we grow in our faith, we must spread His word with others. However in order to do that we need to first go into ourselves. We first need to reflect on who and where we are. We can only share what we have - therefore if we have Jesus in us and we are able to bring forth fruits, then we ought to share Him with the world.We first need to reflect, discover ourselves, pay attention, hear God's voice and go.

As we reflect on the story of Cleopas and his friend, we see ourselves in him. Sometimes we can't see who Jesus is because of our own disappointments. Cleopas and his friend were so disappointed because they believed that Jesus the prophet would fulfill their expectations and missed Jesus walking with them- they missed Jesus the resurrected King who is our salvation walking with them. Unfortunately, that's how we are sometimes.This forces us to reflect on who we walk with and who we communicate with. Whether it's our jobs, spouses or friends,  they all have an impact on our reality. They all have an impact on how we see things and how we behave in certain situations.Disappointment can affect who we communicate with and how we communicate - it can have an impact on the things we say and believe. Unfortunately, disappointment can draw us to those who are disappointed as well. Misery loves company. That's because the enemy's agenda is to keep us hurt and disappointed. This is because disappointment also affects what we believe. It can have an impact on our faith. What we have faith in determines where we will look. So if we look up to Jesus and focus on our walk with Him even when we are disappointed then the enemy has no foothold on us. Jesus is the perfecter of our faith, if we have faith in Him then our focus will always be on Him.Life can be challenging at times, even if we have been believing in Christ for many years. Unfortunately sometimes, we give our lives to Jesus and then when things turn bad we begin to question Him, our faith becomes weak and we begin to distrust Him. Unfortunately when this happens, we sometimes find ourselves in the company of others who are disappointed and we forget or miss Jesus even when things are bad. We forget that He is with us.When we lift our eyes to Him, then it's easy to see who He is even when things go bad. As His children, He gives us an identity. When we are with Him, disappointment doesn't become our identity but it becomes a way to focus More on Him. Jesus is our resurrected King and He resurrects us. He gives us strength when we are weak, rest when we are tired and peace when things go wrong. He resurrects us - He resurrects our Identity. That is why our identity is in Him. We become what He says we are and not what the world and situations say we are. So this week, where is your focus? Who gives you your identity?

This Good Friday, when we reflect on the cross, we see the love of Christ. We understand the power of what He did and the power of His name. So, join pastor Anthony as he unpacks the power in the name of Jesus.The Hebrew name for Jesus, Yeshua, is "Joshua" in English, while in Greek it's Lesous and it's changed to "Jesus." Therefore, both "Joshua" and "Jesus" mean the same thing, with English pronunciations of the Hebrew and Greek names. This interchangeability is shown in passages such as Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8 in the King James Version.This shows us that the meaning of a word remains unaffected by changes in any language. An object like a book, which is called "buch" in German, "libro" in Spanish, or "livre" in French, retains its essence regardless of the linguistic variations. In the same way, the name of Jesus transcends all language barriers. It maintains its importance, meaning and identity across different languages.So, regardless of whatever language  we speak, the name Jesus symbolizes salvation. We see this in both the Old and New Testaments. So, whether we speak it in English, Cantonese, or any other language, the proclamation of Jesus as "The Lord Is Salvation" resonates universally - it transcends all language barriers.The name of Jesus is so powerful in that there is healing, there is salvation, the forgiveness of sins is received through the name of Jesus, we are baptized in the name of Jesus and healing and miracles were performed in the name of Jesus during the time of the disciples and even today.We have been given a wonderful name in Jesus and therefore, we ought to revere, worship and walk in the name of Jesus - regardless of our languages. He is Jesus - our Salvation.

In this though provoking sermon, join pastor Josh Jones as he unpacks faith and how we can do what Christ did in His name.Faith can be  regarded as the currency of heaven. In Hebrews 11:1 it is described as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith can be defined as a divine gift from God rather than a human achievement, it is important for us believers because it embodies God's persuasion for us towards His will. This persuasion, according to 1 John 5:4, is continuously instilled in believers by the Lord. He is the only one who can do it. The beginning of faith does not lie in human reasoning or logic but it is a divine revelation concerning Jesus Christ who is our Messiah. The seed of faith starts with knowing Jesus' sacrifice and this is what drives us as believers. Some people may understand that Jesus existed and taught good morals, but they struggle to believe in his resurrection. This shows that faith goes beyond just logical reasoning and understanding. Faith is from God. We can all believe but not all of us can have faith. He is the one who gives that to us.Ephesians 2:8 teaches us that salvation comes through grace by faith, which is given to us as a divine gift rather than it being something that we generate ourselves. People sometimes think or believe that faith can be created through thinking or meditating, but on the contrary, it comes from being close to God. Belief is a beginning, but real faith changes people and requires a deep desire to be aligned with God's plans - to be close to Him and learn His ways.Romans 14:23 teaches us that faith and righteous living go hand in hand, showing that actions without faith are considered sinful. This shows that faith isn't just about agreeing intellectually, but about actively trusting and relying on God. Similarly, Hebrews 11:6 shows the importance of faith in pleasing God, and it emphasizes the necessity of unwavering belief in Him and His promises.So what are you doing in His name? Are you letting Cultivate your faith?

Join Pastor Megan as we delve into the series "In His Name," focused on John 17, where Jesus' prayer to His Father showcases the importance of living and acting in His name. In a world full of popular quotes, discernment is crucial to ensure that whatever we are quoting is in alignment with God's Word. Ephesians 4:14 and 2 Timothy 4:3 caution us as believers against being swayed by teachings that  lack truth - even if they are a great sounding quote.Words are powerful, they are capable of both uplifting and causing harm to others, as Proverbs 12:18 shows us. We need to remember that  as representatives of God, our speech carries weight and that is why it's necessary to be mindful of what we say, read, or quote. Jesus' teachings provide a blueprint on how to align our words with His. He provides us with a guide on how to be mindful of our actions and speech.Jesus was wise and  His wisdom shines through His commands, such as loving God and others wholeheartedly. We can rest assured that when we  model our lives after Him, we will live lives full of wisdom. Jesus's ways went far beyond speech, and if we do so then even our lives will be changed and transformed - our demeanor and response to challenges in life will also be transformed. Therefore as we continue to walk in His name, the book of Colossians 4:5-6 encourages us to be gracious with our speech so that we may reflect Christ's character.Its not easy but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may our speech mirror the love and truth of Jesus Christ. May He be the one to guide our actions and interactions as we strive to represent Him faithfully.

In this impactful sermon, join Pastor Bruce as he unpacks the importance of stewarding all that God has given us in His name.As we continue with our series of In His name, the book of Colossians 3 verse 17 teaches or reminds us to do everything in the name of Jesus. We have been called for the great commission and when we can only do what we are called to do only in His name. When we do life in His name then we acknowledge that we cannot do anything without Him. He is our saving grace. We live our lives knowing that we are saved and therefore, we ought to live like saved people. Ephesians 2 verse 8 teaches us that we are saved by grace, we are His Handiwork and therefore we need to steward the gift of salvation in His name. Salvation is great and it should grow and impact others.We need Christ. We need saving because we are sinners and that's what He did for us - He saved us. Therefore, we should not take our salvation for granted. We must steward our salvation. He saved us through His grace and through His grace, He gave us gifts which we see in  Romans 12 verse 6. However, these gifts are not only for our benefit but for the benefit of others as well. It's important to note that we are not saved by our good deeds but that does not mean we should not do good - we ought to steward our gifts so that we can operate in them and do good in life.Through stewardship we will see our gifts multiply. We will become fruitful and that is biblical because in Genesis 1, God says to be fruitful and multiply. If we don't steward our gifts then they won't grow. We see this with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 verse 21. Whatever God gives us we must steward and multiply because God can take our gifts. They are His and they are for His glory.Not stewarding our gifts is a sign of laziness. We must not be lazy with the things of God and we must not be lazy to do the will of God. We need to be faithful.He is faithful with all that He has given us, He was faithful enough to give us His only begotten son and we need to be faithful with what He has given us. So what are you going to steward in His name? What are you going to be faithful with?

As we continue with our vision for the year and overall our lives, join Pastor Anthony as he gives us the tools to lead our lives with vision.We have all been reached by the gospel of Jesus, He found us and saved us - therefore by that, surely we would want to share that gift with others. Sharing this gift means that we need to lead. We all have a stewardship responsibility internally and externally. what we have internally will flow out externally and that's why it's important to surrender to God. Our example is Jesus, He led a life of a steward and He was a great leader in speech and in deed. In Romans 14 verse 11 - 12 we learn that we will account for the things we do - we will give an account of how we steward our lives. Matthew 12: 37 shows us that we will be accountable for the things we say. That's why We need to be accountable for our lives. A stewardship is a leadership function that we need to engage in.Natural leadership suggestions:- Be decisive- Be trustworthy - Have personal empowerment- Be a clear communicator - Have resilience A great leader is also FAST:- Faithful- Available- Submissive- TeachableThere are some spiritual leadership qualities that will hales you fulfill a vision:- These are tips for visionary leadership- Have a Godly vision/ revelation- When we have a godly revelation then we have the right focus.- Vision equals actionCharacteristics of a godly vision:- Vision leads to helping others- The vision glorifies God- The vision is future focused- The vision is there to overcome the devil- Vision advances God's kingdom We all need vision because without vision we don't have hope, direction and a purpose.Once we have a Godly vision then we acknowledge that He is with us and He has a plan for our lives and know that He gives us tools and means to go forward. God is the one who directs our vision, He is the one who leads us and when we do what He says then we see the fruit.That's why it's important to do what God calls us to do. It's important to fulfill the vision He has entrusted us with. When we lead with vision then we need to write it down. God Speaks with intention and clarity, so therefore we need to write down exactly what He says. When we write down the vision then we become accountable to it.We need to remember that Godly vision comes from the Lord. It's His revelation to us therefore when we are willing, when We do and attend to what He has revealed to us.How do we know we are attending to the vision:- The level of our determination- Are we qualifying or disqualifying the vision- Whose report are we listening to?- Don't worry if you are a slow starter- Don't be scared of the word ‘linger' - the vision will surely come though it lingers (Habakkuk 2:2)Jesus came and fulfilled what His heavenly Father told Him to and we need to follow in those footsteps.

In this encouraging sermon as we continue with our series of being Released For Purpose, join Pastor Bruce as we go over our purpose of evangelism in this day and age. From the bible, we learn that we ought to walk by faith because only God knows what is to come and therefore we ought to trust Him. His word is a lamp unto our feet and He shines our way. That is why we need to walk by faith and walk by His prompting.Being a Christian does not mean things will be easy but we get strength from Him. That is why we need to seek Him and continuously seek Him in every aspect of our lives.When we seek Him we find our purpose in Him. We have been called to share the good news. The message needs messengers, it requires people to lead in life. We need to lead our own lives and we can do this through Christ because He gives us the strength and the ability to lead. When we seek Him and lean more into His guidance through prayer and intimacy with Him we get shaped and molded by Him. We need to strive for this and when we do this we will see God move in all aspects of our lives.That's why evangelism is important. The message and the mission has not changed because God does not change. God is the one who changes circumstances. In order to be in step with Him and embrace the change then we need to do the following:See what God sees and have faithIf we don't love people through the eyes of Christ then the world will not change. We need to see people how God sees them and even pray for them regardless of what they have done to us. Jesus had compassion and that's what we need to have.Speak what He saysGod is cleaning and doing a work in us so that we can be messengers of His good news. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the good news. We need to remind ourselves of His promises. However, in order to remind ourselves, we need to know the good news and we need to know His promises. Sadly our word is not reliable but His word is true and it's reliable until eternity. He is not a liar. That is why we need to speak what He speaks. When He sends us as messengers then He gives us a message. We see this in the book of Ezekiel 37 verse 4 -5, we need to speak what He says. God empowers us to speak what He says, He gives us authority. Do what He did.Jesus only did what His Heavenly Father told Him to do. We also need to follow in His footsteps. We need to treat people how Jesus treated them (us) - with compassion and love. Let God empower you to do all He has called you to do.

At Life Church, we believe that God Cares. We Care and People Matter. We are a cell based family church that loves Jesus and we serve Him by tending to His people as well. This year we are released for purpose. Join Pastor Anthony this vision Sunday as he unpacks what this means for our church but also what does that mean for us as the body of Christ. We need to continue to spread the good news, that's our assignment. We are not just freed and released but we are released for purpose. Jesus was sent into the world for a purpose and so are we. We have been released for various reasons:- Released for evangelism to proclaim Christ.- Released for purposeThe Power of The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is there to guide us. He is there to help and enable us God does not just anoint us for ourselves but He anoints us for those around us. He anoints us for a purpose. God also gives us favor to do His will and purpose.Sometimes we wonder what our purpose in life is but as children of God, our purpose is what God has sent us to do. As we contemplate the vision of the church for the year, let us also consult God about the vision for our lives, let's ask Him where He is taking us. So, to conclude:- Salvation or the Good News is for all- Power of the Holy Spirit is here today.- We have been called and set apart

The way in which our decisions have an impact on those around us and generations to come is the same way in which God's vision for our lives has a generational impact and implications. God is not caught off guard by our decisions - He has a plan and a vision for our lives regardless. We are a generational people and live in a generational space. Our morals and way of life have an impact on the generations to come. The laws we follow also have an impact on us - the same way God's laws have an impact in our lives and families. So, this week join Pastor Bruce as he teaches us on generational consequences, God's plan and generosity.We see this with His commandments - He created them for us to live a life that is not oppressive, not filled with greed, and a life of generosity. So, when we share God's laws and commandments with our kids, we are giving them ideologies to live by. Even if they deviate, they will always return. We see this in the book of Proverbs  22:6. We trust in these commandments and we share them with our kids because they are instructions from God for us to thrive - they are for the human family to thrive. When we become the children of God then we are called to follow and replicate Him and His ways in our lives. One of His ways and qualities is generosity. So because He is a generous Father we ought to be generous children. In order to move from a culture or a generation of greed then we have to learn to be generous. These are the ways in which we can:We can only expect what we've shown: If we are generous with all that we have  (not just with money) then we can expect to see that generosity in our lives. This can also be generational because our kids learn from and imitate us. If we are greedy then our kids will be greedy and if we are generous then they also follow suit.We can't expect what we haven't grown:We need to have a vision and a value for our families. This also applies to our walk with God. We need to see God's vision and follow it. God wants us to grow and not just to show:God wants us to grow. We can grow our faith by reflecting on our past, and then we will be able to see God's mercy and provision in our lives. This is how we grow our faith.In conclusion, when we live generously then we have an impact on those around us and this grows the opportunity for them to be generous as well. We have influence over people around us and we need to do right and follow God and His ways. Our choices have a generational consequence but when we give our lives to Jesus then He makes us new. So what decisions are you making and are you considering the generations to come?

What are you trusting God to do this year? Have you included Him in your plans? Is He at the center of it all? As Christians this is what we should do - make plans, have a vision but overall let God guide us.It should not only be with our vision and dreams but with our living principles as well. Part of our living principles is being decisive. Sometimes we get bombarded with options and we become too indecisive. Sometimes we make decisions that we don't fully agree with because we are indecisive. In this week's teaching, join Pastor Bruce as we continue with Living Principles while focusing on Being Decisive in our walk with Christ and in our lives. In the book of James we learn more about being double minded. The book teaches us not to doubt but to trust in God and become stable in all we do. The truth is, if we are indecisive about one thing then we can be indecisive in other areas of our lives as well. Being indecisive is having instability and being double-minded. This means that we are not anchored in one thing but get swayed by a lot of things in life. Indecisiveness creates spiritual instability as well. If we are double-minded then we can't do anything significant for God and His kingdom.What causes Indecisiveness- Fear of failure- Fear of missing out- Fear of being hurtSo how do we settle being indecisive?- Make a choice :We have to choose a side, we can't choose both. If we don't make decisions and make the right choices then we will be tossed from side to side. Making a choice gives us stability.- Overcome trauma:We need to overcome our trauma because we can sometimes find ourselves victim to our past and our hurt. We become so used to certain reactions and ways but God doesn't want us to remain the same. He does a work in us and He transforms us - In Him we can overcome our hurt and trauma.- Be inquisitive:We need to be people that learn. We can't rely on others to grow our faith. We can't wait for preachers and cell leaders to connect us to God but we need to learn more by reading and studying God's Word. We need to be learners, researchers and seekers. This is how we will grow.We need to constantly be at the feet of the Father, we need to draw near to Him because the more we draw to Him then the more we will become like Him. Double-mindedness has a lot to do with our hurt. Our previous experiences play a part in this but Jesus molds us - He transforms and reshapes us. So let Him transform you and do only what He can do.So what are you choosing?

Join Pastor Bruce as he continues with Living principles this week and teaches us on how to change our perspective and to stay in God's presence. We live in a community and we are a part of each other's lives, so with that, it's our responsibility to be influential and push for change. We need to breathe lives into each other. Life can be unpredictable and We can all get shaken by it. We often become so shook in our emotions and in our being so much so that we get deflated. We can get shaken by so many things in our lives including our surroundings. The thing is as much as we are a community, we get heavily influenced by our surroundings, our childhood, the people around us and even our location. Depending on our traditions and ethnicity and so much more, we get used to certain things our entire life and these somewhat shape our lives. These also have an impact on our dreams but when we are born again, we change - we become transformed. The nature of who we are changes because we draw from Christ and not our past. We become a new creation. We become citizens of heaven and therefore it becomes our influence. When Jesus transforms our lives then our viewpoint also changes. How we see life and obstacles changes. We stop focusing on our problems and start focusing on God. For example, in the case of Simon Peter: Peter asked to join Jesus on the water but sank when he stopped focusing on Jesus and Jesus grabbed him up. The same Peter later denied Jesus the night of His crucifixion due to fear but scripture tells us in Acts that when Peter was in jail he was sleeping. That's because his position had changed- he was not focusing on himself but he was resting in the shadow of the Almighty. Another story is of Paul (Saul).Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, He went blind and God gave him an instruction to meet a man named Ananias. Saul then met Ananias, and Ananias prayed for Saul, and his eyesight is returned ... .and then later on post-baptism, the Bible says that he was then filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. So, God dealt with his sight (Vantage point) and then dealt with his heart. That is what God does, He deals with our hearts, and only He can do that. In Matthew 4, Jesus calls us to follow Him and He will make us fishers of men. He calls us to follow Him first, to come into proximity with Him. He will transform us but first we need to follow Him. We need to make an active choice to follow and grow our relationship with Him. We are not called to have an encounter with Jesus on Sunday at church but we are to have a relationship with Him everyday. A relationship with Him will lead to change in our lives. If we don't change after encountering Jesus then instead of repenting, we will keep repeating the same mistakes and sins over and over again. Jesus transforms our lives. He changes who we are, He changes our vantage point and our hearts, like He did with Peter and Paul.Therefore, in order to change and encounter Him we need to be in His presence. 

For this blessed Christmas, join Pastor Anthony as he teaches us about the God who is with us: Emmanuel. It's very important to understand the power of the God who is with us and what the significance of His name, Emmanuel means to us. Jesus's birth was promised to us as we see in Matthew 1 verse 21 but we see the prophecy of His birth in Isaiah 7:14. That's because it was not by coincidence. It Was Not A Surprise.Jesus's birth - His coming was not a surprise. It was foretold long before Mary gave birth to Him. That's because whatever God speaks is always consistent. We see this in His word and through the birth of Jesus. So,. even though there are a lot of prophecies that have been fulfilled in the Bible, some are still yet to be fulfilled. That's because God's word is consistent, it doesn't change and it is not a surprise. This also applies in our lives. What He says He will do, He will surely fulfill. Whatever He promises us, He will surely do.God Took The Initiative.God is always there and He is always involved. We see this in Jesus's coming and in His dying for us. He always takes initiative. He came to seek and save us, He initiated transformation - He took initiative to die for us when we were sinners. He did it all first and that's why we can come to Him, that's why we can follow Him.God Does Not Want Us To Live In Darkness.God wants to be invested in our lives because He doesn't want us to live in darkness and confusion. He wants us to be free. He is our light. He has given us light and clear instruction as to how we should be. He is the light that calls us out of darkness. He cleanses us and walks with us, therefore in Him we don't have to fear anything. In Him, darkness is defeated. The truth is, God is watching but we are not. That's because we are distracted by the things of the world, we are ignorant. However, God can give us the power, capacity and authority to live life to the fullest. So, for us to get to the point of living a life focused on God is always a heart issue.Jesus came to give us clarity because He is the light of the world. So we need to fix our hearts on Him and follow Him.He Is Jesus - Emmanuel - God With UsWe never have to walk alone, we are never left destitute because He is Emmanuel. He came so that we can have life in abundance. He is always there. This is confirmed by the Psalmist in Psalm 139 verse 7 - 10 and we see it in Jeremiah 23 verse 23 - 24. We cannot hide from Him, there is nowhere where we can go that He can't see or touch. He is always with us.Therefore, we need to stop making God a pop up genie. We need to stop looking for Him only when things are bad or when it's Christmas, we need to look for Him always. Jesus Chose The 12 Disciples To Be With Him.God is calling us to be with Him. He is Emmanuel - God with us but we also need to be with Him. He sent out an open invitation and we need to respond to His invitation. He is not only God with us but He is God in us.So are you with Him? Have you made the decision to allow Him into your life?

Join Pastor Tammy as she takes us through a thought provoking sermon on the Wonderful Wilderness. The Bible describes the wilderness as:- Eremos: A place which is uninhabited (no people).  A place which is uncultivated (no crops).As Christians', we are used to our comforts. Even as followers of Jesus, we try to avoid “the desert”. We don't like when life gets hard, or barren, or lonely. The wilderness makes us feel isolated, so we do what we can to escape it.But what if instead of running, we asked God about His timing – when is the right time to move on? Is He trying to tell us something, what is the purpose of this wilderness season? Sometimes we try to run away from it but we should not rush this season - we should go through it with God at the center. 1.  THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF SEPARATIONWhen we are in a desert we feel alone, separated. However, that's when we are separated from the world and should focus on God. God separated the Israelites from Egypt, from what they previously knew, from their slavery, their captors and sent them into the wilderness, and not straight into the Promised Land, why? In the wilderness the Israelites received: a new way to live based on worship, an intimacy with God which they had never known, and a new identity. This verse from the Song of Moses tells us of God's loving care of the Israelites in the wilderness:  “In a desert land He found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.” Deuteronomy 32:10.    2. THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF RESTORATION  In the book of 1 Kings 19:5 - 8, we see Elijah disheartened, burnt out, tired, however we also see God's miracles. We see God providing for him.From this verse we also see restoration. Restoration involves a miraculous provision for the present, for the next season. However, Elijah did not register the miracle when it happened and that's how we get when we are in the wilderness - we don't see God's provision. The wilderness may feel altogether normal, but there are miracles taking place around you, which are restoring you, which you may not be able to see, but you have to keep trusting and walking.  3.  THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF PREPARATIONMoses was well-educated, however, he ended up in the wilderness tending to his father-in-law's sheep. Was he wasting his life away? For 40 years he did all that. Like many others in the bible, didn't God know Joseph's best years were wasting away in Egypt, that the Israelites needed to be freed and were suffering?So what is the purpose of the wilderness? Is it Punishment or Preparation?We need to remember that the wilderness was very significant in Moses's walk with God. This was the place where Moses had an encounter with God. What if he had walked away from the preparation? Moses spent 40 years walking the desert with sheep where he would walk a further 40 years with millions of people. So as believers we must not despise the wilderness of preparation, we must not abdicate from it, but we must adjust to it. 4.  THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF REVELATIONWhen we reflect on Jesus's baptism, we see the acknowledgment of the love of the Father and the presence of the Holy Spirit, however, in the next after that we learn that in Mark 1V12 the Holy Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. That is where the devil tempted Him. he attacked Him on 3 things: His security, His self-worth and His significance. Matthew 4:1-11    - Security: Matthew 4:3  - Self-worth: Matthew 4:5                - Significance: Matthew 4:9             Those three things are what the devil attacks and tries to distort in us. However, God uses the wilderness to train us, to prepare us. The purpose of being led in the desert is to humble us and to test us in order to know what was in our heart. - Do we find our self-worth, security and significance in God or do we get them from the world? 5.  THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF INVITATIONGod does not have a secret society of intimate friends. We are as intimate with God as we choose to be. It is our desire, our abiding, our purity that will determine the depth of our intimacy with Him. Intimacy is understanding that I may feel "hinged" or "unhinged." It is knowing that I must sit at the feet of Jesus, so that I can walk with integrity as His friend. It is experiencing the closeness of the Lord and at other times wondering if He is near. Essentially, intimacy is abandonment of ourselves to the Lord—abandonment born out of trust and an intense longing to know the living God. WHY THE WILDERNESS?Like many prophets in the Old Testament, John the Baptist not only preached his God-given message but his whole life as a parable, a symbolic picture of repentance and faith. It was an outward picture of the inner reality to which John called his people, a living parable of repentance and faith. So, our wilderness should be a picture of faith and trust. And just as John pointed not to himself but to Jesus who would come after him, the object of our faith ought to be in Christ alone. The WILDERNESS- is a Place of Separation- is a Place of Restoration- is a Place of Preparation- is a Place of Revelation- is a Place of Invitation Although the Wilderness seems UNINHABITED and UNCULTIVATED, from these stories we see that miracles happen in the wilderness. So, maybe it's time to see our Wilderness' differently. UNINHABITED: Instead of being alone, we can see it as a solitary place which is quiet and  free from disturbance. Although solitary, we should see it as a place where God richly grants His presence and provision for those seeking Him. UNCULTIVATED: Although dry, the wilderness is not completely barren. Instead of a place of unproductivity to the eye, we can see it as a place where here and there, in clefts and on hillsides, we can find a patch of corn, a clump of olives, a single palm. In the wilderness there is life and sustenance, even if it's just hard to see.Finally, the Hebrew word for the desert is MIDBAR. Because there are no vowels in Hebrew, the letters that spell it out are M-D-B-R. Coincidentally, this is also how you spell another Hebrew word, MEDABER – to speak. So let your wilderness be a place where God speaks.MIDBAR = M-D-B-R = DESERTMEDABER = M-D-B-R = TO SPEAK 

In this special Christmas production, join Pastor Bruce as he takes us through a discovery of who Jesus is: the gift of peace.Firstly, reading from Luke 2 verse 8 - 15 and Matthew 2 verse 1 -11 we learn about the birth of Jesus and His majesty and how it is a testament to His greatness because what kind of a birth would draw the attention of shepherds away from their flock? What kind of a birth would draw kings away from their kingdoms and cause them to bring gifts on bended knees, that would praise Him and not them? What kind of a birth would cause rulers to panic and plot to murder Him? What kind of birth would cause Angels to leave heaven in praise and celebration?In Isaiah 9:6 we see that His birth was a gift for us because He is indeed a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Which is still relevant to this day because In this day and age we need peace - we need peace that comes from Jesus.Jesus is our gift of peace. He was given to us as a gift of peace and John 14 verse 27 highlights that. He is our peace in every situation. His kind of peace is not like that of the world, it's the peace that gives us assurance in any and every situation.His kind of peace  is the following: 1. Peace From Your PastWe all come into salvation broken and flawed. However, when Jesus comes into our lives, He gives us peace from our past. We have an enemy and he wants to remind us of our past but Jesus reminds us of who he wants us to be - who He intends us to be.2. Peace In Your PresentJesus gives us peace in our present. Though life can be difficult, He renews us and gives us strength. We don't have to do this alone but we can do it with Him. He gives us Shalom (completeness, security, contentment, wellbeing and inner peace). However, the only way we can have peace is if He gives it to us.3. Peace For The FutureJesus came to give us a life that is secure for eternity. He came so that we wouldn't be captured by death and destruction. He came so that we can be saved. He gave us that gift. Jesus is our light, He is our peace. He came to shine light on the things that mislead us and make us hopeless. When we invite him into every aspect of our lives, He shines a light on our lives and saves us. The truth is, when we have peace, His peace - we are able to be hopeful, but without peace, a lot of what we see feels hopeless. So is He your peace? Are you trusting in Him?

In this new series, Pastor Bruce takes us through a journey of reflection and teachings on the importance of caring the way God cares. The full value of a gift is realized when we share it. If we never share our gifts with the world whether it be teaching, singing, dancing or even exalting others then they would never be valued.This applies to so many things in our lives including wisdom. Wisdom is only realized or recognized once we share it, not when we acquire it. No matter how smart you are, if you don't share your wisdom then it doesn't have value because Wisdom is not meant to serve you only but it's meant to serve those around you as well.So what good is wisdom if we don't share it?1 Cor 1:30 teaches us that Jesus is our wisdom and he was shared with us and because of Him we are changed to live better and fruitful lives. However, we can't bear fruit if we don't share our wisdom. He is the perfect gift that was shared with us, therefore we must also share Him with the world. This is how we show that we care.God Cares. We Care. People Matter.Our gifts are meant to be shared. The trust is that our gifts are good for us but they are meant to be shared with others - and that's our motto here at life Church: God Cares. We Care. People Matter. As people do we care? Everyone can raise their hand and say that they care. However, do we care the way God wants us to care? If we understand that God cares then we need to care the way He cares for people.Matt 22 verse 34-39 teaches us that we are called to Love God, our neighbors and ourselves. However, one of the greatest distractions the devil has concocted is to  distract us from loving God. We are called to love Him because He shared His love with us first, so we should not give into those distractions.The truth is, if we understand and Love God then we'll care how He cares. Our love for God is incomplete if we struggle to love who He loves and our faith in God is incomplete if we struggle to do what He does.So, we need a heart to care to be able to spread the gospel. It's all about our heart posture. For us to care first, we need to Love Him and get to know Him because what He loves we will love and what He cares for, we will care for. Why is that so important?As mentioned before, it's all about our hearts, we see this in James 2:17-26. We need to understand that what is in our Hearts will flow out of our lives. If we love and care for our community then this will show in our actions towards our communities - this applies in any and every sphere of our lives.How we care How we care is a thermometer of our faith. How we care reassures our heartsBrings us into His presenceSo let's change how we care. Let's be a blessing to others. Let's love them how God loves them. Let's pray for those we wouldn't pray for, even if they've hurt us. Let's pray for people and tell them about Jesus. We care because people Matter to Him.

Wisdom is very important in our lives, we need it to navigate life. The truth is we don't know everything. Pastor Anthony continues with this important and insightful series of wisdom.Wisdom doesn't come from nowhere, it comes from knowledge and understanding. It comes from hearing God. If our lives were regulated by different people and media then we would not be able to achieve anything. However, if we listen to God then things become easy to navigate. John 10:27 teaches that if we are His, then we will know His voice and follow Him.So who are you listening to? What are you listening to?What are you looking for? Who are you looking for? Where you look is where you stand, it's what you become. We usually embody what we listen to and look for. If we look for wisdom then we will become wise. God gives wisdom and discernment to those who seek Him.If our hearts are full of malice, anger and unforgiveness then it becomes hard for us to be wise. It's all about the posture of our hearts. What we don't always understand is that wisdom protects us, it saves us. We learn this in Proverbs 2.There are two types of wisdom - godly wisdom and that of the world. We get godly wisdom when we surrender with all our hearts (James 3:13-18). So we need to strive for the wisdom of God. This means reflecting on what we are looking at and where we are looking to. Where we look is where we'll be. If we keep looking at the past then that's where we will be. Psalm 34:4-5 tells us that those who look to the Lord are radiant - that is what we should aspire to.TRUTH BRINGS WISDOM & GUIDANCEWhen we focus on truth then and seek truth then we will be guided into wisdom. The world calls bad good but Truth calls it what it is. - Jesus calls it what it is. Godly wisdom equals His truth. Proverbs 23:23 teaches us the importance of truth and Wisdom. It tells us to “Buy truth, and do not sell it; Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Godly wisdom = truth. King Solomon uses 4 powerful words: Truth, Wisdom, Instruction & Understanding.- "Truth" is that which accurately describes reality; it is something factual.- "Wisdom" is a capacity to act according to truthful information. - "Instruction" is the general practice of acquiring knowledge and wisdom, usually by learning from a more experienced person. - "Understanding" suggests someone experienced enough in their wisdom to teach those principles to others. In most cases, these teachings don't need to be purchased, in the literal sense. God makes these qualities available for free.  As mentioned, Truth defines our reality and that's why the devil tries to distort our reality. The devil will always try to give you his own interpretation of truth. So, that's why we need to lean into God's truth and ways. James 1:5 tells us that we can ask for wisdom and God will grant it to us. He can lead us into His truth if we ask for it. We also learn truth when we study His word because it's a lamp unto our feet. WISDOM FOR OTHERS:What we need to know is that wisdom is not only personal but it's for others as well. WISDOM FOR THE FUTURE:We need wisdom for tomorrow. We need it to navigate the current climate and world. God wants us to dream with great imagination but He also wants us to have wisdom. We can do all this - dream and plan only if we ask Him to help us, to reveal things in our lives. Wisdom is understanding the difference between a life with God and a life without God. Without Him we walk in darkness but in Him we have protection, goodness, and life. So, let's come back to what we started off with.Whose voice are you listening to?

In this new series of Wisdom, Pastor Bruce takes us through a thought provoking journey of getting wisdom and how we can use it to navigate our daily lives. The truth is we all need wisdom. We need wisdom in every sphere of our lives - whether it be to  navigate this world or just going through daily challenges  - we need wisdom for today.Imagine if everyone had a say in your life, if everyone was constantly in your ear interrupting you, what would that be like? What would it sound like if your life was regulated by all the people in it, social media and the media? You would not be able to hear anything, you would not be able to process anything and you would not be able to hear God. That is what happens when our lives are dictated by public opinion. We lose focus on what's important and miss the voice and instruction of God because we are focused on what the world is saying. So in order to not be trapped by what's going on around us, we need wisdom. We need wisdom to discern what to take in and keep out.Hebrews 12 verse 1 tells us to run our race with endurance and focus on Jesus. However, we can only do this if we have wisdom. If we are focused on all the noise around us then we won't be able to endure the race.As human beings, sometimes we worry about the wrong things and impose our own insecurities on ourselves, but if we focus on God and choose wisdom then life will be easy to navigate.Proverbs 2 and 4 teach us the importance of wisdom in our lives. Wisdom helps us make correct decisions. As scripture says, we need to GET WISDOM and hold on to instruction. With knowledge being so easy to access these days, It's not only about gaining understanding and knowledge but it's about gaining understanding and knowledge of the fear of God and being scared to live without Him. That is the difference between the world's definition of wisdom and scripture's definition of wisdom.The book of Proverbs tells us that the beginning of wisdom is to get wisdom because outside of God, all wisdom is just knowledge.So what does it mean to have wisdom for today:- Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. It means having discipline, discernment and discretion.- Wisdom is generational, it is passed down through legacy, and passed forward generously. It will build you, encourage you, direct you, counsel you, correct you and humble you. It serves you.Wisdom can be divided into two: Wisdom in Thought and Wisdom in Action.WISDOM IN THOUGHT- Through Understandingo   Proverbs 14:33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known.- Through Discerningo   Proverbs 14:6The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.- Through Reflecting o Proverbs 13:1A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. o Proverbs 15:31He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.WISDOM IN ACTION - Through Discretiono   Proverbs 10:19When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.o   Proverbs 12:18Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. o   Proverbs 29:11A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. - Through  Humilityo   Proverbs 11:2When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdomo   Proverbs 13:10Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.- Through Forgivenesso   Proverbs 19:11Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. Scripture says that the beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all. So, the question is, are you seeking wisdom?

As we continue with our series on Resilience, Pastor Megan takes us through a journey of encouragement and not giving up in the Lord. Last week Pastor Bruce mentioned John 15: 4 which reminds us that we can't do anything apart from God, therefore we shouldn't even try. However, as humans, we sometimes try to do things by our own strength and we end up running dry and then we try to draw from our personal strength. However, it should not be like that - if we draw from Him, if we remain in Him, then we will have life - we won't run dry. As believers, we need to constantly tap into our source that is Jesus and draw from His strength and His leading. This doesn't mean we won't have struggles, but rather when we do, we will be anchored because we are connected to our life source - Jesus. Resilience teaches us to keep fighting, to keep pushing and we learn and experience this from the people we encounter in our lives. The lessons we get from Resilience might be from fighting illnesses or going through hard challenges in life. However, being resilient means not giving up. It's that will to fight, to keep pushing and through it all trusting in God.We cannot do life on our own and we shouldn't even try. Our foundation is God, He is our strength when things are hard. So, we need to keep showing up even when life gets rough.The truth is that life is precious, it's a gift. We can't waste it by being trapped by fear and worry. However, what we can do is focus on each day, live each day as if it is our last and run our race with endurance.In fact the bible says to run so as to win a prize, like an athlete. And to do that, to get to the finish line,  we should practice self-control. This is what we learn from 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. The apostle Paul says that though he might be preaching to others, preaching about Jesus and pursuing a godly life, if he doesn't watch himself he might fall. He might give in to temptation and be disqualified.The warning here is to not give up our faith in the hardship of life, to not give into temptation and throw in the towel. As believers, we must Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, keep giving Him our struggles, stay in His word and hold tight to our first love (Him). We must not  give up. We all go through struggles, however, having struggles doesn't make us bad people or bad Christians', it just means that we are human and in need of the one who created us to help us. We need God. He is the perfecter of our faith. He gives us the strength to go through whatever comes our way.God is for us even when we go through the hardships of life, the most important thing to know is that He is there and He is with us. -        As believers we have witnesses cheering us on so we should not give up-        We must get rid of the sin that holds us back on this race ( yes Jesus loves us as we are, but He doesn't want us to stay that way. We must get rid of sin and keep giving it to Him, this could be daily depending on our struggles. But no matter what, Just show up and say I'm here - I need you.-        We must fix our eyes on Jesus. He will make us, He will carry us. A thought:We should not be okay with just the thought of surviving. But we must want a life of being in His daily presence. We must aim to know and have a personal relationship with our heavenly Father. We must aim for the assurance and confidence in having the peace of God. That assurance that even when things are going wrong and it doesn't make sense, He is there. He is in control.So, in running our race lets Expect the God of the impossible to step in. Lets have faith that He is going to give kingdom solutions. He is working it out and He is using you and I for His Kingdom.Food for thought:Are you running your race with the confidence that God is with you? That He is giving you Kingdom solutions or are you trusting in yourself and your own capabilities?