Relate Church

Have you ever stopped to think… when the history of this church is written in Heaven—what will be by your name? Not your title. Not your status. But your sacrifice, your faith, your obedience. In this message, we look at the story of David and his Mighty Men—not just as a history lesson, but as a spiritual challenge for today. These were broken, outcast, ordinary people… who became legends in the Kingdom because they chose to follow the right king—even before he wore the crown. Just like them, we're being called to serve King Jesus—now, in the wilderness, in the trenches, in the unseen places. This isn't about being perfect, talented, or polished. It's about being willing. It's about seeing the needs around us—because every hungry person, every hurting soul, every “cup of water” moment… is Jesus in disguise. Let's talk about what really matters to God—and what will be remembered in Heaven. Are you ready to be one of His Mighty Men or Women? Let us know in the comments: What do YOU want Heaven to write next to your name? #KingdomCalling #DavidAndHisMightyMen #LivingForJesus #FaithInAction #HeavenlyHistory

In today's powerful and challenging message, we explore the difference between manipulated service and true, loving commitment to God and His Kingdom. This sermon invites you to ask the hard questions: - What are you really committed to? - Are your commitments driven by love—or by guilt, pressure, or habit? - Are you carrying the cross that Jesus personally assigned to you? Drawing from Luke 14:16–27, we hear the parable of the Great Banquet, where Jesus exposes the excuses people make to avoid responding to God's invitation. Whether it's relationships, success, or past failures, many of us have placed our priorities above the call of Christ. This message isn't about religion—it's about loyalty born out of love, and the God-given responsibility placed on each of our lives. We also reflect on the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1:18–25, reminding us that this life is a journey to be traveled with a deep consciousness of God, not shallow distractions. "You cannot be My disciple unless you love Me more than your own life." – Jesus It's time to count the cost. Choose love. Choose commitment. Choose to carry your cross. Scripture References: Luke 14:16–27, 1 Peter 1:18–25 (MSG) #Sermon #ChristianLiving #Commitment #Luke14 #Discipleship #Faith #Cross #GodsKingdom #LoveGod #1Peter #CarryYourCross

In this sermon, we explore how God's gift of routine and predictability shapes our lives, relationships, and spiritual journeys. Drawing inspiration from the story of Daniel in the lion's den, we discuss the importance of faithfulness, consistency, and loyalty in building strong foundations for our families, communities, and personal growth.  Key takeaways   The significance of routine in providing stability and order in our lives.  How living a life of faithfulness and predictability can positively impact those around us. Lessons from Daniel's unwavering commitment to his daily practices, even in the face of adversity. The consequences of deviating from established principles and the importance of maintaining integrity. #RoutineAndFaith #LoyaltyInLife #DanielInTheLionsDen #ConsistencyMatters #FaithfulnessInAction

This is a deeply thoughtful and inspiring reflection on Living with Joy, and you've beautifully woven together personal experience, Scripture, and practical spiritual insight. It offers a powerful challenge to choose joy, not as a denial of reality, but as a deeply rooted act of faith and alignment with God's purpose. A few key themes stand out strongly: 1. Joy as a Command, Not Just a Feeling You've made a compelling case that joy isn't just a mood we stumble into, but a spiritual discipline. Repeated Scriptural commands—“Rejoice in the Lord always,” “Be glad,” “Shout for joy”—show that joy is something God calls us to decide to embrace, even when circumstances are hard. That's not shallow cheerfulness; it's deep resilience rooted in trust. 2. Joy Comes from Knowing God's Big Plan This theme is central. You highlighted how Jesus tells His disciples to take heart in the face of trouble because He has already overcome the world. That same promise is offered to us. True joy isn't rooted in everything going well—but in knowing that, whatever happens, God is in control and His plan includes us. 3. Joy is a Product of Gratitude and Worship You noted that joy flows when we spend time in the Word, when we worship, when we recall God's goodness. That practical invitation—to read, to sing, to reflect on blessings—is so simple, but powerful. When we lift our eyes to the eternal, we stop being ruled by the temporary. 4. Joy Is Strength Nehemiah 8:10 might be one of the most hopeful verses in Scripture: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” That's the kind of power we all need—especially when life is discouraging or overwhelming. It's not joy after we're strong, it's joy that makes us strong. 5. Joy is a Choice We Make in Faith From Mary to the Israelites rebuilding Jerusalem, to the early church under persecution, the examples you gave show that joy often shows up in hard, even confusing times. Not because of denial—but because of belief. Your reflection also brings a very honest voice to the struggle of living joyfully. It's not always easy, and those who pretend it is may come off as naïve or tone-deaf. But you've acknowledged the struggle and pointed to the source of strength that allows us to rise above it—not by willpower, but by anchoring our hearts in God. Would you like help turning this into a spoken message, devotional, or small group study? When life feels heavy, choosing joy can seem impossible. But what if joy isn't just a feeling—what if it's a command and a source of strength? In this encouraging message, we explore how Scripture calls us to live with joy, not by ignoring pain, but by trusting in God's Big Plan. Discover how worship, gratitude, and time in God's Word can help shift your perspective, renew your hope, and give you the strength to keep going—no matter what you're facing. Whether you're walking through hardship or just feeling spiritually dry, this video will remind you that joy is possible, joy is powerful, and joy is a gift from God. Key Scriptures: Psalm 100 • Philippians 4:4-9 • Nehemiah 8 • John 16:33 • Luke 1:46-50 #LivingWithJoy #ChristianEncouragement #ChooseJoy #BibleTeaching #Faith #Scripture #Jesus #Worship #Nehemiah #Philippians #HopeInHardTimes

In this life-changing sermon, we explore what it means to honor the position God appoints — even when the person in that position seems unworthy. From David's loyalty to Saul, to Jacob's impatience with God's promise, to Absalom's rebellion against his father David — this message dives deep into the tension between loyalty to people and loyalty to God's mission. What you'll learn: Why David refused to take shortcuts to the throne How Jacob's manipulation cost him years of peace The danger of misplaced loyalty in relationships, family, and church How to discern when loyalty is godly, and when it's compromise Why God honors those who honor His appointed order “David wasn't being loyal to Saul. He was being loyal to God.” You'll be challenged to examine your heart: Who are you loyal to? Are they building or tearing down? Are they walking in God's mission or pushing their own agenda? This message will help you develop godly loyalty — the kind that builds unity, honors authority, and stays rooted in love. “Outdo one another in showing honor.” – Romans 12:10 “God honors those who honor.” – 1 Samuel 2:30 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share if this word speaks to your heart! #Sermon #BiblicalLoyalty #KingDavid #GodsTiming #SpiritualLeadership #Honor #ChristianLiving #ChurchUnity #SermonOnLoyalty #FaithInAction

Loyalty is one of the qualities that moves the heart of God. In a culture where commitment is rare and leaving is easy, God is still looking for people who stay faithful—to Him, to their calling, and to the people He's placed in their lives. In this message, we explore what true loyalty looks like through powerful stories from Scripture: Eve in the Garden, Judas and Jesus, the prophet in 1 Kings 13, and the nation of Israel demanding a king. Each moment reveals what happens when we stay loyal—and what happens when we don't. If you've ever felt tempted to walk away, chase “something better,” or spiritualize a decision that's really about discomfort, this is for you. Learn: • Why God values loyalty so deeply • How discontentment leads to disloyalty • The difference between healthy change and spiritual compromise • Why loyalty often looks like endurance in hard seasons • How to discern when a "better" opportunity is really a test

This powerful Easter Sunday message from Pastor John takes us deep into the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prepared His heart for the cross—and where loyalty and betrayal collided. In a world that often values convenience over commitment, loyalty is a rare but essential virtue. Through the story of Judas's betrayal, Peter's denial, and ultimately, Jesus's unwavering faithfulness, Pastor John challenges us to reflect on our own loyalty—especially to God, to truth, and to the people and responsibilities He has entrusted to us. We're reminded that God keeps a record—not out of bitterness or control, but out of a divine commitment to justice. And yet, through the blood of Jesus, we are offered complete forgiveness and restoration. God's justice isn't about condemnation; it's about setting things right through love and sacrifice. ✨ Are you in a moment of trial or temptation? ✨ Have you failed, denied, or walked away? ✨ This message is for you. Join us as we explore: The weight of loyalty in the eyes of God How betrayal impacts relationships The redemptive power of the Resurrection Why Jesus's question to Peter—"Do you love me?"—is still being asked today

Today marks a powerful and sacred moment in the life of our church family, as we witness Laura Ashley Kolbert—one of our own—officially step into her calling as a Minister of the Word. Through Scripture, reflection, and heartfelt commissioning, this service celebrates Laura Ashley's years of faithful service, biblical training, and unwavering commitment to Christ and His Church. Drawing from Ephesians 4, 1 Samuel 16, and the pastoral charge in 2 Timothy 4, the message highlights how God chooses and equips leaders not based on appearance, but by the condition of their heart. We honor Laura Ashley's journey and her “yes” to God's call—even through seasons of loss and service. Surrounded by her church family and husband Jacob, she is charged with preaching the Word, shepherding God's people, and walking with integrity in all seasons. Join us in prayer and celebration as we recognize the anointing of Reverend Laura Ashley Kolbert and the continued work of the Holy Spirit in and through her life. “The harvest is great, but the workers are few…” (Matthew 9:37-38)

In this powerful sermon, we dive deep into one of the most important qualities that God cherishes—loyalty. Loyalty isn't just about being committed when everything is going well, but staying true through trials, disappointments, and tests of faith. God calls us to embody true loyalty, but it can also be easily exploited when misused for the wrong purposes. We explore how loyalty can be tested in everyday situations—whether in our friendships, churches, families, or workplaces. Often, God tests our loyalty, and it's essential to understand what it looks like and how it reflects our love for Him and for others. The sermon also covers: The dangers of misplaced loyalty (e.g., loyalty to sinful causes like gangs, toxic relationships, or narcissistic behavior) How loyalty is rooted in gratitude, love, and commitment Biblical stories that teach powerful lessons about loyalty, including the story of the sinful woman in Luke 7 and the anointing of Jesus' feet by Mary in John 12 The loyalty Jesus demonstrated toward His followers, even when it wasn't easy Practical advice on how to remain loyal, even when faced with difficult decisions or temptation Loyalty isn't just about being there in good times—it's about showing up, sticking around, and loving unconditionally, just as Jesus has shown us.

In today's sermon, we dive deep into the concept of Appearing Full-Handed in our relationships with God and others. Life and love thrive on two key principles: Responsibility and Generosity. These principles not only sustain relationships but make them vibrant and fulfilling. Drawing from Scripture, Pastor explores how God teaches us the importance of giving and living generously—whether in our relationship with Him or in the way we treat others. Through the teachings in Exodus, we learn that God desires us to approach Him with our best, to give not out of obligation, but out of love and passion. Responsibility is what keeps relationships going, but Generosity is what takes them to the next level, bringing joy, healing, and lasting impact. God wants us to appear full-handed, not empty-handed, in our relationship with Him and in all areas of our life. Join us as we reflect on how we can bring our best to God, our spouses, and our friendships—and learn to enjoy the blessings of giving cheerfully and generously. Let's build healthier, stronger relationships that honor God's design. Key Bible Verses: Exodus 23:15: “No one is to appear before me empty-handed.” Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

In this teaching, we delve into the idea of The Good Boss – God, and how He is the ultimate employer who sees, values, and rewards His workers like no one else can. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical examples, including the powerful story of Ruth and Boaz, we discover that God offers justice, fairness, and eternal rewards for those who serve Him faithfully. Have you ever worked for a boss who didn't appreciate you, or felt like your hard work went unnoticed? This sermon contrasts those painful experiences with the unmatched goodness of working for God, who rewards us beyond measure. From the story of Ruth's humble work in the fields to God's promise of fair wages and eternal blessings, this message will inspire you to serve God with all your heart, knowing that He is watching and will bless your labor in His Kingdom. God is the perfect boss who treats His employees with respect, rewards us with joy, and calls us to be a “display of His splendor.” Whether you're working in the smallest tasks or leading others, God is keeping track, and He will reward you abundantly.

We look at Jesus's first miracle at the wedding in Cana and uncover key principles to receiving favor: - Invite Jesus into your life. Just like Jesus was invited to the wedding, you must welcome Him into your life and circumstances. - Seek no glory but God's. Favor is not about personal recognition but about serving God's purpose. - Believe that God cares and be persistent. Trust that God is good, and keep your faith in His ability to help you. - Trust God's way. Whether through a miracle or a different path, God's way is always the best. Through powerful examples in Scripture—like the royal official's desperate plea for his son's healing and Peter's trust in Jesus during a challenging fishing trip—we see how God's favor flows when we invite Him in, trust His plan, and honor Him with all the glory. If you need favor in your life, this sermon will encourage you to trust God fully and seek His presence in your challenges.

Life's challenges are like the wind—shaping us, strengthening us, and making us unique. In this powerful message, we explore how God uses trials to grow us into “Oaks of Righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3). Just as trees develop strength through wind, we, too, become stronger through life's storms. When difficulties come, will you turn toward the light—toward God—or will you let hardships uproot you? Learn how to stay planted by the stream of living water (Jeremiah 17:7-8) and bear the good fruit God created you to produce (Matthew 12:33). No storm is wasted. Every challenge can bring you closer to Him. Watch now and be encouraged to stand firm, grow deeper, and thrive with God!

How close are you planted to the stream of life? When you live in the desert, your needs, your desires, everything you want is different than when you live by the water. In the desert, you are just hoping to survive. Everyone and everything you see is about your survival. Hoping for a drop of rain. Hoping someone will come pour some water on you. But when you live by the stream, all is well. Even when bad storms come. Even when there is drought. All is well. By the stream, you get to produce leaves, and bear fruit. You get to sow seeds for others to grow. Life is completely different! We can claim God's favor on our lives and our church because it is what Jesus came and did for us.

No matter who you are, where you've come from, what you've done, and who you've done it with, you belong with God in His home. But it is your choice to live with Him. Look at how God is building to know how to build your own home. If you will begin focusing on the home God is building, your life is going to be restored.

Have you ever messed up something in a big way and wish you could go back and do it differently?  What if today, if instead of messing up in a big way, you put your life together in a big way? What if you decided to thrive? What if you did something so great, so big, that your future you will always look back and remember this moment?  It begins with you deciding to do level with yourself and God. What is the reality of where you are? What needs to be changed?  What if you can change now? What if you started learning new things, new ways, trying new things? What if you chose to plow new ground? What if you chose to plow new ground? Instead of doing life the way you've always done life, do something new. Instead of looking for comfort the wrong ways, plow new ground. Do something new and different, only this time, do it right. Break up your unplowed ground and sow seed there, not among the thorns. Stop throwing your good seed into the weeds.

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19 NKJV). Fishing isn't always fun, Fishing isn't always rewarding, and Fishing isn't always safe. Telling people about Jesus is your way to sanity. If you don't have FISHING FEVER, it's because you've never had a good fishing day. If you aren't bonded to other followers of Jesus, you've never faced danger for being one.  Have you come to Christ, by your own choice?  Love Matters, Words Matter, Soldiering Well Matters, Commitment Matters, What is Done in Secret Matters. What if you miss out on the greatest adventure of your Christian life? The greatest quest: The search and rescue mission for the human soul.

What we do in secret matters to God. In this powerful message, we explore how our private actions, thoughts, and faithfulness shape our spiritual lives and determine the rewards we receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Through biblical examples like King David and Uriah, and Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6, we see how God honors those who give, pray, and worship in secret. Are you living for His approval or the applause of others? Watch this message and be encouraged to cultivate a heart that seeks God in the unseen moments of life! #Faith #JudgmentSeatOfChrist #LivingForGod

GOD IS ONLY INTERESTED IN A CLOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU.  Jesus is saying that based on your level of commitment to Him, you will be given reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Jesus is saying that not being committed to Him can result in you going to The Great White Throne Judgment and being judged among the hypocrites.  Can God be gentle on your mind? Only if you are committed to Him.

Whether you want to be in a spiritual war or not doesn't matter; you are in it. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. God uses bad things in God's people to bring good things.  He begins with: Endurance: “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Dedicate Yourself: Soldiers don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life. Aim to Please God: Don't do these things…for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.

We will face what is called The Judgment Seat of Christ. Jesus said that the things we say will be important on the day of judgment. God isn't going to pull your words out of context and use them against you. God isn't interested in us becoming the word police on each other. Not only do the words you say matter, but the words you should have said and didn't matter too. Your silence can be just as damaging or more than being the perpetrator. Taking the words of Jesus Himself to heart is a good place to always start. Jesus said it plainly that it isn't enough to just believe for yourself.You need to find your voice. You need to work on your story, telling others what Jesus has done for you.

Have you come to Christ, by your own choice? What will matter in that moment when you stand before Him? LOVE Matters  --  Your job from now to the end of this life is to learn and practice the way of LOVE. If God is love, then God is saying it is LOVE that we wrestle with.Love isn't the attitude or feeling; love is the motive behind the action. Love is doing for others what I would hope someone would do for me. Love is doing what is right, no matter how difficult it is to make the sacrifice. Love is doing what is pleasing to someone, because THEY like it. Love is deciding to NOT do what is displeasing to someone, simply because they don't like it.

What if you passionately started doing something, thinking you were really doing something God would appreciate, only to find out that it really wasn't something He wanted? This is really what the entire Bible is full of—stories of people living their lives thinking they were doing things that impressed God, that God didn't even care about. What is God looking for? That's the big question of life. What does He like and what doesn't He like. He is communicating what He wants you to be doing to accommodate for Him.

There are two doorways at the threshold of fear.  One is faith, and the other is failure. If it is important enough for you to be afraid of it—then it is important enough for God to lead you through it. How do you turn your fear into faith? One way: Love.

“God is with us” is all about love. God is with us could have been about power, an ego trip, a celestial experiment. God says the only way you'll spend eternity with Me is if you love Me.The test of where you live for eternity isn't does God love you, it's do you love God? Do You Worship Him When Life Goes Bad, Obey His commands and love doing it, Choose to Love People? God doesn't just call us to stop hurting others, His call is to start loving.

Hope is one of the essentials of life. Because we know we need hope, we fall for false hope. God's Presence is with You, God's Purpose is on You, God's Place is Prepared for You. God is the source – the source of hope. 

God, the biggest target in the Universe and beyond, could have come with His protection surrounding Him. The Heart of Christmas begins here: God gave. God saved. God gave…so believers could have. God came to “save” every individual who would be “saved.”

The key to happiness is not found in what others can do for you. You enter into happiness with the key words, “Thank you.” Being thankful opens up all the doors in your life to be happy and realize you are blessed by God. A life of gratitude to God changed everything!

One of the greatest “love blockers” in our lives is the lack of believing that someone actually loves you. Insecurity can cause you to start backing away in a manipulative way.  Insecurity causes us to jump to conclusions. Insecurity can cause you to be controlling. Insecurity can cause you to be cutting. Insecurity is self-fulfilled prophecy of broken relationships.  God and others are only able to love me as much as I believe they love me.

Are you gradually getting better, or worse? What direction am I headed in life? The ultimate goal in life is to have a mature relationship with God.

When you judge someone, you are only setting the standard for the judgment on you. When you judge someone, you have forgotten to guard yourself. All God has ever asked us to do is remind people that it is Him that we are accountable to. Our time as Christians is more useful if we spend our time and energy on finding things that we can do—not on things each other shouldn't be doing.

Kindness to others is nourishment to your own soul. It's easy for us to look at people's problems as burdens rather than opportunities.  Your soul is nourished because your own kindness!

The path to truly feeling good about life is not an easy path. The path to truly feeling good about your life is not natural to you. The path to truly feeling good about your life is not instant. The path to truly feeling good about your life will not be accepted by everyone—and is often misunderstood.  Are you ready to go on this journey with us?

Hard hearts are blind to truth and will even make up lies to get what they want. Paul was on trial for sharing the gospel. The Jews hearts were hardened, they continued to bring charges against Paul.  When you face the storms of life you will either harden your heart more or soften your heart.

God heard the story Paul told in Jerusalem and He wanted him to tell it in Rome. God loves your story. God loves how you came to Christ. God loves the intricate details of what it took for you to find salvation in Him. He loves to hear what you have to say.

Paul challenged them, warned them, not to dilute the message. When we water down, dilute the message, tell people that they can live however they want, living for themselves, and still get to go to heaven, there is no love.

Guest speaker Dale Van Steenis shares the impact that Relate Church has on international missionary work. 

In Acts Chapter 19 Paul is in Ephesus wanting to take the stage at the Great Theater. The crowd in the Great Theater gets threatened in their security of their idol that they worship. The church was deemed a threat to the world by not using their product anymore.

To use the Name of Jesus, to invoke the Name of Jesus for power, it takes having a relationship with Him. But I have used the Name of Jesus, and nothing happened. Why? Well, there are times that even Jesus either couldn't, or just didn't heal people.

Jesus called individuals to be on His team. To be useful on the team, they had to give themselves over to Him, they had to accept each other, and their former way of wrong thinking, wrong living, all of it had to be laid down. To be useful on the team, they had to do what Jesus was doing.

In Acts 17 Paul is in Athens and encounters a city full of idols.  He sees a culture of people who want to believe, people who hope to believe, people who are trying to worship, but have no idea who the living God is. Paul debates with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers over Jesus and His Resurrection. 

The true church of Jesus, the true Body of Christ, will welcome all who are believers in Jesus.  The True Body of Christ, you will feel right at home no matter what your financial situation is,  no matter what color your skin is, you don't even have to have a membership card. You can travel a thousand miles and walk into a True Body of Christ church and feel like you are home.  

When someone comes to Christ it's about a relationship of love.  An individual relationship.  Which means that some things you do may not be offensive to God for you to do them, but they would be for me. The principle here is so important to how we live our daily lives as believers.  You live under Christ's law of LOVE.

God has called us to live lives of love. And when you live a life of love, you never have to worry about the law. This is the life of the New Covenant.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Shake the Dust off your feet?” It comes from Jesus. In three of the 4 Gospels, Matthew 10:14, Luke 9:5, and Mark 6:11, it is recorded that Jesus told the disciples that if anyone rejected them and wouldn't listen to them, to shake the dust off their feet when they leave that house or town. Jesus gave us freedom to walk away from people who reject Him, knowing they did their part. God knows that you can only say so much, that you can only do so much, and so long as you have done your part, you can walk away knowing you did your part and are free to let them go.

The interaction of the heavenly realms in the New Churches was very real. Although it wasn't an everyday occurrence, it is something the believers experienced on God-willing occasions. I wonder how many times you have been protected by an angel and don't even know it.  I wonder how different your life would be had it not been for God's army watching out for you. I have to wonder how many times your life was over, but God….

God's plan was to save the world. It was always His plan. And most likely this is the part of God's plan that most caused the Jews to reject the Messiah. God gave hints throughout the Old Testament that this was His plan. The priests and religious leaders and scholars wanted only Israel to be God's. They wanted to be the special and chosen. They didn't want the entire world to be joined to God. And the idea that God would allow others to join Him was appalling. God's plan from the very beginning was to save the world. And that's what He did through Jesus.

You know what it is to get into a groove? When you know what you are doing, why you are doing it, and have the resources and freedom to do it. When you are immersed in a way of doing something and it is working very well, performing successfully. “Things calmed down,” after Paul quit hunting them down and persecuting them. They were able to get in a groove of living their lives in a way that was good and productive. And here are some key things that tell us how they were in the groove: They had deep reverence, fear for God. The Holy Spirit was with them. The Holy Spirit strengthened them. The results were that they prospered wonderfully.

God gave Saul direction, a path to take. The first sign that you have truly repented is that you will be willing to walk that path. When you have wronged someone, there is always a path for you to take to make it right. For some wrongs it will take years to walk that path. For more minor wrongs, it can be as simple as flipping a light switch. And know this: just because you walk that path of repentance doesn't mean that you will always have an opportunity to be back in their life. But it does mean that you will be able to be right with God.

One of God's tools to spread His invitation to the world has been to cause, or allow something bad to happen that makes His people scatter. God will, at times, allow tragedy in your life. But if you will trust Him long enough, He will bring good from it. God knows that sometimes the only way we get up and go is if our comfort has got up and went. Often, God's plan gets set in motion with pain. You can't just look at your life and see the pain. Look back and see that your pain was God trying to set His plan in motion.

God wants us to be fathers. God wants good people to make more good people. I don't mean to diminish being an earthly father at all. But I want to challenge you today to take a step into another kind of fatherhood. This kind of fatherhood can't happen accidentally. It can't happen without intention. God wants us to be Spiritual Fathers. The most important men in the Bible weren't human fathers, they were Spiritual Fathers.