The Verb with Heather Holleman

What if we truly lived the way Paul asks us to in Philippians 2:1-8? Consider what it means to value others above ourselves, take on the "nature of a servant," and do everything without complaining or arguing. What a different way to live!

In Psalm 91, we read beautiful and powerful promises of God's protection and care for us. We can take this gentle but strong image with us: "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

What does it mean to see Jesus as the light of the world? Just as a candle cannot light itself, we cannot bring light into our own souls. Consider how Isaiah proclaims that “justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows" (Isaiah 59:9). Then Jesus becomes the light of the world.

God gives a beautiful command in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Paul writes, "Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." What if you took the gratitude challenge to thank God in every circumstances--no matter how difficult or painful? Could the Holy Spirit allow us to do this for the rest of our lives?

In the often quoted Proverb 3:5-6 we learn to trust God and “lean not on your own understanding.” We also see in 2 Chronicles 20 that beautiful line “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Today you can rest in what it means to live a life of great trust in a great God.

In 1 Peter 5:7 we see that verb "cast" and in Psalm 55:2 we read, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." As you think about your cares or burdens today, what would it mean to give these worries to the Lord?

Listen to the activity of God on our behalf in two beautiful psalms.

"Surrendering to God is hard. Not surrendering to God is harder." What does a surrendered life look like? Learning to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1) adds to our identity as part of the Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Finally, a key to the vibrant Christian life comes straight from Galatians 2:20 and what it means live a crucified life.

With our title as "Royal Priest," we know and then explain God's word to others. Take the challenge to read God's word, memorize it, apply it to your life, and then go teach what you know to those around you.

Based on 1 Peter 2:9 and our "Royal Priesthood" designation, we step out and bless others wherever we are. What would it look like if you entered a room as an agent of blessing? Knowing I'm sent as a royal priest into any setting changes how I think about myself and others.

God gives us the highest title available in the world: that of a royal priest. What does it mean that we've been given this title? We can move out into our world knowing we're secure with this amazing title that comes with a set of qualifications already fulfilled in Christ and a unique job description of blessing others, explaining God's word to people, and consecrating our lives.

Jesus chooses us to "bear fruit" and we know from Ephesians 2:10 that God has good works prepared in advanced for us to do. This episodes inspires you to walk in these good works while comforting you that God will instruct you in the way He chose for you. We can abide with Christ and relax into His care regarding our fruitfulness. And sometimes, we have "seasons of preparation" with no fruit in sight. God is still working and shaping our lives in every season.

Your chosen life means that God wants to display His power through you!

What does it mean to become like Jesus?

God chose us to belong to a new family, and we have a special role in this new household.

Can you imagine waking up and believing that you were God's treasured possession and that he longed to display His love to you today?

Consider how to make worship your “full time occupation.”

What if your plans fall apart? What if you don't have a plan at all? Knowing we're chosen for a Person, not a plan, changes everything.

You have a story to tell the world about Jesus and His work in your life.

We can live renewed in the Spirit to cast off the old self and put on the new.

When we learn the secret of endurance, we see our problems as opportunities to grow and connect with Jesus.

We can live in light of that we always belong to the family of God.

God delivers us from ourselves to live a crucified, surrendered life.

This week we are diving back into learning more about how the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live an impossible life.

God indwells us by the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to live an impossible life.

God is a God of hope, and we can learn to live daily in hope rather than despair.

Jesus is our Prince of Peace and invites us to live in a fortress of perfect peace.

When we live under God's guarding care, we approach Him with confidence and live in Christ's righteousness, not condemnation.

God is a guarding God who manages everything about our lives.

From our seat with Jesus, we're now sent out to complete the good works that God prepares in advance for us to do.

Secure in our seat with Jesus, we now ask the best questions that lead to a fully surrendered life.

Instead of exhausting ourselves with achievement, we live seated with Christ and abide with Him to produce the fruit He has planned for our lives.

Instead of living consumed with the pursuit of affluence, we live seated with Christ and access all the riches of God's kingdom.

Instead of obsessing over our appearance, we live seated with Christ and adoring Him; we now radiate the beauty of Jesus.

We can finally stop fighting for a seat at the table as we take our seat at the Greatest Table with the Greatest King.