YOU Podcast

Many corporations do team-building exercises. It is the process of building a cohesive group that works productively together. The intended outcome is to create a strong team by forming connections and bonds. Many benefits can be derived from this. They include employee collaboration, planning expertise, motivation, trust, and increased communication. One of the most popular trust activities is the trust fall. It involves having team members fall backward into the arms of other team members. The purpose is to build trust between team members, which is an essential part of effective teams. It's incredible that a person would fall backward with their arms crossed, completely trusting in people that they have limited knowledge of. They do this because of the other exercises that have led up to that point. They have learned how to build trust with each other. As Christians, we do this every day. We don't know what tomorrow may bring, or what the next minutes will bring. Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart. The post RISK-TAKERS – THE ADVENTURE OF WALKING BY FAITH: David: A Faith that Meets Adversity Head-On (YOU-Sum'25, Study 1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

Harriet Tubman was nicknamed “Moses.” Just as Moses helped to deliver the people of Israel from Egyptian captivity, she led many expeditions where she freed slaves. Her first courageous act was escaping herself to freedom. There were many obstacles against her during that time. There was always the chance of her being captured and possibly killed. Although faced with those dire consequences, she returned several times and helped others escape. She is quoted as saying, “I said to the Lord, I'm going to hold steady on to you, and I know you will see me through.” We must do the same just as Harriet used her faith to help her through scary and uncertain situations. The post RISK-TAKERS – THE ADVENTURE OF WALKING BY FAITH: Rahab: A Faith Not Held Back by Fear (YOU-Sum'25, Study 1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

Back in the early 90's, Publisher Clearinghouse was very popular. It offered the opportunity to become a millionaire. The TV ads were so entertaining and very persuasive to many. Some of us dreamed of the day when Ed McMahon would knock on our door with that big check! It was quite enticing. The catch is that you had to purchase magazine subscriptions. Some ate the bait and purchased countless magazine subscriptions to win big, while others did the minimal requirements. Sadly, the latest statistic I saw online said that it was a 1 in a 7 billion chance of winning. As Christians, our odds are 1 in 1. Philippians 4:19 clearly states that God will supply our needs. It didn't say that there was a chance that God would take care of our needs. The Bible states that God will. All we need to do is be faithful. Romans 2:6 lets us know that God honors faithfulness. Joshua reminds us of God's faithfulness when we are grounded in doing His work. The post RISK-TAKERS-THE ADVENTURE OF WALKING BY FAITH: Joshua: A Faith Rooted in God's Word (YOU-Sum'25, Study 1, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

There is a song that the late Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson sang. It was titled “Be Right”. A part of the song says, “When you see me walking along, I just want to be right!” When others look at your demeanor, what is their perception of you? We all know that a person's perception may not be reality. But what if many are saying the same thing? Lamentations 3:40 tells us to test and examine our ways. Ultimately, Christians ought to be a reflection of Christ's nature. He is righteous, so we must be, too. He knows your heart. You may be able to fool me or others, but God can never be fooled. He created you, and he knows everything about you (Ps. 139:1-4). Noah found favor with the Lord. What a testament of his life to be declared righteous before God. Just as God responded to Noah with grace, which is unmerited favor, let us also desire that. Let us to emulate the righteousness of Christ by faith. The post RISK-TAKERS-THE ADVENTURE OF WALKING BY FAITH: Noah: A Faith that Pleases God (YOU-Sum'25, Study 1, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

When I was a teenager, I played on our church basketball team. Doyle was our center. Our arch-rival was an inner-city church. During the game, the center for the opposing team fouled out and blamed Doyle. When he walked to the bench, he pointed a finger at Doyle and said, “I'll be waiting for you in the parking lot.” He was a lot bigger than Doyle and the threat had Doyle shook up. After the game ended, our team decided we weren't going to let Doyle face the other guy alone. So, as we left the gym and walked out to the parking lot, we were one big group huddled up together with Doyle in the middle. As believers, the opposition we face isn't always as apparent as in this story, but it is real nonetheless. Every believer engages in some level of spiritual warfare against Satan and his schemes. Thankfully, we don't stand alone. God Himself stands with us whenever we face opposition. The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God's Hand in Facing Opposition (YOU-Spr'25, Study 2, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

Contestant number 43,212 walked onto the stage to audition for Britain's Got Talent. She stood in sharp contrast to previous performers. Unkempt curly hair and a less than flattering dress suggested a frumpy housewife. Simon Cowell interviewed her briefly and her admission that she was 47 years old caused raised eyebrows and scattered laughter from the audience. Her awkward verbal responses added to the anticipation that her performance would be cut short quickly. Expectations hit rock bottom when she revealed the ambitious choice to sing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables. But when contestant number 43,212 finished singing just the first phrase, “I dreamed a dream in time gone by” the audience had begun to cheer and applaud while each judge wore a look of amazement and disbelief. Her voice was beautiful and strong. She finished the song to a standing ovation, and Susan Boyle was on her way. Simon Cowell said later she was the textbook example of “never judge a book by its cover.” Sometimes God surprises us in the same way, working in ways and through people we might not expect. The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God's Hand in Restoring Lives (YOU-Spr'25, Study 2, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

My call to the ministry came later in life. At 32 years of age, I was attending seminary full-time, working two part-time jobs, and my wife worked full-time. We were doing our best to take care of three small children and ourselves. Money was tight. A man from my home church knew of our financial stress and handed me a check for a large amount of money. Immediately my pride took over and I said, “Thanks but we'll get by.” After his insistence that I take the money, I refused again. In response, this man said something I've never forgotten. He said, “If you don't take this money, you'll take away the joy and blessing I have from giving it.” Initially I thought his statement was simply trying to convince me to take the money, but as I've grown in my walk with the Lord, I understand now what he meant. For believers there's a joy and blessing that comes as we let God work through us for the sake of others. Meeting the needs of others can reveal God's hand at work. The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God's Hand in Meeting Others' Needs (YOU-Spr'25, Study 2, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

We need God's help, especially in times of uncertainty or distress. The question isn't, “Will God respond?” More often the question is, “Will we respond to God's help in faith and obedience?” The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God's Hand in Meeting Our Needs (YOU-Spr'25, Study 2, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

I receive invitations on a regular basis. Not the big invitations such as, “The President and First Lady invite you to spend Christmas at the White House.” The invitations I receive are more mundane. This past week I received a number of invitations in the mail. The local car dealer invited me to look at their new inventory and maybe even spend thousands of dollars on a vehicle. I'll pass. I also received an invitation from the county to pay my property taxes in a timely fashion and avoid jail time. I might take them up on that one. One is God's invitation to join Him in His work, and the primary way He delivers the invitation is to reveal what He's doing. Elisha sets the example for how we should respond to God's call to join Him and serve. The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God's Hand in Calling us to Serve (YOU-Spr'25, Study 2, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

Explore the signs of who Jesus is and proclaimed to be. Each piece is a nugget of truth that helps us further understand the power, humanity, and divinity of Jesus, all wrapped up in who He is. However, it's when we come to the resurrection that we get the punchline, meaning the ultimate purpose and sign for why Jesus came. The resurrection of Jesus inspires and empowers us to live on purpose. The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Ultimate Sign (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 8) appeared first on YOU.

When Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, was gravely ill, the family wanted Jesus to be there for them. When his death occurred, the family wrestled with what Jesus could have done if only He had been present in those moments. Yet, there was a far greater truth to be demonstrated in the death and resuscitation of Lazarus. The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Power Over Death (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 7) appeared first on YOU.

Thomas Wiggins was a talented Black American pianist and composer from the 19th century, known for his extraordinary skill on the piano. Born blind and into slavery in Georgia, Thomas, also possibly autistic, was bought by the wealthy Bethune family. He wasn't made to do typical slave labor due to his disability, and it wasn't long before General James Neil Bethune noticed Thomas's innate talent for music. Due to his young age, status as a slave, and his emotional vulnerability, Thomas was particularly at risk. Despite these challenges, he grew to become one of the most sought-after musicians in America. The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Light (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

No matter what goes down, Jesus is always by our side, walking with us through it all. Many today try to focus only on the human side of Jesus to the point that they reduce Him to being just another good teacher who lived and died. However, in the Bible, we read about the power and authority of Jesus as the Son of God. We see that even in the worst of our storms, Jesus's promises and His compassion don't waver. Jesus truly sees us through our doubts and fears. The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Presence (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

Craig Randall was just doing his thing, driving a garbage truck in Peabody, Massachusetts. While on his route, he spotted a Wendy's drink cup with a contest sticker in the trash. Earlier, he'd won a free chicken sandwich, so he thought he'd try his luck again, hoping for maybe some fries or a drink. But this time, he hit the jackpot – the sticker was worth $200,000 for a new home. Craig wasn't expecting to get much, but he ended up with way more than he could've imagined. The same is true for us when it comes to bringing our needs to Jesus. He may not give us what we think we want, but we can be sure He will provide us with exactly what we need when we seek Him in our lives. The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Provision (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

When we watch TV, especially religious channels, we often come across infomercials. Some infomercials now boast about using an object to receive a “miracle” from God. The infomercials are filled with testimonials of people receiving healing or money using miracle objects. Then the focus at the end of the infomercial is that if you send in a monetary gift, you will receive a miracle object, as well as begin to receive the blessings that will surely follow. It's sad to see how many people (even some Christians) fall for these gimmicks to gain some temporary “blessing” while missing the greater truth: God calls us to have faith in Him alone. The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Authority (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

In our culture, we celebrate independence, especially when it comes to receiving help. But it's sad to see when someone maintains their independence to the point where they're willing to experience pain before asking for help. Pride then is on full display to maintain the perception of being independent. The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Grace (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

The self-centered side of our human nature continually seeks to enhance our image and garner personal glory. However, as flawed and sinful beings, any glory we achieve is inherently imperfect and transient. There is, nevertheless, One whose glory is incomparable and eternal. Jesus embodies true glory, and the actions He undertakes on our behalf illuminate this. Instead of seeking our own fame, we should be pursuing His glory. The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Glory (YOU-Spr'25, Study 1, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

God deserves our worship. Whatever occupies our minds instead of Him only leads us away from giving Him the worship He deserves. He put a song in our mouths to sing. It's time for us to block out the noise and sing it. “It's okay, take your time!” The post THE HEART OF WORSHIP: The Attitude in Worship (YOU-Win'25, Study 2, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

When we remember God's compassion and faithfulness that goes back to the beginning of time, we want to let the world know about His love. And when everyone is looking at us, we want to be seen worshiping. The post THE HEART OF WORSHIP: The Inspiration for Worship (YOU-Win'25, Study 2, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

When it comes to gospel music celebrities, Israel Houghton and New Breed are certainly well known. In fact, they are six-time Grammy Award winners. One of their most celebrated albums, Alive in South Africa, captures the most amazing worship song written by Erasmus Mutanbira, from Zimbabwe; Alpha and Omega. The song acknowledges that God alone is Alpha and Omega and worthy to be praised. The post THE HEART OF WORSHIP: The Focus of our Worship (YOU-Win'25, Study 2, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

As followers of Christ, ...we must continually, obediently live out our faith in our everyday existence while also expectantly keeping one eye open to the coming of Christ. The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward with Expectation (YOU-Win'25, Study 1, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

It's easy to forget that there are people half a world away that risk their lives to worship with other believers... We might worship in comfort, ease, and convenience, but we are a slim minority of the long history of the worshiping church, including the Magi who made the arduous journey to kneel at the feet of the Christ child. The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward in Worship (YOU-Win'25, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

As great as a mother's sacrifice is for her son, remember that Jesus came to Earth to make the perfect sacrifice for all mankind. May we be even more moved to tears and feel a deep sense of gratitude as we read and reflect on the love God demonstrated towards us through Jesus's sacrifice. The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward to Love (YOU-Win'25, Study 1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

We might worship in comfort, ease, and convenience, but we are a slim minority of the long history of the worshiping church, including the Magi who made the arduous journey to kneel at the feet of the Christ child. The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward in Worship (YOU-Win'25, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

Joy can open our hearts to hear from God. Allow the joy of this season to bring a smile to your face and draw you in to the deeper things of Christ. What part of the story of Jesus's birth brings you joy? How can you share that joy with others? The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward to Joy (YOU-Win'25, Study 1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

Perfect endings and peace are hard to come by on Earth, but we all long for it, and perhaps that why those movies, no matter how predictable, continue to be celebrated. Advent celebrates a different story. It happened in a broken world, full of injustice until the one and only Creator stepped from glory to the grit of this war-torn world to offer us everlasting peace. The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward to Peace (YOU-Win'25, Study 1, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

Hope keeps us going, and hope is what Advent is all about. It is not a hope for presents but hope for a Presence. Before the coming of Jesus, God's people leaned in on hope as they waited for the coming of a savior. The post LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS: Looking Forward with Hope (YOU-Win'25, Study 1, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

We often cry out to various sources when trouble comes our way. But in Psalm 30, when David needed rescue, he cried out to God and trusted Him to meet his needs. True to His character, God heard David's cry and came to his aid. God can rescue us too! When He does, our response should be one of thanksgiving and praise, just like David's. The post THE GOD WHO RESCUES (YOU-Fall'24, Special Focus Study, Session SF) appeared first on YOU.

One of the key points from a recent Psychology Today article about revenge says, “Revengeful thoughts and behavior are a temporary distraction from underlying suffering.” Ironically, it seems that many of us want to exact revenge because we believe it will make things right, or it will make us feel better about what we've lost. When we experience loss at the hands of others, we may assume that our anger is about injustice, but that is just the label. The true issue is internal pain that we have limited solutions for. The post NAVIGATING FAMILY CONFLICT: Joseph and His Brothers – Family Reconciliation (YOU-Fall'24, Study 2, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

Jealousy thrives in the world of artists and musicians. One Sun Sentinel article details the heated rivalry between R&B supergroups New Edition and Guy at the 1989 Superfest in Greensboro, NC. A brawl broke out on stage, causing the whole show to be suspended for an hour. A crew member from New Edition ended up dead. All of the senseless violence was a direct result of jealousy. It is pervasive, and not just in the art world. Families often stew in that sort of emotional unhealthiness. The story of Joseph offers a clear example. The post NAVIGATING FAMILY CONFLICT: Joseph and His Brothers – Family Jealousy (YOU-Fall'24, Study 2, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

The cartoon character, Charlie Brown, once said, “Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.” That statement rings true for Jacob. He lived much of his life as a swindling, con man. Nearly all of Jacob's relationships involved conflict. No conflict was more profound than the sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau. The post NAVIGATING FAMILY CONFLICT: Jacob and Esau – Family Rivalries (YOU-Fall'24, Study 2, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

Favoritism weaves through the story of Jacob and Esau. The stage is set from the start. Mom and Dad (Isaac and Rebekah) both choose their pick of the litter. Isaac preferred Esau. Rebekah preferred Jacob. They promised, doted, conspired, and deceived to give their favorite son the upper hand. Your family of origin may have been like the family of Isaac and Rebekah, it may not have instilled positive practices, but families teach us some of our greatest lessons and reveal some of our greatest shortcomings. It is through our families we should learn how to love one another. The post NAVIGATING FAMILY CONFLICT: Isaac and Rebekah – Family Favorites (YOU-Fall'24, Study 2, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

We learn from Scripture that we are to be makers of peace in our personal relationships and families. Often this requires sacrifice. This takes a Christlike faith and a charitable trust in God that He will work things out in His way and in His time. The post NAVIGATING FAMILY CONFLICT: Abram and Lot – Family Rights (YOU-Fall'24, Study 2, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

It's amazing that children from the same gene pool, raised in the same environment, can be so different from each other. The same is true of the first siblings mentioned in the Bible: Cain and Abel. Even though they lived ages ago, their story carries a certain familiarity. We must navigate the often treacherous waters of conflict in our families. How we handle the responsibility we have to look after our family members. The post NAVIGATING FAMILY CONFLICT: Cain and Abel – Family Responsibility (YOU-Fall'24, Study 2, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

We are to put on display the beautiful work of Christ in our lives. God took our sin-filled lives and made us His masterpiece. The commission we've received is to tell others what God has done in our lives and invite them to experience the same transformation. We bring glory to Him when we live out this purpose. The post THRIVE: LIVING ON PURPOSE- Purpose Exemplified (YOU-Fall'24, Study 1, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

This self-centered focus Millennials inherited from the earlier generations is prevalent throughout our society. It's not limited to one generation. We're seeing this all around us, and what we're losing in this shift is a focus on the community. There's a greater way to live. When we stop looking to ourselves to make us happy and look to Jesus, life becomes more than about self. It leads us to see others, to love others, and to be involved in their lives. The post THRIVE: LIVING ON PURPOSE- Purpose Expressed (YOU-Fall'24, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

Most of us live our lives like it's 1900 in Beaumont, Texas. In 1901, oil was discovered in there, but we're getting by without ever realizing the great potential that resides within us. If you are a follower of Christ, He has placed His Holy Spirit in you. The same God who brought this universe into existence and raised Jesus from the dead is living in You! The post THRIVE: LIVING ON PURPOSE- Purpose Lived (YOU-Fall'24, Study 1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

Paint doesn't last. It fades. It cracks. It peels. Live in a house long enough, and you will find yourself needing to repaint any exterior wood. I've had to do that twice over the years. We need restoration too. We've lost our way, wandered from God, and painted over the abundant life and purpose for which God created with the dull color of self and the grime of sin. No DIY effort will do. We need the Master Restorer. The post THRIVE: LIVING ON PURPOSE- Purpose Restored (YOU-Fall'24, Study 1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

I love my bookcase made from a piano, but there is something far greater I'd rather have done with it. I wish I could've played the piano. That's the purpose for which it was built. It's the same with us. We've lost the purpose for which God created us, but instead of returning to Him to regain that purpose, we settle for something less in our lives—something far less. The post THRIVE: LIVING ON PURPOSE- Purpose Abandoned (YOU-Fall'24, Study 1, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

The whirl of the hamster wheel can blur your vision to the fact that your life has purpose, but that purpose is only realized when you look to the One who gave you that purpose. As Solomon discovered, looking anywhere else for your purpose is meaningless. The post THRIVE: LIVING ON PURPOSE- Purpose Questioned (YOU-Fall'24, Study 1, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

In the song “Evidence”, Josh Baldwin sings about the faithfulness of God. Who, throughout his entire history, has walked beside him in the winter storms, in the spring, in every season of life. In surveying God's goodness, he asks God to help him remember that in times of weakness and fear, God would still lead him to victory, because God is his strength and always will be. The ultimate evidence of God's endless faithfulness is the cross and an empty grave, and because of Jesus, all Baldwin's sins have been rolled away. The post MORE THAN A SIDEKICK, Serving Alongside Others: Baruch (YOU-Sum'24, Study 2, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

Today, we accept pride as an ego-booster and confidence-builder. Even trash- talking the opposing team before the game is acceptable and not frowned upon. But the Bible still reminds us that: “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Yes, we need a refresher course from Haman that in whatever we do, we should do it with humility. The post MORE THAN A SIDEKICK, Serving Alongside Others: Haman (YOU-Sum'24, Study 2, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

It is being led by both the Spirit and the Scriptures that help us to transcend social expectations (Ro. 12:1-2), which will often put us at odds within our own culture and the culture at large. There is a song by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, “Order my Steps.” It says, “The world is ever changing, but You are still the same. If You order my steps, I'll praise your name.” We honor God, not by meeting cultural expectations, but by submitting to the Spirit and ordering our steps in His word (Ps. 119:105). The post MORE THAN A SIDEKICK, Serving Alongside Others: Jonathan (YOU-Sum'24, Study 2, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

Even before he was king, David served with excellence though King Saul, his boss, hated him. Our service may seem menial to some, but to God it really matters. The post MORE THAN A SIDEKICK, Serving Alongside Others: David (YOU-Sum'24, Study 2, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

Have you ever experienced disappointment when someone failed to mention your name, recognize your contribution, or give you credit for your work? Have you ever waited for a simple, “thank you” from somebody you helped, but it never came? In this session, we'll see that Barak was told upfront he would receive no honor for the battle he would lead and fight, yet he still went to the battlefield and did what the Lord wanted him to do. There's an important lesson here for each of us. We mustn't give up, because our service to God is valuable, no matter who gets the credit. The post MORE THAN A SIDEKICK, Serving Alongside Others: Barak (YOU-Sum'24, Study 2, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

Amelia Boynton, a civil rights activist who held Black voters registration drives in Selma, Alabama, asked the foremost leader of the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to come to Selma and help secure voting rights for African Americans. In 1990, Amelia Boynton was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Freedom. Her contributions to the civil rights movement were dramatized in the 2014 Oscar-nominated film Selma. The post MORE THAN A SIDEKICK, Serving Alongside Others: Aaron and Hur (YOU-Sum'24, Study 2, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

Newness wears off quickly. A new car loses its new car smell and before we know it, there is a scratch or ding. New clothes become last year's fashion, and hairstyles also come and go. Indeed, a few years later, when we view old pictures, we can't believe we ever dressed that way or wore such hairstyles! And we may tire of a new job as quickly as we tired of our old one. However, God has promised us something new that will last forever: an unending relationship with Him that begins when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. The post PROMISES WE CAN COUNT ON: God's Promise of a New Covenant (YOU-Sum'24, Study 1, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

History has seen many empires, dynasties, and kingdoms come and go. At the height of their power and greatness, the leaders of those kingdoms might have thought they would remain on top of the world, but history has proven otherwise. Even a country as great as the United States has no guarantee it's power will last. Ultimately, only one kingdom will stand forever— the kingdom over which Jesus Christ will rule. The post PROMISES WE CAN COUNT ON: God's Promise of a King (YOU-Sum'24, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

Prayer meetings have historically featured prominently in the life of African American congregations. While opportunities for prayer abound across various types of churches, prayer meetings in African American church contexts have had some unique aspects. Prayer meetings allow for the participation of the entire congregation present, rather than solely being led by clergy or designated worship leaders. The post SPECIAL FOCUS: Praying for Our Nation (YOU-Sum'24, Special Focus Study) appeared first on YOU.

Many aspects of our lives come with rules. The places we work have procedures to follow. We have traffic laws that tell us how fast we can drive on roads, when we need to stop, and more. Sports in which we engage, such as basketball, football, and volleyball also have rules. God intends His commands for our blessing, and when we obey them, we experience life to the fullest, as it is meant to be. The post PROMISES WE CAN COUNT ON: God's Promise to Make a Holy Nation (YOU-Sum'24, Study 1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

God's plan of salvation included Abraham and his descendants—ultimately the nation of Israel—as His spiritual vessel. God professed that Abraham would be the “father of many nations” to include kings (Gen. 17:4-6) and ultimately the King of Kings. Through this bloodline, God would bring a Savior, Jesus, and through Jesus, God would bring hope and reconciliation to the whole world. The post PROMISES WE CAN COUNT ON: God's Promise of Blessing (YOU-Sum'24, Study 1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.