Podcasts about msg so

266. Choosing Fun and Adventure in Your Marriage and with Your Family: An Interview with Dan & Sam Mathews   Isaiah 55:12 MSG “So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines— Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God.”   *Transcription Below*   Dan and Sam Mathews have been married since 2014 and currently reside in Missouri with their two kids, Canyon and Ember. Since the moment they got married, Dan and Samantha have been living a life of sacrifice and faith. From backpacking in Arkansas to RV road trips across the US, they have always taken the adventurous route. Sam is a lifestyle vlogger and content creator, and Dan hosts a hunting podcast in addition to his social platforms. Together they share their life of adventure online with millions of followers. Follow them on socials @wearedanandsam.    Thank You to Our Sponsor: Sam Leman Eureka   Questions and Topics We Cover: What are a few adventures you're so grateful you said yes to in life? Matthew 25:26 MSG says, "That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that!" So drawing your wisdom from the Lord, how does your faith fuel your sense of adventure?  How can we begin to enjoy an adventurous life in our marriage and with our family?   Other Episodes Mentioned from The Savvy Sauce Podcast: 82 Traveling with Your Family with Katie Mueller 242 Stories Series: He Gives and Takes Away with Joyce Hodel     Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook, Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    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.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger:  (0:11 - 1:47) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.    The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today over 55 years later at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka.   Owned and operated by the Burchie family, Sam Leman's Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at lemangm.com.    Dan and Sam Mathews are my guests for today, and you may know them from all the social platforms at WeAreDanAndSam.   They live a life of high faith and delightful adventure, and their book, Always Choose Adventure: One Couple's Journey of Chasing the Things in Life That Matter Most, is actually going to release this month. I would highly recommend it. It was an amazing read.   I read through it so fast, and it was a great combination of enjoying the stories but learning so much along the way. It's kind of like our chat for today. We're going to cover various stories, but Dan and Sam are also going to give us simple and practical ideas and tips for adding a sense of fun into our marriage and into our family life.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Dan and Sam.    Dan Mathews: (1:47 - 1:48) Thank you for having us. We're excited. We are really excited.   Laura Dugger: (1:49 - 1:59) Well, I'm so excited to journey back and get to hear more of your story, but will you first just give us an overview of what current life looks like right now?   Sam Mathews: (2:00 - 2:29) Yes. Currently, I'm 22 weeks pregnant with our third baby. We have two kiddos.   Canyon is almost nine. Ember is seven. We live in Southern Missouri.   We love adventuring and traveling, and Dan hunts. We share life on every platform, so just lifestyle, vlogging, and sharing our adventures. We recently settled down in a home, and so this is our first time doing DIYs for ourselves.   Yeah, it's a fun season right now.   Dan Mathews: (2:29 - 2:46) And Sam loves to host, so I think we have 48 parties scheduled this summer and knocked out a couple already, but yeah, we're excited about life, excited about adventure, and sharing that with people and how they can actually get out and adventure more.   Laura Dugger: (2:47 - 3:01) You do that so well, but if we're going back then to more of the origin stories, will you both share your journey of growing up and your stories that eventually led for the two of you to overlap with one another?   Sam Mathews: (3:01 - 3:37) Yeah, definitely. It's always been me, my mom, and my sister. My mom was a single mom raising us, born in California, but then she moved us to Southern Missouri when I was young, and this was a great place to raise us.   In the Bible Belt, we were raised pretty much in church. She did an amazing job as a single mom, just caring for us and pointing us to Christ. We got plugged into a church very early on.   We volunteered there. My sister and I worked there. We attended there, and so we're really involved, and that's how I met Dan when he came to Bible College.   Dan Mathews: (3:37 - 4:58) Yeah, I grew up in central Wisconsin. We went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, was very, very involved with the kid's ministry and youth group and just any opportunity I could be around that church community, I was. We had a group called Master's Commission that would come up and do outreach at our church.   They were from Florida, and I was like, man, I want to do that one day. These guys are awesome. They're doing human videos, and they're all musical.   My dad's brother and his family moved down to Southern Missouri, and I get a call one day right after high school. They were like, “Hey, there's a Master's Commission program down here. If you want to do it, we'll pay for it.” I was like, “Sure, let's do it.” Almost no questions asked, just kind of like, all right, tell me the date I have to be there. Then, I started packing stuff up and quit my job and moved down knowing absolutely nobody. I got plugged into the church. I became very, very involved, and then just built a community, and through that, I went there with Sam's sister, her older sister, and I got to know Sam, and then I ended up working out at the gym that she worked at.   Sam Mathews: (4:59 - 5:00) Which was at our church.   Dan Mathews: (5:00 - 5:15) Which was at the church, and so we were just around each other all the time, and that kind of developed over years and years and years. Then one day, I was like, wow, this chick is awesome, and now we're here doing podcasting.   Laura Dugger: (5:16 - 5:32) Which is incredible. Okay, so just to pause, and you go into more of these stories, love your books, so easy to read, but can you take us back to what you both first thought of one another when you were meeting those days at the gym? Oh, gee.   Sam Mathews: (5:33 - 6:22) For sure, Dan is the life of the party, like he is comedy, and just, he has all the jokes, and definitely a charmer with all the ladies, but so fun to be around, and not only his humor draws you in, but I didn't grow up with a father, and so I liked the, I don't know, like strong aspect that he had, just like the confidence, and then his relationship with the Lord was something that I desired to have for myself, you know, a leader in a couple like together, someone to point me towards Christ, but the lightheartedness and jokes and humor keep the hard days fun, but that for me was, you know, I always can count on you for a good joke.   Dan Mathews: (6:23 - 6:41) Yeah, I, when I first met Sam, it was kind of in a group setting, and it was with her older sister with my younger brother, and it was like, oh, this is, you know, Justine's sister. Little sister. Didn't really think a whole lot of it, but after a couple years, I think you were probably a sophomore at that time when I first met you.   Sam Mathews: (6:41 - 6:42) Yeah.   Dan Mathews: (6:42 - 7:36) And, and then after a couple years, it was like she was volunteering in the youth group, and she was on the recreation staff at our camps, and so it's like we were spending more time together, and I'm like, oh, Justine's sister's kind of cute, and yeah, we started, we started just kind of a friendship. We were just around each other all the time. I mean, like before we were dating, we're really interested in each other.   It's like I was walking back from the lake, and she'd hop on my back, and I'd just give her a piggyback ride up to the cabins, and then looking back, I'm like, wow, our lives just were really intermingled and overlapped for years and years, but early on, she was younger. She had braces. She was a hip-hop dance instructor, so I mean, she would have like one sweat pant leg rolled up, high-top Nikes on all the time, like thought she was the coolest thing ever.   Laura Dugger: (7:36 - 7:52) I was. I didn't think. Oh, that's amazing.   I love that, and my husband and I were also friends first, and I feel like that does set you up well in marriage. Like you've got your built-in buddy.   Sam Mathews: (7:53 - 8:30) Exactly. I was going through pictures yesterday, because I was going to post a trend online, and it was like, oh, how cute. How many months have you been married?   And it's like months? You put a picture for every year, and it's like we've known each other since like 2008, maybe 2009. Then, like started our like dating in 2010. I look at pictures of us from 2010 as a couple. I'm like, oh, my gosh, we've grown so much just like, you know, like physically, but even just relationally and spiritually, and like it's crazy looking back, and so thankful for so many years of friendship with him, but you know, relationship-wise, it's been great.   Dan Mathews: (8:30 - 8:52) Well, and I feel like doing life together is a great model before ever like the romantic side comes in. You get to know the person in group settings. You get to know who they are without the interest, because people can put on a different face once you're trying to impress somebody, you know, but we were just being our genuine selves around each other for a long time.   Sam Mathews: (8:52 - 8:59) Probably saw some stupid moments, some hard moments, but that's, yeah, that's what you want to see before you get into a relationship with someone.   Laura Dugger: (9:00 - 9:12) Absolutely. Yeah. And as we're starting back that far, then when you reflect back, what are some of the adventures that you're most grateful you've said yes to in life?   Sam Mathews: (9:13 - 10:38) Yeah. Oh, my gosh. I feel like dating, we weren't even dating at this point, the canoe trip when you did a master's commission, and that was so fun.   It was like all of his friends, my sister, all the master's commission group went kayaking, and I decided to tag along as a sibling, and his brother did, and maybe a couple others. And that was fun, but it also gave me an opening into how Dan adventures, because his way of adventuring is way different than mine. I grew up, like I said, with a mom.   We would camp at a cabin, and you'd pack the car full of everything you need. Dan would literally just put everything in a backpack and hike in two miles to go camping. And so being in that group, going kayaking, it was so fun, and it sparked this new love for adventure and new desire to learn a new way of adventuring.   That was so fun. I mean, that was before we were married, but this is kind of jumping far ahead, but when we were married, we moved to Colorado for a couple of years, and although it was a hard season for us, we learned so much. We gained so much from it.   A lot was birthed in us in that season. I mean, physically, I welcomed my daughter. We welcomed our second child in Colorado, but spiritually, I think God planted a lot of seeds that it may not have been a tangible adventure of being out in the woods, but spiritually, we were in the woods, and we grew so much, and I'm glad we said yes to it because it opened the door and led to so many other things.   Dan Mathews: (10:38 - 12:31) Yeah, I feel like a lot of our adventures, some are traditional. I mean, a big adventure for me was leaving home. I mean, I moved straight out of my parents' house to a different state, and that was totally crazy for me.   But then watching Sam, I mean, she moved out to California for a summer, went to a ministry out there. Then I saw her go to Colorado and Nanny for a couple, all summer long, and so I was like watching this, and we were talking, and I realized, like, we're both all in on an adventurous life, and even when we don't have the answers, it's like, is the Lord telling you not to do it? No?   Okay, well, then we'll see what happens, and I thought that was really cool to watch her just like, oh, I'm going to California for a summer, and at first, I was like, please don't. I don't want you to come all the way to California, but then I was like, that's going to be so incredible. Like, you're just leaving everything behind and starting over for a whole summer in a different state, and so that was like the early dating years where we were kind of doing our own adventures, but we were watching and encouraging each other in doing them, and then we started actually going out and camping and floating rivers and hiking up waterfalls, and if you've never camped in the backcountry with someone, I suggest doing it. It's a great metric for if there's someone you want to marry.   Like, if you can figure out canoeing and camping, you're probably going to be okay in marriage. That's good. And so, yeah, we started doing that stuff, and then from there, it was just like one after the next, going to Alaska, camping in grizzly country by ourselves, and it's our first time there.   Like, we've done some pretty wild things, some pretty traditional things, but at the end of the day, all of the adventures are what brought us together.   Laura Dugger: (12:32 - 12:45) Well, and just thinking of the adventure that drew you together, and then also your current platforms on socials and vlogging and preserving all of these pictures, like you said, you've captured all the pictures throughout the time.   Sam Mathews: (12:45 - 12:45) Yes.   Laura Dugger: (12:47 - 12:58) When you look back, do you feel like God had given you little seeds of what was yet to come or what kind of career you would be in someday, or was this totally a shock to both of you?   Sam Mathews: (12:59 - 13:57) You know what? Looking back at pictures or even videos that I took, I could see how it was something that the Lord was birthing in us, and I would say probably me so more than Dan. I think Dan's like, whatever you want to do, I'm along for the ride type of thing.   It probably wasn't his first choice as a career, but now that we're in it, we love it and we're thankful for the blessing it is to our family and the time that we get to spend with the kiddos. But I look back and I started videoing and taking pictures like years before even starting on social media, and then even the first few months in the year of sharing, it was like I didn't know what I was doing, but I still wanted to just share life and encourage people and love on people and inspire people. And yeah, it's crazy to look back on, but I also see the work the Lord was doing to get it all started before we even thought about it and knew that it would be something that we'd be doing.   Dan Mathews: (13:57 - 16:00) Yeah, and I feel like with Sam, she gets promptings from the Lord that she doesn't know what it is. She doesn't know what it means. And early on, I think the very first one, she's like, babe, I just have this feeling like a big change is coming.   And I'm like, anymore? Like, do you have any more information for me? That's not a whole lot to go off of.   And I mean, in the conversation, I was like, okay, we'll see. Then I just forgot about it. And I mean, it was like the next day.   There was an issue at work, just a very immoral thing that they were asking us to do as employees. And I was like, no, I can't be part of this. And I called her right after, and I was like, babe, I think this might be it.   Like I'm going to resign tomorrow. And we talked and prayed, and I only had like a five-minute car ride home. We talked, prayed, got off the phone, and immediately I get a call from my buddy.   And he's like, “Hey, dude, don't know what you're doing for work right now, but I've got a job for you if you want to come work at this place I'm at.” And I was like, “Oh, my gosh.” So then two years later, the same thing happened.   She's like, I feel like a change is coming. Boom, big change. Two years later, I feel like a change is coming.   All of a sudden, we're in a car moving out to Colorado. And it was just like that cycle. And so now when she's like, hey, there's a change coming, I'm like, oh, my gosh.   I got to pack my bags. Something big's happening. I know something major is happening.   And so, I don't know that early on either of us expected us to be where we are today. But we knew that we wanted to prioritize time together. We wanted to prioritize time with our kids and above all of it, time with the Lord.   And if we could get those three in the right order, it didn't really matter where we were. It didn't matter what state we were in. If we were living in a bumper pole camper, an RV, a tiny home, or a regular sized house, we just knew that we had to prioritize those things, and everything was going to work out.   Laura Dugger: (16:01 - 18:03) Truly. And that's the promise from Matthew 6:33, that you're really living that out. And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka has been owned and operated by the Burchie family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago. If you visit their dealership today though, you'll find that not everything has changed.   They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle. This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible.   They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple, Welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different. I've known Sam and Stephen and their lives my entire life and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today.   Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you and they appreciate your business. Learn more at their website, samlemanchevy.com or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka. You can also call them at 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.    There's a verse that you quoted in your book, and I had never read it before, in the message translation.   So, it's Matthew 25:26 that says, “That's a terrible way to live.” It's criminal to live cautiously like that. So, drawing your wisdom then from the Lord, how does your faith fuel your sense of adventure?   Sam Mathews: (18:04 - 19:50) Yeah, a lot of faith and trust. Several points in our life have been like a crossroads where we feel like we want to almost desire more out of everything to go towards the direction where God is leading us, where we don't know the outcome. We don't know what's ahead.   We don't know what's coming and it's forcing us to trust the Lord, to have faith, even though we're fearful of it. Or we look at another option where it's like, you know what, this is very comfortable. We know the outcome.   We know what's going to be required of us. We know how we're going to get there, how we're going to pay for it. And it was something we didn't desire.   We liked being in a position where we needed the Lord. We're reliant upon Him. And so, you know, we talk often in the book about being comfortable.   And I feel like when you're in a comfortable setting in life, it's safe. There's no risk involved. There's little to no trust in the Lord.   I say that, you know, there's more to the story of that. But that you don't want to be at a place where you don't need God, where you don't need to rely on Him. And so, for us, we just encourage people that if you do find yourself in a comfortable place, to maybe step out of your comfort zone a little bit.   To what's an area where you need to trust the Lord more? Is it finding that new job that you've been waiting for, that you've been hoping for? Is it moving to the state that's closer by your family or closer by your friends that you really desire but you're scared too?   To not just be comfortable and stay for the sake of not being fearful or not, like knowing what's next, but instead step out, trust the Lord, you know, as long as you have peace and as long as you feel that yes from Him. And just lay fear aside and move forward with the Lord.   Dan Mathews: (19:50 - 21:54) Yeah, with every big decision that we make, we're led by peace. And we've said it for years. If either one of us don't have peace about it, we're not doing it.   But when there are multiple doors open, we say we're going to choose the most adventurous one. If we don't feel a specific direction from the Lord, let's just pick the most adventurous one. And it's kind of become common practice for us to not have really many of the details planned out on a major decision on a trip.   And people are like, do you have any idea of what you're going to do when you move there? Or how long you're going to be traveling the country in an RV? And we're like, nope, we'll figure it out.   I joke with my buddies all the time because they're like, “I mean, how do you know everything's going to be okay? How do you know this?” I go, well, between me and God, we've got everything figured out.   And they're like, “Oh, okay, I get it.” I'm like, “well, the Lord has everything figured out, but I can throw myself in that team, you know?” And I feel like it's been an encouragement to some of our friends as they watch it.   And they're like, whoa, you guys did it. I'll talk about it for years. And even when we moved out to Colorado, in our minds, we were going to move out there.   All of our friend group was like, one person needs to move. And then everybody else is going to slowly follow out. Well, we end up moving out there.   And I'm like shooting my buddies messages like, “All right, when are you coming out? And one by one, it was like, “No, I don't think we're coming.”   No, it's not going to be for at least five years. It's going to be, you know, maybe when the kids graduate, all of these different responses. And I'm like, man, that was one of the biggest things that we missed when we were out there.   But we knew that moving to Colorado, taking a pay cut, paying more in rent, like all of those things were a stepping stone to get us to where we were today, to trusting the Lord and starting our first business together, trusting the Lord with our finances, with our time. And really putting us in a position where we were fully dependent on him for our survival.   Sam Mathews: (21:54 - 22:40) And so even if something doesn't work out, we mentioned a couple of stories in the book where we may have moved forward without peace, and it did not end well. But the Lord always brings it around and teaches us something from it or a situation where we felt the peace to move to Colorado, but we were only there for two years. It was hard on us financially.   We got into debt. We had no friends, no family out there. It was a hard season.   We still gained from it. So instead of looking at something as a complete loss, we still look to find the good. You know, what did the Lord birth in us?   You know, like Dean said, spiritually, we grew together. Financially, we started a business. Like so much good came from it that even though it maybe on paper or to others, it didn't make sense.   It was still good. And something that the Lord, yeah, started for us.   Laura Dugger: (22:41 - 23:05) And you've learned those lessons and now you get to share them with others. Even super practical with this one. Our family has never done the RV thing before, but even just dipping our toes in and trying a vacation that way.   What tips do you have for families, maybe who aren't traveling around, living out of their RV, but vacationing with one, what are some of your best tips?   Sam Mathews: (23:05 - 24:27) I just saw a video of someone sharing the other day where they took their family of, let's see, four, six total on an RV for the first time. And I was like, oh no, because the first warning I give to everyone is you have to drain your poop through the hose. If you're out on that, RV life is not for you.   RV vacation is not for you. Do you have to get down and dirty and take care of a few things? There's a lot more maintenance that comes with RV vacationing or RV life.   And I usually have the dirty work for Dan to do and I'm inside cooking, cleaning. But an RV has all your basic needs. You can still go to the bathroom, you can still shower, there's a toilet, there's a bed.   It's just on a lot smaller scale. And if you're not good with being in close proximity with all your children or your spouse, then you may just need a little bit of a bigger space to stay in. But it's fun because you get to navigate it together and you get to learn just a new way of life or new way of traveling.   And yeah, the maintenance of the restroom, you have to have water hookups, or you need solar for electric or you have to be hooked up to electric. The great part is you can go anywhere, and you can get right up close to some great adventures. Our favorite spot to park an RV is the rim of the Badlands.   It's so pretty. Is it the North Rim?   Dan Mathews: (24:28 - 24:28) Yeah.   Sam Mathews: (24:28 - 24:54) It's gorgeous. You wake up to the sun rising over it and it's the most peaceful thing to be right there next to it. And you can't do that with a cabin in the woods.   But the benefit to a cabin in the woods is that's its own adventure. And so just do a little bit of research on the maintenance required for setting up, tearing down the RV in order to get on the road and to like park it and set up.   Dan Mathews: (24:55 - 26:44) I like how you weave some of the worst parts about our RV life in there. But I will say being on the road, traveling and like just kind of deciding on the way is one of the greatest things ever. I did not, like we definitely had a plan.   It was like, “Hey, we're gonna stop one time.” Growing up, we've got five kids. So, it was like, we're stopping one time to go to the bathroom.   If you have to go, you're just gonna have to hold it type of thing. We were fairly structured in the traveling to a place. But being in an RV, it really opens up so much to where you can on the way be like, oh, I just saw a billboard.   I wonder what that is. Look it up. How far away is it?   Hey, what if we take a 45-minute detour and go check this out? Like we found places in the middle of Kansas that 1% of the population knows about. We camped.   There's spots that you can camp on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Like no guardrail, back your vehicle right up, walk out the door, sit there, have coffee or whatever in the morning. And that was like our favorite part about it.   There were nights that we would drive until like one in the morning. And we might be sleeping in a truck stop. But we were on the way to Glacier National Park or to the Oregon coast or wherever.   And so, I feel like ditching the schedule and just kind of figuring it out as you go is one of the most freeing things on a vacation. And the other nice part about it is if you find a place that you absolutely love and you're like, we want to spend four days here, do it. You don't have a new reservation somewhere else that you have to get to.   You can just go wherever the wind blows, have fun with the family. And yeah, I think everybody needs to do it at least one time.   Laura Dugger: (26:44 - 27:02) Oh yeah, for sure. What a great challenge to step outside our comfort zone like you said. Well, one other amazing adventure that you've embarked on together is becoming a surrogate twice, I believe.   Will you tell us a little bit more about that process and that experience?   Sam Mathews: (27:03 - 31:10) Yeah, definitely. So, in 2018, we had our daughter and she was a little bit more work than our first. So, our first was super easy.   Ate well, slept well, like barely cried. And our daughter, maybe it was just her being a girl. A little bit more needy and required some extra grace and some more prayer for patience on my part.   But at that point, I was like, yeah, I think I'm done. Having children of our own and parenting our own children because even raising two kids is going to be a task. But I didn't feel like I was done carrying children.   And I'm like, I still want to have babies, but I don't want to have more to parent. How do I do that? But I felt like the Lord just laid surrogacy in my heart.   And I started thinking about it, praying about it, researching it. And I brought it up to Dan like, hey, what would you think about me doing this? And I had to educate him a little bit on like what being a surrogate was.   As a gestational surrogate, I wasn't carrying an embryo with an egg that was mine. So, I'm not biologically related to the baby. And after some prayer, we both felt at peace about it.   And so, we walked through that door and started the process of meeting a couple or going through an agency to start a journey. And yeah, we've done two now. So, in 2022, I delivered a baby boy for a couple.   And then in 2024, so just last year, I've just actually in a few days, I'm going to hit my year mark of my second belly bud being one and a little girl for a couple. And it was like the most, one of the greatest adventures I've been on. And I've gained so much from it.   And it's so rewarding to see someone who desires to be a parent, to be a mom, but physically can't. To see them walk that road and just step into the role that like watching her become a mom is like, you can tell that's what she was meant to be. That's what the Lord had for her.   And it's so fun seeing the joy of their family and watching her grow up and like being a part of her life. That, yeah, like we just encourage other people, if you're able to do something like that, or no matter what it is, it's not just surrogacy, but if God's calling you to something that may require a lot more from you or something that is not normal, it's not traditional, you don't see it a lot, like just step out and do it. And yeah, it's been fun.   It definitely grouped Dan and I closer together. Spiritually, he was there for me in times of emotional hardship. Pregnancy in itself is hard, but to do it multiple times, you know, this is my fifth pregnancy now.   There's a lot of roles that he takes on to care for the kids more, to care for me more. And we've grown closer and just his love for me, seeing it that even though it's not our baby, like he's still caring for me and taking care of me as if it was. And the Lord, I've had to rely on the Lord so many times because pregnancy and birthing in itself is a miracle.   To go through moments of transfer, like the embryo doesn't always take the first time on a transfer or your levels are off or maybe one of the ultrasounds is, you know, something doesn't look good on it. We're constantly relying on the Lord and it gives us an opportunity to share with intended parents, you know, someone who didn't have hope, didn't have anything to look forward to for parenting their own children, to just like be an encouragement to them spiritually and then share these journeys with others publicly has been a great way just to share our faith and to share how going through a surrogacy journey caused us to rely on the Lord and, you know, point everything back to Christ and, you know, God being just very pro-life and we're excited to bring this life into the world.   And so, yeah, definitely a big adventure to embark on to bring two babies into the world that aren't ours, but one of like the greatest things I've ever done. It's awesome.   Laura Dugger: (31:11 - 31:25) It's a beautiful sacrifice and I'm sure others are also wondering at that moment when you meet the baby that you've been carrying, how did you handle those emotions of sharing the baby?   Sam Mathews: (31:25 - 33:42) Yes. Yeah, definitely. So, when you go into surrogacy, you know, from the beginning that it's not your child, especially as a gestational carrier, not related to it.   Throughout the pregnancy, all these milestones that you hit, you're excited for it, but you're excited for it for the parents. So, finding out, you know, there's a heartbeat and seeing the baby for the first time on ultrasound, you're excited for them. Finding out the gender, you're excited for them.   You know, delivering the baby, you're excited for them that you do a lot of mental prep, but there's also like a lot of research that shows to like plan something after delivery for your family to do, something for you to do with your kids so that when you do leave the hospital, you don't think about what you don't have anymore. You think about what you do have at your house with your family. And so, it may seem hard.   I think a lot of times people compare it to adoption where the birth mom is literally giving up her child to somebody else and the hardship that that would cause on her as a surrogate. And I can only speak for myself because I'm sure there are times where it is hard for a surrogate. But for me, it wasn't because I did a lot of mental preparing, emotionally preparing that I knowing that this child wasn't mine going into it.   I knew that at the end of it, I would deliver the baby and the baby would be taken from me and I'm not raising this child. And a lot of times you don't even touch a baby until like maybe you're discharged to see the baby before you leave. So, it's not like I'm delivering the baby.   The baby's being given to me and I'm holding and I'm bonding with it. And then it's being taken away. It's no, this is from the moment it comes out of the womb.   It is their baby and it's in their care. And again, seeing their face, their joy, the moment where like they're seeing their child for the first time is so rewarding. And that's something that I would never want to take from them.   It was never my role to be this baby's mother. It was to just carry their baby and to bring their baby into the world. And so, it's not as hard as you think, thankfully.   I mean, I wouldn't have done it a second time for sure if it was. And we're praying about a third one. But it's so rewarding.   And yeah, you know from the beginning that it's not yours. So, it's easy to, in a sense, pass the baby off.   Laura Dugger: (33:43 - 34:56) Well, that's a story that really encapsulates stewardship. I think that's a great example.    Did you know you could receive a free email with monthly encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of questions to ask to take your conversation a level deeper, whether that's in parenting or on date nights?   Make sure you access all of this at thesavvysauce.com by clicking the button that says join our email list so that you can follow the prompts and begin receiving these emails at the beginning of each month. Enjoy.    For both of you, your lives are just fascinating mostly because you're living this life of faith and sacrifice. So, it's compelling to get to hear how you're actually doing that. But then I love how you call out that you don't recommend people go to the other extreme and become reckless and chase adventure. You discern between choosing adventure and chasing adventure.   So, I'm wondering if you can give us any of your definitions or parameters around what choosing adventure does and does not look like for you.   Dan Mathews: (34:57 - 38:00) Yeah, I think that choosing adventure for us is looking at opportunities where we can spend as a family, where we can get outside of our comfort zones and just really put it in the Lord's hands. Have fun along the way, you know, whether it's ziplining or jumping off a cliff, like a lot of people think adventure has to be this grand thing and super dangerous. And for us, it isn't really.   Like there's been a couple of times where we've been like, this got crazy quickly. Maybe we could have planned it out a little bit better. But at the end of the day, it all worked out.   And so, when we talk about people choosing instead of chasing or not being reckless, it's all about like, do something new, do something fun, do something that puts you outside of your comfort zone, but isn't going to put you in a bad position. I'm not the guy that's like, you know what? Never swam across Lake Michigan.   I'm going to give it a go, see how it happens, and see what happens. If that's the case, it's like maybe start out with a triathlon and see what you're going to do and work your way up. And so, I don't ever want anyone to take the book or take the things that we say or the adventures that we've had in life and think I'm going to do something absolutely crazy that doesn't make sense.   That's not logical. That's not safe. Like, that's not what this is about.   It's about just getting outside of your comfort zone. And the more you're outside of it, the more comfortable you become with being uncomfortable. And I tell people, like on some of my backcountry hunts, I want to be comfortable in suffering.   Like when I'm really, really struggling physically to climb up a mountain with a 70-pound pack on my back, I want to be like, I know I'm making it out of this. It's not fun in the moment. Like it hurts.   My legs are burning. My back hurts. I feel like I need a break, but I'm going to keep pushing through.   And when I look back on that, I'm going to go, that was brutal and awesome. And I loved every second of it. And I feel like that's how, how we view our trips, our road trips.   I mean, driving, what was it? Thirty something thousand miles in a couple months and visiting dozens and dozens of states. It was like, there were times where it was like, I don't want to be on the road anymore.   The wind is literally about to tip the RV over. I'm almost taking out construction cones or running into things because I had never driven an RV before. And the very first place we go is Wisconsin.   And we drive right past Chicago and there's like construction for a hundred miles. And so it's like all of those things, they were fun. Yeah, they were scary in the moment we got through, we were never in any real danger.   And so, yeah, I feel like it's a stair step when it comes to adventure. I didn't start out just wandering around Alaska by myself. It started with going down to Arkansas, being five miles away from the vehicle and then kind of built from there.   Sam Mathews: (38:00 - 39:50) Yeah, to not be reckless, like to, you know, we talked about this earlier to move forward when you have peace. And just because you have peace with it, someone else may not understand it. But with peace, like there's wisdom too.   You don't want to move forward with a lack of peace and not using wisdom in a decision because yeah, that will get you in trouble and that will cause hardship and pain later down the road. But if you have peace about something and there is that open door and you feel the release from the Lord to go on this adventure, then do it. And even though if it doesn't work out, you know, God will still work everything out.   But yeah, like Dan said, when you, the more you do things that are outside your comfort zone or that, you know, even others may not agree with, but you feel at peace with and you're moving forward, the easier it becomes to do those. And the more you would trust the Lord. And like you said, again, it doesn't have to be some grand adventure.   We encourage people that if they're new to choosing adventure and they're new to stepping outside their comfort zone, try like a new restaurant one day, go to like a new, I was thinking the other day, we live in Missouri and we always travel outside of Missouri for adventure. I'm like, we need to do a six-month adventure just within Missouri. Like we drove two hours South and through Missouri to go to Georgia last week.   And we were driving down this hill on one of the roads. I'm like, this looks like, it looked like Georgia already, or it looked like Colorado, the hillside and the trees and the fog, I'm like, this is beautiful. And I look down, I'm like, oh, we're still in Missouri.   So, there's so much to adventure and to explore in your own backyard or down your street that it doesn't have to be something crazy wild. We're not saying go, you know, jump out of a plane and skydive or something, but just start small, start where you have peace and where you feel the Lord's leading.   Laura Dugger: (39:52 - 40:26) That's great. I love having a handful of practical things. I think of my brother, Drew and his wife, Amanda, when their kids were really little, they just drew a two hour radius to see what places would be fun to go invest and explore.   Or for us, I would say one of our most recent adventures, we didn't know what it would look like on the other side, but it's become one of our favorite things in life and probably our best decision in parenting for us as we started homeschooling our kids last year. And it has been a wild adventure.   Sam Mathews: (40:26 - 40:27) That's an adventure.   Laura Dugger: (40:28 - 40:36) So, any other tips to get people started? Those are even trying the new restaurant. Yeah.   Anything else like that that you would say?   Dan Mathews: (40:37 - 42:13) The nice thing is that we all have this supercomputer in our hand or in our pocket all the time. And there are so many lists of like the top 10 places to see, places to eat. There's books that are just like places to canoe before you dive, places to hike before you dive, and they have all of this stuff listed out.   And so, it's not that you have to be a pioneer and find a new place that nobody's ever been before. Look at the research that people have done before you and look at lists, get on Pinterest or any social media platform and try to just figure out what are practical things that you can do. And then you can also say, how difficult is this going to be for me?   Do I really need to jump that far into it right now? Or should I just go to a local park that might have a cool cave that I can explore? Or maybe there's a creek near the house and like, what if we just go down there and see if we can find fish or crawdads or try to skip rocks?   My kids, that is one of their favorite things. I'm like, I love doing it as a kid. I didn't realize how exciting just the act of watching a rock skip on the water would be for kids.   And so there's, yeah, there's a million different resources online for things that you can practically do close to home. And it might, for some people, just be trying that DIY project instead of calling a carpenter to put yourself up, you know, or a handyman. Like, give it a try.   The worst that's going to happen, you have a hole in your wall. Now you watch a video on how to patch it.   Laura Dugger: (42:14 - 42:37) That's so good. And I'm seeing a theme. A lot of these are getting outdoors and nature.   That's always an adventure. But then I'm even thinking simple things in conversation, trying out a new question, even with a loved one. Or you said at the beginning that you love hospitality.   So inviting somebody new into your home. I think any of that novelty is just really good for us. Yeah, definitely.   Dan Mathews: (42:38 - 44:32) Yeah, I think even making it a point in conversation when somebody asks you how your day is, instead of just saying good and continuing on, actually stop and talk to them. Because a lot of people, their biggest fear might not be going on a road trip, might not be financial ruin. It might just be opening up and being vulnerable with another person.   And so it could be the person at the office that you've never actually had a conversation with. You know each other. You might wave when you walk by their desk.   But actually talk to them. Get to know them. Tell them about yourself.   And so the book has a lot of those types of things lined out where it's like it might not be physical. It might not be out in nature. It might be within your home.   It might be, I mean, some people need to do this with their kids. Like that might be the scariest thing is talking to your teenager. Like actually having a conversation.   And we're going to sit down and we're going to have a meal together and actually talk as a family. And so, yeah, it looks different for everybody. And that's one thing, because our passion is being outside.   Like Sam wants a houseboat. She wants to buy a houseboat and renovate it and live in it for a certain amount of time. And we've had other people who a bunch of homeschool families bought sailboats and sailed all around the world as they were homeschooling their kids.   And I heard that and I was like, yeah, yeah, we're going to have to do that at some point. But I know for a lot of people, just going outside is a big deal. And so it looks different for everybody.   We do give a lot of nature examples, but there's different ways for every type of person, every level of. What would you even call it? Social.   There's a lot of different levels to the social scale. And so no matter where you are, there's something for you to be a little bit more adventurous.   Laura Dugger: (44:34 - 44:42) OK, so like I said, you've made a compelling argument for getting outside of our comfort zone. Why do you think some of us resist this attractive lifestyle?   Sam Mathews: (44:43 - 46:46) Yeah, I think there's fear in it. There's sadly nowadays, you know, what will other people think of me? What will what if we fail?   What if we lose money? What if we what if I look a certain way that I don't want to appear to others? And that's where you just have to think back to Christ.   Like what is it? What really matters at the end of the day? It's how God views you.   And if you fail, oh, well, what if the Lord like just opens up so many doors and creates an avenue for you to get out? Or what if so much good comes from it that we can't be afraid of failure? Again, move forward cautiously with wisdom and with the Lord's peace and direction.   But in our book, we share one of our biggest adventures was going out to Colorado and renovating a van for five days. And we broke down on the side of the road, something no one wants to do in the desert, in the middle of twice. We did twice.   We broke down in the middle of Kansas and then in Colorado again. And it was we'll be honest, it was not fun. It was one of like the scariest times.   But looking back, like we're so thankful we did because so much good came from it. Like we met some amazing people who helped us along the way. And it's now one of our favorite stories to tell of encouragement that just because you say yes to adventure and just because something bad happens, it's not all a waste.   And I think, yeah, that fear just keeps people from being able to move forward and being like, you know what? Like I'm comfortable right here in my house, my kids in public school, not going anywhere because I know where my money's coming. I know like what's happening tomorrow.   I know how people are going to respond. And I'm just going to like stay here. Not that that's a bad thing, because the Lord needs people in every season in every situation.   But if he's prompting you to step out and to try something new, like don't be afraid of what's required from you or what could happen. You never know like where it could lead.   Dan Mathews: (46:47 - 48:10) Yeah, I think a lot of it is those few things, fear, pride, or just you believing that God isn't big enough or doesn't care about your situation. And unfortunately, a lot of people are there where I really want to try this, but like what if things go wrong? And for us, it's like when things go wrong, that's where the Lord provides.   That's where the Lord directs. That's where he leads. That's where his word can be the lamp to your feet and a light to your path.   When you're trying to do it all on your own and you're staying in this safety net of comfort, nothing amazing happens in that place. And so, we've seen it time and time again, the Lord's provision, the Lord's provision in our lives and not only the provision financially, but actually like setting us free from constraints like social constraints of like you have to work nine to five. We heard that over and over and over.   And I'm like, well, the nice thing is Sam and I are both hard workers and super driven, and I'm sure we could get jobs again. Yeah, so like worst case scenario, we run completely out of money and we go back to go back to work. And I'm like, what does failure actually look like?   And I try to get people to break it down for me. People who are like, I'm glad that worked for you, but that couldn't work for us. And I go, why?   Sam Mathews: (48:10 - 48:10) Yeah.   Dan Mathews: (48:11 - 48:20) Like, why couldn't it work for you? And they're like, well, I like what happens if it doesn't work out? And I'm like, let's expand on that as far out as we can think.   Sam Mathews: (48:20 - 48:21) Even the worst.   Dan Mathews: (48:21 - 48:24) Like, does that work? Like, are you going to die? No.   Sam Mathews: (48:24 - 48:24) Yeah.   Dan Mathews: (48:24 - 49:02) Like, no, you'll probably just come back home if it doesn't work out, you know? And so, trying to trying to show people that because the fear of the unknown is pretty significant to people. Something completely new to them that they've never tried it's really challenging to get people to take that first step.   But once they do, the second step is easier. The third step is easier. And pretty soon you're jumping and sprinting and you're like, whoa, this whole life is out here that I didn't even know existed.   So yeah, I definitely think it's those three, though.   Laura Dugger: (49:03 - 50:59) That's good. And it makes me think that typically the way that we grow our faith is action. We put our faith into action and God gives us with more faith when we're faithful with the little faith that we have.   And it also makes me think back, I believe it was episode 82, 82. Traveling With Your Family With Teacher, Wife, and Mother to 4,, with the guest, Katie Mueller. I'm going to link to it. I think you guys would love it where she parallels what God called people to do throughout the Bible with travel, what that looks like today, practical, fun things.   But Sam, something that you said reminded me of this when you're like, “Well, if nothing else, it's going to be a great story.” And she referred to that, like when things went wrong growing up on their travels, they laughed so hard about those memories. And in their family, they tragically lost their dad very unexpectedly.   Actually, her mom, I'll link to Joyce Hodel's episode as well. She shares that story. But their family has all of these stories and all of these memories from choosing adventure.   So that makes me start to think of marriage and family. And as we put that together with adventure, you guys always make adventure feel approachable, even in parenting. And I'm thinking on page 15, you wrote that as a kid, anytime you get to drive cross country, stay at a hotel or eat at a restaurant, it's an adventure for no reason other than it's a break from the norm, right?   And you know what? That's the whole point. Choosing adventure is about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new.   There's no right or wrong way to do it. So, with that in mind, Dan and Sam, how can we begin to enjoy this adventurous life in marriage and in family?   Sam Mathews: (51:00 - 51:49) Yeah. Bringing your kids along is such a fun, it requires a little bit more packing, but such a fun aspect to adventure. And going on date nights with your spouse, trying something new, experiencing it together, finding something you enjoy together, but realizing that it can also, there's another level of fun to have your kids along with.   And sometimes we'll drive 30 minutes away and stay at a hotel for a night just because it's a new place to go and the kids love it. And it doesn't have to be expensive. They go putt-putt and that for them is the greatest thing.   If you end it with ice cream, it's even better than the cherry on top, that it's just something fun for them. But yeah, realizing that it can be a family thing, but it could just be you as a couple too. But yeah.   Dan Mathews: (51:50 - 54:56) Well, and for kids, there's so much adventure to be had right at home or right in your backyard. I bought, I went to Walmart one day and I bought two extra large king-size sheets just so that we could do forts. I was like, I'm gonna put these in the closet and now I've got like the alligator clips and so I can clip them to different things.   And when it's a rainy day and the kids are bored and we're stuck inside, it's just a break from the norm. And then they'll be like, mom, dad, come see what we did. And they might build like a little shop where they sell us stuff inside of their fort.   Or they might make beds for us and for the stuffed animals and for our dog and all of these different things. And so, breaking out of the norm is just what adventure is. Like if they're not used to that, if they're not used to that time together, like some days it's, we're gonna go jump on the trampoline and they're like, wait, both of you at once?   Normally one of us is getting stuff done and the other one's hanging out with them. And when all of a sudden it's like both of us unexpectedly are walking to the trampoline, they're like, oh, family trampoline jump. If you need really good ideas for adventure and you're a parent, just watch Bluey.   If you haven't seen Bluey, that dad is awesome. And like we used to do the claw game. I would put all of their stuffed animals in my lap.   My thumb was the joystick and then my other hand was the claw and they had to move it and I would pick up the stuffed animals. And to them, it was the greatest thing they'd ever done. And we saw it on a cartoon.   And so, incorporating family into it, I feel like it's just, it's really easy. And aside from excuses, there's no reason not to get the kids involved in it. Also, there's a million books about getting kids outside.   And so, like checklists that they can do. Every national park, if for those that don't know or haven't visited national parks, I didn't know this because we didn't go to any national parks growing up, but your kids can become a junior ranger. They get these booklets and they get badges of the individual parks and they have to learn about nature and about the animals that are there and about the history.   And so that became a thing for the kids. Every place we went, it was like, “Oh, I need a junior ranger badge.” And I mean, they had wooden badges just lining their chest.   Like they were some war hero and they absolutely loved it. And so there's things like that locally in nature parks and stuff. But doing it together.   I mean, that's what it's all about. For me, I watched the guys on TV and I'm like, that guy just went to New Zealand by himself or like watching alone. I'm like, I don't want to do that.   It would be pretty crazy, I feel like. I think everybody needs some type of alone time here and there. But for me, I want to share this stuff with my wife, with my kids, with my buddies.   And so, yeah, that's what it's all about.   Sam Mathews: (54:56 - 55:07) Yeah, like you said, have those stories to tell with your family, of your family members. That way, if something does happen and they pass, you have so much to look back on of the memories you're able to share together.   Laura Dugger: (55:09 - 55:15) Absolutely. And to bring those up and share them with our kids while we are together. They love hearing stories about when they were little.   Sam Mathews: (55:16 - 55:16) Oh, yeah.   Laura Dugger: (55:17 - 55:29) And you guys have taken it a step further where you document it then and preserve. So if we want continued inspiration after this conversation, where can we go to follow you two and your adventures?   Sam Mathews: (55:30 - 56:08) Yes, we do. Our kids love watching our travels and stuff. We share along for videos and stuff on YouTube, Facebook.   But we share our life on every platform. We are Dan and Sam. Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook.   And then Dan has his hunting content over at the Nomadic Outdoorsman. And yeah, we share day-to-day life, what that looks like, lifestyle. But then our travels, our adventures, mom life, welcoming a new baby, our surrogacy journeys, whatever life looks like at that time and how we're enjoying it, what God's teaching us, where we're going.   And we laugh along the way, the encouragement and try to inspire you to live an adventurous, fun-filled life.   Laura Dugger: (56:09 - 56:28) Love it. We'll add links to all of those things in the show notes for today's episode. And you two may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge.   And so, as my final question for both of you today, what is your savvy sauce?   Sam Mathews: (56:31 - 57:15) Ooh, practical knowledge. Let's see. I would say with motherhood, don't think that, I don't know if this would be considered savvy sauce, but it's just a good reminder to myself that as a mom, you may think you're alone in something, you're going through it, and it's just you, but you're not.   You are with a community of people who are feeling the same thing that you're walking through, going through the same thing, and just reminding yourself you're not alone because I think it makes the journey a lot easier to know that there's other people walking through the same season, the same hardship, the same joy, the same trials as you. And it makes life a little bit easier when you feel less alone.   Dan Mathews: (57:16 - 58:26) I think for me, it would be that your kids are going to be an extreme version of what you are. So, if you're showing fear and decisions, if you're hesitant, if you're not trusting the Lord, that's gonna be compounded in their lives. And they're just a more magnified mirror image of what their parents are.   And so, we try to, in everything that we do, go, is this something that's gonna set up our kids for success? And it's not like, oh, we have to have money in the bank for them, you know, for a retirement fund one day or a college fund. I'm talking like everyday lessons.   If I put my phone screen in front of my kids, they're gonna do that more and more and more. If I prioritize things that aren't meant to be prioritized over my wife, they're gonna see that. And so, we try to be very, very clear about what our priorities are.   We try to live intentionally, showing them the right way to do things and being an example to them. And so, yeah, that'd be my savvy sauce.   Laura Dugger: (58:27 - 58:49) I love it. You two are so full of integrity and you definitely shine the love and the light of Jesus brightly by the way that you live. So, I know I'm leaving this conversation feeling very inspired to choose adventure.   And I just wanna say thank you for being my guest today.   Sam Mathews: Thank you so much for having us. It was a joy.   Dan Mathews: (58:49 - 58:50) It was a blast.   Laura Dugger:  (58:52 - 1:02:06) One more thing before you go. Have you heard the term gospel before?   It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you. But it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there is absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior. But God loved us so much, he made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and died in our place for our sin. This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus.   We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished if we choose to receive what He has done for us. Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” So, would you pray with me now?   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life?   We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.   If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me, so me for him. You get the opportunity to live your life for him. And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason.   We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you ready to get started? First, tell someone.   Say it out loud. Get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents

WHEN HEAVEN CALLSSunday, July 27, 2025Pastor Wes Morris Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT) It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, “It's all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”√ GOD'S CALL DOESN'T BEGIN WITH AN ASSIGNMENT - IT BEGINS WITH AN ENCOUNTER. Isaiah 6:1 (NLT) ...I saw the Lord.√ THE CLOSER WE GET TO GOD, THE MORE CLEARLY WE SEE OUR NEED FOR GRACE. Isaiah 6:5 (NIV) “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips...”Luke 5:8 (NIV) When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” You are more sinful than you ever dared believe, and yet more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than you ever dared hope.-Tim Keller√ GRACE DOESN'T JUST COVER OUR PAST - IT CALLS US INTO OUR FUTURE.Isaiah 6:8 (NLT) Then I heard the Lord asking, “Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”WHEN HEAVEN CALLSThe place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.- Frederick BuechnerI. START WITH SURRENDER.Romans 12:1-2 (MSG) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.II. STRETCH OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE. II Corinthians 5:14-15 (TLB) He died for all so that all who live—having received eternal life from him—might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Christ who died and rose again for them.What makes me feel most alive?What problems or people do I feel drawn to help? (What breaks my heart?)How could God use me to make a difference?III. SAY YES TO THE CALL.Isaiah 6:8 (NLT) Then I heard the Lord asking, “Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.To learn more about Bay Chapel or to visit us in person, check out baychapel.com

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon in all his wisdom worked hard to figure out why life is completely out of his control, even as a powerful king. In his writings, he was frustrated and angry and cynical and flippant and sarcastic. Does that sound familiar at all? Thank God that He gave us such a wide variety of people and circumstances in His Word to show us the collision between the divine and the human.Listen to Ecclesiastes 8:7-9 in The Message … Yes, there's a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part. It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when. Who's around to tell us? No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death. No one can stop a battle in its tracks. No one who does evil can be saved by evil. All this I observed as I tried my best to understand all that's going on in this world. As long as men and women have the power to hurt each other, this is the way it is.Can you relate to any of Solomon's words?When we can't actually control anything about life but we want to, we usually end up hurting one another, trying to control each other. And we have to be so careful that we don't end up trying too hard to control our kids. Control is never the point of parenting.Let's fast-forward to the end of Ecclesiastes where Solomon finally resolves his search for truth.The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd. But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that's it. (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 MSG) So, evidently it's okay to run through all of our crazy, mixed-up emotions and express our cynical and sarcastic opinions of how life treats us. Because what matters most after the process is where we end up. Better, not bitter. Realizing we will never be God and He always will be. And that will always be a great place to land.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to realize I can vent with You as my Father. I can tell you exactly what I think. You already know what I'm thinking so I may as well just voice it. But remind me in those moments that all I am saying is that You have to be in control—and to thank You that I'm not. As above, so below.”

Omoluabi Podcast | Season 7 Episode 1PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ní teere, ní tèèrè, Ṣàngó ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀ ó jó wọjà.” (Translation: Erratically and imperceptibly, Shango continued to dance until he was at the market.)Context:The proverb uses the imagery of Shango, the Yoruba deity of thunder and lightning, known for his erratic and unpredictable dance moves.The proverb highlights how seemingly small, unnoticeable actions, performed consistently, can lead to significant and sometimes irreversible outcomes.Dancing into the marketplace in Yoruba culture signifies reaching a point of no return.Biblical Connections & Applications:Songs of Solomon 2:15 -"Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes."John 15:1-8 - Jesus as the true vine and God the Father as the keeper of the vineyard, emphasising the importance of bearing good fruit.Psalm 90:12 -"Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom."Ephesians 5:15-17 MSG -"So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants."1 Peter 5:8 -"Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."Isaiah 5:1-7 - God is disappointed when His vineyard yields sour grapes despite His care.Practical Takeaways:Regularly reflect on your progress and make necessary adjustments.Practice small, consistent actions to achieve larger goals (e.g., the one-penny challenge).Be aware of subtle distractions and temptations("little foxes") that can derail you.Strive to bear good fruit in your life, reflecting God's work in you.Book Recommendation:Atomic Habits by James Clear

Closer, Pt. 3 | August 18, 2024 Pastor Wes MorrisLuke 18:1-8 (NLT) One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.'The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don't fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'”Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”✓ She was full of passion. ✓ She saw opportunities instead of obstacles. ✓ She was faith-filled. Luke 11:9-10 (ESV) And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.THE POWER OF PERSISTENCEI. SEEK GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.John 4:23 (NLT) But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. II. BE SURRENDERED TO HIS WILL. Romans 12:1 (MSG) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. III. BE SET APART FOR HIS PURPOSE.Galatians 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.Galatians 5:24 (ESV) And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. IV. BE SATISFIED IN HIS PRESENCE. Psalm 63:1 (NLT) O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.James 4:8 (NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

Moving “up” is simply ______________ in our relationship with God through worship. [John 4:23-24] But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. [24] For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Worship is not ______________ it is a ______________. - ____________________ [Ephesians 5:18-19] Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, [19] singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. We worship through music because music engages our _____________. - ____________________ [2 Corinthians 9:7] Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [Romans 12:1] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [Romans 12:1 MSG] So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. - ____________________ [Matthew 25:35-40] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' [40] And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' - ____________________ [Psalm 1:1-3] Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. [2] But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. [3] They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. - ____________________ (_______________) [1 Timothy 2:1-2] I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. [2] Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. True worship is about ______________ God is in our life and ______________ He is on our list of priorities. [1 Corinthians 10:31] So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Embark on a transformative journey with our podcast, "New Path New You," where we explore faith, empowerment, and personal growth. In this special episode titled "Now is Your Time," we delve into the profound significance of Good Friday, the resurrection, and the transformative power of baptism in Christ. Join us as we uncover timeless truths and biblical wisdom, empowering you to seize the moment and embrace your God-given potential. Discover how the resurrection of Jesus Christ opens the door to new beginnings and empowers us to walk boldly in His victory. Tune in for inspiring insights, uplifting stories, and practical guidance to ignite your journey towards a new path and a renewed you. Don't miss out – now is your time to shine!Romans 12:2 - (MSG) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.Need a guy to count on? Message Ron on Instagram.Connect with Ron:  NewPathNewYou.comConnect on Instagram: @rcooljrBecome a NPNY Supporter! One TimeMonthly  

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon in all his wisdom worked hard to figure out why life is completely out of his control, even as a powerful king. In his writings, he was frustrated and angry and cynical and flippant and sarcastic. Does that sound familiar at all? Thank God that He gave us such a wide variety of people and circumstances in His Word to show us the collision between the divine and the human. Listen to Ecclesiastes 8:7-9 in The Message … Yes, there's a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part. It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when. Who's around to tell us? No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death. No one can stop a battle in its tracks. No one who does evil can be saved by evil. All this I observed as I tried my best to understand all that's going on in this world. As long as men and women have the power to hurt each other, this is the way it is. Can you relate to any of Solomon's words? When we can't actually control anything about life but we want to, we usually end up hurting one another, trying to control each other. And we have to be so careful that we don't end up trying too hard to control our kids. Control is never the point of parenting. Let's fast-forward to the end of Ecclesiastes where Solomon finally resolves his search for truth. The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd. But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that's it. (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 MSG) So, evidently it's okay to run through all of our crazy, mixed-up emotions and express our cynical and sarcastic opinions of how life treats us. Because what matters most after the process is where we end up. Better, not bitter. Realizing we will never be God and He always will be. And that will always be a great place to land. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to realize I can vent with You as my Father. I can tell you exactly what I think. You already know what I'm thinking so I may as well just voice it. But remind me in those moments that all I am saying is that You have to be in control—and to thank You that I'm not. As above, so below.”

When All The Stars Are GoneVictory Life Church — Sunday, August 6, 20232 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) For we live by believing and not by seeing.Jeremiah 12:5-6 (MSG) “So, Jeremiah, if you're worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can't keep your wits during times of calm, what's going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?”The Storm-Tossed Ship: Acts 27:1-44Acts 27:7-10, 18-20 (ESV) Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.Faith sees the world through the reality of God's Kingdom.Acts 27:20 (ESV) When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.Romans 8:5–6 (ESV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.Acts 27:20-26 (ESV) Faith is living surrendered to God.Acts 27:23 (ESV) For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,Faith aligns with God's will.Acts 27:24 (ESV) and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Faith trusts in the authority of God's word.Acts 27:25 (ESV) So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.”Acts 27:33-36 (ESV) As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.Support the showThis podcast is brought to you free of charge through the donations of generous people.If this content blessed you and you would like to help us reach more people, please take a few minutes to rate our podcast and leave us a review.If you'd like to support us financially, you can make donations hereIf you'd like to learn more about us you can visit our website.If you'd like to contact us directly follow this link. If you enjoyed this teaching, Pastor Jacob has another conversation-style podcast that we think you'd really enjoy. Check it out here!

When All The Stars Are GoneVictory Life Church — Sunday, August 6, 20232 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) For we live by believing and not by seeing.Jeremiah 12:5-6 (MSG) “So, Jeremiah, if you're worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can't keep your wits during times of calm, what's going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?”The Storm-Tossed Ship: Acts 27:1-44Acts 27:7-10, 18-20 (ESV) Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.Faith sees the world through the reality of God's Kingdom.Acts 27:20 (ESV) When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.Romans 8:5–6 (ESV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.Acts 27:20-26 (ESV) Faith is living surrendered to God.Acts 27:23 (ESV) For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,Faith aligns with God's will.Acts 27:24 (ESV) and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Faith trusts in the authority of God's word.Acts 27:25 (ESV) So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.”Acts 27:33-36 (ESV) As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.Support the showThis podcast is brought to you free of charge through the donations of generous people.If this content blessed you and you would like to help us reach more people, please take a few minutes to rate our podcast and leave us a review.If you'd like to support us financially, you can make donations hereIf you'd like to learn more about us you can visit our website.If you'd like to contact us directly follow this link. If you enjoyed this teaching, Pastor Jacob has another conversation-style podcast that we think you'd really enjoy. Check it out here!

Holier than Thou - having or showing the annoying attitude of people who believe that they are morally better than other people1 Peter 1:13 MSG - So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” What is holiness - REALLY?  The Hebrew word for “holy” literally means “separate” or “set apart.” When we are “blazing with holiness” we are set apart from the world. How do you live a holy life daily?Disconnect From the World “Do not be conformed to this world.” –Romans 12:2 (ESV) ...Run from Temptation, “Flee the evil desires.” –2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV) ...Obey the Word of God  - “Be holy in all you do.”—1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)

Win At Home Pt. 1 | April 23, 2023Pastor Wes Morris Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NLT) “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”(10-13) “The Lord your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you…it is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. You must fear the Lord your God and serve him.”√  Culture√  Comparison I Peter 5:8-9 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.SHAPED BY SCRIPTURE I. We build our life on God's Word. Matthew 7:24 (MSG) These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock.II Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.II. We follow God's Word.Joshua 1:1-8 (NLT) After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua…“I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."III. We develop a hunger for God's Word. Romans 12:2 (MSG) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God.

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon in all his wisdom worked hard to figure out why life is completely out of his control, even as a powerful king. In his writings, he was frustrated and angry and cynical and flippant and sarcastic. Does that sound familiar at all? Thank God that He gave us such a wide variety of people and circumstances in His Word to show us the collision between the divine and the human. Listen to Ecclesiastes 8:7-9 in The Message … Yes, there's a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part. It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when. Who's around to tell us? No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death. No one can stop a battle in its tracks. No one who does evil can be saved by evil. All this I observed as I tried my best to understand all that's going on in this world. As long as men and women have the power to hurt each other, this is the way it is. Can you relate to any of Solomon's words? When we can't actually control anything about life but we want to, we usually end up hurting one another, trying to control each other. And we have to be so careful that we don't end up trying too hard to control our kids. Control is never the point of parenting. Let's fast-forward to the end of Ecclesiastes where Solomon finally resolves his search for truth. The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd. But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that's it. (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 MSG) So, evidently it's okay to run through all of our crazy, mixed-up emotions and express our cynical and sarcastic opinions of how life treats us. Because what matters most after the process is where we end up. Better, not bitter. Realizing we will never be God and He always will be. And that will always be a great place to land. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to realize I can vent with You as my Father. I can tell you exactly what I think. You already know what I'm thinking so I may as well just voice it. But remind me in those moments that all I am saying is that You have to be in control—and to thank You that I'm not. As above, so below.”

Do you consider God your father? What does it mean to have a Heavenly Father? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally unpacks the significance of knowing God as your Father.  Matthew 6:9-13 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Our Father (in heaven)At the time, Father was a shocking way to refer to God. No other religious tradition thinks of God as a Father.Romans 8:15-16  "Abba” and “eema” are the Aramaic equivalent to our English “dad and mom.” Used by Jesus in Mark 14:16 and used by Paul twice in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6. The rest of the prayer is meant to be said as if you're talking to a father! John 16:22-24 We live in a fatherless society: According to fatherhood.org, 25% of children live without a father in the home. 33% live without their biological father in the home.Psalm 68:5 – “Father to the Fatherless”You may not have had a physical father in the home, you can have a heavenly Father in your heart. Fatherlessness leads to an orphan mentality.1. Your Heavenly Father loves unconditionally, but the orphan mentality strives to gain approval.Romans 5:8 1 John 4:9-10 Son and daughters rest in God's approval regardless of their performance.  2. Your Heavenly Father protects and provides, but those with an orphan mentality live in fear.Matt 6:31-33 Provision from God comes from connection with God. When God is your source for life, He will be the source for everything else.Psalm 1:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”God is “the almighty” to those who make Him the “most high.” Divine protection is a byproduct of divine relationship.3. Your Heavenly Father is approachable, but orphans are quiet. Hebrews 4:16 MSG: So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. John 14:16-18 Religion leaves you with rules to follow, but your Father has given you a person to know. So when you pray for comfort doesn't give you comfort, he gives you the comforter. When you pray for healing, He doesn't give you healing he gives you the Healer. He doesn't give you peace, he gives you the Prince of Peace. He doesn't give you guidance when you pray – he gives you The Guide. If you have financial needs He doesn't give you money, He is Jehovah Jireh your provider. He doesn't just give you a supply, He is the source!When you pray, are you talking to your Father?

Titus 2:7 “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. PATTERNS ARE POWERFUL - FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE Psalm 56:3 NIV When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. PATTERNS PREPARE US (Romans 12:1-2 MSG) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. PATTERNS ARE FORMED ONE DECISION AT A TIME A Pattern of Faith A Pattern of Mercy A Pattern of Generosity a generous man devises generous things..." Isaiah 32:8 “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭44‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Q - What are the emerging patterns of your life?

Today's encouraging Charge is from Matthew 4:1; Deut 8:3, Ezekiel 37:4. Jesus paid it all Jesus put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself Jesus offered Himself as sacrifice for sin forever Heb 10:12; 14 In the Old Testament, the blood of animals were shed by the priests on a yearly basis to atone for the sin of the nation. However, the yearly sacrifices of animals could not permanently take away sin and make human perfect. Heb 10:1-4 That is why Jesus stepped in. He offered Himself as sacrifice for sin. And once for all, He cleared us all - He cleared humanity of sin. Heb 9:24-28 So, why do we struggle with sin? Why are we sin-conscious? Why do we feel condemned? Could it have been ignorance? For the Bible says “...my people perish for lack of knowledge “ Or not fully understanding our dentity in Christ? There is no more offering for sin! Jesus paid it all! Embrace the truth- Jesus became our Substitute for sin which means we can live habitually without sinning. Yes- but not by our power, strength or resolutions. “No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because God's seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭AMP‬‬ This is how it works- the moment you accept / believe with your heart that Jesus is Your Lord and Saviour, and confess with your mouth that he died for you You accept His death and ressurection (Rom 6:1-12) His Spirit becomes a seal for entering into all God promised- a praising and glorious life. A life free of the enemy's shackles. “It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This down payment from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:13-14‬ ‭MSG‬‬ So - why not make this life-transforming decision to embrace God's gift of salvation , if you have not. Your life will for ever be changed. Let us pray Father I thank You for Your liberating Word. I pray You will open our mind to understand the truth of Your Word for us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/abimbola-arawande/message

Let's talk about how we spend our time! Staying consistent and intentional throughout the summer can be difficult due to the changes in rhythm and environment, so we must go back to the basics and keep it simple yet intentional. Here is the text from the book of Colossians that is read and discussed in this episode! Colossians 2:6-7(MSG) My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. Colossians 3:1–2 (MSG) So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. If you would like to connect with someone on our team, we would love to connect with you! All you have to do is text the word “CONNECT” to (910 597-1160! Thank you for being a part of the Overflow Unplugged community!

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon in all his wisdom worked hard to figure out why life is completely out of his control, even as a powerful king. In his writings, he was frustrated and angry and cynical and flippant and sarcastic. Does that sound familiar at all? Thank God that He gave us such a wide variety of people and circumstances in His Word to show us the collision between the divine and the human. Listen to Ecclesiastes 8:7-9 in The Message … Yes, there's a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part. It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when. Who's around to tell us? No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death. No one can stop a battle in its tracks. No one who does evil can be saved by evil. All this I observed as I tried my best to understand all that's going on in this world. As long as men and women have the power to hurt each other, this is the way it is. Can you relate to any of Solomon's words? When we can't actually control anything about life but we want to, we usually end up hurting one another, trying to control each other. And we have to be so careful that we don't end up trying too hard to control our kids. Control is never the point of parenting. Let's fast-forward to the end of Ecclesiastes where Solomon finally resolves his search for truth. The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd. But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that's it. (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 MSG) So, evidently it's okay to run through all of our crazy, mixed-up emotions and express our cynical and sarcastic opinions of how life treats us. Because what matters most after the process is where we end up. Better, not bitter. Realizing we will never be God and He always will be. And that will always be a great place to land. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to realize I can vent with You as my Father. I can tell you exactly what I think. You already know what I'm thinking so I may as well just voice it. But remind me in those moments that all I am saying is that You have to be in control—and to thank You that I'm not. As above, so below.”

Romans 12:1-2 MSG - So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mildred-kingsley-okonkwo0/message

It's a new year and we asked recently what YOU wanted to hear on The Wonder Podcast! Well, you answered us and Quiet times, what, how, when, where, why, were at the top of the list! So we decided to tackle this idea with one of our favorite gals, Liz Steckel. Liz is the brains behind our social media accounts and helps us from every angle quite honestly. And she's also super tight with Jesus. We knew we could have her on the show and she would share from her heart why time with the Lord is so worth it. She didn't disappoint. In this episode, you'll hear how Liz tackles each day. She uses a plan she calls, READ. PRAY. LISTEN. Each day she reads several chapters of a book in the Bible (she started in Genesis), one Psalm and one Proverb. Then she prays and listens. And she does this mostly at 4am. ☺ Liz says her consistent quiet time began when her first daughter was born. She has walked with the Lord and met with Him her entire Christian life, but consistently? Like most of us, she struggled. But when Savannah was born, things changed. As she was up in the middle of the night with her newborn, she heard the Lord quietly ask her, “if not now, when?” And her early morning pursuit of Christ began. “I want to learn from and encounter the living God!” Liz Psalm 63, “God, you're my God! I can't get enough of you! I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory.” 1-4 MSG So if you're curious about why we need a quiet time, what it might look like in your life, or how to get started tune in to this episode of The Wonder Podcast. Remember, time with God isn't a check in the box. It's fuel for our lives. We need Him every day. Every hour. Every minute. Hit subscribe, and please tell your friends! Help us share the word! And we'd love to hear from you. If you LOVE what you hear, please throw us some stars!!! ***** Instagram - @talkwithchrissieandlisa www.lisaclarkspeaks.com www.chrissiedunham.org (In addition to co-hosting The Wonder Podcast, Lisa Clark and Chrissie Dunham also host Raising Sinners, a podcast launched September 2021 on Christian Parenting's Podcast Network. Lisa is the author of the book, “Raising Sinners.” Check it out!

When you start your day, I want you to ask yourself this question. Does Today matter to you? “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.”   - Franklin Delano Roosevelt By Pastor George Lehman As you rise to each new today - How important are the choices you make, the determination to serve God and to live out his word, trusting Him and expecting Him to come through for you. – Living with conviction. Jude 3-4 (NIV) – Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend* for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.  For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. *Contend to strive, to battle to fight. This is not an idle position.   2 Peter 1:12-13 (NIV) – So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, Story of the very old granny studying her bible – the one boy says to his friend I see your granny is always reading her bible whenever I come visit you Oh the grandson says, “she is just cramming for her finals.” We also need to be cramming for that great day when Jesus we shall see! Everyone has the power to impact the outcome of his life. Read it again The way to do it is to focus on TODAY.  TODAY is the only time you have. It's too late for Yesterday and you can't depend on tomorrow.  So how certain are you that “TODAY MATTERS”? Hebrews 3:13(NIV) – But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Today faith matters Hebrews 11:6 (Amp) -But without faith it is impossible[not hard or difficult] to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. Faith is the very essence of our walk with God. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. When we think of what faith is we normally think it trusting God for health, answers to prayers for our family our Jobs, need of work etc This is just the tip of the Iceberg – Our FAITH life is the whole ICEBERG. Walking in obedience, forgiveness, purity, integrity righteousness, standing strong through tough times -   it's a holistic faith walk – it encompasses every part of your life. Jesus asked this powerful question: Luke 18:8 – Will I find faith when I return? Today growth matters 2 Peter 1:5-9 (Msg) - So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. If you're not growing, you're dying.  If you are growing, you're most certainly changing. Today change matters Change is a clear sign of growth. Change is the clear evidence that you are no longer what you used to be. I'm not what I should be yet, but I'm sure not what I used to be. John 15:1-3 (Amp) - I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.  Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. Change is not change until you change. Today commitment matters It's your commitment to your decision to grow and change to become more like Jesus that keeps you on The Way. Helps you not be in the way Philippians 2:13 (Amp) - [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Commitment will cost you everything. Your daily choices to be committed is the only thing you truly control. Today changing your self-talk matters What are you saying to yourself about yourself? Because the content of your self-talk matters WHAT YOU'RE SAYING - determines what you are becoming: You can only speak what is in your thoughts (HEART) and what is in your heart (THOUGHTS) is what you're believing, saying, and living out. Remember what we said about self-talk? Psychologists estimate that you are talking to yourself at a rate of 1200 to 1500 words per minute.  In contrast when we speak aloud, we can only go up to 250 words a minute. Proverbs 18:20-21 (Amp) - A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words, he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. Your attitude is determined by your self-talk. Good attitude good self-talk bad attitude bad self talk Today your attitude matters The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. Nothing reveals who you really are, like your attitude does. The point is man is the only known creature who can reshape and remold himself by altering his attitude. Ephesians 4:23-24 (Amp) - And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude] And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. Your attitude will determine your momentum.   Today momentum matters What God starts, never ends. Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NIV) – I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him. God is fully committed to your success and growth.  You are the only one who can derail your progress. What are you carrying on your shoulders, what burdens are you allowing to slow you down? How quickly do you rise up in faith when you're going through trials, obstacles, and temptations? Would you say your life has momentum? Today moving from success to significance matters Ultimately, Success is when I add value to myself. Significance is when I add value to others. When God saved you, He had other sin mind. A life isn't significant except for its impact on other lives. “No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reason for having passed through it.” -   G.W. Carver  If your life is only about you and improving yourself and your situation, (looking out for number 1) then you're still on the success track. Today your prayer matters With everything you've heard, simply put, your spiritual life is as great as your prayer life. The success of your Faith, Growth, Change, commitment, self-talk, attitude, momentum, and significance fully depends on your prayer. When people cease to pray, no matter the reason, Christians backslide, youth rebel, preachers leave pulpits, missions close and churches die! “Prayer and worshipping God is the great essential for spiritual fitness.  If you have not started Today in prayer and worship … when you get to work you will not only be useless yourself, but a tremendous hindrance to those who are associated with you.”  -  Oswald Chambers   “In the matter of New Testament, spirit-inspired, hell-shaking, world-breaking prayer never has so much been left by so many to so few.  For this kind of prayer there is no substitute.  We do it - or die!” -   Leonard Ravenhill “God forbid that our prayers should be a mere leaping out of bed and kneeling down and saying anything that comes to mind – on the contrary, may we wait on the Lord with holy fear and sacred awe.” - Spurgeon What have you put into place by now in your life to ensure that your ‘Today' matters?

(Matthew‬ ‭6:30-33‬ ‭MSG‬) So many times we chase shadows instead of chasing the real deal. We chase after ‘the created' instead of ‘the Creator' Himself who can lead us into the enviable positions He has planned for us. ““If God gives so much attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't we think he'll attend to us, take pride in us, do his best for us? God desires that we ‘relax' to not be so preoccupied with getting, so we can respond to His giving. Steeping our lives in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Not worrying about missing out. And in so doing, we will find all our everyday human concerns being met.” Are you tired of chasing shadows? Chase after God and His presence. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/abimbola-arawande/message

God is Our RefugePsalms | Week 6June 20, 2021 | Adam Barnett -- Psalm 46 NIV God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.Psalm 46:4-5 NIV There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.The city is safe not because of walls, weapons, or war strategies, but because of God's Presence.“We sing this psalm to the praise of God, because God is with us, and powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends his church and his word, against all obsessive spirits, against the gates of hell, against the relentless hatred of the devil, and against all the assaults of the world.” — Martin Luther2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV “Do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, let's fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.Psalm 46:10 NIV “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”Text the name JESUS to (918) 376-3438 to let us know!

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon in all his wisdom worked hard to figure out why life is completely out of his control, even as a powerful king. In his writings, he was frustrated and angry and cynical and flippant and sarcastic. Does that sound familiar at all? Thank God that He gave us such a wide variety of people and circumstances in His Word to show us the collision between the divine and the human. Listen to Ecclesiastes 8:7-9 in The Message … Yes, there’s a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part. It’s true that no one knows what’s going to happen, or when. Who’s around to tell us? No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death. No one can stop a battle in its tracks. No one who does evil can be saved by evil. All this I observed as I tried my best to understand all that’s going on in this world. As long as men and women have the power to hurt each other, this is the way it is. Can you relate to any of Solomon’s words? When we can’t actually control anything about life but we want to, we usually end up hurting one another, trying to control each other. And we have to be so careful that we don’t end up trying too hard to control our kids. Control is never the point of parenting. Let’s fast-forward to the end of Ecclesiastes where Solomon finally resolves his search for truth. The words of the wise prod us to live well. They’re like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd. But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There’s no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that’s it. (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 MSG) So, evidently it’s okay to run through all of our crazy, mixed-up emotions and express our cynical and sarcastic opinions of how life treats us. Because what matters most after the process is where we end up. Better, not bitter. Realizing we will never be God and He always will be. And that will always be a great place to land. Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to realize I can vent with You as my Father. I can tell you exactly what I think. You already know what I’m thinking so I may as well just voice it. But remind me in those moments that all I am saying is that You have to be in control—and to thank You that I’m not. As above, so below.”

Romans 12:1-2 (MSG) So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.

When I say the word treasure, what comes to your mind?Perhaps you think of a chest filled with gold, precious jewels. Perhaps you think of a priceless artifact retrieved from the bottom of the ocean. Perhaps you think of a family heirloom which you greatly prize or a prized possession of a loved one which has been passed on to you. The word Treasure is synonymous with resources, riches, reserves, materials, assets, possessions. I love to watch the Antique Road Show, it is amazing the treasures people have and don't realize it. The other day I was watching, and a lady had a painting in her attic which had an estimated value of $300,000.00. We all love treasure hunting, don't we? Whether it is the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks, or a safe deposit box filled with cash, stocks, and gold we look forward to the discovery of treasure. Illustration: Al Capone's Vault Read Text:Luke 6:45 (NKJV) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 1. What is "good treasure?"We might say the good treasure is the fruit of the Holy Spirit resident in our heart. Galatians 5:22 Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, meekness, faithfulness, goodness, self – control.2. What is "evil treasure?"Paul on several occasions lists what I'm calling "evil treasure." These are the works of sin in our flesh. They stand as the antithesis of the good treasure. Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT) When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.3. What are the treasures of your heart?Listen to your words, they reveal the content of the heart. What do you value most… replay your conversations of the past week and you will have a clear picture of your heart's treasure. Look at your checkbook it will also give you a very clear picture of the treasures of your heart. Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. I conclude today by calling each of you to do a heart check. Jesus calls us to live a Spirit filled life, to walk in the authority and power of His Word. He calls us to be overcomers not victims, to be people of faith, not fear. When we fill our heart with His treasure, we become just that, even in the midst of less than ideal circumstances. Let's get the fear and anger out. Let's stop blaming others for our “issues” and let's fill our hearts with His treasure.Col. 3:1-17 (Msg) So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. 2Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.3Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. 4When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.5And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. 6It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. 7It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. 8But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.9Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. 10Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. 11Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. 13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. 14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.15Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. 16Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! 17Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Today's episode is dedicated to Thomas F. Jones. My Pop Pop. You will truly be missed. Another episode of The Pieces Podcast is here to enjoy! On this podcast we hope to facilitate opportunities to convene and learn more about God through music lead devotionals. Let's get excited to enjoy our love for music and Christ in one place. On today's podcast, we'll get into what anchor scriptures are, our next dissected song, and step into the listening room! Anchor Scripture: An anchor scripture is that one scripture that holds a lot of power. It's a reminder that no matter how we might drift off or lose ourselves in the process of LIFE, it'll always help us recenter and remind us of the character and presence of God in our life. Isaiah 55:12a NIV - “You will go out in joy, and be led forth in peace” Isaiah 55:12a MSG - “So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life.” The SOAP Method on Scripture: S - Scripture O - Observation A - Application P - Prayer Devotionals: Jesus Calling Today's featured song: He Touched Me x Yolanda Adams Listen here: The Pieces Podcast Official Playlist - Apple Music or Spotify The lyrics say, Shackled by a heavy burden 'Neath a load of guilt and shame Then the hand of Jesus touched me And now I am no longer the same He touched, oh, He touched me And oh, the joy that floods my soul Something happened and now I know He touched me and made me whole We'll discuss the importance of faith without works, intentionality in all pursuit of your desires, and fasting. Tune into today's episode for the full breakdown. The Listening Room: Check out the songs featured on today's episode! Listen here: The Pieces Podcast The Listening Room - Apple Music or Spotify Guide to 21 Days of Fasting (Thank you for our listener - Nita for sharing some key facts!) What is a Fast? - Fasting is simply denying your flesh and what it wants in order to seek God for what He wants. Why do we fast? As you cleanse you body, your spirit is renewed and refreshed, allowing you to hear from God more clearly and be more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Remember, FASTING WITHOUT PRAYER IS MERELY GOING ON A DIET. We want to see spiritual results as well as physical. What is the Daniel Fast? (see Daniel 1:12) Essentially a vegetarian/vegan diet Food Included: Whole Grains, Legumes, Fruits, Vegetables, Water, All natural Juices Food Not Included: Sugar, Desserts, Soft Drinks, Table or Box salt, Bread, Meats, Fish, Poultry, Dairy, Fried foods, Butter, etc.  The perfect way to start your fast: Glo Juice Bar: (Dallas, TX) - Real. Natural. Fresh! Glo Juice Bar specializes in fresh juice made from all-natural fruits and vegetables. Their vision is to promote healthy living and to get people to understand that being healthy doesn't have to be hard. Place your order today - www.glo-juicebar.com. Coupon Code: CHIERRA15 to get 15% off your order! Subscribe, Comment, & download this podcast on your favorite listening platform. Email us at thepiecespodcast@gmail.com

Today, we continue in our theme of Immanuel—God with us in newness. Today, as we are at mid-week, we’re going to give our focus on a passage from Colossians 3 from The Message Bible. I want you to close your eyes, empty your mind so the Word can fill you, and listen for the many calls to adopt the newness of Christ. (Colossians 3:1-4, 9-17 MSG) So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. … … Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. … Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. So powerful. Such great words describing what can make for a great life. As I’ve said before, if anything, or any phrase, stood out to you as I read, pay attention to that prompting. God may have been speaking to you … to offer you something new. If so, accept His gift. Listen again to what is said about our new life of love that we are to choose to put on. So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let’s pray: “Heavenly Father, I heard some of the old me in there, and then some of the current me, but I also heard the new me. But I want all of those words to describe me, so make me new where You need me to be. My life is Yours. As above, so below.”

Discipleship series #8 A disciple lives actively and effectively in the moment. By Pastor George Lehman   Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift – that’s why it’s called the present. Paul said: Philippians 3:1 (Amp) – For the rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him. To keep writing to you [over and over] of the same things is not irksome to me, and it is [a precaution] for your safety. Psalm 118:24 (NIV) - This IS the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Note: It does NOT say this WAS or WILL be the day, when? In this day. Not future tense or past tense but present tense. How we frequently miss out on the blessing in the NOW!  How can we actually be content in this moment when we are actually somewhere else? Let’s be honest, most times our lives are so absorbed in our worries, fears, hopes and expectations that we miss out on the only life we really have, the one happening right here, right now! These are not some idle words from Jesus Matthew 6:27 (LB) - Will all your worries add a single moment to your life? (It will possibly shorten your life.) Isn’t this true - that we often so consumed with trying to make our futures better that we don’t appreciate what God is trying to do in our “NOW”.   We need to stop waiting for perfect conditions to be fully engaged in our lives. Philippians 3:16 (LB) - Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Live in the ‘now’ you and I have more than what you need to live successfully, victoriously, courageously and confidently “Today”. Jesus said it: Matthew 6:34 (LB) - So don’t be anxious about tomorrow, God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time. Just observe what happens when you’re totally engrossed or consumed by anything – a hobby or watching a gripping movie. For that time and space for 2 hours, all your problems disappear? Time flies, worries, regrets, and anger vanishes.  The tension of the day melts away. How does this happen? It’s not magic. It’s because you’re focused on something other than your problems. The moment you leave the movies or whatever consumed your ‘now time’ – you think or say… “Now I’m back in the REAL world”. The so called ‘real world’ is actually waiting for you to carry that peace right into it. God actually meant us to live this way. The word describes God as ‘omnipresent’.  Not omni-past or omni-future. He is present HERE and NOW! For so many people their relationship with God is consumed with – - what they don’t have, - what they haven’t ‘done right’ - how they failed or messed up. 4 Simple steps if applied will help you live a blessed life in the now – in the moment:   As an unsaved, non-Christian you just lived like you wanted to. But now that you are a disciple of Jesus, God’s intention for you is an abundant life. A strong, enduring, victorious life for TODAY!   #1  Live on purpose You have to stop drifting in life.   James 4:17 (LB) - Knowing what’s right to do and not doing it is sin.   2 John 1:8 (NIV) - Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. When you’re not focused and living ‘on purpose’. - James 1:8 (Amp) - [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious {doubtful}, irresolute{not determined / shrinking back}), (He is) unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything (he thinks, feels, decides).   Do everything it takes to live your spiritual life out “on purpose”. If you’re not living ‘on purpose’ you won’t experience the breakthrough promises. You’ll keep focusing on yesterday and hoping for a better tomorrow you’ll MISS OUT on the peace, joy and victory of TODAY!   #2  Maximise today.   It’s God’s job to make the day but it’s OUR job to make the most of it. You see, joy is a decision. You make the choice to rejoice. Philippians 4:4 (NIV) – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Tomorrow is ashes, yesterday is wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly. Eskimo proverb “Joy is like fuel.” You don’t wait to refuel only when you feel like it.   #3  Trust. Trust that God will provide and that you have the power, ability and resources within to find contentment and peace – not tomorrow but each moment of TODAY! You can’t trust someone who doesn’t keep their word. To trust someone, they must have a track record of integrity.   Psalm 62:8 (Msg) - So trust Him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for Him. God is a safe place to be.   Consider this track record: There are more than 1000 predictions or prophecies in the bible. Promises that God made before they happened. The chances of 17 of them coming to pass is 1 out of 450 billion x 1 billion x 1 trillion. Yet, not one of these 1000 promises have failed. In fact to this day 668 have already been fulfilled. You can relax and trust God. He won’t let you down!   #4  Be grateful and celebrate.   1 Corinthians 8:3 (Amp) - But if one loves God truly (with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience and GRATEFUL recognition of His blessing), he is known by God (recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love and he is owned by Him). When we live with an attitude of gratitude we live in the moment and find we will experience contentment. A thankless attitude traps you in the past or the future. It causes you to ignore the gifts and blessings that are present in your lives now! Many times it’s when we lose something or things go wrong – like our health, lose a job, then we appreciate and are grateful for our abundant past we had. Hebrews 3:15 (NIV) – “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Disciple of God learn to thank and praise God: - Live on purpose - Maximise everyday - Trust God - Be grateful and celebrate. What has God already done in your life? Everything you are blessed with – a family, a home, a job, food and health. Doing this, before you know it, midnight will pass and morning will come. Living in the moment you can flow through life rather than struggle through it. Jesus died to make it possible! Poem with “TODAY”: Today is the most important day of my life. Yesterday with its successes and victories, struggles and failures is gone forever. The past is past. Done. Finished. I cannot relive it. I cannot go back and change it. But I will learn from it and improve my today. Today. This moment. NOW. It is God’s gift to me and it is all that I have. Tomorrow with all its joys and sorrows, triumphs and troubles isn’t here yet. Indeed, tomorrow may never come. Therefore, I will not worry about tomorrow. Today is what God has entrusted to me. It is all that I have. I will do my best in it. I will demonstrate the best of me in it - my character, giftedness and abilities. To my family and friends, clients and associates - I will identify those things that are most important to do today. And those things I will do until they are done. And when this day is done, I will look back with satisfaction at that which I have accomplished. Then, and only then, Will I plan my tomorrow. Looking to improve upon today, with God’s help. Then I shall go to sleep in peace… content.

Discipleship series #4 A disciple responds positively to testing. (The character test.) By Pastor George Lehman James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Genesis 22:1-2 “Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue [goodness, uprightness, moral excellence] enough to maintain what I consider the most desirable of all titles – the character of an honest man. George Washington Character means the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person from another. What do you think that distinguishing mark in a disciple’s life should be? Colossians 3:10 (Amp) - And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it. God is serious about our growth Why a character test?  Christians are to be good news before they share the good news. Most people won’t come right out and say it, but you’d better believe they’re thinking it - they’re not interested in committing their lives to Jesus Christ unless they observe attractive, qualities and consistent patterns of living in a Christian life that they know. Living a double standard life will never draw anyone to Jesus 2 Peter 1:5 (Msg) - So don’t loose a minute [i.e. use every second] in building on what you’ve been given, complementing* your basic faith with good CHARACTER, spiritual understanding. *To spend a long time thinking about your action We have taken off the old way of living, thinking, and acting... Have you? Here’s the reason why God gives us ‘the character test’: Ephesians 4:24 (Msg) - And working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces* His character in you. *To produce a copy of something Romans 8:29 “God pre-destined us to conform to the likeness of His Son.” God is redoing His original plan in us! How sad is this: The universe seems bankrupt as soon as we begin to discuss the character of individual lives. So many Christians are bankrupt of Character Luke 8:13 “Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away Nothing is so fatal to character as compromising of principles. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) - Do not be mislead, “bad company corrupts good character”. Check who you mostly hang around with it will tell you where you’re headed. Men of genius are admired Men of wealth are envied Men of power are feared BUT ONLY MEN OF CHARACTER are TRUSTED and FOLLOWED and RESPECTED Definition:  In the character test, a disciple is surrounded by ungodliness, compromise and shortcuts that attempt to pull them in its direction.  These may tempt the disciple to sin in various ways to weaken their character. In order to develop a disciple with strong, godly character qualities – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, faithfulness. God puts His disciples in fiery places so they may learn to stand strong in Him. Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold”. You cannot dream yourself into a character – you must hammer and forge yourself into one. It takes sacrifice, dedication, commitment and focus Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us.  We have to build it piece by piece – by thought, choice, courage and determination. The potential to fail and mess up is strong and very real. Purpose:  The character test shows to the disciples the areas of weakness in their own personality, in what they stand for. Character is like the foundation of a house – it’s below the surface. When God allows a situation into a disciple’s life which requires patience, resistance to temptation and steadfastness you realise you must call on more of God’s grace. Usually an area of need surfaces where you must allow God to work. Every disciple has hidden character deficiencies (Blind spots) of which he is totally unaware until confronted with a character test that will call for a Godly response. This will expose your own true inward self.  “The true you.” Self control (character) doesn’t vanish overnight. It slips away little by little under the constant pressure of an unguarded lifestyle. Interestingly this erosion of self control (character) is most likely to happen in those areas where you think you are strongest and feel most confident and secure. (Happens many times in older Christians) You can’t go on old energy and anointing. All of a sudden God exposes your true character to you – just when you thought you were on top of things. Romans 5:4 (Amp) - And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity) and character (of this sort) produces (the habit of) joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Isaiah 59:19 says – when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God will raise up a STANDARD against him. Where on earth do you think the Standard will be raised if not in the life of a child of God. Character is the standard which destroys the enemy. When Character arrives on the scene the enemy will flee in many different directions How is your character? This is not a trick question which demands an honest answer The true disciple will watch over himself when he is alone.  He examines his heart that there may be nothing wrong and that he may have no cause of dissatisfaction with himself. Psalm 25:21 (NLT) - May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. How protected are you by your Honesty and integrity Action, looks, words, steps – form the alphabet by which you may spell CHARACTER. For those of you that have been serving the Lord for a number of years, remember, the higher the character the more you should regard your smaller actions. Character is made by many acts.  It may be lost by a single action. The favour and blessing and prosperity and provision of God rest upon the disciple of character. Isn’t it amazing – God will allow a ‘character test’ to develop character in us and then He goes out of His way to bless that character? God doesn’t want to hurt us but He knows what’s good for us. Psalm 84:11 (Amp) - For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows (present) grace and favour and (future) glory (honour, splendour and heavenly bliss)!  No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. How have you been responding to tests, hardships, difficulties, tough situations. If you’re not happy with your actions, speech and behavior Repent and ask God to change you. Psalm 26:2 “Test me, O Lord and try me, examine my heart and my mind…” -o0o-

Discipleship series #4 A disciple responds positively to testing. (The character test.) By Pastor George Lehman James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Genesis 22:1-2 “Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue [goodness, uprightness, moral excellence] enough to maintain what I consider the most desirable of all titles – the character of an honest man. George Washington Character means the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person from another. What do you think that distinguishing mark in a disciple’s life should be? Colossians 3:10 (Amp) - And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it. God is serious about our growth Why a character test?  Christians are to be good news before they share the good news. Most people won’t come right out and say it, but you’d better believe they’re thinking it - they’re not interested in committing their lives to Jesus Christ unless they observe attractive, qualities and consistent patterns of living in a Christian life that they know. Living a double standard life will never draw anyone to Jesus 2 Peter 1:5 (Msg) - So don’t loose a minute [i.e. use every second] in building on what you’ve been given, complementing* your basic faith with good CHARACTER, spiritual understanding. *To spend a long time thinking about your action We have taken off the old way of living, thinking, and acting... Have you? Here’s the reason why God gives us ‘the character test’: Ephesians 4:24 (Msg) - And working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces* His character in you. *To produce a copy of something Romans 8:29 “God pre-destined us to conform to the likeness of His Son.” God is redoing His original plan in us! How sad is this: The universe seems bankrupt as soon as we begin to discuss the character of individual lives. So many Christians are bankrupt of Character Luke 8:13 “Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away Nothing is so fatal to character as compromising of principles. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) - Do not be mislead, “bad company corrupts good character”. Check who you mostly hang around with it will tell you where you’re headed. Men of genius are admired Men of wealth are envied Men of power are feared BUT ONLY MEN OF CHARACTER are TRUSTED and FOLLOWED and RESPECTED Definition:  In the character test, a disciple is surrounded by ungodliness, compromise and shortcuts that attempt to pull them in its direction.  These may tempt the disciple to sin in various ways to weaken their character. In order to develop a disciple with strong, godly character qualities – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, faithfulness. God puts His disciples in fiery places so they may learn to stand strong in Him. Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold”. You cannot dream yourself into a character – you must hammer and forge yourself into one. It takes sacrifice, dedication, commitment and focus Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us.  We have to build it piece by piece – by thought, choice, courage and determination. The potential to fail and mess up is strong and very real. Purpose:  The character test shows to the disciples the areas of weakness in their own personality, in what they stand for. Character is like the foundation of a house – it’s below the surface. When God allows a situation into a disciple’s life which requires patience, resistance to temptation and steadfastness you realise you must call on more of God’s grace. Usually an area of need surfaces where you must allow God to work. Every disciple has hidden character deficiencies (Blind spots) of which he is totally unaware until confronted with a character test that will call for a Godly response. This will expose your own true inward self.  “The true you.” Self control (character) doesn’t vanish overnight. It slips away little by little under the constant pressure of an unguarded lifestyle. Interestingly this erosion of self control (character) is most likely to happen in those areas where you think you are strongest and feel most confident and secure. (Happens many times in older Christians) You can’t go on old energy and anointing. All of a sudden God exposes your true character to you – just when you thought you were on top of things. Romans 5:4 (Amp) - And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity) and character (of this sort) produces (the habit of) joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Isaiah 59:19 says – when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God will raise up a STANDARD against him. Where on earth do you think the Standard will be raised if not in the life of a child of God. Character is the standard which destroys the enemy. When Character arrives on the scene the enemy will flee in many different directions How is your character? This is not a trick question which demands an honest answer The true disciple will watch over himself when he is alone.  He examines his heart that there may be nothing wrong and that he may have no cause of dissatisfaction with himself. Psalm 25:21 (NLT) - May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. How protected are you by your Honesty and integrity Action, looks, words, steps – form the alphabet by which you may spell CHARACTER. For those of you that have been serving the Lord for a number of years, remember, the higher the character the more you should regard your smaller actions. Character is made by many acts.  It may be lost by a single action. The favour and blessing and prosperity and provision of God rest upon the disciple of character. Isn’t it amazing – God will allow a ‘character test’ to develop character in us and then He goes out of His way to bless that character? God doesn’t want to hurt us but He knows what’s good for us. Psalm 84:11 (Amp) - For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows (present) grace and favour and (future) glory (honour, splendour and heavenly bliss)!  No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. How have you been responding to tests, hardships, difficulties, tough situations. If you’re not happy with your actions, speech and behavior Repent and ask God to change you. Psalm 26:2 “Test me, O Lord and try me, examine my heart and my mind…” -o0o-

Psalm 57:7-10 (NLT) My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.Where we hear praise, He hears faith.Psalm 150 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."The very first thing we have to acknowledge is that; worship was given to us by God as a spiritual avenue to connect on a more authentic level with His presence.It's really not so much about style and preference. It should never be about what kind of mood we're in, or what we think we might need from Him.When we worship in those times when we don't feel like it, it's even more treasured - AW TozerYou see, it's in those times that we take a step of faith and offer our sacrifice of praise. When we hear praise, He hears faith.It's about us using our voices to exalt our God through a song. It's a place where we get to honor God with our words and our heart. Worship is one of the most spiritual things a Christian can take part in.John 4:24 (NLT)“For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”Make no mistake about it, although we are not to rely on emotion, worship will absolutely impact us emotionally. After all, we're emotional people. When your spirit connects on a spiritual level with your Creator, there's no avoiding emotion.Throughout the scriptures we see that God's people are emotional people when it comes to worship. They would worship so loud that surrounding cities would not only hear them, they would feel it.Psalm 67 Let the peoples praise You, O God; LET ALL THE PEOPLE PRAISE YOU. Then the earth shall yield her increase and the Almighty shall bless us.And just in case you think it’s not for you, or maybe you struggle engaging in a deeper level of worship, why don't you ask God to help you in your worship. At the end of the day, we’re simply bringing something to God from our hearts, connecting with His presence.Awake my soul! Be exalted O God above to heavens.Psalm 100 Come into His presence with singing. Know He made us and we are His people. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.One of the wonderful privileges of gathering for worship is the awesome opportunity to create such an atmosphere that when new people show up they actually feel His presence when they walk into the room.“There’s a sound I love to hear, it’s the sound of the Savior’s robe as He walks into the room.” Hillsong Worship - Awake My SoulRevelation 4:11 (NLT)“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”This is why worship was given to us by God as a spiritual avenue to connect on a more authentic level with His presence.So often it’s our sacrifice of praise that’s the on ramp to our breakthrough.I pray our talk inspires a more authentic, intentional heart of worship in all of us. Awake our souls, O God! So that it not only impacts our personal life, but that it becomes so contagious that it changes impacts who we are as a church. Truth is, at the end of the day, worship is a heart thing.1 Samuel 16 For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.This may take a minute to sink in, but the reality is, the way we are with people is the way we are with God.So for those of us that have some understanding of worship, when we come together for worship, let’s be aware that we’re helping others by setting the best example we possibly can. But because today's society has become so spectator driven, it easy for us to attend worship service on Sunday's like we're attending a concert.A big part of worshipping together is being aware that any Sunday could be someone's first real experience in authentic worship with their Heavenly Father.I can tell you from experience, the more I practice worship in my private life, the more comfortable I am in public worship. Just like with anything else in life, the more we do something, the better we are at it.The more worship is a lifestyle for us, not only will our public worship be more influential, but more enjoyable.Don’t kid yourself, if you’re not enjoying your own worship, what makes you think He is.Romans 12 (MSG) So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life, your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.As we put into practice Paul’s instructions here, our worship goes from just an activity we do on Sunday's to a lifestyle we embrace.The danger is, when we refuse to make room in our lives for worship, we automatically fill that space with something else.This is one of David’s points in Ps. 57, Awake my soul, my praise wakes up the morning. I cannot overstate the importance of starting our day with the Lord. Taking those little moments throughout the day to inwardly acknowledge Him.Psalm 113 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. 

In life there is desires inside of us that we may have wanted to come into existence however we must understand that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. In Galatians Ch 6 vs 9,10 (Msg) So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Delay is happening with some of your prayers and I want to encourage you today to not give up, don't let up, don't give in but wait on GOD: Delayed is not denied! I want to speak in your spirit today and compel you to hold on to your faith in GOD! There is Almighty Power, Unlimited blessings in GOD in Jesus name may you be blessed. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/joylovepressed /support

Lets hit the ground running... I've been reading and listening to 1 Peter on repeat for a week going on two weeks. (Did you know that on the @Youversion Bible App you can hit the PLAY button and listen to Bible. Great for when you're working out, driving, cleaning, whatever.) So let's break these verses down starting with the first five words: SO ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES! 1 Peter 1.13-16 MSG: So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” Also shout out to #ElevationWorship and #TaurenWells for an awesome, uplifting, fist pumping worship song: Never Lost... That chorus: "You've never lost a battle... You never will" On repeat currently.

Habbakkuk2:18-20, “Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. 19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.” 20 The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” 1. Who do you put your trust in? vs.18Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”2. Who or what guides you? vs.19Psalm 31:3, “Since You are my Rock and my Fortress, for the sake of Your name, lead and guide me.”3. Who do you listen to? vs.20Psalm 81:13, “If My people would only listen to Me if Israel would only follow My ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!Conclusion: What does worship look like? Romans 12:1 (MSG) “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”What is it? Psalm 100:2, “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”Are we committed to a King, and not a form of a King?Phil.2:9-11, “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

2018/7/29 Ps Luke Kennedy ルーク　ケネディ牧師 Categories: Video: https://osaka.mylifehouse.com/tv/message/building-on-the-right-foundation-love Building on the right foundation: LOVE John 13:34-35 (NKJV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Romans 5:5 (NKJV) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 1 Peter 4:7-10 (NKJV) But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 John 4:12 (NKJV) No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. Treasure the relationships God has given me ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:8‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Isaiah 55:9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so are your thoughts higher than my thoughts. How can I build relationships on love? Colossians 3:12-14 (MSG) So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Believe the best. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭(ERV‬‬) “Do for others what you would want them to do for you. This is the meaning of the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets. Forgive fast. Release people from your judgement quickly. “Forgivenesses creates a path forwards” Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV) Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Encourage Always. Proverbs‬ ‭25:11-12‬ ‭(MSG) The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, And a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger. ‭‭‬ 正しい土台の上に築く: 愛 ヨハネによる福音書 13:34-35 (口語訳) わたしは、新しいいましめをあなたがたに与える、互いに愛し合いなさい。わたしがあなたがたを愛したように、あなたがたも互いにに愛し合いなさい。 互いに愛し合うならば、それによって、あなたがたがわたしの弟子であることを、すべての者が認めるであろう。 ローマ人への手紙 5:5 (JCB) この希望は失望に終わることはありません。それは、神が聖霊を与えてくださり、その聖霊が私たちの心に神の愛を満たしてくださっているからです。 ペテロの第一の手紙 4:7-8, 10 (口語訳) 万物の終りが近づいている。だから、心を確かにし、身を慎んで、努めて祈りなさい。 何よりもまず、互いの愛を熱く保ちなさい。愛は多くの罪をおおうものである。あなたがたは、それぞれ賜物をいただいているのだから、神のさまざまな恵みの良き管理人として、それをお互いのために役立てるべきである。 ヨハネの第一の手紙 4:12 (口語訳) 神を見た者は、まだひとりもいない。もしわたしたちが互いに愛し合うなら、神はわたしたちのうちにいまし、神の愛がわたしたちのうちに全うされるのである。 神様が私に与えてくれた人間関係を大切にする 詩篇 34:8 (口語訳) 主の恵みふかきことを味わい知れ、主に寄り頼む人はさいわいである。 イザヤ書 55:9 (口語訳) 天が地よりも高いように、わが道は、あなたがたの道よりも高く、わが思いは、あなたがたの思いよりも高い。 どうしたら愛を土台にした人間関係を築けるの？ コロサイ人への手紙3:12-14(MSG) 神様に選ばれてこの新しい愛の人生を生きるあなた方は、思いやり、優しさ、謙虚さ、忍耐強さを身にまといなさい。穏やかに、2番手に満足し、傷ついてもすぐに赦しなさい。神様があなたを赦したように、できるだけ早く完全に赦しなさい。他の何を身にまとったとしても、愛をまといなさい。愛は基本であり究極であるからです。必ず愛をまといなさい。 ベストを信じよう マタイの福音書 7:12 (JCB) 人からしてほしいと思うことを、そのとおり、人にもしてあげなさい。これがモーセの律法の要約です。 素早く赦そう 自分で人を裁く事を素早く手放す “赦しは前に進む道をつくる” マタイによる福音書 18:21-22 (口語訳) そのとき、ペテロがイエスのもとにきて言った、「主よ、兄弟がわたしに対して罪を犯した場合、幾たびゆるさねばなりませんか。七たびまでですか」。 イエスは彼に言われた、「わたしは七たびまでとは言わない。七たびを七十倍するまでにしなさい。」 いつも励まそう 箴言25:11-12(MSG) 正しい時の正しい言葉はオーダーメイドの宝石のようだ。知恵のある友からのタイムリーな忠告は、指にはめられた金の指輪のようだ。

Peace can be found, peace can be felt. Both internally and externally. Rest in that peace and then give it away to others. Denise McKinney concludes our study on dwelling with Christ by encouraging us to live into the peace of Christ. Shalom Dwell | Week 5 May 21, 2017 | Denise McKinney Shalom: wholeness, completeness, soundness, & welfare to make things right, or restore eirene: eiréneuó: to bring to peace, to be at peace eirénopoieó - I make peace, reconcile Shalom is …the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight…Shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be…the full flourishing of human life in all aspects, as God intended it to be. -Cornelius Plantinga Ezekiel 34:11-16a (NLT) For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign LORD. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. Colossians 1:19-20 (NLT) For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20 (MSG) So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. Peace is not the absence of struggle or pain, but the unmistakable and strong presence of God in it. Philippians 4:7 (NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Peace isn’t the absence of conflict or differences, or even war, but the intentional movement toward reconciling and restoring people to God and to each other. Ephesians 2:14-17 (NIV) For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. I myself will search I will be like a shepherd I will find and rescue I will bring them back home I will feed them I will give them good pastureland I myself will tend I will search for my lost ones I will bandage the injured I will strengthen the weak Bridge Over Troubled Water - Audrey Assad

Let us be determined to daily give our lives - our eating, sleeping, drinking, working, EVERYTHING - in total surrender to our Father God. And let's always have a smile on our faces - reflecting Jesus' light in us.   Romans 12:1-2 (MSG): “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering…”  

Romans 8:31 (MSG) So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?

Title: Becoming a Better You. Mediocrity:  To settle halfway to the summit of a difficult mountain.Slipping Points & Stepping Stones1.  Slipping Point: Aimlessness People who are successful in their efforts to reach the mountaintops of their lives do so by refusing to let circumstances & feelings define who they are.  (Colossians 3:1-3) (MSG) So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. (Colossians 3:5) (MSG) And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. (Colossians 3:7-10) (MSG) It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. (Colossians 3:12-14) (MSG) So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. Stepping Stone: Know Your Identity 2. Slipping Point: Comfort The love of comfort is frequently the enemy of greatness. (Philippians 3:13) (MSG) Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. (Philippians 3:15-16) (MSG) So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. (Philippians 3:17-19) (MSG) Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. But easy street is a dead-end street. Stepping Stone: Gauge Your Progress 3.  Slipping Point: Ego (Galatians 2:19-20) (MSG) What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ.(Galatians 2:19-20) (MSG) My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Stepping Stone: Nurture Your Teachability Teachability: Be willing to re-learn what you think you already know. 4.  Slipping Point: Fear Stepping Stone: Remember Your Faith (Hebrews 11:1) (MSG) The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. 5.  Slipping Point: Isolation Stepping Stone: Find Your Friends (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) (NLT) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.(Matthew 19:26) (NLT) … with God everything is possible.”

(1 Corinthians 2:3-5) (MSG) I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway.   (1 Corinthians 2:3-5) (MSG) God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.   Today's Theme: We Will Not Forget   (Psalm 103:2) (NIV) Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.   (Psalm 103:3-5) (NIV) …who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.   (Romans 8:31) (MSG) So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?   (2 Timothy 1:6) (NLT) This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.   (2 Timothy 1:6-7) (NKJV)  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.   Extra Benefits:   1. Power (Colossians 1:11) (NLT) We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.   2. Love (1 John 4:18) (NLT) Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 3. Sound Mind (Psalm 139:17) (NLT) How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be outnumbered!

Join us this week as lead Pastor, Shane Frazier, continus our series Proverbs with a message on wisdom. (2 Chronicles 1:10) Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”   (Proverbs 8:1-5) Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.”   Title of message: Find Wisdom Find Life   (Proverbs 4:23) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.   (Proverbs 4:23) (GNT) Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.   Thoughts that lead to an affair: 1.    I deserve to be happy 2.    I need another person to make me happy 3.    I married the wrong person so I deserve to start over 4.    I'm not good at marriage so I want out   12 Steps to an affair.   1.    You lean away from your marriage.         2.    You notice someone else. 3.    You take innocent meetings too far. 4.    You replace innocent meetings with intentional meetings. 5.    You try hard to set up purposeful conversations with the person.   6.    You change the conversation to feelings.   7.    You have isolated meetings with this person. 8.    You have isolated meetings for pleasure. 9.    Your embraces become affectionate and playful. 10.  Your embraces become passionate. 11.  You commit adultery. 12. The affair is made public.   Sin will take you farther than you want to go and cost you more than you are willing to pay.    (Proverbs 5:7-14) (MSG) So, my friend, listen closely; don't treat my words casually. Keep your distance from such a woman; absolutely stay out of her neighborhood.    (Proverbs 5:7-14) (MSG) You don't want to squander your wonderful life, to waste your precious life among the hardhearted. Why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you?  Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you?   (Proverbs 5:7-14) (MSG) You don't want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones, Saying, "Oh, why didn't I do what they told me? Why did I reject a disciplined life? Why didn't I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously? My life is ruined! I haven't one blessed thing to show for my life!"   Sin grows in the dark.  Sin dies in the light.    (Daniel 11:35) And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.   (Proverbs 5:15-17)  Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers.   (Proverbs 5:18-20) Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? What captivates you?    How to affair proof your marriage:   1.    Pray together 2.    Date each other 3.    Talk openly about sexual temptations 4.    Stay accountable 5.    Praise one another   (Proverbs 8:32-33) (NLT) “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. (Proverbs 8:34-36) (NLT) Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”

True Colors  What are some of the "Shades we wear?"  1.     Red = Unforgiveness The effects of Unforgiveness: ·        Isolation·        Stop all contact with people·        Mindset to never to trust again 2.     Yellow = Fear The effects of Fear: ·        Hesitation ·        Holding back·        Unwilling to risk 3.     Blue = Pain The effects of Pain: ·        This is where pain began·        This is where pain remains·        Stay away from this area 4.     Black=Death The effects of Death: ·        Addictions·        Destructive Behavior·        Abuse How do we remove the lenses? 1.     Unforgiveness: Removing the Red Lens (John 13:21 NLT) "Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!" (John 13: 26 NLT) "Jesus responded, "It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl." And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot." (Proverbs 30:33 NLT) "As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels." (Romans 12:19)  "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:  'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." So what do you do?             RELEASE (1 Peter 1:6-7)  "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 2.  Fear: Removing the Yellow Lens (Hebrews 12:15)  "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." 3.  Pain: Removing the Blue Lens          (Psalm 147:3)  "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (1 John 4:8-11)  "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 4.  Death: Removing the Black Lens          (Luke 21:34)  "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap." (Colossians 3:8)  "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." (Romans 8:6)  "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." (Proverbs 11:19)  "The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death." (Matthew 11:28) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  (Hebrews 10:23-25 MSG) "So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching." For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.