Podcasts about niv all

Series: Purposeful Pathways Sermon Title: Different Decisions “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV) “A purposeful life is built one decision at a time” 1) The Intention Question “What is hidden in our hearts shapes what is seen in our lives” The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
 "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” Proverbs 16:2 (NIV)

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

2) The Legacy Question: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Genesis 50:20-21(NIV) "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1(NIV) "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) 3) The God Question: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.” James 1:5-6 (NIV) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) “But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.” Micah 6:8 (MSG)

Devotional Theme – "Honoring the Hands That Serve: A Christian Devotional for Labor Day"Scripture reference - Proverbs 14:23 NIV- “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”Intro and Outro Song - "We Give Thanks To Thee" by Marlene Jenkins CooperClosing Song - " Glory Glory Hallelujah "Scriptures mentioned in the podcast - Colossians 4:14 , Exodus 1:15-21, Mark 6:3 NIV , Deuteronomy 8:18A, Proverbs 21:20 NIV, Mark 6:3 NIV

Say the right thing in the right way at the right time. Brian Priebe | Executive Pastor | June 16, 2024 Matthew 12:34b-35 (NIV)For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Matthew 15:18 (NIV)But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Romans 10:9 (NIV)If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” James 3:9-10 (NIV)With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer every one. Conversation Characteristics that Represent a Healthy Heart: 1. Full of Grace Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 15:1(NIV)A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Luke 4:22 (NIV)All spoke well of him, and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. 2. Seasoned with salt Proverbs 12:18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 3. Know how to answer everyone Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Ephesians 4:29a (NIV)Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs… Reflection Questions: 1. Share a time where you asked yourself 'Why did I say that?' in reaction to a conversation.2. Read Matthew 12:34b-35 and Matthew 15:18. When we reflect on our words and say, 'Why did I say that?', where do those words come from?3. Read Matthew 12:36-37 and James 3:9-10. Why do our words matter?4. Read Col. 4:6. What does a conversation full of grace look like?5. What does a conversation seasoned with salt feel like?6. What does it mean to have an answer for everyone?7. If you were to analyze your conversations in light of Col 4:6, what would be the area you feel most comfortable with? How about the least comfortable with? Next Steps: Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcardWant to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/giveDownload our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook

Fresh Start – Freedom from Bitterness  Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” I.               Causes of Bitterness 1.     Actions done or not done to you.  Job 19:19 (NIV)“All my intimate friends detest me;       those I love have turned against me.” 2.     Attitudes projected towards you.Job 19:5 (NIV)“you would exalt yourselves above me                               and use my humiliation against me,” 3.     Words spoken to you.  Job 12:5 (NLT)"People who are at ease mock those in trouble.       They give a push to people who are stumbling." Proverbs 15:4 (NLT)“Gentle words are a tree of life;                               a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Job 5:2 (NIV)“Resentment kills a fool…”      Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)“See to it that …..no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” “Many are unable to function properly in their calling because of the wounds and hurts that offenses have caused in their lives. They are handicapped and hindered from fulfilling their full potential.”- John Bevere II.             Find Freedom from Bitterness1.     Be open and honest about your pain. Job 7:11 (NIV)“Therefore I will not keep silent;                               I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,                               I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” 2.     Make the decision to forgive. Job 42:10 (NIV)“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” 3.     Stop looking back and look into your future. Philippians 3:13 (NIV)“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Job 42:12 (NIV)“The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former part...”

Becoming BeYOUtiful YOU Part 7 - Goodness “…when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” Galatians 5:22,23 NLT “Every GOOD and perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father” James 1:17 NIV To Live a BeYOUtiful Life, I NEED GOD'S HELP! First, THE PROOF of the Christian life is in the Fruit If (that is the conditional part) we let Him control our lives, HE WILL (that is the promise) produce the life in us that we have been created to live. This is an EXPECTATION for followers of Jesus Christ “A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. “Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:18-21 NLT Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.” James 4:17 NIV THERE ARE TWO FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WHENEVER WE CALL SOMEONE A “GOOD” PERSON- Here's part of the problem: We Judge Goodness By the Wrong Standard Here's the Other Part of the Problem: No one is good! “There is no one righteous…” Romans 3:10 NIV “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” Isaiah 64:6 NIV “The Lord is good and does what is right” Psalm 25:8 NLT “Taste and see that the Lord is good” Psalm 34:8 NLT “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation” Psalm 100:5 NLT We can't conclude that we just need a “little help” Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Jesus did not come to earth and die on a cross just to make good people better. “…I no longer count on my own goodness…but I trust God to save me” Philippians 3:9 NLT “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT We don't go to heaven because we are good, but because God is good. God's Good Fruit In You Matters- Because It Multiplies… “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 NIV It Attracts People Toward Christ- “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord” Acts 11:24 NIV It Overcomes Evil- “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21 NIV

By Rev Charlie Lacey | Acts 19:1-20Acts 19:1-20  (NIV) All human beings are broken and sinful, and we rebel against God in all kinds of ways. We need to change – and we need to go on changing over the course of our whole lives. God will not force change upon us, but if we put our trust in Jesus he promises to fill us with his Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to change. 

Book of Romans: Eager and Unashamed | January 21, 2024Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor “In our generation, the primary problem with evangelism isn’t that we’re doing it with bullhorns and low-grade bigotry; it’s that we’re not doing it at all.”— John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way (pg. 151) Romans 1:14-17 (NIV) I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” OBLIGATED: Romans 1:14 (NIV) 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NIV)All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. EAGER: Romans 1:15 (NIV) UNASHAMED: Romans 1:16 (NIV) Romans 1:1-4 (NIV)Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Reflection Questions:Was there something that stuck out to you from the sermon? Share a time when you were able to share the good news about Jesus with someone. Was it a positive or negative experience, or somewhere in between? What was their response? What did you learn from that experience? Read Romans 1:14 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. Paul felt an obligation and a responsibility to share the gospel with the world. Do you feel that same obligation and responsibility? Why or why not? Read Romans 1:15. Why can a follower of Jesus NOT feel eager to share the gospel? What can be our fears? Our apprehensions? Read Romans 1:16. What can cause us to be ashamed of the gospel? What makes the gospel offensive to our culture? Why is it important to focus on Jesus and not peripheral issues?Peripheral issues are “good advice”, not the “good news”.Who Jesus is?Why Jesus came?What Jesus accomplished with his life, death, and resurrection?What Jesus invites us to do in following Him?What Jesus wants for us?Why Jesus wants that for us? What peripheral issues can misrepresent the gospel message and muddy the waters of the message of Jesus? Why is it important to learn to be curious and listen to people in order to be effective at sharing the gospel? What are some good questions you could ask to learn where people are at on their spiritual journey?Who could you begin to pray for and ask questions of this week in order to understand where they are on their spiritual journey? What are a couple questions you could ask to start that conversation?What was God saying to you from this sermon? What are you going to do about it? Next step? Next Steps: Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcardWant to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church:

Psalms 46:1 NIV All glory to God

Hi folks, we're going to take a detailed look at Hebrews 1:6 today but, by way of review let's read the first six verses of Hebrews, chapter one, in the NIV, first. Hebrews 1:1-6 (NIV) In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. [3] The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. [4] So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. [5] For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? [6] And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."Now verse 6 in the NKJV is a little different.  Let's read that:Hebrews 1:6 (NKJV) But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM."There are two differences in this verse between the NIV and the NKJV.  One difference is the placement of the word again, and we'll discuss that shortly, and the other difference is that in the NKJV the phrase "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM" is in all capital letters which means the translators are indicating that this phrase comes from the Old Testament.  The NASB does the same thing.  Personally, I find this helpful.But where is this phrase "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM" in the Old Testament?  Scholars say that it is from Psalm 97:7 in the Septuagint.  Two scholars in particular have helped me here.  I'm referring to a Puritan, John Owen and his seven volume Commentary on Hebrews, and to John MacArthur and his Commentary on Hebrews.  And if you wish to, you can verify this for yourself.  If you search the NKJV of the Bible, you will not find the phrase "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM" anywhere in the Old Testament.  You won't find it in the NIV either.  And that is because it is a quote from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, made by a group of about 70 rabbis, 270 years or so before Yeshua came into the world. Because the New Testament writers wrote in Greek, they often quoted Old Testament Scriptures from the Septuagint.  And if you search the English translation of the Septuagint electronically, yourself, in the widely available e-Sword program, you will find it in one place only, in Psalm 97:7.  The scholars of old had to really know their Bibles, including the Septuagint, in order to recognize that this phrase was quoted from Psalm 97:7 since these scholars didn't have the benefit of electronic searching which we have today.Modern translations such as the NIV translate Psalm 97:7 this way:Psalms 97:7 (NIV) All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!But that's not what Hebrews 1:6 says.  It says this, in the NIV:Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."The reason for the difference is that Hebrews 1:6 uses the Septuagint translation of the original Hebrew which reads like this:Psalms 97:7 (Brenton) Let all that worship graven images be ashamed, who boast of their idols; worship him, all ye his angels.Why the change from gods, meaning idols, in Psalm 97:7 in the Hebrew Bible to all God's angels in Hebrews 1:6?  In the Hebrew, in Psalm 97:7, the word we are interested in is Elohim, a plural word that usually refers to God, who has a plural nature, but it can also refer to false gods or idols.  It doesn't usually refer to angels.  The usual Hebrew word for angels is malachim.  In fact, in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is only translated as angels in the NIV and NKJV one time, in Psalm 8:5, a very familiar verse to most Bible students.  Let's look at that verse in context:Psalms 8:4-5 (NIV) what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? [5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.This is a wonderful verse, and we'll look at it in detail when we get to chapter two because it is quoted there.However, here, in Hebrews 1:6, the word for angels, chosen by the authors of the Septuagint definitely seems to be the right translation.  Why is that? In order to answer that question, we need to know the context of the seventh verse of Psalm 97.  So, let's look at Psalm 97, in the Septuagint, to know what the Psalm is about.  When we do this, we see that this Psalm, except for the use of the word angels instead of gods, in the Septuagint version, is quite similar to frequently used English versions such as the NIV and NKJV.What is the message of Psalm 97, then?  It is a message very compatible with the return of the Lord, His second coming, in glory and in judgement.  Is this important to know in trying to interpret Hebrews 1:6?  It definitely is.  Let's read that verse once more:Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."And let's look at it in the NKJV:Hebrews 1:6 (NKJV) But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM."Now, what does again mean in this verse?  We mentioned earlier that the placement of again in this verse was not the same in the NIV as in the NKJV.  Please stick with me folks and you'll see the relevance of this in a moment.The word again can simply indicate repetition.  Is that what it means here?  If the answer is yes that would be as if the Holy Spirit was saying to us something like this, “I told you before and now I'm telling you again, when I brought Jesus into the world, I told all the angels to worship Him”.  That way of understanding this verse would lead us to conclude that the verse is referring to the Messiah's first coming.  That is what the NIV seems to suggest.Or does again in this verse refer to the future, i.e., Christ's second coming?  How can we tell which is correct?  Does again simply mean repetition here or does it refer to a future event?  If Psalm 97:7 comes from a Psalm that talks about the second coming then I think the word again in Hebrews 1:6 refers to the future which is what the NKJV seems to suggest.  Let's look at Psalm 97, the first 9 verses, in the Septuagint and see if it can help us answer this question:Psalms 97:1-9 (Brenton) For David, when his land is established. The Lord reigns, let the earth exult, let many islands rejoice. [2] Cloud, and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the establishment of his throne. [3] Fire shall go before him, and burn up his enemies round about. [4] His lightnings appeared to the world; the earth saw, and trembled. [5] The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. [6] The heavens have declared his righteousness, and all the people have seen his glory. [7] Let all that worship graven images be ashamed, who boast of their idols; worship him, all ye his angels. [8] Sion heard and rejoiced; and the daughters of Judea exulted, because of thy judgments, O Lord. [9] For thou art Lord most high over all the earth; thou art greatly exalted above all gods.Isn't this an incredible Psalm!  It does not speak of the first advent.  It speaks of a return in glory and the judgement of unbelievers.  This is Jesus returning.  This is the Day of the Lord!  The angels will be with Him when He returns, and surely they will be worshipping Him.I think there's another part of Hebrews 1:6, that we need to comment on before we finish today's study and that is the phrase when God brings His firstborn into the world.  Because we have strong Scriptural evidence that this verse refers to the second coming, we can say that God is bringing His firstborn into the world again.  So firstborn here cannot refer to the virgin birth of Messiah in Bethlehem.  That happened at the first advent.  Firstborn here refers to something very much like only begotten which we talked about when we studied verse 4 of this chapter.  Since we know that Jesus is not a created being - He is God and has always existed – we know that firstborn does not refer to the birth of a created being as some would incorrectly say that this means.  No, firstborn here means of first importance, God's One and Only Son.  The King James version says it well:Hebrews 1:6 (KJV) And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.Remember verses 4 & 5 of this chapter that we studied recently?Let's read them again.  I think the NKJV is more helpful here:Hebrews 1:4-5 (NKJV) having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. [5] For to which of the angels did He ever say: "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"? And again: "I WILL BE TO HIM A FATHER, AND HE SHALL BE TO ME A SON"?The Name that Jesus inherited that was even higher than any name that He had before the cross, was the first begotten Son or as in this verse, Hebrews 1:6, firstborn which means of first importance.  It's a special Name, a title, and a title of the highest rank.  John MacArthur says it well; let me read what he says about this from his commentary on Hebrews:In this passage Christ is called the first-born. Here again, many sects and cults claim a proof-text to show that Jesus is a created being. “Look! He's firstborn! You see? He was born like all the rest of us!” A related supposed proof-text is Colossians 1:15, “And He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” But “first-born” (prōtotokos) has nothing to do with time. It refers to position. It is not a description but a title, meaning “the chief one.” The concept was associated with firstborn because the oldest son usually was heir to the father's entire estate.[1]Thanks for that, Dr. MacArthur.So, let's sum up Hebrews 1:6. I'm going to paraphrase it:When God again brings His Firstborn to earth, this time in glory and power and for judgement, all of God's angels will worship Him.As we close, we need to say, Wasn't the message of this verse just astounding? Folks, this message is good news!  Jesus is coming again.  Have you received Jesus as your Savior, Messiah, and Lord?  Have you accepted the precious gift of salvation?  If you have not, please do it today, with all your heart!  I want to see you in heaven with me!Thank you for listening and God bless you, my friends.This is Art Wolinsky, until the next time.[1] MacArthur, John F., Jr. Hebrews. Chicago: Moody Press, 1983. Print. MacArthur New Testament Commentary. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit awolinsky.substack.com

Matthew 1:22-23 NIV: All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). For Sermon Notes Visit: https://tinyurl.com/2u4s88da ANNOUNCEMENT LINKS: Download The Church Center App: https://kchanford.com/resources/#app First Time Visitor: Text 'Welcome' to 559-500-4830 Need Prayer, Contact Us At: https://www.kchanford.com/ Tithes and Offerings: https://www.kchanford.com/give Volunteer: https://kchanford.com/serve-with-us/

Christ is KingCivil GovernmentColossians 2:15 (NIV)“having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Governments created by God. SelfChurchFamilyCivil  Romans 13:1-7 (NIV)“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)“Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”Bringing Glory to Christ the King in Civil Government.  1.     Pray for our civil government. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NIV)“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”2.     Honor Jesus in everything you do and say. Mark 12:17 (NKJV)“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”3.     Act from the Kingship of Christ. Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

  Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV): "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Ephesians 1:3 (NIV): "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Deuteronomy 28:2 (NIV): "All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God." Proverbs 10:22 (NIV): "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it." Matthew 5:3-11 (NIV) (The Beatitudes): "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV): "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." James 1:12 (NIV): "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."

Saving The World Colossians 2:15 (NIV)“having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Acts 2:36 (ESV)“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” How to save the world Be patient Be confident Matthew 7:29 (NIV)“He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Luke 6:26-28 (NIV)“Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. ‘But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.'”  3.     Be faithful to the house of GodHebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”1 John 5:4 (ESV)“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”4.     Be considerate of the next generationProverbs 13:22 (ESV)"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children”

Sermon Notes "A fine wedding is pricey, but a fine marriage is priceless." – Dr. David Jeremiah, What the Bible Says About Love, Marriage, and Sex Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant? Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Look! It is Solomon's carriage, escorted by sixty warriors, the noblest of Israel, Carriage = "mittah" (מִטָּה) = a couch or a bed. Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ All of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night. The groom is going out of his way to make sure his soon-to-be bride feels safe. Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Helper Suitable = ezer kə·neḡ·dōw Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬ Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ To the woman he said, "I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." "Eve is deceived...and rather easily, as my friend Jan Meyers points out. In The Allure of Hope, Jan says, "Eve was convinced that God was withholding something from her." Not even the extravagance of Eden could convince her that God's heart is good. "When Eve was [deceived], the artistry of being a woman took a fateful dive into the barren places of control and loneliness." Now every daughter of Eve wants to "control her surroundings, her relationships, her God." No longer is she vulnerable; now she will be grasping. No longer does she want simply to share in the adventure; now she wants to control it. And as for her beauty, she either hides it in fear and anger, or she uses it to secure her place in the world. "In our fear that no one will speak on our behalf or protect us or fight for us, we start to recreate both ourselves and our role in the story. We manipulate our surroundings so we don't feel so defenseless." Fallen Eve either becomes rigid or clingy. Put simply, Eve is no longer simply inviting. She is either hiding in busyness or demanding that Adam come through for her; usually, an odd combination of both." - John and Stasi Eldredge, Captivating 1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Men, are you honoring your bride in your words and actions toward her, and also privately when she is not in the room? Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ King Solomon made for himself the carriage; he made it of wood from Lebanon. Carriage = “appiryon” (אַפִּרְיוֹן) a sedan, litter, palanquin Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Its posts he made of silver, its base of gold. Its seat was upholstered with purple, its interior inlaid with love. Daughters of Jerusalem, Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ come out, and look, you daughters of Zion. Look on King Solomon wearing a crown, the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced.

On Sunday, July 30, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' teaching about the purposes of God. The ones who knew they were at cross-purposes to God's ways, end up repenting. Those who think they are doing everything right, don't feel they need to repent. We all have places where we reject God's purposes for us and we play games with God, thinking that we are clever. Embracing God's purposes for us requires that we change our mind, focus our perspective, and believe that God's ways are best for us. Luke 7:29-35 (NIV)All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:“‘We played the pipe for you,and you did not dance;we sang a dirge,and you did not cry.'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”https://bit.ly/Luke7_29-35NIV

Award-winning author and founder of EquippingGodlyWomen.com, Brittany Ann, teaches on how to know God's will and hear the call to love God and others. Matthew 22:40 (NIV)“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” https://livesteadyon.com/Email Angie at: steadyonpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: @livesteadyonInstagram: @angiebaughman421 Looking for something not listed? It's probably here: https://linktr.ee/livesteadyon https://equippinggodlywomen.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/equippinggodlywomenPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/equipgodlywomen/Twitter: https://twitter.com/equipGodlyWomen/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/equippinggodlywomen Brittany's most recent book is “Follow God's Will: Biblical Guidelines for Everyday Life”You can download the first chapter here: https://equippinggodlywomen.com/christian-printable-bible-verses-bookmarks/ Brittany mentioned:When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People by Gary ThomasGood Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are by Lysa TerKeurst Theme music:Heartwarming by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3864-heartwarmingLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Angie teaches on what it means for all of God's instructions to hang on these two commandments: Love God and Love Others. Matthew 22:40 (NIV)“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  https://livesteadyon.com/Email Angie at: steadyonpodcast@gmail.comFacebook @livesteadyonInstagram @angiebaughman421 Grab freebies and subscribe to the weekly Steady On newsletter at: https://livesteadyon.com/live-steady-on-newsletter/ You can download a blank study sheet here:https://livesteadyon.com/sbs-blank-study-sheet/ Interested in the Step By Step Bible study method? Download the FREE masterclass here: https://livesteadyon.com/live-steady-on-stepbystepmasterclass/ Logos Softwarehttps://www.logos.com/ Enduring Word Commentaryhttps://enduringword.com/ WordHippohttps://www.wordhippo.com/BibleGatewayhttps://www.biblegateway.com/ Blue Letter Biblehttps://www.blueletterbible.org/ Brian Simmons, trans., The Passion Translation (BroadStreet Publishing, 2017), Mt. Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 73. Barclay, William. "Commentary on Matthew 22". "William Barclay's Daily Study Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/matthew-22.html. 1956-1959. Angie mentionedLove God Love People by Danny Gokeyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ8D2Mx7tGg Theme musicHeartwarming by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3864-heartwarmingLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“I had to learn how to live with joy even when my kids were making difficult decisions that I may not have approved of or liked.” Today Stacy welcomes author and speaker, Mary DeMuth, who shares wisdom and hope for parents of adult children. Loving, praying, and listening is key to navigating this relationship. In prayer, instead of prescribing to God the way we want Him to work in our kids' lives, we can relinquish control and watch with anticipation and joy how He will creatively give us sign posts along the way. ABOUT OUR GUEST Mary DeMuth is an international speaker, podcaster, and author of over forty books, fiction and nonfiction, including her latest book, Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy. Through God's healing, Mary has overcome a difficult past to become an authentic example of what it means to live a brand-new story. She loves to help others “re-story” their lives through the books she writes. Mary lives in Texas with her husband, Patrick, of 33 years and is mom to three adult children. In her spare (ha!) time, she loves to cook, run, garden, decorate, paint, and do interior design. Connect with Mary at marydemuth.com. SCRIPTURES Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NKJV Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” Luke 15:13-18 NIV Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'” Luke 15:3-6 NIV Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 CSB BOOK Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy LINKS Marydemuth.com/lpl 52 prayers for your adult children MOMS IN PRAYER ·       New to Moms in Prayer? How to get started ·       Moms in Prayer Shop ·       Support Our Mission ·       Rise Up Arkansas ·       Find an Event Near You

Sermon Notes Luke 4:31-32 NIV "Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority." Luke 4:33-34 NIV "In the synagogue, there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 'Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!'" What are demons? "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." - CS Lewis Revelation 12:9 NIV "The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." Luke 4:35 NIV "'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him." Jesus has authority over all created things because He is the creator. Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together." Luke 4:36-37 NIV "All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!" And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area." Luke 4:38-39 NIV "Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them." Jesus heals completely and with authority. Luke 4:40 NIV "At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them." Luke 4:41 NIV "Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, 'You are the Son of God!' But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah." Luke 4:42 NIV "At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him, and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them." Q: Why did Jesus silence the demons and leave the hurting? A: Because Jesus has profound clarity about why He is here and what He is supposed to do. John‬ ‭14‬:‭30‬-‭31a‬ ‭NIV "I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬" Luke 4:43-44 NIV "But he said, 'I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also because that is why I was sent.' And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea." Do you have that same kind of clarity and commitment?

Sermon Notes Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him." Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭16a‬ NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬ "He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom." Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:" Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, 'Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'" Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭22a‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips." Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭22b‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "'Isn't this Joseph's son?' they asked." Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Jesus said to them, 'Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself!' And you will tell me, 'Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.''" Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "'Truly I tell you,' he continued, 'no prophet is accepted in his hometown.'" There is a great danger in loving Jesus' gracious words but not loving Jesus Himself. "Dear Friend, I have your letter. I am afraid it is not possible for me to subscribe to the creed you have sent me. The subscriber is made to believe that the highest manifestation of the unseen reality was Jesus Christ. In spite of all my efforts, I have not been able to feel the truth of that statement. I have not been able to move beyond the belief that Jesus was one of the great teachers of mankind." - Mahatma Gandhi "Religion works. I know there's comfort there, a crash pad. It's something to explain the world and tell you there is something bigger than you, and it is going to be all right in the end… What's important to me is that I've defined my beliefs and lived according to them and not betrayed them. One of those is my belief in family. I still have faith in that." – Brad Pitt (on growing up Christian and abandoning his faith) Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬ "I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon." Luke 4:27 NIV "And there were many Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed-only Naaman the Syrian." ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Sometime later, the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: 'Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.'" 1 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, 'Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?' As she was going to get it, he called, 'And bring me, please, a piece of bread.'" ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "'As surely as the Lord your God lives,' she replied, 'I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.'" ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Elijah said to her, 'Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first, make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up, and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.''" ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Naaman's servants went to him and said, 'My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, Wash and be cleansed!' So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy." ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, 'Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.'" Faith requires more than mere fascination. "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we are encouraged to see Jesus, the Savior, in our midst, laying aside our spiritual pride, and instead exercising our faith to go where Jesus is leading. Pastor Stuart ended his message with a song – Jesus Have It All, by Jeremy RiddleSong: https://youtu.be/anz_4BZ1-2sSongs with lyrics: https://youtu.be/uOEFhAjfX4oLuke 4:22-24, 28-30 (NIV)All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn't this Joseph's son?” they asked.Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!' And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'”“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.https://bit.ly/Luke4_22-24_28-30NIV

Sunday Morning Sermon December 4, 2022 Recorded Via Zoom Elder Tommy Wells 1 Corinthians 10:13 1 Peter 4:12 Job 14:1 1 Timothy 6:12 Ephesians 6:12 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) All scriptures taken from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted. If you enjoy this podcast please rate it 5 stars in your favorite podcast player or iTunes. iTunes Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/refuge-temple-gvl/id1331110984?mt=2 Visit our website at http://refugetemplegvl.org

The Holy Spirit #2 - By Pastor George Lehman Wherever you find the Holy Spirit you'll find action. Its like the fuel in a rocket Action: Obedience Change-growth (you cannot remain unproductive and immature) Power – fire Healing-deliverance Joy-peace Enthusiasm Perseverance – endurance Jesus exalted The Holy Spirit in the church. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. I no longer live in fear, bondage, condemnation, or defeat. In the New Testament, “LORD” represents the sacred name of God which is “Jehovah” or “Yahweh”.  It indicates a divine person. Paul said, “The Lord is the Spirit”.  God the Father is Lord.  God the Son is the Lord and God the Holy Spirit is also Lord. Jesus is Lord “over” the church, but the Holy Spirit is Lord “IN” the church. Jesus is the Head of His church the body (you and I born again spirit filled believers) make up the body This is very important to understand:  Jesus' Lordship over the church is effective ONLY insofar as the Holy Spirit is the Lord “IN” the church. This is a problem to many contemporary Christians.  They confess Jesus as Lord but fail to make the Holy Spirit Lord in their lives and in their church meetings. So, they live a fleshly carnal life. Paul shows us two ways: Writing his first letter to the Corinthians… 1 Corinthians 3:16 (Amp) – Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God's temple (His sanctuary), and that God's Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]? Note, the “YOU” in this passage is plural in the Greek. Paul was speaking to Christians collectively as a temple of the Holy Spirit. He then continued this idea… 1 Corinthians 6:19 (Amp) – Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, He is addressing individual believers. Not only does the Holy Spirit dwell in the church – collective group of believers, but… He dwells within each individual believer. God wants to take up residence in each of us, inhabiting our physical bodies. What humility on the part of our Almighty God, creator of the Universe. Why we need the Spirit. What does the Holy Spirit accomplish as He dwells in us? First: He is here to complete the ministry of Jesus. (Jesus completed the perfect sacrifice on the cross when He left the earth – His task of training the disciples was far from complete.)   John 14:16 (CEV) – Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. He didn't abandon them; He sent the Holy Spirit. God's intention is a great relationship with Him. John 14:17-18 (NIV) – The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. We cannot live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit. John 14:25-26 (NIV) –  “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” This scripture is important – it confirms that the New Testament did not depend on the apostles' memories or cleverness. But upon the Holy Spirit who inspired their records. 2 Timothy 3:16 (Amp) – Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), Jesus never wrote a journal for remembrance. He left to His apostles the task of recording His life and conveying His teachings – we can rely on the accuracy when we read the Bible. Not because they were smart, infallible authors but because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit who brought Jesus' teaching to mind. John 16:12-13 (NIV) – I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.  But when he, the Spirit Of truth, comes, he will guide you into all *truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. *We now have the written truth; it's time we read it! As God's children we don't just struggle along trying to work out our salvation on our own. The Holy Spirit ministers to us with guidance, leading us daily.  He provides us revelation - sharing with us what is to come. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus.  If anything is from the Holy Spirit, the test is:  Does it glorify Jesus? The Holy Spirit will never glorify a human personality, a doctrine, a denomination.  Only Jesus gets the glory. If we desire the Holy Spirit in our lives in our worship services, the best way to attract Him is by glorifying Jesus. Church, we must know that we have no hope of victory over sin, doubt and no growth is possible without the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. Our own strength and wisdom will fail, neither education nor financial resources will suffice. Only by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit can we live the type of life God expects of us. Zechariah 4:6b (NIV) – “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. Let us make friends with the Holy Spirit. God changes hearts; Minds; Actions; Attitudes and Destinies -  from within to live it out.

*DISCLAIMER* This episode includes adult content and is not intended for young ears.   Sex Series: Higher Sexual Desire Wife: An Interview with J Parker   Song of Songs 3:1 (NIV) "All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him."   Questions We Discuss:   What is your favorite list of benefits for married couples who consistently connect sexually? What are some reasons why a husband would desire less sex than his wife? What are some reasons a wife may desire sex more than her husband? And what can the couple do about this?   J. Parker is my guest today and years ago, she started Hot, Holy & Humorous as a blog with the goal of helping others understand God's design for sex in marriage. Her goal is to help you embrace God's blessings for your marriage bed.   Since then, she's published over 1,000 blog posts, written five books, released 100+ podcast episodes with three other marriage bloggers, and launched an online community for higher desire wives. But her goal remains the same: helping you embrace God's blessings for your marriage bed.   J has a personal story of redemption in the area of sexuality, holds a master's degree in counseling, and lives in Texas with her fabulous but oh-so logical husband, fondly nicknamed "Spock."   Higher Desire Wives Community at Hot, Holy & Humorous Sex Chats for Christian Wives Podcast   Thank You to Our Sponsor:  Leman Property Management Company   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or 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.”

Sermon Notes Even if the worst happens, can you trust God? Psalms 22:1-2 NIV "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest." Mark 15:34 NIV "And at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')." Psalms 22:6-8 NIV "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 'He trusts in the Lord,' they say, 'let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'" Matthew 27:39-44 NIV "Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!' In the same way, the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders mocked him. 'He saved others,' they said, 'but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' In the same way, the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him." Psalms 22:15 NIV "My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death." John 19:28-30 NIV "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." Psalms 22:16 NIV "Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet." Psalms 22:17-18 NIV "All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment." Matthew 27:35 NIV "When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots." Psalms 22:19-21 NIV "But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen." It’s OK to be hurt, feel afraid, or even be mad at God – as long as you still cry out to Him. Psalms 22:11 NIV "Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help." Keep reminding yourself of the truth when you are tempted to believe the lies! Psalms 22:24 NIV "For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." Psalms 22:26-28 NIV "The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations." Psalms 22:29 NIV "All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive." Psalms 22:30-31 NIV "[Descendants] will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!" "Heavenly Father, hear my cry. My heart is heavy because of [pray specifically for yourself or another in need]. God, I know you are aware of this pain, but it feels like you are so far away. Sometimes this feels really lonely, God, and I am tempted to wonder if you care. Yet, I know that no matter what life feels like - you are near. You have always been near. From the first moment of my life until now you have seen everything. So, strengthen [me or the name of the person you are praying for] now and open [my/their] eyes to see where you are working that I might trust in you now more than ever. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Sermon Notes Even if the worst happens, can you trust God? Psalms 22:1-2 NIV "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest." Mark 15:34 NIV "And at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')." Psalms 22:6-8 NIV "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 'He trusts in the Lord,' they say, 'let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'" Matthew 27:39-44 NIV "Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!' In the same way, the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders mocked him. 'He saved others,' they said, 'but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' In the same way, the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him." Psalms 22:15 NIV "My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death." John 19:28-30 NIV "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." Psalms 22:16 NIV "Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet." Psalms 22:17-18 NIV "All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment." Matthew 27:35 NIV "When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots." Psalms 22:19-21 NIV "But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen." It’s OK to be hurt, feel afraid, or even be mad at God – as long as you still cry out to Him. Psalms 22:11 NIV "Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help." Keep reminding yourself of the truth when you are tempted to believe the lies! Psalms 22:24 NIV "For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." Psalms 22:26-28 NIV "The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations." Psalms 22:29 NIV "All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive." Psalms 22:30-31 NIV "[Descendants] will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!" "Heavenly Father, hear my cry. My heart is heavy because of [pray specifically for yourself or another in need]. God, I know you are aware of this pain, but it feels like you are so far away. Sometimes this feels really lonely, God, and I am tempted to wonder if you care. Yet, I know that no matter what life feels like - you are near. You have always been near. From the first moment of my life until now you have seen everything. So, strengthen [me or the name of the person you are praying for] now and open [my/their] eyes to see where you are working that I might trust in you now more than ever. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

The Worship Show EP2022063 Who has the time to Worship God with music and ministerial devotions and updates? TAKE TIME. Verse of the Day Psalm 22:27 (NIV) All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him! Ahhhhh, the variety of praise and worship music makes a huge difference in my day. How about you? After listening to The Worship Show, 2nd hour, I feel at peace over my circumstances, worries, and fears. As you listen to The Worship Show each week, what do you feel it does for you and your situation? https://www.spreaker.com/user/4516006/the-worship-show-2-hours-no-crazy-with-j

Our Part is to become mature Which door do you go through daily? Maturity comes when you stop making excuses and start making changes. By Pastor George Lehman 2 Peter 1:12 (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. This is one thing NO child of God is exempt from - “MATURITY”. Maturity is a process that every child of God must go through - it's inseparable from your calling. Here's a promise from Jesus - this is His part! John 6:37-40a NIV - “All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those He has given Me but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life…” What a promise, but we have to do our part to ensure Jesus' promise is fulfilled in our life Colossians 4:12 (NIV) - Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer* for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. *Note: not just praying but wrestling in prayer –think of what a wrestler does? He finds it important – to wrestle in prayer for the people to come to maturity. When God gave us the bible it was meant for more than keeping us from sin or doing wrong or living wrong, it was given to mature us! The truth sanctifies the sinner: John 17:17 - Sanctify them (set them apart) in the truth; your word is truth. Living the truth - Brings growth and maturity and results in a life that bears the fruit of the Spirit. How mature are you?  Here's the test check your fruit, If you are living in the Truth. Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV) – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Only one way – become Mature)   When it comes to maturity: Hebrews 6:1 (NLT) – So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely, we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.  (You should know this by now) If we would just have followed through and put into practice all the sermons, we have been discussing since October 2021 when we started to gather in church... I can assure you - the reward will be: ‘maturity'. Like two people go to gym – one train's, the other doesn't a year later guess what the difference would be? Maturity is doing what you are supposed to be doing, when you're supposed to be doing it, no matter how you feel.  Don Capers The key to mature successfully, is action.  Too often we want to feel our way into acting... When instead we need to act our way into feeling!  Don't put the cart in front of the horse. When you do the right things, you will eventually feel the right feelings and become aware that you are busy ‘maturing'.   “If you wait till you feel right you will never do anything” Maturity comes as the result of learning to develop... ‘Good habits' There are So many grown up baby Christians: Hebrews 5:12 (NIV) – In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Hebrews 5:14 (NIV) - But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use (habit) have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. The only difference between those who are maturing and those who remain immature lies in the difference of their habits. We first make our habits and then our habits make us.  John Dryden Our habits are developed over time and are reinforced through repetition. Colossians 2:6-7 (Amp) – As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. To many Christians are shallow and wide, but maturity is narrow and deep. Maturity comes to those who, even if they fail and mess up, they rise up immediately, and stay on course to ensure they finish strong. Proverbs 24:16 -  For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. The point is – we all fall and fail but it's the mature Christian that gets up and moves on. People naturally tend to adopt behaviours and habits that make them feel good. Let's be honest – everyone likes comfort, ease, pleasure and entertainment and we tend to focus on re-experiencing them. This becomes a habit and priority. If we repeatedly do this, we can become addicted or even bored and end up seeking even greater pleasure. This keeps you from maturing. Immaturity like this, says Jesus isn't enough. A person who cannot count the cost and make sacrifices will never mature. They will always belong to whatever they are unwilling to give up.  It will hold you in bondage. To grow and mature we need to learn to give up some things today for greater gains tomorrow. That's why so many well meaning Christians are so slack ineffective and immature TODAY, – it's because yesterday they were not willing to give up and make sacrifices. The result: Today they live immature lives. Maturity is measured ONLY by the standard of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29 (Amp) – For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be moulded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. Herein lies the journey – the race we are to run to maturity. Luke 6:38 (Amp) – For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me. To be like Jesus is not just about committing fewer obvious sins, such as gossiping, cheating, lying or thinking impure thoughts. To be maturing is to become more like Jesus, to always seek to do the will of the Father. Maturity is coming to the place where we delight to do the will of God however sacrificial or unpleasant that may seem to us at the time. Simply because it is God's will for us. Our part is to become mature. Ephesians 4:15-16 (Amp) – Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).  For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. You have an important part to play in the promise of Jesus Your maturity helps grow the baby Christians. How serious are you about wanting to become more MATURE? And ensure Jesus will for your life. 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (NIV) – 15Be diligent in these matters: give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.  

FRIDAY “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9 (NIV) From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” John 19:12 (NIV) “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Mark 15:2 (NIV) “And they crucified him.” I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. John 10:17–18 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17–19, 21 (NIV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. 2 Corinthians 5:17–19, 21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17–19, 21 (NIV) He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:14 (NLT) “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) The cross isn't just what Jesus did FOR us. The cross is what Jesus calls US TO. Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23–24 (NIV) The Call of the Cross: DENIAL of SELF DEATH TO SELF DAILY PURSUIT BOTTOM LINE: You can't take Jesus and leave the cross. THE CHALLENGE: To pick up my cross, I will lay down…

“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord...is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.” - Psalms 11:3-4 (NIV) “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it." - Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV) In order for relationships to work, we must let the one who designed them define them. “There is a way that appears to be right, butin the end it leads to death.” - Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) All the things that God has for you aren't there to restrict your life. They are there to bless your life. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35 (NIV) “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV) 1. We have a wrong understanding of forgiveness. Real forgiveness is remembering what happened and still having God's peace in your heart. 2.) We don't think it's fair. “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. “Be patient with me," he begged, “and I will pay back everything.” The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.' But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,' he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” - Matthew 18:21-35 (NIV) 3.) We don't think we can do it. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” - Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV) A.) Pray for Them “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...” - Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV) “O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. ‘Come,' they say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel's name is remembered no more.' With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—...Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord... that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” -Psalms 83:1-5, 18 (NIV) B.) Bless Them "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” - Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” - Romans 12:14 (NIV) C.) Do Good to Them “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:17-21 (NIV) "If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." -2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NIV) "so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes." - 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NLT)

On Sunday, March 6, 2022, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message in person and online via YouTube Live. Pastor Stuart continues last week's message on Sabbath rest, focusing on the resulting peace from taking time to be with the Lord and family. This Sunday we are encouraged to examine our relationship to peace. What steals it? What influence does the world's peace have on us? What steps do we need to take to reestablish Jesus' peace in our lives?John 14:25-27 (NIV)“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”https://bit.ly/John14_25-27NIV

“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord...is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.” - Psalms 11:3-4 (NIV) “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it." - Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV) In order for relationships to work, we must let the one who designed them define them. “There is a way that appears to be right, butin the end it leads to death.” - Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) All the things that God has for you aren't there to restrict your life. They are there to bless your life. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35 (NIV) “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV) 1. We have a wrong understanding of forgiveness. Real forgiveness is remembering what happened and still having God's peace in your heart. 2.) We don't think it's fair. “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. “Be patient with me," he begged, “and I will pay back everything.” The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.' But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,' he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” - Matthew 18:21-35 (NIV) 3.) We don't think we can do it. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” - Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)

"What are your thoughts on how young moms can manage money in their marital context?" That's the summary of today's question. It is the concluding part of Tunde's question which we began responding to in our previous episode (S3E04) on balancing the roles of a wife, young mom and career person with one's spirituality. Here's Tunde's question once again: "3 ladies who just got married have been struggling with balancing their spiritual life with child care, marriage and career. They wish they could get back the experience of their pre-marital days when they were able to maintain consistent spiritual growth by engaging in spiritual disciplines which they no longer seem to have time for. They all had their first child within their first year of marriage—just like Anu—and so I will like to ask her, how did she manage in those first few years of her married life? Secondly, how can these young mums also manage money concerns in their marriage?" Joseph and Anu reflected on the question and Anu shared various tips that worked for her (and continue to work for her). She drew her approach from Proverbs 14:8 (see also Proverbs 13:16) and also explains why, in her own context, she chose to pull all her income into a common purse with Joseph (while acknowledging that the same approach may not work for everyone). Click on any of the links to listen . . . and please, remember to share. ✥ Joseph's Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/notalonetoday/ ✥ Other Podcast Platforms — https://pod.link/1537774506 BIBLE REFERENCES ✥ Proverbs 14:8 NKJV - "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit." ✥ Proverbs 13:16 NIV - "All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly." FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA S3E04 - https://www.josephkolawole.org/notalonetoday/episode/38126580/s3e04-being-a-mom-and-being-you-finding-the-balance https://linktr.ee/josephola https://josephola.disha.page/

Sign-up for my free 20 day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)All throughout Scripture, we are told that it is God, not us, who produces results through our work. 1 Chronicles 29:12 says “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.” Deuteronomy 8:17-18 reads, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”In an age in which anyone can launch a business, write a book, or start a podcast, it can be tempting to think that it is our hustle that is producing results through our endeavors. As we will see next week, God commands that we hustle and uses our hard work to produce results through us. But as we enter into any new work, we must begin by recognizing the indisputable fact that results are ultimately being produced by the Lord.In Proverbs 16, Solomon sets forth a sequence of trusting, hustling, and resting that should mark any endeavor we Christians pursue. In verse three of the passage, the wisest man who ever lived commands, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” So before we hustle, we are to commit our work to the Lord. What does this look like, practically?For starters, it looks like keeping verses like the ones above close to our hearts, there to continually remind us that it is God, not us, who produces results. Secondly, we commit our work to the Lord when we go to Him in prayer and verbalize our trust in Him. Finally, in addition to verbalizing our trust in God to ourselves and to God, it is important that we verbalize this trust to those around us. In a culture that celebrates the ability to “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps,” we Christians will be set apart in the world when we explicitly recognize that it is God, not us, who is responsible for producing results through our work.But as we will see next week, trusting is just one piece of the puzzle. In order to be effective instruments in the hands of our Caller, we must hustle hard in our chosen work.

Effectual Fervent Prayer | The Prayer Experience with Jane Pratt | Sat 23rd Oct 2021 This weekend Jane Pratt leads the TEAM in praying for the nations. The Lord is seeking for more intercessors in nations across the world. Please join us as we stand in the gap in prayer. [Psalm 22:27 NIV] "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him." Let us PRAY.

Speak over the Nations | The Prayer Experience with Joanne Slamon | Thurs 21st oct 2021 Joanne Slamon leads us in praying for the nations. Join the team as we continue to stand in the gap spiritually for communities and peoples across the world. [Psalm 22:27 NIV] All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. Let us PRAY. Amen

Have you noticed that athletics run in the family? Sometimes championships even run in the family. Archie Manning was a quarterback in the NFL for 13 seasons, mostly with the New Orleans Saints. His two sons, Payton and Eli, have also been quarterbacks in the NFL. Both of the boys have two Super Bowl victories each. * Or consider the Griffeys in Major League Baseball. Ken Griffey Sr. made the All Star team three times. His son Ken Griffey Jr. was an All Star 13 times. At one point, both father and son played for the Mariners. In one game they hit back-to-back homers. They are the only father-son duo to accomplish the feat. Then there are the Earnhardts in NASCAR racing. Ralph Earnhardt won the 1956 National Sportsman division. His son, Dale Earnhardt Sr., was won the Winston Cup seven times. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won over 25 victories in stock car racing, including the Daytona 500 twice. It seems almost cliché to say “like father like son.” But it is so true. Sons often look like and act like their fathers, even when it involves sports. If we are to be merciful, like the Beatitudes urge, then we need to take after our heavenly Father. Or, as Luke 6:36 says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (NIV) *All examples from: "Athletes and Their Athlete Fathers," Sports Illustrated, June 8, 2015, https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/2015/06/08/athletes-and-their-athlete-fathers#gid=ci025587d770012781&pid=eli-peyton-and-archie-manning. Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

In our new three-week series, Found, we'll explore the depth and breadth of God's love. You'll discover that you're never too far or too lost to experience his grace and forgiveness. I've accepted Jesus • https://willamette.cc/follow-christ • Let us know you made this decision, and we'll help you discover what's next! Get Baptized • https://willamette.cc/baptisms • If you have accepted Jesus but have never had the opportunity to celebrate your new life in Him through water baptism, this is your next step! Let us pray with you • https://willamette.cc/prayer • Fill out a quick form to let us know how we can be praying for you. Sermon Notes - August 29, 2021Found -Brian Becker Found SheepFound CoinFound Son Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 flawed cultural strategies of Christians throughout church history: Be defensive against culture and seek to dominate it. Seek purity from culture and withdraw from it entirely. Compromise with culture and be assimilated by it. Christians should not withdraw from culture, nor should they compromise, nor dominate. They must simply enter every field trying to be salt and light, trying to serve, and yet at the same time being true to their Christian faith.- James Hunter Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to our own way. John 10:11,14-16a (NIV)“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… John 10:11,14-16a (NIV)just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' There's nobody God can't reach.There's nobody God can't use.There's no place God can't revive. Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' “Church is not a box to be checked, but an anchor in the storms of life.”- Jeff Hendersonn Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Repent & BelieveRepent & Participate “Rethink everything you think you know about who God is, who you are, and what the good life you crave actually is, and put your trust and confidence in Jesus to heal you, save you, free you, and lead you to the life you actually ache for.” - John Mark Comer Am I ready to repent?Am I ready to participate? Who do you know personally and locally that has wandered from their faith? There's nobody God can't reach.There's nobody God can't use.There's no place God can't revive. Your love Oh Lord, covers the multitude of my sins. So when I am fully aware of my sin, when before the justice of heaven only wrath is pronounced upon me, then you are the only person to whom I can escape. If I try to cover myself against the guilt of sin and the wrath of heaven, I will be driven to madness and despair. But if I rely on you to cover my sins, I shall find peace and joy. You suffered and died on the cross to shelter us from our guilt, and take upon yourself the wrath that we deserve. Let me rest under you, and may you transform me into your likeness. Amen. - Soren Kierkegaard

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬ “All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:27-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬ “You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:2‬ ‭CEV‬‬‬‬‬‬ “Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:1-3‬ ‭AMP‬‬‬‬‬‬ “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭1:1-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬‬‬ “Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits; Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your diseases;” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:2-3‬ ‭AMP‬‬‬‬‬‬ “I have seen his [willful] ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him [also] and will restore comfort to him and to those who mourn for him, As I create the praise of his lips, Peace, peace, to him who is far away [both Jew and Gentile] and to him who is near!” Says the Lord; “And I will heal him [making his lips blossom anew with thankful praise].”” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭57:18-19‬ ‭AMP‬‬‬‬‬‬ “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭AMP‬‬‬‬‬‬

On Sunday, July 25, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message in person and online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart continues our series on the Fruits of the Spirit by sharing how the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of peace in our lives. We discuss how we lose our peace, how we restore our peace, and how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in living a life of peace.Galatians 5:22 (NIV) The acts of the flesh are obvious… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…John 14:25-27 (NIV) “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.http://bit.ly/John14_25-27NIV

Acts 19:1–2 NIV - While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2  and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 Myths About the Holy Spirit 1. The Holy Spirit is junior varsity Acts 5:3-4 NIV - Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  4  Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 1. Holy Spirit is eternal Hebrews 9:14 NIV - How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 2. Holy Spirit is all-powerful Luke 1:35 NIV - The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Romans 8:11 NLT - The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 3. Holy Spirit is omnipresent Psalm 139:7 ESV - Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 4. Holy Spirit is omniscient 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 NASB - For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 5. Holy Spirit is creator Genesis 1:1–2 NLT - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2  The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1:26 NIV - Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Job 33:4 NLT - For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Matthew 28:19 NIV - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  Luke 3:22 NIV - and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” John 15:26 NIV - “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. Acts 2:33 NIV - Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Acts 10:38 NIV - how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV - May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 1 Peter 1:2 NIV - who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 2. The Holy Spirit is scary and weird 1 Corinthians 14:32-33 NIV - The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.  33  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. John 14:16 NIV - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— Romans 8:26 NIV - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:14 NIV - For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Luke 9:38–39 NIV - A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39  A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. Galatians 5:18 NIV - But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16 NLT -   So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Acts 2:4 NIV - All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 3. The Holy Spirit is an optional part of my faith Galatians 3:3 NLT - How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 1. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30-32 NIV - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 2. Don’t neglect the Holy Spirit 1 Thessalonians 5:19 NIV - Do not quench the Spirit. 3. Desire more of the Holy Spirit Ephesians 5:18 NLT -   Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, Luke 11:13 NIV - If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

It's A Set Up by Pastor Sharon Kelly. John 3:16 (NIV) “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.” John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told […] The post It's a Set Up appeared first on Wave Church.

Lyndy Elmore is proud of her 12-year-old daughter CJ. They live in Platte City, Missouri -- in the heart of the United States. CJ wanted a way to bring joy to other children during the pandemic's social distancing. So, she wrote their names on small buckets, filled the buckets with sweets and a toy or two, and left them on the porch of each child's home. Lyndy also left flowers for the moms. People really appreciated it!* I'm sure Lyndy felt really good about her daughter's actions. This is similar to the feeling that the apostle John mentions in 3 John 1:3-4: "It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (NIV) All of us who follow Jesus have people who are like spiritual parents. They may have shared the message of Jesus with us, or have encouraged us in following him.  They care about us and want to see us walk in truth. They may be our actual parents or grandparents. Often they are not blood relatives, but they care about us. We can be a source of joy by following Jesus. And if we help mentor the faith of others, their walk can be a source of joy for us. *Candi Laster, "12-year-old brings joy to others who are staying at home," KSHB.com, March 22, 2020, https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/12-year-old-brings-joy-to-others-who-are-staying-at-home Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

“My entire family was transformed and behind it all, was a praying grandma.”  On today’s episode Stacy sits down with author, speaker, and founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries, Greg Stier.  What you are about to hear is nothing short of miraculous, and it will spur you on to pray like you have never prayed before!  Listen in as Greg opens our eyes to view the potential of teenagers in a radically wonderful way.    About our Guest: Greg Stier is a champion for unleashing this generation with the Gospel. As the founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries, he is driven to help the Church activate Christian teenagers to reach their friends. In the last 30 years, Greg has trained millions of youth leaders and students how to relationally engage their world with the Good News of Jesus. A much sought-after speaker, Greg is a former pastor, church planter, youth leader, as well as the author of numerous books.    Acronym G- God O- Our S- Sins P- Paying E- Everyone L-Life    Scripture: Romans 1:16 (NIV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes:first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Matthew 17:24-27 (NIV) After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered.“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” Exodus 30:14 (NIV) All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord. John 21:15 (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”   Matthew 18:6 (NIV) “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”   Acts 4:31 (NIV) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.   Books: “Gospelize Your Youth Ministry” by Greg Stier “Unlikely Fighter” by Greg Stier   Links: https://connect.dare2share.org/takeoff-webinar-archive https://li6w.com/   https://goshareday.org/    https://momsinprayer.org/join-a-group   To give to the ministry of Moms in Prayer: Support Our Mission | Moms In Prayer International Moms in Prayer International- www.MomsInPrayer.org

The Good ShepherdI Am | Week 4March 28, 2021 | Dave Brown -- John 10:11-18 NIV “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”We are sheep.Jesus is the Good Shepherd.Sheep know their Shepherd.You’ve never heard of a wild sheep before; that’s because sheep without a shepherd die.We need a good shepherd or we’ll die too.John 10:11 NIV “I am the good shepherd.”Psalm 23:1 NIV"The LORD is my shepherd.”C.S. Lewis “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”A Good Shepherd: Guides, Provides, Protects, and CorrectsThe Good Shepherd Guides UsJohn 6:37,39 NIV "All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever come to me I will never drive away...And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.”The Good Shepherd Provides For UsJohn 6:35 NIV “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”The Good Shepherd Protects UsJohn 10:11 NIV “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”The Good Shepherd Corrects UsPsalm 23:4 NIV Your rod and your staff comforts me.I’d rather limp into heaven, than run into hell. John 10:14 NIV I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

By Olivia Audette Scriptures - 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NIV) - The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. - Proverbs 16:2 (NIV) - All a person’s ways seem pure to them,     but motives are weighed by the Lord. - Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV) - “I the Lord search the heart     and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct,     according to what their deeds deserve.” - Proverbs 27:19 (CSB) – “As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.” - Matthew 12:34 (NIV) - You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. - Luke 8:11-14 (NIV) - “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 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. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. Message Points #1. GOD CARES ABOUT OUR HEARTS #2. BECAUSE OUR HEART IS WHO WE REALLY ARE #3. WE SHOULD GUARD OUR HEART ABOVE ALL ELSE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew 11:27-30 (NIV) “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Psalm 42:5 NIV   Why, my soul, are you downcast?   Why so disturbed within me?   Put your hope in God,   for I will yet praise him,   my Savior and my God.       Genesis 3:15 NIV   15 And I will put enmity   between you and the woman,   and between your offspring and hers;   he will crush your head,   and you will strike his heel.'   Genesis 12:7 NIV   The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.       Galatians 3:16 NASB   Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.   Genesis 49:10 NIV The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. Isaiah 7:14 NASB (leave "k" footnote in)   14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the [k]virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.   Micah 5:2 NIV “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Isaiah 35:5-6 NASB   Then the eyes of those who are blind will be opened,   And the ears of those who are deaf will be unstopped.   6 Then those who limp will leap like a deer,   And the tongue of those who cannot speak will shout for joy.   Jeremiah 25:8-11 NIV   8 Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: “Because you have not listened to my words, 9 I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations…   Jeremiah 29:10-11 NIV   10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   1 Peter 3:15 NASB   15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect   Ephesians 1:18 NIV I pray 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 his holy people 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. Hebrews 6:18-20 NIV God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. 1 John 3:3 NIV All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Titus 2:11-14 NIV 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.       Romans 15:13 NIV 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Just to “SURVIVE”* is not God’s plan for you (*Survive = Exist: There is life there, but nothing is going on) Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck. (Survival mode) Faith is the solvent that sets you free. (Thriving mode)   Confidence vs. our unworthiness. (unworthiness = just survival mode; confidence = thriving mode) How many really love God? -OKAY- How many of you think you disappoint God many times? How many feel you are not performing at your maximum level, and you let God down? How many times have you felt so UNWORTHY? Hebrews 4:12-16(NIV)- 12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heave, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. 16Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. God’s intention is for us to walk in confidence (vertroue) and to prosper and flourish. (voorspoedig). (In hope and a great future – Jeremiah 29:11) Like a parent loves a child, they may not be at their best behaviour – or performing well, but you still love them and care for them. God wants you to come to Him with this kind of confidence. Our problem is, many times, our confidence depends on our feeling of acceptance. We think, “I have let God down, I have failed Him, why would He want to listen to my prayers anyway?” We feel so unworthy of this Holy Awesome God. Can I say this: - Our acceptance from God, does not depend on our performance. Many times, we think the more we perform – the more acceptable I am to God. The more I do things, the more God loves me. I say it again; our acceptance from God does not depend on our performance. However; This is not a license to just live and do what you want to: - I don’t have to pray I don’t have to be fully obedient I don’t have to excel I don’t have to grow I don’t have to be fruitful and live I don’t have to raise the standard. The truth is simply this: - Here is the Key to your success Our PERFORMANCE will COME as a RESULT of our ACCEPTANCE. i.e. We will thrive in our relationship because we love Him, Why?  Because we know - He REALLY ACCEPTS us and LOVE’S us, we don’t want to let Him down. Let us look at some key scriptures that are born out of the Bible and not my opinion, as to why we are accepted and can be confident. 1 John 3:19-20: - “John says, “God is greater that your accusing consciences, cause He knows everything””. Thomas Kemp: - “Man sees the deed, but God knows the intention”. You cannot bluff God We look at people and what they do, but God knows why they do it. He knows why you’re failing; He sees our intentions. Jesus makes our acceptance so clear in Matthew 6:26: - “Look at the birds of air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly FATHER keeps feeding them.  Are you not worth much more than they?”. The Hebrew writer says it this way in Hebrews 13:5(b): - “For He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.  I (will) not (I will) not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake, nor let you down, relax My hold on you”. Paul gives us this assurance in    Romans 8:1: - “There is no condemnation for those in Christ”. Romans 8:31-32: - “31What than shall we say to all this?  If God is for us who can be against us? 32He who did not withhold or spare His own Son but He gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all other things?”. All things = Wisdom, protection, provision, confidence, assurance, comfort, forgiveness – PEACE in our storms. If He didn’t spare Jesus. Do you think He will withhold anything from you? That is why we can have confidence and not feel unworthy – we can Thrive and not just Survive! Make up your mind – is God really for you? You see, it’s not man’s opinion but God’s opinion about us – Paul Opens with Romans 8:1 – No Condemnation. Closes with Romans 8:39 – No Separation. If you remember nothing else, remember this: - You never approach God ever on the basis of your Sanctification (Heligheid) But: Always on the basis of your Justification (Regverdiging) Our righteousness is like filthy rags – Isaiah 64:6 (NIV) – All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.   Many times, we think we must be squeaky clean before we can approach God, Because we messed up – we don’t have confidence, “Oh’ God, I’m not worthy enough to approach You?” 1 John 1:8 (NIV) – If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 2:1-2 (NIV) – My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. It is not our performance but how He performed for us. Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIV) – 19Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. BE CONFIDENT and THRIVE in your life with Jesus, stop feeling so Unworthy and just Surviving. We serve God because of our love for Him and don’t want to disappoint Him. AMEN

Nearness of GodLet’s Be Honest | Week 1September 27, 2020 | Bill Clark--Isaiah 40:1–2 NIV“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for. Isaiah 40:6,7 NIV“All men are like grass…the grass withers and the flowers fade.”Isaiah 49:15 NIV“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget I will never forget you!”Isaiah 55:8 NIV“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”...not by asking what if,but by believing even if.

2 Samuel 5 (NIV) All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David. On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.” David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet. When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

It is common place now to see several posts or people engaging in conversations about their horoscope or astrological sign. In this episode, Host Chae Cole discusses some interesting facts about astrology and horoscopes. Additionally, Chae discusses the dangers of Christians believing in and trusting their astrological signs. By listening to this episode, you will have a believers answer to the question "What's your Sign"? Scripture: Isaiah 47:13-1 NIV- All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. These are not coals for warmth; this is not a fire to sit by. Resources: https://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/onlinebiblestudies-godchristianityandchurch/astrologyoccultmediumsdivinationsorcery/ https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-know-astrology/ https://www.gotquestions.org/astrology-Bible.html Host: Chae Cole Intro/Closing Beat: Maurice Meyers IG: @mrdiggs23 Instagram: @Coletherapy Website: https://www.coletherapy.com Email: therapycole@gmail.com

When should we compromise, and when should we stand our ground? Paul and Peter had a disagreement at the church in Antioch, and the story gives us insight into how Christians can handle conflict. Galatians 2:11-14 (NIV) All music is in the public domain.

Hello, and welcome to Lechem Panim. It is good to have you with us today as we continue our study of the book of Esther.  Esther Stands for God's People— In our passage last week we saw how Haman has begun to implement his plot against the Jews. He has gotten the king to sign a royal decree that all Jews in the empire are to be exterminated. And the decree has been sent out throughout all the empire. And news of this has reached Mordecai, who implores Esther to go before the king and plead their case. And Esther's obviously scared, knowing that Persian law dictated that she could be executed for appearing before the king un-summoned. But rather than letting her fear master her, she chooses to align herself with God's purpose and places the needs of her people over her own and chooses to go in to see the king. And as she enters that inner court (4:11), she knows she is placing her very life at the king's mercy. Yet Proverbs 21:1 may have given her hope. It says… Proverbs 21:1 (ESV)— 21 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. And that's what we see here. Because Esther has placed herself in the hands of God and found favor in His eyes, she finds that those same divine hands are at work in the heart of the king. And when the king sees her, it says she won favor in his sight (5:2), and he extends to her his scepter, sparing her life. And he says “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” (5:3) What Esther Requests-- Now Esther has come before the king; not to seek anything for herself (as Haman, by contrast, will in just a little while), but in order that the lives of her and her people might be spared. But what is interesting is that she doesn't at this time make her request before the king. Instead, it says…  Esther 5:4-5 (NIV)— 4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” 5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. Sensitivity & Timing-- Now Esther chooses the banquet as the place to make her plea. As we talked about last week, she does this to protect the king; so that he might not be placed in a situation where he could publicly lose face; because remember it was he who had authorized this edict to begin with, so it would have made him look bad. But even more importantly, Esther is moving on God's timetable. Probably because she took that time to fast and pray, she seems to have this sense of the Lord's timing; and she is moving in accordance with that timing. Led by the Spirit, not our sense of our needs-- And you know, that is something you and I can really learn from. Are we led by our fears or our own sense or perception of what our needs are? Or are we led by the Spirit of God? The truth is, when we focus on God and on living in obedience and in accordance with His timing, our needs are met; but we have to take our eyes off our needs and set them on Him. It is when we try to grasp too soon what may not be for us (or at least not yet) that we fall into trouble. A Banquet “Prepared”-- Now this banquet was not something Esther decided to do on the spur of the moment. No, she prepared this banquet before even going before the king, which in itself is a beautiful picture of faith, as it shows she was actively trusting that God would move on her behalf. The banquet is already made. And so the king orders Haman to be brought and they leave immediately for the banquet. It says … Esther 5:5b-6 (NIV)— So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” Wine & Darkness— You know, it's interesting how much wine appears in the book of Esther. Wine is sometimes presented in the Old Testament as a symbol of God's favor and blessing. But not always; and certainly not so far in this book. In the very first chapter you have wine; and that drunkenness it produced that led to the merciless exile of Queen Vashti; not much favor there. Then you have Haman's deceiving the King into signing the edict that would have led to the extermination; the genocide of an entire race of people (including Esther); and the text says right after the edict was issued, the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion. (3:15) And the very next time alcohol is mentioned is here in this verse; at this banquet where this wicked man Haman; this schemer of evil is brought in the midst of his planning to annihilate the Jews. So wine is more of a symbol of foreboding in this book. It is explicitly mentioned at every plot turn. And so the author's pointing us to the wine is meant to foreshadow something grim; a dark event associated with wickedness. Proverbs 4:17 says of wicked people... Proverbs 4:14-17 (NIV)— 16 For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. Everywhere you have wine in this book; you have violence showing up in some way, shape, or form. So they are there at the banquet and the king says to Esther…  Esther 5:6b-8 (NIV)-- “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question.” The Time Wasn't Right-- Now why the wait? For some reason Esther doesn't feel like the timing is right; it seems that God is impressing upon her to wait. And she probably has no idea why. In fact it may even bother her because there is quite a bit of urgency to her making this request. Her people are about to be annihilated. But she chooses to wait. And this may be because she has a sense of the Lord's timing. She chooses to obey the leading of the Lord and wait; she chooses to possibly even allow herself to be made to look foolish in order to act in accordance with the timing of the Lord. Now we in hindsight know why the Lord wanted her to wait; it was because He wanted to not only bring about the salvation of the Jews; He wanted to also humble Haman and exalt Mordecai. And this is one of the things God does quite often. He humbles the proud. Proverbs 3:34 (NIV)-- 34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. Proverbs 29:23 (NIV)-- 23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV)-- 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 1 Peter 5:5b-6 (NIV)-- …All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Pride Sickness— I recently watched some of a special on the Corona Virus. And they were talking about how they believe the virus originated with bats. And they said bats are fascinating creatures because although they can carry Corona Virus and other diseases, they are (interestingly) not affected by them. And you know. Pride is similar. It's as Buddy Robinson once said, “Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the person who has it.” And he's right. Pharaoh Humbled-- And before God's will can be perfected in your life and in my life, God must first pull us out of the quicksand of pride. In Egypt it was not enough for God to deliver Israel. He could have stretched out his hand and immediately brought death to Pharaoh and all the Egyptians. But no; He takes the longer path and (through Moses and Aaron) brings humility to Israel's captors to the point where they give of their own possessions to the Israelites; He humbles them. And ultimately the reason Pharaoh's army is annihilated by the waters coming upon them was not God; it was Pharaoh's own pride that led to the destruction of his army and his land. It was because of his heart, hardened by pride, that caused the plagues of Egypt that left it in ruin. Nebuchadnezzar Humbled-- Later, just before the story of Esther; during the time of Daniel, reigned the proud King Nebuchadnezzar. Now God could have killed Nebuchadnezzar for his arrogance and sins. But God takes the longer path. He chooses to humble Nebuchadnezzar; remember, after praising himself and failing to give glory to God, God makes him like an animal; he loses his mind, his nails grow long, and he eats the grass of the field until he lifts up his eyes to heaven and lets go of His pride and gives worship to God. Then (and only then) does God restore him. Haman Must Be Humbled-- And here we see the same thing. God has determined not only to save Israel (which could have been done at Esther's first banquet). No; once again God takes the longer path; the one that will humble the enemy of God's people before Him. Mordecai Must Be Exalted-- And if Esther had made her request at this time, then Haman may have still been executed, but not humbled; and Mordecai would never have been exalted. And God saw both as necessary because He had plans to make Mordecai King Ahasuerus' righthand man. And we will see in the closing chapters of this book that Mordecai himself plays a very key role in God's plan. The proud must fall and the humble must be exalted. We may miss out if we don't wait on God's timing-- You know, you and I can act on things before God's timing; and things may turn out ok; but we may miss out on a huge part of the blessing God has in store for us or for someone we are connected with if we fail to move in accordance with His timing. We must learn to be patient and wait; even when it is frustrating or we may not understand why. You may be in a time of waiting right now; and those times of waiting can be very fearful; very scary. And we often want God to grant us what we think we need right away. Although we will never say it, we often think that God ought to act on our timetable. But if we can trust ourselves to God's timing, pieces that are in play for our benefit God can use to bring us the greatest possible good. And that is ultimately what God was doing for Esther and her people; and it is what He wants to do for you and for me as well. And so I want to encourage you today (and myself as well); let us commit ourselves to following God's timing in a deeper way. Let's do so. Amen.

Radical Prayer Life  SeriesThe Foundation of PrayerMatthew 6:5-13 NIV Introduction   Prayer was given to Man as a result of the fall of Adam! With Adam, God’s presence was literal and tangible. Adam had no need to pray. Adam dwelt in God’s presence. Nothing has greater value to man than the true presence of Almighty God.  Adam didn’t realize he needed a woman because Adam was fulfilled in the presence of Almighty God. Adam’s need for Eve was to fulfil a purpose not being fulfilled. (Adam was fulfilled with God, but mankind could not multiply and subdue the earth without women.)Genesis 4: 9-15 NIV Cain and Abel had no need to pray because the presence of the Almighty God was tangible in the earth.  Genesis 4:26 NIVMankind begins to call on the Lord (Prayer)  Point 1The Motive of the human heart is step one to building a prayer life! (Matthew 6:5 NIV)Prayer is very private, it’s not for an audience. (Jesus would usually go further alone to pray, not even the disciples had access to His true prayer life.) Fellowship (Koinonia) is what Adam did before the fall. This is spending time with God without any motivation other than wanting to spend time with God.  Fellowship with God has become abnormal in the church.Fellowship is what men like David discovered that allows you to posture your heart so God can become your friend. Elevation comes as a result of spending quality time with “The One” who holds everything!  Fellowship - lots of singing songs of praise and worship while thinking about / meditating on all His benefits. Psalms 103:1-5 NKJVYour only sincere desire is to know Him.Fellowship with the Lord corrects our motives!  Note: The Kingdom has every promise categorized and locked. Matthew 16:19 NIVWithout the right posture of your heart, your life will become like Cain’s, doing the requirements but getting no reward. Remember in the Kingdom every lock needs a Key.  The heart, the core of who we are, must stay lit up. 1 John 1:5 NIVThe greatest hindrance to personal prayer is unchecked motives! Some contaminants of our motive:Un-Forgiveness PrideDishonesties Unrepentant All Sins fall under one of these categories. The heart is where your motives are developed and live. From your Motives, life flows! Proverbs 4:23 NIVProverbs 21:2 NIV  Point  2 God is not impressed by someone who is trying to impress Him or others with prayer. (Matthew 6:7-8 NIV)Prayer is not designed to be Ritualistic but Relational. Prayer is the system The Father has given to individuals who wish to have their needs considered by the Kingdom of God, and not themselves or any other kingdom. The impressiveness of prayer is not how it’s done, but the results it manifest. You can get an answer to your prayer but never get to know the God who answered you!My needs are already known. The heart has to come to a place of trust. Note to Self: God will supply All of my needs in His time because He is Lord, not I.    Conclusion Hebrews 11:13 NIV - All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.Hebrews 11:39 NIV - These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, Action PlanSpend fellowship time with God; ask for nothing but give yourself to Him.  Join Pastor Bruce Next week for part 2 “The Purpose of Prayer” from his brand new sermon series Radical Prayer Life!  Matthew 6:9-13 NIV - “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘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 today 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 the evil one.’

Today's story is from John 8;1-11 and talks about how Jesus forgives the sinner, and how we aren't supposed to judge. Our memory verse is, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Matthew 1:7 (NIV) All scripture is from the NIrV and follows along with the Go! Curriculum we use on Sunday mornings. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/familygoandgrow/message

How do we represent Christ well? And how do we bring His message of reconciliation to the world? 2 Corinthians 5: 18 - 21 (NIV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

This week we're continuing on in the Old Testament and hearing about when God gave Isaiah a vision and made him a prophet. We then look toward Christmas through a prophecy about Jesus. Our story comes from Isaiah 6 & 53. Our memory verse is, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the [sin] of us all.” Isaiah 53:6 (NIV) All scripture is from the NIrV and follows along with the Go! Curriculum we use on Sunday mornings. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/familygoandgrow/message

Ambassadors in ChristFixed Identity | Week 2November 3, 2019 | Adam Barnett --2 Corinthians 5:14-17 NIV For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! If I am a new creation, I am Christ’s ambassador with the ministry and message of reconciliation.2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NIV All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.Approved • Accepted • Positioned • Instructed • Empowered • AppointedAmbassadors have noteworthy reputation and character.Ambassadors cooperate with people of all religious preferences. Don’t be too "Christian-y" for non-Christians.Ambassadors start with love, not facts.Ambassadors pursue conversation with people of other faiths or religious affiliationsAmbassadors stay ready to share the Story of Jesus.2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The Gaps We ShareProverbs | Week 5October 20, 2019 | Bill Clark --We all have gaps between who we may want to be and who we really are.Proverbs 16:2 NIV All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.Self-DeceptionJeremiah 17:9 NIV The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?Proverbs 16:18 NIV Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.James 1:22 NIV Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.Not only do we know God through Christ alone, but we know ourselves by Christ alone.// Blaise Pascal

This week’s podcast is a replay of Dave’s message given at Cross Point Church (www.crosspointlockport.org) this past Sunday. This message, entitled “Go and be Reconciled,” is about the importance and the imperative of all believers to work to be reconciled with their brethren. Dave gets personal and transparent with a recent story from his life, and uses that to fuel his message and admonition to be reconciled. Our primary passage is 2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV - All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Much of the teaching also comes from Matthew 5 and Matthew 18. __________________________________________________________________Would you consider being a patron? Visit our Patreon Page at www.patreon.com/gifts4glory and help us continue to do this great work! For our ministries within Gifts for Glory, follow us on: Facebook: @Gifts4GloryTwitter: @Gifts4GloryInstagram: @Gifts4Glory Contact Dave directly at: Dave@gifts4glory.com Improv Ministry:Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @WellVersedCMDYPureFest: Chicago’s Faith-Based Improv and Sketch Festival:Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @PureFestChicago#OGHG Our Gifts for His Glory.Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Relationships are not designed to fulfill us, Relationships are designed to refine us. Be Gentle Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1 (NIV) Be Caring Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Be self-aware If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:3-5 (NIV) Be a learner Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Galatians 6:6 (NIV) Be Faithful Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV) Be a part of the family Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 (NIV) All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:3-5 (NIV)

*DISCLAIMER* This episode contains adult themes and is not intended for little ears.    Natural Aphrodisiacs in Marriage with Certified Sex Therapist, Dr. Douglas Rosenau   Song of Solomon 4:7 NIV “All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.”    Dr. Douglas Rosenau has truly been a pioneer in Christian sex therapy. He isa licensed marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, author, speaker, adjunct professor, and co-founder of Sexual Wholeness. His training in both theology and counseling helps couples enrich and reclaim God's wonderful gift of sexual intimacy.   At The Savvy Sauce, we will only recommend resources we believe in! We also want you to be aware: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.    Dr. Doug's Website Dr. Doug on Twitter  Books by Dr. Doug with various co-authors: Total Intimacy Soul Virgins Celebration of Sex  Celebration of Sex for Newlyweds Celebration of Sex After 50 Secrets of Eve by Dr. Archibald Hart, Catherine Hart Weber, and Debra Taylor   Thank You to Our Sponsor: Richmont Graduate University   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Also, check out our Patreon Page to find out how to gain access to additional podcasts and freebies!   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.”        

…My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. Matthew 16:17-18 (MSG) This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.Matthew 16:17-18 (MSG) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession… 1 Peter 2:9-12(NIV) A Chosen People A Royal Priesthood A Holy Nation A Special Possession …that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.1 Peter 2:9-12(NIV) Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.1 Peter 2:9-12(NIV) Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.1 Peter 2:9-12(NIV) Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.1 Peter 2:9-12(NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

“How to deal with difficult people” Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT) 2 Types of Difficult: Difficult because they are DANGEROUS. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Romans 16:17 (NIV) Difficult because they are DIFFERENT. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) We don't follow the pattern of the world. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3 (NIV) We practice self-awareness. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-8 (NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:4-8 (NIV) We respect each other's differences. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9-18 (NIV) Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-18 (NIV) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Romans 12:9-18 (NIV) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:9-18 (NIV) We have to make every effort. We leave the rest up to God. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19-21 (NIV) On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:19-21 (NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21 (NIV) So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV)

This is episode #71. In today’s episode, we are going to think about our own process of decision making, up until now. We are going to dissect it, and then, I want you to figure out if the decision making process you have been using so far, is serving you well. So, we are going to look at what are some questions you should ask yourself when making an important decision. First of all, I want you to remember Proverbs 16:2 and let the Lord weigh your motives. He is loving and merciful and only wants what’s best for you. So invite Him to take part of this process and help you see what works and what doesn’t work, so that you can make decisions for the best life you can have. Scriptures:Proverbs 16:2 (NIV) “All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.”Where to Find Me:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoraAyalaDelgado/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livewithpurpose.nad/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.noraayaladelgado.com/Music Source:Worthy Of Praise - Inspiring | Heartfelt - OurMusicBox.com

This is episode #71. In today’s episode, we are going to think about our own process of decision making, up until now. We are going to dissect it, and then, I want you to figure out if the decision making process you have been using so far, is serving you well. So, we are going to look at what are some questions you should ask yourself when making an important decision. First of all, I want you to remember Proverbs 16:2 and let the Lord weigh your motives. He is loving and merciful and only wants what’s best for you. So invite Him to take part of this process and help you see what works and what doesn’t work, so that you can make decisions for the best life you can have. Scriptures:Proverbs 16:2 (NIV) “All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.”Where to Find Me:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoraAyalaDelgado/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livewithpurpose.nad/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.noraayaladelgado.com/Music Source:Worthy Of Praise - Inspiring | Heartfelt - OurMusicBox.com

To lead people into a new life of freedom in Jesus. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV) No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV) Before your freedom will ever be EXPERIENCED, it will be SPOKEN. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21-22 (NIV) He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:21-22 (NIV) “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. Luke 6:43-45 (NIV) A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. Luke 6:43-45 (NIV) For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:43-45 (NIV) To change what's coming out, you have to change what's going in. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things… Philippians 4:8  (NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) Give up your right to say whatever comes to your mind. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. James 3:3-8 (NIV) Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. James 3:3-8 (NIV) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:3-8 (NIV) All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:3-8 (NIV) Learn the language of Freedom. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13-17 (NIV) But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:13-17 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:13-17 (NIV) Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-17 (NIV) “Peace follows purity, and depends upon it. Those who are truly wise do what they can to preserve peace, that it may not be broken; and to make peace, that where it is lost it may be restored. In kingdoms, in families, in churches, in all societies, and in all interviews and transactions, heavenly wisdom makes men peaceable.” – Matthew Henry Become whole. “Not he who thinks well, or he who talks well, is in the sense of the scripture allowed to be wise, if he do not live and act well.” – Matthew Henry So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service… Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV) …so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV)

We exist to lead people into a new life of FREEDOM in Jesus. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NIV) But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:4-7 (NLT) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 (NLT) So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 (NLT) Our freedom, designed by heaven, has a divine purpose for this earth. Worship Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-10 (NIV) As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… 1 Peter 2:1-10 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:1-10 (NIV) I pray we never become people who expect God's UNCONDITIONAL love and grace, while ascribing to Him CONDITIONAL worth. Relationships You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV) For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV) Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NIV) We exist to lead PEOPLE into a new life of FREEDOM in Jesus. If we don't love PEOPLE, we can't LEAD people.  Purpose For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3-6 (NLT) Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well… Romans 12:3-6 (NLT) Don't let the absence of SPECIFICS prevent you from experiencing what's AVAILABLE. Purpose is revealed in pieces… and each piece is discovered by faithfulness. Ministry Our ultimate purpose in this life and ultimate fulfillment… will always be tied to the mission of Jesus. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17-21(NIV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21(NIV) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21(NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21(NIV) Minister (diakonos) = to execute the commands of another; the servant of a king “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) He has sent me to proclaim FREEDOM for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) Message Title: “Fathered into Purpose”  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…Psalm 68:5-6  This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was Faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18-24 (NIV) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-24 (NIV) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:18-24 (NIV) When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-24 (NIV) 1. Affirmation But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matt 1:20, 16-17 (NIV)  and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. Matt 1:20, 16-17 (NIV) What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. 1 John 3:1-3 (MSG) But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. 1 John 3:1-3 (MSG)  2. Correction Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:19-21, 24 (NIV) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:19-21, 24 (NIV) When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 1:19-21, 24 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6, 11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:5-6, 11-12 (NIV) 3. Protection When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Matthew 2:13-16 (NIV) So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:13-16 (NIV) 4. Direction  After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead.” Matthew 2:19-23 (NIV)  So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. Matthew 2:19-23 (NIV) I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 (NIV)

The body of Christ possesses enough, but not enough for us to keep what we don’t need. In God's economy, there is plenty. We just have to be obedient. God’s Economy Irresistible Force | Week 2 September 25, 2016 | Adam Barnett Acts 2:44 (NIV) All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:45 (NIV) They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. God’s Economy: The body of Christ possesses enough, but not enough for us to keep what we don’t need. Mark 12:41-44 (NIV) 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Jesus isn’t against you possessing things. But He is against things possessing you.

As the local Church, we are meant to be an Irresistible Force, not by our own strength, planning, or brilliance, but by the power of the Living God. The arrival of the Holy Spirit, Peter’s sermon, and 3,000 converts set the stage for how our church should operate today. Three Things Irresistible Force | Week 1 September 18, 2016 | Bill Clark Acts 1:1,2 (NIV) In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven... Acts 1:4,5 (NIV) ...for the gift my Father promised, which you heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14 (NIV) Peter stood up, raised his voice and addressed the crowd. These men are not drunk! Acts 2:17-18 (NIV) In these last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy...even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit and they will prophesy. Acts 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Christian worship is really about an audience of one. Acts 2:44-47 (NIV) All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Worship, Grow & Serve

To TEACH you how to read AND apply God's Word to your life. For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) The bible is not a book you read through… It's a book that reads through you. To HELP you see your life from God's perspective. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) The Old Testament POINTS to God… The Gospel is the WAY to God… The New Testament shows us how to WALK WITH God. 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. Ephesians 1:17-18 (NIV) I pray 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  Ephesians 1:17-18 (NIV) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) Message Title:  “Good Works” The GOOD WORK God has done FOR us. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV) All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought nearby the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 (NIV) I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.  Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people… Ephesians 3:7-13 (NIV) …this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. Ephesians 3:7-13 (NIV) His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:7-13 (NIV) In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:7-13 (NIV) The GOOD WORK God wants to do IN us. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus… Ephesians 2:6 (NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being… Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV) Where His spirit dwells, there He swells. – Matthew Henry …so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ… Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV) …and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV) There is nothing that can overshadow your life when you see yourself as seated with Christ and you allow HIS Spirit to do a deep work in you. Learning to define the work… is key to allowing the work to be finished. The GOOD WORK God wants to do THROUGH us For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV) For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV) God did a work FOR us… that does a work IN us… in order to do a work THROUGH us.  The work God wants to do through you, begins with the work God wants to do in you. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us… Ephesians 3:20-21(NIV) …to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21(NIV)

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NIV)  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NIV) Earning (Avg. household income = $52,000 / TOP 1% in the world!) Spending (More than 70% of Americans don't have a monthly written budget.) Saving (Emergency Fund / 3-6 months… The avg. American spends 136% of their income.) Investing (Instead of working for your money… your money is starting to work for you.) Giving (Non-Christians 3% - Christians 3.8%) Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.  You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” Haggai 1:5-7 (NIV) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Haggai 1:5-7 (NIV) Message Title: “Beyond the Numbers” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NIV) 5 Principals that go BEYOND THE NUMBERS: CALLING vs. COMPENSATION The secret to the life you want is to discover why you were put on this planet. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.  Acts 20:24 (NIV) CONTENTMENT vs. CONSUMERISM Beware! Don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are.” Luke 12:15 (TLB) But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV) Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of what you have. GOD DEPENDENT vs. INDEPENDENT The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Proverbs 18:11 (NIV) As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. Luke 21:1-4 (NIV) All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4 (NIV) Staying God dependent in your finances is not about the amount you trust Him with… but the amount in comparison to what you have. (Tithing = 10% / the average Christian = 3.8%) Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV) STEWARDSHIP vs. OWNERSHIP Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) It ALL belongs to Him. We are just managing what He has allowed us to oversee.  GENEROSITY vs. MISERY In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'  Acts 20:35 (NIV) Generosity is a demonstration of God's love in a practical way. The value of my life is not determined by how much I achieve or accumulate, but how much I give away. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV) In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age… 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV) …so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV)

The Meta Narrative for the Christian is an Amazing Story! 1. The Daily Grind of life[Ecc 2:22 NIV] What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?[Ecc 2:23 NIV] All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. [Ecc 12:13 ESV] The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.[Ecc 12:14 ESV] For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. The Invitation; “You just can't say no.”[Eph 1:3 ESV] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,[Eph 1:4 ESV] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love[Eph 1:5 ESV] he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,WHY? [Eph 1:6 ESV] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.How Did He Do It?[Eph 1:7 ESV] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,[Eph 1:8 ESV] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight[Eph 1:9 ESV] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ[Eph 1:10 ESV] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.CAN'T Lose It!1. God planned it. [Eph 1:11 ESV] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,[Eph 1:12 ESV] so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. Discovering a spiritual world very few even know about.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is Real. [Luk 3:21 ESV] Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,[Luk 3:22 ESV] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." Discovering the Great War and realizing one is part of it.  [Eph 6:12 KJV] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].  [1Pe 2:9 ESV] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.[1Pe 2:10 ESV] Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.[1Pe 2:11 ESV] Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.[1Pe 2:12 ESV] Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. You are special and have a special call. [2Co 5:17 ESV] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.[2Co 5:18 ESV] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;[2Co 5:19 ESV] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.[2Co 5:20 ESV] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.[2Co 5:21 ESV] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Old friends begin to separate.[1Pe 4:1 ESV] Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,[1Pe 4:2 ESV] so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.[1Pe 4:3 ESV] For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.[1Pe 4:4 ESV] With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;[1Pe 4:5 ESV] but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Discover new friends who are special too.[Heb 10:24 ESV] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [Heb 10:25 ESV] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Finding God's People at the local Church; [Act 2:42 ESV] And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [Act 2:43 ESV] And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [Act 2:44 ESV] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. Embrace purpose & call. What about you?Do you identify with the any of these chapters?What chapter are you in right now? [Jhn 6:43 ESV] Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves.[Jhn 6:44 ESV] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.[Jhn 6:45 ESV] It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me--[Jhn 6:46 ESV] not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.[Jhn 6:47 ESV] Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. Are you more interested in what God wants or what you want?Everything that keeps you busy on your schedule is in God's creation, not yours. Are the very things God has given you are the things you use to hate God. Hate God?  Well sure, if God is not part of your daily life, for any reason.In God's Universe, In God's Solar System, On God's Planet, In God's Country, In the Body God gave you, . . what part your daily schedule is set aside for God's Will?  [Jhn 3:16 ESV] "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.[Jhn 3:17 ESV] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. I can't make you a Christian, I can't make you love God. I can trick you into thinking you're a Christian, but I can't make you true Christian.  The Purpose & 5 Disciplines.  If this is bothering you that I bring this up every week? Something is wrong. Every week I give you New Bible verses, but the conclusion is always the same. Love God, Love People.And this is what it looks like.  5 Disciplines. Every Sunday we get a chance to make course corrections our lives. We are reminded where true North is on our God compass. What changes do you need to make in your life, to live even more of God's Commands? Young Adult Books; Chapter 8; Embrace Purpose and CallMore presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Title of Message:  Real Dating The key ingredient to a successful relationship is authenticity.  (Romans 12:2) (NLT) Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world,but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Song of Solomon 1:1) (NLT) This is Solomon's song of songs, more wonderful than any other. (Song of Solomon 1:2) (NLT) Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine. (Song of Solomon 1:2) (NLT) How fragrant your cologne; your name is like its spreading fragrance. No wonder all the young women love you! (Ecclesiastes 3:1) (NIV) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Song of Solomon 2:8-10) (NLT) Ah, I hear my lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.  My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room. 1.    The Season of Perfection Love isn't about finding a perfect person; love is about seeing an imperfect person perfectly.   Dating in the Perfection Season: A.  Limit your time. B.   Limit your talk. C.  Limit your touch.  (Song of Solomon 2:11) (NLT) Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone.  Stop praying for a spouse and start praying for the character that's worthy of the spouse God is bringing. –Pastor Peter Haas  (Song of Solomon 2:12) (NLT) The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air. (Song of Solomon 2:14) (NLT) My dove is hiding behind the rocks, behind an outcrop on the cliff. Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely. 2.    The Season of Preparation. Dating in the Preparation Season:  A.  Have extremely high standards B.   Involve the family C.  Access is Conditional (Song of Solomon 2:14) (NLT) Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming! 3.    The Season of Purity (Song of Solomon 3:1-2) (NIV) All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him. (Song of Solomon 3:3-4) (NIV) The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. “Have you seen the one my heart loves?” Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother's house, to the room of the one who conceived me. (Song of Solomon 3:5) (NIV) Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.  

We've always belonged to Jesus. (Ephesians 1:4) (NLT) Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (Jeremiah 3:22) (NLT) “My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” “Yes, we're coming,” the people reply, “for you are the Lord our God. Title of Message:  The Searching (Luke 19:1-2) (NIV) Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. (Luke 19:3-4) (NIV) He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. (Luke 19:5-6) (NIV) When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. (Luke 19:7) (NIV) All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” The searching: 1.    Have a past they're not proud of. 2.    Have a desire for something significant. (Luke 19:8) (NIV) Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (Luke 19:9-10) (NIV) Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”   When the searching find Jesus they find: 1.    The future they hoped for. (Jeremiah 29:11) (MSG) “…I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” 2.    The significance they longed for.  (Luke 19:6) (NKJV) So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.