Podcasts about niv don

Everyone wants revival—until they realize what it costs. We love the idea of God moving, but do we actually want to live in revival? Because revival isn't something we wait for—it's something we walk in. So what's stopping you? Fear? Comfort? Distractions? In the second episode of our series 'Revival Is In You', we're exposing what's holding us back and breaking down how to actually carry revival everywhere we go.

In this episode, host Ash Couchman sits down with Kate Westwood to explore 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV): “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Together, they dive into the challenges of starting new things, battling self-doubt, and stepping into God's call no matter your stage of life. Kate shares her own experiences of overcoming fear and embracing opportunities, reminding us that God equips us for everything He calls us to.  Get Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayjoypod Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everydayjoypodcast/ Email us: everydayjoy@positivemedia.com.au TheLight: thelight.com.au/everydayjoy   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a time when our world faces unprecedented challenges, let us remember the enduring goodness and love of the LORD. As Psalm 100:5 reminds us, "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Let us continue to stand united in faith and hope, knowing that our actions today shape the world for tomorrow. Together, we can create a legacy of love and resilience that will inspire those who follow us. If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/ ================ This Week's Scripture: // Key Verses // Proverbs 16:31: Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Psalm 92:14 (NIV) They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…  Psalm 8:2 (NIV) Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies…

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. James 1:16-18 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” John 1:12-13 NIV “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you 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.” Psalm 23:6 NIV “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. James 1:16-18 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” John 1:12-13 NIV “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you 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.” Psalm 23:6 NIV “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. James 1:16-17 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” John 3:26-27 NIV “They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.' To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.'” Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. James 1:16-17 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” John 3:26-27 NIV “They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.' To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.'” Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Job 33:4 NIV “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” James 1:16-17 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” Psalm 34:10 NIV “...Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalm 23:1 NIV “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Job 33:4 NIV “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” James 1:16-17 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” Psalm 34:10 NIV “...Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalm 23:1 NIV “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Job 12:10 (NIV) “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” James 1:16-17 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” ​​Steve Cuss (Managing Leadership Anxiety) “Anxiety is a signal, not a root cause. Anxiety is generated when we think we need something in any particular moment that we don't actually need. Anxiety is not just worry and fear. It's how you react when you don't get something you think you need. The point is that anxiety becomes a marker that something other than God's presence and love is at play in my mind and body.” Psalm 136:1 NIV Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:7-9 NIV 7 Who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)  “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.” Psalm 85:12 (NIV)  “The LORD will indeed give what is good.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Job 12:10 (NIV) “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” James 1:16-17 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” ​​Steve Cuss (Managing Leadership Anxiety) “Anxiety is a signal, not a root cause. Anxiety is generated when we think we need something in any particular moment that we don't actually need. Anxiety is not just worry and fear. It's how you react when you don't get something you think you need. The point is that anxiety becomes a marker that something other than God's presence and love is at play in my mind and body.” Psalm 136:1 NIV Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:7-9 NIV 7 Who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)  “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.” Psalm 85:12 (NIV)  “The LORD will indeed give what is good.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. James 1:16-17 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” Genesis 1:16 NIV “God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.” Psalm 136:1 NIV Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:7-9 NIV 7 Who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. James 1:16-17 NIV “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” Genesis 1:16 NIV “God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.” Psalm 136:1 NIV Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:7-9 NIV 7 Who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

“I conclude then that the gratitude my heart feels increases and remains firm when meditating on the greatness of God, Creator of heaven and earth, of the visible and invisible.” In today's episode, Aubrie shares testimonies and encouragement from a Moms in Prayer mom in Costa Rica and one in the United States. They remind us of how our hearts are uplifted and changed as we look to God and give our thanks to Him. Listen in for important prayers to pray around the holidays (and every day)! The Moms in Prayer Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit ChristianParenting.org SCRIPTURES  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 22:37-39 NIV  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:2a NIV  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV  Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Philippians 4:6 MES  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 2:8-9 NIV  He has empowered you to participate in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. He freed us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12-14  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength. O our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name! 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 NLT   LINKS MOMS IN PRAYER New to Moms in Prayer? How to get started New Prayer Cards Group T-Shirt Orders Moms in Prayer Shop Support Our Mission

2 Timothy Part 5 | Sunday, October 8thBay Chapel is a life-giving church in the New Tampa community. We meet Sundays at 10:00 am and you are welcome to come anytime in person or online. Find out more at baychapel.com Subscribe to receive our latest messages. Stay Connected, ask for prayer and find out more.http://www.baychapel.com/connectBay Chapel exists to help people ‘Find God and Find Life' through a relationship with Jesus Christ. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: http://www.baychapel.com/giveMessage Notes: II Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT) You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!√  POWER√  PLEASURE√  PRIDEGenesis 3:1-7 (NLT) The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.'”“You won't die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.A SELFLESS LIFEII Timothy 3:3 (NLT) They will be unloving and unforgiving...I. LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.Luke 6:32-36 (MSG) Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal?I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.II. FORGIVE WILLINGLY.I Peter 3:9 (NIV) Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 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. 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 12:9-17 NIV   I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 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. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NLT   BOTH GIFTINGS AND GODLY CHARACTER MUST BE PRESENT FOR TRUE EFFECTIVENESS.   'You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:22 NLT   So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35 NLT   Love must be sincere. Romans 12:9 NIV Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Romans 12:9 NLT   “ Be tolerate with others and strict with yourself.” Marcus Aurelius   Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.Romans 12:9 NIV   You who love the Lord, hate evil! Psalms 97:10 NLT   Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice.  Amos 5:15 NLT   hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NIV   'If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19 ESV   'Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world.”John 18:36 ESV   Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15 ESV   1. It is not enough to simply choose Good over Evil.   2. You will eventually drift toward your desires and feelings.   O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:1-4 ESV     So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Colossians 3:5NLT   Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. Colossians 3:5-6 NLT   You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Colossians 3:7-9 NLT   Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves… Colossians 3:12 NLT   you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15 NLT   Mercy/Compassion   Kindness   Humility   Gentleness   Patience   Forgiveness   Love  

When we feel discouraged about something we're trying to do, it's easy to get tired and lose heart. In our moments of frustration and failure, we need to turn to God and his Word to find the strength to keep going. Check out this Scripture Playlist for Bible verses that help us believe our efforts make a difference. Show Notes Colossians 4:2 CEV Galatians 6:9 NASB95 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 CEV 1 Corinthians 15:58 AMP Isaiah 54:10 TPT 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 MSG 2 Corinthians 6:4 ERV Ephesians 6:18 ERV Psalm 34:18 CEV Deuteronomy 20:3-4 NLT 2 Thessalonians 3:13 AMP Psalm 119:25 TLB Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV Psalm 61:2 GW 1 Chronicles 22:13 NLT Isaiah 42:1-4 NLT Isaiah 49:4 CEV Hebrews 6:9-11 Voice 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 NLT Colossians 2:6-7 TPT James 1:2-4 CEV 2 Timothy 4:7 BSB Hebrews 10:35-36 ERV Hebrews 3:6-8 CEV 1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV Don't Lose Heart

“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 Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬ NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." In the resurrection, Jesus trades the sting of death for the joy of new life. Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-9 NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! In the resurrection, Jesus guarantees that He will make all things new. Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV "'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life." Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God, and they will be my children." When will He do all of this? 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭19a‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 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.

“Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadow boxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Be still and stand strong! “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Go hard in the paint for your promise! “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Don't stop and God won't stop! ‬‬ “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! “The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. “If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you. “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT

  Romans 10:2 - For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.   For those who have been Catholic or worshiped in a denomination that related to - you know this is the Lenten Season.  It's 40 days before easter.  Starts right after the orgy and bacchanalia which is Mardi Gras - ending on Fat Tuesday.  All man made stuff.    40 days- ceremonious stuff -giving up stuff, man made rules    I have learned that sometimes having too much information gives you a paralysis of analysis.   You don't know who to trust.   You latch on to things that you like and can understand, YouTube videos, speakers, IG people, and you integrate that into your faith.  But it is not biblical, it is not sound doctrine. I heard that… This guy on tik Tok said… I don't have to go to church because… I don't have to support a ministry because they are all crooks, you heard that ministry trying to get a plane? God knows my heart… The devil lives for our passion, our burn out, our losses …    When we start new things, our faith walk included -join a new church,  many were eager to learn, respond, and volunteer. Over time, however, eagerness waned. They lost their zeal.   What is Spiritual Zeal? Spiritually speaking, at the beginning of our relationship with the LORD, we were eager, too. Our hearts were challenged and changed; we mourned over our wrongs, immediately sought forgiveness from God, and changed our ways. We felt clean! We were excited! We wanted to pray, witness, read God's Word, do good works, influence our world, and honor the Lord in any way we could! How do we renew and keep our zeal for him? That was precisely the concern of the Israelites. What they did may serve as an example to help us. Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713     Four ways to keep our zeal Nehemiah told them this was not a time for grieving; this was a time for rejoicing, for they were seeking to obey God and were enjoying his favor! Their grief turned to joy.  Nehemiah 8:9-12 (NASB)   1. Keep our zeal by making a commitment 2. Keep our zeal by holding ourselves accountable 3. Keep our zeal by assigning responsibilities 4. Keep our zeal by being attentive     Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:1- 2, 10- 11, NIV)   Don't watch the clock; do what it does. ...     “Just because you're taking longer than others does not mean you're a failure. Keep going.” 

Several years ago, my family toured a famous cave in southern Missouri. The outlaw Jesse James allegedly used the cave to escape pursuit and divide the loot with his gang, though that was in a hidden part of the cave. We entered through a large opening, with a gift shop inside. We crossed a dance floor in one large room installed in the 1890's. In the days before air conditioning, summer dance parties were held in the cave's cool, 60 degree room. But nobody was dancing when we toured. We strolled through the cave with a guide, marveling at all the spectacular formations, some reaching nearly 70 feet in height. At one point, deep in the cave, the guide shut off the lights. Utter darkness surrounded us. I couldn't see my finger touching my nose. This experience helps me understand 1 John 2:9-11, “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” (NIV) Don't live in darkness, hating people and ignoring the truth. Live in the light. Love others and nothing will make you stumble in following Jesus. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Love changes everything, but not everything we call love is real love. “...And I will show you an even better way.”1 Corinthians 12:31 HCSB  “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬  “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT  But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning. So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first. If you do not change, I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place.” Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NCV‬‬   Take love back-   Recognize where/when you have something to prove. Repent of it-   “In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NCV‬‬   Be passionate and compassionate about what Jesus was passionate and compassionate about-   “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬   “Passion for God's house will consume me.”‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬   Set boundaries like Jesus set boundaries-    So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” John‬ ‭13‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV   Don't love scared-   Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Key #1: Hearing from another realm Romans 10:17 NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Key #2: Seeing into another realm 2 Kings 6:15 NIV When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 2 Kings 6:16 NIV “Don't be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 1st: Elisha shuts Down the panic. 2nd: Elisha didn't deny the problem. 3rd: Elisha says, there are more for us than against us! 4th: Elisha prayed. 2 Kings 6:17 NIV “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Key #3: Speaking into another realm John 11:39 NIV “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” John 11:40 NIV Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:41-42 NIV So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” John 11:43 NIV When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:44 NIV The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Colossians 1:13-14 NLT For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son… who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Revelation 11:15 NKJV And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

2 Kings 6:16 NIV “Don't be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:17 KJVS And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

A Romance of Grace Judges 21:25 (ESV)“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”Ruth 1:1-5 (NIV)“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So, a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.”“Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.Ruth 1:16-18 (NIV)“…Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.” Ruth 2:3 (ESV)“…she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.”Ruth 3:3 (NIV)"Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.”Ruth 3:4 (NIV)"When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”Matthew 1:1 (NIV)“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:Matthew 1:5-6 (NIV)“Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,Obed the father of Jesse,and Jesse the father of King David.”Matthew 1:16 (NIV)“…Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.”John 1:17 (ESV)“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” 

But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:34-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬ However, we don't want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.Matthew‬ ‭17:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. John‬ ‭13:3-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Living scared will cause you to stand up when you should stand down. Why don't you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don't you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. John‬ ‭19:10-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil… ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:5‬ ‭NIV When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:12-14‬ ‭NIV You're louder when you're living scared. But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. Luke‬ ‭23:23‬ ‭NLT  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ‭‭James‬ ‭1:19-20‬ ‭NIV You are able to be still when you're living in the Spirit.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Don't let what scares you stop you.

 Giving it your “All” (Obedience sums up our entire duty)   By: Pastor George Lehman This is a “positioning” message. I don't generalise here, but never has there been a time such as this that well-meaning Christians say one thing and live out something else. They proclaim their need and dependence of God at church and in front of other Christians, but at home and at work and if you look at their social life it's another story. When it comes to giving our “All”, we will have to obey God's call before God will make a move on our behalf.  It's all about positioning ourselves in OBEDIENCE. 1 Corinthians 3:16(NIV) – Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?   1 Corinthians 6:19-20(NIV) – 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.   2 Chronicles 7:11-15(Amp) – 11When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, 12The Lord appeared to him at night and said; “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locust to devour the land or send a plague among my people. 14If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, 15then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.  Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.                       There are 4 very clear commands for an “Giving it your All” life: 1 - Humble yourself 2 - Pray 3 - Seek God's face 4 - Turn from your wicked* ways. Wicked ways [Hebrew] - Rah,raw-aw:  A wrong way; bad ways; do harm; displeasing ways; good for nothing. If the root is not right, the fruit won't be right.  Let's look at what God commands:   #1  Humble ourselves (humility) Humility: Free from pride; dependant on God; honest concern for others. There is no place for: Me-Myself-I. They that know God will be humble, they that know themselves cannot be proud.  ‘Flavel' The bigger I grow in God, the smaller I become.  ‘Allen Bond' (descending into greatness) It's important that we understand Jesus did not condemn sinners.  He condemned hypocrites [false humility].  There is nothing more prideful than a person who excuses his sin while condemning the sins of others. There is nothing more awful than conscious humility* – it's the most satanic type of pride.  ‘Oswald Chambers' *Conscious humility - To act humbly or put on false humility.  It's covering up your pride with an act of humility An “All” life is a holy life and it's the product of GRACE.  And God gives grace ONLY to the humble. James 4:6(Amp) - But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully).  That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty[arrogance] but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).                                James 4:10 (Amp) - Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].                                       Humility serves God and others. 1 Peter 5:5b-6(Amp) – 5b “…..Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another.  For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)-[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives favor, blessing) to the humble. 6Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you.” #2 Pray Pray: Speaking / communicating with God. For a person to pray and really commune with God, you must: -  Acknowledge God's existence. - Know that God really cares and knows about your every need. -  Expect that God is able and willing to respond to your prayers. Jeremiah 33:3 (Amp) - Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).                                                  The key is prayer – “call on me”. No matter what your circumstances, the bottom line is PRAY!!! When in doubt – pray. When in a problem – pray. When it's going well – pray. Need guidance & don't have an answer – pray. The devil smiles when we make plans, he laughs when we get busy, but he trembles when we pray. The truth is you will NEVER rise above your prayer life.  You are as powerful spiritually as your prayer life. Colossians 4:2(Amp) - Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.                                                                  #3  Seek God's face Seek: To look for; go in search of; to try find or obtain. Deuteronomy 4:29(Amp) - But if from there [Promised Land] you will seek (inquire for and require as necessity) the Lord your God, you will find Him if you [truly] seek Him with all your heart [and mind] and soul and life. Seeking means, giving it your “ALL”.  I'm fully sold out to Jesus (Mt 6:33 – Seek 1st His kingdom and righteousness, all will be added) Jeremiah 29:11-13 (Amp) - 11For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.  12Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.  13Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. The principal Jesus was teaching in Luke 11:10 ”… and he who seeks and keeps on seeking, finds.” If you want the Jeremiah 29:11 promise, you will have to live a life that continues to seek God.  “Seek” is the valve that opens the promises. Psalm 34:10(NIV) - The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.              God knows the awesome benefit there is for us when we seek Him. #4  Turn from your wicked ways (or turn from your wrong ways; bad ways; displeasing ways; good for nothing ways) This has to do with: Obedience, growth, and maturity. Do you realise how many Christians live with deliberate sins in their lives and thinking it won't affect their communication with God. Isaiah 59:1(Amp) - Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 1 John 3:9 (LB) - The person who has been born into God's family does not make a practice of sinning, because now God's life is in him; so, he can't keep on sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him - he has been born again.                                                                                                        You cannot stay the way you were and proclaim Jesus saved you. If there is no change, there is no Jesus It's like the story of the guy who was going fishing one time and he went up to the dock to an old man.  He wanted to know how deep the water was and he asked in a kind of a strange way.  He said, “Sir, if I was to fall off right here would I drown?”  And the old man said, “No you wouldn't drown if you fell in.  You'd drown if you stayed under.” It's not our occasional stumble with sin that hinders our breakthroughs and victories.  It is staying under.  You need to confess immediately to God and tell him you're getting rid of that sin. A wife goes with her husband to the doctor.  The doctor tells the wife that her husband's prognosis is not good and that he has only one week to live.  But his time may be extended if she would cook for him, rub his feet and back and take him golfing and fishing etc. and if she would be as affectionate to him as she was when they were first married. So, when the husband asked his wife what the doctor had said, she replied, “He said you have one week to live.” You see, many people do not get healed spiritually, emotionally and sometimes even physically, not because their condition is incurable, but they're not healed because they do not want to follow the doctor's orders. Before we see or hear from God (our heavenly doctor who knows what's best for us) we need to make up our minds, are we Giving it your “All”? Our All calls for All these 4 commands to be obediently followed.  You can't just do 2 out of 4 and expect to hear from God.  It doesn't work that way. When God gave us these orders it was for a good reason. Humble yourself – be free from pride. - Pray - talk with God (all the time) - Seek God's face – go and search, go after God. - Turn from your wicked ways – repent daily; change; live a holy life. How willing are to give your “ALL”? - o O o -

WHISPER | People | May 1, 2022 Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor So 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 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. 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. 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. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV) Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 (NIV) Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NIV) The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:10B-12 (NIV) Reflection Questions: Read Ephesians 4:11-16 1) How have you seen God speak through another person into your life? How has God used you to speak into the life of another person? 2) Who are people in your life that you love and trust to be able to speak the truth in love? Who are those you can share your hidden self with? What about their life makes you trust them? 3) What does it take to develop those kind of “truth in love” relationships? Do you have a regular rhythm of meeting with people who you talk about what God is speaking to them about? 4) Why is it important to bring our hidden self (hopes, dreams, struggles, fears, sin, etc.) into the open with other people? What is the cost of failing to engage with people around our hidden self? 5) Have you had a time where someone was able to speak to an issue in your life and they did it really well? Or really poorly? What made it positive or negative? 6) Why is it important and helpful to give people permission to speak into your life (i.e. inviting feedback)?

WHISPER | People | May 1, 2022 Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor So 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 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. 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. 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. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV) Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 (NIV) Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NIV) The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:10B-12 (NIV) Reflection Questions: Read Ephesians 4:11-16 1) How have you seen God speak through another person into your life? How has God used you to speak into the life of another person? 2) Who are people in your life that you love and trust to be able to speak the truth in love? Who are those you can share your hidden self with? What about their life makes you trust them? 3) What does it take to develop those kind of “truth in love” relationships? Do you have a regular rhythm of meeting with people who you talk about what God is speaking to them about? 4) Why is it important to bring our hidden self (hopes, dreams, struggles, fears, sin, etc.) into the open with other people? What is the cost of failing to engage with people around our hidden self? 5) Have you had a time where someone was able to speak to an issue in your life and they did it really well? Or really poorly? What made it positive or negative? 6) Why is it important and helpful to give people permission to speak into your life (i.e. inviting feedback)?

Mark 16:6-7 NIV -“Don't be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mildred-kingsley-okonkwo0/message

I have great appreciation for jazz musicians. Rather than playing notes that have been planned and written, they improvise. They listen to each other and adjust their playing to create music while maintaining harmony and rhythm. It takes great skill and attention to the other band members to make good jazz music. Keep that in mind when you hear Romans 12:16, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” (NIV) Don't you wish more people lived in harmony? The same phrase is used in 1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (NIV) A jazz musician must listen to other band members to make good music. They have to stay in the same key and mind the rhythm. What do we have to do to live in harmony with one another? Well, combining the two passages, we get a list of things to do and a list of things to avoid. We must be sympathetic, have brotherly love, be compassionate, be humble and associate with people in low position. The two things we are told to avoid are being conceited and proud. Today, may you listen to and be sensitive to those around you and create a harmony of life! How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

When I was a teenager, I worked out by lifting weights. I really wanted to beef up my upper body. I was on the high school football team and the coach also wanted me to gain strength. Alas, God gave me a skinny body. I never did develop the chest and arm muscles I wanted. But I did get stronger. The coach also ran us through drills and sprints to improve our cardiovascular fitness. It wasn't fun to leave practice panting for breath. Nor to experience all the sore muscles training produced. But it did get me ready for the game. Listen to James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV) Don't you want to be spiritually mature? Don't you want to be spiritually fit and ready for the game of life? Well, the process to get there is not always easy. It requires perseverance. Yesterday, we saw we sometimes have to persevere through suffering. This verse tells us we sometimes are tested in our faith. That's right, we endure trials that force us to trust God more. As we persevere, we mature spiritually. Are you facing problems that are testing your trust in God? Hang in there! Keep on trusting him! How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

You may have heard the Bible verse from John 8:32 that says if you “know the truth, the truth shall set us free.” However, so many of us are vulnerable to lies we hear from others (or even tell ourselves) about who we are, about who others are, and about how we should be in the world. Our guests today encourage us as to how we can overcome lies by walking in truth and embracing who we're meant to be in God's eyes. We're speaking with pastor of Passion City Church Louie Giglio and author and speaker Diana Butler Bass.     Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast John 8:32 NIV Jesus Listens Past interview: Ben Higgins Upcoming interview: Sinach   Louie Giglio Passion City Church Georgia State University Baylor University Passion gatherings Isaiah 26:8 NIV Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table John 10:10 NIV Psalm 23 NIV www.passioncitychurch.com   Diana Butler Bass Matthew 25 NIV Grateful Jesus Calling www.diantabutlerbass.com Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence   Interview Quotes: “That's really how I've gotten from that moment to this moment, it's just by waking up every day and saying yes to the opportunities that God gives me.” - Louie Giglio “If you just preach the gospel and preach the Word, it stays relevant in every season.” - Louie Giglio “I realized that I had let the adversary dominate my thinking, disrupt my peace of mind, cause confusion and consternation, and keep me up at night. I'll never forget the moment I just decided I'm taking the table of my mind back, starting right now, saying ‘You are not welcome at my table and you are not welcome in this conversation. I'm not going to give you a seat anymore at my table.'” - Louie Giglio  “Psalm 23, it said, ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and your staff. They comfort me.' And He didn't say “We're going to the valley.” He said, “We're going through the valley.” And God has a way of bringing us through every trial and every circumstance.” - Louie Giglio “[Church] gave me a sense of freedom to not be afraid of questions, because if you're part of a tradition that's centuries and centuries old, you know that it's not going to go away next year, it's going to last. And so you can ask whatever questions need to be asked. And in that context of church, I both felt grounded and incredibly free.” - Diana Butler Bass “Real church happens when you go out the door....the church loving our neighbors, caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, visiting prisoners in jail, all that stuff, that's church, that's what Jesus said.” - Diana Butler Bass “Share your story in such a way that your neighbors want to have coffee with you. Be able to tell your story of Jesus as easily and naturally. As I think Jesus told His own story.” - Diana Butler Bass ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What's Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website

“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) “Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” - Ephesians 5:14-16 (MSG) In this week's message, we are reading from Luke 18. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector don't have an action problem, they have an identity problem. The Pharisee represents legalism, while the Tax Collector represents Lawlessness. 1.) You need to know Jesus. “Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” - Philippians 3:4-7 (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: 8 - 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” - Romans 10:9 - 10 (NIV) Remember who you are. When we know who are we, we will know what to do. 2.) You need to grow. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:23 - 25 a.) We need people to help us grow! b.) We need positive people in our lives. c.) We need to connect with others.

At The Core pt 11 - Never Too Early Never Too Late -No matter how old or young you are you'll always have a reason to feel insecure. You'll feel too young until you'll feel too old, but you'll never feel just right. -“Age doesn't matter unless you are a cheese” -Our lives aren't determined by how many minutes we've lived but by our response to the moments that God has shown up in our lives. -Never Too Early, Never Too Late -Gen 12:1-3 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country[b] and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” -Abraham was called to make a difference in the world around him. -He didn't let his minutes get in the way of his response in the moment. -Gen 12:7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” -Gen 18:1-2 “And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth.” -Minutes can be measured by clock but moments are measured by their significance. -Gen 18:9-15 “They said to him, “where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old? Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it saying “I did not laugh” for she was afraid, He said, “No, but you did laugh?” God works best in impossible situations. Gen 21:1 “The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 1 Tim 4:12 (NIV) “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” -Don't let the number of minutes you've lived, whether a lot or a little keep you from saying yes to God in the moment. -Don't Waste your Life. “But whatever you do, find the God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it and die for it. And you will make a difference that lasts. You will not waste your life.” — John Piper — -Don't Wait to do what God's calling you to do. -Don't Wish you were someone else. -“Am I the right guy? I don't know, but I'm the guy being asked, and the last thing I want to do is miss an opportunity or make God mad, so I just keeping saying yes. Maybe God is doing some inexplicable things in your life. Each of us gets to decide every time whether to lean in or step back - to say yes, ignore it, or tell God why He has the wrong person.” — Bob Goff— -Do what God is asking you to do. -“God is never late and rarely early. He is always exactly right on time – His time.” — Dillon Burroughs

Join us as Brian continues The Greatest Stories Rarely Told, taking a look at some of the greatest, yet lesser-known stories of the Bible, that point back to our 3 core values; Sacrificial Generosity, Radical Hospitality, and Uncommon Humility. 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 - July 25, 2021The Greatest Stories Rarely Told - Brian Becker Sacrificial Generosity Radical Hospitality Uncommon Humility 2 Samuel 3:4 (NIV)Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth. Radical Hospitality:People you don't know but need to love.People you do know but don't want to love. This past year we have been conditioned by society who “our people” are and who “our people” are not. But we are being invited to be reconditioned by Jesus to see people and love them the same way he would. People would rather draw lines than extend a hand; draw lines than seek to understand. 2 Samuel 3:4 (NIV)Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth. 1 Samuel 18:10b-11 (NIV)Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I'll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 1 Samuel 18:28-29 (MSG)As Saul more and more realized that God was with David, and how much his own daughter, Michal, loved him, his fear of David increased and settled into hate. Saul hated David. 2 Samuel 9:3 (NIV)David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show… 2 Samuel 9:3 (NIV)David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness… Kindness: חֶסֶד/ ḥeseḏ / (kheh'-sed)Khesed combines the ideas of love, generosity, and enduring commitment all into one. Khesed describes an act of promise-keeping loyalty that is motivated by deep personal care. Kindness: חֶסֶד/ ḥeseḏ / (kheh'-sed)“Extraordinary acts of kindness; meeting an extreme need, outside the normal run of perceived duty, and arising from personal affection or pure goodness.” 2 Samuel 9:3-13 (NIV)Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. 2 Samuel 9:3-13 (NIV)When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied. 2 Samuel 9:3-13 (NIV)“Don't be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.2 Samuel 9:3-13 (NIV)Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” 2 Samuel 9:3-13 (NIV)Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's steward, and said to him, “I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 2 Samuel 9:3-13 (NIV)You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) 2 Samuel 9:3-13 (NIV)Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons. 2 Samuel 9:3-13 (NIV)Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba's household were servants of Mephibosheth. And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table; he was lame in both feet. 2 Samuel 9:8 (NIV)Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” Exodus 34:6Compassionate, and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6Compassionate, and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with khessed and faithfulness. Psalm 136Give thanks to the Lord for he is good… Psalm 136Give thanks to the Lord for he is good…his khesed endures forever. God's kingdom is a kingdom of kindness, even to those who were once enemies. EVIL for Good=Maniacal EVIL for Evil=Predictable GOOD for Evil=Remarkable Matthew 5:43-45a (NIV)“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Compassionate, and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with Khessed and faithfulness. 1.Have I experienced (or re-experienced) the Khessed of God in my life? 2.Who am I living in hostility towards, and how can I move towards hospitality in that area? 3.How can I create environments of restoration when I welcome people into my life?

Theme: We all have a responsibility to help next generation. This is especially true when it comes to our faith. You may not be biologically related, but we are a part of God's family. This week we'll learn from Paul and Timothy's relationship and see what we can do to encourage the next generation. Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Notes:http://bible.com/events/48716062

Today we're discussing everyone's favorite topic: Politics. We'll be talking about how and why and if we should involve ourselves in politics, whether or not we all have to agree, and where our focus through it all needs to be. Intro - 0:19 * There's a very real chance that Steve will become a superhero (but he'll be good) * Nathan points out that the bad guys always think they're the good guys * British Accent = Anything Foreign Why so political? - 4:45 * Nathan's likes politics, but he's not “political” * Book: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace (https://amzn.to/3eMyCmA) * Politics is about the things we disagree on * Politics + the Church = Complications Keep them separate? - 24:05 * “Set your minds on things above, not things below” - Colossians 3:2 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203%3A2&version=NIV) * “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's” - Mark 12:13-17 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A13-17&version=NIV) * Political Affiliation Test (https://www.politicalcompass.org/test) * Another Political Affiliation Test (https://9axes.github.io/) * “The Christ hymn” -Philippians 2:6-11 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202%3A6-11&version=NIV) * “Political” = “thing I don't agree with” * The first century is safe territory Can't we just disagree? - 46:04 * Jesus used challenging language all the time * Jesus speaking in Nazareth: Luke 4:14-28 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A14-28&version=NIV) * Peace is not the same thing as unity * Iron sharpening iron - Proverbs 27:17 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2027%3A17&version=NIV) How should we be involved? - 1:08:22 * Book of Daniel (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%201&version=NIV) * Story of Joseph - Genesis 37 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2037&version=NIV) * Moses kills the Egyptian Exodus 2:11-15 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+2%3A11-15&version=NIV) * John the Baptist & Herod - Mark 6:14-29 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206%3A14-29&version=NIV) * Don't vote for your own power. Use your influence to help those who need help * Your voice is more important than your vote * Who is the enemy? What's the focus? - 1:30:47 * Be kingdom-focused, not salvation-focused * “The kingdom is at hand” - Mark 1:14-15 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A14-15&version=NIV) * Don't be so afraid of the discomfort * Politics isn't about policy any more, it's about identity * Let's try to keep our identity focused on Christ Join our Patreon (http://patreon.com/followingthefire) - we have some fantastic patron perks!

Habakkuk‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?” When we understand who lives in us this world is silenced!!! Satan is afraid of being exposed by the light of Holy Spirit!!! He creeps around in the dark places of our life. When we expose him he looses his power. When we hide in guilt, shame and self condemnation we give him the power to keep us stuck!!!

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

I'm New • https://willamette.cc/sunday/join-us-in-person/im-new • Find opportunities to engage and grow! Find Community • https://willamette.cc/community • Growth happens best in community. Community Life starts this week! 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! Sermon Notes - April 11th, 2021 Luke: Help Foretold - Brian Becker Jesus predicted his death. Jesus predicted his death.Jesus foretold his resurrection. Jesus predicted his death.Jesus foretold his resurrection. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit. Luke 24:49 (NIV) “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Romans 8:11 “The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in you.” Romans 8:2 “It's the Spirit who gives life...” O Breath of Life,come sweeping through us,Revive your church with life and power; O Breath of Life,come, cleanse, renew usAnd fit your church to meet this hour. John 16:5-6 (NIV) “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I've told you. John 16:7 (NIV)But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Comforter/Helper/Advocate/Divine Encourager won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. Luke 24:49 (NIV) “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” - Pray in the Spirit (Jude 20)- Live in the Spirit (Phil 3:3; 16)- Worship in the Spirit (John 4:24)- Preach in the Spirit, (1 Thess 1:5)- Walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16)- Keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25) “The messages that say ‘just be good, damn people...to their pride or to despair.” Loud and proud is not synonymous with Spirit-Filled. “When we see an image of the cross, we would do well to always include the other two crosses next to Jesus. Jesus spent his dying moments associated with the lowest of the low, keeping company with those the world condemns.”- Karl Barth - Don't resist the Spirit. Acts 7:51 (NIV)“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” - Don't resist the Spirit.- Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) “Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. INSTEAD, BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT: “To go on being filled.”“To be in the state of being filled -Don't resist the Spirit.- Be filled with the Spirit.

PURCHASE THE GO CREATOR GO BOOK & JOURNAL:www.antoinebeane.comhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GV2DK1Vhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GVJ6MP5FOLLOW GO CREATOR GO & TRIUMPH MEDIAWORKS:Facebook & IG: @gogreatorgo & @triumphmediaworkswww.triumphmediaworks.com____________________________The commercial that won the awards:____________________________*SCRIPTURES CONCERNING GOD'S NETWORK FOR US:GOD’S NETWORK MADE US: GENESIS 2:26 ESV - Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”WE NETWORK WITH GOD: 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 ESV - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.THE NETWORKING POWER OF THE TESTIMONY: PSALMS 22:22 NIV - I will praise you to all my brothers; I will stand up before the congregation and testify of the wonderful things you have done.PSALMS 66:16 NIV - Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.GOD THE FATHER: HEBREWS 2:1-4 NIV - We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.JESUS: ROMANS 8:34 NIV - Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.THE HOLY SPIRIT: PSALMS 15:26-27 NIV - When the Helper (The Holy Spirit) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father— the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father—he will testify on my behalf. You will testify also, because you have been with me from the beginning.ANGELS: HEBREWS 1:14 NIV - Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?2 CORINTHIANS 3:21 ESV - Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.GOD’S NETWORK IS AVAILABLE - ROMANS 8:31, 37b NIV - What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. GOD’S NETWORK HELPS US - PSALMS 28:7 NIV - The Lord is my strength and my shield;  my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.GOD’S NETWORK GETS US THE RESULTS WE NEED - EXODUS 14:14 NIV - The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.GOD’S NETWORK IS THERE WHEN WE NEED IT - LUKE 6:11b-12 NIV - Don’t worry how you’ll respond, and don’t worry what you should say. The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them.SEEK GOD FIRST - MATTHEW 6:33 NIV - Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 NIV - 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Holy SimplifyingAre you running the race God has marked out for you, or are you running someone else’s? Let us discover how to navigate life's terrain with God's help; overcoming every challenge that lies before us.Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)“Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. - Matthew 6:19-20 (TPT)But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. - 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NASB)If you are on the path God has for you, ask Holy Spirit to show you any areas where you need to simplify, so that your race won’t be so difficult. Allow God’s holy simplification to come as you fix your eyes upon Jesus.Thank You!Becoming a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating space for people to connect with God in this busy world is so vital.As a patron, you empower us to continue producing and developing tools for people to connect with God, discover identity, and awaken purpose for their lives. Learn more on our website at CultivateConnection.comWe Need You!Cultivate Connection is listened to in 129 countries and averages 2,000 listeners a week. Help us reach even more people by sharing this episode on Facebook, Instagram, via email, or whatever other way you prefer.Visit our Facebook page and share your thoughts or ask a question. We read every comment and love responding!Leave a review on iTunes or your favourite podcast app. Your ratings and reviews mean a lot and help this podcast get discovered by others.And lastly, subscribe to Cultivate Collection Weekly, our email providing you with resources and inspiration to help you grow your relationship with God.

Message by Pastor Andy Rosas  John 10:10 (NIV)  The Curse  We have an enemy…   I Peter 5:8 (NIV)  John 10:10 (NIV) 1 John 3:8 (ESV) The Challenge Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV) The Cure 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)  The Bible,  God’s Words  Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)  Prayer, asking God for help James 5:13-18 (NIV) The Armor of God  Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)  Be Nice  Romans 12:17-21 (NIV) Don't fight alone, find community  Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) Let's do this together Luke 10:1,17-20 (NIV) -----------   [NEXT STEPS:] Say Yes to Jesus I am going to embrace the Cure

“Who In The World Are We?” – “Awakening Our Nation’s Conscience” - A teaching from Pastor Tim White. * 1Co 3:16-17 NIV Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? * 1Pet. 2:9-10 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. - KINGDOM & PRIESTS, or KINGS & PRIESTS? - * Rev 1:6 NIV and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen * Rev. 5:10 NIV You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." * 2Cor 5:17-20 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (18) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: (19) 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. (20) 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.

hey friend! episode 1 here! do you want to know why your prayers aren't being answered? would you like to know and understand the tools that are needed to pray for yourself, a situation and/or others? in this episode, I will discuss: The difference between praying for yourself and praying for other people, How to pray for yourself and other people and what scriptures to hold tight to when your faith and trust in The Lord to move on your behalf is being tested . xx janae Like this and want more of it? Purchase my book Well-Watered Garden on Amazon! Scriptures Mentioned: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16 KJV "Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him." Romans 12:1-2 CEV "Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That's why he doesn't answer your prayers or let you see his face." Isaiah 59:2 CEV "God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to Him." 1 Peter 5:7 CEV "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." 1 Cor 9:27 NKJV "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor or your ways My ways," says the lord. Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph 6:12 NIV "Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you." 1 Cor 15:33 CEV "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor 6:9-11 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3 KJV If you'd like to support the continuation of this christ-centered content, you can do so by sending your gift to Cashapp Via $JanaeSchvonne. Would you like the FREE promises of God book? DM me on Instagram @GrowRegardlessPodcast

Sunday, November 8 Shane Frazier | Founding Pastor, Freedom Church   Does the King have dominion of your heart? “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) “When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. Mark 5:21-24 (NIV) “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” Mark 5:25-29 (NIV) Let your desperation change your destination. “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Romans 8:16-17 (NLT) “I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:13-14 (NIV) “Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) “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 12:2 (NLT) “The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 (NLT) Come to the King Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NLT) Press into the King “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8 (ERV) Reach out to the King “From one person God made all nations who live on earth, and he decided when and where every nation would be. God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn't far from any of us.” Acts 17:26-27 (CEV)

“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”” — Acts 5:38-39 (NIV) Don’t Be Proud9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Romans 12:9-17 (NIV)First time joining us? We want to connect with you. Text LTWC to 618-238-2848 You can follow along with the sermon outline here: http://livingtheword.net/sermonnotes Did you just pray the prayer of salvation? We’d like to celebrate with you! Let us know! Click Here! www.livingtheword.net/salvation Need someone to talk to? You can submit your prayer request to prayer@livingtheword.net As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic we invite you to our Virtual Hub. Click here to visit: LTWC Virtual bit.ly/LivingTheWordVirtual

1 Kings 19:4b-5 He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”  5  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. (NIV) 1. Your physical health is a spiritual priority. 3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. (NLT) 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (NIV) 2. Your physical health is a part of your spiritual worship. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  20  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (NIV) Romans 12:1 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. (NIV) 3. Your physical health will affect your spiritual impact. 1 Corinthians 9:25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. (NLT) John 5:6 Do you want to get well (NIV) (Don’t include in the bible app notes – just screens) 1. Eat healthy 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 12  You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.  13  You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.  (NLT) 2. Rest well Ex 20:8-11 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (NIV) Psalm 127:2 – In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to [a]  those he loves. (NIV) Psalm 127:2 It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest. (TLB) 3. Get some exercise 1 Tim 4:8 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." (NLT) 4. Guard your schedule Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (ESV)

1 Kings 19:4b-5 He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”  5  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. (NIV) 1. Your physical health is a spiritual priority. 3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. (NLT) 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (NIV) 2. Your physical health is a part of your spiritual worship. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  20  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (NIV) Romans 12:1 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. (NIV) 3. Your physical health will affect your spiritual impact. 1 Corinthians 9:25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. (NLT) John 5:6 Do you want to get well (NIV) (Don’t include in the bible app notes – just screens) 1. Eat healthy 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 12  You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.  13  You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.  (NLT) 2. Rest well Ex 20:8-11 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (NIV) Psalm 127:2 – In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to [a]  those he loves. (NIV) Psalm 127:2 It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest. (TLB) 3. Get some exercise 1 Tim 4:8 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." (NLT) 4. Guard your schedule Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (ESV)

Carrie Robaina shares her 3 best tips for making the transition back-to-school easier in the midst of a pandemic whether you're homeschooling, going to private or public school!  This Week's Takeaways: - As we go back to school the best thing we can do as followers of Jesus is to respect others even if we disagree    - Grace goes a long way. If someone makes a different choice from us as to how they approach the school year we must absolutely show them love and not point fingers.    - Prayer is the BEST thing we can do. Pray for administrators, teachers, parents, our own family, and of course our children. Below are some verses you can pray over your kids.  Bible verses you can pray over your children: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 NIV “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.” James 1:5 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 3:17 NIV “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV This Week’s Sponsor:  Find Your Fit  Listen to the She Walks In Truth Podcast:  Listen on Apple Podcasts here Listen on Spotify here Listen on the blog here Episode Gear: Microphone and Gear Used To Record This Episode  http://carrierobaina.com/podcastgear Connect with Carrie on Social Media: instagram.com/carrierobaina  facebook.com/carrierobaina 

IS IT WARFARE? 10.28.18Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12THE DEVIL’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO CREATE FEAR AND DOUBT IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE! WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?HE BLINDS THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers… 2 Corinthians 4:4HE STEALS GOD’S WORD FROM YOU. When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. Matthew 13:19HE SETS TRAPS TO ENSNARE YOU. ...and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:26HE FIGHTS TO STOP YOU. For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us. 1 Thess. 2:18HE PLANS TO DESTROY YOU. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8GOD’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO INCREASE MY FAITH AND DEPENDENCE ON HIM AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!REMEMBER...YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR BATTLES.17And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:1726Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 (ESV)10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4:10, 1216Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)Don’t Shift Your Responsibility. Shift Your Target. REMEMBER...GOD HAS ALREADY DECIDED AND DEFINED YOUR VICTORY.You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our faith. [continuing, persistent faith in Jesus the Son of God]. 1 John 5:4 (AMP)1 Peter 5:7-11 (NASB)7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, firm in your faith… 10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen

Our mission: To lead people into a new life of freedom in Jesus. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (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. Ephesians 4:31-33 (NIV) The Goal = to dislodge unforgiveness from our hearts. IT DOESN'T WORK. OUR FREEDOM IS WAITING. How do we dislodge unforgiveness from our hearts? Know what forgiveness is NOT. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:17-21 (NIV) Forgiveness is not about forgetting... It's about your freedom. Trust God's heart for you. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT) Acknowledge the hurt. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV) Recognize the real enemy. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. 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) 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. Ephesians 4:31-33 (NIV) Don't wait for a feeling. “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) For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7  (NIV) Choices lead… feelings follow. Remember what YOU have been forgiven of. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:8-12 (NLT) 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)

Wopsle concludes our look at the parables of Christ by exploring the idea of growth and how the smallest things we encounter can have the biggest influence. Cupcakes & Dinner Rolls Storyteller | Week 10 July 30, 2017 | Wopsle Matthew 13:31-33 (NIV) He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV) But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 (The Message) Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”?

Behind every highlight reel you see, there is a behind the scenes that you don't. Children are our greatest responsibility… and our most valuable resource.  I'm not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I'm writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 (MSG) There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up… 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 (MSG) Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 (NLT) Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-5 (NIV) Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:1-5 (NIV) Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them… Psalm 127:1-5 (NIV) 5 Targets for Effective Leadership in the Home Clear VISION and VALUES Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained… Proverbs 29:18 (AMP) VISION is your destination; VALUES are your guideposts for the journey. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NLT) Individual AFFIRMATION and ATTENTION Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) Affirmation = WHO AM I? For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) When we don't TAKE THE TIME to AFFIRM our children, they will look for it in other ways. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 (NIV) Lessons in PRESSURE and PATIENCE Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. Proverbs 22:15 (NIV)  My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Proverbs 6:20-23 (NIV) Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. Proverbs 6:20-23 (NIV) For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life… Proverbs 6:20-23 (NIV) Our moments of PATIENCE give more credibility to our moments of PRESSURE. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (NLT)  A model of HUSTLE and HUMILITY Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) Don't be so busy working for your family that you sacrifice the leadership your family needs from you. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) HUMILITY keeps the motive of your HUSTLE pure. God's grace is covering your child more than your parenting decisions are forming them. No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NLT)

Message Title: Instructions for a New Year Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV) Create and fight for a culture of HONOR. RELATIONAL PEACE is a result of MUTUAL RESPECT. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive… 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV) Warn the IDLE and DISRUPTIVE. …encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV) Look beyond YOURSELF. Looking beyond YOURSELF is how you get beyond WHERE YOU ARE. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV) Live for the OTHER person's good. Love is living for the other person's good. Rejoice always…1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV) Make a HABIT and a PRACTICE of rejoicing. …pray continually… 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) Pray CONTINUALLY. 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting… Worship Night If you get up and pray in the dark, you will have more strength and clarity in the light. …give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) Give thanks in ALL circumstances. Giving thanks in ALL circumstances is a sure fire sign of spiritual maturity. Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NIV) Don't quench the SPIRIT. You can be Spirit Led, filled and driven… without being weird. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 (NIV) Don't write off the PROPHETIC. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV) Allow God to SANCTIFY you through and through. Sanctify = purify, cleanse, separate, dedicate The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV) The life God promises IS on the other side of instructions He has given us to follow! See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NIV

Heb. 10:35-39 (NIV) Don’t let the hard times in life blind you from your confidence in God and give up, when you could receive the reward. Confident that with God’s help you can persevere through the hard times. (Phil. 4:13) Confident that God will fulfill His promise to be with you all the way. (Heb. […]

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV) When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-25 (NLT)  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… Galatians 5:19-25 (NLT) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Galatians 5:19-25 (NLT) Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:19-25 (NLT) Goodness  = Upright in heart and life 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 good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11 (NIV)  Good THOUGHTS 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) God's fruit of GOODNESS in your life will first be produced in your THOUGHT life. If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! Proverbs 11:27 (NIV) How you SEE your life... starts with how you THINK about your life. 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. Romans 12:2 (NLT) Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (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 10:4-5 (NIV) Good WORDS Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. Matthew 12:33-35 (NIV) …For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Matthew 12:33-35 (NIV) 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 12:33-35 (NIV) The condition of your heart will always be revealed in the fruit of your tongue. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) The Freedom of Speech does NOT apply to Christians.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV) Good WORKS  For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) …the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NLT) God's WORKS will reveal themselves as you HUMBLY walk in GOD'S WAYS.  And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 (NLT) A Good STORY Your story thus far is not final and your story to come is not written. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God's absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us… Hebrews 12:1-2 (AMP) …let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us… Hebrews 12:1-2 (AMP)  …[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith… Hebrews 12:1-2 (AMP) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)  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. Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Message Title: “Find Peace” For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34 (NLT) Jesus' goal was not peace on earth… it was peace in you. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV) In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! Luke 1:46-49 (NLT) For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. Luke 1:46-49 (NLT) For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. Luke 1:46-49 (NLT) 1.  It is conditional God's peace is not conditional based on your circumstance, but based on your surrender The mind governed by the flesh is death… Romans 8:6 (NIV) …but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 (NIV) You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) 2.  It doesn't make sense …The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:5-7(NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7(NIV) INTERNAL peace is possible even in EXTERNAL CHAOS. 3.  It is closer than you think Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 (NIV) God doesn't just offer peace… it's part of who He is. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Immanuel = God With Us The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Tension: sense of conflict, or a pulling force Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see… Hebrews 11:1-6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:1-6 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) “The Tension Between NOW and NEXT.” I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT) Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. Luke 8:40-43 (NIV) As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.  And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. Luke 8:40-43 (NIV) Understand that where you are NOW is necessary for what is NEXT. It's easy to get frustrated with the NOW, not realizing what is happening now is setting us up for what God wants to do NEXT. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV) Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV) For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV) What God wants to do NEXT is always built on the foundation of what He wants you to LEARN now. …As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. Luke 8:42-44 (ESV) And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. Luke 8:42-44 (ESV) She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. Luke 8:42-44 (ESV) Understand what got you HERE, won't get you THERE. Yesterday's FAITH won't get you through today's FIGHT. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Luke 8:45-48 (NIV) When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” Luke 8:45-48 (NIV) But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Luke 8:45-48 (NIV) Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Luke 8:45-48 (NIV) Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Luke 8:45-48 (NIV) Don't get stuck in the NOW… there is always a NEXT “Complacency kills growth.” – John Maxwell Don't be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Galatians 6:7-9 (NLT)  Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-9 (NLT) So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Galatians 6:7-9 (NLT) Our success in the NOW is not a finish line to celebrate, but a mile marker leading us to what is NEXT. Don't get discouraged in your NOW, when someone else reaches their NEXT. While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don't bother the teacher anymore.” Luke 8:49-55 (NIV) Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” Luke 8:49-55 (NIV) When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. Luke 8:49-55 (NIV) Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. Luke 8:49-55 (NIV) But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Luke 8:49-55 (NIV) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) …Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)

Message Title: “Decision to be Generous” 6 Principles of Sowing Seed: Sowing & Reaping is a Law of Nature. Sowing & Reaping is a Spiritual Law as well. “Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7 (NIV) “Don't be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will  always harvest what you plant.” Galatians 6:7 (NLT) “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7 (NASB) We reap in kind to what we sow. “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.” Galatians 6:8 (NIV) We reap proportionately to what we sow. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) We always reap more than we sow. There's always distance between the “Sowing Season”      and the “Reaping Season.” There are 3 Driving Beliefs behind Sowing Seed: We must Believe that God is our Source. We must Sow Seed in Advance of the Harvest we Seek. We Look to God for the Harvest.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:6-7 (NIV) Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.  “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us.  Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” Exodus 1:8-13 (NIV) They made their lives bitter with harsh laboring brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly. Exodus 1:14 (NIV) 6 Realities of Debt: Debt makes us a SERVANT to someone other than God. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 (NIV) The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Proverbs 18:11 (NIV) Debt is something God WANTS us out of. The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. Deuteronomy 28:12 (NIV) The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Deuteronomy 28:13 (NIV) Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them. Deuteronomy 28:14 (NIV) In the Bible, debt was always LIMITED to seven years. At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.  This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. Deuteronomy 15:1-2 (NIV) They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. Deuteronomy 15:2 (NIV) Debt has the possibility of DICTATING our future. Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. James 4:13-14 (NIV) What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:14-15 (NIV) Debt can affect our RELATIONSHIP with God, our family and our marriage. Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28 (NIV) Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. Proverbs 11:29 (NIV) The Bible never condemns debt; it just says we need to have a TRAJECTORY out of it. 6 Bondage Breakers: COMMIT to God to get out of DEBT. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 (NIV) Don't ACQUIRE any more debt. Put God FIRST in your finances. 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) Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8 (NIV) Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) Develop a WRITTEN plan. Put it on a TIME FRAME. Adjust your LIFESTYLE. You have to live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else. – Dave Ramsey

Message Title: Facing Giants (Part I) Numbers 13:1-3, 16-29, 31 (NIV) 1. Be quick to size up your situation but slow to size up yourself - Num 13:31 (NIV) - Don't be a believer that turns good news into a bad report. Be a believer that turns bad news into a good report. 2. Avoid the majority - Num 13:32 (NIV) 3. What are you thinking? - Sometimes our "spies" are not necessarily people; they are our very own thoughts! - Num 13:30 (NIV) - Phil 4:8 (NKJV) - God is not limited by his capability. He's only limited by you capacity to receive. - Num 13:33 (NIV) - We don't experience our reality. We experience our perception of reality. - Your faith is dying in deserts not because of your giants but because of how you're looking at your giants! - Ps 112:6-7 NIV

Part 1 Recap - “Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessing, will be saturated with favor.” -Proverbs 11:25 (Passion) 1. This House Is Anointed 2. This House Is About Others 3. This House Needs Your House Now What? 4. This house is where miracles happen. "Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a little oil.” -2 Kings 4:2 (NIV) “Do not despise the days of small beginnings” -Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) "Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting the jars aside as they are filled.” -2 Kings 4:4 (NLT) "She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring." - 2 Kings 4:5 (NIV) - It's in the House of God where we see multiplication - where miracles happen. It's where God uses your little or just enough. "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!" -Malachi 3:10 (NLT) "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness," -2 Corinthians 9:10 (NKJV) "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) 5. This house will be a house of overflow. "When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and there will be enough money left over to support you and your sons.” -2 Kings 4:7 (NLT) "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 (NIV) Don't turn your back on God before your miracle is complete.