Podcasts about nlt as

To get serious about wholeness and total health, we have to take a hard look at ourselves. Today is a tough Scripture passage from Jesus, but also a reminder that there is freedom on the other side of our battles. Listen closely … Jesus is not angry here, just being honest … “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others.  The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT) As humans, a fact we have to deal with throughout life is the less whole we are in any given season, the more we tend to find fault in others. Whether wanting to justify our own behavior or just being negative about people, we can look around and see the “speck in other's eyes,” to use Jesus' words. But notice the important counsel here: “First, get rid of the log in your own eye …”Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … Buckle up, this version hits even more closer to home ….“Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.The goal of Jesus' teaching here is not to produce guilt, shame, or self-hatred, but rather getting honest about personal evaluation. Facing our own stuff.Is there an area of your life that is a ‘speck or log in my own eye'? Can you think of one area to surrender and repent of right now?Getting real about what we need to surrender to God before we can truly begin the journey toward wholeness.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I always love the mercy and grace verses in Your Word, but I know I have to embrace ones like this too. Today, I need to hand over the logs and the specks to You. I want to be whole, so I know some surgery on my heart and work on my attitude are what I need to allow You to do right now. As above, so below.”

This week is a huge topic for anyone these days—finding stability in a time of instability. For Solo parents, there are several factors in play … the first is working on surrender to God to allow His stability to enter our hearts and minds. The second is working on ourselves to be stable in our own feelings and emotions. The third is finding stability, not in trying to fill the void with another relationship, but rather to find support within a solid and supportive community.The shepherd turned king David certainly understood chaos in life—from his enemies, those around him, and even by his own hand. Let's begin our look at stability by going to our Source. Listen to David's words:Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.  O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:5-8 NLT) As believers in and followers of Christ, just because the world around us shakes does not mean we have to. If we are in Him, then He holds us in His hands. He is our Hope. Our Rock. Our Fortress. Our Refuge.Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … What is making you feel unstable right now? Can you pinpoint the source of your instability?Whether your answer is one thing or everything, whether your feelings or your thoughts or your actions feel completely shaky, take the focus off the unstable things in and around you and focus on the One who is always stable. Imagine Him holding you now, like a Dad with a child in a storm. Just for this moment, take your eyes off what is shaking and place them on what is solid … Your Hope. Your Rock. Your Fortress. Your Refuge.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I receive Your hope, I want to live with You as my Rock, My Fortress, my Refuge. My anxious thoughts, feelings, and emotions I give to You now. As above, so below.”

April 20 2025 Sunday Your Words Matter / Week 11 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons ”For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.“ 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV ”For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.“ 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT ”For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].“ 2 Corinthians 5:21 AMPC ”according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:“ Ephesians 1:4 KJV ”Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.“ Ephesians 1:4 NLT ”Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.“ Ephesians 1:4 AMPC ”that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:“ Ephesians 1:10 KJV ”And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.“ Ephesians 1:10 NLT ”[He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. Ephesians 1:10 AMPC”and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:“ Philippians 3:9 KJV ”and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.“ Philippians 3:9 NLT ”And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.“ Philippians 3:9 AMPC ”As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.“ Colossians 2:6-7 KJV ”And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.“ Colossians 2:6-7 NLT ”As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.“ Colossians 2:6-7 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

“And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, ‘Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.’” (Matthew 26:27–28 NLT) As the hour of Jesus’ arrest approached, we see God’s plan continuing to unfold with amazing precision. Jesus and His disciples needed a place to share the traditional Passover meal together. God arranged for them to encounter a man with just such a place (see Luke 22:10–13). This Last Supper would be the last time these thirteen men, who had shared and experienced so much in their three years together, would ever be in the same room. And before their food had time to digest, the world as they knew it would be changed forever. Jesus used this final teachable moment to prepare them for what was to come. Using the elements of the meal, He explained the sacrifice He was about to make. The bread represented His body, which was about to be nailed to a cross—that is, given in place of ours. The wine represented His blood. He said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you” (Luke 22:20 NLT). Jesus’ blood covers our sins and makes us righteous in God’s eyes. The disciples may have been reminded of the words He spoke after He had fed five thousand men (plus thousands more women and children) with only five barley loaves and two fish: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. . . . I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh. . . . I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me” (John 6:35, 51, 53–57 NLT). At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19 NLT). When we share Communion together today, that’s exactly what we’re doing: remembering the sacrifice Jesus made. The disciples needed to understand that sacrifice because, sooner than they possibly could have imagined, they would be sharing the news of it with the world. That privilege and responsibility didn’t end with them. Every follower of Christ must be a truth-teller. We must help others see the truth of Christ’s sacrifice—why it was necessary, what it accomplished, and what it means for us. Reflection question: Aside from Communion, how do you commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus’ body and blood? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we feel like life or parenting, or schedule, or money, or all of it is out of control, we really mean out of our control, don't we?It's very important in those moments to evaluate what is in control. Living in a fallen world, so often we see sin controlling things. Selfishness, self-serving, self-gratification. The crucial thing to do is take an honest look at our own lives and ask, Is sin controlling anything in my life that I need to give to God?Listen to Paul in Romans 6:11-14 …So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. (NLT) As you heard this passage, did anything come to mind? Did any part stand out to you? Did God speak to you, even if it was just a quick flash in your mind?If sin is a master, and masters want to control, then what great news to hear we have the option to live in freedom. To be free of control or the need to control … anything … anyone.Listen to this passage again in The Message Bible … When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God.If this passage is true, then let me ask you … what are you not free from today? If something, someone, or any situation quickly comes to mind, how can you apply today's truth to open your hand, release your grip, and hand it over to God?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, Thank You for Your love. Thank You that You have defeated sin. My sin. Thank You for my freedom. Help me to walk in it—today. As above, so below.”

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT) As we mentioned in the previous devotion, this month we’ll be looking at passages in the Old Testament in which Jesus appears or is referred to. Before we do that, though, let’s briefly review how the Bible came to be. The more we understand about what God’s Word is—and isn’t—the better we can appreciate its specific references to Jesus centuries before His birth. The Bible is the most amazing document ever given to man. Technically speaking, it is not one book. The Bible is a compilation of sixty-six books with more than forty different authors. It has been separated into two sections. The first section contains thirty-nine books that make up the Old Testament. The second section contains twenty-seven books that make up the New Testament. Overall, the Bible was written over the course of approximately 1,500 years and was written in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) by people all over the place—from kings to peasants to philosophers to laborers, poets, statesmen, and scholars. Moses was a political leader trained in the schools of Egypt. He wrote the first five books of the Bible that we know as the Pentateuch. Peter was a fisherman. Joshua was a military general. Daniel was the equivalent of a prime minister. Luke was a doctor. Solomon was a king. Matthew was a tax collector. Paul was a rabbi. The Bible is the most ambitious literary project ever conceived. And it’s a miracle. There’s no earthly reason for so many disparate parts to form such a seamless whole. But there is a heavenly reason. God guided every author, every step of the way. He didn’t dictate the words of Scripture. He allowed each author to use his own writing style and personality. But God made sure that they wrote what He intended. He inspired them to express His truths in their own words. And though they all bring different perspectives to the material, they all tell a single story. The Bible is the story of God’s love for us, even after we sinned against Him, and His amazing plan to save us from the punishment we deserve for our sin. The Bible is the story of Jesus. He is the golden thread that runs through its pages. He bridges the Old and New Testaments. He connects sixty-six separate books into one. We see the promise of Jesus in the Garden of Eden. We see the work of Jesus in Noah’s ark. We see the ancestors of Jesus in the stories of Abraham, Jacob, and David. We see specific predictions about Jesus in the Old Testament books of prophecy. And we see the fulfillment of everything written about Him in the Gospels. God’s perfect plan of salvation can be seen in the perfect Book He gave the world. Reflection question: How do you know God’s Word can be trusted? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor David MorrisonJeremiah 29:10-14 (NLT)- The Israelites, the people this text is written for, had lived in rebellion against God and found themselves without a permanent home.- God says I have not forgotten you. I still believe in you and have plans for your future-good ones!This is the foundation for the Scripture I am sharing. It is a form of love that God can only fully show His creation.Ephesians 1:4-14 (NLT)- Before time began, God loved us so much that He chose us through the work of Christ to be in a relationship with Him. For this to happen, we had to be blameless and holy because God is a blameless and holy God.2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)- God has chosen all people. God has chosen you because He loves you.GOD CHOSE ME.- Anyone who says they don't want to be chosen has just been picked last so many times that they have stopped caring, in self-preservation mode.- God chooses me and you, even though I sin and make a mess.- This is the gospel: God chooses you despite all the terrible things you have done and will do, not to benefit Himself but to bring you into a relationship with Him!Not only does God choose us to be in a relationship with Him, but He also chooses us to spend eternity in heaven, not hell. That would be enough!I'm reminded of the story of the prodigal son who ran from his father, spent his money, sinned, and came home on his knees. My father forgives me; I am no longer worthy of being a son but a servant.GOD CHOSE TO ADOPT ME.- When it says God chose us, He chose me to be His child, adopted into His family with the same rights and inheritance as a biological one.- This means that when I am in Christ, I am a child of God.- Just as God calls Jesus son, He calls you son and daughter!Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)- As a child of God - He is proud of you. He will fight for you. Everything that He has is available to you. When someone crosses a child of God, they must deal with the dad.- Because of God's great love, you are chosen, not only chosen but also adopted into the family of God! And it gets better!Ephesians 1:11 (NLT)GOD CHOSE TO GIVE ME A NEW INHERITANCE.- I'm talking about a new spiritual inheritance.- When you step into a relationship with Christ...you are trading away the inheritance of this world for something greater.You see, what I inherited from this world is addiction, its brokenness, its loneliness, its oppression, it's hell. But that chain can be broken when you are a child of God. That which has terrorized your family is no longer yours to pass down to your children by default.Due to His immense love, God has chosen you, desires to adopt you, and has prepared a new inheritance for you.Ephesians 1:13-14 (NLT)DO I CHOOSE HIM?

“Then Jesus told her, ‘I am the Messiah!’” (John 4:26 NLT) As word of Jesus’ miracle-working powers spread, more and more people flocked to see Him. And when they heard His message, they asked to be baptized. Before long, Jesus’ disciples were baptizing more people than even John the Baptist himself. That level of popularity attracted the attention of the Jewish religious leaders. They started to feel threatened by Jesus’ increasing influence. Instead of giving them a chance to scrutinize Him, Jesus returned to His home region of Galilee. And the route He took surely raised some eyebrows. The quickest route from Jerusalem to Galilee led through Samaria. However, most Jewish travelers preferred to take a longer detour to the east to avoid the region. That’s how much they hated Samaritans. Samaritans were of mixed ethnicity. Most Jewish people regarded them as half-breeds. Their religious practices combined Judaism with pagan elements, which caused their Jewish neighbors to hate them even more. Centuries of bad blood had created a deep animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus took the path straight through Samaria. And He stopped at a well near the town of Sychar. While His disciples went into town to buy food, Jesus rested near the well. Around noon, a Samaritan woman approached the well to draw water. Jesus asked her for a drink. The woman was stunned because there were several invisible, but very real, social barriers between Jesus and her. One, Jews didn’t talk to Samaritans. Two, men didn’t talk to women privately. And three, few people talked to a woman with her reputation. She had been married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband. Yet Jesus refused to allow these artificial boundaries to prevent Him from making a personal connection and sharing His Good News. The woman pointed out that, like the Jews, the Samaritans were waiting for the Messiah, God’s chosen Redeemer. “I am the Messiah!” Jesus revealed. The takeaway here is obvious. Our culture urges us to focus on the differences that divide us. Conservative vs. liberal. Men vs. women. Young vs. old. Christian vs. non-Christian. Jesus urges us to focus on the things that unite us. The need for compassion, love, understanding, peace of mind, and assurance about our future. The desire to be known, to have a purpose, to find fulfillment and joy, and to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. The woman told other Samaritans about her encounter with Jesus, and they believed in Him too. So we see that when one person is willing to cross social barriers, the impact can be enormous. Word of Jesus’ coming arrived in Galilee before He did. The people there welcomed Him because they’d seen what He did in Jerusalem during the Passover celebration. In Cana, the site of His first public miracle, He got an urgent request from a government official whose son was on his deathbed. In this passage, we see why Jesus initially hesitated when His mother asked Him to intervene when the wine ran out at the wedding feast. Jesus recognized that the spectacle of His miracle-working would overshadow His message. That’s why He asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” (verse 48 NLT). The key to Jesus’ encounter with the government official is that the man believed what Jesus said. In this case, his son was healed. Not every prayer is answered that way. Not everyone recovers from sickness. But everyone who believes what Jesus says will find grace, forgiveness, comfort, strength, direction, endurance, and wisdom. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬As you give May the Lord refresh you and don't get tired in doing good!!

Signs of change are all around us—leaves falling, cooler breezes, brisk mornings. Do you feel that bit of stress when life's seasons shift? Whether it's a new move, a job change, relationships evolving, or even a health crisis, transitions can be challenging. But remember, God is right there with us in every single season. This episode dives into how He remains steadfast, guiding us through each change.I'm even in a season of change myself, preparing to transform my Wimberley home into an Airbnb early next year. It's meant letting go of the old and opening up for the new—so many practical steps, yet each one a reminder of God's presence and provision in change.

1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. … so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. A consistent theme throughout Scripture is placing focus on God, His goodness, and His grace while staying away from the attraction of the world and sin. Simply reading the news every day gives us plenty of evidence that money and power do not make people happy and content. Suicide, depression, anxiety, and the like have little to do with the state of income but rather the state of mind. Let's do an honest inventory. Knowing that ‘money' represents security, prestige, pleasure. What is an area of your life that your focus has been the ‘craving' of money, and what it represents, as the scripture calls it? Listen once again, this time focusing only on the “do” verses, not the “dont's”:  Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. … Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. (1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT) As we often talk about here, focusing only on the dont's is not sustainable. We need to replace the dont's with the do's. Can you focus today on pursuing these things, not just staying away from the temptations of wealth? Pursue righteousness, love, perseverance, gentleness? Let's pray: “Father, teach me to be content. Help me to pursue righteousness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness as I fight the good fight for my faith in You. As above, so below.”

September 15 2024 Sunday Week 20 / Your Place In Him / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons… The Biggest Desire In The World Today Is The Desire For Freedom “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:11 KJV Atonement  reparation for a wrong or injury. "she wanted to make atonement for her husband's behavior" (in religious contexts) reparation or expiation for sin."an annual ceremony of confession and atonement for sin" CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY the reconciliation of God and humankind through Jesus Christ.noun: Atonement “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” Romans 5:11 NLT “Not only so, but we also rejoice and exultingly glory in God [in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received and enjoy [our] reconciliation. [Jer. 9:24.]” Romans 5:11 AMPC “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14 KJV “Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting. Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don't want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. And even those who advocate circumcision don't keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples. As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died. It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God's peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Galatians 6:11-18 NLT  “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died.” Galatians 6:14 NLT “But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!” Galatians 6:14 AMPC “from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:16 KJV “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16 NLT “For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:16 AMPC “and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:19 KJV “and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.” Colossians 2:19 NLT “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires.” Colossians 2:6-23 NLT “And not holding fast to the Head, from Whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by means of its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” Colossians 2:19 AMPC “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:” 2 Corinthians 2:15 KJV “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15 NLT “For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:” 2 Corinthians 2:15 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

“O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭140‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬As the month, ends today, allow God to be your chief planner!!

Today, we close out Psalm 139 and our focus of how we were each created and designed to be a part of God's creation and community: (Psalm 139:17-18, 23-24 NLT) How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! … Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:17-18, 23-24 NLT) As good parents, we think of our kids when they are not with us. We wonder what they're doing, if they are okay, and hope they know we love them. God as the perfect Father is always with us, but even still He keeps us on His mind. His love, grace, and care keep us on His path to a full life today and eternal life to come. Invite God into your thoughts, your heart. Give Him room to show You His love and keep You close to Him today. Take in these words once again, this time from the Message bible: Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them— any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! … Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.. How does it feel to know the God of the universe thought are about you right now? You are on His mind, right now. Let's make the psalmist's words our prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. As above, so below.”

June 30 2024 Sunday Week 09 / Your Place In Him / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons… The Biggest Desire In The World Today Is The Desire For Freedom "The general religion of mankind is 'do,' but the religion of the Christian is 'done.'" Charles Spurgeon  Tetelestai” comes from the Greek root word of “telew” meaning to bring to an end, finish, or complete. ”For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.“ 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV ”For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.“ 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT ”For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].“ 2 Corinthians 5:21 AMPC ”according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:“ Ephesians 1:4 KJV ”Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.“ Ephesians 1:4 NLT ”Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.“ Ephesians 1:4 AMPC ”that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:“ Ephesians 1:10 KJV ”And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.“ Ephesians 1:10 NLT ”[He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. Ephesians 1:10 AMPC ”and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:“ Philippians 3:9 KJV ”and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.“ Philippians 3:9 NLT ”And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.“ Philippians 3:9 AMPC ”As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.“ Colossians 2:6-7 KJV ”And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.“ Colossians 2:6-7 NLT ”As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.“ Colossians 2:6-7 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

In a world where fear and the need for approval often dictate our actions, how do we break free and truly live? Join Pastor Ben Bonner in this compelling sermon titled "Risk it for the Biscuit," where he focuses on the power of taking risks and trusting in the Lord's security. Drawing inspiration from Proverbs 29:25, Ben encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the uncertainties of life with faith. Tune in to learn how to embrace risks for the ultimate reward!   Sermon Notes:  Take Risks. Don't Be Trapped by Fear. ”People are trapped by their fear of others; those who trust the LORD are secure.” Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭25‬ ‭CEB‬‬ ”Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.“ Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ ”As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point.“ ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT

To get serious about wholeness and total health, we have to take a hard look at ourselves. Today is a tough Scripture passage from Jesus, but also a reminder that there is freedom on the other side of our battles. Listen closely … Jesus is not angry here, just being honest … “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others.  The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT) As humans, a fact we have to deal with throughout life is the less whole we are in any given season, the more we tend to find fault in others. Whether wanting to justify our own behavior or just being negative about people, we can look around and see the “speck in other's eyes,” to use Jesus' words. But notice the important counsel here: “First, get rid of the log in your own eye …” Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … Buckle up, this version hits even more closer to home …. “Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. The goal of Jesus' teaching here is not to produce guilt, shame, or self-hatred, but rather getting honest about personal evaluation. Facing our own stuff. Is there an area of your life that is a ‘speck or log in my own eye'? Can you think of one area to surrender and repent of right now? Getting real about what we need to surrender to God before we can truly begin the journey toward wholeness. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I always love the mercy and grace verses in Your Word, but I know I have to embrace ones like this too. Today, I need to hand over the logs and the specks to You. I want to be whole, so I know some surgery on my heart and work on my attitude are what I need to allow You to do right now. As above, so below.”

This week is a huge topic for anyone these days—finding stability in a time of instability. For Solo parents, there are several factors in play … the first is working on surrender to God to allow His stability to enter our hearts and minds. The second is working on ourselves to be stable in our own feelings and emotions. The third is finding stability, not in trying to fill the void with another relationship, but rather to find support within a solid and supportive community. The shepherd turned king David certainly understood chaos in life—from his enemies, those around him, and even by his own hand. Let's begin our look at stability by going to our Source. Listen to David's words: Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.  O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:5-8 NLT) As believers in and followers of Christ, just because the world around us shakes does not mean we have to. If we are in Him, then He holds us in His hands. He is our Hope. Our Rock. Our Fortress. Our Refuge. Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … What is making you feel unstable right now? Can you pinpoint the source of your instability? Whether your answer is one thing or everything, whether your feelings or your thoughts or your actions feel completely shaky, take the focus off the unstable things in and around you and focus on the One who is always stable. Imagine Him holding you now, like a Dad with a child in a storm. Just for this moment, take your eyes off what is shaking and place them on what is solid … Your Hope. Your Rock. Your Fortress. Your Refuge. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I receive Your hope, I want to live with You as my Rock, My Fortress, my Refuge. My anxious thoughts, feelings, and emotions I give to You now. As above, so below.”

So how do you live out your faith when culture shifts? Daniel 1:7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 1. Culture wants to CHANGE your IDENTITY. DANIEL-“God is my judge” Belteshazzar- “Lady, protect the King” HANANIAH- “Yahweh has been gracious” Shadrach- “I am fearful of God” MISHAEL- “Who is what God is?” Meshach- “I am despised, contemptible and humiliated.” AZARIAH- “Yahweh has helped” Abednego- “Servant of Nebo” When culture shifts, you have to know WHO YOU ARE. Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 2. Culture wants you to COMPROMISE your STANDARDS. When culture shifts, we must REAFFIRM our CONVICTIONS. Daniel 1:9-10 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel,   but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel 1:11-14 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,   “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 3. Culture will always CREATE a CONFRONTATION. When culture shifts, we must respond the RIGHT WAY. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. TRUTH: God's standard. John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. GRACE: God's favor. Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Without truth, we are CORRUPT. Without grace, we are all CONDEMNED. Without truth, we become WORLDLY. Without grace, we would become JUDGMENTAL. Truth without grace is MEAN. Grace without truth is MEANINGLESS. Truth and grace is good MEDICINE. Grace INVITES us to be free. Truth SETS us free. John 8:3-11 NLT   As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.   “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.   The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”   They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.   They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”   Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.   When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.   Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?”   “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coastalchurch/message

When we feel like life or parenting, or schedule, or money, or all of it is out of control, we really mean out of our control, don't we? It's very important in those moments to evaluate what is in control. Living in a fallen world, so often we see sin controlling things. Selfishness, self-serving, self-gratification. The crucial thing to do is take an honest look at our own lives and ask, Is sin controlling anything in my life that I need to give to God? Listen to Paul in Romans 6:11-14 … So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. (NLT) As you heard this passage, did anything come to mind? Did any part stand out to you? Did God speak to you, even if it was just a quick flash in your mind? If sin is a master, and masters want to control, then what great news to hear we have the option to live in freedom. To be free of control or the need to control … anything … anyone. Listen to this passage again in The Message Bible … When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God. If this passage is true, then let me ask you … what are you not free from today? If something, someone, or any situation quickly comes to mind, how can you apply today's truth to open your hand, release your grip, and hand it over to God? Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, Thank You for Your love. Thank You that You have defeated sin. My sin. Thank You for my freedom. Help me to walk in it—today. As above, so below.”

”And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.“ ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ As we move full speed ahead into what is sure to be a transformational year, our focus is to solely advance God's kingdom! Watch this sermon from Pastor Dominic to learn how to intentionally advance God's kingdom this year and advance in your own life!

“And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.“ ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ As we move full speed ahead into what is sure to be a transformational year, our focus is to solely advance God's kingdom! Enjoy this life-changing message about 2024 being a season of great open doors!

”And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.“ ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ As we move full speed ahead into what is sure to be a transformational year, our focus is to solely advance God's kingdom! Watch this sermon from Pastor Dominic to learn how to intentionally advance God's kingdom this year and advance in your own life!

We all have questions. You have questions. Join Stasi and today's special guest, her husband, John, as she poses questions sent in by listeners. They explore the topics of important daily practices, forgiveness, boundaries, waiting, and holding on to hope. This podcast is a treasure chest of insight and wisdom and will be helpful as you enter into the new year.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) — Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.Psalm 49:7–9 (NLT) — No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—so that they should live on forever and not see decay.Psalm 42:11 (NLT) — Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!Psalm 30:5 (NLT) — …Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.Galatians 6:14 (NLT) — As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died.…..OTHER RESOURCES:For more on benevolent detachment, we recommend John's book Get Your Life Back  https://amzn.to/4870URQFor more on the three hopes, we recommend John's book All Things New  https://amzn.to/3v7mwz2Quote by George Herbert, The Complete Works of George Herbert: Prose (ed. 1874): I wept when I was borne, and every day shewes why.…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode – Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOipApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3M81kxLAmazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ

Today we start a 6-week series on one of the most heated theological debates of the last 500 years: Calvinism vs. Arminianism. In this episode we'll talk about the nature of salvation and the interplay between God's sovereignty and human free will. We'll give some background on the key players in the debate: John Calvin, Jacob Arminius, and even St. Augustine. And we'll of course introduce TULIP - the acronym that will provide a framework for the rest of this series.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --TULIP https://www.pursuegod.org/what-is-calvinism/ Total Depravity. Humans without Christ are completely lost in their sins to the point that they can do no good. Sin affects every part of humanity: our will, emotions, actions, and attitudes. Romans 3:10-12 (NLT) As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”Unconditional Election. God chose Christians based on nothing about them. Election is not based on any foreseen faith in humans and it certainly isn't based on anything they do. It's simply based on God's will and choice. Romans 8:29-30 (NLT) For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.Limited Atonement. Christ's death only paid for the sins of the elect. In other words, the death of Christ paid for the sins of God's true people who respond to Christ in faith and repentance, but not for the whole world. John 10:11 (NLT) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.Irresistible Grace. God effectively calls you because his call cannot be resisted, nor would you want to resist it. In the moment when God calls you he also regenerates you. This is the work of the Holy Spirit coming into your life and giving you a new heart. John 6:37 (NLT) However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.Perseverance of the Saints. If you are truly elected and regenerated by God then you will continue on in a life of faith until the end. You aren't going to be perfect, but you will continue to pursue God

1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. … so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. A consistent theme throughout Scripture is placing focus on God, His goodness, and His grace while staying away from the attraction of the world and sin. Simply reading the news every day gives us plenty of evidence that money and power do not make people happy and content. Suicide, depression, anxiety, and the like have little to do with the state of income but rather the state of mind. Let's do an honest inventory. Knowing that ‘money' represents security, prestige, pleasure. What is an area of your life that your focus has been the ‘craving' of money, and what it represents, as the scripture calls it? Listen once again, this time focusing only on the “do” verses, not the “dont's”:  Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. … Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. (1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT) As we often talk about here, focusing only on the dont's is not sustainable. We need to replace the dont's with the do's. Can you focus today on pursuing these things, not just staying away from the temptations of wealth? Pursue righteousness, love, perseverance, gentleness? Let's pray: “Father, teach me to be content. Help me to pursue righteousness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness as I fight the good fight for my faith in You. As above, so below.”

Bay 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/connect——Bay 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: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.√ Seasons are inevitable. Genesis 8:22 (NLT) As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.√ Seasons are unavoidable.√ Seasons won't last forever. Psalm 90:12 (TLB) Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.EMBRACE YOUR SEASONI. SEE THE OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF YOU.Acts 2:17-18 (NLT) In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.'II. LEAVE REGRET IN THE PAST.Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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.Psalm 51:10-12 (TLB) Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Don't toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.III. KEEP ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE.Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 (NLT) What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all.  Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart...II Corinthians 4:17-18 (MSG) We're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

Today, we close out Psalm 139 and our focus of how we were each created and designed to be a part of God's creation and community: (Psalm 139:17-18, 23-24 NLT) How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! … Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:17-18, 23-24 NLT) As good parents, we think of our kids when they are not with us. We wonder what they're doing, if they are okay, and hope they know we love them. God as the perfect Father is always with us, but even still He keeps us on His mind. His love, grace, and care keep us on His path to a full life today and eternal life to come. Invite God into your thoughts, your heart. Give Him room to show You His love and keep You close to Him today. Take in these words once again, this time from the Message bible: Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them— any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! … Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.. How does it feel to know the God of the universe thought are about you right now? You are on His mind, right now. Let's make the psalmist's words our prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. As above, so below.”

Summer at Bay Chapel | June 4, 2023Psalm 42:1-5 (NLT) As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! √  LIVING IN THE PASTPhilippians 3:13-14 (NIV) One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.√  KEEPING SCORE√ GROWING WEARYMatthew 11:28-29 (NIV) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”SETTING THE PACEI. RUN AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE.Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) ...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.Psalm 55:22 (NLT) Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.II. FIND STRENGTH IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.Psalm 42:1 (NLT) As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.Isaiah 43:1-3 (GNT) The Lord who created you says, “Do not be afraid—I will save you. I have called you by name—you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you.When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you.Current Series Resources: https://baychapel.churchcenter.com/pages/prayerBay 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/connect——Bay 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/give

To get serious about wholeness and total health, we have to take a hard look at ourselves. Today is a tough Scripture passage from Jesus, but also a reminder that there is freedom on the other side of our battles. Listen closely … Jesus is not angry here, just being honest … “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT) As humans, a fact we have to deal with throughout life is the less whole we are in any given season, the more we tend to find fault in others. Whether wanting to justify our own behavior or just being negative about people, we can look around and see the “speck in other's eyes,” to use Jesus' words. But notice the important counsel here: “First, get rid of the log in your own eye …” Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … Buckle up, this version hits even more closer to home …. “Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. The goal of Jesus' teaching here is not to produce guilt, shame, or self-hatred, but rather getting honest about personal evaluation. Facing our own stuff. Is there an area of your life that is a ‘speck or log in my own eye'? Can you think of one area to surrender and repent of right now? Getting real about what we need to surrender to God before we can truly begin the journey toward wholeness. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I always love the mercy and grace verses in Your Word, but I know I have to embrace ones like this too. Today, I need to hand over the logs and the specks to You. I want to be whole, so I know some surgery on my heart and work on my attitude are what I need to allow You to do right now. As above, so below.”

“If we put God first, allowing Him to impact our lives, His Word to be our Guide, and His Spirit to abide in us, then we're going to sow that into our children's lives and reap what we sow.” We continue our podcast series, Standing in the Gap, focusing on amazing intercessors in the Bible. Stacy welcomes Joy Moreau, former Moms in Prayer Appalachian Division Coordinator, who shares the importance of living a godly life as an example to our children. God knows we get discouraged and anxious at times, so we need to come to Him in prayer, listen, and be aware that He wants to speak to us. Joy gives us examples of how to do this through the minor prophets in the Bible. ABOUT OUR GUEST Joy Moreau has the gift of encouragement wrapped in the package of a gentle and quiet spirit. She has been involved in Moms in Prayer for more than 20 years and is the former Moms in Prayer Appalachian Division Coordinator. She leads a Bible study at her home church, University Hills Baptist, in Charlotte. The desire of her heart is for the lives of children to be so impacted for Christ that they follow Him all their days. She and her husband, Joe, reside in North Carolina and have three grown sons, two daughter in loves, and three grandchildren. SCRIPTURES And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:1-3 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. Galatians 6:9 NIV Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.” Hosea 14:1-2 NLT “As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God's mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.” Jonah 2:7-9 NLT The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you. You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy. And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God. Micah 6:8 NIRV “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV MOMS IN PRAYER ·       New to Moms in Prayer? How to get started ·       Find an Event Near You ·       Support Our Mission

This week is a huge topic for anyone these days—finding stability in a time of instability. For Solo parents, there are several factors in play … the first is working on surrender to God to allow His stability to enter our hearts and minds. The second is working on ourselves to be stable in our own feelings and emotions. The third is finding stability, not in trying to fill the void with another relationship, but rather to find support within a solid and supportive community. The shepherd turned king David certainly understood chaos in life—from his enemies, those around him, and even by his own hand. Let's begin our look at stability by going to our Source. Listen to David's words: Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:5-8 NLT) As believers in and followers of Christ, just because the world around us shakes does not mean we have to. If we are in Him, then He holds us in His hands. He is our Hope. Our Rock. Our Fortress. Our Refuge. Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … What is making you feel unstable right now? Can you pinpoint the source of your instability? Whether your answer is one thing or everything, whether your feelings or your thoughts or your actions feel completely shaky, take the focus off the unstable things in and around you and focus on the One who is always stable. Imagine Him holding you now, like a Dad with a child in a storm. Just for this moment, take your eyes off what is shaking and place them on what is solid … Your Hope. Your Rock. Your Fortress. Your Refuge. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I receive Your hope, I want to live with You as my Rock, My Fortress, my Refuge. My anxious thoughts, feelings, and emotions I give to You now. As above, so below.”

WHEN ANGER LEADS TO ACTIONS THERE TENDS TO BE NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS And “don't sin by letting anger control you.” Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. Matthew 5:21-22 NLT ANGER AND INSULTS ARE AN UGLY SYMPTOMS OF A DESIRE TO GET RID OF SOMEONE WHO STANDS IN OUR WAY. - JOHN STOTT 'What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ' James 4:1-2 NIV So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won't be free again until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:23-26 NLT JESUS' TWO EXAMPLES 1. BROTHERS 2. ENEMIES NOT BEING CONTROLLED BY ANGER 1. ANGER IS NOT THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR RESPONSE CAN BE. "What such a man needs is not courage but nerve control, cool-headedness. This he can get only by practice.” -Theodore Roosevelt SOMETIMES ANGER LEADS US TO BE AGGRESSIVE 'Short-tempered people do foolish things… Proverbs 14:17 NLT 'Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.' Proverbs 29:11 NLT SOMETIMES ANGER LEADS US TO BE PASSIVE 'When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. ' Psalms 32:3 Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15 NLT 2. EXAMINE YOUR PRIORITIES 'From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ' Matthew 16:21-25 NLT I DIE TO MYSELF 'My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ' Galatians 2:20 NLT take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 NLT “A MAN ON HIS FACE CAN NEVER FALL DOWN” - LARRY STOCKSTILL I DIE TO MY FLESH 'Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ' Galatians 5:24 NLT 'We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. ' Romans 6:6-7 NLT “Always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.” Richard Nixon 3. A UNIFIED CHURCH IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE 'For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.' Ephesians 6:12 NLT 'Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.' Matthew 16:18-19 NLT As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died. ' Galatians 6:14 NLT

When we feel like life or parenting, or schedule, or money, or all of it is out of control, we really mean out of our control, don't we? It's very important in those moments to evaluate what is in control. Living in a fallen world, so often we see sin controlling things. Selfishness, self-serving, self-gratification. The crucial thing to do is take an honest look at our own lives and ask, Is sin controlling anything in my life that I need to give to God? Listen to Paul in Romans 6:11-14 … So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. (NLT) As you heard this passage, did anything come to mind? Did any part stand out to you? Did God speak to you, even if it was just a quick flash in your mind? If sin is a master, and masters want to control, then what great news to hear we have the option to live in freedom. To be free of control or the need to control … anything … anyone. Listen to this passage again in The Message Bible … When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God. If this passage is true, then let me ask you … what are you not free from today? If something, someone, or any situation quickly comes to mind, how can you apply today's truth to open your hand, release your grip, and hand it over to God? Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, Thank You for Your love. Thank You that You have defeated sin. My sin. Thank You for my freedom. Help me to walk in it—today. As above, so below.”

“Job shined as the world was watching.” Yes he did! Through all of the  suffering, Job remained faithful to the Lord, and he remained faithful as a friend. We are continuing our podcast series “Standing in the Gap” focusing in on some of the amazing intercessors in the Bible. Today Stacy welcomes Roger Rock, a member of the Moms in Prayer International Board of Directors, to the podcast.  Listen in as he shares what we can learn from Job's example that will help us persevere in prayer even in times of suffering. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Roger Rock has been a Christ follower since childhood.  He is also business man and considers it a privilege to serve on the Moms in Prayer International Board of Directors.  He and his lovely wife Kendra live in beautiful Oklahoma.  They have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren that are the joy of their lives.   SCRIPTURES: There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. Job 1:1 (NLT) As long as I live, while I have breath from God, my lips will speak no evil, and my tongue will speak no lies. Job 27:3-4 (NLT) Then Job replied to the LORD,I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” Job 40:3 (NLT) I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. Job 42:5 (NLT) I searched for a man among them who would build up a wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30 (NIV) We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.  James 5:11 (NLT) LINKS: MOMS IN PRAYER ·      New to Moms in Prayer? Find Out More!  PRAY with Moms in Your Community for Your Children Support Our Mission ·      Moms in Prayer Shop

(Bilingual) このメッセージではモンティー牧師が神様がどのように私たちの人間関係を良くしてくれるのかについて以下の３つのポイントから話します。In this message Ps Monty talks about how God makes your relationships better in these 3 points:(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud (5) or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. (6) It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. (7) Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.(1コリント 13:4-7 JCB) 愛は寛容であり、親切です。愛は決してねたみません。また、決して自慢せず、高慢になりません。 (5) 決して思い上がらず、自分の利益を求めず、無礼なふるまいをしません。愛は自分のやり方を押し通そうとはしません。また、いら立たず、腹を立てません。人に恨みをいだかず、人から悪いことをされても気にとめません。 (6) 決して不正を喜ばず、いつも真理を喜びます。 (7) 愛は、どんな犠牲をはらっても誠実を尽くし、すべてを信じ、最善を期待し、すべてを耐え忍びます。(Matthew 1:18-19 NLT) This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. (19) Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.(マタイ 1:18-19 JCB) イエス・キリストの誕生は次のとおりです。母マリヤはヨセフと婚約していました。ところが結婚する前に、聖霊によってみごもったのです。 (19) 婚約者のヨセフは、神の教えを堅く守る人でしたから、婚約を破棄しようと決心しました。しかし、人前にマリヤの恥をさらしたくなかったので、ひそかに縁を切ることにしました。(Matthew 1:20-21 NLT) As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. (21) And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”(マタイ 1:20-21 JCB) ヨセフがこのことで悩んでいた時、天使が夢に現れて言いました。「ダビデの子孫ヨセフよ。ためらわないで、マリヤと結婚しなさい。マリヤは聖霊によってみごもったのです。 (21) 彼女は男の子を産みます。その子をイエス（「主は救い」の意）と名づけなさい。この方こそ、ご自分を信じる人々を罪から救ってくださるからです。(Matthew 1:24-25 NLT) When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. (25) But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.(マタイ 1:24-25 JCB) 目が覚めるとヨセフは、天使の命じたとおり、マリヤと結婚しました。 (25) しかし、その子が生まれるまでは、マリヤに触れませんでした。そして、生まれた子をイエスと名づけました。How can God make my relationships better?どのように神様は私の人間関係を良くしてくれるの？1) Listen to God's Word神様のことばに耳を傾ける2) Act on God's Word神様のことばに従って行動する3) Keep God at the Center of Your Relationships人間関係の中心に神様を置き続ける(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. (10) If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. (11) Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? (12) A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.(伝道者 4:9-12 JCB) 二人が手を組めば、一人の人の倍以上のことができます。結果から見れば、二人のほうがずっといいのです。 (10) 二人なら片方が倒れても、もう一方が起こせます。ところが、一人のときに倒れてしまうと、だれにも起こしてもらえず、何とも惨めです。(11) また、寒い夜、二人が一枚の毛布でもかぶって寝れば、お互いの体温で暖かくなります。しかし一人では、どうにも暖まることができません。 (12) 一人では、攻撃を受けると負けてしまいます。しかし二人なら、背中合わせになって戦うことができ、相手に勝つことができます。三人なら、なおいいのです。三つ撚りの糸は、めったなことでは切れないからです。質問（Question Suggestions）:How did God guide Joseph and Mary?How has journaling guided you in your relationships? What area of your relationship are you asking for God's wisdom in? Do you find it easy to listen to godly wisdom or do you find worldly wisdom distracting or confusing?What is a scripture that has encouraged you to have healthy relationships (with family, friends, single or...

(English) In this message Ps Richard talks about how we should start this year in these 2 points:(Isaiah 43:19 NIV) 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.(Genesis 28:10-11 NLT) Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. (11) At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep.(Genesis 28:12-13a NLT) As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway. (13) At the top of the stairway stood the LORD, and he said, ‘I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac.'(Romans 8:1 NLT) “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”(Genesis 28:13b NLT) “The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants.”(Genesis 28:14 NLT) “Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions-to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.” (Genesis 28:15 NLT) “What's more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you."1.Build the Habit of Journaling(Jeremiah 15:16 NLT) “When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven's Armies.”(Genesis 28:16-17 NLT) “Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it!' (17) But he was also afraid and said, ‘What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!'"2.Appreciate the Awesomeness of God's House!

(Bilingual) このメッセージでは太助牧師が人生の予期せぬ出来事への対処法について以下の3つのポイントから話します。In this message Ps Tasuke talks about how to respond to unexpected life situation in these 3 points:(マタイ 1:18 JCB) イエス・キリストの誕生は次のとおりです。母マリヤはヨセフと婚約していました。ところが結婚する前に、聖霊によってみごもったのです。(Matthew 1:18 NLT) This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.(箴言 16:9 JCB) 人は心に計画を立てます。しかし、それを確かなものにするのは神です。(Proverbs 16:9 CEV) We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.1.予期せぬ出来事は人生という旅の一部 Unexpected Situations Are Part of the Journey(マタイ 1:19 JCB) 婚約者のヨセフは、神の教えを堅く守る人でしたから、婚約を破棄しようと決心しました。しかし、人前にマリヤの恥をさらしたくなかったので、ひそかに縁を切ることにしました。(Matthew 1:19 NLT) Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.(イザヤ 55:8-9 JCB) 「わたしの計画はあなたがたの考える計画とは違い、わたしの思いはあなたがたの思いと同じではない。 (9) 天が地より高いように、わたしの道はあなたがたの道より高く、わたしの思いはあなたがたの思いより高い。(Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (9) “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.2.私たちの感情ではなく、聖霊が私たちを導く存在 The Holy Spirit Guides Us, Not Our Feelings.(マタイ 1:20 JCB) ヨセフがこのことで悩んでいた時、天使が夢に現れて言いました。「ダビデの子孫ヨセフよ。ためらわないで、マリヤと結婚しなさい。マリヤは聖霊によってみごもったのです。(Matthew 1:20 NLT) As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.(Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(ピリピ 4:6-7 JCB) 何事も心配しないで、どんな時でも神に祈りなさい。そして、祈りに答えてくださる神に感謝しましょう。(7) そうすれば、人間の理解をはるかに超えた、すばらしい神の平安を経験します。キリスト・イエスにあって、その平安はあなたがたの心と思いを静め、安らかにしてくれるのです。3.聖霊の導きによって、大胆に決断しよう！Let's Make Bold Decisions Based on the Holy Spirit's Guidance(Matthew 1:21,24 NIV) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (24) ”When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.(マタイ 1:21,24 JCB) 彼女は男の子を産みます。その子をイエス（「主は救い」の意）と名づけなさい。この方こそ、ご自分を信じる人々を罪から救ってくださるからです。 (24) 目が覚めるとヨセフは、天使の命じたとおり、マリヤと結婚しました。

(English) In this message Ps Richard talks about responding to life's unexpected detours in these 3 points:(Matthew 1:18 NLT) This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.(Proverbs 16:9 CEV) We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.1.Detours are Part of the Journey(Matthew 1:19 NLT) Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.2.The Holy Spirit is the Driver, Not Our Feelings(Matthew 1:20 NLT) As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.(Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.3.Plan, But Be Ready for a Holy Spirit Miracle!(Matthew 1:21 NIV) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Acts 16: 25 & 26 NLT-As believers, it's important that we understand that God can do anything in the right environment. It's important that we create an atmosphere that will allow others to benefit, even if they don't understand. Instead of working on changing them, help them to change their environment, and God will do the rest!Contact The Life Room Podcast Email us at theliferoomcc@yahoo.com (1) The Life Room | Facebook Liferoomcc.com (Website) "Real Life, Real Christians, Real Struggles" Life Room Community Church

(English) In this message Ps Richard talks about how God sees our nation and the world in these 2 points:(Acts 1:8 NLT) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”1.God's Heart is for Nations (People!)(Acts 8:1 NLT) Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.(Acts 8:4-8 NLT) But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. (5) Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. (6) Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. (7) Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. (8) So there was great joy in that city.(Acts 8:14 NLT) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there.Foreigner: God has a Plan for You and Your City!Local: God has a Plan for You and Your City!2.God's Heart is for You Personally(Acts 8:26 NLT) As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts 8:29-31 NLT) The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” (30) Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (31) The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." (Hebrews 11:1, NLT) As we follow our purpose of making disciples, we can know with assurance that God will provide what we need for the journey ahead.

1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. … so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. A consistent theme throughout Scripture is placing focus on God, His goodness, and His grace while staying away from the attraction of the world and sin. Simply reading the news every day gives us plenty of evidence that money and power do not make people happy and content. Suicide, depression, anxiety, and the like have little to do with the state of income but rather the state of mind. Let's do an honest inventory. Knowing that ‘money' represents security, prestige, pleasure. What is an area of your life that your focus has been the ‘craving' of money, and what it represents, as the scripture calls it? Listen once again, this time focusing only on the “do” verses, not the “dont's”: Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. … Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. (1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT) As we often talk about here, focusing only on the dont's is not sustainable. We need to replace the dont's with the do's. Can you focus today on pursuing these things, not just staying away from the temptations of wealth? Pursue righteousness, love, perseverance, gentleness? Let's pray: “Father, teach me to be content. Help me to pursue righteousness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness as I fight the good fight for my faith in You. As above, so below.”

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 14:12 NLT   But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. John 16:7 NLT   But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 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   “Great damage is done if we ask a boy to become a king too soon, as is the case when a father abandons his family, walking out the door with the parting words, ‘You're the man of the house now.' A cruel thing to do, and an even more cruel thing to say, for the boy has not yet become a man, not yet learned the lessons of boyhood and then young manhood. He has not yet been a warrior, nor a lover, and he is in no way ready to become a king.” John Eldredge   “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. “I have never coveted anyone's silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.' ” Acts 20:32-35 NLT   “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Malachi 4:5   1. WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH?   “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. 1 Kings 19:13-16 NLT When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won't.” 2 Kings 2:9-10 NLT   As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress. Elisha picked up Elijah's cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with Elijah's cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord , the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across. When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, “Elijah's spirit rests upon Elisha!” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 2 Kings 2:11-15 NLT   2. THE SAD REALITY IS MANY WANT ELIJAH'S ANOINTING JUST NOT HIS RESPONSIBILITY. When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” he cried. 2 Kings 13:14   Then Elisha died and was buried. 2 Kings 13:20   Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet! 2 Kings 13:20-21   3. WILL WE BE INHERITANCE HOARDERS OR BESTOWERS?   The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord ,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord ! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord .'” So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.'” So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. Ezekiel 37:1-10 NLT

Hebrews 13:4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage ( the bed is undefiled). 1. We honor marriage when we honor Gods design for marriage. Genesis 2:18 (ESV). Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Gen 2:24-25 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Jesus confirms Gods original design for marriage.Matthew 19:4–6 (NLT)“Haven't you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.' 5And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' 6Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”Paul confirms Gods design for marriage. Ephesians 5:31–33 (NLT)As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 2. We honor marriage when we build on Gods design. We seek the Lord We live as best friends. We pursue godly romance. Hebrews 13:4 (ESV) Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Hebrews 13:4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage ( the bed is undefiled). 1. We honor marriage when we honor Gods design for marriage. Genesis 2:18 (ESV). Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Gen 2:24-25 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Jesus confirms Gods original design for marriage. Matthew 19:4–6 (NLT)“Haven't you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.' 5And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' 6Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Paul confirms Gods design for marriage. Ephesians 5:31–33 (NLT)As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 2. We honor marriage when we build on Gods design. We seek the Lord We live as best friends. We pursue godly romance. Hebrews 13:4 (ESV) Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

FOR EVERY OUTCOME YOU DESIRE, THERE MUST BE AN INPUT DISCIPLINE FOR IT TO BECOME A REALITY.   Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:17-18 NIV   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. 1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT   So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NLT   At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman's wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-3 NLT   So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he's just trying to pick a fight with me.” 2 Kings 5:4-7 NLT   But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.” So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha's house. But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! Aren't the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn't I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. 2 Kings 5:8-12 NLT   But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!'” So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! 2 Kings 5:13-14 NLT   GREAT OPPORTUNITIES OFTEN DISGUISE THEMSELVES IN SMALL TASKS.    INWARD DISCIPLINES   1. MEDITATION   Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:7-8 NLT   2. STUDY   And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men. Acts 17:11-12 NLT   As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT   3. PRAYER    Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 NLT   ADORATION AND WORSHIP CONFESSION AND TRANSFORMATION GOD'S KINGDOM AND GOD'S AGENDA  MY AGENDA AND REQUESTS   4. FASTING   He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 ESV …not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:42 NIV   Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT        

Today, we close out Psalm 139 and our focus of how we were each created and designed to be a part of God's creation and community: (Psalm 139:17-18, 23-24 NLT) How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! … Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:17-18, 23-24 NLT) As good parents, we think of our kids when they are not with us. We wonder what they're doing, if they are okay, and hope they know we love them. God as the perfect Father is always with us, but even still He keeps us on His mind. His love, grace, and care keep us on His path to a full life today and eternal life to come. Invite God into your thoughts, your heart. Give Him room to show You His love and keep You close to Him today. Take in these words once again, this time from the Message bible: Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them— any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! … Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.. How does it feel to know the God of the universe thought are about you right now? You are on His mind, right now. Let's make the psalmist's words our prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. As above, so below.”

To get serious about wholeness and total health, we have to take a hard look at ourselves. Today is a tough Scripture passage from Jesus, but also a reminder that there is freedom on the other side of our battles. Listen closely … Jesus is not angry here, just being honest … “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT) As humans, a fact we have to deal with throughout life is the less whole we are in any given season, the more we tend to find fault in others. Whether wanting to justify our own behavior or just being negative about people, we can look around and see the “speck in other's eyes,” to use Jesus' words. But notice the important counsel here: “First, get rid of the log in your own eye …” Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … Buckle up, this version hits even more closer to home …. “Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. The goal of Jesus' teaching here is not to produce guilt, shame, or self-hatred, but rather getting honest about personal evaluation. Facing our own stuff. Is there an area of your life that is a ‘speck or log in my own eye'? Can you think of one area to surrender and repent of right now? Getting real about what we need to surrender to God before we can truly begin the journey toward wholeness. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I always love the mercy and grace verses in Your Word, but I know I have to embrace ones like this too. Today, I need to hand over the logs and the specks to You. I want to be whole, so I know some surgery on my heart and work on my attitude are what I need to allow You to do right now. As above, so below.”

This week is a huge topic for anyone these days—finding stability in a time of instability. For Solo parents, there are several factors in play … the first is working on surrender to God to allow His stability to enter our hearts and minds. The second is working on ourselves to be stable in our own feelings and emotions. The third is finding stability, not in trying to fill the void with another relationship, but rather to find support within a solid and supportive community. The shepherd turned king David certainly understood chaos in life—from his enemies, those around him, and even by his own hand. Let's begin our look at stability by going to our Source. Listen to David's words: Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:5-8 NLT) As believers in and followers of Christ, just because the world around us shakes does not mean we have to. If we are in Him, then He holds us in His hands. He is our Hope. Our Rock. Our Fortress. Our Refuge. Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … What is making you feel unstable right now? Can you pinpoint the source of your instability? Whether your answer is one thing or everything, whether your feelings or your thoughts or your actions feel completely shaky, take the focus off the unstable things in and around you and focus on the One who is always stable. Imagine Him holding you now, like a Dad with a child in a storm. Just for this moment, take your eyes off what is shaking and place them on what is solid … Your Hope. Your Rock. Your Fortress. Your Refuge. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I receive Your hope, I want to live with You as my Rock, My Fortress, my Refuge. My anxious thoughts, feelings, and emotions I give to You now. As above, so below.”